DE102017122380A1 - Generator system for generating electrical energy - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a generator system for generating electrical energy with an electric generator (14) for generating electrical energy and with a device for producing a combustible gas mixture (6, 11) of a carbonaceous starting material, wherein a feed unit for supplying the starting material to a reactor (1 wherein the reactor (1) comprises at least one oxidation zone for the oxidation of the starting material and a reduction zone for the reduction of at least one intermediate of the oxidation, wherein the reactor (1) comprises at least one air supply unit (3) for supplying air (5) and / or an oxidizing agent (5) for the oxidation zone, wherein the reactor (1) comprises at least one pressure generating unit (3) having at least one drive for pressurizing the air (5) and / or the oxidizing agent (5), wherein an internal combustion engine (2) for burning the gas mixture (6, 11) is proposed, which without great Auf wall and is particularly economical to operate. This is inventively achieved in that the internal combustion engine (2) for driving the pressure generating unit (3) of the reactor (1) is formed.

Description

The invention relates to a generator system for generating electrical energy according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

For decades, so-called "wood gasifiers" are used for engine combustion. For example, in 1923 the descending gasification plant was developed in direct current, the so-called "Imbert wood gas plant". Corresponding systems were installed especially in the first half of the 20th century together with gas engines, for example in tractors, cars, motorcycles or power plants for the production of power, electricity and / or heat. Besides, e.g. Also ascending carburetor systems in countercurrent and cross-flow carburetor in use.

The "Imbert wood gas plant" or similar devices work in the DC, in particular lumpy wood is fed to the reactor of the gas generator.

From the European patent EP 1 436 364 B1 is already a device for generating a combustible gas mixture, in particular wood gas, preferably known for an internal combustion engine and with an electric generator for electric power generation. In this case, a nearly tar-free wood gas for the internal combustion engine can be generated with this wood gasifier by the reduction and subsequent oxidation in the reactor. For this purpose, the reactor is charged laterally via a buffer with wood chips and the reactor is equipped with a level sensor for detecting the level of the reactor.

The wood is generally thermally decomposed into different components in a first stage. This is done mainly in the reactor in a range of appropriately arranged air nozzles or the like by means of substoichiometric combustion or oxidation, wherein heat is released and temperatures of a few hundred degrees, e.g. about 800 ° C, can be achieved. By rising heat, the wood in the upper part of the reactor is partially pre-dried.

In the oxidation zone u.a. charred wood or coal, water and other combustion products which have both combustible gas constituents and non-combustible gaseous intermediates, such as e.g. Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

The charred wood or coal generally moves from the oxidation zone down into a reduction zone, thereby reducing some of the combustion products to other combustible gas components. For example, carbon dioxide is oxidized by means of the coal i.a. reduced to additional carbon monoxide, whereby a relatively high proportion of, inter alia, carbon monoxide in the generated combustible gas mixture can be achieved. The combustible gas mixture has as combustible constituents in particular carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane.

The volume of the wood is greatly reduced in the coking, so that to form a comparatively compact reduction zone, a constriction of the reactor in the transition region of the oxidation zone to the reduction zone is provided. This constriction is often done by means of firebricks, steel elements or the like. The compact reduction zone advantageously allows a reduction of the gas stream and at least partially a filtration of solid components of the combustion products from the oxidation zone.

From the reduction zone, the combustible gas mixture produced is mainly derived or sucked in to a gas engine, gas storage or the like. With the help of a movable grate coal dust or possibly excess ash is separated from the coal.

Corresponding wood gasification plants with internal combustion engine and electric generator for electric power generation are currently used primarily for regenerative power generation, these often being operated as so-called biomass power plants, esp. As so-called. CHP or CHP plants.

In wood gasifiers according to the prior art, the oxidizing agent or the air is already blown with a blower into the reactor, so that in the reactor a certain overpressure can be realized or that the internal combustion engine is no longer operated as a naturally aspirated engine. This can be somewhat improved compared to the pure suction operation of the gas engine, the efficiency of the system, which is advantageous in terms of economic operation.

