CA1152563A - Closed loop power generating method and apparatus - Google Patents
Closed loop power generating method and apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1152563A CA1152563A CA000374149A CA374149A CA1152563A CA 1152563 A CA1152563 A CA 1152563A CA 000374149 A CA000374149 A CA 000374149A CA 374149 A CA374149 A CA 374149A CA 1152563 A CA1152563 A CA 1152563A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- liquid
- evaporation chamber
- operating
- fluid
- chamber
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
- F01K25/00—Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for; Plants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for
- F01K25/08—Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for; Plants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for using special vapours
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
- F01K9/00—Plants characterised by condensers arranged or modified to co-operate with the engines
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G6/00—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy
- F03G6/003—Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy having a Rankine cycle
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/46—Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Engine Equipment That Uses Special Cycles (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Method and apparatus for generating power which includes a closed loop path through which a working fluid is circulated is disclosed. The circulation path includes a prime mover, such as a turbine, to which operating fluid in the vapor state is supplied from an evaporation chamber which is partically filled with oper-ating liquid. A condenser is located within the operating li-quid within the evaporation chamber adjacent the bottom of the chamber, through which condenser working vapor discharged from the turbine is passed for cooling the vapor to condense the same, with the heat of vaporzation passing from the vapor into the opera-ting liquid within the evaporation chamber. Operating liquid from the condenser is pumped through heating means, such as a solar collector, for heating the liquid without vaporizing the same. The heated working liquid from the heating means is passed into the evaporation chamber for vaporization thereof.
Heat in operating liquid within the evaporation chamber is ab-sorbed as heat of vaporization by the evaporating operating liquid to cool operating liquid in the evaporation chamber. The cold operating liquid at the bottom of the chamber facilitates removal of heat from the turbine exhaust through the condenser at the bottom of the chamber. The turbine may be used to drive a genertor which, in turn, may supply electrical energy to an electrical motor. The system is well adapted for use with a vehicle, wherein a solor collector is mounted on the vehicle roof for use in heating the working fluid.
Method and apparatus for generating power which includes a closed loop path through which a working fluid is circulated is disclosed. The circulation path includes a prime mover, such as a turbine, to which operating fluid in the vapor state is supplied from an evaporation chamber which is partically filled with oper-ating liquid. A condenser is located within the operating li-quid within the evaporation chamber adjacent the bottom of the chamber, through which condenser working vapor discharged from the turbine is passed for cooling the vapor to condense the same, with the heat of vaporzation passing from the vapor into the opera-ting liquid within the evaporation chamber. Operating liquid from the condenser is pumped through heating means, such as a solar collector, for heating the liquid without vaporizing the same. The heated working liquid from the heating means is passed into the evaporation chamber for vaporization thereof.
Heat in operating liquid within the evaporation chamber is ab-sorbed as heat of vaporization by the evaporating operating liquid to cool operating liquid in the evaporation chamber. The cold operating liquid at the bottom of the chamber facilitates removal of heat from the turbine exhaust through the condenser at the bottom of the chamber. The turbine may be used to drive a genertor which, in turn, may supply electrical energy to an electrical motor. The system is well adapted for use with a vehicle, wherein a solor collector is mounted on the vehicle roof for use in heating the working fluid.
Description
31 Method and means ~or generating power using a working fluid 32 which circulates in a closed loop path are, o~ course, well .
~ . -..- -2-__ ' Il ~2S63 . . , , 1 known as shown, for example, in United States Patent Numbers-
~ . -..- -2-__ ' Il ~2S63 . . , , 1 known as shown, for example, in United States Patent Numbers-
2 2,942,41l; 3,152,442; 3,234,738; 3,287,90i; 3,903,700; 3; 995,4~9,
3 4,010,732; and 4,171,617. However, in none of the patents is
4 there shown an eVapQration chamber partially filled with working liquid, adjacent the bottom of which chamber is located a conden-6 ser within the working liquid, through which condenser working 7 fluid in vapor fo~m from a prime mover is passed for condensing 8 the vapor. Operating liquid within the evaporation chamber is 9 cooled as heat therein is absorbed as heat of vaporiza~ion by 10 evaporating working fluid in the evaporation chamber.
". '}1 14 An obJect of this invention i~ the provision of improved 15 method and apparatus for generating power economicall~.
16 An object of this invention is the provision of an improved 17 power genèrating source which includes solar heàting means for -18 heating circulating working liquid, which source is of compact 1~ design, suitable for use in propelling a vehicle.
An object of this invention is the provision o~ a power 21 generating system having a closed loop working ~luid circulation 22 path wherein heat for the vaporization of a working fluid used 23 to operate/pr me mover îs obtained from working fluid discharged 24 from the prime mover to condense the discharged fluid~ ~or improvec 25 operating efficiency.
26 The above and other objects and advantages of this invention 27 are achieved by use of a fluid-tight evaporation chamber which 28 contains working fluid, a portion of ~lhich fluid is in liquid 29 form, partially filling the chamber with said liquid. Operating 30 fluid vapor is supplied to the inlet of a prime mover, such as a 31 turbine. A condenser is located in the working liquid within the 32 evaporation chamber adiacent the bottom of the cham~er, through 1152S6al 1¦ which condenser working fluid vapor is passed for condensing the 21 same to`reduce the pressure of the vapor at the turbine outlet.
31 Working liquid from the condenser is pumped through a solar col~
4 ¦ lector to heat the liquid without vaporization thereof. Heate~
liquid from the solar collector is discharged into the evaporation 6 ¦ chamber above the working liquid contained therein ~or vaporiza-7 ¦ tion thereof. Heat is absorbed ~rom the operating liquid within 8 ¦ the e~aporation chamber as heat of vaporization o~ the liquid 9 therein for cooling the liquid~ and the condenser submerged there-in. The turbine'may be used to drive a vehicle, or to ~rive a 11 generator for the generation of electrical energy which may be 12 used to energize an electric motor for propelling the vehicle.
13 ¦ The solar collector for heating the working liqu~d may be mounted 14 on the vehicle for direct exposure thereof to solar energy.
The invention, as well as other objects and advantage~
16 1 thereof will become apparent from the following detailed ' -17 ¦-de'scription considered'-with the'-accompanying drawings',`-`a ~ -18 l 19 - ~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF T Æ DRAWINGS
' 21 In the drawings,w~erein like reference characters re~er t~
22 ¦ the same parts in the several views: -23 I Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a closed loop~power 24 generating system which enbodies the present invention, ~nd Figure 2 is a side elevational view of vehicle showing 22268 ¦ th power gen~Pating system therewith for driviP~ the v-hicle.
~9 ~15~S~3 1 Reference first is made to Fig. 1 of the drawings wherein 2 the novel power generating system o~ this in~ention is shown comprising an evaporation chamber 10 filled with a working or 4 operating fluid 12, a portion of which ~luid is in liquid form to partially fill the chamber with working liquid. A highly volatile 6 working medium is employed, such as ammonia, methyl chloride, 7 propane, ''Freon", or the like, having a boiling point well below 8 ambient temperature. Obviously, the invention is not limited ta ~ use with the above-identified working fluid. Depending upon the temperature and fluid employed, a vapor pressure on the order o~
11 say, 140 psi may be provided inside the chamber. Condensing means 12 14 are located inside the evaporation chanber 10 adjacent the 13 bottom thereof for use in condensing operating vapor from a prime 14 mover 16 in a manner described below. Preferably, the evaporation chamber is well insulated to minimize heat transfer through the 16 walls thereof. Also, a rslatively deep chamber is employed ~or 17 maximum temperature difference between the top and bottom o~ the -18 working liquid contained therein for reasons which will become 19 apparent hereinbelow.
- The prime mover 16, such as a turbine, is provided with 21 operating vapor, or gas, from the eVaporatiQn cha~er 10 through 22 conduit 18 extending from the top of the chamber to the turbine 23 inlet. In the closed loop working fluid circulation path includ-24 ed in the system, broken line arrows identify the flow ~ working 25 Yapor, and arrows shown in full line identify the flow of working 26 liquid. Vaporized working fluid from the outlet of the turbine 1~
27 is supplied through a conduit 20 to the condenser 14 at the bottom 28 of the evaporation chamber where vapor is cooled and conden~ed.
". '}1 14 An obJect of this invention i~ the provision of improved 15 method and apparatus for generating power economicall~.
16 An object of this invention is the provision of an improved 17 power genèrating source which includes solar heàting means for -18 heating circulating working liquid, which source is of compact 1~ design, suitable for use in propelling a vehicle.
An object of this invention is the provision o~ a power 21 generating system having a closed loop working ~luid circulation 22 path wherein heat for the vaporization of a working fluid used 23 to operate/pr me mover îs obtained from working fluid discharged 24 from the prime mover to condense the discharged fluid~ ~or improvec 25 operating efficiency.
26 The above and other objects and advantages of this invention 27 are achieved by use of a fluid-tight evaporation chamber which 28 contains working fluid, a portion of ~lhich fluid is in liquid 29 form, partially filling the chamber with said liquid. Operating 30 fluid vapor is supplied to the inlet of a prime mover, such as a 31 turbine. A condenser is located in the working liquid within the 32 evaporation chamber adiacent the bottom of the cham~er, through 1152S6al 1¦ which condenser working fluid vapor is passed for condensing the 21 same to`reduce the pressure of the vapor at the turbine outlet.
