Matteran Energy Cycle

The Matteran Energy Cycle was invented by Sterling Power Plant LC, under the name Matteran Energy Corporation and deals with renewable energy cycles that use low temperature (below 160 degrees Fahrenheit) renewable energy sources to produce electricity and refrigeration. The latest project is a thermodynamic cycle invented in 1995 by Jeff Sterling in Miami, Florida.
Overview
A simple patented thermal power technology is finding a niche converting 'warm' thermal energy sources into power.
This experimental residential-scale power plant is producing electricity and refrigeration fueled simply by the heat in warm water.
Nestled in an Avocado grove on the edge of the Florida Everglades, the patented low temperature thermo-cycle utilizes renewable thermal energy at its most economical collection temperatures (105-160 deg. F.).
The cycle appears promising for remote homes and small businesses fueled by solar energy, geothermal energy, co-generation, and even ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC).
Low temperature thermal sources are projected to produce power for 10% of the cost of comparable photovoltaic (PV), and 50% that of concentrated solar power and diesel power generation. A series of successful prototypes have culminated in a residential-scaled demonstrator, currently undergoing initial testing and tweaking.
Executive Summary
;Quoted from matteranenergy.com

Ours is a steam power plant that uses refrigerant instead of steam (it's called an ORC Rankine cycle).
Well, it used to be a Rankine cycle until we eliminated the working fluid feed pump, and replaced it with our own patented method for recycling the working fluid.
Now it's called a Matteran Energy cycle. What's it good for? Nothin' much, other than producing power without oil, gas, coal, or wood. To make electricity it takes heat from something warm, processes the heat into power, and then dumps the majority of that heat back to the earth.
The important thing is that the heat source only needs to be about 40oF hotter than the surrounding environmental temperature (ambient).
That's like the heat in a garden hose sitting in the sun.Hotter is better, but the most important factors are "how much of this heat is available?" and "how much is it going to cost to collect this heat?."
It operates on a unique US patented cycle. Power plants based on this technology will produce electricity, hydrogen, air conditioning, refrigeration, hydraulic power, and irrigation.
It's economical for cogeneration, being fueled by man-made renewable thermal sources including waste heat from factories, freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners, and the heat by-product from fuel cells.
It's also mighty handy for remote applications fueled by solar, geothermal, bio fuels, chimneys, firewood, trash, or any other source of warmth.

Collaboration with NASA Scientists and scientific validation
In September 2005, a study commissioned by the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) concludes that the cycle is equal or more efficient than the 150 year old Rankine cycle. SATOP's theoretical analysis was performed across a wide range of input temperatures, including an energy source of only 150 Fahrenheit. This is much too low a temperature for a commercial organic Rankine cycle power plant, however it's a temperature that is routinely operated at the outdoor East Everglades facility.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu