Including Mixing Or Separating Materials Of Different Chemical Compositions In A Motive Fluid Flow Path Patents (Class 60/649)
  • Patent number: 11891922
    Abstract: An improved efficiency method and device for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, and then, preferably, into electricity and/or refrigerating energy. A partially liquid stream fc0 of fluid FC is implemented; thermal energy is transferred to the stream fc0; the heated stream fc0 is sprayed to generate a fragmented stream fc1 of fluid FC. Simultaneously a partially liquid stream ft0 of fluid FT is implemented; thermal energy is transferred to the stream ft0 to generate a stream ft that may be in liquid form or a saturated liquid/vapor mixture; stream f1 is expanded in a chamber which also receives fragmented stream fc1 to form a two-phase mixed stream fc1/t whose kinetic energy is converted into mechanical energy which is optionally transformed into electrical energy or into refrigerating energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Hevatech
    Inventors: Jean-Edmond Chaix, Patrick Bouchard, Guillaume Le Guen
  • Patent number: 11852042
    Abstract: A system for the generation of mechanical or electrical energy from heat energy, where increasing a height or pressure in a liquid chamber of the system containing a liquid increases an efficiency of the system up to a hundred percent or increases such efficiency until a critical temperature or pressure of the vapor (gas) is reached at the bottom of liquid chamber or in the boiler of the system depending upon the increment in height, pressure and the type of liquid used in the system. An increase in height of the system for such increased efficiency can be adjusted to a smaller height by maintaining a series of liquid and gas chambers where the vapor flows through the series of chambers or by adding pressure valves. The heat energy from high to low temperature sources can be convened to mechanical and electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Sudarshan K. C.
  • Patent number: 11629630
    Abstract: A system includes an engine defining a water jacket fluidly coupled to a heat exchanger. An exhaust manifold defines an exhaust manifold cooling passage. A pump is fluidly coupled to the water jacket, and to each of the heat exchanger and the exhaust manifold cooling passage. An engine cooling circuit includes the water jacket, the heat exchanger, and the pump. An exhaust cooling circuit is selectively fluidly coupled to the engine cooling circuit. The exhaust cooling circuit includes the water jacket, the exhaust manifold cooling passage, and the pump. A control valve includes an inlet fluidly coupled to a first portion of the water jacket. A first outlet is fluidly coupled to a second portion of the water jacket. A second outlet is fluidly coupled to the exhaust cooling circuit. The control valve is structured to selectively control flow of coolant fluid through the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon E. Chrastil, Doyle E. Whittington
  • Patent number: 11624560
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to mechanical-chemical energy storage. In particular, the invention relates to a mechanical-chemical energy storage system that stores energy by simultaneously compressing a gas to a higher enthalpy state and recovering the heat of compression by driving a somewhat reversible chemical reaction. The heat energy in the chemical reaction is then recovered while the gas is expanding to a lower enthalpy state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Eos Energy Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Amendola, Tibor Kalnoki-Kis
  • Patent number: 11466594
    Abstract: A combined cooling, heating, and power system, including a working fluid cycling between a compressor and a turbine in combination with a power generator. A humidifying regenerator is disposed between the compressor and the turbine, and in combination with the working fluid upstream and again downstream of the turbine to humidify and then dehumidify the working fluid. A working fluid heat exchanger is in combination with the working fluid between the turbine and the humidifying regenerator for further heat the working fluid. The heat exchanger is in combination with a heat source that heats both the working fluid and provides a separate heating medium. A cooling device is in combination with the working fluid between the humidifying regenerator and the compressor, wherein the cooling device cools the working fluid before entering the compressor and provides a separate cooling medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Aleksandr Kozlov, Yaroslav Chudnovsky
  • Patent number: 11448101
    Abstract: A method for producing work is disclosed. The method includes increasing the pressure of a working fluid including carbon dioxide from a first pressure at least equal to a triple point pressure to a second pressure above the triple point pressure. The method also includes heating the working fluid, extracting mechanical work by expanding a first portion of the heated working fluid to a third pressure, supplying a second portion of the heated working fluid as a motive fluid to an ejector, increasing the pressure of the expanded working fluid by supplying the expanded working fluid to the ejector to combine with the motive fluid and form an output fluid at the fourth pressure, the fourth pressure at least equal to the triple point pressure of the working fluid. The method also includes refrigerating the output fluid to condense a vapor phase into a liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: John Frederick Cirucci, Klaus Stephan Lackner
