FR2870561A1 - Heat energy converter for e.g. motor, has secondary circuit with pump to transfer cool liquid into exchanger`s heater, where liquid cools gas before expansion, activates steam turbine, condenses via heater and permits to increase coolness - Google Patents

Abstract

The converter has a primary circuit with a compressor to compress gas in a hot point exchanger (22). An adiabatic turbine (26) releases cold gas which enters into a cold point exchanger (27) before being discharged. A secondary circuit has a pump (24) to transfer cool liquid into the exchanger`s heater. The liquid cools the gas before expansion, activates a steam turbine, condenses via a sensor (28) and permits to increase coolness.

Description

2870561 1

  The present invention relates to a mechanism for providing a noble energy, mechanical, electrical, or thermal, from a thermal energy or pneumatic. It requires a single thermal source but can be extended to a more conventional bi-thermal system. The heat source provides the heat that the system transforms into noble energy. From this single thermal potential is generated, by the mechanism, the thermal potential difference necessary for a conventional engine system such as a steam turbine. Thus this mono-thermal mechanism derogates from the classical understanding of the Carnot principle that there can be no engine system in the absence of two thermal sources. Moreover the maximum yield of Carnot no longer has a reason to be in a mono-thermal system, the invention is an effective mechanism as are the heat pumps.

  Traditionally, engines use almost exclusively the explosive qualities of fuel and disdain residual thermal energy. Sometimes they use a small part, most often they evacuate. It is interesting to note that traditional engines use only thirty-five percent of the energy they use, the remaining sixty-five percent is lost in thermal form. Complex mechanisms, such as the coupling of a gas turbine and a steam engine, produce better yields, but all are well below one. To date only heat pumps are effective mechanisms providing more thermal energy than they consume noble energy. In addition, the motors only manage the hot source, the cold source is generally the ambient environment. In the state of the art, it is almost impossible to achieve a true isothermal expansion mechanism for an industrial system. Finally, the traditional thermodynamic mechanisms are of a relatively simple design in the sense that the efficiency of the mechanism can be calculated directly from the operating conditions. In general the loops they use are those of closed systems, they do not use them to create iterative systems for which the yield is no longer the result of a simple calculation but results from the convergence of the iterative system.

  The mechanism according to the invention is distinguished by its excellent efficiency, we will talk about efficiency, and its mono-thermal mode of operation at the base.

  This singularity is obtained by exploiting the thermodynamic properties of the gases described below. The input gas is provided with a thermal energy potential, absolute magnitude. This potential is partially transformed into noble energy by generating a thermal differential around the reference temperature, internally the mechanism generates a hot spot and a cold point. This delta is maintained and increased thanks to the adiabatic compressor and turbine that amplify this difference in temperature. A conventional mechanism, such as a steam turbine, then transforms this difference in thermal potential into noble energy. The mechanism is distinguished by the use of the loop conveying the enthalpy variation, vaporization loop for a steam turbine, as an iterative mechanism amplifying the lowering of the temperature of the cold point.

  The use of the thermodynamic properties of the gases used by the mechanism are as follows. The mechanism uses adiabatic expansion and compression as thermal amplifiers producing an increase or decrease in the initial temperature. These two very close thermodynamic processes are not used in the same way. The amplifier by detent input has two thermal sources, the cold source which corresponds to the base of a transistor in electronics, lowers the temperature of the tempered source that would correspond to the emitter of the same transistor. After adiabatic expansion the already cooled gas springs with an amplified thermal depression. The compression amplifier takes as input a thermal source and an energy source, by conventional adiabatic compression we obtain a compressed gas having its amplified initial temperature. These two processes make it possible to create a thermal potential difference from a single potential. They make it possible to control the hot spot and the cold point of the mechanism.

  At start-up, the mechanism consumes noble energy, then at the edge of its equilibrium it can self-feed to become efficient and provide energy. From then on, it consumes only the thermal energy of its environment (at the level of the energy balance). Its operation does not require the constant supply of a noble energy external to the invention.