Purpose and advantages of the invention

The object of the invention is in contrast to propose a generator system with an electric generator and with a device for generating a combustible gas mixture of a carbonaceous starting material, which is operated without much effort and particularly economically.

This object is achieved on the basis of a generator system of the type mentioned in the introduction by the features of claim 1. The measures mentioned in the dependent claims advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are possible.

Accordingly, a generator system according to the invention is characterized in that the internal combustion engine is designed as a drive or to drive the pressure generating unit of the reactor.

Thus, according to the invention, it is achieved in an advantageous manner that no separate or additional blower as in the prior art is necessary in order to pressurize the air or the oxidizing agent and to supply it to the reactor or the oxidation zone. The inventive double use of the internal combustion engine or the gas engine, the structural and economic cost is significantly reduced.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressure generating unit of the reactor is designed as a mechanical supercharger of the internal combustion engine. Thus, the mechanical supercharger or compressor can be driven directly or mechanically by the internal combustion engine or the gas engine via chain, belt or gear transmission or the like, optionally also with interposed clutch. This allows u.a. an advantageous adaptability or regulation of the pressure generation and / or the operation, esp. The speed of the internal combustion engine. Hereby, the energy of the internal combustion engine can be used advantageously in the sense of the invention and, if necessary, used for controlling / controlling or controlling the pressure generation and / or the oxidation or the operation of the reactor as well as the operation of the internal combustion engine.

Preferably, the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine is designed as a drive of the pressure generating unit of the reactor and / or the pressure generating unit of the reactor as an exhaust gas turbocharger of the internal combustion engine, wherein exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine drives the exhaust gas turbocharger. This can be used in an advantageous manner, the otherwise unused energy of the exhaust gas, esp. The flow energy for gasification and for electrical energy production. This advantageously increases the power output or the efficiency of the generator system.

Advantageously, the exhaust gas turbocharger comprises at least a turbine and a compressor, which are each formed with paddle wheels and mounted on a common shaft. The exhaust gas stream sets the turbine wheel in rotation. Its torque is transmitted via the common shaft to the compressor wheel in the air supply of the reactor / wood gasifier. Hereby, the compressor is used for pressurizing the invention.

An advantageous turbine housing or the exhaust gas turbine of the exhaust gas turbocharger is arranged as close as possible to the exhaust gas outlet of the internal combustion engine or of the engine. In the (especially separate) compressor housing, the compressor wheel compresses the reactor air or the oxidant for the reactor. The exhaust gas turbocharger according to the invention has i.a. the advantage that it uses a part of the otherwise unused residual energy of the exhaust gases to reduce the intake losses and thus improves the overall efficiency. The thus achievable increase in output of the internal combustion engine and thus also driven by this, electric generator is based on the one hand on improved efficiency of the internal combustion engine and on the other hand just that in the larger amount of air / oxygen or wood gas in the / the cylinder / combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine more fuel or wood gas can be burned. This leads u.a. to increase the torque of the internal combustion engine and increase the power output, thus improving the generation of electrical energy, e.g. by means of a correspondingly large-sized electrical generator and / or by means of higher rotational speeds of the generator.

In principle, both with a mechanical supercharger and especially with a preferred exhaust-gas turbocharger, advantageously an increase in efficiency or efficiency can be realized.

Advantageously, in the flow direction of the air and / or the oxidizing agent and / or the combustible gas mixture (considered) the reactor and / or the device for generating the combustible gas mixture between the internal combustion engine and the pressure generating unit or the exhaust gas turbocharger arranged.

In general, it is of particular advantage that according to the invention, no wood gas can damage the pressure generating unit, since the wood gas or the gas mixture flowing into the combustion engine or into the gas engine is not directly or directly compressed or charged, but advantageously the oxidizing agent or the air for the reactor or wood gasifier. Thus, it is advantageously achieved that the wood gas and / or wood gas-air mixture, which is supplied to the internal combustion engine, indirectly or indirectly compressed or pressurized and for performance or efficiency / efficiency increase according to the invention is usable.

