Noncommunicating Heat Transferring Motive Fluid System (e.g., Cascade, Etc.) Patents (Class 60/655)
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Patent number: 8572972Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system including a compression train with a compressor path, a storage volume configured to store compressed air, a compressed air path configured to provide passage of compressed air egressing from the compression train to the storage volume, and a heat recovery system coupled to at least one of the compressor path and the compressed air path and configured to draw heat from at least one of the compressor path and the compressed air path to a first liquid. The compression train is configured to provide passage of compressed air from a first compressor to a second compressor. The heat recovery system includes a first evaporator configured to evaporate the first liquid to a first gas and a first generator configured to produce electricity based on an expansion of the first gas.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Johannes Frey, Matthias Finkenrath, Gabor Ast, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann, Matthew Lehar, Richard Aumann
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Patent number: 8537961Abstract: Disclosed is an advanced process that relates to the enhanced production of energy using the integration of multiple thermal cycles (Brayton and Rankine) that employ multiple fuels, multiple working fluids, turbines and equipment. The method includes providing a nuclear reactor, reactor working fluid, heat exchangers, compressors, and multiple turbines to drive compressors that pressurize a humidified working fluid that is combusted with fuel fired in at least one gas turbine. The turbine(s) provide for electrical energy, processes or other mechanical loads.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Inventor: Michael Keller
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Patent number: 8459030Abstract: A process fluid cooler can extract thermal energy from a process fluid including carbon dioxide. An absorber can transfer carbon dioxide from the process fluid to a removal fluid. A reboiler can heat the removal fluid so as to cause carbon dioxide to be released from the removal fluid and outputted as part of a reboiler output stream. The reboiler can also output a heating fluid. A stripper condenser can extract thermal energy from the reboiler output stream so as to cause condensation of water associated with the reboiler output stream and to remove carbon dioxide therefrom. A compression system can remove thermal energy from carbon dioxide received from the stripper condenser. A heat engine can be configured to operate according to an organic Rankine cycle, receiving thermal energy from the heating fluid and/or extracted at the process fluid cooler, at the stripper condenser, and/or at the compression system.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Matthias Finkenrath, Gabor Ast, Michael Adam Bartlett, Vittorio Tola
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Patent number: 8438849Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes a high pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine, in which the high pressure turbine receives high pressure working fluid vapor, the low pressure turbine receives low pressure working fluid vapor and the high pressure turbine also supplies low pressure working fluid vapor to the low pressure turbine. A recuperator receives working fluid vapor from the low pressure turbine. The recuperator produces heated condensate, at least a portion of which is provided to a high pressure vaporizer. The high pressure vaporizer is configured to receive from a high temperature heat source and produces high pressure working vapor used to power the high pressure turbine. The remaining condensed fluid is provided to a low pressure vaporizer which is configured to receive heat from a low-temperature heat source, thereby producing low pressure working fluid vapor used to power the low pressure turbine.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2009Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Ormat Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Uri Kaplan, Joseph Sinai, Lucien Y. Bronicki
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Patent number: 8341960Abstract: For operating a multi-heat source power plant, including a thermal collector having access to heat from a solar collector as a first heat source for heating a first fluid to a first temperature, a topping power generation cycle using the first fluid as a motive fluid, and a geothermal second heat source for heating a second motive fluid, which is different from said first motive fluid, to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, a heat exchanger transfers heat from the first fluid to the second fluid to raise the temperature of the second fluid to a higher temperature. A bottoming power generation cycle uses said second fluid, heated to the higher temperature, as a motive fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Ormat Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dov Berger, Joseph Shinai, Lucien Y. Bronicki
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Patent number: 8196405Abstract: An energy storage system is provided which includes an electrolyser a hydrogen gas storage and a power plant. The electrolyser is connected to the hydrogen gas storage and the hydrogen gas storage is connected to the power plant. Furthermore, a method for storing and supplying energy is provided which includes delivering electrical energy to an electrolyser; decomposing water into oxygen and hydrogen gas by means of the electrolyser; storing the hydrogen gas; supplying the stored hydrogen gas to a power plant; and producing electrical energy via of the power plant.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Erik Wolf
