Patent ID: 6769256
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: F01K

Abstract:
A method for implementing a thermodynamic cycle comprising the steps of:transforming thermal energy from a fully vaporized boiling stream into a usable energy form to produce a lower pressure, spent stream; transferring thermal energy from an external heat source stream to a boiling stream to form the fully vaporized boiling stream and a cooled external heat source stream; transferring thermal energy from the spent stream to a first portion of a heated higher pressure, basic working fluid stream to form a partially condensed spent stream and a first pre-heated, higher pressure, basic working fluid stream; transferring thermal energy from the cooled external heat source stream to a second portion of the heated higher pressure, basic working fluid stream to form a second pre-heated, higher pressure, basic working fluid stream and a spent external heat source stream; combining the first and second pre-heated, higher pressure basic working fluid streams to form a combined pre-heated, higher pressure basic working fluid stream; separating the partially condensed spent stream into a separated vapor stream and a separated liquid stream; pressurizing a first portion of the separated liquid stream to a pressure equal to a pressure of the combined pre-heated, higher pressure basic working fluid stream to form a pressurized liquid stream; combining the pressurized liquid stream with the combined pre-heated, higher pressure basic working fluid stream to form the boiling stream; combining a second portion of the separated liquid stream with the separated vapor stream to from a lower pressure, basic working fluid stream; transferring thermal energy from the lower pressure, basic working fluid stream to a higher pressure, basic working fluid stream to form the heated, higher pressure, basic working fluid stream and a cooled, lower pressure, basic working fluid stream; transferring thermal energy cooled, lower pressure, basic working fluid stream to an external coolant stream to from a spent coolant stream and a fully condensed, lower pressure, basic working fluid stream; and pressurizing the fully condensed, lower pressure, basic working fluid stream to the higher pressure, basic working fluid stream.