MX2010005881A

MX2010005881A - A closed thermodynamic system for producing electric power.

Info

Publication number: MX2010005881A
Application number: MX2010005881A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Lolo Gilbert Gal Ben
Original assignee: Lolo Gilbert Gal Ben
Priority date: 2007-11-29
Filing date: 2008-11-26
Publication date: 2010-11-23
Also published as: CN101939510A; CA2707459A1; JP2012510016A; US20100307154A1; IL206076A0; EP2238317A2; WO2009069128A3; WO2009069128A2

Abstract

A closed thermodynamic system for producing electricity, including a water pump, a water circulation heater, a steam turbine, an electric generator and a steam/water cooling sub-system. The water pump transfers water, having about ambient temperature, extracted from the steam/water unit to the water heating unit, which heats up the water that flows into the steam heating unit. The steam circulation heater unit converts the water into high pressure steam which is directed to the steam turbine which converts the thermal energy to kinetic energy. The rotating turbine rotates the electric generator, being affixed onto the rotational axis of the turbine, and the electric generator produces electric energy. The steam/water cooling unit then reduces the steam returning from the turbine into water having about ambient temperature.

Description

A CLOSED THERMODYNAMIC SYSTEM TO PRODUCE ELECTRIC ENERGY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of thermodynamic systems and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a closed thermodynamic system that includes a steam turbine that operates an electric generator, which can produce substantially more electricity than the electricity consumed, from an operational point of view, by the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A steam turbine is a mechanical device that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam, and converts thermal energy into useful kinetic energy. For example, thermodynamic steam engines are typically operated by fuel that is burned to operate the engines, such as various vehicle engines, electric generators and the like. Figure 1 (prior art) illustrates a steam-powered aircraft engine developed by Bill and George Besler and flown for the first time in 1933. The steam engine operated a turbine with steam heated to about 425 ° C and, a In turn, the turbine operated the engine. Since a turbine generates rotary motion, the turbine is particularly suitable for powering an electric generator - about 86% of all the electricity generated in the world is produced by the use of steam turbines. The steam turbine is a form of thermal engine that derives in large measure from the improvement in the thermodynamic efficiency from the use of multiple phases in the steam expansion. In a closed chamber, which is completely sealed and isolated from the environment of the chamber, if the chamber contains an active device that generates heat, for example, an electric heating element, the temperature in the chamber will increase steadily. In addition, if the chamber contains gas, for example, steam, the vapor molecules tend to expand in volume and, consequently, the pressure in the chamber also increases constantly. It is said that a closed thermodynamic system is in thermodynamic equilibrium when the system is in thermal equilibrium, mechanical equilibrium, and chemical equilibrium. The local state of a system in thermodynamic equilibrium is determined by the values of the intensive parameters, such as pressure, temperature, etc. Specifically, the thermodynamic equilibrium is characterized by the minimum of a thermodynamic potential, such as the free energy of Helmholtz, that is, systems at constant temperature and volume: A = U - TS, where A is the free energy of Helmholtz, U is the internal energy of the system, T is the absolute temperature and S is the entropy; or, like the Gibbs free energy, that is, systems at constant pressure and temperature: G = H - TS, where T is the temperature, S is the entropy and H is the enthalpy. . The thermal equilibrium is reached when two systems, which are in thermal contact with each other, stop exchanging energy for heat. If the two systems are in thermal equilibrium, the temperatures of the two systems are the same. In a state of thermal equilibrium, there are no unbalanced potentials (or driving forces) within the system. A system that is in thermal equilibrium, does not undergo changes when the system is isolated from the environment of the system. There is a need for, and may be favorable to have, a thermodynamic system that is designed to produce electricity and that has the ability to supply electrical power, which is substantially greater than the energy that the system consumes operationally.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, the intention of the present invention is to provide a closed thermodynamic system that includes a steam turbine that operates an electric generator, which can supply electrical energy that is substantially greater than the energy that the closed thermodynamic system consumes. operational way. The present invention makes possible the production of electrical energy based on the characteristics of a selected liquid, such as water, in the natural state of the liquid in nature.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, there is provided a closed thermodynamic system for producing electricity, which has an internal volume, which includes: a) a water pump; b) a heat exchange unit; c) a water circulation heater; d) a steam turbine; e) an electric generator; and f) a water cooling sub-system. The internal volume is previously designed and contains a pre-measured quantity of a selected liquid, such as water. The internal volume and the type and quantity of liquid are selected according to the target electrical energy. The water pump draws liquid, which has approximately ambient temperature and is at a pre-calculated flow rate, from the water cooling sub-system and transfers the extracted liquid to the heat exchange unit. The liquid heats up and accumulates a higher pressure as it flows into an elongated pipe through the heat exchange unit, exchanging heat with the hot steam coming from the turbine. The upper temperature typically converts the liquid to vapor and the higher pressure increases the flow rate of the liquid as the steam subsequently flows to the circulating water heater. The circulating water heater heats incoming liquid / vapor flowing from the heat exchange unit, which consequently converts the liquid / vapor into high pressure steam. The pressure achieved is previously designed to achieve a pre-planned rotational speed of the turbine. Therefore, the high pressure steam is directed towards the designated elements of the turbine at a pre-designed angle in relation to the designated elements of the turbine. As a result, the steam turbine converts the thermal energy stored in the high pressure vapor to kinetic energy which, from an operational point of view, rotates the turbine around the rotational axis of the turbine. The rotating turbine rotates the electric generator, which is fixed on the rotational axis of the turbine and, consequently, the electric generator produces electrical energy.

