Multi-stage circulating water power generation system

The multi-stage circulating water system addresses the limitations of conventional hydroelectric power by using the siphon principle to generate electricity without large reservoirs, offering low environmental impact and cost-effective, modular power generation.

JP3255437UActive Publication Date: 2026-04-08张奎邦
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Utility models
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2026-02-09
Publication Date
2026-04-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional hydroelectric power generation requires large-scale reservoirs and significant terrain elevation differences, leading to high initial investment, long construction periods, and environmental impact, limiting its applicability to specific topographies and ecosystems.

Method used

A multi-stage circulating water utilization system utilizing the siphon principle to transfer water between tanks, driven by atmospheric pressure and gravity, which includes a water turbine connected to a generator, eliminating the need for large reservoirs and enabling power generation in low elevation differences and flat terrain.

Benefits of technology

The system achieves low environmental impact, reduced construction and maintenance costs, and supports distributed and modular applications, including household and agricultural uses, while recycling water resources and generating electricity from rainwater and wastewater.

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Abstract

We provide a multi-stage recirculating water power generation system that conforms to sustainable energy policies, reduces construction and maintenance costs, and enables expanded application range and improved deployment flexibility. [Solution] The multi-stage circulating water power generation system is equipped with multiple water tanks 1 whose height decreases in stages. Multiple siphon devices 2 are provided between adjacent water tanks to transfer water from the lower water tank to the higher water tank. The bottom of the uppermost water tank is connected to the lowermost water tank via a circulation pipe 3, and a water turbine 4 is provided on the circulation pipe, which is connected to drive a generator 5. The siphon device includes a reservoir located above the higher water tank. An intake pipe is connected to the upper side of the reservoir, and a drain pipe is connected to the lower side. The intake end of the intake pipe is located inside the lower water tank, and the drain pipe extends vertically, with its discharge port opening into the higher water tank. This system does not consume fossil fuels during operation and does not generate exhaust gas or wastewater. Furthermore, it does not require high dams or large reservoirs like conventional hydroelectric power plants, and eliminates the reliance on natural topographical head in conventional hydroelectric power generation.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of hydroelectric power generation technology, and specifically relates to a multi-stage circulating water utilization power generation system.

Background Art

[0002] With the increasing global energy demand and the growing requirement for reducing environmental impact, the development of renewable energy has become an important common issue for all countries. Hydroelectric power generation has been utilized for many years as a clean and efficient renewable energy. However, conventional hydroelectric power generation often requires large-scale reservoirs or significant head differences, resulting in not only high initial investment but also a long construction period and potential impact on the ecosystem. On the other hand, the siphon phenomenon is a natural phenomenon that utilizes atmospheric pressure and gravity to automatically move liquids and is widely used in fields such as agricultural water use and water circulation facilities. By applying this siphon principle to a hydroelectric power generation system, it becomes possible to reuse water without relying on external energy input and artificially form a water level difference, proposing a new technological direction for realizing a small-scale and distributed clean energy system.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention is made to solve the above problems. It aims to provide a multi-stage circulating water utilization power generation system that uses the siphon principle to transfer water from a lower level to a higher level, forms a controlled water level difference to drive a waterwheel, and realizes stable power generation. This technology reduces the terrain and head dependence of conventional hydroelectric power generation and provides an efficient and environmentally friendly energy means applicable to mountainous areas, rural areas, and even urban rainwater utilization systems.

[0004] Means for Solving the Problems This invention adopts the following configuration. The multi-stage circulating water power generation system comprises multiple water tanks whose height decreases in stages, with multiple siphon devices provided between adjacent water tanks to transfer water from the lower water tank to the higher water tank, the bottom of the uppermost water tank connected to the lowermost water tank via a circulation pipe, a water turbine provided in the circulation pipe, and the water turbine connected to drive a generator. The siphon device includes a water storage tank positioned above the high-level water tank. A water intake pipe is connected to the upper side of the water storage tank, and a water drain pipe is connected to the lower side. The intake end of the water intake pipe is located inside the low-level water tank, and the water drain pipe extends vertically, with its outlet opening into the high-level water tank. Preferably, a water supply pipe is connected to the water storage tank, a water supply valve is provided in the water supply pipe, and it is further connected to a pump, and an air vent hole is formed in the upper part of the water storage tank, and an air vent valve is provided in the air vent hole. Preferably, the water tanks are arranged in four stages, and the siphon device is arranged in three stages. Preferably, the water level difference between adjacent tanks is equal, and the height of the uppermost tank is 10m. Preferably, the water purification filter media is placed inside the tank via a retaining frame. Preferably, a drain valve is provided in the drainage pipe.

