Steam-Driven Compressor for Low-Temperature Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steam engines and turbines are inefficient and costly, particularly when operating with wet saturated steam or low-temperature heat sources, limiting their ability to extract useful work for mechanical or electrical power generation.
Innovation Solution
A pressurized gas powered compressor system that utilizes pressurized gas, such as wet saturated steam, to drive a compressor with multiple piston-cylinder assemblies, transferring force through a transfer system and controlling input and exhaust with a timing system, allowing for efficient work extraction and conversion into compressed air or electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If reciprocating steam pumps are used, then pumping action can be achieved, but the device becomes heavy and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional heavy reciprocating steam pump mechanism with a steam-driven compressor system that uses pistons and cylinders to compress air or gas, which then drives a turbine or motor to produce pumping action. This substitution of direct mechanical pumping with a thermodynamic cycle (steam expansion → compression → turbine/motor → pumping) reduces mechanical weight while improving efficiency through energy conversion.
2Power
If steam-driven turbines are used, then power extraction is achieved, but the system requires precisely controlled dry superheated steam conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a steam-driven compressor as an intermediary device between the steam source and the power extraction system. The compressor accepts wet or saturated steam directly, compresses it to the required pressure and temperature conditions, and then delivers it to the turbine or motor. This intermediary compression stage eliminates the need for complex steam conditioning systems and allows direct use of wet steam from industrial processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the steam properties through the compression process. By compressing wet or saturated steam, the system changes its pressure, temperature, and quality parameters to suitable values for power extraction. This parameter transformation allows flexible adaptation to various steam source conditions without requiring precise control of initial steam state.
3Use of energy by moving object
If Organic Rankine Cycle turbines are used, then useful work can be extracted from low-temperature heat sources, but capital and operating costs become too high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simpler, more cost-effective components compared to Organic Rankine Cycle turbines. Instead of using complex ORC turbines with specialized working fluids and heat exchangers, the system uses conventional steam-driven compressors with pistons, cylinders, and basic valve mechanisms. These components are cheaper to manufacture, easier to maintain, and can be replaced more economically, reducing both capital and operating costs while achieving the same energy utilization goal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a cost-effective and efficient means to extract useful work from low-grade steam, reducing energy costs and increasing efficiency by converting residual heat into mechanical or electrical power, while maintaining a compact and modular design for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
channel the pressurized gas through two or more input piston-cylinder assemblies
Implementation Method 2
a transfer system configured to transfer force generated in the input piston-cylinder assemblies onto the output piston-cylinder assemblies
Implementation Method 3
an output circuit including two or more output piston-cylinder assemblies, each output piston-cylinder assembly including an intake valve for entry of fluid and an output valve for exit of compressed fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a compressor powered by a pressurized gas, whether steam or another working fluid, and a system for extracting work using such as compressor. The pressurized gas may comprise a heated working fluid in a gaseous state, to displace a piston in an input circuit, which in turn displaces a piston in an output circuit, thereby compressing a compressible fluid or displacing an incompressible fluid. A purpose of the compressor is to convert waste heat, heat generated by the combustion of biomass or other fuels, or heat resulting from the concentration of solar energy into useful power, whether configured to produce compressed air or pump water, which can displace the electricity otherwise used for this purpose, or to produce electricity or motive force directly, through a hydraulic circuit. The system for extracting work does so by an output fluid which is compressed or pumped by a pressurized gas powered compressor.