Abstract: The present invention provides a power and regasification system based on liquefied natural gas (LNG), comprising a vaporizer by which liquid working fluid is vaporized, said liquid working fluid being LNG or a working fluid liquefied by means of LNG; a turbine for expanding the vaporized working fluid and producing power; heat exchanger means to which expanded working fluid vapor is supplied, said heat exchanger means also being supplied with LNG for receiving heat from said expanded fluid vapor, whereby the temperature of the LNG increases as it flows through the heat exchanger means; a conduit through which said working fluid is circulated from at least the inlet of said vaporizer to the outlet of said heat exchanger means; and a line for transmitting regasified LNG.

Abstract: A high efficiency vapor (steam) engine/pump process in a closed system can use either water or liquefied gases for its working fluid to extract thermal energy from the ambient or non-ambient heat sources to increase its heat transfer rate and obtain power generation efficiency over 50%. A slow-speed two-phase piston engine's flywheel has a high ratio gear reducer attached to increase a generator's speed and produce power with over 50% efficiency and meet its power generation requirements (3,600 RPM). This two-phase engine/pump substitutes the cooling condenser's position, compresses the waste streams directly back into the boiler, and allows the process to run at temperatures lower than room temperature, with no need for a conventional cooling condenser. The present process will not discharge thermal pollution and/or radioactive/hazardous wastes into the heat sink and to the global environment, which is highly recommended for new nuclear steam engine modifications.

Abstract: This invention discloses systems and methods for conversion of high moisture waste materials to dry or low moisture products for recycle or reuse. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel and wherein the processing unit forms the dried material from the dryer vessel into granules, pellets or other desired form for the final product. Optionally, the systems and methods further provide for processing ventilation air from manufacturing facilities to reduce emissions therefrom.

Abstract: A cascade power system and a method are disclosed for using a high temperature flue gas stream to directly or indirectly vaporize a lean and rich stream derived from an incoming, multi-component, working fluid stream, extract energy from these streams, condensing a spent stream and repeating the vaporization, extraction and condensation cycle.

Abstract: A substance is added to cold ocean water in a cold water pipe of an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system. The substance raises the freezing point of the ocean water in a cold water heat exchanger of the OTEC system, thereby forming an ice slurry. The substance is added at the depth of the apparatus. The ice slurry is transported from the point of addition in the cold water pipe to the cold water heat exchanger at the surface.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed to increase the efficient of internal combustion engines where the system and method converts a portion of thermal energy produced in the combustion process to a usable form of energy. If the engines are used in power generation, then the system and method increases the power output of the engine significantly. If the engines are used in traditional mechanical operations such as ships, then the system and method operates to increase mechanical power output or to increase co-produced electrical energy output.

Abstract: A cascade power system and a method are disclosed for using a high temperature flue gas stream to directly or indirectly vaporize a lean and rich stream derived from an incoming, multi-component, working fluid stream, extract energy from these streams, condensing a spent stream and repeating the vaporization, extraction and condensation cycle.

Abstract: A complex fluid machine (100) comprises a compressor device (110) for a refrigerating cycle (20) and an expansion device (120) for Rankine cycle (30) to collect waste heat from an engine (10) and convert into a rotational force, wherein the compressor device (110) and the expansion device (120) are arranged in a fluid machine housing (111, 101c, 121), but those devices (110, 120) are operatively independent from each other. The compressor and expansion devices (110, 120) are formed as scroll type devices, and each of the fixed scroll wraps (112b, 122b) are formed at a common base plate (101) and extend in opposite directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for converting heat energy to mechanical energy by expanding an evaporated working fluid with an expansion device (2) connected to an evaporator (6). It is provided according to the present invention that the expansion is carried out in a low-pressure expansion device and the energy contained in the expanded evaporated working fluid can be recycled into the evaporator (6) and utilized for evaporating additional working fluid.

Abstract: A Power Chamber that effectively and rapidly mixes within itself the heated air and combustion products from burning of a heat producing fuel with the injected and atomized spray of a “liquid cryogenic fuel”. This regulated and efficiently balanced mixing causes rapid expansion of the cryogenic fluid within the Power Chamber which creates rapid pressure build-up. The excess pressure that is built-up over the threshold point of the minimum operating pressure within the power chamber is channeled, via the mechanism of a door or a gate or a valve, through the Pressure Delivery Channel and made available for use to create motive power or some other kind of useful work.

