KR20170007504A - Apparatus for energy management - Google Patents

Abstract

The energy management apparatus of the present invention includes: a generator for generating hydrogen by electrolyzing water; A hydrogen engine that is an internal combustion engine using the hydrogen as fuel; And a first generator connected to the hydrogen engine.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT [0002]

The present invention relates to an energy management device for producing environmentally friendly electric energy.

In recent years, problems of depletion of energy resources, which generate various kinds of energy, and environmental pollution caused by the consumption of energy resources, have become serious.

Research has been conducted to utilize the abandoned energy as a solution to this problem.

Korean Patent Registration No. 1142595 discloses a technology for efficiently providing electricity when driving an electric / electronic device consuming electricity, thereby reducing the cost of using the electric / electronic device. However, there is no suggestion to utilize the abandoned energy.

Korean Patent Registration No. 1142595

The present invention is intended to provide an energy management apparatus that produces a large amount of electrical energy with abandoned energy resources.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not intended to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, It will be possible.

The energy management apparatus of the present invention includes: a generator for generating hydrogen by electrolyzing water; A hydrogen engine that is an internal combustion engine using the hydrogen as fuel; A first generator connected to the hydrogen engine; And a management unit for managing the first electricity generated from the first generator.

The energy management apparatus of the present invention includes a collecting unit for collecting solar heat or sunlight; A heat-driven Stirling engine collected in the collector; And a second generator connected to the Stirling engine.

The energy management apparatus of the present invention can produce a large amount of electric energy by using a hydrogen internal combustion engine using hydrogen as fuel.

In addition, the power required for driving the hydrogen internal combustion engine may be solar heat or solar light corresponding to the discarded energy.

Specifically, water can be electrolyzed with electric power produced by using abandoned solar or photovoltaic energy, and more power can be obtained by turning the hydrogen internal combustion engine with hydrogen generated by electrolysis.

Further, after electricity is produced from the hydrogen internal combustion engine, some of the electricity can be used for generating hydrogen corresponding to the fuel of the hydrogen internal combustion engine, thereby theoretically producing unlimited amount of electricity.

1 is a block diagram showing an energy management apparatus according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the electrolysis in the generator; Fig.
Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing a generation unit constituting the energy management apparatus of the present invention. Fig.
4 is a schematic view showing the electrode of the present invention.
Figures 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating other energy management devices of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The sizes and shapes of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. In addition, terms defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may be changed according to the intention or custom of the user, the operator. Definitions of these terms should be based on the content of this specification.

1 is a block diagram showing an energy management apparatus according to the present invention.

1 may include a generator 130, a hydrogen engine 150, a first generator 170, and a management unit 190.

The hydrogen engine 150 may be an internal combustion engine using hydrogen as fuel.

The internal combustion engine may be an oxidizing agent such as air and an engine that burns fuel in the combustion chamber to obtain energy. Due to the exothermic reaction of the fuel burned in the combustion chamber and the oxidizer, gas of high temperature and pressure is generated, and the piston and the spark of the engine are moved to start the engine. This manner of operation of the internal combustion engine is in contrast to steam engines that utilize heat outside the engine or external combustion engines such as Stirling engines. Most internal combustion engines acquire driving force through piston motion. However, there are cases where the driving force is obtained through rotational motion like a Wankel engine.

The internal combustion engine may include, for example, a four-stroke engine. The four-stroke engine can be driven in the following order: suction, compression explosion, and exhaust.

The inhalation process may be a process that receives the fuel and the oxidant into the cylinder.

The compression process may be a process in which the mixture of fuel and oxidant in the cylinder is compressed by the piston.

The explosion process may be a process in which the compressed mixture is ignited by electric discharge or strong compression to cause a rapid exothermic reaction. At this time, the expansion of the gas causes a force to move the organ.

The exhaust process may be a process in which the gas having undergone the reaction is discharged out of the cylinder.

