Patent Abstract:
New more efficient condensation and thermal compression subsystems for power plants utilizing multi-component fluids are disclosed that simplify the equipment needed to improve the overall efficiency and efficiency of the condensation and thermal compress subsystem.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a modular condensation and thermal compression apparatus for use in power extraction systems.  
         [0003]     More particularly, the present invention relates to a modular condensation and thermal compression apparatus for use in power extraction systems, where the modular apparatus or subsystem includes a plurality of heat exchangers, a plurality of pumps, a plurality of throttle control valves, and at least one separator, where the apparatus is designed to efficiently condense and thermally compress an in-coming, low pressure, multi-component working fluid to produce a high pressure, out-going, liquid, multi-component working fluid and where a composition of the in-coming fluid is the same as a composition of the out-going fluid. The present invention also relates to a method where an in-coming, low pressure, vapor multi-component working fluid is converted into a high pressure, out-going, liquid multi-component working fluid in a modular condensation and thermal system.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Power systems with thermodynamical power cycles utilizing multi-component working fluids can attain a higher efficiency than power systems utilizing single-component working fluids. Multi-component working fluids condense at variable temperatures. Such working fluids, unlike single component working fluids, have a thermodynamical potential to perform useful work even when sent into a condenser after expansion in a turbine.  
         [0006]     Therefore, in the prior art, several power systems that utilized a multi-component working fluid, were designed to have condensation occur in special subsystems which were referred to as distillation condensation subsystems. In this application, such a subsystems will be referred to as a Condensation and Thermal Compression Subsystems (CTCSS), a term that more accurately describes the nature of such subsystems. Such subsystems all work on the following principle: A stream of working fluid subject to condensation enters into the CTCSS at a pressure which is substantially lower than the pressure required for the complete condensation of such a stream at a given ambient temperature. The stream of working fluid is mixed with a recirculating stream of lean solution (i.e., a stream with a substantially lower concentration of the low-boiling component), forming a new stream which can be fully condensed at the given ambient temperature, (referred to as the “basic solution”). Thereafter, the basic solution stream is pumped to a pressure which is slightly higher than the pressure required for the condensation of the working fluid, and is subjected to partial re-vaporization, for which heat that was released in the process of condensation is utilized. Then, the partially vaporized basic solution stream is separated into a lean liquid stream having a reduced concentration of the low-boiling component and a rich vapor stream having a higher concentration of the low-boiling component. The lean liquid stream is then mixed with the condensing stream of working solution (as described above), while the rich vapor stream is combined with a portion of the basic solution stream to reconstitute the initial composition of the working fluid, which is then fully condensed.  
         [0007]     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,563, the most basic and elementary CTCSS has been described. In this very simple CTCSS, heat from rich vapor stream and lean liquid stream produced by partial re-vaporization is not recuperated, drastically reducing the efficiency of this simple CTCSS.  
         [0008]     In other prior art including U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,548,043; 4,586,340; 4,604,867; 4,763,480; 5,095,708; and 5,572,871, more complicated and elaborate CTCSSs were disclosed. However, all of these prior art CTCSS have one common drawback. In order to increase efficiency via better heat recuperation, they require multiple separate heat exchangers. In many cases, the complexity and high price of such CTCSS are not justified by the increased efficiency that the CTCSS provides.  
         [0009]     Thus, there is a need in the art for a Condensation and Thermal Compression Subsystem (CTCSS) that has improved efficiency off-setting the additional cost.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention provides a system including a plurality of heat exchangers, a plurality of pumps, a plurality of throttle valves and at least one separator, where the system efficiently converts an in-coming, low pressure, multi-component working fluid stream into a high pressure, out-going, liquid multi-component working fluid stream. The system is ideally suited for condensation of a spent vapor multi-component working fluid stream derived from an energy extraction system or turbine system such as the extraction systems described in United States Patent and Pending Patent Application Nos.  
         [0011]     The present invention also provides a minimally configured CTCSS system including five heat exchangers, one separator, two pumps, two throttle control valves, two mixing valves, three splitter valves. The CTCSS is supplied an incoming vapor multi-component working fluid stream which is then made lean via the addition of two lean liquid multi-component streams to form a partially condensed basic solution stream. The partially condensed basic solution stream is then fully condensed in one of the five heat exchangers using an external coolant. The fully condensed basic solution stream is then pressurized and split into two substreams. Heat is transferred from the lean streams to one of the pressurized basic solution streams, which is then separated into a rich vapor stream and the two lean liquid streams in three of the five heat exchangers. The rich vapor stream and the other pressurized basic solution stream is mixed to form a partially condensed outgoing multi-component stream, which is fully condensed in one of the five heat exchangers via a coolant stream and then pressurized to a desired high pressure to form a liquid, high pressure multi-component working fluid stream adapted for vaporization by an external heat source and energy extraction to generate electricity.  
         [0012]     The present invention provides a method condensing and thermally compressing a spent vapor, multi-component working fluid stream including the steps of forming a plurality of lean streams form the spent vapor, multi-component working fluid stream and transferring thermal energy from the plurality of lean streams to a basic solution stream to form a partially liquified, lower pressure basic solution stream. The partially condensed, lower pressure basic solution stream is then fully condensed with an external coolant stream. The fully condensed lower pressure basic solution stream is then pumped to a higher pressure and split into a first and second higher pressure basic solution substream. The first higher pressure basic solution substream absorbs the thermal energy from the plurality of lean streams. The heated first higher pressure, basic solution substream is then separated into a rich vapor stream and a lean liquid stream. The lean liquid stream is split into two lean liquid substreams. The first lean liquid substream is combined with the spent vapor, multi-component working fluid stream to form a first lean stream which transfers a portion of its thermal energy to the first higher pressure basic solution stream. The second lean liquid substream is mixed with the cooled spent, vapor multi-component working fluid stream to form a second lean stream, which is further cooled by transferring its thermal energy to the first higher pressure, basic solution stream to the partially liquified, lower pressure basic solution stream. The second higher pressure, basic solution stream is mixed with the rich vapor stream to form a liquid multi-component working fluid stream, which is fully condensed by a second coolant stream and pressurized to a desire higher pressure to form a high pressure, liquid multi-component working fluid stream.  
         [0013]     The present invention provides a method for converting thermal energy into mechanical and/or electrical energy including the steps of condensing a spent multi-component fluid stream to form a liquid multi-component fluid stream, vaporizing the liquid multi-component fluid stream to form a fully vaporized multi-component fluid stream and extracting energy from the fully vaporized multi-component fluid stream to form the spent multi-component fluid stream.  
         [0014]     The present invention provides a condensation and thermal compression system including: (1) a separation subsystem comprising a separator adapted to produce a rich vapor stream and a lean liquid stream; (2) a heat exchange subsystem comprising three heat exchangers and two throttle control valves; (3) a first condensing and pressurizing subsystem comprising a first condenser and a first pump; and (4) a second condensing and pressurizing subsystem comprising a second condenser and a second pump. The heat exchange subsystem is adapted to mix a pressure adjusted first portion of the lean liquid stream with an incoming stream to form a pre-basic solution stream, to mix a pressure adjusted second portion of the lean liquid stream with the pre-basic solution stream to form a basic solution stream, to bring a first portion of a pressurized fully condensed basic solution stream into a heat exchange relationship with the pre-basic solution stream to form a partially condensed basic solution stream. The first condensing and pressurizing subsystem is adapted to fully condense the partially condensed basic solution stream to form a fully condensed basic solution stream and to pressurize the fully condensed basic solution stream to form a pressurized fully condensed working fluid stream. The second condensing and pressurizing subsystem is adapted to mix a second portion of the fully condensed basic solution stream and the rich vapor stream to form an outgoing stream, to fully condense the outgoing stream and to pressurize the outgoing stream to a desired high pressure. The first portion of the lean liquid stream is pressure adjusted to have the same or substantially the same pressure as the incoming stream and where the second portion of the lean stream is pressure adjusted to have the same or substantially the same pressure as the pre-basic solution stream and where the streams comprise at least one lower boiling component and at least one higher boiling component and the compositions of the streams are the same or different with the composition of the incoming stream and the outgoing stream being the same. The second condensing and pressurizing subsystem can further comprise a heat exchanger adapted to cool the rich vapor stream and heating the high pressure outgoing working fluid stream.  
         [0015]     The present invention also provides a condensation and thermal compression system including: (1) a separation subsystem comprising two separators and one scrubber adapted to produce three rich vapor streams and three lean liquid stream and to forward the first rich vapor stream from the first separator to the scrubber; (2) a heat exchange subsystem comprising three heat exchangers and five throttle control valves; (3) a first condensing and pressurizing subsystem comprising a first condenser and three pumps; and (4) a second condensing and pressurizing subsystem comprising a second condenser and a fourth pump adapted to fully condense the partially condensed outgoing stream in the second condenser using a second external coolant stream to form a fully condensed outgoing stream and to pressurize the fully condensed outgoing stream to a desired high pressure to form an outgoing stream. The heat exchange subsystem is adapted: (1) to mix an incoming stream and a pressure adjusted, first portion of a first lean liquid stream from the first separator through the first throttle control valve to form a lean mixed stream, (2) to bring into a heat exchange relationship a heated first portion of a first pressurized basic solution substream and the lean mixed stream in a first heat exchanger to form a cooled lean mixed stream and a partially vaporized, pressurized basic solution stream, (3) to forward the partially vaporized, pressurized basic solution stream to the first separator, (4) to mix the cooled lean mixed stream and a pressure adjusted, second portion of the first lean liquid stream from the first separator through the second throttle control valve and a pressure adjusted, second lean liquid stream from the scrubber through the third throttle control valve to form a pre-basic solution stream, (5) to bring into a heat exchange relationship the pre-basic solution stream and a pre-heated, first portion of the first pressurized basic solution substream in the second heat exchanger to form a cooled pre-basic solution stream and the heated first portion of the first pressurized basic solution substream, (6) to forward a second portion of the pre-heated first pressurized basic solution substream to the scrubber, (7) to forward a third portion of the pre-heated first pressurized basic solution substream to the second separator through the fourth throttle control valve, (8) to bring into a heat exchange relationship the cooled pre-basic solution stream and the first pressurized basic solution substream in a third heat exchanger to form a cooler pre-basic solution stream and the pre-heated first pressurized basic solution substream, and (9) to mix the cooler pre-basic solution stream and a pressure adjusted third lean liquid stream from the second separation through the fifth throttle control valve to form a partially condensed basic solution stream. The first condensing and pressurizing subsystem is adapted: (1) to fully condense the partially condensed basic solution stream in the first condenser using a first external coolant stream to form a fully condensed basic solution stream; (2) to split the fully condensed basic solution stream into a first fully condensed basic solution substream and a second fully condensed basic solution substream; (3) to pressurize the first fully condensed basic solution substream through the first pump to form the first pressurized fully condensed basic solution substream; (4) to pressurize the second fully condensed basic solution substream through the second pump to form a second pressurized fully condensed basic solution substream; (5) to mix the second pressurized fully condensed basic solution substream and the second rich vapor stream from the second separator to form a pre-outgoing stream; (6) to pressurize the pre-outgoing stream in the third pump to form a pressurized pre-outgoing stream; and (7) to mix the pressurized pre-outgoing stream with the third rich vapor stream from the scrubber to form a partially condensed outgoing stream. The streams comprise at least one lower boiling component and at least one higher boiling component and the compositions of the streams are the same or different with the composition of the incoming stream and the outgoing stream being the same. The second condensing and pressurizing subsystem can further comprise a fourth heat exchanger adapted to bring the third rich vapor stream and the outgoing stream heating the outgoing stream to a desired higher temperature.  
         [0016]     The first condensing and pressurizing subsystem can further comprise a third condenser adapted to fully condense a pre-outgoing stream in the third condenser using a third external coolant stream to form a fully condensed, pre-outgoing stream prior to being pressurized in the third pump and mixed with the third rich vapor stream to form the partially condensed outgoing stream. With the modification to the first condensing and pressurizing subsystem, the second condensing and pressurizing subsystem further comprising a fourth heat exchanger adapted to bring the third rich vapor stream and the outgoing stream heating the outgoing stream to a desired higher temperature.  
         [0017]     The heat exchange subsystem can further comprise a fifth heat exchanger adapted to bring into a heat exchange relationship the first portion of the first lean liquid stream from the first separator and an external heat carrier stream to from a heated first portion of the first lean liquid stream prior to passing through the first throttle control valve and being mixed with the incoming stream. With this modification to the heat exchange subsystem the second condensing and pressurizing subsystem further comprising a fourth heat exchanger adapted to bring the third rich vapor stream and the outgoing stream heating the outgoing stream to a desired higher temperature. With this modification to the heat exchange subsystem, the first condensing and pressurizing subsystem further comprising a third condenser adapted to fully condense a pre-outgoing stream in the third condenser using a third external coolant stream to form a fully condensed, pre-outgoing stream prior to being pressurized in the third pump and mixed with the third rich vapor stream to form the partially condensed outgoing stream. With this modification to the first condensing and pressurizing subsystem, the second condensing and pressurizing subsystem further comprising a fourth heat exchanger adapted to bring the third rich vapor stream and the outgoing stream heating the outgoing stream to a desired higher temperature.  
