US7469540B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy recovery from waste heat sources
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2005-08-30
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Granted: 2008-12-30
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Expires: 2025-08-30
Abstract
Abstract In some embodiments, three integrated phases may be used to reduce emissions, convert thermal energy into electricity, and cool inlet combustion air. An ammonia injection system may be designed to eliminate extraneous equipment and hazardous re-circulation lines by directly vaporizing, injecting, and mixing ammonia using a specially designed nozzle. The second phase may include using a preheat/vaporizer/superheater exchanger to convert ammonia liquid into a superheated vapor that is then passed through a turbo-expander/generator to produce power. In some embodiments, the third phase may include inlet combustion air chilling.
Inventors
- 👤 Brent William Knapton
- 👤 Craig A. Beam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:33
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K25/00; F01K25/08; F01K25/10; F01K25/106; F01N; F01N3/00; F01N3/08; F01N3/10; F01N3/18; F01N3/20; F01N3/206; F01N3/2066; F01N5/00; F01N5/02; F01N2610/00; F01N2610/10; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A system, comprising: a thermal recovery unit coupled to an exhaust stream of a diesel engine; a preheater coupled to the thermal recovery unit, wherein engine coolant from the diesel engine coupled to the preheater preheats a fluid entering the thermal recovery unit, wherein heat from the exhaust stream coupled to the thermal recovery unit is absorbed by the fluid moving through the thermal recovery unit; a turbine coupled to the thermal recovery unit, wherein the fluid exiting the thermal recovery unit interacts with the turbine; a generator coupled to the turbine, wherein the generator transforms energy transferred to the turbine from the fluid as a result of the interaction between the fluid and the turbine; and a desuperheater coupled to the thermal recovery unit, wherein the engine coolant is used to desuperheat the fluid exiting the turbine before the engine coolant enters the preheater.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A system, comprising: a thermal recovery unit coupled to an exhaust stream of a diesel engine; a preheater coupled to the thermal recovery unit, wherein engine coolant from the diesel engine coupled to the preheater preheats a fluid entering the thermal recovery unit, wherein heat from the exhaust stream coupled to the thermal recovery unit is absorbed by the fluid moving through the thermal recovery unit; a turbine coupled to the thermal recovery unit, wherein the fluid exiting the thermal recovery unit interacts with the turbine; a generator coupled to the turbine, wherein the generator transforms energy transferred to the turbine from the fluid as a result of the interaction between the fluid and the turbine; and a desuperheater coupled to the thermal recovery unit, wherein the engine coolant is used to desuperheat the fluid exiting the turbine before the engine coolant enters the preheater.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid exiting the thermal recovery unit is a superheated vapor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is anhydrous ammonia.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid moving through the thermal recovery unit is moving through a tube in the thermal recovery unit, and wherein the fluid does not mix with the exhaust stream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the thermal recovery unit is configured to cool at least one exhaust stream and condense acid vapors in the at least one exhaust stream.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the thermal recovery unit is further configured to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from at least one exhaust stream.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one section of reduction catalyst coupled to the diesel engine; and at least one section of oxidation catalyst coupled to at least one section of reduction catalyst, wherein the reduction catalyst and the oxidation catalyst reduce at least one of nitrous oxides compounds, carbon monoxide, un-combusted hydrocarbons, and large diameter particulate matter in the exhaust stream of the diesel engine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein at least one section of the reduction catalyst and at least one section of oxidation catalyst are in an insulated shell coupled to the diesel engine and wherein an inlet piping system coupled to the insulated shell is configured to heat the fluid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising an adsorption chiller coupled to the diesel engine, wherein the adsorption chiller cools inlet combustion air to the diesel engine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the adsorption chiller comprises a silica gel adsorption media to lower the temperature of a first water stream used to cool inlet combustion air to the diesel engine, wherein the silica gel adsorption media is regenerated by engine coolant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the engine coolant comprises a second water stream and a third water stream, wherein the second water stream is jacket water from the diesel engine and the third water stream is after-cooler water from the diesel engine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the first water stream flows through the adsorption chiller and then flows through extended surface tubes in an inlet air duct to the diesel engine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a nozzle for mixing a reagent into the exhaust stream of the diesel engine to remove volatile organic compounds.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the nozzle comprises: a tapered bore; a hollow shaft extending through the tapered bore; an inverted cone, comprising at least one slotted port, coupled to the hollow shaft; wherein a reagent flowing through the hollow shaft contacts the inverted cone and exits through at least one slotted port; and wherein the tapered bore creates at least a reduced pressure region near the inverted cone and shields at least one slotted port from direct exhaust stream.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The nozzle of claim 14 , wherein the end of the inverted cone furthest from the hollow shaft is at least partially sealed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the nozzle comprises: a rotating disc; a hollow shaft extending through the rotating disc; and an inverted cone coupled to the hollow shaft, wherein the inverted cone comprises at least one slotted port; wherein the exhaust stream interacts with the rotating disc to increase exhaust stream turbulence; wherein a reagent flowing through the hollow shaft contacts the inverted cone and exits through at least one slotted port; and wherein the reagent interacts with the increased turbulent exhaust stream to mix with the exhaust stream.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nozzle of claim 16 , wherein the rotating disc includes at least one slot.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
87 words
A method, comprising: preheating a fluid by placing the fluid in thermal contact with engine coolant; placing the fluid in thermal contact with an exhaust stream of a diesel engine to further heat the fluid; transferring at least part of the absorbed energy of the fluid to a turbine in contact with the fluid; transforming energy from the turbine through a generator; and cooling the fluid heated by the exhaust stream by placing the fluid in thermal contact with the engine coolant about to enter the preheater.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
87 words
A method, comprising: preheating a fluid by placing the fluid in thermal contact with engine coolant; placing the fluid in thermal contact with an exhaust stream of a diesel engine to further heat the fluid; transferring at least part of the absorbed energy of the fluid to a turbine in contact with the fluid; transforming energy from the turbine through a generator; and cooling the fluid heated by the exhaust stream by placing the fluid in thermal contact with the engine coolant about to enter the preheater.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 18 , further comprising: cooling the at least one exhaust stream; and condensing acid vapors in the at least one exhaust stream.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 18 , further comprising: cooling inlet combustion air to the diesel engine with an adsorption chiller utilizing silica gel adsorption media.
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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) | 2011-12-30 | 2012-06-30 | 2012-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-12-30 | 2016-06-30 | 2016-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-12-30 | 2020-06-30 | 2020-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |