US3886748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Closed rankine cycle power plant and condenser therefor
Assignee: Ormat Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1973-08-29
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1993-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A closed Rankine cycle power plant operating with an organic fluid with a freezing point above ambient temperature wherein the condenser is designed for effecting the freezing of condensate on the inside without blocking vapor flow into the column. There is also provided a self-compensating condenser with a non-horizontal elongated condenser tube having a closed upper end and an open lower end associated with a header adapted to receive the vapor to be condensed. The header may be associated with a collector for the condensed liquid arriving by gravitational flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Lucien Yehuda Bronicki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:27
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D15/00; F28D15/02; F28D15/0266; F01; F01K; F01K9/00; F25; F25B; F25B23/00; F28B; F28B1/00; F28B1/06; F28B9/00; F28B9/02; F28B9/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A closed Rankine cycle power plant comprising an organic fluid with a freezing point above the effective ambient temperature, a boiler for vaporizing the fluid from its liquid state, a turbine for expanding the vapor and driving a load such as an electric generator, a condenser exposed to a heat sink at ambient temperature for converting the turbine exhaust vapors to a liquid at a lower temperature and pressure than in the boiler, and means for feeding the condensed liquid back into the boiler, the condenser having means for effecting the freezing of condensate on the inside of the condenser without blocking the flow of vapors into the condenser.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A closed Rankine cycle power plant comprising an organic fluid with a freezing point above the effective ambient temperature, a boiler for vaporizing the fluid from its liquid state, a turbine for expanding the vapor and driving a load such as an electric generator, a condenser exposed to a heat sink at ambient temperature for converting the turbine exhaust vapors to a liquid at a lower temperature and pressure than in the boiler, and means for feeding the condensed liquid back into the boiler, the condenser having means for effecting the freezing of condensate on the inside of the condenser without blocking the flow of vapors into the condenser.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
A closed Rankine cycle power plant comprising an organic fluid with a freezing point above the effective ambient temperature, a boiler for vaporizing the fluid from its liquid state, a turbine for expanding the vapor and driving a load such as an electric generator, a condenser exposed to a heat sink at ambient temperature for converting the turbine exhaust vapors to a liquid at a lower temperature and pressure than in the boiler, and means for feeding the condensed liquid back into the boiler, the condenser having means for effecting the freezing of condensate on the inside of the condenser without blocking the flow of vapors into the condenser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
A closed Rankine cycle power plant comprising an organic fluid with a freezing point above the effective ambient temperature, a boiler for vaporizing the fluid from its liquid state, a turbine for expanding the vapor and driving a load such as an electric generator, a condenser exposed to a heat sink at ambient temperature for converting the turbine exhaust vapors to a liquid at a lower temperature and pressure than in the boiler, and means for feeding the condensed liquid back into the boiler, the condenser having means for effecting the freezing of condensate on the inside of the condenser without blocking the flow of vapors into the condenser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A self-compensating condenser according to claim 1 wherein the header is elongated in the horizontal direction and a plurality of condenser tubes are connected to the header at lengthwise spaced positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A self-compensating condenser according to claim 2 wherein the tube is inclined at an angle to the horizontal of less than 90*C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A self-compensating condenser according to claim 2 wherein the tubes are arranged on the header in two lengthwise rows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A self-compensating condenser according to claim 4 wherein the header is insulated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A self-compensating condenser according to claim 5 wherein the condenser tube has a plurality of fins on its exterior surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
122 words
A closed Rankine cycle power plant operating with an organic working fluid comprising a boiler for vaporizing the fluid from its liquid state, a turbine for expanding the vapor and driving a load such as an electric generator, a condenser exposed to a heat sink at ambient temperature for converting the turbine exhaust vapors to a liquid at a lower temperature and pressure than in the boiler, and means for feeding the condensed liquid back into the boiler, the improvement comprising an organic working fluid with a freezing point above the effective ambient temperature of the heat sink, and means on the condenser for effecting the freezing of condensate on the inside of the condenser without blocking the flow of vapor thereinto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
A closed Rankine cycle power plant operating with an organic working fluid comprising a boiler for vaporizing the fluid from its liquid state, a turbine for expanding the vapor and driving a load such as an electric generator, a condenser exposed to a heat sink at ambient temperature for converting the turbine exhaust vapors to a liquid at a lower temperature and pressure than in the boiler, and means for feeding the condensed liquid back into the boiler, the improvement comprising an organic working fluid with a freezing point above the effective ambient temperature of the heat sink, and means on the condenser for effecting the freezing of condensate on the inside of the condenser without blocking the flow of vapor thereinto.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for operating a closed Rankine cycle power plant having a boiler for vaporizing a working fluid, a turbine for expanding the vapor produced by the boiler and driving a load, a condenser for rejecting heat in the turbine exhAust vapors into a heat sink to convert the vapors to a liquid at a lower pressure than in the boiler, and means for feeding the condensed liquid back into the boiler, said method comprising the steps of: a. selecting the working fluid such that its freezing point is above the temperature of the heat sink; and b. arranging for condensate collecting on the inside of the condenser to freeze without blocking the flow of vapor into the condensate.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for operating a closed Rankine cycle power plant having a boiler for vaporizing a working fluid, a turbine for expanding the vapor produced by the boiler and driving a load, a condenser for rejecting heat in the turbine exhAust vapors into a heat sink to convert the vapors to a liquid at a lower pressure than in the boiler, and means for feeding the condensed liquid back into the boiler, said method comprising the steps of: a. selecting the working fluid such that its freezing point is above the temperature of the heat sink; and b. arranging for condensate collecting on the inside of the condenser to freeze without blocking the flow of vapor into the condensate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 including the step of gravity feeding liquid that condenses on the frozen condensate into the means for feeding the condensed liquid back into the boiler.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
101 words
A closed Rankine cycle power plant operating with an organic working fluid comprising a boiler for vaporizing the fluid from its liquid state, a turbine for expanding the vapor and driving a load such as an electric generator, a condenser exposed to a heat sink at ambient temperature for converting the turbine exhaust vapors to a liquid at a lower temperature and pressure than in the boiler, means for feeding the condensed liquid back into the boiler, and means for enabling the power plant to operate while the working fluid in the condenser exists in its solid, liquid and vapor phases.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
A closed Rankine cycle power plant operating with an organic working fluid comprising a boiler for vaporizing the fluid from its liquid state, a turbine for expanding the vapor and driving a load such as an electric generator, a condenser exposed to a heat sink at ambient temperature for converting the turbine exhaust vapors to a liquid at a lower temperature and pressure than in the boiler, means for feeding the condensed liquid back into the boiler, and means for enabling the power plant to operate while the working fluid in the condenser exists in its solid, liquid and vapor phases.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |