WO2015011508A1

WO2015011508A1 - Method for generating static electricity from a fluid flow

Info

Publication number: WO2015011508A1
Application number: PCT/GE2013/000007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kamo KUREGYAN
Original assignee: Kuregyan Kamo
Priority date: 2013-07-25
Filing date: 2013-07-25
Publication date: 2015-01-29

Abstract

The invention relates to methods of static electricity generation on account of utilization of kinetic energy of a flow of dielectric liquid of gaseous medium as a result of its ionization/polarization and removing charges. The method may be used at creation of generators simple in terms of technology and design, reliable and cheap, with a long operational life. The method of tribo-ion generation of static electricity provides ionization/polarization of flowing dielectric liquid or gaseous medium due to the friction on surfaces of at least one pair of isolated solid bodies creating flowing channel, creation of electric charges on them, and removing charges for direction to the customers. Between contact surfaces adjoining to the flow multiple swirling and creation of turbulence are provided by means, for example, of execution of the contact surface with multiple indents, male-females, or macro- or microroughnesses obstructing the flow. Materials for solid bodies are chosen from triboelectric series so that they charge unlikely towards the fluid medium. The clearance between contact surfaces is controllable.

Description

METHOD FOR GENERATING STATIC ELECTRICITY FROM A FLUID FLOW

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to methods of static electricity generation on account of kinetic energy of a flow of dielectric liquid of gaseous medium as a result of its ionization/polarization by means of mechanical impact on flow regime, also because of friction on adjoining surfaces, generation of unlike or like charges on them, removing charges and supplying electricity to customers.

The invention may be used in different fields of engineering, wherever exist flows with side, excessive for given technological facility kinetic energy, or naturally- occurring energy that would be useful to modify (utilize) - exhaust or aspiration technological gases, gas and oil pipelines, in feed, cooling or exhaust systems of internal combustion engines of automobiles (for charging storage battery), in the atmosphere (as wind), etc.

BACKGROUND ART

Triboelectric effect is a process of originating electric charges in the course of friction of two different materials. It was discovered by an ancient Greek when he rubbed amber on his chiton and his mustache was instantly drawn to the stone. Examples of electrostatic charging in the course of friction could be found in routine, for example, when hair adheres to a comb.

Atom of any substance consists of a positively charged atomic center and an electronic shell surrounding it and possessing negative charge. The atomic center in its turn consists of protons possessing positive charge, and neutrons that are electrically neutral. An absolute value of proton charge, as well as of electron charge is equal to a minimal possible electric charge (elemental charge) that is 1.6021 ^X 10^"19C. When the surfaces of two objects of different substances rub together their atoms collide, and electrons of one substance that are weakly attracted by atoms may move to the atoms of the other substance. In this case the object of substance that lost electrons becomes positively charged, but the object of substance that accepted electrons becomes negatively charged. The body is called "electrified", but as soon as this electricity is static (i.e. it doesn't flow), it is called static electricity. The amount of positive charge received upon electrization is always equal to the amount of negative charge. Static electricity is also called friction electricity, because it originates upon friction.

Substances may be ranged in triboelectric series (frictional, electrostatic series), in which preceding substance is charged positively, but subsequent - negatively (Faraday series: (+) fur, flannel, ivory, feathers, quartz crystal, flint glass, cotton cloth, silk, wood, metals, sulfur (-)). For dielectrics ranged in triboelectric series decrease of hardness appears (Gezehus series: (+) diamond (hardness 10), topaz (8), quartz crystal (7), smooth glass (5), mica (3), calcite (3), sulfur (2), wax (1) (-)), for metals increase of hardness is specific. In liquid dielectrics a substance with bigger e or bigger surface tension acquires positive charge.

The more is the surface of rubbing objects, the more is their electrization. Dust sliding on the surface of the object the dust is originated from, charges negatively. While screening through sieve powders charge.

Triboelectricity of liquids is connected with derivation of double electrical layers on the interface of to liquid mediums or on the interface liquid-solid object. At friction of liquids on metals in flowing processes, triboelectricity originates on the account of electrolytic separation of charges on the interface metal-liquid. A liquid with bigger e charges positively, but with less e - negatively (Cohen's rule). At splashing liquids, origination of triboelectricity may be explained by destruction of double electric layers on the interface liquid-gas due to the strike of liquid on the surface of solid dielectric or on the surface of liquid (electrization in waterfalls).

