Modular domestic hydroelectric generation system

Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic hydroelectric generation system (1), comprising a power supply inlet (1A) connected to the domestic water supply network (100) and an outlet (1B) to the domestic water circulation network (200), the system (1) comprising:-an injection module (2);-the power supply circuit (9) of the system (1);-at least one electricity production module (3);- energy storage means (4) and processing means (5), the electricity production module (3) being equipped with hydroelectric generation means comprising a plurality of micro-turbines (T1, T2, T3, T4), mounted in parallel with each other on the supply circuit (9), each micro-turbine (T1, T2, T3, T4) having a micro-turbine inlet solenoid valve (EVTE) and a micro-turbine outlet solenoid valve (EVTS), configured to control the flow of water from the supply circuit at each micro-turbine (T1, T2, T3, T4), each inlet (EVTE) and outlet (EVTS) solenoid valve. Figure 1;

Description

Title of the invention: Modular domestic hydroelectric generation system

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular domestic hydroelectric generation system, which finds more particularly an application in the generation of electricity at the level of a dwelling, or any building connected to the drinking water distribution network.

[0002] The use of distribution pressure and flow in electricity generation represents a promising avenue to meet these challenges, by offering a clean and stable source of energy over time.

[0003] Prior technologies include devices such as the hydroelectric energy conversion apparatus described in WO2012105925 (A1). This uses turbines in a closed system, with fluid recirculation using a pump, to produce electricity.

[0004] The system according to WO2012105925 (A1) has the disadvantage of being vulnerable in the event of a problem at one of the turbines, and limiting the assurance of stable electricity production. Furthermore, this system is arranged and configured to operate at points in the water circulation network having a high flow rate, which greatly limits the operating longevity of the system and requires costly and frequent maintenance.

[0005] A micro-hydroelectric production device according to CN206477946U is also known, which uses a hydraulic turbine connected to a generator to convert the energy of the water into electricity at the level of the major water circulation axes, while maintaining the supply of city water to the city water distribution network.

[0006] A device according to CN206477946U has the disadvantage of not allowing fine regulation of the operation of its micro-turbines, and is therefore highly susceptible to variations or damage which have a significant impact on the production of electricity, and furthermore does not allow for stability of the production of electricity under the cover of a constant flow of water in said device.

[0007] Furthermore, these devices and systems are complex to install and difficult to deploy in an area without carrying out development work.

[0008] The present invention overcomes these drawbacks.

[0009] The invention relates to a domestic hydroelectric generation system, comprising a power input connected to the domestic power supply network water and an outlet to the domestic water circulation network, the system comprising:

[0010] -an injection module comprising injection means arranged at the inlet of the system and allowing the circulation of water from the domestic water supply network to a supply circuit of the system;

[0011] -the power supply circuit of the system is capable of connecting the injection module to at least one electrical production module;

[0012] -at least one electricity production module, capable of generating electricity from a flow of water;

[0013] - energy storage means capable of storing the energy generated by the electrical production module;

[0014] - processing means capable of controlling the flow of water in the system and managing the transfer of energy between the electrical production module and the storage means;

[0015] According to a general definition of the invention, the electricity production module of the domestic hydroelectric generation system is equipped with hydroelectric generation means comprising a plurality of micro-turbines, mounted in parallel with each other on the supply circuit, and configured to generate electricity according to selected pressure, flow rate and flow parameters; and in that each micro-turbine has a micro-turbine inlet solenoid valve and a micro-turbine outlet solenoid valve, configured to control the flow of water from the supply circuit at each micro-turbine, each inlet and outlet solenoid valve being able to move from an open position where the water circulates, to a closed position where the water does not circulate, and vice versa.

[0016] Advantageously, such a system makes it possible to guarantee fine control of the circulation of water in the system while controlling the electrical production associated with this circulation in the electrical production module and modulating the effects that the circulation of water can have on a system, this while making it possible to restore to the domestic circulation network of the dwelling an adequate water supply for normal use.

[0017] In practice, the injection module further comprises water purification means, capable of modulating the hardness of the water circulating in the system.

[0018] Advantageously, water purification means make it possible to modulate the hardness of the water circulating in the system and thus limit limescale deposits in the supply circuit of said system, thus limiting the maintenance or replacement of parts required with continuous and prolonged use of said system while ensuring health safety so that the water leaving the system remains drinkable.

[0019] In practice, the injection module further comprises an inlet solenoid valve arranged upstream of the injection means and an outlet solenoid valve arranged downstream of the injection means, each inlet and outlet solenoid valve being capable of moving from an open position where the water circulates, to a closed position where the water does not circulate, and vice versa.

[0020] The electrical production module further comprises electrical measurement means connected to the processing means and configured to measure in real time the electrical production for each micro-turbine.

