Method and apparatus for power generation using waste heat
First Claim
1. An apparatus for generating power using exhaust from a marine power plant, the apparatus comprising:
- an evaporator operable to be disposed within the exhaust from the marine power plant;
a turbo-generator that includes a turbine coupled with an electrical generator;
a condenser having a plurality of tubes disposed within a housing, wherein the tubes form a closed circuit within the housing that is sized to permit a flow of coolant into and out of the condenser; and
a refrigerant feed pump operable to pump refrigerant.
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Abstract
According to the present invention, a method and apparatus for generating power aboard a marine vessel is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a Rankine Cycle device that includes at least one of each of an evaporator, a turbo-generator that includes a turbine coupled with an electrical generator, a condenser, and a refrigerant feed pump; (b) disposing the one or more evaporators within an exhaust duct of a power plant of the marine vessel; (c) operating the power plant; and (d) selectively pumping refrigerant through the Rankine Cycle device, wherein refrigerant exiting the evaporator powers the turbine, which in turn powers the generator to produce power.
122 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus for generating power using exhaust from a marine power plant, the apparatus comprising:
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an evaporator operable to be disposed within the exhaust from the marine power plant;
a turbo-generator that includes a turbine coupled with an electrical generator;
a condenser having a plurality of tubes disposed within a housing, wherein the tubes form a closed circuit within the housing that is sized to permit a flow of coolant into and out of the condenser; and
a refrigerant feed pump operable to pump refrigerant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for generating power aboard a marine vessel, comprising the steps of:
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providing a Rankine Cycle device that includes at least one of each of an evaporator, a turbo-generator that includes a turbine coupled with an electrical generator, a condenser, and a refrigerant feed pump;
disposing the one or more evaporators within an exhaust duct of a power plant of the marine vessel;
operating the power plant; and
selectively pumping refrigerant through the Rankine Cycle device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for generating power, comprising the steps of:
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providing a Rankine Cycle device that includes at least one of each of an evaporator, a turbo-generator that includes a turbine coupled with an electrical generator, a condenser, and a refrigerant feed pump;
disposing the one or more evaporators within an exhaust duct of a power plant of a marine vessel;
operating the power plant; and
selectively pumping refrigerant through the Rankine Cycle device.
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Specification