Device and method for converting thermal energy into mechanical rotational energy in a trilateral cycle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for converting thermal energy into mechanical rotational energy in a trilateral cycle (TLC process). A rotation unit for converting the thermal energy of a heated working medium (AM) into rotational energy according to the TLC process is characterized by a continuous tubular line which is wound in geometric shapes, preferably spirals, and which is disposed eccentrically on a support structure and in which, by utilization of the centrifugal force acting on the liquid working medium, an even, continuous pressure reduction occurs in conjunction with continuous flash evaporation of the working medium together with simultaneous acceleration and increase in the flow velocity of the working medium. The working medium exiting a nozzle with high velocity at the end of the tubular line, which working medium is partially evaporated or still in liquid form, causes rotational motion of the rotational unit according to the principle of a reaction turbine.

Description

[0001] DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING THERMAL ENERGY IN A TRILATERAL CYCLE INTO MECHANICAL ROTATIONAL ENERGY Description

[0002] The invention relates to methods and devices for converting thermal energy into technically usable rotational energy and subsequently electrical energy using a thermodynamic triangular process. State of the art

[0003] Due to the small temperature difference between low-temperature heat sources and potential heat sinks such as surface water or ambient air, and the resulting low theoretical efficiency, the most complete utilization of the theoretically usable thermal energy is desirable in heat engines. This is made possible by implementing a trilateral cycle (TLC) process according to Smith (US4, 557,112), which theoretically has the highest exergetic efficiency compared to other thermal power processes such as steam power, ORC, or Kalina processes.

[0004] In the TLC process according to Smith (see Fig. 1), a working fluid goes through the following steps: - Isochoric pressure increase (points 1 - 2)

[0005] Isobaric heat supply without evaporation of the working fluid (points 2 - 3)

[0006] Isentropic flash evaporation through continuous pressure reduction with simultaneous volume increase and performance of volume work (points 3 - 4). Isobaric heat removal and condensation of the evaporated portion of the working fluid (points 4 - 1).

[0007] The basic structure of a thermal power plant using the TLC process is shown in Fig.2.

[0008] Starting at point 1, a liquid working fluid is brought to a working pressure by a pressure pump. External heat is then added to the working fluid in a heat exchanger. This heat is converted into a rotary motion through partial evaporation of the working fluid in a heat engine, which drives a generator. The resulting working fluid vapor is condensed under low pressure after exiting the heat engine and fed back to the pump together with the remaining liquid working fluid.

[0009] The cycle thus begins again. The technical challenge of the TLC process lies in implementing the partial evaporation of the working fluid in the heat engine as forced flash evaporation with a falling evaporation curve (see Fig. 2, TS diagram, progression from point 3 to point 4) perpendicularly through the wet steam region of the working fluid. The continuous, simultaneous, and spatial coexistence of:

[0010] • Active reduction of the working pressure to initiate the flash evaporation of the working fluid

[0011] • Volume increase due to the newly created working fluid vapor through the expansion evaporation of the working fluid or expansion of the already existing working fluid vapor

[0012] • Performing expansion work by increasing the volume while continuously reducing the working pressure

[0013] • in the wet steam area of ​​the working medium with a high liquid content, high technical demands are placed on the heat engine used.

[0014] Various devices are known for implementing the flash evaporation of a TLC process, such as rotary machines, screw and vane expanders, piston machines, and turbine systems. In particular, the large volume expansion of the working fluid of up to 1:300 and pressure expansion of up to 1:20 and more represents a challenge for many devices.

[0015] [Smith2016], [Francesconi2022] and [Markides_Wang2023] provide a current overview.

[0016] Due to their compactness, simple construction, and especially the potential for large volume and pressure expansion, reaction turbines based on the Heron's ball principle are being intensively researched. Various devices are known:

[0017] US Patent 4,332,520, June 1, 1982, Fig.1

[0018] US Patent 5,236,349, Aug.17, 1993, Fig.3

[0019] US Patent 2006 / 034,677, Feb. 16, 2006, Figs. 3, 11

[0020] EP1350923A1, Jan. 08, 2002, Fig. 1

[0021] These devices were mostly derived from solutions for other technical processes and, according to the invention, have only one stage for flash evaporation.

[0022] This results in an extremely short period of time in which the working fluid undergoes the flash evaporation process, which leads to thermodynamic disadvantages.

[0023] This includes:

[0024] • no complete flash evaporation, which leads to unused thermal energy

[0025] • The pV characteristic of the device does not correspond or only insufficiently corresponds to the pV evaporation characteristic of the working medium, which leads to conversion losses

[0026] • ZT high speeds of the device, which require additional, lossy gears

[0027] • Risk of component damage at the outlet opening due to droplet erosion, triggered by the rapid, sudden flash evaporation

[0028] • Components that are difficult to manufacture (geometry of the outlet channels and nozzles) which result in a reduction in economic profitability. Poor adaptation of the device to changes in the inlet temperature or the condensation temperature due to the operating points predetermined by the mechanical design, which leads to a limitation of the application area.

[0029] Object of the invention

[0030] The aim of the present invention is a device for converting low-temperature heat of less than 200°C into technically usable energy according to Fig. 2, realizing the flash evaporation of the TLC process (Fig. 1, points 3-4) while simultaneously eliminating the disadvantages of the previously known devices.

