WO2013014299A1

WO2013014299A1 - Device and method for generating electricity from pressurized water and at least one explosive material

Info

Publication number: WO2013014299A1
Application number: PCT/ES2011/000253
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio IBAÑEZ DE ALBA
Original assignee: GARCÍA VÁZQUEZ, Maria
Priority date: 2011-07-27
Filing date: 2011-07-27
Publication date: 2013-01-31

Abstract

The subject matter of the present invention is a device for generating electricity from pressurized water and at least one explosive material, which is characterized in that it comprises: (a) at least one piston that comprises a combustion chamber and a hydraulic pressure generation chamber, wherein said combustion chamber is located at one of the ends of the piston and comprises at least one explosive-material inlet valve and at least one gas-outlet valve, and wherein the hydraulic pressure generation chamber is located at the other end of the piston, which chamber has at least one hydraulic-flow outlet valve and at least one water-inlet valve; (b) downstream of the hydraulic pressure generation chamber there is at least one pressurized reservoir connected to at least one hydroelectric turbine for generating electricity. A further subject matter of the invention is a power plant that comprises said device and the use thereof for generating electricity.

Description

Device and method for generating electricity from pressurized water and at least one explosive material Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of electricity generation. More specifically, it is directed to a new device for generating electricity from explosive materials.

State of the art prior to the invention

The need for execution and development of the invention originates from the high energy dependence that exists both in Europe and in Spain, together with the forecast of strong increases in the energy cost due to its indexation to the price of oil. The external energy dependence of Spain is greater than the average of the European Union. The degree of self-sufficiency of primary energy (relationship between internal production and total energy consumption) has been up to 23% until 2010, which means that in Spain 77% of the primary energy consumed is imported from abroad.

At the present time there are many different ways and types of generating electricity, including thermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, wind, photovoltaic, etc.

Technologies such as the generation of energy through solar thermal or photovoltaic installations are expensive and only sustainable through premiums or production subsidies, given their costs exceeding € 20 c / kWh.

Other technologies such as wind production have limitations due to regulations for their installation on land, and their installation at sea (offshore) has production costs above 15 c € / kWh.

Technologies such as nuclear energy with costs of 1 c € / kWh or the combined cycle with 3 c € / kWh are viable alternatives, although the generation of radioactive waste in the first and the high generation rate of C0 ₂ (0, 40 kg / kh) in the second, they will limit their implementation in the future. Is by Both object of this invention present a new alternative for the generation of electricity, in an efficient, simple and economical way, offering the possibility of operating with a great variety of explosive materials, both solid and liquid, as a power supply to the system.

In this way, the electricity production plant object of the invention is based on the use of the instantaneous energy produced in the explosion generated for its transformation into pressurized water and, finally, electricity.

In the patent literature no reference has been found so far describing the possibility of controlling and harnessing the energy generated in an explosion for its transformation into pressurized water, and finally into electricity, whereby the present invention It is an attractive alternative to the sources of electricity production already known in the state of the art.

As a precedent closest to the present invention, the international application PCT / ES2010 / 070019, which describes a process for generating pyroelectric energy from the controlled detonation of at least one explosive material located inside at least one explosion chamber

Detailed description of the invention

Thus, a new device for generating electricity from pressurized water and at least one explosive material characterized in that it comprises a piston formed by a combustion chamber and a hydraulic pressure generating chamber is the object of this invention. Said piston allows to take advantage of the expansion energy of the gases formed during the detonation of the energy materials used in the device. In particular, the combustion chamber may comprise at least one inlet valve of explosive material and a gas outlet valve, and is located at one end of the piston. At the opposite end of the piston is The hydraulic pressure generation chamber is preferably located, which has at least one hydraulic flow outlet valve and at least one water inlet valve. Next to the hydraulic pressure generation chamber, at least one pressurized reservoir connected to at least one hydroelectric turbine is located.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the combustion chamber may additionally comprise a cooling circuit in order to control the temperature increase generated during the explosion.

