Combined power transmission and heating systems and method of operating the same

• Main Authors: Hytten Nicolai, Sihler Christof Martin
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.01.2017
• Subjects: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC,OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWERSUPPLY SYSTEMS; BLASTING; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTINGELECTRIC POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUTPOWER; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; GENERATION; HEATING; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; LIGHTING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A combined direct current DC power transmission and heating system is provided. The system includes a rectifier station configured to generate a DC link current. The system also includes a downstream converter station positioned remotely from the rectifier station. The downstream converter station is configured to generate power supplied to an electrical load using at least a portion of the DC link current. The system also includes a return conductor electrically coupled to the rectifier station and the downstream converter station. The return conductor is configured to transmit a return current from the downstream converter station to the rectifier station. The return conductor is also configured to generate heat from resistive losses induced by the return current; and conduct the heat generated by the return current to a fluid being transported from a proximity of the downstream converter station to a proximity of the rectifier station.