GB2482682A - Tidal tank energy generation system - Google Patents
Tidal tank energy generation system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2482682A GB2482682A GB1013363.5A GB201013363A GB2482682A GB 2482682 A GB2482682 A GB 2482682A GB 201013363 A GB201013363 A GB 201013363A GB 2482682 A GB2482682 A GB 2482682A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- tank
- tidal
- energy
- water
- tide
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
- F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
- F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
- F03B13/262—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the relative movement between a tide-operated member and another member
-
- 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
- Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
Abstract
A tidal tank energy generation system uses tanks or similar containers to hold, or trap, water W as the tide is falling 1-4, and air A as the tide is rising 6-9. The tank is restrained by one or more pillars. The tank is restricted at high and low tide positions until the required difference between surrounding water level and the tank water level (hydraulic head) is achieved. Energy is released by allowing the tank to fall, when containing water, and rise, when containing air. The energy released by the vertical movement of the tank is captured by a hydraulic system.
Description
Tidal tank energy generation system
Description
The generation of energy from tides is low carbon, reliable, predictable. Existing technology involves the use of a barrage or lagoons. The application of such technology is extremely limited because of its physical scale and cost and its affect on the inter-tidal environment and shipping.
A tidal tank energy generation system can be relatively small and cheap. Its components can be built where convenient and floated or shipped to where they are required; they can be built to identical or similar specifications for use at many locations.
A tidal tank energy generation system would therefore be suitable for micro generation or the gradual introduction of an array of systems as feasibility and environmental impact are assessed.
The tidal tank energy generation system would have limited or no impact on the inter-tidal environment and shipping.
Tidal Tank energy generation system The tidal tank energy generation system generates energy through the use of tanks or similar containers which alternately hold or trap water as the tide is falling and air as the tide is rising.
The tank is held in place laterally by a pillar, pillars or similar supports which also control the vertical movement of the tank.
As the tide rises and falls vertical movement of the tank is restricted until the required difference between surrounding water level and the tank water level (hydraulic head) is achieved.
Energy is released by allowing the tank to fall, when containing water, and rise, when containing air.
The energy released by the vertical movement of the tank is captured by a hydraulic system.
Energy generation through one high tide low tide cycle At high tide the top of the tank is level with the surface of the surrounding water. It contains water.
(figure 1) As the tide falls the tank is held in place until sufficient hydraulic head has developed. (figure 2) Energy is released by allowing the tank to fall. (figures 3 and 4) At low tide water is allowed to escape. The tank is raised until its base is level with the surface of the surrounding water. It now contains air. (figures 5 and 6) As the tide rises the tank is held in place until sufficient hydraulic head has developed. (figure 7) Energy is released by allowing the tank to rise. (figures 8 and 9) At high tide air is allowed to escape. The tank is sunk until its top is level with the surface of the surrounding area. It now contains water. (figures 10 and 11) The energy released by this vertical movement of the tank is captured by a hydraulic system. This could be located in the pillars and is not shown in the drawings.
Energy released The energy released per high tide low tide cycle is made of two components.
1) Whilst the hydraulic head is maintained the energy released = 2 x weight of water contained! displaced x (tidal range -hydraulic head). (Between figures 2 and 3, and between figures 7 and 8.) 2) Whilst the hydraulic head decreases = weight of water contained! displaced x depth of container. ( Between figures 3 and 4 and between figures 8 and 9) The energy released by this vertical movement of the tank is captured by a hydraulic system.
Optimum energy release Optimum energy release is achieved when the hydraulic head is equal to the tidal range. In this case the energy release is only at high tide and low tide.
As the hydraulic head as a proportion of tidal range decreases the total amount of energy released decreases and the period during which it can be released increases.
For example if the hydraulic head is half the tidal range the energy released is 75% of optimum and the period during which energy can be released is half of each cycle. During this period the energy can be released gradually or in bursts.
As the hydraulic head as a proportion of tidal range decreases so the physical demands on the tank and its supporting pillar or pillars and possible knock on effects on normal tidal flow decrease.
Advantages Construction -Water proof tidal tanks can be built where convenient and floated or shipped to where they are required. Pillars, which do not need to be water proof, can be built where convenient, shipped to where they are required and fixed or sunk into place.
Both these components can be built to identical or similar specifications for use at many locations.
This is in contrast with tidal barrages and tidal lagoons which require the construction of large bespoke water tight structures where they are required.
Micro generation -Tidal tanks and pillars can be relatively small. This would facilitate micro generation. It would also allow the gradual introduction of an array of tidal tanks as feasibility and environmental impact are assessed.
