GB696192A - Plants for producing compressed air - Google Patents

Abstract

696,192. Gas turbine plant; axial-flow compressors. SULZER FRERES SOC. ANON. March 14, 1952 [April 14, 1951], No. 6706/52. Classes 110(i) and 110(iii) In a plant for producing compressed air in which the working air compressor 1 is driven by a gas turbine 4 which has its own compressor 2 for its working medium, the compressor 1 is connected through a conduit 24 to the flow path of the working medium at a point 25 after its compression to its highest pressure; this point may be between the compressor 2 and a heat exchanger 5, as shown, or between the heat exchanger and a combustion chamber 3, or at the combustion chamber itself. The flow of air thus bled from the compressor 1 is adjusted by a valve 26. By this means, the amount of air delivered through a pipe 23 to the point of use, which may be a blast furnace, can be regulated. Further regulation can be effected by blowing off air through a valve 28. A cooler and a non-return valve may be arranged in the conduit 24, and a regulating valve may be provided in the pipe 23; preferably beyond the connection to the conduit 24. Fuel gas, such as blast furnace gas, is supplied by a compressor 6 to the combustion chamber 3, the supply being regulated by adjusting a valve 20 and also by returning a proportion of the gas to the inlet of the compressor 6 through a pipe 16 having an adjustable valve 17 and a cooler 18. An alternating current dynamo-electric machine 30 normally acts as a generator to supply a network 31, but on occasion it acts as a motor to assist the turbine 4. It is connected to the turbine 4 through gearing 29 and, it may be, means for disconnecting the drive, such as a hydraulic coupling or torque convertor or disengageable gearing. The turbine 4 exhausts through the heat exchanger 5 to preheat the combustion air.