Power systems and methods implementing and using same

Abstract

Power systems and methods including a vaporization subsystem (VPSS), an energy conversion subsystem (ECSS), and a distillation condensation subsystem (DCSS), where the DCSS produces a fully condensed, lean working solution stream (LWSS) and a fully condensed, rich working solution stream (RWSS) from a multiple component working fluid using an external coolant stream, the VPSS vaporizes and superheats the LWSS and RWSS in a multi-stage vaporization process such that each LWSS remains in a state of subcooled liquid prior to being mixed with the RWSS or one or more intermediate solution streams to maximize heat extraction from an external heat source stream to form a combined working solution stream (CWSS) and converting a portion of the heat in the CWSS into a useable from of energy in the ECSS.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for power generation comprising
 a distillation condensation subsystem (DCSS-50), where a spent combined working solution stream CWFS is fully condensed in a multi-stage distillation and condensation process using variable composition streams derived from the CWFS and an external coolant stream CS to produce a fully condensed rich working solution stream RWFS and a fully condensed lean working solution stream LWFS and a spent CS,   a vaporization subsystem (VPSS), where heat from an external heat source stream HSS is used to heat, fully vaporize and superheat the RWFS and the LWFS in a multi-stage vaporization process such that each lean working solution stream remains in a state of supercooled liquid prior to being mixed with the rich working solution stream or one or more intermediate solution streams to maximize heat transfer from the HSS to produce a fully vaporized and superheated CWFS and a spent HSS, and   an energy conversion subsystem (ECSS), where a portion of heat associated with the CWFS is converted into a useable form of energy producing a spent CWFS which is forwarded to the DCSS-50 closing the system,   where all of the streams are derived from a single multi-component fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the VPSS comprises a single heat exchange unit having two working solution tubes and at least one combining valve,
 where (a) the combining valve combines a heated lean working solution stream in a state of subcooled liquid and a vaporized rich working solution stream under conditions where the lean working solution stream is fully absorbed by the vaporized rich working solution stream producing a vaporized combined working solution stream, (b) once formed, the vaporized combined working solution stream is superheated to form the fully vaporized and superheated, combined working solution stream, and (c) all heat is derived from the external heat source stream, 
   the ECSS comprises a single pressure turbine, and   the DCSS-50 comprising at least two throttle control valves, three heat exchanges units, two condensers, three pumps, and three separators.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the VPSS comprises a single heat exchange unit having two working solution tubes and two combining valves and one dividing valve,
 where (a) the dividing valve divides a heated lean working solution stream into a heated first lean working solution substream and a heated second lean working solution substream, (b) a first combining valve combines the heated second lean working solution substream in a state of subcooled liquid and a partially vaporized rich working solution stream under conditions where the heated second lean working solution substream is fully absorbed by the partially vaporized rich working solution stream producing a partially vaporized intermediate solution stream, (c) a second combining valve combines a further heated first lean working solution substream in a state of subcooled liquid and a vaporized intermediate solution stream under conditions where the further heated first lean working solution substream is fully absorbed by the vaporized intermediate solution stream producing a vaporized combined working solution stream, (d) once formed, the vaporized combined working solution stream is superheated to form the fully vaporized and superheated, combined working solution stream, and (e) all heat is derived from the external heat source stream, 
   the ECSS comprises a single pressure turbine, and   the DCSS-50 comprising three throttle control valves, three heat exchanges units, two condensers, three pumps, and three separators.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the VPSS comprises a single heat exchange unit having two working solution tubes and three combining valves and two dividing valve,
