(19) United States
`c12) Reissued Patent
`Pierson
`
`I IIIII
`
`11111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`USOORE44079E
`
`US RE44,079 E
`(10) Patent Number:
`(45) Date of Reissued Patent:
`Mar.19,2013
`
`(54) METHOD OF CHILLING INLET AIR FOR
`GAS TURBINES
`
`by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Condi(cid:173)
`tioning Engineers, Inc.; Atlanta, Georgia; ISBN 1-883413-07-9.
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Tom L. Pierson, Sugar Land, TX (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: TAS, Ltd., Houston, TX (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/661,265
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 12, 2010
`
`Related U.S. Patent Documents
`
`7,343,746
`Mar. 18, 2008
`10/894,453
`Jul. 19, 2004
`
`Reissue of:
`(64) Patent No.:
`Issued:
`Appl. No.:
`Filed:
`U.S. Applications:
`(63) Continuation of application No. 10/206,856, filed on
`Jul. 26, 2002, now Pat. No. 6,769,258, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 09/961,711,
`filed on Sep. 24, 2001, now Pat. No. 6,470,686, which
`is a continuation of application No. 09/369,788, filed
`on Aug. 6, 1999, now Pat. No. 6,318,065.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`F02C 1100
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................................ 60/772; 60/728
`(58) Field of Classification Search . ... ... ... ... .. ... .. 60/772,
`60/773, 775, 728, 39.3, 266, 267
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1,781,541 A
`1111930 Einstein
`2,336,066 A
`12/1943 Cain
`2,689,467 A
`9/1954 Verber
`3,148,513 A
`9/1964 Ewing
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner- William H Rodriguez
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- Haynes and Boone, LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`[A method for cooling inlet air to a gas turbine is provided.
`For example, a method is described including passing inlet air
`through a cooling coil that includes an opening for receiving
`the inlet air and that is operably connected to a gas turbine
`power plant. The gas turbine power plant may include at least
`one gas turbine, and at least one gas turbine inlet which
`receives the inlet air. The method may further include passing
`circulating water through a water chiller at a first flow rate to
`reduce the temperature of the circulating water, the water
`chiller including a conduit through which the circulating
`water is capable of passing and passing the circulating water
`having the first flow rate through the cooling coil in an amount
`sufficient to lower the temperature of the inlet air. Addition(cid:173)
`ally, the method may include reducing the flow rate of the
`circulating water passing through the water chiller, passing
`the circulating water through a water chiller at a second flow
`rate to reduce the temperature of the circulating water, the
`second flow rate being lower than the first flow rate, and
`passing the circulating water having the second flow rate
`through the cooling coil in an amount sufficient to lower the
`temperature of the inlet air.] A system for cooling inlet air to
`a gas turbine is provided. In order to maintain a desired level
`of efficiency for a gas turbine plant, water is passed through a
`chiller to lower the water temperature. The cooled water is
`then circulated through coils disposed in the inlet air of the
`gas turbine, thereby cooling the inlet air to the gas turbine.
`The system may include a thermal energy storage tank for
`storing chilled water prior to circulation through the coils.
`The system may also utilize an air temperature set point
`selected to achieve a desired output or to meet load require(cid:173)
`ment for the gas turbine plant. The temperature or flow rate of
`the cooled water may be adjusted to achieve the selected air
`temperature set point.
`
`Dorgan, Charles E., eta!., Design Guide for Cool Thermal Storage;
`Chilled Water Storage; pp. 4-1 to 4-7; 4-10to 4-18; 4-24 to4-26; 1993
`
`59 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`I
`' '
`L__ ____ -t-t-' ___ j
`
`Page 1 of 30
`
`GE Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`US RE44,079 E
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,244,191 A
`111981 Hendricks
`4,244,517 A
`111981 Stanke eta!.
`4,418,527 A
`12/1983 Schlom eta!.
`4,446,703 A
`5/1984 Gilbertson
`4,792,091 A
`12/1988 Martinez, Jr.
`4,926,649 A
`5/1990 Martinez, Jr.
`4,951,460 A
`8/1990 Prochaska et a!.
`5,012,646 A
`5/1991 Speer
`1111991 Kurisu eta!.
`5,065,598 A
`5,083,423 A
`111992 Prochaska et a!.
`5,111,875 A
`5/1992 Harnmarstedt
`5,191,767 A
`3/1993 Kane eta!.
`5,321,944 A
`6/1994 Bronicki et a!.
`5,386,685 A
`2/1995 Frutschi
`5,444,971 A
`8/1995 Holenberger
`5,457,951 A
`10/1995 Johnson et a!.
