# US 2013/0239574 A1 · Method for converting energy, increasing enthalpy and raising the coefficient of compressibility > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0239574 A1 - Document ID: US20130239574A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/819,016 - Filed: 2011-04-04 - Published: 2013-09-19 - Earliest claimed: 2010-08-26 - Inventors: Igor A. Revenko - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130239574A1 ## CPC - F01K 25/00: Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for; Plants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for - F01K 25/06: using mixtures of different fluids (plants using mixtures of steam and gas F01K21/04) - F01K: STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES (gas-turbine or jet-propulsion plants F02; nuclear power plants, engine arrangements therein G21D) ## Abstract The invention relates to a method for converting thermal energy into mechanical work, which comprises imparting thermal energy to a working fluid in a tank. The working fluid in the vapor phase is fed into a device for converting energy into mechanical work. The vaporous working fluid is condensed and cyclically returned in the liquid phase to the tank. A catalytic additive in the form of a catalytic substance or a catalytic mixture of substances in an amount of 0.0000001 to 0.1 wt. % is introduced into the working fluid before or after starting the heating. The additive is a solid, its solution or suspension, or a liquid or its emulsion. The catalytic substance and the ratio of components of the mixture are chosen to prevent or promote decomposition of the substance or the mixture under the effect of high temperature and pressure according to current needs. The method enhances the efficiency of the process and expands its operational capabilities. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, comprising introducing a catalytic additive into a working fluid; imparting thermal energy, sufficient to transfer the working fluid from liquid to vapor phase, to the working fluid in a tank; feeding the working fluid in the vapor phase into a device for converting energy into mechanical work with expansion of the vaporous working fluid and reduction in temperature and pressure; condensing the vaporous working fluid; cyclically returning the working fluid in the liquid phase into the tank, wherein said introducing of a catalytic additive into a working fluid is accomplished before or after said imparting of thermal energy thereto; a catalytic substance or a catalytic mixture of substances is used as the catalytic additive in the form of a solid, a solution or suspension thereof or a liquid or emulsion thereof; said catalytic substance or at least one substance in the catalytic mixture comprises at least one carbonyl functional group and has at least one intense absorption band in the region from 1550 to 1850 cm−1 in the IR spectrum; the additive is introduced in an amount ranging from 0.0000001 to 0.1 wt. %, and the catalytic substance and the weight ratio of individual substances in the catalytic mixture are chosen to prevent or promote decomposition of the substance or the mixture under the effect of high pressure and temperature in accordance with current needs. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said working fluid is water, or liquid hydrocarbon, or a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said substance or substances for the additive is/are selected from the group including: monocarboxylic acids and anhydrides thereof; dicarboxylic acids and anhydrides thereof; salts of carboxylic acids; salts of dicarboxylic acids; amides of carboxylic acids; amides of dicarboxylic acids; anilides of carboxylic acids; anilides of dicarboxylic acids; esters of carboxylic acids; monoesters and diesters of dicarboxylic acids; imides of carboxylic acids; imides of dicarboxylic acids; diamide of carbonic acid; acyclic and cyclic esters of carbonic acid; urethanes; amino carboxylic acids, the molecules of which contain amino groups (NH2 groups) and carboxyl groups (COOH groups); peptides and proteins, the molecules of which are made of remains of α-amino acids connected by peptide (amide) bonds C(O)NH. ### Claim 4 A method for increasing the enthalpy and compressibility factor of steam, comprising heating water in a tank to produce steam; introducing a catalytic additive into the water, said introducing of a catalytic additive into the water being accomplished before or after starting said heating; using a catalytic substance or a catalytic mixture of substances as the catalytic additive in the form of a solid, a solution or suspension thereof or a liquid or emulsion thereof, wherein said catalytic substance or at least one substance in the catalytic mixture comprises at least one carbonyl functional group and has at least one intense absorption band in the region from 1550 to 1850 cm−1 in the IR spectrum, and wherein the additive is introduced in an amount ranging from 0.0000001 to 0.1 wt. o, and the catalytic substance and the weight ratio of individual substances in the catalytic mixture are chosen to prevent or promote decomposition of the substance or the mixture under the effect of high pressure and temperature in accordance with current needs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A method according to claim 4, wherein said substance or substances for the additive is/are selected from the group including: monocarboxylic acids and anhydrides thereof; dicarboxylic acids and anhydrides thereof; salts of carboxylic acids; salts of dicarboxylic acids; amides of carboxylic acids; amides of dicarboxylic acids; anilides of carboxylic acids; anilides of dicarboxylic acids; esters of carboxylic acids; monoesters and diesters of dicarboxylic acids; imides of carboxylic acids; imides of dicarboxylic acids; diamide of carbonic acid; acyclic and cyclic esters of carbonic acid; urethanes; amino carboxylic acids, the molecules of which contain amino groups (NH2 groups) and carboxyl groups (COOH groups); peptides and proteins, the molecules of which are made of remains of α-amino acids connected by peptide (amide) bonds C(0)NH.