Heat collection / heating unit and power generation unit using heat collection / heating unit

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of low-temperature heat such as solar heat, atmospheric heat, geothermal heat, wetland heat, river water heat, seawater heat, and various kinds of waste heat not being utilized effectively as an energy source.　At least one kind of low-temperature heat from among solar heat, atmospheric heat, geothermal heat, wetland heat, river water heat, seawater heat, and various kinds of waste heat is collected in an outer case of a heat collection / heating unit, and the collected heat is radiated to an inner case through a vacuum blackbody concentrated radiation chamber. A heat medium is heated by heat exchange with heat radiated from the vacuum blackbody concentrated radiation chamber in a heat medium heat exchange flow passage, and the heat medium can be effectively utilized as electric power by power generation using a heat source and / or the heat collection / heating unit.

Description

Heat collection / heating unit and power generation unit using the heat collection / heating unit

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat collection / heating unit for collecting and effectively utilizing at least one type of low-temperature heat from the sun, atmosphere, geothermal, river water, seawater, lake water, and various types of waste heat as an energy source, and a power generation unit using the heat collection / heating unit.

[0002] The low-temperature heat is not effectively utilized as an energy source.

[0003] Patent No. 7300600

[0004] The challenge is to build a unit that collects and heats the low-temperature heat and a power generation unit that uses the heat collection and heating unit.

[0005] The low-temperature heat is collected, and the heat collection / heating unit has a concentric double cylindrical tube / concentric double spherical shell structure, and the heat medium and / or thermoelectric element are heated by vacuum / blackbody concentrated radiation, making it effectively usable as a heat source for heat and power generation.

[0006] Therefore, the above-mentioned object of the present invention is to provide a heat collection / heating unit configured to collect at least one type of low-temperature heat from among solar heat, atmospheric heat, geothermal heat, river water heat, seawater heat, lake water heat, and various types of exhaust heat, and to exchange heat with a heat medium, thereby raising the temperature of the heat medium, the unit comprising an outer case having an inner circumferential surface treated with a blackbody, and an inner case disposed within the outer case and having an outer circumferential surface treated with a blackbody, the outer circumferential surface of the outer case forming a heat collection surface that collects at least one type of low-temperature heat from among solar heat, atmospheric heat, geothermal heat, river water heat, seawater heat, lake water heat, and various types of exhaust heat, the space between the outer case and the inner case forming a sealed vacuum / blackbody concentrated irradiation chamber from which the heat collected by the heat collection surface is radiated, the inner case comprising an inner case body and a main pipe body disposed within the inner case body, the space portion forms a sealed heat medium heat exchange flow path, the main pipe body is provided with an inlet pipe through which the heat medium flows in from the outside, an outlet pipe through which the heat medium flows out to the outside, and a stopper that closes and connects one end of the inlet pipe and one end of the outlet pipe, the other end of the inlet pipe and the other end of the outlet pipe are arranged outside the outer case, the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe have a plurality of heat medium flow path holes formed in the pipe walls, the heat medium supplied to the inlet pipe flows out into the heat medium heat exchange flow path through the heat medium flow path holes formed in the inlet pipe, and in the heat medium heat exchange flow path, the heat medium exchanges heat with the heat radiated from the vacuum / blackbody concentrated radiation chamber and is heated, the heat medium is configured to be able to flow into the outlet pipe through the heat medium flow path holes formed in the outlet pipe, and flows out to the outside from the other end of the outlet pipe.

[0007] It is also preferable that a plurality of first fins are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer case, and a plurality of second fins are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the inner case body.

[0008] It is preferable that the fin tip portions of the second fins are arranged to face the heat medium flow path holes formed in the inlet pipe.

[0009] The plurality of heat medium passage holes formed in the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are preferably arranged in a staggered pattern along the longitudinal direction of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe.

[0010] The above-mentioned object of the present invention is also achieved by a power generation unit comprising the heat collection / heating unit, a heat medium turbine, a condenser, and a generator, in which the heat medium is heated in the heat medium heat exchange flow path of the heat collection / heating unit to form medium vapor, and the generator is driven by the heat medium turbine to generate electricity.

[0011] The above object of the present invention can also be achieved by a power generation unit including the heat collecting / heating unit, a compressor, an expansion valve, and a Stirling engine generator, wherein the heat receiving part of the Stirling engine generator is heated by the heat medium heat exchange flow path of the heat collecting / heating unit, and further compressed by the compressor, and then heated by the high-temperature heat medium to generate power.

[0012] The above object of the present invention is also achieved by a power generation unit including the heat collecting / heating unit and a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the inner case body.

