WO2024113017A1

WO2024113017A1 - Biomass-fuelled combined cooling, heating and power plant

Info

Publication number: WO2024113017A1
Application number: PCT/AU2023/051237
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel James YARSLEY
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-12-01
Filing date: 2023-12-01
Publication date: 2024-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-01
Also published as: AU2023404674A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and a method for producing electricity, heating and cooling. In particular, the present invention relates to a system comprising a Rankine Cycle system, a heating system and a cooling system that concurrently produce electricity, heating and cooling from a renewable source.

Description

BIOMASS-FUELLED COMBINED COOLING, HEATING AND POWER PLANT

[0001] This application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2022903649 filed 1 December 2022, the contents of which should be understood to be incorporated.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a system and a method for producing electricity, heating and cooling. In particular, the present invention relates to a system comprising a Rankine Cycle system, a heating system and a cooling system that concurrently produce electricity, heating and cooling from a renewable source. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to these particular fields of use.

Background of the Invention

[0003] The following discussion of the prior art is provided to place the invention in an appropriate technical context and enable the advantages of it to be more fully understood. It should be appreciated, however, that any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should not be considered as an express or implied admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

[0004] The development of renewable energy technologies, for use in combined electricity, heating and cooling generation, has been of particular interest due to environmental concerns (such as reducing pollution and carbon dioxide emissions from coal and other fossil fuels).

[0005] Biomass is a widely available source of renewable energy. It is carbon-neutral in that as a natural part of photosynthesis, biomass fuels only release the same amount of carbon into the atmosphere as was absorbed by plants in the course of their life cycle. Furthermore, biomass is less expensive than fossil fuels and adds value to manufacturers of the biomass by creating a profitable use in the form of biomass energy. One example of biomass-derived renewable energy source is crude liquid biofuel derived from cropping, as grown to offset industrial carbon emissions.

[0006] Wood, treated or untreated, is a type of biomass that can be used as an energy source. This avoids the landfilling of treated waste wood, which is inherently resistant to the biodegradation actions of rotting and composting. Calorific value of the wood biomass can be recovered through incineration that provides heat energy for the production of steam. In addition, trace metals/minerals in the wood biomass can be recovered from incinerator bottom ash and air pollution residue through circular waste economies. Steam plays a vital role in various industrial process across industries including pharmaceutical, food and beverage, textiles, pulp and paper, oil and petrochemicals, laundries, and public buildings. Particularly, steam has long been used to produce electrical power in thermal power stations.

[0007] A district heating/cooling network is a system that produces heat/cooling from a central location from an energy source. Typically, underground pipes deliver heated/chilled heat transfer working fluid for the heating/cooling of buildings in a closed loop. The heat transfer working fluid is returned to the central location to be heated/chilled. This process is then repeated during the operation of the district heating/cooling network. These networks can be powered by a renewable energy source. For example, steam can be generated from biomass that generates electricity through a steam engine, which in turns provides heating and cooling. Furthermore, the electricity generated can be used to power infrastructures, for example, a data centre.

[0008] A district heating network may be required at the same time with a district cooling network. Furthermore, heating/cooling may be required at the same time as electricity for buildings that require 24/7 electricity and heating/cooling. Therefore, it may be desirable to develop a system that produces electricity, heating and cooling concurrently.

[0009] DE 3412922 describes a steam engine cycle process with recycling of waste heat by means of a multi-stage heat pump process. Specifically, the multi-stage heat pump is operated between a condenser and a condensate high-pressure circuit of the steam power process for the purpose of regenerative return of the heat of condensation. The invention does not relate to actively exporting heating or cooling to a district heating/cooling network.

[0010] Other representative prior art includes but is not limited to US 3,519,065, DE 2803952, US 4,738,111 , US 2004/118449, WO 2009/094057, WO 2010/075598, US 2012/125002, WO 2013/038423, ON 104697239 and ON 114034132.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0012] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

[0013] Although the invention will be described with reference to specific examples it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Summary of the Invention

[0014] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for concurrently producing electricity, heating and cooling from a renewable source, the system comprising:

[0015] a Rankine Cycle system comprising:

[0016] at least one steam engine comprising a first steam engine to receive a steam generated from the renewable source, to thereby produce electricity;

[0017] a heating system comprising:

[0018] a first heat exchanger to receive a first thermal transfer working fluid and at least a portion of exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the at least one steam engine to heat the first thermal transfer working fluid, to thereby produce heating; and

[0019] a cooling system comprising:

[0020] a second steam engine in fluid communication with the first steam engine to receive at least a portion of the exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the first steam engine to drive a compression chiller to produce chilled water, to thereby produce cooling.

[0021] Advantageously, the present inventors have developed a system and a method as described herein for concurrently producing electricity, heating and cooling from a renewable source with improved efficiency. The efficiency gains are made at least by providing bleed steam and/or exhaust steam from the steam engines in the Rankine Cycle system to the second steam engine in the cooling system to drive a compression chiller to provide cooling.