31 Working liquid from the condenser is pumped through a solar col~
4 ¦ lector to heat the liquid without vaporization thereof. Heate~
liquid from the solar collector is discharged into the evaporation 6 ¦ chamber above the working liquid contained therein ~or vaporiza-7 ¦ tion thereof. Heat is absorbed ~rom the operating liquid within 8 ¦ the e~aporation chamber as heat of vaporization o~ the liquid 9 therein for cooling the liquid~ and the condenser submerged there-in. The turbine'may be used to drive a vehicle, or to ~rive a 11 generator for the generation of electrical energy which may be 12 used to energize an electric motor for propelling the vehicle.
13 ¦ The solar collector for heating the working liqu~d may be mounted 14 on the vehicle for direct exposure thereof to solar energy.
The invention, as well as other objects and advantage~
16 1 thereof will become apparent from the following detailed ' -17 ¦-de'scription considered'-with the'-accompanying drawings',`-`a ~ -18 l 19 - ~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF T Æ DRAWINGS
' 21 In the drawings,w~erein like reference characters re~er t~
22 ¦ the same parts in the several views: -23 I Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a closed loop~power 24 generating system which enbodies the present invention, ~nd Figure 2 is a side elevational view of vehicle showing 22268 ¦ th power gen~Pating system therewith for driviP~ the v-hicle.
~9 ~15~S~3 1 Reference first is made to Fig. 1 of the drawings wherein 2 the novel power generating system o~ this in~ention is shown comprising an evaporation chamber 10 filled with a working or 4 operating fluid 12, a portion of which ~luid is in liquid form to partially fill the chamber with working liquid. A highly volatile 6 working medium is employed, such as ammonia, methyl chloride, 7 propane, ''Freon", or the like, having a boiling point well below 8 ambient temperature. Obviously, the invention is not limited ta ~ use with the above-identified working fluid. Depending upon the temperature and fluid employed, a vapor pressure on the order o~
11 say, 140 psi may be provided inside the chamber. Condensing means 12 14 are located inside the evaporation chanber 10 adjacent the 13 bottom thereof for use in condensing operating vapor from a prime 14 mover 16 in a manner described below. Preferably, the evaporation chamber is well insulated to minimize heat transfer through the 16 walls thereof. Also, a rslatively deep chamber is employed ~or 17 maximum temperature difference between the top and bottom o~ the -18 working liquid contained therein for reasons which will become 19 apparent hereinbelow.
- The prime mover 16, such as a turbine, is provided with 21 operating vapor, or gas, from the eVaporatiQn cha~er 10 through 22 conduit 18 extending from the top of the chamber to the turbine 23 inlet. In the closed loop working fluid circulation path includ-24 ed in the system, broken line arrows identify the flow ~ working 25 Yapor, and arrows shown in full line identify the flow of working 26 liquid. Vaporized working fluid from the outlet of the turbine 1~
27 is supplied through a conduit 20 to the condenser 14 at the bottom 28 of the evaporation chamber where vapor is cooled and conden~ed.
-5-1 Condensed working liquid from the condenser 14 is pumped by 2 pump 22 through conduit 24 to heating means 26, here sho~m com-prising a solar collector, for heating the fluid to a temperature .
4 less than boiling. Heate~ ~:ork;ng liquid ~rom the solar collect-or 26 is discharged into the evaporation chamber 10, above the
4 less than boiling. Heate~ ~:ork;ng liquid ~rom the solar collect-or 26 is discharged into the evaporation chamber 10, above the
6 liquid in the chamber, through conduit 28. ~ throttle valve 30
7 may be included in the conduit 28 adjacen~ the evaporation .
8 chamber to reduce the pressure o~ the ~luid discha~ged into g evaporation chamber and provide for the control o~ the rate at which fluid is discharged into the evaporation chamber. Upon 11 discharging into the evaporation chambe~, the heated liquid from 12 the solar co~lector vaporizes, with heat of va.po~i~.ation passing 13 to the heated liquid from working liquid in the bottom of the 14 chamber to cool said working liquid. Because o~ heat stratifica-tion within the chamber lG, working liquid àt the bottom of the 16 cha~ber tends to be coldest, which results in maximum cooling 17 of the tùrbine discharge by condenser 14 located at the bottom ..:.
18 of the ch~mber.