[0013] The low-temperature heat mentioned above is abundant and can be used as a clean energy source for regional distribution and local production and consumption, as well as for power generation. In addition, the effective use of solar heat, atmospheric heat, geothermal heat, river water heat, seawater heat, lake water heat, and various types of waste heat contributes to the prevention of global warming.

[0014] A cross-sectional view of a heat collection / heating unit. A cross-sectional view of the A-A and B-B sections of the heat collection / heating unit. A cross-sectional view of the outer case of the heat collection / heating unit. A cross-sectional view of the inner case of the heat collection / heating unit. A cross-sectional view of the D-D and E-E sections of the inner case of the heat collection / heating unit. A schematic diagram of the assembly process of a heat collection / heating unit. A power generation unit using a heat collection / heating unit. An example of a power generation unit that uses the functions of a heat collection / heating unit. Installation example 1 / 2 of a heat collection / heating unit. Installation example 2 / 2 of a heat collection / heating unit.

[0015] The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0016] The heat collection / heating unit 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is composed of an outer case 20 and an inner case 30. The outer case body 21 is on the outside, and the inner case body 31 is assembled in the center of the inside of the outer case body 21 in the form of a concentric double circular tube and / or a concentric double spherical shell. The inner surface of the outer case body 21 and the outer surface of the inner case body 31 are blackbody treated. The space between the outer case 20 and the inner case 30 is closed at both ends of the outer case 20 by blind flanges IN 22 and EX 23, and is evacuated by vacuum drawing through a vacuum check valve 24.

[0017] The outer peripheral surface of the outer case 20 is a heat collection surface 40, the space between the outer case 20 and the inner case 30 is a vacuum / blackbody concentrated radiation chamber 50, and the space between the inner case body 31 and the main pipe body 32 is a heat medium heat exchange flow path 60.

[0018] The outer case 20 shown in Figure 3 is composed of an outer case body 21, blind flange IN 22, blind flange EX 23, O-ring 22a, dust seal 22b, bolt 22c, and vacuum check valve 24. The outer case body 21 is integrally formed by joining a circular pipe 21a, a spherical shell 21b, a first fin 21c, a connecting pipe 21d, and a flange 21e. Multiple first fins 21c are provided at predetermined intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the outer case body 21 to increase the heat collection area. The flange 21e has a circular opening in the center for assembling the inner case 30. The outer peripheral surface of the outer case body 21 is colored, for example, black, to increase heat collection efficiency.

[0019] 4 and 5, the inner case 30 is composed of an inner case body 31, a main pipe body 32, O-rings 32h, 32j, 32k, and 32l, nuts 32i and 32m, and a heat insulating material 32n. The inner case body 31 is formed by joining a circular pipe 31a, a spherical shell 31b, a second fin 31c, an IN boss 31d, and an EX boss 31e. A plurality of second fins 31c are provided at predetermined intervals on the inner circumferential surface of the inner case body 31 to increase the heat exchange area.

[0020] The main pipe body 32 is integrally formed by joining an inlet pipe 32a, an outlet pipe 32b, a stopper 32c, an IN boss 32d, an EX boss 32e, a boss A 32f, and a boss B 32g. A stopper 32c is joined between the inlet pipe 32a and the outlet pipe 32b, closing the inlet pipe 32a and the outlet pipe 32b. Heat medium flow path holes 32o are arranged in a staggered pattern in the longitudinal direction in the pipe walls of the inlet pipe 32a and the outlet pipe 32b at positions facing the second fins 31c of the inner case body 31.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, low-temperature heat from the sun, air, earth, river water, seawater, lake water, and various types of exhaust heat is collected on the heat collection surface 40 and radiated to the inner case body 31 through a vacuum / blackbody concentrated radiation chamber 50.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the heat medium flows from the outside into the inlet pipe 32a, flows out through the heat medium flow path hole 32o into the heat medium heat exchange flow path 60, is heated in the heat medium heat exchange flow path 60 by heat exchange with the heat radiated from the vacuum / blackbody concentrated radiation chamber 50, flows into the outlet pipe 32b through the heat medium flow path hole 32o, and flows out to the outside.

[0023] The heat medium flow passage holes 32o formed in the walls of the inlet pipe 32a and the outlet pipe 32b are arranged opposite the tips of the second fins 31c of the inner case body 31, so that the heat medium flows in a turbulent state through the heat medium heat exchange passage 60, and high heat exchange efficiency is achieved by a synergistic effect with the second fins 31c that are provided to increase the heat exchange area. Furthermore, it is more preferable to arrange the heat medium flow passage holes 32o in a staggered pattern along the longitudinal direction of the inlet pipe 32a and the outlet pipe 32b from the viewpoint of flowing the heat medium in a turbulent state.