[0005] The effect of the invention This invention provides the following effects. 1. Low environmental impact and no carbon dioxide emissions during operation. It does not use fossil fuels and does not generate exhaust gases or wastewater during the power generation process. 2. Simplified configuration and low cost Unlike conventional hydroelectric power plants, it does not require high dams or large reservoirs, and since power generation is possible using a combination of a siphon device and a turbine, construction and maintenance costs can be reduced. 3. Applicability to low elevation differences and flat terrain By utilizing a siphon structure to artificially create a water level difference, this eliminates the reliance on natural topographical elevation differences in conventional hydroelectric power generation, enabling an expanded range of application and improved flexibility in placement. 4. Recycling of water resources By combining it with a water recycling system, it enables the secondary use of rainwater, river water, and wastewater, and improves the efficiency of water resource utilization by generating electricity while securing a water supply. 5. Supports distributed and modular architectures. It can be configured in stages according to its intended use, and can be applied to household use, agricultural use, and areas without power grids, making it highly promising for future applications. 6. Exploratory scientific research value The application of the siphon principle to hydroelectric power generation is novel in both theoretical and technical aspects and could indicate a new direction in small-scale hydroelectric power development. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a siphon device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. Examples of embodiments are shown in the drawings, and the same or similar numbers indicate the same or similar elements, or elements having the same or similar functions. Unless otherwise specified, the raw materials, equipment, etc. used in the present invention are all commercially available or commonly used in the art. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the methods employed in the embodiments are all common methods well known to those skilled in the art. The embodiments shown below are merely some examples to illustrate the present invention and do not limit the present invention to them.

[0008] As shown in Figure 1, the multi-stage circulating water power generation system according to the present invention is equipped with four water tanks 1 whose height decreases in stages. The water level difference between adjacent water tanks 1 is set to be equal, and the height of the water tank 1 located at the top is set to 10m. Between each adjacent water tank 1, a siphon device 2 is provided to transfer water from the lower water tank 1 to the higher water tank 1. In this embodiment, since the water tanks 1 are arranged in four stages, the siphon device 2 is arranged in three stages. The bottom of the top water tank 1 is connected to the bottom water tank 1 via a circulation pipe 3. A water turbine 4 is provided in the circulation pipe 3, and the water turbine 4 is connected to drive a generator 5. The siphon device 2 is equipped with a water storage tank 21 located above the higher water tank 1. A water intake pipe 22 is connected to the upper side of the water storage tank 21, and a water drain pipe 23 is connected to the bottom of the water storage tank 21. The intake end of the water intake pipe 22 is located inside the lower-level water tank 1, and the drain pipe 23 extends vertically, with its discharge port opening into the upper-level water tank 1. A drain valve 28 is provided in the drain pipe 23. To facilitate the startup and adjustment of the siphon device 2, a water injection pipe 26 is connected to the water storage tank 21. A water injection valve 25 is provided on the water injection pipe 26, which is further connected to a pump 27. The pump 27 is installed in the upper water tank 1. In addition, an air vent hole is formed in the upper part of the water storage tank 21, and an air vent valve 24 is provided on the air vent hole. To maintain good water quality, water purification filter media is placed inside tank 1 via a retaining frame.

[0009] Next, the operation of the multi-stage circulating water power generation system according to the present invention will be described. First, with the drain valve 28 closed, the water inlet valve 25 and pump 27 are activated to inject water into the water storage tank 21 via the water inlet pipe 26. At this time, air in the water storage tank 21 is discharged to the outside through the open air vent valve 24. After a predetermined amount of water has been injected into the water storage tank 21, the water inlet valve 25 and air vent valve 24 are closed, and the siphon device 2 becomes operational. The water in the water storage tank 21 flows down through the drain pipe 23 to the upper water tank 1 by its own weight, and consequently, the water in the lower water tank 1 is drawn up to the water storage tank 21 through the suction pipe 22. In this way, water is transferred in stages from the lower side to the higher side. The water pressure is at its maximum in the uppermost water tank 1, and the water is returned to the lowermost water tank 1 via the circulation pipe 3. In this circulation process, the water flow in the circulation pipe 3 rotates the water turbine 4, which drives the generator 5 to generate electricity.

[0010] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications, alterations, and substitutions without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the rights of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0011] 1 Aquarium 2. Siphon device 21 Water storage tank 22 Water intake piping 23 Falling water piping 24 Air vent valve 25 Water Inlet Valve 26 Water Injection Piping 27 Pumps 28 Drain valve 3 Circulation piping 4 Waterwheels 5 Generators

Claims

1. A multi-stage circulating water power generation system, It features multiple tanks with gradually decreasing heights, Multiple siphon devices are installed between adjacent tanks to transfer water from a lower tank to a higher tank. The bottom of the uppermost tank is connected to the lowest tank via a circulation pipe. A water turbine is installed in the circulation piping. The water turbine is connected to the generator so that it drives the generator. The siphon device includes a reservoir tank positioned above the high-level water tank, A water intake pipe is connected to the upper side of the water storage tank, and a water drain pipe is connected to the lower part. The intake end of the water intake pipe is located inside the lower level water tank. The drainage pipe extends vertically, and its outlet opens into the upper water tank. A multi-stage recirculating water power generation system characterized by the following features.

2. The water supply pipe is connected to the water storage tank. A water inlet valve is installed in the water inlet piping. The water supply pipe is connected to the pump. An air vent hole is formed in the upper part of the water storage tank, and an air vent valve is provided in the air vent hole. A multi-stage circulating water utilization type power generation system according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The multi-stage circulating water power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the water tanks are arranged in four stages and the siphon device is arranged in three stages.

4. The multi-stage circulating water power generation system according to claim 3, characterized in that the difference in water levels between adjacent water tanks is made equal.

5. The multi-stage circulating water power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that water purification filter material is arranged in the water tank via a retaining frame.

6. The multi-stage circulating water power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that a drain valve is provided in the drainage pipe.