ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION DEVICE COMPRISING AN IRRegT CYCLE TURBOGENERATOR

Abstract

The invention relates to an electricity production device comprising an IRReGT cycle turbogenerator (100) with separate low pressure (151) and high pressure (152) stages, a first cooler exchanger (105) for cooling a gas flow between low pressure (101) and high pressure (102) compressors, a heat recovery unit (106) between the high pressure compressor (102) and a high pressure combustion chamber (107) driving a high pressure turbine (103) feeding a low pressure combustion chamber (108) driving a low pressure turbine (104), this turbogenerator (100) using ammonia as a working fluid in a closed circuit between the first cooler exchanger (105) and the heat recovery unit (106) and using ammonia as fuel for electricity production. Figure 6

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION DEVICE COMPRISING AN IRReGT CYCLE TURBOGENERATOR

[0001] The invention relates to an electricity production device comprising at least one IRReGT cycle turbogenerator with recovery and intermediate cooling and intermediate reheating, said turbogenerator being a double-stage turbomachine with recovery and intermediate cooling, with a separate low-pressure stage and a separate high-pressure stage, said turbogenerator comprising a low-pressure compressor linked to a low-pressure turbine by a low-pressure shaft, a high-pressure compressor linked to a high-pressure turbine by a high-pressure shaft, at least one first cooling exchanger arranged to cool the gas flow between said low-pressure compressor and said high-pressure compressor,a heat recovery unit between said high pressure compressor and a high pressure combustion chamber arranged to drive said high pressure turbine which feeds a low pressure combustion chamber driving said low pressure turbine.

[0002] The invention also relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising at least one such electricity production device.

[0003] The invention also relates to a stationary system comprising at least one such electricity production device.

[0004] The invention relates to the fields of turbogenerators, gas turbines, micro-turbines, and the optimized application of different thermodynamic cycles, Brayton cycle, gas turbine cycle, as well as the integration of electrified turbines known as "e-turbines".

[0005] Gas turbine type energy converters are currently being widely studied as a range extender in series hybrid vehicles. Such a converter operates in APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) mode, where its role is to recharge the batteries of an electric or hybrid vehicle. It is thus mechanically decoupled from the powertrain and thus operates at its maximum efficiency point.

[0006] Several cycles are being investigated, including among them simple recuperative cycles (RGT = Recuperative Gas Turbine), and also IRReGT cycles (Intercooled Recuperative Gas Turbine).

[0007] The gas turbine cycle with cooler, recuperator and reheat exchanger (Intercooled Regenerative Reheat Gas Turbine IRReGT), with recovery and intermediate cooling and intermediate reheating, is a cycle with high potential, in particular particular and not limited to automotive applications. This cycle makes it possible to achieve a very high efficiency, and also a very high power density (high net specific work), as shown by the comparison between a simple gas turbine called GT, a cycle with recuperator called RGT, a cycle with a cooler exchanger and IRGT recuperator and the IRReGT, where we see the preponderance of the IRReGT cycle in terms of efficiency and net specific work. The cooler exchanger is supplied with gas or liquid from a heat transfer circuit and arranged to cool the gases between a first low pressure compressor and a second high pressure compressor

[0008] Note that the RGT cycle requires one combustion chamber, while the IRReGT cycle requires two combustion chambers.

[0009] Installing the combustion chamber in the recuperator allows for greater integration.

[0010] The aim here is to develop a turbomachine that is less expensive and less bulky than those of the prior art, and that reduces or completely avoids carbon emissions.

[0011] A disadvantage of turbomachines is their large size, which is unavoidable if ambient air and a carbon fuel are used, because this requires a circuit between the cooler exchanger and the recuperator where the size of the components, in particular the cooler exchanger and the recuperator, is enormous, which poses a significant integration problem for an application in a vehicle, where the available space is always limited.

[0012] To overcome this problem, the invention proposes the use of another working fluid, in particular ammonia, in a closed circuit between the cooling exchanger and the recuperator, and with an additional tank, in particular an ammonia tank which is filled with ammonia.

[0013] Thus, in a preferred form, the invention consists in proposing a turbogenerator operating according to the IRReGT Intercooled Recuperative Reheat Gas Turbine thermodynamic cycle, with a closed working circuit between the cooler exchanger and the recuperator operating with ammonia, and with an ammonia reservoir, which is intended to be injected into the combustion chamber as decarbonized fuel.

[0014] The working cycle between the exchanger and the low pressure compressor is closed.

[0015] Advantageously, the working fluid in the closed working circuit is ammonia, which has a specific heat at constant pressure Cp greater than air, and therefore this choice makes it possible to reduce the size of the exchanger.

[0016] An ammonia tank is also added on board. This tank is separate from the ammonia working circuit. The ammonia contained in this tank is used to be injected into the combustion chamber and therefore constitutes a decarbonized fuel.

[0017] Furthermore, it is noted that the implementation of an IRReGT cycle is generally done with a device comprising two electrical machines. The use of two electrical machines, and consequently the use of two power electronics, complicates the system and makes it expensive.

[0018] It is therefore interesting to seek solutions implementing a single electrical machine.

[0019] A known alternative is to put the two e-turbomachines (each comprising compressor + turbine + electric machine) in line, with a low pressure stage and a high pressure stage as in an aircraft reactor. But in this case, the shaft of the turbomachine becomes long, and there are hot inlets / outlets on both sides, which limits this solution to static industrial applications, or to heavy goods vehicles.This aligned configuration does indeed have some disadvantages: the shaft that connects the low pressure compressor to the high pressure turbine is long, which causes vibration problems at high speeds, the machine is bulky, it is necessary to ensure a high pressure seal at the inlet of the high pressure compressor because the flow is compressed to 3 bars, as well as a high pressure and high temperature seal at the outlet of the high pressure turbine, a high pressure and high temperature seal at the inlet of the low pressure turbine, and the recuperator and cooler exchanger components are bulky because the circuit between them is open and there is air passing through (therefore less efficient) for heat exchanges.

[0020] Also, the invention proposes to develop a turbomachine operating on ammonia, in particular operating according to an IRReGT cycle, comprising a single electric machine coupled to at least two turbines, or even more if the cycle requires more than two stages.

[0021] This proposition is valid for any turbomachine comprising at least one turbine (RGT, RReGT, IRGT, IRReGT).

[0022] Thus, in a preferred form, the invention consists in proposing a turbogenerator operating with ammonia following the IRReGT Intercooled Recuperative Reheat Gas Turbine thermodynamic cycle, with a single electrical machine coupled to at least two expansion turbines, which expansion turbines make it possible to recover the excess power generated by each turbocharger (compressor + turbine).

[0023] The proposed turbogenerator technology is very promising for replacing the internal combustion engine in highly electrified powertrains, particularly for PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) vehicles with series hybrid architecture (Series Hybrid Electric Vehicles).

[0024] This technology promises the following advantages: low level of emissions, low level of noise, absence of vibrations, very reduced maintenance (limited to oil filter change).

[0025] The invention proposes a double or triple stage machine architecture, operating on ammonia, with only one electric machine coupled to the expansion turbines.

[0026] With this specific design, it is possible to reduce the complexity of the system, improve integration and in particular reduce the volume, reduce the volume of the exchanger, reduce the cost of the system thanks to the use of a single electrical machine with a single inverter and a single power electronics, and achieve zero CO2 emissions thanks to the use of ammonia which does not contain carbon.

[0027] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes an electricity production device comprising at least one IRReGT cycle turbogenerator with recovery and intermediate cooling and intermediate reheating, the turbogenerator being a double-stage turbomachine with recovery and intermediate cooling, with a separate low-pressure stage and a separate high-pressure stage, the turbogenerator comprising a low-pressure compressor linked to a low-pressure turbine by a low-pressure shaft, a high-pressure compressor linked to a high-pressure turbine by a high-pressure shaft, at least one first cooler exchanger arranged to cool the gas flow between the low-pressure compressor and the high-pressure compressor,a heat recovery unit between the high pressure compressor and a high pressure combustion chamber arranged to drive the high pressure turbine which feeds a low pressure combustion chamber driving the low pressure turbine.

