System for controlling a rankine cycle

Abstract

A system for producing electricity, including a closed circuit of heat-transfer fluid which includes an evaporator, an expansion member, a condenser and a circulation pump, a generator being coupled to the expansion member, in which system a liquid-vapour separator provided with a liquid reservoir is positioned between the evaporator and the expansion member, the system being further provided with a control device configured to empty the reservoir if the liquid level in the reservoir reaches a maximum threshold.

1 . A system for producing electricity, comprising a closed heat-transfer-fluid circuit which comprises an evaporator, an expansion member, a condenser and a circulation pump, a generator being coupled to the expansion member, in which a liquid-vapor separator provided with a liquid reservoir is placed between the evaporator and the expansion member, the system being further provided with a control device configured to empty the reservoir if the liquid level in the reservoir reaches a maximum threshold. 
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the heat-transfer fluid is organic. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the emptying of the reservoir is performed by a liquid recirculation line feeding into the evaporator. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the control device is configured to reduce the delivery rate of the circulation pump if the liquid level in the reservoir reaches the maximum threshold. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the liquid level in the reservoir is kept between a minimum threshold and the maximum threshold. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 5 , in which the control device is configured to put a stop to the emptying of the reservoir if the liquid level in the reservoir reaches the minimum threshold. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 5 , in which the control device is configured to increase the delivery rate of the circulation pump if the liquid level in the reservoir reaches the minimum threshold. 
     
     
         8 . A method for producing electricity, comprising the following concurrent steps:
 heating and evaporating a heat-transfer fluid using a heat source;   separating the heat-transfer fluid that has undergone evaporation into a liquid phase and a vapor phase, the liquid phase being stored in a liquid reservoir;   expanding the vapor phase to allow the generation of an electrical current;   condensing the expanded vapor phase; and   pumping the condensed phase;   and further comprising the following steps:   monitoring the liquid level in the liquid reservoir; and   emptying the liquid reservoir when the liquid level in this reservoir reaches a maximum threshold.   
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the heat-transfer fluid is organic. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the emptied liquid is recirculated to the heating and evaporation step. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the delivery rate at which the condensed phase is pumped is reduced when the liquid level in this reservoir reaches the maximum threshold. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the liquid level in the reservoir is constantly kept between a minimum threshold and the maximum threshold. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , in which the step of emptying the reservoir is interrupted if the liquid level in the reservoir reaches the minimum threshold. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , in which the delivery rate at which the condensed phase is pumped is increased if the liquid level in the reservoir reaches the minimum threshold.