Abstract: Power is produced from a methane-containing cryogenic liquid such as LNG by compressing the liquid and employing the compressed liquid as a refrigerant in the condensers of two closed and independent power cycles. The heat exchange medium in the first of the cycles evaporates in a lower temperature range than that at which the heat exchange medium in the second cycle condenses. The first heat exchange medium is condensed by heat exchange in a first heat exchange step with the compressed cryogenic liquid and the second heat exchange medium is condensed by heat exchange in a second heat exchange step with compressed cryogenic liquid recovered from the first heat exchange step and evaporating first heat exchange medium. Power is recovered from the expansion engines associated with the two power cycles.

Abstract: A steam turbine plant capable of rapidly increasing its output in instances of sudden load jumps, by drawing the necessary process steam from a bleeding point of a turbine during normal operations, while, at the same time, filling a steam accumulator, or keeping full, by means of steam taken from a bleeding point of the high-pressure component of the turbine and/or by live steam. In order to boost the increase in output of the generator the drawing off of process steam from the turbine is interrupted and replaced by process steam from the steam accumulator, so that the condensing component of the turbine automatically receives more steam. Title of the Invention Method for the rapid increase in output of a steam turbine plant.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for maintaining substantially constant delivery of a fluid pressure medium at lowered pressure from a supply pipe to a utilizing device, the fluid pressure medium is fed through a branch pipe to the device via a prime mover, such as a turbine, which provides the desired pressure drop. If the pressure in the supply pipe falls below a predetermined level, the lowered output of the prime mover is sensed and a shut-off valve in the branch pipe is closed and a press-reducing valve is opened in a bypass pipe connecting the supply pipe to the utilizing device. A flowmeter in the bypass pipe serves to detect rate of flow therein and, upon exceeding of a predetermined rate of flow, to close the pressure-reducing valve and to open the shut-off valve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air separation system for the recovery of pressurized, substantially pure oxygen gas. The system uses a single pressure distillation column and burns a nitrogen-oxygen waste stream to provide power for the air compressor, the oxygen product compressor and electric generation. The distillation column has a split feed to develop reflux and reboil and to provide initial separation of the liquid and vapor components of the column.

Abstract: A total energy heating unit which provides not only heat but also hot water and electricity is set forth. A single source of fuel is used such as coal, wood, or even compact dry leaves. The fuel is burned in an airtight firebox surrounded on three sides by a hot air containment unit, in which is located a means for generating steam. On top of the firebox is located an enclosure for water circulating tubes. As the fuel burns, it not only furnishes heat for heating air forced through the containment unit and then into a ducting system, but also provides hot air for heating water circulating to a hot water storage tank, and heat for heating a metal block which, when impinged with water droplets, results in generating steam for operation of a steam turbine for the generation of electricity.

Abstract: Scrap automobiles are loaded onto carts which move along rails into a two-stage incinerator. Combustible waste is shredded, dried, and loaded onto a transporter which moves along the rails into the incinerator. The automobiles and combustibles are incinerated and the heat produced is collected. The heat is converted into steam used to power a turbine driven electricity generator. The generated electricity is used to electrolyze water and to operate an electric arc furnace which refines the incinerated metal. Heat from the incinerator is further used to heat waste oil in a cracking tower and to heat fermented organic waste in an alcohol still. The combustion gases are passed through a scrubbing tower where they are cooled and scrubbed with a caustic spray to neutralize acids present and they are passed through a bag house filter to remove particulate matter before they are vented into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A self-starting, fuel-fired, air heating system including a vapor generator, a turbine, and a condenser connected in a closed circuit such that the vapor output from the vapor generator is conducted to the turbine and then to the condenser where it is condensed for return to the vapor generator. The turbine drives an air blower which passes air over the condenser for cooling the condenser. Also, a condensate pump is driven by the turbine. The disclosure is particularly concerned with the provision of heat exchanger and circuitry for cooling the condensed fluid output from the pump prior to its return to the vapor generator.

Abstract: Power is recovered from the vaporization of liquefied natural gas by liquefying a multicomponent refrigerant. The liquefied multicomponent refrigerant is then pressurized, vaporized and expanded in two stages through two expanders which are coupled to a generator.