[0028] According to the invention, the turbogenerator uses a working fluid consisting of ammonia in a closed circuit between the first cooler exchanger and the heat recovery unit and uses ammonia as fuel for its combustion for the production of electricity.

[0029] Thanks to the invention, carbon emissions are avoided, and the volume of the electricity production device according to the invention is drastically reduced.

[0030] More particularly, the turbogenerator comprises an ammonia tank, separated from the ammonia working circuit and arranged for the injection of ammonia through an ammonia injection circuit, into the low pressure combustion chamber and into the high pressure combustion chamber.

[0031] This avoids any carbon emissions and reduces the volume of the equipment.

[0032] More particularly, the turbogenerator comprises a condenser on the return circuit between the heat recovery unit and the low pressure compressor for ammonia.

[0033] Thanks to this condenser on the return circuit between the heat recovery unit and the low pressure compressor for ammonia, the ammonia is circulated in this circuit closed working, which thus allows reducing the size of all the exchangers.

[0034] More particularly, the turbogenerator comprises a single electrical machine driven by at least one additional turbine driven by a gas flow from the low pressure turbine or by a gas flow from the high pressure turbine.

[0035] This saves an electric machine.

[0036] More particularly, the turbogenerator comprises a single electrical machine driven by an upstream expansion turbine driven by a gas flow from the high pressure turbine, and by a downstream expansion turbine driven by a gas flow from the low pressure turbine.

[0037] This arrangement only requires the addition of two turbines, which are much less costly than the second electric machine that the invention makes it possible to eliminate.

[0038] More particularly still, the power of the low pressure turbine is equal to the power of the low pressure compressor, the excess power being recovered on the downstream expansion turbine, and the power of the high pressure turbine is equal to the power of the high pressure compressor, the excess power being recovered on the upstream expansion turbine.

[0039] The yield is thus optimized.

[0040] More particularly, the turbogenerator comprises a third very high pressure stage with a very high pressure compressor driven by a very high pressure turbine via a very high pressure shaft, a second exchanger between the high pressure compressor and the very high pressure compressor, an additional combustion chamber between the downstream expansion turbine and the low pressure turbine supplied with ammonia by the ammonia tank, and an additional turbine coupled to the downstream expansion turbine and supplied by the low pressure turbine.

[0041] The yield is thus further improved.

[0042] The invention also relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising at least one such electricity production device.

[0043] This provides a device for extending autonomy with controlled cost, small footprint, and no carbon emissions with ammonia as the combustion fluid.

[0044] The invention also relates to a stationary system comprising at least one such electricity production device.

[0045] This provides an energy production device with controlled cost, small footprint, compact and capable of being easily implemented on construction sites or humanitarian or other operations, and without carbon emissions.

[0046] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a user system incorporating an electricity generation device according to the invention, in a first variant where this user system is stationary; [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a user system incorporating an electricity generation device according to the invention, in a second variant where this user system is mobile, in particular an electric or hybrid motor vehicle; [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the architecture of a double-stage turbogenerator with IRReGT thermodynamic cycle, where the low-pressure stage and the high-pressure stage are on the same rotation axis; [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the architecture of a double-stage turbogenerator with IRReGT thermodynamic cycle, the low pressure stage and the high pressure stage being separated, and comprising, respectively, a low pressure electric machine and a high pressure electric machine; [Fig.5] schematically illustrates an evolution of the system illustrated in [Fig.4], according to the invention, consisting in the closed circuit of the fluid passing through the compressors and the turbines, for the use of a new working fluid, in particular ammonia, in this closed circuit, and with the removal of the air filter; [Fig.6] schematically illustrates an improvement of the turbogenerator of [Fig.5], with the addition of an additional reservoir of working fluid, which, more particularly, feeds the low pressure and high pressure combustion chambers, and the addition of a condenser on the return circuit between the heat recovery unit and the low pressure compressor; [Fig.7] schematically illustrates an additional feature of the invention, applied to the IRReGT thermodynamic cycle double-stage turbogenerator shown in [Fig.4], which is modified by the removal of the low-pressure electrical machine of the low-pressure stage and the high-pressure electrical machine of the high-pressure stage, and by the insertion of two turbines, an upstream expansion turbine and a downstream expansion turbine. The upstream expansion turbine is driven by the gas flow from the high-pressure turbine, downstream of the high-pressure combustion chamber, and the gas flow leaving the upstream expansion turbine feeds the low-pressure combustion chamber, for driving the low-pressure turbine. While the gas flow from the low-pressure turbine drives the downstream expansion turbine, downstream of which the gas flow passes through an exchanger linked to the heat recovery unit before returning to the low-pressure compressor.The upstream expansion turbine and the downstream expansion turbine are associated with a . unique electric machine, which is now the only one included in the turbo-generator; - [Fig.8] schematically illustrates a turbogenerator combining the invention illustrated in [Fig.6] and the additional characteristic illustrated in [Fig.7]: it is a turbogenerator comprising a closed ammonia circuit, and a single electrical machine; - [Fig.9] schematically illustrates a combined turbogenerator according to [Fig.8] and comprising a third floor.