Abstract: This invention provides means for producing power by using isothermal compressors and isothermal expanders. One embodiment has an isothermal compressor that compresses air (or other gas), passes the air through a counter-flow heat exchanger, which heats the air, uses the heated air to drive an isothermal expander for power generation, and transfers the expander exhaust back through the counter-flow heat exchanger to heat the input air to the expander. Another embodiment has a boiler that produces vapor that flows through a counter-flow heat exchanger to superheat the vapor. The vapor then flows through an isothermal expander for power generation. The exhaust from the isothermal expander flows back through the counter-flow heat exchanger to supply heat to the vapor coming from the boiler and then flows through another heat exchanger that preheats the feed liquid flowing to the boiler.

Abstract: A process for recovering waste heat which comprises: (a) passing a liquid phase working fluid through a heat exchanger in communication with a process which produces the waste heat; (b) removing a vapor phase working fluid from the heat exchanger; (c) passing the vapor phase working fluid to an expander, wherein the waste heat is converted into mechanical energy; and (d) passing the vapor phase working fluid from the expander to a condenser, wherein the vapor phase working fluid is condensed to the liquid phase working fluid. The preferred working fluid is an organic Rankine cycle system working fluid comprising compounds having the following general structure: where x, y, z, and m are each selected from the group consisting of: fluorine, hydrogen, Rf, and R, wherein R and Rf are each an alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and wherein Rf is partially or fully fluorinated.

Abstract: A power generator includes a hydrogen producing fuel in a first high pressure chamber. A fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane is disposed in a second low pressure chamber. A water absorbing material provides water vapor to the hydrogen producing fuel, and a plurality of valves control hydrogen provided to the fuel cell from the first high pressure chamber, and exposure of the water absorbing material to ambient and the high pressure chamber.

Abstract: Injection apparatus is provided for injecting a drive fluid, such as liquefied nitrogen, into the working chamber (50) of a cryogenic engine. Liquefied nitrogen is admitted to a housing (36) of the apparatus under the control of an inlet valve (42) and expelled from the housing (36) under the control of an outlet valve (48). In the housing (36), heat is transferred to the liquid nitrogen to cause a small volume of the liquefied nitrogen to boil and thereby inject the drive fluid into the cryogenic engine under pressure. In each of two embodiments (FIGS. 1 to 7) the liquid nitrogen is transferred to a warmed region of the housing by a moveable injection member (4, 20) and in two further embodiments the housing is formed as a heat exchanger through which the nitrogen passes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus that includes a first heat exchanger for heating a first heat transfer medium in a first form from a first temperature to a second higher temperature to provide an increased pressure gas, a first mechanical device configured to use the increased pressure gas to provide mechanical energy to one or more primary components, and one or more additional mechanical devices configured to use the increased pressure gas to provide mechanical energy to one or more secondary components. The mechanical device produces spent gas, and a conversion device is operably associated with at least one of the mechanical devices to convert the spent gas to the first form for re-use.

Abstract: An engine is provided that utilizes an active heat exchanger such as a heat pump to transfer heat into and remove heat from a low boiling point liquid that is disposed in a pair of diametrically opposed containers. The addition of heat into the low-boiling point liquid causes the liquid to move vertically from a bottom container to a top container, transforming the transferred heat energy into potential energy. The top container is allowed to fall under the weight of the transferred liquid, transforming the potential energy to kinetic energy which is used to perform the desired work. The expanding low-boiling point liquid can also be used to advance a magnetic back and forth through a wire coiling to produce an electric current, converting the transferred heat energy into electrical energy. The use of an active heat exchanger such as a heat pump permits the use of one unit of electrical energy to transfer 3 to 5 units of heat energy.

Abstract: A dehydrogenated fuel tank 32 which is replenished with an organic hydride-contained hydrogenated fuel and a gasoline tank 48 which is replenished with normal gasoline are provided. In order to separate the hydrogenated fuel into a hydrogen rich gas and dehydrogenation product, a dehydrogenation reactor 22 and a separator 40 are provided. The hydrogen rich gas flows into a hydrogen pipe 44 and is supplied into the intake pipe 12. A dehydrogenation product pipe 42 is provided with a flow separator 46. The dehydrogenation product is guided into the gasoline tank 48 until the mixed ratio of the dehydrogenation product reaches the maximum allowable ratio in the gasoline tank 48. Only if the ratio reaches the maximum allowable ratio, the dehydrogenation product is collected into a dehydrogenation product tank 50.