Due to the high pressure generated, the plant may also be used in reverse osmosis processes in desalination plants.

The object of this invention is also a power plant characterized in that it comprises at least one device for generating electricity as described above. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the plant may comprise a set of pistons, preferably 6, designed to act sequentially to maintain a constant pressure and flow rate in the hydraulic circuit. Preferably, each piston can perform up to 240 generation cycles per hour. In this way, the power generation capacity is 0.711 kWh per cycle and piston, so the power available to each piston is approximately 171 kW.

Additionally, the plant may comprise at least one pre-treatment installation of the explosive material used as raw material to, depending on its origin, make adjustments in its parameters to adapt its combustion in the plant. Said installation may comprise at least one container, preferably a tank with stirring, for the addition of at least one additive to the energy material. Preferably, stirring will be continuous to ensure a good mixture. The design flow of the feed will preferably be 0.6 m ³ / h.

Likewise, the installation or facilities for pretreatment of the raw material will allow on-site processing energy materials (eg ammonium nitrate) to minimize transport and storage risks, and to obtain a cost reduction.

In general, the control unit may in turn comprise solenoid valves for the control of the closing and opening of the different circuits that compose it.

Likewise, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit may comprise at least one electronic controller in charge of activating and regulating the pressure compensating valves that supply the different pressure water injection pipes of the plant.

The described plant can be located underwater, buried or on the surface. In a particular embodiment of the invention in which the plant is buried, at least one compartment for the storage of explosives may be located on the surface. In particular, this explosive storage compartment can be connected to the combustion chamber by means of at least one valve for regulating the supply of the explosive material. In this way, it is possible to control the supply of said explosive material, preferably mechanically and automatically, depending on the amount of pressurized water that is desired to be generated.

In addition to the hydroelectric turbine, the plant may comprise at least one cooling tower, which will generally be the only equipment in the plant located outside. However, as indicated above, the plant will be suitable for working both on the surface, and buried underground or underwater.

Finally, the plant may in turn incorporate an external water supply circuit for cooling the entire system and loading water into the hydraulic pressure generating chamber.

In turn, the object of this invention is a process for generating electrical energy from pressurized water and at least one explosive material by using a device as previously described. described Said procedure is characterized in that it comprises:

(a) feeding an explosive material to at least one combustion chamber comprising an explosive material inlet valve and a gas outlet valve, said combustion chamber being located at one of the ends of a piston, so that the opposite end of said piston has a hydraulic pressure generating chamber with at least one hydraulic flow outlet valve and at least one water inlet valve;

(b) feed a volume of water to the hydraulic pressure generating chamber;

(c) detonate the explosive material, resulting in a pressure of between 25 and 250,000 bar and more preferably, between

100 and 250,000 bar. The gases produced in the explosion are expanded by moving the piston piston and pressurizing the water located in the hydraulic pressure generating chamber to a working pressure preferably between 10 and 1,000 bar;

(d) the hydraulic flow outlet valve is then opened, generating a hydraulic flow equivalent to the capacity of the hydraulic pressure generating chamber, where said hydraulic flow is sent to at least one pressurized reservoir at a lower pressure, preferably between 5 and 300 bar;

(e) subsequently, the combustion chamber gas outlet valve opens, releasing a certain flow rate of gases generated in the combustion, at the same time that the water inlet valve opens and the chamber begins to refill of hydraulic pressure generation;

(f) Likewise, water from the pressurized reservoir is injected into at least one hydroelectric turbine at a pressure greater than 1 bar and preferably between 1 and 300 bar, generating electricity. Once the hydraulic pressure generation chamber is filled, the process can begin again, leading to a new generation cycle.