[0047] Illustrated in [Fig.l] is a user system 1000 incorporating an electricity generation device according to the invention, in a first variant where this user system is stationary. The electricity generation device is an autonomous device which comprises at least one energy converter of the gas turbine type, which is IRReGT cycle, and comprises at least one turbogenerator 100 with recovery and intermediate cooling. This at least one turbogenerator 100 is in particular powered by a fuel tank 7000, and is arranged for recharging with energy at least one battery pack 2000 of an industrial installation or similar, and / or for powering at least one electric motor of an industrial installation comprising the electricity production system 1000, or any other electrical energy consuming organ.The concept of "industrial installation" should be taken in the broad sense, because one of the advantages of the invention lies in the very small footprint that the electricity production system 1000 can occupy: for example, domestic, agricultural, craft, or other applications are likely to implement the invention, and in particular everywhere where the supply of electrical energy is too low, too expensive, or even non-existent.

[0048] Illustrated in [Fig.2] is a user system 5000 incorporating an electricity generation device according to the invention, in a second variant where this user system 5000 is mobile, in particular an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, here a battery-electric motor vehicle, which comprises at least one battery pack 2000 for powering an electric traction motor, this at least one battery pack 2000 being in particular and not limited to being housed under a floor or under a trunk that this electric motor vehicle 1000 comprises.

[0049] This user system 1000 comprises an electricity generation device according to the invention, which comprises at least one turbomachine which is powered by a fuel tank 7000. In the second variant of [Fig.2], this at least one turbomachine is arranged for recharging this at least one battery pack 2000 with energy.

[0050] Advantageously, this turbomachine is an IRReGT cycle and comprises at least one turbogenerator 100 with recovery and intermediate cooling.

[0051] The prior art is illustrated by [Fig.3] and [Fig.4], where this electricity generation device comprises a two-stage turbogenerator, and, preferably due to its good efficiency, at least one such turbomachine comprises a turbogenerator 100 which is a micro-turbine operating with a liquid or gaseous fuel, with two stages of recovery and intermediate cooling.

[0052] The innovation is advantageously applied to an energy converter of the turbogenerator type with an intercooled recuperative reheat gas turbine (IRReGT) thermodynamic cycle, i.e. a turbogenerator with recovery and intermediate cooling. Compared to an RGT cycle (Recuperative Gas Turbine / Simple turbine cycle), the turbogenerator operates according to the IRReGT cycle, it is a double-stage machine making it possible to achieve a higher efficiency and a higher power density. If the RGT cycle (Recuperative gas turbine), also applicable to the invention, requires a single combustion chamber, the IRReGT cycle requires two combustion chambers, as seen in [Fig.3] and [Fig.4], but its efficiency is much higher than that of an RGT cycle.

[0053] More particularly, in the case where the working fluid is air, at least one such turbomachine comprises a turbogenerator 100 which comprises at least one air filter 109, a first electrified turbocharger 151 for a low pressure stage comprising a low pressure compressor 101, a low pressure turbine 104, and a first electric machine 121 equipped with a first inverter, a second electrified turbocharger 152 for a high pressure stage comprising a high pressure compressor 102, a high pressure turbine 103, and a second electric machine 122 equipped with a second inverter, at least one heat recovery unit 106 by heat exchange between the air and the exhaust gases, at least one first cooling exchanger 105 called intercooler (cooler),supplied with ambient air and arranged to cool the air between this low pressure compressor 101 and this high pressure compressor 102 through a heat transfer circuit with water or air or other fluid as refrigerant. The exhaust gases are guided to the outside by at least one exhaust pipe.

[0054] More particularly still, at the outlet of the high pressure compressor 102, such a heat recovery unit 106 is inserted before the entry of the gases into an HP combustion chamber 107 which is arranged to drive the high pressure turbine 103, and an LP combustion chamber 108 is inserted between the high pressure turbine 103 and the low pressure turbine 104, and is arranged to drive the low pressure turbine 104.

[0055] [Fig.3] shows an IRReGT 100 turbogenerator, in the particular case of a coaxial machine, where coaxial shafts 110 each connect a compressor and a turbine, respectively low pressure (LP): LP compressor 101 and LP turbine 104, and high pressure (HP): HP compressor 102 and HP turbine 103. A first re-cooler exchanger 105, supplied with ambient air or another heat transfer fluid such as water or other, cools the air between the LP compressor 101 and the HP compressor 102. At the outlet of the HP compressor 102 a recuperator 106 is inserted before the entry into an HP combustion chamber 107 which drives the HP turbine 103. The objective of the recuperator 106 is to increase the air temperature at the inlet of the HP combustion chamber 107 by preheating the air. A LP combustion chamber 108 is inserted between the HP turbine 103 and the LP turbine 104, to supply the latter.

[0056] The large size of such a coaxial machine encourages the implementation of a much more compact separate-stage machine. The difficulties explained above, relating to putting the two e-turbomachines online (each comprising compressor + turbine + electric machine) lead to decoupling the two turbo-machines and having two separate spools (a spool is a set comprising compressor + electric machine + turbine), according to [Fig.3]. A low pressure BP spool comprises a LP compressor, a LP electric machine and a LP turbine. A high pressure HP spool comprises an HP compressor, an HP electric machine, and an HP turbine. This IRReGT cycle then requires two electric machines: a first electric machine 121 equipped with a first inverter, and a second electric machine 122 equipped with a second inverter, and therefore two power electronics cards, which increases the price of the machine.

[0057] [Fig.4] thus shows an IRReGT 100 turbogenerator, in the particular case of a machine with two separate stages: a low pressure stage 151 (hereinafter LP) and a high pressure stage 152 high pressure (hereinafter HP). In the low pressure stage 151, a first shaft 111 connects a LP compressor 101 (which receives the air via an air filter 109) and a LP turbine 104. In the high pressure stage 152, a second shaft 112 connects an HP compressor 102 and an HP turbine 103. A first re-cooler exchanger 105, supplied with ambient air, cools the air between the LP compressor 101 and the HP compressor 102. At the outlet of the HP compressor 102, a heat recovery unit 106 is inserted before the entry into an HP combustion chamber 107 which drives the HP turbine 103. A LP combustion chamber 108 is inserted between the HP turbine 103 and the LP turbine 104, to supply the latter, the gases exiting through the heat recovery unit 106.In this variant, the low pressure stage 151 and the high pressure stage 152 are separated, which is well suited to installation in a reduced volume, and makes it possible to reduce the size of the pipes required for conveying the different fluids. And the modularity of this turbogenerator makes it possible to position its components in different locations depending on the space available.

[0058] The invention aims to develop a solution making it possible to avoid carbon emissions, by using a non-carbon working fluid.

[0059] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the principle of evolution, specific to the present invention, of the system illustrated in [Fig.4], with the closure of the circuit between the recuperator 106 and the LP compressor 101, the replacement of the air by another working fluid, in a closed circuit between the first cooler exchanger 105 and the recuperator 106, and therefore the elimination of the air filter 109.

[0060] Advantageously, ammonia is chosen as such working fluid.

[0061] [Fig.6] illustrates an improvement of the turbogenerator of [Fig.5], with the addition of a additional working fluid reservoir, in particular an ammonia reservoir 210, which, more particularly, supplies the low pressure 108 and high pressure 107 combustion chambers.

