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System and method for heating a fuel using a solar heating system

a solar heating and fuel technology, applied in the field of fuel consumed by a turbomachine, can solve the problems of prohibitive cost of adding solar technology to the site of a turbomachine, and achieve the effect of increasing the temperature of the fuel

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-06-24
GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system for increasing a temperature of a fuel, the system comprising: a system for increasing a temperature of a fuel, the system comprising: a turbomachine comprising a combustion system for combusting a fuel; and at least one solar heating system configured for heating the fuel, wherein the solar device is integrated with a fuel supply system located upstream of the combustion system; wherein the at least one solar heating system heats the fuel from a first temperature to a second temperature.

Problems solved by technology

This variance can make the addition of solar technology to a turbomachine site cost prohibitive.

Method used

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  • System and method for heating a fuel using a solar heating system

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first embodiment

[0020]the at least one solar heating system 175 may comprise a parabolic trough system 200, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. An embodiment of the parabolic trough system 200 may comprise a plurality of linear parabolic reflectors 205 that concentrate the sunlight onto a receiver 210 positioned along a focal line of the parabolic reflectors 205. The linear parabolic reflectors 205 are designed to follow the sunlight during the daylight hours by tracking along at least one axis (not illustrated in the figures). The receiver 210 may comprise a pipe through which the fuel 130 may flow. Here, the at least one solar heating system 175 may heat the fuel 130 via a convection form of heat transfer, such as, but not limiting of, forced convection, natural convection, or the like.

second embodiment

[0021]the at least one solar heating system 175 may comprise a solar tower system 300, as illustrated in FIG. 3. An embodiment of the solar tower system 300 may incorporate a plurality of tracking reflectors 305 for concentrating sunlight light onto a central receiver 310 near the top of a tower 315. The receiver 310 may comprise a pipe through which the fuel 130 may flow. Here, the at least one solar heating system 175 may heat the fuel 130 via a convection form of heat transfer, such as, but not limiting of, forced convection, natural convection, or the like.

[0022]In use, the at least one solar heating system 175 may heat the fuel 130 from a first temperature to a second temperature. Here, the first temperature may be considered the unheated temperature of the fuel 130. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first temperature may be up to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Furthermore, the second temperature may be considered the heated temperature of the fuel 130. In an embodi...

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Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention may take the form of a system and method that may use at least one solar heating system to heat the fuel consumed by a turbomachine. An embodiment of the present invention may incorporate concentrated solar power (CSP). Generally, CSP systems incorporate a plurality of lenses, mirrors, or combinations thereof and a tracking system to focus a large area of sunlight forming a small concentrated beam of light. The concentrated light may then be used as a heat source. In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat source may be used to partially or completely heat the fuel consumed by a turbomachine. CSP systems may take the form of a solar trough system, a parabolic dish system, a solar power tower system, or the like.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the fuel consumed by a turbomachine during operation; and more particularly to a system and method of utilizing a solar heating system to heat the fuel consumed by the turbomachine.[0002]The temperature of the fuel consumed by a turbomachine is generally required to be within a specific range. The fuel may include, but is not limited to, various type of fuel oil, a natural gas, or a synthetic gas. The combustion systems of some turbomachines require a ‘heated’ fuel such as, heated natural gas. Generally, the natural gas supply does not heat the natural gas to the required temperature of the turbomachine. Here, a fuel heater is used to increase the temperature of the natural gas to meet the turbomachine requirements. The fuel heater requires an energy source to operate. Some fuel heaters require that the energy source provide between 5 and 7 megawatts of power. Typically, the energy source derives from the turbomachine...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F24J2/42F24J2/00F24S90/00
CPCF01K23/10Y02E10/46F02C7/224F02C6/18
Inventor ZHANG, HUARANASINGHE, JATILA
Owner GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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