Thus, in a particular embodiment of the invention, the generation of electricity is carried out by the action of a set of pistons, within which combustion of the raw material used occurs. The adiabatic expansion of the gases generated in the reaction generates useful work and hydraulic pressure to power a series of hydroelectric turbines, thus generating electrical energy. The thermodynamic cycle that follows is similar to that of a gasoline combustion engine or Otto cycle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the process may comprise an additional step of storing and recovering the process water. Said storage can be carried out in tanks, and the recovery can include the use of water in a closed circuit, so that once the water has been used, it can be recovered again in the process.

As explosive material, any material capable of detonating, either in liquid, solid or gelatinous form, can be used so as to generate useful energy in the form of gas expansion that can be converted into electrical energy. Thus, it is possible to use a wide variety of materials, among which are fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, etc.), commercial explosives (Alnafo, Nagolita, Riodín, Ammonite, etc.), other materials (nitric acid, ammonia , etc.), as well as recycled materials such as materials from explosives demilitarization programs or the recycling of pyrotechnic materials used in the automotive sector (airbags), fireworks, nautical signaling flares, pyrotechnic pretensioners, etc. In this way, a hazardous waste is obtained from which an energy use is obtained, as well as an economic and environmental benefit. Thus, for example, a kilogram of a mixture by weight of 91% ammonium nitrate, 4% diesel and 5% aluminum produces a pressure of 7.2 GPa. Other products reach 20.4 GPa instantaneous detonation pressure. However, the type of explosive material that can be used as a raw material is not a limiting feature of the invention, and any type of material capable of exploding can be used.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the process may comprise a pre-treatment stage of the explosive fuel to achieve its conditioning, as well as a post-treatment of the combustion gases produced. These treatments allow to minimize the amount of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere and decrease their emission temperature. Likewise, the residual heat will produce steam, which can be introduced into a steam turbine, increasing the capacity of electrical energy produced.

In particular, the pre-treatment stage of the explosive fuel may comprise the addition of additives, as well as the drying and milling of the explosive material prior to its introduction into the combustion chamber. In turn, the post-treatment stage of the combustion gases may comprise a separation stage in at least one cyclone separator, so that gases separated from the ashes can be introduced into at least one recovery boiler in which steam and gases are generated. Said steam can be sent in at least one turbine for the additional generation of electricity, where the residual steam can be condensed and used in the recovery boiler itself. On the other hand, the gases generated in the recovery boiler can be treated before being sent to the atmosphere in a treatment system such as at least one activated carbon filter.

The estimation of the operation of a nominal power plant of IMW is of a production of 8,100 MWh / year for a consumption of 2,291 Tons / year of explosive material / fuel, with an emission of 0.099 kg C0 ₂ / kWh. Thanks to the novel device object of this invention, it is possible to achieve yields greater than 90% in the turbines of the installation. This is because when the explosion occurs in contact with water, it is pressurized and sent directly to the turbines, avoiding friction losses. Also, when the explosion occurs, gases that are sent and preferably treated in cleaning filters are released, where they can be completely decontaminated. After cleaning, the gases can be released back into the atmosphere, so that the operation of the system presents a virtually zero level of pollution and is capable of operating at all times with environmentally friendly fuels.

In this way, the plant object of the present invention manages to maintain low generation costs and a generation of C0 ₂ lower than other technologies (four times less than a combined cycle plant), being an alternative to a future scenario of high energy costs .

An additional advantage of the central object of the invention is the fact that it is composed of modular parts, which makes it possible for the installation thereof to be carried out at any location, although it will be especially preferred, for economic reasons, its location in areas near the sea, rivers, reservoirs, etc. Also, such presentation in modular parts will make it possible to carry out quick and effective replacements and repairs of the parts that require it.

Other advantages that the present invention additionally offers are those summarized below:

In the first place, due to the characteristics that define it, as well as its great simplicity, the plant has an itinerant character, thus being able to be used, for example, in isolated areas or sites with low electricity supply;

It also offers the advantage of being one of the only sources available immediately for obtaining electricity, based on a turbine technology W

9 hydraulic. This is especially advantageous in those periods in which energy consumption skyrockets, as in the case of summer, as well as during peak hours when an extra energy supply is required. Thus, in comparison with other energy sources such as thermal power plants, which usually require at least 4 days to enter into operation, the plant object of this invention offers an immediate availability to produce electricity, only comparable to the energy of traditional hydroelectric power plants. ;

Additionally, one of the fundamental advantages of the invention consists in the possibility of not having to develop large electrical networks for distribution to the points of consumption, so that electricity will be distributed to the points where it is required depending on the electricity needs of each moment;

Finally, it is worth highlighting the ecological nature of the invention, as it is a clean, non-polluting source of energy, with an emission of gases within environmental regulations and a low generation of CO ₂ per kWh generated. It is also advantageous to offer the possibility of operating with any type of energy materials (ammonium nitrate, pyrotechnics, explosives, ...), both solid and liquid, thus avoiding dependence on petroleum-derived raw materials.

While the above description has focused on an embodiment in which pressurized water is used, in other embodiments of the invention any other type of fluid could be used, such as gases, so that the generated pressurized gas could be used in turbines of compressed air .

Brief description of the figures

In order to achieve a better understanding of the invention, accompanying the present specification the following figures are presented:

Figure 1 shows a detail view of a piston of the device of the invention comprising a chamber of combustion, a piston and a hydraulic pressure generating chamber;

Figure 2 represents a three-dimensional view of a piston assembly as detailed in Figure 1;

Figure 3 represents a view of the power generation plant object of the invention.

List of references in the figures:

1. Piston;

2. Combustion chamber;

3. Plunger;

4. Hydraulic pressure generation chamber;

5. Pressurized deposit;

6. Hydro turbine;

7. Cyclone;

8. Stirring tank;

9. Drum dryer;

10. Ball mill;

11. Ash storage tank;

12. Recovery boiler;

13. Steam turbine;

14. Condenser;

15. Activated carbon filter.

Detailed description of the invention

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below, illustrative and not limiting thereof, and referring to the figures accompanying this description.

In this particular embodiment of the invention, the charge of explosive material (ammonium nitrate) to each piston (1) was 200 g per cycle, the number of cycles per hour being equal to 240. Prior to feeding the Ammonium nitrate piston, this was subjected to a pre-treatment stage in a stirring tank (8), a drying drum (9) and a rotating ball mill (10). In the agitation tank (8), ammonium nitrate was introduced on the one hand and a series of additives on the other to provide nitrate with the appropriate characteristics. Stirring was continued to ensure a good mixture, and the feed design flow rate of 0.6 m ³ / h. The equipment chosen was a high efficiency stir tank with simple impeller Quiansheng model XB12.

In turn, the heating method in the drying drum (9) was by indirect contact through the cylinder wall, which is heated by the passage of gases. The particles cross a relatively short section, as they slide, while their humidity decreases in the same way they descend.

Finally, the particles were subjected to grinding in the ball mill (10) until a particle size of less than 95 mm was obtained, the average particle size being 50 mm. In this equipment, the flow was 0.28 Tn / hour of fertilizer.

The following table shows the characteristics of the ammonium nitrate used as raw material in the plant:

Also, the ammonium nitrate used had a carbon content greater than 10%.

The following table shows the most important characteristics of ammonium nitrate as an explosive:

Speed Volume

Density Balance Pressure

Composition detonation of gases

(kg / m ³ ) of 0 ₂ (Gpa)

(m / s) d / kg) 95% nitrate

ammonium

750 -1.4% 6, 62 5353 981 5% oil

mineral

The pistons (1) were designed to have a combustion chamber (2) with a pressure range of 20 to 150 bars and a hydraulic pressure generation chamber (4) with a pressure range of 20 to 80 bars.

The hydroelectric turbine selected was a Francis turbine model FHE 500-08 with horizontal axis position.