Furthermore, the system can advantageously provide direct powering and cooling or heating to the same infrastructure at the same time. Further, the system and method utilise a renewable energy source, which leads to less pollution and are less expensive than fossil fuels.

Incineration temperature

[0022] The person skilled in the art would appreciate that a renewable energy source may comprise toxic substances, which need to be destroyed by keeping a raised incineration temperature for a period of time. In an embodiment of the invention, the raised incineration temperature is from about 750 °C to about 1500 °C. For example, the raised incineration temperature is from about 750 °C to about 850 °C, or about 850 °C to about 950 °C, or about 950 °C to about 1050 °C, or about 1050 °C to about 1150 °C, or about 1150 °C to about 1250 °C, or about 1250 °C to about 1350 °C, or about 1350 °C to about 1450 °C, or about 1450 °C to about 1500 °C. In an embodiment of the invention, the raised incineration temperature is kept for a period of time from about 1 second to about 60 seconds. For example, the temperature is kept for a period of time from 1 second to 3 seconds, or about 3 seconds to 5 seconds, or about 5 seconds to 7 seconds, or about 7 seconds to 9 seconds, or about 9 seconds to 10 seconds, or about 10 seconds to 20 seconds, or about 20 seconds to 30 seconds, or about 30 seconds to 40 seconds, or about 40 seconds to 50 seconds, or about 50 seconds to 60 seconds.

Preferably, the raised incineration temperature is about 1100 °C and is kept for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 seconds.

[0023] Advantageously, the incineration temperature of the present invention is sufficient to destroy toxic substances in a renewable energy source, for example, municipal waste or biomass including treated and/or untreated wood.

Rankine Cycle System

[0024] The person skilled in the art would appreciate that a Rankine Cycle is a thermodynamic cycle describing the process by which a steam engine allows mechanical work to be extracted from a fluid as it moves between a heat source and a heat sink. Heat energy is supplied to the system via a boiler where water is converted to a high pressure steam in order to turn a steam turbine. After passing over the turbine the fluid is allowed to condense back into a liquid state as waste heat energy is rejected and/or utilised elsewhere in the system before being returned to boiler, thus completing the cycle. The steam turbine, driven by the steam, generates electricity.

[0025] In an embodiment of the invention, the Rankine Cycle system comprises one steam engine. In other embodiments of the invention, the Rankine Cycle system may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 steam engines. In an embodiment of the invention, the steam engines are connected in series. In another embodiment of the invention, the steam engines are connected in parallel. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the steam engines are connected in series-parallel combination.

[0026] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the Rankine Cycle system further comprises a boiler steam heater for preheating a boiler combustion air. The person skilled in the art would appreciate that the air that is delivered to a boiler for combustion for the production of steam may be preheated. Advantageously, the boiler steam heater preheats the air to produce hot air to be used for combustion in the boiler, which increase the combustion efficiency and therefore the overall efficiency of the process.

[0027] In an embodiment of the invention, the boiler steam heater is a heat exchanger, for example, a shell and tube type heat exchanger, or a finned tube type fitted within the combustion air ductwork. Condensing System

[0028] In an embodiment of the invention, the Rankine Cycle system further comprises a condensing system comprising at least one condenser to condense at least a portion of the exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the first and/or the second steam engine to produce a condensate. Preferably, the condensate is water.

[0029] In an embodiment of the invention, the condensing system comprises one condenser. In other embodiments of the invention, the condensing system may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 condensers. In an embodiment of the invention, the condensers are connected in series. In another embodiment of the invention, the condensers are connected in parallel. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the condensers are connected in series-parallel combination.

[0030] The person skilled in the art would appreciate that the condenser can be any type of device that converts a gaseous substance into its liquid form.

[0031] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the condensing system further comprises a geothermal cooling field. In an embodiment of the invention, the geothermal cooling field is a horizontal loop field. In another embodiment of the invention, the geothermal cooling field is a vertical loop field. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the geothermal cooling field is as pond/lake loop field.

[0032] In other embodiments of the invention, the condensing system may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 geothermal cooling fields. In an embodiment of the invention, the geothermal cooling fields are connected in series. In another embodiment of the invention, the geothermal cooling fields are connected in parallel. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the geothermal cooling fields are connected in series-parallel combination.

[0033] Preferably, the geothermal cooling field is rated at 100% thermal rejection load capacity for stable operation of the system. Advantageously, the primary system does not require the commonly used air cooled condensers and/or coolant loop air-fan units. The skilled person in the art would appreciate that air has a relatively lower specific heat, therefore a high flow rate of air is required to reject an amount of heat from a condenser (for example, when comparing to using water to remove heat from a condenser). When the load of the electrical grid is high, for example, due to hot or cold weather the system has to reduce its load duty to maintain steady state conditions, which is counter productive. Furthermore, to prevent icing or freezing of condensate, fans need to be turned off or derated to increase relative back-pressure of the steam turbine set, which effectively de-rates the electrical export capacity. The other disadvantages include: fans are susceptible to ambient dust fouling, which need to be washed with water regularly and therefore increase water consumption; Fans are liable to fouling corrosion from bush fire ash conveyed by strong winds; Fans can be tall in height and quite prominent on the skyline, therefore are not aesthetically pleasing.

[0034] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the condensate is recycled to produce steam from the renewable source.

[0035] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the condensing system further comprises a condensate preheater to preheat the condensate before the condensate is recycled. In an embodiment of the invention, the condensate is preheated using the exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the at least one steam engine in the Rankine Cycle system. The person skilled in the art would understand that the condensate may be preheated to increase the thermal efficiency of the boiler and therefore the overall efficiency of the system.

[0036] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the condensate is treated to remove dissolved oxygen and/or carbon dioxide and/or mineral contaminates before the condensate is recycled. In an embodiment of the invention, the condensate is directed to an atmospheric drains tank for treatment. In another embodiment of the invention, the condensate is treated in a condensate deaerator. Preferably, the deaerator is a thermal deaerator, a spray and tray-type deaerator, or a vacuum deaerator. The skilled person in the art would understand that the condensate is treated to prevent corrosion from the dissolved oxygen and/or carbon dioxide and/or mineral contaminates. In an embodiment of the invention, the condensate is demineralised through an ion exchange process.

Heating System

[0037] Preferably, the first heat transfer working fluid enters the first heat exchanger at a lower temperature than that of the exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the at least one steam engine in the Rankine Cycle system. Heat is extracted from the steam and transferred to the first heat transfer working fluid, which then exists the first heat exchanger at a higher temperature than its entry temperature. In an embodiment of the invention, the heated first heat transfer working fluid is delivered to a user as a part of a district heating network. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the district heating network is a heating loop, wherein the heated first heat transfer working fluid provides heat to the user and is re-heated in the first heat exchanger.

[0038] The first heat exchanger is preferably a condensing heat exchanger, more preferably with a level control. For example, it is a shell and tube type heat exchanger. [0039] In an embodiment of the invention, the first heat transfer working fluid is water, air, ethylene glycol, supercritical carbon dioxide, or combinations thereof.

Cooling System

[0040] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the system further comprises a second heat exchanger to receive a second thermal transfer working fluid and at least a portion of the chilled water to cool the second thermal transfer working fluid.

[0041] Preferably, the second heat transfer working fluid enters the second heat exchanger at a higher temperature than that of the chilled water. Heat is extracted from the second heat transfer working fluid and transferred to the chilled water. In an embodiment of the invention, the chilled second heat transfer working fluid is delivered to a user as a part of a district cooling network. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the district cooling network is a cooling loop, wherein the chilled second heat transfer working fluid extracts heat from the user and is re-chilled in the second heat exchanger.

[0042] In an embodiment of the invention, the second heat transfer working fluid is water, air, ethylene glycol, supercritical carbon dioxide, or combinations thereof.

[0043] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the cooling system further comprises an electrical centrifugal compression chiller.

[0044] Preferably, the electrical centrifugal compression chiller serves as a primary redundancy for the compression chiller driven by the second steam engine. The person skilled in the art would appreciate that the electrical centrifugal chiller operates when the compression chiller driven by the second steam engine fails. In an embodiment of the invention, the electrical centrifugal compression chiller, when in use, is driven by the electricity produced by the at least one steam engine in the Rankine Cycle system.

[0045] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the cooling system further comprises an absorption chiller, wherein, when in use, the chiller is driven by exhaust gas from a diesel rotating uninterruptible power supply engine generator.

[0046] Preferably, the absorption chiller serves as an ultimate redundancy. The person skilled in the art would appreciate that the absorption chiller operates in the event when the compression chiller driven by the second steam engine and the electrical centrifugal compression chiller both fail. In addition, the diesel rotating uninterruptible power supply engine generator also provides electricity for use.

[0047] In an embodiment of the invention, the first steam engine is a condensing steam engine. [0048] In an embodiment of the invention, at least one steam engine in the Rankine Cycle system comprises a back pressure steam engine.

[0049] In an embodiment of the invention, the renewable source is biomass. Preferably, the biomass is wood. Alternatively, the biomass may be rice husk.

[0050] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of concurrently producing electricity, heating and cooling from a renewable source, comprising the steps of:

[0051] a) providing steam generated from the renewable source to a Rankine Cycle system comprising at least one steam engine comprising a first steam engine, to thereby produce electricity;

[0052] b) providing a portion of exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the at least one steam engine to a heating system comprising a first heat exchanger to heat a first thermal transfer working fluid, to thereby produce heating; and

[0053] c) providing at least a portion of the exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the first steam engine to a cooling system comprising a second steam engine in fluid communication with the first steam engine to drive a compression chiller to produce chilled water, to thereby produce cooling.

[0054] In an embodiment of the invention, the system or the method has an overall utility efficiency of up to about 60%. In other embodiments of the invention, the system or the method has an overall utility efficiency of at least about 60%. For example, the efficiency is about between about 30% and about 35%, or between about 35% and about 40%, or between about 40% and about 45%, or between about 45% and about 50%, or between about 50% and about 55%, or between about 55% and about 60%, or between 60% and about 65%, or about 65% and about 70%, or about 70% and about 75%, or about 75% and about 80%, or about 80% and about 85%, or about 85% and about 90%, or about 90% and about 95%.

[0055] In some embodiments of the invention, the overall utility efficiency is between about 65% to 80%. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the overall utility efficiency is about 90%.

[0056] The skilled person in the art would understand that the embodiments described above in relation to the first aspect of the invention may also apply to the second aspect of the invention. [0057] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of concurrently producing electricity, heating and cooling from a renewable source using a system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0058] Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention.

Definitions

[0059] In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains.

[0060] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

[0061] As used herein, the phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase “consists of” (or variations thereof) appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element set forth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim as a whole. As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements or method steps, plus those that do not materially affect the basis and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter.

[0062] With respect to the terms “comprising”, “consisting of”, and “consisting essentially of”, where one of these three terms is used herein, the presently disclosed and claimed subject matter may include the use of either of the other two terms. Thus, in some embodiments not otherwise explicitly recited, any instance of “comprising” may be replaced by “consisting of” or, alternatively, by “consisting essentially of”.

[0063] Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients or reaction conditions used herein are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about”. The examples are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In what follows, or where otherwise indicated, “%” will mean “weight %”, “ratio” will mean “weight ratio” and “parts” will mean “weight parts”. [0064] The term ‘substantially’ as used herein shall mean comprising more than 50% by weight, where relevant, unless otherwise indicated.

[0065] The recitation of a numerical range using endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.).

[0066] Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0067] The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.

[0068] It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0069] As used herein, with reference to numbers in a range of numerals, the terms “about,” “approximately” and “substantially” are understood to refer to the range of -10% to +10% of the referenced number, preferably -5% to +5% of the referenced number, more preferably -1 % to +1 % of the referenced number, most preferably -0.1 % to +0.1 % of the referenced number. Moreover, with reference to numerical ranges, these terms should be construed as providing support for a claim directed to any number or subset of numbers in that range. For example, a disclosure of from 1 to 10 should be construed as supporting a range of from 1 to 8, from 3 to 7, from 1 to 9, from 3.6 to 4.6, from 3.5 to 9.9, from 8 to 10, and so forth.

[0070] The term “steam” refers to water in the gas phase due to evaporation or due to boiling, where heat applied reaches and/or exceeds the enthalpy of vaporisation.

[0071] The term “exhaust steam” refers to the steam that exists a steam engine after it is expanded by a turbine that decreases its temperature and pressure.

[0072] The term “bleed steam” refers to the steam that is extracted from a steam engine before it is expanded by a turbine. Typically, the bleed steam has a higher temperature and/or pressure than those of the exhaust steam.

[0073] The term “thermal rejection” refers to the excess heat from a cooling system and starts to accumulate when the maximum cooling load is reached. [0074] The term “redundancy” refers to the duplication of components or functions of a system with the intention of increasing reliability of the system.

[0075] The term “utility efficiency” refers to the ratio between all the outputs (expressed in terms of energy) of a system including electricity generated, and heating and/or cooling exported, and the total inputs (expressed in terms of energy) to the system including biomass, pipeline gas and if necessary liquid fuel.

[0076] The present specification uses the following abbreviations:

[0077] DHN District heating network

[0078] GCF Geothermal cooling field

[0079] DCN District cooling network

[0080] DRUPS Diesel rotating uninterruptible power supply

[0081] Although exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology are explained in detail herein, it is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosed technology be limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed technology is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Brief Description of the Drawing

[0082] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0083] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Figure 2 shows a process flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Figure 3 shows a process flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention that provides hydraulic separation for the redundant, robust and safeguarded coolant for the cooling of the DC RDHX Units to meet Tier requirements.

[0086] Figure 4 shows a process flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention that provides hydraulic separation for redundant, robust and safeguarded primary coolant from the GCF.

[0087] Figure 5 shows a process flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention that provides further deindexation of major components of the system away from Electric Drives and higher steam capacities, and lower parasitic electrical loading. [0088] Figure 6 shows a process flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention that provides IP1 integration at Tsat Preheating Loop for immediate Standby condition for IP1 , IP2 Loads.

[0089] Figure 7 shows a process flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention that includes support apparatus comprising SynCon DRUPS and a rotary supply.

[0090] Figure 8 shows a process flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention that provides waste oil firing.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Example 1

[0091] Referring to Figure 1, a renewable source 100 is provided to a boiler, which produces steam 101 to a steam engine. The steam engine generates electricity, which can be used to power a data centre.

