WO2010072766A2

WO2010072766A2 - Apparatus for obtaining electric current

Info

Publication number: WO2010072766A2
Application number: PCT/EP2009/067755
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reinhard Liehs
Original assignee: Reinhard Liehs
Priority date: 2008-12-23
Filing date: 2009-12-22
Publication date: 2010-07-01
Also published as: WO2010072766A3; AT507700B1; AT507700A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for obtaining electric current in a circulating system, in which a fluid is compressed by means of a compressor and is then expanded at at least one expansion outlet (5, 5') wherein the fluid can flow in two mutually opposite directions within a pipe system, and the pipe system has at least one expansion outlet (5, 5') for the fluid, at which the fluid is expanded, wherein the fluid can be supplied via at least two supply lines (2, 2'), which each have at least one blocking device (4a, 4b, 4a', 4b', 4c, 4c'), to the at least one expansion outlet (5, 5'), and the at least one expansion outlet (5, 5') opens into an expansion area (6), which has a turbine (7) which is arranged substantially adjacent to the at least one expansion outlet (5, 5') in the flow direction of the expanding fluid and is connected to an electricity generator, in order to convert the mechanical energy to electrical energy.

Description

Apparatus for obtaining electricity

The invention relates to an apparatus for obtaining electrical current in a circulatory system, in which a fluid is compressed and then expanded at least one expansion outlet, wherein the fluid is flowable within a pipe system in two, opposite directions, and the pipe system at least one expansion outlet for the fluid, on which the fluid is expanded, and a method for this, in which a fluid is compressed by means of a compressor and then expanded to at least one expansion outlet, wherein the expanding fluid disposed in immediate proximity to the at least one expansion outlet turbine in a Expansion space drives and the turbine in turn drives a power generator.

JP 2007-187422 A describes a system for generating energy in a refrigerator, wherein a device in the manner of a turbine is provided between a condenser and an evaporator of the refrigerator. DE 10 2005 032 277 A1 describes a vapor compression refrigerating device for a vehicle air conditioning system, wherein the waste heat of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle is collected and electrical current is obtained by an expansion device. A similar device can also be found in DE 10 2005 049 831 A1.

The recovery of electric current through the arrangement of a turbine at an expansion outlet has become known by the above-mentioned prior art. In the above-mentioned systems, however, the gas flows only in one direction, so that in particular in reversible heat pumps, which can be used both for cooling and for heating, as well as appropriate air conditioners, only a portion of the usable expansion energy is actually used. In the case of the devices described in the prior art, the direction of rotation of the turbine would also have to be changed when the flow direction is reversed, which would in practice be associated with turning around or at least temporarily shutting down the turbine.

It is therefore an object of the invention to overcome this disadvantage, and to provide a device which optimally utilizes the energy released during the expansion of a fluid or gas, converts it into electrical energy and makes it available to the system again. This object is achieved in that the fluid via at least two supply lines, which have at least one shut-off to the at least one expansion outlet is zuleitbar, and the at least one expansion outlet opens into an expansion space, which is a substantially in the flow direction of the expanding fluid having the at least one expansion outlet arranged turbine, which is in communication with a power generator for converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy. By alternately shutting off one of the two supply lines, the fluid is optimally aligned with the turbine depending on the process direction (heating or cooling), so that a maximum of electrical energy can be obtained. Furthermore, the direction of rotation of the turbine always remains the same, so that the above-mentioned expansion of the turbine or other manipulations to change the direction of rotation of the turbine can be omitted.

The shut-off of the supply lines can be done either via a single shut-off device, such as a three-way valve, or via two independent shut-off devices such as two-way valves.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the turbine is a Pelton turbine (Pelton wheel) or a Kaplan turbine. The Pelton turbine is a so-called free-jet turbine, commonly used to harness the kinetic energy of water. The Applicant has surprisingly found that this turbine type is particularly suitable for use in your device according to the invention. However, the invention is not limited to these two turbine types; Any type of turbine can be used, with the selection of the respective turbine taking place in particular as a function of the pressure and flow conditions prevailing in the system.

In order to supply the expanded fluid again as low as possible to the circulation system, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the expansion space has an outlet for the expanded fluid, which is arranged substantially opposite the expansion outlet.

In a further embodiment of the invention, two expansion outlets open into the expansion space, each having a shut-off device. The expansion outlets are in this case arranged in the expansion space such that their outlets strike the turbine tangentially, in order to ensure optimal utilization of the kinetic energy of the expanding fluid. It is particularly preferred that the expansion space has two expelled fluid flows, the drains preferably having two independent shut-off devices. A further increase in the energy yield can be achieved if the at least one expansion outlet has a nozzle. Due to the nozzle effect, the fluid jet hits the turbine at a higher pressure and thus more energy is transferred to the blades of the turbine.

