JP2012023258A - Temperature difference power generator and temperature difference power generation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a temperature difference power generator and a temperature difference power generation method for making it possible to sufficiently utilize a heat source and remarkably improve space efficiency.SOLUTION: A temperature difference power generator has a structure where a pair of high-temperature fluid passages 2a and 2b are connected mutually by communicating mutually a pipe 4b connected to other end of the one high-temperature fluid passage 2a with a pipe 5a connected to one end of the other high-temperature fluid passage 2b. Thereby, a high-temperature fluid is taken in from a pipe 4a being a high-temperature fluid taking-in port to the one high-temperature fluid passage 2a; the high-temperature fluid enters into the other high-temperature fluid passage 2b through the pipe 4b and the pipe 5a; and the high-temperature fluid is discharged from a pipe 5b of the other high-temperature fluid passage 2b into a high-temperature fluid discharge passage.

Description

  The present invention relates to a temperature difference power generation apparatus and a temperature difference power generation method for generating power using a temperature difference between fluids.

  As the temperature difference power generation, one utilizing waste heat from machines such as an engine, an electric water heater, and a hot water mixing apparatus has been proposed. In addition, a device using the temperature difference between the surface water and the deep water of the ocean (DK Benson et al, “Thermoelectric Energy Conversion Electric Power Low From Grand Heat,” 19 Proc. 3rd IC, Proc. 3rd. Devices using a heat source that exists as a natural environment, such as a power generation device using geothermal heat, have also been proposed (Patent Literature 1, Patent Literature 2, Patent Literature 3, Patent Literature 4, Patent Literature 5).

The temperature difference power generation apparatus of Patent Documents 1 to 4 is based on the existence of a machine that should use waste heat, and uses heat generated by combustion inside the engine and heat generated by electricity / gas as a heat source. That is, a combustion machine that can be a heat source is required.
Moreover, since the apparatus of Patent Document 5 obtains a heat source from the natural environment, a combustion machine or the like as a heat source is not necessary. However, a drive source for pulling up deep seawater and a drive source for supplying and recovering cooling water to the deep underground where thermal fluid exists are necessary, which requires a large capital investment.

  Patent Document 6 solves such problems and does not require a drive source, and even a temperature difference power generation technology having a drive source can improve its efficiency, There has been disclosed a temperature difference power generation apparatus that generates power by providing a thermoelectric conversion element with a temperature difference between a hot water flow and a cold water flow that does not require capital investment.

JP-A-63-1111268 JP-A-64-74075 JP-A-5-126405 JP-A-2-119589 Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-20315 Japanese Patent No. 3163290

Even if the power generation device of Patent Document 6 uses a self-injection force or a height difference to form a hot water flow or a cold water flow and does not require a drive source such as a pump, it sufficiently utilizes the hot water flow or the cold water flow as a heat source. Therefore, there is a problem that space efficiency is poor and versatility is poor.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a temperature difference power generation apparatus and a temperature difference power generation method that can sufficiently improve space efficiency by fully utilizing a heat source.

  The temperature difference power generation device of the present invention takes in a high-temperature fluid from the high-temperature fluid intake port, discharges the high-temperature fluid from the high-temperature fluid discharge port, takes in the low-temperature fluid from the low-temperature fluid intake port, and discharges the low-temperature fluid. A low-temperature fluid flow path that discharges the low-temperature fluid from the outlet, and a thermoelectric conversion element that is partly thermally connected to the high-temperature fluid flow path and the other part is thermally connected to the low-temperature fluid flow path. At least two high-temperature fluid flow paths disposed in parallel with each other, wherein the high-temperature fluid discharge port of one of the two high-temperature fluid flow paths is the high-temperature fluid intake port of the other high-temperature fluid flow path. It is characterized by being communicated in a relationship.

