System and method for producing electrical energy

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (2) for producing electrical energy, the system (2) comprising a water circulation circuit (4), at least one water pump (6), and at least one turbo-alternator (8), the water circulation circuit (4) comprising at least one water tank (10), wherein said at least one water tank (10) is arranged downstream of said at least one pump (6) and upstream of said at least one turbo-alternator (8), and at an elevation relative to the latter, said at least one water tank (10) comprising a lower end portion (10B) provided with an opening (11), and wherein the water circulation circuit (4) comprises at least one vertical or oblique water pipe (12) connected to said opening (11), the geometric dimensions of the opening (11) being smaller than the geometric dimensions of an upper end portion (10A) of the tank (10) so as to create in the tank (10) a vertical gradient of water pressure downward.Abstract figure: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: System and method for producing electrical energy

[0001] The invention relates to a system for producing electrical energy, from the hydraulic force generated by pressurized water set in motion in a water circulation circuit. The invention also relates to a method for producing electrical energy implemented by such a system. The invention relates more generally to the field of producing electrical energy from renewable energy sources. State of the art

[0002] In the context of the energy transition towards less carbon-intensive energies, there is a need to have methods of producing electrical energy from so-called "clean" renewable energy sources (i.e. without discharge or waste of any kind), making it possible to ensure a form of energy independence while enriching the various existing production methods. In the field of energy supply, it is particularly important to balance four factors which are: competitiveness, autonomy in supply, the environment and the climate. However, by observing these four factors, no current energy source is perfect, whether renewable or fossil.

[0003] In this context, devices are known for producing electricity and desalinated pressurized water if necessary. Such a device is for example described in patent document FR 2 902 156 AL. This document discloses a desalination and electricity-producing water tower pyramid, the dimensions of which vary depending on the quantity of electricity that is to be produced. The building is pyramidal in shape and is covered with solar panels and wind turbines producing electricity. The pyramid is for example built on pylons above a service station for electric vehicles, or in the open sea, and is intended to power electricity pumps. The pyramid can then power not only electric vehicles but also other electricity-consuming devices or systems such as businesses, homes, factories, boats, etc.The water coming out of the water tower pyramid can be converted into a waterfall that falls onto an alternator producing electricity.

[0004] However, a disadvantage of the device described in this patent document is that it requires the manufacture and installation of a relatively complex infrastructure, on land or at sea (“offshore” in English), which implies a significant cost in materials and pressure from such infrastructure on the environment and terrestrial ecosystems. or marine. In addition, such a system is likely to generate noise and / or visual pollution.

[0005] There is therefore a need to have an electrical energy production system comprising a water circulation circuit, which allows, with a good coefficient of performance, the production of electrical energy from a renewable energy source such as water, in a simplified manner and with minimal losses, and having a minimum impact on the environment. Description of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to resolve all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art cited above.

[0007] Thus, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to an electrical energy production system, the system comprising a water circulation circuit, at least one water pump connected to the water circulation circuit, and at least one turbo-alternator coupled to the water circulation circuit, the water circulation circuit comprising at least one water tank.

[0008] According to the invention, said at least one water tank is arranged downstream of said at least one pump and upstream of said at least one turbo-alternator, and in height relative to said at least one pump and to said at least one turbo-alternator, said at least one water tank being provided with an upper end portion and a lower end portion, the lower end portion being provided with an opening, and the water circulation circuit comprises at least one vertical or oblique water pipe arranged upstream of said at least one turbo-alternator, said opening of the lower end portion of said at least one tank being connected to said vertical or oblique water pipe, the geometric dimensions of the opening being smaller than the geometric dimensions of the upper end portion of the tank so as to create in the tank a vertical downward water pressure gradient.

[0009] In the context of the present invention, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are understood to refer to the direction of flow of water in the water circulation circuit.

[0010] Thanks to the particular configuration and arrangement of the water tank as well as the presence in the water circulation circuit of at least one vertical or oblique water pipe arranged upstream of the turbo-alternator and connected to the water tank, the electrical energy production system according to the invention makes it possible to ensure the production of electrical energy in a simplified manner, with minimal losses and with minimal impact on the environment. Indeed, the water tank thus configured, which is for example placed on a geographical peak so as to be situated high in relation to the pump and the turbo-alternator, makes it possible to evacuate the water under pressure (presence in the tank of a vertical water pressure gradient towards the bottom) in the vertical or oblique water pipe, in order to convey it under pressure to the turbo-alternator placed downstream and to turn the latter's turbine to produce electricity. The fact that the water circulation circuit is a circuit advantageously makes it possible to reuse the water having fallen from the reservoir and having passed through the turbo-alternator in order to be able to repeat the same operations downstream, modulo the losses due to friction in the system. This contributes to reducing losses and to generating a minimum impact on the environment. In addition, the electrical energy production system according to the invention makes it possible to ensure the production of electrical energy from a renewable energy source such as water, and this with a good coefficient of performance (despite the losses inherent in the various frictions in the system).

