Heating and cooling system and method of operating a heating and cooling system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to industrial infrastructure. More specifically, embodiments described herein provide a fluid recirculation system for an industrial infrastructure and methods of using the recirculation system. The system utilizes waste from the industrial infrastructure as refrigerant to ensure continuous supply of refrigerant while also utilizing low levels of heat still in the waste. The heat exchanger may heat and cool the process fluid using refrigerant initially supplied as waste from the industrial infrastructure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to industrial infrastructure. More specifically, embodiments described herein provide a fluid recirculation system for industrial infrastructure and methods of using the recirculation system. Background Art

[0002] Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is a major by-product in several industrial and daily life processes. 2 Produced by power plants, by liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, in oil refining, in petrochemical production, in steel production, by cars, etc. CO 2 It is typically disposed of as waste and discharged to the atmosphere. Therefore, what is needed in the art are fluid recycling systems for industrial infrastructure and methods of using recycling.

[0003] In many of the processes described above, liquid water or steam is used as a heating or cooling agent. Water is generally an abundant and inexpensive resource. However, using water and steam as heat transfer media requires complex infrastructure to manage the conversion of water to steam and vice versa. Further, the process also needs to receive water from an external water source to recover water lost through steam venting or through leaks in the cooling system. To ensure a steady supply of water, processing plants are often located close to a water source or include water reservoirs on site. Power may also be required to raise the temperature of the water or steam to an acceptable level for use at the start of the process.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an improved process apparatus and method to reduce heating / cooling costs for industrial processes. Summary of the invention

[0005] Provided herein are systems and methods for heating and / or cooling in an open loop system.

[0006] In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes an exhaust fluid inlet pipeline, a compressor fluidly coupled to the exhaust fluid inlet pipeline via a compressor inlet pipeline, an expander fluidly coupled to the compressor, and a heat exchanger fluidly disposed between the compressor and the expander. The heat exchanger receives fluid from the compressor, and the fluid output by the compressor is input into the expander. The system also includes one or more fluid outlet pipelines.

[0007] In another embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes an infrastructure, a waste fluid inlet pipeline fluidly connected to a waste port of the infrastructure, a compressor fluidly connected to the waste fluid inlet pipeline via a compressor inlet pipeline, an expander fluidly connected to the compressor, and a first heat exchanger fluidly disposed between the expander and the compressor. The first heat exchanger receives fluid from the expander, and the fluid output by the first heat exchanger is input to the compressor. The second heat exchanger is fluidly disposed between the compressor and the expander, so that the second heat exchanger receives fluid from the compressor, and the fluid output by the second heat exchanger is input to the expander. The system also includes one or more fluid outlet pipelines.

[0008] In another embodiment, a method of operating a heating and cooling system is provided. The method includes receiving exhaust gas from an infrastructure, compressing the exhaust gas using a compressor, passing the exhaust gas through a first heat exchanger, expanding the exhaust gas using an expander, and passing the exhaust gas through a second heat exchanger. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Thus, the manner in which the above-described features of the present disclosure may be understood in detail may be obtained by reference to embodiments, a more particular description of the present disclosure briefly summarized above, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of scope, as the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a heating and cooling system according to embodiments described herein.

[0011] Figure 2 According to the embodiments described herein, Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the heating and cooling system infrastructure.

[0012] Figure 3 According to the embodiments described herein, Figure 1 Methods of heating and cooling systems.

[0013] Figure 4A is an illustration according to the embodiments described herein Figure 1 A graph of the fluid temperature within a heating and cooling system.

[0014] Figure 4B is an illustration according to the embodiments described herein Figure 1 A graph of fluid pressure within a heating and cooling system.

[0015] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to industrial infrastructure. More specifically, embodiments described herein provide a fluid recirculation system for industrial infrastructure and methods of using the recirculation system.

[0017] CO 2 It is one of the main greenhouse gases. 2 It is also a relatively efficient heat transfer medium for transporting energy. This article describes the use of CO 2 Device and corresponding method, CO 2 Generated by one or more processes for heating and cooling components of some form of infrastructure. Different forms of infrastructure include power plants, liquefied natural gas plants, oil refineries, steel production plants, etc. The equipment may include a fluid recirculation system that may be attached to one or more equipment within the facility. Equipment includes, but is not limited to, solvent recoverer heating and cooling systems, heaters or power generation equipment, coolers, and condensers.

[0018] The equipment described herein can be a modular assembly so that the equipment can be easily attached to existing infrastructure without requiring extensive redesign of the infrastructure itself. The equipment can also be used for other refrigerants or process waste gases, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S). 2 S) or CO 2 and H 2 A mixture of S.

