Plasma Feedwater and/or Make Up Water Energy Transfer System

Abstract

A method and system for converting a feedstock using thermal plasma or other gassifier, into a feedwater or make up water energy transfer system. Feedstock is any organic material or fossil fuel. The energy transferred in the feedwater or make N up water is used in any Rankine or other steam process, or any process that requires heat. Heat is extracted from a gas product issued by a gassifier and is delivered to a power plant via its feedwater system or make up water system. Preferably, the gassifier is a plasma gassifier and the gas product is syngas that is combusted in an afterburner. A heated air flow and / or EGR flow is provided the afterburner at a variable flow rate that is responsive an operating characteristic of the afterburner.

Description

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 399,294 filed Jul. 8, 2010; and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 403,929, filed Sep. 23, 2010. The disclosures of those provisional patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates generally processes and systems for generating electrical power, and more particularly, a process and system that extracts heat energy from the output gas of a gassifier, provides the extracted heat energy the system for generating electrical power via its associated feedwater system or make up water system, and can be applied any heat transfer process, including simple steam generation.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]There is significant interest in renewable energy projects. Thermal plasma has consistently distinguished itself as a high efficiency, low em...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a method for reducing emissions in an afterburner by using exhaust gas recirculation and a plasma gassifier. The recirculated exhaust gas can be injected into the afterburner at varying flow rates based on the temperature characteristic. The method can also include cooling the plasma torch by using cooling water and supplementing the extracted heat energy with natural gas, syngas, or propane. Additionally, a ceramic media filter is used to reduce emissions. The technical effect of this method is to reduce emissions in the afterburner and improve the efficiency of the afterburner.

Problems solved by technology

If an analysis of plasma waste (or other renewable fuels) relative other energy facilities is conducted, it becomes apparent that the lack of existing plasma projects is not exclusively the result of technological problems, but also results from the relatively poor economics associated with this technology.

Plasma technology is not inexpensive when compared disposition of waste using landfill, incineration, or conventional gasification.

Many plasma projects fail at the onset, notwithstanding extensive initial marketing efforts, usually as a result of inadequate financing and low or nonexistent profitability.

Unfortunately, it is expected that this modest boon to plasma usage will be short lived, as it represents an artificial market that is a poor model on which build a business.

This is particularly problematical when one considers that these facilities are expected produce power cost-effectively for at least fifty years.

Many plasma projects in the past have pinned false hopes on high tipping fees for hazardous waste without fully understanding the complications that are associated with such materials.

The handling of these materials is not only complex and expensive, but also potentially dangerous if not properly engineered.

The entire process and the facility itself thus become unduly expensive.

However, large quantities of such waste must be generated if the facility is achieve profitability.

Some companies have invested unrealistic hopes in “high value plasma by-products” such as Rockwool.

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