Brayton Cycle Electrical Cooling Using Compressor Discharge Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Brayton cycle power-generation systems face challenges in effectively cooling electrical components due to the low pressure of working fluid at the cold side heat exchanger, limiting cooling efficiency and reliability of electrical systems.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop power-generation system utilizes a pump driven by compressor discharge fluid to increase the pressure of cooled working fluid, enhancing cooling efficiency and reliability by directing pressurized cooled working fluid to electrical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cooled working fluid is used to cool electrical components, then cooling function is provided, but the low pressure of working fluid at the cold side heat exchanger limits cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power generation cycle and cooling cycle into a single integrated system. The working fluid from the power generation turbine compressor is directly used to drive the cooling cycle compressor, merging two separate cycles into one unified system that achieves both power generation and cooling functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The working fluid serves multiple functions: it acts as the working medium for power generation in the turbine cycle and simultaneously serves as the driving force for the cooling cycle compressor. This multi-functionality allows the same fluid to enable both power production and cooling without requiring separate systems.
2Reliability
If a separate cooling system is added to improve cooling efficiency, then cooling performance increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power generation system and cooling system into a single integrated Brayton cycle system. The cooling cycle compressor is driven by the power generation turbine, and both cycles share common components such as the heat exchanger and working fluid loop, thereby achieving enhanced cooling without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine engine performs dual functions: generating electrical power through the generator and simultaneously driving the cooling cycle compressor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling system components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high cooling efficiency.
3Reliability
If compressor discharge fluid is used to drive the cooling cycle compressor, then cooling efficiency improves, but the system requires precise fluid dynamics control
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own compressor discharge fluid to automatically drive the cooling cycle compressor without requiring external control mechanisms. The high-pressure fluid from the power generation compressor self-regulates the cooling cycle through its inherent pressure and flow characteristics, eliminating the need for complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes an inherent feedback loop where the cooling cycle compressor discharge feeds back into the power generation cycle. This creates a self-regulating system where the performance of one cycle automatically adjusts the other, simplifying overall system control while maintaining optimal cooling efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system improves cooling efficiency and reliability of electrical components by using compressor discharge fluid to boost pressure, ensuring effective heat transfer and prolonged component life without separate cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor, a reactor heat-exchanger, a turbine, and a cooling heat-exchanger. The compressor may be configured to receive a working fluid and compress the working fluid to provide a compressed working fluid
Implementation Method 2
The reactor heat-exchanger may be downstream of the compressor that transfers heat from a nuclear reactor to the compressed working fluid to provide a heated working fluid
Implementation Method 3
The turbine may be downstream of the reactor heat-exchanger and configured to extract work from the heated compressed working fluid for driving the compressor and the motor-generator
Implementation Method 4
The cooling heat-exchanger may be downstream of the turbine to transfer heat away from the heated working fluid to provide a cooled working fluid
Implementation Method 5
The pump may be fluidly connected with the compressor and driven by the compressed working fluid to increase a pressure of the cooled working fluid received by the pump
Implementation Method 6
The cooling system may use the cooled working fluid to cool the electrical system... to transfer heat from at least one of the motor-generator and the power conditioning and distribution system to the cooled working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A power-generation system includes an electrical system, a turbine engine, and a pump. The turbine engine includes a compressor configured to receive and compress a working fluid, a heat source that transfers heat to the compressed working fluid, a turbine fluidly connected with the compressor to extract work from the heated working fluid, and a first heat-exchanger fluidly connected with the turbine to transfer heat away from the heated working fluid to provide a cooled working fluid. The pump conducts a portion of the cooled working fluid from the first heat-exchanger to the electrical system to cool components of the electrical system.