 where (a) a first dividing valve divides a heated lean working solution stream into a heated first lean working solution substream and a heated second lean working solution substream, (b) a first combining valve combines the heated second lean working solution substream in a state of subcooled liquid and a partially vaporized rich working solution stream under conditions where the second heated lean working solution substream is fully absorbed by the partially vaporized rich working solution stream producing a partially vaporized first intermediate solution stream, (c) a second dividing valve divides a further heated lean first working solution substream into a further heated third lean working solution substream and a further heated fourth lean working solution substream, (d) a second combining valve combines a further heated third lean working solution substream and a heated partially vaporized first intermediate solution stream under conditions where the yet further heated third lean working solution substream is fully absorbed by the heated partially vaporized first intermediate solution stream producing a partially vaporized second intermediate solution stream, (f) a third combining valve combines a yet further heated fourth lean working solution substream and a vaporized second intermediate solution stream under conditions where the yet further heated fourth lean working solution substream is fully absorbed by the vaporized second intermediate solution stream producing a vaporized combined working solution stream, (g) once formed, the vaporized combined working solution stream is superheated to form the fully vaporized and superheated, combined working solution stream, and (h) all heat is derived from the external heat source stream, 
   the ECSS comprises a single pressure turbine, and   the DCSS-50 comprising three throttle control valves, three heat exchanges units, two condensers, three pumps, and three separators.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the single multi-component working fluid comprises at least one lower boiling point component and at least one higher boiling point component. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the components comprises a mixture of compounds having favorable thermodynamic characteristics and solubilities. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the single multi-component fluid is selected from the group consisting of a ammonia-water mixture, a mixture of two or more hydrocarbons, a mixture of two or more freon, a mixture of hydrocarbons and freons, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the single multi-component fluid comprises a mixture of water and ammonia. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the single multi-component fluid comprises a mixture of two or more hydrocarbons, a mixture of two or more freon, or a mixture of hydrocarbons and freons. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 condensing a spent combined working solution stream in a distillation condensation subsystem in a multi-stage distillation and condensation process using variable composition streams derived from the spent combined working solution stream and an external coolant stream producing a fully condensed, intermediate pressure, rich working solution stream and a fully condensed, intermediate pressure, lean working solution stream and a spent external coolant stream,   concurrently pressurizing the fully condensed, intermediate pressure, rich working solution stream and the fully condensed, intermediate pressure, lean working solution stream in separate feed pumps producing a fully condensed, higher pressure, rich working solution stream and a fully condensed, higher pressure, lean working solution stream,   transferring heat from an external heat source stream in a vaporization subsystem in a multi-stage vaporization process such that each higher pressure, lean working solution stream remains in a state of subcooled liquid prior to being mixed with the rich working solution stream or one or more intermediate solution streams derived from the rich working solution stream and the lean working solution stream or one or more lean working solution substreams to maximize heat transfer from the external heat source stream producing a fully vaporized and superheated, higher pressure, combined working solution stream and a spent external heat source stream, and   converting a portion of heat in a fully vaporized and superheated, higher pressure, combined working solution stream in an energy extraction subsystem to a useable form of energy (mechanical and/or electrical) producing the spent combined working solution stream,   where all of the streams are derived from a single multi-component fluid comprises at least one lower boiling point component and at least one higher boiling point component selected from the group consisting of a ammonia-water mixture, a mixture of two or more hydrocarbons, a mixture of two or more freon, a mixture of hydrocarbons and freons, and mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 concurrently forwarding: (a) a fully condensed, rich working solution stream into a fifth pump producing a higher pressure, fully condensed, rich working solution stream and (b) a fully condensed, lean working solution stream into a sixth pump producing a higher pressure, fully condensed, lean working solution stream,   vaporizing and superheating the higher pressure, fully condensed, rich working solution stream and the higher pressure, fully condensed, lean working solution stream in a vaporization subsystem in a multi-stage vaporization process using heat from an initial external heat source stream so that the higher pressure, fully condensed, lean working solution stream or a plurality of higher pressure, lean working solution substreams is/are in a state of subcooled liquid prior to mixing and being fully absorbed by a vapor component of a vaporized, higher pressure, rich working solution stream or a plurality of vaporized, higher pressure, intermediate solution streams derived from the higher