`5,465,585 A
`1111995 Mornhed et al.
`5,622,044 A
`4/1997 Bronicki et a!.
`5,632,148 A
`5/1997 Bronicki et a!.
`5,655,373 A
`8/1997 Y arnashita et al.
`6/1998 Ulamura et a!.
`5,758,502 A
`5,782,080 A
`7/1998 Illbruck
`5,782,093 A
`7/1998 Y arnashita et al.
`5,790,972 A
`8/1998 Kohl en berger
`5,894,739 A
`4/1999 Temos
`6,173,563 B1
`112001 Vakil eta!.
`6,185,946 B1
`2/2001 Hartman
`6,209,330 B1
`4/2001 Timmerman et a!.
`6,301,897 B1 * 10/2001 Uchida
`6,318,065 B1
`1112001 Pierson
`6,324,867 B1
`12/2001 Fanning eta!.
`6,405,549 B1
`6/2002 Baffes
`
`6,408,609 B1
`6,422,018 B1
`6,470,686 B2
`6,769,258 B2
`6,848,267 B2
`7,343,746 B2
`2008/0276617 A1 *
`201110088399 A1 *
`
`6/2002 Andrepont
`7/2002 Tisdale eta!.
`10/2002 Pierson
`8/2004 Pierson
`2/2005 Pierson
`3/2008 Pierson
`1112008 Mak .
`4/2011 Briesch eta!.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`60/728
`60/728
`
`Ondryas, Igor S., eta!.; Options in Gas Turbine Power Augmentation
`Using Inlet Air Chilling, presented at the Gas Turbine and
`Aeroengine Congress and Exposition, Jun. 11-14, 1990, Brussels,
`Belgium.
`Holman, J. P., Thermodynamics, Second Edition; McGraw-Hill
`Book Company, New York, 1974, pp. 450-455.
`Ondryas, Igor et a!., Options in Gas Turbine Power Augmentation
`using Inlet Air Chilling, Jun. 11, 1990, The American Society of
`Mechanical Engineers, Article No. 90-GT-250, pp. 1-10.*
`American Soceity of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
`Engineers, Inc., Chilled Water Storage; Design Guide for Cooled
`Thermal Storage; cover page; pp. 4-1 to 4-7; 4-10 to 4-18; 4-24 to
`4-26.
`Ondryas, eta!., Options in Gas Turbine Power Augmentation Using
`Inlet Air Chilling, presented at the Gas Turbine and Aeroengine
`Congress and Exposition, Jun. 11-14, 1990, Brussels, Belgium.
`Holman, J.P., Thermodynamics, McGraw Hill Kogakusha, 2nd ed.,
`Tokyo 1974, pp. 452-453.
`* cited by examiner
`
`60/728
`
`Page 2 of 30
`
`GE Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`COOLING TOWER
`
`Fig. 1
`
`COOLING
`WATER
`CIRCULATING
`PUMPS
`
`I
`
`'
`
`1
`I
`
`!oPTIONAL I
`I ~~~TING
`
`I SYSTEM
`
`I
`
`II \.
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`13-l * ~ * ~ i I
`
`I
`
`J II
`
`' fl\.
`~ r
`J11'
`II
`II
`IV
`IV II
`\U
`\U
`u~
`~~
`1
`I
`~~~REAM _!)~PLEX _C~ILLER_U~~ ~~~TREA~ ?UPLE~ ~HILLE~~~
`
`PRIMARY CIRCULATING
`PUMPS
`
`15a
`
`32
`
`34 36
`
`~~~.1 UU~II: I T !
`i OP~I~NAL I~L~T FO~G~N~
`
`I
`
`I
`
`DI;~HARG~- 16d ~--- - - --l
`-CHARGE
`
`---
`
`I
`
`I
`
`1
`
`I
`
`DISCHARGE I
`-
`16a CHARGE I
`20a,20b
`
`- - - I
`
`SECONDARY
`CIRCULATING
`
`I T PUMPS
`I OPTIONAL TEST SYSTEM
`~-----------------
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`__ _j
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~ :-: ....
`0 ....
`
`~'-CI
`N
`
`(.H
`
`('D
`('D
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`....
`0 .....
