Power generation system

Abstract

To provide a small-sized power generation system requiring no external power supply.SOLUTION: The power generation system (1) includes a vessel (10) containing liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide, a gas engine (20) connected to the vessel (10) and operated by vaporized carbon dioxide supplied from the vessel (10), and a power generator (30) connected to the gas engine (20) and driven by the gas engine (20) to generate power, wherein the gas engine (20) includes an exhaust port 21b for releasing carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, a pipe (24) is provided between the vessel (10) and the gas engine (20), and the pipe (24) is disposed around the power generator (30).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generation system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, technologies to effectively utilize carbon dioxide emitted from thermal power plants and other facilities have been considered in order to address global warming caused by carbon dioxide emitted from such plants, as well as carbon pricing such as carbon taxes and emissions trading schemes.

[0003] As such a technology, a power generation system has been known that uses liquefied carbon dioxide (liquefied carbon dioxide gas) made by liquefying carbon dioxide emitted from thermal power plants and the like as an energy source, and generates electricity by operating a carbon dioxide engine using the force caused by the volume expansion when the liquefied carbon dioxide vaporizes and reaches atmospheric pressure (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-215268 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-mentioned conventional power generation system is configured to have a circulation circuit in which the carbon dioxide used to power the carbon dioxide engine is recovered and cooled, then liquefied at high pressure and supplied to the carbon dioxide engine again. This requires devices such as a cooler to cool the recovered carbon dioxide and a compressor to compress and liquefy the cooled carbon dioxide, as well as an external power source to operate the cooler, compressor, and other devices, which results in a problem of the system becoming larger.

[0006] The present invention is intended to solve these problems, and has an object to provide a small-sized power generation system that does not require an external power source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The power generation system of the present invention comprises a container that stores liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide, a gas engine that is connected to the container and operates using vaporized carbon dioxide supplied from the container, and a generator that is connected to the gas engine and is driven by the gas engine to generate electricity, wherein the gas engine has an exhaust port that releases the carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and piping is provided between the container and the gas engine, and the piping is arranged around the generator.

[0008] In the power generation system of the present invention having the above configuration, it is preferable that an evaporator is provided between the container and the gas engine.

[0009] In the power generation system of the present invention having the above configuration, the container is preferably a tank that stores the liquefied carbon dioxide.

[0010] In the power generation system of the present invention having the above configuration, the container is preferably an insulated container for storing the solid carbon dioxide. In the power generation system of the present invention having the above configuration, it is preferable that the container contains carbon dioxide discharged from a thermal power plant in the form of liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a small-sized power generation system that does not require an external power source. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the outline of a configuration of a power generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the outline of a configuration of a power generation system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the outline of the configuration of a modified example of the power generation system shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, the power generation system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, a power generation system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a vessel 10, a gas engine 20, and a generator 30. The gas engine 20 and the generator 30 together form a so-called turbine generator.

[0015] The container 10 stores liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide. In this embodiment, the container 10 is a pressure-resistant tank (cylinder) that stores liquefied carbon dioxide (liquefied carbon dioxide gas) therein. The liquefied carbon dioxide stored in the container 10 can be, for example, carbon dioxide captured from a thermal power plant or the like, and then cooled, pressurized, and liquefied using electricity supplied from a power plant that uses renewable energy such as solar power or wind power. Any container available on the market can be used as the container 10 that stores liquefied carbon dioxide.

[0016] The container 10 may be an insulated container for storing solid carbon dioxide (dry ice). In this case, the solid carbon dioxide stored in the container 10 may be produced by, for example, capturing carbon dioxide emitted from a thermal power plant or the like and using the captured carbon dioxide to produce carbon dioxide using electricity supplied from a power plant that uses renewable energy such as solar power or wind power.

[0017] In this way, the container 10 is configured to store carbon dioxide emitted from a thermal power plant or the like as an energy source in the form of liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide.

[0018] The gas engine 20 is operated by vaporized carbon dioxide supplied from the container 10. As the gas engine 20, for example, as shown in this embodiment, a turbine engine including a housing 21, an output shaft 22 rotatably supported inside the housing 21, and a turbine 23 provided on the output shaft 22 can be used. In this embodiment, the output shaft 22 is provided with a plurality of turbines 23 arranged in the axial direction, but for convenience, only one turbine 23 is indicated by a reference numeral.

[0019] In this embodiment, a pipe 24 is provided between the container 10 and the gas engine 20. The housing 21 has an inlet 21a, and one end of the pipe 24 is connected to the inlet 21a. The other end of the pipe 24 is provided with a connection port 25, which allows the container 10 to be detachably connected. When the container 10 is connected to the connection port 25, liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide stored in the container 10, or vaporized carbon dioxide thereof, is introduced into the housing 21 from the inlet 21a through the pipe 24.

