Integrated generator cooling system

摘要

An expansion system is presented. One embodiment of the expansion system that includes a pump configured to pressurize a condensed working fluid received from a condenser. The expansion system further includes a heat exchanger coupled to the pump and configured to vaporize the condensed working fluid received from the pump. The expansion system also includes an expander coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to expand the vaporized working fluid flowing from an inlet side of the expander to an outlet side of the expander. In addition, the expansion system includes a generator coupled to the expander and configured to generate energy in response to the expansion of the vaporized working fluid. Further, the expansion system includes an integrated cooling unit configured to convey at least a portion of the condensed working fluid from an inlet side of the generator to an outlet side of the generator to dissipate heat generated by the generator.

主权项

1. An expansion system, comprising:
a pump to pressurize a condensed working fluid received from a condenser; a heat exchanger coupled to the pump to vaporize the condensed working fluid received from the pump, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a preheater unit to heat the condensed working fluid received from the pump and an evaporator unit to vaporize the heated working fluid received from the preheater unit; an expander coupled to the heat exchanger and to expand the vaporized working fluid flowing from an inlet side of the expander to an outlet side of the expander; a first generator coupled to the expander to generate electricity in response to the expansion of the vaporized working fluid; and a second generator operatively coupled to the first generator; an integrated cooling unit to convey at least a portion of the condensed working fluid to an inlet side of the first generator to dissipate heat generated by the first generator, wherein at least the portion of the condensed working fluid is partially heated by the dissipated heat, wherein the integrated cooling unit further recycles the partially heated working fluid by conveying the partially heated working fluid from the outlet side of the first generator to an inlet side of the second generator to dissipate heat generated by the second generator and convey the partially heated working fluid from an outlet side of the second generator to an inlet side of the condenser.