Abstract: The invention relates to a method for converting thermal energy into mechanical work, which comprises imparting thermal energy to a working fluid in a tank. The working fluid in the vapor phase is fed into a device for converting energy into mechanical work. The vaporous working fluid is condensed and cyclically returned in the liquid phase to the tank. A catalytic additive in the form of a catalytic substance or a catalytic mixture of substances in an amount of 0.0000001 to 0.1 wt. % is introduced into the working fluid before or after starting the heating. The additive is a solid, its solution or suspension, or a liquid or its emulsion. The catalytic substance and the ratio of components of the mixture are chosen to prevent or promote decomposition of the substance or the mixture under the effect of high temperature and pressure according to current needs. The method enhances the efficiency of the process and expands its operational capabilities.

Abstract: An example power generation system includes a vapor generator, a turbine, a separator and a pump. In the separator, the multiple components of the working fluid are separated from each other and sent to separate condensers. Each of the separate condensers is configured for condensing a single component of the working fluid. Once each of the components condense back into a liquid form they are recombined and exhausted to a pump that in turn drives the working fluid back to the vapor generator.

Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing a thermodynamic cycle using heat source streams having initial temperatures between about 200° F. and about 500° F. and coolant stream having relatively high temperatures greater than or equal to about 80° F., where the methods and systems have overall energy extraction efficiencies that are at least 40% higher than a corresponding Rankine cycle.

Abstract: A thermal power plant is described comprising a solar collector field and a heat storage to allow the use of the thermal energy collected by the solar field with a time delay for the production of electricity in the steam power plant.

Abstract: A optimized organic thermodynamic cycle system and method include temperature sensors measuring an initial temperature of a coolant medium and a final temperature of a heat source stream to computer control valves to continuously adjust a pressure and a flow rate of a working fluid stream to be vaporized so that a heat utilization of the system is about 99% increasing output by approximately 3% to 6% on a sustained and permanent yearly basis.

Abstract: A method of converting thermal energy into mechanical work that uses a semi-permeable membrane to convert osmotic pressure into electrical power. A closed cycle pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) process known as an osmotic heat engine (OHE) uses a concentrated ammonia-carbon dioxide draw solution to create high osmotic pressures which generate water flux through a semi-permeable membrane against a hydraulic pressure gradient. The depressurization of the increased draw solution volume in a turbine produces electrical power. The process is maintained in steady state operation through the separation of the diluted draw solution into a re-concentrated draw solution and deionized water working fluid, both for reuse in the osmotic heat engine.

Abstract: A Kalina Cycle control system monitors one or more operating parameters of the Kalina Cycle. The system calculates one or more optimal operating parameters that allow the Kalina Cycle to operate at an increased efficiency. The system automatically adjusts the one or more actual operating parameters to the optimal parameters to increase the efficiency of the Kalina Cycle. Methods of increasing the efficiency of a Kalina Cycle include automatically adjusting one or more operating parameters to an optimal configuration.

