Abstract: An absorption chiller system includes a generator section, a condenser section, an evaporator section and an absorber section all in fluid communication with each other and which operate to circulate a refrigerant therethrough. The evaporator section includes a transport membrane heat exchanger. The transport membrane heat exchanger includes a first and a second flow path. The first flow path is operable to flow the refrigerant therethrough under a vacuum pressure that is low enough to vaporize the refrigerant within the first flow path. The second flow path is operable to pass a fluid having water therethrough. Both water and heat are transferred from the fluid in the second flow path to the refrigerant in the first flow path through a membrane-based material of the transport membrane heat exchanger, such that the fluid passing through the second flow path has at least a portion of its water removed and is cooled.

Abstract: A bottoming cycle power system includes a turbo-expander operable to rotate a turbo-crankshaft as a flow of exhaust gas from a combustion process passes through the turbo-expander. A turbo-compressor is operable to compress the flow of exhaust gas after the exhaust gas passes through the turbo-expander. An open cycle absorption chiller system includes an absorber section operable to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the turbo-expander and to mix the flow of exhaust gas with a first refrigerant solution within the absorber section. The first refrigerant solution is operable to absorb water from the exhaust gas as the exhaust gas passes through the first refrigerant solution. The absorber section is operable to route the flow of exhaust gas to the turbo-compressor after the flow of exhaust gas has passed through the first refrigerant solution.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide capture system includes a first capture tank containing carbon dioxide absorbent material which operates to absorb carbon dioxide from a flow of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. A heat exchange loop is in heat exchange communication with the first capture tank and further in heat exchange communication with one of the flow of exhaust gas or a flow of engine coolant from the internal combustion engine. A heat exchange fluid is operable to flow through the heat exchange loop. The heat exchange fluid operates to transfer heat from the exhaust gas or the engine coolant to the first capture tank. The heat from the exhaust gas or the engine coolant operates to release a portion of the carbon dioxide absorbed by the carbon dioxide absorbent material in the first capture tank.

Abstract: A bottoming cycle power system includes a turbine-generator. The turbine-generator includes a turbo-expander and turbo-compressor disposed on a turbo-crankshaft. The turbo-expander is operable to rotate the turbo-crankshaft as a flow of exhaust gas from a combustion process passes through the turbo-expander. The turbo-compressor is operable to compress the flow of exhaust gas after the exhaust gas passes through the turbo-expander. An exhaust gas heat exchanger includes first and second flow paths operable to exchange heat therebetween. The first flow path is operable to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the turbo-expander prior to the exhaust gas being compressed by the turbo-compressor. The second flow path is operable to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the turbo-compressor after the exhaust gas has been compressed by the turbo-compressor.

Abstract: A bottoming cycle power system includes a turbo-expander operable to rotate a turbo-crankshaft as a flow of exhaust gas from a combustion process passes through the turbo-expander. A turbo-compressor is operable to compress the flow of exhaust gas after the exhaust gas passes through the turbo-expander. An open cycle absorption chiller system includes an absorber section operable to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the turbo-expander and to mix the flow of exhaust gas with a first refrigerant solution within the absorber section. The first refrigerant solution is operable to absorb water from the exhaust gas as the exhaust gas passes through the first refrigerant solution. The absorber section is operable to route the flow of exhaust gas to the turbo-compressor after the flow of exhaust gas has passed through the first refrigerant solution.

Abstract: A bottoming cycle power system includes a turbine-generator. The turbine-generator includes a turbo-expander and turbo-compressor disposed on a turbo-crankshaft. The turbo-expander is operable to rotate the turbo-crankshaft as a flow of exhaust gas from a combustion process passes through the turbo-expander. The turbo-compressor is operable to compress the flow of exhaust gas after the exhaust gas passes through the turbo-expander. An exhaust gas heat exchanger includes first and second flow paths operable to exchange heat therebetween. The first flow path is operable to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the turbo-expander prior to the exhaust gas being compressed by the turbo-compressor. The second flow path is operable to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the turbo-compressor after the exhaust gas has been compressed by the turbo-compressor.