`'-CI
`
`d
`rJl
`~
`
`~
`
`~ = -....l
`
`\C
`~
`
`Page 3 of 30
`
`GE Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.19,2013
`
`Sheet 2 of9
`
`US RE44,079 E
`
`10--...._
`
`14
`
`12
`(
`
`38
`
`32
`
`34
`
`36
`
`15b ~
`~ t
`
`45
`
`48
`
`50
`
`15a
`~
`T1
`
`•
`
`...L
`T2
`
`16d
`
`T4
`
`Fig. 2A
`
`,--13
`
`24
`
`1~16a
`J
`16b
`
`82e 82c
`\
`I
`1 )
`
`r--.... ~82a
`
`Fig. 5
`
`T1
`
`T2
`
`'\.
`82£ 82d 82b
`
`Page 4 of 30
`
`GE Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`14959 GPM
`
`65 F
`
`26" 0
`
`2962153 #/HR
`95 OBF
`soweF
`-
`
`22
`
`12 -
`
`J2 -t--
`
`r-r-r---------------------------------------,
`I
`I
`1
`I
`I 4986 GPM
`14" 0
`I
`: \;"F---------------,
`14
`:
`I
`I
`I
`I
`1
`I
`16" 0
`4f'~
`r ~"
`16" D
`I
`I 6235 GPM
`~ss"f-------------------~---------~
`: •
`L(~_j
`I
`I
`I
`20"0
`:
`: 6235 GPM
`PRIMARY PUMPS
`I
`8726 GPM
`DISCHARGING I CHARGING
`OPERATING (X 2), 311 BGPM
`:
`I
`14"0
`14986GPM
`GT-#3
`I
`I
`STAND-BY (X1),3118GPM
`I
`:
`'-J8-F--------,
`14" 0
`: 4986 GPM
`I
`20
`I ~-------------------,
`14
`~F
`1
`:
`2962153 #/HR
`95DBF
`I
`BOWBF
`-
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`L'::~~~~-~~0
`:
`"j
`38 F
`14" 0
`I 4986 GPM
`L----S5-F--------------:/"" 14
`:
`
`GT-#2
`
`-
`
`12 - -
`
`GT-#1
`
`Fig. 2B
`
`14
`2962153 #/HR I - - - -
`~-----
`95 DBF
`BOWBF
`r----
`1 14" 0
`I
`I
`I
`14" 0
`I 4986 GPM
`I
`._ __________ J
`38 F
`
`12" D
`
`1.--
`
`,-w
`
`._.- }8
`'
`
`5 x 1247 GPM
`8• D
`~1·
`i ~26
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I ~BS-4 I 16"0
`L
`_J
`~6
`:
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`: ~BS-3 :
`--i 26
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`: 16" D
`I
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`ABS-2
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`0 ......
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`
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`
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`~
`~ = -....l
`
`~
`
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`~
`
`1 L
`
`20"0
`I 6235GPM
`8726GPM
`DISCHARGING I CHARGING
`.D
`SCP-1
`:
`
`t;tJI 16" D
`
`"
`"
`.rc-_,
`
`1 6235 GPM
`.1-------
`26"0 36.5
`26" D
`
`14'0
`SECONDARY PUMPS
`OPERATING (X 3)"' 4986 GPM
`STAND- BY (X 1} = 4986 GPM
`
`Page 5 of 30
`
`GE Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.19,2013
`
`Sheet 4 of9
`
`US RE44,079 E
`
`~ )
`
`(':!
`r<"l
`
`)~
`
`.....
`0\
`I
`
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`
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`
`Page 6 of 30
`
`GE Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`CHILLED
`AIR
`- - - - - t
`
`Fig. 4A
`
`CHILLED
`1 - - - - AIR
`
`,__ __ CONDENSATE
`
`,__ __ CONDENSATE
`
`COOLING TOWER
`
`70
`
`ICol.lf.m WATERl
`I PUMPS
`. I
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~ :-: ....
`0 ....
`
`\0
`
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`
`N
`
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`
`~60
`I PRI~ARY I
`PUMPS
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`('D a
`Ul
`0 .....
`\0
`
`I
`
`62 _./
`
`'-. 62a
`
`64a _./ '-. 64
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I UPS~R~AM D~~LEX C~I=LER U~l~ _j L --_j I DOW~~TREA~ ?UPLE~ ~HILLE~ ~NIT I
`
`I
`~ 1
`
`I ~ UJ
`66
`""'"""66a
`I
`
`68a 7
`
`~ I
`68
`I
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TOFIG.4B - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`d
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`
`~
`
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`
`Page 7 of 30
`
`GE Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TOFIG.4A - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
`
`,-----------,
`
`-
`
`66b
`
`68b
`
`-
`
`,-----------,
`
`-
`
`62b
`
`64b
`
`-
`
`,--e:60
`I PRIM-ARY I
`I PUMPS
`
`I
`
`: I
`I : 4}J
`: L __ _j :
`I UPS~R_EAM D~~LEX C~I~LER U~l~ _j
`I DOW~~TREA~ ~UPLE~ ~HILLE~ ~NIT I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`Fig. 4B
`
`~
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`
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`......
`\0
`
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`
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`
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`
`~
`
`\C
`~
`
`Page 8 of 30
`
`GE Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`~~~ ~
`0
`,
`m -150 0
`~
`75 _fbi KFISic! HM:I'$8lig4Hi4JI'fN:~ 75 (3 - 140 ~
`z -130 en e
`-l -120 -I so:
`c:o
`--~
`70 m -110 :::0-
`~
`m~
`1J -100 "U
`65 ~ -90 ~~
`"U::!
`60 -I -80 oo
`c:
`c
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`-
`0
`a -60 0
`50 -2!
`,
`50
`45
`0
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`30 ~
`30
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`20
`10
`0
`0
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`
`00
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`200
`190
`180 G)
`
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`....
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`85 .A't\>tll1>4tlffiliiJ4'J:IIULI HN± 85
`
`r 80 A&llltlfllll 80
`
`-
`
`80
`70
`60
`DRY BULB TEMPERATURE ("F)
`
`90
`
`100
`
`110
`
`Fig. 6
`
`30
`
`40
`
`50
`
`Page 9 of 30
`
`GE Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`CONSTANT FLOW & VARIABLE LCWT W/FIXED 12 ROW COIL DESIGN AT TYPICAL 16F DELTA T DESIGN
`WITH SINGLE STAGE COOLING.
`
`EDB
`
`90
`90
`90
`90
`90
`80
`70
`60
`
`COIL COIL
`SYSTEM
`COIL
`.6T
`LWT WATER GPM BTU/Hr TONS GPMffON P.D. WATER C.W.P.D
`EWB LAT EWT
`25.2
`151.2
`7840 4655999 5432
`50
`42.9
`59.4
`16.5
`1.443
`75
`44.6
`57.1
`12.5
`7840 3549917 4142
`70
`50
`1.893
`24.9
`149.4
`7840 2567318 2995
`55.8
`9.2
`65
`46.6
`2.618
`24.7
`148.2
`50
`7840 2459716 2870
`2.732
`24.7
`148.2
`47.1
`55.8
`8.7
`60
`50
`7840 2448629 2857
`47.1
`8.7
`24.7
`55
`50
`55.8
`2.744
`148.2
`3.634
`7840 1849283 2157
`24.7
`148.2
`47.7
`54.3
`55
`50
`6.6
`4.5
`7840 1231395 1437
`24.5
`147.0
`55
`48.4
`52.9
`5.457
`50
`50
`51.5
`7840 768474
`147.0 -
`55
`48.8
`2.7
`897
`8.74~ -
`24.5
`
`-
`
`CHILLED W. CHILLER CHILLER
`ECWT
`PUMP HP
`LCWT
`42.9
`59.4
`352.2
`57.1
`348.0
`44.6
`345.2
`46.6
`55.8
`345.2
`47.1
`55.8
`345.2
`47.1
`55.8
`345.2
`47.7
`54.3
`342.4
`48.4
`52.9
`342.4
`48.8 .
`51.5
`
`-
`
`DOWNSTREAM DOWNSTREAM
`CHILLER
`CHILLER
`6T
`TONS
`16.5
`2716
`12.5
`2071
`9.2
`1498
`8.7
`1435
`8.7
`1428
`2157
`6.6
`1437
`4.5
`897
`2.7
`
`PARALLEL
`CHILLERS
`RUNNING
`2
`2
`2
`2
`2
`1
`1
`1
`
`FIG. ?A
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~ :-: ....
`0 ....
`
`~'-CI
`N
`
`(.H
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`
`('D
`('D
`
`QO
`
`0 .....
`'-CI
`
`d
`rJl
`~
`
`~
`
`~ = -....l
`
`\C
`~
`
`Page 10 of 30
`
`GE Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`2 PUMP VARIABLE FLOW & VARIABLE TEMPERATURE LCWT WITH FIXED 12 ROW 4 PASS COIL & 2 STAGE COOLING
`DOWNSTREAM I
`CHILLER
`LCWT
`39.9
`42.4
`38.5
`45.4
`43.2
`46.2
`44.6
`46.3
`44.7
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`
`P.O.
`COIL COIL 6.T
`EDB EWB LAT EWT LWT WATER GPM
`BTU/Hr TONS GPM!TON FPS WATER P.O.
`4653680 5429
`75
`39.9 62.6 22.7
`1.07
`3.8
`90
`50
`5810
`15.0
`90.0
`3543127 4134
`90
`50 42.4 59.4
`1.41
`70
`17.0
`3.8
`14.8
`88.8
`5810
`90
`38.5 62.6
`70
`50
`24.1
`4099.9 3550564 4142
`2.7
`8.1
`48.6
`0.99
`90
`2589987 3022
`87.6
`65
`50 45.4 57.9
`12.5
`5810
`1.92
`3.8
`14.6
`90
`47.4
`43.2 61.2
`65
`18.0
`4099.9 2615303 3051
`50
`1.34
`2.7
`7.9
`90
`87.6
`46.2 58.0
`11.8
`2462553 2873
`60
`50
`5810
`2.02
`3.8
`14.6
`90
`47.4
`60
`50 44.6 61.3
`4099.9 2460459 2871
`.16.7
`1.43
`2.7
`7.9
`2462553 2873
`90
`87.6
`50 46.3 58.0
`11.7
`5810
`2.02
`3.8
`55
`14.6
`90
`4099.9 2445393 2853
`47.4
`44.7 61.3
`55
`50
`16.6
`1.44
`2.7
`7.9
`
`DOWNSTREAM DOWNSTREAM DOWNSTREAM
`CHILLER
`CHILLER
`CHILLER
`TONS
`6.T
`ECWT
`50.3
`10.4
`50.2
`7.6
`49.6
`11.1
`51.2
`5.8
`8.3
`51.5
`51.6
`5.4
`7.7
`52.3
`51.7
`5.4
`7.6
`52.3
`
`2497
`1901
`1905
`1390
`1404
`1322
`1320
`1322
`1312
`
`UP
`UP
`CHILLERS CHILLERS
`LCWT
`ECWT
`50.3
`62.6
`50.2
`59.4
`49.6
`62.6
`51.2
`57.9
`51.5
`61.2
`51.6
`58.0
`52.3
`61.3
`51.7
`58.0
`52.3
`61.3
`
`UPSTREAM UPSTREAM
`CHILLER
`CHILLER
`TONS
`~T
`12.3
`9.2
`13.0
`6.6
`9.7
`6.4
`9.0
`6.3
`9.0
`
`2932
`2232
`2237
`1632
`1648
`1551
`1550
`1551
`1541
`
`I
`
`FIG. 78
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~ :-:
`......
`~'-CI
`N
`0 ......
`
`(.H
`
`('D
`('D
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`......
`'-CI
`0 ......
`'-CI
`
`d
`rJl
`~
`
`~
`
`~ = -....l
`
`\C
`~
`
`Page 11 of 30
`
`GE Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`US RE44,079 E
`
`1
`METHOD OF CHILLING INLET AIR FOR
`GAS TURBINES
`
`Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appears in the
`original patent but forms no part of this reissue specifica(cid:173)
`tion; matter printed in italics indicates the additions
`made by reissue.
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica(cid:173)
`tion Ser. No. 10/206,856, filed Jul. 26, 2002, now U.S. Pat.
`No. [6,769,528] 6, 769,258 which is a continuation-in-part of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/961,711, filed Sep. 24,
`2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,686, which is a continuation of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/369,788, filed Aug. 6,
`1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,065.
`
`BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates broadly to cooling inlet air to a gas
`turbine.
`2. Description of Related Art.
`A conventional gas turbine system includes: an air com(cid:173)
`pressor for compressing the turbine inlet air; a combustion
`chamber for mixing the compressed air with fuel and com(cid:173)
`busting the mixture, thereby producing a combustion gas; and
`a power turbine that is driven by the combustion gas, thereby
`producing an exhaust gas and useful power.
`Over the years, various technologies have been employed
`to increase the amount of useful power that the power turbine
`is able to produce. One way of increasing the power output of 35
`a gas turbine is to cool the turbine inlet air prior to compress(cid:173)
`ing it in the compressor. Cooling causes the air to have a
`higher density, thereby creating a higher mass flow rate
`through the turbine. The higher the mass flow rate through the
`turbine, the more power the turbine produces. Cooling the 40
`turbine inlet air temperature also increases the turbine's effi-
`ciency.
`Various systems have been devised for chilling the inlet air
`to the compressor. One such system uses evaporative cooling,
`wherein ambient temperature water is run over plates or over
`a cellular media inside of a chamber, thereby creating thin
`films of water on each plate, or on the media. The turbine inlet
`air is then drawn through the chamber, and through evapora(cid:173)
`tive cooling, the air is cooled to near the wet bulb temperature.
