Patent ID: 8528333
Filing Date: 2013-09-10
Classification: F01K

Abstract:
1. A system for controlled recovery of thermal energy from a natural gas compression module powered by a reciprocating engine, the natural gas compression module comprising one or more compression stages for compressing natural gas flowing within a pipeline and conversion of said thermal energy to mechanical energy, the system comprising: a. a natural gas compression module and a reciprocating engine operable to provide a primary power source and a one or more sources of thermal energy; b. a circulating pump, at least one propellant heat exchanger, an expander, and a condenser, arranged to operate an organic Rankine cycle in which thermal energy is collected from the engine and from the natural gas compression module and is transferred to a liquid organic propellant in the at least one propellant heat exchanger to evaporate the propellant, which gaseous propellant then drives the expander in production of mechanical energy to create a secondary power source, for use in powering at least one system parasitic load with spent propellant from the expander condensed back into liquid form by the condenser for reuse within the organic Rankine cycle; c. a sensor for measuring at least one of: temperature: pressure; and flow of organic propellant within the Rankine cycle; d. and a control module for regulating operation of the Rankine cycle based on said sensor measurements, to optimize power generation by the secondary power source.