Friction power generation water pipe in independent layer mode and preparation method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of energy collection and sewage power generation, and discloses a friction power generation water pipe in an independent layer mode and a preparation method of the friction power generation water pipe. The interdigital electrode is used as an electrode layer and is tightly attached to the outer side of the FEP plastic water pipe; and the PDMS packaging material is used as a packaging layer and is used for integrally packaging the interdigitated electrode and the FEP plastic water pipe. The preparation method comprises the following steps: providing an FEP plastic water pipe, manufacturing a copper interdigitated electrode, tightly attaching the electrode to the outer side of the water pipe, and finally packaging by filling and curing PDMS. When flowing through the water pipe, the water flow is repeatedly contacted and separated from the pipe wall of the water pipe attached with the electrode, and the generated current flows out through the external electrode and is stored for use. Moreover, the whole device is easy to manufacture, can meet the requirements of water pipes with different sizes and shapes, and is suitable for being applied to power generation of various water pipes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of energy harvesting and wastewater power generation technology, specifically to a triboelectric water pipe with an independent layer mode and its preparation method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in existing residential buildings, most domestic wastewater and sewage are directly discharged into sewer pipes or sewage treatment pipes. However, this direct discharge method wastes gravitational potential energy, which is incompatible with the current social development concept of "carbon neutrality" for energy conservation and environmental protection. Most water pipes on the market are designed to conduct water flow, and ordinary water pipes do not have the ability to convert gravitational potential energy into electrical energy.

[0003] To effectively convert various forms of mechanical energy into electrical energy, triboelectric nanogenerator technology has emerged. Based on the coupling effect of triboelectricity and electrostatic induction, this technology is considered one of the most effective strategies for converting mechanical energy such as human movement, wind, water waves, raindrops, and vibrations. As a sustainable power source, triboelectric nanogenerators have made rapid progress and exhibit numerous advantages, including low cost, high output, light weight, and a wide range of material choices, making them suitable for a wide range of devices.

[0004] Against this backdrop, it was discovered that the friction phenomenon generated when water flows through the pipe wall perfectly matches the operating conditions of the independent layer mode in a triboelectric nanogenerator. This led to the realization that a triboelectric nanogenerator water pipe capable of converting the gravitational potential energy of water flow into electrical energy could be designed based on the principles of triboelectric charging and electrostatic induction.

[0005] Therefore, this invention proposes an independent layer mode triboelectric water pipe and its preparation method to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One objective of this invention is to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings of existing water pipes, complete the conversion of wastewater gravitational potential energy into electrical energy, and realize the energy harvesting of wastewater potential energy.

[0007] Another objective of this invention is to meet the needs of long-term use of water pipes, ensuring a long service life while completing energy harvesting.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0009] The first aspect of this invention provides a triboelectric water pipe with an independent layer mode, comprising:

[0010] Friction layer, wherein the friction layer is an FEP plastic water pipe, and the inner wall of the FEP plastic water pipe is used as a friction layer that comes into contact with the water flow.

[0011] An electrode layer, wherein the electrode layer is an interdigitated electrode, the interdigitated electrode being fully and tightly attached to the outside of the FEP plastic water pipe for collecting electrical energy through electrostatic induction;

[0012] The encapsulation layer is a PDMS encapsulation protective material, which encapsulates the interdigitated electrode and the FEP plastic water pipe as a whole.

[0013] Preferably, the interdigitated electrode is made of copper.

[0014] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for preparing a triboelectric water pipe with an independent layer mode, comprising the following steps:

[0015] S1. Provide one section of FEP plastic water pipe;

[0016] S2. Fabricate the copper material into interdigitated electrodes according to the preset template;

[0017] S3. Wrap the interdigitated electrode and fit it tightly against the outside of the FEP plastic water pipe;

[0018] S4. Place the FEP plastic water pipe with the interdigitated electrodes attached into a tubular mold, fill it with PDMS encapsulation and protective material made of PDMS and curing agent, and heat and cure to form an encapsulation layer.

[0019] Preferably, in step 1, the outer diameter of the FEP plastic water pipe is 20-30mm and the inner diameter is 16-24mm.

[0020] Preferably, in step S2, the copper material is a copper electrode, and the copper electrode is made into an interdigitated electrode according to a preset template, wherein the width of a single electrode finger is 3-7mm, and the interval between adjacent electrode fingers is 3-5mm.

[0021] Preferably, in step S4, the mass ratio of PDMS to the curing agent is (8-12):1.

[0022] Preferably, in step S4, the heating and curing conditions are: heating at a temperature of 110-130°C for 1-3 hours.

[0023] A third aspect of the present invention provides an active sensor, comprising a triboelectric nanotube prepared by the above-described preparation method, wherein the triboelectric nanotube is used to convert gravitational potential energy into electrical energy to output an electrical signal.

