Patent ID: 6195997
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: F01K

Abstract:
A method of recovering energy which comprises:a. providing a selected working fluid comprising at least two components to a first pump;b. feeding the selected working fluid to a dividing means;c. dividing the working fluid into a first stream and a second stream,d. feeding the first stream at an intermediate pressure to a first heat transfer zone to transfer heat to the working fluid stream thereby heating the stream to a higher temperature,e. feeding the higher temperature stream to a separation means,f. separating a volatile component enriched stream and a volatile component depleted stream;g. cooling the volatile component enriched stream;h. further cooling the volatile component enriched stream in a heat exchanger;i. feeding the volatile component enriched stream to an expansion means;j. expanding the volatile component enriched stream to a lower temperature and pressure;k. feeding the expanded lower temperature and pressure volatile component enriched stream to a heat exchanger where the volatile enriched stream is partially or completely vaporized by heat exchange while absorbing heat from an external stream;l. feeding the at least partially vaporized volatile component enriched stream to a heat exchanger;m. feeding the volatile component enriched stream to the mixing means;n. feeding the volatile component depleted stream to the mixing means;o. feeding the second working fluid stream to a second pump and increasing the pressure of the second working fluid stream to a high pressure;p. feeding the high pressure second working fluid stream to a second heat exchange zone wherein heat is transferred to the high pressure second working fluid stream to produce a higher temperature and pressure condition of the second working fluid stream;q. work expanding the higher temperature and pressure second working fluid stream to convert a portion of the heat energy to mechanical energy;r. returning the second working fluid stream to the mixer; ands. repeating the cycle as set out above.