  • Patent number: 11311818
    Abstract: A Brayton cycle adsorption desalination system includes an adsorption desalination system including an evaporator for evaporating saline water to obtain water vapor, an adsorbent bed for adsorbing and desorbing the water vapor, and a condenser for condensing the water vapor to obtain distilled water. The Brayton cycle adsorption desalination system further includes a Brayton cycle system including a primary heat exchanger (PHE) and a cooler configured to cool an exhaust from the PHE. The Brayton cycle system and the adsorption desalination system are connected at the PHE so that the PHE is configured to function as a heat source for the adsorbent bed. The Brayton cycle system and the adsorption desalination system are connected at the cooler so that the evaporator is configured to absorb heat rejected from the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventors: Eydhah Almatrafi, Arunkumar Narasimhan, Rajeev Kamal
  • Patent number: 11230949
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for converting heat into mechanical energy comprising an expansion device producing mechanical energy from a flow of vapor of a fluid; an evaporator heated by a heat source to a high temperature and configured to supply the expansion device with vapor; a condenser cooled by a heat sink to a low temperature and configured to condense the vapor discharged by the expansion device; a liquid circuit configured to transfer fluid in liquid phase from the condenser to the evaporator; a vapor circuit configured to transfer fluid in vapor phase from the evaporator to the condenser; and valves configured to, in a first, active stroke, close the liquid and vapor circuits, and, in a second, inactive stroke, open the liquid and vapor circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: ENTENT
    Inventor: Mathias Fonlupt
  • Patent number: 11231020
    Abstract: A process for generating power from a warm saline steam (1) obtained from geothermal sources. The process involves extracting a warm saline stream (1) from an underground geothermal formation (2), reducing the temperature of the saline stream (1) by passing the stream through a thermal power unit (5) in which thermal energy present in the stream is extracted. The process also involves converting latent osmotic energy present in the stream into electricity by passing the stream through an osmotic power unit (7) comprising a semi-permeable membrane (8). The output stream (13) derived from passage through the osmotic power unit is injected into a second, different underground formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SALTKRAFT APS
    Inventor: Steen Søndergaard Nissen
  • Patent number: 11155358
    Abstract: Fuel tank inerting systems and methods for aircraft are described. The systems and methods include controlling of (i) a first reactant control element, (ii) a second reactant control valve, (iii) a ram air control valve, (iv) a driving mechanism, and (v) a flow control valve, to control a state of a fuel tank inerting system. The states of the fuel tank inerting system include an OFF state, a CIRCULATE state, a PRIME state, a CATWARM state, an ON state, a DEPRESSURIZE state, and a COOLDOWN state, wherein the states are determined in part by a prior state and/or a position/actuation of a given element of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Earl Jean LaVallee, III, Eric Surawski
  • Patent number: 11081710
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed of modified shutdown of a fuel cell power plant (14) having a fuel eel! stack assembly (26) contained with and supplying electrical power to a mobile vehicle (12). The -vehicle characteristically proceeds at intervals to a station. (10) containing one or more resources (20, 20A, 20B, 20C, etc) utilized by the fuel cell power plant, for resupply thereof. One such, resource provided at/by the station is electrical energy (20A), aid operation of the fuel cell power plant (14) is controlled to utilize the availability of that electrical energy (20A) to maintain, an active protective Hydrogen On condition for greatly extended intervals, for example many hours to several days or longer, via a Power On mode of operation. The Power On mode maintains at least a low level of hydrogen introduction and circulation sufficient to maintain a predetermined presence, e.g., pressure, of hydrogen at the fuel cell stack assembly (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Sitaram Ramaswamy, Michael L. Perry
  • Patent number: 11028734
    Abstract: A Rankine cycle plant for the regasification of liquefied gas, includes: a Rankine closed loop system; a source of liquefied gas at a cryogenic temperature operatively coupled to a condenser to receive heat from a working fluid from an expansion turbine to take the liquefied gas to the gaseous state; a source of a heating fluid at a temperature higher than the cryogenic temperature operatively coupled to an evaporator to transfer heat to the working fluid coming from the condenser. The expansion turbine is radial centrifugal with at least one auxiliary outlet interposed between successive stages. The condenser is multilevel and has at least two condensing chambers, wherein a lower chamber being connected to an outflow opening of the expansion turbine and an upper chamber connected to the auxiliary outlet of the expansion turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: EXERGY INTERNATIONAL S.R.L.
    Inventor: Claudio Spadacini
  • Patent number: 11022347
    Abstract: A closed cooling system for cooling a fluid of an open fluid system including a first heat exchanger and a compressor facilitating circulation of a refrigerant in the closed cooling system, where the refrigerant facilitates providing a solid state cooling bank which is thermally coupled to the open fluid system thereby cooling fluid conducted through the open fluid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: NEL HYDROGEN A/S
    Inventors: Leif Kappel Petersen, Lorentz Christian Heerup
  • Patent number: 11022090
    Abstract: A system for energy conversion, including a support structure defining at least one guide channel; at least a plurality of extensible elements between a compressed configuration and a dilated configuration and vice versa and configured to move a volume of a fluid in which they are immersible equal to the predetermined volume difference between the dilated configuration and the compressed configuration of each extensible element. The extensible elements are configured to slide along the guide channel during a switching of the extensible elements. During the switching of the extensible elements the system determines a conversion of potential energy into an useful energy, whose value is proportional to a total volume of the fluid displaced by the extensible elements in the dilated configuration and at a depth reached by an extensible element with respect to said free surface of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: FACTORYTALY S.R.L.
    Inventor: Claudio Francavilla
  • Patent number: 10989484
    Abstract: Disclosed is an installation for generating electricity from a heat source, for disconnecting the production of electricity from the source of heat. The main characteristic of such installation is that it includes a thermochemical storage device coupled to a power cycle, the storage device consisting of a reactor in which produces a reversible sorption process and an evaporator and a condenser, at least one of the components of the thermochemical device being coupled mass and/or thermal to at least one element of the power cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, UNIVERSITE DE NANTES
    Inventors: Nathalie Mazet, Sylvain Mauran, Pierre Neveu, Driss Stitou, Lingai Luo, Yilin Fan
  • Patent number: 10961874
    Abstract: A thermal utilization system is capable of producing power, storing energy via a chemical or and a hydropower-elevation means. It also capable of transport fluid as vapor over obstacles and terrains, as well as desalinate water. It may in some embodiments do all or some of these tasks simultaneously and with the same amount of energy. It may run with any source of energy including renewable energy sources such as solar energy, and wind. The system may use that energy to run a heat engine and, at the same time, stores that energy via chemical separation. When energy is needed, the system may withdraw the chemical substances and lets them interact to claim the energy back, and then use it to run a heat engine and desalinate water. Some parts of the system can be used for cooling and heating. The system may be configured to be an air conditioner unit or a refrigerator that has an internal back up energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventor: Husham Al-Ghizzy
  • Patent number: 10954825
    Abstract: A method for producing work is disclosed. The method includes increasing the pressure of a working fluid including carbon dioxide from a first pressure at least equal to a triple point pressure to a second pressure above the triple point pressure. The method also includes heating the working fluid, extracting mechanical work by expanding a first portion of the heated working fluid to a third pressure, supplying a second portion of the heated working fluid as a motive fluid to an ejector, increasing the pressure of the expanded working fluid by supplying the expanded working fluid to the ejector to combine with the motive fluid and form an output fluid at the fourth pressure, the fourth pressure at least equal to the triple point pressure of the working fluid. The method also includes refrigerating the output fluid to condense a vapor phase into a liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: John Frederick Cirucci, Klaus Stephan Lackner
  • Patent number: 10787937
    Abstract: A method and system enabling the efficient use of thermal energy to provide kinetic energy and/or electrical energy. The method uses at least two heat exchangers for heating the working medium, a heat engine and a condenser. The working medium consists of at least two substances. The working medium is partially condensed on the primary side of the first heat exchanger, wherein heat is transferred to the working medium flowing on the secondary side and, subsequently, further condensation heat is transferred to a cooling circuit in a condensation heat exchanger on the primary side of the condensation heat exchanger. Subsequently, the working medium is redirected to the secondary side of the first heat exchanger. A separation of gaseous fractions of the working medium takes place in the condensation heat exchanger on the primary side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventors: Lutz Lindner, Carmen Lindner