[0019] The described fluid recirculation system utilizes a CO 2 The energy within the exhaust gases, such as water, which would otherwise be exhausted from the system into the atmosphere. Even if a heat exchanger is used to transfer the energy from the exhaust gases to water or steam, the energy transfer will be limited by the efficiency of the heat exchanger. Further, the use of a heat exchanger will only increase the complexity of the system and increase the maintenance / capital cost of the facility. However, if the exhaust gases themselves are used as the refrigerant, the energy within the exhaust gases can be fully utilized and the complexity of the system can be reduced. Further, the use of exhaust gases as a refrigerant allows the system to refill itself and eliminates the need for a separate source of refrigerant, such as a nearby reservoir. Therefore, the location of the infrastructure can be decoupled from the presence of a reservoir and there will be no need for an artificial reservoir. The elimination of the infrastructure to transfer water from a reservoir to the facility and the elimination of any capital investment in building an artificial reservoir enable the capital cost and maintenance cost of the fluid recirculation system to be reduced compared to more conventional water or steam heating / cooling systems.

[0020] It is estimated that compared to conventional steam, cooling water or air heating / cooling systems, the use of CO 2or other waste gases as refrigerants can reduce the operating costs of heating and cooling systems by more than 40%. The reduction in operating costs is due, at least in part, to the reduction in energy used by the heating / cooling system. The reduction in energy use can also reduce the overall carbon footprint of the heating / cooling system because less fuel is burned to operate the system, and CO 2 Can be discharged at low energy levels and more easily sealed.

[0021] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of system 100. System 100 includes a collection vessel 102; an expander 104; one or more compressors 106, 124; and one or more heat exchanger systems 101, 103. System 100 is configured to be attached to one or more infrastructures. System 100 can be coupled to existing infrastructure at each of one or more heat exchanger systems 101, 103 and one or more circulating fluid sources 110. System 100 can also be coupled to existing infrastructure at one or more system outlets 132, 134.

[0022] The collection container 102 is a manifold, a receiver, or a surge drum. The collection container 102 can deposit overflow fluid from other parts of the system therein and reduce the amount of overflow that may occur within the system 100. The collection container 102 can be a metal drum. The collection container 102 can be connected to the outlet of the first heat exchanger system 101 via the first system pipeline 108, so that the first system pipeline 108 extends between the collection container 102 and the first heat exchanger system 101. The fluid is discharged from the first heat exchanger system 101 into the first system pipeline 108 and flows into the collection container 102.

[0023] The collection container 102 may also be coupled to a circulating fluid source 110 via a source line 112. The circulating fluid source 110 may be a waste fluid source for a system to which the system 100 is coupled. Thus, the circulating fluid source 110 may supply the system 100 with waste CO2 for use as a refrigerant. 2 Other exhaust gases such as H 2 S or H 2 S and CO 2 combination.

[0024] The collection container 102 is coupled to the compressor 106 via a compressor inlet line 114. The compressor inlet line 114 connects the outlet of the collection container 102 to the inlet of the compressor 106, so that the compressor 106 is in fluid communication with the collection container 102. The compressor inlet line 114 may also be referred to as a second system line. 2 When the gas is CO 2 Delivered to the inlet of compressor 106 via compressor inlet line 114 .

[0025] The compressor 106 may be a gas compressor and is configured to increase the temperature and pressure of the gas as the gas enters the compressor 106. Thus, the gas passing through the compressor 106 may be heated from a first temperature T 1 and the first pressure P 1 Increase to the second temperature T 2 and the second pressure P 2 The compressor 106 is coupled to the expander 104 via a dual shaft 105. The dual shaft 105 connecting the compressor 106 and the expander 104 enables the compressor 106 to operate without an auxiliary energy source, so that the expander 104 generates power to operate the compressor 106. The dual shaft 105 transfers power from the expander 104 to the compressor 106. In addition to the power generated by the expander 104, one or both of the expander 104 and the compressor 106 may also receive power from an external power source 152.

[0026] The compressor 106 is coupled to a compressor outlet line 116. The compressor outlet line 116 extends from the outlet of the compressor 106 to the inlet of the secondary compressor 124. The compressor outlet line 116 may also be referred to as a third system line. The compressor outlet line 116 extends between the compressor 106 and the secondary compressor 124 and fluidically connects the compressor 106 to the secondary compressor 124.

