AU2023248074A1 - Use of a common shaft multistage turbine and associated method of energy generation - Google Patents
Use of a common shaft multistage turbine and associated method of energy generation Download PDFInfo
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- AU2023248074A1 AU2023248074A1 AU2023248074A AU2023248074A AU2023248074A1 AU 2023248074 A1 AU2023248074 A1 AU 2023248074A1 AU 2023248074 A AU2023248074 A AU 2023248074A AU 2023248074 A AU2023248074 A AU 2023248074A AU 2023248074 A1 AU2023248074 A1 AU 2023248074A1
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- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- turbine
- stage
- working fluid
- boundary layer
- discs
- Prior art date
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Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 7
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 45
- ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propane Chemical compound CCC ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 10
- CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetone Chemical compound CC(C)=O CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- NNPPMTNAJDCUHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N isobutane Chemical compound CC(C)C NNPPMTNAJDCUHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- LVGUZGTVOIAKKC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane Chemical compound FCC(F)(F)F LVGUZGTVOIAKKC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- MSSNHSVIGIHOJA-UHFFFAOYSA-N pentafluoropropane Chemical compound FC(F)CC(F)(F)F MSSNHSVIGIHOJA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- CDOOAUSHHFGWSA-OWOJBTEDSA-N (e)-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene Chemical compound F\C=C\C(F)(F)F CDOOAUSHHFGWSA-OWOJBTEDSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- NSGXIBWMJZWTPY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane Chemical compound FC(F)(F)CC(F)(F)F NSGXIBWMJZWTPY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- NPNPZTNLOVBDOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1-difluoroethane Chemical compound CC(F)F NPNPZTNLOVBDOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- FXRLMCRCYDHQFW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene Chemical compound FC(=C)C(F)(F)F FXRLMCRCYDHQFW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- GCBSCAKBRSMFCP-UHFFFAOYSA-N benzene;methanol Chemical compound OC.OC.C1=CC=CC=C1 GCBSCAKBRSMFCP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000001294 propane Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- YFMFNYKEUDLDTL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane Chemical compound FC(F)(F)C(F)C(F)(F)F YFMFNYKEUDLDTL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- FGEKEABFIXPUOP-UHFFFAOYSA-N butane;hexane;pentane Chemical compound CCCC.CCCCC.CCCCCC FGEKEABFIXPUOP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000001282 iso-butane Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 6
- 229940051271 1,1-difluoroethane Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- REDPJOZSAHHIAO-UHFFFAOYSA-N butane;pentane Chemical compound CCCC.CCCCC REDPJOZSAHHIAO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007717 exclusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
- F01K25/00—Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for; Plants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for
- F01K25/08—Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for; Plants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for using special vapours
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01D—NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
- F01D1/00—Non-positive-displacement machines or engines, e.g. steam turbines
- F01D1/34—Non-positive-displacement machines or engines, e.g. steam turbines characterised by non-bladed rotor, e.g. with drilled holes
- F01D1/36—Non-positive-displacement machines or engines, e.g. steam turbines characterised by non-bladed rotor, e.g. with drilled holes using fluid friction
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D5/00—Pumps with circumferential or transverse flow
- F04D5/001—Shear force pumps
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Engine Equipment That Uses Special Cycles (AREA)
Abstract
Use of a common shaft multistage turbine in an Organic Rankine Cycle, wherein:
a first stage of the turbine is a first boundary layer turbine through which a
working fluid expands to drive the turbine; and
5 a second stage of the turbine is a second boundary layer turbine configured for
reverse operation as a pump to draw the working fluid from an outlet of the first
boundary layer turbine.
2/7
6
84
8 2
Figure 2
Description
2/7
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Figure 2
P10927.AU Specification- 10/10/2023
Use of a common shaft multistage turbine and associated method of energy generation
Field of the invention Disclosed herein is a common shaft multistage turbine, and in particular, use of said turbine in an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). Also disclosed herein is an associated method of generating energy via an ORC utilising the multistage turbine.
Background ORCs employ separate condensers, often comprising or utilising a cooling tower, to condense the expanded working fluid before it undergoes expansion again. The operation of a cooling tower can increase the overall cost, maintenance requirements and complexity of ORCs, and reduce the overall efficiency of energy generation.
There is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative.
Summary According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of a common shaft multistage turbine in an Organic Rankine Cycle, wherein: a first stage of the turbine is a first boundary layer turbine through which a working fluid expands to drive the turbine; and a second stage of the turbine is a second boundary layer turbine configured for reverse operation as a pump to draw the working fluid from an outlet of the first boundary layer turbine.