[0021] In addition, each solenoid valve of the system has associated pressure measuring means, connected to the processing means, to measure in real time the pressure at the supply circuit at any point in the system.

[0022] According to an embodiment in accordance with the invention, the electrical production module comprises at least four micro-turbines mounted in parallel on the supply circuit.

[0023] According to an embodiment in accordance with the invention, the electrical production module further comprises an inverter capable of transforming a direct current produced into alternating current for direct use without storage.

[0024] In practice, the supply circuit further comprises a discharge solenoid valve connected on the one hand to the electrical production module, and on the other hand to the output of the system being able to pass from an open position where the water circulates and is reinjected into the domestic water circulation network, to a closed position where the water does not circulate, and vice versa.

[0025] According to an alternative embodiment, the evacuation solenoid valve is connected to a water tank, configured to allow the evacuation of water from the electrical production module when the measured pressure is greater than a critical threshold value.

[0026] According to a second alternative embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises a potential energy accumulation module comprising hydropneumatic accumulator means equipped with a reservoir and pneumatic return means, said reservoir being configured to fill with water from the electrical production module until a threshold pressure is reached, and to restore the water accumulated under pressure in the electrical production module when the water supply thereof has pressure and flow rate parameters respectively lower than a chosen threshold, the filling and the restitution of the accumulated water being modulated by a solenoid valve configured to move from an open position where the water circulates and fills the reservoir until reaching the chosen threshold pressure, to a closed position in which the pressurized water is maintained in said tank, and to a subsequent open position where the pressurized water contained in the tank is reinjected into the electrical production module.

[0027] Advantageously, the present invention aims to propose a solution for improving the performance, stability and efficiency of renewable electricity generation systems, while providing a sustainable and economically viable energy source.

[0028] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on examining the description and the drawings in which: - [Fig.l] schematically represents the domestic hydroelectric generation system in accordance with the invention;

[0029] With reference to [Fig.l], the domestic hydroelectric generation system 1 according to the invention comprises a power supply input IA connected to the domestic water supply network 100 and an output IB to the domestic water circulation network 200 and further comprises an injection module, an electrical production module, energy storage means 4 and processing means 5.

[0030] The system 1 comprises an injection module 2 capable of injecting water from the domestic water supply network 100 into a supply circuit 9 of the system 1.

[0031] The injection module 2 connected to at least one electrical production module 3 capable of generating electricity from the water circulating in the system 1.

[0032] The injection module 2 comprises injection means 21 arranged at the level of the inlet IA of the system 1 and allowing the circulation of water coming from the domestic water supply network 100 towards a supply circuit 9 of the system 1.

[0033] For example, the injection means 21 belong to the circulator, pump group.

[0034] In practice, the injection module 2 further comprises an inlet solenoid valve EV1 arranged upstream of the injection means 21 and an outlet solenoid valve EV2 arranged downstream of the injection means 21, each inlet solenoid valve EV1 and outlet solenoid valve EV2 being capable of moving from an open position where the water circulates, to a closed position where the water does not circulate, and vice versa.

[0035] Advantageously, the positioning and the presence of the inlet solenoid valves EV1 and outlet EV2 make it possible to control the injection of water into the system 1 while making it possible to isolate all the components arranged between said inlet solenoid valves EV1 and outlet EV2 and to allow their replacement or maintenance in the event of a breakdown or reduction in efficiency.

[0036] Furthermore, the injection module 2 comprises water purification means 8.

[0037] The water purification means 8 are capable of modulating the hardness of the water circulating in the system 1 and / or ensuring sanitary purification by filtering contaminants to maintain the circulating water as drinking water according to the legislation in force.

[0038] According to a first embodiment, the water purification means 8 are arranged upstream of the injection means 21.

[0039] According to a second embodiment, the water purification means 8 are arranged downstream of the injection means 21.

[0040] According to a third embodiment, the water purification means 8 are arranged upstream and downstream of the injection means 21.

[0041] The system 1 according to the invention comprises a power supply circuit 9 capable of connecting the power supply input IA of the system 1, to the injection module 2, to at least one electrical production module 3, to the output IB.

[0042] In practice, the supply circuit 9 makes it possible to connect all the components of the system 1 for which the circulation of water in the dedicated components is required for the operation of said system 1, the dedicated components being defined as any module or means capable of receiving water during the operation of the system 1 and arranged between the supply inlet IA and the outlet IB of said system 1 while making it possible to obtain an open system 1.

[0043] Open means a system in which the water entering the system is returned to the domestic water circulation network 200.

[0044] The supply circuit 9 further comprises at least one evacuation solenoid valve EVE connected on the one hand to the electrical production module 3, and on the other hand to the output IB of the system 1.

