System and method for heating feedwater using a solar heating system

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention may take the form of a system and method that may use at least at least one solar heating system to heat the feedwater consumed by a boiler. An embodiment of the present invention may incorporate concentrated solar power (CSP). Generally, CSP systems incorporate a plurality of lenses, mirrors, or combinations thereof and a tracking system to focus a large area of sunlight forming a small concentrated beam of light. The concentrated light may then be used as a heat source. In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat source may be used to partially or completely heat the feedwater consumed by a boiler. CSP systems may take the form of a solar trough system, a parabolic dish system, a solar power tower system, or the like.

1 . A system for increasing a temperature of a feedwater, the system comprising:
 a steam turbine configured for converting steam into mechanical energy;   a condensor integrated with the steam turbine, wherein the condensor is configured for transferring steam discharged from the steam turbine into feedwater; and   a solar heating system configured for heating the feedwater, wherein the solar heating system receives the feedwater discharged from the condensor;   wherein the solar heating system heats the feedwater from a first temperature to a second temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar heating system comprises at least one of: a parabolic trough system, a solar tower system, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar heating system discharges the feedwater to a boiler. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the solar heating system is assisted by the boiler with heating the feedwater. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first temperature of the feedwater is up to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second temperature of the feedwater is up to about 700 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3  further comprising a gas turbine, wherein the gas turbine discharges an exhaust to the boiler. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operation of the solar heating system reduces an amount of heating performed by the boiler on the feedwater. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar heating system provides up to about 8 megawatts of solar power. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an efficiency of the at least one solar heating system is up to about 85% efficient. 
     
     
         11 . A powerplant configured for increasing a temperature of a feedwater, the powerplant comprising:
 a steam turbine configured for converting steam into mechanical energy;   a condensor integrated with the steam turbine, wherein the condensor is configured for transferring the steam discharged from the steam turbine into feedwater;   a solar heating system configured for heating the feedwater, wherein the solar heating system receives the feedwater discharged from the condensor;   wherein the solar heating system heats the feedwater from a first temperature to a second temperature; and   a boiler configured for converting the feedwater to steam, wherein the boiler receives the feedwater, at the second temperature, which is discharged by the solar heating system, and wherein the boiler discharges the steam to the steam turbine;   wherein the solar heating system reduces an amount of work performed by the boiler in heating the feedwater to a temperature allowing for conversion of the feedwater to steam; increasing an overall efficiency of a powerplant.   
     
     
         12 . A method of increasing a temperature of a feedwater, the method comprising:
 providing a steam turbine, wherein the steam turbine is configured for converting steam into mechanical energy;   providing a condensor integrated with the steam turbine, wherein the condensor is configured for condensing the steam discharged from the steam turbine into feedwater;   providing a solar heating system configured for heating the feedwater, wherein the solar heating system receives the feedwater discharged from the condensor; and   operating the solar heating system to heat the feedwater from a first temperature to a second temperature.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the solar heating system comprises at least one of: a parabolic trough system, a solar tower system, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of operating the solar heating system to discharge the feedwater to a boiler. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of operating the boiler to assist the solar heating system with heating the feedwater. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first temperature of the feedwater is up to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of operating the solar heating system to heat the feedwater to a second temperature, wherein the second temperature of the feedwater is up to about 700 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of providing a gas turbine and operating the gas turbine to discharge an exhaust to the boiler. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the operation of the solar heating system reduces an amount of heating performed by the boiler on the feedwater. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one solar heating system performs the step of heating the feedwater via convection heating on the feedwater.