Method and apparatus for operating a steam cycle process with a lubricated expander

摘要

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for operating a steam cycle process performed in an apparatus having an evaporator or steam generator for the evaporation of a liquid working medium and an expander, which is lubricated by a lubricant, for the performance of mechanical work. The method comprises a) supplying the liquid working medium to the evaporator, in which it evaporates and is fed to the expander in the form of steam; b) supplying an ionic liquid, which at room temperature forms two liquid phases with the liquid working medium, to the expander as a lubricant; and c) separating the ionic liquid forming the lubricant for the expander from the working medium upstream of the evaporator.

主权项

1. A method for operating a steam cycle process using an apparatus including an evaporator or vapor generator for evaporating a liquid working medium and an expander lubricated by a lubricant, for performing mechanical work, the method comprising:
a) supplying the liquid working medium to the evaporator, in which the liquid working medium is evaporated, and supplying in vapor form the evaporated liquid medium from the evaporator to the expander; b) supplying, as lubricant, an ionic liquid which forms two liquid phases with the liquid working medium at room temperature, to the expander; and c) separating the ionic liquid from the working medium upstream of the evaporator, wherein the solubility of the ionic liquid in the working medium is <0.1 m%, and/or the solubility of the working medium in the ionic lubricant is <1 m%.