Closed-cycle gas laser system

Abstract

Abstract A gas laser of the mixing type which separately excites an energizing gas (such as N2) and causes the mixing of a lasing gas (such as CO2) with the energizing gas in or near the optical cavity, includes a lasing gas recovery separator so as to permit closed-cycle operation. Each of the embodiments includes a primer mover such as a gas turbine or a diesel engine that operates a compressor to create the gaseous flow necessary for operating the laser. Either the prime mover, or the gaseous flow and a turbine expander, may be utilized to operate an electric generator for exciting the energizing gas. In a first embodiment, the gas effluent from the laser is first passed through a regenerative cooling heat exchanger, then through a water-cooled heat exchanger, through the compressor, and a second water-cooled heat exchanger into the carbon dioxide separator. From the separator it is passed through the coolant side of the regenerative heat exchanger, and is then warmed in a heat exchanger heated by prime mover exhaust and passed through a turbine which expands and thereby cools the flow of gas and renders it suitable for passage to the laser, the shaft of the turbine driving the electric generator. Water cooling, for the heat exchangers which use it, may be provided in an air-cooled closed-cycle water system, or by a suitable expendable source of external water. In a second embodiment, the regenerative and water-cooled heat exchangers are eliminated, a somewhat larger compressor is used, and the warmer gas is utilized as a source of heat for the stripper portion of a monoethanolamine (hereinafter ''''MEA'''') absorbent, carbon dioxide separator; in other respects it is the same as the first embodiment. In a third embodiment, the electric generator and compressor are on the same shaft with the turbine, and water-cooled heat exchangers are used at the input and output of the compressor. No work is performed on or with the gas flow as it leaves the carbon dioxide separator. In other respects, this embodiment is similar to the first embodiment.

Inventors

• 👤 Gorkcr Melikian
• 👤 Frank R Biancardi

Bibliographic Details