Rankine cycle with multiple configuration of vortex

Abstract

A method and system for improving the efficiency of a Rankine cycle. The system comprises an accumulator that stores a working fluid, a feed pump that pumps the working fluid from the accumulator into a boiler for heating the working fluid to form a dry saturated vapor. The system includes a turbine that expands the dry saturated vapor for generating power and condensing the dry saturated vapor into a volume of wet vapor, at least one vortex tube separating the wet vapor into a higher temperature component (T H ) at hot side and a lower temperature component (T C ) at cold side. The system further includes at least one heat exchanger for exchanging heat from the higher to lower temperature components. The vortex tube is adaptable to function in multiple configurations to increase the change in higher and lower temperature components by reducing the quantitative value of the lower temperature component.

1 . A method for improving the efficiency of a Rankine cycle, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) pumping a working fluid from an accumulator through a feed pump into a boiler at high pressure;   (b) heating the working fluid in the boiler at a constant pressure to convert the working fluid into a dry saturated vapor;   (c) expanding the dry saturated vapor in a turbine for generating power and condensing the dry saturated vapor into a volume of wet vapor;   (d) introducing the wet vapor into at least one vortex tube having a hot side and a cold side for separating the wet vapor into a higher temperature component (T H ) and a lower temperature component (T C );   (e) introducing the higher temperature component through the hot side to a heat exchanger, wherein a specific volume of the higher temperature component is transferred to the boiler and another specific volume of the higher temperature component is transferred to a mixer; and introducing the lower temperature component through the cold side to another heat exchanger, wherein a specific volume of the lower temperature component is transferred to an accumulator and another specific volume of the lower temperature component is transferred to the mixer;   (f) condensing the higher temperature component into a saturated liquid and collecting the saturated liquid in the accumulator; and   (g) repeating steps (d) through (f) for increasing the change in higher and lower temperature components (T H -T C ) by reducing the quantitative value of the lower temperature component (T C ).   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is a liquid refrigerant. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the boiler is heated to a temperature of 180° F. and in a pressure of 400.28 psia. 
     
     
         4 . A system for improving the efficiency of a Rankine cycle utilizing at least one vortex tube in multiple configurations, the system comprising:
 an accumulator defined to form a reservoir for storing a working fluid;   a feed pump designed to pump the working fluid from the accumulator;   a boiler for heating the working fluid pumped by the feed pump to form a dry saturated vapor;   a turbine adapted to expand the dry saturated vapor for generating power and condensing the dry saturated vapor into a volume of wet vapor;   at least one vortex tube having a hot side and a cold side for separating the wet vapor into a higher temperature component (T H ) and a lower temperature component (T C );   at least one heat exchanger for exchanging heat from the higher temperature component to the lower temperature component; and   a mixer adapted to combine the higher temperature component and the lower temperature component;   whereby the vortex tube is adaptable to function in multiple configurations for reducing the quantitative value of the lower temperature component (T C ).   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the working fluid is a liquid refrigerant. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the boiler is heated to a temperature of 180° F. and in a pressure of 400.28 psia. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the system further includes an oil separator arranged proximate the turbine which deposits oil into the feed pump for the regeneration of the dry saturated vapor.