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Title: Method and apparatus for implementing a thermodynamic cycle with recuperative preheating

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6664977

This patent describes method for implementing a thermodynamic cycle comprising the steps of: expanding a gaseous working fluid including at least two components having different boiling points to transform its energy into useable form; splitting the expanded gaseous working fluid into first and second streams; expanding the first stream to a spent low pressure level to transform its energy into useable form; subjecting at least a portion of the first stream having an initial composition of higher and lower boiling components to distillation at an intermediate pressure in a distillation system to distill or evaporate part of the stream and thus generate an enriched vapor fraction which is enriched with a lower boiling component relatively to both a rich working fluid fraction and a lean working fluid fraction; mixing the enriched vapor fraction with part of the first stream and absorbing it therein to produce at lease one rich working fluid fraction which is enriched relatively to a composite working fluid with a lower boiling component; generating at least one lean working fluid fraction from part of the first stream, the lean working fluid fraction being impoverished relatively to such a composite working fluid with a lower boiling component; using a remaining part of the first stream as a condensation stream; condensing vapor contained in the rich and lean working fluid fractions to the extent that it is present; increasing the pressures of the rich and lean working fluid fractions in liquid form to a charged high pressure level; mixing the lean and rich working fluid fractions to generate a composite working fluid.

Assignee:
NOV; NOV-89-033455; EDB-89-008095
Patent Number(s):
US 4763480
OSTI ID:
6664977
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 17 Oct 1986
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English