[0092] Bleed steam 102 from the steam engine is directed to a heat exchanger, which also receives a thermal transfer working fluid 104 to produce a heated thermal transfer working fluid 103, forming a part of a district heating network. Steam with reduced temperature and/or pressure 105 is provided to a condenser.

[0093] A portion of exhaust steam 106 from the steam engine is provided to the condenser and condensate 107 is recycled back to the boiler. Another portion of the exhaust steam 108 is provided to a (stream) turbine and a turbine driven chiller. Steam with reduced temperature and/or pressure 109 is provided to the condenser.

[0094] Chilled water 110 produced by the chiller is provided to a data centre to provide cooling. Water stream 111 from the data centre is looped back to the chiller to be chilled again.

Example 2

[0095] Referring to the embodiment as described in Figure 2, a biomass supply 26 in the form of pre-chipped wood is provided for continuous operation of two biomass boilers 1a and 1b through direct incineration. The biomass boilers are dual fuelled in that they can be fuelled by a pipeline gas 27 (for example, natural gas and/or hydrogen) as a back-up or during cold start.

The biomass boilers feed a main pressure steam range MP, which directly powers:

[0096] two steam turbine boiler feed pumps 12a and 12b;

[0097] back-pressure steam turbine generator set 9a and 9b;

[0098] condensing steam turbine generator set 8a and 8b; [0099] MP dump flow control valve 2;

[00100] intermediate pressure steam range 1 IP1 make-up flow control valve 5; and

[00101] intermediate pressure steam range 2 IP2 make-up flow control valve 6.

[00102] The condensing steam turbine 8a provides exhaust steam to the low pressure steam range LP which is at sustained vacuum conditions.

[00103] At least a portion of the electricity generated by the steam engines powers a cloud edge data centre 33. The continuous duty rating of the back-pressure steam turbine generator set 9a and 9b is greater than 133% the nominal electrical rating of the data centre 33, and the duty rating of the condensing steam turbine generator set 8a and 8b is 200% the nominal rating of 9a and 9b.

[00104] The operational supply for IP1 is a portion of the exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from 8a and/or 9a - depending on which one is in service at the time. IP1 directly feeds the thermal loads of:

[00105] IP2 make-up flow control valve 7;

[00106] dump flow control valve 3;

[00107] two boiler steam-air heaters 10a and 10b; and

[00108] steam turbine drive 22a.

[00109] The operational supply for IP2 is a portion of the exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from 8a and/or 9a, and the exhaust from the steam turbine driven boiler feed pumps 12a and 12b. IP2 directly feeds the thermal loads of:

[00110] IP2 dump flow control valve 4;

[00111] pressurised condensate deaerator/feed heater 11 ; and

[00112] district heating network (DHN) heat exchanger 13a.

[00113] The exported DHN heat capability/capacity 13d is the condensed latent heat of IP2 through a dedicated heat exchanger 13a with DHN circulation pumps 13b and 13c. Preferably 13a is a condensing heat exchanger, more preferably with a level control. For example, 13a is a shell and tube type heat exchanger.

[00114] The outlets of the two boiler steam-air heaters 10a and 10b, the heat exchanger 13a and a condenser 22b are the condensed drains of condensate from main steam supply - after the thermal power has been extracted - leading to an atmospheric drains tank 16. This tank has a small auxiliary cooler to prevent vapour cavitation of the level control pump set 17.

[00115] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the thermal loads of 13a are supplied from IP1 , with condensate still being delivered to the atmospheric drains tank 16.

[00116] The LP exhaust range passes the flow to a main condenser set 14 where the latent heat of vaporisation is extracted by an auxiliary cooling system loop, and main condensate is formed providing a reserve of condensate in a hotwell. The hotwell level control is via a super- cavitating condensate extraction pump set 15.

[00117] The auxiliary cooling loop has both an outlet/discharge manifold 18, and an inlet/supply manifold 19. These manifolds serve the auxiliary cooling loads of the steam turbine generator 8b and 9b, the condenser 22b, centrifugal compression chiller 22c, the atmospheric drains tank 16, electrical centrifugal compressor 24a and thermal dump cooler 29a. The mass flow of the auxiliary cooling system loop water, which may be chemically dosed and treated to remove mineral contaminants and dissolved oxygen and/or carbon dioxide, is circulated by geothermal cooling field (GCF) pump sets 21a and 21b. The GCF loops are both rated at greater than 75% thermal rejection load capacity for the stable operation of the system.

[00118] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, 22a is a back pressure set to IP2, which negates the condenser 22b. In one embodiment of the invention, 22a is fed with main steam from the MP range, and exhausts to IP1 . In another embodiment of the invention, 22a is fed with main steam from the MP range, and exhausts to IP2.

[00119] In one embodiment of the invention, 22a is fed with steam from the MP range and exhausts to condenser 22b.

