Patent · US Expired

Simple and compact low-temperature power cycle

US6751959B1 · kind B1 · utility

94Cited by
15References
48Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 9, 2002
Grant dateJun 22, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 9, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF01K25/106
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A simple, compact, and relatively efficient thermodynamic power cycle system and process for extracting heat from a heat source stream and converting a portion of the heat to mechanical power. The system and process are composed of the same series of four processing units or steps found in the most basic form of a Rankine power cycle: (1) heating (means) of a pressurized working fluid to produce a superheated gas, (2) expansion (means) to a lower pressure to produce power, (3) condensation (means) of the low pressure gas to a liquid, and (4) pumping (means) of the liquid to high pressure to complete the cycle. The working fluid is heated under pressures above critical. The working fluid must have a critical temperature more than 40° F. lower than the temperature of the heat source stream and a normal boiling point less than 32° F.

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