`This system is limited to cooling the air to the wet bulb
`temperature, which is dependent upon the atmospheric con(cid:173)
`ditions at any given time. Another system uses a chiller to
`chill water that is then run through a coil. The inlet air is then
`drawn through the coil to cool the air. This system requires
`parasitic power or steam to drive the chilling system which
`has the further drawback that when inlet air cooling is needed
`the most, i.e. during the day when the temperature is the
`highest, is also the time when power demand from the turbine
`is the highest, i.e. during the day when power users are in
`operation. In order to run the chiller, power from the turbine
`is required, but this power is needed by the users of the
`turbines power. On the other hand, when cooling is needed the
`least, i.e. at night when the temperatures are the lowest, sur(cid:173)
`plus power from the turbine is available because the consum(cid:173)
`ers of the turbine's power are largely not in operation.
`Accordingly, a continuing need exists for a turbine inlet air
`cooling system which: would efficiently cool turbine inlet air;
`
`2
`would take advantage of surplus power available during times
`of low consumer power demand; and would not drain the
`system of power during times of high consumer power
`demand.
`
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`A. Inlet Air Cooling
`Described in greater detail below is a method for chilling
`10 inlet air to a gas turbine power plant, which may include:
`providing a system of circulating chilling water including a
`chilling system; providing an inlet air chiller for lowering the
`temperature of the inlet air being fed to a gas turbine com(cid:173)
`pressor through heat transfer between the circulating chilling
`15 water and the inlet air, providing a thermal water storage tank
`which is operably connected to the system of circulating
`chilling water, the thermal water storage tank containing
`chilling water having a bottom; during a charge cycle, remov(cid:173)
`ing a first portion of chilling water from the thermal water
`20 storage tank, passing the removed first portion of water
`through the chilling system to lower the temperature of the
`removed first portion of water and to provide a chilled
`removed first portion of water, and then introducing the
`chilled removed first portion of water into the thermal water
`25 storage tank at a point proximate the bottom of the tank,
`wherein the chilled removed first portion of water is intro(cid:173)
`duced to the tank in an amount sufficient to lower the average
`temperature of the chilling water in the thermal water storage
`tank; and during a discharge cycle, chilling the inlet air by
`30 removing a second portion of chilling water from the thermal
`water storage tank, from a point proximate the bottom of the
`tank and then passing the second portion of chilling water to
`the inlet air chiller to make heat transfer contact between the
`second portion of chilling water and the inlet air, such that the
`temperature of the inlet air is lowered.
`In another method that is described herein, the average
`temperature of the chilling water in the tank may be lowered
`to about 33 oF. to about 40° F. during the charge cycle and may
`be raised to about 60° F. to about 70° F. during the discharge
`cycle. In another specific embodiment, the times of the charge
`and discharge cycles may be such that, before the temperature
`of the chilling water proximate the bottom of the tank reaches
`about 36° F. during the discharge cycle, the charge cycle is
`initiated. In another specific embodiment of the method for
`45 chilling inlet air, the first portion of chilling water removed
`from the thermal water storage tank during the charge cycle
`may be removed through a top outlet. In yet another specific
`embodiment, the chilling water in the tank may have an
`average temperature that can be lowered during the charge
`50 cycle and raised during the discharge cycle. In a further spe(cid:173)
`cific embodiment of the claimed method, the discharge cycle
`may be carried out during the night-time and the charge cycle
`may be carried out during the day-time. In still another spe(cid:173)
`cific embodiment, the water level in the tank may remain
`55 substantially constant during the charge and discharge cycles.
`In still a further specific embodiment, the one or more chillers
`may be deactivated during the discharge cycle. In another
`specific embodiment, the discharge cycle may occur during
`peak power usage of the gas turbine power plant. In another
`60 specific embodiment, the discharge cycle may be performed
`after the removing of at least a portion of the volume of
`chilling water from the thermal water storage tank during the
`charge cycle, such that the chilled removed water that is
`introduced into the thermal water storage tank at a point
`65 proximate the bottom of the tank may remain substantially at
`the point proximate the bottom of the tank. In another specific
`embodiment, the first portion of chilling water removed dur-
`
`Page 12 of 30
`
`GE Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`US RE44,079 E
`
`3
`ing the charge cycle may be sufficient to chill substantially all
`of the water in the thermal water storage tank to a temperature
`below the temperature of maximum water density. In yet
`another specific embodiment of the claimed method, the sec(cid:173)
`ond portion of chilling water removed during the discharge
`cycle may be substantially all of the chilling water in the tank.
