An improved efficiency method and device for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, and then, preferably, into electricity and/or refrigerating energy. A partially liquid stream f.sup.c0 of fluid FC is implemented; thermal energy is transferred to the stream f.sup.c0; the heated stream f.sup.c0 is sprayed to generate a fragmented stream f.sup.c1 of fluid FC. Simultaneously a partially liquid stream f.sup.t0 of fluid FT is implemented; thermal energy is transferred to the stream f.sup.t0 to generate a stream f.sup.t that may be in liquid form or a saturated liquid/vapor mixture; stream f.sup.1 is expanded in a chamber which also receives fragmented stream f.sup.c1 to form a two-phase mixed stream f.sup.c1/t whose kinetic energy is converted into mechanical energy which is optionally transformed into electrical energy or into refrigerating energy.

A system includes a waste heat recovery heat exchanger configured to heat a heating fluid stream by exchange with a heat source in a crude oil associated gas processing plant; and an Organic Rankine cycle energy conversion system. The Organic Rankine cycle energy conversion system includes a heat exchanger configured to heat a first portion of a working fluid by exchange with the heated heating fluid stream; and a cooling subsystem including one or more cooling elements each configured to cool one or more of a process stream from the crude oil associated gas processing plant and a cooling water stream for ambient air cooling by exchange with a second portion of the working fluid. The Organic Rankine cycle energy conversion system includes an ejector configured to receive the second portion of the working fluid from the cooling subsystem and a third portion of the working fluid; a turbine and a generator configured to generate power by expansion of a fourth portion of the working fluid; and a cooling element configured to cool a stream of working fluid including an output stream of working fluid from the ejector and the expanded fourth portion of the working fluid from the turbine and generator.

A system includes a waste heat recovery heat exchanger configured to heat a heating fluid stream by exchange with a heat source in a crude oil associated gas processing plant; and a Kalina cycle energy conversion system including a first group of heat exchangers to heat a first portion of a working fluid by exchange with the heated heating fluid stream and a second group of heat exchangers to heat a second portion of the working fluid. The second group of heat exchangers includes a first heat exchanger to heat the second portion of the working fluid by exchange with a liquid stream of the working fluid; and a second heat exchanger to heat the second portion of the working fluid by exchange with the heated heating fluid stream. The energy conversion system includes a separator to receive the heated first and second portions of the working fluid and to output a vapor stream of the working fluid and the liquid stream of the working fluid; a first turbine and a generator to generate power by expansion of the vapor stream; and a second turbine to generate power from the liquid stream.

The present invention discloses a magnetohydrodynamics power system which utilizes low temperature heat source. Variable control of the operation of the system, along with determining configurations for specific cases, are made possible by selecting the refrigerant, liquid metal circuit geometry, and by adjusting the system condensing pressure and/or temperature. Adjustable condensing pressure and/or temperature allows the system to react to changing ambient temperature and maximize power output. Adjusting condensing pressure and/or temperature of the system is made possible with a variable condenser pressure controller. The variable condenser pressure controller allows utilization of the physical properties of the refrigerant over a wide range of condensing temperatures/pressures, including pressures in the vacuum range. Meanwhile rare earth permanent magnets in paired Halbach arrays are used in the magnetohydrodynamics generator to augment the magnetic field, and a series electrode connection is made possible to achieve a high voltage output.

A method for generating power from a heat source includes mixing a refrigerant in a liquid phase with a lubricating oil, heating the mixture to evaporate the refrigerant, mixing the heated mixture with additional refrigerant in a superheated phase, and atomizing the lubricating oil to disperse the lubricating oil within the refrigerant. The atomized lubricating oil and the refrigerant are passed through a decompressor to generate an electrical current. The refrigerant may be an organic material having a boiling point below about ?35 C. Related systems and heat engines are also disclosed.

A system includes a waste heat recovery heat exchanger configured to heat a heating fluid stream by exchange with a heat source in a crude oil associated gas processing plant; and a Kalina cycle energy conversion system including a first group of heat exchangers to heat a first portion of a working fluid by exchange with the heated heating fluid stream and a second group of heat exchangers to heat a second portion of the working fluid. The second group of heat exchangers includes a first heat exchanger to heat the second portion of the working fluid by exchange with a liquid stream of the working fluid; and a second heat exchanger to heat the second portion of the working fluid by exchange with the heated heating fluid stream. The energy conversion system includes a separator to receive the heated first and second portions of the working fluid and to output a vapor stream of the working fluid and the liquid stream of the working fluid; a first turbine and a generator to generate power by expansion of the vapor stream; and a second turbine to generate power from the liquid stream.

A method and system enabling the efficient use of thermal energy to provide kinetic energy and/or electrical energy. The method uses at least two heat exchangers for heating the working medium, a heat engine and a condenser. The working medium consists of at least two substances. The working medium is partially condensed on the primary side of the first heat exchanger, wherein heat is transferred to the working medium flowing on the secondary side and, subsequently, further condensation heat is transferred to a cooling circuit in a condensation heat exchanger on the primary side of the condensation heat exchanger. Subsequently, the working medium is redirected to the secondary side of the first heat exchanger. A separation of gaseous fractions of the working medium takes place in the condensation heat exchanger on the primary side.

A system includes a waste heat recovery heat exchanger configured to heat a heating fluid stream by exchange with a heat source in a crude oil associated gas processing plant; and an Organic Rankine cycle energy conversion system. The Organic Rankine cycle energy conversion system includes a heat exchanger configured to heat a first portion of a working fluid by exchange with the heated heating fluid stream; and a cooling subsystem including one or more cooling elements each configured to cool one or more of a process stream from the crude oil associated gas processing plant and a cooling water stream for ambient air cooling by exchange with a second portion of the working fluid. The Organic Rankine cycle energy conversion system includes an ejector configured to receive the second portion of the working fluid from the cooling subsystem and a third portion of the working fluid; a turbine and a generator configured to generate power by expansion of a fourth portion of the working fluid; and a cooling element configured to cool a stream of working fluid including an output stream of working fluid from the ejector and the expanded fourth portion of the working fluid from the turbine and generator.

A system includes a waste heat recovery heat exchanger configured to heat a heating fluid stream by exchange with a heat source in a crude oil associated gas processing plant. The system includes an Organic Rankine cycle energy conversion system including a pump, an energy conversion heat exchanger configured to heat the working fluid by exchange with the heated heating fluid stream, a turbine and a generator configured to generate power by expansion of the heated working fluid, a cooling element configured to cool the expanded working fluid after power generation, and an accumulation tank. The heating fluid flows from the accumulation tank, through the waste heat recovery heat exchanger, through the Organic Rankine cycle energy conversion system, and back to the accumulation tank.

A system includes a waste heat recovery heat exchanger configured to heat a heating fluid stream by exchange with a heat source in a crude oil associated gas processing plant; and an Organic Rankine cycle energy conversion system. The Organic Rankine cycle energy conversion system includes a heat exchanger configured to heat a first portion of a working fluid by exchange with the heated heating fluid stream; and a cooling subsystem including one or more cooling elements each configured to cool one or more of a process stream from the crude oil associated gas processing plant and a cooling water stream for ambient air cooling by exchange with a second portion of the working fluid. The Organic Rankine cycle energy conversion system includes an ejector configured to receive the second portion of the working fluid from the cooling subsystem and a third portion of the working fluid; a turbine and a generator configured to generate power by expansion of a fourth portion of the working fluid; and a cooling element configured to cool a stream of working fluid including an output stream of working fluid from the ejector and the expanded fourth portion of the working fluid from the turbine and generator.