AH the materials shown in the table (see Fig.10) have different characteristics. The table is compiled by study of results of different researches and comparison- of information sources. When two materials contact, electrostatic, charges arise. Usjng these series one can imagine how different materials will interact together. Closer to each other the materials disposed in the said series, smaller the charges created as a result of contact of these materials. At this, material disposed in the triboelectric series higher will charge positively, but disposed lower - negatively. There are known a lot of devices designed to be used as generators, and methods where kinetic energy of the flow is converted into electric energy by means of ionization of liquid or gas medium and discharging it. These devices and methods relate to the class H02N3/00 of the international patent classification, and physical processes of self-ionization of current medium possessing kinetic energy and of arising electrostatic potential on the account of it, are well-known from patents and applications related to this class.

Namely, there are known devices and methods according to applications RU2000116001; RU93054205; RU93054917; RU93055226; EP0124623; JP3265478; DE10360876, and patent on invention: RU2184416.

There are known a method of generation of electric energy and an electrostatic frictional generator (see patent RU2326487). According to this method current of substance particles is organized in a channel, materials of particles and walls of the channel are chosen with possibility of taking unlike electric charges in the course of rubbing particles on the internal wall of the channel, the obtained unlike charges are removed off the internal wall of the channel and off the substance particles. The particles exceed the bounds of the channel and strike a screen, the remove of electric charges off the particles is performed via the screen. This method is characterized by complexity of measures, i.e. the flow is to be supplied with abrasive particles and then the static potential is to be removed off the particles by means of additional devices.

There is known a device for generation of electric energy according to patent application RU93031665A. It embodies a method of generation on the account of ionization and collection of charges removed off ionized molecules of current condensed gas and consists- of inlet and outlet flanges, leak proof bodies of the first and the second electro gas-dynamic generators, the first and the second controllable ionization actuator, reducing transformer, etc. The drawback of it consists in complexity of design and realization.

There is also known an electro gas-dynamic generator according to the Russian patent RU2065246. It comprises a split dielectric body creating a channel, corona and extraction electrodes, cross-ct electrode, focusing central electrode and collector positioned inside the said channel. The channel is executed divergent along the direction of air flow, which is an operating medium of the generator. The method employed in the said generator bears little resemblance to the method according to the claimed invention.

From the viewpoint of technical essence, the most similar to the proposed invention (prototype) is a method of producing static electricity according to patent RU2204193C1. It is realized by means of polarization of nonconductive material by friction with creation of electric charges on it, separation of them in the space of nonconductive material and removing charges separated in such a way for conveying them to the customers. As a nonconductive material a nonconductive liquid or gaseous medium is used, polarization of it is realized through friction of its molecules by means of rotation of one or several vessels filled with the said nonconductive liquid or gaseous medium.

However, this method is aimed to get especially static electricity and spends for it energy of other nature for rotation of the vessels filled with liquid or gaseous medium. This method is useless for partial removal of kinetic energy possessed by natural or by side streams of different processes, in a form of electric energy.

The method allowing to generate static electricity directly from streams by means of tribo-ionization closer by its essence and essential features has not been found by us.

AIM OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is aimed at creation of generators simple in terms of technology and design, reliable and cheap, with a long operational life, with possibility of employing the present method in such generators designed for various technical fields.

DISCLOSURE IF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is achieved thanks to the fact that the known method (prototype) of tribo-ion generation of static electricity from the flow, providing ionization/polarization of flowing dielectric liquid or gaseous medium due to the friction on surfaces of at least one pair of isolated solid bodies creating flowing channel, creation of electric charges on them, and removing charges for direction to the customers, according to the claimed invention possesses the following essential distinctive features:

- provides multiple swirling of the flow between adjoining to it contact surfaces of the solid bodies and creation of turbulence in the flow, but materials used for manufacturing of the said bodies and covering their contact surfaces are chosen from the triboelectric series of materials and substances with specific capacity to charge unlike towards the used material of the fluid medium - one positively, but the other negatively, or one substance with capacity to take any charge, but the other - conducting, but non-chargeable;

- provides multiple swirling of the flow and creation of turbulence in it by means of execution of the contact surface of at least one of the said solid bodies with multiple indents, male-females, or macro- or microroughnesses obstructing the flow;

- has in mind as dielectric fluid medium - petrol, diesel oil or liquefied gas in fuel systems, non-conductive liquid in cooling system or exhaust gases of internal combustion engines of automobiles, oil or gases in oil or gas pipelines, aspiration or exhaust gases of industrial processing, or atmosphere air by way of wind;

^: flowing channel is executed divergent along the direction of fluid medium flow for the purpose of decreasing hydraulic or pneumatic resistance to the flow;

- created state of charge of the solid bodies is regulated by means of their mutual approach /removal and regulation of a gap between their surfaces, contacting the flow, aiming their ultimate charging limited by breakdown through the used dielectric fluid medium;

- flowing channel with adjustable clearance and divergent along the direction of fluid medium flow is created by means of disposition of one body inside the other hollow body with execution of external contact surface of the first and internal one of the second - cone-shaped, at this the first with less or reverse taper and controllably movable along the flow;

- at presence of dielectric liquid as a fluid medium, for the production of one of the solid bodies or covering its contact surfaces the following materials (in effect descending order) - polyurethane foam, magnesium fluoride (MgF₂), nylon, glass, Plexiglass, acrylic paint, silica, lead, silk, aluminum or duralumin, but for the second or its covering (in effect ascending order) - amber, resin, hard rubber, ebonite, nickel, copper, zink, brass, silver, gold, platinum, sulfur, acetate, artificial (acetyl) silk, synthetic rubber, polyester, celluloid, styrene, polyurethane, polystyrene, orlon, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicon rubber, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, nitrocellulose, neoprene, latex, silicon or Teflon (polytetrafiuorethylene) are employed for getting greater triboelectric effect;

-at presence of gas as a fluid medium, for the production of one of the solid bodies or covering its contact surfaces any of substances listed in claim 7 (in effect ascending order), but for the second - current-conducting, but non-chargeable substance, for example, steel, cotton, wood are employed for getting greater triboelectric effect.

There is the following cause-effect connection between the distinctive features of the invented method and the achieved result.

The essence of triboelectric generation in the present method consists in interaction of molecules of three different by their physical characteristics bodies in one device (instead of two rubbing bodies as it is usually used), where two of them are solid, but the third -flowing in the channel between them - liquid or gaseous. The method simplifies design, because removal of charge from the streaming medium is difficult, but from the solid bodies adjoined to it from different sides - elementary simple. It is important to choose from the known triboelectric series of materials the most effective ones for the interacting surfaces connected with the given material of the flow, the kinetic energy of which we want to convert into electro energy. Also, it is important to provoke the utmost activity and potential of the given flow to be ionized, to collect and to release a part of its kinetic energy. For this purpose we induce a turbulence in it that facilitates structurization and ionazation/polarization of molecules. It is also important (and useful) to foresee in the design a possibility to control and settle a clearance Δ between the said surfaces of the solid bodies in order to ascertain a moment of the utmost state of charge, i.e. difference of potentials between the positively and negatively charges bodies, for the given flow.

Liquid fluid mediums are located in the middle of the known triboelectric series, and therefore it is always possible to choose materials for the embodiment of the solid bodies (or for their covering) adjacent to the flow - one with possibility to charge positively from the given liquid material, but another - negatively. The best effect is achieved when the materials for solid bodies are chosen from the opposite ends of the abovementioned series.

Gaseous fluid mediums (for example, atmosphere) are located at the very top of the known triboelectric series, i.e. they themselves have a specific peculiarity to charge positively, but all the solid materials are located in the series below them and charge negatively towards gaseous materials. Therefore in the devices designed according to the given method and intended for generation of static electricity from gaseous mediums, we obtain one negatively charged body adjacent to the flow (for example, wind). At this the second negative charged body is not needed (because we won't get the wished potential) and therefore we choose the second body non-chargeable at all (for example, of steel) and achieve a current of electrons from the first body to the second as a zero or a ground.

The claimed combination of the known and the distinctive features is not know from the art according to the sources accessible to the author. Also, the distinctive features of the method differ from the features of the known methods so much that in the author's opinion do not follow for the specialist obviously from the background art. Therefore, in the author's opinion the invented method (consequently the device and its applications) satisfy to the criteria of novelty and inventive step.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE METHOD ("industrial applicability"^

The essence of the invention is disclosed by figures showing:

On the Fig.1 it is shown a well-known scheme of ionization in the course of rubbing of two materials from the triboelectric series, at which on the borders of their contact surfaces atoms of the molecules of one material lost electrons and become positively charged ions, but of the other - accept electrons and become negatively charged ions, i.e. a principle of generation charges and static electricity;

On the Fig.2 it is schematically shown the flow 1 of neutrally charged dielectric liquid or gaseous medium, possessing kinetic energy E, directed in the channel between two also neutrally charged solid bodies 2 and 3, distanced with clearance Δ; On. the Fig.3 it is schematically shown the method according to the proposed invention - a process of passing dielectric liquid or gaseous medium 1, possessing an initial kinetic energy E, through the channel between two solid bodies 2 and 3, at which the body 2 is charged by negative ions, but the body 3 - by positive, as a result of a well- known triboelectric effect. Due to this, the kinetic energy E₀ on the output decreases and a part of the difference (E- E₀) is converted in constantly generating in the course of flowing electric charges, creating potential ΔΕ between the bodies 2 and 3, that is to be removed and directed to the customers;

On the Fig.4 it is shown a forced origin of turbulence in the flow of fluid medium in the channel between solid bodies 2 and 3 due to the presence of projections 4 on the surface of one of them, obstructing laminarity of the flow;

On the Fig.5 it is shown an option of embodiment of the contact surface of one of the solid bodies 2 or 3 with multiple indents 5, where the said bodies are disposed from each other on clearance Δ and insulated by means of non-conducting material 6;

On the Fig.6 it is shown a device using the invented method and intended for example as a wind triboelectrogenerator or for mounting in aspiration tube. The solid bodies 2 and/or 3 (or their insertions or coverings) are executed with multiple grooves 7, obstructing the flow and creating turbulence in the liquid or gas flow. At this, the internal surface of the first body 2 and the outer surface of the second body 3 are executed cone-shaped with different taper with possibility of control and fixing by means of screw 8 the size of the flowing channel, i.e. of optimal clearance between bodies for the achievement of the maximal effect depending on materials utilized, viscosity, composition or speed of the fluid medium. Charges generated as a result of triboelectric effect are removed from highly conductive (for example . of silver foil) clips 9;

On the Fig.7 it is shown a device employing the invented method and intended, for example, for passing dielectric liquid (petrol or diesel oil in fuel systems of internal combustion engines). The first solid body - holy cylindrical body 2 is made of material charged negatively towards given liquid from the triboelectric series. The second solid body - core 3 is executed with multiple disks 10 of material charged positively towards the given liquid from the triboelectric series. Disks 10 are separated by space plates 1 1 of dielectric material, but the cylinder 2 and the heart 3 by insulating layer 12.

On the Fig.8 it is shown a multi-stage employment of device of Fig.7;

On the Fig. 9 it is shown application of the invented method in the wheel of vehicle. The first solid body - rotating rim of wheel 13 is made of non-chargeable material - steel. The second solid body - a ring 16 mounted on the brake disk 14 via insulator 15 with multiple radial plates 17 of aluminum, i.e. material from triboelectric series chargeable negatively towards air with space plates 18 of polyurethane also negatively chargeable towards air.

On the Fig. 10 it is shown a table listing some materials from triboelectric series, Compiled as a result of study and comparison of various information sources.

The invented method is executed in the following way:

Flow of dielectric liquid is passed between two solid bodies, one made of material that for the better effect is disposed enough in the triboelectric series from the given gas, but other - of steel.

Surfaces of the solid bodies or their coverings from materials from the triboelectric series are beforehand executed with multiple cavities, indents or enough roughness, contributing to creation of turbulence and better ionization/polarization of liquid or gas flow.

In the course of passing of liquid flow and its friction on adjacent surfaces some electrons of one solid body (with property to charge positively from triboelecric series) weakly attracted by atoms move to the atoms of the other solid body (with property to charge positively from triboelecric series). As a result, on the clips of the first body a positive charge is permanently created, but on the clips of the other body - negative. As soon as the process is continuous, an electrostatic potential is generated that may be modified upon necessity by means of well-known electro technical devices and connected to direct customer or to storage battery.

In the course of passing of gaseous flow (for example, air) and its friction on adjacent surfaces some electrons of gas (as a rule with property to charge positively from triboelecric series) weakly attracted by atoms move to the atoms of the first solid body and it charges negatively, but the gas - positively. On the other hand, the second solid body of steel does not charge at all. As a result on the clips of the first solid body the negative charge is generated permanently. As soon as the process is continuous, an electrostatic potential of the first solid body is generated and current of electrons, but only with the earth may be created that may be modified upon necessity by means of well-known electro technical devices and connected to direct customer or to storage battery.

The author made and tested several test samples of generators employing the method according to the claimed invention, namely for use in automobiles, in fuel system of engine. Current obtained by means of device on Fig.7 can charge storage battery of automobile.

Devices employing the method according to the claimed invention are processable, easily mass produced and may be non-expensive. The devices have practically unlimited life time and may require only rare wash.

The proposed method may be applied in fuel supply systems of engine with liquid or air cooling or in exhaust pipe of automobile for charging storage battery, also as a wind electro generator, namely on the roofs of buildings or consuming approach airflow on automobiles. It may be used on cement, metallurgic, chemical or other plants.

Of course, the claimed invention doesn't pretend that the proposed method using known for centuries triboelectric effect for converting kinetic energy of fluid flows into electric energy, is more effective than other well-known methods of generation of electro energy (for example, by means of turbines and generators on hydroelectric power stations). However, the proposed method is the most simply (cheaply and conveniently) applicable in many technical cases for extracting from the flows of at least some part of side energy lost without profit, in a form of electric energy for secondary use.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A method of tribo-ion generation of static electricity from the flow, involving ionization/polarization of flowing fluid dielectric liquid or gaseous medium as a result of friction on adjoining from different sides surfaces of at least one pair of solid bodies insulated from each other and creating a flowing channel, generation of electric charges on the said bodies, and remove of charges for its direction to the customers, characterized by providing multiple swirling of the flow between adjoining to it contact surfaces of the solid bodies and creation of turbulence in the flow, but materials used for manufacturing of the said bodies and covering their contact surfaces are chosen from the triboelectric series of materials and substances with specific capacity to charge unlike towards the used material of the fluid medium - one positively, but the other negatively, or one substance with capacity to take any charge, but the other - conducting, but non-chargeable;

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized by providing multiple swirling of the flow and creation of turbulence in it by means of execution of the contact surface of at least one of the said solid bodies with multiple indents, male-females, or macro- or microroughnesses obstructing the flow;

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized by having in mind as dielectric fluid medium - petrol, diesel oil or liquefied gas in fuel systems, non- conductive liquid in cooling system or exhaust gases of internal combustion engines of automobiles, oil or gases in oil or gas pipelines, aspiration or exhaust gases of industrial processing, or atmosphere air by way of wind;

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized by execution of flowing channel divergent along the direction of fluid medium flow for the purpose of decreasing hydraulic or pneumatic resistance to the flow;

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized by regulation of creating state of charge of the solid bodies by means of their mutual approach/removal and regulation of a gap between their surfaces, contacting the flow, aiming their ultimate charging limited by breakdown through the used dielectric fluid medium;

6. The method according to claim 1-5, characterized by creation of the flowing channel with adjustable clearance and divergent along the direction of fluid medium flow, by means of disposition of one body inside the other hollow body with execution of external contact surface of the first and internal one of the second - cone-shaped, at this the first with less or reverse taper and controllably movable along the flow;

7. The method according to any of claims 1-6, characterized by employment at presence of dielectric liquid as a fluid medium, for the production of one of the solid bodies or covering its contact surfaces of (in effect descending order) polyurethane foam, magnesium fluoride (MgF₂), nylon, glass, Plexiglass, acrylic paint, silica, lead, silk, aluminum or duralumin, but for the second, or its covering, of (in effect ascending order) - amber, resin, hard rubber, ebonite, nickel, copper, zink, brass, silver, gold, platinum, sulfur, acetate, artificial (acetyl) silk, synthetic rubber, polyester, celluloid, styrene, polyurethane, polystyrene, orlon, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicon rubber, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, nitrocellulose, neoprene, latex, silicon or Teflon (polytetrafluorethylene) for the purpose of getting greater triboelectric effect;

8. The method according to any of claims 1-6, characterized by employment at presence of gas as a fluid medium, for the production of one of the solid bodies or covering its contact surfaces, any of substances listed in claim 7 (in effect ascending order), but for the second - current-conducting, but non-chargeable substance, for example, steel, cotton, wood, for the purpose of getting greater triboelectric effect.