pressure, rich working solution stream and the higher pressure, lean working solution stream producing a fully vaporized and superheated, combined working solution stream and a spent external heat source stream,   converting a portion of heat in the fully vaporized and superheated, combined working solution stream in an energy extraction subsystem to a useable form of energy comprising mechanical and/or electrical energy producing a spent combined working solution stream, and   condensing the spent combined working solution stream in a multi-stage distillation and condensation process in a distillation condensation subsystem using variable composition streams derived from the spent combined working solution stream and an initial external coolant stream to produce the fully condensed, rich working solution stream, the fully condensed, lean working solution stream, and a spent external coolant stream,   where all of the streams are derived from a single multi-component fluid.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the multi-stage vaporization process comprises the steps of:
 concurrently heating: (a) the higher pressure, fully condensed, rich working solution stream and (b) the higher pressure, fully condensed, lean working solution stream with heat from a first cooled external heat source stream in a lower portion of the vaporization subsystem producing the spent external heat source stream, a vaporized, higher pressure, rich working solution stream, and a heated, higher pressure, lean working solution stream, which corresponds to a state of subcooled liquid,   combining the vaporized, higher pressure, rich working solution stream and the heated, higher pressure, lean working solution stream in the vaporization subsystem under conditions so that the heated, higher pressure, lean working solution stream is fully absorbed by a vapor content of the vaporized, higher pressure, rich working solution stream producing a vaporized, combined working solution stream, and   heating the vaporized, combined working solution stream with heat from the initial heat source stream in an upper portion of the vaporization subsystem producing the fully vaporized and superheated, combined working solution stream and the first cooled external heat source stream.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the multi-stage distillation and condensation process comprises the steps of:
 concurrently heating: (a) the higher pressure, fully condensed, rich working solution stream and (b) the higher pressure, fully condensed lean working solution stream with heat from a second cooled external heat source stream producing the spent external heat source stream, a partially vaporized, higher pressure, rich working solution stream, and a heated, higher pressure, lean working solution stream, which corresponds to a state of subcooled liquid,   dividing the heated, higher pressure, lean working solution stream into a heated, higher pressure, first lean working solution substream and a heated, higher pressure, second lean working solution substream, where both of the heated, higher pressure, lean working solution substreams correspond to states of subcooled liquid,   combining the partially vaporized, higher pressure, rich working solution stream and the heated, higher pressure, first lean working solution substream in the vaporization subsystem under conditions so that the heated, higher pressure, first lean working solution stream is fully absorbed by a vapor content of the partially vaporized, higher pressure, rich working solution stream producing a higher pressure, first intermediate solution stream,   currently heating: (a) the higher pressure, first intermediate solution stream and the heated, higher pressure, second lean working solution substream with heat from a first cooled external heat source stream producing the second external heat source stream, a partially vaporized, higher pressure, first intermediate solution stream, and a further heated, higher pressure, second lean working solution substream, which corresponds to a state of subcooled liquid,   combining the partially vaporized, higher pressure, first intermediate solution stream and the further heated, higher pressure, second lean working solution substream in the vaporization subsystem under conditions so that the further heated, higher pressure, second lean working solution substream is fully absorbed by a vapor content of the partially vaporized, higher pressure, first intermediate solution stream producing the vaporized, combined working solution stream, and   heating the vaporized, combined working solution stream with heat from the initial heat source stream in an upper portion of the vaporization subsystem producing the fully vaporized and superheated, combined working solution stream and the first cooled external heat source stream.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the multi-stage distillation and condensation process comprises the steps of:
