Aspects of the invention generally provide a heat engine system and a method for activating a turbopump within the heat engine system during a start-up process. The heat engine system utilizes a working fluid circulated within a working fluid circuit for capturing thermal energy. In one exemplary aspect, a start-up process for a turbopump in the heat engine system is provided such that the turbopump achieves self-sustained operation in a supercritical Rankine cycle. Bypass and check valves of a start pump and the turbopump, a drive turbine throttle valve, and other valves, lines, or pumps within the working fluid circuit are controlled during the turbopump start-up process. A process control system may utilize advanced control techniques of the control sequence to provide a successful start-up process of the turbopump without over pressurizing the working fluid circuit or damaging the turbopump via low bearing pressure.

A hot-air engine (10) includes a compressor (12), a heating chamber (14), a rotary displacement type working engine (16) and a drive means (22). The compressor (12) has an inlet (12a) and an outlet (12b). The heating chamber (14) has an inlet (14a), in fluid communication with the outlet (12b) of the compressor (12), and an outlet (14b). The working engine (16) has an inlet (16a), in fluid communication with the outlet (14b) of the heating chamber (14), and an output shaft (16a). The drive means (22) connects the working engine (16) to the compressor (12) such that operation of the working engine (16) causes operation of the compressor (12).

In a thermodynamic cycle with at least one first heat exchanger for creating a first heated or partially evaporated working medium flow by heating or partially evaporating a liquid working medium flow by heat transmission from an expanded working medium flow; a second heat exchanger for creating a second at least partially evaporated working medium flow; a separator for separating a liquid from a vaporous phase of the second flow; and an expansion device for creating an expanded vaporous phase, pressure pulsations are prevented during the start-up of the cycle in that the vaporous phase separated by the separator is conducted past the expansion device and the first heat exchanger. The liquid phase separated by the separator is cooled in the first heat exchanger by heat transfer to the liquid flow. After the first heat exchanger, the cooled, separated, liquid phase and the separated vaporous phase are brought together.

Embodiments provide a system and method for harvesting solar thermal energy. According to at least one embodiment, there is provided a system which includes an absorption module, a storage module, and a flow control module. The absorption module retains a working fluid in a substantially constant volume and facilitates absorption of solar thermal energy in the working fluid. The storage module is fluidically coupled to the absorption module and is spatially positioned such that working fluid stored therein has higher gravitational potential energy relative to that stored in the absorption module. The flow control module permits passage of the working fluid from the absorption module to the storage module based on pressure of the working fluid in the absorption module exceeding a predefined threshold. When the working fluid transfers from the absorption module to the storage module, the thermal kinetic energy of the working fluid is transformed into gravitational potential energy thereof.

A system and methods for power generation uses non-aqueous solvent. The method includes treating oil sands with a non-aqueous solvent to extract bitumen in an extraction process and separating the non-aqueous solvent from the bitumen in a solvent recovery process. The method also includes heating the non-aqueous solvent, expanding the non-aqueous solvent to generate power, and cooling the non-aqueous solvent. The method further includes recycling at least a portion of the non-aqueous solvent to the extraction process.

A system and methods for power generation uses non-aqueous solvent. The method includes treating oil sands with a non-aqueous solvent to extract bitumen in an extraction process and separating the non-aqueous solvent from the bitumen in a solvent recovery process. The method also includes heating the non-aqueous solvent, expanding the non-aqueous solvent to generate power, and cooling the non-aqueous solvent. The method further includes recycling at least a portion of the non-aqueous solvent to the extraction process.

Traditional power generation with a turbine may be inefficient, costly or inconvenient. The improvement disclosed herein involves the use of two fluids. A pressurizing fluid is vaporized, pressurized and fed into a pressure cylinder holding a liquid working fluid. The pressurizing fluid forces the working fluid out of the pressure cylinder and through a liquid turbine to generate electricity or perform work. The working fluid is recycled from the turbine into another pressure cylinder for re-use. The pressurizing fluid is condensed and then also recycled back to the evaporator where it is vaporized and pressurized again. Use of a liquid rather than gas turbine makes for improved efficiency and lower cost. The use of a separate pressurizing fluid, which may be volatile, allows for convenient use where the temperature of the thermal source is limited.

Traditional power generation with a turbine may be inefficient, costly or inconvenient. The improvement disclosed herein involves the use of two fluids. A pressurizing fluid is vaporized, pressurized and fed into a pressure cylinder holding a liquid working fluid. The pressurizing fluid forces the working fluid out of the pressure cylinder and through a liquid turbine to generate electricity or perform work. The working fluid is recycled from the turbine into another pressure cylinder for re-use. The pressurizing fluid is condensed and then also recycled back to the evaporator where it is vaporized and pressurized again. Use of a liquid rather than gas turbine makes for improved efficiency and lower cost. The use of a separate pressurizing fluid, which may be volatile, allows for convenient use where the temperature of the thermal source is limited.

The invention refers to a system for energy recovery within an arrangement of industrial components. The system comprises a heat source for the arrangement; a thermodynamic circuit processing device, particularly an ORC device, having a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the heat source to a working medium of the thermodynamic circuit processing device and having an expansion device for expanding the working medium and for generating mechanical or electrical power; and at least one component of the arrangement to be driven, particularly at least one hydraulic or pneumatic machine, which can be driven with the power generated. The invention further refers to a corresponding method for energy recovery within an arrangement of industrial components.

The invention refers to a system for energy recovery within an arrangement of industrial components. The system comprises a heat source for the arrangement; a thermodynamic circuit processing device, particularly an ORC device, having a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the heat source to a working medium of the thermodynamic circuit processing device and having an expansion device for expanding the working medium and for generating mechanical or electrical power; and at least one component of the arrangement to be driven, particularly at least one hydraulic or pneumatic machine, which can be driven with the power generated. The invention further refers to a corresponding method for energy recovery within an arrangement of industrial components.