[0027] In some embodiments, the secondary compressor 124 may be a plurality of secondary compressors, such that there may be three or more compressors in total, or two or more compressors in total. The secondary compressor 124 is coupled to an external power source 154, which is similar to the external power source 152, which may be optionally coupled to the expander 104 or the compressor 106. The external power source 154 coupled to the secondary compressor 124 is used to provide power so that the secondary compressor 124 can increase the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant traveling through the secondary compressor 124. Thus, the secondary compressor 124 increases the temperature of the refrigerant from the second temperature T 2 Increase to the third temperature T 3 Similarly, the refrigerant pressure changes from the second pressure P 2 Increase to the third pressure P 3 .

[0028] The fourth system line 119 extends between the outlet of the secondary compressor 124 and the inlet of the second heat exchanger system 103. The fourth system line 119 fluidly connects the secondary compressor 124 to the second heat exchanger system 103 so that the refrigerant flows from the outlet of the secondary compressor 124 and enters the second heat exchanger system 103.

[0029] The outlet line 118 can branch out from the fourth system line 119 so that the outlet line 118 is fluidly connected to the fourth system line 119. The outlet line 118 can extend to the system outlet 134. The system outlet 134 can be an outlet to another system, or can be a discharge port to the atmosphere. The system outlet 134 may include one or more valves, such as a bleed valve, so that the fluid only flows into the system outlet 134 and flows out of the system 100 through the outlet line 118, thereby releasing the pressure in the system 100. Due to the continuous input of exhaust gas through the circulating fluid source 110, the pressure in the system 100 accumulates, so it may be desirable to release the pressure. In some embodiments, the outlet line 118 recovers heat to the compressor inlet line 114 through a third heat exchanger (not shown).

[0030] The second heat exchanger system 103 can be similar to the first heat exchanger system 101. The second heat exchanger system 103 includes the refrigerant from the fourth system line 119 as the first fluid therein, and the second fluid is the cold fluid from the second system, which means that the cold fluid will be heated by the first fluid in the fourth system line 119. Therefore, the second heat exchanger system 103 includes a second inlet and a second outlet, and the second fluid flows into and out of the second heat exchanger system 103 through the second inlet and the second outlet. The second heat exchanger system 103 can also be regarded as a reboiler or a reclaimer. The temperature of the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger system 103 will be reduced from the third temperature T at the inlet of the second heat exchanger system 103. 3 The fourth temperature T at the outlet of the second heat exchanger system 103 is reduced to 4 .

[0031] Then, the refrigerant is at a fourth temperature T 4 The expander 104 is connected to the outlet of the second heat exchanger system 103 via the fifth system line 120. The fifth system line 120 extends between the outlet of the second heat exchanger system 103 and the inlet of the expander 104. Therefore, the heat exchanger outlet of the second heat exchanger system 103 is connected to the expander inlet of the expander 104 through an expander inlet line such as the fifth system line 120. The fifth system line 120 fluidly connects the second heat exchanger system 103 and the expander 104 so that the fluid flowing out of the second heat exchanger system 103 enters the expander 104.

[0032] The expander 104 is configured to reduce the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. 4 Drop to the fifth temperature T 5 The refrigerant pressure is increased from the third pressure P 3 Down to the fourth pressure P 4 . The fourth pressure P 4Can be with the first pressure P 1 The expander 104 also generates power. The power generated by the expander 104 can be used to operate the compressor 106. The power is transferred from the expander 104 to the compressor 106 via the dual shaft 105. The expander 104 can be a commercial-grade expander configured to utilize CO 2 Refrigerant operation.

[0033] The expander 104 may be coupled to the inlet of the first heat exchanger system 101 via a sixth system line 122. The sixth system line 122 extends between the outlet of the expander 104 and the inlet of the first heat exchanger system 101. The sixth system line 122 fluidly connects the expander 104 and the first heat exchanger system 101 and is configured to transport refrigerant. The expander outlet of the expander is coupled to the heat exchanger inlet of the first heat exchanger system 101 via an expander outlet line such as the sixth system line 122. The heat exchanger outlet of the first heat exchanger system 101 is coupled to the collection container 102 via a collection container inlet line such as the first system line 108.

