WO2019094941A1 - Générateur d'énergie hybride - Google Patents

Générateur d'énergie hybride Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019094941A1
WO2019094941A1 PCT/US2018/060767 US2018060767W WO2019094941A1 WO 2019094941 A1 WO2019094941 A1 WO 2019094941A1 US 2018060767 W US2018060767 W US 2018060767W WO 2019094941 A1 WO2019094941 A1 WO 2019094941A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air
thermal energy
water
heat
energy conversion
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2018/060767
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Claude-Reynald Christian LECORPS
Original Assignee
Atlas Prime Nrg, Corp.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Atlas Prime Nrg, Corp. filed Critical Atlas Prime Nrg, Corp.
Publication of WO2019094941A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019094941A1/fr

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
    • F03G7/04—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using pressure differences or thermal differences occurring in nature
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/02—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by heating
    • C02F1/04—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by heating by distillation or evaporation
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/44—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis
    • C02F1/441—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis by reverse osmosis
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/08—Seawater, e.g. for desalination
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
    • C02F2201/009—Apparatus with independent power supply, e.g. solar cells, windpower, fuel cells
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
    • F03G7/04—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using pressure differences or thermal differences occurring in nature
    • F03G7/05—Ocean thermal energy conversion, i.e. OTEC
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
    • Y02A20/20—Controlling water pollution; Waste water treatment
    • Y02A20/208—Off-grid powered water treatment
    • Y02A20/212—Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to power generators that harness energy from the air, sun, and sea.
  • OTEC Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
  • systems rely on a working fluid transferring thermal energy and convert it to mechanical energy.
  • open-loop where seawater is used as the working fluid
  • closed-loop where ammonia or propane is the working fluid.
  • the working fluid is vaporized by warm surface seawater and condensed by the cold deep water.
  • a long pipe must reach about 1000 meters or more below the surface of the ocean to access water that is usually about 20 degrees Celsius colder than the surface.
  • this temperature differential is very small as compared to those attained in other thermal power plants such as concentrated solar and fossil fuel-fired power stations. This results in low power densities and means that a great amount of water must be processed in order to extract sufficient thermal energy from such small temperature differentials.
  • larger diameter pipes and powerful pumps are required, which increases overnight capital and maintenance costs.
  • OTEC is sometimes used for seawater district cooling in a manner analogous to a water source heat pump where the thermal properties of the seawater are put to use in air conditioning, absorbing heat from a desired space and transporting it to a different location, thereby eliminating the amount of electricity-powered air conditioning and heating by up to 80%.
  • a hybrid thermal energy conversion system that includes: an air intake at an elevated height suitable for gathering atmospheric air; a pneumatic conduit in fluid communication with the air intake for conveying air gathered by the intake; a first heat exchanger arranged so as to extract heat from air conveyed by the conduit and to release at least a portion of the extracted heat to a body of water; a compressor connected to receive cooled air from the heat exchanger and to compress the cooled air; an intercooler for extracting heat from air compressed in the compressor and to release at least a portion of the extracted heat to the body of water; an air tank for storing cooled air compressed by the compressor; a heating tank of warmed fluid for heating compressed cooled air released from the air tank into a conduit exposed to the warmed fluid to form heated compressed air; an air turbine driven by the heated compressed air; and a generator powered by the air turbine.
  • the system may include a solar heat collector configured to provide warm fluid for use in the heating tank.
  • the heating tank may be thermally connected to a heat source selected from the group consisting of the first heat exchanger, the intercooler, and combinations thereof.
  • the pneumatic conduit may be a resonant pneumatic conduit.
  • the system may further include a photovoltaic apparatus configured to supplement the electric power produced by the generator.
  • the system may further include a desalination apparatus.
  • the desalination apparatus may include a salt water tank thermally connected to a heat source selected from the group consisting of the first heat exchanger, the intercooler, the solar heat collector, the heating tank, and combinations thereof.
  • the desalination apparatus may be thermally connected to the heating tank via an air-to-water recuperator for recovering heat from the heated compressed air and convey the recovered heat to the salt water tank.
