Low-grade waste heat recovery system using stored hydropower
OwnerDhaval T. Patelinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A low-grade waste heat (“LGWH”), closed-circuit recovery system includes a storage chamber, a condenser, and a turbine. In the storage chamber, a working fluid, exposed to a waste heat source, is heated to vapor form and sent to a condenser at a higher elevation, where the working fluid is cooled. Upon condensation, the working fluid is dropped down onto a hydraulic turbine, the rotation of which generates power. The working fluid vapor can likewise cause rotation of a gas turbine.
Claims20
A low-grade waste heat (“LGWH”) recovery system, comprising:
- at least one primary storage chamber comprising a working fluid and configured to receive heat from a heat source to heat the working fluid from a liquid form to a vapor form;
- a condenser fluidly connected to the at least one primary storage chamber and configured to receive the working fluid in vapor form and cool the working fluid back to liquid form;
- a primary turbine fluidly connected to the condenser and configured for rotation caused by descent of the working fluid from the condenser;
- and
- a return duct configured to receive the working fluid passing through the turbine and return the working fluid to the at least one primary storage chamber;
- wherein the LGWH recovery system is a closed system.
A low-grade waste heat (“LGWH”) recovery system, comprising:
- a primary storage chamber comprising a working fluid and configured to receive waste heat from a heat source to heat the working fluid from a liquid form to a vapor form;
- a floating condenser movable between a first position, at which the floating condenser is configured to receive the working fluid in vapor form from the primary storage chamber, and a second position, the floating condenser being configured to cool the working fluid back to liquid form;
- two or more secondary storage chambers, each of the secondary storage chambers configured to receive the working fluid from the floating condenser at a different position between the first and second positions;
- a primary turbine configured to receive the working fluid from at least one of the two or more secondary storage chambers and configured for rotation caused by descent of the working fluid therefrom;
- wherein the LGWH recovery system is a closed system.
A low-grade waste heat (“LGWH”) recovery system, comprising:
- at least one primary storage chamber comprising a working fluid and configured to receive heat from a heat source to heat the working fluid from a liquid form to a vapor form;
- a condenser fluidly connected to the at least one primary storage chamber and configured to receive the working fluid in vapor form therefrom via a first insulated column fluidly connecting the primary storage chamber with the condenser, the condenser being configured to cool the working fluid back to liquid form;
- a secondary storage chamber fluidly connected to the condenser and configured to receive working fluid in liquid form therefrom;
- a primary turbine fluidly connected to the secondary storage chamber and configured for rotation caused by descent of the working fluid from the secondary storage chamber via a second insulated column configured to guide the working fluid in liquid form from the secondary storage chamber to the primary turbine;
- and
- a return duct configured to receive the working fluid passing through the turbine and return the working fluid to the at least one primary storage chamber;
- wherein the LGWH recovery system is a closed system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.