19 To maximize vapor pressure within the evaporation chamber 10, he~ting means may be included adjacent the surfa~e Or the 21 working liquid in th_ chamber~ In Fig. l, heating means compris-22 ing a heat exchanger 32 is located in the e~aporation ch~mber 10 23 within the wor~ing liquid 12 adjacent the surface thereof. The 24 heat exchar,ger 32 is supplied with heated worXing li~uid from the solar collector 26 throu~h ~ valve 34. Fluid from the heat 26 exchanger 32 is returned to the inlet of the pump 22 through con-27 duit 36 for circuiation of heated operating liquid through the 28 heat exchange~ 32 when the valve 34 is open. The surface tempera 29 ture of the operating liquid within the eva~o~a~ion chamber is .
thereby raised to increase the vapor pressure in the chamber.
31 . .
. -6-.
115~56;~ 1 1 -`~A valve operator 38 which is responsive to the output from a 2 temperature sensing transducer 4O within the evaporation chamber 3 may be included ~or automatic operation of the valve 34 in - 4 response to the temperatu~e, and therefore pressure, of the work-ing vapor within the chamber. As the temperature o~ the working 6 vapor- decreases, the valve 34 is opened further for increased 7 flow of heated operating liquid through the heat exchanger 32.
8 Power from the output shaf-t o~ the turbine may be employed
18 of the ch~mber.
19 To maximize vapor pressure within the evaporation chamber 10, he~ting means may be included adjacent the surfa~e Or the 21 working liquid in th_ chamber~ In Fig. l, heating means compris-22 ing a heat exchanger 32 is located in the e~aporation ch~mber 10 23 within the wor~ing liquid 12 adjacent the surface thereof. The 24 heat exchar,ger 32 is supplied with heated worXing li~uid from the solar collector 26 throu~h ~ valve 34. Fluid from the heat 26 exchanger 32 is returned to the inlet of the pump 22 through con-27 duit 36 for circuiation of heated operating liquid through the 28 heat exchange~ 32 when the valve 34 is open. The surface tempera 29 ture of the operating liquid within the eva~o~a~ion chamber is .
thereby raised to increase the vapor pressure in the chamber.
31 . .
. -6-.
115~56;~ 1 1 -`~A valve operator 38 which is responsive to the output from a 2 temperature sensing transducer 4O within the evaporation chamber 3 may be included ~or automatic operation of the valve 34 in - 4 response to the temperatu~e, and therefore pressure, of the work-ing vapor within the chamber. As the temperature o~ the working 6 vapor- decreases, the valve 34 is opened further for increased 7 flow of heated operating liquid through the heat exchanger 32.
8 Power from the output shaf-t o~ the turbine may be employed
9 as desired. In the illustrated arrangement the turbine l6 is shown driving a generator 4~ ~or generation of electrical energ~
11 Energy for operation of the pump 22 may be provided, ~or example, 12 by an electric motor 44 supplied with electricity ~rom the gener-13 atbr 42. Also, in Fig. 1 the generator output is shown supplied 14 to a second electric motor 46 which motor, as illustrated in Fig. 2, may be used for dri~ing a vehicle. Obviously, the elec-16 trical system may include a battery 48 and associated regulating means, not shown, which battery is charged by the generator out-18 put during system operation.
19 - Alth~ugh the operation of the system is believed to be apparent, a brief description thereo~ now ~ill be provided. The 21 temperature of operating liquid pumped into the evaporation 22 chamber lO from the heating means 26 is above the ~emperature of 23 operating liquid already in the vacuum chamber. Operating liquid 24 is heated to ambient temperature, or above, by ~he heating means 26, here sho~m as a solar collector. The pump 22 is operated by 26 energization o~ motor 44 to pump working liquid through the hea~-27 ing means 26 and, thence, into the evaporation chamber lO under 28 pressure supplied by the pump. Working liquid pumped into the evaporation chamber lO is at a higher temperature than working liquid in the bottom o~ the chamber and vaporizes upon entering 3zl the evap tion chamber, with heat for such vapori~ation being , . .
- ~ S;~:Si63 ., ., . I
1 extracted from operating liquid contained in the evapo~ation 2 chamber; Working liquid in the evaporation chamber 10 is thereby 8 cooled, with the liquid at the bottom o~ the cham~er tending to 4 be c~ldest due to stratification ther~o~. The cooled operating liquid in the chamber serves to remo~e heat from the condenser 14 at the bottom of the ch~mber.
7 ~ith bperation of the pump 22, the pressure at the turbine 8 out et also is reducPd, and a vapor pressure di~ferential exist~
9 across the turbine between the turbine inlet and outlet ~or driving the same. ~orking vapo~ from the turbine outlet enteræ
11 the condenser 14 where it iæ condensed, with the heat o~ YapOri-12 zation passing into the operating liquid at the bottom o~ evapora-13 tion chamber 10. From the condenser 14, working liquid i8 pumped through the solar collector 26, and the cycle is repeated for 15 continuous operation o$ the system.
16 The pump 22 a~so functions to circulate heated working 17 liquid from the solar collecto~ 26 through the heat exchanger 18 32 to heat the surface of the operating liquid within the e~apora-19 tion chamber for increased evaporation of liquid and resulting increased vapor pressure within the chamber. Automatic control 21 of the valve 34 in response to the vapoi temperature, o~ pressure, 22 wit~in the evaporation chamber is provided.
23 An alternative, or auxiliary7 method of fitar*ing operation 24 o~ the power ~ource involves venting some of the wor~ing ~apor from the evaporation chamber to reduce the pressure o~ ~apor 26 within the cham~er. In Fig. 1 a conduit 50 with a ~1Y~ ~
27 therein i8 provided at the top sf the ch~mber 10 th~ough which 28 working vapor is vented when the valve 52 i8 opened. During 29 such venting the pressure is reduced and operating liquid evapor--30 ~tes to cool working liquid remaining in the chamber. With the 31 condenser 14 at a lower temperature, the pressure at the tu~bine ~ 32 _ ~8-~ ~lS2563 .' . . . '. .
1 outlet is reduced. When the valve is reclosed, pressure within 2 the evaporation chamber returns to normal to provide a vapor 3 pressure differential ac~oss the turbine to drive the same. The pump 22 is dri~en by the motor 44~ and the system continues to operate.in the manner descr-ibed above. If dPsired, working vapo~
6 from conduit 40 may be vented into another chamber, or reservoir~
7 not shown, which previously had been evacuated, to prevent loss 8 of operating vapor into the atmosphere. Fluid in such chamber, 9 or reservoir, may be returned, as by pumping, to the circulation path'of the closed loop system once the system has become opera-Il ti~e. '' ' - ' ' 12 ~he novel power generating system is well adapted for use 13 as a vehicu~r propulsion system, and reference now is made to 14 Fig. 2 wherein there is shown a vehicle 60 equipped_with the 1$ system. In the'diagrammatic illustration, the evaporation cham-'16 ber lO, turbine 16, generator 42, 'traction motor 46, and pump 22 17 are shown mounted inside the engine compartment of the vehicle.
18 ~he solar collector 26 is shown mounted on the roof of the vehicle '19 with the conduits 24 and 28 for connection of the solar collector to assoc'iated system elements being shown extending through a 21 roof support post to hide the conduits from normal ~iew thereat~
22 The output shaft of motor ~6 is diagrammatically shown connected 23 by mechanical csnnecting m-eans 62 to the front wheels of the 24 vehicle. For simplicity, other elements of the system are not shown in Fig. 2.
26 The im ention having been described in detail in accord-27 ance with requirements of the Patent Statues, various changes and 28 modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in-'this 29 art. For example, other heating means in place of or in addition to, those shown may be used fQr heating the working liquid for 32 _9_ "
~ 115Z:~63 1 conversion thereof to vapor. For example, electrical heating mea~
~ may be employed. Alternatively, ambient air may be circulated 3 through a heat exchanger, such as ~he illustrated heat exchanger 4 32, for heating the surface o~ the operating liquid in the evaporation chamber. Also, the heat exchanger 10 may be proYided 6 with a light-transmitting top mlember, or cover-, and located so 7 as to receive sun light, for additional heating of the surface 8 of the operating li~uid 12 within the tank. Also a solar collect-9 or, or other such heating means, may be located in the conduit lô for ~urther heating of operating fluid enter;ng the turbine~
11 It is intended that the above and other such changes and modî-12 fications shall fall within the spirit and scope of the inven-16 tio efined in the appended Claims.
271 ~ '
11 Energy for operation of the pump 22 may be provided, ~or example, 12 by an electric motor 44 supplied with electricity ~rom the gener-13 atbr 42. Also, in Fig. 1 the generator output is shown supplied 14 to a second electric motor 46 which motor, as illustrated in Fig. 2, may be used for dri~ing a vehicle. Obviously, the elec-16 trical system may include a battery 48 and associated regulating means, not shown, which battery is charged by the generator out-18 put during system operation.
19 - Alth~ugh the operation of the system is believed to be apparent, a brief description thereo~ now ~ill be provided. The 21 temperature of operating liquid pumped into the evaporation 22 chamber lO from the heating means 26 is above the ~emperature of 23 operating liquid already in the vacuum chamber. Operating liquid 24 is heated to ambient temperature, or above, by ~he heating means 26, here sho~m as a solar collector. The pump 22 is operated by 26 energization o~ motor 44 to pump working liquid through the hea~-27 ing means 26 and, thence, into the evaporation chamber lO under 28 pressure supplied by the pump. Working liquid pumped into the evaporation chamber lO is at a higher temperature than working liquid in the bottom o~ the chamber and vaporizes upon entering 3zl the evap tion chamber, with heat for such vapori~ation being , . .
- ~ S;~:Si63 ., ., . I
1 extracted from operating liquid contained in the evapo~ation 2 chamber; Working liquid in the evaporation chamber 10 is thereby 8 cooled, with the liquid at the bottom o~ the cham~er tending to 4 be c~ldest due to stratification ther~o~. The cooled operating liquid in the chamber serves to remo~e heat from the condenser 14 at the bottom of the ch~mber.
7 ~ith bperation of the pump 22, the pressure at the turbine 8 out et also is reducPd, and a vapor pressure di~ferential exist~
9 across the turbine between the turbine inlet and outlet ~or driving the same. ~orking vapo~ from the turbine outlet enteræ
11 the condenser 14 where it iæ condensed, with the heat o~ YapOri-12 zation passing into the operating liquid at the bottom o~ evapora-13 tion chamber 10. From the condenser 14, working liquid i8 pumped through the solar collector 26, and the cycle is repeated for 15 continuous operation o$ the system.
16 The pump 22 a~so functions to circulate heated working 17 liquid from the solar collecto~ 26 through the heat exchanger 18 32 to heat the surface of the operating liquid within the e~apora-19 tion chamber for increased evaporation of liquid and resulting increased vapor pressure within the chamber. Automatic control 21 of the valve 34 in response to the vapoi temperature, o~ pressure, 22 wit~in the evaporation chamber is provided.
23 An alternative, or auxiliary7 method of fitar*ing operation 24 o~ the power ~ource involves venting some of the wor~ing ~apor from the evaporation chamber to reduce the pressure o~ ~apor 26 within the cham~er. In Fig. 1 a conduit 50 with a ~1Y~ ~
27 therein i8 provided at the top sf the ch~mber 10 th~ough which 28 working vapor is vented when the valve 52 i8 opened. During 29 such venting the pressure is reduced and operating liquid evapor--30 ~tes to cool working liquid remaining in the chamber. With the 31 condenser 14 at a lower temperature, the pressure at the tu~bine ~ 32 _ ~8-~ ~lS2563 .' . . . '. .
1 outlet is reduced. When the valve is reclosed, pressure within 2 the evaporation chamber returns to normal to provide a vapor 3 pressure differential ac~oss the turbine to drive the same. The pump 22 is dri~en by the motor 44~ and the system continues to operate.in the manner descr-ibed above. If dPsired, working vapo~
6 from conduit 40 may be vented into another chamber, or reservoir~
7 not shown, which previously had been evacuated, to prevent loss 8 of operating vapor into the atmosphere. Fluid in such chamber, 9 or reservoir, may be returned, as by pumping, to the circulation path'of the closed loop system once the system has become opera-Il ti~e. '' ' - ' ' 12 ~he novel power generating system is well adapted for use 13 as a vehicu~r propulsion system, and reference now is made to 14 Fig. 2 wherein there is shown a vehicle 60 equipped_with the 1$ system. In the'diagrammatic illustration, the evaporation cham-'16 ber lO, turbine 16, generator 42, 'traction motor 46, and pump 22 17 are shown mounted inside the engine compartment of the vehicle.
18 ~he solar collector 26 is shown mounted on the roof of the vehicle '19 with the conduits 24 and 28 for connection of the solar collector to assoc'iated system elements being shown extending through a 21 roof support post to hide the conduits from normal ~iew thereat~
22 The output shaft of motor ~6 is diagrammatically shown connected 23 by mechanical csnnecting m-eans 62 to the front wheels of the 24 vehicle. For simplicity, other elements of the system are not shown in Fig. 2.
26 The im ention having been described in detail in accord-27 ance with requirements of the Patent Statues, various changes and 28 modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in-'this 29 art. For example, other heating means in place of or in addition to, those shown may be used fQr heating the working liquid for 32 _9_ "
~ 115Z:~63 1 conversion thereof to vapor. For example, electrical heating mea~
~ may be employed. Alternatively, ambient air may be circulated 3 through a heat exchanger, such as ~he illustrated heat exchanger 4 32, for heating the surface o~ the operating liquid in the evaporation chamber. Also, the heat exchanger 10 may be proYided 6 with a light-transmitting top mlember, or cover-, and located so 7 as to receive sun light, for additional heating of the surface 8 of the operating li~uid 12 within the tank. Also a solar collect-9 or, or other such heating means, may be located in the conduit lô for ~urther heating of operating fluid enter;ng the turbine~
11 It is intended that the above and other such changes and modî-12 fications shall fall within the spirit and scope of the inven-16 tio efined in the appended Claims.
