Vortex tube supplying superheated vapor for turbine power generation

Abstract

The vortex tube when properly used within a Rankine Cycle can produce phenomenal results. This invention functionally describes the preferred vortex tube used to produce superheated vapor from a compressed heated liquid without summoning the additional heat required for latent-heat to effect vaporization. The vortex tube provides superheated vapor to a turbine for generating electricity burning 50% less fossil fuel, also releasing 50% less carbon emissions to the environment. The vortex tube extends the efficient Rankine Cycle temperature range well below 150° F. with the proper refrigerant choice. The physical size and function of the heating equipment is reduced. This invention delivers new thermal efficiencies for both the Rankine Cycle and the Organic Rankine Cycle.

Having described the invention, we claim:  
     
         1 . A process for providing a superheated vapor from a liquid stream comprising the steps of:
 providing a first liquid stream;   increasing the pressure of a first liquid stream;   providing a first compressed liquid stream;   heating said first compressed liquid stream in a first heat exchanger, said first heat exchanger producing a second non-boiling compressed liquid stream that has a higher temperature than said first compressed liquid stream, said first heat exchanger receiving heat from a first external heat source;   providing said second non-boiling compressed liquid stream to a vortex tube to separate said second compressed non-boiling liquid stream into a second cool fluid stream and a hot second superheated vapor stream, without additional heat from an external heat source;   providing said hot second superheated vapor stream from said vortex tube for use.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 heating said first compressed liquid stream to a non-boiling temperature, without boiling said second non-boiling compressed liquid stream, until said second non-boiling compressed liquid stream temperature is near liquid saturation temperature and below for that compressing pressure; 
 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  comprising: whereas liquid stream is a liquid water stream. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  comprising: whereas vapor stream is a steam stream. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  comprising: whereas a first heat exchanger is a shell and plate heat exchanger. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  comprising: whereas a first heat exchanger is absent and said first compressed liquid stream is provided as a second non-boiling compressed liquid stream from an external heat source, and provided directly to said vortex tube. 
     
     
         7 . A system for providing a superheated vapor from a liquid stream is: a first heat exchanger heating a first compressed liquid stream, said first heat exchanger producing a second non-boiling compressed liquid stream that has a higher temperature than said first compressed liquid stream,
 said first heat exchanger receiving heat from a first external heat source;   a first vortex tube receiving said second non-boiling compressed liquid stream being segregated in said first vortex tube into a hot second superheated vapor stream and a second sub-cooled liquid stream,   a first turbine receives said hot second superheated vapor stream for use.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  comprising: whereas liquid stream is a liquid water stream. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  comprising: whereas vapor stream is a steam stream. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7  comprising: whereas a first heat exchanger is a shell and plate heat exchanger. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7  comprising: whereas a first heat exchanger is absent and said first compressed liquid stream is provided as a second non-boiling compressed liquid stream from an external heat source, and provided to said vortex tube. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising the steps of: said first heat exchanger heating said first compressed liquid stream to a non-boiling temperature;
 said first heat exchanger heating said second non-boiling compressed liquid stream until said second non-boiling compressed liquid stream temperature is near liquid saturation temperature and below for that particular compressing pressure; 
 
     
     