Abstract: Systems for recovering heat from a biomass gasifier are provided. One gasification system includes a gasifier having an inlet section configured to receive a biomass feedstock and air, and a reactor section configured to gasify a mixture of the biomass feedstock and the air to generate a producer gas. The gasifier also has an outlet section configured to output the producer gas from the reactor section. The gasification system also includes a heat exchanger system coupled to the gasifier. The heat exchanger system is configured to recover heat from the gasifier by transferring heat to a fluid to create a heated fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for disposing of salt byproduct from a zero liquid operation, such as a zero liquid discharge desalination plant. The present method and apparatus concern a power generation plant, comprising a salinity gradient power unit (SGPU) comprising a high salinity feed, a low salinity feed, and a mixed water output. The high salinity feed is comprised of salt byproduct from a ZLD operation. The mixed water output empties into a body of water.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems and methods for converting heat from external heat source streams or from solar energy derived from a solar collector subsystem. The systems and methods comprise a thermodynamic cycle including three internal subcycles. Two of the subcycles combine to power a higher pressures turbine and third or main cycle powers a lower pressure turbine. One of the cycles increases the flow rate of a richer working solution stream powering the lower pressure turbine. Another one of the cycles is a leaner working solution cycle, which provides increased flow rate for leaner working solution stream going into the higher pressure turbine.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a calculation method of moisture loss in a steam turbine calculates first a wetness fraction at the inlet and outlet of each of stationary blade cascades and rotor blade cascades. Subsequently, the moisture loss is classified into (1) supersaturation loss, (2) condensation loss, (3) acceleration loss, (4) braking loss, (5) capture loss and (6) pumping loss, and a loss for calculation of the moisture loss is selected from the above losses (1) to (6) according to the wetness fraction of steam at the inlet and outlet of each blade cascade. An amount of each selected loss is calculated, and an amount of moisture loss at each blade cascade is calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating power which includes a phase-change media (PCM) that expands upon cooling contained within an expandable capsule if the phase change involves solidification (if phase change is solid-solid, then capsules are not needed), a carrier liquid that does not freeze in the operating temperature range, a heat exchanger, and an engine. Alternatively, the method and apparatus can include a PCM contained within a layer next to the walls of a constant volume container, a working liquid within the container that does not freeze in the operating temperature range, a heat exchanger, and an engine. In both cases, the engine denotes a device that converts the energy in the high-pressure liquid into electrical or mechanical power.

Abstract: A method for generating energy from low-density fluids is provided. The method includes placing a first object in a first portion of fluid having a first density, injecting low-density fluids into the first portion of fluid in order to reduce the density thereof to a second density less than the density of the first object and thereby induce buoyancy-dependent translation of the first object in response thereto, and generating energy based upon buoyancy-dependent translation of the first object. Related apparatuses and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat engine system configured to extract thermal energy from a heat source, convert a first portion of the thermal energy to work using an expansion device, and reject a second portion of the thermal energy to a heat sink. The system utilizes a second fluid to inhibit a temperature drop of the first fluid within the expansion device.

Abstract: A flow of first working fluid (F1) is provided to a boiler (203) to produce (104) a flow of first working fluid vapor. A second working fluid (F2) in vaporous form is compressed (106), after which a third working fluid is formed by mixing (108) the first working fluid vapor and the second working fluid. Thermal energy is transferred (110) directly between the first and second working fluids in a mixing chamber (206) exclusive of any intervening structure. The third working fluid is expanded (112) to perform work, after which the first working fluid is extracted (114) as condensate, leaving a residual portion of the third working fluid. The cycle is repeated (116, 118, 120) using the condensate as the first working fluid and the residual portion as a constituent of the second working fluid.

Abstract: Various thermodynamic power-generating cycles are disclosed. A turbopump arranged in the cycles is started and ramped-up using a starter pump arranged in parallel with the main pump of the turbopump. Once the turbopump is able to self-sustain, a series of valves may be manipulated to deactivate the starter pump and direct additional working fluid to a power turbine for generating electrical power.

Abstract: A new method, system and apparatus for power system utilizing flue gas streams and a multi-component working fluid is disclosed including a heat recovery vapor generator (HRVG) subsystem, a multi-stage energy conversion or turbine subsystem and a condensation thermal compression subsystem (CTCSS), where the CTCSS receives a single stream from the turbine subsystem and produces at least one fully condensed stream.

Abstract: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems and methods utilizing the systems are disclosed for producing a useable form of energy utilizing warm surface seawater and cold seawater from depths up to 2 miles below the surface and utilizing a multi-component working fluid. The systems and methods are designed to maximize energy conversion per unit of cold seawater, the limited resource, achieving relative net outputs compared to a Rankine cycle using a single component fluid by at least 20% and even as high as about 55%.