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Patent number: 8171733Abstract: A system comprises a first heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) operative to receive steam from a source of steam and output water to the source of steam, a second HRSG operative to receive steam from the source of steam and output water to the source of steam, a first water flow control valve operative to regulate a flow of the water output from the first HRSG to the source of steam, and a second water flow control valve operative to regulate a flow of the water output from the second HRSG to the source of steam.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Gordon Raymond Smith
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Patent number: 8141362Abstract: A closed cycle heat transfer device comprising a boiler (10) and a condenser (13), the condenser being used to recover useful heat by latent heat evaporation. A circuit defined by the boiler (10), condenser (13) and ducts (12, 15) is to be liquid-filled at a pressure just above atmospheric pressure. An expansion device (16) maintains the working pressure in the circuit but will receive excess condensate in a liquid phase to compensate for expansion of the working fluid vapor which passes from the boiler (10) to the condenser (13). The expansion chamber contains a movable or flexible member which, when working liquid is received in the chamber, is displaced to compress a gas in the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Energetix Genlec LimitedInventors: Russell Benstead, Simon James Redford
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Patent number: 8118895Abstract: A process of generating power utilizing a low level heat from a raw syngas produced in a quench gasifier is disclosed. The process includes a first stage that includes: producing raw syngas at the quench gasifier, making 150 psi saturated steam from the produced raw syngas, superheating the saturated steam, and using the superheated saturated steam in a low pressure steam turbine to generate power. The process includes a second stage that includes: providing the raw syngas and a process condensate stream to a thermal fluid vaporizer to vaporize an organic thermal fluid, and using the vaporized organic thermal fluid in an expander turbine to generate power via an organic Rankine cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Bechtel Power CorporationInventors: Harvey Wen, Rattan K. Tawney
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Patent number: 8096128Abstract: A waste heat recovery system, method and device executes a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid in a working fluid circuit which has a high pressure side and a low pressure side.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2009Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Echogen Power SystemsInventors: Timothy J. Held, Stephen Hostler, Jason D. Miller, Brian F. Hume
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Patent number: 8056350Abstract: An apparatus for cooling, comprising: a liquid pump for transport of fluid through a heating cycle, an external heat source for heating the fluid in the heating cycle, for example a solar heater directly connected to the heating cycle or connected through a heat exchanger, an expander with an expander inlet and an expander outlet, the expander inlet having a fluid connection to the external heat source for receiving fluid in the gas phase to drive the expander by expanding the fluid, a compressor with a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet, the compressor being driven by the expander for compressing working fluid from a low pressure compressor inlet gas to a high pressure compressor outlet gas, a first heat exchanger with a fluid connection to the compressor outlet and connected to the expander inlet for transfer of heat from the high pressure compressor outlet gas to the fluid in the heating cycle, a second heat exchanger with a condenser for condensing the working fluid from the expander by energy transType: GrantFiled: September 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: AC-Sun ApSInventors: Gunnar Minds, Søren Minds, John Steen Jensen
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Patent number: 8042498Abstract: A superheated steam generator includes an introduction section for introducing saturated steam into hollow pipe members arranged as steam flow passages and acting as inductively heated elements, and a discharge section for discharging superheated steam from the flow passages, wherein a turbulence generator is disposed in each of the steam flow passages to accelerate heat transfer to the steam in the pipe members, wherein the turbulence generator is a zigzag bent member disposed in the steam flow passage, and a zigzag bending pitch of the bent member changes from rough to minute from the introduction section to the discharge section.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Dai-Ichi High Frequency Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kotaro Hirayama, Yoshimasa Hiramatsu, Takashi Kogin
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Patent number: 8028527Abstract: The present invention is directed to power generation systems and methods for converting naturally occurring moist air into power and water, enabling generation of power without carbon combustion and without the release of green-house gasses which usually accompany thermodynamic power generation. According to one embodiment, a compressor module is used to greatly compress enriched water vapor drawn from the surrounding moist air. The compressed water vapor is then condensed into output water by a working fluid, while the heated working fluid is used in a Rankine-cycle power generation loop to turn a turbine and thereby create transmittable electrical power.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Inventor: Robert J. Vidmar