[0011] It is understood that the energy consumed by the water pump to circulate the water inside the water circulation circuit is greater than the electrical energy produced by the turbo-alternator(s) (due to friction losses in the system). Preferably, the water circulation circuit comprises a main water pipe connected downstream of said at least one vertical or oblique water pipe, said main water pipe being coupled to the turbine of said at least one turbo-alternator and having a shape such that the diameter of the main water pipe gradually decreases in the direction of circulation of the water in the main pipe.This makes it possible to advantageously increase the pressure exerted by the water circulating within the main pipeline, downstream of the water tank, and thus to increase the rotation speed of the turbine when it is driven by the movement of the water, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of the system.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, said at least one water tank has a funnel shape or an inverted pyramid shape or a solid shape provided with a cylindrical upper part and a lower part in the shape of an inverted cone, said lower part being provided at its lower end with the opening.

[0013] According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, said at least one water pump is a high pressure water pump.

[0014] According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, said at least one water tank is arranged such that the height of the water tank relative to said at least one pump and to said at least one turbo-alternator is substantially equal to 50 m.

[0015] According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, said opening of the lower end part of said at least one reservoir has a diameter substantially equal to 50 mm.

[0016] Preferably, the system is configured such that the water stored in the The tank at the upper end is at atmospheric pressure. This makes it very easy to create a pressure at the top of the water tank that is higher than its pressure at the bottom, without using an additional pumping system and without affecting the efficiency of the system.

[0017] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing electrical energy, the method being implemented by an electrical energy production system as described above and comprising the following steps repeated in a loop - a step of pumping water by said at least one water pump, so as to supply water to said at least one water tank; - a step of discharging the water contained in said at least one water tank through the opening, by gravity, so as to generate a downward flow of pressurized water in said at least one vertical or oblique water pipe; and - a step of driving the turbine of said at least one turbo-alternator in rotation, by the pressurized water circulating in the water circulation circuit and coming from said downward flow of water in said at least one vertical or oblique water pipe. Figures

[0018] [Fig-1] is a schematic representation of an energy production system electric according to one embodiment of the invention. Definitions

[0019] The terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lower”, “upper”, “high”, “low”, are defined relative to the horizon. In particular, in this application, the term “vertical” denotes an orientation perpendicular to the horizon while the term “horizontal” denotes an orientation parallel to the horizon. Detailed description of the invention

[0020] In [Fig. 1] is shown a system 2 for producing electrical energy according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 2 is intended to produce electrical energy from the hydraulic force generated by pressurized water set in motion in a water circulation circuit 4 belonging to the system 2. The water circulates in the direction of the arrows F1 in the water circulation circuit 4.

[0021] In addition to the water circulation circuit 4, the electrical energy production system 2 also comprises at least one water pump 6 and at least one turbo-alternator 8. In the particular embodiment shown in [Fig.l], the electrical energy production system 2 comprises a single water pump 6 and five turbo-alternators 8. The alternators of the turbo-alternators 8 make it possible to convert into electrical energy the kinetic energy provided by the pressurized water moving in the circuit 4. At the output of the turbo-alternators 8, the electric current produced by the latter is for example directed towards one or more transformer(s) (not shown in the single figure for reasons of clarity), which increase(s) the voltage of the electricity to allow it to be distributed in high voltage lines of the electricity distribution network (network to which the electrical energy production system 2 is connected).

[0022] The water pump 6 is connected to the water circulation circuit 4 and is preferably a high-pressure water pump.

[0023] Each turbo-alternator 8 comprises a turbine and an alternator (the alternator being electrically connected to the electrical transformer), and is coupled to the water circulation circuit 4 as will be detailed later.

[0024] The water circulation circuit 4 comprises at least one water tank 10, at least one vertical or oblique water pipe 12 and a main water pipe 14. In the particular embodiment shown in [Fig.l], the water circulation circuit 4 comprises four water tanks 10 and four vertical water pipes 12. Preferably, the water circulation circuit 4 may comprise at least ten water tanks 10.

[0025] Each water tank 10 is arranged downstream of the water pump 6 and upstream of the turbo-alternators 8. Each water tank 10 is also arranged in height relative to the water pump 6 and the turbo-alternators 8. To do this, the water tanks 10 are for example arranged in a linear manner on a geographical summit. Each water tank 10 is for example arranged such that the height of the water tank 10 relative to the water pump 6 and the turbo-alternators 8 is substantially equal to 50 m. It should be noted that the power delivered by the water pump 6 is adjusted according to the number of water tanks 10 provided in the system 2.The value of the kinetic energy provided by the pressurized water moving in the circuit 4 is all the higher as the difference in height between the water tanks 10 and the turbo-alternators 8 is large and as the flow rate of the water in the vertical water pipes 12 and in the main water pipe 14 is high. This produces a low pressure / high pressure compression of the water in the main pipe 14 making it possible to increase the speed of the water within the latter.

[0026] Each water tank 10 is provided with an upper end portion 10A and a lower end portion 10B, the lower end portion 10B being provided with an opening 11. The geometric dimensions of the opening 11 are smaller than the geometric dimensions of the upper end portion 10A of the water tank 10 so as to create in the tank 10 a vertical downward water pressure gradient. The opening 11 has a diameter for example substantially equal to 50 mm. Preferably, the electrical energy production system 2 is configured such that the water stored in each tank 10 at its upper end portion 10A is at atmospheric pressure. For example, the high-pressure water pump 6 may be sized such that the water arrives in the tanks 10 at atmospheric pressure.

