Abstract: Power generating plants discharge steam or hot water typically from a steam turbine to a condenser system for the purpose of cooling the discharged fluid prior to its being recirculated. The condenser system receives water from an ambient source pumped using a circulating water pump, said water being elevated to a temperature on the order of 115.degree. F. to 125.degree. F. upon passing through the condenser system. The condenser system can operate in basically two different states to provide either single pressure, single pass condenser operation when the waste hot water is discharged to the source and not used, or multi-pressure, multi-pass condenser operation to maintain an elevated hot water supply that is fed to a load (utilization equipment). Valve controls are provided for enabling serial-to-parallel and vice versa, switching between modes of operation without difficulties and with only a slight drop in load during the transition. The heated water is temperature controlled to the above mentioned range.

Abstract: Power generating plants discharge steam or hot water typically from a steam turbine to a condenser system for the purpose of cooling the discharged fluid prior to its being recirculated. The condenser system receives water from an ambient source pumped using a circulating water pump, said water being elevated to a temperature on the order of 115.degree. F. to 125.degree. F. upon passing through the condenser system. The condenser system can operate in basically two different states to provide either single pressure, single pass condenser operation when the waste hot water is discharged to the source and not used, or multi-pressure, multi-pass condenser operation to maintain an elevated hot water supply that is fed to a load (utilization equipment). Valve controls are provided for enabling serial-to-parallel and, vice versa, switching between modes of operation without difficulties and with only a slight drop in load during the transition.

Abstract: A system for utilization of waste heat streams, such as from a power plant, for the heating of buildings or for other uses of heat streams under 200.degree. F. employing preferably a multi-stage heat pump selectively operable to raise the temperature of the building heating system (heated fluid) above the temperature of the waste heat stream (heating fluid). The multi-stage heat pump comprises separate stages each including an evaporator, condenser and compressor, and a heat exchanger. The heat pump may be connected either as a counter flow heat pump or a parallel flow heat pump. The control of the system is in at least two different modes dependent upon the demand (load). In the low load mode heat transfer to the building heating system occurs without operation of the heat pump.