  The mechanism according to the invention advantageously allows for an isothermal expansion. Work equivalent or even superior to that of an isothermal expansion is obtained by the invention from an adiabatic expansion of the compressed gas by amplifying the lowering temperature it produces. This amplified temperature differential allows the mechanism to be effective despite the poor performance of the elements transforming a thermal potential difference in noble energy, such as steam engines for example. It should be noted that the choice of the type of liquid / gas for a steam engine is important. It will be preferred any gas having a large difference between the temperatures of their critical point and their triple point. The temperature of their triple point should be preferably low, slightly lower than the cold point of the mechanism. The temperature of the critical point must preferably be higher than the ambient temperatures to avoid delicate starts. For example, we will give ethane whose temperature of the triple point is of the order of 90 Kelvin (-183 C), and that of the critical point is 305 Kelvin (+32 C). The goal is, for a steam cycle, to choose a gas that offers the best performance between the hot spot and the cold point of the mechanism. In order to avoid any confusion we will note in the text that follows "gas P" the air / gas of the primary circuit and "fluid S" the fluid of the secondary circuit, sometimes also called "gas S" or "liquid S" when the choice of a steam turbine is proposed.

  Another, more conventional, but less efficient approach uses a second heat source, such as a burner. It aims to increase the temperature of the internal hot spot. Since the only thermal properties resulting from fuel combustion are of interest to us, the fuel can be of a very varied nature, so it makes it possible to use ecological products such as alcohols, methane, etc. from biomass without significant added value. It could also be a thermal input from a solar collector, these are possible but non-limiting examples.

  As has been said the mechanism according to the invention bases its mechanism on heat, the compression / expansion serve only for thermal purposes and not for the pneumatic energy itself. Internally the mechanism manages not only the hot thermal source but the two sources, and mainly the cold source, unlike conventional engines that only control the hot source.

  According to certain types of assembly the invention will operate in either open or closed mode. In the first case it is fed with thermal energy while absorbing the gas P from the ambient medium, in the second case the gas P necessary for the operation is in a closed circuit, it is charged with heat energy via an exchanger. Finally it is possible to add a hot source to the mechanism.

  According to the particular embodiments: - a hot source can be added before or after the compressor.

  an exchanger / condenser can be added between the steam turbine and the condenser. This additional exchanger will be particularly interesting in the case of the addition of a hot source.

  2870561 4 - the injection controller can use different criteria, the liquid level in the boiler part, the temperature difference between the gas before expansion and the liquid entering the hot spot, ...

  - The mechanism has the sensors needed by the controller, they are specific to the selected servo criterion. Some examples have been cited above, such as a liquid level sensor S in the hot spot for example.

  the steam circuit of the mechanism may have a purge device, a liquid booster reserve, a pressure controller, a safety system, etc.

  - The flow of fluid S through the entire hot spot can be constant, in this case the dynamic component of the flow necessary for the amplification of the cold follows a circuit different from the constant flow. For example, for a mechanism with a steam turbine, after lowering the temperature of the gas P before expansion, the dynamic flow passes through an external exchanger or the liquid vaporizes at the saturating pressure corresponding to the ambient temperature. This assembly multiplies the exchangers, turbines, and injectors, it is therefore expensive, on the other hand it transforms more thermal energy for a constant flow of the compressor, It exploits better the difference of enthalpy generated in the cold point.

  the invention used to effect an expansion of the isothermal type, for example, will not include a compressor. The compressed gas is supplied to it by an external device.

  - The steam turbine can have techniques that optimize this type of mechanism.

  a mechanism other than a steam turbine can be used to convert the thermal difference created by the invention into noble energy.

  - The adiabatic turbine can be replaced by another adiabatic expansion mechanism, the turbine providing little energy it is possible to save an expensive mechanism. It is also possible to make this turbine a less expensive and useful element to the mechanism, such as for example use the trigger to increase the compression of the gas, and therefore its temperature at the entrance of the hot spot. This solution offers the advantage of bringing the mechanism more quickly to its point of convergence.

  The attached drawings illustrate the invention: FIG. 1 represents a diagram of the device of the invention in closed mode operating with a single thermal source.

  FIG. 2 represents an exemplary implementation of the invention in open mode operating with a single thermal source.

  FIG. 2 represents an exemplary implementation of the invention in closed mode operating with a single thermal source.

  With reference to drawing 1, the device comprises two circuits. The first circuit called primary circuit is composed of elements 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7, the closed secondary circuit is composed of elements 2, 5, 4, and 6.

  The primary circuit starts with a compressor (1), the gas P enters the compressor at a temperature Ta and then spring heated by the compression in the exchanger hot spot (2). The hot spot is a large heat exchanger whose compressor side end is the hot part, of almost constant temperature, while the near part of the turbine is a cold part, its temperature gradually decreases during startup until system stability. In the stable state the temperature of the gas before expansion is very much lower than Ta. In (3) an adiabatic turbine relaxes the already cold gas P and amplifies this lowering of temperature. The expanded and very cold gas P enters the exchanger of the cold point (4) to come out at the temperature Tb, with Tb Ta. TaTb gives the order of magnitude of the effective work of the invention. In the open mode, the gas P is released, here in closed mode it then passes into an exchanger (7) in contact with the only heat source where the gas P recharges into heat, then starts a cycle again and enters the compressor ( 1) at the temperature Ta of the thermal source.

