Steven Leigh Mickna

US Patent:

47657812, Aug 23, 1988

Filed:

May 29, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/868105

Inventors:

David M. Wilks - Amarillo TX
Steven L. Mickna - Amarillo TX

Assignee:

Southwestern Public Service Company - Amarillo TX

International Classification:

B65G 5300

US Classification:

406197

Abstract:

A slurry of liquified gas such as carbon dioxide and finely pulverized coal particles is provided in a mixing chamber and discharged from the chamber into a pipeline for conveyance to a power plant. During discharge from the mixing chamber pressurized gas at a sufficiently high pressure is injected above the slurry mix to maintain adequate pressure during discharge and prevent cavitation at the inlet port of a pump employed in the pipeline. The slurry is depressurized at the downstream end of the pipeline by movement through a pressure reducer so that it is decompressed non-adiabatically and the coal and gas particles are separated. The gas remains at a low temperature and is passed in heat exchange relationship with cooling water from the power plant cooling tower to lower the temperature of same and consequently increase the efficiency of the power plant. In another embodiment the gas comprises carbon dioxide and a portion of the cool carbon dioxide is discharged directly into the basin of the cooling tower to reduce the water temperature and provide beneficial cooling water chemistry control.

US Patent:

46024832, Jul 29, 1986

Filed:

Mar 8, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/710302

Inventors:

David M. Wilks - Amarillo TX
Steven L. Mickna - Amarillo TX

Assignee:

Southwestern Public Service Company - Amarillo TX

International Classification:

F01K 900

US Classification:

60692

Abstract:

A slurry of liquified gas such as carbon dioxide and finely pulverized coal particles is provided in a mixing chamber and discharged from the chamber into a pipeline for conveyance to a power plant. During discharge from the mixing chamber pressurized gas at a sufficiently high pressure is injected above the slurry mix to maintain adequate pressure during discharge and prevent cavitation at the inlet port of pumping means employed in the pipeline. The slurry is depressurized at the downstream end of the pipeline by movement through pressure reduction means so that it is decompressed non-adiabatically and the coal and gas particles are separated. The gas remains at a low temperature and is passed in heat exchange relationship with cooling water from the power plant cooling tower to lower the temperature of same and consequently increase the efficiency of the power plant. In another embodiment the gas comprises carbon dioxide and a portion of the cool carbon dioxide is discharged directly into the basin of the cooling tower to reduce the water temperature and provide beneficial cooling water chemistry control.