Power generation by exchange of latent heats of phase transition
A power system is provided that uses the latent heat of fusion of water to raise the potential energy of a working fluid to a level that upon release generates power, preferably electrical power. The system is self-sustaining except for the energy that is supplied in water entering the system. The inlet water can be at any temperature within its liquid range under atmospheric or super atmospheric pressure, can advantageously contain the sensible waste heat typical of effluent from fossil fuel or nuclear power plants, can be relatively pure or be contaminated as with sewage or be the medium of a colloidal suspension, or consist of marine or other saline waters. In every case, purification of the water by freezing, for example, desalination, is accomplished without additional power consumption. A selected working fluid that boils at a temperature substantially below the freezing point of water is brought in the liquid state into contact with the water or other aqueous medium, causing the water to freeze and the working fluid to vaporize under pressure; the produced ice is removed; a portion of the so-produced ice is admixed with a eutectic forming salt to create a cooling medium at a temperature below the condensation temperature of the cooling fluid; the working-fluid vapors are preferably superheated by inlet aqueous medium and are released from autogenic elevated pressure to drive a turbine. Working fluid vapors are condensed by said cooling medium and returned by pumping into contact with inlet aqueous medium.
- Assignee:
- Levor Inc
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4283211
- OSTI ID:
- 5763564
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 9 Apr 1979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POWER PLANTS
DESIGN
DESALINATION
ELECTRIC POWER
EVAPORATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUSION HEAT
LIQUID WASTES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER GENERATION
SENSIBLE HEAT STORAGE
VAPOR CONDENSATION
WASTE HEAT
WATER
WORKING FLUIDS
DEMINERALIZATION
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY STORAGE
ENTHALPY
FLUIDS
FUELS
HEAT
HEAT STORAGE
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POWER
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STORAGE
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRANSITION HEAT
WASTES
200105* - Fossil-Fueled Power Plants- Heat Utilization
200102 - Fossil-Fueled Power Plants- Power Cycles