Transforming any heat sources to electric power, comprising a closed-cycle charged refrigerant loop. Low-pressure refrigerant fluid is pumped at 10 to 15 degrees F. higher of the ambient temperature through a heat exchanger heated by the heat of the gas outlet from the expander then to the boiler (heat exchanger) to boil the refrigerant liquid into a high-pressure and high temperature superheated by a few deg. F. gas (depending on the kind of refrigerant). Heated/pressurized refrigerant gas is inlet into an expander to power an output shaft during the expansion of the pressurized to a cooled gas. Cooled gaseous refrigerant with still high temperature is inlet to small heat exchanger to heat up the pumped liquid refrigerant before inlet to the boiler. The lowered temperature gas is condensed in condenser to liquid at low pressure and 10 to 15 degrees F. higher of ambient temperature media, and recycled by a pump to the heat exchangers. The refrigerant gas mass flow pressure drop spins the expander shaft for direct mechanical power take-off, or coupling to a synchronous or inductive generator to produce electricity. The electricity can be used locally, stored or fed to the grid.

Transforming any heat sources to electric power, comprising a closed-cycle charged refrigerant loop. Low-pressure refrigerant fluid is pumped at 10 to 15 degrees F. higher of the ambient temperature through a heat exchanger heated by the heat of the gas outlet from the expander then to the boiler (heat exchanger) to boil the refrigerant liquid into a high-pressure and high temperature superheated by a few deg. F. gas (depending on the kind of refrigerant). Heated/pressurized refrigerant gas is inlet into an expander to power an output shaft during the expansion of the pressurized to a cooled gas. Cooled gaseous refrigerant with still high temperature is inlet to small heat exchanger to heat up the pumped liquid refrigerant before inlet to the boiler. The lowered temperature gas is condensed in condenser to liquid at low pressure and 10 to 15 degrees F. higher of ambient temperature media, and recycled by a pump to the heat exchangers. The refrigerant gas mass flow pressure drop spins the expander shaft for direct mechanical power take-off, or coupling to a synchronous or inductive generator to produce electricity. The electricity can be used locally, stored or fed to the grid.

Embodiments of the invention generally provide a heat engine system, a mass management system (MMS), and a method for regulating pressure in the heat engine system while generating electricity. In one embodiment, the MMS contains a tank fluidly coupled to a pump, a turbine, a heat exchanger, an offload terminal, and a working fluid contained in the tank at a storage pressure. The working fluid may be at a system pressure proximal an outlet of the heat exchanger, at a low-side pressure proximal a pump inlet, and at a high-side pressure proximal a pump outlet. The MMS contains a controller communicably coupled to a valve between the tank and the heat exchanger outlet, a valve between the tank and the pump inlet, a valve between the tank and the pump outlet, and a valve between the tank and the offload terminal.

Embodiments of the invention generally provide a heat engine system, a mass management system (MMS), and a method for regulating pressure in the heat engine system while generating electricity. In one embodiment, the MMS contains a tank fluidly coupled to a pump, a turbine, a heat exchanger, an offload terminal, and a working fluid contained in the tank at a storage pressure. The working fluid may be at a system pressure proximal an outlet of the heat exchanger, at a low-side pressure proximal a pump inlet, and at a high-side pressure proximal a pump outlet. The MMS contains a controller communicably coupled to a valve between the tank and the heat exchanger outlet, a valve between the tank and the pump inlet, a valve between the tank and the pump outlet, and a valve between the tank and the offload terminal.

Aspects of the invention disclosed herein generally provide heat engine systems and methods for generating electricity. In one configuration, a heat engine system contains a working fluid circuit having high and low pressure sides and containing a working fluid (e.g., sc-CO.sub.2). The system further contains a power turbine configured to convert thermal energy to mechanical energy, a motor-generator configured to convert the mechanical energy into electricity, and a pump configured to circulate the working fluid within the working fluid circuit. The system further contains a heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy from a heat source stream to the working fluid, a recuperator configured to transfer thermal energy from the low pressure side to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit, and a condenser (e.g., air- or fluid-cooled) configured to remove thermal energy from the working fluid within the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit.

Aspects of the invention disclosed herein generally provide heat engine systems and methods for generating electricity. In one configuration, a heat engine system contains a working fluid circuit having high and low pressure sides and containing a working fluid (e.g., sc-CO.sub.2). The system further contains a power turbine configured to convert thermal energy to mechanical energy, a motor-generator configured to convert the mechanical energy into electricity, and a pump configured to circulate the working fluid within the working fluid circuit. The system further contains a heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy from a heat source stream to the working fluid, a recuperator configured to transfer thermal energy from the low pressure side to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit, and a condenser (e.g., air- or fluid-cooled) configured to remove thermal energy from the working fluid within the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit.

The invention describes an apparatus for generating electric power including a sealed assembly including at least two chambers, a communication duct connecting the two chambers, at least one energy conversion device and a working medium contained in at least one of the chambers. The apparatus is configured to transform energy of the working medium travelling through the communication duct into electric power.

The present disclosure is directed to a cascaded recompression closed Brayton cycle (CRCBC) system and method of operation thereof, where the CRCBC system includes a compressor for compressing the system fluid, a separator for generating fluid feed streams for each of the system's turbines, and separate segments of a heater that heat the fluid feed streams to different feed temperatures for the system's turbines. Fluid exiting each turbine is used to preheat the fluid to the turbine. In an embodiment, the amount of heat extracted is determined by operational costs.

The present disclosure is directed to a cascaded recompression closed Brayton cycle (CRCBC) system and method of operation thereof, where the CRCBC system includes a compressor for compressing the system fluid, a separator for generating fluid feed streams for each of the system's turbines, and separate segments of a heater that heat the fluid feed streams to different feed temperatures for the system's turbines. Fluid exiting each turbine is used to preheat the fluid to the turbine. In an embodiment, the amount of heat extracted is determined by operational costs.

A compact energy cycle construction that operates as or in accordance with a Rankine, Organic Rankine, Heat Pump, or Combined Organic Rankine and Heat Pump Cycle, comprising a compact housing of a generally cylindrical form with some combination of a scroll type expander, pump, and compressor disposed therein to share a common shaft with a motor or generator and to form an integrated system, with the working fluid of the system circulating within the housing as a torus along the common shaft and toroidally within the housing as the system operates.