초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for implementing a thermodynamic cycle. A heated gaseous working stream including a low boiling point component and a higher boiling point component is separated, and the low boiling point component is expanded to transform the energy of the stream into useable form and to pro

A method and apparatus for implementing a thermodynamic cycle. A heated gaseous working stream including a low boiling point component and a higher boiling point component is separated, and the low boiling point component is expanded to transform the energy of the stream into useable form and to provide an expanded relatively rich stream. This expanded rich stream is then split into two streams, one of which is expanded further to obtain further energy, resulting in a spent stream, the other of which is extracted. The lean unexpanded stream and the spent rich stream are then combined in a regenerating subsystem with the extracted stream to reproduce the working stream, which is then efficiently heated in a heater to provide the heated gaseous working stream that is separated.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for implementing a thermodynamic cycle comprisingheating a working stream including a low boiling point component and a higher boiling point component with a source of external heat to provide a heated gaseous working stream,separating said heated gaseous working

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for implementing a thermodynamic cycle comprisingheating a working stream including a low boiling point component and a higher boiling point component with a source of external heat to provide a heated gaseous working stream,separating said heated gaseous working stream at a first separator to provide a heated gaseous rich stream having relatively more of said low boiling point component and a lean stream having relatively less of said low boiling point component,expanding said heated gaseous rich stream to transform the energy of the stream into useable form and to provide an expanded, spent rich stream, andcombining said lean stream and said expanded, spent rich stream to provide said working stream,wherein, after said combining and before said heating with said external source of heat, said working stream is condensed by transferring heat to a low temperature source at a first heat exchanger, and said working stream is thereafter pumped to a higher pressure,and further comprising transferring, at a second heat exchanger, heat from said working stream, prior to said working stream being condensed, to said working stream after said working stream has been pumped to said higher pressure and prior to said heating with said external source of heat.