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Cascading closed loop cycle (CCLC)

  • US 6,857,268 B2
  • Filed: 07/22/2002
  • Issued: 02/22/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for converting heat to useful energy based on a Cascading Closed Loop Cycle (CCLC), said method comprising the following steps:

  • A) supplying a primary liquid stream of propane to a primary indirect heat exchanger to vaporize said propane by utilizing the thermal energy derived from a heat source;

    B) expanding the primary stream of vaporized propane in a primary expansion turbine to produce useful energy;

    C) leading the primary vaporized propane stream leaving the primary expansion turbine to a secondary indirect heat exchanger;

    D) superheating a secondary stream of vaporized propane in the secondary indirect heat exchanger;

    E) expanding the secondary stream of superheated propane in a secondary expansion turbine to produce useful energy;

    F) leading the primary stream of vaporized propane exiting the secondary indirect heat exchanger to a stream mixer;

    G) leading the secondary stream of vaporized propane exiting the secondary expansion turbine to the stream mixer;

    H) combining the primary and secondary streams of vaporized propane in the stream mixer;

    I) leading the combined stream of vaporized propane to a tertiary indirect heat exchanger for vaporizing the secondary stream of liquid propane;

    J) leading the combined stream of vaporized propane to a condenser for cooling the same to a liquid;

    K) leading the combined stream of liquid propane exiting the condenser to a pump;

    L) pressurizing the combined stream of liquid propane in the pump;

    M) separating the pressurized combined stream of liquid propane from the discharge of the pump into a primary and secondary propane stream in the stream separator;

    N) leading the primary stream of pressurized liquid propane to Step A for vaporizing same; and

    O) leading the secondary stream of pressurized liquid propane to Step I for vaporizing same.

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