SYSTEM AND METHOD OF WASTE HEAT RECOVERY

摘要

A novel Rankine cycle system configured to convert waste heat into mechanical and/or electrical energy is provided. In one aspect, the system provided by the present invention comprises a novel configuration of the components of a conventional Rankine cycle system; conduits, ducts, heaters, expanders, heat exchangers, condensers and pumps to provide more efficient energy recovery from a waste heat source. In one aspect, the Rankine cycle system is configured such that an initial waste heat-containing stream is employed to vaporize a first working fluid stream, and a resultant heat depleted waste heat-containing stream and a first portion of an expanded second vaporized working fluid stream are employed to augment heat provided by an expanded first vaporized working fluid stream in the production of a second vaporized working fluid stream. The Rankine cycle system is adapted for the use of supercritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid.

主权项

1. A Rankine cycle system comprising:
(a) a heater configured to transfer heat from a first waste heat-containing stream to a first working fluid stream to produce a first vaporized working fluid stream and a second waste heat-containing stream; (b) a first expander configured to receive the first vaporized working fluid stream to produce therefrom mechanical energy and an expanded first vaporized working fluid stream; (c) a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the expanded first vaporized working fluid stream, the second waste heat-containing stream and a first portion of an expanded second vaporized working fluid stream to a first condensed working fluid stream to produce therefrom a second vaporized working fluid stream; (d) a second expander configured to receive the second vaporized working fluid stream to produce therefrom mechanical energy and an expanded second vaporized working fluid stream; and (e) a second heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from a second portion of the expanded second vaporized working fluid stream to a second condensed working fluid stream, to produce therefrom a stream of the working fluid having greater enthalpy than the second condensed working fluid stream.