Patent ID: 6964168

Claim:
A system, comprising: a first heat exchanger adapted to receive a fluid from a heat source and a working fluid, wherein, when the working fluid is passed through the first heat exchanger, the working fluid is converted to a supercritical vapor via heat transfer from the heat contained in said fluid from said heat source, wherein a temperature-enthalpy profile of said working fluid in the first heat exchanger is approximately linear as the working fluid changes state from a liquid to a supercritical vapor; at least one turbine adapted to receive said vapor and adapted to drive at least one generator to thereby produce electrical power; an economizer heat exchanger adapted to receive exhaust vapor from said at least one turbine and said working fluid, wherein a temperature of the working fluid is adapted to be increased via heat transfer with said exhaust vapor from said at least one turbine prior to the introduction of said working fluid into said first heat exchanger; a condenser heat exchanger that is adapted to receive said exhaust vapor from said at least one turbine after said exhaust vapor has passed through said economizer heat exchanger and a cooling fluid, wherein a temperature of said exhaust vapor is reduced via heat transfer with said cooling fluid; and a pump that is adapted to circulate said working fluid to said economizer heat exchanger.