[0024] In particular, the selection of interdigitated electrodes in this invention greatly increases the frequency of charge transfer between the water flow and the electrodes, thereby significantly improving the electrical output of the water pipe.

[0025] In particular, this invention selects the independent layer mode TENG as the working principle, and attaches the electrode to the outside of the water pipe to avoid direct contact between the electrode and the water flow, which greatly slows down the aging and corrosion of the electrode and greatly extends the service life of the triboelectric nano-powered water pipe.

[0026] A third aspect of the present invention provides a back-end power management circuit, including a triboelectric nanotube for generating electricity obtained by the above-described preparation method, wherein the triboelectric nanotube provides electrical energy to the circuit.

[0027] The FEP plastic water pipe is chosen in this invention because it possesses outstanding wear resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, and high-temperature performance, making it suitable for various applications. The wear resistance and chemical corrosion resistance of FEP plastic water pipes make it suitable as a friction material in contact with domestic wastewater.

[0028] Copper foil, as an electrode material, offers advantages due to its continuous conductivity, good ductility, and easy availability. Triboelectric nanogenerators based on copper electrode materials exhibit high stability and customizability.

[0029] Furthermore, PDMS has excellent tensile properties as a coating material. Its properties remain unchanged after being twisted, bent, or stretched, which can meet the requirements of different applications and is suitable for use in tubular equipment.

[0030] Furthermore, the independent-layer triboelectric nanogenerator-based water pipe has a simple working mechanism from preparation to application. The working process is safe, pollution-free, low-cost, highly efficient, and has low equipment requirements, which is conducive to industrial promotion and has significant economic and social benefits.

[0031] This invention provides a triboelectric water pipe with an independent layer design and its fabrication method. It offers the following advantages:

[0032] 1. This invention, by placing the interdigitated electrodes on the outside of the FEP plastic water pipe, completely physically isolates the electrodes from the wastewater flowing inside the pipe, thus avoiding direct contact between the electrodes and the water flow. This "non-contact" energy harvesting structure fundamentally solves the technical problem of electrodes being easily corroded, contaminated, and damaged in traditional fluid generators, ensuring long-term stable operation of the device in complex wastewater environments and greatly extending its service life. Simultaneously, the interdigitated electrode structure allows the water flow, as a moving, charged, independent laminar flow, to induce electrostatic induction at high frequency between the interlaced electrode fingers, significantly improving charge transfer and collection efficiency, thereby enhancing power generation performance.

[0033] 2. The preparation method provided by this invention is simple, and the materials used (FEP, copper, PDMS) are inexpensive and readily available. The entire manufacturing process does not require complex and expensive equipment, which is conducive to industrial promotion and large-scale production. More importantly, this preparation method is highly flexible and can be easily customized into power generation water pipes of different diameters, lengths, and shapes according to actual application needs, to adapt to various building sewage pipes or industrial pipeline systems, possessing strong application versatility and scenario adaptability. Therefore, this invention provides an economical, efficient, durable, and easy-to-implement technical solution for the recovery and utilization of wastewater potential energy. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a triboelectric nanotube for generating electricity in a layered manner according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0035] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of a triboelectric nano-powered water pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0036] Figure 3 A schematic flowchart of a method for preparing a triboelectric nano-powered water pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0037] Figure 4 The diagram shows the output of an open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current of a triboelectric nanogenerator water pipe under normal water flow velocity according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 5 A capacitor charging curve of one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0039] Figure 6 A template diagram of an interdigitated electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0040] Among them, 11. FEP plastic water pipe; 12. Copper finger electrode; 13. PDMS encapsulation and protection material. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a triboelectric nanotube for generating electricity in a layered configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1As shown, the triboelectric nanogenerator water pipe includes an FEP plastic water pipe 11, copper insert electrodes 12, and PDMS encapsulation and protective material 13. The FEP plastic water pipe 11 serves as the triboelectric material. The copper insert electrodes 12 serve as the electrode material, attached to the outside of the FEP plastic water pipe 11, with two copper wires extending from both sides of the insert electrodes 12. PDMS contacts the FEP plastic water pipe 11 in a mold and solidifies to form the PDMS encapsulation and protective material 13. The triboelectric nanogenerator water pipe has a ring-shaped structure.

[0043] When water flows into contact with the FEP plastic water pipe 11, due to the double-layer model of the solid-liquid interface, a negative charge forms on the FEP surface, and the water surface is attracted to a large number of positive charges. When the water flows into and out of the FEP plastic water pipe, electrons flow out from the interdigitated electrodes 12 under short-circuit conditions. Due to the characteristics of the interdigitated electrodes, the frequency of this contact and separation is increased, achieving higher energy output through continuous contact and separation, thus completing the energy harvesting and conversion of the water's gravitational potential energy.

[0044] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of a triboelectric nanogenerator water pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As the water flows and separates from the pipe wall, electron transfer occurs, which in turn leads to a directional current.

