Use of adsorption or absorption technologies for thermal-electric power plant cooling

Abstract

A hybrid cooling system adapted to provide cooling to a thermal-electric power plant includes an air-cooled condenser (ACC) adapted to provide cooling water to the thermal-electric power plant and a vapor absorption/adsorption refrigerant system (VARS) adapted to provide cooled air to the ACC. The cooled air is used by the ACC to condense steam to produce the cooling water.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A hybrid cooling system adapted to provide cooling to a thermal-electric power plant, comprising:
 (a) an air-cooled condenser (ACC) adapted to provide cooling water to the thermal-electric power plant; and   (b) a vapor absorption/adsorption refrigerant system (VARS) adapted to provide cooled air to the ACC, wherein the cooled air is used by the ACC to condense steam to produce the cooling water.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , further including a thermal energy storage (TES) system adapted to receive and store cooling air. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the TES removes heat from the cooling air. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , further including a thermal energy collector adapted to collect heat energy and provide the heat energy to the VARS to enable de-sorption. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the VARS includes:
 (a) an evaporator adapted to condense steam to water;   (b) a first adsorbent or absorbent chamber to absorb refrigerant vapor used in the evaporator to condense the steam;   (c) a second adsorbent or absorbent chamber to de-sorb the vapor absorbed in the first chamber; and   (d) a condenser adapted to condense the vapor to a liquid refrigerant, wherein the liquid refrigerant flows back to the evaporator to condense more steam.   
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , further including a heat exchanger adapted to pre-heat condensed water using ambient air. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , further including:
 (a) a heat exchanger adapted to pre-heat condensed water from the ACC using ambient air; and   (b) a thermal energy storage system (TES) adapted to receive ambient air, cool the ambient air, and store the cooled ambient air to provide cooling air to the VARS for additional cooling.   
     
     
         8 . A method of using adsorption/absorption to provide cooling to a thermal-electric power plant, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a hybrid cooling system, including:
 (i) an air-cooled condenser (ACC); and 
 (ii) a vapor absorption/adsorption refrigerant system (VARS); 
   (b) using the VARS to cool air and provide the cooled air to the ACC;   (c) using the cooled air in the ACC to condense steam from a steam turbine to cooling water; and   (d) providing the cooling water from the ACC to a boiler of the thermal-electric power plant.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the cooled air is heated in the ACC when the steam is condensed to cooling water; 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , further including the step of providing cooled air from the ACC to an adsorption/absorption chamber of the VARS to remove heat from the chamber and provide heated air. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further including the step of injecting the heated air into a furnace of the boiler to enhance combustion. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8 , further including the step of providing a thermal energy storage system (TES), wherein the TES is adapted to receive ambient air, cool the ambient air, and store the cooled ambient air to provide the cooled ambient air to the VARS for additional cooling. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 8 , further including a heat exchanger adapted to pre-heat the cooling water from the ACC. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 8 , further including a thermal energy collector adapted to collect heat energy and provide the heat energy to the VARS to enable de-sorption.