[00120] The pumped condensate (sum of 15 and 17), accounts for the mass-balance of the system, excluding or minimising operational losses. The sum of the condensate passes as a cooling medium through a gland steam condenser 20 of steam turbine 8a and/or 9a. Advantageously, this is for heat recovery purposes, which ultimately increases overall cycle efficiency

[00121] The condensate then passes to a pressurised deaerator/feed heater 11 providing

[00122] gravimetric suction head to the boiler feed water pumps 12a, 12b and 12c;

[00123] a dosing point for treatment chemicals;

[00124] a surge tank for dynamic loaded conditions; and

[00125] feed heating and deaeration. [00126] The pressurised feed water is then returned to the boilers 1a and 1b, at least, by the feed water pumps 12a, 12b and 12c to maintain safe running levels of the boiler steam drums.

[00127] In alternative embodiments of the invention, a portion of the feed water and/or the condensate is used to spray-cool at least one of MP dump flow control valve 2, dump flow control valve 3, IP2 dump flow control valve 4, intermediate pressure steam range 1 IP1 make-up flow control valve 5, intermediate pressure steam range 2 IP2 make-up flow control valve 6, and IP2 make-up flow control valve 7.

[00128] The steam turbine driven centrifugal vapour compression chiller 22c is the primary interaction between the Rankine Cycle system and the cooling system, driven by the thermal capacity of I P1 , and circulated via primary chiller - chilled water pump 22d. The compression chiller 22c has the rating of the chilled water load of both data centre 33 and a district cooling network (DCN) 30e concurrently.

[00129] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cooling system comprises one or more storage tanks (not shown) acting as a buffer for the chilled water. For example, one storage tank may be installed at the inlet of a server chilled water cooling network 31a, with another tank installed at the outlet of the cooling network 31a.

[00130] Primary redundancy of chilled water is assured through an equivalently rated electric drive centrifugal chiller unit 24a, as circulated by 24b.

[00131] Ultimate redundancy of the chilled water supply and electricity generation, is via a twin/double arrangement of absorption chillers 25a and 25b driven by exhaust gasses from duel fuelled diesel rotating uninterruptible power supply (DRUPS) engine 25g and 25h with corresponding generator sets 25e and 25f, as circulated by tertiary chiller - chilled water pumps 25c and 25d. Dual-fuel supply is ensured though main pipeline gas 27, and liquid fuel supply 28 (for example, diesel, bio-diesel, synthetic liquid distillate). These sets are cooled by a separate standby water cooling circuit (not shown) - independent of the auxiliary cooling circuit. Preferably, the liquid fuel supply 28 includes crude liquid biofuel derived from cropping.

[00132] Alternatively, the absorption chillers 25a and 25b are powered directly by the pipeline gas 27 and/or liquid fuel supply 28.

[00133] The exported cold capability/capacity of the DCN 30e is a secondary loop of chilled water through a dedicated heat exchanger 30a and circulating pumps 30c and 30d, thermally driven by the circulation of primary chilled water by a pump 30b.

[00134] A thermal dump capacity is provided by the thermal dump cooler 29a via the circulation of primary chilled water by a dump cooler pump 29b. This is to ensure minimum loaded capacity of the steam turbine drive 22a during low load operations (low thermal cooling/chilled demand requirements).

[00135] The electrical rating and chilled water capacity of each DRUPS-absorption chiller pair is greater than 85%, 90%, 95%, 100%, 105%, 110%, 115%, or 120% of the electrical and thermal rating of the cloud edge data centre 33. The thermal rating is carried by the server chilled water cooling network 31a, as circulated by a pump 31b.

[00136] Redundant capacity (100% thermal rejection) of the cloud edge data centre 33 is assured via an external vapour-compression HVAC condenser unit (or similar) - standby water cooled 32a, applied to the space of the cloud edge data centre 33 via an 100% thermal load refrigerant evaporator (or similar) 32b.

[00137] The system is configured such that the cloud edge data centre 33 is capable of meeting the Uptime Institute minimum requirements of a Tier 3/III Data Centre, and surviving significant unplanned outages of important components, including the electrical connection to the grid (not shown).

[00138] Additionally, in the event of significant spot-price value of the electricity market increasing, DRUPS engines 25g and 25h with corresponding generator sets 25e and 25f can be run at 100% electrical capacity, in open cycle mode with no absorption chillers 25a and 25b in service, connected to the electricity market grid (not shown), thus not disrupting the steady state biomass operation of the Rankine Cycle system including the condensing system and chilled water circuit. DRUPS engines 25g and 25h can be fuelled by either the pipeline gas 27 or liquid fuel 28, cooled by the separate standby water cooling circuit (not shown).

[00139] This particular embodiment of the invention provides significant whole cycle part-load efficiencies, with multiple redundancy configurations and capacities that can be 100% resilient against forced outages including: biomass supply, boiler availability, steam engine availability, condensate & feed availability, natural gas supply, auxiliary cooling loop integrity, and grid availability for electrical export.

