Turbine Intake Air Cooling for High-Altitude Power Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing operations face challenges with inefficient power generation due to reduced air density at high elevations and high ambient temperatures, leading to lower turbine performance and output.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cooling system for the intake air of a mobile power generation system using a heat exchanger with a cooling agent, such as liquid nitrogen, to increase air density and improve power generation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile power generation system operates at high elevations or high ambient temperatures, then the system maintains mobility and operational flexibility, but air density decreases leading to reduced turbine performance and power output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by actively modifying the temperature parameter of intake air through a cooling system. The system includes a heat exchanger that cools the intake air, and a controller that adjusts cooling agent flow to maintain optimal air density. This allows the turbine to operate at high elevations or temperatures while maintaining power output by changing the physical state of the intake air.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a cooling agent as an intermediary substance to transfer heat from the intake air. The cooling agent flows through a heat exchanger where it absorbs heat from the intake air, effectively mediating the thermal interaction between the environment and the turbine intake system, thereby maintaining air density and turbine performance.
2Power
If a cooling system is added to the mobile power generation system, then air density increases and turbine performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed with multi-functionality where the same heat exchanger and cooling agent distribution system serve both cooling purposes and potentially other thermal management functions. The controller integrates with the existing mobile power generation system's control architecture, allowing a single control unit to manage both the power generation and cooling operations, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
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 cooling system enhances power generation efficiency by increasing air density, thereby improving turbine performance and output even in high-altitude and hot environments.
Implementation Method 1
feeding a cooling agent into a heat transfer apparatus disposed in an air intake flow path of the turbine to cool intake air
Implementation Method 2
cool intake air flowing in the air intake flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile source of electricity is converted from a transportation mode to an operational mode. A turbine disposed on the mobile source of electricity is operated to generate electricity in the operational mode. A first control valve is operated to feed a cooling agent from a cooling agent source into a heat transfer apparatus disposed in an air intake flow path of the turbine to cool intake air. A second control valve is operated to vent from the heat transfer apparatus, the cooling agent that is heated by absorbing heat from the intake air flowing through the air intake flow path. A controller controls the first and second control valves to maintain the cooling agent having predetermined properties in the heat transfer apparatus.