 currently heating: (a) the higher pressure, fully condensed, rich working solution stream and (b) the higher pressure, fully condensed, lean working solution stream with heat from a third cooled external heat source stream producing the spent external heat source stream, a partially vaporized, higher pressure, rich working solution stream, and a heated, higher pressure, lean working solution stream, which corresponds to a state of subcooled liquid,   dividing the heated, higher pressure, lean working solution stream into a heated, higher pressure, first lean working solution substream and a heated, higher pressure, second lean working solution substream, where both of the heated, lean working solution substreams correspond to states of subcooled liquid,   combining the partially vaporized, higher pressure, rich working solution stream and the heated, higher pressure, first lean working solution substream in the vaporization subsystem under conditions so that the heated, higher pressure, first lean working solution substream is fully absorbed by a vapor content of the partially vaporized, higher pressure, rich working solution stream producing a higher pressure, first intermediate solution stream,   currently heating: (a) the higher pressure, first intermediate solution stream and the heated, higher pressure, second lean working solution substream with heat from a second cooled external heat source stream producing the third external heat source stream, a partially vaporized, higher pressure, first intermediate solution stream, and a further heated, higher pressure, second lean working solution stream, which corresponds to a state of subcooled liquid,   dividing the further heated, higher pressure, second lean working solution substream into a further heated, higher pressure, third lean working solution substream and a further heated, higher pressure, fourth lean working solution substream, where both of the further heated, higher pressure, lean working solution substream correspond to a state of subcooled liquid,   combining the partially vaporized, higher pressure, first intermediate solution stream and the further heated, higher pressure, third lean working solution substream in the vaporization subsystem under conditions so that the further heated, higher pressure, third lean working solution substream is fully absorbed by a vapor content of the partially vaporized, higher pressure, first intermediate solution stream producing a higher pressure, second intermediate solution stream,   currently heating: (a) the higher pressure, second intermediate solution stream and the further heated, higher pressure, fourth lean working solution substream with heat from a first cooled external heat source stream producing the second external heat source stream, a vaporized, higher pressure, second intermediate solution stream, and a yet further heated, higher pressure, fourth lean working solution stream, which corresponds to a state of subcooled liquid,   combining the vaporized, higher pressure, second intermediate solution stream and the yet further heated, higher pressure, fourth lean working solution substream in the vaporization subsystem under conditions so that the yet further heated, higher pressure, fourth lean working solution substream is fully absorbed by a vapor content of the vaporized, higher pressure, second intermediate solution stream producing the vaporized combined working solution stream, and   heating the vaporized combined working solution stream with heat from the initial heat source stream in an upper portion of the vaporization subsystem producing the fully vaporized and superheated, combined working solution stream and the first cooled external heat source stream.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the multi-stage distillation and condensation process comprises the steps of:
 if the spent combined working solution stream is in a state of slightly superheated vapor, combining the spent combined working solution stream and a second pressure adjusted, first lean substream producing a saturated vapor intermediate solution stream,   transferring heat from either the spent combined working solution stream or the saturated vapor intermediate solution stream in a third heat exchange unit (HE 3 ) in counterflow to a liquid third lean stream producing either a partially condensed, spent combined working solution stream or a partially condensed, intermediate solution stream corresponding to a state of a liquid-vapor mixture and a heated third lean stream corresponding to a state of a liquid-vapor mixture,   transferring heat from either the partially condensed, spent combined working solution stream or the partially condensed, intermediate solution stream in a second heat exchange unit (HE 2 ) in counterflow to a second higher pressure, rich basic solution substream producing a cooled and partially condensed, spent combined working solution stream or a cooled and partially condensed, intermediate solution stream corresponding to a state of a vapor-liquid mixture and a partially vaporized, second higher pressure, rich basic solution substream corresponding to a state of a vapor-liquid mixture,   combining either the cooled and partially condensed, spent combined working solution stream or the cooled and partially condensed, intermediate solution stream and a pressure adjusted lean working solution substream producing a lean basic solution stream, where a composition of the lean basic solution stream is substantially leaner than a composition of the intermediate solution streams and a composition of the combined working solution streams,   condensing the lean basic solution stream in a condenser or first exchange unit or heat exchanger (HE 1 ) in counterflow to a first higher pressure external coolant substream producing a fully