[0020] Liquefied carbon dioxide increases in volume by approximately 500 times when it changes into gas, and solid carbon dioxide increases in volume by approximately 750 times when it changes into gas (sublimes). Therefore, when liquefied carbon dioxide, solid carbon dioxide, or vaporized carbon dioxide is introduced into the housing 21 through the inlet 21a, the pressure of the vaporized carbon dioxide rotates the turbine 23. As a result, the pressure energy of the carbon dioxide is converted into kinetic energy of the turbine 23, causing the gas engine 20 to operate and outputting rotational energy from the output shaft 22.

[0021] In this way, the gas engine 20 is operated by the energy generated when the liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide stored in the container 10 as an energy source vaporizes and expands.

[0022] The generator 30 is connected to the gas engine 20 and is driven by the gas engine 20 to generate electricity. As the generator 30, for example, as shown in this embodiment, a generator having a rotor 31 connected to the output shaft 22 of the gas engine 20 and rotating together with the output shaft 22, and a stator 33 fixed to a housing 32 can be used. The generator 30 is driven by the gas engine 20 to rotate the rotor 31, and generates electricity when a current flows through a coil constituting the stator 33 due to electromagnetic induction between the rotor 31 and the stator 33. The generator 30 has an output unit 34 and can output generated power from the output unit 34. Power consumption devices 40, such as lighting fixtures and electrical appliances, can be connected to the output unit 34, and the generator 30 can supply power to these power consumption devices 40.

[0023] The power generation system 1 can also be configured to include an evaporator 50 between the container 10 and the gas engine 20. In this embodiment, the evaporator 50 is provided midway along the piping 24. The evaporator 50 absorbs heat from the outside and uses that heat to promote the vaporization of the liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide supplied from the container 10. By providing the evaporator 50 between the container 10 and the gas engine 20, the liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide supplied from the container 10 to the gas engine 20 can be more effectively vaporized, thereby increasing the operating efficiency of the gas engine 20, which is powered by the vaporized carbon dioxide.

[0024] The power generation system 1 may not include the evaporator 50.

[0025] The gas engine 20 is provided with an exhaust port 21b. The exhaust port 21b releases carbon dioxide, which has been supplied into the housing 21 and used to rotate the turbine 23, into the atmosphere. In this embodiment, the exhaust port 21b is provided in the housing 21, and the carbon dioxide inside the housing 21 is released into the atmosphere from the exhaust port 21b through an exhaust pipe 26 connected to the exhaust port 21b. In this way, the power generation system 1 of this embodiment is configured to release the liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide stored in the container 10 into the atmosphere without circulating or reusing it.

[0026] The power generation system 1 of this embodiment having the above configuration can generate electricity by simply connecting the container 10 containing liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide to the gas engine 20, and operating the gas engine 20 using the energy generated when the liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide supplied from the container 10 vaporizes and expands, and then driving the generator 30 using the gas engine 20.

[0027] As described above, according to the power generation system 1 of this embodiment, carbon dioxide emitted from a thermal power plant or the like is stored in the container 10 in the form of liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide, and the carbon dioxide is stored (accumulated) as energy in the container 10, and this energy can be used to generate electricity, thereby promoting the use of carbon dioxide emitted from a thermal power plant or the like.

[0028] Here, in the power generation system 1 of this embodiment, after the gas engine 20 is operated by liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide stored in the container 10, the vaporized carbon dioxide is released to the atmosphere from the exhaust port 21b of the gas engine 20 without being circulated and reused. This eliminates the need for devices such as a cooler for cooling the vaporized carbon dioxide and a compressor for compressing and liquefying the cooled carbon dioxide in order to circulate and reuse the vaporized carbon dioxide, and allows the power generation system 1 to be small and lightweight, about the size and weight of a distribution board. Furthermore, since the power generation system 1 of this embodiment does not require devices such as a cooler or compressor, an external power source for operating these devices is also not required.

[0029] Therefore, according to the power generation system 1 of this embodiment, the power generation system 1 is highly portable and can be easily carried around, and can be easily installed in various places that require power, such as construction sites deep in the mountains where it is difficult to secure an external power source, disaster areas, ordinary homes, etc.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the power generation system 1 of this embodiment, the amount of carbon dioxide stored in the container 10 as a liquid or solid is equal to the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere after power generation, so that carbon-neutral power generation can be performed.

