CRYOGENIC POWER EXTRACTION

• US 20170009607A1
• Filed: 02/17/2015
• Published: 01/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: COOK, CHARLES R., LEAR, WILLIAM E. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 10,480,353 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 15/005 Adaptations for refrigeration plants
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 15/10 Adaptations for driving, or combinations with, electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 23/101 Regulating means specially adapted therefor F01K23/105, F01K23/108 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 5/02 used in regenerative installation
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 9/04 Recovery of thermal energy

Abstract

Various examples are provided for cryogenic power extraction. In one example, among others, a system for cryogenic power extraction includes a heat exchanger that can heat a cryogenic working fluid using exhaust heat from a heat source, and a turbine that can generate power from the heated cryogenic working fluid. In another example, a method includes heating a cryogenic working fluid with waste heat from a heat source and driving a turbine with the heated cryogenic working fluid. Power produced by the turbine can be used drive a mechanical load and/or generate electricity for use by an electrical load. For example, waste heat from a combustion engine of a vehicle can be used to generate power for driving mechanical loads of the engine and/or to generate electricity for charging a battery of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for cryogenic power extraction, comprising:

a heat exchanger configured to heat a cryogenic working fluid using exhaust heat from a heat source; and

a turbine configured to generate power from the heated cryogenic working fluid.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the cryogenic working fluid is liquid nitrogen (LN2).

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the LN2 is exhausted to the atmosphere after passing through the turbine.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the cryogenic working fluid is liquid hydrogen (LH2).

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat source is a combustion engine.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the system is in a vehicle including the combustion engine.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the vehicle is a hybrid electric car.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the generated power charges a battery of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the generated power drives a mechanical load of the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the heat exchanger heats the cryogenic working fluid using the exhaust heat generated during operation of the combustion engine.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the heat exchanger heats the cryogenic working fluid using residual exhaust heat from the combustion engine after operation has been stopped.

12. The system of claim 5, further comprising a precooling heat exchanger configured to cool air supplied to the combustion engine with the cryogenic working fluid.

13. The system of claim 5, further comprising a heat exchanger configured to cool air with the cryogenic working fluid, where the air is supplied for air conditioning of the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 5, wherein the cryogenic working fluid is liquid natural gas (LNG).

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the LNG is supplied as fuel for the combustion engine after passing through the turbine.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a coolant loop configured to obtain at least a portion of the exhaust heat from the heat source and provide the portion of the exhaust heat to the heat exchanger.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the coolant loop utilizes glycol to transport the portion of the exhaust heat from the heat source to the heat exchanger.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising a storage tank configured to store the cryogenic working fluid.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising an adjustable throttle valve configured to regulate the cryogenic working fluid supplied from the storage tank to the heat exchanger.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising control circuitry configured to monitor operating conditions of the system and regulate the adjustable throttle valve based at least in part upon the monitored operating conditions.