Patent ID: 8616001
Filing Date: 2013-12-31
Classification: F01K,F22B

Abstract:
1. A heat engine system for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, comprising: a working fluid comprising carbon dioxide; a working fluid circuit containing the working fluid and having a low pressure side, the working fluid circuit separates the working fluid into a first mass flow and a second mass flow, and at least a portion of the working fluid circuit is configured to contain the working fluid in a supercritical state; a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the main pump via the working fluid circuit and configured to be in thermal communication with a heat source, the first heat exchanger receiving the first mass flow and configured to transfer thermal energy from the heat source to the first mass flow; a power turbine fluidly coupled to the first heat exchanger via the working fluid circuit and configured to expand the first mass flow; a first recuperator fluidly coupled to the power turbine via the working fluid circuit and receiving the first mass flow discharged from the power turbine; a second recuperator fluidly coupled to the drive turbine via the working fluid circuit and receiving the working fluid discharged from the drive turbine, wherein the drive turbine is configured to expand the working fluid; a condenser fluidly coupled to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit downstream of the first recuperator and the second recuperator and upstream of the main pump, and configured to remove thermal energy from the working fluid; a starter pump fluidly arranged in parallel with the main pump in the working fluid circuit; a first recirculation line disposed downstream of the main pump and upstream of the condenser within the working fluid circuit; and a second recirculation line disposed downstream of the starter pump and upstream of the condenser within the working fluid circuit.