Abstract: A method of cooling natural gas in a system in which the natural gas contains components other than methane which are separable by dewpoint condensation and the natural gas is available from a source, e.g. a well, at an elevated pressure. In accordance with the present invention, the natural gas is initially expanded in a work-producing expansion turbine to cool the natural gas to a temperature below the dew point of the components to be separated and the portion of the natural gas remaining after separating these components is compressed in a compressor which can in part be driven by the turbine so that at least a portion of the work output of the turbine is at least in some cases utilized for compressing the methane-containing portion which can be forced under pressure into a pipeline.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting steam from a steam turbine and adjusting the temperature and pressure for a process. Steam is extracted from the first section of the turbine and is throttled to a desired pressure for use in the process. After the extracted steam is throttled it is transmitted to a suction port of a jet pump. If the pressure of the extracted steam entering the jet pump suction port is less than the desired process pressure, high pressure steam is routed to an inlet port of the jet pump. Steam leaving the jet pump may be desuperheated. Regulation of the steam flow between the first and second section turbines increased extraction pressure. At some point total efficiency of turbine operation and process operation can be improved by extracting steam from a second, higher pressure extraction location.

Abstract: The requirements and treatment costs of water used in a fossil fuel fired power station are reduced by a process which employs multiple reverse osmosis stages. This process also employs station waste heat to concentrate solid waste material to facilitate disposal thereof.

Abstract: The aqueous substance, for example sea water, is boiled, the steam produced is fed under pressure into a turbo-alternator turbine producing electricity, the residual steam is reduced into soft water and the residue of evaporation, for example sea salt, is recovered as a by-product.The steam is fed directly or on leaving the turbine onto iron heated to about 800.degree. C., which supplies hydrogen and as a by-product ferric oxide. The initial source of energy is, besides solar energy, any known source of energy, such as coal situated at great depths. The starting aqueous substance is, apart from sea water, waste sludges, a rock salt solution or a mixture of sludges and salt solution. In the case of sludges, the by-product is a dry and sterilized fertilizer transformable into fuel bricks. The salt residue is transformable by electrolysis into hydrogen and sodium chlorate, which is a fuel. The sludge-salt residue supplies a combustible mixture.

Abstract: An air supply system for the catalyst regeneration zone of a fluidized catalytic cracking unit also supplies a pressurized air stream to the turbine of an electrical generating plant. The compressor which produces the pressurized air stream is driven by passing the flue gas of the regeneration zone through a power recovery expander. Preferably, the pressurized air stream is first heated by heat exchange against the turbine effluent and then admixed with hot gas from separate turbin-type gas generators prior to being passed into the turbine. This provides a very practical and relatively low-cost cogeneration process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for feedwater heating in an industrial steam turbine. Process steam for industrial purposes is extracted from at least one stage of a multistage turbine. An expansion of a portion of process steam is provided to decrease the steam pressure to a lower pressure level than that of the lowest process steam network. The further expanded steam is used for heating the feedwater which consists of recirculated condensate and makeup water. The portion of the process steam is preferably expanded in a further turbine stage connected downstream from the last turbine stage of the multistage turbine from which process steam is extracted. At least one further feedheater with lower pressure is also provided to receive the expanded portion of the steam.

Abstract: A power conversion system comprising a combination of a liquefied natural gas vaporizing plant and a fuel burning power generating facility is disclosed. The liquefied natural gas vaporizing plant utilizes the cryogenic capacity of the liquefied natural gas to produce liquid air which is pumped to a high pressure by a liquid air pump. The liquid air is then brought into a heat exchanging relationship with air drawn into the vaporizing plant so that the high pressure liquid air is converted to high pressure gaseous air. The high pressure gaseous air which represents recovered reversible energy of the liquefied natural gas is fed into a combustion chamber of the fuel burning power generating plant. Since the power generating facility requires no significant output of power to drive a compressor to compress ambient air prior to its entry into the combustion chamber, the power generating facility is operated at a high efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a back pressure turbine (2) for a district heating plant (15), in which a cut-off valve (22) is provided between the turbine (2) and the condenser (5). The valve makes it possible to use the turbine condenser for heating the water of the district heating system through direct supply of steam from the steam boiler (1) when the turbine is shut off.

Abstract: A power station includes a main pipe for a gas under pressure, a branch pipe connected to the main pipe to receive a flow of gas, an expansion machine connected to the branch pipe for conversion of pressure energy of the gas into usable energy, a heat pump including a compressor and a heat exchanger, the compressor being coupled for operation to the expansion machine, and the heat exchanger being disposed in the branch pipe for heating the gas therein, and an electrical power generator driven by the expansion machine.

