Abstract: A distillation system for distilling influent liquid includes a counterflow heat exchanger for receiving and heating the influent liquid. A heater is coupled to the counterflow heat exchanger for receiving the influent liquid from the counterflow heat exchanger and heating the influent liquid. An evaporation unit is coupled to the heater and to a sump for receiving the influent liquid from the heater and for receiving liquid from the sump and forming a vapor from at least a portion of the influent liquid and the liquid received from the sump. The evaporation unit returns unevaporated liquid to the sump. A condensation unit is coupled to the evaporation unit for forming a condensate from vapor received from the evaporation unit. The condensation unit is coupled to the counterflow heat exchanger for transferring the condensate to the counterflow heat exchanger. The heater simultaneously heats the liquid in the sump and the influent liquid received from the counterflow heat exchanger.

Abstract: An expansion mode tidal regenerator heat engine including a housing assembly enclosing an interior region, a power extraction means and a condensable vapor disposed within the interior region. A condenser is adapted to maintain a portion of the interior region at a condenser temperature equal to or below the boiling point of the working fluid at a predetermined minimum pressure. A super-heater is adapted to maintain a portion of the interior region at a super-heater temperature above the boiling point of the working fluid at a predetermined maximum temperature. A boiler is adapted to maintain a portion of the interior region below the super-heater temperature and above or equal to the boiling point of the working fluid at a predetermined maximum pressure.

Abstract: An annular tidal regenerator heat engine including a housing assembly enclosing a cylindrical interior region with a loose-fitting piston and a condensable vapor working fluid disposed therein.A condenser is adapted to maintain a portion of the interior region near one end of the piston at a condenser temperature equal to or below the boiling point of the working fluid at a predetermined minimum pressure. A super-heater is adapted to maintain a portion of the interior region near the other end of the piston at a super-heater temperature above the boiling point of the working fluid at a predetermined maximum pressure. A boiler is adapted to maintain a portion of the cylindrical shell portion of the interior region between the piston and housing at a boiler temperature below the super-heater temperature and above or equal to the boiling point of the working fluid at a predetermined maximum pressure.