Patents Assigned to ORCAN ENERGY AG
  • Patent number: 11352911
    Abstract: A device for utilizing the waste heat of a thermo-process device comprising a first heat exchanger for transferring heat from a heat flow of a thermo-process device to a heat transfer medium; a second heat exchanger for transferring heat from the heat flow to a heat transfer medium, the second heat exchanger being arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger with respect to the heat flow; a thermodynamic cycle device having a third heat exchanger for transferring heat from the heat transfer medium to a working medium of the thermodynamic cycle device and having a fourth heat exchanger for transferring heat from the heat transfer medium to the working medium, the fourth heat exchanger being arranged upstream of the second heat exchanger with respect to the flow of the working medium; wherein heat transfer medium cooled in the third heat exchanger can be supplied at least partially to the first heat exchanger for heating and wherein heat transfer medium cooled in the fourth heat exchanger can be supplied at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schuster, Roy Langer, Jens-Patrick Springer, Daniela Walter, Richard Aumann
  • Patent number: 11286816
    Abstract: The invention refers to a system for cooling a process fluid of a heat-producing apparatus, comprising: an outlet of the heat-producing apparatus, the outlet being provided for discharging process fluid to be cooled from the heat-producing apparatus; an inlet of the heat-producing apparatus, the inlet being provided for supplying cooled process fluid to the heat-producing apparatus; and a thermodynamic cycle device, in particular an ORC device, the thermodynamic cycle device comprising an evaporator having an inlet for supplying the process fluid to be cooled from the outlet of the heat-producing apparatus and having an outlet for discharging the cooled process fluid to the inlet of the heat-producing apparatus, the evaporator being adapted to evaporate a working medium of the thermodynamic cycle device by means of heat from the process fluid; an expansion machine for expanding the evaporated working medium and for producing mechanical and/or electrical energy; a condenser for liquefying the expanded working
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Richard Aumann, Andreas Schuster, Markus Lintl, Roy Langer, Martin Santa-Maria
  • Publication number: 20210215058
    Abstract: A device is provided comprising an expansion machine for generating mechanical energy by expanding vapor of a working medium; a generator connected to a shaft of the expansion machine and used for generating electric energy from mechanical energy of the expansion machine; wherein the expansion machine and the generator form a structural unit with an exhaust vapor chamber between the expansion machine and the generator, and wherein, when the expansion machine is in operation, working medium expanded into the exhaust vapor chamber contacts the generator; and means for feeding, in particular injecting, a liquid working medium into the exhaust vapor chamber. Also provided is an ORC device comprising the device and a method for operating the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicants: Orcan Energy AG, Bitzer Kühlmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Aumann, Andreas Grill, Roy Langer, Andreas Schuster
  • Publication number: 20210199026
    Abstract: The invention refers to a system for cooling a process fluid of a heat-producing apparatus, comprising: an outlet of the heat-producing apparatus, the outlet being provided for discharging process fluid to be cooled from the heat-producing apparatus; an inlet of the heat-producing apparatus, the inlet being provided for supplying cooled process fluid to the heat-producing apparatus; and a thermodynamic cycle device, in particular an ORC device, the thermodynamic cycle device comprising an evaporator having an inlet for supplying the process fluid to be cooled from the outlet of the heat-producing apparatus and having an outlet for discharging the cooled process fluid to the inlet of the heat-producing apparatus, the evaporator being adapted to evaporate a working medium of the thermodynamic cycle device by means of heat from the process fluid; an expansion machine for expanding the evaporated working medium and for producing mechanical and/or electrical energy; a condenser for liquefying the expanded working
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Orcan Energy AG
    Inventors: Richard Aumann, Andreas Schuster, Markus Lintl, Roy Langer, Martin Santa-Maria
  • Patent number: 11035258
    Abstract: The invention refers to a method for controlling a thermodynamic cycle process apparatus, in particular an ORC apparatus, wherein the thermodynamic cycle process apparatus comprises an evaporator, an expansion machine, a condenser and a feed pump, and the expansion machine is coupled to an external apparatus in normal operation, and wherein the method comprises the following steps: measuring an exhaust steam pressure downstream of the expansion machine; and setting a volume flow of the feed pump in accordance with a computer-implemented control model of the thermodynamic cycle process apparatus according to the measured exhaust steam pressure and a target rotational speed of the expansion machine as input variables of the control model and with the volume flow of the feed pump as an output variable of the control model. The invention further refers to a corresponding thermodynamic cycle process apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schuster, Roy Langer, Jens-Patrick Springer, Fabian Weigand
  • Patent number: 10968766
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising: an expansion machine for generating mechanical energy by expanding vapor of a working medium; a generator connected to a shaft of the expansion machine and used for generating electric energy from mechanical energy of the expansion machine; wherein the expansion machine and the generator form a structural unit with an exhaust vapor chamber between the expansion machine and the generator, and wherein, when the expansion machine is in operation, working medium expanded into the exhaust vapor chamber contacts the generator; and means for feeding, in particular injecting, a liquid working medium into the exhaust vapor chamber. The invention also relates to an ORC device comprising the device according to the present invention and to a method for operating the device according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: ORCAN ENERGY AG, Bitzer Küühlmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Aumann, Andreas Grill, Roy Langer, Andreas Schuster
