Patent ID: 8744636

Claim:
A control system for increasing the efficiency of a thermodynamic cycle having a multi-component working fluid, comprising: a control system processor; one or more sensors to measure one or more parameters of the thermodynamic cycle and transmit measured data to the control system processor; one or more thermodynamic cycle components comprising an expander to expand a multi-component vapor working stream transforming its energy into a useable form and producing a spent stream; a separator to separate the spent stream; a tank to receive at least a portion of the separated spent stream and hold an amount of the separated spent stream therein; a valve to influence the volume flow rate of the separated spent stream exiting the tank; wherein the one or more thermodynamic cycle components are controlled by the control system processor to automatically modify one or more additional parameters of the thermodynamic cycle thereby influencing the efficiency of the thermodynamic cycle, wherein the control system processor automatically modifies at least the concentration of the multi-component working fluid that is to be expanded by the expander thereby influencing the efficiency of the thermodynamic cycle.