Abstract: A method of generating electrical power includes expanding a flow of exhaust gas from a combustion process as the exhaust gas passes through a turbo-expander disposed on a turbo-crankshaft. The flow of exhaust gas from the turbo-expander is routed through a first flow path of an exhaust gas heat exchanger. The flow of exhaust gas from the first flow path is compressed as the exhaust gas passes through a turbo-compressor disposed on the turbo-crankshaft. The flow of exhaust gas from the turbo-compressor is routed through a second flow path of the exhaust gas heat exchanger. Heat from the first flow path is transferred to the second flow path to cool the exhaust gas in the first flow path and heat the exhaust gas in the second flow path. Electrical power is generated from a generator disposed on the turbo-crankshaft.

Abstract: A method of generating electric power includes expanding a flow of exhaust gas from a combustion process as the exhaust gas passes through a turbo-expander disposed on a turbo-crankshaft. The flow of exhaust gas from the turbo-expander is routed through an absorber section of an open cycle absorption chiller system. Water from the exhaust gas is absorbed via a first refrigerant solution disposed in the absorber section as the exhaust gas passes through the first refrigerant solution and out of the absorber section. The flow of exhaust gas from the absorber section is compressed as the exhaust gas passes through a turbo-compressor disposed on the turbo-crankshaft. Electrical power is generated from a bottoming cycle generator disposed on the turbo-crankshaft.

Abstract: A bottoming cycle power system includes a turbine generator and an open cycle absorption system. The turbine-generator includes a turbo-expander and turbo-compressor disposed on a turbo-crankshaft. The turbo-expander is operable to rotate the turbo-crankshaft as a flow of exhaust gas from a combustion process passes through the turbo-expander. The turbo-compressor is operable to compress the flow of exhaust gas after the exhaust gas passes through the turbo-expander. The open cycle absorption chiller system includes an absorber section that is operable to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the turbo-expander. The absorber section includes a first refrigerant solution that is operable to absorb water from the exhaust gas as the exhaust gas passes through the first refrigerant solution. The absorber section is also operable to route the flow of exhaust gas to the turbo-compressor after the flow of exhaust gas has passed through the first refrigerant solution.

Abstract: A bottoming cycle power system includes a turbine-generator having a turbo-expander and turbo-compressor disposed on a turbo-crankshaft. The turbo-expander is operable to rotate the turbo-crankshaft as a flow of exhaust gas from a combustion process passes through the turbo-expander. The turbo-compressor is operable to compress the flow of exhaust gas after it passes through the turbo-expander. An exhaust-gas heat exchanger having first and second flow paths. The first flow path is operable to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the turbo-expander prior to the exhaust gas being compressed by the turbo-compressor. The second flow path is operable to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the turb-compressor. A processing system is operable to cool the flow of exhaust gas after the exhaust gas has passed through the first flow path and prior to the exhaust gas being compressed by the turbo-compressor.

Abstract: A bottoming cycle power system includes an expander disposed on a crankshaft. The expander being operable to receive a flow of exhaust gas from a combustion process and to rotate the crankshaft as the exhaust gas passes through. An absorption chiller system has a generator section having a first heat exchanger to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the expander and to remove heat from the exhaust gas after the exhaust gas has passed through the expander. An evaporator section has a second heat exchanger to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the generator section and to remove heat from the exhaust gas after the exhaust gas has passed through the generator section. A compressor is disposed on the crankshaft and connected to the flow of exhaust gas. The compressor is operable to compress the exhaust gas after the exhaust gas has passed through the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method includes installing a CHP system to be operated by an operator. The operator becomes qualified as a market participant in a wholesale electricity market. An electrical output generated from the CHP system is connected to a first conductive path, the first conductive path operatively conducting power and energy to a grid for sale into the wholesale electricity market. Waste heat generated from the CHP system is utilized to provide one of a product and a process. An efficiency of the waste heat and an electrical efficiency of the electrical output are combined to attain an overall CHP system efficiency of 60 percent or greater.

