Patent ID: 7891189
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: F01K

Abstract:
1. A method for performing a thermodynamic cycle, comprising: pressurizing a liquid working substance flow; separating the pressurized liquid working substance flow into a first partial flow and a second partial flow, the first and second partial flows and the liquid working substance flow having a similar temperature and pressure; partially vaporizing the first partial flow by transferring heat energy from a heat source to the first partial flow; partially vaporizing the second partial flow by transferring heat energy from an expanded working substance flow to the second partial flow; combining in a mixer the partially vaporized first and second partial flows to supply a partially evaporated working substance flow, the first and second partial flows having similar temperatures and steam contents; directly connecting to the mixer a first heat exchanger to receive the partially evaporated working substance flow; creating in the first heat exchanger a fully vaporized working substance flow by vaporizing the partially evaporated working substance flow by transferring heat energy from a heat source to the partially evaporated working substance flow and by separating residual liquid components from the vaporized working substance flow via a separator circuit arranged after the first heat exchanger and before the fully vaporized working substance flow enters a turbine; creating the expanded working substance flow by expanding the vaporized working substance flow in the turbine and converting the thermal energy of the working substance flow into a usable form; partially condensing in a second heat exchanger the expanded working substance flow thereby creating a partially condensed, expanded working substance flow, and completely condensing the partially condensed, expanded working substance flow in a condenser to form the liquid working substance flow to complete the thermodynamic cycle, wherein a mass flow exiting the second heat exchanger corresponds to a mass flow entering the condenser.