System and method for storing energy and purifying fluid

A method, comprising:

• combining a heat pump cycle and a heat engine cycle within a fluidly-closed loop system;
• operating the fluidly-closed loop system by circulating a phase change working fluid there through;
• embedding sensible heat storage in a compression cycle of the working fluid;
• and
• using the stored sensible heat during an expansion cycle of the working fluid to increase round-trip efficiency of the fluidly-closed loop system.

A system for purifying a fluid, comprising:

• a thermodynamic heat pump cycle comprising a vapor compressor, a heat exchanger in a freezer, a pressure reducing device, and a condenser in thermal communication with a heat sink;
• a thermodynamic power cycle comprised of a vapor expander, a heat exchanger in a melting section, a pump, and an evaporator in thermal communication with a heat source;
• a section where ice is substantially separated from contaminants and washed;
• and
• a heat exchanger to cool down incoming impure fluid.

A method for purifying water, comprising:

• providing non-potable water from an external source to a system comprising a freezer;
• a melter;
• a unit suitable for separating ice from contaminants, and washing ice;
• a heat exchanger;
• a first thermodynamically-powered fluid loop that directs fluid in a first direction, the first thermodynamically-powered fluid loop comprising a vapor compressor/expander unit, a heat exchanger located in the freezer, a pressure reducing device, a condenser in thermal communication with a heat sink;
• a second thermodynamically-powered fluid loop that directs fluid in a second direction, the second thermodynamically-powered fluid loop comprising the vapor compressor/expander unit, a heat exchanger located in the melter, a pump, an evaporator in thermal communication with a low-grade heat source;
• generating ice in the freezer;
• separating the ice from sodium chloride present in the non-potable water;
• washing the ice;
• melting the ice in the melter to produce potable water;
• expelling the potable water from the heat exchanger.

A system for fluid purification, comprising:

• a freezer;
• a melter;
• a unit suitable for separating ice from contaminants, and washing ice;
• a heat exchanger;
• either a first thermodynamically-powered fluid loop that directs fluid in a first direction, the first thermodynamically-powered fluid loop comprising a vapor compressor/expander unit, a heat exchanger located in the freezer, a pressure reducing device, a condenser in thermal communication with a heat sink;
• or
• a first thermodynamically-powered fluid loop comprising a vapor compressor, a heat exchanger located in the freezer, a pressure reducing device, a condenser in thermal communication with a heat sink, and a refrigerant;
• and
• either a second thermodynamically-powered fluid loop that directs fluid in a second direction, the second thermodynamically-powered fluid loop comprising the vapor compressor/expander unit, a heat exchanger located in the melter, a pump, an evaporator in thermal communication with a low-grade heat source;
• or
• a second thermodynamically-powered fluid loop comprising a vapor expander, a heat exchanger located in the melter, a pump, an evaporator in thermal communication with a low-grade heat source, and a working fluid.