Sealing Gas Mixing for Turbomachine Efficiency Without Electric Heating

The patent combines low-temperature working fluid from the working fluid supply pump with high-temperature working fluid from the turbine inlet or recuperator outlet to achieve the required sealing gas temperature. This merging of temperature sources eliminates the need for separate heating equipment and reduces electric power consumption while maintaining adequate sealing gas temperature conditions.

The patent converts the high-temperature working fluid that would otherwise be wasted at the turbine inlet or recuperator outlet into a useful resource for heating the sealing gas. By utilizing this available thermal energy, the system eliminates the need for additional heating equipment and reduces overall electric power consumption.

The patent makes existing components serve multiple functions. The working fluid supply pump not only supplies working fluid to the system but also provides low-temperature working fluid for mixing. The turbine inlet or recuperator outlet not only serves the power generation cycle but also provides high-temperature working fluid for sealing gas heating. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated heating equipment.

The system uses its own internal resources (low-temperature working fluid from the supply pump and high-temperature working fluid from the turbine inlet or recuperator outlet) to satisfy the sealing gas temperature requirement. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external heating equipment and reduces system complexity.