초록 ▼

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 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. The loading of the engine can be accomplished by a power absorbing hydraulic drive connected to the engine shaft with the hydraulic medium used to drive the cryogenic liquid pump, or alternatively by providing back pressure on an engine coolant pump, or by providing back pressure directly on the cryogenic fluid being pumped.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of heating a fluid to a desired temperature including the steps of: (a) pumping the fluid along a flow path; (b) utilizing a heat engine which provides shaft power and heat; (c) utilizing a part of the shaft power of said engine to effect said pumping; (d) providing a back pressure to incre

A method of heating a fluid to a desired temperature including the steps of: (a) pumping the fluid along a flow path; (b) utilizing a heat engine which provides shaft power and heat; (c) utilizing a part of the shaft power of said engine to effect said pumping; (d) providing a back pressure to increase the pumping load on the engine so that the engine operates at a greater power level than would be necessary to effect the pumping in the absence of such back pressure to thereby provide increased heat from said engine; and (e) effecting a heat exchange between the engine heat and said fluid passing along said flow path to thereby heat said fluid, the amount of heat provided being directly proportional to the flow rate of said fluid whereby separate burners, direct fired units, boiler systems and the like are not required to heat said fluid.