  At least two cryogenic fluid flow paths arranged in parallel to each other, the cryogenic fluid discharge port of one cryogenic fluid channel of the two cryogenic fluid channels is the cryogenic fluid intake port of the other cryogenic fluid channel It can be made to communicate in the relationship.

  Further, the temperature difference power generation device of the present invention takes in a high temperature fluid from the high temperature fluid intake port, discharges the high temperature fluid from the high temperature fluid discharge port, and takes in the low temperature fluid from the low temperature fluid intake port. A low-temperature fluid channel that discharges the low-temperature fluid from the discharge port, a thermoelectric conversion element that is partly thermally connected to the high-temperature fluid channel, and the other part is thermally connected to the low-temperature fluid channel, Having at least two thermoelectric conversion units each composed of a pair of high-temperature fluid flow paths and low-temperature fluid flow paths thermally connected to the same thermoelectric conversion element, and thermally connected to the high-temperature fluid flow path of one thermoelectric conversion unit A thermoelectric conversion element connected to and thermally connected to a low temperature fluid flow path of another thermoelectric conversion unit, and a high temperature fluid outlet of a high temperature fluid flow path of one thermoelectric conversion unit and another thermoelectric conversion unit High temperature fluid inlet for high temperature fluid flow path Characterized in that it communicates with.

The low-temperature fluid discharge port of the low-temperature fluid channel of one thermoelectric conversion unit may communicate with the low-temperature fluid intake port of the low-temperature fluid channel of another thermoelectric conversion unit.

  You may make it the external shape in the cross section perpendicular | vertical to the advancing direction of the fluid of a high-temperature fluid flow path and a low-temperature fluid flow path become substantially square or a triangle.

  The thermoelectric conversion element can be provided between the outer wall of the high-temperature fluid channel and the outer wall of the low-temperature fluid channel.

  A fin may be provided inside at least one of the high temperature fluid channel and the low temperature fluid channel.

  Thermal insulation means may be provided on the outer periphery of at least one of the high temperature fluid channel and the low temperature fluid channel.

  According to the temperature difference power generation method of the present invention, a thermoelectric conversion element is arranged so that a part thereof is thermally connected to a high-temperature fluid channel and the other part is thermally connected to a low-temperature fluid channel. The process of taking in the high temperature fluid from the high temperature fluid intake port, discharging the high temperature fluid from the high temperature fluid discharge port, taking in the low temperature fluid from the low temperature fluid intake port of the low temperature fluid flow path, and discharging the low temperature fluid from the low temperature fluid discharge port And a step of simultaneously generating at least two high-temperature fluid flow paths, the high-temperature fluid discharge port of one of the two high-temperature fluid paths being disposed in parallel with each other A flow of the high temperature fluid to the high temperature fluid intake port of the other high temperature fluid flow path.

  At least two cryogenic fluid channels are arranged in parallel to each other, and one of the two cryogenic fluid channels has a cryogenic fluid outlet to a cryogenic fluid inlet of the other cryogenic fluid channel. A step of circulating a low-temperature fluid.

  Furthermore, in the temperature difference power generation method of the present invention, the thermoelectric conversion element is arranged such that a part is thermally connected to the high temperature fluid flow path and the other part is thermally connected to the low temperature fluid flow path. The process of taking in high-temperature fluid from the high-temperature fluid inlet of the channel, discharging the high-temperature fluid from the high-temperature fluid outlet, taking in the low-temperature fluid from the low-temperature fluid inlet of the low-temperature fluid flow path, and receiving the low-temperature fluid from the low-temperature fluid outlet A temperature difference power generation method for simultaneously performing a discharging step, wherein at least two thermoelectric conversion units are arranged in which the same thermoelectric conversion element is thermally connected to one high-temperature fluid channel and one low-temperature fluid channel. A thermoelectric conversion element thermally connected to a high temperature fluid flow path of one thermoelectric conversion unit and thermally connected to a low temperature fluid flow path of another thermoelectric conversion unit; The high temperature fluid outlet of the high temperature fluid flow path and Serial and wherein the communicating hot fluid inlet of the hot fluid flow path of another thermoelectric conversion unit.

