Turbocompressor and system for a supercritical-fluid cycle

摘要

A turbocompressor for use with a process fluid and including an axial expansion turbine for expanding the process fluid and a centrifugal compressor for compressing the process fluid. The turbine and compressor share a common shaft, all of which can be housed by a common housing that encloses sealed spaces. The axial expansion turbine has a rotor located between two main bearings, and the centrifugal compressor includes an impeller mounted to one end of the shaft. In one embodiment, the main bearings are lubricated by a portion of the process fluid so that the only fluid in the sealed spaces is the process fluid. The turbocompressor can be used in a power-cycle system that includes a heat source and, optionally, an electrical generator.

主权项

1. A turbocompressor for use with a process fluid in a closed thermodynamic cycle, comprising:
a pair of main bearings spaced from one another along a central rotational axis; a rotational shaft rotatably supported by said pair of main bearings so as to be rotatable about said central rotational axis, said rotational shaft having a first end and a second end spaced from said first end along said central rotational axis; an axial expansion turbine that includes a rotor located between said pair of main bearings, said rotor including turbine blades coupled to said rotational shaft so as to be rotatable therewith about said central rotational axis, said axial expansion turbine for expanding the process fluid; a centrifugal compressor that includes an impeller secured to said first end of said rotational shaft so as to be rotatable therewith about said central rotational axis, said centrifugal compressor for compressing the process fluid; a combined housing that houses said rotor of said axial expansion turbine, said pair of main bearings, and said impeller of said centrifugal compressor; and a seal disposed between said combined housing and said rotational shaft to thereby seal said turbocompressor from atmosphere.