CPC G21D 1/006 (2013.01) [F02C 1/05 (2013.01); F02C 1/10 (2013.01); F22B 37/002 (2013.01); G21D 1/02 (2013.01); G21C 15/24 (2013.01); G21D 7/00 (2013.01)] | 17 Claims |
1. A power conversion system for converting thermal energy from a heat source to electricity, comprising:
an shroud including an inlet and an outlet;
an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit respectively hydraulically coupled to the inlet and the outlet of the shroud for an environmental working fluid to flow through the inlet conduit, a space enclosed by the shroud, and the outlet conduit;
a compressor disposed adjacent the inlet of the shroud, and configured to suction the environmental working fluid into the inlet conduit from an external environment, and compress the environmental working fluid into the space enclosed by the shroud through the inlet;
a source heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy to the compressed environmental working fluid to heat up the compressed environmental working fluid;
a flange configured to seal a portion of the shroud, the flange including an inlet port and an outlet port;
an intermediary thermodynamic system configured to transfer thermal energy from a heat source to the source heat exchanger through the inlet port and outlet port;
wherein the intermediary thermodynamic system includes:
a pump configured to circulate a working fluid within the intermediary thermodynamic system;
an intermediary heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy from the heat source to the working fluid circulating within the intermediary thermodynamic system;
a heat transfer medium thermally coupled to the intermediary heat exchanger and the heat source; and
an intermediary pressure vessel configured to store and transfer thermal energy from the heat source to the heat transfer medium;
an expander disposed adjacent the outlet of the shroud and configured to convert thermal energy of the heated environmental working fluid exiting the outlet into rotative energy; and
an electric generator mechanically coupled with the expander and configured to convert the rotative energy into electricity.
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