GB2459510A

GB2459510A - Power, electricity generation using buoyant spheres and pumped water

Info

Publication number: GB2459510A
Application number: GB0807622A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kashmir Singh Johal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-25
Filing date: 2008-04-25
Publication date: 2009-10-28
Also published as: GB0807622D0

Abstract

A hydroelectric power generating device has a plurality of columns 4, 5 and 6 each having an upper end arranged at height greater than a lower end. The upper ends of the pipes being connected together and the lower ends being connected together to form a closed loop. An up rising column 4 contains a plurality of buoyant spheres and water a pump 1 forces the water and spheres up the column. A separator device 7 is located at the upper end of the column, water is directed down a return column 5 and acts on a turbine 8 to generate electricity whilst the spheres are separated from the water and are directed down a column/pipe 6 to a second pump 2 which directs the spheres check valves 9 and 10. In an alternative embodiment the columns may be suspended under a helium balloon to lift one end of each column above the other. The balloon is tethered.

Description

Patent: Renewable Hydroelectric Power Generation using Buoyancy Spheres and Pipelines/Risers System.

Inventor: Dr. Kashmir Singh Johal Director: Fluids in Motion Limited Address: 28 South Lodge Crescent, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 7NP, England, UK.

Telephone: 0044(0)208 3633696 Mobile: 0044(0)7730 852333 Email: Kashmircjohal65.freeserve.co.uk

Description:

This invention relates to converting the potential energy of a column head' pressure of liquid water into useful power output using a water turbine power generation system. Conventionally, the total static pressure, comprising of the column!head* pressures (less pipe work friction pressure loss). In such cases the column head* pressure can be absorbed by a turbine that generates useful work power output -as long as the liquid has sufficient passage through the turbine to offset the turbine efficiency losses; According to this invention liquid column head* pressure is absorbed by a turbine, or any other type of reversible engine, by imposing a brake load on the output shaft of the turbine, such that a useful brake horsepower output is generated. This shaft brake horsepower output can most conveniently be utilised to drive a variable speed electric generator such that the turbine speed and, therefore, pressure drop across the turbine can be controlled. The generator speed being controlled from the inputs of pressure sensors, located immediately downstream of the turbine, that is integrated via computer software logic in such a way that after pressure reduction, is maintained above the NPSH of the pump(1). Alternatively, or additionally, turbine rotor inlet guide blades may be controlled.

Since turbines are not efficient, there is heat input to the liquid from the turbine which could be usefully used to improve the efficiency of the total system. The system can be configured to generate Ifree* renewable power output without the use of combustion hydrocarbon products and their associated environmental pollution.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures 1, 2 and 3 schematic drawings of part of a renewable hydro-electric power generation using buoyancy spheres and pipelines system.

The invention uses the pnnciple of buoyancy using solid spheres (or other shapes) to reduce the static head pressure for the up flow pipe. Thus the power generated by the down pipe water or other liquid is much greater than the mixed up pipe liquid/solid mixture.

Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the system configuration consisting of the following: * A pump 1 that pumps water (which can be inhibited against the formation of hydrates) from a low elevation height to the higher elevation height.

* A separator that separates the water from the solid spheres at the higher elevation.

* A downer separated water pipe and * A downer separated solid sphere pipe.

The separated water or other liquid line pressure prior to the turbine comprises of both the Ihead* pressure and column head' pressure, less friction pressure drop down the liquid line. The column head* pressure, less pipe work pressure drop, is absorbed by the turbine that directly drives a vanable speed electric generator.

The speed of generator is controlled by the inputs of temperature and pressure sensors via computer software logic to main-the liquid at the outlet of the turbine in order to the keep above the pumps NPSH condition. The liquid is then re-circulated to the pump 1.

The separated solid spheres are diverted into a pipe and transported to the lower elevation location and then pumped and mixed into the liquid stream via pump 2.

The mixed liquid/spheres are then re-pumped to the high location via a pipeline.

The process is repeated in a cyclic form for continuous generation of hydro-electricity.

The pumps 1 and 2 can be powered either by the high pressure liquid from an off take of the liquid line or electrical driver from the electricity generated by the hydro-electric generation other system.

Figure 2 shows the details of the water sphere separation system, which consists of a section of pipe-in-pipe arrangement with perforation holes in the inner pipe.

This section of pipe in inclined down in order to achieve the solid sphere and water separation in which the water escapes through the holes and the spheres continue to the move down in the down pipe by gravity.

Figure 3 shows an arrangement for the Renewable Hydro-electric Power Generation System for application in remote locations where elevation height differences are not available using a Helium balloon. The Helium balloon allows the pipe system to be raised to significant elevation to generate the required electrical power.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An energy conversion apparatus comprising: first and second pipes, each oriented such that an upper end thereof is disposed at a greater height than a lower end thereof, the upper ends of the pipes being connected together and the Power ends of the pipes being connected together so that the pipes define a continuous fluid path; a quantity of a fluid disposed in the first and second pipes and able to circulate around the pipes; a plurality of buoyant elements disposed in the first pipe, each of the buoyant elements being buoyant with respect to the fluid; a separator located at or near the upper end of the first pipe and operable to separate the buoyant elements from the fluid; a return path for buoyant elements separated from the fluid by the separator, allowing the buoyant elements to travel under the influence of gravity to a location at or near the lower end of the first pipe and to be introduced into the first pipe at or near the lower end thereof; a pump operable to pump fluid upwardly in the first pipe; and a power generation device located in the second pipe and operable to generate power in response to the flow of fluid therepast in a downward direction.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second pump to introduce the buoyant elements into the first pipe.
3. An apparatus according to claim I or 2, wherein the buoyant elements comprise spheres.
4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the power generation device comprises a turbine.
5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the power generation device is operable to generate an electric current.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the electric current generated by the power generation device is provided to the pump.
7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising an elevation arrangement for supporting the upper ends of the first and second pipes in an elevated position.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the elevation arrangement comprises a chamber containing a gas.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the elevation arrangement compnses a helium balloon.
10. A method of converting energy, comprising the steps of: providing first and second pipes, each oriented such that an upper end thereof is disposed at a greater height than a lower end thereof, the upper ends of the pipes being connected together and the lower ends of the pipes being connected together so that the pipes define a continuous fluid path; disposing a quantity of fluid in the first and second pipes, such that the fluid is able to circulate around the pipes; disposing a plurality of buoyant elements in the first pipe, each of the buoyant elements being buoyant with respect to the fluid; locating a separator at or near the upper end of the first pipe, the separator being operable to separate the buoyant elements from the fluid; providing a return path for buoyant elements separated from the fluid by the separator, allowing the buoyant elements to travel under the influence of gravity to a location at or near the lower end of the first pipe and it to be introduced into the first pipe at or near the lower end thereof; pumping fluid upwardly in the first pipe and; providing a power generation device in the second pipe, the power generation device being operable to generate power in response to the flow of fluid therepast in a downward direction.