US5029444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for converting low temperature heat to electric power
Assignee: Ak Texergy Co
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Filing: 1990-08-15
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Granted: 1991-07-09
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Expires: 2010-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for implementing a thermodynamic cycle which may be used to convert low temperature heat to electric power. The cycle comprises the steps of: expanding (101) a gaseous working stream; condensing (106) the spent stream; forming from the liquid working stream an enriched stream and a lean stream; and heating (102) the enriched stream forming the gaseous working stream. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander I. Kalina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:19
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K25/00; F01K25/06; F01K25/065; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for implementing a thermodynamic cycle comprising the steps of: expanding a gaseous working stream, transforming its energy into usable form and producing a spent stream; mixing with the spent stream a lean stream forming a pre-condensed stream; condensing the pre-condensed stream producing a liquid working stream; forming from the liquid working stream an enriched stream and the lean stream; and heating the enriched stream forming the gaseous working stream.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for implementing a thermodynamic cycle comprising the steps of: expanding a gaseous working stream, transforming its energy into usable form and producing a spent stream; mixing with the spent stream a lean stream forming a pre-condensed stream; condensing the pre-condensed stream producing a liquid working stream; forming from the liquid working stream an enriched stream and the lean stream; and heating the enriched stream forming the gaseous working stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of heating the enriched stream with heat transferred from an external heat source having a temperature of less than about 400° F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2 further including the step of heating the enriched stream with heat transferred from an external heat source having a temperature of less than about 250° F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the external heat source is selected from the group consisting of a low temperature geothermal brine and a solar pond.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of pumping the liquid working stream to an increased pressure and partially evaporating the liquid working stream with heat transferred from the spent stream and the lean stream after pumping the liquid working stream to an increased pressure.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for implementing a thermodynamic cycle comprising the steps of: expanding a gaseous working stream, transforming its energy into usable form and producing a spent stream; mixing with the spent a lean stream forming a pre-condensed stream; condensing the pre-condensed stream producing a liquid working stream; pumping the liquid working stream to an increased pressure; partially evaporating the liquid working stream with heat transferred from the spent stream and the lean stream; forming from the liquid working stream a vapor stream and a first liquid stream; separating the first liquid stream producing a second liquid stream and the lean stream; mixing the second liquid stream with the vapor stream producing an enriched stream; and heating the enriched stream with heat transferred from an external heat source producing the gaseous working stream.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for implementing a thermodynamic cycle comprising the steps of: expanding a gaseous working stream, transforming its energy into usable form and producing a spent stream; mixing with the spent a lean stream forming a pre-condensed stream; condensing the pre-condensed stream producing a liquid working stream; pumping the liquid working stream to an increased pressure; partially evaporating the liquid working stream with heat transferred from the spent stream and the lean stream; forming from the liquid working stream a vapor stream and a first liquid stream; separating the first liquid stream producing a second liquid stream and the lean stream; mixing the second liquid stream with the vapor stream producing an enriched stream; and heating the enriched stream with heat transferred from an external heat source producing the gaseous working stream.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the gaseous working stream, the spent stream, the lean stream, the pre-condensed stream, the liquid working stream, the first liquid stream, the second liquid stream, the vapor stream, and the enriched stream each comprise a low boiling component and a high boiling component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for implementing a thermodynamic cycle comprising: means for expanding a gaseous working stream, transferring its energy into usable form and producing a spent stream; a first stream mixer for mixing the spent stream with a lean stream forming a pre-condensed stream; a condenser for condensing the pre-condensed stream producing a liquid working stream; a pump for pumping the liquid working stream to an increased pressure; a gravity separator for forming from the liquid working stream a vapor stream and a first liquid stream; a first stream separator for separating the first liquid stream producing a second liquid stream and the lean stream; a second stream mixer for mixing the second liquid stream with the vapor stream producing an enriched stream; and a heat exchanger for heating the enriched stream with heat transferred from an external heat source producing the gaseous working stream.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for implementing a thermodynamic cycle comprising: means for expanding a gaseous working stream, transferring its energy into usable form and producing a spent stream; a first stream mixer for mixing the spent stream with a lean stream forming a pre-condensed stream; a condenser for condensing the pre-condensed stream producing a liquid working stream; a pump for pumping the liquid working stream to an increased pressure; a gravity separator for forming from the liquid working stream a vapor stream and a first liquid stream; a first stream separator for separating the first liquid stream producing a second liquid stream and the lean stream; a second stream mixer for mixing the second liquid stream with the vapor stream producing an enriched stream; and a heat exchanger for heating the enriched stream with heat transferred from an external heat source producing the gaseous working stream.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further including a gaseous working stream, a spent stream, a lean stream, a pre-condensed stream, a liquid working stream, a first liquid stream, a second liquid stream, a vapor stream, and an enriched stream that each comprise a low boiling component and a high boiling component.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further including a second heat exchanger for heating the liquid working stream with heat transferred from the lean stream, and a third heat exchanger for heating the liquid working stream with heat transferred from the spent stream.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further including an external heat source having a temperature of less than about 400° F.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the external heat source has a temperature of less than about 250° F.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the external heat source is selected from the group consisting of a low temperature geothermal brine and a solar pond.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-08 | 1995-01-07 | 1995-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-08 | 1999-01-07 | 1999-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-08 | 2003-01-07 | 2003-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |