Pumping power generation device

Abstract

To provide a pumped-storage power generation device with a high degree of freedom in installation location and relatively small-scale equipment. 【Solution means】A low-level liquid storage tank 2 that stores power generation liquid and is pressurized by receiving the supply of pressurized steam of the power generation liquid from the outside, a rising pipe 4 configured such that the pressurized power generation liquid rises to a high place, a high-level liquid storage tank 5 that stores the power generation liquid at a high place, a dropping pipe 6 through which the power generation liquid drops inside, a hydraulic generator 7 provided at the lower part of the dropping pipe 6, a circulation means for returning the power generation liquid to the low-level liquid storage tank, and an exhaust means for temporarily exhausting the pressurized steam in the low-level liquid storage tank to the outside when the circulation means returns the power generation liquid to the low-level liquid storage tank 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pumped-storage power generation device, and more particularly to a pumped-storage power generation device that is small in size and has a high degree of freedom in installation location.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a pumped-storage power generation system has been used in which water is pumped from the sea, rivers, lakes, or reservoirs in lowlands to dams or reservoirs in highlands at night when the power demand is low, and a hydraulic generator is rotated by the falling water from the dam or reservoir during the day when the power demand is high. However, conventional pumped-storage power generation systems can only be installed in limited locations such as near water sources such as the sea, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and dams in order to secure water, and the facilities inevitably become large-scale.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a pumped-storage power generation device that has a high degree of freedom in installation location and requires relatively small-scale facilities.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The invention according to claim 1 is a low-place liquid storage tank that stores a power generation liquid for generating power by potential energy and receives a supply of pressurized steam for pressurizing the power generation liquid from the outside so that the power generation liquid is pressurized; a rising pipe that extends upward from the power generation liquid in the low-place liquid storage tank so that the pressurized power generation liquid rises to a high place outside the low-place liquid storage tank; a high-place liquid storage tank that is provided on the upper end side of the rising pipe and stores the power generation liquid at a high place; a falling pipe that is connected to the high-place liquid storage tank and extends downward, and through which the power generation liquid falls inside; a generator that is provided at the lower part of the falling pipe and converts the potential energy of the power generation liquid into electrical energy; Circulation means for returning the power generation liquid that has passed through the generator to the low-level liquid storage tank, and exhaust means for temporarily exhausting the pressurized steam in the low-level liquid storage tank to the outside when the circulation means returns the power generation liquid to the low-level liquid storage tank. It is characterized by the above. In the invention described in claim 2, the power generation liquid is water or a mixture of water and antifreeze. It is characterized by the above. The invention described in claim 3 is provided with a pressurized steam generation section for generating pressurized steam for pressurizing the power generation liquid, and this pressurized steam generation section includes a boiler that heats the pressurized steam generation liquid by burning fuel to generate pressurized steam. It is characterized by the above. The invention described in claim 4 is provided with a pressurized steam generation section for generating pressurized steam for pressurizing the power generation liquid, and this pressurized steam generation section includes a heat exchange section that warms the pressurized steam generation liquid by heat exchange from a heat source supplied from the outside, and a boiler that heats the warmed pressurized steam generation liquid to generate pressurized steam. It is characterized by the above.

Effects of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, since the power generation liquid can be circulated and used, it can be installed in a free location regardless of the location of water sources such as the sea, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in lowlands. In addition, since it can be configured with relatively small equipment without using natural terrain, it can also be installed indoors, suppressing the mixing of foreign substances such as fallen leaves, sludge, and garbage, enabling stable operation, and particularly facilitating the supply of power to neighboring areas in the event of a power outage due to typhoons, earthquakes, etc. In addition, since it does not use late-night power and is not affected by the weather or day and night like wind power generation or solar power generation, it can operate day and night. In addition, by using biomass fuel as the fuel for the boiler or using waste heat from factories or incinerators, geothermal heat, etc. as the heat source for the heat exchange section, a clean energy power generation device that meets the requirements of a decarbonized society can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples. A circulating pumping type power generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. This circulating pumping type power generation device circulates water as a power generation liquid for generating power using potential energy, and can be installed in a free location regardless of the position of a water source such as a river. Further, it can be configured with relatively small equipment without using natural terrain, can be installed indoors, suppresses the mixing of foreign substances such as fallen leaves, sludge, and garbage, enables stable operation, and particularly facilitates ensuring power supply to neighboring areas in the event of an emergency such as a typhoon or earthquake. In addition, by using a mixed liquid of water and an antifreeze or an antifreeze as the power generation liquid, power generation in cold regions is also possible.

[0008] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a boiler that heats water, which is an example of a liquid for generating pressurized steam, by burning fuel to generate pressurized steam. Biomass fuel can be used as the fuel, and a clean energy power generation device that meets the requirements of a decarbonized society can be realized. Reference numeral 2 denotes a low-level liquid storage tank that stores water as a liquid for power generation and is configured such that the liquid for power generation is pressurized by the pressurized steam supplied from the boiler 1 via the pressurized steam supply pipe 3. Reference numeral 4 denotes a rising pipe that extends upward from the low-level liquid storage tank 2 and enables the pressurized liquid for power generation to rise to a high location outside the low-level liquid storage tank 2. Reference numeral 5 denotes a high-level liquid storage tank provided at the upper end of the rising pipe 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes a dropping pipe that is connected to the high-level liquid storage tank 5 and extends downward to enable the liquid for power generation to drop. Reference numeral 7 denotes a hydraulic generator provided in the middle of the dropping pipe 6 that converts the potential energy of the liquid for power generation into electrical energy. Reference numeral 8 denotes a low-level liquid storage tank for circulation that is provided at the lower end side of the dropping pipe 6 to store the liquid for power generation and return it to the low-level liquid storage tank 2 via the circulation pipe 9. Reference numeral 10 denotes an exhaust pipe connected to the low-level liquid storage tank 2, which exhausts the pressurized steam to an external exhaust heat / steam utilization facility.

[0009] V1 to V3 are on-off valves, flow control valves, and on-off valves provided in the middle of the pressurized steam supply pipe 3. V4, V7, and V8 are on-off valves, flow control valves, and on-off valves provided in the middle of the exhaust pipe 10. V5 is an on-off valve provided at the lower part of the rising pipe 4. V6 is a flow control valve provided at the upper end of the dropping pipe 6. V9 is an on-off valve provided in the middle of the circulation pipe 9. PG1 is a steam pressure detection sensor that detects the steam pressure on the outlet side of the boiler 1. PG2 is a steam pressure detection sensor that detects the steam pressure in the low-level liquid storage tank 2. These valves and sensors are connected to a control device (not shown). Also, water level sensors (not shown) provided in the low-level liquid storage tank 2 and the low-level liquid storage tank for circulation 8 are connected to the control device. As will be described later, the control device performs operation control of pumped-storage power generation.

[0010] The low-level liquid storage tank for circulation 8, the circulation pipe 9, and the on-off valve V9 constitute a circulation means for returning the liquid for power generation that has passed through the generator to the low-level liquid storage tank. The exhaust pipe 10, the on-off valve V4, the flow control valve V7, and the on-off valve V8 constitute an exhaust means for temporarily exhausting the pressurized steam to the outside to return the pressure in the low-level liquid storage tank to atmospheric pressure before the circulation means returns the liquid for power generation to the low-level liquid storage tank.

[0011] Figure 2 is a time chart showing the operation of the circulating pumped-storage power generation device. Hereinafter, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. It is assumed that the boiler 1 has been pre-operated, PG1 has reached a predetermined high-pressure steam pressure, PG2 is at atmospheric pressure, and V1 to V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, and V9 are closed. In addition, it is assumed that the power generation liquid is stored in the low-level liquid storage tank 2 up to the normal level (N), and the flow control valve V6 is set to a constant opening degree so that the power generation liquid stored in the high-level liquid storage tank 5 drops at a constant flow rate, and the hydraulic generator 7 is generating power.

[0012] A. Pumping operation When the power generation liquid continues to fall from the high-level liquid storage tank 5, the water level in the circulating low-level liquid storage tank 8 rises. Without pumping replenishment, the water level in the high-level liquid storage tank 5 will decrease, and eventually the falling amount will become zero. The control device causes the high-level liquid storage tank 5 to be pumped intermittently before the falling amount becomes zero. That is, at time t1, V1 to V3 are opened, and the high-pressure steam (here, high-pressure steam) generated by the boiler 1 is supplied to the low-level liquid storage tank 2 through the high-pressure steam supply pipe 3. Accordingly, PG2 rises from atmospheric pressure. When PG2 reaches a predetermined high pressure, the control device opens V5 and pumps the pressurized power generation liquid to the high-level liquid storage tank 5 through the rising pipe 4 (see time t2). As a result, the water level in the high-level liquid storage tank 5 rises. The control device monitors the water level in the low-level liquid storage tank 2. When the water level drops to a predetermined low level (L), V5 is closed to stop pumping, and V1 to V3 are also closed to stop the supply of pressurized steam from the boiler 1 (see time t3).

[0013] B. Exhaust operation Next, the control device temporarily opens V4, V7, and V8 to exhaust the high-pressure steam in the low-level liquid storage tank 2 to the outside through the exhaust pipe 10 (see time t4). The high-pressure steam discharged from the exhaust pipe 10 is utilized in an external waste heat / steam utilization facility.

