A closed loop steam engine assembly includes a steam generator and a prime mover which is driven from steam produced by the generator. A compressor receives exhaust steam from the prime mover and compresses the steam to a liquid state which is stored in a reservoir downstream of the compressor. A feed pump delivers a portion of the compressed and heated liquid from the reservoir to the steam generator, while another portion of the liquid is delivered to an inlet of the compressor, where the liquid flashes to mist and combines with the incoming exhaust steam to help condense the exhaust steam to liquid with greater efficiency than the compressor alone. An oil/fluid separation device may segregate any oil contained in the exhaust stream and route the oil back to an oil inlet of the prime mover.

Systems and methods are provided for the recovery mechanical power from heat energy sources using a common working fluid comprising, in some embodiments, an organic refrigerant flowing through multiple heat exchangers and expanders. The distribution of heat energy from the source may be portioned, distributed, and communicated to each of the heat exchangers so as to permit utilization of up to all available heat energy. In some embodiments, the system utilizes up to and including all of the available heat energy from the source. The expanders may be operatively coupled to one or more generators that convert the mechanical energy of the expansion process into electrical energy, or the mechanical energy may be communicated to other devices to perform work.

The present invention is an improvement in a number of ways of two issued patents identified in the preamble of the Specification which follows. Such improvement will yield a more reliable process that uses coal and other hydrocarbons but avoids the discharge of hazardous pollutants into the atmosphere and lowers investment costs. This invention offers a unique and comprehensive solution that makes possible the prevention of the ill-effects to health and environment while at the same time would also prevent the closure of badly needed power generation facilities that still provide some 40% of the electricity generated in this country. The herein comprehensive solution converts six pollutants into valuable co-products while low-cost, efficient, electric power is generated to result in attracting industries that will help keep badly needed jobs. This invention is also applicable to other disciplines.

The present invention is an improvement in a number of ways of two issued patents identified in the preamble of the Specification which follows. Such improvement will yield a more reliable process that uses coal and other hydrocarbons but avoids the discharge of hazardous pollutants into the atmosphere and lowers investment costs. This invention offers a unique and comprehensive solution that makes possible the prevention of the ill-effects to health and environment while at the same time would also prevent the closure of badly needed power generation facilities that still provide some 40% of the electricity generated in this country. The herein comprehensive solution converts six pollutants into valuable co-products while low-cost, efficient, electric power is generated to result in attracting industries that will help keep badly needed jobs. This invention is also applicable to other disciplines.

A fossil fuel fired power plant exhaust gas clean-up system is provided to remove detrimental compounds/elements from the exhaust gas emitting from the power plant to protect the environment. This is accomplished primarily by directing the exhaust gas from a fossil fuel fired power plant through both a reaction chamber containing a chemically produced compound and a catalytic converter. The final exhaust gas can now be safely exhausted to the atmosphere and only contains nitrogen gas, oxygen, water and a trace amount of carbon dioxide.

The present invention provides methods and system for power generation using a high efficiency combustor in combination with a CO.sub.2 circulating fluid. The methods and systems advantageously can make use of a low pressure ratio power turbine and an economizer heat exchanger in specific embodiments. Additional low grade heat from an external source can be used to provide part of an amount of heat needed for heating the recycle CO.sub.2 circulating fluid. Fuel derived CO.sub.2 can be captured and delivered at pipeline pressure. Other impurities can be captured.

The present invention provides methods and system for power generation using a high efficiency combustor in combination with a CO.sub.2 circulating fluid. The methods and systems advantageously can make use of a low pressure ratio power turbine and an economizer heat exchanger in specific embodiments. Additional low grade heat from an external source can be used to provide part of an amount of heat needed for heating the recycle CO.sub.2 circulating fluid. Fuel derived CO.sub.2 can be captured and delivered at pipeline pressure. Other impurities can be captured.

The present invention provides a method for open-loop controlling or closed-loop controlling and/or monitoring a device with an expansion engine which is supplied live steam of a working medium that is expanded to exhaust steam in the expansion engine comprising the steps: determining at least one physical parameter of the exhaust steam; determining at least one physical parameter of the live steam based on the determined at least one physical parameter of the exhaust steam; and open-loop controlling or closed-loop controlling and/or monitoring the device based on the at least one determined physical parameter of the live steam. A thermal power plant is also provided in which the method is realized.

A thermal power generation system includes a combustor burning oxygen and fuel with supercritical CO.sub.2, a turbine driven by the supercritical CO.sub.2 and water vapor fed from the combustor, a low-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 storage storing low-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 from the turbine, a compressor compressing the low-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2, a high-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 storage storing high-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 from the compressor, and a high-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 feeder supplying between the high-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 storage and the combustor, in which the high-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 feeder supplies the high-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 to the combustor at a constant pressure. Thus, the thermal power generation system can perform adjustment of an electric power supply required to use unstable renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, can achieve high efficiency power generation with high temperature working fluid, and can reduce emissions of environmental load substances such as NO.sub.x and CO.sub.2.

A thermal power generation system includes a combustor burning oxygen and fuel with supercritical CO.sub.2, a turbine driven by the supercritical CO.sub.2 and water vapor fed from the combustor, a low-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 storage storing low-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 from the turbine, a compressor compressing the low-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2, a high-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 storage storing high-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 from the compressor, and a high-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 feeder supplying between the high-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 storage and the combustor, in which the high-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 feeder supplies the high-pressure supercritical CO.sub.2 to the combustor at a constant pressure. Thus, the thermal power generation system can perform adjustment of an electric power supply required to use unstable renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, can achieve high efficiency power generation with high temperature working fluid, and can reduce emissions of environmental load substances such as NO.sub.x and CO.sub.2.