Patent ID: 8281593

Claim:
A heat engine system operative to execute a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid, comprising: a working fluid circuit having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, and a working fluid comprising carbon dioxide contained in the working fluid circuit, wherein at least a portion of the working fluid is in a supercritical state; a heat exchanger in the working fluid circuit and in thermal communication with a heat source, whereby thermal energy is transferred from the heat source to the working fluid in the working fluid circuit; an expander in the working fluid circuit and located between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to convert a pressure drop in the working fluid to mechanical energy; a recuperator in the working fluid circuit operative to transfer thermal energy between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit; a cooler in thermal communication with the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to control a temperature of the working fluid in the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit; a pump in the working fluid circuit and fluidly connected between the low pressure side and the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to move the working fluid through the working fluid circuit; a mass management system fluidly connected to the working fluid circuit, the mass management system having a working fluid vessel fluidly connected to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit; and a working fluid storage tank fluidly connected to the mass management system via a working fluid supply line, the working fluid supply tank being configured to store a working fluid supply and distribute the working fluid supply to the mass management system.