[0014] C. Circulation operation When the PG2 drops to atmospheric pressure (refer to time t5), the control device monitors the water level in the low-level storage tank 8 for circulation. When the water level reaches the predetermined high water level (H) (refer to time t6), the control device opens V9 and uses gravity to return the power generation liquid from the low-level storage tank 8 for circulation to the low-level storage tank 2 through the circulation pipe 9. The control device monitors the water level in the low-level storage tank 2. When the water level rises to the predetermined normal level (N), the control device closes V9 to stop the circulation and closes V4, V7, and V8 (time t7).

[0015] The operations of a., i., and u. are repeated as follows. Although the pumping is intermittent, by adjusting the opening degree of V6, the power generation liquid can be replenished before the high-level storage tank 5 becomes empty, so that the power generation liquid falling through the downcomer 6 does not stop, enabling continuous power generation. In addition, a plurality of systems of the low-level storage tank 2 and the riser pipe 4 may be provided to increase the pumping volume and power generation amount per unit time.

[0016] According to this embodiment, since the power generation liquid can be circulated and used, it can be installed in a free location regardless of the location of water sources such as the sea, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in lowlands. Moreover, since it can be composed of relatively small equipment without using the natural terrain, it can also be installed indoors, suppressing the mixing of foreign matters such as fallen leaves, sludge, and garbage, enabling stable operation, and particularly facilitating the ensuring of power supply to neighboring areas in case of power outages due to typhoons, earthquakes, etc. In addition, since it does not use late-night power and is not affected by weather or day and night like wind power generation or solar power generation, it can operate continuously day and night. In addition, biomass fuel can be used as the fuel for the boiler 1, realizing a clean energy power generation device that meets the requirements of a decarbonized society.

[0017] In the case of the steam example, the supply of pressurized steam was carried out by a boiler. However, as shown in Fig. 3, pressurized steam such as pressurized steam discharged from an external factory or a garbage incineration plant can be supplied to the low-level liquid storage tank 2 through the pressurized steam supply pipe 3. Or, as shown in Fig. 4, high-temperature fluids such as high-temperature exhaust gas and waste water discharged from an external factory or a garbage incineration plant are allowed to flow into the pipe 21 of the heat exchanger 20 to heat the liquid for generating pressurized steam. The heated liquid for generating pressurized steam is sent to the auxiliary boiler 24 through the circulation pipe 22 and the pump 23, and is heated by this auxiliary boiler 24 to generate pressurized steam, which is then supplied to the low-level liquid storage tank through the pressurized steam supply pipe 3. In this way, the waste heat discarded in factories, garbage incineration plants, etc. can be effectively utilized.

Industrial Applicability

[0018] The present invention can be applied to a pumping type power generation device that uses water, antifreeze, a mixture of water and antifreeze, etc. as the power generation liquid.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0019] 1 Boiler 2 Low-level liquid storage tank 3 Pressurized steam supply pipe 4 Rising pipe 5 High-level liquid storage tank 6 Falling pipe 7 Generator 8 Low-level liquid storage tank for circulation 9 Circulation pipe 10 Exhaust pipe

Claims

1. A low-level liquid storage tank that stores a power generation liquid for generating electricity by potential energy at a low location and receives a supply of pressurized steam for pressurizing the power generation liquid from the outside so that the power generation liquid is pressurized; A rising pipe that extends upward from the power generation liquid in the low-level liquid storage tank so that the pressurized power generation liquid rises to a high location outside the low-level liquid storage tank; A high-level liquid storage tank provided on the upper end side of the rising pipe for storing the power generation liquid at a high location; A falling pipe that is connected to the high-level liquid storage tank and extends downward, with the power generation liquid falling inside; A generator provided at the lower part of the falling pipe for converting the potential energy of the power generation liquid into electrical energy; Circulation means for returning the power generation liquid that has passed through the generator to the low-level liquid storage tank; Exhaust means for temporarily exhausting the pressurized steam in the low-level liquid storage tank to the outside when the circulation means returns the power generation liquid to the low-level liquid storage tank; A pumped-storage power generation device characterized by the above.

2. The power generation liquid is water or a mixture of water and antifreeze; The pumped-storage power generation device according to Claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. It is provided with a pressurized steam generation section for generating pressurized steam for pressurizing the power generation liquid; This pressurized steam generation section includes a boiler that heats a pressurized steam generation liquid by burning fuel to generate pressurized steam; The pumped-storage power generation device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. It is provided with a pressurized steam generation section for generating pressurized steam for pressurizing the power generation liquid; This pressurized steam generation section includes a heat exchange section for heating a pressurized steam generation liquid by heat exchange from a heat source supplied from the outside, and a boiler for heating the heated pressurized steam generation liquid to generate pressurized steam; The pumped-storage power generation device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

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