Tidal-Independent Water Supply and Use System Using Vertical Drop

Abstract

The present invention relates to a non-powered water supply and usage system that overcomes the intermittency of tides by generating continuous internal vertical flow through a vertical serial structure below the sea level and utilizes the water level difference and water pressure 24 hours a day. At the same time, it can supply water without interruption even in extreme disaster situations such as tsunamis, storms, or power outages, allowing for stable application to infrastructure facilities such as nuclear power plants or data centers. Furthermore, the space above the facility is developed into a multi-purpose complex leisure and convenience facility, thereby maximizing the utilization of the ground space.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a design for supplying and using fresh water or seawater below the high tide level, thereby avoiding disaster obstacles such as tsunamis and overcoming tidal time differences that make it impossible to use water below the sea level during daytime hours, allowing seawater or fresh water to be used continuously 24 hours a day, 365 days a year or at desired times in facilities requiring cooling, such as leisure facilities, nuclear power plants, or data centers, without energy consumption. Background Technology

[0002] To ensure stable cooling for nuclear power plants and the globally increasing number of data centers, related facilities are located on water-rich coasts. The cooling systems utilize a forced circulation method and are equipped with multiple backup facilities to prevent cooling interruptions and prepare for failures. However, if there is a power outage or seawater contamination caused by a tsunami, the cooling system will malfunction.

[0003] Facilities for artificial water sports reuse water with chemicals such as chlorine to reduce water supply costs, consuming significant energy for water recirculation. These issues can lead to conjunctivitis or skin allergies. Furthermore, the insufficient flow of water limits the height of artificial surfing waves, and safety accidents are ever-present in Fluoride, a type of artificial surfing that flows water over wave-shaped structures, due to the lack of water's cushioning function to absorb the impact of falls.

[0004] The aforementioned problem can be solved by supplying and using abundant seawater or freshwater below the high tide level. However, due to the tidal phenomenon with a cycle of about 25 hours per day, there is a continuous time difference with daily life, so during the daytime or specific times when water is actually needed, the tide is low and the water has receded far out to sea, and at high tide, the used water cannot be drained without power. Prior art literature

[0005] A method of directly using seawater by utilizing tidal phenomena is disclosed in Korean registered patent publications No. 10-2003-0097553 and No. 10-1543206, PCT publication No. 1995023259, and Japanese published patent application No. 5-302439, but it has the problem of not being able to be used as needed, such as during daytime hours, because it cannot overcome the constraint of tidal time differences. A method for cooling a nuclear power plant unrelated to daily life cycles is disclosed in PCT International Publication No. 2022019554 and Japanese published patent application No. 2013003132 (published Jan. 07, 2013), but it cannot be operated continuously when a power outage occurs or during low tide. The problem to be solved

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the problem of enabling continuous water supply and use without power for 24 hours by using water below sea level, thereby overcoming external environmental obstacles such as tidal intermittency, power outages, disasters, and tidal time differences, and solving water supply costs and energy consumption issues. means of solving the problem

[65535] The present invention relates to a non-powered water supply and usage system that overcomes tsunamis, power outages, and tidal time differences, comprising: a water reservoir (100) that draws water by a water level difference with external seawater due to being located vertically below the highest annual high tide level and forms a water layer inside; and a water usage space (200) located below the water reservoir (100) that draws upper layer water within the water reservoir (100) to be separated from foreign matter sediment that has sunk to the bottom of the water reservoir (100), and is supplied by gravity and water pressure due to a vertical height difference with the water reservoir (100), and then discharges it as water for use. It includes a temporary water storage unit (300) located below the water usage space (200), with its upper part closed by a structure to prevent flooding caused by the inflow of external seawater while underwater, and protruding above the external sea level to relieve internal air pressure caused by the inflow of water, and functioning to maintain the continuity of internal flow within the system isolated from the external water level by accommodating water in a space communicating with an air passage equipped with a water backflow prevention part on one side, and discharging water to the outside due to the water level difference and water pressure caused by the external water level becoming lower than the water level of the water contained therein. Additionally, it further includes a water transfer unit (20) that transfers upper layer water within the water reservoir (100) to the water usage space (200), and the water transfer unit (20) is characterized by having a buoyancy body on one side and being located on the water surface within the water reservoir (100) to transfer upper layer water close to the water surface. Furthermore, it includes water that takes in external seawater and water It further includes a water intake section (10) that guides to a water reservoir (100), and a wide buoyancy body (60) is provided at the end of the water intake section (10), so that the water taken is introduced to flow gently over the wide buoyancy body (60) within the water reservoir (100).In another aspect, the present invention provides a non-powered water supply and usage method for overcoming tsunamis, power outages, and tidal time differences, comprising: a step of taking water by the difference in water level with external seawater below the highest annual high tide level and storing it in a water reservoir (100); a step of supplying the stored water to a water usage space (200) for use by gravity and water pressure due to the vertical difference in elevation with the water reservoir (100) and discharging it as water for use after use; and a step of receiving the discharged water for use in a temporary water storage unit (300) in which the upper part is closed by a structure and internal air pressure can be relieved to maintain the continuity of internal flow of the system, and discharging it to the outside by the difference in water level and water pressure as the external water level becomes lower than the water level of the water for use received. Effects of the invention By forming an internal flow system physically isolated from external tidal flow, the present invention can fundamentally overcome the limitations of intermittent operation in existing tidal power utilization systems, where operation is halted or restricted due to the mismatch between the tidal cycle and the daily cycle. This provides a significant effect of enabling uninterrupted water supply and system operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of external tidal time differences. Furthermore, since the entire system can be placed practically underground or underwater, the upper space can be utilized as a multi-purpose complex leisure facility, thereby maximizing facility utilization efficiency. Moreover, the independent flow structure isolated from the outside ensures stable operation even in sudden disaster situations such as tsunamis, storms, or power outages. Based on this maximized space utilization and disaster preparedness reliability, the present invention can be reliably utilized in industrial infrastructure facilities, such as data centers, where continuous cooling and water resource utilization are essential. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0013] The representative drawing is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing four stages of water storage, use, temporary storage, and release waiting at high tide. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing four stages of water storage, use, temporary storage, and release at low tide. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wide buoyancy body (60). Specific details for implementing the invention

[0014] The terms used in this specification will be briefly explained, and the invention will be described in detail.

[0015] The terms used in the embodiments of the present invention have been selected to be as widely used as possible, taking into account their functions in the invention; however, these terms may vary depending on the intent of those skilled in the art, case law, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined not merely by their names, but based on their meanings and the overall content of the invention.

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention may be subject to various modifications and may have various embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments and drawings are not intended to limit the scope to specific embodiments and should be understood to include all structures, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the concept and scope of the invention. In describing the embodiments, if it is determined that a detailed description of related prior art may obscure the gist of the matter, such detailed description is omitted.

[0017] Terms may be used to describe various components, but components are not limited by terms. Terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0018] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "comprises" or "forms" are intended to specify the existence of features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not excluding any additional possibilities. In this specification, the term "near" means that a specific component is located in very close proximity to another component, indicating a placement intentionally designed for efficient operation between components. Additionally, the term "upper" as used in the invention refers to the uppermost part of a specific component, meaning a location where the function and role of the component can be effectively performed, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0019] In embodiments of the present invention, when a part is described as being "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where it is "connected to a surface," but also cases where it is "connected internally by passing through a surface." Furthermore, when a component is described as being "equipped," this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0020] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, nor are the technical features of the present invention limited by the embodiments described, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0021] The representative drawing is a perspective view of an embodiment using water below sea level, and FIG. 1 is an embodiment of water intake and use at high tide. FIG. 2 is an embodiment of water discharge at low tide. The present invention allows for isolation operation virtually regardless of tidal waves and tide time differences by storing water to be used in advance in a storage tank and storing the used water separately after using it below sea level.

[0022] The facility can be operated for several days even in unexpected disaster environments such as tsunamis and storms. As an example, if the size of the water reservoir (100) and the temporary storage unit for water use (300) is expanded to the amount of water flow*N during the low tide cycle of 12 hours and 30 minutes, the facility can be operated stably until the external environment stabilizes by the expanded size.