From the turbine, the steam flows back to the heat exchange unit, which reduces the temperature of the steam, while exchanging heat with the cooler liquid that flows into the pipes arranged within the heat exchange unit. The cooler vapor / liquid then flows into the water cooling sub-system, which reduces the temperature of the liquid, which flows from the heat exchange unit, to approximately the ambient temperature. The water cooling sub-system includes: a) a condenser; b) a liquid tank; and c) a water cooling unit. In the condenser the steam is converted back to hot liquid. The water pump supplies some cold liquid to the condenser to accelerate the condensation process. The liquid accumulates in a water tank and from the water tank, the liquid flows to the water cooling unit, which reduces the temperature of the liquid, which flows from the heat exchange unit, to approximately the ambient temperature. The water pump is preferably coupled with an electric motor which operates the water pump. In variations of the present invention, the water pump and the motor are combined into a single unit. The water circulation heater includes a heating element, which preferably is an electric heating element. In variations of the present invention, the electric heating element is an electrical resistor which, when electric current flows through the resistor, the resistor converts a part of the electrical energy into heat energy. In other variations of the present invention, the electric heating element is a stream of electrons, which is a plasma, having high thermal kinetic energy.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a thermodynamic system that includes a computerized control sub-system. The computerized control sub-system, from an operational point of view, controls various parameters of the system selected from the group that includes the outlet pressure of the water pump, the pressure in various chambers and pipes, the temperature in various chambers and pipes, the rotational speed of the turbine, the electric power output produced by the electric motor and other parameters and units. One aspect of the present invention is to provide a thermodynamic system that can supply the necessary electrical energy of all the internal electrical components of the system, including but limited to: the water pump motor, the heating element and the computerized control subsystem . It should be noted that the length and volumes of various chambers and pipes are intended to maintain a pre-planned pressure, which is designed to conserve the system in a state of continuous operation, while in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium. Furthermore, based on the size of the generator rotor, it is possible to know the capacity of the generator and calculate the necessary size of the flywheel. According to Newton's first law, the energy applied to a body is the product of body mass and acceleration. The durable moment at a given RPM (which has a flywheel of known diameter and weight) minus the loss of RPM due to disconnection is equal to the kinetic energy consumption of the flywheel. The thermodynamic circuit is used as an endless source of energy to amplify the energy and to control the RPM. In variations of the present invention, the selected liquid, such as water, contains materials that modify the mixing parameters, such as the boiling temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be completely understood from the detailed description given in this document later and the attached drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and, in this way, are not limiting of the present invention, and wherein: Figure 1 (prior art) illustrates an aircraft engine driven by steam; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the closed thermodynamic system for producing electrical power, according to variations of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates an example of the closed thermodynamic system for producing electrical power, as shown in Figure 2; Y Figure 4 illustrates a thermodynamic steam turbine system, according to variations of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Before explaining the embodiments of the invention in detail, it will be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set out in the description presented or illustrated in the drawings. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used in this document have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. The methods and examples provided in this document are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting. Reference is made to Figure 2, which illustrates a closed thermodynamic system 100 for producing electricity, in accordance with variations of the present invention. The thermodynamic system 100 includes the water pump 180, heat exchange unit 165, water circulation heater 110, steam turbine 120, electric generator 130, and steam / water cooling sub-system 190. When the system 100 reaches the balance of the operating state, the system 100 produces electricity, while a small portion of the electric power produced is used to operate the electrical components of the system 100 and most of the electricity produced is made available to operate the external devices. When it is in the operating state, the system 100 can operate non-stop, being self-sustaining in relation to the electric power necessary to operate. To achieve the operating state of the system 100, external energy is used to bring the system 100 into equilibrium of the operating state. The start-up process, which requires external power, is referred to as the "start-up process". The following describes the operational process of the system 100, in the operating state of the system 100 and while it is in the boot process. The water pump 180 extracts liquid, which has approximately the temperature environmental and is at a pre-calculated flow rate, from the water cooling sub-system 190 and transfers the extracted liquid to the heat exchange unit 165. The liquid heats up and accumulates a higher pressure as it flows into an elongated pipe through the heat exchange unit 165, exchanging heat with the hot steam coming from the turbine 120. The upper temperature typically converts the liquid into steam (when the boiling temperature of the liquid is reached) and the higher pressure increases the flow rate of the liquid as the steam subsequently flows to the water circulation heater 110. The water circulation heater 110 heats the incoming liquid / vapor flowing from the heat exchange unit 165 and, consequently, converts the liquid / vapor into high pressure steam. The pressure achieved is previously designed to achieve a pre-planned rotational speed of the turbine 120. Therefore, the high pressure steam is directed towards the designated elements of the turbine 120 at a pre-designed angle in relation to the designated elements. of the turbine 120. Accordingly, the steam turbine 120 converts the thermal energy stored in the high pressure steam to kinetic energy which, from an operational point of view, rotates the turbine 120 around the rotational axis of the turbine 120. The steam turbine 120 is preferably a gas turbine capable of amplifying the rotational moment created by the flow of the pressurized steam and, consequently, obtaining a rotational speed of the turbine 120 that is greater than the rotational speed that can be achieved. Operationally achieved by the nominal force of the flow of the pressurized steam, applied to a conventional turbine. The rotating turbine 120 rotates the electric generator 130, which is fixed on the rotational axis of the turbine 120 and, consequently, the electric generator 130 produces electrical energy. From the turbine 120, steam flows back to the heat exchange unit 165, which reduces the temperature of the steam, while exchanging heat with the coldest liquid flowing into the pipes disposed within the heat exchange unit 165. The cooler vapor / liquid then flows into the water cooling sub-system 190, which lowers the temperature of the liquid, which flows from the heat exchange unit 165, to approximately the ambient temperature. The water cooling sub-system 190 includes: a) capacitor 150; b) liquid tank 195; and c) water cooling unit 170. In the condenser 150 the steam is converted back to hot liquid. The water pump 180 supplies some cold liquid to the condenser 150 to accelerate the condensation process. The liquid accumulates in the water tank 195 and then flows to the water cooling unit 170, which reduces the temperature of the liquid to approximately ambient temperature. In variations of the present invention, the cold liquid conveyed by air to the condenser 150 is supplied by a separate water pump. The water pump 180 is preferably coupled to the electric motor 182 which operates the water pump 180. In variations of the present invention, the water pump 180 and the motor 182 are combined into a single unit. The water circulation heater 110 includes a heating element, which preferably is an electric heating element. In variations of the present invention, the electric heating element is an electrical resistor which, when electrical current is passed through the resistor, the resistor converts a part of the electrical energy into heat energy. In other variations of the present invention, the electric heating element is a stream of electrons, which is a plasma, having high thermal kinetic energy.