Binary vapor cycle method of electrical power generation

Patent · Tue Apr 13 00:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5203025

Humiston, G F

A binary vapor cycle method of electrical power generation is disclosed wherein two refrigerant fluids can be used to operate an apparatus for the generation of mechanical power as well as electrical power generation. This method, which is essentially a dual heat pump system, offers an approach to utilizing the advantages of two different refrigerants within a single apparatus. This advantage is particularly advantageous in the ulitization of low specific energy sources, such as two water sources which exist in close proximity to each other, but at different temperatures. Thus, water, which itself is a heat pump fluid, can be used as a means of transmitting heat energy to a second heat pump fluid, or refrigerant, without incurring the disadvantages of water, or water vapors, as a means to produce power, because of its high specific volume and low saturation pressures at low temperatures. Additionally, since the warm water source of energy most commonly available is in the form of reservoirs, such as the ocean waters, and the utilization of barometric legs to bring the warm water into contact with the process, eliminates the use of expensive heat exchangers, which is the case of ocean water, are subject to fouling and loss of efficiency due to clinging microorganisms.

• Assignee: EDB-82-140015
• Patent Number(s): US 4324983
• OSTI ID: 5203025
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 15 Sep 1977; Other Information: PAT-APPL-833663
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
BINARY-FLUID SYSTEMS
DESIGN
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
ELECTRIC POWER
EQUIPMENT
HEAT PUMPS
POWER GENERATION
REFRIGERANTS
VAPORS
WATER
CONVERSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
WORKING FLUIDS
140800* - Solar Energy- Ocean Energy Systems