  • Patent number: 10745138
    Abstract: An air drying system including a compressor coupled to a first air inlet through which moist air is received, a first turbine in fluid communication with the compressor and coupled to a first air outlet through which dry air is expelled, and a second turbine coupled to a second air inlet and a second air outlet and being driven, at least in part, by an air flow caused by a pressure differential between the second air inlet and the second air outlet, where the second turbine is operably coupled to the compressor and the first turbine by a drive mechanism so that rotation of the second turbine drives rotation of the compressor and the first turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William John Connell, Cameron Lindsay Carnegie, Marcus Karel Richardson
  • Patent number: 10690122
    Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims a more efficient and economical method and system for osmotic energy production and capture using responsive compounds and molecules. The present invention is an energy harvest system enabled by stimuli responsive draw solutions that are competent in terms of energy production, geographic location flexibility, and the affordable, efficient and economical production and delivery of osmotic power. Specifically, the present invention is a novel osmotic power system that uses stimuli responsive draw solutions, economically feasible larger permeable membranes, and low grade heat sources to deliver osmotic power more efficiently and economically with less negative environmental impact, greater power output, and located in more geographically diverse areas of the world than previously thought possible for supporting such a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Xiao Hu, Yufeng Cai, Zhiping Lai, Yujiang Zhong
  • Patent number: 10480352
    Abstract: A system includes a waste heat recovery heat exchanger configured to heat a heating fluid stream by exchange with a heat source in a crude oil associated gas processing plant; and an Organic Rankine cycle energy conversion system. The Organic Rankine cycle energy conversion system includes a heat exchanger configured to heat a first portion of a working fluid by exchange with the heated heating fluid stream; and a cooling subsystem including one or more cooling elements each configured to cool one or more of a process stream from the crude oil associated gas processing plant and a cooling water stream for ambient air cooling by exchange with a second portion of the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mahmoud Bahy Mahmoud Noureldin, Akram Hamed Mohamed Kamel
  • Patent number: 10436076
    Abstract: The invention provides a low temperature heat source thermoelectric conversion system using a blend refrigerant, comprising an evaporator, sprinkler, a first heater and a second heater are successively arranged from the top down in the evaporator, a hot well containing a blend refrigerant is connected to the sprinkler through a pipeline with a booster transfer pump, a steam dryer is arranged at the upper part of the evaporator, the steam dryer is connected with an intake end of a turbine through a pipeline, the turbine is connected with a generator, and an exhaust end of the turbine is connected with a mixer through a pipeline, a reflux device is arranged at the lower part of the evaporator, the reflux device is connected with the mixer through a pipeline, and the mixer is connected with a condenser. The invention further provides a low temperature heat source thermoelectric conversion method using a blend refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Inventor: Gaozuo Zhang
  • Patent number: 10208952
    Abstract: Combustion method and installation in which an oxygen-rich oxidant is preheated by exchange of heat with a heat-transfer fluid, upstream of the combustion chamber, in which method and installation an auxiliary gas is heated by heat exchange with a first proportion of the hot flue gases discharged from the chamber, and in which method and installation the heat-transfer fluid comprises a mixture of at least a proportion of the heated auxiliary gas with a proportion of hot flue gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Luc Jarry, Youssef Joumani, Bertrand Leroux, Remi Tsiava
  • Patent number: 10197274
