Energy Recovery System

• US 20080315589A1
• Filed: 04/19/2006
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Compower AB
• Original Assignee: Compower AB
• Inventors: Malmrup, Lars
• Application Number:
  US11/911,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20080315589A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/52
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 15/02 Adaptations for driving vehicles, e.g. locomotives
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 1/04 the working fluid being heated indirectly in a fluidised-bed combustor F02C3/205
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 1/05 characterised by the type or source of heat, e.g. using nuclear or solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 1/06 using reheated exhaust gas F02C1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 6/18 using the waste heat of gas-turbine plants outside the plants themselves, e.g. gas-turbine power heat plants using waste heat as source of energy for refrigeration plants F25B27/02; using the waste heat of a gasturbine for steam generation or in a steam cycle see F01K23/10
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/08 Heating air supply before combustion, e.g. by exhaust gases
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel

Abstract

An energy recovery system for a process means (100) comprises a compressor (1), a turbine (2) and a generator (4) being arranged to be driven by a main shaft (3). It also comprises a heat exchanger (5) on a first side being fluidly arranged between the compressor (1) and the turbine (2) and on a second side being fluidly arranged downstream of a process means (100). Heat emanating from exhausts of said process means (100) is transferred to an airflow of the compressor turbine (1, 2) assembly, which airflow is expanded in the turbine (2) which then powers the compressor (1) and the generator (4). Energy is thus recovered from the process, which energy is transformed into electricity so that the overall efficiency of the process is increased.

Claims

1. An energy recovery system for a process means (100) comprising

a compressor (1), a turbine (2) and a generator (4) arranged to be driven by a main shaft (3),

a heat exchanger (5) on a first side being fluidly arranged between the compressor (1) and the turbine (2) and on a second side being fluidly arranged downstream of a process means (100), where heat emanating directly or indirectly from exhausts of said process means (100) is transferred to an airflow between the compressor (1) and the turbine (2), which airflow is expanded in the turbine (2) which then powers the compressor (1) and the generator (4),

for recovering energy from the process, which energy is transformed into electricity so that the overall efficiency of the process is increased.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the electricity generated by the generator (4) is used to power auxiliary systems of the process (100) and/or the energy recovery system.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein a burner (6) or a catalytic system is provided between the process exhaust system and the heat exchanger (5).

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the airflow leaving the turbine (2) is used in the process (100).

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the burner (6) is provided with an air inlet comprising a valve (7) and/or a fan (8) for an introduction of external air and/or fuel.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein a solid oxide or molten carbonate fuel cell is the process (100) that provides the process exhausts.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein a fuel system used for the process (100) also is used for the burner (6) of said energy recovery system.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the process exhausts emanate from combustion of wood, oat or similar biomass.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the air leaving the turbine (2) is used to preheat the working flow after the compressor (1) before it enters the heat exchanger (5).

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the air leaving the turbine (2) is used to preheat an external airflow being supplied to the burner (6).

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the air leaving the turbine (2) is supplied directly to the burner (6).

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the air leaving the turbine (2) is passed through a heat exchanger (10) that is arranged for heating a boat or truck where the process (100) is taking place.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the air leaving the turbine (2) is supplied to an inlet of a fuel cell.

14. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the air leaving the turbine (2) is directed to a burner adapted for combustion of biomass.

15. A system according to claim 1, wherein the airflow after the compressor (1) passes a fuel cell (11) before entering the turbine (2).

16. A system according to claim 3, wherein the exhausts from the process (100) contains pollutions that are at least partially removed in the burner (6) or the catalytic system, resulting in cleaner exhausts.

17. A system according to claim 1, wherein the process (100) is an absorption chiller and the process gas is taken from after a fuel burner in said chiller and at least a part of the airflow leaving the turbine (2) is directed to an inlet of said fuel burner.