Importance

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Abstract

This invention includes a heat exchanger that can be operated with a combustion turbine. This heat exchanger can be operated in either a simple cycle mode of operation or a combined cycle mode of operation. Preferably, the heat exchanger has a first heat transfer stage, a second heat transfer stage, a bypass stack and a damper. The damper and the bypass stack are preferably disposed between the first and the second heat transfer stages. Hot fluid can be received into the heat exchanger from the combustion turbine and directed through the heat transfer stages where heat is transferred from the hot fluid to the cooling medium flowing through the tubes of the heat transfer stages. Preferably, the hot fluid enters the heat exchanger upstream of the first heat transfer stage. After flowing through the first heat transfer stage, the hot fluid can be directed by the damper to either the bypass stack or the second heat transfer stage. The damper may have at least two positions which include a first position and a second position. In the first position, the hot fluid exiting the first heat transfer stage is directed through the bypass stack and does not enter the second heat transfer stage. After flowing through the bypass stack, the hot fluid exhausts to atmosphere. In this position, the heat exchanger is operated in a simple cycle mode of operation. Conversely, when the damper is in the second position, hot fluid exiting the first heat transfer stage is directed to the second heat transfer stage and not through the bypass stack. In this position, steam for operating a steam turbine is produced, and the heat exchanger is operated in the combined cycle mode of operation. In either position, steam can be extracted from the heat exchanger for cooling components of the combustion turbine or for power augmentation of the combustion turbine.

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First Claim