초록 ▼

The present invention is a multi-step process for generating energy from a source heat flow. Such a process comprises passing a heated media having a mixture of a low volatility component and a high volatility component into a phase separator. The vaporous working fluid is withdrawn from the phase s

The present invention is a multi-step process for generating energy from a source heat flow. Such a process comprises passing a heated media having a mixture of a low volatility component and a high volatility component into a phase separator. The vaporous working fluid is withdrawn from the phase separator and passed into a work zone, such as a turbine, wherein the fluid is expanded. The expanded vaporous working fluid is withdrawn from the work zone and passed into a direct contact condenser or absorber. The separated weak solution is withdrawn from the phase separator and passed into counter-current heat exchange relationship in an interchanger with a portion of media from the direct contact condenser or absorber. The media from the direct contact condenser or absorber is withdrawn and passed into a fluid pressurizing zone. A portion of the media is then pumped into the interchanger where the media is heated and passed into counter-current heat exchange relationship in a trim heater with a portion of the source heat flow. The remaining portion of the media from the fluid pressurizing zone is pumped into counter-current heat exchange relationship in a regenerator with the remaining portion of the source heat flow. The heated media flows from the trim heater and the regenerator are combined to form the heated media and the cycle repeated.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for generating energy from a source heat flow which comprises: (a) passing heated media comprising a solution bearing absorbed working fluid into a phase separator, said media being at a temperature and pressure adequate for said fluid to be volatilized and separated from said in said phase

A method for generating energy from a source heat flow which comprises: (a) passing heated media comprising a solution bearing absorbed working fluid into a phase separator, said media being at a temperature and pressure adequate for said fluid to be volatilized and separated from said in said phase separator, said working fluid characterized by boiling from said solution over a range of temperatures and by direct contact condensing in said solution over a range of temperatures, the vapor pressure of said solution over said boiling point range being negligible; (b) withdrawing said vaporous working fluid from said separator and passing same into a work zone wherein said fluid is expanded to a lower pressure and temperature to release energy; (c) withdrawing said expanded vaporous working fluid from said work zone and passing same into a direct contact condenser; (d) withdrawing a weak solution from said phase separator and passing same into counter-current heat-exchange relationship in an interchanger with a portion of pressurized media from said direct contact condenser; (e) passing said heat-exchanged weak solution from step (d) into said direct contact condenser and contacting same with said expanded vaporous working fluid for absorbing said working fluid into said weak solution for re-forming said media; (f) passing a coolant flow into said direct contact condenser for absorbing heat from the contents therein; (g) passing said re-formed media withdrawn from said direct contact condenser into a flow transport apparatus; (h) passing a portion of said media from said flow transport apparatus into counter-current heat-exchange relationship in said interchanger with said separated weak solution in step (d); (i) passing said portion of said heat-exchanged media from step (h) into counter-current heat-exchange relationship in a trim heater with a portion of said source heat flow; (j) passing said remaining portion of said media from step (g) into counter-current heat-exchange relationship in a regenerator with the remaining portion of said source heat flow; and (k) combining said heated media flows from said regenerator and from said trim heater to form said heated media for step (a).