Top Five Podcasts of 2024

1. TurboTime Podcast: Part 1: Myth Busters Talk Compressor Drivers

Klaus Brun, the Director of R&D at Ebara Elliott Energy, and Rainer Kurz of RKSBenergy give an account of various drivers, including gas turbines, steam turbines, and electric motors. They talk about the general features of each driver, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to match a compressor with a driver.

The choice of driver for a compressor depends on several factors, including the type of compressor, the fuel and power sources available, and the specific application. For example, centrifugal compressors are typically driven by high-speed devices like gas turbines or electric motors, while reciprocating compressors may be better matched with engines or electric motors.

If natural gas is readily available, a gas turbine is often the best choice, while steam turbines are ideal when excess steam is available in applications like refineries. In cases where fuel-based turbines are impractical, electric motor drives might be used, although they require substantial electric power.

2. TurboTime Podcast: Geothermal Power Generation with Turboden

Joseph Bonafin, sales and business development manager at Turboden, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, talks about geothermal power generation. He dives into the history of geothermal power, how it’s grown over the past 20 - 25 years, and how it fits into the decarbonization journey.

Integrating Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology with geothermal technologies like enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), closed-loop geothermal systems, and lithium extraction from geothermal brine enhances the efficiency, sustainability, and economic viability of geothermal power generation, especially by enabling access to previously untapped heat sources and reducing environmental impact.

The combination of ORC with EGS, closed-loop systems, and lithium extraction not only boosts geothermal power generation but also supports the production of valuable materials like lithium for electric batteries, contributing to both clean energy production and the growing demand for rare materials used in emerging technologies.

3. TurboTime Podcast: Part 1: Compressor Maps with the Myth Busters

The Myth Busters discuss compressor maps. The duo explains compressor maps: what they are, what they are useful for, how they fit into the process, and where head, flow, and efficiency islands fit in.

A compressor map is a graphical tool that represents the behavior of a centrifugal compressor within a system. It typically features two axes: head (pressure or isentropic head) on the Y-axis and flow (usually volumetric flow) on the X-axis and includes boundaries like the surge line and choke/stonewall areas, which define operational limits.

Efficiency islands are a key feature in compressor maps, indicating regions of high, medium, or low efficiency. These islands are represented as contours on the map, akin to elevation lines on a topographic map, and help assess the compressor's performance across different operating points. The map’s three primary factors—head, flow, and efficiency—are interrelated and provide insights into how the compressor operates aerodynamically.

4. TurboTime Podcast: Biomass Power Plants with IHI Power Services

Chris Quijano, the Director of Operations at IHI Power Services, discusses the state of the biomass industry, the challenges of working with biomass, the woody biomass industry in California, and where the industry is headed.

Biomass plants primarily use low-value, leftover materials like tree trimmings, agricultural waste, and forest debris, which would otherwise decompose or be burned, releasing harmful emissions. This approach reduces greenhouse gases. contributes to forest health, and minimizes landfill usage, all while being economically viable by avoiding the use of healthy timber.

California leads the United States in woody biomass power generation, with 23 operational plants utilizing three main biomass types: urban, agricultural, and forest materials. This provides a sustainable energy solution by repurposing materials that would otherwise contribute to waste or emissions.

5. TurboTime Podcast: Micro-Reactors with Rolls-Royce

James Montgomery, Chief Design Engineer, and John Mason, Systems Design and Integration Technical Specialist of Rolls-Royce, discuss micro-reactors" compact, portable nuclear power systems capable of producing 1 - 10 MW of electricity. They are designed for versatility, with terrestrial applications ranging from localized power supply to remote areas, and space applications, including lunar bases and deep-space missions. Their small scale, rapid deployment, and reduced operational demands set them apart from traditional nuclear reactors.

Rolls-Royce is leveraging its expertise in nuclear and turbomachinery design to develop micro-reactors. Montgomery explained the company's design process: “At Rolls Royce, we have a great pedigree in designing complex systems like this, so the first step in that process is to work with potential end users to understand the user requirements and use cases where we can get value from the technology. Then we'll work through the process of preliminary design and size of the plant, understanding what the technology can do and where the technology gaps might be. That then launches us into a technology program to acquire the technologies we need.”