In the design of the installation, it was taken into account that the emitted gases contain some substances harmful to the environment and although the concentration at which they leave is below the limits of the regulations, a series of treatments were designed in order to reduce the pollutants emitted into the atmosphere and take advantage of the heat of the combustion chamber exhaust gases.

In order to minimize environmental damage, a cyclone (7) for particle separation, specifically a centrifugal manifold with tangential air inlet to the cyclone cylinder body, was arranged. Since the gases have a high temperature, the cyclone separator (7) must have the ability to operate at high temperatures. The separated ashes were stored in an ash storage tank (11).

Also, the cooled gases are conducted to an activated carbon filter (15) to remove the ammonia and nitrogen oxides that the gas stream contains. Active carbon, in its various varieties, has a large specific surface and has the property of fixing harmful or odorous gaseous molecules. Once the gases are treated they are expelled into the atmosphere. The active carbon equipment chosen was of the PROTECT VENTSORB 70 type.

The gases produced in the combustion chamber (2) leave at a temperature of about 250 ° C. It is possible to take advantage of said temperature to produce steam that feeds a pre-designed steam turbine. The equipment selected for this is a recovery boiler (12). With this I know It also reduces the emission temperature of gases into the atmosphere.

The selected steam boiler is a Viessman mixed recovery model 200 RW / RS boiler with conventional burner and two gas passages and the steam turbine (13) chosen was a Siemens SST-100, single-shell gas turbine, and with reducer for generator drive.

The main quantitative data of the plant are summarized below:

^• Volume of gases: 981 1 / kg;

Burst pressure: 55,000 bar;

Isentropic gas coefficient: 1.33;

^• Raw material load: 200 g / piston / cycle;

^• N ° cycles per piston: 240 cycles / hour;

^• Hydraulic flow generated: 1.1 m ³ / s;

Hydraulic pressure: 10 bars;

Equivalent hydraulic jump: 100 meters

For the calculation of the energy generated, it has been assumed that the gases expand in the combustion chamber from an initial volume of 12,600 cm ³ to a final volume of 42,000 cm ³ with an expansion factor of 200. The useful work generated by the Expanding gases have been calculated assuming an isentropic expansion of them, adiabatic and without entropy variation. This calculation hypothesis is correct given the speed of expansion after the detonation of the fuel.

This useful work will be used to pressurize the hydraulic circuit at pressures of 10 bar, generating an average flow rate of 1.1 m ³ / s. An efficiency of the alternator-turbine assembly of 90% is assumed.

The useful work generated would be around 13,000 kJ / kg, generating a usable energy for the fuel load used (per cycle and per piston) of 0.71 kWh. Being the energy generated per hour by the plant (6 pistons 240 cycles / hour) of 1 M h, the annual production would be in values close to 8.15 GWh (with the hypothesis of availability of 93%). The following table specifies the estimates of main consumption and emissions of the plant, establishing a closed water reuse circuit, so that the actual consumption is only due to losses or evaporations:

Making a comparison with other technologies, it can be seen how the contamination by greenhouse gases (C0 ₂ ) for the plant of the invention is approximately 10% of the grams emitted per kWh of the thermal coal plant and 29% of the grams emitted per kWh of the combined cycle plant and which is the one with the lowest level of carbon dioxide missions produces:

NOx VOC s CO N ₂ 0

Technology C0 ₂ or ₂

(g / kwh) (g / kWh) (g / kWh) (g / kWh) (g / kWh) (g / kWh)

Central coal

909.00 12, 60

thermal 4, 10 0, 10 0, 17 0.45 conventional

Fuel oil

Central

727.00 8.00 2, 600 0, 10

thermal 0, 16 0, 42 conventional

Natural gas

Central

482, 00 0, 01 1, 00 0, 01

thermal 0, 19 0, 19 conventional

Central coal

of bed 884.00 0.84 0.42 n.d. n.d. n.d. fluidized

Natural gas

Center of

345.00 0.00 0.27

cycle - - 0, 13 combined

CENTRAL of the

99.00

INVENTION - 0.065 - 0.986 - Furthermore, it is observed that while the rest emit sulfur compounds, the plant of the invention does not present this type of emission, the same as for volatile organic compound (VOC) and nitrous oxide (N ₂ 0) emissions. These data indicate that nitrate combustion represents an environmental advantage over other current energy sources.

