Combined cycle power augmentation by efficient utilization of atomizing air energy

Abstract

A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbine having a first compressor, a second compressor downstream of the first compressor, and a regenerative heat exchanger between the first and second compressors. A steam generator is downstream of the gas turbine and receives exhaust from the gas turbine. A closed loop cooling system through the regenerative heat exchanger and the steam generator transfers heat from the regenerative heat exchanger to the steam generator. A method for operating a combined cycle power plant includes compressing a working fluid in a compressor and cooling the compressed working fluid with a regenerative heat exchanger so as to create a cooled compressed working fluid. The method further includes transferring heat from the regenerative heat exchanger to a steam generator.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for operating a combined cycle power plant comprising:
 a. compressing a working fluid in a compressor;   b. cooling the compressed working fluid with a regenerative heat exchanger so as to create a cooled compressed working fluid;   c. combusting the cooled compressed working fluid in a combustor to produce combustion gases;   d. flowing the combustion gases through a turbine;   e. flowing exhaust combustion gases from the turbine through a steam generator; and   f. transferring heat from the regenerative heat exchanger to the steam generator.   
     
     
         15 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 14 , further comprising compressing the cooled compressed working fluid. 
     
     
         16 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 14 , further comprising flowing the cooled compressed working fluid to the combustor. 
     
     
         17 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 14 , further comprising atomizing a fuel with the cooled compressed working fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 14 , further comprising condensing steam from the steam generator into condensate and pumping the condensate through a closed loop system to the regenerative heat exchanger. 
     
     
         19 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 18 , further comprising pumping the condensate from the regenerative heat exchanger into the steam generator. 
     
     
         20 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 14 , further comprising transferring at least 300 kW of power from the regenerative heat exchanger to the steam generator. 
     
     
         21 . A method for operating a combined cycle power plant comprising:
 a. operating a gas turbine to produce a compressed working fluid and exhaust combustion gases;   b. cooling the compressed working fluid from the gas turbine with a regenerative heat exchanger so as to create a cooled compressed working fluid;   c. flowing the exhaust combustion gases through a steam generator; and   d. transferring heat from the regenerative heat exchanger to the steam generator.   
     
     
         22 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 21 , further comprising compressing the cooled compressed working fluid. 
     
     
         23 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 21 , further comprising flowing the cooled compressed working fluid to a combustor. 
     
     
         24 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 21 , further comprising atomizing a fuel with the cooled compressed working fluid. 
     
     
         25 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 21 , further comprising condensing steam from the steam generator into condensate and pumping the condensate through a closed loop system to the regenerative heat exchanger. 
     
     
         26 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 25 , further comprising pumping the condensate from the regenerative heat exchanger into the steam generator. 
     
     
         27 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 21 , further comprising transferring at least 300 kW of power from the regenerative heat exchanger to the steam generator. 
     
     
         28 . A method for operating a combined cycle power plant, comprising:
 a. operating a gas turbine to produce a compressed working fluid and exhaust combustion gases;   b. cooling the compressed working fluid from the gas turbine with a regenerative heat exchanger so as to create a cooled compressed working fluid;   c. flowing the exhaust combustion gases through a steam generator;   d. flowing a condensate through a closed loop cooling system having a fluid line directly connecting the regenerative heat exchanger to the steam generator; and   e. transferring heat from the regenerative heat exchanger to the steam generator through the fluid line.   
     
     
         29 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 28 , further comprising compressing the cooled compressed working fluid. 
     
     
         30 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 28 , further comprising flowing the cooled compressed working fluid to a combustor. 
     
     
         31 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 28 , further comprising atomizing a fuel with the cooled compressed working fluid. 
     
     
         32 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 28 , further comprising condensing steam from the steam generator into the condensate and pumping the condensate through the closed loop system to the regenerative heat exchanger. 
     
     
         33 . The method for operating a combined cycle power plant as in  claim 28 , further comprising transferring at least 300 kW of power from the regenerative heat exchanger to the steam generator.