  The high-temperature fluid can be a high-temperature fluid from a hot spring, and the high-temperature fluid from the hot spring can be taken into at least one high-temperature fluid flow path by using a difference in elevation or the self-injection force of the hot spring.

  The cryogenic fluid from the river may be taken as a cryogenic fluid from the river, and the cryogenic fluid from the river may be taken in by a passive pumping device using a water pipe immersed in the water along the flowing down direction of the water flowing in a certain direction. Thereby, the electric power generating apparatus which does not require drive sources, such as a pump, can be obtained.

  According to the temperature difference power generation apparatus and the temperature difference power generation method of the present invention, the space efficiency can be improved, the space and material costs can be reduced. It can be a method. Further, the present invention is a temperature difference power generation apparatus and a temperature difference power generation method that can change the voltage and current values by adjusting the temperature difference and the flow rate as necessary, and can flexibly cope with them. In addition, the output is obtained almost constant day and night, which is advantageous compared to a solar cell that depends on the weather.

It is a perspective view of the temperature difference power generation device of one embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the temperature difference electric power generating apparatus of FIG. It is a partial expansion perspective view of the temperature difference power generation device of FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded plan view of the temperature difference power generation device of FIG. 1. It is a perspective view of the temperature difference power generation device of other embodiments of the present invention. (A) It is a schematic explanatory drawing regarding the temperature difference power generation device of further another embodiment of this invention. (B) It is a schematic explanatory drawing regarding the temperature difference power generation device of another embodiment of this invention.

In FIG. 1, the external appearance of the temperature difference power generation device 1 is shown.
The temperature difference power generation device 1 includes a pair of high-temperature fluid flow paths 2a and 2b connected to each other and a pair of low-temperature fluid flow paths 3a and 3b connected to each other.

  FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the temperature difference power generation device 1. The walls of the high temperature fluid channel 2 and the low temperature fluid channel 3 are preferably made of a material having high thermal conductivity such as copper. However, when the high-temperature fluid flow and the low-temperature fluid flow that flow through the high-temperature fluid flow path 2 and the low-temperature fluid flow path 3 are corrosive acidic or alkaline, a material having corrosion resistance (such as aluminum) may be used. preferable.

  A pipe 4a is connected to one end of one high-temperature fluid flow path 2a, and a pipe 4b is connected to the other end. A pipe 5a is connected to one end of the other high-temperature fluid flow path 2b, and a pipe 5b is connected to the other end. A high temperature fluid intake path (not shown) is connected to the pipe 4a connected to one end of one high temperature fluid flow path 2a, and a high temperature fluid discharge path (not shown) is connected to the pipe 5b of the other high temperature fluid flow path 2b. Connected).

Thus, the pipe 4b connected to the other end of one of the high-temperature fluid flow paths 2a and the pipe 5a connected to one end of the other high-temperature fluid flow path 2b communicate with each other, thereby providing a pair of high-temperature fluid flow paths. 2a and 2b are connected to each other.
As a result, the high temperature fluid is taken into the one high temperature fluid passage 2a from the pipe 4a which is the high temperature fluid intake port, and the high temperature fluid flows into the other high temperature fluid passage 2b through the pipe 4b and the pipe 5a, The high temperature fluid is discharged from the pipe 5b of the other high temperature fluid flow path 2b to the high temperature fluid discharge path.

  Further, a pipe 6a is connected to one end of one low-temperature fluid flow path 3a, and a pipe 6b is connected to the other end. A pipe 7a is connected to one end of the other low-temperature fluid flow path 3b, and a pipe 7b is connected to the other end. A low temperature fluid intake path (not shown) is connected to the pipe 6a connected to one end of one low temperature fluid flow path 3a, and a low temperature fluid discharge path (not shown) is connected to the pipe 7b of the other low temperature fluid flow path 3b. Connected).