[0034] The outlet line 130 may branch out from the sixth system line 122 so that the outlet line 130 is fluidly coupled to the sixth system line 122. The outlet line 130 may extend to a system outlet 132. The system outlet 132 may be an outlet to another system, or may be a discharge port to the atmosphere. The system outlet 132 may include one or more valves, such as a purge valve, so that fluid only flows into the system outlet 132 and flows out of the system 100 through the outlet line 130, thereby releasing the pressure within the system 100. As the exhaust gas is continuously input through the circulating fluid source 110, the pressure within the system 100 accumulates, so it may be desirable to release the pressure. The outlet line 130 is optional. Releasing the pressure through the outlet line 130 allows the refrigerant to be discharged when the energy within the system 100 is at a minimum. Therefore, the system outlet 132 may lead to a recovery system or a carbon sequestration system for liquefaction.

[0035] The first heat exchanger system 101 is similar to the second heat exchanger system 103. The first heat exchanger system 101 has a first fluid and a second fluid traveling through the system. The first fluid is a refrigerant, which is delivered by the sixth system line 122. The second fluid is a hot fluid, which enters the first heat exchanger system 101 through the second inlet and leaves the first heat exchanger system 101 through the second outlet. Since the refrigerant is at a lower temperature when it enters the first heat exchanger system 101, the second fluid is cooled while in the first heat exchanger system 101. Therefore, the temperature of the refrigerant when it enters the first heat exchanger system 101 is the fifth temperature T 5 , but the temperature when leaving the first heat exchanger system 101 through the first system pipeline 108 is the sixth temperature, which can be related to the first temperature T1 The compressor outlet of the compressor 106 is coupled to the second heat exchanger via one or more compressor outlet lines.

[0036] System 100 is a modular system that is operably coupled to some form of infrastructure utilizing circulating fluids, such as Figure 2 The infrastructure 200 in one example is a refinery complex. The circulating fluid includes carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), contains some water (H 2 O) or a combination thereof. The circulating fluid may be pre-filtered so that only CO 2 , H 2 S or CO 2 and H 2 In some applications, the stream may also include nitrogen and oxygen.

[0037] The system 100 can be operated to recirculate the circulating fluid to provide low-temperature and low-pressure circulating fluid to the components of the first heat exchanger system 101, and to provide high-temperature and high-pressure circulating fluid to the components of the second heat exchanger system 103. The low temperature described herein is about 10°C to about 100°C. The low pressure described herein is full vacuum to about 50 bar. The high temperature described herein is 70°C to about 175°C. The high pressure described herein is about 0 bar to about 75 bar. In operation, the low-temperature and low-pressure circulating fluid is output by the first heat exchanger system 101. Then, the low-temperature and low-pressure circulating fluid and the circulating fluid from the circulating fluid source 110 are provided to the collection container 102 via the outlet of the first heat exchanger system 101. The low-temperature and low-pressure circulating fluid flows to the compressor 106, where the circulating fluid is compressed so that the circulating fluid has a high temperature and high pressure. The first part of the high-temperature and high-pressure circulating fluid can be output via the outlet line 118. The second part of the high-temperature and high-pressure circulating fluid is provided to the components of the second heat exchanger system 103. The high temperature and high pressure circulating fluid outputted from the components of the second heat exchanger system 103 is supplied to the expander 104 where the circulating fluid is expanded to have a low temperature and low pressure.

[0038] In the embodiments described herein, the energy output by the expander 104 powers the compressor 106. In certain embodiments, the system 100 may include additional condensers and additional reboilers. The additional condensers and additional reboilers are distributed throughout the complex in multiple applications.

[0039] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of an infrastructure 200, such as an energy infrastructure. In one example, the infrastructure 200 is a refinery complex. The infrastructure 200 may also be a power plant, a liquefied natural gas production plant, a petrochemical production plant, or a steel production plant. The first heat exchanger system 101 includes a first set of components that utilize a low temperature and low pressure circulating fluid, and the second heat exchanger system 103 includes a second set of components that utilize a high temperature and high pressure circulating fluid. Therefore, the first heat exchanger system 101 may be a first set of heat exchangers and may include a first heat exchanger 101a, a second heat exchanger 101b, and a third heat exchanger 101c. The second heat exchanger 101b is a feed gas cooler. Each of the first heat exchanger 101a, the second heat exchanger 101b, and the third heat exchanger 101c is configured to heat a second fluid from the infrastructure 200 that flows through the infrastructure 200. In operation, an intermediate temperature and low pressure circulating fluid is output by each of the first heat exchanger 101a, the second heat exchanger 101b, and the third heat exchanger 101c. The temperature of the circulating fluid is between the high temperature and the low temperature. The intermediate temperature may be similar to the temperature of the circulating fluid discharged from the one or more circulating fluid sources 110 from the infrastructure 200 into the system 100.