271 ~ '
-10-
Claims (11)
1. Apparatus for generating power comprising a closed loop circulation path including, an evaporation chamber containing operating fluid in liquid and vapor states, a prime mover, conduit means for conducting operating fluid vapor from said evaporation chamber to said turbine, condensing means in the liquid operating fluid inside the evaporation chamber, conduit means for conducting vapor discharged from said turbine to said condensing means for cooling and condensing the vapor, fluid heating means, means for pumping operating liquid from said condensing means to said fluid heating means to heat said operating liquid, and conduit means for the passage of heated operating liquid from said fluid heating means for discharging said liquid into said evaporation chamber adjacent the top of the chamber for vaporization of the heated operating liquid inside said evapora-tion chamber.
2. Apparatus for generating power as defined in Claim 1 wherein said prime mover comprises a turbine.
3. Apparatus for generating power as defined in Claim 1 wherein said fluid heating means comprises a solar collector for heating operating fluid by sun light.
4. Apparatus for generating power as defined in Claim 1 wherein said conduit means for the passage of heated operating liquid from said fluid heating means to said evaporation chamber in-cludes a throttle valve for reducing the pressure of operating fluid discharged into said evaporation chamber.
5. Apparatus for generating power as defined in Claim 1 including an electrical generator driven by said prime mover, an electric motor supplied with electricity from said generator, a vehicle having a drive wheel, and means for connecting the motor shaft to said drive wheel for propelling said vehicle.
6. Apparatus for generating power as defined in Claim 1 includ-ing heating means inside said evaporation chamber for heating the surface of operating liquid within the evaporation chamber and increasing the pressure of operating fluid vapor in the evaporation chamber.
7. Apparatus for generating power as defined in Claim 6 wherein said heating means inside said evaporation chamber comprises a heat exchanger supplied with heated operating liquid from said fluid heating means.
8. Apparatus for generating power as defined in Claim 7 includ-ing, means for controlling the supply of heated operating liquid to said heat exchanger in accordance with the temperature of operating fluid vapor with said evaporation chamber.
9. A method of generating power by operation of a closed loop power generating system having a prime mover through which opera-ting fluid is passed for generation of shaft power, said method comprising, passing vaporized operating fluid from an evaporation chamber containing operating fluid in the liquid and vapor states through a turbine for driving the same, passing vaporized operating fluid discharged from the turbine through condensing means located within operating liquid contained in said evaporation chamber to condense the vapor, passing the condensed operating fluid from said condens-ing means through heating means to heat the operating liquid, and discharging heated operating liquid from said heating means into said evaporation chamber above the level of working liquid contained in the evaporation chamber for vaporization of said discharged liquid.
10. A method of generating power as defined in Claim 9 wherein the condensed operating fluid is passed through solar collector means. for heating the same prior to discharging said liquid into said evaporation chamber.
11. A method of generating power as defined in Claim 9 including, passing heated operating liquid from said heating means through a heat exchanger inside said evaporation chamber ad-jacent the surface of working liquid therein to heat the surface of the working liquid.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US14453180A | 1980-04-28 | 1980-04-28 | |
| US144,531 | 1980-04-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1152563A true CA1152563A (en) | 1983-08-23 |
Family
ID=22509009
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000374149A Expired CA1152563A (en) | 1980-04-28 | 1981-03-30 | Closed loop power generating method and apparatus |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU6987881A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1152563A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2075608B (en) |
Families Citing this family (30)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4476853A (en) * | 1982-09-28 | 1984-10-16 | Arbogast Clayton C | Solar energy recovery system |