Abstract: A method generates mechanical energy by storing water in a fuel-cell and a pressure equalization device. The water stored in the fuel-cell is electrolyzed into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, which displaces the water stored in the pressure equalization device. The displaced water is fed to a hydraulic device to drive the hydraulic device in a forward direction to produce mechanical energy.

Abstract: An energy conversion apparatus and method using recovered energy sources including motor vehicle kinetic energy (deceleration and shock) and wind resistance, supplemented by liquefied air transferred to the vehicle and by solar radiation thereto. The energy sources are combined, as available, to drive a compressor for supplying intake working fluid of a motor vehicle prime mover, wherein liquefied air provides pre-compression cooling of an atmospheric air portion of the working fluid. The liquefied air is made by recovered energy, stored and transferred between vehicles and between vehicles and stationary sites. In a hybrid version of the vehicle, exhaust heat from a combustion engine part of the prime mover increases working fluid temperature in a gas expander part, thereof; the engine and expander operating independently or together for improved vehicle propulsion efficiency.

Abstract: A cascade power system and a method are disclosed for using a high temperature flue gas stream to directly or indirectly vaporize a lean and rich stream derived from an incoming, multi-component, working fluid stream, extract energy from these streams, condensing a spent stream and repeating the vaporization, extraction and condensation cycle.

Abstract: An integrated system provides electricity and heat from solar, waste heat, biomass and fossil fuel energy. The system operates with a volatile organic working fluid that circulates in a variable speed heat engine type cycle, that is heated either to its boiling point, to a saturated state or above its boiling point, or to a superheated gas state, expanded through an expander, with working fluid injected therein such that the fluid exiting the expander is cooled in a condenser in thermal communication with a facility's domestic hot water, space heating or process heating systems, and circulated by a pump. Heat exchange loops define hot water production capability for use in a facility while a generator is coupled to the expander to produce electricity and is connected to the utility grid at fixed frequency and voltage in either a paralleling or island mode.

Abstract: A method of converting heat energy generated in an evaporator to mechanical energy by expanding an evaporated working fluid includes evaporating the working fluid in the evaporator and expanding the evaporated working fluid in an expansion device. The expansion is in a low-pressure expansion device which is formed as a roots blower in which the working fluid is expanded and heat energy is converted to mechanical energy.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of converting heat energy to a more usable form using a multi-component working fluid mixture that contains ammonia and water. The working fluid is operated in a thermodynamic cycle that includes liquid compression (30), vaporization (33), expansion through a turbine (34) and condensing (36). The multi-component fluid varies in temperature during phase change allowing for the use of counter-flow heat exchangers for the heater (33), cooler (36), recuperator and pre-heater (32). Significant recuperation is possible due to the temperature change during phase change. A pre-heater (32) can be applied to ensure only single-phase vapour exists within the heater. The invention can be used in conjunction with a biomass combustor or with waste flue gas from an existing industrial process. The coolant exits at a temperature sufficient to allow use in external heating applications or to minimize the size of external heat rejection equipment.

Abstract: A liquid piston engine utilizing an electronically or electrically conductive liquid medium. A method is provided for utilizing the electrically conductive liquid piston engine.

Abstract: A method for producing power from a heat source comprises the steps of: heating an intermediate fluid with heat from the heat source and producing a vaporized intermediate fluid in an intermediate fluid heater/vaporizer. Heat from the vaporized intermediate fluid vaporizes an organic liquid working fluid present in an organic working fluid vaporizer to form a vaporized organic working fluid and intermediate fluid condensate. The vaporized organic working fluid is expanded in an organic vapor turbine for generating power and producing expanded vaporized organic working fluid; the expanded organic vaporized working fluid being condensed to produce an organic fluid condensate with the organic fluid condensate being supplied to the organic fluid vaporizer. According to the present invention, prior to supplying the vaporized intermediate fluid to the organic fluid vaporizer the vaporized intermediate fluid is expanded in an intermediate fluid vapor turbine and power is produced.