Wood gas or the combustible gas mixture produced can lead to a standstill and, if necessary, to the destruction of the internal combustion engine as well as to expensive and expensive repairs or maintenance work resulting therefrom. According to the invention, it is effectively and reliably prevented that the wood gas can impair or damage the pressure generating unit or the exhaust-gas turbocharger or its exhaust-gas turbine, etc. Rather, it is achieved according to the invention that the wood gas largely passes directly or directly from the reactor and into the internal combustion engine / flows, without flowing through complex / constructive and structural / economically complex components / devices. This increases the reliability of the generator system according to the invention.

Advantageously, at least one actuator or control element and / or a control unit for controlling an operating fluid, esp. Of the gas mixture and / or the air or the oxidizing agent is provided / arranged between the reactor and the internal combustion engine. This measure allows u.a. an advantageous adaptability or regulation of the pressure generation and / or operation, esp. The speed of the internal combustion engine and / or the device or the wood gasifier / reactor. Hereby, the energy of the internal combustion engine can be used advantageously in the sense of the invention. Furthermore, it is also possible, if necessary or flexibly and in each case optimized for the respective, different processes, to realize a regulation / control or control of the pressure generation and / or the oxidation or the operation of the reactor as well as the operation of the internal combustion engine.

Preferably, a distributor and / or mixing element or a distribution and / or mixing unit for distributing and / or mixing one or at least two operating fluids, esp. Of the gas mixture and / or the air or the oxidizing agent is provided between the reactor and the internal combustion engine / arranged. These are preferably essentially passive elements / units such as pipe connecting / branching and / or mixing elements or the like, with which the combustible gas mixture or the wood gas with optionally other gases or the like, such. Air, merged and mixed and / or a branching or division is feasible. Preferably, no movable elements or components for this distribution and / or mixing elements / units are provided for this purpose, the u.a. possibly be glued or impaired by the wood gas or its constituents.

Accordingly, in an advantageous variant of the invention, at least one distributor unit is provided for distributing the pressurized air and / or the pressurized oxidant for the reactor and for the internal combustion engine. Hereby, the compressed air or pressurized oxidant may preferably be provided for multiple uses, i. at least for the wood gasifier or reactor and for the internal combustion engine or the gas engine. Thus, advantageously, the fuel gas production and / or the engine combustion of the gas mixture or wood gas can be controlled or controlled and / or adapted in an advantageous manner to the respective process or the respective use. This can e.g. Both the amount and the pressure affect, which are hereby adjustable. For an optimization and / or largely independent operation of the respective use can be realized.

Also, for example, in a particular embodiment of the invention, at least one mixing device is provided for mixing the combustible gas mixture of the reactor with the pressurized air and / or with the pressurized oxidant for the internal combustion engine. With this measure, the composition of the gas mixture to be supplied to the internal combustion engine can be changed or adjusted in an advantageous manner. This improves combustion in the internal combustion engine.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one setting unit for setting and / or controlling a first portion and / or first amount of the combustible gas mixture for the internal combustion engine and / or a second portion and / or second amount of the pressurized air and / or the pressurized oxidizer for the internal combustion engine provided.

Advantageously, at least one exhaust gas control element is provided for controlling the amount of exhaust gas for the exhaust gas turbocharger. For example, a bypass channel and / or a bypass valve / soft or the like is provided. This can be set in an advantageous manner, the amount of exhaust gas, which is supplied to the exhaust gas turbocharger / -leitet. An optionally too large amount of exhaust gas can thus advantageously be reduced / reduced and a portion of the exhaust gas (unused) are passed past the exhaust gas turbocharger. For an improved control or controllability of the generator system according to the invention can be implemented.