         [0018]     The present invention provides a method including mixing an incoming stream and a pressure adjusted first portion of a lean liquid stream to form a pre-basic solution stream. The pre-basic solution stream is then brought into a heat exchange relationship with a first portion of a heated, pressurized basic solution stream to form a cooled pre-basic solution stream and a partially vaporized basic solution stream. The cooled pre-basic solution stream and a pressure adjusted second portion of the lean liquid stream are mixed to form a basic solution stream. The basic solution stream is brought into a heat exchange relationship with the first portion of a pressurized fully condensed basic solution stream to form a partially condensed basic solution stream and the heated, pressurized basic solution stream. The partially condensed basic solution stream is condensed using an external coolant stream to from a fully condensed basic solution stream. The fully condensed basic solution stream is pressurized to form the pressurized fully condensed basic solution stream. The partially vaporized basic solution stream is separated into a rich vapor stream and the lean liquid stream. The vapor steam and a second portion of the pressurized fully condensed basic solution stream are mixed to form a pre-outgoing stream. The pre-outgoing stream using a second external coolant stream is condensed to form a fully condensed, pre-outgoing stream. The fully condensed, pre-outgoing stream is pressurized to a desired high pressure to form an outgoing stream. The streams comprise at least one lower boiling component and at least one higher boiling component and the compositions of the streams are the same or different with the composition of the incoming stream and the outgoing stream being the same. The second bringing step includes a first heat exchange step where the basic solution stream is brought into heat exchange relationship with a partially heated pressurized basic solution stream to form a pre-partially condensed basic solution stream and the heated, pressurized basic solution stream, and a second heat exchange step where the pre-partially condensed basic solution stream is brought into heat exchange relationship with the first portion of the pressurized basic solution stream to from the partially condensed basic solution stream and a pre-heated, pressurized basic solution stream.  
         [0019]     The present invention also provides a method including mixing an incoming stream and a pressure adjusted, first portion of a first lean liquid stream to form a lean mixed stream. A heated first portion of a first pressurized basic solution substream and the lean mixed stream are brought into a heat exchange relationship to form a cooled lean mixed stream and a partially vaporized, pressurized basic solution stream. The partially vaporized, pressurized basic solution stream is forwarded to the first separator. The cooled lean mixed stream and a pressure adjusted, second portion of the first lean liquid stream from the first separator through the second throttle control valve and a pressure adjusted, second lean liquid stream from the scrubber through the third throttle control valve are mixed to form a pre-basic solution stream. The pre-basic solution stream and a pre-heated, first portion-of the first pressurized basic solution substream are brought into a heat exchange relationship to form a cooled pre-basic solution stream and the heated first portion of the first pressurized basic solution substream. A second portion of the pre-heated first pressurized basic solution substream is forwarded to the scrubber. A third portion of the pre-heated first pressurized basic solution substream is forwarded to the second separator through the fourth throttle control valve. The cooled pre-basic solution stream and the first pressurized basic solution substream are brought into a heat exchange relationship in a third heat exchanger to form a cooler pre-basic solution stream and the pre-heated first pressurized basic solution substream. The cooler pre-basic solution stream and a pressure adjusted third lean liquid stream from the second separation through the fifth throttle control valve are mixed to form a partially condensed basic solution stream. The partially condensed basic solution stream in the first condenser using a first external coolant stream is fully condensed to form a fully condensed basic solution stream. The fully condensed basic solution stream is split into a first fully condensed basic solution substream and a second fully condensed basic solution substream. The first fully condensed basic solution substream through the first pump is pressurized to form the first pressurized fully condensed basic solution substream. The second fully condensed basic solution substream through the second pump is pressurized to form a second pressurized fully condensed basic solution substream. The second pressurized fully condensed basic solution substream and the second rich vapor stream from the second separator are mixed to form a pre-outgoing stream. The pre-outgoing stream in the third pump is pressurized to form a pressurized pre-outgoing stream. The pressurized pre-outgoing stream and the third rich vapor stream from the scrubber are mixed to form a partially condensed outgoing stream. The partially condensed outgoing stream is fully condensed in the second condenser using a second external coolant stream to form a fully condensed outgoing stream. The fully condensed outgoing stream is pressurized to a desired high pressure to form an outgoing stream. The streams comprise at least one lower boiling component and at least one higher boiling component and the compositions of the streams are the same or different with the composition of the incoming stream and the outgoing stream being the same.  
         [0020]     The present invention includes a power generation system including a modular condensation and thermal compression subsystem of this invention, a vaporization subsystem and an energy extraction subsystem.  
         [0021]     The present invention method includes a step of condensing a spent working fluid stream from an energy extraction subsystem to form a fully condensed working fluid stream, vaporizing the fully condensed working fluid stream using an external heat source stream to form a fully vaporizing working fluid stream, converting the thermal energy in the vaporized working fluid stream to a useable form of energy and repeating the cycle. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     The invention can be better understood with reference to the following detailed description together with the appended illustrative drawings in which like elements are numbered the same:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of Variant  1   a  of a condensation and thermal compression subsystems;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  depicts a block diagram of another preferred embodiment of Variant  1   b  of a condensation and thermal compression subsystems;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  depicts a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of Variant  2   a  of a condensation and thermal compression subsystems;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  depicts a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of Variant  2   b  of a condensation and thermal compression subsystems;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  depicts a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of Variant  3   a  of a condensation and thermal compression subsystems;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  depicts a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of Variant  3   b  of a condensation and thermal compression subsystems;  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  depicts a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of Variant  4   a  of a condensation and thermal compression subsystems;  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  depicts a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of Variant  4   b  of a condensation and thermal compression subsystems;  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  depicts a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of Variant  5   a  of a condensation and thermal compression subsystems; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  depicts a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of Variant  5   b  of a condensation and thermal compression subsystems. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]     The inventors has found that Condensation and Thermal Compression Subsystems (CTCSS) having an effective increase in efficiency that fully justifies the cost in terms of complexity and price of the proposed CTCSS can be realized for a wide variety of power producing plants. The inventor has designed the system of this invention to be modular, which allows one skilled in the art to choose to exclude specific modular components, simplifying the final system, and thus optimizing the system in term of efficiency, cost and complexity for each individual power system being designed.  
         [0034]     In many systems, apart from the heat potential of the condensing stream of working fluid, additional, external low-temperature heat is available. Such heat, which cannot be utilized directly in a power system, can be utilized by the proposed CTCSS of this invention, thus increasing the CTCSS efficacy. Preferred embodiments of the system of this invention, therefore, incorporate the optional use of such external heat to further enhance CTCSS efficiency.  
         [0035]     The present invention broadly relates to a Condensation and Thermal Compression Subsystems (CTCSS) including a plurality of heat exchanger, a plurality of pumps, a plurality of throttle control valves, a plurality of mixing valves and splitter valves, one or two separators, and an optional scrubber. In a minimal preferred embodiment, the CTCSS includes five heat exchangers, two pumps, two throttle control valves, three mixing valve, two splitter valves, and a separator. In a maximal preferred embodiment, the CTCSS includes eight heat exchangers, four pumps, five throttle control valves, two separators, and a scrubber.  
         [0036]     The present invention broadly relates to system including a Condensation and Thermal Compression Subsystems (CTCSS) of this invention, a multi-component vaporizing subsystem and an energy extraction subsystem.  
