FR2816993A1 - Energy storage and recovery system uses loop of circulating gas powered by injectors and driving output turbine - Google Patents

Abstract

The system uses an 'energy loop' comprising a closed loop within which particles circulate carrying energy. The circulation is driven by a number of injectors driven by pumps deriving energy from a range of different energy sources. Energy is recovered from the loop by a turbine through which the circulating particles pass. The system provides an output of mechanical energy from a number of different energy sources and uses compressed gas, electrical batteries and heat. The energy is held in a continuous circulation of a flow of particles around a loop (4) of varying cross-section. The energy is recovered from this circulating flow by a turbine (1). The input to the energy loop may be derived from various sources, including solar panels (8) which charge batteries (9). These power a compressor (10) which creates a store of compressed gas (11). Electrical energy is used to power a number of pumps (3a,b,c) linked to injectors (2a,b,c). The injectors introduce injected particles into the energy loop maintaining the energy of circulation around the loop.

Description

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 The subject of the present invention is a device for producing mechanical energy, and a method according to the invention for implementing said device. The method according to the invention makes it possible to operate from any source of energy.

The device is characterized in that the circulation of a flow of particles in a closed circuit is carried out.

 There exists in the prior art a number of devices and engines for producing mechanical energy. All these devices have in common, that they seek to directly convert calories, steam, electricity, a waterfall, the wind or any other source of renewable energy into mechanical energy. In these devices, it is generally observed that the conversion of any energy into mechanical energy is done with a variable yield depending on the source used and in a contingent manner. In fact all these systems, devices or engines that exist in the prior art are closely dependent on the quality, quantity and availability of its fuel supply sources and are closely dependent on availability, and intensity. renewable energy sources. And other disturbance that exists in the prior art, the use of the combustion engine causes polluting discharges.

 In particular to overcome these drawbacks, the device allows the production of mechanical energy from any source of energy and advantageously from any field of renewable energy. The device according to the invention ensures a continuous mechanical energy production, for long periods with the advantage that once the mechanism has reached the established regime, the available energy no longer depends directly on the energy source. used initially.

 The technical solution according to the invention is achieved by continuously moving a flow of particles in a closed circuit which comprises a turbine integrated in the path. In addition, a portion of the energy obtained by this device is used for the performance of certain operations necessary to keep the flow of particles in motion and for the operation of the organs of the device.

 Another object of the invention is to propose a non-limiting method according to the invention for implementing the mechanism and to describe the operations to be performed in order to optimize said mechanical device according to the invention. The device operates "loop", that is to say that a portion of the energy produced is reused for the operation of the various organs of the mechanical device.

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 The start-up of the device is carried out entirely from any available energy source, however the most advantageous is in particular any source of renewable energy. In the first step of the method according to the invention the energy coming from any source is stored in various forms of potential energy: in electric accumulators, in the form of compressed gas, and storage of calories. Thereafter the system operating in a loop, the energy source will be used only to provide for the replacement of the potential energy that has been removed, and to optimize the efficiency of the mechanism.

 According to an advantageous variant of the system, the flow of particles passes through a jet type turbine or another variant capable of simultaneously transforming the potential energy (determined by the distance existing between each particle) and the kinetic energy (determined by the speed of movement of the particles) in mechanical energy.

 This device is particularly interesting insofar as, thanks to the permanent maintenance in circulation of a large flow of particles, the device behaves like an energy regenerator. The method according to the invention operates from the continuous flow of a large flow that is transformed throughout a circuit. The device according to the invention allows this flow to remain able to be reborn identical after passing through a turbine in which it has lost some of its energy. Thus in steady state the final energy that is available no longer directly undergoes the fluctuations and contingencies of the energy source that is used initially.

 In fact, thanks firstly to the permanent recycling of the residual energy recovered at the outlet of the turbine, on the other hand, thanks to the use of a part of the energy produced, and the added sum of energy that has been stored, the method according to the invention also called "butterfly effect motor" allows the device to remain completely autonomous for long periods.

 The process according to the invention is an advantageous technical solution for large-scale dynamic energy storage. This solution allows the decentralized and dispersed production of electricity from the main new and renewable sources of energy especially solar energy anywhere on the planet. The invention makes it possible, in particular, to convert mechanical energy into electricity from a solar field and makes it possible to dispatch a large quantity of electrical energy into a distribution network or to an end user at times and the day well determined.

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 Thus, the choice of the size of the device according to the invention does not depend directly on the importance or the intensity of the renewable energy that can be captured and exploited, but on the need for available energy.

However, a good knowledge and perfect control of the natural deposit are essential to optimize the performance of the device when it operates exclusively from a renewable energy source.