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a thermodynamic system that includes the computerized control sub-system 105. The computerized control sub-system 105, from an operational point of view, controls various parameters of the system 100, selected from the group that includes the water pump outlet pressure 180, the pressure in various chambers and pipes, the temperature in various chambers and pipes, the rotational speed of the turbine 120, the electric power output produced by electric motor 130 and other parameters and units. It should be noted that, when the turbine 120 reaches the rotational speed of operation, the heating energy is reduced, since the energy needed to accelerate the turbine 120 is greater than the heating energy necessary to maintain the rotational speed of the turbine 120. The heating energy needed to maintain the rotational speed of the turbine 120 can be reduced to even 0-10% of the energy needed for starting the system 100. An aspect of the present invention is to provide a thermodynamic system that can supply the necessary electrical energy of all internal electrical components of the system, including but limited to: water pump motor 182, the heating element and computerized control sub-system 105. It should be noted that the length and volumes of various chambers and pipes are intended to maintain a pre-planned pressure, which is designed to conserve the system in a continuous operating state, while in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium Reference is also made to Figure 3, which illustrates an exemplary closed thermodynamic system 200 for producing electricity. The thermodynamic system 200 includes the heating chamber unit 210, steam turbine 220, electric generator 230, steam thermal exchange chamber 240, condenser 250, water heat exchange chamber 260, water cooler 270 and water pump 280. The thermodynamic system 100 will now be described through the exemplary system 200 with no limitations on other variations of the system 100. In the system 200, the steam heat exchange chamber 240 and the water heat exchange chamber 260 represent a variation of the heat exchange unit 265; and the condenser 250 and water cooler 270 represent a variation of the steam / water cooling unit 275. The heating chamber unit 210 is thermally insulated by the insulation 205 and includes the electric heating element 212. To improve the insulation and, consequently, the heat exchange process, the heating chamber unit 210 can be constructed in a multi-chamber structure, including one inside another. Good insulation is necessary to reduce the energy needed to keep system 200 in thermal equilibrium. In Figure 2, two chambers are shown, while the inner chamber 211 contains the heating element 212 and the external chamber 213 includes an outlet 216 which releases the presumed steam to the turbine 220. In the start-up process, supplies electrical power to operate the heating element 212, motor 282 and any other electrical part of the system 200, such as the sub- computerized control system. The motor 282 operates the water pump 280 to draw water from the water cooler 270. The water advances through the water pump 280 at an increased pressure through the pipe 262 and into the heat exchange chamber 260. The hot water contained inside the exchange chamber 260 exchanges heat with the pipe 262 and, consequently, the water inside the pipe 262 is heated. The water heated inside the pipe 262 subsequently advances by the increased pressure through the pipe 242 inside the heat exchange chamber 240, which contains hot steam coming from the turbine 220. The hot steam exchanges heat with the pipe 242, consequently, the pressurized water is heated inside the pipe 242. The pressurized water hot inside the pipe 242 then goes to the heating chamber 211. The hot water (>100 ° C) at high pressure is made to enter the heating chamber 211 through the inlet 214. The heating element 212 also heats the water in the chamber 211, consequently, the pressure inside the chamber 211 increases , since the water molecules insist on expanding. The pressurized water flows into the chamber 213 through one or more openings and escapes into the chamber 213 through the outlet 216 where the hot water is transformed into pressurized steam, which is directed towards the turbine 220. The pressurized steam flows into one or more elements 222 of the turbine 220 resisting the vapor pressure and, consequently, causing the turbine 220 to rotate about axis 225, to which the turbine 220 is fixed. The rotation of the turbine 220 operatively rotates the generator 230, which is fixed to the shaft 225 and, consequently, electrical energy is produced. The number of elements 222 toward which the pressurized steam is directed may vary as required. For example, in the boot process, more elements 222 are used to shorten the boot process, and when the operating state is reached, fewer elements 222 are used. Reference is also made to Figure 4, which illustrates the turbine 220. In this example, the pressurized steam is directed towards the designated elements of the turbine 220 and, consequently, the turbine 220 is rotated, through the nozzles 228, which make it possible for the presumed steam to enter the sealed housing of the turbine 226 and on the turbine 220. In the starting process, the steam Pressurized preferably flows through all the nozzles 228. When the turbine 220, which includes a flywheel, reaches the rotational speed of operation, previously planned, one or more nozzles are deactivated, since less energy is needed to keep the turbine 120 rotating at a substantially constant rotational operating speed. It should be noted that the system must be brought to a state of thermal entropy before the deactivation of any of the nozzles. After causing the turbine 220 to rotate, the steam is directed to the heat exchange chamber 240 via the inlet 224. In the heat exchange chamber 240 steam coming from the turbine 220 exchanges heat with the pipe 242, which transports cooler water towards the heating chamber unit 210. Steam coming from the turbine 220 flows through the outlet 241 and inlet 252 to the condenser 250, which transforms the steam into hot water. The cold water (near the ambient temperature) also flows through the inlet 254 to the condenser 250 from the water pump 280 to accelerate the heat exchange process. The hot water inside the condenser 250 accumulates in the lower part of the condenser 250 and flows into the exchange chamber 260, via the inlet 244. The steam in the thermal exchange chamber 240 is converted to water and flows into the exchange chamber 260, through the outlet 246. In the heat exchange chamber 260 the hot water coming from the condenser 250 (and a part of the exchange chamber 240) exchanges heat with the pipe 262, which transports cold water to the exchange chamber 240. The water coming from the condenser 250 flows through the inlet 272 to the water cooler 270, where the water temperature is reduced to approximately the ambient temperature. From the water cooler 270 the cold water flows to the water pump 280 which is operatively coupled to a motor 282. The water pump 280 directs a portion of the cold water to the condenser 250 to accelerate the condensation process. The rest of the water flows in a pipe to the heat exchange chamber 260, inside the pipe 262. This cycle continues as the operating state of the closed thermodynamic system 200 persists. When the electrical power produced by the generator 230 exceeds the electrical energy used by the system 200, the external power source is disconnects and, as a result, system 200 becomes self-sustaining. It should be noted that the internal space that contains water / steam is a sealed space.