         [0037]     The present invention broadly relates to a method for condensation and thermal compression including the steps of supplying an incoming low pressure, vapor multi-component working fluid stream from an energy extraction subsystem. The incoming vapor multi-component working fluid stream is then made lean via the addition of a plurality of lean liquid multi-component streams to form a pre-basic solution stream and finally a partially condensed basic solution stream. The partially condensed basic solution stream is fully condensed using an external coolant in a first heat exchange process. The fully condensed basic solution stream is then pressurized and split into two substreams. Heat is transferred from the pre-basic solution and basic solution to one of the pressurized basic solution substreams in a plurality of heat exchange processes. The heated and pressurized basic solution substream is then separated into a rich vapor stream and the plurality of lean liquid streams. The rich vapor stream and the other pressurized basic solution stream is mixed to form a partially condensed outgoing multi-component stream, which is then fully condensed in another heat exchange process via a coolant stream and then pressurized to a desired high pressure to form a liquid, high pressure multi-component working fluid stream adapted for vaporization by an external heat source and energy extraction to generate electricity.  
         [0038]     The present invention broadly relates to a method for power extraction including the steps condensing a spent multi-component fluid stream to form a liquid multi-component fluid stream, vaporizing the liquid multi-component fluid stream to form a fully vaporized multi-component fluid stream and extracting energy from the fully vaporized multi-component fluid stream to form the spent multi-component fluid stream.  
         [0039]     The working fluid used in the systems of this inventions is a multi-component fluid that comprises a lower boiling point material—the low boiling component—and a higher boiling point material—the high boiling component. Preferred working fluids include, without limitation, an ammonia-water mixture, a mixture of two or more hydrocarbons, a mixture of two or more freons, a mixture of hydrocarbons and freons, or the like. In general, the fluid can comprise mixtures of any number of compounds with favorable thermodynamic characteristics and solubilities. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fluid comprises a mixture of water and ammonia.  
         [0040]     The present invention also includes piping interconnecting the components that make up the systems and includes mixing valves that combine two or more streams into a single stream and splitting valves that divide a single stream into two or more streams. These valves are generally a function of the exact CTCSS being designed and one of ordinary skill in the art will know the criteria of each valve for a given CTCSS configuration.  
         [0000]     CTCSS Variant  1   a    
         [0041]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of a CTCSS of this invention, generally  100 , is shown and is referred to herein as Variant  1   a.  Variant  1   a  represents a very comprehensive variant of the CTCSSs of this invention.  
         [0042]     The operation of Variant  1   a  of the CTCSS of this invention is now described.  
         [0043]     A stream S 100  having parameters as at a point  138 , which can be in a state of superheated vapor or in a state of saturated or slightly wet vapor, enters into the CTCSS  100 . The stream S 100  having the parameters as at the point  138  is mixed with a first mixed stream S 102  having parameters as at a point  71 , which is in a state of a liquid-vapor mixture (as describe more fully herein), forming a first combined stream S 104  having parameters as at a point  38 . If the stream S 100  having the parameters as at the point  138  is in a state of saturated vapor, then a temperature of the stream S 102  having the parameters as at the point  71  must be chosen in such a way as to correspond to a state of saturated vapor. As a result, the stream S 104  having the parameters as at the point  38  will be in a state of a slightly wet vapor. Alternatively, if the stream S 100  having the parameters as at the point  138  is in a state of superheated vapor, then stream S 102  having the parameters of at the point  71  must be chosen in such a way that the resulting stream S 104  having the parameters as at a point  38  should be in, or close to, a state of saturated vapor, where close to means the state of the vapor is within 5% of the saturated vapor state for the vapor. In all cases, the parameters of the stream S 102  at the point  71  are chosen in such a way as to maximize a temperature of the stream S 104  at the point  38 .  
         [0044]     Thereafter, the stream S 104  having the parameters as at the point  38  passes through a first heat exchanger HE 1 , where it is cooled and partially condensed and releases heat in a first heat exchange process, producing a second mixed stream S 106  having parameters as at a point  15 . The stream S 106  having the parameters as at the point  15  is then mixed with a stream S 108  having parameters as at a point  8 , forming a stream S 110  having parameters as at a point  16 . In the preferred embodiment of this system, the temperatures of the streams S 108 , S 106  and S 110  having parameters of the points  8 ,  15 , and  16 , respectively, are equal or very close, within about 5%. A concentration of the low-boiling component in stream S 108  having the parameters as at the point  8  is substantially lower than a concentration of the low boiling component in the stream S 106  having the parameters as at the point  15 . As a result, a concentration of the low boiling component in the stream S 110  having the parameters as at the point  16  is lower than the concentration of the low boiling component of the stream S 106  having the parameters as at the point  15 , i.e., stream S 110  having the parameters as at the point  16  is leaner than stream S 106  having the parameters as at the point  15 .  
         [0045]     The stream S 110  having the parameters as at the point  16  then passes through a second heat exchanger HE 2 , where it is further condensed and releasing heat in a second heat exchange process, forming a stream S 112  having parameters as at a point  17 . The stream S 112  having the parameters as at the point  17  then passes through a third heat exchanger HE 3 , where it is further condensed in a third heat exchange process to form a stream S 114  having parameters as at a point  18 . At the point  18 , the stream S 114  is partially condensed, but its composition, while substantially leaner that the compositions of the stream S 100  and S 104  having the parameters as at the points  138  and  38 , is such that it cannot be fully condensed at ambient temperature. The stream S 114  having the parameters as at the point  18  is then mixed with a stream S 116  having parameters as at a point  41 , forming a stream S 118  having parameters as at a point  19 . The composition of the stream S 118  having the parameters as at the point  19  is such that it can be fully condensed at ambient temperature.  
         [0046]     The stream S 118  having the parameters as at the point  19  then passes through a low pressure condenser HE 4 , where it is cooled in a fourth heat exchange process in counterflow with a stream S 120  of cooling water or cooling air having initial parameters as at a point  51  and final parameters as at a point  52 , becoming fully condensed, to form a stream S 122  having parameters as at a point  1 . The composition of the stream S 122  having the parameters as at the point  1 , referred to herein as the “basic solution,” is substantially leaner than the composition of the stream S 100  having the parameters at the point  138 , which entered the CTCSS  100 . Therefore, the stream S 122  having the parameters as at the point  1  must be distilled at an elevated pressure in order to produce a stream having the same composition as at point  138 , but at an elevated pressure that will allow the stream to fully condense.  
