Working medium for cyclic steam processes

Abstract

A steam cycle with a steam generator, adapted to have thermal energy transferred to an operating medium and a power engine adapted to convert the thermal energy comprised in the operating medium to mechanical energy, is characterized in that the operating medium contains at least one heterocyclic compound, especially a heterocyclic aromatic compound, for example 2-methyl pyridine, 3-methyl pyridine, pyridine, pyrrole and/or pyridazine. The operating medium can also contain one or more polymers which are mixable with water, for example polyethylene glycol or a polyphenyl, especially terphenyl, surfactant and/or other organic lubricants.

1 . Steam cycle with a steam generator, adapted to have thermal energy transferred to an operating medium and a power engine adapted to convert the thermal energy comprised in the operating medium to mechanical energy, characterized in that the operating medium contains at least one heterocyclic compound, especially a heterocyclic aromatic compound.  
   
   
       2 . Steam cycle according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the operating medium is a mixture containing water and heterocyclic aromatic compounds, water being contained in an amount between 5 and 95 percent by weight and the heterocyclic compound in an amount between 5 and 95 percent by weight.  
   
   
       3 . Steam cycle according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the operating medium additionally contains one or more polymers which are mixable with water, surfactant and/or other organic lubricants.  
   
   
       4 . Steam cycle according  claim 3 , characterized in that the operating medium contains 2-methyl pyridine, 3-methyl pyridine, pyridine, pyrrole and/or pyridazine as a heterocyclic compound.  
   
   
       5 . Steam cycle according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the polymer is polyethylene glycol or a polyphenyl, especially terphenyl.  
   
   
       6 . Use of a heterocyclic aromatic compound, especially 2-methyl pyridine, in an operating medium for a steam cycle according to one of the above claims.  
   
   
       7 . Steam cycle according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the operating medium contains 2-methyl pyridine, 3-methyl pyridine, pyridine, pyrrole and/or pyridazine as a heterocyclic compound.  
   
   
       8 . Steam cycle according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the operating medium contains 2-methyl pyridine, 3-methyl pyridine, pyridine, pyrrole and/or pyridazine as a heterocyclic compound.  
   
   
       9 . Steam cycle according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the operating medium additionally contains one or more polymers which are mixable with water, surfactant and/or other organic lubricants.