[0045] Figure 3 A schematic flowchart illustrating a method for preparing a triboelectric nanotube for generating water according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown below:

[0046] S1. Provide one section of FEP plastic water pipe;

[0047] S2. Fabricate the copper material into interdigitated electrodes according to the preset template;

[0048] S3. Wrap the interdigitated electrode and fit it tightly against the outside of the FEP plastic water pipe;

[0049] S4. Place the FEP plastic water pipe with the attached interdigitated electrode into a tubular mold, fill it with PDMS encapsulation and protective material made of PDMS and curing agent, and heat to cure to form an encapsulation layer.

[0050] In step 1, the outer diameter of the FEP plastic water pipe can be 20-30mm, the inner diameter can be 16-24mm, and the length can be 15-25cm, but other sizes can also be applied.

[0051] In step S2, the copper material is a copper electrode, which is made into a finger electrode according to a preset template. The length can be 20cm, the width of a single electrode finger can be 3-7mm, and the spacing between adjacent electrode fingers can be 3-5mm. The copper finger electrode is cut from the template and can also be used for other sizes.

[0052] In step S3, the interdigitated electrodes are ensured to remain in contact at the left and right ends and at the top and bottom ends during the bonding process.

[0053] In step S4, the mass ratio of PDMS to the curing agent is (8-12):1. The heat curing conditions are as follows: heating at 110-130°C for 1-3 hours.

[0054] The triboelectric nanotubes prepared by the above steps S100 to S400.

[0055] The above preparation process is simple to operate, and can be customized into water pipes of different lengths and sizes to meet the needs of different users, making it suitable for a variety of situations.

[0056] Figure 4 The diagram illustrates the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current output of a triboelectric nanogenerator water pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention at a normal water flow velocity. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the prepared triboelectric nanotube generates a current of up to 1.5 μA, which can be effectively used for applications such as LED bulb power generation through the prepared power management circuit.

[0057] Figure 5 The capacitor charging curve of one embodiment of the present invention is shown. A 22μF capacitor was selected and charged using the triboelectric nanotube fabrication method of the present invention. The data shows that it only takes 80 seconds to charge the capacitor to 3V.

[0058] Figure 6 A template diagram of interdigitated electrodes according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Each electrode is 5 mm wide, and the spacing between individual electrodes is 3 mm.

[0059] Due to the adoption of such Figure 6 The interdigitated electrode model shown allows the charge transfer that would normally only occur when water flows into and out of the FEP plastic pipe to be repeated multiple times, thus improving the efficiency of the power generation pipe.

[0060] Furthermore, this triboelectric nanotube based on independent layers has a simple working mechanism from preparation to application. The working process is safe, pollution-free, low-cost, highly efficient, and requires minimal equipment, which is conducive to industrial promotion and has significant economic and social benefits.

[0061] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A triboelectric water pipe with an independent layer design, characterized in that, include: Friction layer, wherein the friction layer is an FEP plastic water pipe, and the inner wall of the FEP plastic water pipe is used as a friction layer that comes into contact with the water flow. An electrode layer, wherein the electrode layer is an interdigitated electrode, the interdigitated electrode being fully and tightly attached to the outside of the FEP plastic water pipe for collecting electrical energy through electrostatic induction; The encapsulation layer is a PDMS encapsulation protective material, which encapsulates the interdigitated electrode and the FEP plastic water pipe as a whole.

2. The triboelectric water pipe with an independent layer mode according to claim 1, characterized in that, The interdigitated electrodes are made of copper.

3. A method for preparing an independent-layer triboelectric water pipe, used to prepare an independent-layer triboelectric water pipe as described in any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Provide one section of FEP plastic water pipe; S2. Fabricate the copper material into interdigitated electrodes according to the preset template; S3. Wrap the interdigitated electrode and fit it tightly against the outside of the FEP plastic water pipe; S4. Place the FEP plastic water pipe with the interdigitated electrodes attached into a tubular mold, fill it with PDMS encapsulation and protective material made of PDMS and curing agent, and heat and cure to form an encapsulation layer.

4. The method for preparing an independent-layer triboelectric water pipe according to claim 3, characterized in that, In step 1, the outer diameter of the FEP plastic water pipe is 20-30mm and the inner diameter is 16-24mm.

5. The method for preparing an independent-layer triboelectric water pipe according to claim 3, characterized in that, In step S2, the copper material is a copper electrode, which is fabricated into a finger electrode according to a preset template. The width of a single electrode finger is 3-7 mm, and the interval between adjacent electrode fingers is 3-5 mm.

6. The method for preparing an independent-layer triboelectric water pipe according to claim 3, characterized in that, In step S4, the mass ratio of PDMS to curing agent is (8-12):

1.

7. The method for preparing an independent-layer triboelectric water pipe according to claim 3, characterized in that, In step S4, the heating and curing conditions are: heating at 110-130℃ for 1-3 hours.

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