    Abstract: Process for heating via oxy-fuel combustion in which a stream of air is heated by means of at least one portion of the residual heat present in the fuel gases discharged from the combustion chamber, at least one portion of said hot air stream is introduced into an oxygen production unit in which a portion of the oxygen present in the hot air stream is extracted by means of one or more ITM, with a first stream of oxygen at high temperature being obtained, said first stream of oxygen is mixed with a second stream of oxygen so as to obtain a total stream of oxygen at a lower temperature than that of the first stream of oxygen, at least one portion of the total stream of oxygen being transported to the combustion chamber and used within as oxygen-rich oxidizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Luc Jarry, Nicolas Spiegl
  • Patent number: 10184465
    Abstract: A green community system centered around a transfer line compressed air energy storage system (TL-CAES). The TL-CAES system can supply compressed air to distant locations, and can be feed into companders to produce super-chilled air which can be used to improve the efficiency of natural gas generator sets. The generator sets can provide facilities with electricity and the super-chilled air can provide the facilities with heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. The compressed air in the TL-CAES system is to be provided by a transportable compressed air storage system (T-CAES). Air compressors driven powered by green energy sources provide compressed air for the T-CAES system. The compressed air supply in conjunction with companders can further systems such as water purification and carbon dioxide extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: EnisEnerGen, LLC
    Inventors: Ben Enis, Paul Lieberman
  • Patent number: 10060348
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide is separated from natural gas using a single stage membrane separation system to produce a retentate gas that typically meets the specification for pipeline distribution of natural gas, and a permeate gas comprising methane that is combusted to generate power and/or heat, e.g. for use in providing the utility requirements of the process itself or for export to an integrated process. Advantages include an overall reduction in power consumption and improvement in process efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Michael Ploeger, John Eugene Palamara, Jack Theodore Kindt
  • Patent number: 10054011
    Abstract: Systems and methods based on the systems to convert a portion of thermal energy into to mechanical and/or electrical energy including a power generation subsystem (PGSS) comprising a vaporization and power generation subsystem (VPSS) including a heat recovery vapor generator (HRVG) and a turbine T1, a heating and cooling subsystem (HCSS) including three parallel configured heat exchange units HE3, HE4, and HE5, a single heat exchange unit HE2, and a first separator SP1, and a condensing subsystem (CSS) including a final condenser HE1b from a heat source subsystem (HSSS) including a heat source producing an initial heat source stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Patent number: 9985557
    Abstract: A method of operation of a thermal power plant having an air separation system with a plurality of air storage unit (ASU) compressors and a liquid oxygen/liquid air (LOX/LA) storage facility for oxyfuel firing of fossil fuel and a power plant having a control system to perform the same are described. The method is characterized by the step of controlling the net power output of the plant in response to short term variations in grid demanded net plant output by dynamically adjusting the works power of the ASU compressors preferably in conjunction with co-ordinated changes in firing demand. The method is in particular a method to produce an improved primary and secondary response to transient changes in grid demand and to provide accurate response to load dispatch ramps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: DOOSAN BABCOCK LIMITED
    Inventors: Konrad Jerzy Kuczynski, David James Adams
  • Patent number: 9933175
    Abstract: A controller for a Heating Ventilation or Air Conditioning system (HVAC system) such as a mini split system is disclosed for adding control features that incorporate an observed operational status and occupancy/motion detection utilizing control commands already provided as part of the HVAC system as manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Howard Rosen
  • Patent number: 9857342
    Abstract: A device to adjust concentration of a first gas in a fluid to a target concentration (Cf) is provided. The device includes a container, having a first opening, the container is configured to receive a first volume (VL) of the fluid through the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Murthy Tata
  • Patent number: 9850784
