WO2020082003A1 - Système de transfert d'énergie hydrothermique sous-marin avec unités redondantes amovibles - Google Patents

Système de transfert d'énergie hydrothermique sous-marin avec unités redondantes amovibles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020082003A1
WO2020082003A1 PCT/US2019/057040 US2019057040W WO2020082003A1 WO 2020082003 A1 WO2020082003 A1 WO 2020082003A1 US 2019057040 W US2019057040 W US 2019057040W WO 2020082003 A1 WO2020082003 A1 WO 2020082003A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hydrothermal
undersea
redundant
generator
energy
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2019/057040
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Timothy Burke
Original Assignee
Timothy Burke
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 Timothy Burke filed Critical Timothy Burke
Publication of WO2020082003A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020082003A1/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
    • 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 a hydrothermal power plant, more particularly, it relates to a deep water undersea hydrothermal energy transfer system with removable redundant units.
  • a hydrothermal power generator requires fluid and heat to generate electricity.
  • Conventional hydrothermal resources contain these components naturally. These hydrothermal systems can occur in widely diverse geologic settings, sometimes without clear surface manifestations of the underlying resource.
  • Hydrothermal vents are the result of seawater percolating down through fissures in the ocean crust in the vicinity of spreading centers or subduction zones (places on Earth where two tectonic plates move away or towards one another). The cold seawater is heated by hot magma and reemerges to form the vents. Seawater in hydrothermal vents may reach temperatures of over 700° Fahrenheit. Hof seawater in hydrothermal vents does not boil because of the extreme pressure at the depths where the vents are formed. This water is superheated by the magma and it picks up rare elements from deep within the earth in the process. A continuous flow of this superheated water escapes back into the ocean through hydrothermal vents, with hydrothermal fluid exiting the sea floor at typical velocities of between 1 and 5 meters per second (3 6-18 km/hr, or 2.25-1 1 mph).
  • the inventor is unaware of any operating industrial scale deep water hydrothermal power plant.
  • the present disclosure provides a new and novel hydrothermal structure that overcomes technical difficulties in maintaining and operating the power plant.
  • an undersea hydrothermal energy transfer system including a structure having a number of underwater installation bays, the structure adapted to be easily installed in an undersea location.
  • a number of redundant units is adapted to be installed and removed from bays on the structure.
  • Each of the redundant units is located to receive hydrothermally heated fluid from at least one undersea hydrothermal source.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a functional block diagram of an example of a hydrothermal power plant with undersea redundant units.
  • FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example of an undersea thermal energy field coupled to a hydrothermal power generator system with redundant units oriented in a horizontal configuration.
  • FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an example of an undersea thermal energy field coupled to a hydrothermal power generator system with redundant units oriented in a vertical configuration.
  • FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an example of a redundant power plant unit used in a hydrothermal power generator system.
  • FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an example of a hydrothermal power generator system with redundant units positioned over an undersea thermal source.
  • FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a side view of an example of maintenance and replacement of a redundant unit in a hydrothermal power generator structure.
  • FIG. 6A schematically illustrates a top view of an example of an undersea hydrothermal energy transfer system featuring optional doors for enclosing unit installation bays.
  • FIG. 6B schematically illustrates an example of an undersea hydrothermal energy transfer system featuring optional valves for controlling flow to unit installation bays.
  • FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an example of a hydrothermal to mechanical energy converter.
  • FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an example of a hydrothermal to electrical energy converter.
  • FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a side view of an example of an undersea power generator system using power units arranged in series to receive hydrothermal fluids.
  • FIG. 10 schematically illustrates an alternate example of a redundant power plant unit used in a hydrothermal power generator system.
  • plurality is understood to mean more than one.
  • a plurality refers to at least two, three, four, five, ten, 25, 50, 75, 100, 1 ,000, 10,000 or more.
  • a hydrothermal power plant 10 includes an energy converter 14 coupled to an energy distribution apparatus 16 and an energy storage apparatus 12.
  • the energy converter 14 receives energy from an undersea hydrothermal energy transfer system with redundant units 18.
  • the energy converter 14 need not include energy storage apparatus 12 or energy distribution apparatus 16, but these may be external to the hydrothermal power plant 10.
  • the hydrothermal power plant 10 may be located above the sea surface or even on an offshore land location. Further still, the energy converter 14 may be combined with the undersea power generator system 18 as described below. In that case, energy is transferred to a power distribution station located above the surface or on an offshore location.