[0062] More particularly, a condenser 201 is added to the return circuit between the heat recovery unit 106 and the low-pressure compressor 101 for the ammonia, and the ammonia is circulated in this closed working circuit, which thus makes it possible to reduce the size of all the exchangers (recovery unit 106, first cooler exchanger 105).

[0063] More particularly, an ammonia injection circuit is added, for its injection into the low pressure combustion chamber 108 and / or the high pressure combustion chamber 107.

[0064] Advantageously, a catalyst may be added to the outlet of each combustion chamber to treat the NOx emissions (NO, NO2 in particular) at the outlet of the ammonia combustion in the combustion chambers. Such a catalyst, not shown in the figures, may be added to the outlet of each combustion chamber, low pressure and high pressure, to treat the NOx emissions, in particular NO and NO2, which come out following the combustion of ammonia in the combustion chambers. This catalyst may comprise tungsten W, or tungsten oxide W2O3, or vanadium V, or vanadium oxide V2O5, or the like, and in particular on a titanium oxide TiO2 support, and allows a selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides.

[0065] Ammonia can be stored in the form of NH3 gas, or obtained from urea CO(NH2)2, or from an aqueous solution of urea AUS 32 (32.5% urea in distilled water), or from an aqueous solution of urea of ​​the “Ad Blue®” type easily available at service stations for Diesel engines.

[0066] It is easy to add, on a stationary user system, or on an on-board user system such as a motor vehicle, a tank filled with ammonia with a circuit for injecting ammonia into the low pressure combustion chamber and / or the high pressure combustion chamber.

[0067] This second characteristic of the invention allows a drastic reduction in the volume of the exchangers, and consequently of the entire turbomachine.

[0068] However, the problem of the cost of the two electrical machines and their equipment remains.

[0069] An additional feature of the invention consists of developing a solution making it possible to limit oneself to a single electrical machine.

[0070] [Fig.7] illustrates this additional characteristic of the invention, applied to the IRReGT thermodynamic cycle double-stage turbo-generator shown in [Fig.4], which is modified by the removal of the low-pressure electrical machine 121 from the low-pressure stage 151, and of the high-pressure electrical machine 122 from the high-pressure stage 152, and by the insertion of two additional expansion turbines, an upstream expansion turbine 130 and a downstream expansion turbine 140. The upstream expansion turbine 130 is driven by the gas flow from the high-pressure turbine 103, downstream of the high-pressure combustion chamber 107, and the gas flow leaving the upstream expansion turbine 130 feeds the low-pressure combustion chamber 108, for driving the low-pressure turbine 104.The gas flow from the low-pressure turbine 104 drives the downstream expansion turbine 140, downstream of which the gas flow passes through an exchanger linked to the heat recovery unit 106; in an advantageous variant visible in [Fig.8], detailed later, this exchanger supplies the low-pressure compressor 101 in a closed circuit. The upstream expansion turbine 130 and the downstream expansion turbine 140 are thus associated with a single electrical machine 120, which is now the only one included in the turbogenerator 100.

[0071] The first low-pressure turbocharger 151 (low-pressure spool) is sized so that the power of the low-pressure turbine 104 is equal to the power of the low-pressure compressor 101. The excess power (remaining unrecovered) will be recovered on the downstream expansion turbine 140. Similarly, a high-pressure spool will be proposed comprising the high-pressure compressor 102 and the high-pressure turbine 103. The power of the high-pressure turbine 103 is equal to the power of the high-pressure compressor 102. The excess power will be recovered by the upstream expansion turbine 130.

[0072] Thus a third spool comprises the single electrical machine 120, the upstream expansion turbine 130, and the downstream expansion turbine 140.

[0073] By doing so, it is possible to propose a cycle with a single electrical machine, a single power electronics and a single inverter.

[0074] This circuit certainly includes two additional expansion turbines, the upstream expansion turbine 130, and the downstream expansion turbine 140, but the cost of each turbine is low compared to that of the power electronics, which makes it possible to reduce the cost price of the system.