Furthermore, the efficiency of the device according to the invention can be improved if the power generator is arranged outside the pipe system. Since a mechanical connection between the turbine located within the pipe system and the power generator located outside the pipe system is structurally extremely complex, in a further preferred embodiment of the invention the turbine located in the expansion space is magnetized and acts with a second turbine located outside the pipe system together, wherein the second turbine drives the power generator.

For the use of the device according to the invention are all common refrigerant, suitable, which are commonly used in heat pumps and other circulatory systems such as air conditioning systems, in which a fluid is compressed, expanded and compressed again. It is particularly preferred that the fluid used in the device according to the invention is a gas, in particular carbon dioxide or methane.

In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one, preferably two connecting elements for connecting the device to, for example, a heat pump or the refrigeration unit of an air conditioning system are provided, which are preferably designed as shut-off valves. Thus, the lines containing the heat carrier (fluid) can be shut off before the inventive device is removed, for example, for maintenance purposes, allowing a quick and clean work. Likewise, the connection elements can also be set up for the introduction or discharge of fluid into the system.

The object is further achieved by a method of the type mentioned above, wherein the fluid to be expanded is supplied to the expansion outlet via two separately lockable feed lines, and in a first flow direction, the fluid is guided via a first supply line to the at least one expansion outlet, while the second supply line is shut off and in a second flow direction, the fluid is passed via a second supply line to the at least one expansion valve, while the first supply line is shut off and the expanded fluid is supplied via at least one outlet from the expansion space to the circulation system and then in turn compressed. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid is only partially, preferably 80% to 90% expanded. If the fluid is a gas, it does not change its state of aggregation either at the expansion outlet or at the turbine. The residual pressure can then be reduced, for example via another nozzle directly where the heat exchange (heat absorption or Abgäbe) takes place with the environment. It is therefore not expanded in the expansion space to the gas, but the fluid flows, for example, to the cooling fins, in the region in an air heat pump, a fan is arranged. There then the remaining pressure reduction can take place, for example, through a nozzle. This increases the ability of the fluid to absorb or indicate heat.

A further advantage of the invention lies in the fact that there is a positive correlation between the power of the compressor and the electrical energy obtained, so that while the efficiency of the heat pump (eg in cold weather), a higher performance of the compressor is required, but so too a higher yield of electrical energy is achieved at the turbine.

Since now more compressors in heat pumps or air conditioners are used, whose performance is infinitely adjustable (modulating compressors), this type of power recovery at the expansion valve is particularly well suited. The amount of energy produced varies in accordance with the energy required by the compressor. Due to the increased energy gain due to the higher flow velocity of the fluid, the increased energy requirement of the compressor is at least partially compensated.

Preferably, the recovered electrical energy is supplied to the compressor.

The device according to the invention or the method according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in a reversible heat pump which both heats and cools.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to non-limiting exemplary embodiments with associated figures. Show:

Fig. Ia is a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment with two-way valves;

Fig. Ib is a schematic sectional view of the first embodiment with three-way valves;

Fig. 2a is a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment with two-way valves; Figure 2b is a schematic sectional view of the second embodiment with two-way valves and a three-way valve. and

Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention.

1 a shows the simplest variant of the device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 is arranged between two supply lines 2, 2 'in the circulatory system, for example a reversible heat pump, whereby the fluid flowing in the circulation system circulates in the direction indicated by the arrows 3. The compressed fluid having a pressure of, for example, about 22 bar, after passing through the opened valve 4a, flows into the expansion outlet 5, which is designed as a nozzle in the illustrated variant of the invention, and expands into the expansion space on exiting the expansion outlet 5 6. The exiting fluid jet in this case meets the blades 71 of a turbine 7 and puts them in rotation, as indicated by the arrow 72. The expanded fluid then flows through the drain e into the second supply line 2 '. The flow direction of the fluid is forced through the two closed shut-off valves 4b, 4a '.

The turbine 7 is magnetized in this case and cooperates by means of magnetic induction with a second, arranged outside the expansion chamber 6 second turbine, which in turn drives a power generator (not shown). Of course, it is also possible to arrange the power generator within the expansion space 6, but this requires a high design effort, and, moreover, experience has shown that the efficiency of the power generator by the change of the fluid e.g. reduced by the cooling occurring during the expansion of the fluid.

Depending on whether heated or cooled, in the example shown in Fig. 1, the flow direction of the fluid in the supply lines 2, T ₁ so that the valves 4a and 4b 'and the valves 4a' and 4b usually the same operating state (closed or open). Alternatively, it may be provided that instead of four simple shut-off valves in the crossing region of the supply line 2, 2 'with the expansion outlet 5 and the drain 8 is provided in each case a three-way valve. If required, the device 1 according to the invention can therefore also be disconnected from the fluid circuit of the reversible heat pump, for example for maintenance work. Likewise, an additional valve for discharging and / or filling the fluid can be provided in at least one supply line.

