APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR LOW GRADE WASTE HEAT MANAGEMENT

摘要

The present invention relates to apparatus, systems, and methods of managing large quantities of low-grade waste heat energy by generating excess electrical power via an ORC process driven by the removal and recovery of waste heat under favorable operating conditions, and utilizing the same apparatus to provide waste heat removal via a refrigeration process that consumes electrical power when environmental conditions do not permit operation in the ORC mode. The mode of operation of the system is principally determined by the thermal energy of the waste heat stream and the availability, or lack thereof, of adequate cooling resources. Such resources are often subject to local environmental conditions, particularly ambient temperature which varies on a diurnal and annual basis.

主权项

1. A method to provide cooling to a source of heat energy using a working fluid, a first and a second positive displacement machine, a first and a second heat exchanger, and a first and a second electrical motor/generator, the method comprising:
A. steps to provide cooling via a first mode of organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation when the working fluid pressure in the first heat exchanger is greater than the working fluid pressure in the second heat exchanger, said steps comprising
i. communicating heat energy from the source of heat energy to the working fluid via said first heat exchanger, thereby providing cooling and creating heated working fluid;ii. communicating said heated working fluid from said first heat exchanger to the first positive displacement machine;iii. removing a first portion of energy from said heated working fluid by expanding said working fluid in said first positive displacement machine, thereby generating mechanical power and expanded working fluid;iv. communicating said mechanical power exclusively to the first electrical motor/generator, thereby generating electrical power;v. communicating said expanded working fluid to said second heat exchanger;vi. removing a second portion of energy from said expanded working fluid via passage through the second heat exchanger, thereby creating cooled working fluid;vii. communicating said cooled working fluid to the second positive displacement machine;viii. pressurizing said cooled working fluid via said second positive displacement machine using mechanical power exclusively communicated from the second electrical motor/generator, thereby creating pressurized working fluid and consuming electrical power, andix. communicating said pressurized working fluid to said first heat exchanger; and B. steps to provide cooling via vapor compression refrigeration operation when the working fluid pressure in the second heat exchanger is greater than the working fluid pressure in the first heat exchanger, said steps comprising
i. compressing working fluid vapor via said first positive displacement machine using mechanical power exclusively communicated from said first electrical motor/generator, thereby creating heated compressed working fluid vapor and consuming electrical power,ii. communicating said heated compressed working fluid vapor to said second heat exchanger;iii. removing a first portion of energy from said heated pressurized working fluid via said second heat exchanger, thereby creating heated working fluid liquid,iv. communicating said heated working fluid liquid from said second heat exchanger to said second positive displacement machine,v. removing a second portion of energy from said heated working fluid liquid by expanding said working fluid in second positive displacement machine, thereby generating mechanical power and cooled working fluid;vi. communicating said mechanical power exclusively to said second electrical motor/generator, thereby generating electrical power;vii. communicating said cooled working fluid to said first heat exchanger;viii. communicating heat energy from said source of heat energy to said cooled working fluid via said first heat exchanger, thereby providing cooling and creating working fluid vapor, andix. communicating said working fluid vapor to said second positive displacement machine.