Claims for Patent: 4,282,070

Summary for Patent: 4,282,070

Title:	Energy conversion method with water recovery
Abstract:	A mechanical energy conversion method and system for the restoration of dissipated heat energy, contained in natural or artificial water bodies at or near ambient temperatures, to industrial process heat, mainly in the form of steam up to 200.degree.-400.degree. C. The sensible heat contained in a water body is concentrated as latent heat in low pressure water vapor which is thermo-compressed by steam ejection to an intermediate pressure level, wherefrom mechanical compression takes over, generating highly superheated output steam. The ejecting steam is not generated in a boiler, but is continuously regenerated by the compressor and routed back for repeated ejection. The compressor is driven by a heat engine whose reject heat is collected and upgraded as well. The output of heat energy is essentially equal to the sum of the heating value of the fuel consumed and the intake of latent heat and amounts thus to substantially more than the heating value of the fuel alone.
Inventor(s):	Egosi; Dan (Tel Aviv, IL)
Assignee:
Application Number:	05/910,098
Patent Claims:	1. A process of continuously generating heat energy, cooling capacity and pure water from an available aqeuous feed medium, the process comprising: introducing a continuous flow of an aqueous liquid feed medium from a source at an initial temperature into at least one enclosed region maintained at an under-pressure below the boiling pressure of said medium at the initial temperature; evaporating part of the water in the aqueous feed medium inside the region by extracting at least a part of the heat of vaporization from the remainder of the aqueous medium; withdrawing water vapor evaporated from the feed medium in the region; compressing the withdrawn vapor to a predetermined output pressure; delivering at least part of said compressed withdrawn vapor as a first source of output heat energy and as a source of pure output water; and discharging continuously the cooled remainder of the aqueous feed medium from the region as a source of cooling capacity, wherein the improvement comprises: the step of withdrawing water vapor from the region comprises supplying a jet of ejecting steam for evacuating water vapor evaporated from the feed medium in the region into a combined flow with said jet of ejecting steam; and the step of compressing the withdrawn vapor comprises thermo-compressing the vapor by means of the ejecting steam jet in a converging-diverging throat to a first pressure, intermediate between the pressure maintained in the region and the final output pressure, and then mechanically compressing the combined thermo-compressed vapor and ejecting steam from the first pressure to the output pressure. 2. A process according to claim 1 wherein all of the heat of vaporization of said evaporated part of the feed medium is extracted from the remainder of the feed medium. 3. A process according to claim 1, the process further comprising: dividing the total of said mechanically compressed combined flow into a first stream and a second stream; recycling the first stream to serve as said jet of ejecting steam; and delivering the second stream as said first source of output heat. 4. A process according to claim 1 wherein said first pressure is in the range of approximately 0.04 bar to approximately 0.2 bar. 5. A process according to claim 1 wherein said first pressure is in the range of approximately 0.05 bar to approximately 0.15 bar. 6. A process according to claim 1 wherein said enclosed region is one of a plurality of enclosed regions arranged in series from a first region to a final region, each region being maintained at an under-pressure lower than the under-pressure in the preceding region, the process further comprising: flowing into each enclosed region the cooled remainder of the feed medium from the preceding enclosed region; withdrawing water vapor evaporated from the feed medium in each region; combining at least part of said withdrawn vapor from each region to serve as said first source of output heat; compressing the withdrawn water vapor from each region to said output pressure; and discharging the cooled remainder of the aqueous feed medium from the final enclosed region. 7. A process according to claim 6 wherein said one enclosed region is subsequent to the first of the plurality of enclosed regions, and the step of compressing the withdrawn vapor from the first of the plurality of regions consists of mechanically compressing the vapor from the respective underpressure maintained in the first region to said output pressure. 8. A process according to claim 7 wherein said one region is the final enclosed region, the process further comprising: dividing the total of said combined compressed withdrawn vapor from at least the first region and said final region into a first stream and a second stream and recycling the first stream to serve as the ejecting steam for at least the final region, the second stream thereby serving as said first source of output heat. 9. A process according to claim 6 wherein the under-pressure in each of the plurality of enclosed regions is maintained by supplying a respective jet of ejecting steam to evacuate the water vapor generated from the feed medium in each region into a combined flow with the respective jet of ejecting steam, and the step of compressing the vapor withdrawn from each region comprises thermo-compressing the vapor by means of the respective jet of ejecting steam in a converging-diverging throat to a respective pressure intermediate between the underpressure maintained in the corresponding region and the predetermined output pressure and then mechanically compressing the combined flow from each region from the respective intermediate pressure to said predetermined output pressure, the process further comprising: dividing the total of said compressed combined flows of withdrawn vapor and ejecting steam from each region into a first stream and a second stream and recycling the first stream to serve as the respective jets of ejecting steam for each region, the second stream thereby serving as said first source of output heat. 10. A process according to claim 9 wherein the respective intermediate pressure of the thermo-compressed combined flow of withdrawn vapor and ejecting steam from each enclosed region is equal to said first pressure. 11. A process according to claim 10 comprising: collecting the total of the thermo-compressed flows of ejecting steam and withdrawn vapor from each enclosed region into a common region at said first pressure, and the steps of mechanically compressing each of the flows comprise mechanically compressing the combined total of the flows collected in the common region from said first pressure to said second pressure. 12. A process according to claim 1 or 6 comprising: delivering the discharged cooled remainder of the aqueous feed medium as a source of output cooling capacity from the process. 13. A process according to claim 1 or 6 wherein the temperature of the cooled remainder is in the refrigeration range, the process comprising: delivering the discharged cooled remainder of the aqueous feed medium as a source of output refrigeration capacity from the process. 14. A process according to claim 13 wherein the aqueous feed medium contains an antifreeze agent, and the temperature of the cooled remainder is below 0.degree. C. 15. A process according to claim 1 or 6 comprising: flowing the cooled remainder of the aqueous feed medium as a source of output cooling in heat transfer relation with a substance to be cooled, for absorbing heat from said substance, and recycling the rewarmed remainder of the aqueous feed medium to the first-mentioned enclosed region. 16. A process according to claim 15 comprising: flowing the remainder of the aqueous feed medium, after absorbing heat from said substance, in heat transfer relation with a thermal reservoir having a temperature equal to the temperature of the initial flow of aqueous flow medium into the first-mentioned region before recycling said remainder to the feed inlet of the first region. 17. A process according to claim 16 wherein said thermal reservoir comprises said source of an aqueous feed medium at said initial temperature. 18. A process according to claim 1 or 8 comprising preheating the vapor evacuated by means of the jet of ejecting steam prior to its thermo-compression in the respective converging-diverging throat. 19. A process according to claim 18 wherein the vapor is preheated after its passage from the corresponding enclosed region and before its mixing with the respective ejecting steam jet. 20. A process according to claim 3 or 8 comprising: flowing a fluid in heat absorbing relation with said first stream prior to recycling said stream to serve as ejecting steam at a predetermined flow rate for extraction of a predetermined amount of superheat from said first stream; and delivering the heated fluid as a second source of output heat from the process. 21. A process according to claim 20 wherein said fluid is an aqueous heat extracting liquid at a high pressure up to that of the saturation pressure corresponding to the superheat temperature of said first stream, and said predetermined amount of superheat extracted from said first stream by the aqueous liquid at said predetermined flow rate converts the aqueous heat extracting liquid to steam at said high pressure. 22. A process according to claim 20 wherein said fluid is water of boiler feed quality at a high pressure up to that of the saturation pressure corresponding to the superheat temperature of said first stream, and said predetermined amount of superheat preheats the water for delivery as high pressure boiler feed. 23. A process according to claim 21 wherein said high pressure is in a range up to the critical pressure of steam. 24. A process according to claim 3 or 8 comprising: flowing a fluid in heat absorbing relation with said second stream at a predetermined flow rate for extraction of a predetermined amount of superheat from said second stream. 25. A process according to claim 24 wherein said fluid is an aqueous heat extracting liquid at a high pressure up to that of the saturation pressure corresponding to the superheat temperature of said second stream, and said predetermined amount of superheat extracted from said second stream by the aqueous liquid at said predetermined flow rate converts the aqueous liquid to steam at said high pressure. 26. A process according to claim 24 wherein said fluid is water of boiler feed quality at a high pressure up to that of the saturation pressure corresponding to the superheat temperature of said second stream, and said predetermined amount of superheat preheats the water for delivery as high pressure boiler feed. 27. A process according to claim 1 or 6 comprising: flowing a fluid in heat transfer relation with said compressed vapor at a predetermined flow rate for extraction of a predetermined amount of superheat from the vapor. 28. A process according to claim 27 wherein said fluid is an aqueous heat extracting liquid at a high pressure up to that of the saturation pressure corresponding to the superheat temperature of said first stream, and said predetermined amount of heat extracted from said vapor by the aqueous liquid at said predetermined flow rate converts the aqueous liquid to steam at said high pressure. 29. A process according to claim 27 wherein said fluid is water of boiler feed quality at a high pressure up to that of the saturation pressure corresponding to the superheat temperature of said vapor, and said predetermined amount of superheat preheats the water for delivery as high pressure boiler feed. 30. A process according to claim 29 wherein said high pressure is in a range up to the critical pressure of steam. 31. A process according to claim 3 or 8 comprising: flowing an aqueous heat extracting liquid, at a high pressure up to that of the saturation pressure corresponding to the superheat temperature of said mechanically compressed steam at the predetermined output pressure, in heat absorbing relation with the total flow of said mechanically compressed vapor and ejecting steam prior to the step of dividing said total flow at a predetermined flow rate for extraction of a predetermined amount of superheat from said total flow. 32. A process according to claim 31 wherein said predetermined amount of superheat extracted from the total flow of compressed vapor and ejecting steam by the aqueous liquid at said predetermined flow rate converts the aqueous heat extracting liquid to steam at said high pressure. 33. A process according to claim 31 wherein said fluid is water of boiler feed quality at a high pressure up to that of the saturation pressure corresponding to the superheat temperature of said vapor, and said predetermined amount of superheat preheats the water for delivery as high pressure boiler feed. 34. A process according to claim 1 or 6 wherein said aqueous feed medium comprises impure, non-sterile water and said withdrawn vapor serves as an eventual source of purified sterile water. 35. A process according to claim 1 or 6 comprising flowing a fluid containing waste heat warmer than the aqueous feed medium in heat transfer relation with the aqueous feed medium in said enclosed region for delivering heat to the aqueous medium in said region, which serves as an environmental heat sink to combat thermal pollution. 36. A process according to claim 35 wherein the at least one said enclosed region is only the first one of a series of said enclosed regions. 37. A process according to claim 35 wherein the at least one said enclosed region is no more than the first half of a series of said enclosed regions. 38. A process according to claim 3 or 8 wherein the step of dividing the total of said combined flow into a first stream and a second stream occurs before the step of mechanical compression, and said latter step comprises mechanically compressing the first stream in at least two stages. 39. A process according to claim 38 comprising flowing a fluid in heat transfer relation with said first stream between at least two adjacent stages of mechanical compression for absorbing at least a part of the superheat in said first stream. 40. A process according to claim 3 or 8 wherein the step of dividing the total of said combined flow into a first stream and a second stream occurs before the step of mechanical compression, and said latter step comprises mechanically compressing the second stream in at least two stages. 41. A process according to claim 40 comprising flowing a fluid in heat transfer relation with said second stream between at least two adjacent stages of mechanical compression for absorbing at least a part of the superheat in said second stream. 42. A process according to claim 8 wherein said step of mechanical compression comprises mechanically compressing in a plurality of stages and introducing part of said vapor withdrawn from the first enclosed region into a higher pressure compression stage than the combined ejecting steam and evacuated vapor from the final enclosed region. 