Preferably, at least one air control element for controlling the amount of air and / or the oxidizing agent for the Pressure generating unit provided. Hereby, the oxidation in the reactor or the generation of the combustible gas mixture can be controlled or changed in an advantageous manner. Hereby, an improved control or controllability of the generator system according to the invention can be implemented.

In general, for example, a wide variety of sensors can be used / arranged in the generator system according to the invention, in particular on / in the reactor and / or the internal combustion engine and / or the exhaust gas turbocharger and / or the gas line system. Above all, sensors for detecting temperatures, pressure, optical parameters such as permeability or gas type or individual or multiple gas components, moisture or the like. These sensors cooperate in particular with the control unit or an advantageous electrical and / or electronic evaluation and / or control unit for largely automatic operation of the generator system according to the invention.

embodiment

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS.

• 1 schematisch ein erstes Blockschaltbild gemäß der Erfindung und
• 2 schematisch ein zweites Blockschaltbild gemäß der Erfindung.

In detail shows:

• 1 schematically a first block diagram according to the invention and
• 2 schematically a second block diagram according to the invention.

In the figures, a block diagram or a schematically illustrated generator system according to the invention is shown in each case. The generator system each includes a so-called. Wood gasifier or reactor 1 and an internal combustion engine 2 or gas engine 2 , the / by means of a translation unit / transmission or the like, not shown, and / or as shown schematically in the figures, directly an electric generator 14 for electric power generation drives.

The combustion engine 2 becomes a gas mixture 11 or wood gas mixture 11 from the wood gasifier 1 over a mixer 7 fed. The mixer 7 mixes according to 1 (filtered) ambient air 12 the (pure) wood gas 6 from the reactor 1 at. According to 2 becomes the mixer in this second variant 7 no ambient air 12 but compressed air 5 fed. A control valve 13 or an actuator 13 regulates the supply of compressed air 5 ,

The air 5 is with the help of a compressor 3 or exhaust gas turbocharger 3 compressed or pressurized. The turbocharger 3 includes an exhaust turbine wheel 9 that of exhaust 4 the combustion engine 2 powered and over a shaft 10 with a compressor wheel 8th directly connected.

In the sense of the invention drives the combustion engine 2 or the gas engine 2 by means of its exhaust gas 4 , that is generated in this and is acted upon by flow or pressure energy, the exhaust gas turbocharger 3 or the pressure generating unit according to the invention 3 at. This improves the efficiency or the power output of the generator system according to the invention, which is thus operated without much effort and particularly economical.

Due to the advantageous arrangement of the reactor 1 or wood gasifier 1 , viewed in the flow direction of the gases, between the exhaust gas turbocharger 3 and the internal combustion engine 2 not just the air 5 for the reactor 1 and (cf. 2 ) optionally by means of a distributor 15 for the mixer 7 , but advantageously also the gas mixture 11 compressed or pressurized without the wood gas 6 directly with the compressor 3 or exhaust gas turbocharger 3 in contact. This effectively prevents the wood gas 6 the compressor 3 or exhaust gas turbocharger 3 can affect or damage / destroy. Critical to the wood gas 6 are, for example, condensates and tar loads, etc., including moving parts such as those in a compressor 3 or exhaust gas turbocharger 3 could damage / stick or fix what is effectively prevented by the invention

Rather, by the "charge" or compression of the air 5 by means of the compressor 3 or exhaust gas turbocharger 3 and thus by the pressurization of the reactor 1 or wood gasifier 1 that indirectly reaches the wood gas 6 or wood gas mixture 11 compacts the internal combustion engine 2 is supplied. Accordingly, a cohesive pressure system / network is realized that allows the compressed air 5 over the reactor 1 the wood gas 6 compacted and over the (optional) mixer 7 compacts the internal combustion engine 2 is supplied. This leads to a particularly safe and efficient operation of the generator system according to the invention.

