WO2011007197A1

WO2011007197A1 - Lowgen low grade energy power generation system

Info

Publication number: WO2011007197A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/053067
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Kangwana
Original assignee: Michael Kangwana
Priority date: 2009-07-15
Filing date: 2009-07-15
Publication date: 2011-01-20

Abstract

The invention is characterised by its use of a heat pump and heat engine in conjunction to generate power in excess of what is consumed by the heat pump. Theoretical work has shown this method of power generation to be practical inclusive of the ineficiencies involved. Thermal loses are lower than they otherwise would be with conventional power gereration due to the lower temperature differentials relative to the environment. The invention is a possible method of renewable power generation.

Description

Title of Invention: LowGen

Low Grade Energy Power Generation System

[1] Low Grade Energy Power Generation (LowGen) is a method by which energy is extracted from low grade energy source for the purpose of generating energy in the form of electricity, motion, heat or any other form.

[2] The system comprises of a heat pump and a heat engine. For the purpose of illustration a turbine engine will be used as the heat engine throughout this paper.

[3] The sources of low grade energy include seas, oceans, rivers, lakes, ambient air, waste heat, the ground, and any other low-grade sources.

Technical Field

[4] As work is required for the system operate, the system must generate more energy than is consumed.

[5] The parts of the system that consume the most energy will be the heat pump and the compressor in the energy generation loop (see drawings).

[6] The higher temperature generated by the heat pump is not expected to be too high

(initially), therefore the coefficient of performance of the heat pump must be sufficiently high to ensure that the reduced efficiency of the turbine (due to lower temperature differentials) still allows for excess energy to be generated (with respect to energy consumed).

[7] Loses within the system are not expected to be high as the lower temperatures used in the system (with respect to a conventional power plant) result in lower heat loss.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical- Problem

[8] Low-grade energy exists in abundance but in order to extract energy from it there has to be potential. The fact that this energy exists in what is also the surrounding environment means that there is little or no exergy (work potential).

Technical- Solution

[9] The energy is extracted through a heat pump thus raising the exergy and thus

allowing work to be done as a potential has now been created. A heat pump is used as it is able to transport more energy than is consumes, vital to the operation of the LowGen system. The energy can now be used.

Advantageous Effects

[10] With the continual increase in energy demand, more fossil fuels are being consumed leading to the detrimental effects we see in many areas from health to the environment and energy security. The LowGen system allows for energy to be generated indefinitely with no fuel cost (after system startup), no pollution, and no reliance on factors that fluctuate such as sunlight and wind.

[11] LowGen has the ability to provide low-cost, constant, renewable, and pollution free energy.

[12] LowGen has the ability to generate base load and peak electricity supply.

Description Of Drawings

[13] The drawings show the different configurations of the system. Inculded in the

drawings are:

[14] A heat pump

[15] A heat engine, represented by a turbine

[16] Pipes

[17] A boiler

[18] A condensor

[19] A compressor

[20] Not included are other parts that allow the parts and system to work, the drawing is used only to show how the system would work and not the final setup.

Industrial Applicability

[21] The system uses mature technology, which may or may not need to be adapted. The system can be easily embedded into industry for whatever use it may be required for.

Claims

[Claim 1] The invention is comprises of a heat pump and heat engine used in conjunction to generate energy in any form.

[Claim 2] A heat pump is used to extract energy from a source. This energy is used to heat a fluid. This fluid is then pumped directly through a heat engine and/or is used to heat another fluid that is then used by the heat engine.

[Claim 3] The heat pumps heat source may include seas, oceans, rivers, streams, air, ground, waste heat and all other soucres from which energy can be extracted.

[Claim 4] The same as claim [2], however the fluid used in the heat pump is

connected directly to the heat engine. The system operates in either a closed or open loop.

[Claim 5] The same as claim [2] however the fluid used in the heat pump is not connected directly to the heat engine. The system operates in either a closed or open loop.

[Claim 6] The same as claim [2], however any number of heat pumps can be used in conjunction with any number of heat engines.

[Claim 7] The same as claim [2], however the condenser is cooled by the by the heat pump fluid.

[Claim 8] Any fluid, or mix of fluids can be used for any process in which fluids are required.

[Claim 9] Any part of the system can be excluded except the heat pump and heat engine.

[Claim 10] Any part of the system can operate in an open or closed loop regardless of any other part of the system.

[Claim 11] The heat pump can be of any type, soild state or conventional or any other type.

[Claim 12] The heat pump can extract heat from any number and any combination of low-grade heat sources.