JPH08125232A - Thermal generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide the title thermal generator having excellent thermal efficiency as well as thermal and temperature shock resistance capable of stably generating electricity at high temperature. CONSTITUTION: Within the title thermal generator provided with a burner reactor 24 generating heat by burning a fuel 26 together with burning air 27 as well as a thermionic generator 3 generating electricity using the thermions discharge by the heat generated by this burner reactor 24, this thermal generator is provided with an accumulator 23 feeding discharge power to outer loads of the thermal generator 1 while continuously rated-operating the thermionic generator 3. At this time, the generated output and the discharge output of the accumulator 23 are led out to the same circuit 30, furthermore, the accumulator 23 can be charged if necessary from the thermionic generator 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermoelectric generator that directly converts heat from a heat source into electricity, and more particularly to a thermoelectric generator that effectively utilizes unused heat in a high temperature range.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 2 is a principle diagram of a cesium-encapsulated thermionic power generator 3 according to the prior art. The emitter electrode 4 is heated by a heat source (not shown) to emit the electrons 13, and the collector electrode 7 collects the emitted electrons 13. Both electrodes are arranged opposite to each other with an inter-electrode space 9 being an appropriate gap. If these electrodes are connected to an external circuit such as an emitter lead 5, a collector lead 8 and a load 22, electrons 13 move from the collector electrode 7 to the emitter electrode 4, and a current 14 flows from the emitter electrode 4 to the collector electrode. 7
Flow to the external load 22, and electric power can be taken out to the external load 22.

The ceramic seal 10 includes an emitter electrode 4
And the collector electrode 7 are electrically insulated from each other, and a vacuum sealing portion of the inter-electrode space 9 is formed. Cesium reservoir 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a metal cesium 12 storage container, and by adjusting the temperature of this portion, a required cesium 12 vapor is supplied to the inter-electrode space 9. The cesium 12 has a function of optimizing the work functions of both electrodes and a function of neutralizing the negative space charge due to emitted electrons. A general power generation operating temperature is the emitter electrode 4 temperature of 1200 to 1700 ° C.
The values of the collector electrode 7 temperature of 400 to 700 ° C. and the cesium reservoir 11 temperature of 270 to 300 ° C. are adopted.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the thermionic power generator 3 shown in FIG. In the thermoelectron generator 3, the base end side of the hot shell 15 is fixed to the emitter flange 17,
An emitter electrode 4 is provided inside the tip side, and a collector electrode 7 is provided so as to face the emitter electrode 4. The collector electrode 7 is cooled by a collector heat exchanger 16 which exchanges heat with cooling air 19 supplied by a cooling air tube 18. A cesium reservoir 11 is provided in an inter-electrode space 9 which is a space between the emitter electrode 4 and the collector electrode 7.
Cesium is supplied from. Reference numeral 10 indicates a ceramic seal.

Since the thermoelectron generator 3 operates in a high temperature field as described above, it is required to have heat resistance strength as a device as well as each component. In particular, since the emitter electrode 4 operates at a high temperature of 1200 to 1700 ° C., sufficient time is required for heating and cooling and cooling.

[0006]

The thermionic generator 3 described above.
Operates in a high temperature field, so that, for example, in DSS (daytime operation, nighttime stop) operation, not only the component parts of the thermoelectron generator 3 are exposed to high temperatures but also large heating and cooling causes As a result of this temperature shock, the ceramic seal 1 which is an insulator is subjected to a temperature change cycle.
There was a danger that 0 would be fatally damaged. Therefore,
Good heat resistance and temperature shock resistance of the component parts of the thermoelectric generator 3 are required, and the conventional component parts were uneasy under such usage conditions.

Furthermore, it takes a considerable time to heat and cool the thermoelectron generator 3, and during this time, an effective output cannot be obtained, and the thermal efficiency of the thermoelectric generator may decrease. or,
The load fluctuation is followed by changing the operating temperature, for example, the temperature of the emitter electrode 4 and the temperature of the cesium reservoir 11, but there is a problem that the conversion efficiency is lowered.

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric power generator capable of stably performing high-efficiency power generation in a high temperature field, mitigating heat and temperature shock, and having good thermal efficiency.

[0009]

To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a thermoelectric generator comprising a heat source for generating heat, and a thermoelectric generator for converting the heat of the heat source into electricity to generate electricity. Supplying discharge power to an external load of the thermoelectric generator,
A storage battery for operating the thermoelectric generator in a rated continuous operation is provided.

Further, in the above invention, the thermoelectric generator comprises at least one of a thermoelectron generator for generating electric power by utilizing thermoelectron emission and a thermoelectric generator for generating electric power by utilizing thermoelectromotive force. Is.

