Abstract: A power cycle operating with a maximum temperature above 300.degree. C. The power cycle operates with a working fluid comprising a mixture of water and another substance having lower volatility, greater molecular weight and tendency to superheat in isentropic expansion. Both substances are vaporized in a boiler, in part at variable temperature, and expanded in at least one turbomachine. After the first expansion, heat is yielded at constant pressure, wherein part of the least volatile substance condenses at variable temperature. In comparison with a steam cycle, this new cycle offers higher efficiences because it has the advantage of increasing the average temperature of heat absorption, without intermediate reheating and without condensation occurring in the turbine until very low exhaust pressures are reached, depending on the proportion of the mixture used. A secondary cycle of refrigerant fluid may be utilized with the power cycle of the present invention.

Abstract: A process of mechanical power generation including a binary cycle whose primary cycle works with a mixture of water and another substance of much lower volatility substantially immiscible with water. In the primary cycle, at least part of the vaporization of the water is accomplished by means of the heat yielded simultaneously by condensation at variable temperature of the substance of high boiling point. This binary cycle allows obtaining much higher efficiencies than conventional cycles in small power plants (up to 50 MWe), thanks to the diminishing energy losses in the heat absorption, optmising the expansion efficiencies with simple turbines and substantially eliminating the vacuum in the installation. The proposed cycle has better partial load efficiency and lower response time than conventional cycles, with similar cost.

Abstract: A thermodynamic process having an efficiency close to that of the ideal Carnot cycle. The process fluid is a combination of Dowtherm A and water and undergoes constant pressure transformations to absorb heat from a heat source and to transfer heat to a heat sink, and also undergoes constant temperature expansion and constant temperature pressurization. The process provides a practical application, in single-stage and three-stage processes, of the Carnot cycle.