The embodiment shown in Fig. Ib corresponds in its essential parts to that of Fig. Ia, there were only the four two-way valves 4a, 4a ', 4b, 4b' replaced by two three-way valves 4c, 4c ', whereby a more compact design is made possible.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show a variant of the device 1 which has two expansion outlets 5, 5 'and a drain 8. Again, the inflow of the fluid to be expanded via shut-off valves 4a, 4b, 4a ', 4b' in the supply lines 2, T _1, each branching off from a main line 20 of the pipe system of a reversible heat pump, regulated. In FIG. 2b, a three-way valve 4c is provided as an alternative in the region of the outlet 8.

Finally, FIG. 3 shows a further variant of the invention. In this embodiment of the device 1, the expansion chamber 6 on two processes 8, 8 ', which are substantially opposite each other and each have a shut-off valve 4a, 4a', while the two expansion outlets 5, 5 'via two valves 4b, 4b' closed are. In addition, two shut-off valves 4d, 4d 'in the lines 2, 2' are provided, via which they can be shut off, for example, if the device 1 according to the invention is to be removed for maintenance purposes.

Claims

A device (1) for recovering electric current in a circulating system in which a fluid is compressed and subsequently expanded on at least one expansion outlet (5, 5 '), the fluid being able to flow in two opposite directions within a piping system, and the pipe system has at least one expansion outlet (5, 5 ') for the fluid on which the fluid is expanded, characterized in that the fluid is conveyed via at least two supply lines (2, 2') which are connected via at least one shut-off device (4a, 4b , 4a ', 4b', 4c, 4c ') to which at least one expansion outlet (5, 5') can be fed and the at least one expansion outlet (5, 5 ') into an expansion space (6) with at least one outlet (8 , 8 ') which has a turbine (7) arranged substantially in the flow direction of the expanding fluid at the at least one expansion outlet (5, 5'), which is connected to a current generator for converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy communicates.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that two independent shut-off devices (4a, 4b, 4a ', 4b', 4c, 4c ') are provided on the at least two supply lines (2, 2').

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one outlet (8, 8 ') has at least one shut-off device.

4. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the turbine (7) is a Pelton turbine or a Kaplan turbine.

5. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the expansion space (6) has an outlet (8) for the expanded fluid, which is arranged substantially opposite to the expansion outlet (5, 5 ').

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that two expansion outlets (5, 5 ') in the expansion space (6) open, each via at least one shut-off device (4a, 4b, 4a', 4b ' , 4c, 4c ').

7. Device (1) according to claim 1 to 6, characterized in that the expansion space has two processes (8, 8 ') for the expanded fluid, wherein the processes (8, 8') preferably via two independent shut-off devices (4a, 4b, 4a ', 4b').

8. Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the processes (8, 8 ') in each case two expansion outlets (5, 5') are arranged opposite one another.

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one expansion outlet (5, 5 ') has a nozzle.

10. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the power generator is arranged outside of the pipe system.

11. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the turbine located in the expansion space (7) is magnetized and interacts with a second, located outside of the pipe system turbine, which drives the power generator.

12. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the fluid is a gas.

13. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one, preferably two connection elements (4d, 4d ') are provided for connecting the device (1) to, for example, a heat pump or the refrigeration unit of an air conditioner, which are preferably designed as shut-off valves.

14. A method for obtaining electrical current in a circulatory system in which a fluid is compressed and then expanded on at least one expansion outlet (5, 5 '), the expanding fluid being in immediate proximity to the at least one expansion outlet (5, 5'). ) arranged turbine (7) drives in an expansion space, and the turbine (7) in turn drives a power generator, characterized in that the fluid to be expanded via two closable feed lines (2, 2 ') to the expansion outlet (5, 5') can be fed is, wherein in a first flow direction, the fluid via a first supply line (2) to the at least one expansion outlet (5, 5 ') is guided while the second supply line (2') is shut off, and in a second flow direction, the fluid over a second supply line (2 ') to the at least one expansion outlet (5, 5') is guided while the first supply line (2) is shut off, and the expanded fluid over to the an outlet (8, 8 ') from the expansion space is fed to the circulatory system and then again compressed.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the expansion of the fluid takes place only partially, preferably 80% to 90%.

16. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the recovered electric current is supplied to a responsible for the compression of the fluid compressor.

17. Use of a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for carrying out a method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, in particular in a heat pump or cold set of an air conditioner.

2009 12 22

Ha / Ka