Thus, the pipe 6b connected to the other end of one of the low-temperature fluid flow paths 3a and the pipe 7a connected to one end of the other low-temperature fluid flow path 3b communicate with each other, thereby providing a pair of low-temperature fluid flow paths. 3a and 3b are connected to each other.
As a result, the cryogenic fluid is taken into the one cryogenic fluid passage 3a from the pipe 6a which is the cryogenic fluid intake, and the cryogenic fluid flows into the other cryogenic fluid passage 3b through the pipe 6b and the pipe 7a. The low temperature fluid is discharged from the pipe 7b of the other low temperature fluid flow path 3b to the low temperature fluid discharge path.

One hot fluid channel 2a of the pair of hot fluid channels 2a, 2b and one side of the low temperature fluid channel 3a of the pair of cold fluid channels 3a, 3b and the other hot fluid A plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 8 are attached between the side surfaces of the flow path 2b and the other low-temperature fluid flow path 3b.
A plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 9 are provided between the lower surface of one high-temperature fluid channel 2a and the upper surface of the other low-temperature fluid channel 3b and between the upper surface of the other high-temperature fluid channel 2b and the lower surface of one low-temperature fluid channel 3a. Is pasted.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the thermoelectric conversion element 8 and the thermoelectric conversion element 9 are obtained by sandwiching the Peltier element 10 between the ceramic plates 11a and 11b, and the temperature difference between the ceramic plate 11a and the ceramic plate 11b. Accordingly, an electromotive force is generated between the leads 12a and 12b. FIG. 4 shows a state where the thermoelectric conversion element 9 is attached to the upper surfaces of the high temperature fluid channel 2b and the low temperature fluid channel 3b. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 9 are affixed to the upper surfaces of the high temperature fluid channel 2b and the low temperature fluid channel 3b. Further, the lower surface of the low-temperature fluid channel 3a and the high-temperature fluid channel 2a are attached to the upper surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 9.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 8 and thermoelectric conversion elements 9 are connected in series, and a power generation output is obtained between the leads 13 and 14 (see FIG. 4).

Therefore, the above-described temperature difference power generation device 1 includes one thermoelectric conversion unit constituted by the high-temperature fluid flow path 2a and the low-temperature fluid flow path 3a, and the other constituted by the high-temperature fluid flow path 2b and the low-temperature fluid flow path 3b. The thermoelectric conversion unit is provided. That is, a thermoelectric conversion unit including a pair of high-temperature fluid flow paths 2a and a low-temperature fluid flow path 3a thermally connected to the same thermoelectric conversion element 8, and another pair of high-temperature fluid flow paths 2b and low-temperature fluid flow paths 3b. And a thermoelectric conversion element thermally connected to the high-temperature fluid flow path 2a of one thermoelectric conversion unit and thermally connected to the low-temperature fluid flow path 3b of another thermoelectric conversion unit. 9, a pipe 4 b which is a high-temperature fluid discharge port of the high-temperature fluid flow path 2 a of one thermoelectric conversion unit and a pipe 5 a which is a high-temperature fluid intake port of the high-temperature fluid flow path 2 b of another thermoelectric conversion unit are communicated with each other. The temperature difference power generator is configured.

  FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the temperature difference power generator 1 of another embodiment. In the temperature difference power generator 1 of this embodiment, in order to efficiently conduct the high temperature of the high temperature fluid flow to the thermoelectric conversion element 8 and the thermoelectric conversion element 9, the high temperature fluid flow facing the thermoelectric conversion element 8 and the thermoelectric conversion element 9 is used. Fins 15 are provided on the inner wall of the path 2. Also in the low temperature fluid flow path 3, the fin 16 is provided for the same purpose. The material of the fins 15 and 16 is preferably a material having high thermal conductivity such as copper, and depending on the properties of the fluid, it is necessary to have excellent corrosion resistance.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a temperature difference power generator 1 according to another embodiment.
FIG. 6A is the same as the previous embodiment in that both the high-temperature fluid flow path 2 and the low-temperature fluid flow path 3 are rectangular in cross section, but four temperature difference power generators 1 are further laminated. In this case, the entire high-temperature fluid flow path 2 can be communicated, and four more temperature difference power generators 1 having at least a pair of high-temperature fluid flow paths 2a, 2b communicated are stacked. It can also be made. The same applies to the low-temperature fluid flow path 3.
FIG. 6B differs from the previous embodiment in that both the high-temperature fluid passage 2 and the low-temperature fluid passage 3 are triangular in cross section. In this case, three low-temperature fluid flow paths 3 are adjacent to one high-temperature fluid flow path 2 via thermoelectric conversion elements, and at the same time, three high-temperature fluid flow paths 2 are connected to thermoelectric conversion elements for one low-temperature fluid flow path 3. It becomes a relation which adjoins via. In this case, the entire high-temperature fluid flow path 2 can be communicated, and at least a pair of high-temperature fluid flow paths 2a and 2b can be communicated. The same applies to the low-temperature fluid flow path 3.

Table 1 illustrates combinations of high-temperature fluid and low-temperature fluid introduced into the high-temperature fluid channel 2 and the low-temperature fluid channel 3, respectively. As shown in Table 1, the temperature, hot water and cold water, temperature, hot air and cold air, high temperature steam and snow, ice, cooling exhaust heat and cold drainage of fired products, exhaust gas heat (automobile) and inflow outside air, microbial fermentation heat and A combination of air, frictional heat and air, incinerator exhaust heat and melting heat, solar heat and heat radiating device can be considered, and other heat sources include geothermal heat and heat exchanger exhaust heat.

Experiments were performed using the temperature difference power generator 1 of FIG. The high-temperature fluid flow path 2 and the low-temperature fluid flow path 3 used 60 mm × 60 mm × 1000 mm aluminum tubes. Twenty thermoelectric conversion elements 8 in FIG. 4 were attached to the temperature difference power generator 1. Table 2 shows the temperature of the hot fluid, the temperature of the cold fluid, the electromotive force, and the like. In addition, a flexible response | compatibility is possible by changing the width and length of pipes, thickness, and the number of combinations of pipes. Also, voltage and current wiring can be changed depending on the temperature difference and flow rate. The output was almost constant regardless of day or night. This is an advantage over solar cells that are affected by the weather.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Temperature difference power generation device, 2 ... High temperature fluid flow path, 3 ... Low temperature fluid flow path, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... Pipe, 8, 9 ... Thermoelectric conversion element, 15 , 16 ... fins.

Claims (12)

