Patent ID: 8453462
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: F02C,F05D

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a power plant, comprising: compressing ambient air with at least one main air compressor to make a compressed ambient gas flow having a compressed ambient gas flow rate; delivering at least a first portion of the compressed ambient gas flow from the at least one main air compressor to a turbine combustor at a pressure that is greater than or substantially equal to an output pressure delivered to the turbine combustor from a turbine compressor of at least a first portion of a recirculated gas flow having a recirculated gas flow rate; delivering a fuel stream to the turbine combustor with a fuel flow rate, wherein the fuel flow rate, the compressed ambient gas flow rate, and the recirculated gas flow rate are sufficient to maintain combustion; mixing the at least a first portion of the compressed ambient gas flow with the at least a first portion of the recirculated gas flow and with the fuel stream in the turbine combustor to form a combustible mixture; burning the combustible mixture in the turbine combustor to form the recirculated gas flow; driving a turbine shaft using the recirculated gas flow, such that the turbine and the turbine compressor rotate, and produce a turbine power that is at least a power sufficient to rotate the at least one main air compressor and the turbine compressor, wherein the turbine shaft mechanically connects the turbine, turbine compressor, and the at least one main air compressor; recirculating at least a portion of the recirculated gas flow through a recirculation loop, wherein the at least a portion of the recirculated gas flow is recirculated from the turbine to the turbine compressor; delivering a secondary flow through a secondary flow path, wherein the secondary flow path delivers at least a second portion of the recirculated gas flow from the turbine compressor to the turbine for cooling and sealing the turbine and thereafter into the recirculation loop; and venting an excess portion of the recirculated gas flow from a first vent or venting an excess portion of the compressed ambient gas flow from a second vent, wherein the first vent is located between an output of the turbine compressor and an input to the turbine compressor and wherein the second vent is located between an output of the at least one main air compressor and an input to the turbine combustor such that the compressed ambient gas flow is delivered to the turbine combustor at the pressure that is greater than or substantially equal to the output pressure delivered to the turbine combustor from the turbine compressor; wherein the power plant is operated at constant speed no-load.