[0045] The evacuation solenoid valve(s) EVE being capable of moving from an open position where the water circulates and is reinjected into the domestic water circulation network 200, to a closed position where the water does not circulate, and vice versa.

[0046] In practice, the evacuation solenoid valve(s) EVE are connected to a water tank 6, configured to allow the evacuation of water from the electrical production module 3 when the measured pressure is greater than a critical threshold value and thus avoid damage to the system 1.

[0047] In practice, each solenoid valve EV1, EV2, EVTE, EVTS, EVE of the system 1 has associated pressure and flow measurement means, connected to the processing means 5, to measure in real time the pressure and flow at the level of the supply circuit 9 at any point of the system 1.

[0048] The system 1 according to the invention further comprises at least one electricity production module 3, capable of generating electricity from a flow of water.

[0049] In practice, the electricity production module 3 is equipped with hydroelectric generation means comprising a plurality of micro-turbines T1, T2, T3, T4, mounted in parallel with each other on the supply circuit 9, and configured to generate electricity according to selected pressure, flow and flow parameters.

[0050] Advantageously, such a structure mounted in parallel with the micro-turbines T1, T2, T3, T4 makes it possible to precisely distribute the circulating flow of water in the electrical production module 3 while guaranteeing a uniform pressure throughout the system 1 and allowing the modulation of the water supply to the micro-turbines T1, T2, T3, T4 in the event of a drop in pressure or flow rate and in .

[0051] By way of non-limiting example, the domestic water supply network 100 has an average pressure of 1 to 7 bars and a flow rate greater than 150L / hour.

[0052] Each micro-turbine T1, T2, T3, T4 has a micro-turbine inlet solenoid valve EVTE and a micro-turbine outlet solenoid valve EVTS, configured to control the flow of water from the supply circuit at each micro-turbine T1, T2, T3, T4, each EVTE inlet solenoid valve and EVTS outlet solenoid valve being able to move from an open position where the water circulates, to a closed position where the water does not circulate, and vice versa.

[0053] Advantageously, the control of the EVTE micro-turbine inlet and EVTS micro-turbine outlet solenoid valves makes it possible to guarantee stability of the electrical production, even in the event of a breakdown of one of the micro-turbines by allowing water circulation limited to only the functional micro-turbines T1, T2, T3, T4 during their maintenance or replacement.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the micro-turbines T1, T2, T3, T4 are of the miniaturized Pelton turbine type.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical production module 3 comprises at least 4 micro-turbines T1, T2, T3, T4 mounted in parallel on the power supply circuit 9.

[0056] In practice, the electrical production module 3 is electrically connected to energy storage means 4 to store the energy produced by said electrical production module 3, and controlled by processing means 5 configured to modulate the electrical production 3 and the flow parameters in said electrical production module 3.

[0057] The electrical production module 3 further comprises electrical measurement means connected to the processing means 5 and configured to measure in real time the electrical production for each micro-turbine.

[0058] Real time means a continuous recording of data by any measuring means and communication to the processing means 5 with a latency of less than 200 ms.

[0059] In practice, the electrical production module 3 further comprises transformer / inverter / capacitor type means, configured to transform the energy produced by the micro-turbines T1, T2, T3, T4 into electrical energy storable at the storage means 4 having a stable voltage and intensity and values ​​chosen respectively.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the electrical production module 3 further comprises an inverter capable of transforming a direct current produced into alternating current, said inverter being connected to one or more electrical outlets, for direct use without passing through the energy storage means 4.

[0061] The injection module 2 and the electrical production module 3 form an assembly inserted in a sealed structure in order to avoid any contact with the processing means or any system

[0062] The system 1 further comprises energy storage means 4 capable of storing the energy generated by the electrical production module 3. The energy storage means 4 are configured to store the energy produced by the electrical production module 3, and to be connected to the domestic electrical circuit.

[0063] The electrical storage and discharge of the energy storage means 4 at the level of the domestic electrical circuit is controlled by the processing means 5.

[0064] The system according to the invention further comprises the processing means 5, capable of controlling the flow of water in the system 1 and managing the transfer of energy between: the electrical production module 3 and the energy storage means 4, the energy storage means 4 to the domestic electrical network.

[0065] The processing means further comprise display means 7, configured to display a human-machine interface capable of presenting any useful information concerning the operation of the system 1, its on / off modes.

[0066] In practice, the processing means 5 further comprise transmission / reception means capable of sending and receiving data via a communications network.

[0067] For example, the transmission / reception means belong to the group formed by Wifi module (registered trademark), CPL module, Bluetooth module (registered trademark).

[0068] In practice, the transmission / reception means are capable of sending the operating data of the system 1 comprising the measurement data to third-party equipment such as a smartphone, computer, server, and of receiving one or more operating instructions from the third-party equipment.