| GB2141179B (en) * | 1983-05-07 | 1987-11-11 | Roger Stuart Brierley | Vapour turbine power plant |
| DE3943161A1 (en) * | 1989-12-28 | 1991-07-04 | Walter Diel | Liq. vapour engine and turbine - generates power using only liq. gas heated by solar radiation or geothermal water and then re-liquefied |
| US6959546B2 (en) | 2002-04-12 | 2005-11-01 | Corcoran Craig C | Method and apparatus for energy generation utilizing temperature fluctuation-induced fluid pressure differentials |
| DE10352520B4 (en) * | 2003-11-04 | 2006-11-02 | Klaus Herrmann | Method for operating a stationary or mobile engine by means of compressed gas and device for carrying out the method |
| GB2427249B (en) * | 2005-06-13 | 2010-02-24 | William Alexander Courtney | Combined power generator and water distillation plant |
| WO2007085045A1 (en) * | 2006-01-27 | 2007-08-02 | Renewable Energy Systems Limited | Heat energy transfer system and turbopump |
| WO2010121255A1 (en) | 2009-04-17 | 2010-10-21 | Echogen Power Systems | System and method for managing thermal issues in gas turbine engines |
| US9441504B2 (en) | 2009-06-22 | 2016-09-13 | Echogen Power Systems, Llc | System and method for managing thermal issues in one or more industrial processes |
| US9316404B2 (en) | 2009-08-04 | 2016-04-19 | Echogen Power Systems, Llc | Heat pump with integral solar collector |
| US20120247455A1 (en) * | 2009-08-06 | 2012-10-04 | Echogen Power Systems, Llc | Solar collector with expandable fluid mass management system |
| US8813497B2 (en) | 2009-09-17 | 2014-08-26 | Echogen Power Systems, Llc | Automated mass management control |
| US8794002B2 (en) | 2009-09-17 | 2014-08-05 | Echogen Power Systems | Thermal energy conversion method |
| US8613195B2 (en) | 2009-09-17 | 2013-12-24 | Echogen Power Systems, Llc | Heat engine and heat to electricity systems and methods with working fluid mass management control |
| US8869531B2 (en) | 2009-09-17 | 2014-10-28 | Echogen Power Systems, Llc | Heat engines with cascade cycles |
| US8616001B2 (en) | 2010-11-29 | 2013-12-31 | Echogen Power Systems, Llc | Driven starter pump and start sequence |
| US8783034B2 (en) | 2011-11-07 | 2014-07-22 | Echogen Power Systems, Llc | Hot day cycle |
| US8857186B2 (en) | 2010-11-29 | 2014-10-14 | Echogen Power Systems, L.L.C. | Heat engine cycles for high ambient conditions |
| US9062898B2 (en) | 2011-10-03 | 2015-06-23 | Echogen Power Systems, Llc | Carbon dioxide refrigeration cycle |
| EP2893162B1 (en) | 2012-08-20 | 2017-11-08 | Echogen Power Systems LLC | Supercritical working fluid circuit with a turbo pump and a start pump in series configuration |
| US9341084B2 (en) | 2012-10-12 | 2016-05-17 | Echogen Power Systems, Llc | Supercritical carbon dioxide power cycle for waste heat recovery |
| US9118226B2 (en) | 2012-10-12 | 2015-08-25 | Echogen Power Systems, Llc | Heat engine system with a supercritical working fluid and processes thereof |
| KR20150122665A (en) | 2013-01-28 | 2015-11-02 | 에코진 파워 시스템스, 엘엘씨 | Process for controlling a power turbine throttle valve during a supercritical carbon dioxide rankine cycle |
| WO2014117068A1 (en) | 2013-01-28 | 2014-07-31 | Echogen Power Systems, L.L.C. | Methods for reducing wear on components of a heat engine system at startup |
| JP2016519731A (en) | 2013-03-04 | 2016-07-07 | エコージェン パワー システムズ エル.エル.シー.Echogen Power Systems, L.L.C. | Heat engine system with high net power supercritical carbon dioxide circuit |
| CN103438610B (en) * | 2013-08-20 | 2015-10-28 | 天津大学 | Utilize the de-electric gas engine heat pump system of photovoltaic |
| WO2016073252A1 (en) | 2014-11-03 | 2016-05-12 | Echogen Power Systems, L.L.C. | Active thrust management of a turbopump within a supercritical working fluid circuit in a heat engine system |
| US11187112B2 (en) | 2018-06-27 | 2021-11-30 | Echogen Power Systems Llc | Systems and methods for generating electricity via a pumped thermal energy storage system |
| US11435120B2 (en) | 2020-05-05 | 2022-09-06 | Echogen Power Systems (Delaware), Inc. | Split expansion heat pump cycle |
| CN116568910A (en) | 2020-12-09 | 2023-08-08 | 超临界存储公司 | Three-tank electric heating energy storage system |
-
1981
- 1981-03-30 CA CA000374149A patent/CA1152563A/en not_active Expired
- 1981-04-08 GB GB8111020A patent/GB2075608B/en not_active Expired
- 1981-04-28 AU AU69878/81A patent/AU6987881A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2075608B (en) | 1983-06-02 |
| GB2075608A (en) | 1981-11-18 |
| AU6987881A (en) | 1981-11-05 |
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