[0031] Furthermore, in the power generation system 1 of this embodiment, power can be generated easily by simply connecting the container 10 containing liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide to the gas engine 20. In particular, in the power generation system 1 of this embodiment, the gas engine 20, the generator 30, the piping 24, the connection port 25, the output section 34, the evaporator 50, and the exhaust pipe 26 are integrated into a single main unit 60, and the container 10 is detachably connectable to the connection port 25 of this main unit 60. When the liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide inside the container 10 is used up and the container 10 becomes empty, the empty container 10 can be replaced with another new container 10 containing liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide, allowing power generation to be easily continued with the main unit 60 installed in a predetermined position.

[0032] Furthermore, in the power generation system 1 of this embodiment, the container 10 containing liquefied carbon dioxide can be one that has been conventionally available on the market, making it easy to obtain liquefied carbon dioxide and facilitating the operation of the power generation system 1.

[0033] Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the outline of the configuration of a power generation system 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the outline of the configuration of a modified example of the power generation system 100 shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the same reference numerals are used to designate members and devices corresponding to the members and devices described above.

[0034] In a power generation system 100 according to another embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the pipe 24 provided between the container 10 and the gas engine 20 is arranged around the generator 30. This allows the heat generated by the generator 30 to heat the pipe 24 or the liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide passing through the pipe 24, thereby increasing the expansion rate of the liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide supplied to the gas engine 20. Therefore, according to the power generation system 100 shown in Fig. 2, vaporized carbon dioxide can be supplied at a higher pressure to the inside of the housing 21 of the gas engine 20 compared to the power generation system 1 having the configuration shown in Fig. 1, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the gas engine 20 or the power generation efficiency of the generator 30.

[0035] 2, in a power generation system 100 according to another embodiment, a wound portion 24a can be provided in a portion of the piping 24 between the evaporator 50 and the gas engine 20, and this wound portion 24a can be wound around the outer periphery of the housing 32 of the generator 30. In this case, the wound portion 24a is preferably in contact with the surface of the housing 32, but may also be disposed with a gap between it and the surface of the housing 32.

[0036] 3, in a power generation system 100 according to another embodiment, a wound portion 24a may be provided in a portion between the connection port 25 of the pipe 24 and the evaporator 50, and this wound portion 24a may be wound around the outer periphery of the housing 32 of the generator 30. In this case as well, it is preferable that the wound portion 24a contacts the surface of the housing 32, but it may also be disposed with a gap between it and the surface of the housing 32.

[0037] In this way, by configuring the wound portion 24a of the piping 24 to be wound around the outer periphery of the housing 32 of the generator 30, heat from the generator 30 can be more efficiently transferred to the wound portion 24a of the piping 24, and the expansion rate of the liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide supplied to the gas engine 20 through the piping 24 can be further increased. Therefore, it becomes possible to supply vaporized carbon dioxide at a higher pressure to the inside of the housing 21 of the gas engine 20, and the operating efficiency of the gas engine 20 or the power generation efficiency of the generator 30 can be further improved.

[0038] The piping 24 is not limited to being wound around the outer periphery of the housing 32 of the generator 30, as long as at least a portion of the piping 24 is arranged in contact with or close to the periphery of the housing 32 of the generator 30.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0040] For example, in the above-described embodiments, the power generation systems 1 and 100 are portable, but they may be installed and used at a desired location.

[0041] In addition, in the above embodiment, a so-called gas turbine engine equipped with a turbine 23 is used as the gas engine 20, but this is not limited to this, and various configurations such as a reciprocating engine or a rotary engine can be used as long as they are operated by the pressure of carbon dioxide.

[0042] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the container 10 is connected to the gas engine 20 via piping 24, but a connection port 25 may be provided in the housing 21 of the gas engine 20, and the container 10 may be directly connected to the gas engine 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1. Power generation system 10 containers 20 Gas Engine 21 Housing 21a entrance 21b Outlet 22 Output shaft 23 Turbine 24 Piping 24a Winding section 25 Connection port 26 Discharge pipe 30 Generator 31 Rotor 32 Housing 33 Stator 34 Output section 40 Power consumption equipment 50 Evaporator 60 Main unit 100 Power Generation System

Claims

1. a container containing liquefied or solid carbon dioxide; a gas engine connected to the container and powered by vaporized carbon dioxide supplied from the container; a generator connected to the gas engine and driven by the gas engine to generate electricity, the gas engine has an exhaust port that releases the carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, A pipe is provided between the container and the gas engine, A power generation system, characterized in that the piping is arranged around the generator.

2. The power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising an evaporator between the vessel and the gas engine.

3. The power generation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container is a tank that stores the liquefied carbon dioxide.

4. The power generation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container is an insulated container that stores the solid carbon dioxide.

5. 3. The power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the container stores carbon dioxide discharged from a thermal power plant in the form of liquefied carbon dioxide or solid carbon dioxide.

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