The integrated operations of the method according to the invention are as follows: a natural energy is captured, or a very different source of energy is used, it is converted into potential energy in various forms, (in electric accumulators, in the form of of compressed gas, storage of calories) - it is destocke for the start of the device, (activation of the flow of particles in the circuit)
Then in steady state (characterized by the stabilization of the turbine), - we continue destocking in a controlled manner, - we convert a portion of the energy produced by the device to provide for the replacement of all potential energy that has been removed.

All these operations are carried out in synergy.

 According to another advantageous configuration of the device, the profile and the geometry of the pipe in which circulates a particle stream continuously is achieved by means of a succession of bends, convergent conduits, straight pipes and divergent pipes, executed according to the proportions adequate to achieve the effect "venturi". This particularly advantageous arrangement allows the moving particle to be both sucked and pushed to the turbine.

 The mechanical energy produced by the process according to the invention is intended to be used simultaneously in two different ways: part of this energy will be used to allow the realization and optimization of certain process operations (gas compression, feed pumps, control device etc.), the other part is converted into electricity. This electricity is intended to be used to operate certain organs of the device, on site according to the regulations in force or possibly transmitted to an end user.

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- un moyen de mise sous pression des particules dans un circuit fermé, - un moyen de pompage et de mise en circulation d'un flux de particules, - un moyen, comparable à une turbine, intégré au circuit des particules capable de transformer simultanément de l'énergie potentielle et de l'énergie cinétique en énergie mécanique. The method for implementing the device described above is characterized in that it comprises: a means of using or exploiting a source of energy so as to store it in different forms of potential energy , (electric accumulators, compressed fluid, calories,)

a means for pressurizing the particles in a closed circuit; a means for pumping and circulating a stream of particles; a means, comparable to a turbine, integrated in the particle circuit capable of simultaneously transforming potential energy and kinetic energy into mechanical energy.

Part of the energy thus produced serves to supply the various means of said device, the rest is available.

 Thus, the device according to the invention is fed simultaneously by an external source and an internal source. The external source may be the EDF sector, a heat engine, the recovery of a driving force, etc. but the most advantageous is a deposit of renewable energy. The internal source is the energy produced by this same device.

 Moreover, because of the use in "loop", the operator who monitors the device has several possibilities for intervention and control at several levels.

In particular it intervenes on the flow of the injectors by acting on the output diameter, on the power of the circulation pumps, on the degree of pressurization of the device. It intervenes at any time on the viscosity of the fluid by controlling the temperature of this one. It intervenes on the density of the circulating fluid by the incorporation of miscible particles of different density.

 The control of the device consists globally to perform continuously and simultaneously two different operations.

- It is ensured that the fluid keeps permanently the same characteristics of the beginning of cycle.

- We constantly check the speed of the particle flow at the outlet of the injectors.

 Thus in the device according to the invention, the energy transfer of the fluid to the turbine is closely related to the speed, the density, the pressure, the viscosity of the fluid flowing in the pipes. The use of a cooling circuit by the implementation of an external accessory however integrated in the circuit, and containing an inflated deforming membrane, makes it possible to maintain stable, over time, the initial conditions of the beginning of the cycle.

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 This device is particularly advantageous when it exploits the natural deposits. Thus, when it has been launched, the amount of mechanical energy that will be produced will no longer be directly dependent on the quality and intensity of the renewable energy field it initially uses. However, a close monitoring of the device and a perfect control of the natural deposit will optimize its performance.

 Thus, the device according to the invention enables a user who needs energy to free himself from the contingencies of the energy source that he can dispose of. He chooses the configuration and the dimensions of the device to implement according to the final energy he wants to have.

 According to another advantageous variant, the mechanical energy of the turbine is converted directly, by a pump or compressor, into compressed fluid (gas or hydraulic fluid) used to operate the various members of the device, compressed air pumps, motors hydraulic, pneumatic or hydraulic injectors.

 According to an advantageous arrangement in the implementation of the method, several circuits are connected containing a turbine and producing mechanical energy. These devices are assembled in series or in parallel and activate a single electric generator or any other application.

 The following detailed description refers to the attached single figure which illustrates the invention without limitation, and highlights other features and advantages of the invention.

 It comprises indeed according to this non-limiting disposition a device which exploits a solar energy field (12). Renewable energy is captured through solar panels (8). It is converted into potential energy in various forms: in electric accumulators (9), the compressor (10) can store compressed gas (11). It is destocke for the start of the device by putting under pressure the device (5), by swelling the membrane (6).

The circulation pumps (3a, 3b, 3c) are fed.

 This first non-limiting disposition comprises a set of pipes (4), of variable diameter, in which a flow of particles circulates continuously. The flow of particles passes through a turbine (1), and gives up a large part of its energy.

 Thanks to this pipe (4), of variable size, the flow of particles arrives continuously and under pressure in the turbine (1). This turbine (1) is preferably of the reaction type.

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 The flow of particles is kept constantly moving by the use of one or more pumps (3a, 3b, 3c) or any other suitable instrument and injectors (2a, 2b, 2c), which propel more high speed a portion of these particles and thus causes the entire flow to the turbine (1).