[0075] The power recovery at the output of the high pressure stage 152 is advantageous. Thermodynamically, the system according to the invention thus makes it possible to operate at the point maximum output or the specific net work maximum point.

[0076] We thus propose an IRReGT cycle with a single electric machine while keeping separate spools. To do this, we advantageously use two turbochargers without an electric machine. Thus this additional characteristic of the invention allows the saving of an electric machine.

[0077] The characteristics of the invention are perfectly compatible with each other, and their advantages are cumulative.

[0078] [Fig.8] illustrates such a turbogenerator combining the invention presented in [Fig.5] and the additional characteristic of the invention, in its most complete variant presented in [Fig.7]: it is a turbogenerator 100 comprising a closed ammonia circuit, and a single electrical machine 120.

[0079] In this advantageous embodiment, visible in [Fig.8], the single electrical machine 120 is framed by two turbines, an upstream expansion turbine 130 and a downstream expansion turbine 140. The upstream expansion turbine 130 is driven by the gas flow from the high-pressure turbine 103, downstream of the high-pressure combustion chamber 107, and the gas flow leaving the upstream expansion turbine 130 feeds the low-pressure combustion chamber 108, for driving the low-pressure turbine 104. This low-pressure turbine 104 drives, on the one hand, the downstream expansion turbine 140, and on the other hand, by the low-pressure shaft 111, the low-pressure compressor 101. The gas flow from the low-pressure compressor 101 passes through the first re-cooler exchanger 105 before entering the high-pressure compressor 102 driven by the high-pressure turbine 103 by means of of the high pressure shaft 112.The gas flow from the high-pressure compressor 102 reaches the recuperator 106, which cooperates with an exchanger crossed by the gas flow from the downstream expansion turbine 140, this exchanger in turn feeding the ammonia condenser 201 which feeds the low-pressure compressor 101. The ammonia tank 210 feeds a low-pressure injection circuit which feeds the low-pressure combustion chamber 108, and / or a high-pressure injection circuit which feeds the high-pressure combustion chamber 107; the preferred variant in [Fig.8] comprises both a low-pressure injection circuit and a high-pressure injection circuit.

[0080] Closing the circuit between the recuperator and the low pressure compressor, removing the air filter, and adding a condenser for the ammonia, and circulating the ammonia in this closed working circuit make it possible to reduce the dimensions of the exchangers (recuperator, first cooler exchanger).

[0081] The proposed innovation can be applied to a turbogenerator type energy converter with a thermodynamic cycle comprising a double stage, of the intercooled recuperative reheat gas turbine (IRReGT) type or any other thermodynamic cycle comprising more compression and expansion stages. The innovation mainly concerns the aspect of using a single electric machine coupled to the turbines. This saves cost and complexity.

[0082] A variant, visible in [Fig.9], concerns a combined turbogenerator 100 according to [Fig.8], which constitutes a triple-stage machine with the same principle. This turbogenerator 100 comprises a third very high pressure stage with a very high pressure compressor 202 driven by a very high pressure turbine 203, via a very high pressure shaft 212. A second exchanger 205 is interposed between the high pressure compressor 102 and the very high pressure compressor 202. An additional combustion chamber 160 is interposed between the downstream expansion turbine 140 and the low pressure turbine 104, and is supplied with ammonia from the ammonia tank 210 by an ammonia injection circuit. An additional turbine 150 is coupled to the downstream expansion turbine 140, it is powered by the low pressure turbine 104, and it is its gas flow which reaches the exchanger coupled with the recuperator 106.The only electric machine remains the unique 120 electric machine.

[0083] The technical advantages of the invention are numerous: reduction of the cost of the system (a single electrical machine, a single inverter, a single power electronics), possibility of positioning the power production component at different locations in a vehicle within the available functional volume, reduction of the dimensions of the components, closure of the circuit, elimination of the air filter, use of ammonia as a working fluid in a closed circuit with the addition of a tank with ammonia on board the vehicle, use of ammonia in the combustion chambers, absence of CO2 emissions.

[0084] The invention provides in particular an interesting advantage in terms of occupied volume, because it is possible to integrate the turbogenerator in place of the battery pack without impacting the architecture of the vehicle.

