Abstract: A heat exchanger (4) has fluid flow channels (6) with at least one heat exchanging surface (10) which has an undulating surface section for which the surface profile varies along a predetermined direction such that at a first edge (E1) the surface profile follows a first transverse wave (20), at a second edge (E)2 the surface profile follows a second transverse wave (22) and at an intermediate point I between the edges the surface profile follows a third transverse wave (24). The third transverse wave (24) has a different phase, frequency or amplitude to the first and second transverse waves so that chevron-shaped ridges and valleys are formed. This improves the mixing of fluid passing through the channel and hence the heat exchange efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a multiple-inlet turbine casing (16) for a turbine rotor (60) which comprises a first fluid supply channel (70) configured to direct a first working fluid onto the turbine rotor (60) and a second fluid supply channel (74) configured to direct a second working fluid to impart torque on the turbine rotor (60) in the same direction as the direction in which torque is imparted on the turbine rotor (60) by the first working fluid. The first working fluid is an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine and the second fluid may be steam and the turbine may be an inverted-Brayton-cycle turbine for recovery of waste energy from the exhaust gas of said internal combustion engine. Thus, the number of turbine rotors is reduced in comparison to a system comprising a single turbine for each distinct working fluid.

Abstract: A combined heat and power system comprises a shaft (4), a compressor (6) coupled to the shaft to compress intake gas to form compressed gas; a recuperator (10) to heat the compressed gas to form heated compressed gas; a combustor (12) to combust a fuel and the heated compressed gas to form combustion gas; a turbine (8) coupled to the shaft to expand the combustion gas to form exhaust gas; a load (24) coupled to the shaft; an exhaust outlet (18) to expel the exhaust gas to a heater for heating a fluid based on heat from the exhaust gas; a recuperator channel (28) providing a path for the exhaust gas to flow from the turbine to the exhaust outlet through the recuperator; and a bypass channel (22) providing a path for the exhaust gas to flow from the turbine to the exhaust outlet bypassing the recuperator.

Abstract: A combined combustor and recuperator is formed with the recuperator surrounding the combustor. Cold gas conduits (14, 16, 20) through the recuperator follow along involute paths toward the combustor. Hot has conduits (26) through the recuperator follow counterflow paths along corresponding involute curves outward from the combustor. The openings (18) in the combustion chamber wall through which cold gas enters the combustion chamber may be directed to impart flow direct to the cold gas to support particular desired behaviour of the cold gas in the portions of the combustion chamber concerned, e.g. supporting a stable vortex flame, enhancing mixing, providing a protective barrier layer.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (4) comprises a heat exchanger core (20) comprising first fluid channels (22) and second fluid flow channels (24) for exchange of heat between the first and second fluids. First and second manifold portions (42, 44) are provided to guide the first and second fluids between the first and second fluid flow channels (22, 249 and first and second fluid interface portions (48, 49) which comprise fewer channels than the heat exchanger core (20). The first manifold portion (42) includes at least one tunnel portion (46) extending through the second manifold portion (44) at an angle to the direction of second fluid flow. Hence at least part of the first fluid is directed through the inside of the tunnel portion while the second fluid passes around the outside of the tunnel portion. This enables more compact heat exchanger design.

Abstract: A heat exchanger component comprises a core portion with alternating first and second heat exchanging channels. A first ducting portion comprises first ducting channels for transfer a first fluid between a first fluid inlet/outlet and the first heat exchanging channels of the core portion, and second ducting channels for transfer of second fluid between a second fluid inlet/outlet and the second heat exchanging channels of the core portion. The first ducting channels direct the first fluid around the turn of at least 45 degrees and the second ducting channels direct the second fluid around a turn of at least 90 degrees. The first and second ducting channels are interleaved.

Abstract: An apparatus (2) includes an internal combustion engine (4) and an inverted Brayton cycle heat engine (6). Hot exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine (4) contains water. The hot exhaust gas drives the inverted Brayton cycle heat engine. A condenser (22) in a fluid path of the exhaust gas between an inverted-Brayton-cycle turbine and an inverted-Brayton-cycle compressor condenses at least some of the water from the exhaust gas to form condensed water. This condensed water follows a recirculation path (30) so as to be re-introduced as a working fluid into one or more of the heat engines described above, or further heat engines, e.g. the condensed water is heated by the exhaust gas using a steam-generating heat exchanger (20) to generate steam which drives a steam turbine (32).

Abstract: A radial flow turbine heat engine includes a compressor, a recuperator, a combustor and a turbine. A compressor outlet manifold collects compressed gas from the compressor through a plurality of compressor outlets. A turbine inlet manifold supplies combustion gas to the turbine through a plurality of turbine inlets. The compressor outlet manifold comprises a plurality of compressor outlet manifold ducts and the turbine inlet manifold comprises a plurality of turbine inlet manifold ducts. These manifold ducts are circumferentially interdigitated with respect of each other around the shaft of the turbine to provide a flow path for compressed gas through the recuperator located radially inwardly with respect to the rotation axis of the shaft compared to the flow path for the combustion gas in the hot side portion of the heat engine.

Abstract: A combined combustor and recuperator is formed with the recuperator surrounding the combustor. Cold gas conduits (14, 16, 20) through the recuperator follow along involute paths toward the combustor. Hot has conduits (26) through the recuperator follow counterflow paths along corresponding involute curves outward from the combustor. The openings (18) in the combustion chamber wall through which cold gas enters the combustion chamber may be directed to impart flow direct to the cold gas to support particular desired behaviour of the cold gas in the portions of the combustion chamber concerned, e.g. supporting a stable vortex flame, enhancing mixing, providing a protective barrier layer.

Abstract: An apparatus having a wall configured to serve as at least part of a chamber for containing a charge fluid is provided. The wall includes a heat exchanger portion integrally formed with the wall. The heat exchanger portion includes an array of conduits passing therethrough and providing fluid communication with outside of the heat exchange portion. The heat exchange portion is configured to contribute strength to the wall to provide containment of the charge fluid.