  • the desalination apparatus may include a vacuum pump for reducing a pressure in the salt water tank.
  • the desalination turbine may be powered by the air turbine.
  • the system may include an aerostat for lifting the air intake, and may be built on a floating platform.
  • the system may further include a thermoelectric generator that includes: a heating block; a cooling block; a set of thermoelectric elements between the heating block and cooling block; a hot water tank adjacent to the heating block; a water pump configured to circulate hot water within the hot water tank and cold water within the cooling block; a water-to-air recuperator configured to receive water from the hot water tank and to transfer heat from the water to compressed air released from the air tank; a cold water tank for storing water cooled in the water-to-air recuperator; and a fluid conduit for bringing water from the cold water tank into thermal contact with the cooling block.
  • a thermoelectric generator that includes: a heating block; a cooling block; a set of thermoelectric elements between the heating block and cooling block; a hot water tank adjacent to the heating block; a water pump configured to circulate hot water within the hot water tank and cold water within the cooling block; a water-to-air recuperator configured to receive water from the hot water tank and to transfer heat from the water to compressed air released from the air tank; a
  • the hot water tank may thermally connected with a heat source selected from the group consisting of the first heat exchanger, the intercooler, the solar heat collector, and combinations thereof.
  • the water pump is powered by a photovoltaic apparatus.
  • the cold water tank may configured for placement at a depth of at least about 50 m to at most about 1500 m below the surface of a body of water. In other instances, the cold water tank may be configured for placement at a depth of at least about 1 m to at most about 50 m below the surface of a body of water.
  • the system may further include a desalination apparatus.
  • the desalination apparatus may powered by a power source selected from the group consisting of the thermoelectric generator, a photovoltaic apparatus, and combinations thereof. In some instances, the desalination apparatus may a reverse osmosis device.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an example air intake and storage subsystem.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an example heating and thermal storage subsystem
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a first electric conversion subsystem.
  • FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view of a second, solid-state type of electric conversion subsystem featuring a thermoelectric generator.
  • FIG. 4B is an elevation view of a thermoelectric generator.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an example desalination subsystem.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an example hybrid generator featuring a number of subsystems.
  • FIG. 7 A illustrates an exemplary energy storage system in the course of storing pressurized air for later use.
  • FIG. 7B illustrates the energy storage system of FIG. 7 A in the process of generating electric power.
  • FIG. 7C illustrates the conversion of heat to electric power in the thermoelectric generator of the energy storage system of FIG. 7 A.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of an example hybrid generator featuring a mixing valve.
  • a "set” includes at least one member.
  • “configured to” language may include hardware, for example, mechanical parts, memory storing program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc. reciting that the element is “configured to” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. ⁇ 112(f) for that element.
  • cooling block heating block, cooling side, heating side, cold side, hot side, cooler side, hotter side, hot water, and cold water and the like do not indicate any particular temperature, but are relative terms.
  • the "hot,” “heating” or “hotter” side of a thermoelectric element or array may be at ambient temperature, with the “cold,” “cooling” or “cooler” side at a cooler temperature than ambient.
  • the "cold,” “cooling” or “cooler” side may be at ambient with the "hot,” “heating” or “hotter” side at a higher
  • thermoelectric device is at a higher or lower temperature than ambient.
  • CARIES Compressed Air Renewable Integrated Energy Storage
  • the present application provides a novel hybrid air, solar, and water thermal energy conversion system having air as a working fluid.
  • a closed- or open-loop CARIES heat from air or surface seawater is extracted and used to heat compressed air, in a manner analogous to a heat pump, before it is released to power turbine-coupled generators, thereby eliminating the need for a combustion chamber that is inherent to the use of fossil fuel dependent compressed air.
  • a portion of the heat that is not transferred to the air may be converted to electrical energy directly via a thermoelectric generator.
  • the system collects air at an intake that is preferably positioned at higher altitudes where atmospheric winds are prevalent, then compresses and cools the collected air at least in part by removing a portion of its thermal energy. This results in cool, pressurized air that is stored in an air tank.
