ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE SYSTEM WITH LUBRICATION CIRCUIT

摘要

A Rankine cycle system including a Rankine cycle working circuit and a lubrication circuit is disclosed. The Rankine cycle working circuit includes Rankine cycle working fluid that is cycled through a condensing zone, a heating zone and a mechanical energy extraction zone. The mechanical energy extraction zone includes a mechanical expander. The lubrication circuit lubricates the mechanical expander. The lubrication circuit and the Rankine cycle working circuit include a shared segment including a mixture of Rankine cycle working fluid from the Rankine cycle working circuit and lubricant from the lubrication circuit. A separator receives the mixture of Rankine cycle working fluid and lubricant from the shared segment and separates the Rankine cycle working fluid from the lubricant. The separated Rankine cycle working fluid is directed along the Rankine cycle working circuit from the separator to the heating zone and the separated lubricant is directed along the lubrication circuit from the separator to the mechanical expander. The working fluid and lubricant are recombined after passing separately through the expander and are then introduced to the condensing zone.