Extracting Power and Cooling from Gas Turbine Engine Exhaust

The widespread use of gas turbine engines for shipboard propulsion and electric power generation offers an increasingly significant opportunity utilize their high temperature exhaust. Effectively harnessed, benefits range from reduced onboard fuel storage and increased sailing distance to reduced need for tankers and fewer underway replenishments. Mechanical Solutions, Inc. (MSI) proposes a novel approach that will result in compact, closed cycle system that provides additional electric power, increased cooling, or an adjustable combination of both. A single high-speed rotating machine, with oil-free, process lubricated bearings in a hermetically sealed package forms the heart of a system that will be lightweight and small in size. Successful development of this technology will help meet the demand for more electric power and more cooling on modern combatants and support vessels. The MSI system is well suited for backfit to the existing fleet, and it can be easily integrated into the design of future ship classes. The Phase II goal is to provide a prototype heating and/or cooling system. MSI"s initial assessment of a thermodynamic cycle using the Navy"s standard working fluid shows good results. Our Phase I work will verify the feasibility of our approach against a definitive set of heat removal specifications.