Abstract: There is described a method for operation of a traditional engine or turbine, where instead of a combustion reactor there are utilized cyclic thermochemical processes that drive the engine or turbine without the formation of waste gases that are harmful to the environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for implementing a closed loop thermodynamic cycle utilizing a multi-component working fluid to acquire heat from two or more external heat source streams in an efficient manner utilizing countercurrent exchange. The liquid multi-component working stream is heated by a first external heat source stream at a first heat exchanger and is subsequently divided into a first substream and a second substream. The first substream is heated by the first working stream at a second external heat source stream at a second heat exchanger. The second substream is heated by the second working stream at a third heat exchanger. The first substream and the second substream are then recombined into a single working stream. The recombined working stream is heated by the second external heat source stream at a fourth heat exchanger.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for synchronizing an induction machine to an electrical grid. The embodiment described is an ORC power plant having a motor-generator in mechanical communication with a turbine. The motor-generator is operated with open windings (e.g., freewheeling) by driving the turbine with a variable speed pump. The rotational speed of the motor-generator is sensed. When the motor-generator is operating at a rotational speed near the steady state rotational speed that corresponds to operation of the ORC power plant, the contacts between the motor-generator windings and the grid are closed, and the motor is synchronized with the grid.

Abstract: In various illustrative examples, the system may include heat recovery heat exchangers, one or more turbines or expanders, a desuperheater heat exchanger, a condenser heat exchanger, a separator, an accumulator, and a liquid circulating pump, etc. In one example, a bypass desuperheater control valve may be employed. The system comprises a first heat exchanger adapted to receive a heating stream from a heat source after passing through a second heat exchanger and a second portion of a working fluid, wherein, the second portion of working fluid is converted to a hot liquid via heat transfer. An economizer heat exchanger that is adapted to receive a first portion of the working fluid and the hot discharge vapor from at least one turbine may also be provided. The first and second portions of the working fluid are recombined in a first flow mixer after passing through the economizer heat exchanger and first heat exchanger, respectively.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing power from a heat source comprising a nonane heater/vaporizer, an intermediate fluid vapor turbine mounted on a shaft that receives and expands the vaporized nonane, an organic fluid vaporizer that receives the expanded vaporized nonane for supplying heat to liquid organic working fluid present in said organic fluid vaporizer and vaporizes said liquid organic working fluid with heat from the expanded vaporized nonane to form vaporized organic working fluid and a nonane condensate, a seal of said shaft being cooled using the nonane condensate by cooling and condensing hot pressurized vapor near the seal, and liquid containing such condensed hot pressurized vapor being supplied to a condensate drain vessel, the drained condensate being supplied to a line connected to a cycle pump of the nonane intermediate cycle, and an organic vapor turbine that expands the vaporized organic working fluid.

Abstract: A process to convert heat into power is set forth wherein, to make the cycle more suitable to low grade heat, the working fluid remains substantially in the liquid state after being heat exchanged against the heat source and a dense fluid expander is used in place of a conventional vapor expander to subsequently work expand the liquid working fluid.

Abstract: An organic Rankine engine used to power a vehicle is provided with a quick-start system of pumps, electric heaters or pistons to generate a pressure differential across the motor, prior to the engine reaching operating conditions.

Abstract: A machine designed as a centrifugal compressor is applied as an organic rankine cycle turbine by operating the machine in reverse. In order to accommodate the higher pressures when operating as a turbine, a suitable refrigerant is chosen such that the pressures and temperatures are maintained within established limits. Such an adaptation of existing, relatively inexpensive equipment to an application that may be otherwise uneconomical, allows for the convenient and economical use of energy that would be otherwise lost by waste heat to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A hydrogen fuel system in which the fuel is transformed from liquid to gas is used to administer cooling, e.g., air conditioning. The system incorporates first and second stage heat exchangers. The first stage exchanger is used to benefit from the endothermic reaction created when liquid hydrogen transforms into gas. The cooling provided from this state change is transferred into a second medium which is delivered into a second stage heat transfer device and then used for cooling purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved, commercially available organic working fluid, which is operable under a broad range of temperatures, is thermally stable, has a high auto-ignition temperature, low freezing point and high critical temperature and is benign to the environment, and safe for human use. Such an organic working fluid is useful in organic Rankine cycle (ORC) power plants or units and other systems of the like; as an intermediate fluid for heat-recovery wherein heat from various heat sources is transferred using the intermediate fluid to a further working fluid and converted into work, and the intermediate fluid is also exploited to produce electricity. Such organic working fluids are also operable as heat transfer fluids either in ORC power plants or units or in other heat transfer systems. For this purpose the present invention presents a working fluid comprising at least one highly branched, heavy iso-paraffin hydrocarbons, or a mixture of two or more of such hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for smoothly starting and controlling an ORC power plant. The system comprises a cascaded closed loop control that accounts for the lack of relationship between pump speed and pressure at startup so as to control pump speed and pressure, and that smoothly transitions into a steady state regime as a stable operating condition of the system is attained. The cascaded loop receives signals corresponding to a superheat setpoint, a pressure at an evaporator exit, and a temperature at an evaporator exit, and controls the pump speed and pressure upon startup to provide smooth operation. The system and method can further comprise a feed-forward control loop to deal with conditions at start-up and when external disturbances are applied to the ORC power plant.

