TURBOEXPANDER ISLANDING OPERATION
DRIVE
September 19, 2024
A turboexpander can operate as a microgrid electric generator for islanding operations. The turboexpander can recover energy lost during a pressure letdown sequence to generate electricity. Pressurized process gas can cause a turbine to rotate, thereby rotating a rotor within a stator of the turboexpander. A power electronics can include an islanding mode inverter to output an alternating current that comprises a frequency and an amplitude compatible with powering a load. The power electronics can include a battery that is charged by the turboexpander and can provide power for starting up the turboexpander. The power electrics can include a bidirectional inverter to send excess power from the turboexpander to a power grid and to receive power from the power grid for start-up.
Discussion in the ATmosphere