In order for the hydrogen engine 150 corresponding to the internal combustion engine to operate normally, hydrogen corresponding to the raw material is required.

Air in the atmosphere contains hydrogen, but mostly consists of nitrogen and oxygen, and means for separately providing hydrogen is required. By this means, the generating unit 130 can be used.

The generator 130 can generate hydrogen by electrolyzing water. The hydrogen generated in the generator 130 may be supplied to the hydrogen engine 150.

The first generator 170 may be linked to an element connected to the hydrogen engine 150, specifically to a shaft that rotates during four-stroke operation of the hydrogen engine 150. Accordingly, when the hydrogen engine 150 is driven using hydrogen as a raw material, the shaft of the first generator 170 rotates, and electricity can be output from the first generator 170.

It may be difficult to keep the amount of hydrogen supplied to the hydrogen engine 150 constant when the hydrogen produced in the generator 130 flows directly into the hydrogen engine 150. Further, it is expected that the generation unit 130 first operates to supply simultaneous hydrogen after the hydrogen engine 150 is stopped. In order to solve this problem, the energy management apparatus of the present invention may be provided with a hydrogen vessel 143.

The hydrogen container 143 is disposed between the generating unit 130 and the hydrogen engine 150, and hydrogen generated in the generating unit 130 can be stored. The hydrogen container 143 may be formed with a pressure-resistant structure for safely storing high-pressure hydrogen. When the hydrogen container 143 is provided, hydrogen generated in the generator 130 is not directly supplied to the hydrogen engine 150, but hydrogen stored in the hydrogen container 143 can be supplied.

According to the hydrogen container 143, the amount of hydrogen supplied to the hydrogen engine 150 can be kept constant, and if hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen container 143, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 150 < / RTI > That is, regardless of whether the generator 130 of the hydrogen engine 150 connected to the hydrogen container 143 is driven, the driving can be determined by the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen container 143.

The generating unit 130 can be driven when the amount of hydrogen stored in the container is less than the set value. When the hydrogen stored in the container is saturated, the hydrogen is not stored in the hydrogen container 143 even if the generator 130 operates. However, since the generating unit 130 is driven only when the amount of hydrogen is less than the set value, it is possible to prevent unnecessary consumption of power and water by the generating unit 130. [

The gas generated by the electrolysis in the generator 130 may include oxygen and water vapor in addition to hydrogen. At this time, although hydrogen and oxygen can be separated and collected according to the polarity of the electrode 133, it is difficult to separate water vapor according to the polarity. A cooling trap 141 may be interposed between the generator 130 and the hydrogen container 143 to remove water vapor.

The cooling trap 141 can cool the gas introduced from the generator 130 and separate the water vapor and hydrogen contained in the gas. For example, when the hydrogen container 143 is disposed above the cooling trap 141 in the direction of gravity, the water vapor that has cooled while passing through the hydrogen turns into water and can not reach the cooling trap 141 positioned above, 141). On the other hand, the hydrogen can be lifted up and accommodated in the hydrogen container 143.

A U-shaped trap pipe (not shown) is interposed between the cooling pipe 141 and the output pipe 135 connected to the closed container 131 so that the water in which the water vapor is liquefied in the cooling trap 141 falls down without falling down to the cooling trap 141 . Accordingly, the water generated in the cooling trap 141 is collected in the U-shaped trap tube, and can be discharged to the outside through the drain valve connected to the U-shaped trap tube.

On the other hand, in view of safety, the hydrogen container 143 for storing hydrogen can store hydrogen separated from the cooling trap 141 in a low pressure state. The hydrogen container 143 may be provided with a laminated carbon metal porous body for storing hydrogen at a low pressure. The porous carbon metal laminated body may be one in which a carbon metal film that has been made porous and has a surface area that is large enough to store gas is laminated in a cylindrical gas tank, which is fabricated so as to cancel gas pressures with each other.