`In a further specific embodiment of the method of the present
`invention, the thermal water storage tank contains a volume
`of chilling water that is sufficient to lower the temperature of
`the inlet air to a range offrom about 45° F. to about 55° F. for 10
`a period of between about 4 hours to about 12 hours.
`Also described herein is a method of chilling water deliv(cid:173)
`ered to the air chiller in a gas turbine power plant system
`having at least one air chiller for lowering the temperature of
`inlet air, at least one air compressor for compressing the inlet 15
`air, at least one combustor for burning the compressed air and
`providing combustion gas, and at least one power turbine
`driven by the combustion gas for producing useful power, a
`method of chilling water delivered to the air chiller, the
`method including the steps of: providing the at least one air 20
`chiller with an air chiller inlet that may receive water, and an
`air chiller outlet that may expel water; providing a thermal
`water storage tank, having a bottom portion, a top portion, at
`least one bottom opening proximate the bottom portion and at
`least one top opening proximate the top portion, and contain- 25
`ing a volume of stored water having an average temperature,
`and temperature of maximum water density; performing a
`charge cycle, by introducing through the at least one bottom
`opening a first quantity of chilled water which has a chilled
`water temperature that is below the temperature of maximum 30
`water density, thereby lowering the average temperature of
`the volume of stored water, wherein the first quantity of
`chilled water being introduced through the bottom opening is
`sufficient to lower the average temperature of the volume of
`stored water to a temperature that is below the temperature of 35
`maximum water density; and performing a discharge cycle by
`removing a second quantity of chilled water from the tank
`through the at least one bottom opening and passing the
`second quantity of chilled water to the air chiller inlet, to
`lower the temperature of the inlet air, thereby raising the 40
`temperature of the second quantity of chilled water and pro(cid:173)
`viding high temperature water, then introducing the high
`temperature water to the at least one top opening in the tank.
`In yet another method of chilling water, the temperature of
`maximum water density may be from about 20° F. to about 45
`39.2° F. In another specific embodiment, the temperature of
`maximum water density may be about 39.2° F. In another
`specific embodiment, the temperature of the stored water may
`have a temperature of from about 34 o F. to about 40° F. In yet
`another specific embodiment of the claimed method the tern- 50
`perature of the stored water may have a temperature corre(cid:173)
`sponding to the maximum water density of about 39.2° F. In
`another specific embodiment sodium nitrate may be added to
`depress the freezing temperature of the water thereby allow(cid:173)
`ing stored water to be in the range of about 25° F. to about 34 o 55
`F. In another specific embodiment of the method of the
`present invention, the useful power produced by the power
`turbine may be consumed at a variable rate, and the charge
`cycle may be performed when the rate is at a minimum. In a
`further specific embodiment, the useful power produced by 60
`the power turbine may be consumed at a variable rate, and the
`discharge cycle may be performed when the rate is at a maxi(cid:173)
`mum. In yet another specific embodiment of the method of
`the present invention, the quantity of water expelled during
`the discharge cycle may be less than the volume of stored 65
`water. In a further specific embodiment, the quantity of
`chilled water may be chilled by passing water through at least
`
`4
`one chiller. In still another specific embodiment of the
`claimed method, the temperature of inlet air may be lowered
`from a high temperature of from about 85° F. to about 95° F.
`to a low temperature of from about 45° F. to about 55° F. In
`still a further specific embodiment, the high temperature may
`be about 90° F. and the low temperature may be about 50° F.
`In yet another specific embodiment, the output of the gas
`turbine power plant system may be from about 50 megawatts
`to about 250 megawatts.
`Also described below is a gas turbine power plant system,
`wherein the system includes: one or more air chillers for
`lowering the temperature of inlet air; one or more air com(cid:173)
`pressors for compressing the inlet air; one or more combus(cid:173)
`tors for burning the compressed air and providing combustion
`gas; and one or more power turbines driven by the combustion
`gas for producing useful power, and an improvement that may
`include: a thermal water storage tank for containing chilled
`water, wherein the thermal water storage tank has a bottom
`portion with a bottom outlet and a top portion, and the tank is
`operably connected to the air chiller such that the chilled
`water passes from the bottom outlet to the air chiller to lower
`the temperature of the inlet air and is returned to the thermal
`water storage tank; and a water chilling system for chilling the
`water in the thermal water storage tank, wherein the water
`chilling system is configured to receive high temperature
`water from the top portion of the tank, and wherein the system
`is configured to introduce low temperature water to the bot(cid:173)
`tom portion of the tank, such that the average temperature of
`the water in the tank is lowered; and wherein the water chill(cid:173)
`ing system includes one or more chillers for lowering the
`temperature of the high temperature water from the top por(cid:173)
`tion of the tank to provide low temperature water.