         13 . A process for a preferred vortex tube providing a superheated vapor from a compressed liquid comprising the steps:
 a compressed liquid stream entering at least one inlet tangentially to the internal diameter and near perpendicular to the cylindrical inlet chamber, the straight line said compressed liquid stream transverses at least one inlet, reducing the liquid temperature and pressure,   creating a second duel-phase fluid stream having fluid expanding and straight line acceleration;   said second duel-phase fluid stream following the inlet chamber internal diameter forcing a duel-phase fluid rotation developing a fluid vortex and vital angular momentum, also straight line forward and angular acceleration, initiating both a fluid temperature and pressure reduction,   said second duel-phase fluid stream at least partially converting its pressure energy into the accelerating rotating fluid kinetic energy,   forming a condensate precipitating-out of said accelerating rotating fluid, emitting condensation heat,   condensate forming and migrating inward due to a loss of angular momentum and inward toward a lower pressure developing near the vortex center,   sweeping away residual liquid water and condensate by a passing swirling center counterflow vortex in close proximity, said inlet chamber having two outlets enables continuing fluid flow forward and exiting said inlet chamber and said vortex tube;   a wet accelerating rotating vapor absorbs the condensation heat left behind, said wet accelerating rotating vapor becomes heated, creating a rotating heated vapor stream,   absorbing the condensation heat into said rotating heated vapor stream accelerates angularly said rotating heated vapor stream, allowing a reduction in the spin diameter of said rotating heated vapor stream while maintaining near the same angular momentum,   said rotating heated vapor stream being pushed forward by an entry pressure differential into the inlet chamber and afterwards into a smaller internal diameter tube, leaving the most liquid behind in the inlet chamber for disposal;   said rotating heated vapor stream entering said smaller internal diameter tube, creating a hot rotating vapor stream increasing the kinetic energy,   said hot rotating vapor stream temperature and pressure both decrease,   said hot rotating vapor stream expands by reducing the vapor pressure and absorbing the condensation heat,   said hot rotating vapor stream velocity accelerates angularly about a rotating axis and in a straight line forward,   condensate forms, precipitates-out, because of the loss of angular momentum while emitting condensation heat,   discharging condensate and sweeping away the condensate by said swirling center counterflow vortex passing in close proximity,   said hot rotating vapor stream absorbing the condensation heat left behind,   creating a superheated vapor stream migrating outward, because of the gain of angular momentum by absorbing condensation heat, the difference in angular momentum separates the two energies,   a hot superheated vapor stream continuing to expand until reaching the end of the tube, precipitating condensate and absorbing condensation heat,   said hot superheated vapor stream becoming hotter migrating outward gathering on the outer edge of said hot rotating vapor stream next to the internal diameter wall, allowing only this hot superheated vapor outer edge to pass the tube end,   valving control regulating mass flow to balance the volume flow rates of liquid and vapor, with the remaining hot rotating vapor stream being deflected back forming said swirling center counterflow vortex continuing backward exiting the inlet chamber outlet and exiting said vortex tube.   
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13  wherein said compressed liquid stream is a heated non-boiling compressed liquid stream. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 13  wherein at least one inlet is at least one nozzle. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 13  wherein said vortex tube is a vortex steam generator 
     
     
         17 . A vortex tube apparatus providing a superheated vapor from a compressed liquid comprising steps:
 an inlet chamber having at least one entry inlet receiving a first compressed liquid stream tangentially and near perpendicular to the cylindrical internal diameter of said inlet chamber;   said inlet chamber having at least one inlet producing a second straight line compressed liquid stream passing through at least one inlet reducing said second straight line compressed liquid stream temperature and pressure, changing state creating a third duel-phase fluid stream exhibiting fluid expansion and acceleration;   said inlet chamber internal diameter forcing said third duel-phase fluid stream to rotate developing a fourth rotating duel-phase vortex stream,   said inlet chamber forced rotation changing both fluid temperature and pressure of said third duel-phase fluid stream developing said fourth rotating duel-phase vortex stream decreasing temperature and pressure, exhibiting expansion and angular acceleration, forming a condensate precipitating out of said fourth rotating duel-phase vortex stream, emitting condensation heat;   said inlet chamber condensate forms and migrates inward due to a loss of angular momentum caused by loss of heat and inward toward a lower pressure developing near the vortex center,   said inlet chamber having two outlets, first outlet for continuing forward in said vortex tube and the second outlet for exiting said vortex tube,   said inlet chamber residual liquid water and condensate are swept away by a swirling center counterflow vortex exiting the second outlet and exiting said vortex tube;   said inlet chamber fifth rotating vapor absorbs the condensation heat left behind,   said inlet chamber said fifth rotating vapor becomes heated, creating a sixth rotating heated vapor stream,   said inlet chamber said sixth rotating heated vapor stream migrating outward due to a gain of angular momentum caused by a gain of heat, while maintaining a balance in angular momentum with said condensate;   said inlet chamber transitioning from said cylindrical internal diameter to said first outlet presents an impediment for moving forward the angular stream flow,   said inlet chamber said sixth rotating heated vapor stream increasing angular acceleration allowing a reduction in the spin diameter of said sixth rotating heated vapor stream in order to enter said inlet chamber said first outlet,   said inlet chamber said sixth rotating heated vapor stream changing state, creating a seventh hot rotating vapor stream exhibiting vapor expansion and angular acceleration being pushed forward by said entry pressure differential from said inlet chamber into said first outlet of smaller internal diameter, leaving the most liquid behind in said inlet chamber for disposal,   said inlet chamber said first outlet releasing said seventh hot rotating vapor stream exhibiting vapor expansion and angular acceleration into a tube;   said tube receiving said seventh hot rotating vapor stream pushing forward decreasing temperature and pressure, forming a condensate precipitating out of said seventh hot rotating vapor stream, emitting condensation heat;   said tube condensate precipitating and migrating inward due to a loss of angular momentum caused by loss of heat and inward toward a lower pressure developing near the tube vortex center,   said tube said seventh hot rotating vapor stream migrating outward due to a gain of angular momentum caused by a gain of heat, while maintaining a balance in angular momentum with said tube condensate;   said tube condensate is swept away by said swirling center counterflow vortex exiting the second outlet and exiting said vortex tube;   said tube said seventh hot rotating vapor stream absorbing the condensation heat left behind,   said tube said seventh hot rotating vapor stream becoming heated, creating an eighth dryer and superheated vapor stream,   said tube said eighth dryer and superheated vapor stream continuing to expand until reaching the end of said tube, precipitating condensate and absorbing condensation heat,   said tube said eighth dryer and superheated vapor stream becoming hotter gathering on the outer edge of said seventh hot rotating vapor stream,   said tube end allowing only said eighth dryer and superheated vapor stream gathering on the outer edge to pass the tube end continuing forward for farther use;   said tube said seventh hot rotating vapor stream being deflected back reversing the flow stream forming said swirling center counterflow vortex,   said tube swirling counterflow vortex continuing backward collecting precipitating condensate and releasing at least additional condensation heat for absorbing,   said tube swirling counterflow vortex continuing backward exiting the second outlet and exiting said vortex tube.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one inlet is at least one nozzle. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein first compressed liquid stream is a first heated non-boiling compressed liquid stream. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein a vortex tube is a vortex steam generator. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein a tube is a smaller internal diameter tube than the cylindrical internal diameter of said inlet chamber. 
     