  • an air tank Preferably, at least a portion of the heat extracted from the air is released to a body of water, for example in a flowing river or in deep ocean water where the temperature is usually lower than in layers closer to the surface.
  • the system may be conveniently located on a floating platform. However, a portion of the heat extracted from the air may be stored in a heating tank for later use.
  • the cooled pressurized air is released from the air tank and collects heat from the heating tank and other renewable energy heat sources such as a solar heat collector, forming heated working fluid that drives an air turbine for powering a generator and thereby providing an electric power source.
  • Thermal energy from the air, the solar heat collector and other heat sources may also be directly converted to electric power via a thermoelectric apparatus, and supplemental electric power may be provided by fitting the system with a photovoltaic apparatus.
  • the system may direct the excess energy it collects from the air and other renewable sources to the desalination of salt water.
  • a portion of the heat extracted from the air may be used to heat the content of a salt water tank, while a portion of the electric power may drive a vacuum pump connected to the salt water tank.
  • the combined effects of heating and vacuum pumping result in the production of vapor that is conveyed to a desalination turbine where it is converted into freshwater and salt.
  • the desalination turbine may be powered by excess rotational momentum from the air turbine that is not directed to the production of electric power.
  • exemplary system 1 may be thought of as being composed of a number of subsystems, each subsystem being dedicated to one of the following functions: air intake and storage 100, heating and thermal storage 200, electrical conversion 300, solid-state electrical conversion 400, and desalination 500.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an example air intake and storage subsystem 100 that collects ambient air and extracts its thermal energy, producing cool, pressurized air and directing the heat to the thermal storage subsystem 200.
  • Air intake 101 gathers ambient air and funnels it through pneumatic conduit 102.
  • conduit 102 is resonant so as to minimize energy loss.
  • the intake 101 may include a filter/stator 112 and may be positioned at relatively high altitudes to channel air pressure from atmospheric winds, for example by being mounted on a tower or suspended from an aerostat such as tethered balloon 111 and attached to guy tension wire 113.
  • the air intake 101 omni-directionally directs ambient wind through a filter, past intake turbine 105, and into venturi funnel 107, such that due to the Coanda effect, negative air pressure and resonance of the pneumatic conduit 102 the wind continues down conduit 102 with minimal pressure loss. As it descends down conduit 102, the air may increase in
  • conduit 102 may gather heat from the atmospheric air that is located outside the conduit 102, below the altitude of intake 101 and above ground level height. Once it reaches ground level, heat exchanger 106 removes thermal energy from the air delivered through conduit
  • the intake air preferably passes through air- water separator 109 prior to entering the compressor or reaching a temperature where water freezes.
  • the air-water separator 109 is fitted with an automatic drain 115 connected to a fresh water reservoir.
  • the air intake and storage subsystem also includes a cooling device 107 for maintaining the air in tank 103 at a low temperature.
  • the cooling device 107 may be, for example, a refrigerator or a cold storage container 119 filled with a cryogenic liquid (such as liquid nitrogen) 120 inside which the air tank 103 is placed.
  • a cryogenic liquid such as liquid nitrogen
  • the system may feature two or more air tanks 103. This configuration allows for one tank undergoing charging while the other(s) releases air through motor-actuated valve 118, thereby providing a continuous, uninterrupted energy source.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an example heating and thermal storage subsystem 200 that includes a solar heat collector 201, and heating tank 204.
  • the system includes a desalination subsystem
  • at least a portion of the heat collected by items such as heat exchanger 106, intercooler 108, and solar heat collector 201 may be released to salt water tank 202 to assist in the desalination process.
  • Heat may be transferred between any two parts of the system by circulating a heat transfer medium.
  • the medium may circulate by convective flows induced by temperature gradients, but may also be induced by mechanical pumps which render heat transfer more efficient even if operating the pumps consumes a portion of the electric power generated by the system.
