Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080216510 | Combined Cycle System For Gas Turbines and Reciprocating Engines and a Method for the Use of Air as Working Fluid in Combined Cycle Power Plants - A combined cycle power plant comprising: a first cycle comprising: a prime mover; a prime mover exhaust in fluid communication with the prime mover; a second cycle comprising: a liquid air supply; a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the liquid air supply and the prime over exhaust; a turbo expander in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; wherein liquid air is heated to gaseous air by the heat exchanger, and the gaseous air is expanded in the turbo expander thereby producing work. A liquid air combined cycle method comprising: providing pressurized liquid air; heating the pressurized liquid air to pressurized gaseous air; expanding the pressurized gaseous air with a turbo expander; using work from the expansion of the pressurized gaseous air to compress ambient air; heating the expanded pressurized gaseous air; sending the heated expanded air to a turbine combustion chamber; and using waste heat from a turbine to heat pressurized liquid air. A liquid air combined cycle method comprising: providing pressurized liquid air; heating the pressurized liquid air to pressurized gaseous air; expanding the pressurized gaseous air with a turbo expander; using work from the expansion of the pressurized gaseous air to drive a generator; and using waste heat from a prime mover to heat pressurized liquid air. | 09-11-2008 |
20090113928 | Method and System for the Small-scale Production of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) from Low-pressure Gas - A method and system for the small-scale production of LNG. The method comprising: configuring a prime mover to be operable communication with a multi-stage compressor; configuring the prime mover to be in fluid communication with an ammonia absorption chiller; configuring the ammonia absorption chiller to be in fluid communication with the multi-stage compressor; operating the ammonia absorption chiller using waste heat from a prime mover; pre-cooling a first stream of natural gas using cooled fluid from the ammonia absorption chiller; cooling a first portion of the first stream of natural gas, using an expansion valve, into a two-phase stream; cooling a second portion of the first stream to liquefied natural gas, using the two-phase stream as a cooling fluid; delivering the second portion of the first stream as LNG to a low-pressure LNG tank; cooling a third portion of the first stream of natural gas in a turbo-expander; separating liquid heavies out of the third portion of the first stream of natural gas; and delivering the liquid heavies to a pressure tank. | 05-07-2009 |
20090293502 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIQUID AIR PRODUCTION POWER STORAGE AND POWER RELEASE - Systems and methods for releasing and replacing stored energy comprise capturing inlet air from the ambient environment so the inlet air flows in a first general direction. Released liquid air flows in a second general direction, the second general direction being substantially opposite to the first general direction. The released liquid air is pumped to pressure, and the released liquid air and inlet air flow past each other such that heat exchange occurs. The inlet air warms the released liquid air such that the released liquid air is substantially vaporized, and the released liquid air cools the inlet air. Moisture and carbon dioxide are removed from the inlet air, and the inlet air is compressed and cooled such that the inlet air is substantially liquefied. The substantially liquefied air replaces a portion of the released liquid air; and the substantially vaporized released liquid air is combusted with fuel to produce electricity. | 12-03-2009 |
20090293503 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIQUID AIR PRODUCTION, POWER STORAGE AND POWER RELEASE - Systems and methods for storing and releasing energy comprising directing inlet air into a vertical cold flue assembly having an air inlet at or near its top into which inlet air is directed and an exit at or near its bottom. The air is cooled within the cold flue assembly and a portion of moisture is removed from the air within the cold flue assembly. The air is directed out the exit of the cold flue assembly and compressed. The remaining moisture is substantially removed and the carbon dioxide is removed from the air by adsorption. The air is cooled in a main heat exchanger such that it is substantially liquefied using refrigerant loop air, the refrigerant loop air generated by a refrigerant loop process. The substantially liquefied air is directed to a storage apparatus. The refrigerant loop air is cooled by a mechanical chiller and by a plurality of refrigerant loop air expanders. In energy release mode, working loop air warms the released liquid air such that the released liquid air is substantially vaporized, and the released liquid air cools the working loop air such that the working loop air is substantially liquefied. A portion of the released liquid air is directed to the at least one generator and used as bearing air for the at least one generator. The substantially vaporized air is directed to a combustion chamber and combusted with a fuel stream. Combustion gas may be directed from the combustion chamber to at least one expander and expanded in the expander, the expanded combustion gas split into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being relatively larger than the second portion. The first portion may be directed to a first heat exchanger, and the second portion may be directed to a second heat exchanger such that the second portion heats and substantially vaporizes the released liquid air. | 12-03-2009 |