         [0047]     The stream S 122  having the parameters as at the point  1  is then divided into two substreams S 124  and S 126  having parameters as at points  2  and  4 , respectively. The stream S 124  having the parameters as at the point  2  enters into a circulating fourth pump P 4 , where it is pumped to an elevated pressure forming a stream S 128  having parameters as at a point  44 , which correspond to a state of subcooled liquid. Thereafter, the stream S 128  having the parameters as at the point  44  passes through a third heat exchanger HE 3  in counterflow with the stream S 112  having the parameters as at the point  17  in a third heat exchange process as described above, is heated forming a stream S 130  having parameters as at a point  14 . The stream S 130  having the parameters as at the point  14  is in, or close to, a state of saturated liquid. Again, the term close to means that the state of the stream S 130  is within 5% of being a saturated liquid. Thereafter, the stream S 130  having parameters as at point  14  is divided into two substreams S 132  and S 134  having parameters as at points  13  and  22 , respectively. The stream S 134  having the parameters as at the point  22  is then divided into two substreams S 136  and S 138  having parameters as at points  12  and  21 , respectively. The stream S 136  having the parameters as at the point  12  then passes through the second heat exchanger HE 2 , where it is heated and partially vaporized in counterflow to the stream S 100  having the parameters as at the point  16  as described above in a second heat exchange process, forming a stream S 140  having parameters as at a point  11 . The stream S 140  having the parameters as at the point  11  then passes through the first heat exchanger HE 1 , where it is further heated and vaporized in counterflow to the stream S 104  having stream  38  as described above in a first heat exchange process, forming a stream S 142  having parameters as at a point  5 .  
         [0048]     The stream S 142  having the parameters as at the point  5 , which is in a state of a vapor-liquid mixture, enters into a first separator S 1 , where it is separated into a saturated vapor stream S 144  having parameters as at a point  6  and saturated liquid stream S 146  having parameters as at a point  7 .  
         [0049]     The liquid stream S 146  having the parameters as at the point  7  is divided into two substreams S 148  and S 150  having parameters as at points  70  and  72 , respectively. The stream S 148  having the parameters as at the point  70 , then passes through an eighth heat exchanger HE 8 , where it is heated and partially vaporized in an eighth heat exchange process, in counterflow to an external heat carrier stream S 152  having initial parameters as a point  638  and final parameters as at a pint  639 , forming a stream S 154  having parameters as at a point  74 . Thereafter, stream S 154  having the parameters as at the point  74  passes through a fifth throttle valve TV 5 , where its pressure is reduced to a pressure equal to a pressure of the stream S 100  having the parameters as at the point  138 , forming the stream S 102  having the parameters as at the point  71 . Thereafter, the stream S 102  having the parameters as at the point  71  is mixed with the stream S 100  having the parameters as at the point  138 , forming the stream S 104  having the parameters as at the point  38  as previously described.  
         [0050]     The stream S 150  having parameters as at point  72 , then passes through a first throttle valve TV 1 , where its pressure is reduced, forming a stream S 156  having parameters as at a point  73 . The pressure of the stream S 156  having the parameters as at the point  73  is equal to a pressure of the streams S 106 , S 108 , and S 110  having the parameters as at the points  15 ,  8  and  16 . Thereafter the stream S 156  having the parameters as at the point  73  is mixed with a stream S 158  having parameters as at a point  45 , forming the stream S 108  having the parameters as at the point  8 . The stream S 108  having the parameters as a the point  8  is then mixed with the stream S 106  having the parameters as at the point  15 , forming the stream S 110  having the parameters as at the point  16  as described above.  
         [0051]     Meanwhile, the vapor stream S 144  having the parameters as at the point  6  is sent into a bottom part of a first scrubber SC 1 , which is in essence a direct contact heat and mass exchanger. At the same time, the stream S 138  having the parameters as at the point  21  as described above, is sent into a top portion of the first scrubber SC 1 . As a result of heat and mass transfer in the first scrubber SC 1 , a liquid stream S 160  having parameters as at a point  35 , which is in a state close to equilibrium (close means within about 5% of the parameters of the stream S 144 ) with the vapor stream S 144  having the parameters as at the point  6 , is produced and removed from a bottom of the first scrubber SC 1 . At the same time, a vapor stream S 162  having parameters as at point  30 , which is in a state close to equilibrium with the liquid stream S 138  having the parameters as at the point  21 , exits from a top of the scrubber SC 1 .  
         [0052]     The vapor stream S 162  having the parameters as at the point  30  is then sent into a fifth heat exchanger HE 5 , where it is cooled and partially condensed, in counterflow with a stream S 164  of working fluid having parameters as at a point  28  in a fifth heat exchange process, forming a stream S 166  having parameters as at a point  25 .  
         [0053]     The liquid stream S 160  having the parameters as at the point  35  is removed from the bottom of the scrubber SC 1  and is sent through a fourth throttle valve TV 4 , where its pressure is reduced to a pressure equal to the pressure of the stream S 156  having the parameters as at the point  73 , forming the stream S 158  having the parameters as at the point  45 . The stream S 158  having the parameters as at the point  45  is then mixed with the stream S 156  having the parameters as at the point  73 , forming the stream S 108  having the parameters as at the point  8  as described above.  
         [0054]     The liquid stream S 132  having the parameters as at the point  13 , which has been preheated in the third heat exchanger HE 3  as described above, passes through a second throttle valve TV 2 , where its pressure is reduced to an intermediate pressure, (i.e., a pressure which is lower than the pressure of the stream S 130  having the parameter as at the point  14 , but higher than the pressure of the stream S 122  having the parameters as at the point  1 ), forming a stream S 168  parameters as at a point  43 , corresponding to a state of a vapor-liquid mixture. Thereafter, the stream S 168  having the parameters as at the point  43  is sent into a third separator S 3 , where it is separated into a vapor stream S 170  having parameters as at a point  34  and a liquid stream S 172  having parameters as at a point  32 .  
         [0055]     A concentration of the low boiling component in the vapor stream S 170  having the parameters as at the point  34  is substantially higher than a concentration of the low boiling component in the stream S 100  having the parameters as at the point  138  as it enters the CTCSS  100  as described above. The liquid stream S 172  having the parameters as at the point  32  has a concentration of low boiling component which is less than a concentration of low boiling component in the stream S 122  having the parameters as at the point  1  as described above.  
         [0056]     The liquid stream S 126  of the basic solution having the parameters as at the point  4  as described above, enters into a first circulating pump P 1 , where it is pumped to a pressure equal to the pressure of the stream S 170  having the parameters as at the point  34 , forming a stream S 174  having parameters as at a point  31  corresponding to a state of subcooled liquid. Thereafter, the subcooled liquid stream S 174  having the parameters as at the point  31  and the saturated vapor stream S 170  having the parameters as at the point  34  are combined, forming a stream S 176  having parameters as at a point  3 . The stream S 176  having the parameters as at the point  3  is then sent into an intermediate pressure condenser or a seventh heat exchanger HE 7 , where it is cooled and fully condensed in a seventh heat exchange process, in counterflow with a stream S 178  of cooling water or air having initial parameters as at a point  55  and having final parameters as at a point  56 , forming a stream S 180  having parameters as at a point  23 . The stream S 180  having parameters as at point  23  then enters into a second circulating pump P 2 , where its pressure is increased to a pressure equal to that of the stream S 166  having the parameters as at the point  25  as described above, forming a stream S 182  parameters as at a point  40 . The stream S 182  having the parameters as at the point  40  is then mixed with the stream S 166  having the parameters as at the point  25  as described above, forming a stream S 184  having parameters as at a point  26 . The composition and flow rate of the stream S 182  having the parameters as at the point  40  are such that the stream S 184  having the parameters as at the point  26  has the same composition and flow rate as the stream S 100  having the parameters as at the point  138 , which entered the CTCSS  100 , but has a substantially higher pressure.  