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Patent number: 7971424Abstract: A high-efficiency heat cycle system including a compressor, a first turbine, first and second heat exchangers 7 and 8, a first pump, and an expander, and a composite heat cycle power generator using the high-efficiency heat cycle system. Working gas Fg compressed in the compressor (C) drives a first turbine (S) and is thereafter cooled by passing through a heat dissipating side of a first heat exchanger (7) and then raised in pressure by a first pump (P) to form high-pressure working liquid Fe, the high-pressure working liquid is expanded and evaporated in an expander (K) to form working gas Fg, said working gas Fg is heated by passing through a heat receiving side 82 of the second heat exchanger before being introduced into the compressor C. A heat dissipating side 81 of the second heat exchanger comprises a heat dissipating portion of a refrigerating machine or a heat dissipating portion for waste heat from a heating machine.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2006Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Inventor: Noboru Masada
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Patent number: 7942001Abstract: A pair of organic Rankine cycle systems (20, 25) are combined and their respective organic working fluids are chosen such that the organic working fluid of the first organic Rankine cycle is condensed at a condensation temperature that is well above the boiling point of the organic working fluid of the second organic Rankine style system, and a single common heat exchanger (23) is used for both the condenser of the first organic Rankine cycle system and the evaporator of the second organic Rankine cycle system. A preferred organic working fluid of the first system is toluene and that of the second organic working fluid is R245fa.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: UTC Power, LLCInventors: Thomas D. Radcliff, Bruce P. Biederman, Joost J. Brasz
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Publication number: 20110099972Abstract: A method of increasing output of a combined cycle power plant with supplemental duct firing from a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) during select periods includes guiding a reheat steam flow to at least one reheat attemperator fluidly connected to the HRSG during the select period. The method further includes increasing reheat attemperation water flow through the at least one reheat attemperator, decreasing a set point temperature of the at least one reheat attemperator for the select period to a lower set point temperature, and raising power output of the combined cycle power plant during the select period.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Virginia Wen-Chi Yang, Gordon Raymond Smith
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Publication number: 20110072820Abstract: A process fluid cooler can extract thermal energy from a process fluid including carbon dioxide. An absorber can transfer carbon dioxide from the process fluid to a removal fluid. A reboiler can heat the removal fluid so as to cause carbon dioxide to be released from the removal fluid and outputted as part of a reboiler output stream. The reboiler can also output a heating fluid. A stripper condenser can extract thermal energy from the reboiler output stream so as to cause condensation of water associated with the reboiler output stream and to remove carbon dioxide therefrom. A compression system can remove thermal energy from carbon dioxide received from the stripper condenser. A heat engine can be configured to operate according to an organic Rankine cycle, receiving thermal energy from the heating fluid and/or extracted at the process fluid cooler, at the stripper condenser, and/or at the compression system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Matthias Finkenrath, Gabor Ast, Michael Adam Bartlett, Vittorio Tola
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Publication number: 20100319346Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes at least two integrated rankine cycle systems coupled to at least two separate heat sources having different temperatures. The first rankine cycle system is coupled to a first heat source and configured to circulate a first working fluid. The second rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one second heat source and configured to circulate a second working fluid. The first and second working fluid are circulatable in heat exchange relationship through a cascading heat exchange unit for condensation of the first working fluid in the first rankine cycle system and evaporation of the second working fluid in the second rankine cycle system. At least one recuperator having a hot side and a cold side is disposed in the first rankine cycle system, second rankine cycle system, or combinations thereof. The at least one recuperator is configured to desuperheat and preheat the first working fluid, second working fluid, or combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Pierre Sebastien Huck, Herbert Kopecek
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Patent number: 7827792Abstract: This invention reduces the fuel consumption of the modern day power plant by lowering the main steam condenser operating pressure. The main steam condenser is a heat exchanger located in the power plant steam system for condensing steam. The main steam enters the main steam condenser, flowing around the tubes with the coolant flowing thru the tubes, condensing the steam. This invention replaces the present condenser once thru cooling water system with a refrigerant cooling system. The much lower normal temperature and greater high heat absorption rate of the refrigerant, lowers the main steam condenser operating pressure much below that of the present cooling water system. The lower condenser pressure increases steam flow, extracting more energy from the steam, increasing the plant-operating efficiency. This invention combines the conventional steam cycle with the conventional refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant compressor is driven by the main steam turbine which creates the binary cycle.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Inventor: Joseph Francis Brown, Jr.
