Thermodynamic Power Cycles
Barber-Nichols, Inc. ( BNI ) has extensive experience analyzing, designing, fabricating, and testing Steam Rankine Cycle, Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), and Brayton (Gas Turbine) Systems. Since BNI's inception in 1966, thermodynamic cycle systems have been a core competency. Barber-Nichols' knowl edge of turbomachinery (the heart of a thermodynamic power cycle) has allowed it to successfully develop systems to convert industrial waste heat, solar heat, geothermal heat, and fossil fuels into useable energy. Applications are extremely diverse, including electrical power generation, uninterruptible back-up power systems, air conditioning systems, and automotive turbocompounds. Sizes range from 3 kW units to 6 MW units.
Related Product:
Waste Heat Power Generation Equipment
| Potential Working Fluids | |
| Ammonia | Steam |
| Isobutane | Toluene |
| Isopentane | Refrigerants (R-113, R-114, R-22, etc.) |
Organic Rankine Cycle systems comprise the majority of BNI 's experience in thermodynamic power cycles. BNI designed and built its first ORC system in 1970; it was a gas fired air conditioner for a total energy system. During the 1970's BNI was engaged in developing automotive drive system using the ORC. One notable example was BNI 's collaboration with Bill Lear (inventor of the Lear Jet) on a steam powered engine for a city bus that was demonstrated in San Francisco. An outgrowth of this project was the BNI 's establishment of a new land speed record for a steam driven vehicle. The new record was set in 1989 at the Bonneville Salt Flats with Bob Barber at the wheel.
In the late 1970's and early 1980's BNI produced numerous ORC systems for converting solar and geothermal energy to electrical power and air conditioning. Two of these plants are located in northern California near Susanville. These plants use relatively low temperature (115° C (240° F)) geothermal water to produce electricity that is sold to the local electrical utility. These systems are unattended and operate around the clock, seven days a week. The WinEagle power plant (pictured at left ) produces about 700 kW. The WinEagle plant went on line in September of 1985 and has demonstrated 98% availability since that time. The Amedee power plant (not shown) produces about 1.5 MW.
Barber-Nichols' Brayton cycle experience includes the design and fabrication of experimental gas turbine engines power systems. The most recent example is a unique Closed Brayton Cycle ( CBC ) system that is driven by an electrical heater which simulates a nuclear reactor. The working fluid is an uncommon gas mixture and utilizes an extensively modified, commercially available microturbine. This is the largest, and one of only two, CBCs currently operating in the United States . Eventually, CBCs like this will be used to generate electricity on extended duration space flights. This CBC designed and built by Barber-Nichols is currently being used to establish computer simulation accuracy and to aid in the planning of such space flights. Additionally, CBCs are currently being considered by the U.S. Department of Energy for power conversion in Next Generation Nuclear Power (NGNP) plants.