IP Library Granted Patent US 11,073,169
Granted Patent B2
US 11,073,169 · App. 16/452,236 · Granted Jul 27, 2021

Power generation system with rotary liquid piston compressor for transcritical and supercritical compression of fluids

Inventor: Azam Thatte (San Leandro, CA)
Assignee: Energy Recovery, Inc.
F04F13/00F01K3/006F01K7/16F01K7/32F01K21/045F01K25/103F02C1/105
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,073,169
App. No.
16/452,236
Granted
Jul 27, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A rotary liquid piston compressor and a power generation system including a first fluid loop. The first fluid loop includes a pump that circulates a liquid. A second fluid loop that generates power by circulating a supercritical fluid. The second fluid loop includes a turbine that rotates and powers a generator as the supercritical fluid flows through the turbine. A rotary liquid piston compressor fluidly coupled to the first fluid loop and the second fluid loop. The rotary liquid piston compressor exchanges pressure between the liquid circulating in the first fluid loop and the supercritical fluid circulating in the second fluid loop.

Claims (15)

1. A system comprising:

a first fluid loop, the first fluid loop comprises:

a pump configured to circulate a liquid;

a second fluid loop configured to generate power by circulating a supercritical fluid, the second fluid loop comprises:

a turbine configured to rotate and power a generator as the supercritical fluid flows through the turbine; and

a first rotary liquid piston compressor fluidly coupled to the first fluid loop and the second fluid loop, wherein the first rotary liquid piston compressor is configured to exchange pressure between the liquid circulating in the first fluid loop and the supercritical fluid circulating in the second fluid loop.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the supercritical fluid comprises carbon dioxide, helium, supercritical steam, or an organic fluid.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the liquid is water.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first fluid loop comprises an evaporator chamber downstream from the first rotary liquid piston compressor, and wherein the evaporator chamber is configured to separate the supercritical fluid from the liquid as the supercritical fluid changes phases into a gas.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the first fluid loop comprises an orifice or pressure control valve upstream from the evaporator chamber.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second fluid loop comprises a recompressor.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the recompressor comprises a second rotary liquid piston compressor.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second fluid loop comprises a first recuperator or a first regenerator downstream from the first rotary liquid piston compressor.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the second fluid loop comprises a second recuperator or a second regenerator downstream from the first recuperator or the first regenerator.

10. The system of claim 1 , comprising a second rotary liquid piston compressor and a third rotary liquid piston compressor, wherein the first rotary liquid piston compressor is configured to transfer a first portion of the supercritical fluid to the second rotary liquid piston compressor and a second portion to the third rotary liquid piston compressor.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2021
From: ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 060751/0479 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 22, 2019
From: THATTE, AZAM
To: ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
Reel/Frame 050128/0688 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62690177 · Jun 26, 2018
Related Publication 20190390576A1 · Dec 26, 2019
Cited By (9)
US 12,209,778 US 12,253,033 US 12,264,588 US 12,276,447 US 12,392,528 US 12,571,327 US 12,590,738 US 12,644,565 US 12,655,805