  • Publication number: 20210003039
    Abstract: A device for utilizing the waste heat of a thermo-process device comprising a first heat exchanger for transferring heat from a heat flow of a thermo-process device to a heat transfer medium; a second heat exchanger for transferring heat from the heat flow to a heat transfer medium, the second heat exchanger being arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger with respect to the heat flow; a thermodynamic cycle device having a third heat exchanger for transferring heat from the heat transfer medium to a working medium of the thermodynamic cycle device and having a fourth heat exchanger for transferring heat from the heat transfer medium to the working medium, the fourth heat exchanger being arranged upstream of the second heat exchanger with respect to the flow of the working medium; wherein heat transfer medium cooled in the third heat exchanger can be supplied at least partially to the first heat exchanger for heating and wherein heat transfer medium cooled in the fourth heat exchanger can be supplied at
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: Orcan Energy AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schuster, Roy Langer, Jens-Patrick Springer, Daniela Walter, Richard Aumann
  • Publication number: 20200200123
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an ORC container comprising the following components: a container, in particular an ISO container, having arranged therein an ORC device for converting heat energy into electrical or mechanical energy, wherein the ORC device comprises a working medium; a heat introduction device provided on the ISO container and used for supplying heat energy from an aggregate container; and a spacer device arranged on the container, wherein the spacer device is suitable for providing an intermediate space between the ORC container and the aggregate container. The present invention additionally relates to a system comprising an ORC container and an aggregate container as well as to a method for installing such a system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Richard Aumann, Fabian Weigand
  • Patent number: 10669898
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermodynamic cycle device, in particular an ORC device, comprising a preheater for preheating a working medium; an evaporator for evaporating and superheating a first mass flow of the preheated working medium; an expansion machine for expanding the evaporated and superheated first mass flow of the working medium; a condenser for condensing the working medium exiting the expansion machine; a feed pump for pumping condensed working medium to the preheater; and a first supply apparatus for supplying a second mass flow of the preheated working medium to the partially expanded first mass flow of the working medium in the expansion machine. The invention further relates to a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Richard Aumann, Roy Langer, Fabian Kricke, Andreas Schuster
  • Patent number: 10605532
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for condensation of vapour expanded in an expansion machine of a thermal power plant to a condensed liquid, in particular containing oil, comprising: a module for condensation, wherein for condensation the module comprises an inlet and one or more pipelines, for example having substantially horizontally disposed pipes; a liquid separator for separating the condensed liquid; and a liquid collector for collecting the separated, condensed liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Orcan Energy AG
    Inventors: Richard Aumann, Andreas Schuster, Andreas Sichert
  • Patent number: 10577984
    Abstract: The system according to the invention comprises a heat source and a cooling device for discharging heat from the heat source, the cooling device comprising: a heat exchanger/radiator for transferring heat to a surrounding medium, in particular wherein the radiator is an air cooler and the surrounding medium is air; and a thermodynamic cycle device, in particular an ORC device, comprising a working medium, an evaporator for evaporating the working medium by transferring heat from the heat source to the working medium, an expansion device for generating mechanical energy, and a condenser for condensing the working medium expanded in the expansion device; wherein the cooling device further comprises a condenser coolant circuit for discharging heat out of the condenser of the thermodynamic cycle device via the heat exchanger/radiator. The method according to the invention is suitable for discharging heat from a heat source with a cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Richard Aumann, Nicolas Restrepo, Andreas Schuster, Andreas Sichert
  • Patent number: 10570782
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling ORC stacks with a total number ntot of individually operable ORC modules, said method comprising the following steps: determining the running time remaining until the next servicing time for each operable ORC module respectively; determining a target number nsoll of ORC modules to be operated; comparing said target number nsoll to an actual number nist of currently operated ORC modules; when nsoll>nist, connecting a number nsoll?nist of ORC modules that corresponds to the difference between the target number and the actual number, where the ORC modules with the longest remaining running times of the ORC modules currently not being operated are connected; and/or when nsoll<nist, disconnecting a number nist?nsoll of ORC modules that corresponds to the difference between the actual number and the target number, where the ORC modules with the shortest remaining running times of the ORC modules currently being operated are disconnected; and/or when nsoll=nist
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Orcan Energy AG
    Inventors: Markus Lintl, Jens-Patrick Springer, Andreas Schuster
  • Patent number: 10519814
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a thermal cyclic process, in particular an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), which is operated with a working medium in conjunction with a dynamic heat source, whereby the method comprises the following steps: (a) determination of a setpoint value of a process variable of the thermal cyclic process from a value of an input parameter or respective values of a plurality of input parameters of the thermal cyclic process; (b) control of the thermal cyclic process with the determined setpoint value of the process variable as a target variable of the control; and (c) repeated execution of steps (a) and (b) when at least one value of the input parameters changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventor: Sylvain Quoilin