    Abstract: In the method for conversion with recovery of energy carriers in a cyclical process of a thermal engine, a first recirculation cycle is formed involving gas generator, device for converting kinetic and thermal energy into mechanical energy, hydrogenation reactor, and gas generator. Water is evaporated in steam boilers, and steam is fed into turbine for converting steam energy into mechanical energy. In this process, steam boilers are located in gas generator and in hydrogenation reactor. The steam is carried onward from conversion device into condenser, and a second recirculation cycle is formed. Atmospheric oxygen from an air bubble is supplied to gas generator. The air is cooled, and cooling operation is repeated, until a maximum residual water content in the air of 0.2 g/m3 is attained. Formed condensate is collected and used steam boilers. Invention makes it possible to simplify process of recovering carbon oxides formed in thermal engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Gennadij Pavlovich Barchan
  • Patent number: 9702573
    Abstract: A novel nested heat transfer system comprises a plurality of chained enhanced entrochemical cells with nested structures. Each enhanced entrochemical cell includes a first chamber containing desiccant, or a higher concentration solution, and a second chamber containing refrigerant, or a lower concentration solution. Preferably, the first chamber and the second chamber are connected by a conduit. Furthermore, a smaller chamber in an enhanced entrochemical cell is encapsulated by a larger chamber in an adjacent enhanced entrochemical cell, thus forming a nested structure between the two enhanced entrochemical cells. A chain of enhanced entrochemical cells with a plurality of such nested structures is conveniently modular and scalable. For the novel nested heat transfer system, the total systemic thermal gradient is the sum of individual thermal gradients and capacity of individual enhanced entrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Sanza T. Kazadi
  • Patent number: 9677471
    Abstract: One of the objects of the invention is to provide a water-saving type advanced humid air gas turbine system (AHAT) that can decrease the amount of makeup water to be supplied from the outside, by reducing the amount of water consumed when the gas turbine system is starting up, shut down, or subjected to load rejection. The gas turbine system includes a compressor, the compressed air header for generating humidified combustion air, a combustor for generating combustion gas, and the turbine. When the gas turbine system is starting up, shut down or subjected to load rejection, steam coming from the heat recovery steam generator is recovered by blocking the first steam system and making the second steam system communicate with the heat recovery steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Takahashi, Kazuhiko Sato, Yasushi Takeda
  • Patent number: 9611236
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a method by which an amount of production of ethylene glycol as a by-product is reduced and a yield of ethylene oxide can be improved in a process for producing ethylene oxide. [Solution] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for producing ethylene oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Iguchi, Yukimasa Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 9611868
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an isothermal liquid piston natural gas compression and expansion system for storing and retrieving energy in large quantities that employs an existing infrastructure embodied in the natural gas pipeline and storage system, including the natural gas as a medium for the storage and retrieval of pressure energy for large scale sustainable energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Shipstone Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel John Kenway, David Kenway, Will Bauer
  • Patent number: 9587521
    Abstract: A volumetric expander (20) configured to transfer a working fluid and generate useful work includes a housing. The housing includes an inlet port (24) configured to admit relatively high-pressure working fluid and an outlet port (26) configured to discharge to a relatively low-pressure working fluid. The expander also includes first and second twisted meshed rotors (30,32) rotatably disposed in the housing and configured to exp/and the relatively high-pressure working fluid into the relatively low-pressure working fluid. Each rotor has a plurality of lobes, and when one lobe of the first rotor is leading with respect to the inlet port, one lobe of the second rotor is trailing with respect to the inlet port. The expander additionally includes an output shaft (38) rotated by the relatively high-pressure working fluid as the fluid undergoes expansion. A system for generating work using the expander in a Rankine cycle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: William Nicholas Eybergen
  • Patent number: 9518036
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a novel technology by which energy efficiency can be further improved in a process for producing ethylene oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akimasa Watanabe, Takahiro Takinami, Noriji Morikawa
  • Patent number: 9429046