According to the present invention, an oxygen container 144 in which oxygen is stored may be provided. At this time, the cooling trap 142 may be further provided between the oxygen container and the sealed container.

Low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen vessel 143 and low enough to operate the hydrogen engine 150 may be injected into the hydrogen engine 150 via an MFC (Mass Flow Controller) embedded in an integrated gas delivery system (IGS) . If necessary, an inverter for converting DC electricity into AC electricity may be provided at the output terminal of the first generator 170 or the output terminal of the battery 191.

When the pressure of the hydrogen container 143 reaches a set value, for example, 10 atm or more, the power supplied to the electrode 133 can be shut off. According to this, an explosion accident or the like of the hydrogen container 143 can be prevented.

2 is a schematic diagram showing the electrolysis performed in the generator 130. FIG.

The generating unit 130 may be provided with an electrode 133 for electrolyzing water.

At this time, oxygen (O ₂ ) is generated in the positive electrode 133 + and hydrogen (H ₂ ) is generated in the negative electrode 133 -.

Hydrogen or oxygen is important not only in the generation process but also in the collection process. If the collection is wrong - the hydrogen collected on the pole side may contain oxygen, or the oxygen collected on the + pole side may contain hydrogen.

In order to reliably handle hydrogen and oxygen, the electrode 133 or guide 147 of a new structure is proposed in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a generation unit 130 constituting the energy management apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an electrode 133 of the present invention.

The electrodes 133 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (a) may be formed in a pipe shape in which hydrogen or a flow path through which oxygen flows is formed. In other words, it is possible to take a tubular shape having a hollow as a whole. In addition, the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the electrode 133 may decrease as it goes toward the opposite direction of gravity. According to this, the overall shape of the electrode 133 may be similar to inverting the funnel-shaped funnel.

In addition, an output pipe 135 of hydrogen or oxygen may be connected to one end of the electrode 133 having a reduced cross-sectional area. Since the electrode 133 itself is formed in a funnel shape, hydrogen or oxygen generated at least in the flow path provided inside the electrode 133 can be reliably guided to the output tube 135 connected to the end.

It is preferable that an insulating joint 149 is provided between the electrode 133 and the output tube 135 so as to provide a hydrogen or oxygen flow path and electrically isolate the electrode 133 and the output tube 135 from each other. The insulator 136 may be interposed between the electrode 133 and the closed vessel 131 in the same manner.

Meanwhile, in order to use the conventional electrode 133 as it is, a separate guide 147 may be used as shown in FIG. 4 (b).

The guide 147 may cover the electrode 133 for electrolyzing the water 10. The guide 147 may be provided with a passage of hydrogen or oxygen whose cross-sectional area decreases toward the opposite direction of gravity. In addition, an output tube 135 for outputting hydrogen may be connected to one end of the guide 147 having a reduced cross-sectional area.

The generating unit 130 may be provided with a water container 139 in which the water 10 is stored. At this time, the water 10 in the water container 139 can be introduced into the closed container 131 where electrolysis is performed. The generating unit 130 further includes an input tube 138 connecting the water container 139 and the sealed vessel 131 and an electrode 133 disposed in the inner space of the sealed vessel 131 for electrolyzing water . The hermetically sealed container 131 may be provided with a gas drain valve 134 and a water drain valve 132.

At this time, the water container 139 may be disposed above the closed container 131 in the gravity direction so that the water in the water container 139 is injected into the closed container 131 by gravity. An input valve 137 is provided in the input pipe 138 for connecting the water container 139 and the hermetically sealed container 131 and the water supplied to the hermetically sealed container 131 according to the adjustment of the input valve 137 The amount can be adjusted. That is, the flow of water can be controlled by only the input valve 137 without a separate driving source for flowing the water.

