System and method for generating electric power

A system for generating electric power, comprising:

• a buffer chamber;
• a turboexpander;
• a generator coupled to the turboexpander and configured to generate electric power;
• and
• a plurality of thermal pumps comprising a first thermal pump and a second thermal pump disposed in a series arrangement,
• wherein the first thermal pump is coupled to a first fluid source, a second fluid source, the second thermal pump, and to the turboexpander, wherein the first thermal pump is configured to:
• receive a portion of a first fluid from the first fluid source and a portion of a second fluid from the second fluid source, circulate the portion of the second fluid in heat exchange relationship with the portion of the first fluid to heat the portion of the first fluid at a constant volume of the portion of the first fluid and generate a pressurized gas, discharge a portion of the pressurized gas to the second thermal pump until a pressure equilibrium state is established between the first thermal pump and the second thermal pump, and discharge a further portion of the pressurized gas to the turboexpander until a pressure equilibrium state is established between the first fluid source and an inlet of the turboexpander;
• and
• wherein the second thermal pump is further coupled to the buffer chamber, the turboexpander, and the second fluid source, wherein the second thermal pump is configured to:
• receive a further portion of the second fluid from the second fluid source, circulate the further portion of the second fluid in heat exchange relationship with the portion of the pressurized gas to heat the portion of the pressurized gas at a constant volume of the portion of the pressurized gas and generate a heated portion of the pressurized gas, discharge a portion of the heated portion of the pressurized gas until a pressure equilibrium state is established between the second thermal pump and the buffer chamber, and discharge a further portion of the heated portion of the pressurized gas until a pressure equilibrium state is established between the first fluid source and the inlet of the turboexpander.

A method for generating electric power, comprising:

• receiving a portion of a first fluid from a first fluid source and a portion of a second fluid from a second fluid source, by a first thermal pump of a plurality of thermal pumps;
• circulating the portion of the second fluid in heat exchange relationship with the portion of the first fluid to heat the portion of the first fluid at a constant volume of the portion of the first fluid and generate a pressurized gas;
• discharging a portion of the pressurized gas from the first thermal pump to a second thermal pump of the plurality of thermal pumps, until a pressure equilibrium state is established between the first thermal pump and the second thermal pump, wherein the first thermal pump and the second thermal pump are disposed in a series arrangement;
• discharging a further portion of the pressurized gas from the first thermal pump to a turboexpander until a pressure equilibrium state is established between the first fluid source and an inlet of the turboexpander;
• receiving a further portion of the second fluid from the second fluid source by the second thermal pump;
• circulating the further portion of the second fluid in heat exchange relationship with the portion of the pressurized gas to heat the portion of the pressurized gas at a constant volume of the portion of the pressurized gas and generate a heated portion of the pressurized gas;
• discharging a portion of the heated portion of the pressurized gas from the second thermal pump to a buffer chamber until a pressure equilibrium state is established between the second thermal pump and the buffer chamber;
• discharging a further portion of the heated portion of the pressurized gas from the second thermal pump to the turboexpander until a pressure equilibrium state is established between the first fluid source and the inlet of the turboexpander;
• and
• expanding at least one of the further portion of the pressurized gas and the further portion of the heated portion of the pressurized gas, in the turboexpander for driving a generator to generate electric power.