Processes and compositions for organic rankine cycles for generating mechanical energy from heat

摘要

Disclosed are compositions of novel working fluids uniquely designed for higher cycle efficiencies leading to higher overall system efficiencies. In particular, these working fluids are useful in Organic Rankine Cycle systems for efficiently converting heat from any heat source into mechanical energy. The present invention also relates to novel processes for recovering heat from a heat source using ORC systems with a novel working fluid comprising at least about 20 weight percent cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (HFO-1336mzz-Z), trans-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (HFO-1336mzz-E), or mixtures thereof.

主权项

1. A process for recovering heat from a heat source and generating mechanical energy, comprising the steps of:
(a) passing a first working fluid in liquid phase through a heat exchanger or an evaporator, wherein said heat exchanger or said evaporator is in communication with said heat source that supplies said heat; (b) removing at least a portion of said first working fluid in a vapor phase from said heat exchanger or said evaporator; (c) passing said at least a portion of said first working fluid in vapor phase to an expander, wherein at least portion of said heat is converted into mechanical energy; (d) passing said at least a portion of said first working fluid in vapor phase from said expander to a condenser, wherein said at least a portion of said first working fluid in vapor phase is condensed to said first working fluid in liquid phase;wherein said first working fluid consists essentially of a refrigerant consisting of HFO-1336mzz-E, or mixtures of HFO-1336mzz-E and HFO-1336mzz-Z, wherein said mixtures consist of from 64 weight percent to 94 weight percent HFO-1336mzz-E.