In embodiments of the invention, each boundary layer turbine comprises a series of spaced apart and coaxial discs, and wherein a diameter of the second boundary layer turbine discs is larger than a diameter of the first boundary layer turbine discs.
P10927.AU Specification- 10/10/2023
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In embodiments of the invention, the working fluid is configured to exit the first stage, flow via the shaft and enter the second stage.
In embodiments of the invention, the working fluid comprises any one selected from a group consisting of: steam; R-134a (1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane); R-152a (1,1 Difluoroethane); R-227ea (1,1,1,2,3,3,3-Heptafluoropropane); R-236fa (1,1,1,3,3,3 Hexafluoropropane); R-245fa (1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluoropropane); R-290 (Propane); R-600a (Isobutane); R-717 (Ammonia); R-1234yf (2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene); R-1234ze(E) (1,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene); benzene; methanol; ethanol; acetone; butane; hexane; pentane; and other refrigerants and their derivatives used in ORCs.
Due to differences in viscosity and other mechanical properties of working fluids, disc spacing between discs can be adjusted based on the working fluid used to optimise performance. For example, optimal disc spacing for steam may be approximately 0.4 mm.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of energy generation via an Organic Rankine Cycle, comprising: expanding an evaporated working fluid in a first stage of a multistage turbine to generate energy, the first stage comprising a first boundary layer turbine having a first series of spaced apart discs mounted on a shaft; and condensing the expanded working fluid via a second stage of the multistage turbine, the second stage comprising a second boundary layer turbine having a second series of spaced apart discs mounted on the shaft.
In embodiments of the invention, a pressure differential of the working fluid across the multistage turbine is between approximately 1 and 30 bar.
In embodiments of the invention, the pressure differential is between approximately 1 and 10 bar.
P10927.AU Specification- 10/10/2023
-3
Brief description of the drawings An embodiment of a common shaft multistage turbine for use in an ORC will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a common shaft multistage turbine according to embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional front perspective view of the turbine of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the turbine of Figure 1 fitted with a fluid inlet and outlet; Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the turbine of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a schematic of known ORC systems; Figure 6 is a schematic of an ORC system utilising a multistage turbine; and Figure 7 is a schematic of the ORC system of Figure 6 but without a condenser.
Detailed description The figures illustrate an embodiment of a common shaft multistage turbine 2 which can be utilised in an ORC. The turbine 2 comprises a metallic housing 4 and a rotatable shaft 6 extending therethrough.
The turbine 2 comprises two stages 8, 10, each comprising a boundary layer turbine mounted coaxially on the shaft 6 and contained within the housing 4. Referring to Figure 2, the first, frontward stage comprises a first boundary layer turbine 8 through which a working fluid can expand to drive the turbine 8 and thus generate electrical energy.
Whereas in a conventional ORC, the expanded working fluid would exit the turbine to be condensed via a cooling tower, the present turbine 2 comprises a second, rearward stage comprising a second boundary layer turbine 10 which functions as a pump to draw the working fluid from the first stage 8 so as to help condense the expanded fluid. In this
P10927.AU Specification- 10/10/2023
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way, the second stage 10 can eliminate the need for a cooling tower in an ORC, or reduce the size of the cooling tower required, since it functions to at least partially compress the working fluid.
Referring to Figures 2 and 4, each stage 8, 10 of the turbine 2 comprises a number of spaced apart and coaxial discs. The discs may be spaced apart via respective spacers. In the depicted embodiment, the first stage 8 comprises fewer and smaller diameter discs as compared with the discs of the second stage 10.
In use, the working fluid flows in a manner not unlike that of a dual stage Tesla turbine. Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the working fluid enters the first stage 8 via a fluid inlet 12 arranged substantially tangentially to the discs of the first stage 8. The working fluid drives the discs of the first stage 8 as the fluid expands and travels in a spiraling path thereon. As the first stage 8 is driven by the expanding working fluid, the shaft 6 is caused to rotate, thereby rotating the discs of the second stage 10 mounted thereon.
The expanded working fluid then exits the first stage 8 via holes in the first stage discs 8 located in close proximity to the shaft 6. The fluid then flows along the shaft 6 and, via holes in discs of the second stage 10 located in close proximity to the shaft 6, enters the second stage 10.