This is in contrast to tidal barrages and lagoons.
Inter-tidal environment -Tidal tank energy generation systems can be positioned well away from the inter-tidal area so have limited impact on the inter-tidal environment.
This is in contrast with tidal barrages and some tidal lagoons which have a significant impact on the inter-tidal environment.
Effect on shipping -Tidal tank energy generation system can be positioned away from shipping lanes so have limited impact on shipping.
This is in contrast with tidal barrages which require locks to allow shipping to pass.
Portability-Tidal tanks and their supporting pillars can be constructed as a portable unit. When this is not the case, their relatively simple design would facilitate deconstructed for use in other locations.
Remote electricity generation -The hydraulic system which captures the energy released by this vertical movement of the tank can be connected to a turbine, or other energy conversion devise, at some distance from the tank and close to where the power is required.
This is in contrast with tidal barrages and lagoons which produce a focused water flow and require local electricity generation.
Ease of maintenance and stowage -Tidal tank maintenance can be done above water by holding the container in its highest position.
Tidal tank stowage may be required if poor weather is anticipated or extraordinary shipping needs to pass. This can be achieved by holding the tidal tank in its lowest position.
Hydraulic head -Any value of hydraulic head up to the full tidal range can be used. This is in contrast with tidal barrages which typically use a smaller hydraulic head to mitigate their effect on the environment.
Tidal tanks function at their most efficient when their depth is equal to required hydraulic head.
Nevertheless the hydraulic head can be made less than the tidal tank width by allowing some water to remain in the tidal tank when it about to rise and some air to remain in the tidal tank as it is about to sink.
No redundant structure -Tidal tanks do not require structures which trap water below their working range. This reduces cost and environmental impact.
This is in contrast with tidal barrages and lagoons which require water tight structures from the sea bed up.
Suggested application 1-Micro generation Severn Estuary, UK The Severn Estuary regularly experiences tidal ranges of 14 metres.
A single tidal tank or a small array of tidal tanks in this location measuring lOOm x lOOm (10,000 m2) would produce up to 380, MWh of energy per year.
2 -Massive array Bay of Fundy, Canada The Bay of Fundy has a tidal range of 16 metres.
A massive array of tidal tanks in this location measuring 20km x 10km would produce up to 7.2 TWh of energy per year.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1013363.5A GB2482682A (en) | 2010-08-09 | 2010-08-09 | Tidal tank energy generation system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1013363.5A GB2482682A (en) | 2010-08-09 | 2010-08-09 | Tidal tank energy generation system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201013363D0 GB201013363D0 (en) | 2010-09-22 |
| GB2482682A true GB2482682A (en) | 2012-02-15 |
Family
ID=42931391
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1013363.5A Withdrawn GB2482682A (en) | 2010-08-09 | 2010-08-09 | Tidal tank energy generation system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2482682A (en) |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1262261A (en) * | 1967-10-28 | 1972-02-02 | Stephen Hitchins | Apparatus for obtaining power from the tide |
| US4185464A (en) * | 1978-03-20 | 1980-01-29 | Rainey Don E | Ocean tide energy converter having improved efficiency |
| GB2039330A (en) * | 1979-01-10 | 1980-08-06 | Coggins R | Energy conversion devices |
| GB2043790A (en) * | 1979-03-27 | 1980-10-08 | Taylor J A | Power Generation from Tidal Energy |
| US4249085A (en) * | 1979-07-16 | 1981-02-03 | Kertzman Harvey Z | Tide operated power generating apparatus |
| GB2435451A (en) * | 2006-02-25 | 2007-08-29 | John Mcgee Fulton | Buoyant structure with tidal powered pump means |
-
2010
- 2010-08-09 GB GB1013363.5A patent/GB2482682A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1262261A (en) * | 1967-10-28 | 1972-02-02 | Stephen Hitchins | Apparatus for obtaining power from the tide |
| US4185464A (en) * | 1978-03-20 | 1980-01-29 | Rainey Don E | Ocean tide energy converter having improved efficiency |
| GB2039330A (en) * | 1979-01-10 | 1980-08-06 | Coggins R | Energy conversion devices |
| GB2043790A (en) * | 1979-03-27 | 1980-10-08 | Taylor J A | Power Generation from Tidal Energy |
| US4249085A (en) * | 1979-07-16 | 1981-02-03 | Kertzman Harvey Z | Tide operated power generating apparatus |
| GB2435451A (en) * | 2006-02-25 | 2007-08-29 | John Mcgee Fulton | Buoyant structure with tidal powered pump means |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201013363D0 (en) | 2010-09-22 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |