Heat Utilization in ORC Systems

Abstract

Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for the improved use of waste heat recovery systems which utilize the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) to generate mechanical and/or electric power from heat sources generating power from byproducts of water purification process(es). Waste heat energy obtained from heat source(s) is provided to one or more ORC system(s) which may be operatively coupled to electric generator(s). A heat coupling subsystem provides the requisite condensation of ORC working fluid by transferring heat from ORC working fluid to one or more other process(es) or system(s), such as anaerobic digester tank(s), to provide heat energy that enhances the production of fuel for the prime mover(s) without requiring the consumption of additional energy for that purpose.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of recovering energy from a wastewater treatment system, the method comprising steps of:
 A. apportioning a quantity of heat energy among one or more heat consuming water purification process(es) using one or more valve(s);   B. using at least some of said heat energy by at least one of said one or more water purification process(es) to produce at least one byproduct suitable to generate heat by one or more source(s) of heat energy;   C. communicating some or all of said at least one byproduct to one or more source(s) of heat energy;   D. generating heat energy by said one or more source(s) of heat energy using said some or all of said at least one byproduct;   E. communicating at least a portion of said generated heat energy to a working fluid; and   F. generating mechanical power via expansion of said working fluid in a working fluid expander.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said one or more source(s) of heat energy comprise at least one of any of a prime mover, an internal combustion engine, a boiler, a fuel cell, and a microturbine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said one or more water purification process(es) comprises at least one of any of an anaerobic digestion process, an aerobic process, a biological nutrient removal processes, and a combustible gas generation process. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said at least one byproduct comprises at least one of any of a biogas, methane, hydrogen, and a residual solid effluent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said mechanical power is communicated to at least one of any of an electric generator, a prime mover, a pump, a combustion engine, a fan, a turbine, and a compressor. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the steps of communicating heat energy to a working fluid and generating mechanical power are performed via an organic Rankine system. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said quantity of heat energy apportioned among said one or more heat consuming water purification process(es) comprises at least a portion of the heat energy generated by said one or more source(s) of heat energy. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a step of apportioning at least some of said quantity of heat energy to at least one radiator. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said quantity of heat energy apportioned among said one or more heat consuming water purification process(es) and said at least one radiator comprises at least a portion of the heat energy generated by said one or more source(s) of heat energy. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said quantity of heat energy apportioned among said one or more heat consuming water purification processes comprises heat energy received from an organic Rankine cycle system. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said heat energy received from an organic Rankine cycle system is communicated via an alternate medium. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said alternate medium is at least one of any of air, treated aqueous effluent, and water. 
     
     
         13 . A wastewater treatment heat energy management method comprising steps of:
 A. using at least one heat consuming water purification process to generate at least one byproduct suitable for use in heat generation;   B. generating heat energy by consuming said byproduct by at least one source of heat energy;   C. communicating at least a portion of said generated heat energy to a working fluid to create heated working fluid;   D. generating mechanical power by expanding said heated working fluid in a working fluid expander;   E. apportioning and communicating at least a portion of heat energy remaining in said expanded working fluid to said at least one heat consuming water purification process using one or more valves; and   F. consuming some or all of said communicated expanded working fluid heat energy by said at least one water purification process.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said at least one source of heat energy comprises at least one of any of a prime mover, an internal combustion engine, a boiler, a fuel cell, and a microturbine. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said at least one water purification process comprises at least one of any of an anaerobic digestion process, an aerobic process, a biological nutrient removal processes, and a combustible gas generation process. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said at least one byproduct comprises at least one of any of a biogas, methane, hydrogen, and a residual solid effluent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said mechanical power is communicated to at least one of any of an electric generator, a prime mover, a pump, a combustion engine, a fan, a turbine, and a compressor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the steps of creating heated working fluid and expanding said heated working fluid in a working fluid expander are performed using an organic Rankine cycle system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of apportioning and communicating heat energy further comprises a step of apportioning and communicating at least some of said heat energy to at least one radiator. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said apportioned and communicated heat energy comprises at least a portion of the heat energy generated by said one or more source(s) of heat energy. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the step of apportioning and communicating heat energy further comprises a step of apportioning and communicating at least some of said heat energy to said at least one radiator. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13  whereon said quantity of heat energy apportioned among said one or more heat consuming water purification processes comprises heat energy communicated from an organic Rankine cycle system. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said heat energy communicated from an organic Rankine cycle system is communicated via an alternate medium. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said alternate medium is at least one of any of air, treated aqueous effluent, and water.