One end of the input tube 138 may be connected to a discharge port formed in the ceiling of the closed vessel 131. According to this, the water outputted from the discharge port falls along the gravity direction. When the falling water comes into contact with the electrode 133, electrolysis can be reliably performed. For this purpose, it is preferable that the position of the discharge port and the position of the electrode 133 on the plane overlap each other.

Meanwhile, the energy management apparatus of the present invention may be provided with an oxygen container 144 in which not only a hydrogen container 143 storing hydrogen produced by electrolysis but also oxygen generated by electrolysis is stored. The hydrogen engine 150 may be supplied with hydrogen stored in the hydrogen container 143 and oxygen stored in the oxygen container 144. [ In addition to hydrogen, oxygen is required for normal operation of the hydrogen engine 150, and oxygen at this time may also be supplied from the generator 130.

The oxygen stored in the oxygen container 144 may also be used for other purposes than the hydrogen engine 150. [

On the other hand, in the first generator 170 connected to the hydrogen engine 150, the first electricity e can be produced. At this time, the generator 130 can directly use the first electricity as a power source for electrolysis, or use the charging electricity of the battery 191 charged with the first electricity.

The hydrogen engine 150 can operate if hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen container 143 during the initial startup. When the hydrogen engine 150 is operated, the first electricity is outputted from the first generator 170 connected to the hydrogen engine 150, so that hydrogen can be generated in the generator 130 using the first electricity .

However, if there is no hydrogen stored in the hydrogen container 143, the hydrogen engine 150 can not operate. Then, the generation unit 130 for generating hydrogen required for the operation must operate, and if the electricity stored in the battery 191 is not available, the generation unit 130 can not operate. In this case, the energy management apparatus may be provided with the supply unit 110.

Figures 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating other energy management devices of the present invention. The energy management apparatus disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6 may be the supplier 110. Fig.

The feeder 110 may provide a second electricity (e) used as a power source for electrolysis. The supplying unit 110 may be provided with a Stirling engine 118 that converts thermal energy into lunar energy, and a second generator 119 that is driven by the Stirling engine 118 and produces second electricity. In order to provide the heat, the supply unit 110 is provided with a solar heat or solar light, such as a concave mirror or a convex lens, which generates heat energy by focusing the solar or sunlight on the Stirling engine 118, Or a collection unit 115 for collecting sunlight may be provided.

A concave mirror or convex lens can focus solar or solar light on a focal point and convert solar heat or sunlight to solar heat or solar light. The Stirling engine 118 includes a first cylinder part 111 disposed at the focus of the collecting part 115, a second cylinder part 112 connected to the first cylinder part 111 through a flow path, a first cylinder part 111, And a link portion 116 such as a worm gear connected to a second piston (not shown) of the second cylinder portion 112 may be provided.

The link portion 116 may be connected to the rotation shaft 121 of the second generator 119.

A fluid such as a gas is received in the first cylinder part 111, and the fluid can communicate with the second cylinder part 112 through the connection tube 113 in which a flow path is formed.

On the other hand, in order to collect solar heat or sunlight, the optical axis of the collecting unit 115 preferably follows the sun. However, since the position of the sun changes with time, the energy management apparatus may be provided with the rotation unit 114.

The rotation unit 114 can rotate the collection unit 115 according to the motion of the sun. According to this, the optical axis of the collecting unit 115 can follow the sun, and can concentrate solar heat or solar light on a focal point existing on the optical axis. The rotation unit 114 may be provided with two sensors for measuring the amount of sunlight or solar light. The rotation unit 114 can rotate the collecting unit 115 according to the amount of light output from the two sensors.

A protective structure of the Stirling engine 118 is required to be configured to be portable. To this end, in the case of the concave mirror, the Stirling engine 118 protrudes from the concave mirror, so that an external impact is likely to be applied to the Stirling engine 118. For protection of the Stirling engine 118, a plurality of protuberances 117 extending along the optical axis direction of the collecting part 115 may be provided on the side surface of the Stirling engine 118. The collecting unit 115 may be installed at the end of the protector 117. At this time, the collecting unit 115 may include a convex lens to focus the position of the first cylinder 111.