         [0057]     Thereafter, the stream S 184  having the parameters as at the point  26  enters into a high pressure condenser or sixth heat exchanger HE 6 , where it is cooled and fully condensed in a sixth heat exchange process, in counterflow with a stream S 186  of cooling water or air having initial parameters as at a point  53  and final parameters as at a point  54 , forming a steam S 188  parameters as at a point  27 , corresponding to a state of saturated liquid. The stream S 188  having the parameters as at the point  27  then enters into a third or feed pump P 3 , where it is pumped to a desired high pressure, forming the stream S 164  having the parameters as at the point  28 . Then the stream S 164  of working fluid having the parameters as at the point  28  is sent through the fifth heat exchanger HE 5 , where it is heated, in counterflow with the stream S 162  having the parameters as at the point  30  in the fifth heat exchange process, forming a stream S 190  having parameters as at a point  29  as described above. The stream S 190  having the parameters as at a point  29  then exits the CTCSS  100 , and returns to the power system. This CTCSS of this invention is closed in that no material is added to any stream in the CTCSS.  
         [0058]     In some cases, preheating of the working fluid which is reproduced in the CTCSS is not necessary. In such cases, the fifth heat exchanger HE 5  is excluded from the Variant  1   a  described above. As a result, the stream S 162  having the parameters as at the point  30  and the stream S 166  having the parameters as at the point  25  are the same, and the stream S 164  having the parameters at the point  28  are the stream S 190  having the parameters as at the point  29  are the same as shown in  FIG. 2 . The CTCSS system in which HE 5  is excluded is referred to as Variant lb.  
         [0059]     The CTCSSs of this invention provide highly effective utilization of heat available from the condensing stream S 100  of the working solution having the parameters as at the point  138  and of heat from external sources such as from the stream S 152 .  
         [0060]     In distinction from an analogous system described in the prior art, the lean liquid stream S 146  having the parameters as at the point  7  coming from the first separator S 1 , is not cooled in a separate heat exchanger, but rather a portion of the stream S 146  is injected into the stream S 100  of working fluid returning from the power system.  
         [0061]     When the stream S 136  of basic solution having the parameters as at the point  12  starts to boil, it initially requires a substantial quantity of heat, while at the same time its rise in temperature is relatively slow. This portion of the reboiling process occurs in the second heat exchanger HE 2 . In the process of further reboiling, the rate of increase in the temperatures becomes much faster. This further portion of the reboiling process occurs in the first heat exchanger HE 1 . At the same time, in the process of condensation of the stream S 104  having the parameters as at the point  38 , initially a relatively large quantity of heat is released, with a relatively slow reduction of temperature. But in further condensation, the rate of reduction of temperature is much higher. As a result of this phenomenon, in the prior art, the temperature differences between the condensing stream of working solution and the reboiling stream of basic solution are minimal at the beginning and end of the process, but are quite large in the middle of the process.  
         [0062]     In contrast to the prior art, in the CTCSS of this invention, the concentration of the low boiling component in stream S 108  having the parameters as at the point  8  is relatively low and therefore in the second heat exchanger HE 2 , stream S 108  having the parameters as at the point  8  not only condenses itself, but has the ability to absorb additional vapor. As a result, the quantity of heat released in the second heat exchanger HE 2  in the second heat exchange process is substantially larger than it would be if streams S 108  and S 106  having the parameters as at the points  8  and  15 , respectively, were cooled separately and not collectively collect after combining the two stream S 108  and S 106  to form the stream S 110 . As a result, the quantity of heat available for the reboiling process comprising the first and second heat exchange processes is substantially increased, which in turn increases the efficiency of the CTCSS system.  
         [0063]     The leaner the stream S 108  having the parameters at as the point  8  is, the greater its ability to absorb vapor, and the greater the efficiency of the heat exchange processes occurring in the first and second heat exchangers HE 1  and HE 2 . But the composition of the stream S 108  having the parameters at as the point  8  is defined by the temperature of the stream S 142  having the parameters as at the point  5 ; the higher the temperature of the stream S 142  having the parameters as at the point  5 , the leaner the composition of stream S 108  having the parameters at as the point  8  can be.  
         [0064]     It is for this reason that external heat derived from stream S 152  is used to heat stream S 148  having the parameters as at the point  70 , thus raising the temperature of the stream S 104  having the parameters as at the point  38 , and as a result also raising the temperature of the stream S 142  having the parameters as at the point  5 . However, increasing of the temperature of the stream S 142  having the parameters as at the point  5 , and correspondingly the temperature of the stream S 144  having the parameters as at a point  6 , leads to a reduction in a concentration of the low boiling component in the vapor stream S 144  having the parameters as at the point  6 .  
         [0065]     Use of the scrubber SC 1 , in place of a heat exchanger, for the utilization of heat from the stream S 144  having the parameters as at the point  6  allows both the utilization of the heat from the stream S 144  having the parameters as at the point  6  and an increase of the concentration of low boiling component in the produced vapor stream S 162  having the parameters as at the point  30 .  
         [0066]     The vapor stream S 162  having the parameters as at the point  30  has a concentration of low-boiling component which is higher than the concentration of the low boiling component in the vapor stream S 144  having the parameters as at the point  6 , and the flow rate of stream S 162  having the parameters as at the point  30  is higher than the flow rate of the stream S 144  having the parameters as at the point  6 .  
         [0067]     The concentration of low boiling component in the working fluid is restored in the stream S 184  having the parameters at the point  26 , by mixing the stream S 166 , a very rich solution, having the parameters as at the point  25  (or the stream S 162  having the parameters as at the point  30 , in the case of the Variant  1   b ), with the stream S 182  having the parameters as at the point  40 . The stream S 182  having the parameters as at point  40  has a higher concentration of low boiling component than the basic solution, (i.e., is enriched). Such an enrichment has been used in the prior art, but in the prior art, in order to obtain this enrichment, a special intermediate pressure reboiling process is needed requiring several additional heat exchangers.  
         [0068]     In the CTCSSs of this invention, all heat that is available at a temperature below the boiling point of the basic solution (i.e., below the temperature of the stream S 130  having the parameters as at the point  14 ) is utilized in a single heat exchanger, the third heat exchanger HE 3 . Thereafter, the vapor needed to produce the enriched stream S 182  having the parameters as at the point  40  is obtained simply by throttling the stream S 132  having the parameters as at the point  13 .  