Abstract: A method of obtaining work (e.g. electrical energy) in a counterpressure steam system in which the steam is expanded to produce work, e.g. drive an electrical current generator, in which the steam, prior to the expansion, is passed into isobaric heat exchange at an elevated pressure with expanded steam and is then heated substantially isobarically by externally supplied heat. After expansion and at a relatively low pressure, the steam is substantially isobarically cooled.

Abstract: Direct contact heat transfer process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines or other hot aqueous solutions of a non-volatile solute, or for desalination, using staged evaporator-condenser units operating with a low boiling water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbon. Each stage comprises a closed vessel divided into two compartments, an evaporator and a condenser, by a bubble cap tray similar in construction to those used in distillation. In one embodiment, hot geothermal brine or other hot aqueous liquid is introduced into the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the lower compartment of each stage, causing boiling of the hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbon vapors pass from the evaporator compartment through the bubble caps to the upper condenser compartment where they are condensed in contact with a cooler water stream. The heated water stream under substantial pressure is fed to an expander or turbine to produce work.

Abstract: A heat pumping process for the generation of industrially useful heat energy achieves an improved fuel effectiveness by feeding back to the process part of its otherwise output heat energy as an input to assist in compressing the process evaporized performing fluid. An equivalent amount of extraneous fuel otherwise required to carry out the mechanical work now done by the fed back energy is thus replaced.

Abstract: Set out herein is a fuel cell power plant for use with irrigation systems wherein the fuel cell is utilized to generate electric current to drive a pump motor. This pump motor drives a first water pump which receives water for distribution through a traveling irrigation system, the output of the first pump first conveyed into a condenser heat exchanger connected to a steam engine or turbine cycle. The fuel cell itself is contained within a boiler assembly and the heat of production of the electric power is used to generate steam which is sent to the steam engine. In the course of cooling the condenser gases of the steam engine the irrigating water is passed through a second pump driven by the steam engine and it is through this second pump that the pressure is raised sufficiently to allow for the necessary spraying fans.

Abstract: A heating system which uses bleed air to heat and recirculate cabin air for the passenger space of a vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for desalinating ocean waters by distillation and furnishing electrical power, utilizes an evaporator, barometric leg conduits, a closed condenser, ocean water circulating circuits for circulating warm surface water to the evaporator and cool ocean water to the condenser and using the mass flow of vapors evolved from the evaporator to drive a prime mover which in turn drives an electrical generator. A portion of the electrical power so-generated is used to control the operation of respective pumps and valves in the apparatus. The liquid level of the condensate water is controlled in a barometric leg condensate outlet conduit. The system is also provided with a vacuum pump at least for initiating a reduced pressure and particle separator channel means is provided to prevent liquid entrainment in the condenser.

Abstract: A liquid powered, closed loop power generating system which generates power substantially as a result of the flow of a pressurized liquid through its power generating means is disclosed. The liquid flows through the power generating means and into a dissolving means wherein it dissolves a pressurized gas to form a solution, thereby reducing the pressures of both gas and liquid. The solution is separated into gas and liquid whereby both are repressurized. The liquid then flows back to the power-generating means and the gas flows back to the dissolving means, whereby both materials are recycled. A process for generating power is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for at least partially recovering the exhaust heat of combustion operations in which hydrogen is used at least partially during the combustion, which is stored in the form of metal hydride in a metal storage device and is released therefrom by a supply of heat energy. Exhaust heat of the combustion is supplied to the metal hydride for the release of the hydrogen while the metal storage device freed at least to a large extent of the hydrogen is utilized as storage device of latently bound heat energy whose heat energy is utilized, such latently bound heat energy being released during the filling of the metal storage device with hydrogen into metal hydride.