[0024] The materials for the outer case and inner case of the heat collection / heating unit are thermally conductive, blackened, heat-resistant, corrosion-resistant, weldable, and plastically workable, such as stainless steel, and the packings are made of heat-resistant rubber.

[0025] 6A, 6B, and 6C, O-ring 32h is attached to boss IN 32d of main pipe body 32, and O-ring 32j is attached to boss EX 32e. Then, boss IN 32d is inserted into boss IN 31d of inner case body 31, and boss EX 31e is inserted into boss EX 32e, and inner case body 31 and main pipe body 32 are assembled with nut 32i. O-ring 32h and O-ring 32j are attached to prevent leakage between inner case body 31 and main pipe body 32.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6D, an O-ring 22a and a dust seal 22b are attached to the blind flange IN22 of the outer case 20, and the blind flange IN22 is attached to the flange 21e of the outer case body 21 with bolts 22c.

[0027] 6E, an O-ring 32k is attached to boss A 32f of main pipe body 32, an O-ring 32l is attached to boss B 32g, and a heat insulator 32n is attached to pipe EX 32b. An O-ring 22a and a vacuum check valve 24 are attached to blind flange EX23 of outer case 20, boss B 32g of main pipe body 32 is inserted into the central hole of blind flange EX23, and inner case body 31 and blind flange EX23 are assembled with nut 32m.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6F, the inner case body 31 and blind flange EX23 are assembled, and the boss A32f of the main pipe body 32 is inserted into the central hole of the blind flange IN22 of the outer case body 21. The insertion portion of the boss A32f is slide-type to accommodate thermal expansion in the longitudinal direction. The blind flange EX23 is assembled to the flange 21e of the outer case body 21 with bolts 22c.

[0029] The O-rings 22a, 32k, and 32l prevent vacuum leakage from the vacuum / blackbody concentrated radiation chamber, the dust seal 22b prevents dust from entering due to thermal expansion in the longitudinal direction of the main pipe body 32, and the heat insulator 32n is installed to insulate the outlet pipe 32b. The vacuum check valve 24 evacuates the vacuum / blackbody concentrated radiation chamber 50 and maintains the vacuum state.

[0030] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a power generation unit using a heat collection / heating unit 10. The power generation unit shown in Figure 7A is a binary power generation unit equipped with the heat collection / heating unit 10, a heat medium turbine, a generator, and a condenser. Specifically, the heat medium heat exchange flow path 60 of the heat collection / heating unit 10 heats a heat medium such as water or ammonia water, pentane, or a chlorofluorocarbon alternative, which has a boiling point lower than that of water, to produce medium vapor, which then rotates the heat medium turbine to drive the generator and generate electricity. The boiled working medium is cooled in the condenser, returns to the heat collection / heating unit 10, and circulates through the power generation unit.

[0031] The power generation unit shown in Fig. 7B is a Stirling engine power generation unit comprising a heat collecting / heating unit 10, a compressor, an expansion valve, and a Stirling engine generator. A Stirling engine is a type of external combustion engine that is driven by externally heating and cooling the gas inside the engine to expand and contract. A heat medium such as CO2 or N2 is heated in the heat medium heat exchange flow path 60 of the heat collecting / heating unit 10, and the heat medium compressed and heated in the compressor heats a heat receiving part of the Stirling engine generator to generate electricity. The heat medium is reduced in pressure and temperature by the expansion valve, returns to the heat collecting / heating unit 10, and circulates through the power generation unit.

[0032] FIG. 8 shows an example of a thermoelectric conversion element power generation unit using the functions of the heat collection / heating unit 10. The power generation unit shown in FIG. 8 using thermoelectric conversion elements includes multiple thermoelectric conversion elements arranged on the outer periphery of the inner case body 31 of the heat collection / heating unit 10. Low-temperature heat collected on the heat collection surface 40 is radiated to the thermoelectric conversion elements through a vacuum / blackbody concentrated radiation chamber 50 for heating. This power generation unit flows a heat medium, such as cooling water, through the heat medium exchange flow path 60, generating electricity using the temperature difference between the heating and cooling sides of the thermoelectric conversion elements, and extracting the electricity through a vacuum connector. Maintaining a nearly constant temperature difference between the heating and cooling sides of each of the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements is expected to improve power generation efficiency. Therefore, for example, the shape of the outer case body 21 can be made conical, with the inlet pipe 32a of the main pipe body 32 narrower and the outlet pipe 32b wider, as shown in FIG. 8. In all binary power generation units, Stirling engine power generation units, and thermoelectric conversion element power generation units, the cooling water exchanges heat to raise its temperature, making them useful for hot water supply and heating, for example.

