Deep sea and deep water differential pressure power generation system and working method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a deep-sea deep-water differential pressure power generation system, and belongs to the technical field of ocean energy. The system comprises a high-pressure water tank arranged at the water depth of 60 meters, a water-turbine generator set cabin located above the high-pressure water tank by 10 meters, a first water inlet pipeline system (four water inlet pipelines with the diameter of 0.8 meter) connected with a high-pressure nozzle and a deep sea, and a second (drainage) pipeline system connected with the high-pressure water tank below the water-turbine generator set cabin and the sea level. The high-pressure nozzle is communicated with seawater with the depth of 60 meters through a plurality of high-pressure water inlet valves, and the working pressure of about 6 atm is maintained; a mixed-flow water turbine and a synchronous generator are arranged in a cabin of the water-turbine generator set; the second pipeline system comprises four water feeding pipelines with the diameter being 0.8 m, and seawater obtained after power generation is guided back to the sea level. The stable pressure difference between the deep sea and the sea level is used for driving the water turbine to generate electricity, and continuous renewable energy source output is achieved. The system further comprises photovoltaic power generation and breeze power generation equipment on the foundation platform, an auxiliary energy system is formed, and self-sufficient energy consumption of the system is ensured. The system has the advantages of high power generation efficiency, stable operation and low maintenance cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine energy development technology, specifically to a system and its operating method for generating electricity using seawater pressure differences. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous growth of global energy demand and the increasing awareness of environmental protection, the development of clean and renewable energy has become an important issue for the world today. Ocean energy, as an important component of clean and renewable energy, has advantages such as large reserves, wide distribution, and sustainable utilization. Among various forms of ocean energy, deep-sea pressure differential energy possesses unique advantages due to its high stability and high energy density. Unlike intermittent energy sources such as wave energy and tidal energy, deep-sea pressure steadily increases with water depth; for every 10 meters of depth, the pressure increases by approximately one atmosphere. This characteristic allows pressure differential energy to achieve continuous and uninterrupted power generation, overcoming the intermittent nature of most renewable energy sources. Existing ocean energy power generation technologies have some limitations: wave energy generation devices typically require oscillating buoys to convert wave energy into the pressure energy of high-pressure seawater, resulting in low conversion efficiency; tidal energy generation is limited by geographical location and tidal cycles; and traditional deep-sea pressure differential power generation systems have complex structures, high investment and maintenance costs, and unsatisfactory efficiency. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a power generation system that can efficiently utilize deep-sea pressure differentials, has a reasonable structure, stable operation, and low maintenance costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a deep-sea differential pressure power generation system and its operating method, which solves the problems of low system efficiency, high maintenance cost and poor reliability in the prior art.

[0004] Technical solution: This invention provides a deep-sea deep-water pressure differential power generation system, comprising: System structure composition: 1. A high-pressure water tank is installed at a depth of 60 meters and is connected to seawater at sea level through a water supply pipe; 2. The turbine generator compartment is located above the high-pressure water tank at a water depth of 50 meters, and houses a mixed-flow turbine generator unit. 3. Four water supply pipes, each 0.8 meters in diameter, connect to the high-pressure water tank below the turbine and extend to sea level; 4. The foundation platform serves as the tank foundation and anchoring system, and the control system is installed on the platform; 5. Auxiliary power generation system, including photovoltaic panels and micro-wind power generation equipment, connected to energy storage equipment. Main material selection: 1. The main tank structure is made of high-strength marine steel ASTM A690, with a thickness of 25-40mm; 2. The high-pressure water inlet pipe is made of super duplex stainless steel 2507, with a diameter of 0.8 meters and a wall thickness of 25 mm; 3. The water supply pipes are made of duplex stainless steel 2205. 4. The high-pressure valve system uses DN800 full-bore ball valves with a pressure rating of PN100.