Abstract: A new method, system and apparatus for power system utilizing wide temperature range heat sources and a multi-component working fluid is disclosed including a heat recovery vapor generator (HRVG) subsystem, a multi-stage energy conversion or turbine (T) subsystem and a condensation thermal compression subsystem (CTCSS) and where one or more of the streams exiting the stages of the turbine subsystem T are sent back through different portions of the HRVG to be warmed and/or cooled before being forwarded to the next stage of the turbine subsystem T. The turbine subsystem T includes at least a high pressure turbine or turbine stage (HPT) and a low pressure turbine or turbine stage (LPT) and preferably, an intermediate pressure turbine or turbine stage (IPT).

Abstract: A machine designed as a centrifugal compressor is applied as an organic rankine cycle turbine by operating the machine in reverse. In order to accommodate the higher pressures when operating as a turbine, a suitable refrigerant is chosen such that the pressures and temperatures are maintained within established limits. Such an adaptation of existing, relatively inexpensive equipment to an application that may be otherwise uneconomical, allows for the convenient and economical use of energy that would be otherwise lost by waste heat to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A machine designed as a centrifugal compressor is applied as an organic rankine cycle turbine by operating the machine in reverse. In order to accommodate the higher pressures when operating as a turbine, a suitable refrigerant is chosen such that the pressures and temperatures are maintained within established limits. Such an adaptation of existing, relatively inexpensive equipment to an application that may be otherwise uneconomical, allows for the convenient and economical use of energy that would be otherwise lost by waste heat to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A rotatable micro-machine is comprised of a solvent reservoir, a porous evaporation region and a channel connecting the solvent reservoir to the evaporation region. The evaporation region may be constructed of capillary paths that enable a capillary action which pulls solvent from the channel so as to enable a flow of solvent from the reservoir to the evaporation region through the channel. A rotatable member has portions in communication with the channel so as to be rotated by the flow. In one embodiment, the rotatable member may be a component of a micro-turbine generator. A system may be comprised of the rotatable micro-machine in combination with at least one electrical circuit. The porous region may be positioned to receive heat from the circuit.

Abstract: The invention is a system for heating hydrocarbon flows with three heat exchangers, wherein the first heat exchanger transfers heat from compressed heated air to a pressurized heat exchange fluid; wherein the second heat exchanger transfers heat from the pressurized heat exchange fluid to a hydrocarbon flow and increases the hydrocarbon flow temperature between 50% and 900%; wherein the third heat exchanger receives the pressurized heat exchange fluid from the first heat exchanger and cools the fluid using at least one fan located in the third heat exchanger; and the system also has a vessel to accommodate thermal expansion of the pressurized heat exchange fluid and at least one pump for transporting fluid through the system.

Abstract: A fluid machine for a gas compression refrigerating system comprises a first and a second working for performing a pump mode operation, in which working fluid of low pressure is sucked into and compressed by the working chambers. The fluid machine further comprises valve mechanism for selectively forming a motor mode passage in combination with a fluid passage change-over device, so that super heated working fluid of high pressure is introduced into at least one of the working chambers to perform a motor mode operation, in which the high pressure working fluid is expanded in the working chamber to obtain mechanical energy. The fluid machine according to the invention, therefore, performs the pump mode operation at one of the working chambers and at the same time the motor mode operation at the other working chamber.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention concerns a generator for a hydroelectric power station, having a stator and a rotatably mounted rotor, and first vanes which act on the rotor and which cause rotation of the rotor. In order for the generator to be of a smaller structural size the stator is mounted rotatably and there are provided second vanes which act on the stator and which cause rotation of the stator in a direction opposite to the rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: Cascading Closed Loop Cycle (CCLC) and Super Cascading Closed Loop Cycle (Super-CCLC) systems are described for recovering power in the form of mechanical or electrical energy from the waste heat of a steam turbine system. The waste heat from the boiler and steam condenser is recovered by vaporizing propane or other light hydrocarbon fluids in multiple indirect heat exchangers; expanding the vaporized propane in multiple cascading expansion turbines to generate useful power; and condensing to a liquid using a cooling system. The liquid propane is then pressurized with pumps and returned to the indirect heat exchangers to repeat the vaporization, expansion, liquefaction and pressurization cycle in a closed, hermetic process.

