An internal combustion engine heat energy recovery system

An internal combustion engine heat energy recovery system, comprising:

• a first heat exchanger arranged in heat communication, more preferably fluid communication, with a first heat energy source of an internal combustion engine and with a second heat energy source of the internal combustion engine for the transfer of heat energy from the first heat energy source to the second heat energy source;
• an intermediary heat exchanger arranged in heat communication with the second heat energy source heated in the first heat exchanger and with a working fluid of the system for the transfer of heat energy from the second heat energy source to the working fluid of the system;
• a turbine arranged in fluid communication with the working fluid heated in the intermediary heat exchanger for the expansion of the working fluid to produce shaft power;
• a second heat exchanger arranged in heat communication, more preferably fluid communication, with the expanded working fluid to remove waste heat therefrom and transfer it to an external source such as the atmosphere;
• and a first compressor arranged in fluid communication with the working fluid exiting the heat exchanger for increasing the pressure of the cooled working fluid prior to its entry into the intermediary heat exchanger, wherein the working fluid of the system is a substantially supercritical fluid.

There is further disclosed herein an internal combustion engine heat energy recovery system, comprising:

• an internal combustion engine heat exchanger arranged in heat communication with at least one component of the internal combustion engine for the transfer of heat energy from the at least one component of the internal combustion engine to a working fluid of the system, a first heat exchanger arranged in heat communication, more preferably fluid communication, with the working fluid heated by the internal combustion heat exchanger and in heat communication, preferably fluid communication, with at least one further heat energy source of the internal combustion engine for the transfer of heat energy from the heat energy source to the working fluid of the system;
• a turbine arranged in fluid communication with the working fluid heated in the first heat exchanger for the expansion of the working fluid to produce shaft power;
• a recuperator arranged in fluid communication with the expanded working fluid from the turbine to recuperate the heat therein, and further being arranged in fluid communication with the working fluid heated by the internal combustion engine heat exchanger to cool the working fluid prior to its entry into the first heat exchanger;
• a second heat exchanger arranged in fluid communication with the working fluid heated in the recuperator for the removal of waste heat therefrom and transfer it to an external source such as the atmosphere;
• and
• a first compressor arranged in fluid communication with the working fluid exiting the second heat exchanger for increasing the pressure of the cooled working fluid prior to its entry into the internal combustion engine heat exchanger, wherein the working fluid of the system is a supercritical fluid.

An internal combustion engine heat energy recovery system, comprising:

• a first heat exchanger arranged in heat communication, more preferably fluid communication, with at least one heat energy source of an internal combustion engine and with a working fluid of the system for the transfer of heat energy from the heat energy source to the working fluid of the system;
• a turbine arranged in fluid communication with the working fluid heated in the first heat exchanger for the expansion of the working fluid to produce shaft power;
• a second heat exchanger arranged in heat communication, more preferably fluid communication, with the expanded working fluid to remove waste heat therefrom and transfer it to the atmosphere;
• and a first compressor arranged in fluid communication with the working fluid exiting the heat exchanger for increasing the pressure of the cooled working fluid prior to its entry into the first heat exchanger, wherein the working fluid of the system is a substantially supercritical fluid.

An internal combustion engine heat energy recovery system, comprising:

• a first heat exchanger arranged in heat communication, more preferably fluid communication, with at least one heat energy source of an internal combustion engine and with a working fluid of the system for the transfer of heat energy from the heat energy source to the working fluid of the system;
• a turbine arranged in fluid communication with the working fluid heated in the first heat exchanger for the expansion of the working fluid to produce shaft power;
• a second heat exchanger arranged in heat communication, more preferably fluid communication, with the expanded working fluid to remove waste heat therefrom and transfer it to the atmosphere;
• and a first pressurising device arranged in fluid communication with the working fluid exiting the heat exchanger for increasing the pressure of the cooled working fluid prior to its entry into the first heat exchanger, wherein the working fluid of the system is a substantially supercritical fluid.