[0005] Protection system: The triple protection system includes an epoxy heavy-duty anti-corrosion coating base layer, an aluminum-zinc-indium alloy sacrificial anode cathodic protection system, and an impressed current auxiliary system. 1. Base coating: Epoxy heavy-duty anti-corrosion coating, dry film thickness 600μm; 2. Cathodic protection: Aluminum-zinc-indium alloy sacrificial anode system, 25-year design life; 3. Active protection: External current auxiliary system, 50A output capability.

[0006] Biological protection and water filtration system: An automatic backwash filtration system is installed before each high-pressure inlet valve. Each inlet valve is equipped with an automatic backwash filter with a filtration accuracy of 3mm to prevent marine organisms and debris from entering the system. The filtration system uses differential pressure control; when the pressure difference across the filter reaches a set value (0.5 bar), the backwash process is automatically initiated without interrupting system operation.

[0007] Intelligent control system: The intelligent control system includes monitoring sensors, an adaptive adjustment system, a predictive maintenance system, and a remote operating system. It uses a Siemens S7-1500 series PLC as the main controller and is equipped with a SCADA monitoring system. Through 128 sensors distributed throughout key parts of the system, it collects data in real time on pressure, temperature, flow rate, vibration, corrosion status, etc., at a sampling frequency of 100Hz. (Based on machine learning algorithms, the system can automatically adjust valve openings according to changes in marine conditions to maintain optimal operating conditions. By analyzing historical data and real-time status of the equipment, it predicts the remaining lifespan of components and plans maintenance activities in advance.)

[0008] The operating method of a deep-sea deep-water pressure differential power generation system includes the following steps: Water intake procedure: Seawater at a depth of 60 meters enters the high-pressure nozzle through four DN800 high-pressure valves under natural static pressure; Power generation steps: Seawater in the high-pressure nozzle is driven by a pressure difference of 5-6 bar and flows towards the turbine with a total flow rate of 14 m³ / s, driving the mixed-flow turbine to rotate and generate electricity; Drainage procedure: After the work is done, the seawater flows into the high-pressure water tank below and is naturally discharged back to the sea level through four water supply pipes with a diameter of 0.8 meters; Cyclic steps: By monitoring pressure and flow parameters in real time, the valve opening is automatically adjusted to maintain the best working condition and form a continuous cycle of power generation.

[0009] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. By utilizing the stable pressure difference between the deep sea and the sea surface to drive power generation, continuous and uninterrupted energy production has been achieved, overcoming the intermittent problem of most renewable energy sources; 2. The system has a reasonable structural design. Through the combination of a high-pressure water tank and multiple water supply pipes, a natural pressure difference circulation is formed, requiring no external energy input. 3. It adopts a high-efficiency hydro-turbine generator set, with a system efficiency of up to 85%, which is far higher than that of traditional ocean energy power generation devices; 4. Install photovoltaic and micro-wind power generation equipment on the basic platform to form an auxiliary energy system and ensure the system's energy self-sufficiency; 5. Advanced materials and anti-corrosion measures are adopted to ensure long-term reliable operation of the system in harsh marine environments; 6. The application of intelligent control systems enables automated operation and predictive maintenance of the system, greatly reducing operation and maintenance costs. Specific Implementation The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0011] Example As shown in Figure 1, the deep-sea pressure differential power generation system of the present invention includes a high-pressure water tank (1) and an inlet pipe (2). Hydro-generator unit compartment (3), water supply pipeline (4), foundation platform (5), auxiliary power generation system (6), water inlet protection and backwashing automatic filtration system (7).

[0012] The high-pressure water tank (1) is located at a depth of 60 meters and is connected to the sea surface via four water supply pipes. The tank is made of high-strength marine steel ASTM A690 with a thickness of 30 mm and is reinforced with circumferential stiffening ribs to enhance structural stability. The turbine generator compartment (3) is located above the high-pressure water tank at a depth of 50 meters and houses a mixed-flow turbine generator. The turbine blades are made of duplex stainless steel 2205, and the generator adopts a fully enclosed water-cooled design with an IP68 protection rating. The four water supply pipes (4) are 0.8 meters in diameter, made of duplex stainless steel 2205, and connect the high-pressure water tank below the turbine to the sea surface, flowing back to the sea by gravity. The foundation platform (5) adopts a steel pipe pile frame structure, extending 25 meters below the seabed, and houses the control system. The remaining space on the platform is used to install monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic panels (50 kW) and vertical axis micro wind turbines (20 kW), which, together with a lithium-ion energy storage system (200 kWh), form an independent microgrid.