[0040] exist Figure 2 In the infrastructure 200 of FIG. 1 , the circulating fluid source may include a knock-out drum 230 and one or more other circulating fluid sources 110. The circulating fluid flows from each of the first heat exchanger 101a, the second heat exchanger 101b, the third heat exchanger 101c, the knock-out drum 230, and the circulating fluid source 110 to the collection container 102 via the first system line 108 and the source line 112. The first system line 108 may have a plurality of branches 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, which are drawn from one or more of the first heat exchanger 101a, the second heat exchanger 101b, and the third heat exchanger 101c. These branches may merge or separate between the first heat exchanger 101a, the second heat exchanger 101b, and the third heat exchanger 101c and the collection container 102.

[0041] The source line 112 may be a first source line 112a leading from the circulating fluid source 110 and a second source line 112b disposed between the separation drum 230 and the collection container 102. In some embodiments, only the separation drum 230 supplies the circulating fluid from the infrastructure 200 without a separate circulating fluid source 110. One or more source lines 112a, 112b may merge with one of the branches 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d. The source lines 112a, 112b may merge with the first branch 108a, which leaves the first heat exchanger 101a before the first branch 108a is emptied into the collection container 102. One or more source lines 112a, 112b may also be referred to as compressor inlet lines, and one or more source lines 112a, 112b are connected to the compressor inlet of the first compressor 106.

[0042] The circulating fluid flowing out of each of the first heat exchanger 101a, the second heat exchanger 101b, the third heat exchanger 101c and the separation barrel 230 may be at different temperatures or pressures. The collection container 102 can mix the circulating fluids flowing out of different sources so that the circulating fluids can be output from the collection container 102 at a uniform temperature and pressure.

[0043] Each of the first heat exchanger 101a, the second heat exchanger 101b, and the third heat exchanger 101c is configured to cool the second fluid input from the infrastructure 200. Therefore, in each of the first heat exchanger 101a, the second heat exchanger 101b, and the third heat exchanger 101c, heat from the second fluid is transferred to the circulating fluid within the system 100.

[0044] The low-temperature and low-pressure circulating fluid is input into each of the first heat exchanger 101a, the second heat exchanger 101b and the third heat exchanger 101c via the sixth system pipeline 122. The sixth system pipeline 122 may be branched into one or more expander outlet pipelines, such as the first expander outlet pipeline 122a, the second expander outlet pipeline 122b and the third expander outlet pipeline 122c. The first expander outlet pipeline 122a transfers the circulating fluid of the expander 104 to the inlet of the first heat exchanger 101a. The second expander outlet pipeline 122b transfers the circulating fluid of the expander 104 to the inlet of the second heat exchanger 101b. The third expander outlet pipeline 122c transfers the circulating fluid of the expander 104 to the inlet of the third heat exchanger 101c.

[0045] The second heat exchanger system 103 may include a plurality of heat exchangers. When the system 100 is integrated into the infrastructure 200, the second heat exchanger system 103 includes at least a fourth heat exchanger 103a and a fifth heat exchanger 103b. The fourth heat exchanger 103a may be a reboiler, while the fifth heat exchanger 103b is a regeneration device. Each of the fourth heat exchanger 103a and the fifth heat exchanger 103b receives a high temperature and high pressure circulating fluid from the compressor 106 or one of the one or more secondary compressors 124.

[0046] exist Figure 2 In an embodiment, the circulating fluid flows from one or more secondary compressors 124 to each of the fourth heat exchanger 103a and the fifth heat exchanger 103b using a fourth system line 119. The fourth system line 119 may include one or more branches or branches, such as a first branch 119a and a second branch 119b. The first branch 119a is disposed between the secondary compressor 124 and the fourth heat exchanger 103a, and allows the circulating fluid to flow from the secondary compressor 124 to the fourth heat exchanger 103a. The second branch 119b is disposed between the secondary compressor 124 and the fifth heat exchanger 103b, and allows the circulating fluid to flow from the secondary compressor 124 to the fifth heat exchanger 103b. In other embodiments, the circulating fluid may flow directly from the compressor outlet line 116 to each of the fourth heat exchanger 103a and the fifth heat exchanger 103b.

[0047] The circulating fluid output by the fourth heat exchanger 103a and the fifth heat exchanger 103b is provided to the expander 104 via the fifth system pipeline 120a, 120b. As the circulating fluid leaves the fourth heat exchanger 103a and the fifth heat exchanger 103b, the temperature of the circulating fluid is lower than the temperature when entering the fourth heat exchanger 103a and the fifth heat exchanger 103b. However, the process fluid flowing from the infrastructure 200 into the fourth heat exchanger 103a and the fifth heat exchanger 103b is heated and leaves the fourth heat exchanger 103a and the fifth heat exchanger 103b at a higher temperature.