 The injectors (2a, 2b, 2c) can be fixed, but generally they are manually adjustable, mechanically or equipped with electronic brains and any other device for adjusting the flow. Thus the speeds distributed by the injectors (2a, 2b, 2c), which are generally fixed or adjustable, have output speeds that increase from the beginning of the cycle to the turbine (1). For the first injector (2a), an output speed V) m / s, then V2m / s, V3 set, etc.

With V V2m / s <V3 set ...

 The device according to the invention makes it possible to integrate any source of energy.

But the most advantageous source is the renewable energy source that is solar (12), wind, hydraulic, from biomass or any other deposit existing in nature.

The energy produced by the turbine (1) is converted into electricity by a generator. The generator remains coupled to the turbine (1), the electricity produced makes it possible, on the one hand, to ensure the operation of the pumps (3a, 3b, 3c), the injectors (2a, 2b, 2c), the compressor (10 ), and the entire control system and on the other hand the rest is dispatched in the distribution network or to an end user
According to a variant not shown, the profile and the geometry of the pipes (4), is a succession of bends, convergent pipes, straight pipes and divergent pipes, adequate to achieve the "venturi" effect, characterized by a suction in convergent input and a pressure increase at the output of divergent.

 According to another advantageous variant of the invention, the pumps used are volumetric diaphragm pumps and operate with compressed gas and the adjustment of the injector is effected pneumatically.

 The device according to the invention accepts a flow of particles of any kind and of any consistency: liquid, gaseous, vapor, pasty, and plasma.

 According to a particular embodiment, the flow of particles is a hydraulic fluid of natural origin and biodegradable and difficult to ignite. The chemical composition and its characteristics are controlled automatically and by frequent sampling and analysis. The density is controlled by the addition of miscible particles of different density.

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 According to a particular embodiment, the flow of particles used consists of a biodegradable viscous liquid synthesizing various elements including natural products or other products including graphite or other similar material.

 According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention and not illustrated, a cooling circuit is placed parallel to the circuit. It recovers the heat generated at different points of the device such as the pumps (3a, 3b, 3c), the turbine (1), and any other mechanical organ. This cooling circuit keeps the device in constant temperature.

Claims (10)

 1) A method for producing mechanical energy from any energy source, characterized in that the following integrated operations are carried out and all operate in synergy: - From any source of energy, it produces and simultaneous storage of potential energy in various forms including compressed gas, including electric accumulators and in the form of calories. - One destocke for the start of the mechanical energy production device characterized by the continuous circulation of a particle stream. - Part of the energy produced by the turbine (1) is recovered and used for the operation of the device while the remainder remains available for any use (13).  2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that from the destocking of the potential energy is carried out the following operations: - One carries out the circulation of a flow of particles, along a closed circuit variable dimensions having a turbine (1) integrated in the course. - The circulation of the particle stream is constantly kept in motion by one or more pumping devices and injectors. - It is ensured that the flow of particles passes through a turbine (1) integrated in the circuit. energy produced by the turbine to activate the circulation of the flow, the supply of the operating mechanisms and the adjustment members of the device 3) Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the injectors (2a, 2b, 2c), distribute particle flow rates of flow that increase from the beginning of the cycle to the turbine (1).  4) Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the turbine (1) is a jet type turbine, or any other variant, which allows in particular to simultaneously transform the potential energy contained in the stream (characterized by the distance existing between each particle) and kinetic energy (characterized by the speed of movement of the particles) in mechanical energy. <Desc / Clms Page number 9> 5) Device according to claim 2, characterized in that directly converts the mechanical energy of the turbine into compressed fluid (gas or hydraulic fluid) and that the compressed fluid is used to operate the various members of the device including pumps and controls.  6) Device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the flow of particles used consists of a biodegradable viscous liquid synthesizing various elements including natural products or other products including graphite or other comparable material.  7) Device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the profile and the geometry of the pipes of the device is the realization of a succession of elbows, converging conduits, straight and divergent ducts, in the appropriate proportions, allowing perform the "venturi" effect, characterized by a suction at the converging pipe inlet and a pressure increase at the diverging pipe outlet.  8) Device according to claim 2, characterized in that an auxiliary instrument (5) is used, integrated in the circuit, to allow the fluid to permanently find the identical conditions of the beginning of cycle in terms of temperature and pressure.  9) Device according to claim 8, characterized in that an auxiliary instrument (5) is used, characterized in that it has an elastic membrane (6), or any other deformable instrument or damper that allows avoid resonance and vibration of the device and allows its maintenance under a pressure in accordance with the conditions of circulation of the flow.  10) Device according to claim 2 and following characterized in that it carries out an assembly of different devices. These modules are connected in series or in parallel and activate a single electric generator or any other application.