Self-contained small utility system

• US 5,392,606 A
• Filed: 02/22/1994
• Issued: 02/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Labinov, Solomon D., Sand, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HEYMAN, LEONARD
• Application Number:
  US08/199,117
• Time in Patent Office: 371 Days
• Field of Search: 60/673, 60/649, 60/653, 165/104.12, 62/87, 62/116, 62/112, 62/402
• US Class Current: 60/673
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 25/00 Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for; Plants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 1/10 Closed cycles

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed to provide a fuel efficient source of readily converted energy to an isolated or remote energy consumption facility. External heat from any of a large variety of sources is converted to an electrical, mechanical, heat or cooling form of energy. A polyatomic working fluid energized by external heat sources is dissociated to a higher gaseous energy state for expansion through a turbine prime mover. The working fluid discharge from the turbine prime mover is routed to a recouperative heat exchanger for exothermic recombination reaction heat transfer to working fluid discharged from the compressor segment of the thermodynaic cycle discharge. The heated compressor discharge fluid is thereafter further heated by the external heat source to the initial higher energy state. Under the pressure at the turbine outlet, the working fluid goes out from a recouperative heat exchanger to a superheated vapor heat exchanger where it is cooled by ambient medium down to an initial temperature of condensation. Thereafter, the working fluid is condensed to a complete liquid state in a condenser cooled by an external medium. This liquid is expanded isenthalpically down to the lowest pressure of the cycle. Under this pressure, the working fluid is evaporated to the superheated vapor state of the inlet of a compressor.

Claims

1. A method of transforming heat energy to useful work comprising the steps of:

providing a closed circulation system for a working fluid which includes a turbo prime mover, a turbo compressor and a recuperative heat exchanger;

charging said closed circulation system with a polyatomic working fluid having the cyclic property of at least partial dissociation from the gaseous state of a first molecular structure to the gaseous state of a second, less complex molecular structure and recombination;

compressing a gaseous phase of said working fluid in said turbo compressor to a first, molecular, energy state;

delivering said first, molecular, energy state working fluid to said recuperative heat exchanger to receive exothermic reaction heat and raise said working fluid to a second, molecular, energy state greater than said first;

heating said second, molecular, energy state working fluid to a third energy state of at least partial dissociation;

expanding said third energy state working fluid through a turbo prime mover;

delivering working fluid exhaust from said prime mover to said recuperative heat exchanger for recombination reaction; and

transferring exothermic heat from said recombination reaction to said first, molecular, energy state working fluid.

2. A method as described by claim 1 wherein said turbo prime mover is connected to drive a dynamo for the production of useful work.

3. A method as described by claim 1 wherein said polyatomic working fluid is NH₃.

4. A method as described by claim 1 wherein said polyatomic working fluid is CH₃ CH(OH)CH₃.

5. A method as described by claim 1 wherein recombined working fluid from said recuperative heat exchanger is cooled by the transfer of energy in a desuperheater to a second working fluid for the production of useful work.

6. A system for transforming heat energy to useful work comprising:

vapor compression means, a low energy course through recouperative heat exchange means, influx heat exchange means, turbo prime mover means and a high energy course through said recouperative heat exchanger means, all connected in the foregoing flow sequence by closed fluid conduit means; and

a polyatomic working fluid within said conduit means having the cyclic property of at least partial dissociation from the gaseous state of a first molecular structure to the gaseous state of a second, less complex molecular structure and recombination.

7. A system as described by claim 6 wherein said high energy course through said recouperative heat exchange means includes exothermic recombination reaction conditions for said working fluid.

8. A system as described by claim 6 wherein said turbo prime mover is connected to drive said vapor compression means.

9. A system as described by claim 6 wherein said turbo prime mover is connected to drive dynamo means.

10. A system as described by claim 6 wherein said closed fluid conduit means connects Rankine cycle condenser means between said recouperative heat exchanger high energy course and said vapor compression means.

11. A system as described by claim 6 wherein said closed fluid conduit means connects isenthalpic evaporator means between said recouperative heat exchanger high energy course and said vapor compression means.

12. A system as described by claim 10 wherein said closed fluid conduit means connect isenthalpic evaporator means between said Rankine cycle condenser means and said vapor compression means.