R.D.F.-Fired Gas Turbine with a Thermal Efficiency of 50%

We propose development of an innovative system for converting the energy content of refuse to electricity. The key element of the system is a supplementary-fired exhaust-heated gas turbine that has a thermal efficiency of 50%. The engine has two combustors: (1) an exhaust-heating combustor that is fired by refuse-derived fuel (R. D. F.); and (2) a primauy combustor that is fired by a conventional fuel (e. g. natural gas). In the gas turbine, heat is transferred from the burning of R.D.F., to the inlet of the primary combustor through an innovative kind of heat exchanger, a modular regenerator. The modular regenerator is the critical component of the system. In the proposed project the regenerator will be designed. All other components of the system will be adaptations of currently produced components. The complete waste-management system will be optimized by maximizing the monetary savings at candidate Air Force installations.