Apparatus and method for energy conversion using gas hydrates
October 6, 2014. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 427400 609430 750493 Ocean thermal gradient power plant Gas recovery from hydrate reservoirs Multi-use absorption/regeneration power cycle 4090361 Mass transport heat exchanger method and apparatus for use in ocean thermal energy exchange power plants Ocean thermal energy conversion system and method for operation Power cycles based upon cyclical hydriding and dehydriding of a material InventorApplicationNo. 319138 filed on 10/06/1994US Classes:60/649, Including mixing or separating materials of different chemical compositions in a motive fluid flow path60/641.7, Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC)60/651, Including vaporizing a motive fluid other than water60/671, Motive fluid comprises a material other than steam or water60/673One fluid absorbs or reacts with anotherExaminersPrimary: Heyman, Leonard E.Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassF01K 025/00AbstractAn encagement vessel contains water and a working gas capable of forming hydrate with the water. A heat exchange arrangement is associated with the encagement vessel for removing heat from the working gas and water in the encagement vessel to form gas hydrate at an initial temperature. A working gas supply continues to add working gas to the encagement vessel as heat is removed in order to maintain the equilibrium pressure of the gas hydrate at the equilibrium pressure associated with the initial temperature as the hydrate is formed. An equilibrium pressure shifting arrangement increases the equilibrium pressure of the gas hydrate to an end pressure. A dissociating heat exchanger is included for adding heat to the hydrate at the end equilibrium pressure to dissociate the gas hydrate into water and working gas at the end pressure. A suitable gas valve is associated with the vessel in which dissociation is performed in order to remove gas hydrate at the end pressure and maintain the pressure in the vessel at the end pressure as the hydrate is dissociated. The working gas released at the high end pressure may be directed to a suitable gas turbine for driving the turbine to produce mechanical energy that can in turn be used to produce electricity through a suitable generator.Field of SearchOcean thermal energy conversion (OTEC)Including mixing or separating materials of different chemical compositions in a motive fluid flow path Including vaporizing a motive fluid other than water Motive fluid comprises a material other than steam or water One fluid absorbs or reacts with another | |