[0027] In the particular embodiment shown in [Fig. 1], each water tank 10 has a solid shape provided with a cylindrical upper part 10A and a lower part 10B in the shape of an inverted cone. The lower part 10B is provided at its lower end with the opening 11. In a variant not shown, each water tank 10 may have a funnel shape or an inverted pyramid shape.

[0028] Each vertical water pipe 12 is arranged upstream of the turbo-alternators 8. Each vertical water pipe 12 is arranged in line with a corresponding water tank 10, under the water tank 10. Each vertical water pipe 12 is connected to the opening 11 of the corresponding water tank 10, and is therefore in fluid communication with the latter.

[0029] The main water pipe 14 is connected downstream of the vertical water pipes 12. The main water pipe 14 is thus in fluid connection with all of the vertical water pipes 12. The main water pipe 14 is coupled to the turbine of each turbo-alternator 8. The main water pipe 14 has a shape such that the diameter of the main water pipe 14 gradually decreases in the direction of circulation of the water in the main pipe 14, and also between each turbo-alternator 8. The progressive reduction in the diameter of the main water pipe 14 is for example of the order of a few millimeters every linear meter of pipe. In the particular embodiment shown in [Fig.l], the main water pipe 14 extends substantially horizontally.

[0030] The method for producing electrical energy according to the invention, implemented by the electrical energy production system 2, will now be described. The method comprises the following steps repeated in a loop: - a step of pumping water by the high-pressure water pump 6, so as to supply water to each of the water tanks 10; - a step of discharging the water contained in each water tank 10 through the corresponding opening 11, by gravity, so as to generate a downward flow of pressurized water in each vertical or oblique water pipe 12 arranged under a water tank 10; and - a step of driving the turbine of each turbo-alternator 8 in rotation, by the pressurized water circulating in the water circulation circuit 4 and from the downward flow of water in each vertical or oblique water pipe 12.

[0031] The water then recirculates in the water circulation circuit 4 and is for example re-sucked by the water pump 6, which repeats the pumping step previously described. The other steps are then looped back.

Claims

Claims

1. System (2) for producing electrical energy, the system (2) comprising a water circulation circuit (4), at least one water pump (6) connected to the water circulation circuit (4), and at least one turbo-alternator (8) coupled to the water circulation circuit (4), the water circulation circuit (4) comprising at least one water tank (10), characterized in that said at least one water tank (10) is arranged downstream of said at least one pump (6) and upstream of said at least one turbo-alternator (8), and in height relative to said at least one pump (6) and to said at least one turbo-alternator (8), said at least one water tank (10) being provided with an upper end portion (10A) and a lower end portion (10B), the lower end portion (10B) being provided with an opening (11),and in that the water circulation circuit (4) comprises at least one vertical or oblique water pipe (12) arranged upstream of said at least one turbo-alternator (8), said opening (11) of the lower end part (10B) of said at least one tank (10) being connected to said vertical or oblique water pipe (12), the geometric dimensions of the opening (11) being smaller than the geometric dimensions of the upper end part (10A) of the tank (10) so as to create in the tank (10) a vertical downward water pressure gradient.,

2. System (2) for producing electrical energy according to claim 1, in which the water circulation circuit (4) comprises a main water pipe (14) connected downstream of said at least one vertical or oblique water pipe (12), said main water pipe (14) being coupled to the turbine of said at least one turbo-alternator (8) and having a shape such that the diameter of the main water pipe (14) progressively decreases in the direction of circulation of the water in the main pipe (14).

3. An electrical energy production system (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one water tank (10) has a funnel shape or an inverted pyramid shape or a solid shape provided with a cylindrical upper part (10A) and a lower part (10B) in the shape of an inverted cone, said lower part (10B) being provided at its lower end with the opening (11).

4. System (2) for producing electrical energy according to any one of of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one water pump (6) is a high pressure water pump.

5. System (2) for producing electrical energy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one water tank (10) is arranged such that the height of the water tank (10) relative to said at least one pump (6) and said at least one turbo-alternator (8) is substantially equal to 50 m.

6. System (2) for producing electrical energy according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said opening (11) of the lower end portion (10B) of said at least one tank (10) has a diameter substantially equal to 50 mm.

7. An electric power generation system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system (2) is configured such that the water stored in the reservoir (10) at the upper end portion (10A) is at atmospheric pressure.

8. A method of producing electrical energy, the method being implemented by a system (2) for producing electrical energy according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising the following steps repeated in a loop: - a step of pumping water by said at least one water pump (6), so as to supply water to said at least one water tank (10); - a step of discharging the water contained in said at least one water tank (10) through the opening (11), by gravity, so as to generate a downward flow of pressurized water in said at least one vertical or oblique water pipe (12); and - a step of driving the turbine of said at least one turbo-alternator (8) in rotation, by the pressurized water circulating in the water circulation circuit (4) and coming from said downward flow of water in said at least one vertical or oblique water pipe (12).

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