GB1301104A - Improvements in or relating to closed-cycle heat engines - Google Patents

Abstract

1301104 Closed cycle heat engines; gas turbine engines ROLLS ROYCE Ltd 17 July 1970 [17 July 1969] 35983/69 Heading F1G A closed cycle heat engine comprises at least one fluidized bed having a first flow path comprising at least one conduit which is embedded in use in the particulate material of the bed and which is connected to receive working fluid exhausted by the engine, and a second flow path adapted to contain the particulate material of the bed and which is adapted to be supplied with a cooling gas so as to fluidize the particulate material. The closed cycle gas turbine plant shown in Fig. 1 comprises compressor 12, working fluid heater 18, a first turbine 20 which drives the compressor and a second turbine 24 which drives a useful load which may be the transmission of a vehicle. The working fluid discharging from the power turbine 24 passes through a coil 40 which is disposed within the particulate material 38 of a fluidized bed heat exchanger 32, cooling air being supplied by fan 46 to fluidize the bed, the air entering at 42 and discharging at 44. In Fig. 2 the heat exchanger comprises four elements 37a through which the working fluid flows in series through coils 40u and to which cooling air is supplied in four parallel paths entering at 42a and discharging at 44a; the particulate material is indicated at 38a. In Fig.3 (not shown) the heat exchanger again comprises four elements (37b) through which the working fluid flows in series through coils (40b) and through which the cooling air flows in series entering each section at (42b) and discharging therefrom at (44b). The cooling air discharging from the heat exchangers may be utilised to preheat the working fluid passing to the heater 18. The particulate material may be sand. The invention is also applicable in the case of Rankine cycle engines in which the fluidized bed acts as a condenser and to closed cycle piston engines.