    Abstract: A method for producing electrical energy is disclosed which uses a heat source, such as solar heat, geothermal heat, industrial waste heat or heat from power production processes, providing heat of 150° C. or below, further comprising an absorber system in which a working gas, primarily carbon dioxide CO2, is absorbed into an absorbent, typically an amine, further comprising a reactor which receives heat from said heat source and in which the absorbent-CO2 mixture is split into CO2 and absorbent, further comprising an expansion machine, an electricity generator and auxiliary equipment such as pumps, pipes and heat exchangers. The system according to the method allows the cost-efficient production of electrical energy and cooling using low value heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Climeon AB
    Inventors: Thomas Öström, Joachim Karthäuser
  • Patent number: 9341086
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for operating a plurality of independent, closed cycle power plant modules each having a vaporizer comprising the steps of. serially supplying a medium or low temperature source fluid to each corresponding vaporizer of one or more first plant modules, respectively, to a secondary preheater of a first module, and to a vaporizer of a terminal module, whereby to produce heat depleted source fluid; providing a primary preheater for each vaporizer; and supplying said heat depleted source fluid to all of said primary preheaters in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dany Batscha, Rachel Huberman, Tomer Hashmonay
  • Patent number: 9249691
    Abstract: A Rankine cycle device includes a heat exchanger for supplying heat to a working fluid and an expansion device for expanding the working fluid. A valve is disposed between the heat exchanger and the expansion device and a cooling device is reduces a temperature of the working fluid. A pump moves the working fluid through the Rankine cycle device and a sensor is used to sense a pressure of the working fluid. A controller is operable to open the valve based upon the sensed pressure of the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Herbert Kopecek, Simon Schoewel
  • Patent number: 9249720
    Abstract: The internal combustion engine has an ammonia feeder which feeds ammonia to a combustion chamber and an NOX selective reduction catalyst which is arranged in an engine exhaust passage. The removal rate of the NOX selective reduction catalyst depends on a ratio of concentration of ammonia to NOX of the exhaust which flows into the NOX selective reduction catalyst, that is, a ratio of concentration of inflow. A high removal rate range where the NOX removal rate in the NOX selective reduction catalyst becomes substantially maximum and, furthermore, the ammonia removal rate becomes substantially maximum, is set in advance. The internal combustion engine is controlled so that the ratio of concentration of inflow becomes inside the high removal rate range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventor: Hiroshi Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 9222480
    Abstract: An integrated system and method for driving a CO2 compressor to densify CO2 captured from the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine on board a mobile source of CO2 includes operating a turbine that is operatively connected to the power input or drive shaft of the CO2 compressor, and operatively connecting a motor-generator to the turbine for (a) recovery of any excess power when the turbine-generated power exceeds the CO2 compressor power demand and (b) providing supplemental power when the turbine-generated power is insufficient to meet the CO2 compressor power demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mourad Victor Younes, Esam Zaki Hamad
  • Patent number: 9207222
    Abstract: A method to adjust gas concentration in a fluid and a device thereof is provided. The method includes configuring a container of a second volume (VC) to receive a first volume (VL) of the fluid into the container. The second volume (VC) of the container is determined based on an initial concentration (Ci) of the first gas in the fluid, a target concentration (Cf) of the first gas in the fluid, a partition coefficient (?) of the first gas, and the first volume (VL) of the fluid for obtaining the target concentration (Cf).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: Murthy Tata
  • Patent number: 9168490
    Abstract: A system for providing nitrogen enriched air (NEA) from ambient air uses at least two gas separation membranes that are selectively gas permeable for oxygen and nitrogen. The oxygen/nitrogen selectivity and oxygen permeance of two of the membranes are different such that (1) the selectivity of first membrane is less than the second membrane and the oxygen permeance of first membrane is greater than the second membrane, or (2) the selectivity of first membrane is greater than the second membrane and the oxygen permeance of first membrane is less than the second membrane. The system is very compact, is energy efficient, and highly effective for generating NEA. It is ideally suited for mobile, remote and specialized end use applications, such as automotive vehicles, marine vessels, off-shore platform fuel storage and especially for supplying NEA to blanket ullage of onboard aircraft fuel storage tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: CMS TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Sudipto Majumdar, Kenneth J. Pennisi, Donald J. Stookey