[0033] Figure 9A shows an example of a vertical installation of the heat collection / heating unit 10, Figure 9B shows an example of a horizontal installation, and Figure 10 shows an example of a floating installation of the heat collection / heating unit 10. The higher the flow rate of the gas or liquid on the outer surface (heat collection surface 40) of the outer case 20, the higher the heat transfer coefficient, promoting convection and reducing the effect of the boundary layer, resulting in more efficient heat conduction. By taking these factors into consideration, the efficiency of thermal management can be significantly improved, and the installation of ancillary equipment such as a fan or screw can increase the thermal conductivity and heat collection efficiency.

[0034] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Heat collection / heating unit 20...Outer case 30...Inner case 40...Heat collection surface 50...Vacuum / blackbody concentrated radiation chamber 60...Heat medium heat exchange flow path 21...Outer case body 21a...Circular pipe 21b...Spherical shell 21c...First fin 21d...Connecting pipe 21e...Flange 22...Blind flange IN 22a...O-ring 22b...Dust seal 22c...Bolt 23...Blind flange EX 24...Vacuum check valve 31...Inner case body 31a...Circular pipe 31b...Spherical shell 31c...Second fin 31d...Boss IN 31e...Boss EX 32...Main pipe body 32a...Inlet pipe 32b...Outlet pipe 32c...Stop plug 32d...Boss IN 32e...Boss EX 32f...Boss A 32g・Boss B 32h・O-ring 32i・Nut 32j・O-ring 32k・O-ring 32l・O-ring 32m・Nut 32n・Insulating material 32o・Heat medium flow path hole

Claims

1. A heat collection and heating unit configured to collect at least one type of low-temperature heat from among solar heat, atmospheric heat, geothermal heat, river water heat, seawater heat, lake water heat, and various types of exhaust heat, and to exchange heat with a heat medium to raise the temperature of the heat medium, comprising: an outer case whose inner surface is blackbody treated; and an inner case disposed within the outer case and whose outer surface is blackbody treated; the outer surface of the outer case forms a heat collection surface that collects at least one type of low-temperature heat from among solar heat, atmospheric heat, geothermal heat, river water heat, seawater heat, lake water heat, and various types of exhaust heat; the space between the outer case and the inner case forms a sealed vacuum / blackbody concentrated irradiation chamber from which the heat collected by the heat collection surface is dissipated; the inner case comprises an inner case body and a main pipe body disposed within the inner case body; and the space between the inner case body and the main pipe body forms a sealed heat medium heat exchange flow path; the main pipe body is provided with an inlet pipe through which a heat medium flows in from the outside, an outlet pipe through which the heat medium flows out to the outside, and a stopper that closes and connects one end of the inlet pipe and one end of the outlet pipe, the other end of the inlet pipe and the other end of the outlet pipe are arranged outside the outer case, the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe have a plurality of heat medium flow path holes formed in their pipe walls, the heat medium supplied to the inlet pipe flows out into the heat medium heat exchange flow path through the heat medium flow path holes formed in the inlet pipe, is heated in the heat medium heat exchange flow path by heat exchange with the heat radiated from the vacuum / blackbody concentrated radiation chamber, is configured to be able to flow into the outlet pipe through the heat medium flow path holes formed in the outlet pipe, and flows out to the outside from the other end of the outlet pipe.

2. A heat collecting / heating unit as described in claim 1, wherein a plurality of first fins are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer case, and a plurality of second fins are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the inner case body.

3. The heat collecting / heating unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the fin tip of the second fin is arranged opposite the heat medium flow path hole formed in the inlet pipe.

4. A heat collection / heating unit as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the multiple heat medium flow path holes formed in the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are arranged in a staggered pattern along the longitudinal direction of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe.

5. A power generation unit comprising the heat collecting / heating unit according to claim 1 or 2, a heat medium turbine, a generator, and a condenser, wherein the heat medium is heated in the heat medium heat exchange flow path of the heat collecting / heating unit to form medium vapor, and the generator is driven by the heat medium turbine to generate electricity.

6. A power generation unit comprising the heat collecting / heating unit according to claim 1 or 2, a compressor, an expansion valve, and a Stirling engine generator, wherein the heat receiving part of the Stirling engine generator is heated by the heat medium heat exchange flow path of the heat collecting / heating unit, and further compressed by the compressor, and the heat medium heated to a high temperature is used to heat the heat receiving part of the Stirling engine generator, generating electricity.

7. A power generation unit comprising the heat collecting / heating unit according to claim 1 or 2 and a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the inner case body.

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