Using the Biphase Turbine to Generate Useful Energy from Process Streams

Abstract

The Biphase turbine is a device for effectively converting enthalpy changes in a two-phase (liquid and gas) working fluid into mechanical energy. No other device is currently available for performing this task. The working fluid may be a single component, two-phase stream, as in a water-steam combination; or it may be a multi-component, two phase stream such as is often present in industrial processes. The performance of the Biphase turbine and its advantages over single-phase energy conversion devices' (steam or hydraulic turbines for example) have been demonstrated in its application to geothermal energy conversion. Its development and application to other areas such as waste-heat recovery, desalination, solar cooling, and now, two phase industrial process streams is being pursued by Biphase Energy Systems. This paper identifies specific industrial process streams from which power recoveries of up to two MW can be obtained. In current practice, this power is dissipated across two phase flash valves. A total potential national energy savings equivalent to 58 million barrels of oil per year is identified for processes examined in the five most energy-intensive industries.