Patent · US Expired

Heat recovery system

US4276747A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
5References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 30, 1978
Grant dateJul 7, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 30, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF01K23/106
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A heat recovery system for the production of mechanical energy from a plurality of different heat sources at different temperatures comprises a plurality of heat exchangers associated one with each heat source, a plurality of circuits for a working fluid which traverses the heat exchangers, the circuits including expansion devices in which the working fluid is expanded and possibly vaporized to derive mechanical work from it, this being accompanied by a fall in temperature; the circuits for the working fluid have certain parts in common, such as the heat exchanger associated with the heat source at the lowest temperature, at least one of the expansion devices, a condenser in which working fluid vaporized in the expanders can be recondensed, and a circulation pump for driving the working fluid around the circuits. Certain of the circuits may have further circulation pumps and also auxiliary heat exchangers for preheating the working fluid with residual heat in the fluid after passing through one or more expanders.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.