In a cryogenic combined cycle power plant electric power drives a cryogenic refrigerator to store energy by cooling air to a liquid state for storage within tanks, followed by subsequent release of the stored energy by first pressurizing the liquid air, then regasifying the liquid air and raising the temperature of the regasified air at least in part with heat exhausted from a combustion turbine, and then expanding the heated regasified air through a hot gas expander to generate power. The expanded regasified air exhausted from the expander may be used to cool and make denser the inlet air to the combustion turbine. The combustion turbine exhaust gases may be used to drive an organic Rankine bottoming cycle. An alternative source of heat such as thermal storage, for example, may be used in place of or in addition to the combustion turbine.

In a cryogenic combined cycle power plant electric power drives a cryogenic refrigerator to store energy by cooling air to a liquid state for storage within tanks, followed by subsequent release of the stored energy by first pressurizing the liquid air, then regasifying the liquid air and raising the temperature of the regasified air at least in part with heat exhausted from a combustion turbine, and then expanding the heated regasified air through a hot gas expander to generate power. The expanded regasified air exhausted from the expander may be used to cool and make denser the inlet air to the combustion turbine. The combustion turbine exhaust gases may be used to drive an organic Rankine bottoming cycle. An alternative source of heat such as thermal storage, for example, may be used in place of or in addition to the combustion turbine.

An arrangement includes a steam saturator for producing saturated steam and a device for refeeding the liquid evaporated in the steam saturator. The steam saturator includes a steam inlet via which steam is delivered to the steam saturator, a steam outlet for the saturated steam produced, a condensate inlet via which condensate is delivered to the steam saturator, and a condensate return line. In a lower region of the steam saturator, a condensate liquid level that is fluidically connected to the condensate return line is maintained. The condensate return line is connected to the device, which is a condenser and comprises a cooling apparatus for condensing steam. In the steam saturator, the evaporated liquid is replaced only if the condensate level in the steam saturator drops, through condensation of saturated steam delivered from the steam saturator to the condenser and is then condensed in the condenser by the cooling apparatus.

A hydraulic turbine unit, comprising: an evaporator, a main body, and a retractable liner. The liner is arranged within the main body and communicates with the evaporator. The main body contains an energy liquid. The main body is connected with a hydraulic turbine. A water tank is arranged at a water outlet of the hydraulic turbine. The water tank is arranged higher than the main body. The evaporator is configured to continuously absorb heat and evaporate a liquid working medium to enter the liner, such that a volume expansion of the liner pressurizes the energy liquid in the main body, and a pressurized energy liquid flows into the hydraulic turbine to output a mechanical energy. The energy liquid is configured to flow back to the main body due to a gravity thereof and compress a gaseous working medium for liquefaction, when an ambient temperature meets a liquefaction temperature.

A reaction turbine operates on the heat released from the condensation of steam, combined with inherent steam pressure and temperature heads. A series of rotors, each containing multiple curved internal channels, provide compressive boosts between successive stages, while avoiding excessive self-compression. Compressive effects and shock waves generated within these channels provide high levels of condensation, thereby releasing immense amounts of heat. The resulting hot vapor and condensate droplets are then ejected tangentially at the periphery of the rotors to generate thrust. The exhaust steam from the last stage is then compressed and returned to the engine inlet to be mixed with the incoming fresh steam, thereby efficiently completing the system cycle without the need of large cooling towers for condensation.

A turbo generator is configured to allow the turbine to be assembled to the generator, calibrated, and then shipped, stored, and installed as a generator/turbine unit. The turbine shroud is formed as a separate component from a turbine casing that defines an inlet volute and inlet and outlet connections to working fluid conduits of a Rankine cycle system. The inlet and outlet on the turbine casing can be permanently connected to the associated working fluid conduits by welding or other low-cost, sealed, permanent connection, and the generator/turbine assembly can be separated from the turbine casing while the turbine casing is permanently connected to the working fluid conduits.

A combined cooling, heating, and power system, including a working fluid cycling between a compressor and a turbine in combination with a power generator. A humidifying regenerator is disposed between the compressor and the turbine, and in combination with the working fluid upstream and again downstream of the turbine to humidify and then dehumidify the working fluid. A working fluid heat exchanger is in combination with the working fluid between the turbine and the humidifying regenerator for further heat the working fluid. The heat exchanger is in combination with a heat source that heats both the working fluid and provides a separate heating medium. A cooling device is in combination with the working fluid between the humidifying regenerator and the compressor, wherein the cooling device cools the working fluid before entering the compressor and provides a separate cooling medium.

A system for processing saltwater or brackish water while recovering energy otherwise wasted in electricity generation by a natural gas generator or turbine. Heat in the generator exhaust is used to directly heat and process the water in the saltwater or brackish water into high quality steam, separating the majority of salt and contaminants from the water, and leaving potable water that can be permitted and released to the environment or sold for agricultural or industrial use such as oilfield activities. The system also captures and liquefies CO.sub.2 in the generator exhaust.

A hybrid heat engine system includes a chamber housing including an inlet and an outlet. A piston is disposed in an interior volume of the chamber housing. The hybrid heat engine system further includes a valve configured to provide a first fluid in a heated state from a heat source to the interior volume via the inlet. The first fluid in the heated state is to push against a first side of the piston to cause a second side of the piston to push a working fluid out of the interior volume and through a turbine to generate energy.

A hybrid heat engine system includes a chamber housing including an inlet and an outlet. A piston is disposed in an interior volume of the chamber housing. The hybrid heat engine system further includes a valve configured to provide a first fluid in a heated state from a heat source to the interior volume via the inlet. The first fluid in the heated state is to push against a first side of the piston to cause a second side of the piston to push a working fluid out of the interior volume and through a turbine to generate energy.