A high-temperature fluid flow path that takes in high-temperature fluid from the high-temperature fluid intake port, discharges high-temperature fluid from the high-temperature fluid discharge port, and a low-temperature fluid that takes in low-temperature fluid from the low-temperature fluid intake port and discharges low-temperature fluid from the low-temperature fluid discharge port And a thermoelectric conversion element, part of which is thermally connected to the high-temperature fluid flow path and the other part is thermally connected to the low-temperature fluid flow path. The high-temperature fluid flow path is characterized in that a high-temperature fluid discharge port of one of the two high-temperature fluid flow paths and a high-temperature fluid intake port of the other high-temperature fluid flow path are communicated with each other. Temperature difference generator. At least two cryogenic fluid passages arranged in parallel to each other have a cryogenic fluid discharge port of one cryogenic fluid channel and a cryogenic fluid intake port of the other cryogenic fluid channel of the two cryogenic fluid channels. The temperature difference power generation device according to claim 1, wherein A high-temperature fluid flow path that takes in high-temperature fluid from the high-temperature fluid intake port, discharges high-temperature fluid from the high-temperature fluid discharge port, and a low-temperature fluid that takes in low-temperature fluid from the low-temperature fluid intake port and discharges low-temperature fluid from the low-temperature fluid discharge port And a thermoelectric conversion element partly thermally connected to the high-temperature fluid flow path and the other part thermally connected to the low-temperature fluid flow path, and thermally connected to the same thermoelectric conversion element Having at least two thermoelectric conversion units each composed of a pair of high-temperature fluid flow paths and low-temperature fluid flow paths, thermally connected to the high-temperature fluid flow paths of one thermoelectric conversion unit, and of other thermoelectric conversion units A thermoelectric conversion element thermally connected to the low-temperature fluid flow path, and a high-temperature fluid discharge port of the high-temperature fluid flow path of one thermoelectric conversion unit and a high-temperature fluid intake port of the high-temperature fluid flow path of another thermoelectric conversion unit Is characterized by being in communication Degree difference power generation equipment. The temperature difference power generation device according to claim 3, wherein the low-temperature fluid discharge port of the low-temperature fluid channel of one thermoelectric conversion unit and the low-temperature fluid intake port of the low-temperature fluid channel of another thermoelectric conversion unit are communicated. The temperature difference power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an outer shape of the cross section perpendicular to the fluid traveling direction of the high-temperature fluid channel and the low-temperature fluid channel is substantially rectangular. The temperature difference power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer shape of the cross section perpendicular to the fluid traveling direction of the high-temperature fluid channel and the low-temperature fluid channel is substantially triangular. The temperature difference electric power generating apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-6 with which a thermoelectric conversion element is provided between the outer wall of a high temperature fluid flow path, and the outer wall of a low temperature fluid flow path. The thermoelectric conversion element is arranged so that a part is thermally connected to the high-temperature fluid flow path and the other part is thermally connected to the low-temperature fluid flow path. Temperature difference power generation that simultaneously discharges high-temperature fluid from the high-temperature fluid discharge port, and draws low-temperature fluid from the low-temperature fluid intake port of the low-temperature fluid flow path and discharges low-temperature fluid from the low-temperature fluid discharge port A method in which at least two high-temperature fluid channels are arranged in parallel to each other, and one of the two high-temperature fluid channels has a high temperature of the other high-temperature fluid channel from a high-temperature fluid outlet. A temperature difference power generation method comprising a step of circulating a high-temperature fluid through a fluid intake port. At least two cryogenic fluid channels are arranged in parallel to each other, and one of the two cryogenic fluid channels has a cryogenic fluid outlet to a cryogenic fluid inlet of the other cryogenic fluid channel. The temperature difference power generation method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of circulating a low temperature fluid. The thermoelectric conversion element is arranged so that a part is thermally connected to the high-temperature fluid flow path and the other part is thermally connected to the low-temperature fluid flow path. Temperature difference power generation that simultaneously discharges high-temperature fluid from the high-temperature fluid discharge port, and draws low-temperature fluid from the low-temperature fluid intake port of the low-temperature fluid flow path and discharges low-temperature fluid from the low-temperature fluid discharge port A method comprising: arranging at least two thermoelectric conversion units in which the same thermoelectric conversion element is thermally connected to one high-temperature fluid channel and one low-temperature fluid channel; A thermoelectric conversion element thermally connected to the path and thermally connected to a low-temperature fluid flow path of another thermoelectric conversion unit; and a high-temperature fluid outlet of the high-temperature fluid flow path of the one thermoelectric conversion unit; High temperature flow of the other thermoelectric conversion unit Thermal energy conversion method characterized by communicating the hot fluid inlet of the flow channel. The temperature difference power generation method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the high-temperature fluid is a high-temperature fluid from a hot spring, and the high-temperature fluid from the hot spring is taken into at least one high-temperature fluid flow path using a difference in elevation or the self-injection force of the hot spring. . The temperature difference power generation method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the low-temperature fluid is a low-temperature fluid from a river.

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