  The secondary circuit consists of an injection system (6) which manages the flow rate of the very cold fluid S in the exchanger (2) of the hot spot. The fluid S cools the gas P before relaxation and then takes care of its heat as it progresses, it then provides this energy, the difference in enthalpy that it conveys between the two exchangers (2) and (4) ) to the system (5) which transforms it into noble energy. By way of nonlimiting example, this mechanism may be a steam turbine, the fluid then being a gas passing gaseous states in the exchanger (2) liquid in the exchanger (4). Figures 2 and 3 propose a type of embodiment of the invention having this choice there. Finally the fluid S cools in the exchanger (4) in contact with the gas P which is very cold there, then it starts a cycle again being pumped by the injection system (6) which introduces it into the exchanger ( 2).

  With reference to drawings 2 and 3 which give two possible configurations of the invention. The device comprises the two circuits described above, the primary circuit is composed of the elements 21, 22, 26, and 27 in open mode is 21, 22, 26, 27, and 33 in closed mode, the secondary circuit is composed of elements 24, 23, 29, 30, and 28. The primary circuit starts with the compressor (21), the gas P entered with a temperature Ta corresponding to the single heat source, spring heated by the adiabatic compression in the exchanger from the hot spot (22). The hot spot is a large heat exchanger whose end compressor side is the hot part of almost constant temperature, while the near part of the turbine is a cold part, its temperature gradually decreases during startup until system stability. In the stable state the temperature of the gas P before expansion is very much lower than Ta. These thermal stresses make the exchanger (22) an important part in the invention. It must promote heat exchange between the two fluids of the primary and secondary circuits while limiting heat losses, hot and cold, the heat exchanger with the outside and the internal exchanges between the two thermal potentials of the same fluids. The gas P must be cooled, in the absolute, only by the liquid S; Similarly in the exchanger on the adiabatic expansion turbine side, the liquid S must be reheated only by its heat exchange with the gas P. The aim is to amplify as much as possible this difference in thermal potential. In (26) the adiabatic turbine relaxes the already cold gas and amplifies this lowering of temperature. A small part of the pneumatic energy of the gas is transformed by the turbine into noble energy, the major part serving to lower the temperature in the adiabatic process. The expanded and very cold gas enters the exchanger of the cold point (27), there it takes charge of the thermal energy not transformed by the steam turbine to emerge from the exchanger (27) at the temperature Tb. In the closed mode the cold gas P then passes into a heat exchanger (33) in contact with the only heat source where it is recharged in heat, then starts a cycle again and enters the compressor (21).

  The secondary circuit consists of an injector / pump (24) which injects the very cold liquid S into the sensor / radiator (23) of the exchanger (22) of the hot spot. The liquid S cools the gas P before expansion and then takes care of its heat as it progresses, it vaporizes, by its pressure it activates the steam turbine (29) and then condenses via (30) and ( 28). In the sensor (28) of the exchanger (27) of the cold point the gas S condenses and then takes a very low temperature which will be used to amplify the cold downstream of the turbine (26). The injector (24) is controlled by a controller (25) which controls the flow of the liquid S. The purpose of the controller (25) is to optimize the flow in order to make the most of the enthalpy differences but also the amplify by lowering the temperature of the gas before adiabatic expansion. To do this it uses sensors specific to the desired servo type. The simplest is to enslave the injector on the level of the liquid S in the sensor (23) of the exchanger (22) of the hot spot. The hot and cold spots are insulated by insulating compartments (31) and (32).

  At startup we provide noble energy to the mechanism to activate the compressor (1) and the injection system (6). The compressor (1) increases the temperature and the pressure of the hot point (2), the temperature before relaxation decreases gradually with that of the cold point by the mechanism of amplification of the cold.

  The greater the enthalpy difference of the fluid S between the exchangers (2) and (4) increases the more the mechanism converting this enthalpy difference into noble energy provides energy. From a certain temperature threshold the steam turbine, to take this example, provides more energy than the compressor and the injector consumes, the mechanism enters its effective state. Since the yields of machines such as steam turbines are very low, they are commonly around 0.3, the invention requires a very significant amplification of the temperature reduction compared to the compression amplification to be able to enter the state where it becomes effective. This constraint depends on the choice of fluid and its working conditions, in the conditions of temperate or cold climate ethane is a good candidate for this function for the reasons outlined above.

