Patent attributes
A turbine-driven alternator (i.e., a turbomachine) suitable for generating electrical power from process gas waste energy. In particular suitable for very high density process gases such as super critical CO2, R134a, R245fa, etc. The turboalternator comprises two separate machines, specifically, a turbine device and an alternator device operatively connected together by a coupling shaft. The rotating shaft assemblies for each machines on the turbine side and the alternator side are supported by hydrodynamic foil gas bearings. The foil gas bearings use process gas at the turbine side, enabling high-pressure operation (˜3000 psia) and thrust load balancing. At the alternator side, cooling fluid is used in the foil gas bearings, enabling high-speed (˜40,000 rpm), low-windage, oil-free operation with closed-loop shaft cooling.