[0048] The infrastructure 200 includes a plurality of pumps 204, 210, 216, 228, 232. Each pump 204, 210, 216, 228, 232 may be configured to pump one or both of a gas or a liquid. The infrastructure 200 also includes an absorber 208 and a stripper 226. The absorber 208 may be an absorber tower used in an oil refinery or natural gas refining facility. The absorber 208 uses a liquid such as water or other solvent to wash the gas within the absorber. The stripper 226 may be a stripper tower used in an oil refinery or natural gas refining facility. The stripper 226 is used to remove unwanted substances from a process stream, such as ammonia, H2O, etc. from water or other solvents. 2 S or CO 2In some embodiments, there may be a condenser disposed along line 229 connecting the stripper 226 to a heat exchanger, such as the first heat exchanger 101a.

[0049] The feed gas may enter the infrastructure 200 from the feed gas line 202. The feed gas then flows into the first pump 204 and then into the second heat exchanger 101b for cooling. The feed gas may then be filtered through one or more filters or membranes 206. The filters or membranes 206 may be selected to filter out non-CO 2 The gas or particles in the gas line cause the CO leaving the filter or membrane 206 to 2 The percentage of CO entering the filter or membrane 206 through the feed gas line 202 is 2 percentage increase.

[0050] The gas then flows into the lower portion of the absorber 208. The absorber 208 includes a second pump 210 configured to circulate water from the absorber 208 into a pipe 212 and into the top portion of the absorber 208. The water can absorb some components in the gas flowing into the absorber 208. A second solution can also flow from the filter 220 into the middle portion of the absorber 208 through a pipe 222. The solution at the bottom of the absorber 208 enters a pipe 214, which leads to a third pump 216. The third pump 216 pumps the solution to the solution exchanger 218. The solution exchanger 218 is a rich solution / clear solution exchanger and is capable of mixing or exchanging fluids from the third pump 216 and from the fourth pump 228, which delivers a solution from the bottom of the stripper 226. The solution exchanger 218 outputs the first solution into the pipe 222 and through the filter 220, and then the first solution is cooled in the third heat exchanger 101c and flows into the absorber 208. The second solution is output from the solution exchanger 218 and enters the pipeline 224, and then the second solution enters the middle part of the stripper 226.

[0051] The stripper 226 has a pipe 229 that transports a fluid such as gas or steam from the top of the stripper 226 and enters the first heat exchanger 101a. The fluid is cooled and may be condensed inside the first heat exchanger 101a and then flows into the separation barrel 230. The solution in the separation barrel is then delivered to the fifth pump 232 and then delivered to the upper portion of the stripper 226 using a pipe 234. Some of the solution in the separation barrel 230 may still be in a vapor or gas phase. The vapor or gas in the separation barrel 230 may be CO 2 Gas or H 2 S Gas. Vapor or gas may be exhausted from the infrastructure 200 to the system 100 via the second source line 112b.

[0052] At least some of the solution leaving the bottom of the stripper 226 goes to the fourth pump 228 and the solution exchanger 218. However, some of the solution leaving the stripper 226 goes to one or both of the fourth heat exchanger 103a and the fifth heat exchanger 103b. There may be a valve 236 that limits the flow of fluid from the stripper 226 to the fifth heat exchanger 103b. The valve 236 may limit the amount of fluid flowing to the fifth heat exchanger 103b, or may allow only gas to pass through the fifth heat exchanger without allowing liquid to pass.

[0053] The system 100 is attached to the infrastructure 200 at a number of heat exchangers 101a, 101b, 101c, 103a, 103b. The system 100 utilizes the exhaust gas from the separation drum 230 to supply refrigerant to the system 100. Thus, the need for a separate supply of refrigerant is not required or is greatly reduced.

[0054] Figure 3 is to use Figure 1 The method 300 may be repeated cyclically or continuously such that each operation 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312 is performed simultaneously but at a different portion of the refrigerant fluid flow. In operation 302, the system 100 receives a circulating fluid source such as CO 2 refrigerant gas such as Figure 2 One or both of the circulating fluid source 110 and the separation drum 230. The refrigerant may be substantially CO 2 , or CO 2 , H 2 A mixture of S and water vapor. Other parts of the refrigerant mixture may include nitrogen and oxygen.

