US 4,733,536 AGranted

Integrated mechanical vapor recompression apparatus and process for the cogeneration of electric and water-based power having a recirculation control system for part-load capacity

AssigneeGas Research Institute

InventorsFrancis A. DiBella, Frederick E. Becker, John C. Balsavich, Jr.

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Abstract

Disclosed are a method and apparatus for selectively generating different amounts of electric power and high pressure steam power according to the user's needs, using a fluid-cooled engine and a dual-function screw machine that may be operated as either a compressor or an expander. Fluid from a cooling jacket fluid is separated into vapor and liquid portions and, to increase the amount of high pressure steam delivered by the apparatus, low pressure steam from a separator is compressed by the screw machine and liquid from the separator is heated to a high temperature and high pressure. When additional electric power is desired, the low pressure steam from the separator is diverted from the screw machine. High pressure steam, manufactured by compressing and heating the liquid of the separator, is expanded in the screw machine, which adds its power to the main drive shaft, thereby adding to the available electric power. Various combinations of amounts of electric power and steam power are possible by controlling the amounts of material presented to the screw machine as either a compressor or an expander. The apparatus also includes a recirculation system used when the screw machine is employed as a compressor during periods of off-design point engine load and which facilitates driving the screw machine without drawing down the pressure of the apparatus.

Claims23

Dependent claims

An apparatus for the cogeneration of electric power and fluid-based power to be provided to an electric load and fluid power loads respectively, designed to make use of a maximum amount of generated heat, comprising:

(a) an engine for converting chemical energy stored in fuel to heat energy and shaft work, said engine operable to produce shaft work deliverable to a rotatable main engine shaft and to produce hot exhaust gas;
(b) a cooling jacket for the engine, said cooling jacket, during operation of the engine, containing an energy transfer fluid which exchanges heat with said engine and circulates through said cooling jacket and other portions of the apparatus;
(c) an electric generator connected to a first end of the main engine shaft;
(d) a gearbox connected to a second end of the main engine shaft, said gearbox having individually selectable forward and reverse gears;
(e) operatively connected to said gearbox, a positive displacement dual-function compressor and expander, having a high pressure port and a low pressure port;
(f) separator means connected to said cooling jacket for separating the energy transfer fluid into liquid phase and vapor phase portions;
(g) heat exchange means for providing heat exchange between the hot exhaust gas of the engine and the liquid energy transfer fluid;
(h) means for conducting liquid energy transfer fluid from the separator means to the heat exchange means;
(i) means for conducting the energy transfer fluid from the heat exchange means to a fluid power load;
(j) means for conducting the vapor phase of the energy transfer fluid from the separator means to the low pressure port of the dual-function compressor and expander;
and
(k) means for connecting the high pressure port of the dual-function compressor and expander to a fluid power load.

9 more elements

A method for the cogeneration of electric power and fluid-based power to be provided to an electric load an a fluid power load, respectively to make use of a maximum amount of generated heat comprising the steps of:

(a) providing:
(i) an engine, a cooling jacket having energy transfer fluid for cooling said engine, and a rotatable main engine shaft having two ends;
(ii) an electric generator connected to a first end of the main engine shaft;
(iii) a gearbox connected to a second end of the main engine shaft, said gearbox having individually selectable forward and reverse gears;
and
(iv) a positive displacement dual-function screw machine compressor and expander, having a high pressure port and a low pressure port, said screw machine being insensitive to erosion and corrosion by said energy transfer fluid, said screw machine being operatively connected to said gearbox;
(b) converting the chemical energy stored in fuel to shaft work and heat energy by combusting said fuel in said engine;
(c) operating said electric generator with said shaft work;
(d) heating said energy transfer fluid in the cooling jacket with a first portion of said heat energy;
(e) providing exhaust gases from said engine, said exhaust gases being heated with a second portion of said heat energy;
(f) separating said energy transfer fluid into a liquid phase portion and a vapor phase portion;
(g) bringing said liquid phase portion of said energy transfer fluid into heat exchange relation with said hot exhaust gases to provide heated vapor phase energy transfer fluid;
(h) delivering said heated vapor phase energy transfer fluid to a fluid power load;
(i) conducting said vapor phase portion to said energy transfer fluid to the low pressure port of the dual-function compressor and expander;
(j) compressing said vapor phase of the energy transfer fluid with said dual-function compressor and expander to provide a high pressure vapor phase;
and
(k) conducting said high pressure vapor phase of the energy transfer fluid to a fluid power load.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/097,251Filed 17 Sep 1987 · continuation
Priority: 22 Oct 1986
Granted: 29 Mar 1988
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

F02G 5/02
Profiting from waste heat of combustion engines, not otherwise provided for: profiting from waste heat of exhaust gases
F01K 23/065
Combustion heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle: the combustion taking place in an internal combustion piston engine, e.g. a…
F02G 5/04
Profiting from waste heat of exhaust gases: in combination with other waste heat from combustion engines
F02B 3/06
Engines characterised by air compression and subsequent fuel addition: with compression ignition