Abstract: A method for reducing NOx and recovering waste heat from a stream of exhaust gas from a fossil fuel fired turbine includes contacting the stream of exhaust gas between an economizer and an evaporator with ozone gas to convert the NO to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) thereby forming a stream of exhaust gas comprising NO2 and residual NO. The method further includes, contacting the stream of exhaust gas comprising NO2 and residual NO with water mist to create an exhaust stream comprising nitric acid (HNO3) and residual NO. The method further includes cooling the stream of exhaust gas comprising HNO3 and residual NO, collecting a first residual water film on a first condensing medium to capture the HNO3 and removing the first water film and HNO3.

Abstract: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems and methods utilizing the systems are disclosed for producing a useable form of energy utilizing warm surface seawater and cold seawater from depths up to 2 miles below the surface and utilizing a multi-component working fluid. The systems and methods are designed to maximize energy conversion per unit of cold seawater, the limited resource, achieving relative net outputs compared to a Rankine cycle using a single component fluid by at least 20% and even as high as about 55%.

Abstract: Simple thermodynamic cycles, methods and apparatus for implementing the cycles are disclosed, where the method and system involve once or twice enriching an upcoming basic solution stream, where the systems and methods utilize relatively low temperature external heat source streams, especially low temperature geothermal sources.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose systems and methods for the efficient conversion of solar energy into a useable form of energy using a solar collector subsystem and a heat conversion subsystem. The systems and methods transfer solar energy directly to an intermediate solution and a working solution and indirectly to and between a basic rich solution, a condensing solution, a lean solution and a rich vapor solution. The systems and methods also include condensing the basic rich solution using an external coolant. The systems and methods support a closed thermodynamic cycle.

Abstract: An example power generation system includes a vapor generator, a turbine, a separator and a pump. In the separator, the multiple components of the working fluid are separated from each other and sent to separate condensers. Each of the separate condensers is configured for condensing a single component of the working fluid. Once each of the components condense back into a liquid form they are recombined and exhausted to a pump that in turn drives the working fluid back to the vapor generator.

Abstract: A vapor power cycle apparatus that mixes part of high-temperature liquid-phase working fluid separated from a liquid-phase portion in a gas/liquid separator with high-temperature gas-phase working fluid extracted from a expander and allows the fluid to exchange heat with low-temperature liquid-phase working fluid from a condenser so as to efficiently recover the heat of working fluid and improve thermal efficiency of the entire cycle. The part of high-temperature liquid-phase working fluid separated from the liquid-phase portion in the gas/liquid separator is extracted, the resultant fluid is mixed in a second absorber with high-temperature gas-phase working fluid extracted from an interstage point in the expander to allow liquid-phase working fluid to absorb part of gas-phase working fluid and the high-temperature working fluid is used to heat low-temperature liquid-phase working fluid in a first heater without passing an extracted portion of high-temperature liquid-phase working fluid through a condenser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for heating and cooling a working fluid (2) using at least one thermochemical heat accumulator medium (3), wherein the working fluid (2) is guided through at least one thermochemical heat accumulator (6) comprising the heat accumulator medium (3), wherein the working fluid (2) is guided without contact to the heat accumulator medium (3), wherein upon charging of the heat accumulator medium (3) a heat flow (Q) is transferred from the working fluid (2) to the heat accumulator medium (3) and at least one substance (15) is released from the heat accumulator medium (3) and discharged from the heat accumulator (6), and wherein upon discharging of the heat accumulator medium (3) the substance (15) is fed with release of heat to the heat accumulator medium (3) or at least to a reaction product of the heat accumulator medium (3) that was produced during charging of the heat accumulator medium (3), and a heat flow (Q) is transferred to the working fluid (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a working fluid for a steam circuit process carried out in a device comprising a steam generator, an expander, a condenser, and a reservoir for the working fluid, comprising a working medium that evaporates by the addition of heat in a steam generator, performs mechanical work by expanding in the expander during the steam phase, and condenses in the condenser; an ionic fluid serving as an antifreeze component and having a melting point in the reservoir below the freezing point of the working medium, wherein the decomposition temperature of the ionic fluid is above the evaporating temperature of the working medium in the steam generator.

Abstract: An engine is described that derives its propulsive energy from the flash expansion of liquid nitrogen from a liquid form to a gaseous form. The gaseous nitrogen is forced to escape from the rear of a casing of the engine, thereby providing a propulsive force to the casing. The escaping gaseous nitrogen, mixed with air, is harnessed to rotate a first fan that in turn rotates a second fan that draws air into the front of the engine. The warmer air flowing through the engine is utilized to regulate the temperature of the engine, and to facilitate the evaporation of the nitrogen propellant, thereby creating a steady state condition that may last as long as the supply of liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: Power generation systems and methods are disclosed for use with medium to high temperature heat source stream, gaseous or liquid, where the systems and methods permit efficient energy extraction for medium and small scale power plants.

Abstract: The inventive method for converting thermal energy into electricity, high-potential heat and cold consists in evaporating a coolant from a strong solution at a high temperature and pressure in a boiler in such a way that a superheated vapor and a weak solution thereof are formed, in reducing the temperature and pressure of the coolant and solution associated with the interaction thereof with external consumers (sources) of energy, in absorbing the low-temperature coolant in the weak solution in an absorber, in subsequently compressing the strong solution, which is formed during the absorption, by a pump, in heating said solution in a regenerator and in supplying it to evaporation. Prior to absorption, the weak solution is overcooled in a cooler using low-temperature energy sources. A turbine with a generator or a condenser, a control valve and an evaporator are used as a unit for interacting the coolant with energy consumers.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for the combined production of power and heat from an external heat source stream, where the system utilizes four basic stream of different compositions to co-generate power and to heat an external heat absorber stream from an external heat source stream.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a system that may recirculate a portion of the exhaust of at least one turbomachine where it may be mixed with the inlet air and re-enter the turbomachine without affecting reliability and availability of the unit. An embodiment of the present invention provides an inlet system for an exhaust gas recirculation system. This inlet system may take a variety of forms and may optimize the direction that the portion of the recirculated exhaust stream flows within the inlet system.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a system that may recirculate a portion of the exhaust of at least one turbomachine where it may be mixed with the inlet air and re-enter the turbomachine without affecting reliability and availability of the unit. An embodiment of the present invention provides an inlet system for an exhaust gas recirculation system. This inlet system may take a variety of forms and may optimize the direction that the portion of the recirculated exhaust stream flows within the inlet system.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a system that may recirculate a portion of the exhaust of at least one turbomachine where it may be mixed with the inlet air and re-enter the turbomachine without affecting reliability and availability of the unit. An embodiment of the present invention provides an inlet system for an exhaust gas recirculation system. This inlet system may take a variety of forms and may optimize the direction that the portion of the recirculated exhaust stream flows within the inlet system.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a system that may recirculate a portion of the exhaust of at least one turbomachine where it may be mixed with the inlet air and re-enter the turbomachine without affecting reliability and availability of the unit. An embodiment of the present invention provides an inlet system for an exhaust gas recirculation system. This inlet system may take a variety of forms and may optimize the direction that the portion of the recirculated exhaust stream flows within the inlet system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a turbine seal system. The turbine seal system captures working fluid which is escaping from a closed loop thermodynamic cycle system, condenses the captured working fluid, and returns the condensate back to the thermodynamic cycle system. The turbine seal system is configured to apply nitrogen, or other non-condensable, or other material, to capture or mix with the escaping working fluid. The combined mixture of working fluid which escapes the turbine and the nitrogen utilized to capture the working fluid is evacuated by an exhaust compressor which maintains a desired vacuum in a gland seal compartment of the turbine seal. The combined mixture can then be sent to a condenser to condense the working fluid vapor and evacuate the non-condensables, forming a working stream. Once the non-condensables have been evacuated, the working stream is pumped to a higher pressure, and prepared to be re-introduced into the thermodynamic cycle system.

Abstract: A mixing device for incorporating a light gas at low pressure into a working fluid at a very high pressure includes a mixing section in the form of a truncated conical section between the an inlet and an outlet, a plurality of inlets for the light gas into the mixing section, and a plurality of passages through the truncated conical section into a cylindrical section leading to the outlet.