According to this configuration, the Stirling engine 118 can be protected by the convex lens and the protector 117.

When thermal energy is provided, the Stirling engine 118 is driven and the second generator 119 connected to the Stirling engine 118 can produce the second electricity. The second electricity at this time is used for electrolysis of the generation unit 130 and the supply unit 110 is provided to the generation unit 130 and can store the surplus second electricity in the battery 191. [ The first electricity and the second electricity may be stored together in the battery 191 at this time.

An amplifying means for amplifying the second electricity output from the second generator 119 may be provided in case the second electricity output from the second generator 119 is insufficient. The amplifying means includes a generator 130 for generating electricity by electrolyzing water using a second electricity, a hydrogen engine 150 as an internal combustion engine using hydrogen as a fuel, a first generator (not shown) connected to the hydrogen engine 150 170 may be provided. Since the first electricity outputted from the first generator 170 is larger than the second electricity, the second electricity is amplified.

When 2F of electricity (2F = 96521.9 × 2C = 53.6Ah) is applied to 1 mol of water, 1 mol of hydrogen (= 22.4 liters) and 1/2 mol of oxygen may be generated. The electricity required to produce ¹ Nm ³ of hydrogen in the standard state is 2,392 Ah / Nm ³ , and the ideal theoretical voltage required for ideal electrolysis is 1.23 V. The electrical energy required for electrolysis is voltage x electricity, and the theoretical electrolysis voltage may vary depending on the conditions. For example, at alkaline water electrolysis at normal pressure, 80 ° C, 20% NaOH aqueous solution, the theoretical electrolytic voltage is 1.184 V. In the case of alkaline water electrolysis at 50 atm, 80 ° C and 30% KOH aqueous solution, the theoretical electrolytic voltage is 1.277 V. This level of electrolytic voltage can be sufficiently provided in the Stirling engine 118.

The energy management apparatus may be provided with a management unit 190 for managing the first electricity generated from the first generator 170. At this time, the management unit 190 may be provided with a battery 191 in which the first electricity is stored.

The management unit 190 can check the hydrogen container 143 during the initial operation. When hydrogen necessary for the initial operation of the hydrogen engine 150 is present in the hydrogen container 143, hydrogen of the hydrogen container 143 can be supplied to the hydrogen engine 150. If there is no hydrogen required for the initial operation of the hydrogen engine 150 in the hydrogen container 143, the management unit 190 checks the battery 191 and if there is electricity required for initial electrolysis of the generator 130 And the electricity of the battery 191 can be supplied to the generating unit 130.

The management unit 190 may drive the supplying unit 110 and supply the second electricity to the generating unit 130 if the electricity required for the initial electrolysis is not in the battery 191. [

The energy management apparatus described above may be a self-generating system using solar energy, complete renewable energy such as sunlight, and water.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the following claims.

10 ... Water 110 ... Offered
111 ... first cylinder part 112 ... second cylinder part
113 ... connector 114 ... rotating part
115 ... collecting section 116 ... link section
117 ... Protector 118 ... Stirling engine
119 ... second generator 121 ... rotating shaft
130 ... Generation unit 131 ... Closed container
132 ... Water drain valve 133 ... Electrode
134 ... gas drain valve 135 ... output tube
136 ... insulator 137 ... input valve
138 ... input pipe 139 ... water container
141, 142 ... cooling trap 143 ... hydrogen container
144 ... Oxygen container 147 ... Guide
150 ... hydrogen engine 170 ... first generator
190 ... management department 191 ... battery

Claims (12)