  • Patent number: 9166240
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) which is located in a heat transfer relationship with the plurality of fuel cell stacks, a base supporting the plurality of fuel cell stacks and the ATO, and at least one heat exchanger located in the base. An ATO exhaust stream and an anode exhaust stream from the fuel cell stacks heat the stack fuel and air inlet streams in a multi-stream heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Weingaertner, Swaminathan Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 9163528
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling operation of a power plant system. The system has at least a gasifier, a boiler, an induced draft fan, and a baghouse. A controller in communication with the system is configured to implement a first stage and/or a second stage sequences after detecting loss of flame in the boiler using a temperature measurement device. The method includes automatically bypassing the baghouse and controlled (e.g., decreasing) the speed of the induced draft fan in the system to relight the boiler. The input feed to the gasifier can be limited and devices operated for a predetermined amount of time before reigniting the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE
    Inventor: Michael William Moser
  • Publication number: 20150107250
    Abstract: An optimized Rankine thermodynamic cycle system and method include utilizing a working fluid including a base component and an effective amount of a lower boiling point component, where the effective amount is sufficient to raise a power utilization efficiency of the systems by up to 10%, without changing a weight of the fluid reducing turbine efficiency for the particular base component and for optimizing output control valves for adjusting the working fluid composition and temperature sensors measuring an initial temperature of a coolant medium and a final temperature of a heat source stream to computer control valves to continuously adjust a pressure and a flow rate of a working fluid stream to be vaporized so that a heat utilization of the system is about 99% increasing output by approximately 3% to 6% on a sustained and permanent yearly basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Patent number: 9010318
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for transferring heat using a variable composition organic heat transfer fluid that remains liquid over a wide operating temperature range useful for solar heating applications. Variable composition heat transfer fluids of the present invention comprise a miscible mixture, optionally a completely miscible mixture, of a high boiling point component selected for its beneficial high temperature physical properties, and a low freezing point component selected for its beneficial low temperature physical properties. In some embodiments, the low freezing point component is removed from the heat transfer fluid as the heat transfer fluid is heated, for example by being removed in the vapor phase, thereby selectively varying the composition and physical properties (e.g., vapor pressure, boiling point, etc.) of the heat transfer fluid as a function of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Thatcher W. Root
  • Patent number: 9003796
    Abstract: A system includes a heat exchanger and an organic Rankine cycle system. The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between extraction air from a power block and nitrogen from an air separation unit. The organic Rankine cycle system is coupled to the heat exchanger. In addition, the organic Rankine cycle system is configured to convert heat from the extraction air into work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Qiong Zhou, Deila Peng, Arnaldo Frydman, Thomas Glen Cobb
  • Patent number: 8950392
    Abstract: A system for converting solar energy to chemical energy, and, subsequently, to thermal energy includes a light-harvesting station, a storage station, and a thermal energy release station. The system may include additional stations for converting the released thermal energy to other energy forms, e.g., to electrical energy and mechanical work. At the light-harvesting station, a photochemically active first organometallic compound, e.g., a fulvalenyl diruthenium complex, is exposed to light and is photochemically converted to a second, higher-energy organometallic compound, which is then transported to a storage station. At the storage station, the high-energy organometallic compound is stored for a desired time and/or is transported to a desired location for thermal energy release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: K. Peter C. Vollhardt, Rachel A. Segalman, Arunava Majumdar, Steven Meier