WO2017089993A1

WO2017089993A1 - A system for power generation

Info

Publication number: WO2017089993A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/057120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Swapnil Adinath MESHRAM
Original assignee: Meshram Swapnil Adinath
Priority date: 2015-11-26
Filing date: 2016-11-25
Publication date: 2017-06-01

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system for power generation. The system includes a fluid source, at least one venturi and a driven device. The fluid source is configured to supply a fluid to the venturi. The venturi comprises a converging section, a diverging section, and a throat between the converging section and the diverging section. The converging section is in fluid communication with the fluid source. The driven device is configured to generate power upon impingement of the fluid exiting the diverging section.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR POWER GENERATION

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a system for power generation. BACKGROUND Conventionally, power generating systems harness renewable and non-renewable sources of energy such as fossil fuels, solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy, and the like to generate power. The generated power can be utilized for producing electricity and/or mechanical work.

However, limitations such as: · production of ashes, thereby polluting the environment;

• non- availability of the required materials throughout the year due to geographical factors, thereby resulting in inconsistent generation of power;

• time consuming and capital intensive maintenance, and the like, are associated with conventional power generating systems for generating power. There is, therefore, felt a need for an alternative system to generate power and overcome the above mentioned limitations.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows. It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

An object of the present disclosure is to generate power.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages a system for power generation. The system comprises a fluid source, at least one venturi and a driven device. The fluid source is configured to supply a fluid to the venturi, having a converging section, a diverging section, and a throat therebetween. The fluid exiting the diverging section is impinged on the driven device, to generate power.

The power generating system of the present disclosure can also include a valve, a generator and at least one aspirator tube. In accordance with the present disclosure, the fluid can be at least one of a compressible fluid and an incompressible fluid.

The fluid source can be one of a pressurized fluid tank that is configured to receive a pressurized fluid from a compressor unit, and flue gases.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the valve is fitted between the fluid source and the venturi for controlling the mass flow rate of the fluid.

Typically, the driven device is a turbine that is configured to rotate upon impingement of the fluid exiting the diverging section.

The power generated by the driven device can be utilized by a generator operatively coupled to the driven device to generate electricity. In accordance with the present disclosure, a first portion of the generated electricity can be utilized for external use and a second portion of the generated electricity can be optionally looped back and fed to the compressor unit.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one aspirator tube is connected to the throat. The pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure and the pressure of the fluid in the throat facilitates suction of an external entrained fluid into the throat, thereby producing a fluid mixture within said venturi. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the aspirator tube is provided with a filter and a valve.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the venturi is connected to the aspirator tube and a plurality of openings are configured on the venturi, to facilitate suction of the external entrained fluid into the venturi.

The system of the present disclosure can be disposed within a thermally insulated enclosure having a temperature control means to control the temperature therewithin.

Optionally, the thermally insulated enclosure can be provided with a filter at a fluid intake port thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

A system for generating power of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a system depicting an aspirator tube, a generator and a compressor unit in accordance with the present disclosure; Figure 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a system depicting an aspirator tube and a compressor unit in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic representation of a system depicting a different configuration of a venturi in accordance with the present disclosure; and

Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart for generating power using the system of Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The conventional power generating systems utilize renewable and non-renewable sources of energy such as fossil fuels, solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy, and the like to generate power. However, there certain limitations associated with the conventional power generating systems, for example:

• production of ashes, thereby polluting the environment;

• time consuming and capital intensive maintenance, and the like.

The present disclosure therefore provides an alternative system to generate power and overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.

The system (100, 200 and 300) of the present disclosure is illustrated with reference to Figures 1 to 3, wherein the system (100, 200 and 300) includes:

• a fluid source (10), that is configured to supply a fluid;

• at least one venturi (14), wherein the venturi (14) comprises:

o a converging section (14a) that is:

- in fluid communication with the fluid source (10); and

- configured to receive the fluid from the fluid source (10);

o a diverging section (14c), and

o a throat (14b) between the converging section (14a) and the diverging section (14c); and

• a driven device (20), that is configured to generate power upon impingement of the fluid exiting the diverging section (14c).

