THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICE

• US 20110185729A1
• Filed: 12/04/2009
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Echogen Power Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Echogen Power Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Miller, Jason D., Held, Timothy J., Hostler, Stephen, Hume, Brian F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,115,605 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/643
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 25/103 Carbon dioxide F01K25/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 3/185 using waste heat from outside the plant F02G5/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 3/186 using electric heat
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 7/165 Controlling means specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 2240/12 with thermodynamic cycle for converting thermal energy to mechanical power to produce electrical energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A waste heat recovery system, method and device executes a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid in a working fluid circuit which has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. Components of the system in the working fluid circuit include a waste heat exchanger in thermal communication with a waste heat source also connected to the working fluid circuit, whereby thermal energy is transferred from the waste heat source to the working fluid in the working fluid circuit, an expander located between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit, the expander operative to convert a pressure/enthalpy drop in the working fluid to mechanical energy, a recuperator in the working fluid circuit operative to transfer thermal energy between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit, a cooler in thermal communication with the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit operative to control temperature of the working fluid in the low side of the working fluid circuit, a pump in the working fluid circuit and connected to the low pressure side and to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to move the working fluid through the working fluid circuit, and a mass management system connected to the working fluid circuit, the mass management system, method and device having a working fluid vessel connected to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and configured to passively control an amount of working fluid mass in the working fluid circuit.

Claims

1. A power generation device for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, the power generation device comprising:

a working fluid circuit having conduit and components for containing and directing flow of a working fluid between components of the device operative to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy, the working fluid circuit having a high pressure side and a low pressure side;

a support structure for supporting the conduit of the working fluid circuit and the components, the components of the working fluid circuit comprising;

a connection to a heat exchanger, an expander operative to convert a pressure drop in the working fluid to mechanical energy, a power generator coupled to the expander, a recuperator, a cooler coupling, and a pump;

and a mass management system having a mass control tank for receiving and holding the working fluid, the mass control tank connected by conduit to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit and to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit.

2. The power generation device of claim 1 wherein the working fluid circuit is connected to a heat exchanger.

3. The power generation device of claim 2 wherein the heat exchanger is located on the support structure.

4. The power generation device of claim 2 wherein the heat exchanger is located off the support structure.

5. The power generation device of claim 1 wherein the support structure is in the form of a frame configured to support the conduit and components of the working fluid circuit.

6. The power generation device of claim 2 further comprising a thermal energy source connection for connection to a thermal energy source for thermal communication with the heat exchanger.

7. The power generation device of claim 1 further comprising a control system operative to control the components and the working fluid circuit.

8. The power generation device of claim 1 further comprising a turbine expander.

9. The power generation device of claim 1 further comprising a turbine operatively connected to the pump.

10. The power generation device of claim 1 further comprising a cooling circuit configured for cooling the power generator.

11. The power generation device of claim 1 wherein the expander is connected to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit and to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit.

12. The power generation device of claim 11 wherein the connection of the expander to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit further includes a controlled connection to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit.

13. The power generation device of claim 1 wherein the mass management system further comprises connections to the mass control tank for addition or subtraction of working fluid to or from the mass control tank.

14. The power generation device of claim 1 further comprising a variable frequency drive for controlling operation of the pump motor.

15. The power generation device of claim 1 further comprising a connection to a coolant supply for providing a coolant in thermal communication with the cooler.

16-31. -31. (canceled)

32. A thermal energy conversion device for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, the device comprising:

a skid supporting a working fluid circuit having conduit and components for containing and directing flow of a working fluid between the components operative to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy, the working fluid circuit having a high pressure side in which the working fluid is in a super-critical state and a low pressure side in which the working fluid is in a sub-critical state;

the components of the working fluid circuit comprising;

a coupling for connection to a source of thermal energy, a connection to a heat exchanger for exchanging hear from the source of thermal energy to the working fluid, an expander operative to convert a pressure drop in the working fluid to mechanical energy, a recuperator, a cooler coupling, and a pump,

and a mass management system having a mass control tank for receiving and holding a quantity of the working fluid, the mass control tank connected by conduit to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit and to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit.

33. The thermal energy conversion device of claim 32 wherein a heat exchanger is located on the skid.

34. The thermal energy conversion device of claim 32 wherein the cooler coupling is coupled to a coolant source.

35. The thermal energy conversion device of claim 32 further comprising a cooler as a component of the working fluid circuit and located on the skid.

36. The thermal energy conversion device of claim 32 wherein the power generator is an alternator.

37-60. -60. (canceled)