[0023] The water reservoir (100) is installed near the coast using concrete and embankments, etc., and has a space for storing water. It takes in fresh water or clear high tide seawater through the water intake section (10) and separates the water into impurities and water by means of sedimentation and filtration.

[0024] The water reservoir (100) is installed with a water storage space near the sea level and is submerged at high tide to secure the sea view, or the upper part can be efficiently utilized as a park, parking lot, general swimming pool, etc., or the upper part can be open.

[0025] The water reservoir (100) may be installed higher than the high tide water level, but the water intake section (10) must be located at a height where fresh water naturally flows in, and when using seawater, an additional water reservoir (100) must be prepared below the high tide water level so that the system is not interrupted in the event of a power outage, and below it, the water usage space section (200) and the water temporary storage section (300) must be located in that order.

[0026] In cases where continuous operation is essential, such as with a nuclear power plant or data center, the water reservoir (100) is installed as an isolated type with a closed top to prevent contamination of the stored water in the event of a sudden disaster such as a tsunami.

[0027] If the water quality is good, the water is immediately stored, or foreign substances are separated and supplied as water in a short process within the water reservoir (100).

[0028] When the water reservoir (100) is located in a sea with clear water, a water intake section (10) in the form of a sluice gate may be provided. When the water quality is not clear, a water intake section in the form of a pipe may be provided to take water from a clearer inland sea or upstream.

[0029] To ensure smooth operation of the facility, multiple water reservoirs (100) are installed, and depending on the water quality, they can be used in a cross-circulation cycle linked to a tide cycle of 12 hours and 25 minutes or 25 hours.

[0030] To manage water quality, a sedimentation unit is installed before the water reservoir (100) to allow the use of clear water that has undergone a sedimentation or filtration stage of about 12 hours and 30 minutes or 25 hours or more in accordance with the tide cycle, and water quality can be managed by adding UV and ozone.

[0031] The lower side of the water reservoir (100) and sedimentation section is equipped with a sediment discharge port having a water backflow prevention section (70) to discharge foreign matter sediment.

[0032] The water usage space (200) receives water from the water reservoir (100), uses it, and then discharges it as water for use. It is installed below the water reservoir (100) using a structure such as concrete, and may be installed vertically in series in the water, or may be installed spaced apart from the side of the water reservoir (100) as shown in the drawing.

[0033] The water usage space (201) within the water usage space (200) is positioned below the water layer within the water reservoir (100) to allow for a natural flow of water. To ensure smoother natural flow and secure water pressure, the upper layer of water in the water reservoir (100) and the water usage space (201) are installed to be spaced as far apart vertically as possible.

[0034] If high pressure or a large flow rate is required for the water supplied to the water usage space (200), a pressurizing facility may be installed.

[0035] A large space is provided within the water usage space (200) so that water leisure facilities such as cooling facilities or artificial surfing can be operated, and the upper part can be used as a general swimming pool, etc.

[0036] Water used within the water usage space (200) is transferred to the water temporary storage unit (300) through the water transfer unit (30).

[0037] The water usage space (200) is equipped with a water discharge unit so that the water can be discharged directly into the sea during low tide.

[0038] The temporary storage section (300) for water usage is installed with concrete or the like so that the storage section (301) for water usage is located below the water usage space (201) within the water usage space (200), and temporarily stores the water from the water usage space (200) and discharges it at low tide.

[0039] The temporary storage unit (300) for water usage may be installed vertically in a series below the water usage space (200) or separated and spaced apart from each other, and may be located near the low tide water surface and may be located below the low tide water surface by being equipped with a pumping facility to increase the amount of water stored and the drop.

[0040] However, the temporary storage space for water (301) is positioned below the water usage space (201) so that the highest water level of the water stored in the temporary storage space (300) does not flood the water usage space (201) within the water usage space (200).

[0041] The temporary storage unit (300) for used water secures a sufficient storage space (301) for used water to be discharged from the water usage space (200) until the next discharge time, which is the low tide cycle, thereby preventing interruption of facility operation.