         [0069]     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,871, a DCSS (CTCSS) required 13 heat exchangers and three separators, and did not provide for the potential utilization of external heat. In contrast, the CTCSS of the present invention, which does provide for the utilization of external heat, requires only eight heat exchangers, two separators and one scrubber (which is substantially simpler and less expensive than a heat exchanger.)  
         [0070]     A table of example parameters of all points for variant  1   b  is presented in Table 1.  
                                                                                                                                                                                         TABLE 1                           CTCSS State Points Summary (Variant 1b)                                            Wetness           X   T   P   H   S   G rel       (lb/lb/) or       Point   (lb/lb)   (° F.)   (psia)   (Btu/lb)   (Btu/lb-R)   (G/G = 1)   Phase   T (° F.)                    Working Fluid            01   0.4640   65.80   30.772   −72.3586   0.0148   8.39248   Mix   1       02   0.4640   65.97   73.080   −72.0625   0.0151   8.39248   Liq    −45.53° F.       03   0.6635   103.77   73.080   180.1339   0.4592   0.49176   Mix   0.6584       04   0.4640   65.97   73.080   −72.0625   0.0151   8.08657   Liq    −45.53° F.       05   0.4640   191.03   100.823   234.3143   0.5229   1.83999   Mix   0.7351       06   0.9337   191.03   100.823   662.3343   1.2517   0.48733   Mix   0       07   0.2948   191.03   100.823   80.1075   0.2603   1.35266   Mix   1       08   0.2948   143.93   34.772   80.1074   0.2651   1.34681   Mix   0.93       11   0.4640   137.27   102.823   24.6957   0.1857   1.83999   Mix   0.9707       12   0.4640   133.62   104.823   2.9022   0.1490   1.83999   Mix   1       13   0.4640   133.62   104.823   2.9022   0.1490   5.99531   Mix   1       14   0.4640   133.62   104.823   2.9022   0.1490   8.08657   Mix   1       15   0.7277   143.93   34.772   463.0612   0.9967   1.23621   Mix   0.2994       16   0.5020   143.93   34.772   263.3857   0.6153   2.58302   Mix   0.6282       17   0.5020   138.62   33.772   247.8614   0.5906   2.58302   Mix   0.6417       18   0.5020   76.28   32.772   13.9449   0.1776   2.58302   Mix   0.8841       19   0.4640   80.93   32.772   −6.8178   0.1376   8.39248   Mix   0.9257       21   0.4640   131.71   100.823   2.9022   0.1490   0.25126   Mix   0.9964       22   0.4640   133.62   104.823   2.9022   0.1490   2.09125   Mix   1       23   0.6635   65.80   71.080   −56.4301   0.0224   0.49176   Mix   1       24   0.9337   191.03   100.823   662.3343   1.2517   0.48733   Mix   0       25   0.9911   131.71   100.823   600.2216   1.1578   0.50824   Mix   0       26   0.8300   87.68   100.823   277.4277   0.6017   1.00000   Mix   0.4842       27   0.8300   65.80   98.823   −17.0503   0.0497   1.00000   Mix   1       28   0.8300   70.73   1,900.000   −7.8325   0.0525   1.00000   Liq   −256.82° F.       29   0.8300   70.73   1,900.000   −7.8325   0.0525   1.00000   Liq   −256.82° F.       30   0.9911   131.71   100.823   600.2216   1.1578   0.50824   Mix   0       31   0.4640   65.97   73.080   −72.0625   0.0151   0.30591   Liq    −45.53° F.       32   0.4471   116.52   73.080   −16.0494   0.1167   5.80941   Mix   1       34   0.9919   116.52   73.080   595.1359   1.1849   0.18590   Mix   0       35   0.2948   191.03   100.823   80.1075   0.2603   0.23036   Mix   1       38   0.7277   196.03   35.772   775.0604   1.4862   1.23621   Vap       0° F.       40   0.6635   65.96   100.823   −56.1779   0.0227   0.49176   Liq    −19.53° F.       41   0.4471   82.91   32.772   −16.0494   0.1196   5.80941   Mix   0.9442       43   0.4640   116.52   73.080   2.9022   0.1498   5.99531   Mix   0.969       44   0.4640   66.12   109.823   −71.8156   0.0153   8.08657   Liq    −70.52° F.       45   0.2948   143.93   34.772   80.1075   0.2651   0.23036   Mix   0.93       70   0.2948   191.03   100.823   80.1075   0.2603   0.23621   Mix   1       71   0.2948   227.10   35.772   615.2057   1.0815   0.23621   Mix   0.4122       72   0.2948   191.03   100.823   80.1075   0.2603   1.11645   Mix   1       73   0.2948   143.93   34.772   80.1075   0.2651   1.11645   Mix   0.93       74   0.2948   284.54   98.823   615.2060   1.0182   0.23621   Mix   0.4545       138    0.8300   358.47   35.772   812.8197   1.5611   1.00000   Vap    181.2° F.            External Heat Source            638    AIR   351.74   12.976   99.4176   0.5970   3.83489   Vap    666.2° F.       639    AIR   216.03   12.904   66.4582   0.5529   3.83489   Vap    530.5° F.            Coolant            51   water   51.80   24.693   19.9498   0.0396   27.3421   Liq   −187.56° F.       52   water   71.93   14.693   40.0672   0.0783   27.3421   Liq   −140.03° F.       53   water   51.80   24.693   19.9498   0.0396   13.6854   Liq   −187.56° F.       54   water   73.33   14.693   41.4676   0.0809   13.6854   Liq   −138.63° F.       55   water   51.80   24.693   19.9498   0.0396   3.07700   Liq       −187.56 F.       56   water   89.63   14.693   57.7573   0.1110   3.07700   Liq   −122.32° F.                  
 
         [0071]     The CTCSSs of this invention can be simplified by eliminating some “modular” components. For instance, it is possible to enrich the stream S 182  having the parameters as at the point  40  without using the intermediate pressure condenser, the seventh heat exchanger HE 7 . Such a system, with preheating of the stream S 164  of working fluid having the parameters as at the point  28  is shown in  FIG. 3 , and referred to as Variant  2   a.  A similar system, but without preheating the stream S 164  of working fluid having the parameters as at the point  28 , is shown in  FIG. 4 , and referred to as Variant  2   b.    
         [0072]     In the Variant  2   a  and Variant  2   b,  in distinction to the Variant  1   a  and Variant  1   b,  the pressure of the stream S 168  having the parameters as at the point  43  is chosen in such a way that the when mixing the vapor stream S 170  having the parameters as at the point  34  and the liquid stream S 174  having the parameters as at the point  31 , the subcooled liquid stream S 174  having the parameters as at the point  31  fully absorbs the vapor stream S 170  having the parameters as at the point  34 , and the resulting stream S 176  having the parameters as at the point  3  is in a state of saturated, or slightly subcooled, liquid. Thereafter, the liquid S 176  having the parameters as at the point  3  is sent into the second pump P 2 , to form the stream S 182  having the parameters as at the point  40 , and is mixed with stream  25 .  
