GB690804A - Improvements in process of generating power involving catalytic oxidation - Google Patents

Abstract

690,804. Generating combustion products under pressure. HOUDRY, E. J. March 17, 1949, No. 7336/49. Class 51(i) [Also in Group XXVI] Compressed air, fresh fuel, and previously oxidized fuel are admitted to the combustion chamber of a gas turbine or other power plant in such proportion that the mixture is too weak to ignite under the operating conditions. Oxidization of the fuel is secured by the presence of a reducing oxidizing catalyst. An example of the catalysts mentioned is copper manganese finely divided over an activated alumina support. The gas turbine plant shown in Fig. 2 is of the partly closed circuit type. Turbines n, p in series drive compressors t, u. Part of the exhaust from turbine p is returned to the circuit at 17 and the rest goes to a turbine r which drives a make-up compressor s. An interstage cooler o between the compressor stages t, u acts as a reheater for the working fluid, giving up heat first to the fluid in pipe 12 connecting turbine stages n, p and then to fluid in pipe 14 connecting turbine p with turbine r. The air from compressor u passes to the combustion chamber and fuel is supplied thereto by a pump P. In another plant there are three turbines in place of turbine n with catalytic re-heat chambers between them. Air from the delivery of pump s is further compressed and passed to the re-heat chambers. In the plant shown in Fig. 4, there are four combustion chambers 50, 60, 70, 80 with inlet and outlet pipes controlled by valves 56. With the valves as shown, chamber 50 receives compressed gas from pipe 61 and fuel from pipe 59 and discharges working fluid to turbine 51. The inlets of chamber 60 are closed and the contents of the chamber expand and pass through a reducing valve 55 to the low-pressure turbine 52. The chamber 70 receives scavenging air from a pipe 71 and discharges it to atmosphere by pipe 62. The upper inlets of chamber 80 are closed and the chamber is filled with compressed gas from compressor 53 through a restricted orifice 58. The valves are manipulated so that these four operations take place in turn in each chamber. Specifications 494,098 and 690,805 are referred to.