20100084256 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CARBON CAPTURE AND SEQUESTRATION - Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat. | 04-08-2010 |
20110000256 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIQUID AIR PRODUCTION, POWER STORAGE AND POWER RELEASE - Systems and methods for storing and releasing energy comprising directing inlet air into a vertical cold flue assembly having an air inlet at or near its top into which inlet air is directed and an exit at or near its bottom. The air is cooled within the cold flue assembly and a portion of moisture is removed from the air within the cold flue assembly. The air is directed out the exit of the cold flue assembly and compressed. The remaining moisture is substantially removed and the carbon dioxide is removed from the air by adsorption. The air is cooled in a main heat exchanger such that it is substantially liquefied using refrigerant loop air, the refrigerant loop air generated by a refrigerant loop process. The substantially liquefied air is directed to a storage apparatus. The refrigerant loop air is cooled by a mechanical chiller and by a plurality of refrigerant loop air expanders. In energy release mode, working loop air warms the released liquid air such that the released liquid air is substantially vaporized, and the released liquid air cools the working loop air such that the working loop air is substantially liquefied. A portion of the released liquid air is directed to the at least one generator and used as bearing air for the at least one generator. The substantially vaporized air is directed to a combustion chamber and combusted with a fuel stream. Combustion gas may be directed from the combustion chamber to at least one expander and expanded in the expander, the expanded combustion gas split into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being relatively larger than the second portion. The first portion may be directed to a first heat exchanger, and the second portion may be directed to a second heat exchanger such that the second portion heats and substantially vaporizes the released liquid air. | 01-06-2011 |
20110030332 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIQUID AIR PRODUCTION, POWER STORAGE AND POWER RELEASE - Systems and methods for storing and releasing energy comprising directing inlet air into a vertical cold flue assembly, a portion of moisture being removed from the air within the cold flue assembly. The air is directed out of the cold flue assembly and compressed. The remaining moisture is substantially removed and the carbon dioxide is removed from the air by adsorption. The air is cooled in a main heat exchanger such that it is substantially liquefied using refrigerant loop air. The substantially liquefied air is directed to a storage apparatus. The refrigerant loop air is cooled by a mechanical chiller and by a plurality of refrigerant loop air expanders. In energy release mode, working loop fluid warms the released liquid air such that the released liquid air is substantially vaporized, and the released liquid air cools the working loop fluid such that the working loop fluid is substantially liquefied. A portion of the released liquid air is directed to the at least one generator and used as bearing air for the at least one generator. The substantially vaporized air is directed to a combustion chamber and combusted with a fuel stream. Combustion gas may be directed from the combustion chamber to at least one expander and expanded in the expander, the expanded combustion gas split into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being relatively larger than the second portion. The first portion may be directed to a first heat exchanger, and the second portion may be directed to a second heat exchanger such that the second portion heats and substantially vaporizes the released liquid air. | 02-10-2011 |
20110209497 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CARBON CAPTURE AND SEQUESTRATION - Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat. | 09-01-2011 |
20110214535 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CARBON CAPTURE AND SEQUESTRATION, ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION, AND METALS RECOVERY - Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat. Methods and processes of environmental remediation and recovering metals from waste streams are also provided. | 09-08-2011 |
20120036888 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE SMALL-SCALE PRODUCTION OF LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG) AND COLD COMPRESSED GAS (CCNG) FROM LOW-PRESSURE NATURAL GAS - A system for the production of LNG from low-pressure feed gas sources, at small production scales and at lower energy input costs. A system for the small-scale production of cold compressed natural gas (CCNG). A method of dispensing natural gas from stored CCNG, comprising: dispensing CCNG from a CCNG storage tank; pumping the CCNG by a cryogenic liquid pump to a pressure suitable for compressed natural gas dispensing and storage in on-vehicle compressed natural gas storage tanks; recovering cold from the CCNG by heat exchange with natural gas feeding the natural gas production plant to replace dispensed product. A system for the storage, transport, and dispensing of natural gas, comprising: means for handling natural gas in a CCNG state where the natural gas is a non-liquid, but is dense-enough to allow for pumping to pressure by a cryogenic liquid pump. | 02-16-2012 |