Abstract: A flameless nitrogen liquid to gas converter for providing high pressure nitrogen as to treat oil and gas wells. A diesel engine prime mover drives hydraulic pumps and motors to pressurize nitrogen and actuate an air fan. Heat for converting the liquid nitrogen to gaseous nitrogen is obtained from the engine jacket water, the engine exhaust, and the hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pumps and motors. Additional heat can be obtained from the hydraulic oil system by increasing the hydraulic system pressure with a hydraulic pressure control valve. At least one of the hydraulic pumps and its driven hydraulic motor is in a hydraulic circuit which includes variable means for increasing the pressure in the hydraulic circuit, a hydraulic oil-air heat exchanger, and a hydraulic oil reservoir. Hydraulic fluid from the other pumps and motors is transmitted through the hydraulic oil-air heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system for recovering energy from a pressured reactor comprising a reactor, a reciprocating engine connected to the reactor to receive reaction effluent from said reactor thereby driving the pistons of the reciprocating engine by expansion of the effluent and recovery apparatus downstream of the engine for recovering products from the effluent.The expanding reactor effluent is used to drive the pistons which are especially valved in conjunction with the effluent inlet port in the cylinder to facilitate handling the effluents, the pistons in turn operate a crankshaft through a crosshead which may power compressors or operate a generator to produce electricity. It is reasonable to expect recovery in a directly usable form, such as electricity, of over 25% of the energy theoretically available in the pressured reactor effluent in some cases.

Abstract: A cost effective and environmentally acceptable method for removal of hydrogen sulfide from sour gas streams associated with source materials such as geothermal and petrochemical energy sources. The method comprises the steps of scrubbing inert, non-combustible components such as carbon dioxide from the sour gas, flowing the remaining combustible gas for further processing including compression, cryogenic liquifaction, and expansion to segregate hydrogen sulfide and gaseous components having a similar critical temperature from "clean" combustible gaseous components. The hydrogen sulfide and gaseous components of similar critical temperatures are then disposed of by ignition in a heat exchanger and fluidized bed scrub, converting hydrogen sulfide to sulfur dioxide which is scrubbed from the exhaust before release to the atmosphere. The clean combustible gaseous components are combusted and utilized to drive generators thereby providing a net energy output for the inventive abatement scheme.

Abstract: A method and closed system for high volume distillation of impure liquids comprises evaporating the impure liquid in an evaporator to form a vapor at a temperature above the freezing point and below the critical point, preferably the boiling point, of the liquid at ambient pressure and at a pressure not exceeding a pressure corresponding to the evaporation temperature under saturated conditions; compressing the vapor in compression means which preferably has a compression ratio variable in the range 1.

Abstract: The system described is useful in connection with a gas compressor that has a heat exchanger. Water conduits, a water pump and water control valve and cooler are connected in such a manner that the water circulated through the heat exchanger is directed to an energy consumption device wherein the heat is extracted to heat a room, office or the like. The control valve and cooler are arranged in the conduit so that the energy consumption device can be selectively bypassed by all or a portion of the water, depending on the heating demand.

Abstract: A composite energy producing gas turbine system which may readily provide pre-selected amounts of composite outputs including shaft energy, heat at pre-selected temperatures and additionally, if desired, cooling at pre-selected temperatures. The physical structure of the system includes one or more compressors, heaters, turbines and thermal heat exchangers.

Abstract: A chemical plant, wherein gaseous reactants are converted in an exothermic chemical reaction to a reaction product, is combined with a semi-closed Brayton-cycle power plant to utilize the heat of reaction to generate power. Specifically, in one embodiment, an ammonia synthesis plant, wherein gaseous nitrogen and hydrogen are catalytically converted to ammonia, is combined with a semi-closed Brayton-cycle power plant to utilize the heat of reaction of the ammonia synthesis reaction to generate power.

Abstract: At least one heat exchanger section including a conventional heat exchanger is disposed in a dual purpose steam turbine power plant to utilize steam extracted from the steam turbine to one section of the heat exchanger for the purposes of heating process fluid of an industrial process which is conducted through another section of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger section disclosed herein is comprised of apparatus for controlling the pressure of the extracted turbine steam conducted through the one section of the heat exchanger by regulating the temperature of the industrial fluid supplied to the other section of the heat exchanger. More specifically, the heat exchanger section includes at least one conduit path for returning heated process fluid from an output end to an input end of the heat exchanger section to mix with the process fluid supplied at the input end. A flow control valve is disposed in the conduit path for regulating the flow of returned fluid to the input end.