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Patent number: 7658072Abstract: A high-efficient heat cycle device formed by combining a heat engine with a refrigerating machine, wherein steam generated in a boiler is cooled by a condenser after driving turbine, built up by a pump, and circulated into the boiler in the form of high-pressure condensate. Refrigerant gas compressed by a compressor is passed through the radiating side of a heat exchanger for cooling after driving the turbine to output a work, and built up by a pump to form high-pressure refrigerant liquid. The high-pressure refrigerant liquid drives a reaction water-turbine to output a work and is expanded and vaporized to form refrigerant gas. The refrigerant gas is led into the compressor after being passed through the heat absorbing side of the heat exchanger and the condenser for heating.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Inventor: Noboru Masada
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Patent number: 7550218Abstract: Water is generated onboard of a craft such as an aircraft or in a self-contained stationary system by partially or completely integrating a water generating unit into a power plant of the craft or system. The water generating unit includes one or more high temperature fuel cells which partially or completely replace the combustion chamber or chambers of the power plant. A reformer process is integrated into the high temperature fuel cell which is arranged between, on the one hand, a fan (30) and power plant compressor stages (31, 32) and, on the other hand, power plant turbine stages (33, 34). These power plant stages may be provided in such redundant numbers that safety and redundancy requirements are satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2003Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hans-Juergen Heinrich
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Patent number: 7493764Abstract: An electric power generation/hydrogen production combination plant comprises a feed water pump, a feed water heater arranged upstream relative to the feed water pump to heat feed water, a reformer for producing formation gas containing hydrogen by processing at least one raw material selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol and dimethylether, using steam, an intermediate loop for circulating a thermal medium in order to supply the heat of steam generated by a steam generator to the reformer, an intermediate heat exchanger for transmitting the heat of the steam by way of the intermediate loop and a heating outlet pipe of intermediate heat exchanger connected to the heating outlet of the intermediate heat exchanger and the feed water heater to heat feed water.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2006Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Katsushi Isokawa, Kazuo Hisajima
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Patent number: 7284363Abstract: A closed cycle turbine system is provided for the generation of power in a light, high altitude airborne vehicle. The closed cycle turbine system may operate according to either the Brayton or the Rankine cycles. The working fluid for the closed cycle may be alternately heated by the combination of an external burner and heat exchanger and cooled by expansion and radiation. The use of the external burner operating at near the atmospheric pressure may eliminate the requirement for a compressor to compress large amounts of low density, ambient air for use in the turbine. Additional ambient air may be provided to the burner by either using a fan to concentrate the ambient air or pressurizing the fuel stream so as to entrain the ambient air therein. The external burner may use a gaseous fuel such as hydrogen or liquid fuel such as jet fuel to provide heat for the closed cycle.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2004Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Ru-Li Kung, Mike S. Koemer, Tom Iles
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Patent number: 7211906Abstract: An electrical output power generation system is provided. A gas turbine engine rotor spool with at least one alternator rotor and steam turbine rotor are integrated and within a engine body having a combustor or external heat source having fluid communication with the bladed compressor rotor and a gas turbine bladed rotor of the said rotor spool. The alternator rotor has permanent magnets retained and positioned in close proximity and co-axial to the electrical stator having iron laminat and electrical wires. Relative rotational motion between the electrical stator and alternator rotor cause magnetic flux and subsequent electricity to be generated. The steam energy to drive the said rotor spool integrated steam turbine rotor can be from the gas turbine engine exhaust waste heat and or thru external heat energy sources.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: TMA Power, LLCInventors: Joseph Michael Teets, Jon William Teets
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Patent number: 7096665Abstract: Cascading Closed Loop Cycle (CCLC) and Super Cascading Closed Loop Cycle (Super-CCLC) systems are described for recovering power in the form of mechanical or electrical energy from the waste heat of a steam turbine system. The waste heat from the boiler and steam condenser is recovered by vaporizing propane or other light hydrocarbon fluids in multiple indirect heat exchangers; expanding the vaporized propane in multiple cascading expansion turbines to generate useful power; and condensing to a liquid using a cooling system. The liquid propane is then pressurized with pumps and returned to the indirect heat exchangers to repeat the vaporization, expansion, liquefaction and pressurization cycle in a closed, hermetic process.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2003Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: WOW Energies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel H. Stinger, Farouk Aslam Mian