condensed lean basic solution stream and a spent external coolant substream,   pressurizing the fully condensed lean basic solution stream in a feed or first pump (P 1 ) producing an intermediate pressure lean basic solution stream corresponding to a state of subcooled liquid,   combining the intermediate pressure lean basic solution stream and a vapor second rich stream corresponding to a state of saturated vapor producing an intermediate pressure, rich basic solution stream corresponding to a state of saturated liquid, where the intermediate pressure lean basic solution stream fully absorbs the vapor second rich stream and a composition of the intermediate pressure, rich basic solution stream is richer than a composition of the lean basic solution streams,   pressurizing the intermediate pressure, rich basic solution stream in a circulating or second pump (P 2 ) producing a higher pressure, rich basic solution stream corresponding to a state of subcooled liquid,   dividing the higher pressure, rich basic solution stream into a first higher pressure, rich basic solution substream and the second higher pressure, rich basic solution substream,   separating the partially vaporized, second higher pressure, rich basic solution substream in a third gravity separator (SP 3 ) producing the liquid third lean stream and a vapor third rich stream, where a composition of the third lean stream is leaner than a composition of the rich basic solution substreams,   separating the heated third lean stream in a first gravity separator (SP 1 ) producing a saturated vapor first rich stream and a saturated liquid first lean stream,   if the spent combined working solution stream is in a state of slightly superheated vapor, dividing the saturated liquid first lean stream into a first saturated liquid first lean substream and a second saturated liquid first lean substream and pressure adjusting the second saturated liquid first lean substream in a second throttle-valve (TV 2 ) producing the second pressure adjusted, first lean substream,   pressure adjusting the first saturated liquid first lean substream or the saturated liquid first lean stream in a third throttle valve (TV 3 ) producing an intermediate pressure first lean substream or an intermediate pressure saturated first lean stream corresponding to a state of a liquid-vapor mixture,   separating the intermediate pressure first lean substream or the intermediate pressure saturated first lean stream in a second gravity separator (SP 2 ) producing the saturated vapor rich stream and a saturated liquid, intermediate pressure, lean working solution stream,   dividing the saturated liquid, intermediate pressure, lean working solution stream into a saturated liquid, intermediate pressure, lean working solution substream and the saturated liquid lean, intermediate pressure, working solution stream,   pressure adjusting the saturated liquid, intermediate pressure, lean working solution substream in a fourth throttle valve (TV 4 ) producing the pressure adjusted lean working solution substream,   combining the saturated vapor first rich stream and the vapor third rich stream producing a combined vapor rich stream,   transferring heat from the combined vapor rich stream in a sixth heat exchange unit or heat exchanger (HE 6 ) in counterflow to an intermediate pressure rich working solution stream producing a cooled and partially condensed, combined rich stream corresponding to a state of a vapor-liquid mixture and a heated intermediate pressure rich working solution stream   combining the cooled and partially condensed, combined rich stream and the first higher pressure rich basic solution substream producing a rich working solution stream corresponding to a state of a liquid-vapor mixture,   condensing the rich working solution stream in a condenser or fourth heat exchange unit or heat exchanger (HE 4 ) in counterflow to a second higher pressure coolant substream producing a spent coolant substream and a condensed rich working solution stream corresponding to a state of saturated liquid, and   pressurizing the condensed rich working solution stream in a booster or third pump (P 3 ) producing the intermediate pressure rich working solution stream corresponding to a state of subcooled liquid.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 pressurizing an initial external coolant stream in a circulating pump (CP) producing a higher pressure external coolant stream, and   dividing the higher pressure external coolant stream into a first higher pressure external coolant substream and a second higher pressure external coolant substream.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the single multi-component working fluid comprises at least one lower boiling point component and at least one higher boiling point component. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the single multi-component fluid is selected from the group consisting of a ammonia-water mixture, a mixture of two or more hydrocarbons, a mixture of two or more freon, a mixture of hydrocarbons and freons, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the single multi-component fluid comprises a mixture of water and ammonia. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the single multi-component fluid comprises a mixture of two or more hydrocarbons, a mixture of two or more freon, or a mixture of hydrocarbons and freons.