초록 ▼

Preferably, the selected working fluid is selected from the group consisting of ammonia and water; sulfur dioxide and water; mixed hydrocarbons; ammonia and brine; or sulfur dioxide and brine. More preferably, the selected working fluid comprises ammonia and water or ammonia, water and salts. Most p

Preferably, the selected working fluid is selected from the group consisting of ammonia and water; sulfur dioxide and water; mixed hydrocarbons; ammonia and brine; or sulfur dioxide and brine. More preferably, the selected working fluid comprises ammonia and water or ammonia, water and salts. Most preferably, the selected working fluid consists essentially of ammonia and water. In an especially preferred embodiment, the volatile component enriched stream is substantially a pure component. The invention also provides an apparatus specially configured to carry out the method claimed above.

대표청구항 ▼

[We claim:] [1.]a. providing a selected working fluid comprising at least two components to a first pump;b. feeding the selected working fluid to a dividing means;c. dividing the working fluid into a first stream and a second stream,d. feeding the first stream at an intermediate pressure to a first

[We claim:] [1.]a. providing a selected working fluid comprising at least two components to a first pump;b. feeding the selected working fluid to a dividing means;c. dividing the working fluid into a first stream and a second stream,d. feeding the first stream at an intermediate pressure to a first heat transfer zone to transfer heat to the working fluid stream thereby heating the stream to a higher temperature,e. feeding the higher temperature stream to a separation means,f. separating a volatile component enriched stream and a volatile component depleted stream;g. cooling the volatile component enriched stream;h. further cooling the volatile component enriched stream in a heat exchanger;i. feeding the volatile component enriched stream to an expansion means;j. expanding the volatile component enriched stream to a lower temperature and pressure;k. feeding the expanded lower temperature and pressure volatile component enriched stream to a heat exchanger where the volatile enriched stream is partially or completely vaporized by heat exchange while absorbing heat from an external stream;l. feeding the at least partially vaporized volatile component enriched stream to a heat exchanger;m. feeding the volatile component enriched stream to the mixing means;n. feeding the volatile component depleted stream to the mixing means;o. feeding the second working fluid stream to a second pump and increasing the pressure of the second working fluid stream to a high pressure;p. feeding the high pressure second working fluid stream to a second heat exchange zone wherein heat is transferred to the high pressure second working fluid stream to produce a higher temperature and pressure condition of the second working fluid stream;q. work expanding the higher temperature and pressure second working fluid stream to convert a portion of the heat energy to mechanical energy;r. returning the second working fluid stream to the mixer; ands. repeating the cycle as set out above.