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Patent number: 7036314Abstract: Water for use in a self-contained water using unit, such as an aircraft, watercraft, ground conveyance, or stationary unit, is treated so that water of different qualities can be distributed to different use locations in the self-contained unit. The treatment is performed by a process using a combined high temperature fuel cell (1) operating at temperatures above 500° C. and a turbine (6) with a reformer process (2) integrated into the fuel cell. The reformer process is operated by the heat of the fuel cell which uses a hydrocarbon fuel to which contaminated and/or fresh water is admixed. The heat of the fuel cell is used for a water purification process. Purified water is filtered in an active charcoal filter and distributed by a distribution system. At least a portion of the purified water available for distribution is automatically salified.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hans-Juergen Heinrich
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Patent number: 7007473Abstract: Evaporator temperature control means (U) that, in order to make the temperature of steam generated by heating water using exhaust gas of an engine coincide with a target temperature, controls the amount of water supplied to the evaporator based on the flow rate of the exhaust gas, the temperature of the exhaust gas, the temperature of the water, and the temperature of the steam. Calculating an exhaust gas flow rate (Gmix) based on a fuel injection quantity, an air/fuel ratio, and a rotational speed of the engine improves the precision and the responsiveness of the calculation. Controlling the amount of water supplied to the evaporator based on this exhaust gas flow rate (Gmix) therefore improves the accuracy with which the steam temperature is controlled so as to make it coincide with the target temperature.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuji Nagatani, Tsuyoshi Baba, Shigeru Ibaraki, Akihisa Sato, Susumu Maeda
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Patent number: 6986251Abstract: In a waste heat recovery system wherein an organic rankine cycle system uses waste heat from the fluids of a reciprocating engine, provision is made to continue operation of the engine even during periods when the organic rankine cycle system is inoperative, by providing an auxiliary pump and a bypass for the refrigerant flow around the turbine. Provision is also made to divert the engine exhaust gases from the evaporator during such periods of operation. In one embodiment, the auxiliary pump is made to operate simultaneously with the primary pump during normal operations, thereby allowing the primary pump to operate at lower speeds with less likelihood of cavitation.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: UTC Power, LLCInventors: Thomas D. Radcliff, Duane McCormick, Joost J. Brasz
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Patent number: 6913076Abstract: A high temperature heat pump comprising a low temperature heat exchanger to produce vapor of a first fluid from heat transferred from a second fluid to a mixture of liquid and vapor of the first fluid; a compressor to increase the pressure and temperature of the produced vapor; a high temperature heat exchanger to heat the second fluid to useful, high temperatures from the condensation of the first fluid; and an expander to lower the pressure and temperature of the first fluid producing a mixture of vapor and liquid.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Energent CorporationInventor: Lance G. Hays
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Patent number: 6820421Abstract: A new thermodynamic cycle is disclosed for converting energy from a low temperature stream from an external source into useable energy using a working fluid comprising of a mixture of a low boiling component and a high boiling component. The cycle is designed to improve the efficiency of the energy extraction process by mixing into an intermediate liquid stream an enriched liquid stream from which the energy from the external source stream is extracted in a vaporization step and converted to energy in an expansion step. The new thermodynamic process and the system for accomplishing it are especially well-suited for streams from low-temperature geothermal sources.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Kalex, LLCInventor: Alexander I. Kalina
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Patent number: 6742337Abstract: A waste heat recovery system comprising ducting to which hot gas is communicated, means to supply lower temperature diluent gas to the ducting, to mix with the hot gas, and produce a reduced temperature mixed gas stream, a vaporizer in communication with the ducting, to receive the stream and to transfer heat from the stream to a working fluid in the vaporizer to vaporize said fluid, and a blower operating to displace the stream through the vaporizer.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Energent CorporationInventors: Lance G. Hays, Duane Bergmann
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Patent number: 6691514Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating power is provided. Nitrogen gas is compressed by a compressor so as to provide liquid nitrogen of a predetermined temperature. A gaseous refrigerant is passed through the compressed nitrogen so as to condense the refrigerant. The condensed refrigerant is passed through the ambient air having a predetermined temperature such that the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant increase. The expansion of the refrigerant in a turbine drives a generator that, in turn, generates power.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: Richard D. Bushey
