Inlet Air Cooling

Turbine Inlet Cooling

The patented Multistage Evaporative Cooling System (MECS) will cool the inlet air entering natural gas combustion turbines (CTs) to <= 59°F in most climatic regions thereby cost effectively increasing CT efficiencies and resulting power production by 5 to 25% while using less energy. The primary reason Turbine Inlet Cooling (TIC) is implemented is to enhance the power output of natural gas combustionturbines (CTs) when the outside ambient air temperature is above 59°F. The International Standards Organization (ISO) rated capacities of all CTs are based on the standard outside ambient air conditions of 59°F at 14.7 psia (sea level). For example, TIC industry data shows that by cooling the outside ambient inlet air from 100°F to 59°F prevents the loss of 27percent of the rated generation capacity.

  • MECS is scalable from 10 to over 1000 tons
  • Delivers 57°F cool water, 53°F cold air, or both at the same time based on ASHRAE tables for Phoenix summer design conditions for cooling applications
  • Has comparable first costs to mechanical refrigeration systems
  • Provides 60 to 85% less power usage/energy savings compared to traditional mechanical refrigeration systems
  • Incorporates NO compressors and uses NO refrigerants.

    • Compressed Air Systems

    Compressor work increases proportionally as inlet air temperature increases. Cooler air is denser and provides more mass for each compression cycle with no additional power use. Lower inlet air temperature will result in less compressor work. Use outside air for cooling reciprocating and lubricant-free screw compressors when it is cooler than indoor air. Locate compressors so radiator stays clean and free of oil, saw dust and debris. This may also help keep the compressor cool. Reducing the inlet air temperature reduces energy used by the compressor. In many plants, it is possible to reduce inlet air temperature to the compressor by taking suction from outside the building. Energy Savings Potential As a rule of thumb, each 3 °C will save 1% compressor energy use.

    Click here to view – White Paper – Preliminary Temperature Performance Evaluation of the MECS for TIC and Compressed Air Systems

    Additional Research & Development Focus

  • The Global Cost of Electricity Associated with Cooling
  • The Global Fresh Water Crisis
  • The Global Food/Nutrition Shortage

    • R4 Ventures, LLC is using research, development, innovative technologies and the earth’s abundant renewable resources to provide drinking water to the thirsty, food/nutrition to the hungry, and lighting, heating and cooling to homes and dwellings throughout the world.

    Strategic Business Development Plan

    R4 Ventures LLC (R4V) is applying process cooling and heating methods, energy saving techniques, renewable and alternative fuel sources in cooling, heating and powering of buildings and industrial plants. R4V uses the earth’s natural water cycle in developing cooling and heating technologies that can provide significant energy cost savings of 50 to 75% over existing electricity driven cooling and heating technologies while significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water use associated with electrical generation plants producing power. Our technologies are targeting extremely high energy use markets including data centers, process cooling in industrial and manufacturing applications and high energy using commercial and industrial buildings; inlet air cooling on natural gas combustion turbines (Turbine Inlet Cooling or TIC); inlet air cooling on compressed air systems; life sustaining spirulina production systems; and new methods of addressing the world’s water shortage. R4V patents and Natural Cycle Energy Inc (NCE) commercializes and brings to market these unique technologies through our research and development, university affiliations, strategic partnerships, and contract manufacturing and distribution relationships.

    Click here to view – Strategic Business Development Plan and Technology Development Road Map