The driven device (20) is coupled with the diverging section (14c).

In accordance with the present disclosure, the fluid can be at least one of a compressible fluid and an incompressible fluid.The fluid is at least one of gases such as air, flue gases, and the like, and liquids.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, in the case of liquids, the fluid source (10) can be at least one of a pump, tank and a hydraulic accumulator.

The fluid source (10) is at least one of: • a pressurized fluid tank that is configured to receive a pressurized fluid from a compressor unit (26), and

• flue gases.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the fluid source (10) can be a fan and/or a propellant.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the fluid source (10) can be:

• gases produced by burning of hydrocarbons;

• pressurized fluid created by the explosion of gun powder; and

· pressurized fluid from any other source.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fluid source (10) can be any source providing the fluid having a desired velocity and/or pressure.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the pressure in the fluid source (10) is approximately 10 atm. The configuration of the venturi (14) can be varied depending upon the requirement.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a valve (12) is fitted between the fluid source (10) and the venturi (14) for controlling the mass flow rate of the fluid between the fluid source (10) and the venturi (14).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the driven device (20) is a turbine that is configured to rotate upon impingement of the fluid exiting the diverging section (14c). In accordance with the present diclsoure the driven device (20) can be any device other than a turbine.

The power generation system (100, 200 and 300) can be disposed within a thermally insulated enclosure (30), to control the temperature therewithin by isolating the system from the surrounding.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the thermally insulated enclosure (30) has a temperature control means and a pressure control means to control the temperature and the pressure therewithin. In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the thermally insulated enclosure (30) is provided with a filter and a valve (not shown in Figures 1 to 3) at a fluid intake port (not shown in Figures 1 to 3) thereof.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one aspirator tube 16 is connected to the throat 14b and is configured to introduce an external entrained fluid (E) into the fluid exiting the converging section and entering the throat (14b), thereby producing a fluid mixture within the venturi (14) (as shown in Figure 1). In accordance with the present diclsoure the driven device (20) can be operatively configured at a location proximal to entry of the external entrained fluid (E). The aspirator tube can be provided with a filter (not shown in Figure 1) and a valve 18.

The configuration or the cross-sectional area of the aspirator tube (16) can be varied depending upon the requirement.

The aspirator tube (16) having a large cross-sectional area is preferred, to facilitate intake of higher volume of the external entrained fluid (E). Typically, the pressure of the fluid entering the venturi (14) is different from the atmospheric pressure.

Due to the converging section (14a), the velocity of the fluid exiting the converging section (14a) and entering the throat (14b) is increased and the pressure of the fluid in the throat (14b) is reduced (less than the atmospheric pressure). The pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure and the reduced pressure of the fluid in the throat (14b) facilitates suction of the external fluid E from the aspirator tube 16 into the throat (14b), thereby obtaining a fluid mixture with increased mass flow rate. The fluid mixture with increased mass flow rate is impinged on the driven device (20), typically a turbine, via the diverging section 14c to rotate the turbine, thereby generating power. The power generated without the introduction of the external entrained fluid (E) is significantly less as compared to that generated after the introduction of the external entrained fluid (E). This is because, the power (P) generated by the driven device (20) is directly proportional to cube of mass flow rate (rh ) of the fluid. The relation between the power generated (P) and the mass flow rate (rh 3 ) can be represented as P °< rh 3. The power generated can be utilized by a generator (22), which is operatively connected to the driven device (20), to generate electricity. A first portion (24) of the generated electricity can be utilized for external use, and a second portion (25) of the generated electricity can be looped back and fed to the compressor unit (26) (as shown in Figure 1) to compress and/or introduce a fluid (28) into the fluid source (10).

Initially, the amount and the pressure of the fluid supplied by the fluid source (10) gets reduced due to continuous utilization of the fluid for generation of power. In order to forestall inconsistent generation of power, the compressor unit (26) (that also acts as a make -up source) supplies the fluid (28) into the fluid source (10), thereby maintaining the required amount and pressure of the fluid in the fluid source (10).

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the power generated by the driven device (20) of the power generation system (200) is directly utilized by the compressor unit (26) (as shown in Figure 2).

In accordance with still another embodiment of the present disclosure, the configuration of the venturi (14) of the power generation system (300), as shown in Figure 3, is different from that depicted in Figures 1 and 2. Due to the converging section (14a), the velocity of the fluid is increased and the pressure of the fluid is reduced, thereby facilitating suction of the external entrained fluid (E) into the venturi (14) via the converging section (14a) (as shown in Figure 3), thereby increasing the mass flow rate of the fluid. The increased mass flow rate of the fluid is utilized by the driven device (20) for generating power, as described herein above.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the aspirator tube (16) is connected to the throat and at least one opening and/or aperture is configured on the venturi (14), to facilitate suction of the external entrained fluid (E) into the venturi (14), thereby obtaining a fluid mixture with increased mass flow rate. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fluid (28) and the external entrained fluid (E) can be same.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the fluid (28) and the the fluid in the fluid source (10) can be same. In accordance with still another embodiment of the present disclosure, the fluid in the fluid source (10), the fluid (28), and the external entrained fluid (E) can be same.

The working of the system present disclosure can be summarized, with respect to Figure 4, in the following steps: · the fluid from the fluid source 10 is introduced into the venturi (14);

• the fluid with increased mass flow rate is impinged on the driven device (20), to generate power; and

• depending upon the requirement the power generated can be utilized by:

- the generator (22) to generate electricity , wherein the first portion (24) of the generated electricity can be utilized for external use and the second portion

(25) of the generated electricity can be looped back and fed to the compressor unit (26) to introduce the fluid (28) into the fluid source (10); and

- the compressor unit (26) (as shown in Figure 4).

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the power generated by the driven device (20) can be directly transmitted to any source, for instance, the compressor unit (26) using gears (26a), to introduce the fluid (28) into the fluid source (10).

In accordance with the present disclosure, power generation depends upon the amount of suction of the external entrained fluid (E) into the venturi (14).

In accordance with the present disclosure, the amount of the external entrained fluid (E) sucked into the venturi (14) depends upon the configuration of the venturi (14) and the aspirator tube (16).

In accordance with the present disclosure, the amount of the power generated can vary depending upon the suction of the external entrained fluid (E) into the venturi (14).

In accordance with the present disclosure, the amount of power generation can be increased by increasing the number of venturi (14) and the aspirator tube (16).

TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a system that: - generates power throughout the year; and

- is not affected by geographical factors, thereby generating power consistently and effectively.

The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the invention to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the invention as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the principles of the present invention can be applied, it should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only. While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principle of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1) A system for power generation, said system comprising:

• a fluid source configured to supply a fluid;

• at least one venturi having a converging section, a diverging section, and a throat therebetween, wherein said converging section is in fluid communication with said fluid source and configured to receive said fluid; and

• a driven device configured to generate power upon impingement of the fluid exiting said diverging section. 2) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid is at least one of a compressible fluid and an incompressible fluid.

3) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid source is at least one of:

• a pressurized fluid tank configured to receive a pressurized fluid from a compressor unit; and

• flue gases.

4) The system as claimed in claim 1, includes a valve fitted between said fluid source and said venturi for controlling the mass flow rate of the fluid.

5) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driven device is coupled with said diverging section.

6) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driven device is a turbine configured to rotate upon impingement of the fluid exiting said diverging section.

7) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power generated by the driven device is utilized by a generator operatively coupled to said driven device to generate electricity, wherein a first portion of the generated electricity is utilized for external use and a second portion of the generated electricity is optionally looped back and fed to said compressor unit. 8) The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one aspirator tube is connected to said throat, wherein the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure and pressure of the fluid in said throat facilitates suction of an external entrained fluid into said throat, thereby producing a fluid mixture within said venturi.

9) The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said aspirator tube is provided with a filter and a valve.

10) The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said venturi is connected to said aspirator tube and a plurality of openings are configured on said venturi, to facilitate suction of said external entrained fluid into said venturi.

11) The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said system is disposed within a thermally insulated enclosure having a temperature control means and a pressure control means to control the temperature and the pressure there within, wherein said thermally insulated enclosure is optionally provided with a filter at a fluid intake port thereof.