[0055] After receiving the refrigerant during operation 302, the refrigerant is compressed using the compressor portion of the compressor / expander or a separate compressor during operation 304. The compressor may be Figure 1 The compressor 106 in FIG. Figure 4A 4 is a graph 400 illustrating the temperature of the refrigerant within the heating and cooling system 100. In the graph 400, the vertical axis 401 represents the temperature of the refrigerant, while the horizontal axis 403 represents the method 300 and the location within the system 100. Figure 4B 4 is a graph 450 illustrating the pressure of the refrigerant within the heating and cooling system 100. In the graph 450, the vertical axis 451 represents the pressure of the refrigerant, while the horizontal axis 453 represents the method 300 and the location within the system 100.

[0056] As shown in graphs 400 and 450 , during operation 302 , as the refrigerant is received into the system, the refrigerant has a first temperature T 1 and the first pressure P1 The first temperature gradient and the first pressure gradient of the refrigerant as it travels from the circulating fluid source are approximately zero, such that the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant remain substantially the same. In some embodiments, such as when there are multiple waste streams entering the collection container 102, the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant may change as the refrigerant mixes with other refrigerant streams. During operation 304, when the refrigerant enters the compressor, the refrigerant is at a first temperature T 1 and the first pressure P 1 The refrigerant is at a second temperature T 2 and the second pressure P 2 Leaving the compressor. Second temperature T 2 and the second pressure P 2 Respectively greater than the first temperature T 1 and the first pressure P 1 .

[0057] After passing through the first compressor, the refrigerant may pass through an optional second compressor and be compressed to a third state during operation 306. The temperature of the refrigerant from the outlet of the first compressor through one or more conduits such as line 116 to the inlet of the second compressor may be relatively constant. The refrigerant enters the third state from the second state in the compressor, such that the refrigerant leaves the compressor in the third state. The third state is a third temperature T 3 and the third pressure P 3 The third temperature T 3 and the third pressure P 3 Greater than the second temperature T 2 and the second pressure P 2 .

[0058] During operation 306, after the refrigerant reaches the third state by the compressor, during operation 308, the refrigerant travels through one or more first heat exchangers, such as heat exchanger system 101. Traveling through the one or more heat exchangers causes the refrigerant to enter a fourth state. The fourth state is a fourth temperature T 4 and the third pressure P 3 The pressure in the heat exchanger does not change, but the temperature of the refrigerant increases from the third temperature T 3 Reduce to the fourth temperature T 4 .

[0059] During operation 308, after the refrigerant travels through the one or more first heat exchangers, the refrigerant travels through an expander, such as expander 104, during operation 310. The expansion of the refrigerant generates power, which is used to power the first compressor during operation 304 while reducing the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant to a fifth state. The temperature and pressure of the refrigerant are reduced from the fourth temperature T 4 and the third pressure P 3 Reduce to the fifth temperature T5 and the fourth pressure P 4 . The fourth pressure P 4 With the first pressure P 1 Similar or identical. Fifth temperature T 5 Below the first temperature T 1 , the second temperature T 2 , the third temperature T 3 Or the fourth temperature T 4 The refrigerant is cooled to a fifth temperature T 5 Enables refrigerant to be used as cooling medium.

[0060] After the refrigerant is expanded during operation 310, the refrigerant travels through one or more second heat exchangers during operation 312. The one or more second heat exchangers may be a second heat exchanger system 103, such as Figure 2 The refrigerant is passed through one or more second heat exchangers to raise the temperature of the refrigerant to a sixth temperature T 6 . The sixth temperature T 6 The first temperature T 1 In some embodiments, the sixth temperature T 6 With the first temperature T 1 different, but the refrigerant is mixed with other refrigerant streams in a pipe or a collecting container, such as collecting container 102, to form a refrigerant stream at a first temperature T 1 The pressure in the second heat exchanger is equal to the fourth pressure P 4 Compared to no change.

[0061] After traveling through the one or more second heat exchangers during operation 312, the refrigerant may flow through the system 100 again, such that the refrigerant is at least partially circulated. Alternatively, there may be a means to discharge at least some of the refrigerant at one or more points throughout the method 300. The rate at which the refrigerant is discharged may be approximately equal to or less than the rate at which the refrigerant is supplied using one or more circulating fluid sources, such as the circulating fluid source 110. The amount of refrigerant discharged may be slightly less than the amount of refrigerant supplied using the circulating fluid source, because some refrigerant may be lost at various joints and connections within the system 100.