  • thermal energy source comprises a thermal energy field 22.
  • the thermal energy field 22 may comprise one or more undersea hydrothermal energy sources 20.
  • Each of the hydrothermal energy sources may also be coupled to a conduit 24 for fluidly transmitting thermally heated fluid to a main conduit, or plurality of conduits 26.
  • the hydrothermal energy is then converted by a plurality of redundant powerplant units 128 installed in parallel or in series in a hydrothermal power generator system 418 and the converted hydrothermal energy is transmitted to a power distribution station 210 using power cables 21 1 , for example.
  • the power distribution station 210 may be advantageously located above the sea surface 30 or at an offshore location.
  • the hydrothermal power generator system 418 may be located to be supported horizontally on the seabed floor.
  • the various conduits may also include other components such as valves and the like. These have not been shown in every diagram to simplify the drawing and promote the understanding of the invention.
  • the thermal energy field 22 may comprise one or more undersea hydrothermal energy sources 20.
  • Each of the hydrothermal energy sources may also be coupled to a conduit 24 for fluidly transmitting thermally heated fluid to a main conduit, or plurality of conduits 26.
  • the hydrothermal energy is then converted by a plurality of redundant powerplant units 128 arranged in a parallel configuration and the converted hydrothermal energy is transmitted to the power distribution station 210, for example.
  • the hydrothermal power generation system 318 may be installed by vertically lowering it to the seafloor 32 to rest on pylons or the like.
  • the redundant unit 128 includes an evaporator 922, a pressure vessel 924 and condenser 926.
  • the hydrothermal power generator system In order for the hydrothermal power generator system to generate electricity, there must be a pressure differential to create high-speed flow between the evaporator and the condensed. Due to the large pressures experienced at undersea depths, in some cases it may be necessary to encase the generators and condensers within a pressure vessel 924. Note that the condensers need not necessarily be enclosed in a pressure vessel 924 if the condenser tubes contained within them are able to withstand the pressure differential.
  • the pressure vessel 924 includes electric power generating units including, for example a turbine 402 configured to drive an electric generator 404.
  • the condenser 926, turbine 402, evaporator 922 and pump 406 operate as a heat engine. Hydrothermally heated fluids 414 enter the evaporator 22 to heat, for example, boiling tubes or coils (not shown) therein, cooler water is expelled as indicated by arrow 416.
  • condenser 926 receives heated fluid from the generator 404 and cools the fluid by drawing in cool water 410 and expelling used water.
  • Each of the generator and condenser may be encased in a separate pressure vessel or share one. This is discussed further below with reference to FIG. 10.
  • the undersea hydrothermal energy transfer system 18 includes a structure 19 with a plurality of ports or doors 27 and/or valves, and a plurality of elongated supports 42. Installed in each of the ports 27 is one of a plurality of redundant units 28. The redundant units 28 may be installed in series and supported by mechanical supports, such as rails, for example. In order to generate hydrothermal power, the undersea hydrothermal energy transfer system 18 may be coupled to a main conduit 26 which receives hydrothermal flow from a hydrothermal energy field as described above.
  • Wavey lines 37 indicate heated fluids rising from the hydrothermal energy field.
  • each of the plurality of redundant units are positioned so as to receive thermal currents from the underwater hydrothermal energy field.
  • the redundant unit 28 may comprise a single unit such as an evaporator which then transmits hydrothermally heated fluids to the power plant.
  • Other configurations may be devised by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 6 a side view of an example of maintenance and replacement of a redundant unit in a hydrothermal power generator structure is schematically illustrated.
  • the structure 19 directs the flow of hydrothermally heated fluids by operating as a flow channel as well as supporting the power units and providing port access.
  • a redundant unit 28 may be removed and brought to the surface for ease of repair and/or maintenance.
  • another redundant unit 28 may be transferred through one of a plurality of ports or door openings 27 at the same time the redundant unit needing repair is removed. If the redundant unit needing repair is not replaced, the structure may include parallel doors for enclosing the empty space previously occupied by the redundant unit (as shown in FIG. 6A).
  • conduits are piping from the redundant unit may be cut off from transmitting energy or vapor by closing a valve (as shown in FIG. 6B) so as not to interfere with operation of the other units still in place. Having performed the necessary maintenance on a removed redundant unit, the redundant unit may be returned to its original location or to any of the locations in the structure.
