Thermal energy conversion system for regasification of cryogenic liquids

Abstract

Systems and methods for cryogenic thermal energy conversion that include the use of a heat engine in the regasification process for cryogenic liquids such that energy is created while regasifying the cryogenic liquid and no additional heat component is required.

1 . A cryogenic thermal energy conversion system comprising:
 a heat engine comprising a working fluid evaporator and a working fluid condenser, wherein the working fluid evaporator is capable of receiving a seawater heat source, wherein the working fluid condenser is capable of receiving a cryogenic liquid, and wherein the heat engine is operable to create energy from a temperature differential between the ambient waters and the cryogenic liquid;   a working fluid for operation within the heat engine under system temperatures and conditions;   a riser operable to deliver the seawater to the working fluid evaporator;   a power conduit to deliver the energy produced by the heat engine to a predetermined destination; and   a pipeline to deliver regasified cryogenic product to a delivery destination.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein cryogenic liquid comprises liquid natural gas. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid heat source comprises ambient seawater. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid comprises ammonia. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat engine further comprises a separator. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the heat engine further comprises a recuperator. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat engine comprises a Rankine cycle. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat engine comprises a Kalina cycle. 
     
     
         9 . A regasification process for a cryogenic liquid comprising the steps of:
 providing the cryogenic liquid at a temperature of about −160° C. or below;   providing a working fluid;   providing a heat engine operatively connected to a pumping system, wherein the heat engine comprises a working fluid evaporator and a working fluid condenser, wherein the working fluid evaporator is capable of receiving a liquid heat source, wherein the working fluid condenser is capable of receiving a cryogenic liquid, and wherein the heat engine is operable to create energy from a temperature differential between the liquid heat source and the cryogenic liquid;   presenting the cryogenic liquid to the heat engine and converting the cryogenic liquid into regasified cryogenic product;   delivering the energy to a predetermined destination; and   delivering the regasified cryogenic product to a predetermined destination.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid heat source comprises ambient seawater. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the working fluid comprises a refrigerant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the refrigerant comprises ammonia, an organic fluid, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the working fluid comprises a binary liquid. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the heat engine further comprises a separator. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the heat engine further comprises a recuperator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the heat engine comprises a Rankine cycle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the heat engine comprises a Kalina cycle.