Multi-component two-phase power cycle

Abstract

A multi-component apparatus characterized as performing a two-phase thermodynamic cycle, for conversion of heat energy to useful power comprises: fluid means consisting to two or more chemical components to absorb heat energy, the fluid means providing an increasing temperature and increasing fraction of gas phase as increasing amounts of heat are absorbed, expander means operating to convert the enthalpy in a received mixture of gas and liquid, formed in said fluid means, as a result of the said heat energy absorbed by the fluid means, to mechanical, shaft power, heat exchanger means operating to transfer the heat energy to be absorbed by the fluid means, condenser means operating to reject the unconverted enthalpy, by the expander means, in the fluid means, thereby condensing any gas to convert the fluid means to liquid, and pump means operating to pressurize liquid fluid means leaving the condenser means, in order to return the fluid means to the heat exchanger means, closing the thermodynamic cycle.

1 . A multi-component apparatus characterized as performing a two-phase thermodynamic cycle, for conversion of heat energy to useful power comprises:
 a) fluid means consisting of two or more chemical components to absorb heat energy,   b) said fluid means providing an increasing temperature and increasing fraction of gas phase as increasing amounts of heat are absorbed,   c) expander means operating to convert the enthalpy in a received mixture of gas and liquid, formed in said fluid means, as a result of the said heat energy absorbed by the said fluid means, to mechanical, shaft power,   d) heat exchanger means operating to transfer said heat energy to be absorbed by the said fluid means,   e) condenser means operating to reject the unconverted enthalpy, by said expander means, in said fluid means, thereby condensing any gas to convert the fluid means to liquid, and   f) pump means operating to pressurize liquid fluid means leaving the condenser means, in order to return the said fluid means to the said heat exchanger means, closing the thermodynamic cycle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  with valves, piping, instrumentation, controls, supporting structure and other appurtances required to control and effect the movement of said fluid means to and from elements of the apparatus of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 1  including an electric generator, and where the expander means drives the electric generator, producing electrical power. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 1 , where the expander means is a variable phase turbine, including:
 a) nozzle means to maximize the conversion of enthalpy of a medium of liquid, supercritical fluid or a mixture of liquid and gas to kinetic energy in a directed stream of a mixture of gas and liquid, supercritical fluid or pure gas, said directed stream composition determined by the chemical composition of the fluid and thermodynamic conditions, said nozzle means directing the flow at moving blade means,   b) said moving blade means configured to maximize the conversion of the kinetic energy of said directed stream to torque, acting upon said blades,   c) rotor means to which said blades are attached to transmit the torque to a shaft to which the rotor and a load are attached,   d) casing means to confine and direct the fluid and which incorporates bearings and seals to enable the shaft to transmit the torque to a load,   e) shroud means operable to prevent liquid which had transferred kinetic energy to the blades from contacting the casing and being re-directed to contact the moving blades, causing losses in torque.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the expander means is a radial outflow turbine means that includes:
 a) a first, stationary, nozzle means wherein a gas and liquid mixture of said fluid means is expanded in a radial outward direction, accelerating the said fluid means and directing it towards a rotor structure,   b) said rotor structure having a second nozzle structure consisting of vanes which receive impingement of the accelerated fluid means from the first nozzle means, and which further expand the said fluid means in a radial outward and tangential direction, adding power to said rotor structure,   c) a casing means into which the fluid means leaving the second nozzle structure is discharged to be effectively removed from the expander structure,   d) a shaft means, attached to the rotor structure supported by bearing means, that transmits the power generated by expansion of the fluid means to a useful load means, such as an electric generator.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a second heat exchanger means to transfer heat from the fluid means leaving the expander to the fluid means leaving the pump means, thereby to reduce the heat required by the  claim 1  heat exchanger means. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  where the expander means is a positive displacement expander. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  where the components of said fluid means are ammonia and water. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  where the components of said fluid means are ionic salts and water. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  where the components of said fluid means are mixtures of refrigerants. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  where the components of said fluid means are mixtures of hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         12 . An ammonia and water mixture thermodynamic cycle apparatus, that includes:
 a) a pump to flow the ammonia and water mixture to a heat exchanger,   b) said heat exchanger operating to produce ammonia rich vapor and water rich liquid,   c) a two-phase expander receiving the mixture and supplying said mixture to a nozzle to produce a high velocity jet,   d) a turbine receiving the jet to drive the turbine to drive a load,   e) two-phase flow discharging from the turbine at lowered temperature and pressure,   f) a condenser condensing the turbine discharge which is thereby condensed to liquid state, with heat removed in a side stream of liquid or air,   g) condensed liquid flow being returned to the pump.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the two-phase expander is an axial impulse turbine. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the two-phase expander is a radial outflow turbine. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the two-phase expander is a positive displacement expander. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the expander is a variable phase turbine. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the expander is configured to expand two-phase fluid mixtures. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the variable phase turbine is configured substantially as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the variable phase turbine is configured substantially as shown in  FIG. 8 , operable with mixtures of liquid and gas.