A working fluid collecting apparatus for a Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system includes a storage tank for storing a working fluid circulated in a Rankine cycle therein, and a collection means for collecting the working fluid into the storage tank.

In an energy conversion method and a thermal power plant for converting heat into mechanical or electric energy using a working medium, a vapor state in the working medium is generated at a first pressure in a steam generator. The vaporized working medium is expanded to a lower second pressure in a steam expanding device. An energy obtained by the expansion process is discharged. The expansion of the steam state is carried out using a saturation line of the working medium. The working medium is thereby separated into a non-condensed portion and a condensed portion in a separating device. The non-condensed portion is then compressed into a compressed non-condensed portion in a compressor. The compressed non-condensed portion is cooled and condensed into a compressed condensed portion. The compressed condensed portion and the initially condensed portion are then heated, and both portions are returned to the steam generator together.

In an energy conversion method and a thermal power plant for converting heat into mechanical or electric energy using a working medium, a vapor state in the working medium is generated at a first pressure in a steam generator. The vaporized working medium is expanded to a lower second pressure in a steam expanding device. An energy obtained by the expansion process is discharged. The expansion of the steam state is carried out using a saturation line of the working medium. The working medium is thereby separated into a non-condensed portion and a condensed portion in a separating device. The non-condensed portion is then compressed into a compressed non-condensed portion in a compressor. The compressed non-condensed portion is cooled and condensed into a compressed condensed portion. The compressed condensed portion and the initially condensed portion are then heated, and both portions are returned to the steam generator together.

The invention relates to a power generator. The power generator comprises a vessel provided with a heat exchanging unit for alternatingly heating and cooling an organic based working fluid contained in the interior of the vessel during operation of the power generator. Further, the power generator comprises a mechanical unit associated with the vessel and provided with a reciprocating moving element that moves responsive to the heating and cooling process. The heat exchanging unit is arranged for heating the working fluid from below an evaporation temperature and for cooling the working fluid from above the evaporation temperature. Further, the power generator comprises a pressure transferring structure for transferring a pressure exerted by gas in the vessel towards the mechanical unit for driving the reciprocating moving element.

The invention relates to a power generator. The power generator comprises a vessel provided with a heat exchanging unit for alternatingly heating and cooling an organic based working fluid contained in the interior of the vessel during operation of the power generator. Further, the power generator comprises a mechanical unit associated with the vessel and provided with a reciprocating moving element that moves responsive to the heating and cooling process. The heat exchanging unit is arranged for heating the working fluid from below an evaporation temperature and for cooling the working fluid from above the evaporation temperature. Further, the power generator comprises a pressure transferring structure for transferring a pressure exerted by gas in the vessel towards the mechanical unit for driving the reciprocating moving element.

A flexible power plant based on supercritical carbon dioxide power circulation in combination with seawater desalination and a control method thereof are provided. By means of the integrated process based on supercritical carbon dioxide power circulation in combination with seawater desalination, the power plant uses a new two-stage supercritical CO2 Breton circulation to reduce the exhaust temperature of the heat source, enhance the thermal efficiency of the thermodynamic circulation, improve the flexibility and adjustability of the output of the thermal power plant, and correspondingly raise the utilization efficiency of the low-temperature dynamic heat source in the seawater desalination process, so that it serves as a standing flexible load of the power plant, and further enhance the overall efficiency and flexibility of the power plant.

This invention describes an affordable process for obtaining salable products of salt, distilled water and electrical energy from a saline water supply without harm to the environment, using components consistent with current technology and a currently available energy source. Alternatively, the water produced can be used to desalinate a saline lake instead of being marketed.

An Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) device and method for transforming heat from a heat source into mechanical energy. The ORC includes a closed circuit containing a two phase working fluid. The circuit comprises a liquid pump for circulating the working fluid consecutively through an evaporator which is configured to be placed in thermal contact with the heat source; through an expander for transforming the thermal energy of the working fluid into mechanical energy; and through a condenser which is in thermal contact with a cooling element. The expander is situated above the evaporator. The fluid outlet of the evaporator is connected to the fluid inlet of the expander by a raiser column which is filled with a mixture of liquid working fluid and of gaseous bubbles of the working fluid, which mixture is supplied to the expander.

An Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) device and method for transforming heat from a heat source into mechanical energy. The ORC includes a closed circuit containing a two phase working fluid. The circuit comprises a liquid pump for circulating the working fluid consecutively through an evaporator which is configured to be placed in thermal contact with the heat source; through an expander for transforming the thermal energy of the working fluid into mechanical energy; and through a condenser which is in thermal contact with a cooling element. The expander is situated above the evaporator. The fluid outlet of the evaporator is connected to the fluid inlet of the expander by a raiser column which is filled with a mixture of liquid working fluid and of gaseous bubbles of the working fluid, which mixture is supplied to the expander.

An engine preheating apparatus includes a waste heat recovery unit for recovering waste heat within a vehicle, and an air cooler connected to the waste heat recovery unit for receiving waste heat from the waste heat recovery unit, wherein an intake pipe in which intake air flows is connected to the air cooler in a communicating manner.