[0069] Advantageously, the real-time pressure and flow rate measurements associated with the control of each solenoid valve EV1, EV2, EVTE, EVTS, EVE of the system 1 as well as the real-time electrical measurements make it possible to maintain production continuous electricity supply, and stable both in terms of energy produced and energy sent to the energy storage means 4 as well as from the energy storage means 4 to the domestic electricity network, allowing the user not to have to return the electrical production of the system 1 to the general network, but only the domestic electricity network for use without requiring additional equipment.

[0070] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the system 1 further comprises at least one potential energy accumulation module comprising hydropneumatic accumulator means equipped with a reservoir and pneumatic return means, said reservoir being configured to fill with water from the electrical production module 3 until a threshold pressure is reached and to restore the water accumulated under pressure in the electrical production module 3 when the water supply thereof has pressure and flow rate parameters respectively lower than a chosen threshold.

[0071] In practice, the filling and restitution of the accumulated water being modulated by a solenoid valve configured to pass from an open position where the water circulates and fills the tank until reaching the chosen threshold pressure, to a closed position in which the pressurized water is maintained in said tank, and to a subsequent open position where the pressurized water contained in the tank is reinjected into the electrical production module 3.

Claims

Claims

1. Domestic hydroelectric generation system (1), comprising a power supply inlet (IA) connected to the domestic water supply network (100) and an outlet (IB) to the domestic water circulation network (200), the system (1) comprising: - an injection module (2) comprising injection means (21) arranged at the inlet (IA) of the system (1) and allowing the circulation of water from the domestic water supply network (100) to a supply circuit (9) of the system (1); - the supply circuit (9) of the system (1) is capable of connecting the injection module (2) to at least one electrical production module (3); - at least one electrical production module (3), capable of generating electricity from a flow of water; - energy storage means (4) capable of storing the energy generated by the electrical production module (3);- processing means (5) capable of controlling the flow of water in the system and managing the transfer of energy between the electricity production module (3) and the storage means (4); characterized in that the electricity production module (3) is equipped with hydroelectric generation means comprising a plurality of micro-turbines (T1, T2, T3, T4), mounted in parallel with each other on the supply circuit (9), and configured to generate electricity according to selected pressure, flow rate and flow parameters;And in that each micro-turbine (T1, T2, T3, T4) has a micro-turbine inlet solenoid valve (EVTE) and a micro-turbine outlet solenoid valve (EVTS), configured to control the flow of water from the supply circuit at each micro-turbine (T1, T2, T3, T4), each inlet (EVTE) and outlet (EVTS) solenoid valve being able to move from an open position where the water circulates, to a closed position where the water does not circulate, and vice versa.;

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the injection module (2) further comprises water purification means (8), capable of modulating the hardness of the water circulating in the system (1).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the injection module (2) further comprises an inlet solenoid valve (EV1) arranged upstream of the injection means (21) and an outlet solenoid valve (EV2) arranged downstream of the injection means (21), each inlet (EV1) and outlet (EV2) solenoid valve being capable of moving from an open position where the water circulates, to a closed position where the water does not circulate, and vice versa.

4. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electrical production module (3) further comprises electrical measurement means connected to the processing means and configured to measure in real time the electrical production for each micro-turbine.

5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each solenoid valve of the system has associated pressure measuring means, connected to the processing means (5), to measure in real time the pressure at the supply circuit (9) at any point of the system (1).

6. System according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electrical production module comprises at least 4 micro-turbines (T1, T2, T3, T4) mounted in parallel on the supply circuit (9).

7. System according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electrical production module (3) further comprises an inverter capable of transforming a direct current produced into alternating current for direct use without storage.

8. System according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the supply circuit (9) further comprises an evacuation solenoid valve (EVE) connected on the one hand to the electrical production module (3), and on the other hand to the output (IB) of the system (1) being able to pass from an open position where the water circulates and is reinjected into the domestic water circulation network (200), to a closed position where the water does not circulate, and vice versa.

9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the evacuation solenoid valve (EVE) is connected to a water tank (6), configured to allow the evacuation of water from the electrical production module (3) when the measured pressure is greater than a critical threshold value.

10. System according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the system further comprises at least one potential energy accumulation module comprising hydropneumatic accumulator means equipped with a reservoir and pneumatic return means, said reservoir being configured to fill with water from the electrical production module (3) until a threshold pressure is reached and to restore the water accumulated under pressure in the electrical production module (3) when the water supply to said electrical production module (3) has pressure and flow rate parameters respectively lower than their chosen thresholds, the filling and the restitution of the accumulated water being modulated by a solenoid valve configured to move from an open position where the water circulates and fills the reservoir until reaching the chosen threshold pressure, to a closed position in which the water under pressure is maintained in said reservoir,and to a subsequent open position where the pressurized water contained in the tank is reinjected into the electrical production module (3).,

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