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Patent number: 6629413Abstract: A closed cycle thermodynamic apparatus (10) is provided for powering a combustion machine. The apparatus (10) has a compressor (12) for compressing a working medium from a reservoir (14) at temperature T1. The temperature of the working medium increases during compression and reaches temperature T2 when leaving the compressor (12). It is then expanded in an expander (16) for turning the machine. In this manner mechanical work is extracted from the working medium. The apparatus (10) has a first heat exchanger (18) and a second heat exchanger (20) connected to the compressor (12) and the expander (16) in a closed cycle. It also has a burner (22) and a third heat exchanger (24). Air, as a Heat transfer medium, at ambient temperature T5 is induced into the second exchanger (20) to cool the working medium by receiving heat therefrom. The temperature of the working medium decreases from T4 to T1 before entering the compressor (12) for repeating the cycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2002Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: The Commonwealth of Australia Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganizationInventors: Michael Noel Wendt, Patrick Joseph Glynn
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Patent number: 6170263Abstract: Low grade heat recovered from various sections of an integrated gasification system is used to drive an absorption chilling cycle. In an exemplary embodiment, the recovered low grade heat is used to heat a two component working solution that is pumped through a closed cycle absorption chilling system. The heated working solution is separated into a rich stream and a lean stream. The rich stream is condensed to produce a liquid rich stream that is throttled to reduce its temperature and then evaporated to produce a cooling load. The cooling load may be used for auxiliary cooling needs in the integrated gasification system. The rich vapor stream produced by the evaporating step is mixed with the lean stream to produce a mixed stream, which is cooled in an absorber to produce the working solution for the cycle to be repeated.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: General Electric Co.Inventors: Cedric Chow, Ashok Kumar Anand, Jatila Ranasinghe, David Andrew Stats
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Patent number: 6167706Abstract: An externally fired gas turbine system according to the present invention has a compressor for compressing ambient air and producing compressed air, an air heat exchanger for heating the compressed air to produce heated compressed air, a turbine for expanding the heated compressed air to produce heat depleted expanded air, and a generator connected to the turbine for generating electricity. According to the present invention, the system also includes combustible products producing apparatus for processing fuel to produce combustible products that include combustible gases and an external combustion chamber for burning the combustible products and transferring heat to the air heat exchanger and producing heat depleted combustion products. The system also includes a closed Rankine cycle steam power plant having a water heat exchanger for vaporizing water and producing steam using heat contained in the heat depleted combustion products.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1997Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Ormat Industries Ltd.Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Daniel Goldman, Joseph Sinia
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Patent number: 6076355Abstract: A vapor-driven piston-type engine having multiple stages that may be constructed as a single block or unit. Each stage has its own separate vapor power source and the fluids in each stage are different and have different heat/temperature characteristics such that the waste heat from one engine can be used to drive a succeeding engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1999Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Inventors: Livien D. Ven, Andre R. Vincent
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Patent number: 6035643Abstract: A control system capable of responding to temperature sensors detecting changes in available external ambient cooling temperature, and adjusting turbine cycle thermodynamic medium exhaust pressure and temperature, as it completes its circulation path through the turbine cycle, to what best saturation pressure conditions are needed to correspond with the temperature detected as the coldest currently available saturation temperature in the condenser. Such a system permits condensation of the exhaust to occur at whatever the lowest saturation temperature and pressure available at the time happens to be.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Inventor: Joel H. Rosenblatt
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Patent number: 5970714Abstract: A geothermal power plant operating on high pressure geothermal fluid includes a primary separator for separating the geothermal fluid into two channels, one containing high pressure steam and the other containing high pressure liquid. A primary steam turbine in the high pressure steam channel is responsive to high pressure steam for generating electricity and producing heat depleted high pressure steam. A secondary separator separates the heat depleted high pressure steam into a steam component and a liquid component. A primary heat exchanger is responsive to the high pressure liquid and the steam component for transferring heat to said steam component thereby producing low pressure steam and cooled high pressure liquid.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1996Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Ormat Industries Ltd.Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Nadav Amir, Yoel Gilon