[00140] The cooling and electricity produced in this particular embodiment of the invention directly service the data centre 33, which is logical, practical, sensible and methodical, as the system would have minimum staffing level requirements 24/7 as do the Tier 3/III and 4/IV data centres.

Example 3

[00141] The invention, as shown in Figure 3, may include a hydraulic separation for the redundant, robust and safeguarded coolant for the cooling of the Data Centre (DC) Rear Door Heat Exchangers (RDHX) Units to meet Tier requirements. Optimised hydraulic loading and temperature control for the DC to be maintained at recommended cooling specifications as per accepted standards, irrespective of Primary/DCN chilled water temperature. Actual Tier accreditation may be confirmed through different/closer hydraulic connections on the Supply/Return Cooling Water (CW) manifolds/headers.

[00142] Referring to the embodiment as described in Figure 3, the embodiment includes:

[00143] a DC Auxiliary Circulation Pump Set 34;

[00144] a DC Backup HVAC Chiller Pump Set 35;

[00145] 2 x 100% Heat Exchanges 36a, b (preferably Plate Heat Exchangers (PHxs) for DC. These heat exchanges mat provide chilled water at about 4°C to control the DC temperature at about 15-20 °C as per ASHRAE Guidance; and

[00146] PHx temperature controller 36c, preferably with manual jacking override.

Example 4

[00147] The invention, as shown in Figure 4, may include a hydraulic separation for redundant, robust and safeguarded primary coolant from the GCF, with improved cycle efficiency due to mitigation/control of undercooling in the main condenser set 14, whilst ensuring that 22 (which may include 22a, 22b and 22c as a packaged unit/set), 24 (which may include 24a and 24b as a packaged unit/set) and 29 (which may include 29a and 29b as a packaged unit/set), preferably receive the lowest Entering Condenser Water Temperature (ECWT).

[00148] Referring to the embodiment as described in Figure 4, the embodiment includes:

[00149] a Primary Plant Cooling Loop Pump; and

[00150] a Low Temperature Chilled Water (LTCW) Plate Heat Exchanger. Preferably the heat exchanger has multi Megawatt thermal (MWth) capacity, and includes four heat exchangers operating at 50% duty.

Example 5

[00151] The invention, as shown in Figure 5, may include further deindexation of major components of plant away from Electric Drives (the need for Copper and IC’s), and allowing for higher steam capacities, and lower parasitic electrical loading, as per VLCC BWPT/COPT packaged sets.

[00152] Referring to the embodiment as described in Figure 5, the embodiment includes: [00153] A Geo Loop Return - Cooling Water Pump Turbine Set 39 (preferably packaged); and

[00154] A Geo Loop Supply - Cooling Water Pump Turbine Set 40 (preferably packaged).

Example 6

[00155] The invention, as shown in Figure 6, may include IP1 integration at Tsat Preheating Loop for immediate Standby condition for IP1, IP2 Loads (Plant: Start-up; Shut Down, and; Emergencies). IP1 Integration has dedicated pipework arrangement/consideration (42) to allow for 13a to be heated whilst during a double Main Boiler (1a & 1b) shutdown.

[00156] Referring to the embodiment as described in Figure 5, the embodiment includes:

[00157] a Tri-fuelled (separate Benign/Untreated Biomass) Auxiliary/”Donkey” Boiler 41.

Example 7

[00158] The invention, as shown in Figure 7, may include support apparatus comprising:

[00159] SynCon DRUPS 43 - Exemplar: 8 MVAR Synchronous Apparatus with a 3MW Driver Dual-Fuel Engine. Assume 2% Total losses at 100%MVAR SynCon Mode= 0.160MVA = 7.84MVAR Grid Capacity. In SynGen Export Mode @ 3MVA capacity of Syn Apparatus = assumed losses at 1% = 3MVA - 0.08MVA = 2.92MVA. Unit 43 may operate in the following modes:

[00160] Mode 1:SynCon Mode with AVR Leading and Reverse Power Relay Trip on Main CB inhibited providing Grid Stability. Started from cold/outage/stopped with HPU. Critical Loads drawing Real Power “upstream”. Total losses as per exemplar. This would be the “Normal Mode” of Operation.

[00161] Mode 2: Main Power [Grid Connection] Failure Relay - ACTIVE! #2 CB Trip Open. Critical loads ran by Syn Apparatus as Generator & Flywheel Inertia. Engine Start. Clutch-in at 1-2% Mismatch in speed with Run Relay active. Main CB Reverse Power Relay engaged [in prep for Grid Energisation], Mains Power Available - synchronise & switch back to Mode 1.

[00162] Mode 3: Electricity Grid Unit Price External Trigger to sub-system for starting engine, clutch-in, RP Relay active - export Real Power [as per exemplar]. Trigger removed - revert to Mode 1 at Operator Discretion - subject to/considerate of settlement period volatility and limiting #’s of starts per interval.