43. A process according to claim 1 or 6 wherein said aqueous feed medium is a solution, and the process further comprises recycling the discharged remainder of said medium for concentrating said solution. 44. A process according to claim 1 or 6 wherein said aqueous feed medium is a suspension, and the process further comprises recycling the discharged remainder of said medium for concentrating said suspension. 45. A process according to claim 1 or 6 wherein said aqueous feed medium is an emulsion, and the process further comprises recycling the discharged remainder of said medium for concentrating said emulsion. 46. A process according to claim 1 or 6 wherein said aqueous feed medium is an effluent and the process further comprises recycling the discharged remainder of said medium for concentrating said effluent to a slurry as a preparatory step to recover ingredients contained in the effluent. 47. A process according to claim 1 or 8 wherein said step of mechanical compression comprises: providing mechanical energy from a fuel energized heat engine; rejecting heat from said heat engine to exhaust gases; rejecting heat from said heat engine to a pressurized water cooling system; recovering useful heat from said exhaust gases in counter-flow at maximal output temperatures, as a third source of output heat; and recovering useful heat from said pressurized water cooling system at maximal temperatures compatible with proper engine cooling as a fourth source of output heat. 48. A process according to claim 41 wherein the step of recovering useful heat from said water cooling system comprises: flowing heated cooling water from the pressurized cooling system of the engine into an enclosed flash evaporation region maintained at a pressure below the saturation pressure of the heated cooling water; evaporating part of the cooling water inside the flash evaporation region by transfer of the heat of vaporization from the remainder of the cooling water in the flash evaporation region; mechanically compressing the evaporated part of the cooling water to a pressure and temperature suitable for industrial use; recycling the cooled remainder of the cooling water back to the engine for further absorption of engine reject heat; and replenishing the evaporated quantity of cooling water. 49. A process according to claim 47 wherein the step of recovering useful heat from said pressurized water cooling system comprises: flowing pressurized heated cooling water from the engine in heat transfer relation to said first stream for absorbing superheat from said stream before it is recycled to serve again as ejecting steam and delivering the further heated cooling water as a second source of output heat from the process. 50. A process according to claim 47 wherein the step of recovering useful heat from said pressurized water cooling system comprises: flowing pressurized heated cooling water from the engine in heat transfer relation to the vapor evacuated by means of the respective jet of ejecting steam prior to its thermocompression in the respective converging-diverging throat. 51. A process according to claim 41 wherein the step of recovering useful heat from said pressurized water cooling system comprises: flowing pressurized heated cooling water from the engine in heat transfer relation to said second stream for absorbing superheat from said stream and delivering the further heated cooling water as part of the first source of output heat from the process. 52. A process according to claim 47 wherein the step of recovering useful heat from said pressurized water cooling system comprises: flowing pressurized heated cooling water from the engine in heat transfer relation to the total flow of compressed vapor and ejecting steam prior to said dividing step and delivering the further heated cooling water as a source of output heat from the process. 53. A process according to claim 47 wherein the step of recovering useful heat from said exhaust gases comprises: flowing a heat transfer medium in heat transfer relation to said exhaust gases for absorbing a substantial part of the above-ambient heat content of said gases. 54. A process according to claim 53 wherein the heat transfer medium is water and wherein said water is converted into steam by the heat absorbed from said exhaust gases. 55. A process according to claim 47 comprising preheating the vapor evacuated by means of the respective jets of ejecting steam prior to its thermo-compression in the respective converging-diverging throats by flowing hot lubricating oil from the engine in heat transfer relation with said vapor.

Details for Patent 4,282,070

Applicant	Tradename	Biologic Ingredient	Dosage Form	BLA	Approval Date	Patent No.	Expiredate
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.	ZOSTAVAX	zoster vaccine live	For Injection	125123	05/25/2006		2039-09-23