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Patent number: 5946916Abstract: A vapor-driven piston-type engine having multiple stages that may be constructed as a single block or unit. Each stage has its own separate vapor power source and the fluids in each stage are different and have different heat/temperature characteristics such that the waste heat from one engine can be used to drive a succeeding engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1997Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Inventors: Livien D. Ven, Andre R. Vincent
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Patent number: 5860279Abstract: The cooling of a hot fluid is effected using a heat exchanger (11) adapted to receive the hot fluid and liquid coolant for cooling the hot fluid such that the liquid coolant is vaporized. A turbine (12), having an output shaft (19) connected to a fan (18), is responsive to vaporized coolant which expands in the turbine (12) for driving the fan (18) to move a mass of air, and produce vaporized coolant. A condenser (13) receives the expanded vaporized coolant and is responsive to air blown by the fan (18), for condensing the expanded vaporized coolant thereby cooling the same and producing coolant condensate which is then returned to the heat exchanger (11).Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1995Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Joseph Sinai, Nadav Amir
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Patent number: 5839282Abstract: A method for using a two-phase fluid includes separating the fluid into its two phases, one of which is a hot gas containing energy in the form of latent heat, and one of which is a hot liquid containing energy in the form of sensible heat; converting sensible heat in the liquid to sensible heat in a working fluid for producing preheated working fluid; and transferring latent heat in the gas to the preheated working fluid for vaporizing the same at substantially constant temperature and pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1997Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Ormai Industries Ltd.Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Nadav Amir, Alex Moritz, Asher Elovic
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Patent number: 5822990Abstract: Converting heat in a primary fluid (e.g., steam) to useful energy by multistage expansion of the primary fluid, heating of a multicomponent working fluid in a separate closed loop using heat of the primary fluid, and expansion of the multicomponent working fluid. The primary fluid in a vapor state is expanded in a first stage expander to obtain useful energy and to produce a partially expanded primary fluid. The partially expanded primary fluid stream is then separated into liquid and vapor components and split into a vapor stream (which is expanded in a second stage expander) and a further primary stream (which used to heat the multicomponent working fluid).Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1996Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Exergy, Inc.Inventors: Alexander I. Kalina, Lawrence B. Rhodes
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Patent number: 5816048Abstract: A method for utilizing acidic geothermal fluid (e.g., fluid having a pH of less than about 3.5) containing non-condensable gases in a geothermal power plant includes separating the geothermal fluid into steam and brine, applying the steam to a device from which power and steam condensate is produced. Such device can be a back-pressure steam turbine whose exhaust can be cooled by organic fluid to produce organic vapor that is expanded in an organic vapor turbine. Alternatively, the steam can be applied to the steam-side of an indirect contact heat exchanger containing a liquid organic working fluid for producing steam condensate and vaporized working fluid. In such case, the steam condensate produced by the heat exchanger is less acidic than the brine. The vaporized working fluid is expanded in an organic vapor turbine for producing electricity and expanded working fluid, and the expanded working fluid is condensed for producing condensed organic fluid which is preheated and supplied to the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1995Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Uri Kaplan, Moshe Grassiani
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Patent number: 5813215Abstract: A waste heat recovery system (WHRS) and combined cycle power plant (CCPP) uses waste heat from an open cycle gas turbine primary stage having a combustion chamber for generating heated exhaust gas. A primary turbine is driven by the heated exhaust gas. A generator is driven by the primary turbine. A primary compressor is driven by the primary turbine for pressurizing the heated exhaust gas for driving the primary turbine. A first closed cycle helium turbine stage incorporates a first closed helium loop. A first heat exchanger (HX) is coupled between the hot exhaust gas from the open cycle gas turbine primary stage and the first closed helium loop for transferring heat to the first closed helium loop. A first turbine is driven by the helium heated in the first closed helium loop. A generator is driven by the first turbine. A first compressor in the first closed helium loop upstream from the first HX pressurizes helium gas through the first HX for driving the first turbine.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1995Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Inventor: Arthur M. Weisser
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Patent number: 5809782Abstract: A modular power plant operating from a source of geothermal fluid that produces geothermal steam containing non-condensable gases such as hydrogen sulfide, and geothermal brine, includes a steam module and an organic fluid module. The steam module has a steam turbine coupled to a generator for expanding the geothermal steam and producing electrical power, low pressure steam, and condensed steam.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1997Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Ormat Industries Ltd.Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Naday Amir, Uri Kaplan
