Energy recovery from waste heat sources
OwnerBrent William Knapton, Craig A. Beaminventors
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Abstract
In some embodiments, three integrated phases may be used to reduce emissions, convert thermal energy into electricity, and cool inlet combustion air. An ammonia injection system may be designed to eliminate extraneous equipment and hazardous re-circulation lines by directly vaporizing, injecting, and mixing ammonia using a specially designed nozzle. The second phase may include using a preheat/vaporizer/superheater exchanger to convert ammonia liquid into a superheated vapor that is then passed through a turbo-expander/generator to produce power. In some embodiments, the third phase may include inlet combustion air chilling.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- a thermal recovery unit coupled to an exhaust stream of a diesel engine;
- a preheater coupled to the thermal recovery unit, wherein engine coolant from the diesel engine coupled to the preheater preheats a fluid entering the thermal recovery unit, wherein heat from the exhaust stream coupled to the thermal recovery unit is absorbed by the fluid moving through the thermal recovery unit;
- a turbine coupled to the thermal recovery unit, wherein the fluid exiting the thermal recovery unit interacts with the turbine;
- a generator coupled to the turbine, wherein the generator transforms energy transferred to the turbine from the fluid as a result of the interaction between the fluid and the turbine;
- and
- a desuperheater coupled to the thermal recovery unit, wherein the engine coolant is used to desuperheat the fluid exiting the turbine before the engine coolant enters the preheater.
A method, comprising:
- preheating a fluid by placing the fluid in thermal contact with engine coolant;
- placing the fluid in thermal contact with an exhaust stream of a diesel engine to further heat the fluid;
- transferring at least part of the absorbed energy of the fluid to a turbine in contact with the fluid;
- transforming energy from the turbine through a generator;
- and
- cooling the fluid heated by the exhaust stream by placing the fluid in thermal contact with the engine coolant about to enter the preheater.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.