POWER GENERATION SYSTEM HAVING COMPRESSOR CREATING EXCESS AIR FLOW AND TURBO-EXPANDER USING SAME

A power generation system (100) may include a generator (122, 166), and a gas turbine system (102) for powering the generator (122, 166), the gas turbine system (102) including a turbine component (104), an integral compressor (106) and a combustor (108) to which air from the integral compressor (106) and fuel are supplied, the combustor (108) arranged to supply hot combustion gases to the turbine component (104), and the integral compressor (106) having a flow capacity greater than an intake capacity of at least one of the combustor (108) and the turbine component (104), creating an excess air flow. A turbo-expander (272) may also power the generator (122, 166). A first control valve (262, 206) control flow of the excess air flow along an excess air flow path (250) to an inlet of the turbo-expander (272). An educator may be positioned in the excess air flow path (250) for using the excess air flow as a motive force to augment the excess air flow with additional air (254). A discharge (204, 274) of the turbo-expander (272) is supplied to an inlet of the integral compressor (106).