Further, in any of the above inventions, in the thermoelectric generator, the power generation output of the thermoelectric generator and the discharge output of the storage battery are led to the same circuit.

In any one of the above inventions, the storage battery can be charged from the thermoelectric generator as needed.

[0013]

According to the present invention, the storage battery is provided for supplying the discharge power to the external load of the thermoelectric power generator and operating the thermoelectric generator at the rated continuous operation. It plays the role of adjusting the amount of power supply, and when the power demand increases, it supplies the power from the thermoelectric generator and also discharges output from the storage battery.When the power demand decreases, only the thermoelectric generator loads the external load. The power is supplied, and the surplus power charges the storage battery. Therefore, the operation that follows the power demand of the external load becomes unnecessary. Further, since the thermoelectric generator operates at a constant temperature and a rated continuous operation, temperature shock resistance due to temperature changes of the component parts of the thermoelectric generator is mitigated.
The reliability of the thermoelectric generator is improved.

Further, in the above invention, the thermoelectric generator is
Since it is provided with at least one of a thermoelectron generator that generates electric power by utilizing thermoelectron emission or a thermoelectric generator that generates electric power by using thermoelectromotive force, in addition to the function of the invention described above, As the range of choice expands, the degree of freedom in designing the thermoelectric generator expands.

Further, in any one of the above-mentioned inventions, the thermoelectric power generator has the power generation output of the thermoelectric generator and the discharge output of the storage battery derived in the same circuit. With respect to the increase in power demand, it is possible to supply the total power of the power generated by the thermoelectric generator and the discharge power of the storage battery, which is economical in terms of equipment.

In any one of the above inventions, since the storage battery can be charged from the thermoelectric generator as needed, in addition to the operation of any of the above inventions,
When the power demand is low, the thermoelectric generator charges the storage battery,
When the power demand is high, the discharge power is supplied from the storage battery so as to supplement the power shortage of the thermoelectric generator.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a thermoelectric generator according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. The thermoelectric generator 1 according to the present embodiment uses the burner 25 together with the fuel 26 and the combustion air 27.
A combustion furnace 24, which serves as a heat source for generating heat by burning with a thermoelectric generator, and a thermoelectron generator 3 that generates electric power by utilizing thermoelectron emission, which is one of thermoelectric generators, and further includes an external load of the thermoelectric generator 1. A storage battery 23 that supplies discharge electric power to the thermoelectric generator 3 to operate the thermoelectron generator 3 in a rated continuous operation. And the thermionic generator 3
The same power generation output of the battery and the discharge output of the storage battery 23
It is derived from. Further, the thermionic power generator 3 and the storage battery 23 are connected to the storage battery 23 from the thermionic power generator 3 as required.
It can be charged. Further, the thermoelectric generator 1 of this embodiment includes a charge / discharge switching device 31.

The thermoelectric generator 1 of the present embodiment is constructed by adding a chargeable / dischargeable storage battery 23 to the thermoelectron generator 3 that operates in a high temperature field formed by a combustion furnace. However, the chargeable / dischargeable storage battery 23 has a capacity of 1 to 1.5 times the power generation output of the thermionic power generator 3. For example, the power output of the thermoelectron generator 3 is 50 KWe (500 KWH, 10-hour operation), while the chargeable / dischargeable storage battery 23 has a capacity of 500 to 750 KWH. At the time of power demand, the output capacity of the thermoelectron generator 3 is 500 KWH and the discharge output capacity of the storage battery 23 is 750 KW.
A maximum output capacity of 1250 KWH is obtained at H. This can be met by a continuous load of, for example, 100 KWe for about half a day, and the maximum electric power demand can be met by the thermoelectric generator 3 having a capacity of 1/2 or less.

Further, in the thermoelectric generator 1, the blower 28 blows the air 27 to the thermionic generator 3 in the combustion furnace 24 to cool the collector electrode and preheat the air 27 to supply it to the burner 25. Burner 25 is fuel 2
6 is burned by the previously preheated air 27, and the heat of combustion heats the emitter electrode of the thermoelectron generator 3 to activate the emission of thermoelectrons. Reference numeral 21 is an output end of the thermoelectric generator 1, and 29 is a combustion exhaust gas.

