System and method for water pasteurization and power generation
OwnerGregory B. Ryaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for creating power and pasteurizing water is provided. The system includes a power generation subsystem and a water pasteurization subsystem, which are linked together as follows. The power generation subsystem comprises a turbine power generator. Air (or other suitable working fluid) flows through the turbine power generator to generate power by known methods. The air is heated prior to flowing into the turbine to increase its speed for greater power generation. The water pasteurization subsystem includes one or more heat exchangers, at least one of which is connected to receive the hot airflow exiting the turbine. The heat from the turbine-exiting airflow is utilized for pasteurizing colder wastewater inside the heat exchanger.
Claims44
A system for producing power and pasteurizing water, comprising:
- a turbine configured to receive a flow of a working fluid, the working fluid flow configured to rotate blades and an output shaft of the turbine;
- a power generator coupled to the turbine output shaft and configured to convert rotation of the output shaft into power;
- a heat exchanger having first and second internal chambers, the first chamber configured to receive working fluid exiting the turbine, the second chamber configured to receive water, the chambers configured to permit heat exchange between working fluid within the first chamber and water within the second chamber to raise the temperature of water in the second chamber to at least a water pasteurization temperature;
- and
- a heat source operatively connected to impart heat to working fluid flowing through the turbine and the first chamber of the heat exchanger.
A system for producing electric power and pasteurizing water, comprising:
- a turbine power generator configured to convert a flow of working fluid into electric power;
- and
- a heat exchanger having first and second fluidly separate internal chambers, the first internal chamber configured to receive an exhaust flow of working fluid from the turbine generator, the second internal chamber configured to receive water, the chambers configured to permit heat exchange between working fluid within the first chamber and water within the second chamber to pasteurize water within the second chamber.
A system for producing power and pasteurizing water, comprising:
- a turbine configured to receive a flow of a working fluid, the working fluid flow configured to rotate blades and an output shaft of the turbine;
- a power generator coupled to the turbine output shaft and configured to convert rotation of the output shaft into power;
- a heat exchanger having first and second internal chambers, the first chamber configured to receive working fluid exiting the turbine, the second chamber configured to receive water, the chambers configured to permit heat exchange between working fluid within the first chamber and water within the second chamber;
- and
- a heat source configured to impart heat to working fluid flowing through the turbine and the first chamber of the heat exchanger.
A system for producing electric power and pasteurizing water, comprising:
- a turbine power generator configured to convert a flow of working fluid into electric power;
- and
- a heat exchanger having first and second fluidly separate internal chambers, the first internal chamber configured to receive an exhaust flow of working fluid from the turbine generator, the second internal chamber configured to receive water, the chambers configured to permit heat exchange between working fluid within the first chamber and water within the second chamber.
A method of producing power and pasteurizing water, comprising:
- causing a working fluid to flow through a turbine power generator, the flow of working fluid causing the turbine power generator to generate power;
- after the working fluid exits the turbine power generator, directing the working fluid into a first of two fluidly separate internal chambers of a heat exchanger, the chambers configured to permit heat exchange between the working fluid within the first chamber and water within a second of the two chambers, the working fluid within the first chamber being at a temperature greater than a water pasteurization temperature;
- causing water to flow through the second chamber of the heat exchanger, the water initially being colder than the water pasteurization temperature;
- permitting the water flowing through the second chamber to absorb heat from the working fluid within the first chamber;
- and
- controlling the flow rate of the water flowing through the second chamber of the heat exchanger so that the water temperature rises to at least the pasteurization temperature.
A method of producing electric power and pasteurizing water, comprising:
- pumping air through a turbine power generator, the air causing the turbine power generator to generate electric power;
- and
- after the air exits the turbine power generator, transferring heat from the air to water to raise the water temperature to at least a water pasteurization temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.