Abstract: In various embodiments, foam is compressed to store energy and/or expanded to recover energy.

Abstract: A method (400, 1100) and apparatus (500, 1200) for producing work from heat includes a boiler (510) which is configured for heating a pressurized flow of a first working fluid (F1) to form of a first vapor. A compressor (502) compresses a second working fluid (F2) in the form of a second vapor. A mixing chamber (504) receives the first and second vapor and transfers thermal energy directly from the first vapor to the second vapor. The thermal energy that is transferred from the first vapor to the second vapor will generally include at least a portion of a latent heat of vaporization of the first working fluid. An expander (506) is arranged to expand a mixture of the first and second vapor received from the mixing chamber, thereby performing useful work after or during the transferring operation. The process is closed and enables recirculation and therefore recycling of thermal energy that is normally unused in conventional cycle approaches.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, to reduce the complexity of a cycle process, a liquid working medium flow (13) is brought up to an increased pressure and through part condensation of an expanded working medium flow (12) a first partly vaporized working medium flow (15) is created. Through further vaporization of the first partly vaporized working medium flow (15) with heat which is transferred from an external heat source (20), a second at least partly vaporized working medium flow (18) is created. In this second at least partly vaporized working medium flow (18) the vapor phase (10) is separated from the liquid phase (10), subsequently the energy of the vapor phase (10) is converted into a usable form and an expanded vapor phase (11) created. The expanded vapor phase (11) is mixed with the liquid phase (19) and the expanded working medium flow (12) is formed.

Abstract: A power plant is provided including a steam power plant and/or a combined cycle power plant. A water steam cycle of the plant includes two steam turbine arrangements; the first turbine arrangement includes steam turbines with at least two pressure levels and a second turbine arrangement having at least one back pressure turbine configured to expand steam to the supply pressure of a CO2 capture system. A method for operating the plant includes operating the first steam turbine arrangement to produce power during all steady state operating points of the steam cycle and at least a part of the second steam turbine arrangement is bypassed to the system and/or is operated to produce power and to release low-pressure steam to the system when the system is in operation. Both steam turbine arrangements are operated using all available steam to produce power when the system is not in operation.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for generating electricity from renewable geothermal, wind, and solar energy sources includes a heat balancer for supplementing and regulating the heat energy fed to a turbine generator; a hydrogen-fired boiler for supplying supplementary heat; and an injection manifold for metering controlled amounts of superheated combustible gas into the working fluids to optimize efficiency. Wind or solar power may be converted to hydrogen in an electrolysis unit to produce hydrogen. A phase separator unit that operates by cavitation of the geothermal fluids removes gases from the source fluid. A pollution prevention trap may be used to remove solids and other unneeded constituents of the geothermal fluids to be stored or processed in a solution mining unit for reuse or sale. Spent geothermal and working fluids may be processed and injected into the geothermal strata to aid in maintaining its temperature or in solution mining of elements in the lithosphere.

Abstract: A method of reducing the concentration of pollutants in a combustion flue gas having a first temperature is provided. The method includes the step of providing an organic Rankine cycle apparatus utilizing a working fluid and including at least one heat exchanger is arranged in thermal communication with the flue gas. The method further includes the step of reducing the temperature of the flue gas to a second temperature less than the first temperature by vaporizing the working fluid within the heat exchanger utilizing thermal energy derived from the flue gas. The method further includes the step of filtering the flue gas through at least one filter disposed downstream of the heat exchanger to remove pollutants from the flue gas. An associated system configured to reduce the concentration of pollutants in the combustion flue gas is also provided.