Abstract: A method of providing electric power and energy to a host comprises executing a power purchase agreement between a provider and the host. The provider has an electric generator system and the host has a facility located on a property of the host. The provider becomes a market participant in the regional wholesale electricity markets. The provider installs the generator system on the host's property. The provider provides power and energy to the host's facility through a local utility as an electric supplier. The provider provides distributed power and energy to the host's facility directly from the generator system.

Abstract: In some embodiments, split-cycle engines are disclosed that are capable of operating in a normal firing mode in which a firing stroke is performed in the expansion cylinder only on every other rotation of the crankshaft. Fuel can be injected directly into the expansion cylinder during the non-firing rotation of the crankshaft over a period of time greater than what is possible with traditional split-cycle engines. A number of other advantages are associated with such engines. In some embodiments, two expansion cylinders can be provided such that a firing stroke is performed on every rotation of the crankshaft, even though each individual expansion cylinder only performs a firing stroke on every other rotation of the crankshaft. Air hybridized and/or Millerized variations of these engines, as well as various cylinder arrangements, are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: In some embodiments, split-cycle engines are disclosed that are capable of operating in a normal firing mode in which a firing stroke is performed in the expansion cylinder only on every other rotation of the crankshaft. Fuel can be injected directly into the expansion cylinder during the non-firing rotation of the crankshaft over a period of time greater than what is possible with traditional split-cycle engines. A number of other advantages are associated with such engines. In some embodiments, two expansion cylinders can be provided such that a firing stroke is performed on every rotation of the crankshaft, even though each individual expansion cylinder only performs a firing stroke on every other rotation of the crankshaft. Air hybridized and/or Millerized variations of these engines, as well as various cylinder arrangements, are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A number of exemplary power generation systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a compressed air energy storage system, optionally with split-cycle engine technology, is used to store energy obtained from the grid during off-peak hours and to supply stored energy to the grid and/or to an end user during on-peak hours. The system can include heat recovery features and can supply heat to the end user. In some embodiments, a generator system is used to provide power to an end user and to the grid. The generator can be maintained in a high efficiency operating range (e.g., at elevated or full load), even when the generator output exceeds the end user's demand, with any excess generated power being fed to the grid.

Abstract: In split-cycle engines and air hybrid split-cycle engines, the sizing of the crossover passage is critical to engine efficiency. Efficiency can be improved by sizing the crossover passage volume to be small relative to the volume of the cylinders, and in particular relative to the volume of the compression cylinder. This allows for a higher pressure in the crossover passage, which extends the duration of sonic flow from the crossover passage into the expansion cylinder and increases combustion pressure. The methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein generally involve sizing the crossover passages, cylinders, or other components of a split-cycle engine or air hybrid split-cycle engine to improve efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to providing an air supply for components associated with an engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for using compressed air generated by a split-cycle engine to power components such as valves or air springs associated with the split-cycle engine.

Abstract: A split-cycle air hybrid engine includes a rotatable crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft. An expansion piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft. A crossover passage interconnects the compression and expansion cylinders. The crossover passage includes a crossover compression (XovrC) valve and a crossover expansion (XovrE) valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. An air reservoir is operatively connected to the crossover passage. An air reservoir valve selectively controls air flow into and out of the air reservoir. In an Air Expander and Firing (AEF) mode of the engine, the engine has a residual expansion ratio at XovrE valve closing of 15.7 to 1 or greater, and more preferably in the range of 15.7 to 1 and 40.8 to 1.

Abstract: A split-cycle air hybrid engine with improved efficiency is disclosed in which the centerline of a compression cylinder is positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the centerline of an expansion cylinder such that the engine has a V-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the centerlines of the respective cylinders intersect an axis parallel to, but offset from, the axis of rotation of the crankshaft. Modular crossover passages, crossover passage manifolds, and associated air reservoir valve assemblies and thermal regulation systems are also disclosed.