A method and system using at least two different working fluids to be supplied to an expander to cause it to do mechanical work. The expander is started by providing a compressed gaseous working fluid at a sufficient pressure to the expander. At the same time the compressed gaseous working fluid is provided to the expander, a second working fluid that is liquid at ambient temperatures is provided to a heater to be heated. The second working fluid is heated to its boiling point and converted to pressurized gas Once the pressure is increased to a sufficient level, the second working fluid is injected into the expander to generate power, and the supply of the first working fluid may be stopped. After expansion in the expander, the working fluids are is exhausted from the expander, and the second working fluid may be condensed for separation from the first working fluid. Control circuitry controls the admission of the first and second working fluids responsive to monitoring the load on the expander.

Waste heat in the exhaust from the expander can be used to heat or alternatively to dry an element in a device that can be operated as a desiccator to dry air when operated in a summer mode, or to heat air when operated in a winter mode. The air having been dried or alternatively heated is then ducted to an evaporative cooler which cools the dried air in summer mode and humidifies the heated air in winter mode.

A method and system using at least two different working fluids to be supplied to an expander to cause it to do mechanical work. The expander is started by providing a compressed gaseous working fluid at a sufficient pressure to the expander. At the same time the compressed gaseous working fluid is provided to the expander, a second working fluid that is liquid at ambient temperatures is provided to a heater to be heated. The second working fluid is heated to its boiling point and converted to pressurized gas Once the pressure is increased to a sufficient level, the second working fluid is injected into the expander to generate power, and the supply of the first working fluid may be stopped. After expansion in the expander, the working fluids are is exhausted from the expander, and the second working fluid may be condensed for separation from the first working fluid. Control circuitry controls the admission of the first and second working fluids responsive to monitoring the load on the expander.

Waste heat in the exhaust from the expander can be used to heat or alternatively to dry an element in a device that can be operated as a desiccator to dry air when operated in a summer mode, or to heat air when operated in a winter mode. The air having been dried or alternatively heated is then ducted to an evaporative cooler which cools the dried air in summer mode and humidifies the heated air in winter mode.

A steam engine (10) has an engine case (14), a stator (20) with a radially-inner surface (52) with a plurality of recesses (54), a steam generator (12) and a rotor 5 (22) that has a steam distribution chamber (44) arranged to receive steam from the generator and a plurality of steam distribution channels (46) having outlets (50) for the flow of steam into the stator recesses (54). The rotor has pressure relief ports (60) for the flow of steam from the recesses (54) into the engine case (14) and then to a condensation circuit (66). The engine operates without a boiler and produces 0 steam by injecting water into the generator (12) where it is rapidly vapourized. The rotor (22) is the only moving part and the engine can produce a wide range of power outputs.

A steam engine (10) has an engine case (14), a stator (20) with a radially-inner surface (52) with a plurality of recesses (54), a steam generator (12) and a rotor 5 (22) that has a steam distribution chamber (44) arranged to receive steam from the generator and a plurality of steam distribution channels (46) having outlets (50) for the flow of steam into the stator recesses (54). The rotor has pressure relief ports (60) for the flow of steam from the recesses (54) into the engine case (14) and then to a condensation circuit (66). The engine operates without a boiler and produces 0 steam by injecting water into the generator (12) where it is rapidly vapourized. The rotor (22) is the only moving part and the engine can produce a wide range of power outputs.

An apparatus for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy by a cycle, having a heat exchanger, a reservoir for an operating medium, a feed line, a turbine, and a return line having at least one recovery device. To utilize waste heat for the generation of electrical energy, the turbine is embodied as a disc rotor turbine with full condensation of the operating medium, whereby a separate condenser can be eliminated.

An apparatus for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy by a cycle, having a heat exchanger, a reservoir for an operating medium, a feed line, a turbine, and a return line having at least one recovery device. To utilize waste heat for the generation of electrical energy, the turbine is embodied as a disc rotor turbine with full condensation of the operating medium, whereby a separate condenser can be eliminated.

The present invention provides a heat engine operating on a novel closed thermodynamic cycle. The primary characteristics of the heat engine comprise a boiler, condenser, liquid pump, and a regenerative expander in which heat is recovered from the expansion/work extraction process to be returned to the sensible heat addition process that occurs between the condenser outlet and the boiler inlet. The regenerative expander may be comprised of a novel turbine design described as part of the present invention. The primary characteristic of the turbine being a rotor consisting of a hub intersected by a plurality of narrow helical channels through which motive fluid is directed by a plurality of nozzles to induce rotation in the same direction as the helical path of the channels. The liquid pump of the heat engine may also be comprised of a novel design based on similar working principles to the above turbine.

The present invention provides a heat engine operating on a novel closed thermodynamic cycle. The primary characteristics of the heat engine comprise a boiler, condenser, liquid pump, and a regenerative expander in which heat is recovered from the expansion/work extraction process to be returned to the sensible heat addition process that occurs between the condenser outlet and the boiler inlet. The regenerative expander may be comprised of a novel turbine design described as part of the present invention. The primary characteristic of the turbine being a rotor consisting of a hub intersected by a plurality of narrow helical channels through which motive fluid is directed by a plurality of nozzles to induce rotation in the same direction as the helical path of the channels. The liquid pump of the heat engine may also be comprised of a novel design based on similar working principles to the above turbine.

An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the energy storage system provides higher-temperature heat to a solid oxide system to maintain in an operating temperature range during operation and nonoperation, thereby increasing the efficiency of the temperature control.

An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the energy storage system provides higher-temperature heat to a solid oxide system to maintain in an operating temperature range during operation and nonoperation, thereby increasing the efficiency of the temperature control.