Use of regenerator in thermodynamic cycle system

• US 10,082,045 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2016
• Issued: 09/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malta, Inc.
• Original Assignee: X Development LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Larochelle, Philippe, Apte, Raj
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOANG M
• Application Number:
  US15/392,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20180179914A1
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 60650, 60682-684, 60659
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 15/10 Adaptations for driving, or combinations with, electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 13/02 Controlling, e.g. stopping or starting
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 25/06 using mixtures of different fluids plants using mixtures of steam and gas F01K21/04
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 25/103 Carbon dioxide F01K25/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 3/02 Use of accumulators and specific engine types; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 3/06 the engine being of extraction or non-condensing type F01K3/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 3/12 having two or more accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 3/18 having heaters having both steam accumulator and heater F01K3/14; steam heaters per se F22
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 7/165 Controlling means specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 7/38 the engines being of turbine type
• CPC Class Codes: F22B 1/006 using solar heat solar heat collectors per se F24S; devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 13/00 Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle defrosting cycles F25B47/02
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2339/047 Water-cooled condensers
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/14 Power generation using energy from the expansion of the refrigerant
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 25/005 using primary and secondary systems
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 30/02 of the compression type
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 9/00 Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 9/002 characterised by the refrigerant
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 9/06 using expanders F25B9/10 takes precedence

Abstract

Closed thermodynamic cycle systems, such as closed Brayton cycle systems, with regenerative heat exchangers are disclosed. Embodiments include dual regenerators and regenerators with buffer tank systems. Regenerators may be used instead of or in addition to one or more recuperators within the systems, and may be used as a means of gas-gas heat exchange for different streams of a working fluid.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a working fluid;

a compressor;

a hot side heat exchanger;

a turbine;

a cold side heat exchanger;

a first buffer tank, a second buffer tank, a third buffer tank, and a fourth buffer tank;

a regenerator, wherein the regenerator comprises a thermal mass configured to contact the working fluid and exchange heat with the working fluid in contact with the thermal mass;

a first fluid path comprising the working fluid flowing from the first buffer tank and through, in sequence, the compressor, the hot side heat exchanger, the regenerator, the turbine, and the cold side heat exchanger, and to the second buffer tank;

a second fluid path comprising the working fluid from the third buffer tank and through, in sequence, the turbine, the cold side heat exchanger, the regenerator, the compressor, and the hot side heat exchanger, and to the fourth buffer tank; and

a valve system configured to switch circulation of the working fluid between the first fluid path and the second fluid path.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve system is further configured to, in the first fluid path, remove working fluid from the fourth buffer tank and add working fluid to the third buffer tank.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve system is further configured to, in the second fluid path, remove working fluid from the second buffer tank and add working fluid to the first buffer tank.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein in the first fluid path, the thermal mass extracts heat from the working fluid.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein in the second fluid path, the thermal mass discharges heat to the working fluid.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermal mass has a thermal storage capacity of at least 1 KJ.

7. A system comprising:

a working fluid;

a compressor;

a hot side heat exchanger;

a turbine;

a cold side heat exchanger;

a first buffer tank, a second buffer tank, a third buffer tank, and a fourth buffer tank;

a regenerator, wherein the regenerator comprises a thermal mass configured to contact the working fluid and exchange heat with the working fluid in contact with the thermal mass;

a first fluid path comprising the working fluid flowing from the first buffer tank and through, in sequence, the cold side heat exchanger, the compressor, the regenerator, the hot side heat exchanger, the turbine, and to the second buffer tank;

a second fluid path comprising the working fluid from the third buffer tank and through, in sequence, the hot side heat exchanger, the compressor, the regenerator, the cold side heat exchanger, and the compressor, and to the fourth buffer tank; and

a valve system configured to switch circulation of the working fluid between the first fluid path and the second fluid path.

8. The system of claim of claim 7, wherein the valve system is further configured to, in the first fluid path, remove working fluid from the fourth buffer tank and add working fluid to the third buffer tank.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the valve system is further configured to, in the second fluid path, remove working fluid from the second buffer tank and add working fluid to the first buffer tank.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein in the first fluid path, the thermal mass extracts heat from the working fluid.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein in the second fluid path, the thermal mass discharges heat to the working fluid.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the thermal mass has a thermal storage capacity of at least 1 KJ.

13. A system comprising:

a working fluid;

a compressor;

a hot side heat exchanger;

a turbine;

a cold side heat exchanger;

a first regenerator, wherein the regenerator comprises a first thermal mass configured to contact the working fluid and exchange heat with the working fluid in contact with the thermal mass;

a second regenerator, wherein the regenerator comprises a second thermal mass configured to contact the working fluid and exchange heat with the working fluid in contact with the thermal mass;

a first fluid path comprising the working fluid circulating through, in sequence, the compressor, the hot side heat exchanger, the second regenerator, the turbine, the cold side heat exchanger, the first regenerator;

a second fluid path comprising the working fluid circulating through, in sequence, the compressor, the hot side heat exchanger, the first regenerator, the turbine, the cold side heat exchanger, the second regenerator; and

a valve system configured to switch circulation of the working fluid between the first fluid path and the second fluid path.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein in the first fluid path, the second thermal mass extracts heat from the working fluid and the first thermal mass discharges heat to the working fluid.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein in the second fluid path, the first thermal mass extracts heat from the working fluid and the second thermal mass discharges heat to the working fluid.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the thermal mass has a thermal storage capacity of at least 1 KJ.

17. A system comprising:

a working fluid;

a compressor;

a hot side heat exchanger;

a turbine;

a cold side heat exchanger;

a first regenerator, wherein the regenerator comprises a first thermal mass configured to contact the working fluid and exchange heat with the working fluid in contact with the thermal mass;

a second regenerator, wherein the regenerator comprises a second thermal mass configured to contact the working fluid and exchange heat with the working fluid in contact with the thermal mass;

a first fluid path comprising the working fluid circulating through, in sequence, the compressor, the first regenerator, the hot side heat exchanger, the turbine, the second regenerator, and the cold side heat exchanger;

a second fluid path comprising the working fluid circulating through, in sequence, the compressor, the second regenerator, the hot side heat exchanger, the turbine, the first regenerator, and the cold side heat exchanger; and

a valve system configured to switch circulation of the working fluid between the first fluid path and the second fluid path.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein in the first fluid path, the first thermal mass extracts heat from the working fluid and the second thermal mass discharges heat to the working fluid.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein in the second fluid path, the second thermal mass extracts heat from the working fluid and the first thermal mass discharges heat to the working fluid.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the thermal mass has a thermal storage capacity of at least 1 KJ.