System and Method for Generating Power Using A Supercritical Fluid

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and system for determining the temperature of a supercritical fluid that involves determining the speed of sound in the supercritical fluid.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for determining a temperature of a supercritical fluid, the method comprising:
 flowing the supercritical fluid through a conduit;   measuring a pressure value of the supercritical fluid;   determining a speed of sound value in the supercritical fluid; and   determining the temperature of the supercritical fluid based on the measured pressure value and the determined speed of sound value in the supercritical fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the speed of sound value in the supercritical fluid further comprises:
 transmitting a sonic pulse in the supercritical fluid;   receiving the sonic pulse; and   measuring a time-lapse interval between the transmission and reception of the sonic pulse.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a first transducer generates and transmits the sonic pulse and a second transducer receives the sonic pulse. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first transducer is mounted on the conduit and the second transducer is mounted on the conduit opposing the first transducer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the speed of sound value in the supercritical fluid further comprises:
 measuring a flow rate of the supercritical fluid in the conduit;   determining a flow velocity of the supercritical fluid; and   adjusting the speed of sound value based on the flow velocity the supercritical fluid.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the supercritical fluid is supercritical carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for determining the temperature of a supercritical fluid, the apparatus comprising:
 a conduit, the conduit comprising an inside diameter and configured to allow the supercritical fluid to flow therethrough;   a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor mounted on the conduit so as to measure a pressure value of the supercritical fluid in the conduit; and   a controller, the controller in electronic communication with the pressure sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine a speed of sound value in the supercritical fluid and to determine the temperature of the supercritical fluid based on the measured pressure value and the determined speed of sound value in the supercritical fluid.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a first transducer, the first transducer mounted on the conduit and configured to generate and transmit a sonic pulse in the supercritical fluid; and   a second transducer, the second transducer mounted on the conduit opposed to the first transducer and configured to receive the sonic pulse,   wherein the controller is in electronic communication with the first and second transducers and the controller is further configured to:
 measure a time-lapse value between the transmission and reception of the sonic pulse; and 
 to determine the speed of sound value in the supercritical fluid based on the measured time-lapse value and the inside diameter of the conduit. 
   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a flow meter, the flow meter mounted on the conduit so as to measure a flow rate of the supercritical fluid in the conduit,
 wherein the controller is an electronic communication with the flow meter and the controller is further configured to:
 determine a flow velocity of the supercritical fluid based on the measured flow rate of the supercritical fluid and the inside diameter of the conduit; and 
 adjust the speed of sound value based on the determined flow velocity of the supercritical fluid. 
   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the supercritical fluid is supercritical carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         11 . A system, comprising:
 a conduit for directing a flow of a supercritical fluid, the conduit comprising an inside diameter;   a supercritical fluid compressor, the supercritical fluid compressor including an inlet connected to the conduit so as to receive the supercritical fluid for compression therein;   a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor mounted on the conduit so as to measure a pressure value of the supercritical fluid in the conduit; and   a controller, the controller in electronic communication with the pressure sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine a speed of sound value in the supercritical fluid and to determine the temperature of the supercritical fluid based on the measured pressure value and the determined speed of sound value in the supercritical fluid.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first transducer, the first transducer mounted on the conduit and configured to generate and transmit a sonic pulse in the supercritical fluid; and   a second transducer, the second transducer mounted on the conduit opposed to the first transducer and configured to receive the sonic pulse,   wherein the controller is in electronic communication with the first and second transducers and the controller is further configured to:
 measure a time-lapse value between the transmission and reception of the sonic pulse; and 
 to determine the speed of sound value in the supercritical fluid based on the measured time-lapse value and the inside diameter of the conduit. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a flow meter, the flow meter mounted on the conduit so as to measure a flow rate of the supercritical fluid in the conduit,
 wherein the controller is an electronic communication with the flow meter and the controller is further configured to:
 determine a flow velocity of the supercritical fluid based on the measured flow rate of the supercritical fluid and the inside diameter of the conduit; and 
 adjust the speed of sound value based on the determined flow velocity of the supercritical fluid. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second transducers are mounted on the conduit within one half meter of the inlet of the supercritical fluid compressor. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the supercritical fluid is supercritical carbon dioxide.