Abstract: A start-up system mixing element including; a body defining a cavity, a first inlet port disposed in the body and configured to provide a first fluid to the cavity, a second inlet port disposed in the body and configured to provide a second fluid to the cavity, an outlet port disposed in the body and configured to remove the first and second fluids from the cavity and an internal distribution pipe disposed in the first inlet port, wherein the internal distribution pipe is configured to provide the first fluid to the cavity via a plurality of holes directed toward a center of the cavity.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating and distributing electricity via an electrical grid, wherein a fossil fuel plant and a renewable energy electricity generating station are interconnected with the electrical grid and are both operable to generate electricity output. The electricity output is directed from both the fossil fuel plant and the renewable energy electricity generating station to the electrical grid for distribution. Then, at the fossil fuel plant, at least a portion of the electricity output is directed to within the plant and utilized in generating hydrogen. The method provides further a reacting step wherein the generated hydrogen reacts with carbon dioxide to produce methane. Continued operation of the fossil fuel plant is conducted utilizing the produced methane as fuel, to generate electricity output, and also, capturing carbon dioxide exhaust and utilizing it in the reacting step.

Abstract: An energy storage system is provided which includes an electrolyser a hydrogen gas storage and a power plant. The electrolyser is connected to the hydrogen gas storage and the hydrogen gas storage is connected to the power plant. Furthermore, a method for storing and supplying energy is provided which includes delivering electrical energy to an electrolyser; decomposing water into oxygen and hydrogen gas by means of the electrolyser; storing the hydrogen gas; supplying the stored hydrogen gas to a power plant; and producing electrical energy via of the power plant.

Abstract: A method for converting heat energy into mechanical, electrical and/or thermal energy, includes two circuits which are connected one common subsection. The first circuit has an expansion apparatus, and the common subsection is connected to the first and second circuit via a jet compressor. A working medium is routed in the first circuit and a propellant is routed in the second circuit and a mixture of working medium and propellant is routed in the common subsection. The mixture is separated into a working medium stream and a propellant stream in a separation apparatus. The working medium is recirculated into the first circuit and is supplied to an evaporator unit. The evaporated working medium is supplied to the expansion apparatus and subsequently to the jet compressor. The separated propellant is recirculated into the second circuit and is supplied to a collector and is then supplied to the jet compressor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for converting waste heat from cement plant into a usable form of energy are disclosed. The methods and systems make use of two heat source streams from the cement plant, a hot air stream and a flue gas stream, to fully vaporize and superheat a working fluid stream, which is then used to convert a portion of its heat to a usable form of energy. The methods and systems utilize sequential heat exchanges stages to heat the working fluid stream, first with the hot air stream or from a first heat transfer fluid stream heated by the hot air stream and second with the flue gas stream from a second heat transfer fluid stream heated by the hot air stream.

Abstract: A new method, system and apparatus for power system utilizing flue gas streams and a multi-component working fluid is disclosed including a heat recovery vapor generator (HRVG) subsystem, a multi-stage energy conversion or turbine subsystem and a condensation thermal compression subsystem (CTCSS), where the CTCSS receives a single stream from the turbine subsystem and produces at least one fully condensed stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for the production of hydrogen and the use of high-temperature heat sources in energy conversion. In one embodiment, a primary loop may include a nuclear reactor utilizing a molten salt or helium as a coolant. The nuclear reactor may provide heat energy to a power generation loop for production of electrical energy. For example, a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid may be heated by the nuclear reactor via the molten salt and then expanded in a turbine to drive a generator. An intermediate heat exchange loop may also be thermally coupled with the primary loop and provide heat energy to one or more hydrogen production facilities. A portion of the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production facility may be diverted to a combustor to elevate the temperature of water being split into hydrogen and oxygen by the hydrogen production facility.

Abstract: A method and system for generating power in a vaporization of liquid natural gas process, the method comprising pressurizing a working fluid; heating and vaporizing the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in one or more expanders for the generation of power, the working fluid comprises: 2-11 mol % nitrogen, methane, a third component whose boiling point is greater than or equal to that of propane, and a fourth component comprising ethane or ethylene; cooling the working fluid such that the working fluid is at least substantially condensed; and recycling the working fluid, wherein the cooling of the working fluid occurs through indirect heat exchange with a pressurized liquefied natural gas stream in a heat exchanger, and wherein the flow rate of the working fluid at an inlet of the heat exchanger is equal to the flow rate of the working fluid at an outlet of the heat exchanger.