[00163] a Rotary 60Hz 480Vac (460Vac) Supply 44 - Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (50 Hz , Star-Delta Starter) driving an appropriately geared 60Hz Synchronous Generator. No Soft Starter needed, no power electronics or VSD/VFD needed. Gearbox Type: Brevini; Neugart, or; TwinDisc AM 110. To Account for 60 Hz loads of: Centrifugal Chiller; Turbine Boiler Water Feed Pumps, CWPT, et al.

Example 8

[00164] The invention, as shown in Figure 8, may include component 45 - for the Waste Firing of Organic & Bio-sourced fats & “crude” oils (unrefined seed/grain oil, used cooking oil, rendered tallow from meat processing works et al.) - a process steam (LP2) heated Waste Oil Tank (Recirculation Pumps & Lines, Booster Pumps, Burner Registers, etc not shown for clarity), with a condensate drain line return to the ADT “Observation” chamber.

[00165] The embodiments are suitable for use in large decentralised/district energy schemes where there is a need for small-medium capacity of high-grade heating, cooling and electricity.

[00166] Although the invention will be described with reference to specific examples it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

1 . A system for concurrently producing electricity, heating and cooling from a renewable source, the system comprising: a Rankine Cycle system comprising: at least one steam engine comprising a first steam engine to receive a steam generated from the renewable source, to thereby produce electricity; a heating system comprising: a first heat exchanger to receive a first thermal transfer working fluid and at least a portion of exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the at least one steam engine to heat the first thermal transfer working fluid, to thereby produce heating; and a cooling system comprising: a second steam engine in fluid communication with the first steam engine to receive at least a portion of the exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the first steam engine to drive a compression chiller to produce chilled water, to thereby produce cooling.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the Rankine Cycle system further comprises a boiler steam-air heater that receives a portion of the exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the at least one steam engine for preheating a boiler combustion air.

3. The system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the Rankine Cycle system further comprises a condensing system comprising at least one condenser to condense at least a portion of the exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the first and/or the second steam engine to produce a condensate.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the condensing system further comprises a geothermal cooling field.

5. The system according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the condensate is recycled to produce steam from the renewable source.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the condensing system further comprises a condensate preheater to preheat the condensate before the condensate is recycled.

7. The system according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the condensate is treated to remove dissolved oxygen and/or carbon dioxide and/or mineral contaminates before the condensate is recycled.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a second heat exchanger to receive a second thermal transfer working fluid and at least a portion of the chilled water to cool the second thermal transfer working fluid.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cooling system further comprises an electrical centrifugal compression chiller.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cooling system further comprises an absorption chiller, when in use, the chiller is driven by exhaust gas from a diesel rotating uninterruptible power supply engine generator.

11. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first steam engine is a condensing steam engine.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the at least one steam engine in the Rankine Cycle system comprises a back pressure steam engine.

13. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the renewable source is biomass.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the biomass is wood.

15. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the system has an overall utility efficiency of at least about 60%.

16. A method of concurrently producing electricity, heating and cooling from a renewable source, comprising the steps of a) providing a steam generated from the renewable source to a Rankine Cycle system comprising at least one steam engine comprising a first steam engine, to thereby produce electricity; b) providing a portion of exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the at least one steam engine to a heating system comprising a first heat exchanger to heat a first thermal transfer working fluid, to thereby produce heating; and c) providing at least a portion of the exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the first steam engine to a cooling system comprising a second steam engine in fluid communication with the first steam engine to drive a compression chiller to produce chilled water, to thereby produce cooling.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the Rankine Cycle system further comprises a boiler steam-air heater that receives a portion of the exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the at least one steam engine for preheating a boiler combustion air.

18. The method according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the Rankine Cycle system further comprises a condensing system comprising at least one condenser to condense at least a portion of the exhaust steam and/or bleed steam from the first and/or the second steam engine to produce a condensate.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the condensing system further comprises a geothermal cooling field.

20. The method according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the condensate is recycled to produce steam from the renewable source.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the condensing system further comprises a condensate preheater to preheat the condensate before the condensate is recycled.

22. The method according to claim 20 or claim 21 , wherein the condensate is treated to remove dissolved oxygen and/or carbon dioxide and/or mineral contaminates before the condensate is recycled.

23. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the cooling system further comprises a second heat exchanger to receive a second thermal transfer working fluid and at least a portion of the chilled water to cool the second thermal transfer working fluid.

24. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein the cooling system further comprises an electrical centrifugal compression chiller.

25. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 24, wherein the cooling system further comprises an absorption chiller, when in use, the chiller is driven by exhaust gas from a diesel rotating uninterruptible power supply engine generator. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 25, wherein the first steam engine is a condensing steam engine. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 26, wherein the at least one steam engine in the Rankine Cycle system comprises a back pressure steam engine. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 27, wherein the renewable source is biomass. The method according to claim 28, wherein the biomass is wood. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 29, having an overall utility efficiency of at least about 60%.