Rankine cycle integrated with absorption chiller

Abstract

A power generation system is provided. The system includes a carbon-dioxide waste heat recovery Rankine cycle, integrated with an absorption chiller cycle. The Rankine cycle includes a condenser and a desorber. The condenser of the Rankine cycle is combined with the evaporator of the absorption chiller cycle. The Rankine cycle and the absorption chiller cycle can be integrated at the desorber.

1 . A power generation system, comprising:
 a carbon-dioxide waste heat recovery Rankine cycle integrated with an absorption chiller cycle;   wherein the Rankine cycle comprises a condenser and a desorber;   wherein the condenser of the Rankine cycle functions as an evaporator for the absorption chiller cycle; and   wherein the Rankine cycle and the absorption chiller cycle are integrated at the desorber.   
     
     
         2 . A power generation system, comprising:
 a Rankine cycle-first working fluid circulation loop, comprising a heater, an expander, a recuperator, a first working fluid condenser, a desorber, a first working fluid pump, and a first working fluid comprising CO 2 ; integrated with   an absorption chiller cycle comprising a second working fluid circulation loop, which itself comprises an evaporator, an absorber, a second working fluid pump, a desorber, a second working fluid condenser, and a second working fluid comprising a refrigerant;   wherein the Rankine cycle and the absorption chiller cycle are integrated at the desorber; and   wherein the condenser of the Rankine cycle functions as the evaporator of the absorption chiller cycle.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the Rankine cycle-first working fluid circulation loop further comprises a cooler. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the absorption chiller cycle further comprises at least one heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the absorption chiller cycle further comprises an additional fluid loop to transport a solution of the refrigerant in a solvent between the desorber and the absorber. 
     
     
         6 . A power generation system, comprising:
 a first loop comprising a single expansion recuperated carbon-dioxide waste heat recovery Rankine cycle, integrated with a second loop comprising an absorption chiller cycle,   wherein the first loop comprises:   a recuperator configured to receive a liquid CO 2  stream, and to produce a heat-enhanced liquid CO 2  stream;   a waste heat recovery boiler configured to receive the heat-enhanced liquid CO 2  stream, and to produce a vaporized CO 2  stream;   a first expander configured to receive the vaporized CO 2  stream and to produce an expanded CO 2  stream;   wherein the recuperator is also configured to receive the expanded CO 2  stream and to produce a cooler CO 2  stream;   a desorber configured to receive the cooler CO 2  stream, and to further reduce its temperature;   a cooler configured to receive the cooled CO 2  stream, and to produce an even cooler CO 2  stream, having a temperature in the range of about 35 degrees Celsius to about 55 degrees Celsius; and   a CO 2  condenser configured to receive the cooled CO 2  stream, and to produce a liquid CO 2  stream which is capable of being pumped back to the recuperator, using a CO 2  pump, wherein the condenser is integrated with an evaporator of an absorption chiller cycle;   wherein the second loop comprises:   the evaporator of the absorption chiller cycle configured to receive a substantially liquid refrigerant and to produce a vaporized refrigerant;   an absorber configured to receive the vaporized refrigerant and to produce a first solution of the refrigerant and a solvent, wherein a second solution of the refrigerant and the solvent is contained in the absorber;   a refrigerant pump configured to receive the first solution and to increase its pressure;   wherein the desorber is also configured to receive the first solution, having an increased pressure, and to produce a vaporized refrigerant and the second solution;   wherein the concentration of the refrigerant in the first solution is greater than the concentration of the refrigerant in the second solution;   a refrigerant condenser configured to receive the vaporized refrigerant and to produce a liquid refrigerant; and   a pressure-reducing device configured to receive the liquid refrigerant and lower its pressure, so that it can be received by the evaporator; and   wherein the evaporator of the absorption chiller cycle is capable of directing the vaporized refrigerant back to the absorber.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the absorption chiller cycle further comprises a heat exchanger configured to receive the vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator and provide a heat-enhanced vaporized refrigerant to the absorber. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the absorption chiller cycle further comprises an additional fluid loop, including a recuperator and a pump to cool and transport the second solution of the refrigerant and the solvent between the desorber and the absorber. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the refrigerant comprises lithium bromide or water. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the refrigerant pump in the absorption chiller cycle provides a refrigerant having an enhanced pressure in the range of about 0.1 bar to about 10 bar. 
     
     
         11 . A power generation system comprising:
 a first loop comprising a double expansion recuperated carbon-dioxide waste heat recovery Rankine cycle integrated with a second loop comprising an absorption chiller cycle,   wherein the first loop comprises:   a waste heat recovery boiler configured to receive a first portion of a liquid CO 2  stream and to produce a heated first portion of the CO 2  stream;   a first expander configured to receive the heated first portion of the CO 2  stream and to produce an expanded first portion of the CO 2  stream;   a recuperator configured to receive the expanded first portion of the CO 2  stream and to produce a cooler first portion of the CO 2  stream; wherein the recuperator is also configured to receive a second portion of liquid CO 2  stream, and to produce a heat-enhanced second portion of the CO 2  stream;   a second expander configured to receive the heat-enhanced second portion of the CO 2  stream and to produce an expanded second portion of the CO 2  stream;   a desorber configured to receive the expanded second portion of the CO 2  stream and to produce a cooler second portion of the CO 2  stream;   a cooler configured to receive the cooled first portion of the CO 2  stream and the cooled second portion of the CO 2  stream, and to produce an even cooler CO 2  stream having a temperature in the range of about 35 degrees Celsius to about 55 degrees Celsius;   a first working fluid condenser, configured to receive the cooled CO 2  stream, integrated with an evaporator of an absorption chiller cycle; and capable of producing a liquid CO 2  stream; which can be pumped back as the first portion and the second portion of the liquid CO 2  stream, using a CO 2  pump;   wherein the second loop comprises:   the evaporator of the absorption chiller cycle configured to receive a substantially liquid refrigerant, and to produce a vaporized refrigerant;   an absorber configured to receive the vaporized refrigerant, and to produce a first solution of the refrigerant and a solvent; wherein a second solution of a refrigerant and a solvent is contained in the absorber;   a second working fluid pump configured to receive the first solution and to increase its pressure;   wherein the desorber is also configured to receive the first solution with an increased pressure, and to produce a vaporized refrigerant and the second solution; wherein the concentration of the refrigerant in the first solution is greater than the concentration of the refrigerant in the second solution;   a refrigerant condenser configured to receive the vaporized refrigerant and to produce a liquid refrigerant;   a pressure reducing device configured to receive the liquid refrigerant and lower its pressure, so that it can be received by the evaporator; and   wherein the evaporator of the absorption chiller cycle is capable of directing the vaporized refrigerant back to the absorber.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the absorption chiller cycle further comprises a heat exchanger configured to receive the vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator, and to provide a heated vaporized refrigerant to the absorber. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the absorption chiller cycle further comprises an additional fluid loop, including a recuperator and a pump to cool and transport the second solution of the refrigerant and the solvent between the desorber and the absorber. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein a conduit or container captures the heat of the CO 2  left over after expansion, and is capable of directing the heat to the desorber. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising an external heating mechanism to heat the desorber. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the refrigerant comprises lithium bromide or water. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the refrigerant comprises lithium bromide, and the solvent comprises water. 
     
     
         18 . A power generation system that includes a carbon-dioxide, waste heat recovery Rankine cycle, integrated with an absorption chiller cycle;
 wherein the system comprises a combined Rankine cycle condenser and chiller cycle evaporator.