Patent ID: 7770394
Filing Date: 2010-08-10
Classification: F01D,F01K,F22B,H02K,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A remote power supply system associated with offshore hydrocarbon production and transportation operations, comprising an expansion turbine that generates power for the system; a support structure that supports the expansion turbine; a cooling section supported by the support structure and being in fluid communication with the expansion turbine to receive the vapor therefrom and to condense to liquid the vapor exiting the expansion turbine; a downcomer and boiler section comprising tubular inner and outer conduits thereby defining an outer annulus, the outer annulus being in fluid communication with the condenser to receive the liquid from the condenser, the inner conduit terminating above a closed lower end of the outer conduit so that the interior of the inner conduit is in fluid communication with the outer annulus, the interior of the inner conduit being in fluid communication with an inlet of the expansion turbine; a tubular boiler section extending concentrically through the inner conduit to thereby define an inner annulus within the inner conduit, the boiler section carrying air and fuel through the inner conduit; an ignition assembly positioned toward a lower end portion of the downcomer and boiler section that ignites a fuel and air mixture and causes the liquid received by the downcomer and boiler section from the cooling section to boil into vapor; and a return passage in fluid communication with an inlet of the expansion turbine that conveys vapor from the downcomer and boiler section to the inlet of the expansion turbine.