Patent ID: 7401475
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: F01C,F25B

Abstract:
1. A thermodynamic system comprising: means for compressing a first fluid stream containing a first gas-liquid mixture having a sufficient liquid content so that compression of the gas within the first gas-liquid mixture by the compressing means is nearly isothermal; means for expanding a second fluid stream containing a second gas-liquid mixture having a sufficient liquid content so that expansion of the gas within the second gas-liquid mixture by the expanding means is nearly isothermal; a heat sink in thermal communication with at least the liquid of the first gas-liquid mixture for transferring heat therefrom; a heat source in thermal communication with at least the liquid of the second gas-liquid mixture for transferring heat thereto; means for transferring heat between at least the gas of the first gas-liquid mixture after the first fluid stream exits the compressing means and at least the gas of the second gas-liquid mixture after the second fluid stream exits the expanding means; wherein the compressing means is not a liquid-ring compressor and the expanding means is not a liquid-ring expander.