Multi-Power Port Gas Turbine Configurations for Solar Cogeneration Applications

Solar energy, unlike fossil fuel energy, is a constrained source of power. It is constrained by its diurnal and seasonal variations and by weather upsets. Solar energy, unlike fossil fuel energy, which is highly concentrated and highly commandable, cannot be directly commanded. The only means to control the solar power input to a gas turbine is the flow rate of the fluid which acquires the converted solar heat and conveys it, passing through the turbine stages on its way to the exhaust. A conventional gas turbine set has one power input port, the combustion heat-compressed gas at the gas turbine inlet, and one controlled power power output port, the mechanical variable shaft torque of the power turbine. For cogeneration applications, two power controlled ports are necessary: the mechanical shaft torque--usually used to drive a generator--and the exhaust fluid--usually compressed clean air for industrial or topping cycle uses.