[0085] The principle of the invention can be used for different types of turbomachines or compression and expansion machines. In particular for compressor / turbine technologies of the following types: Scroll, gear, screw, radial turbomachines, axial turbomachines, pistons.

[0086] Closing the circuit and adding ammonia makes it possible to significantly reduce the size of the exchangers, lower their cost, and also use ammonia as a decarbonized fuel.

[0087] Using a single electric machine reduces the total cost of the turbogenerator system by reducing the cost of the inverter, power electronics and the electric machine. This also provides a positive environmental impact, due to the lower use of resources / materials.

[0088] Such a turbogenerator-based converter is a low-cost solution for hybridizing the battery of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, offering a long autonomy with biofuel with low environmental impact.

[0089] This solution allows the advantages of electric vehicles to be retained: driving pleasure, very low maintenance, low noise level, while increasing autonomy and reducing cost.

[0090] In short, the invention presents an economic technical interest. Indeed, it makes it possible to propose a low-cost converter which can be easily integrated into an electric vehicle to hybridize its battery and offer a vehicle with high autonomy, low cost and low environmental impact.

Claims

Claims

1. Electricity production device comprising at least one IRReGT cycle turbogenerator (100) with recovery and intermediate cooling and intermediate reheating, said turbogenerator (100) being a double-stage turbomachine with recovery and intermediate cooling, with a low pressure stage (151) and a high pressure stage (152) separated, said turbogenerator (100) comprising a low pressure compressor (101) linked to a low pressure turbine (104) by a low pressure shaft (111), a high pressure compressor (102) linked to a high pressure turbine (103) by a high pressure shaft (112), at least one first cooling exchanger (105) arranged to cool the gas flow between said low pressure compressor (101) and said high pressure compressor (102),a heat recovery unit (106) between said high pressure compressor (102) and a high pressure combustion chamber (107) arranged to drive said high pressure turbine (103) which feeds a low pressure combustion chamber (108) driving said low pressure turbine (104), characterized in that said turbogenerator (100) uses a working fluid consisting of ammonia in a closed circuit between said first cooling exchanger (105) and said heat recovery unit (106) and uses ammonia as fuel for its combustion for the production of electricity.,

2. Electricity production device according to claim 1 characterized in that said turbogenerator (100) comprises an ammonia tank (210), separate from the ammonia working circuit and arranged for the injection of ammonia through an ammonia injection circuit, into said low pressure combustion chamber (108) and into said high pressure combustion chamber (107).

3. Electricity production device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said turbogenerator (100) comprises a condenser (201) on the return circuit between said heat recovery unit (106) and said low pressure compressor (101) for ammonia.

4. Electricity production device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said turbogenerator (100) comprises a single electrical machine (120) driven by at least one additional turbine (130; 140) driven by a gas flow from said low pressure turbine (104) or by a gas flow from said turbine high pressure (103).

5. Electricity production device according to claim 4 characterized in that said turbogenerator (100) comprises a single electrical machine (120) driven by an upstream expansion turbine (130) driven by a gas flow from said high pressure turbine (103), and by a downstream expansion turbine (140) driven by a gas flow from said low pressure turbine (104).

6. Electricity production device according to claim 5 characterized in that the power of the low pressure turbine (104) is equal to the power of said low pressure compressor (101), the excess power being recovered on said downstream expansion turbine (140), and in that the power of said high pressure turbine (103) is equal to the power of said high pressure compressor (102), the excess power being recovered on said upstream expansion turbine (130).

7. Electricity production device according to claims 2 and 5 characterized in that said turbogenerator (100) comprises a third very high pressure stage with a very high pressure compressor (202) driven by a very high pressure turbine (203) via a very high pressure shaft (212), a second exchanger (205) between said high pressure compressor (102) and said very high pressure compressor (202), an additional combustion chamber (160) between said downstream expansion turbine (140) and said low pressure turbine (104) supplied with ammonia by said ammonia tank (210), and an additional turbine (150) coupled to said downstream expansion turbine (140) and supplied by said low pressure turbine (104).

8. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (5000) comprising at least one electricity production device according to one of claims 1 to 7

9. / . Stationary system (1000) comprising at least one electricity production device according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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