[0013] Work process: Seawater at a depth of 60 meters, under natural hydrostatic pressure, enters the high-pressure nozzle through four DN800 high-pressure valves. The valves employ an intelligent control system that adjusts their opening according to load demand, maintaining a stable pressure of 6 atm. Driven by a pressure difference of 5-6 bar, the seawater in the high-pressure nozzle rushes towards the turbine at a total flow rate of 14 m³ / s, driving the mixed-flow turbine to rotate. The turbine is connected to a synchronous generator via a speed-increasing gearbox, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. The seawater, after performing its work, remains in the high-pressure tank at a pressure of approximately 6 atm and is naturally discharged back to sea level through four inlet pipes. The pressure inside the pipes is approximately 1 atm, allowing it to flow back to the sea by gravity without requiring additional drainage energy. The entire process is driven by a stable pressure difference, forming a natural cycle and achieving uninterrupted power generation. The system automatically adjusts valve openings by monitoring pressure and flow parameters in real time to maintain optimal operating conditions.

Claims

1. A deep-sea differential pressure power generation system, characterized in that... include: - A high-pressure water tank (1) is installed at a depth of 60 meters and is connected to seawater at sea level through a water supply pipe; - The high-pressure water inlet pipe (2) is connected to the seawater at a depth of 60 meters through 4 DN800 high-pressure water inlet valves; - The turbine generator compartment (3) located above the high-pressure water tank is equipped with a turbine generator set; - A water supply pipeline connecting the high-pressure water tank below the turbine to sea level (4); - Serves as the foundation platform for the tank body and anchoring system (5); - An auxiliary power generation system (6) is installed on the platform; - Automatic filtration system for biological protection and backwashing of influent (7).

2. The deep-sea differential pressure power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-pressure water tank (1) is connected to seawater at sea level through a drainage pipe, maintaining a working pressure of 6 atm.

3. The deep-sea differential pressure power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The turbine generator set is a mixed-flow turbine with a design head of 56m, a flow rate of 14m³ / s, and an efficiency of ≥92%.

4. The deep-sea differential pressure power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water supply pipe (3) consists of four pipes with a diameter of 0.8 meters, made of duplex stainless steel 2205, which flow back to the sea by gravity.

5. The deep-sea differential pressure power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The basic platform (4) adopts a steel pipe pile frame structure, extends 25 meters below the seabed, and a control system is installed on the platform.

6. The deep-sea differential pressure power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The auxiliary power generation system (5) includes photovoltaic panels, micro wind power generation equipment and lithium-ion energy storage system, forming an independent microgrid.

7. The deep-sea differential pressure power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main tank structure of the system is made of high-strength marine steel ASTM A690, and the high-pressure water inlet pipe is made of super duplex stainless steel 2507.

8. The deep-sea differential pressure power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system is equipped with a triple protection system, including anti-corrosion coating, cathodic protection, and impressed current auxiliary protection.

9. The deep-sea differential pressure power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Automatic filtration system for biological protection and backwashing of influent.

10. A method for operating a deep-sea differential pressure power generation system as described in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that... Includes the following steps: - Water intake procedure: Seawater from a depth of 60 meters enters the high-pressure nozzle through a high-pressure valve; - Power generation steps: High-pressure seawater drives a water turbine to rotate and generate electricity; - Drainage steps: After the work is done, the seawater is discharged back to the sea level through the water supply pipe connected to the high-pressure water tank; - Cyclic steps: Continuous cycle power generation is formed through monitoring and regulation.

11. The working method according to claim 10, characterized in that: An intelligent control system is used to monitor pressure and flow parameters in real time, automatically adjust valve opening, and maintain optimal working condition; predictive maintenance is achieved by predicting component life based on machine learning algorithms.

Images