Patent attributes
A method to generate electrical power and cold energy from any grade of thermal energy (e.g., ambient, solar, waste heat, geothermal, combustion products, nuclear, or any combination thereof) in a cryogenic, closed loop (e.g., regenerative) cycle is disclosed. The method includes supplying a first stream of a pressurized first fluid in a liquid state having low or above cryogenic temperature range to absorb an externally supplied energy in the first heat exchanger disposed upstream of the first prime mover where the first fluid expands in a polytropic process and is submitted for full condensation or for cooling only by the second stream of the pressurized second fluid in a liquid state having cryogenic temperature in the second heat exchanger disposed upstream of the secondary prime mover, through which the preheated second fluid expands polytropically producing a cryogenic two phase flow that is further submitted to a combination of separators and Joule-Thompson valves to achieve maximum liquification of the second fluid. Non-condensed cryogenic vapor is pressurized in a compressor, with discharge been cooled by the first and/or second fluid and further combined with the second fluid before expansion in the second prime mover. Both prime movers may be operably connected to an electric generator or a propulsion system to produce required electrical power or work. The first and the second fluid may be of the same or a different origin selected from the substances like Air, N2, O2, Methane, and CO2, etc. The cold energy of the first and the second fluid can be used for a regenerative liquification of hazardous combustion emissions, CO2, and/or liquified industrial gases by individual species for a subsequent storage and sales.