Generally can be achieved with the invention that the compressor 3 or exhaust gas turbocharger 3 is spared or not with wood gas, but only with air 5 (and exhaust 4 ) comes into contact and also the internal combustion engine 2 or the gas engine 2 can be operated with comparatively high charge. This improves the generator system or the efficiency of power generation in comparison to the prior art.

In addition, optionally further components, not shown, can further improve the operation. For example, a bypass channel may be provided with an optional advantageous bypass actuator / control valve or the like to provide, for example, exhaust gas in a particular bypass operation 4 at the compressor 3 or exhaust gas turbocharger 3 to pass over, so that this share "unused" can flow into the environment. This can be advantageous for certain operating conditions, for example, the gas flows or gas quantities and / or the pressure in the system or the pressure of the compressed air 5 and / or the wood gas 6 or gas mixture 11 to be able to adjust in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, for example, control valves, actuators or the like can be used advantageously, for example, in the flow direction preferably before and / or behind the compressor 3 or exhaust gas turbocharger 3 for / in the air line 5 and / or possibly even for / in the exhaust pipe 4 ,

In principle, especially by means of advantageous dimensioning or design of the compressor 3 or exhaust gas turbocharger 3 and esp. By means of an advantageous tuned control, eg with the control valve 13 or the like, a particularly efficient and economical operation can be implemented.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

reactor

2

gas engine

3

turbocharger

4

Exhaust / guide

5

Air / guide

6

Wood gas / guide

7

mixer

8th

compressor

9

turbine

10

wave

11

Gas mixture / guide

12

air

13

control valve

14

generator

15

distributor

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1436364 B1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Generator system for generating electrical energy with an electric generator (14) for generating electrical energy and with a device for producing a combustible gas mixture (6, 11) from a carbonaceous starting material, wherein a feed unit for supplying the starting material to a reactor (1) is provided wherein the reactor (1) comprises at least one oxidation zone for the oxidation of the starting material and a reduction zone for the reduction of at least one intermediate of the oxidation, the reactor (1) comprising at least one air supply unit (3) for supplying air (5) and / or an oxidizing agent (5) for the oxidation zone, wherein the reactor (1) comprises at least one at least one drive having pressure generating unit (3) for pressurizing the air (5) and / or the oxidant (5), wherein an internal combustion engine (2) for burning the Gas mixture (6, 11) is provided, characterized in that the Verbrennungsma Machine (2) for driving the pressure generating unit (3) of the reactor (1) is formed. Generator system after Claim 1 , characterized in that the pressure generating unit (3) of the reactor (1) as a mechanical supercharger of the internal combustion engine (2) is formed. Generator system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the exhaust gas (4) of the internal combustion engine (2) is designed as a drive of the pressure generating unit (3) of the reactor (1). Generator system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure generating unit (3) of the reactor (1) as exhaust gas turbocharger (3) of the internal combustion engine (2) is formed, wherein exhaust gas (4) of the internal combustion engine (2) drives the exhaust gas turbocharger (3) , Generator system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one distributor unit (15) for distributing the pressurized air (5) and / or the pressurized oxidant (5) for the reactor (1) and for the internal combustion engine (2 ) is provided. Generator system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one mixing device (7) for mixing the combustible gas mixture (6) of the reactor (1) with the pressurized air (5) and / or with the pressurized oxidant (5 ) is provided for the internal combustion engine (2). Generator system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one adjusting unit (13) for setting and / or controlling a first portion and / or first amount of the combustible gas mixture (6) for the internal combustion engine (2) and / or a second portion and or second amount of the pressurized air (5) and / or the pressurized oxidant (5) for the internal combustion engine (2) is provided. Generator system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one exhaust gas control element for controlling the amount of exhaust gas (4) for the exhaust gas turbocharger (3) is provided. Generator system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one air control element for controlling the amount of air and / or the oxidizing agent for the pressure generating unit (3) is provided. Plant for generating heat energy and electrical energy with a generator system according to one of the preceding claims.

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