Multiple organic rankine cycle systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for the recovery mechanical power from heat energy sources using a common working fluid comprising, in some embodiments, an organic refrigerant flowing through multiple heat exchangers and expanders. The distribution of heat energy from the source may be portioned, distributed, and communicated to each of the heat exchangers so as to permit utilization of up to all available heat energy. In some embodiments, the system utilizes up to and including all of the available heat energy from the source. The expanders may be operatively coupled to one or more generators that convert the mechanical energy of the expansion process into electrical energy, or the mechanical energy may be communicated to other devices to perform work.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat distribution system comprising:
 A. a single heat energy inlet;   B. a first heat energy flow control valve and a second heat energy flow control valve each comprising (i) a valve inlet in heat energy receiving communication with said single heat energy inlet and (ii) a valve outlet, wherein each of said valves is operative to provide a controllable amount of heat energy from said heat energy inlet to each of the first and second valve outlets, respectively; and   C. a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger in heat energy receiving communication with said first and second valve outlets, respectively;   
       wherein said first and second heat energy flow control valves are operable to portion, distribute, and communicate (i) a first portion of heat energy from the single heat energy inlet to said first heat exchanger, and (ii) a second portion of heat energy from the single heat energy inlet to said second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the sum of the heat energy in said first and second portions of heat energy comprise all of the heat energy available to be portioned, distributed, and communicated from said single heat energy inlet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first portion of heat energy and said second portion of heat energy do not comprise any portion of heat energy in common. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising heat exchange media communicated from said heat energy inlet through said first and second flow control valves and to said first and second heat exchangers. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said heat exchange media comprises at least one of any of air, water, oil, refrigerant, and engine jacket water coolant. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising working fluid and wherein said first and second heat exchangers are operable to transfer heat energy to said working fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  (i) further comprising first and second working fluid expanders in working fluid receiving communication with said first and second heat exchangers, respectively, and (ii) wherein said first and second working fluid expanders are operable to convert heat energy and pressure from said working fluid into mechanical power. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  (i) further comprising one or more electric generators in mechanical power receiving communication with either or both of said first and second working fluid expanders, and (ii) wherein said one or more electric generators are capable of converting said mechanical power into electric power. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said working fluid flows from said first working fluid expander to said second working fluid expander. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6  wherein said working fluid comprises at least one of any of water, a refrigerant, and a mixture of a refrigerant and a lubricant. 
     
     
         11 . A heat distribution method comprising the steps of:
 A. receiving heat energy from a single source;   B. using first and second heat energy control valves in heat energy receiving communication with said single source of heat energy to portion, distribute, and communicate (i) a first portion of heat energy from said single source of heat energy to an outlet of said first heat energy control valve, and (ii) a second portion of heat energy from said single source of heat energy to an outlet of said second heat energy control valve, respectively; and   C. communicating said first and second portions of heat energy from said first and second heat energy control valve outlets to first and second heat exchangers, respectively.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the sum of the heat energy in said first and second portions of heat energy comprises all of the heat energy available to be portioned, distributed, and communicated from said single source of heat energy. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said first portion of heat energy and said second portion of heat energy do not comprise any portion of heat energy in common. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the steps receiving, portioning, distributing, and communicating heat energy comprise steps of receiving, portioning, distributing, and communicating heat energy using a heat exchange media. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said heat exchange media comprises at least one of any of air, water, oil, refrigerant, and engine jacket water coolant. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising a step of communicating heat energy from said first and second heat exchangers to a working fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising a step of converting heat energy and pressure from said working fluid into mechanical power using first and second working fluid expanders. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising a step of communicating said mechanical power to one or more electric generators and converting said mechanical power into electric power. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said working fluid flows from said first working fluid expander to said second working fluid expander. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said working fluid comprises at least one of any of water, a refrigerant, and a mixture of a refrigerant and lubricant.