Method of and means for using a two-phase fluid for generating power in a rankine cycle power plant
AssigneeOrmat Turbines, Ltd.
InventorAlex Mortiz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for using a two-phase fluid includes separating the fluid into its two phases, oen of which is a hot gas containing energy in the form of latent heat, and one of which is a hot liquid containing energy in the form of sensible heat; converting sensible heat in the liquid to sensible heat in a working fluid for producing preheated working fluid; and transferring latent heat in the gas to the preheated working fluid for vaporizing the same at substantially constant temperature and pressure.
Claims23
A method for using a two-phase fluid comprising the steps of:
- a) separating the fluid into its two phases, one of which is a hot gas containing energy in the form of latent heat, and one of which is a hot liquid containing energy in the form of sensible heat;
- b) transferring sensible heat in the hot liquid to sensible heat in a liquid working fluid for producing only preheated liquid working fluid;
- and
- c) transferring latent heat in the hot gas to the preheated liquid working fluid for vaporizing the working fluid at substantially constant temperature and pressure.
A method for using a two-phase fluid in a Rankine cycle power plant of the type having a vaporizer for vaporizing a working fluid, a heat engine responsive to vaporized working fluid for producing work and heat-depleted working fluid, and a condenser for condensing the heat-depleted working fluid and producing condensate that is returned to the vaporizer as a liquid, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) separating the two-phase fluid into its two phases, one of which is a hot gas that contains latent heat that is released when the gas condenses into a condensate, and one of which is a hot liquid that contains sensible heat;
- b) passing said gas through the vaporizer wherein the gas condenses thereby releasing latent heat to the working fluid in the vaporizer causing the working fluid to vaporize at a substantially constant temperature and pressure;
- and
- c) passing said hot liquid through a preheater interposed between the condenser and the vaporizer for preheating said condensate before it is returned to the vaporizer.
Apparatus for use with a hot two-phase fluid, comprising:
- a) a separator for separating the fluid into its two phases, one of which is a hot gas containing energy, in the form of latent heat, and the other which is a hot liquid containing energy in the form of sensible heat;
- b) a working fluid;
- first means receiving said working fluid in liquid state for transferring sensible heat into the liquid working fluid thereby producing preheated liquid working fluid;
- and
- d) second means receiving said preheated liquid working fluid for transferring latent heat in the hot gas to the preheated liquid working fluid, said second means being constructed and arranged so that said working fluid is vaporized at substantially constant temperature and pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.