Claims

1. Device for generating electricity from pressurized water and at least one explosive material characterized in that it comprises:

(a) at least one piston comprising a combustion chamber and a hydraulic pressure generation chamber, wherein said combustion chamber is located at one end of the piston and comprises at least one inlet valve of explosive material and at the less a gas outlet valve, and where the hydraulic pressure generating chamber is located at the opposite end of the piston, which has at least one hydraulic flow outlet valve and at least one water inlet valve ;

(b) following the hydraulic pressure generation chamber, at least one pressurized reservoir connected to at least one hydroelectric turbine for the generation of electricity is located.

2. Power plant characterized in that it comprises at least one device according to claim 1.

3. Central, according to claim 2, wherein the number of pistons is equal to 6.

4. Central, according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it additionally comprises at least one pre-treatment installation of the explosive material used as raw material.

5. Central, according to claim 4, wherein said pre-treatment installation comprises at least one container for adding at least one additive to the explosive material, at least one drying equipment and at least one equipment for grinding the explosive material

6. Central, according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it is located underwater, buried or on the surface.

7. Central according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that it additionally comprises at least one cooling tower.

8. Central, according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that it also has an external water supply circuit for cooling the entire plant and for charging the hydraulic pressure generating chamber with water.

9. Method for generating electricity from pressurized water and at least one explosive material by using a device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises:

(b) feed a volume of water to the hydraulic pressure generating chamber;

(c) detonate the explosive material, generating gases that expand by moving the piston piston and pressurizing the water located in the hydraulic pressure generating chamber;

(d) the hydraulic flow outlet valve is then opened, generating a hydraulic flow equivalent to the capacity of the hydraulic pressure generating chamber, where said hydraulic flow is sent to at least one pressurized reservoir; (e) subsequently, the combustion chamber gas outlet valve opens, releasing a certain flow rate of gases generated in the combustion, while the water inlet valve opens and the filling chamber begins to refill. hydraulic pressure generation;

(f) Likewise, water from the pressurized reservoir is injected into at least one hydroelectric turbine, generating electricity.

10. Procedure, according to claim 9, where once the hydraulic pressure generation chamber is filled, the procedure begins again, giving rise to a new generation cycle.

11. Method, according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises an additional stage of storage and recovery of the process water, operating in a closed circuit.

12. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the explosive material is selected from a solid and / or liquid material.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the explosive material is selected from a group consisting of fertilizers, commercial explosives and recycled materials.

14. Process according to claim 13, wherein the fertilizer is ammonium nitrate.

15. Method according to claim 13, wherein said recycled material is selected from materials from explosives demilitarization programs or from recycling of pyrotechnic materials.

16. Process according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that it comprises an additional stage of pre-treatment of the explosive material used in the process.

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein said pretreatment comprises adding at least one additive to the explosive material, as well as drying and milling said explosive material.

18. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that it also comprises at least one post-treatment stage of the combustion gases generated in the process.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said post-treatment of the flue gases comprises a separation stage in at least one cyclone separator, as well as the introduction of the separated gases into at least one recovery boiler in which steam and gases are generated.

20. Method according to claim 19, wherein said steam is sent to at least one turbine for additional electricity generation.

21. Method according to claim 19, wherein the gases generated in the recovery boiler are treated prior to being sent to the atmosphere in at least one activated carbon filter.

22. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 21, wherein instead of water a gas is used which, once pressurized, is used in compressed air turbines.

23. Use of a device according to claim 1 in reverse osmosis processes in desalination plants.