Title: Organic flash cycles for efficient power production

Abstract

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to an Organic Flash Cycle (OFC). In one aspect, a modified OFC system includes a pump, a heat exchanger, a flash evaporator, a high pressure turbine, a throttling valve, a mixer, a low pressure turbine, and a condenser. The heat exchanger is coupled to an outlet of the pump. The flash evaporator is coupled to an outlet of the heat exchanger. The high pressure turbine is coupled to a vapor outlet of the flash evaporator. The throttling valve is coupled to a liquid outlet of the flash evaporator. The mixer is coupled to an outlet of the throttling valve and to an outlet of the high pressure turbine. The low pressure turbine is coupled to an outlet of the mixer. The condenser is coupled to an outlet of the low pressure turbine and to an inlet of the pump.

Inventors:

Ho, Tony; Mao, Samuel S.; Greif, Ralph

Issue Date:

Tue Mar 15 00:00:00 EDT 2016

Research Org.:

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1243057

Patent Number(s):

9284857

Application Number:

13/923,159

Assignee:

LBNL

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F01 - MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL F01K - STEAM ENGINE PLANTS

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F22 - STEAM GENERATION F22B - METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION

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F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F01 - MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL F01K - STEAM ENGINE PLANTS

F01K13/00 - General layout or general methods of operation of complete plants
F01K13/02 - Controlling, e.g. stopping or starting
F01K23/10 - with exhaust fluid of one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle
F01K25/00 - Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for
F01K25/04 - the fluid being in different phases, e.g. foamed
F01K25/08 - using special vapours
F01K25/10 - the vapours being cold, e.g. ammonia, carbon dioxide, ether
F01K25/14 - using industrial or other waste gases

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F22 - STEAM GENERATION F22B - METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION

F22B27/00 - Instantaneous or flash steam boilers
F22B3/04 - by drop in pressure of high-pressure hot water within pressure- reducing chambers, e.g. in accumulators

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC02-05CH11231

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2013 Jun 20

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; 32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; 42 ENGINEERING