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Patent number: 5809791Abstract: A process that converts heat energy to kinetic energy comprising at least two fluid cycles thermally joined in which these fluids act as refrigerants. An initiating cycle capable of performing reversed Carnot refrigeration is the major source of heat energy driving the process, and does so by giving off heat energy largely obtained through evaporating and superheating its fluid by condensing its fluid to a reclaiming cycle by causing said reclaiming cycle to boil its fluid, and this boiled fluid expands and moves invoking kinetic energy with the use of a turbine or similar means which is utilized by applicably selected means. The fluid in the reclaiming cycle is then condensed by giving off remaining heat energy and may comprise options of being recycled in the process, rejected out of the process, or used to drive additional reclaiming cycles, or another Remora II process.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1996Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Inventor: Thomas Ray Stewart, III
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Patent number: 5799490Abstract: An externally fired gas turbine system according to the present invention has a compressor for compressing ambient air and producing compressed air, an air heat exchanger for heating the compressed air to produce heated compressed air, a turbine for expanding the heated compressed air to produce heat depleted expanded air, and a generator connected to the turbine for generating electricity. According to the present invention, the system also includes combustible products producing apparatus for processing fuel to produce combustible products that include combustible gases and an external combustion chamber for burning the combustible products and transferring heat to the air heat exchanger and producing heat depleted combustion products. The system also includes a closed Rankine cycle steam power plant having a water heat exchanger for vaporizing water and producing steam using heat contained in the heat depleted combustion products.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1996Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: Ormat Industries Ltd.Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Daniel Goldman, Joseph Sinia
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Patent number: 5715682Abstract: A combined-cycle power generation system using waste matter as a fuel, which can be expected to improve in power generation efficiency without using an additional fuel. The system has a corrosive exhaust gas source (waste exhaust gas source) (1), a closed-cycle gas turbine (2), and a Kalina-cycle steam turbine (3). A ceramic heat exchanger (6) for the closed-cycle gas turbine (2) is disposed on a high-temperature side of the corrosive exhaust gas source (1). A heat exchanger (7) heats a mixed ammonia water fluid (11) for the Kalina-cycle steam turbine (3) by a high-temperature side exhaust gas from the closed-cycle gas turbine. A heat exchanger (9) evaporates a condensate of the mixed ammonia-water fluid (11) by heat remaining in the exhaust gas from the closed-cycle gas turbine. A heat exchanger (10) for the Kalina-cycle steam turbine is disposed on a low-temperature side of the corrosive exhaust gas source (1) to evaporate the mixed ammonia-water fluid (11) by heat remaining in the waste exhaust gas.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1997Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: Ebara CorporationInventor: Nobuo Nakata
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Patent number: 5687570Abstract: An externally fired gas turbine system according to the present invention has a compressor for compressing ambient air and producing compressed air, an air heat exchanger for heating the compressed air to produce heated compressed air, a turbine for expanding the heated compressed air to produce heat depleted expanded air, and a generator connected to the turbine for generating electricity. According to the present invention, the system also includes combustible products producing apparatus for processing fuel to produce combustible products that include combustible gases and an external combustion chamber for burning the combustible products and transferring heat to the air heat exchanger and producing heat depleted combustion products. The system also includes a closed Rankine cycle steam power plant having a water heat exchanger for vaporizing water and producing steam using heat contained in the heat depleted combustion products.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1996Date of Patent: November 18, 1997Assignee: Ormat Industries Ltd.Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Daniel Goldman, Joseph Sinia
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Patent number: 5660042Abstract: A method for using a two-phase fluid includes separating the fluid into its two phases, one of which is a hot gas containing energy in the form of latent heat, and one of which is a hot liquid containing energy in the form of sensible heat; converting sensible heat in the liquid to sensible heat in a working fluid for producing preheated working fluid; and transferring latent heat in the gas to the preheated working fluid for vaporizing the same at substantially constant temperature and pressure.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1995Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: Ormat Industries LtdInventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Nadav Amir, Alex Moritz, Asher Elovic