Power conversion system operating on closed rankine cycle

Abstract

Abstract THE DISCLOSURE CONCERNS A POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING HEAT ENERGY TO ELECTRICAL POWER, WHEREIN THE POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM INCLUDES A SO-CALLED JET CONDENSER CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST OUTLET OF A TURBINE WHICH DRIVES AN ELECTRIC GENERATOR, SUCH AS AN ALTERNATOR, IN PRODUCING ELECTRICAL POWER. THE POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM COMPRISES A CLOSED RANKINE CYCLE EMPLOYING AN ORGANIC WORKING FLUID. THE SINGLE WORKING FLUID AFTER BEING HEATED TO ITS VAPORIZED PHASE DRIVES THE TURBINE TO GENERATE ELECTRICAL POWER AND IS DISCHARGED FROM THE EXHAUST OUTLET OF THE TURBINE IN ITS VAPOR PHASE FOR ADMISSION INTO THE CONDENSER. A JET STREAM OF COOLED WORKING FLUID IN ITS LIQUID PHASE IS INJECTED INTO THE JET CONDENSER TO MIX WITH THE VAPORIZED WORKING FLUID COMING FROM THE EXHAUST OUTLET OF THE TURBINE. THE MIXING OF THE COOLED LIQUID WORKING FLUID WITH THE VAPORIZED WORKING FLUID CAUSES RAPIE CONDENSATION OF THE VAPORIZED WORKING FLUID FOR REUSE IN THE SYSTEM CYCLE, WHILE PROVIDING FOR A REDUCTION IN THE TURBINE BACK PRESSURES WHICH ARE CRITICAL TO THE EFFICIENCY OF THE SYSTEM SO AS TO IMPROVE ITS EFFICIENCY IN PRODUCING AN ELECTRICAL OUTPUT FROM A SUITABLE HEAT SOURCE. THE HEAT SOURCE EMPLOYED WITH THE SYSTEM MAY COMPRISE NUCLEAR ENERGY, SUCH AS HEAT ENERGY FROM NUCLEAR REACTORS OR RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES, OR CHEMICAL HEATING, SOLAR ENERGY, OR OTHER HEAT SOURCES WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF HEATING A WORKING FLUID IN ITS LIQUID PHASE IN A BOILER PRIOR TO ADMITTING THE WORKING FLUID AS A HEATED VAPOR INTO THE TURBINE FOR DRIVING THE TURBINE BLADES AND PRODUCING ELECTRICAL ENERGY THROUGH AN ALTERNATOR OPERATED BY THE ROTATING SHAFT OF THE TURBINE.

Inventors

• 👤 Frank Martinek
• 👤 William T Macauley

Bibliographic Details