  • the heating tank 204 is a thermally insulated container filled with a heating fluid with high thermal capacity and low thermal conductivity, such as fresh or salt water that forms three thermal regions naturally separated due to convection, namely: a heating region 204A, a reheating 204B region, and a recycle region 204C; each decreasing in temperature respectively.
  • a heating fluid with high thermal capacity and low thermal conductivity such as fresh or salt water that forms three thermal regions naturally separated due to convection, namely: a heating region 204A, a reheating 204B region, and a recycle region 204C; each decreasing in temperature respectively.
  • At least a part of the thermal energy extracted from the air by heat exchanger 106 and intercooler 108 may be conveyed to one or both of the salt water tank 202 and the heating region 204A, for example via a heat transfer medium such as heated water traveling through conduits 208A, 208B, 210A, 210B, 212A, and 212B.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a first electric conversion subsystem 300.
  • valve 118 When valve 118 is opened, compressed air from tank 103 is heated in heating region 204A and the resulting heated air is fed to first air turbine 301.
  • air turbines are similar in design to steam turbines used in thermal power plants in the sense that they operate in a similar fashion.
  • the working fluid is air which expands and accelerates across one or more stators, creating a pressure differential across the airfoils attached to the turbine shaft 302 and causing the shaft to turn, thereby converting at least part of the thermal energy and kinetic energy into mechanical rotation of the shaft 302.
  • the air then passes through conduit 309 to reheating region 204B, forming reheated air that is conveyed through conduit 311 into second turbine 304 where part of its thermal and kinetic energy is converted into further mechanical rotation of the shaft 302.
  • the air passes through air-to-water recuperator 306 which is a heat exchanger designed to extract the remaining thermal energy from the air and store it in the salt water tank 202.
  • the air flowing from second turbine 304 may be directly mixed with the water of salt water 202, in which case the resulting mixture may be separate back into water and air at a later stage.
  • the air leaving second turbine 304 may instead or in part be used to heat the water for hot water tank 405.
  • the air is directed again into the heating tank 204 by way of valve 312 and conduit 314 before it is released into the atmosphere by way of exhaust 316.
  • the shaft 302 is mechanically connected to generator 308 which converts at least part of the kinetic energy of the rotating shaft 302 into electric power.
  • generator 308 converts at least part of the kinetic energy of the rotating shaft 302 into electric power.
  • power may be tapped directly as alternating current (AC) to grid/consumer use via transformer 305, or may be stored in a repository of batteries 307 via inverter DC/ AC inverter 303 and transformer 305.
  • AC alternating current
  • the power output from the AC panel transformer 313 is coupled to both repository of batteries 307 and a grid interconnection, such that the storage repository is adapted to receive excess electrical power and direct the excess power to a desalination apparatus when needed.
  • FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view of a second, solid-state type of electric conversion subsystem 400 featuring a thermoelectric generator (TEG) that converts thermal energy directly into electrical power via the thermoelectric effect.
  • FIG. 4B is an elevation view of a thermoelectric generator such as 401.
  • the working fluid of subsystem 400 is preferably water, though other fluids are also contemplated for this purpose.
  • Thermoelectric generator 401 includes thermoelectric elements 402 arrayed between heating block 406 and cooling block 408.
  • the thermoelectric elements 402 are connected in series via electrically conductive shunts soldered to the ends of the elements 402.
  • Heating block 406 and its heat exchanger fins 403 are enclosed within hot water tank 405 having hot water inlet 407 and hot water outlet 409.
  • Cooling block 408 releases heat to cold water flowing between cold water inlet 425 and cold water outlet 426.
  • the temperature differential is applied across the device in the form of hot water introduced inside tank 405 and cold water on cooling block 408.
  • the thermal energy for heating the water that is introduced in the hot water tank 405 may be provided by one or more of the solar heat collector 201, heat exchanger 106, intercooler 108, and water-to-air recuperator 415.
  • heated water flows from solar heat collector outlet 418, heat exchanger outlet 110, intercooler outlet 421, and heat exchanger outlet 416.
  • the hot water conduits merge at junction 423, and the hot water enters the hot water tank 405 through hot water inlet 407. Once in the hot water tank 405, the hot water releases thermal energy to the fin-type heat sink 403 of heating block 406.
  • the hot water then exits hot water tank 405 through hot water outlet 409 and enters water-to-air recuperator 415 where its heat is released to air flowing from tanks 103 to produce compressed heat air for powering turbine 304.
  • water-to-air recuperator 415 may either substitute or complement heat tank 204 in heating compressed air that is flowing towards air turbine 304.
  • the cold water produced in water-to-air recuperator 415 is then collected in cold water tank 417.
  • tank 417 It is usually advantageous to keep cold water tank 417 in a cold environment in order to maximize energy output and efficiency. Hence, in instances where the system is located in the proximity of deep bodies of water, it is preferably to place tank 417 at depths of at least about 50 meters to at most about 1500 meters. However, if only relatively shallow bodies of water are within reasonable reach, tank 417 may be placed closer to the water surface, at depths of at least about 1 meter to at most about 50 meters, even though this may result in lower thermodynamic efficiencies than in configurations where tank 417 is placed at greater depths.
  • Pump 419 circulates the water through subsystem 400 by drawing cold water from cold water tank 417 and directing it towards junction 422 where it splits into a first portion and a second portion.
  • the first portion of the cold water enters solar heat collector 201 through solar heat collector inlet 419.
  • the second portion of the cold water enters the cooling block 408 through cooling block inlet 425, collects heat from cooling block 408, and then exits cooling block 408 through cooling block outlet 426.
  • the cold water travels along conduit 428 until it enters intercooler inlet 431 and heat exchanger inlet 433.
  • pump 419 is solar-powered so as to maximize reliance on renewable energy sources.
  • the hot water tank 405 and hot water conduits 428, 429, and 440 are made of an electrically and thermally insulating material.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an example desalination subsystem 500 that produces fresh water from the salt water which, as described above, is stored in salt water tank 202 and heated with thermal energy from heating tank 204 and recuperator 306.
  • Vacuum pump 501 reduces the pressure inside the salt water tank 202, resulting in the production of vapor from the salt water heated to a temperature high enough for the water to evaporate at the pressure lowered by vacuum pump 501 but not high enough for most the sea salt to evaporate as well.
  • the vapor is conveyed through conduit 502 to desalination turbine 504 where an increase in pressure makes the vapor condense into freshwater that collects in fresh water tank 508.
  • the increase in pressure within the turbine 504 allows the salt to precipitate into the salt tank 506 before the water condenses. This is a two-step process that does not require excessive heat and produces cool air and freshwater that can be reused by an HVAC system of a building or placed on the market for additional revenue.
  • vacuum pump 501 may be powered by batteries 307 and/or thermoelectric generator 401.
  • desalination turbine 504 may be powered by excess rotational momentum from air turbine 301 that is not converted to electric power. This can be accomplished by coupling air turbine shaft 302 to the desalination turbine 504 with mechanical clutch 506. As a result, the energy powering air turbine 301 may be converted into both electric power and freshwater production.
  • the electric power from the batteries 307 and/or thermoelectric generator 401 may be used to power other types of desalination devices not relying on turbines, for example a reverse osmosis water filtration apparatus.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an example system 600 featuring air intake and storage 110, heating and thermal storage 210, electrical conversion 310, and desalination 510.
  • Air intake 1 gathers ambient air and funnels it through pneumatic conduit 8.
  • the intake 1 includes filter/stator 2 and is attached to suspension apparatus 3 (for example a balloon or kit) and to guy tension wire 7.
  • the air intake 1 omni-directionally directs ambient air through a filter, past intake turbine 4, and into venturi funnel 5.
  • heat exchanger 10 removes thermal energy from the air delivered through conduit 6, thereby creating a negative pressure that helps in drawing additional air from the intake 1. This produces cooled and pressurized air that is stored in an input vessel or a compressed air tank 14.