     
         22 . A process for generating motive work, comprising the steps of:
 heating a first compressed liquid stream in a first heat exchanger, said first heat exchanger producing a second compressed liquid stream that has a higher temperature than said first liquid stream, said first heat exchanger receiving heat from a first external heat source,   providing said second compressed liquid stream to a first vortex tube where said second compressed liquid stream is segregated into a hot second fluid stream and a cool second fluid stream,   providing said hot second fluid stream to a first turbine to produce a first motive work force,   said first turbine producing a third fluid stream that has a lower temperature and pressure than said hot second fluid stream,   providing said cool second fluid stream and said third fluid stream as said first compressed liquid stream to said first heat exchanger for re-heating of said cool second fluid stream and said third fluid stream and reuse in the cycle.   
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 22  wherein said hot second fluid stream is a superheated vapor. 
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 22  wherein said second compressed liquid stream is a non-boiling compressed liquid. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 22  further comprising the steps of: providing said cool second and said third fluid stream to a condenser where the combined-fluid temperature is decreased. 
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 22  further comprising the steps of: pumping said cool second and said third fluid stream as said first liquid stream to said first exchanger with a first pump unit. 
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 22  wherein said first motive work produced by the process is used in the production of electricity. 
     
     
         28 . The process of  claim 22  wherein said first turbine is a thermodynamic engine that converts the elevated temperature hot second liquid stream into a non-heat form of energy. 
     
     
         29 . The process of  claim 22  wherein said first external heat source includes fossil fuel combustion heat sources, gas turbine exhaust, nuclear plants, bio-gas boilers, solar thermal installations, geothermal installations, geo-pressure installations, steam plants, process heat sources, and waste heat sources. 
     
     
         30 . The process of  claim 22  wherein said first heat exchanger and said first vortex tube are combined to form at least one unit where said second liquid is heated and segregated into said hot second fluid stream and said cool second fluid stream. 
     
     
         31 . The process of  claim 22  wherein said first vortex tube is a vortex steam generator. 
     
     
         32 . The process of  claim 22  further comprising the steps of:
 providing said cool second fluid stream to a second vortex tube where said cool second fluid stream is segregated into a hot fourth fluid stream and a cool fourth fluid stream, providing said hot fourth fluid stream to a second turbine to produce a second motive work force, said second turbine producing a fifth fluid stream that has a lower temperature and pressure than said hot fourth fluid stream, 
 providing said cool fourth fluid stream and said fifth fluid stream as said first compressed liquid stream to the first heat exchanger for re-heating of said cool fourth fluid stream and said fifth fluid stream. 
 
     
     
         33 . The process of  claim 32  further comprising the steps of: providing said cool fourth fluid stream and said fifth fluid stream to said condenser where the combined-fluid temperature is decreased,
 pumping said cool fourth fluid stream and said fifth fluid stream as said first liquid stream to said first heat exchanger with said first pump unit. 
 
