| abstract |
The present invention is a multi-step process for generating energy from a source heat flow. Such a process comprises passing a heated media having a mixture of a low volatility component and a high volatility component into a phase separator. The vaporous working fluid is withdrawn from the phase separator and passed into a work zone, such as a turbine, wherein the fluid is expanded. The expanded vaporous working fluid is withdrawn from the work zone and passed into a direct contact condenser or absorber. The separated weak solution is withdrawn from the phase separator and passed into counter-current heat exchange relationship in an interchanger with a portion of media from the direct contact condenser or absorber. The media from the direct contact condenser or absorber is withdrawn and passed into a fluid pressurizing zone. A portion of the media is then pumped into the interchanger where the media is heated and passed into counter-current heat exchange relationship in a trim heater with a portion of the source heat flow. The remaining portion of the media from the fluid pressurizing zone is pumped into counter-current heat exchange relationship in a regenerator with the remaining portion of the source heat flow. The heated media flows from the trim heater and the regenerator are combined to form the heated media and the cycle repeated. |