Configurations and related processing schemes of direct or indirect (or both) inter-plants heating systems synthesized for grassroots medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries to increase energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste heat sources are described. Configurations and related processing schemes of direct or indirect (or both) inter-plants heating systems synthesized for integrated medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries and aromatics complex for increasing energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste sources are also described.

Configurations and related processing schemes of direct or indirect (or both) inter-plants heating systems synthesized for grassroots medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries to increase energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste heat sources are described. Configurations and related processing schemes of direct or indirect (or both) inter-plants heating systems synthesized for integrated medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries and aromatics complex for increasing energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste sources are also described.

Electroactive polymer expansion power cycle (100) converts thermal energy contained in working fluid (20) to electrical energy. Electroactive polymer expansion power cycle (100) comprises a pump (110), a boiler (120), a boiler electroactive polymer reservoir (130), an expansion electroactive polymer reservoir assembly (140), and a condenser (150). The boiler electroactive polymer assembly (140) is comprised of a transducer (10), that generates electricity resulting from the inflation and deflation of the boiler electroactive polymer reservoir (130). Transducer (10) is comprised of one or more polymer spacers (502) sandwiched between one or more top electrodes (504) and bottom electrode (506) pairs. The electroactive polymer assembly (140) is comprised of one or more electroactive polymer reservoirs that are similar in design to the boiler electroactive polymer assembly (130). These electroactive polymer reservoirs generate electricity through the same process as the electricity generated by the boiler electroactive polymer reservoir (140).

Electroactive polymer expansion power cycle (100) converts thermal energy contained in working fluid (20) to electrical energy. Electroactive polymer expansion power cycle (100) comprises a pump (110), a boiler (120), a boiler electroactive polymer reservoir (130), an expansion electroactive polymer reservoir assembly (140), and a condenser (150). The boiler electroactive polymer assembly (140) is comprised of a transducer (10), that generates electricity resulting from the inflation and deflation of the boiler electroactive polymer reservoir (130). Transducer (10) is comprised of one or more polymer spacers (502) sandwiched between one or more top electrodes (504) and bottom electrode (506) pairs. The electroactive polymer assembly (140) is comprised of one or more electroactive polymer reservoirs that are similar in design to the boiler electroactive polymer assembly (130). These electroactive polymer reservoirs generate electricity through the same process as the electricity generated by the boiler electroactive polymer reservoir (140).

A thermoacoustic transducer apparatus is disclosed including at least one thermal converter operable to provide power conversion between acoustic power and thermal power in a pressurized working gas contained within a working volume, a portion of which extends through the thermal converter. The thermoacoustic transducer is operable to cause a periodic flow in the working gas during operation. The apparatus also includes a reservoir volume in fluid communication with the working volume through a conduit having a working volume end in fluid communication with the working volume and a reservoir volume end in fluid communication with the reservoir volume. The conduit has a bore size and length operable to cause pressure oscillations at the working volume end to be converted to flow oscillations at the reservoir volume end such that periodic fluid flow at the reservoir volume end is at least twice as large as periodic fluid flow at the working volume end thereby facilitating a steady fluid flow along the conduit for equalization of working gas static pressures between the working volume and the reservoir volume while providing a sufficiently high acoustic impedance at the working volume end to minimize losses due to periodic flows of working gas within the conduit.

A method for calculating control parameters of a heating supply power of a heating network, pertaining to the technical field of operation and control of a power system containing multiple types of energy. The method: establishing a heating network simulation model that simulates a thermal dynamic process of the heating network; starting an upward simulation based on the heating network simulation model to obtain first control parameters from a set of up adjustment amounts; starting a downward simulation based on the heating network simulation model, to obtain second control parameters from a set of down adjustment amounts.

A method for calculating control parameters of a heating supply power of a heating network, pertaining to the technical field of operation and control of a power system containing multiple types of energy. The method: establishing a heating network simulation model that simulates a thermal dynamic process of the heating network; starting an upward simulation based on the heating network simulation model to obtain first control parameters from a set of up adjustment amounts; starting a downward simulation based on the heating network simulation model, to obtain second control parameters from a set of down adjustment amounts.

A process and system of extracting useful work or electricity from a thermal source, wherein heat energy from the thermal source is used in the form of a heated collection fluid; a first side of a heat exchanger is filled with a liquid or supercritical working fluid; fluid flow out of the first side of the heat exchanger is closed such that a fixed volume of the working fluid is maintained in the first side; the heated collection fluid flowed through a second side of the heat exchanger that is adjacent to the first side to affect a transfer of heat from the heated collection fluid to the fixed volume of the working fluid to raise its temperature and pressure; the pressurized working fluid is released from the first side of the heat exchanger upon the working fluid reaching a threshold state; a flow of the pressurized working fluid is directed to an expander capable of converting the kinetic energy of the pressurized working fluid into useful work or electricity; and the foregoing steps are repeated. A plurality of such operably coupled heat exchangers may be used in a manner such that the timing of the pressurized working fluid from each heat exchanger to the expander is offset.

A process and system of extracting useful work or electricity from a thermal source, wherein heat energy from the thermal source is used in the form of a heated collection fluid; a first side of a heat exchanger is filled with a liquid or supercritical working fluid; fluid flow out of the first side of the heat exchanger is closed such that a fixed volume of the working fluid is maintained in the first side; the heated collection fluid flowed through a second side of the heat exchanger that is adjacent to the first side to affect a transfer of heat from the heated collection fluid to the fixed volume of the working fluid to raise its temperature and pressure; the pressurized working fluid is released from the first side of the heat exchanger upon the working fluid reaching a threshold state; a flow of the pressurized working fluid is directed to an expander capable of converting the kinetic energy of the pressurized working fluid into useful work or electricity; and the foregoing steps are repeated. A plurality of such operably coupled heat exchangers may be used in a manner such that the timing of the pressurized working fluid from each heat exchanger to the expander is offset.

The present invention is a system and method of power medium expansion that functions with a rate of efficiency higher than systems found in prior art. Novel features of the system increase the overall efficiency with the use of a power medium that begins the cycle in the liquid state and enters the gaseous state. An additional novel feature is the use of additional heat that may also increase the overall cycle efficiency. Another additional novel feature is recuperating energy that can supplement the phase change of the power medium along with isolating the components from the ambient.