Method and apparatus for generating electricity
US8833079B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 2010 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/60
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of converting energy into electricity using a gaseous working fluid and an evaporative fluid comprises pressuring the working fluid (20) in a compressor (1), heating the high-pressure working fluid (22) in a recuperator (8) using thermal energy in low-pressure working fluid (34) emerging from a turbine (2), adding energy from an energy source (5, 6) to increase the temperature and enthalpy of the working fluid (32), expanding the working fluid (32) through the turbine (2), using the turbine to generate electricity, and cooling the low-pressure working fluid (34) emerging from the turbine in the recuperator. The method further comprises lowering the temperature and increasing the mass of the high-pressure working fluid (22) after leaving the compressor (1), and/or after leaving the recuperator (8), by introducing the evaporative fluid (48, 49) to produce evaporative cooling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.