[0042] It is preferable that the upper part of the temporary storage unit (300) for water use be closed underwater, but if it is open above the water surface, a drainage facility is provided to pump out water or rainwater that rises above the temporary storage unit (301) to prevent interruption of facility operation.

[0043] Considering cost reduction and accessibility when using seawater, the water usage space (200) is located underground on the beach land, and the water reservoir (100) and the temporary storage of water for use (300) are located underwater in the inland sea, or the entire facility is located underground on the land, so that the water reservoir (100) is located above the water usage space (200) and the temporary storage of water for use (300) is located below, allowing clear water to be drawn through the water intake section (10) and the water for use to be discharged to the low tide surface through the water discharge section (40).

[0044] The water intake section (10) is formed in a sluice gate or tubular shape on one side of the water reservoir (100) to transfer fresh water or seawater to the water reservoir (100) or sedimentation section.

[0045] When the water intake section (10) is tubular, one side is located at the water source and its end is equipped with a buoyancy body, a foreign matter blocking filter, and an opening / closing section, and the other side is located within the water reservoir (100) or within the sedimentation section when the sedimentation section is installed, and its end is equipped with a wide buoyancy body (60) so that the water taken flows gently over the wide buoyancy body (60) within the water reservoir (100) or the sedimentation section.

[0046] When the water intake section (10) is tubular, it is equipped with joints or installed in a corrugated shape so that it can move up and down according to the water level of the water source and the water reservoir (100) where both ends are located.

[0047] The water transfer unit (20) transfers water from the water reservoir (100) to the water usage space (200), and one side of the water transfer unit (20) is equipped with a buoyancy body and is located on the water surface within the water reservoir (100), while the other side is connected to the water usage space (200) to transfer the upper layer water stored in the water reservoir (100) to the water usage space (200).

[0048] The water transfer unit (20) is equipped with joints or installed in a corrugated shape so that it can move up and down according to the movement of the water level.

[0049] The water transfer unit (30) is formed on the lower side of the water usage space (200) and the other side is connected to the water temporary storage unit (300) to transfer the water generated in the water usage space (200) to the water temporary storage unit (300).

[0050] The other end of the water transfer section (30) is positioned close to the bottom of the water temporary storage section (300) to drain the water into the water, thereby preventing the generation of high-pitched noise caused by air movement within the vortex formed when draining water from the water usage space (200). The water discharge section (40) is formed at the bottom of the water temporary storage section (300) to be horizontally aligned with the low tide water level and discharges the stored water into the sea at low tide. The end is equipped with a water backflow prevention section (70) to prevent seawater from flowing back into the water temporary storage section (300) in situations other than low tide, thereby ensuring a good water usage environment is maintained 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

[0051] The water discharge section (40) is formed at the low tide water level on one side of the water temporary storage section (300) and discharges the stored water into the sea at low tide. The end is equipped with a water backflow prevention section (70) to prevent seawater from flowing back into the water temporary storage section (300) in situations other than low tide, thereby ensuring that a good water usage environment is maintained 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

[0052] When installed in a facility where pollution occurs, a purification treatment facility can be installed between the temporary storage section (300) and the discharge section (40) of the used water.

[0053] The air passage (50) is formed on one side or more specifically on the upper side of the temporary storage unit (300) for used water and serves as a passage for air movement corresponding to the amount of water filling the temporary storage unit (300), and is equipped with a water backflow prevention unit (70) at the end to prevent backflow of seawater.

[0054] Even when the upper part of the water reservoir (100) and the sedimentation section is closed, an air passage (50) equipped with a water backflow prevention section (70) is provided.

[0055] The air passage (50) may be raised high above the sea level to facilitate the repair of the water backflow prevention part (70) provided at the end or to allow for the smooth movement of air to avoid tidal waves.

[0056] FIG. 3 is a structure for helping to settle foreign substances, wherein a wide buoyancy body (60) is provided around the outlet of the water intake part (10), and the water being discharged flows gently from the water surface over the surface of the wide buoyancy body (60), thereby suppressing the generation of vortices that may hinder the settling of foreign substances.

