High Efficiency (“Hi Eff”)
Utility Rescue® Patent

Almost 70 percent of the power generation systems in the U.S. are fossil-fueled steam generating plants. (Over 80% of China’s power
plants are coal fired.) This patent resolves environmental
problems inherent in them.


Definitions:

The High Efficiency (“Hi Eff”) Utility Rescue® is a patented power generation system which we will refer to herein as a “High Eff Modification Unit” or the “Hi Eff Mod.” It’s designed to replace the coal-fired boilers of existing worn out fossil-fueled plants as well as Generation II and III reactors of depleted nuclear power plants slated for retirement.

The Hi Eff Mod serves two functions by providing:

  • The super-heated steam supply (boiler) to an existing power plant, and
  • A major supplemental electric power generator.

The heat source for the Hi Eff Mod is the U.S. DOE Generation IV Helium-cooled Very High Temperature Reactor (“VHTR”).


Problems leading to Hi Eff Mod development

A steam-generating plant typically requires a major, expensive rebuild every 30 years. Its three (3) main subsystems include:

  • A high-temperature fire box/boiler (steam generator or maker).
  • A steam turbine/alternator electrical power generator.
  • Steam condenser with pumps to pressurize water to return it to the boiler.

The plant fire-box/boiler (above) is subject to “wear and tear” and performs inadequately by today’s standards. Consequently, nearly 70% of today’s existing power plants emit toxic emissions.

In the 21st century we know of the adverse health and probable climate & environmental side-effects of fossil-fuel fired operations. So power plants are now required to meet the guidelines of Clean Air legislation and EPA enforcements. (See 06/02/2014 EPA proposed guidelines of 30% carbon dioxide emissions cuts for power plants).


Solutions provided by the VHTR-powered Hi Eff Mod

The Hi Eff Mod, using the VHTR to safely and cleanly restore total steam flow to sidelined power plants, also generates electrical power and:

  • Eliminates all toxic and environmental stressing emissions, and
  • Provides a huge increase in total restored plant capacity using lower cost fuel while utilizing the same cooling water.

Helium: the Breakthrough Element in Hi Eff Mod

Hi Eff Mod couples a simple low-pressure ratio Helium gas turbine engine/alternator with a high-temperature, inherently safe Helium-cooled reactor. The gas turbine efflux becomes the heat source to produce super-heated steam needed to power an existing depleted steam plant. Helium at 1000° Fahrenheit flows from the turbine to steam-generating heat exchangers.

Helium is both physically and chemically inert and stable, and it’s never radioactive, even at extreme temperatures or in extreme high radiation fields. Even intentional attempts have not produced a VHTR meltdown. It’s considered locally harmless and environmentally benign in all operating conditions. This is why Generation IV Helium reactors will safely usher in nuclear clean energy for the United States in the future.

China and South Korea are both building full-scale VHTR prototypes.


Summary of Benefits

The 2014 Hi Eff Utility Rescu®e patented advanced technology enables standard-sized production Hi Eff Mods to be used with a broad size range of existing power plants — at major production cost reduction versus current methodologies. Key advantages:

  • Safe!
  • Addresses health issues by meeting Clean Air legislation guidelines and EPA enforcements.
  • 40% to 60% more power generation capacity.
  • Lower fuel cost.
  • Zero emissions.
  • Absolute sustainability for future power production.
  • Utilizes same plant infrastructure: site grid connections and cooling water structure.

HiEff Utility Rescue®, Pat. No. 8,826,639.

HiEff Mod

The Answer Is Here. The Time Is Now.