  • an undersea hydrothermal energy transfer structure 19 includes a pair of access doors 52 and opposing side walls 54 for each of a plurality of installation bays 56.
  • the pair of access doors 52 may be opened to allow installation of a redundant unit.
  • the access doors 52 may be closed whether the installation bay is loaded with a redundant unit or left empty. Keeping each installation bay 56 enclosed allows for contained flow of hydrothermally heated fluids through the undersea hydrothermal energy transfer structure 19.
  • valves may be used as described herein.
  • a single door may be used to open and close the bay.
  • the sides of the unit may serve as walls for the bay.
  • the redundant unit 28 may be removed by pulling it from the installation bay 56 using a mechanical system powered or actuated by cables going to a surface vessel, underwater motors or underwater vehicles manned or unmanned.
  • the redundant unit to be replaced may be rolled out in a continuous motion and simultaneously replace by another redundant unit, if desired.
  • the redundant unit Once the redundant unit has been cleared from the structure, it can then be lifted to the surface where maintenance activities or repairs can be made much more easily than attempting repairs underwater.
  • the power unit may be replaced by reversing the procedure described herein above.
  • the redundant units comprise evaporators which convey heated vapors directly to a power plant above the sea surface.
  • the thermal energy field 22 may comprise one or more undersea hydrothermal energy sources 20 that fluidly transmit thermally heated fluid to a main conduit, or plurality of conduits 26.
  • the installation bays may be coupled to valves 1050 which control the flow of hydrothermal fluid to units installed in the bays.
  • a hydrothermal power plant 10 may advantageously include an energy converter 14 (see FIG. 1 ).
  • the energy converter can comprise a hydrothermal to mechanical energy converter 14A including an evaporator 922 coupled to receive hydrothermally heated fluids 414 where the evaporator is coupled to motivate driver 1060.
  • Driver 1060 may be a turbine motor, for example that outputs mechanical power 1062.
  • the hydrothermal to mechanical energy converter 14A may employ any of the plurality of thermal energy cycles including engines employing Carnot heat engine cycle theories including a Rankine closed cycle systems using external heat sources and two phase working fluids, a Stirling cycle engine, an Erickson cycle engine, a Stoddard engine and the like.
  • a hydrothermal power plant 10 may advantageously include an energy converter 14B.
  • the energy converter can comprise a thermoelectric generator 1924 which receives heat from a heat source such as an evaporator 922.
  • the thermoelectric generator 1924 outputs electrical power 10
  • Such converters include systems employing the thermoelectric effect, also known as the Seebeck effect. The thermoelectric effect is based on the electric potential produced in thermoelectric materials by the temperature difference.
  • Each redundant powerplant unit 928 may comprise a plurality of devices including at least one evaporator 922, a generator 924, and at least one condenser 926. Other components necessary for the generation of electricity may be included in accordance with conventional design principles.
  • the generator 924 may include a turbine coupled to an electric generator as is used in, for example, geothermal power plants (see, for example, FIG. 4).
  • Each redundant unit 928 may preferably be substantially identical, thereby providing redundancy should any of the other units fail.
  • a power distribution station 210 may preferably be placed proximate the structure 19 in order to receive electrical power from each of the plurality of redundant units 928. Power may be transmitted to the power distribution station 210, which is stationed above the surface of the water 30, by cables, for example, as represented by transmission arrows 950. In this example, power distribution station 210 need not contain an energy converter, since the energy conversion is done by the redundant units. Instead the power distribution station 210 may include other components common in power distribution and storage such as batteries, power transformers and the like. Note that this example shows an optional configuration for the structure which is embedded below the surface 32 of the seabed using foundation elements 917 and supports 914.
  • each powerplant comprises a plurality of evaporators 922 which are fluidly coupled by conduits 1076, valves 1050 and conduit 1070 to transmit vapor to power a generator 924, as for example a turbine generator.
  • the generator 924 transmits electrical energy to a power distribution station 210 as described above. After passing through the generator 924, the vapor fluidly flows into a plurality of condensers 926.
  • the redundant unit may employ three evaporators 922, three condensers 926 and the single generator 924.
  • the plurality of evaporators 922 may be coupled by conduit 1076 to a valve 1050.
  • a valve 1050 When the valve is opened, a high-pressure vapor flow moves through conduit 1070 and impinges on the turbine generator so as to spin the generator to create electricity. If one of the evaporators 922 needs to be removed for maintenance, the valve 1050 may be closed, thereby allowing the other evaporators to continue operation in combination with the turbine generator and condensers. Similarly, spent vapor output from the turbine generator 924 is transmitted through conduit 1072 through another set of valves 1050 to the plurality of condensers 926. If a condenser needs to be removed for maintenance or other reasons, the valve 1050 coupled to it may be closed without substantially impacting operation of the hydrothermal powerplant comprising the plurality of evaporators, turbine generator and condensers.
  • the plurality of evaporators 922 may be themselves mounted in a structure similar to the structures described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 5 or FIG. 9 .
  • the plurality of condensers 926 may also be housed in a similar structure.
  • the generator 924 may be housed together with other generators in a similar structure.
  • the evaporators, condensers and generators may be on different maintenance schedules.
  • the condensers and evaporators may need to be pulled for maintenance more frequently than the generators. For example, while a generator may need maintenance on an annual basis, the other units may need monthly maintenance.
  • thermal currents from main conduit 26 rise to heat the evaporators 922.
  • the evaporators 922 subsequently provide energy to motivate the generator 924, as by, for example causing a turbine to rotate.
  • the rotating turbine is coupled to an electric generator which provides electric power.
  • the electric power is then transmitted to the power distribution station 210 as indicated by arrows 950.
  • the condensers 926 cooperate in a conventional manner with the evaporator to operate as a heat engine, as in a Rankine heat engine or the like.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Engine Equipment That Uses Special Cycles (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système de transfert d'énergie hydrothermique sous-marin comprenant une structure ayant un certain nombre de baies d'installation sous-marines, la structure étant conçue pour être installée en milieu sous-marin. L'invention compte un certain nombre d'unités redondantes, chacune des unités redondantes étant conçue pour être installée dans la structure par l'intermédiaire d'une baie séparée parmi les baies d'installation sous-marines. Chacune des unités redondantes est située de façon à recevoir un fluide chauffé hydrothermiquement à partir d'une source hydrothermique sous-marine.
PCT/US2019/057040 2018-10-19 2019-10-18 Système de transfert d'énergie hydrothermique sous-marin avec unités redondantes amovibles WO2020082003A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201862748231P 2018-10-19 2018-10-19
US62/748,231 2018-10-19

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WO2020082003A1 true WO2020082003A1 (fr) 2020-04-23

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4350014A (en) * 1978-11-30 1982-09-21 Societe Anonyme Dite: Sea Tank Co. Platform for utilization of the thermal energy of the sea
US20090013690A1 (en) * 2007-07-13 2009-01-15 Bruce Marshall Hydrothermal energy and deep sea resource recovery system
US20090217664A1 (en) * 2008-03-03 2009-09-03 Lockheed Martin Corporation Submerged Geo-Ocean Thermal Energy System
US20120080164A1 (en) * 2010-10-01 2012-04-05 Lockheed Martin Corporation Heat-Exchange Apparatus with Pontoon-based Fluid Distribution System
US20140096519A1 (en) * 2011-06-27 2014-04-10 Dcns Thermal energy system and method for its operation
US20150260464A1 (en) * 2012-10-16 2015-09-17 The Abell Foundation, Inc. Heat exchanger including manifold

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4350014A (en) * 1978-11-30 1982-09-21 Societe Anonyme Dite: Sea Tank Co. Platform for utilization of the thermal energy of the sea
US20090013690A1 (en) * 2007-07-13 2009-01-15 Bruce Marshall Hydrothermal energy and deep sea resource recovery system
US20090217664A1 (en) * 2008-03-03 2009-09-03 Lockheed Martin Corporation Submerged Geo-Ocean Thermal Energy System
US20120080164A1 (en) * 2010-10-01 2012-04-05 Lockheed Martin Corporation Heat-Exchange Apparatus with Pontoon-based Fluid Distribution System
US20140096519A1 (en) * 2011-06-27 2014-04-10 Dcns Thermal energy system and method for its operation
US20150260464A1 (en) * 2012-10-16 2015-09-17 The Abell Foundation, Inc. Heat exchanger including manifold

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