[0057] Even when a separate sedimentation process is performed to use the water as a water source, a wide buoyancy body (60) is provided in the outlet of the sedimentation water transfer section to suppress vortices within the sedimentation section.

[0058] The width of the wide buoyancy body (60) is suitable to be about three times the height of the water discharge, and the water flow can be further slowed down by providing a protrusion on the upper surface.

[0059] A water backflow prevention unit (70) is provided at the end of the air passage (50) and the water discharge unit (40) to prevent water from flowing back into the air passage (50) and contaminating the water in the water reservoir (100) or filling the water temporary storage unit (300) or the water reservoir (100) when the sea level rises due to an unexpected tidal wave.

[0060] The water backflow prevention unit (70) can block the backflow of water without power supply using a check valve or a buoyancy valve, etc.

[0061] Seawater or freshwater is drawn in through the water intake section (10) and transported via the surface of the wide buoyancy body (60) to the sedimentation section or water reservoir section (100), and the water is separated and stored. The water stored in the water reservoir section (100) is supplied to the water usage space section (200) through the water transfer section (20) for use. The water is transported to the water temporary storage section (300) through the water transfer section (30), and air of the same volume as the incoming water is discharged through the air passage (50). The stored water is discharged into the sea through the water discharge section (40) at low tide. At low tide, the water can be discharged directly into the sea from the water usage space section (200). Explanation of the symbols

[0062] 100: Water reservoir 200: Water usage area 201: Water usage space 300: Temporary storage for usage 301: Water storage space 10: Water intake 20: Water transfer unit 30: Water transfer unit 40: Used water discharge section 50: Air passage 60: Wide buoyancy device 70: Water backflow prevention unit 80: Yongsu 81: Foreign matter sediment 82: Usage

Claims

Claim 1 In a system for supplying and using water with a constant vertical drop to overcome tidal intermittency: a water reservoir that draws water by the difference in water level with external seawater due to being located vertically below the highest annual high tide level and forms a water layer inside; a water usage space located below the water reservoir that draws water from the upper layer of the water reservoir to separate it from foreign sediment that has settled to the bottom of the water reservoir, and discharges the water as usage water after being supplied and used by gravity and water pressure due to the vertical difference in elevation with the water reservoir; A system for supplying and using water with a constant vertical drop to overcome tidal intermittency, comprising: a temporary storage unit for water that is located below the water usage space, has its upper part closed by a structure to prevent flooding caused by the inflow of external seawater while underwater, protrudes above the external sea level to relieve internal air pressure resulting from the inflow of the water, and functions to maintain the continuity of internal flow within the system isolated from the external water level by accommodating the water in a space communicating with an air passage equipped with a water backflow prevention unit on one side, and has a discharge unit that discharges the water to the outside due to the water level difference and water pressure caused by the external water level becoming lower than the water level of the water contained therein. Claim 2 A system for supplying and using water with a constant vertical drop to overcome tidal intermittency, characterized in that, in claim 1, it further includes a water transfer unit for transferring the upper layer water within the water reservoir to the water usage space, wherein the water transfer unit is equipped with a buoyancy body on one side and positioned on the water surface within the water reservoir to transfer the upper layer water close to the water surface. Claim 3 A system for supplying and using water with a constant vertical drop to overcome tidal intermittency, characterized in that, in claim 1, it further includes a water intake unit that takes in external seawater and guides it to the water reservoir, and a wide buoyancy body is provided at the end of the water intake unit so that the taken-in water flows gently over the wide buoyancy body within the water reservoir. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete Claim 6 delete Claim 7 A method for supplying and using water with a vertical drop to overcome tidal intermittency, comprising: a step of taking water by the difference in water level with external seawater below the highest high tide level of the year and storing it in a water reservoir; a step of supplying the stored water to a water usage space by gravity and water pressure due to the vertical difference in elevation with the water reservoir, using it, and then discharging it as water for use; and a step of receiving the discharged water for use in a temporary storage unit for water for use, the upper part of which is closed by a structure and capable of relieving internal air pressure, to maintain the continuity of internal flow of the system, and discharging it to the outside by the difference in water level and water pressure as the external water level becomes lower than the water level of the received water for use.

Images