20120118566 | NON-HYDRAULIC FRACTURING SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND PROCESSES - Methods and systems of fracturing subterranean formations to are provided comprising pumping metacritical phase natural gas into a subterranean formation to create or extend one or more fissures in the formation. Methods and systems may further comprise maintaining or increasing pressure of the metacritical phase natural gas in the formation by pumping more metacritical phase natural gas into the fissures to hold the fissures open. Methods and systems may further comprise delivering a proppant into the subterranean formation. Disclosed methods and systems may be used to extract hydrocarbons from subterranean formations without the use of liquids. | 05-17-2012 |
20130192838 | NON-HYDRAULIC FRACTURING SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND PROCESSES - Methods and systems of fracturing subterranean formations to are provided comprising pumping metacritical phase natural gas into a subterranean formation to create or extend one or more fissures in the formation. Methods and systems may further comprise maintaining or increasing pressure of the metacritical phase natural gas in the formation by pumping more metacritical phase natural gas into the fissures to hold the fissures open. Methods and systems may further comprise delivering a proppant into the subterranean formation. Disclosed methods and systems may be used to extract hydrocarbons from subterranean formations without the use of liquids. | 08-01-2013 |
20130220605 | NON-HYDRAULIC FRACTURING AND COLD FOAM PROPPANT DELIVERY SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND PROCESSES - Methods and systems of fracturing subterranean formations are provided comprising pumping metacritical phase natural gas into a subterranean formation to create or extend one or more fissures in the formation. Methods and systems may further comprise maintaining or increasing pressure of the metacritical phase natural gas in the formation by pumping more metacritical phase natural gas into the fissures to hold the fissures open. Methods and systems may further comprise delivering a proppant into the subterranean formation. Disclosed methods and systems may be used to extract hydrocarbons from subterranean formations without the use of liquids. Methods and systems of delivering proppant comprise providing a non-aqueous liquid, adding a surfactant to the non-aqueous liquid, adding a proppant to the non-aqueous liquid to form a non-aqueous liquid, surfactant and proppant stream, pumping to pressure the non-aqueous liquid, surfactant and proppant stream, using pressurized natural gas to energize the non-aqueous liquid, surfactant and proppant stream, and delivering the energized non-aqueous liquid, surfactant and proppant stream into a subterranean formation. Methods of recovering proppant delivery liquid are also provided. | 08-29-2013 |
20130263624 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE SMALL-SCALE PRODUCTION OF LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG) AND COLD COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CCNG) FROM LOW-PRESSURE NATURAL GAS - A system for the production of LNG from low-pressure feed gas sources, at small production scales and at lower energy input costs. A system for the small-scale production of cold compressed natural gas (CCNG). A method of dispensing natural gas from stored CCNG, comprising: dispensing CCNG from a CCNG storage tank; pumping the CCNG by a cryogenic liquid pump to a pressure suitable for compressed natural gas dispensing and storage in on-vehicle compressed natural gas storage tanks; recovering cold from the CCNG by heat exchange with natural gas feeding the natural gas production plant to replace dispensed product. A system for the storage, transport, and dispensing of natural gas, comprising: means for handling natural gas in a CCNG state where the natural gas is a non-liquid, but is dense-enough to allow for pumping to pressure by a cryogenic liquid pump. | 10-10-2013 |
20140333139 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF SEMI-CENTRALIZED POWER STORAGE AND POWER PRODUCTION FOR MULTI-DIRECTIONAL SMART GRID AND OTHER APPLICATIONS - Systems and methods of semi-centralized power storage and distributed power generation comprise at least one power storage facility at a first location, at least one distributed power generation facility at a second location different than the first location, and at least one mobile stored power transportation unit. The power storage facility includes a power storage medium comprising liquid air, nitrogen, oxygen, or a combination thereof. The mobile stored power transportation unit is configured to carry at least a portion of the power storage medium to the distributed power generation facility. In exemplary embodiments, the power storage facility is an air separation plant. The power storage facility may also function as an energy service company. | 11-13-2014 |
20150084407 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF SEMI-CENTRALIZED POWER STORAGE AND POWER PRODUCTION FOR MULTI-DIRECTIONAL SMART GRID AND OTHER APPLICATIONS - Systems and methods of semi-centralized energy storage and mobile power outflow for vehicle propulsion comprise at least one energy storage facility receiving energy via an electric grid and at least one mobile vehicle. The energy is generated at a first location, and the energy storage facility is at a second location different from the first location. The second location is closer to end users of the energy than the first location. The energy storage facility produces an energy storage medium at the second location and stores the energy from the first location at the second location in the energy storage medium. The energy storage medium comprises liquid air, liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, or a combination thereof. The mobile vehicle includes a prime mover and a cryogenic storage vessel and is configured to carry at least a portion of the energy storage medium in the cryogenic storage vessel and use power from the energy storage medium for mobile vehicle propulsion. | 03-26-2015 |