Since the second stage discs 10 are already rotating due to the working fluid's driving of the first stage discs 8 and thus shaft 6, working fluid entering the second stage 10 is caused to travel on a spiral path along the second stage discs 10. In this way, the second stage boundary layer turbine 10 functions as a pump that acts to condense the working fluid. The condensed fluid then exits the second stage 10 via a fluid outlet 14 arranged substantially tangentially to the second stage discs 10. The condensed working fluid exiting the turbine 2 can then be recycled for further expansion in the ORC.
In respect of the original, single stage Tesla turbine, it is understood that higher efficiencies are achievable by keeping the flowrate of the working fluid between the discs
P10927.AU Specification- 10/10/2023
-5
relatively low; increasing the flowrate increases the shear losses and reduces efficiency because the working fluid is in contact with the discs over a shorter distance. The present turbine 2 seeks to mitigate this efficiency drop via its second stage boundary layer turbine 10. The second stage 10 functions as a pump, maintaining a lower back pressure at an exhaust of the first stage 8. The rotating discs of the second stage acts 10 act to at least partially compress the working fluid, thereby reducing shear losses and thus increasing the overall efficiency of the present turbine 2.
Used in an ORC, the present multistage turbine 2 enables both the expansion and at least partial compression of the working fluid in a single device 2, and serves to eliminate the need for a separate a cooling tower, or reduces the tower size required.
Many modifications of the above embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the size, construction, number of stages, inlets, outlets, discs, and so forth of the turbine 2 may vary to suit a wide range of operating conditions and systems in which the turbine may be utilised. For example, adjustment of the spacing between the discs of the stages, so as to alter the boundary layer thickness, allows the present turbine to work with a broad range of working fluids. It is envisaged that a wide range of working fluids may be utilised, including any one selected from a group consisting of: steam; ammonia; R-134a; R-245fa; benzene; methanol; ethanol; acetone; propane; butane; pentane; and their derivatives.
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an
P10927.AU Specification- 10/10/2023
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acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.
Claims (7)
1. Use of a common shaft multistage turbine in an Organic Rankine Cycle, wherein: a first stage of the turbine is a first boundary layer turbine through which a working fluid expands to drive the turbine; and a second stage of the turbine is a second boundary layer turbine configured for reverse operation as a pump to draw the working fluid from an outlet of the first boundary layer turbine.
2. The use of claim 1, wherein each boundary layer turbine comprises a series of spaced apart and coaxial discs, and wherein a diameter of the second boundary layer turbine discs is larger than a diameter of the first boundary layer turbine discs.
3. The use of claim 1 or 2, wherein the working fluid is configured to exit the first stage, flow via the shaft and enter the second stage.
4. The use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the working fluid comprises any one selected from a group consisting of: steam; R-134a (1,1,1,2 Tetrafluoroethane); R-152a (1,1-Difluoroethane); R-227ea (1,1,1,2,3,3,3 Heptafluoropropane); R-236fa (1,1,1,3,3,3 - Hexafluoropropane); R-245fa (1,1,1,3,3 Pentafluoropropane); R-290 (Propane); R-600a (Isobutane); R-717 (Ammonia); R-1234yf (2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene); R-1234ze(E) (1,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene); benzene; methanol; ethanol; acetone; butane; hexane; pentane; and other refrigerants and their derivatives used in ORCs.
5. A method of energy generation via an Organic Rankine Cycle, comprising: expanding an evaporated working fluid in a first stage of a multistage turbine to generate energy, the first stage comprising a first boundary layer turbine having a first series of spaced apart discs mounted on a shaft; and
P10927.AU Specification- 10/10/2023
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condensing the expanded working fluid via a second stage of the multistage turbine, the second stage comprising a second boundary layer turbine having a second series of spaced apart discs mounted on the shaft.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein a pressure differential of the working fluid across the multistage turbine is between approximately 1 and 30 bar.
7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein the pressure differential is between approximately 1 and 10 bar.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2022902996 | 2022-10-12 | ||
| AU2022902996A AU2022902996A0 (en) | 2022-10-12 | Use of a common shaft multistage turbine and associated method of energy generation |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2023248074A1 true AU2023248074A1 (en) | 2024-05-02 |
Family
ID=90828526
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2023248074A Pending AU2023248074A1 (en) | 2022-10-12 | 2023-10-10 | Use of a common shaft multistage turbine and associated method of energy generation |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2023248074A1 (en) |
-
2023
- 2023-10-10 AU AU2023248074A patent/AU2023248074A1/en active Pending
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