Abstract: This invention relates to an innovative power supply device for notebook computers, more particularly to a power supply device that can be carried with a notebook computer when computer users are out and unable to access alternate current power supply. The power supply device of the invention primarily uses the heat produced by a microprocessor of the notebook computer during its internal operation and is conducted to a power generator by a heat pipe or simultaneously uses the heat produced by a fuel heat generator and converts it into the required DC power supply by an engine chamber and an electric generator. Then, the direct current power is provided to the notebook computer, so that the notebook computer users no longer need the AC power supply.

Abstract: A new boiler or heat transfer apparatus is disclosed for use with multi-component working fluids which includes a vapor removal apparatus designed to maintain a substantial compositional identity between the boiling liquid and its vapor along a length of the apparatus resulting in the maintenance of substantially nucleate boiling along the entire length of the apparatus. Systems incorporating the apparatus and methods for making and using the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat engine (10) achieves operational efficiencies by: 1) recovering waste heat from heat engine expander (14) to preheat heat-engine working fluid, 2) using super-heated working fluid from compressor (402) to pre-heat heat-engine working fluid, and 3) using reject heat from condenser (93) and absorber (95) to heat the heat-engine boiler (12). A dual heat-exchange generator (72) affords continuous operation by using gas-fired heat exchanger (212) to heat generator (72) when intermittent heat source (40), e.g., solar, is incapable of heating generator (72). The combination of heat engine (10) and absorption and compression heat transfer devices (60, 410) allows use of low-temperature heat sources such as solar, bio-mass, and waste heat to provide refrigeration, heating, work output including pumping and heating of subterranean water and electrical generation.

Abstract: An air separation unit separates air into an oxygen-rich and oxygen-deficient gas. Fuel gas and the oxygen-rich gas are preheated at heat exchangers through which hot flue gas flows. Combustion of the preheated fuel and oxygen-rich gases result in the hot flue gas. The hot flue gas is cooled at the heat exchangers and flows through a waste heat boiler. Water and/or steam flowing through the waste heat boiler absorbs energy from the cooled flue gas thereby producing heated steam. The heated steam flows through a turbine to produce power. The power is transferred to the air separation unit, thus reducing a power requirement of the air separation unit needed to separate the air.

Abstract: A cascade power system is disclosed where a single basic working composition (BWC) of a multi-component working fluid stream is fully vaporized in a vaporization subsystem utilizing heat derived from a heat source stream such as a combustion gas stream and energy is extracted from the stream in a multi-stage energy extraction system. The energy extraction subsystem is designed to produce a fully spent BWC stream and a partially spent BWC stream. The fully spend BWC stream is then divided into a fully condensed lean stream and a fully condensed rich stream in a Condensation-Thermal Compression Subsystem. The partially spent stream and stream derived therefrom are used to form a second lean stream and a second rich stream and to heat the fully condensed lean stream and a combined rich stream prior to vaporization.

Abstract: A plasma-vortex engine (20), consisting of a plasmatic fluid (22) circulating in a closed loop (44) encompassing a fluid heater (26), an expansion chamber (30), and a condenser (42), is provided. The expansion chamber (30) is formed of a housing (64) and two end plates (66, 68), and encompasses a rotor (72) to which a plurality of vanes (74) is coupled. A shaft (36) is coupled to the rotor (72) through the endplates (66, 68). During operation, the fluid heater (26) heats the plasmatic fluid (22) to produce a plasma (86), which is then injected into the expansion chamber (30). The plasma (86) expands both hydraulically and adiabatically and exerts an expansive force (94) against one of the vanes (74). A vortex generator (96) coupled to the expansion chamber generates a vortex (100) within the plasma (86), which exerts a vortical force (102) against that one vane (74). The rotor (72) and shaft (36) rotate in response to the expansive and vortical forces (94, 102).