A Stirling engine that converts solar energy into kinetic energy;
A second generator driven by the Stirling engine and producing second electricity;
A generator for generating hydrogen by electrolyzing water using the second electricity produced by the second generator as a power source;
A hydrogen engine that is an internal combustion engine using the hydrogen generated in the generator as fuel; And
A first generator connected to the hydrogen engine and producing a first electricity by the hydrogen engine;
A hydrogen container in which hydrogen generated in the generator is stored;
And a management unit for managing the first electricity produced from the first generator,
When the first electricity is produced, the first electricity or the second electricity is used as a power source for the electrolysis,
Wherein the management unit checks the hydrogen container at the time of initial operation and supplies the hydrogen to the hydrogen engine when hydrogen necessary for the initial operation of the hydrogen engine exists in the hydrogen container,
The management unit may generate the second electricity by supplying the generated electricity to the generator if the hydrogen container does not have hydrogen required for the initial operation of the hydrogen engine, To the energy management device.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the hydrogen engine is supplied with hydrogen stored in the hydrogen container,
Wherein the generator is driven when the amount of hydrogen stored in the container is less than a set value.
The method according to claim 1,
And a cooling trap interposed between the generator and the hydrogen container,
The cooling trap cools the gas introduced from the generator to separate the water vapor contained in the gas and the hydrogen,
Wherein the hydrogen container is provided with a porous carbon metal laminate for storing the hydrogen separated from the cooling trap in a low pressure state.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the generator is provided with an electrode for electrolyzing the water,
Wherein the electrode is formed in a pipe shape in which the flow path of the hydrogen flows, and has a shape in which the cross-sectional area of the flow path decreases in the opposite direction of gravity,
And an output tube of hydrogen is connected to one end of the electrode having the reduced cross-sectional area.
5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the hydrogen supply path is provided between the electrode and the output tube, and the electrode is electrically disconnected from the output tube.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the generating unit is provided with an electrode for electrolyzing the water and a guide for covering the electrode,
In the guide, the flow path of the hydrogen whose sectional area decreases toward the opposite direction of gravity is provided,
And an output tube through which the hydrogen is output is connected to one end of the guide having a reduced cross-sectional area.
The method according to claim 1,
The generating unit may include a water container in which the water is stored, a sealed container into which the water in the water container is inputted, an input pipe that connects the water container and the sealed container, An electrode is provided,
Wherein the water container is disposed above the sealed container in the gravity direction so that water in the water container is injected into the sealed container by gravity,
One end of the input tube is connected to a discharge port formed in a ceiling of the hermetic container,
Wherein the position of the discharge port and the position of the electrode overlap each other on a plane.
The method according to claim 1,
And an oxygen container in which oxygen generated by the electrolysis is stored,
Wherein the hydrogen engine is supplied with hydrogen stored in the hydrogen container and oxygen stored in the oxygen container.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the management unit is provided with a battery for storing the first electricity,
Wherein the management unit checks the hydrogen container at the time of initial driving and supplies the hydrogen to the hydrogen engine when hydrogen necessary for the initial operation of the hydrogen engine exists in the hydrogen container,
Wherein the management unit checks the battery if there is no hydrogen required for initial operation of the hydrogen engine in the hydrogen container and supplies electricity of the battery to the generator when electricity necessary for initial electrolysis of the generator is present,
Wherein the management unit supplies the second electricity to the generator if electricity required for initial electrolysis is not present in the battery.
The method according to claim 1,
And a collector for collecting the solar heat or the sunlight,
Wherein the Stirling engine is driven by heat collected by the collector.
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the collecting unit is provided with a concave mirror or a convex lens for concentrating sunlight or solar light on a focal point,
Wherein the Stirling engine is provided with a first cylinder portion disposed at the focal point, a second cylinder portion connected to the first cylinder with a flow path, and a link portion connected to the first piston of the first cylinder portion and the second piston of the second cylinder portion
And the link portion is connected to the rotation axis of the second generator.
11. The method of claim 10,
And a rotating portion for rotating the collecting portion according to the movement of the sun so that the optical axis of the collecting portion follows the sun.

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