  • compressor 12 which features an intercooler, powered by compressor motor 11, and controlled by compressor motor control center 42. At least a portion of the heat extracted from the air by heat exchanger 10 and the intercooler of compressor 12 is conveyed through heat conduits 58 and 59 and released to body of water 60.
  • the intake air preferably passes through air-water separator 9 prior to entering the compressor or reaching a temperature where water freezes.
  • the air-water separator 9 is fitted with an automatic drain connected to a fresh water reservoir.
  • a cooling device including a cryogenic tank 13 and insulation layer 15 maintains the air in tank 14 at a low temperature.
  • the pressure inside heating tank 18 may controlled by releasing excess air through pressure relief valve 19, and exhaust air may be released through outlets 56.
  • the shaft 36 is mechanically connected to generator 28 which converts at least part of the kinetic energy of the rotating shaft 36 into electric power. Power is tapped from the generator 28 by AC main panel 46 and either turned into AC electricity by transformer 47 or fed through AC/DC inverter 45 to DC bus 40 and used to charge batteries 41 under the control of DC relay panel 49 and system control center 48.
  • photovoltaic panel(s) 44 which is connected to DC bus 40 via DC rapid shutdown and blocking diodes 43, MPPT & PV combiner box 39, and voltage regulator 38.
  • a fraction of the heat collected by heat exchanger 10 and the intercooler of compressor 12 may be transferred to salt water tank 26 through mixing valve 25 and one of the hot air tubing conduits 53.
  • Recuperator 24 may also provide heat to water tank 26 through another of the conduits 53.
  • Vacuum pump 27 reduces the pressure inside the salt water tank 26, resulting in the production of saline vapor from the salt water heated to a temperature high enough for the water to evaporate at the pressure lowered by vacuum pump 27 but not high enough for most the sea salt to evaporate as well.
  • Vacuum pump 27 may be powered by batteries 41 and/or thermoelectric device 31.
  • desalination turbine 34 may be powered by excess rotational momentum from air turbines 21 and 23 that is not converted to electric power. This can be accomplished by coupling air turbine shaft 36 to the desalination turbine shaft 35 with mechanical clutch 29. As a result, the energy powering air turbines 21 and 23 may be converted into both electric power and freshwater production.
  • the electric power from the batteries 41 and/or thermoelectric device 31 may be used to power other types of desalination devices not relying on turbines, for example a reverse osmosis water filtration apparatus.
  • FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary energy storage system in the course of storing pressurized air for later use.
  • Atmospheric air at a pressure of 14 psi (0.97 bar) and at the temperature of 15 °C is collected at a rate of 19200 ftVmin (9061 liters per second) then undergoes heat removal in heat exchanger 701.
  • Battery 702 which is charged by a 25 Watt photovoltaic apparatus (PV) and a 10 kilowatt thermoelectric generator (TEG) and powers motor 703 which is coupled to the shaft 711 of compressor turbines 707 and 709 through clutch 705.
  • PV photovoltaic apparatus
  • TEG 10 kilowatt thermoelectric generator
  • the air flows through the compressor turbines 707 and 709 where is pressurized to 3000 psi (206.85 bar) while releasing about 269 kJ of heat for about every 385 moles of air gases to intercoolers 713 and 715. Then, the pressurized air is distributed through valve assembly 717 and stored in one or more of tanks 719, where each tank is about 80 ft 3 (2265 liters) in volume.
  • FIG. 7B illustrates the energy storage system of FIG. 7A in the process of generating electric power.
  • Pressurized air that is released from tanks 719 through valve assembly 717 at a temperature of 22 °C and pressure of 968 psi (66.75 bar).
  • water-to-air recuperator 720 the air is heated to form heated compressed air at a temperature of 37.81 °C and pressure of 1019 psi (70.26 bar).
  • Clutch 705 is disengaged while clutch 723 is engaged, coupling motor 703 to air turbine 721.
  • the heated compressed air powers air turbine 721, it set motor shaft 725 into rotation, turning motor 703 into an electric generator that charges battery 702. Having dropped to a temperature of 28.46 °C and a pressure of 14 psi (0.97 bar) the air now exits air turbine 721.