Abstract: Some power plants may produce both power and process steam as output products and may be referred to as cogeneration power plants. This type of power plant may include at least one extraction type steam turbine in order to conveniently output process steam. Sometimes the available power plant steam supply is insufficient to satisfy both load demand and process steam requirements whereupon it may be desirable to prefer load demand over process steam requirements. The present invention is a control system for electronically implementing that preference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating hot exhaust gas to purify the gas and to recover the heat values therein includes removing particulate matter from the gas, purifying the gas by subliming or "freezing out" harmful, less volatile components and discharging the more volatile components as purified gas. The sublimed or "frozen out" components are collected and neutralized or utilized. The heat values may be recovered prior or subsequent to purifying, such as by spraying a power fluid into the gas to cool and increase the volume of the gas and then expanding the gas in an expansion turbine to further cool the gas and to produce shaft work. Alternatively, the heat values may be recovered from purified, hot gas by transferring the heat energy of the gas to a power fluid which operates in a Rankine cycle external combustion engine to do shaft work.

Abstract: A calcium carbide based power system for stationary and mobile power plants. The carbide is reacted with water to create heat and acetylene, with the acetylene then being burned to heat a boiler for providing steam to a steam turbine. The exhaust of the turbine is condensed and pumped back into the boiler, first being pre-heated by a heat exchanger in the carbide-water reactor to pre-heat the boiler makeup water (steam) and to cool the reactor. The system may limit the excess water required for the carbide-water reactor, and provides recovery of the heat given off in the generation of the acetylene for maximum system efficiency. Other, alternate embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel-efficient method and apparatus for the generation, actually re-generation, of ejecting steam used in a steam ejection system to evacuate process vapor from an enclosed space. In the method, all of the ejecting steam is not generated continuously in a boiler, but a predetermined quantity of steam is reused by continuous mechanical recompression, without intervening condensation, in a returning cycle while alternating between a pressure low after ejection (i.e. expansion) and a pressure high after recompression, whereas the evacuated vapor is branched off from the ejecting steam cycle after ejection and condensed. Parts of the condensate are reconverted to additional steam by heat exchange with all or part of the superheat and friction heat contained in the recompressed ejecting steam and/or by heat exchange with the exhaust and cooling system of a heat engine serving as a prime mover for the compressor.

Abstract: An energy recovery system for use in conjunction with a fermenter operating with an overpressure preferably of 5 to 10 bars gauge. Gas under pressure leaving the fermenter passes to a gas expander and the power produced by the expander is used to drive the compressor which supplies gas under pressure to the fermenter. The combination of the energy recovery system with a fermenter provides an efficient means for operating a process for the production of single cell protein.

Abstract: Liquid natural gases are vaporized by directing them into heat exchange relationship with waste heat produced from a thermal power engine. In a closed turbine cycle system, vapor which is discharged from the turbine is passed through one or more heat exchangers and the natural gas is moved through the heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the vapor to effectively cool the vapor as well as to evaporate the natural gases which are supplied in a liquid form, for example.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a solar still and a wind powered generator. Sea water is preheated in a condenser and is supplied to the still where it is heated further either by solar radiation, or by a heated pipe containing brine, or both. The still supplies warm humid air and vapor to the condenser to provide a distilled water condensate, which condensate is supplemented by water collected from the sloping parts of the still roof. The brine in the heated pipe in the still is supplied from a brine pit which is heated by electrodes connected to the wind powered generator. The generator also charges batteries and supplies electrical power to brine pumps and to a ventilator in the still.

Abstract: Steam is produced from aqueous brine, by a process that employs hot fluid, nozzle means and rotary separator means. Process steps include:(a) transferring heat from said hot fluid to said brine,(b) passing the heated brine in pressurized state to the nozzle means for flow therethrough, and expanding the flow therein thereby to form steam and liquid droplets, and(c) causing said expanded flow to rotate the rotary separator means for forming a layer of said brine on the separator means and accompanied by steam separation and for subsequent removal.The liquid from the rotating layer and/or the separated steam may be used to drive turbine means; the hot fluid may comprise combustion products from a combustion source; and several stages of separators may be employed.

Abstract: A power plant for connection to a main pipe conveying a pressure medium such as natural gas, includes a branch pipe connected to the main pipe, an energy conversion device such as a turbine or a piston pump connected to receive pressure medium from the branch pipe and operable to convert pressure energy of the medium into usable energy, and an intermediate buffer reservoir connected to receive pressure medium from the conversion device and supplying the pressure medium from the reservoir to a load which consumes pressure medium.

