Abstract:
A magnetocaloric driving device is disclosed herein. The driving device comprises a magnet, an effective amount of a magnetocaloric material, and a counterpoise mechanism. The driving device generates useful mechanical energy by alternately cooling and heating the magnetocaloric material using an ambient heat sink proximate to a heat source. Useful heat sources include hot production fluids, such as hot water produced from a geothermal well. Useful heat sinks include cold production fluids, and cold ambient environments.
Abstract:
A Rankine cycle system useful for the conversion of waste heat into mechanical and/or electrical energy is provided. The system features a novel configuration in which a first closed loop thermal energy recovery cycle comprising a first working fluid stream and a second closed loop thermal energy recovery cycle comprising a second working fluid stream interact but do not mix. The two thermal energy recovery cycles interact thermally via heat exchangers, a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the first working fluid stream to the second working fluid stream, and a second heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the second working fluid stream to the first working fluid stream. In one or more embodiments, the Rankine cycle system is adapted for the use of supercritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid.
Abstract:
A novel Rankine cycle system configured to convert waste heat into mechanical and/or electrical energy is provided. In one aspect, the system provided by the present invention comprises a novel configuration of the components of a conventional Rankine cycle system; conduits, ducts, heaters, expanders, heat exchangers, condensers and pumps to provide more efficient energy recovery from a waste heat source. In one aspect, the Rankine cycle system is configured such that an initial waste heat-containing stream is employed to vaporize a first working fluid stream, and a resultant heat depleted waste heat-containing stream and a first portion of an expanded second vaporized working fluid stream are employed to augment heat provided by an expanded first vaporized working fluid stream in the production of a second vaporized working fluid stream. The Rankine cycle system is adapted for the use of supercritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid.
Abstract:
A power generation system utilizing a fuel cell is described. The system includes a fuel cell having an anode configured to generate a tail gas. The anode includes an inlet and an outlet. The system further includes a fuel path configured to divert a first portion of the anode tail gas to the inlet of the anode; and a second portion of the anode tail gas to a reciprocating engine. The associated reciprocating engine is at least partially powered by the second portion of the anode tail-gas. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a power generation system that includes the anode and an external fuel reforming system, along with a gas splitting mechanism to divide the reformed fuel into two streams. One stream is directed back to the fuel cell anode, while another stream is used to completely or partially power an external or internal combustion engine.
Abstract:
A turbomachine complex includes at least one motor-generator, at least one power source coupled to the at least one motor-generator, and at least one load dissipative device coupled to the at least one motor-generator. The turbomachine complex is configured to energize the at least one motor-generator through the at least one power source. The turbomachine complex is further configured to simultaneously energize the at least one at least one load dissipative device through the at least one motor-generator.
Abstract:
A novel Rankine cycle system configured to convert waste heat into mechanical and/or electrical energy is provided. In one aspect, the system provided by the present invention comprises a novel configuration of the components of a conventional Rankine cycle system; conduits, ducts, heaters, expanders, heat exchangers, condensers and pumps to provide more efficient energy recovery from a waste heat source. In one aspect, the Rankine cycle system is configured such that an initial waste heat-containing stream is employed to vaporize a first working fluid stream, and a resultant heat depleted waste heat-containing stream is employed to aid in the production of a second vaporized working fluid stream. The Rankine cycle system is adapted for the use of supercritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid.
Abstract:
A magnetocaloric valve is described. The valve is largely energetically self-sufficient and contains the following components: (a) a conduit defining a flow channel; (b) a flow channel blocking member; and (c) a driving device configured to move the flow channel blocking member into and out of the flow channel. The driving device has as key components a magnet, an effective amount of a magnetocaloric material, and a counterpoise mechanism. The driving device is powered by alternately cooling and heating the magnetocaloric material using an ambient heat sink and a production fluid heat source. Alternatively, the driving device is powered by alternately cooling and heating the magnetocaloric material using a production fluid heat sink and an ambient heat source. The valve may be kept open or closed by otherwise preventing movement of a movable component of the driving device, for example a shaft, by means of an electrically actuated shaft latch.
Abstract:
A Rankine cycle system useful for the conversion of waste heat into mechanical and/or electrical energy is provided. The system features a novel configuration in which a first closed loop thermal energy recovery cycle comprising a first working fluid stream and a second closed loop thermal energy recovery cycle comprising a second working fluid stream interact but do not mix. The two thermal energy recovery cycles interact thermally via heat exchangers, a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the first working fluid stream to the second working fluid stream, and a second heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the second working fluid stream to the first working fluid stream. In one or more embodiments, the Rankine cycle system is adapted for the use of supercritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid.