Patent ID: 9260982
Filing Date: 2016-02-16
CPC Classification: F01K,F03G,Y02E

Claim Text:
1. A method of recovering thermal energy using a Rankine cycle system comprising: (a) transferring heat from a first waste heat-containing stream to a first working fluid stream to produce thereby a first vaporized working fluid stream and a second waste heat-containing stream; (b) expanding the first vaporized working fluid stream to produce thereby mechanical energy and an expanded first vaporized working fluid stream; (c) transferring heat from the expanded first vaporized working fluid stream, and the second waste heat-containing stream to a first condensed working fluid stream to produce thereby a second vaporized working fluid stream, a heat depleted second waste heat-containing stream and a first heat depleted working fluid stream; (d) expanding the second vaporized working fluid stream to produce thereby mechanical energy and the expanded second vaporized working fluid stream; (e) transferring heat from the expanded second vaporized working fluid stream to a second condensed working fluid stream, to produce thereby a stream of the working fluid having greater enthalpy than the second condensed working fluid stream, and a second heat depleted working fluid stream; and (f) combining the first heat depleted working fluid stream with the second heat depleted working fluid stream to produce thereby a consolidated heat depleted working fluid stream.