  According to particular modes if the effectiveness of the mechanism was not sufficient or to have a higher impulse energy, for a car engine for example, it would be appropriate to add a supply of energy, such as a burner. It would follow modifications of the secondary circuit at the / of the capacitor and the element converting the difference of enthalpy into noble energy, the steam turbine for Figures 2 and 3.

  According to non-illustrated variants, the invention may be equipped with elements allowing the transformation of an enthalpy variation into noble energy other than a steam turbine proposed in the diagrams. Changes in the liquid-vapor state may then no longer be necessary for the mechanism. These elements can also be more complex mechanisms optimizing steam turbines, it should be noted that the art of the current technique has a very important know-how in this field.

  According to variants not illustrated, the mechanism may have additional energy input. By way of non-limiting example, mention may be made of a heat input by solar collector, by burner, or by a thermal source.

  According to a variant not shown, it is possible that the compression function is part of an external mechanism providing a pressurized gas, it is typically the case during a pseudo-isothermal expansion. The mechanism may not include a compressor.

  According to non-illustrated variants, the mechanism may not use an adiabatic expansion turbine. This element yields little energy, so any mechanism that achieves adiabatic relaxation is possible. By way of nonlimiting example of other solutions are possible, we can mention, a turbine converting the pneumatic energy directly into mechanical energy. The trigger would cause a compressor upstream of the hot spot, or provide mechanical energy to the injector.

  According to non-illustrated variants, the type of fluid S used by the steam turbine or its equivalent mechanism is left to the free choice of the user. In the case of a steam turbine, the nature of the gas S used will vary according to the temperature obtained after expansion, it varies according to the compression ratio of the gas. Thus the gas S providing the best efficiency to the steam turbine in a given context, with a certain compression ratio, may not be the same for a different rate. In practice, the characteristics of the gas S chosen will determine the optimum compression ratio and vice versa.

  According to non-illustrated variants, the invention may have mechanisms enabling the consumer elements to directly take the energy necessary for their function on the producing elements. Such devices are very interesting, they allow to increase the efficiency of the mechanism by reducing the losses due to unnecessary energy conversions. For example, we will succeed in replacing a cascade of conversions between mechanical and electrical energy on the consumer side and then electrical-mechanical energy on the consumer side by a mechanical link transmitting a couple between a productive element and a consumer element.

  According to non-illustrated variants, the invention may have a mechanism specific to starting. By way of non-limiting example, it may be a motor providing the mechanical energy required for one or more consumer elements.

  According to non-illustrated variants the invention may have insulating elements other than those proposed or arranged differently.

  According to non-illustrated variants the invention may have its elements oriented differently, by way of non-limiting example, it could be chosen to orient the elements so as to promote the natural flow of fluids, the hot parts upwards and cold down.

  According to non-illustrated variants the invention can be arranged differently, for example the two exchangers can be juxtaposed and not in the extension of one another ...

  The mechanism according to the invention is particularly intended for the functions of engine and generator type, but also for all those that handle thermal energy such as air conditioning systems, thermal recycling, but also gas expansion processes. The invention generates an energy higher than an isothermal expansion, it will therefore be useful for this type of mechanism so far without industrial solution. The invention will promote the storage of energy in thermal form, given that it offers a simple means of inverse conversion.

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Claims (7)

  1) Mechanism to convert thermal energy from a single source of heat to noble energy. It is characterized in that it is mono-therm, the hot source and the cold source necessary for the operation of a conventional motor system are generated by the mechanism internally. It can be effective, requiring the input of noble energy only when it starts. It comprises two circuits, a primary circuit consisting of an adiabatic compressor and an expander, a secondary circuit consisting of a mechanism converting an enthalpy difference into a noble energy, for example a steam turbine, and a set heat exchangers whose functions are to transfer and convey the difference in enthalpy as well as to amplify the temperature drop of the cold point.   2) Mechanism according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises one / additional energy supply punctual or permanent.   3) Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it does not have a compressor, the gas being supplied compressed.   4) Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the mechanism performing the adiabatic expansion is other than a turbine.   5) Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the mechanism converting the enthalpy difference into noble energy is more complex than the example taken in the figures and can induce development of the secondary circuit.   6) Mechanism according to any preceding claim characterized in that an additional device allows to use all or part of the thermal energy of the hot spot or cold spot.   7) Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that a device allows to take the noble energy necessary for the proper functioning of consumer elements on the producers, partially or in full.