It should further be noted that the electric power necessary to operate the heating element 212, motor 282 and any other electrical part of the system 200 (and system 100) is preferably supplied by the generator 230. It should also be noted that various dimensions of the system elements 200 (and system 100), such as the length and volume of the piping 242, 262, heat exchange chamber 260, heat exchange chamber 240 and heating chamber unit 210, are intended to maintain a previously planned pressure in the system that is designed to conserve the system 200 (and system 100) in a state of continuous operation that is in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium. It should further be noted that the heat exchange chamber 260 and heat exchange unit 165 can be subdivided into a multiple number of the heat exchange chambers, and that the heat exchange chamber 240 can be subdivided into a multiple number of the heat exchange chambers. The following is an exemplary thermodynamic system, in accordance with variations of the present invention: The volume of the heat exchange unit 265 is 5 liters. • The length of the pipes in the heat exchange unit 265 is 400 meters • The pressure inside the pipes in the heat exchange unit 265 can reach 110 Bar. • The heating element 212 requires electrical power of 8500 Watts. • The temperature of the steam that reaches the turbine 220 is -250 ° C and the pressure is 30 Bar. • The temperature of the water that reaches the water pump 280 is 20 ° C - 50 ° C. • The temperature of the water leaving the pipe 262 is ~ 70 ° C. • The temperature of the water leaving the pipe 242 is ~ 1500C. • Generator 230 produces electrical power of 40 - 120 KVA OOHz. Even if you take the power consumption of the system 200 as 15 KW, the generator 230 produces a residual electrical energy of 25-105 KW. (end of the example).

In variations of the present invention, other materials are added to the water to modify the mixing parameters. For example: alcohol can be added to water to reduce the boiling temperature. The system 100 can be used as a power source for electric motors and electrical appliances for any motorized vehicle such as automobiles, aircraft and boats. The system 100 can be used as a power source for electric motors and electric apparatus for vehicles for use in outer space. The system 100 can be used as an electric power plant for domestic use, industrial use and any other local use. The system 100 can be used as an electric power plant that can supply electricity to a user network. The system 100 can be used as a power source for any electrical customer. It should be noted that the energy accumulated in the closed system makes it possible for the system to operate and produce electricity after a malfunction has been identified, until a secondary backup system replaces the system with the malfunction. Having described the invention in this manner in terms of modalities and examples, it will be apparent that it can be varied in many ways. Such variations should not be considered to depart from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications, as may be apparent to one skilled in the art, are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A closed thermodynamic system for producing electrical energy, which has an internal volume, comprising: a) a water pump; b) a heat exchange unit; c) a water circulation heater; d) a steam turbine; e) an electric generator; and f) a water cooling sub-system, wherein the internal volume is previously designed and contains a pre-measured quantity of liquid; wherein the water pump transfers the liquid, which has approximately the ambient temperature and is at a pre-calculated flow rate, extracted from the water cooling sub-system to the heat exchange unit; wherein the circulating water heater heats the liquid flowing from the heat exchange unit, which consequently converts the liquid into high pressure steam; where the high pressure steam is directed towards the steam turbine and, consequently, the turbine converts the thermal energy to kinetic energy which, from an operational point of view, rotates the turbine around the rotational axis of the turbine; wherein the rotating turbine rotates the electric generator, which is fixed on the rotational axis of the turbine; where the electric generator produces electrical energy; wherein the heat exchange unit reduces the temperature of the steam flowing from the turbine through the heat exchange unit to the water cooling sub-system; and wherein the water cooling sub-system reduces the temperature of the liquid, which flows from the heat exchange unit, to approximately the ambient temperature.

