Multiple organic Rankine cycle system and method
US9115603B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2013 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF01K23/065
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for the use of multiple organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems that generate mechanical and/or electric power from multiple co-located waste heat flows using a specially configured system of multiple expanders operating at multiple temperatures and/or multiple pressures (“MP”) utilizing a common working fluid. The multiple ORC cycle system accepts waste heat energy at different temperatures and utilizes a single closed-loop cycle of organic refrigerant flowing through all expanders in the system, where the distribution of heat energy to each of the expanders allocated to permit utilization of up to all available heat energy, In some embodiments, the multiple ORC system maximizes the output of the waste energy recovery process. The expanders can be operatively coupled to one or more generators that convert the mechanical energy of the expansion process into electrical energy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.