[0062] Throughout method 300, the refrigerant in system 100 is a gas or is in a gas phase. Maintaining the refrigerant as a gas or gas phase reduces the mechanical complexity of the components within system 100 and can reduce the maintenance and manufacturing costs of system 100. Using waste materials that can be discharged when necessary as refrigerants further decouples the use of system 100 from other refrigerant sources, such as the location of a nearby water reservoir. Using waste materials as refrigerants further reduces additional capital and maintenance costs. Utilizing waste materials from an infrastructure, such as infrastructure 200, is also beneficial because the heat of the waste can be fully utilized rather than attempting to transfer the low level heat of the waste to water or steam using a heat exchanger. Using the low level heat in the waste further reduces the energy consumption used to heat a separate refrigerant and makes the entire heating and cooling cycle more efficient.

[0063] Please see the attached Appendix. While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a waste fluid inlet conduit; a compressor fluidly coupled to the waste fluid inlet conduit via a compressor inlet line; an expander fluidly coupled to the compressor; a heat exchanger fluidly disposed between the compressor and the expander such that the heat exchanger receives fluid from the compressor and fluid output by the compressor is input into the expander; as well as One or more fluid outlet conduits.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that Also included is a second compressor between the compressor and the one or more fluid outlet conduits.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that The waste fluid inlet conduit is coupled to a waste fluid source.

4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that The waste fluid source is a waste line from an infrastructure facility.

5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that The expander and the compressor are parts of an expander-compressor and share a dual shaft.

6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that The expander supplies power to the compressor.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that It also includes a collecting container, which is arranged between the waste fluid inlet pipe and the compressor, so that the waste fluid input through the waste fluid inlet pipe flows into the collecting container before flowing into the compressor.

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that The heat exchanger is a first heat exchanger, and the system further includes a second heat exchanger disposed between the expander and the collection vessel.

9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that The collecting container is connected to the compressor inlet of the compressor through a compressor inlet pipeline, the compressor outlet of the compressor is connected to the first heat exchanger inlet of the first heat exchanger through one or more compressor outlet pipelines, the first heat exchanger outlet of the first heat exchanger is connected to the expander inlet of the expander through an expander inlet pipeline, the expander outlet of the expander is connected to the second heat exchanger inlet of the second heat exchanger through an expander outlet pipeline, and the second heat exchanger outlet of the second heat exchanger is connected to the collecting container through the collecting container inlet pipeline.

10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that The system is configured such that refrigerant flows into the system using the waste fluid inlet pipe, then into the collection container, then into the compressor, then into the first heat exchanger, then into the expander, and then into the second heat exchanger.

11. A system comprising: An infrastructure; a waste fluid inlet conduit fluidly coupled to a waste port of the one piece of infrastructure; a compressor fluidly coupled to the waste fluid inlet conduit via a compressor inlet line; an expander fluidly coupled to the compressor; a first heat exchanger fluidly disposed between the expander and the compressor such that the first heat exchanger receives fluid from the expander and fluid output by the first heat exchanger is input into the compressor; a second heat exchanger fluidly disposed between the compressor and the expander such that the second heat exchanger receives fluid from the compressor and fluid output by the second heat exchanger is input into the expander; as well as One or more fluid outlet conduits.

12. The system according to claim 11, characterized in that The infrastructure is a power plant, a liquefied natural gas production plant, an oil refinery, a petrochemical production plant or a steel production plant.

13. The system according to claim 11, characterized in that A filter is used to filter the exhaust gas from the one infrastructure before it enters the waste fluid inlet conduit.

14. The system according to claim 11, characterized in that The first heat exchanger is a feed gas cooler and the second heat exchanger is a reboiler for heating a process fluid within the building infrastructure.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein: The one infrastructure also includes a stripper, an absorber and a separation drum, and the waste port supplies the waste gas from the separation drum.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein: Also included is a second compressor disposed between the compressor and the second heat exchanger.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein: The second compressor is electrically coupled to a power source.

18. A method of operating a heating and cooling system, comprising: receiving exhaust gas from an infrastructure; compressing the exhaust gas using a compressor; passing the exhaust gas through a first heat exchanger; expanding the exhaust gas using an expander; as well as The exhaust gas is passed through a second heat exchanger.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that Also included is compressing the exhaust gas using a second compressor, wherein the exhaust gas passes through the first heat exchanger after further compressing the exhaust gas in the second compressor but before expanding the exhaust gas in the expander, and the exhaust gas passes through the second heat exchanger after expanding the exhaust gas in the compressor.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: Also included is exhausting the exhaust gas from the heating and cooling system after expanding or compressing the exhaust gas.

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