2. The thermodynamic system according to claim 1 further comprising a motor coupled to operate the water pump.

3. The thermodynamic system according to claim 2, wherein the motor is an electric motor.

4. The thermodynamic system according to claim 3, wherein the electric generator supplies the electric power necessary to operate the motor.

5. The thermodynamic system according to claim 1, wherein the water cooling subsystem comprises: a) a condenser; b) a liquid tank; and c) a water cooling unit.

6. The thermodynamic system according to claim 1, wherein the water circulation heater comprises a heating element. The thermodynamic system according to claim 6, wherein the heating element is an electric heating element. 8. The thermodynamic system according to claim 7, wherein the electric generator supplies the electric power necessary to operate the heating element. The thermodynamic system according to claim 7, wherein the electric heating element is an electrical resistor which, when electric current is passed through the resistor, the resistor converts a part of the electrical energy into heat energy. The thermodynamic system according to claim 7, wherein the electric heating element generates a current of electrons, which is a plasma, having high thermal kinetic energy. 11. The thermodynamic system according to claim 1 further comprising a computerized control sub-system. The thermodynamic system according to claim 11, wherein the computerized control subsystem, from an operational point of view, controls various parameters of the system selected from the group including the outlet pressure of the water pump, the pressure in various chambers and pipes, the temperature in various chambers and pipes, the rotational speed of the turbine, the electric power output produced by the electric motor. 13. The thermodynamic system according to claim 11, wherein the electric generator supplies the electric power necessary to operate the computerized control sub-system. 14. The thermodynamic system according to claim 1, wherein the length and volumes of various chambers and pipes are intended to maintain a pressure previously planned in the system that is designed to conserve the system in a continuous operating state, which is in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium. 15. The thermodynamic system according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is water. 16. The thermodynamic system according to claim 15, wherein the water contains materials that modify the mixing parameters, such as the boiling temperature.