     
     
         34 . The process of  claim 32  wherein the second motive work force produced by the process is used in the production of electricity. 
     
     
         35 . The process of  claim 22  further comprising the steps of:
 providing said cool second fluid stream to a second pump unit where said second pump unit provides a sixth fluid stream to a second heat exchanger, 
 said second heat exchanger receiving heat from a second external heat source. 
 said second heat exchanger producing a seventh fluid stream that has a higher temperature than said sixth fluid stream, 
 providing said seventh fluid stream to said second vortex tube. 
 
     
     
         36 . A system for generating electricity, comprising:
 a first heat exchanger that heats a first fluid stream and produces a second compressed liquid stream with a higher temperature than said first fluid stream, said first heat exchanger transferring heat from a first external heat source, and said first heat exchanger producing a second compressed liquid stream receiving heat transferred from said first external heat source,   a first vortex tube that receives said second compressed liquid stream, said second compressed liquid stream being segregated in said first vortex tube into a hot second fluid stream and a cool second fluid stream,   a first turbine receives said hot second fluid stream to produce a motive work force,   said first turbine produces a third fluid stream that has a lower temperature and pressure than said hot second fluid stream, said cool second fluid stream and said third fluid stream both transferred as said first fluid stream to said first heat exchanger for receiving transferred heat from said first external heat source and further use in the cycle.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36  wherein said second compressed liquid stream is a non-boiling compressed liquid. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 36  wherein said hot second compressed fluid stream is a superheated vapor. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 36  further comprising: a condenser where the combined-fluid temperature of said cool second fluid stream and said third fluid stream is decreased. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 36  further comprising: a first pump unit pumping said cool second fluid stream and said third fluid stream as said first liquid stream to said first exchanger. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 36  wherein said first turbine producing said first motive work produced is used in the production of electricity. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 36  wherein said first turbine is a thermodynamic engine that converts the elevated temperature hot second liquid stream into a non-heat form of energy. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 36  wherein said first external heat source includes fossil fuel combustion heat boilers and heaters, gas turbine exhaust, nuclear plants, bio-gas boilers, solar thermal installations, geothermal installations, geo-pressure installations, steam plants, process heat sources, and equipment cooling system waste heat. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 36  wherein said first heat exchanger and said first vortex tube are combined to form at least one unit where said first fluid stream is heated and segregated into said hot second fluid stream and said cool second fluid stream. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 36  wherein said first vortex tube is a vortex steam generator. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 36  wherein said first pump unit provides said first compressed fluid stream to a third heat exchanger, said third heat exchanger receives said first fluid stream and transfers heat from said third fluid stream to said first fluid stream, said third heat exchanger producing an eighth fluid stream with a higher temperature than said first fluid stream, said first heat exchanger receives said eighth fluid stream for transfer of heat from said first external heat source, said third heat exchanger also producing a ninth fluid stream with a lower temperature than said third fluid stream, said first heat exchanger receives said ninth fluid stream and further use in the cycle. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 36  further comprising: a second pump unit receives said cool second fluid stream, said second pump unit provides a sixth fluid stream to a second heat exchanger,
 said second heat exchanger producing a seventh fluid stream that has a higher temperature than said sixth fluid stream, 
 said second vortex tube receives said seventh fluid stream. 
 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 36  further comprising: a second vortex tube that receives said cool second fluid stream, said cool second fluid stream being segregated in said second vortex tube into a hot fourth fluid stream and a cool fourth fluid stream,
 a second turbine receives said hot fourth fluid stream to produce a second motive work force, 
 said second turbine producing a fifth fluid stream that has a lower temperature and pressure than said hot fourth fluid stream, 
 said first heat exchanger receiving both said cool fourth fluid stream and said fifth fluid stream transferred as said first fluid stream for receiving said transferred heat from said first external heat source and further use in the cycle. 
 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48  wherein the second motive work force is used in the production of electricity. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 48  further comprising: a condenser that receives said cool fourth fluid stream and said fifth fluid stream to decrease the combined-fluid temperature. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 36  wherein said second pump unit receives said cool second fluid stream and provides said sixth fluid stream to said third heat exchanger,
 said third heat exchanger receives said sixth fluid stream and transfers heat from said third fluid stream to said sixth fluid stream, 
 said third heat exchanger producing a seventh fluid stream with a higher temperature than said sixth fluid stream, 
 said second vortex tube receives said seventh fluid stream, 
 said third heat exchanger also producing a ninth fluid stream with a lower temperature than said third fluid stream, 
 said first heat exchanger receives said ninth fluid stream and further use in the cycle.