         [0073]     The simplification of the CTCSS of Variant  2   a  and Variant  2   b  reduces the overall efficiency of the CTCSSs of this invention, but at the same time, the cost is also reduced.  
         [0074]     Another possible modular simplification of the Variant  1   a  and Variant  1   b  can be used in a case where external heat is not available, or the choice is made not to utilize external heat. Such a variant of the CTCSS of this invention, with preheating of the stream S 164  of working fluid having the parameters as at the point  28  is shown in  FIG. 5 , and is referred to as Variant  3   a.  A similar CTCSS of this invention, but without preheating the stream S 164  of the working fluid having the parameters as at the point  28 , is shown in  FIG. 6 , and referred to as Variant  3   b.    
         [0075]     In Variant  3   a  and Variant  3   b,  the stream S 148  having the parameters as at the point  70  is not heated, but rather simply passes through the fifth throttle valve TV 5 , to form the stream S 102  having the parameters as at the point  71 , and is then mixed with the stream S 100  having the parameters as at the point  138 , forming the stream S 104  having the parameters as at the point  38 . This mixing process is used only in a case where the stream S 100  having the parameters as at the point  138  is in a state of superheated vapor. The flow rate of streams S 148  and S 102  having the parameters as at the points  70  and  71  is chosen in such a way that the stream S 104  having the parameters as at the point  38  formed as a result of mixing the stream S 102  having the parameters as at the point  71  and the stream S 100  having the parameters as at the point  138  is in a state of saturated, or slightly wet, vapor.  
         [0076]     It is also possible to simplify Variant  2   a  and Variant  2   b  in the same manner than Variant  1   a  and Variant  1   b  are simplified to obtain Variant  3   a  and Variant  3   b.  This modular simplification of Variant  2   a  and Variant  2   b,  with preheating of the stream S 164  of the working fluid having the parameters as at the point  28  is shown in  FIG. 7 , and is referred to as Variant  4   a;  while a similar simplification of Variant  2   b,  without preheating the stream S 164  of the working fluid having the parameters as at the point  28 , is shown in  FIG. 8 , and referred to as Variant  4   b.    
         [0077]     A final modular simplification is attained by eliminating the scrubber SC 1 , and the use of the stream S 182  having the parameters as at the point  40  without any enrichment, i.e., the composition of stream S 182  having the parameters as at the point  40  is the same as the composition of the basic solution. This modular simplification of Variant  4   a,  with preheating of the stream S 164  of the working fluid having the parameters as at the point  28  is shown in  FIG. 9 , and is referred to as Variant  5   a.  A similar simplification of Variant  4   b,  without preheating the stream S 164  of the working fluid having the parameters as at the point  28 , is shown in  FIG. 10 , and referred to as Variant  5   b.  It must be noted that the modular simplification of the Variant  5   a  and Variant  5   b  results in a substantial reduction of the efficiency of the CTCSS. Also in Variants  5   a  and  5   b,  the stream S 122  having the parameters as at the point  1  is not split into two substreams S 122  and S 124  which are then separately pressurized, but is pressurized in as a single stream in a pump P 5  forming a stream S 192  having parameters as at a point  46 . The stream S 192  is then split to form the stream S 128  having the parameters as at the point  44  and the stream S 182  having the parameters as at the point  40 .  
         [0078]     The CTCSSs of this invention is described in the five basic variants given above; (two of which utilize external heat, and three of which utilize only the heat available from the stream S 100  of the working fluid entering the CTCSSs of this invention). One experienced in the art would be able to generate additional combinations and variants of the proposed systems. For instance, it is possible to simplify Variant  4   a  by eliminating the scrubber SC 1 , while retaining the enrichment of the stream S 182  having the parameters as at the points  40 . (Likewise it is possible to retain the scrubber SC 1 , and eliminate only the enrichment process for the stream S 182  having the parameters as at the points  40 .) However all such modular simplifications are still based on the initial Variant  1   a  of the CTCSSs of this invention.  
         [0079]     The efficacy of the CTCSS of this invention, per se, can be assessed by its compression ratio; i.e., a ratio of the pressure of the stream S 184  having the parameters as at the point  26  (at the entrance to the high pressure condenser, heat exchanger HE 6 ) to the pressure of the stream S 100  having the parameters as at the point  138  (at the point of entrance of the stream of working solution into the CTCSS). The impact of the efficacy of the CTCSS on the efficiency of the whole system depends on the structure and parameters of work of the whole system. For assessing the CTCSSs of this invention, several calculations have been performed. A stream comprising a water-ammonia mixture having a composition of 0.83 weight fraction of ammonia (i.e., 83 wt. % ammonia), with an initial temperature of 1050° F. and an initial pressure of 1800 psia, has been expanded in a turbine with an isoenthropic efficiency of 0.875 (87.5%). The parameters of the vapor upon exiting the turbine correspond to the stream S 100  having the parameters at the point  138 . Such computations have been performed for all proposed “b” variants of the CTCSS of this invention described above, and for a simple condenser system as well. These calculations are presented in Table 2. It should be noted that the incremental enthalpy drop produced by using a CTCSS of this invention is specific to the exact parameters of pressure and temperature at the turbine inlet. If these parameters were to be lowered, then the percentage of increase in enthalpy drop would be substantially larger.  
                                                                           TABLE 2                           Efficacy of CTCSS Variants 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, and 5b                Simple   CTCSS   CTCSS   CTCSS   CTCSS   CTCSS           Condenser   Variant 1b   Variant 2b   Variant 3b   Variant 4b   Variant 5b                        pressure of   100.823   35.771   38.972   42.067   45.079   59.368       turbine outlet       (point 138)       (psia)       compression   1.000   2.8181   2.5871   2.3967   2.2366   1.69827       ratio (P26:P138)       turbine   337.3891   418.6930   412.5639   407.0011   410.8869   380.7543       enthalpy drop       (btu/lb)       incremental   0.000   81.3040   75.1748   69.6119   64.4978   43.3652       enthalpy drop       (btu/lb)       incremental   0.000   24.098   22.281   20.633   19.117   12.853       enthalpy drop       (%)                  
 
         [0080]     Comparison has shown that all variants of the CTCSSs of this invention have an efficacy that is higher or equal to comparable subsystems in the prior art. However, all of the proposed CTCSS are substantially simpler and less expensive than the subsystems described in the prior art.  
         [0081]     All references cited herein are incorporated by reference. While this invention has been described fully and completely, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to its preferred embodiments, from reading this description those of skill in the art may appreciate changes and modification that maybe made which do not depart from the scope and spirit of the invention as described above and claimed hereafter.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5