US 8,555,642 B2 · Methods of utilizing waste heat for creating a pressurized working fluid

Abstract

A method of utilizing waste heat to create a pressurized working fluid is disclosed. The method includes providing a vessel containing a sorbent system, introducing a feed of waste heat to a heat exchanger external to the vessel to heat a feed of working fluid, introducing the heated working fluid from the heat exchanger to the vessel to obtain pressurized working fluid, and directing the pressurized working fluid from the vessel to a work component. The method is particularly suited to make use of waste heat an industrial process, (e.g., a chemical processing or petrochemical refining operation) in which low grade heat source(s) are used to drive the sorption system.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method of utilizing waste heat to create a pressurized working fluid comprising:

(a) introducing a feed of a working fluid to a vessel containing an adsorbent material, and adsorbing the working fluid on the adsorbent material;
(b) introducing a feed of waste heat to a heat exchanger external to the vessel containing the adsorbent material, and heating a feed of heating/cooling fluid in the heat exchanger with the waste heat;
(c) introducing the heated heating/cooling fluid from the heat exchanger to the vessel, and contacting the adsorbent material directly with the heating/cooling fluid without wetting the adsorbent material with the heating/cooling fluid, and desorbing the adsorbed working fluid from the adsorbent thereby pressurizing the working fluid;
(d) directing the pressurized working fluid from the vessel to a work component, and expanding the working fluid in the work component thereby cooling the working fluid.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods of utilizing waste heat for creating a pressurized working fluid

Life of this patent

Methods of utilizing waste heat for creating a pressurized working fluid

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16