  • FIG. 7C illustrates the conversion of heat to electric power in the thermoelectric generator of the energy storage system of FIG. 7 A.
  • the thermal energy collected by heat exchangers 701, 713, and 715 and by solar heat collector 727 is used to heat water to a temperature of 230 °C.
  • the heated water travels along hot line 735 at a pressure of 450 psi (31 bar) and reaches thermoelectric generator 729 where it releases part of its thermal energy to the heating block and as a result cools down to a temperature to 221 °C.
  • thermoelectric generator 729 the water travels through hot line 730 and reaches water-to-air recuperator 720, where it exchanges heat with the air flowing from tanks 719 and further cools down to a temperature of 39.16 °C.
  • the water then flows through cold line 732, picks up heat from cooling plate 731 and is pumped to cold water tank 735.
  • Battery 702 powers pump 733 and is recharged by photovoltaic apparatus 735 and thermoelectric generator 729.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary energy storage system where water-to-air recuperator 720 is replaced by mixing valve 806 where compressed air flowing from compressor
  • thermoelectric generator 809 is mixed with hot water from first turbine 804.
  • the resulting steam powers second turbine 807 and then flows into separator 812 where it is separated back into air and water.
  • the product water may be used to power thermoelectric generator 813 while the air may release excess heat at radiator 814.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de conversion d'énergie thermique hybride qui comprend une admission d'air (101) à une hauteur élevée appropriée pour collecter de l'air atmosphérique; un conduit pneumatique (102) en communication fluidique avec l'admission d'air pour transporter l'air collecté par l'admission; un premier échangeur de chaleur (106) agencé de façon à extraire de la chaleur de l'air transporté par le conduit et à libérer au moins une partie de la chaleur extraite vers un corps d'eau (116); un compresseur (114) connecté pour recevoir de l'air refroidi provenant de l'échangeur de chaleur et pour comprimer l'air refroidi; un refroidisseur intermédiaire (108) pour extraire la chaleur de l'air comprimé dans le compresseur et pour libérer au moins une partie de la chaleur extraite vers le corps d'eau; un réservoir d'air (103) pour stocker l'air refroidi comprimé par le compresseur; un réservoir de chauffage (204) de fluide chauffé pour chauffer l'air comprimé refroidi libéré du réservoir d'air dans un conduit exposé au fluide chauffé pour former de l'air comprimé chauffé; une turbine à air (301) entraînée par l'air comprimé chauffé; et un générateur (308) alimenté par la turbine à air.
PCT/US2018/060767 2017-11-13 2018-11-13 Générateur d'énergie hybride WO2019094941A1 (fr)

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023244192A1 (fr) * 2022-06-16 2023-12-21 Ari Bayram Turbomachine

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5284628A (en) * 1992-09-09 1994-02-08 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Convection towers
WO2008074043A2 (fr) * 2006-12-21 2008-06-26 Alois Penz Installation pour tirer parti de l'ascendance thermique et utilisation d'une telle installation
US20090107146A1 (en) * 2007-10-31 2009-04-30 Wen Chang Lin Solar energy power generator
WO2014054977A1 (fr) * 2012-10-02 2014-04-10 Aleksey Vladimirovich Danilin Procédé permettant de créer une tornade et centrale électrique basée sur ce procédé

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5284628A (en) * 1992-09-09 1994-02-08 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Convection towers
WO2008074043A2 (fr) * 2006-12-21 2008-06-26 Alois Penz Installation pour tirer parti de l'ascendance thermique et utilisation d'une telle installation
US20090107146A1 (en) * 2007-10-31 2009-04-30 Wen Chang Lin Solar energy power generator
WO2014054977A1 (fr) * 2012-10-02 2014-04-10 Aleksey Vladimirovich Danilin Procédé permettant de créer une tornade et centrale électrique basée sur ce procédé

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023244192A1 (fr) * 2022-06-16 2023-12-21 Ari Bayram Turbomachine

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