Method and apparatus for using exhaust gas condenser to reclaim and

Abstract

A continuous combustion, pinned vane type, positive displacement, rotary compressor and expander engine system comprises a compressor which outputs compressed air, a combustor which effects continuous combustion of a combustion gas mixture containing fuel and compressed air and produces a combustion gas output. An expander is coupled to receive a mixture of combustion gas and an expansion fluid as an expandable working gas. The expander expands the expandable working gas and performs work to cause rotation of an engine output shaft. The engine system includes an expansion fluid flow path having an input port to which the expansion fluid is supplied, and an output port coupled to combine the expansion fluid with the combustion gas as the expandable working gas. The expansion fluid flow path is in thermal communication with the expander housing such that there is a thermal energy transfer from the housing to the expansion fluid, thereby increasing the thermal energy of the expansion fluid that has been supplied to the input port of the expansion fluid flow path, and is output from the output port for combination with the combustion gas as the expandable working gas. An expansion fluid condensation sub-system coupled in fluid communication with the exhaust manifold includes a heat exchanger and a condensation accumulator. Expansion fluid reclaimed in the condensation accumulator is recirculated to the expander.