  • Patent number: 10480515
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a pump, in particular a centrifugal pump, during pumping of a liquid, comprising the following steps: fixing a setpoint value of a flow rate of the pump; measuring an inlet pressure of the liquid upstream of the pump and an outlet pressure of the liquid downstream of the pump; determining a setpoint value of a rotational speed of the pump from a performance map of the pump, wherein the fixed setpoint value of the flow rate and a difference between the outlet pressure and the inlet pressure are incorporated into the performance map as input values; and setting the rotational speed of the pump to the setpoint value of the rotational speed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding device for controlling a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Jens-Patrick Springer, Andreas Grill, Richard Aumann, Andreas Schuster
  • Patent number: 10378392
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for operating a thermodynamic cycle, in particular an ORC process, comprising: a feed pump for conveying liquid working medium to an evaporator by increasing the pressure; the evaporator for evaporating and optionally additionally superheating the working medium by supplying heat; an expansion machine for producing mechanical energy by expanding the evaporated working medium; and at least two condensers connected in parallel between the expansion machine and the feed pump for condensing and optionally subcooling the expanded working medium. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for operating a thermodynamic cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Richard Aumann, Daniela Walter, Roy Langer, Jens-Patrick Springer, Nicolas Restrepo
  • Patent number: 10352197
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting a leak in a thermodynamic cycle device with a condenser for condensing vaporous working medium, comprising the following steps: determining sub-cooling of the working medium in the condenser, wherein sub-cooling is determined as a difference between a condensation temperature in the condenser and a temperature of a liquid working medium exiting the condenser; detecting a leak in the event that the sub-cooling determined differs from a setpoint value for the sub-cooling or in the event that a filling quantity of the working medium in the thermodynamic cycle device, being determined from the determined sub-cooling, differs from a setpoint value for the filling quantity. The invention further relates to a corresponding computer program product and to a corresponding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Andreas Grill, Jens-Patrick Springer, Richard Aumann, Roy Langer, Daniela Walter, Andreas Schuster
  • Patent number: 10329961
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regulating a condenser in a thermal cycle apparatus, in particular in an ORC apparatus, wherein the thermal cycle apparatus comprises a feed pump for conveying liquid working medium with an increase in pressure to an evaporator, the evaporator for evaporating and optionally additionally superheating the working medium with a supply of heat, an expansion machine for generating mechanical energy by expansion of the evaporated working medium, a generator for at least partially converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy, and the condenser for condensing the expanded working medium, and wherein the method comprises the following steps: determining a rotational speed of the generator or of the expansion machine; determining, without the use of a temperature sensor, a temperature of cooling air supplied from the condenser; determining from the determined generator or expansion machine rotational speed and the determined cooling air temperature, a condensation setpoi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Jens-Patrick Springer, Andreas Grill
  • Patent number: 10247046
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermodynamic cycle apparatus, comprising: a working medium; an evaporator for evaporating the working medium; an expansion machine; a condenser, and a pump, wherein the geometrical arrangement of the evaporator is selected such that the condensed working medium can flow from the condenser to the evaporator by force of gravity and the working medium can circulate in a closed circuit via the evaporator and the condenser wherein a predetermined head height of the liquid working medium can be provided at the pump. The invention additionally relates to a method of starting the thermodynamic cycle apparatus the method comprising the following steps: applying heat to the evaporator and evaporating the working medium in the evaporator, wherein the working medium is caused to flow to the condenser; condensing the working medium in the condenser; starting the pump when a predetermined head height of the working medium at the pump is reached or exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schuster, Asim Celik, Andreas Grill, Jens-Patrick Springer, Daniela Gewald, Richard Aumann
  • Patent number: 10202872
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for lubricant heating during starting up of a thermodynamic cycle device, wherein the cycle device comprises a working medium with a working substance and a lubricant, an evaporator for evaporating the working substance, a lubricant separator for separating at least part of the lubricant from the working medium which is supplied by the evaporator, an expansion machine which is to be lubricated with the lubricant, and a condenser device with a condenser, and wherein the method comprises the following steps: delivery of lubricant from the lubricant separator to the condenser device and/or to the evaporator during shutdown of the cycle device, as a result of which a working medium which is enriched with lubricant is provided in the condenser device and/or in the evaporator; and heating of the working medium which is enriched with lubricant in the evaporator during starting up of the cycle device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Richard Aumann, Andreas Schuster, Andreas Sichert
  • Patent number: D850374
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Max Schmitt, Stefan Reichl