Abstract: A heating and cooling system comprises a first reservoir containing liquid at an elevated temperature, solar collecting means exposed to solar radiation for collecting solar energy and means disposed in thermal exchange relationship with said first reservoir for transmitting heat energy from said solar collecting means to said first reservoir, a second reservoir containing a liquid disposed in thermal exchange relationship with a portion of the earth, means for blending liquids derived respectively from thermal exchange relationship with said first and second reservoirs, a heat engine having first and second refrigerant coils, one of said refrigerant coils disposed in thermal exchange relationship with an atmosphere to be heated or cooled, and valve means responsive to the refrigerant pressure in said other coil for delivering blended liquor from said blending valve to thermal exchange relationship with said other refrigerant coil, whereby heat energy to be extracted from or delivered to said other refrigeran

Abstract: An energy cogeneration system of the type employed in industrial plants, such as paper mills, is described. The system utilizes the energy of steam to generate electricity, as well as to operate various industrial processes in the plant. The requirements of the processes for steam are continuously monitored, and if the requirements at any given time are significantly less than the steam being delivered thereto, the delivered steam pressure and/or temperature is reduced to make more steam energy available for other purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering heat from the exhaust gases of marine prime movers of the kind including an exhaust gas economizer for effecting heat exchange between the exhaust gas discharged from the prime mover and feed water supplied under pressure from a feed water tank.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously freezing and melting a fluid mixture, for use in separating a fluid mixture into dilute and concentrated components which have been made separble due to the freezing. A turbine is used to produce mechanical energy to drive a refrigeration compressor, while exhaust heat from the turbine is used for secondary cooling. Heat from a refrigeration condenser is used to melt the liquid frozen by a refrigerant evaporator. The evaporator and condenser may comprise a plurality of plates or may comprise a bubbler for bubbling refrigerant directly into contact with the fluid mixture.

Abstract: The system utilizes a heat engine which provides shaft power and heat such as a conventional diesel engine in which part of the shaft power drives a pump for fluid to be heated; for example, a cryogenic liquid. The engine heat is used to heat and/or vaporize the cryogenic liquid in a heat exchanger. The heat available from the engine for transfer to the liquid to be vaporized is proportional to the power level of the engine. The heat required to heat the fluid to a desired temperature is proportional to the flow rate of the cryogenic liquid.By providing a loading on the engine which is proportional to the fluid flow rate, a sufficient amount of heat is provided to effect complete vaporization of the liquid, the amount of heat being directly proportional to the flow rate of the liquid. An engine radiator is provided to get rid of excess heat so that the heat supplied equals the heat required.

Abstract: A method and closed system for high volume distillation of impure liquids comprises evaporating the impure liquid in an evaporator to form a vapor at a temperature above the freezing point and below the critical point, preferably the boiling point, of the liquid at ambient pressure and at a pressure not exceeding a pressure corresponding to the evaporation temperature under saturated conditions; compressing the vapor in compression means which preferably has a compression ratio variable in the range 1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high volume distillation of impure liquid comprises evaporating the impure liquid in an evaporator to form a vapor at a temperature above the freezing point and below the boiling point of said liquid at atmospheric pressure and at a pressure not exceeding a pressure corresponding to the evaporation temperature under saturated conditions; compressing the vapor; passing a portion of the compressed vapor through an expansion engine to do work upon and motivate the engine and to produce shaft energy, whereby the vapor expands and cools; bypassing the expansion engine with the remainder of the compressed vapor and admixing the remainder directly with the expanded vapor from the expansion engine in a mixing chamber; adding work to the expansion engine to supplement the work done by the vapor expanding therethrough to make up for work lost when the remainder of the compressed vapor bypassed the expansion engine and for other work lost; cooling the admixed vapor in heat transfer relation wi

Abstract: Sensible heat in the hot effluent gas stream leaving a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of gaseous mixtures comprising H.sub.2 +CO i.e. synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas, is used at maximum temperature to heat a stream of gaseous heat transfer fluid comprising a portion of the product gas circulating in the substantially closed loop. The heat transfer fluid serves as the working fluid in a turbine that produces mechanical work, electrical energy, or both. Further, the heat transfer fluid leaving the turbine may be used to preheat hydrocarbonaceous feed and free-oxygen containing gas which is then introduced into the gas generator. Optionally, by-product superheated steam may be produced at high temperature levels for use in the gas generator and as the working fluid in an expansion turbine. The high steam superheat temperatures result in higher conversion efficiencies.