`In an example of such a gas turbine power plant system, the
`thermal water storage tank may have a bottom, and the bottom
`outlet may be positioned at a height that is less than about 10
`feet from the bottom of the tank. In another specific embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the gas turbine power plant system, the thermal water
`storage tank may have a bottom, and the bottom outlet may be
`positioned at a height that is less than about 5 feet from the
`bottom of the tank. In another specific embodiment, the ther(cid:173)
`mal water storage tank may have a bottom, and the bottom
`outlet may be positioned at a height that is less than about 18
`inches from the bottom of the tank. In another specific
`embodiment, the tank may have a top outlet and a bottom inlet
`such that, in a charge cycle the high temperature water may be
`removed through the top outlet and may be fed to the one or
`more chillers, and the low temperature water may be intro(cid:173)
`duced to the tank through the bottom inlet. In a further spe(cid:173)
`cific embodiment of the gas turbine power plant system, the
`tank may have a bottom outlet such that, in a discharge cycle,
`chilling water may be removed from the tank through the
`bottom outlet. In still a further specific embodiment of the gas
`turbine power plant system, the tank may have a bottom outlet
`such that, in a discharge cycle, chilling water may be removed
`from the tank through the bottom outlet, fed to the air chiller
`and is returned to the tank, bypassing the one or more chillers
`of the water chilling system. In still a further specific embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the gas turbine power plant system, the top portion
`may be separated from the bottom portion by a thermocline.
`In yet another example, during the charge cycle, the bottom
`inlet may receive a quantity of chilled water that is sufficient
`to supply the air chiller with water having a temperature
`below the temperature of maximum water density for four or
`more hours. In another specific embodiment, during the
`charge cycle, the bottom inlet may receive a quantity of
`chilled water that is sufficient to supply the air chiller with
`water having a temperature below the temperature of maxi-
`
`Page 13 of 30
`
`GE Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`US RE44,079 E
`
`5
`mum water density for eight or more hours. In still another
`embodiment, during the charge cycle, the bottom inlet may
`receive a quantity of chilled water that is sufficient to supply
`the air chiller with water having a temperature below the
`temperature of maximum water density for twelve or more
`hours.
`In still another example, the thermal water tank may have a
`height of from about 25 feet to about 70 feet. In yet another
`specific embodiment, the thermal water tank may have a
`diameter of from about 50 feet to about 250 feet. In another
`specific embodiment, the thermal water tank may have a
`diameter, and a height, and the diameter may be greater than
`the height. In yet another specific embodiment of the claimed
`invention, the volume of stored water may be greater than
`about eight hundred thousand gallons. In still a further spe(cid:173)
`cific embodiment, the temperature of the water in the top
`portion may be about 15° F. to about 35° F. greater than the
`temperature of the water in the bottom portion. In another
`specific embodiment, the thermal water storage system may
`include a plurality of thermal water storage tanks, each of the
`plurality of tanks may have a bottom inlet and a bottom outlet,
`and each of the plurality of tanks may have a top inlet and a top
`outlet. In another specific embodiment, the bottom inlet may
`have a bottom diffuser, and the top inlet may have a top
`diffuser, whereby the water entering the bottom inlet is dif- 25
`fused, and the water entering the top inlet may be diffused. In
`yet another specific embodiment, the temperature of the water
`in the top portion of the tank may have a temperature ranging
`from about 60° F. to about 70° F. In still a further specific
`embodiment, the temperature of the water in the bottom por- 30
`tion of the tank may have a temperature that is above the
`freezing temperature. In another specific embodiment, the
`water chilling system may include at least one mechanical
`chiller. In still another specific embodiment of the present
`invention, the water chilling system may include at least one 35
`absorption chiller. In still a further specific embodiment, the
`water chilling system may include at least one mechanical
`chiller and at least one absorption chiller. In yet another
`specific embodiment, the mechanical chiller may receive
`chilled water from the absorption chiller, and the mechanical 40
`chiller may further chills the chilled water. In another specific
`embodiment, the gas turbine power plant system may addi(cid:173)
`tionally including a heat recovery steam generator and a
`steam turbine, wherein the absorption chiller may be driven
`by steam from the heat recovery steam generator. Another 45
`specific embodiment of the gas turbine power plant system
`may additionally include a heat recovery steam generator and
`a steam