The thermoelectric generator 1 of this embodiment having such a structure operates as follows. That is, since the thermoelectric power generation device 1 includes the storage battery 23 that supplies the discharge power to the external load of the thermoelectric power generation device 1 to operate the thermoelectron power generator 3 at the rated continuous operation, fluctuations in the power demand that is the external load. In contrast, the storage battery 23 plays a role of adjusting the power supply amount, and when the power demand increases, the thermoelectric power generator 3 supplies power and the storage battery 23 also supplies discharge power. When the power demand decreases at night, power is supplied from only the thermionic power generator 3 to the external load, and the follow-up operation to the power demand fluctuation of the thermionic power generator 3, that is, the partial load operation becomes unnecessary. Contribute to the improvement of thermal efficiency. Also, 1200-
Since continuous operation at a constant temperature of 1700 ° C. or higher is possible, the heat resistance and temperature shock resistance of the component parts of the thermoelectric power generator 1 against high temperatures are improved, and the reliability of the thermoelectric power generator 1 is also improved.

Further, in the thermoelectric generator 1, the power generation output of the thermoelectron generator 3 and the discharge output of the storage battery 23 are derived to the same circuit 30, so that in addition to the function of the thermoelectric generator 1, The generated electric power of the thermoelectron generator 3 and the discharged electric power of the storage battery 23 can be supplied by the same circuit 30, and the electric power can be immediately supplied from the storage battery 23 in response to an increase in power demand.

In the thermoelectric generator 1, the thermoelectron generator 3 and the storage battery 23 can be charged into the storage battery 23 from the thermoelectron generator 3 as needed, so that the thermoelectric generator 1 operates. In addition, when the power demand is low, the thermionic power generator 3 supplies power to the external load and
When the storage battery 23 is charged from the thermoelectron generator 3 and there is a large power demand, the discharge power is supplied from the storage battery 23 so as to supplement the power of the thermoelectron generator 3. At this time, the charge / discharge switching device 31 performs a switching operation of discharging and outputting from the storage battery 23 to the external load when the external load increases and a switching operation of charging the storage battery 23 with excess power from the thermoelectron generator 3 when the external load decreases. Play both roles.

In the thermoelectric generator 1 of the above embodiment,
Although the thermoelectric generator is the thermoelectron generator 3, the thermoelectric generator may be a thermoelectric generator that uses thermoelectromotive force to generate electricity, and the thermoelectric generator may be a thermoelectron generator or a thermoelectric generator. It may be a plurality having at least one of the electric generators. Further, the thermoelectric generator 1 of the above-described embodiment is the combustion furnace 24 that burns fuel as a heat source, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a heat source that uses solar heat or a heat source that uses nuclear power. .

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited only to those embodiments by that, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.

[0025]

According to the present invention, the thermoelectric power generator is provided with a storage battery for supplying discharge power to the external load of the thermoelectric power generator to operate the thermoelectric generator at the rated continuous operation, so that the thermal efficiency is improved. In addition, the heat resistance of the component parts of the thermoelectric power generator against high temperature and the temperature shock resistance against temperature change are improved, and the reliability of the thermoelectric power generator is improved.

Further, in the above invention, the thermoelectric generator is
Since the thermoelectric generator or the thermoelectric generator is provided, at least one of the thermoelectric generator and the thermoelectric generator is provided. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the invention described above, the range of selection of the thermoelectric generator is widened, and the degree of freedom in designing the thermoelectric generator is expanded.

Further, in any one of the above inventions, the thermoelectric power generator has the power generation output of the thermoelectric generator and the discharge output of the storage battery derived in the same circuit. The electric power can be supplied by the same circuit, the electric power can be immediately supplied from the storage battery in response to an increase in the electric power demand, and the facility is economical. .

In any one of the above inventions, the storage battery can be charged from the thermoelectric generator as needed, so that in addition to the effect of any one of the above inventions, the storage battery can be charged from the thermoelectric generator when the power demand is low. When the electric power charged in the storage battery is in high demand, the storage battery discharges the electric power so as to compensate for the power shortage of the thermoelectric generator.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of a thermoelectric generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a principle diagram of a thermionic power generator according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view embodying the thermionic power generator shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 thermoelectric generator 3 thermoelectron generator 23 storage battery 30 circuit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A thermoelectric power generator including a heat source that generates heat and a thermoelectric generator that converts the heat of the heat source into electricity to generate electricity, and supplies discharge power to an external load of the thermoelectric power generator. A thermoelectric generator comprising a storage battery for operating the thermoelectric generator in a rated continuous operation. 2. The thermoelectric generator according to claim 1,
A thermoelectric generator comprising at least one of a thermoelectron generator for generating electric power by utilizing thermoelectron emission or a thermoelectric generator for generating electric power by utilizing thermoelectromotive force. 3. The thermoelectric generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thermoelectric generator has a power generation output of the thermoelectric generator and a discharge output of the storage battery, which are derived in the same circuit. . 4. The thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein the storage battery can be charged from the thermoelectric generator as needed.