[0031] This means that the new technical solution should have the following properties:

[0032] • The flash evaporation process is very slow compared to the state of the art

[0033] • This prevents sudden flash evaporation and subsequent droplet erosion on mechanical components

[0034] • the pV characteristic of the device corresponds as closely as possible to the pV evaporation characteristic of the working medium

[0035] • the flash evaporation of the working medium is largely completed while simultaneously releasing energy

[0036] • Adaptation to changes in thermal environmental parameters such as temperature of the heat source or condensation temperature is possible

[0037] • a wide range of the temperature of the low-temperature heat source and the condensation temperature is covered

[0038] • a mechanical construction that is easy to manufacture

[0039] Explanation of the solution approach

[0040] The object of converting thermal energy into mechanical rotational energy is achieved according to the invention as defined in the claims by a novel rotating energy converter which, in a novel process using the centrifugal forces acting during each rotation, enables a slow flash evaporation of the working medium after the TLC process compared to the prior art and releases the energy gained as mechanical rotational energy.

[0041] The energy converter is characterized by a rotating support structure on which a continuous, regularly shaped tubular pipe is arranged at varying distances from the rotational axis of the support structure. In this tubular pipe, the centrifugal force acting on the liquid working fluid causes a slow, continuous flash evaporation of the working fluid, resulting in a continuous pressure reduction while simultaneously accelerating and increasing the flow velocity of the liquid or evaporated working fluid. The liquid or partially evaporated working fluid exits a nozzle at high speed at the end of the tubular pipe, causing the energy converter to rotate according to the principle of a reaction turbine (also called a pressure turbine).In a spiral arrangement of the tubular line, the working medium rotating at high speed in the line generates an additional angular momentum due to its mass, which is transferred to the energy converter as a counter-impulse according to the laws of angular momentum and generates an additional rotational force.

[0042] What’s new:

[0043] • Structure and design of the energy converter

[0044] • Use of the effective centrifugal forces as an internal device and process auxiliary force

[0045] • Use of the laws of angular momentum

[0046] • Conversion of thermal energy into mechanical energy, deviating from the state of the art, in many individual steps along the tubular line

[0047] • Reaction rate [Wikipedia] of the energy converter approximately 1

[0048] For better differentiation and delimitation from the state of the art, the following applies:

[0049] • the innovative energy converter as a rotation unit

[0050] • the entire device with integrated rotation unit is called a heat engine.

[0051] List of illustrations

[0052] Fig. 1 - State of the art: Thermodynamics of the TLC process

[0053] Fig. 2 - State of the art: Structure of a system for energy generation using a heat engine according to the TLC process

[0054] Fig. 3 - State of the art: Reaction turbine design

[0055] Fig. 4 - General structure of a rotation unit 20

[0056] Fig. 5 - Structure of a single-rotation unit 30 with meandering, circularly arranged tubular line 23

[0057] Illustration of the process of stepwise slow flash evaporation using the example of the rotation unit 30

[0058] Fig. 6 - Schematic diagram of the flow of the liquid and vaporized working fluid using the example of the meandering hose-shaped line 23 of the rotation unit 30

[0059] Fig. 7 - Structure of a single-rotation unit 31 with tubular line 23 laid in flat spirals and arranged as a circular ring

[0060] Principle of the formation of angular momentum <p am Beispiel der Rotationseinheit 31

[0061] Fig. 8 - Structure of a single-rotation unit 32 with a wavy, coiled tubular cable 23

[0062] Fig. 9 - Structure of a single-rotation unit 33 with several tubular lines 23 laid as a spiral tower 26

[0063] Fig. 10 - Basic structure of a multi-rotation unit 34 using the example of the single-rotation unit 31

[0064] Fig. 11 - Basic structure of single-rotation units 31 and 33 for reducing high maximum working pressures Fig. 12 - Basic structure of a heat engine 40 with a single-rotation unit or

[0065] Multi-rotation unit

[0066] Fig. 13 - Basic structure of a complete thermal power plant 49

[0067] Fig. 14 - Representation of the variation of possible operating states in the TS diagram

[0068] List of reference symbols and abbreviations used

[0069] General reference symbols

[0070] • AM - Work equipment, generally used

[0071] • pA - Working pressure, generally used

[0072] • pA max - maximum working pressure

[0073] • p1 ,p2,p3... - local working pressure in a single section

[0074] • Ap - pressure difference between two local working pressures

[0075] • pR - residual working pressure

[0076] • Ah - height difference

[0077] • r1 - minimum distance of the tubular cable laid in geometric shapes to the

[0078] rotation axis

[0079] • r2 - maximum distance of the tubular line laid in geometric shapes to the rotation axis

[0080] • Ar - Difference between r1 and r2

[0081] • F ri - Centrifugal force acting on the liquid working fluid

[0082] • p AM - Density of the liquid working fluid

[0083] • p AD - Density of the working fluid vapor

[0084] • Cü — Angular velocity of the rotation unit

[0085] • <pl - Drehimpuls des rotierenden Arbeitsmittels

[0086] • <p2 — Gegen-Drehimpuls zu <pl

[0087] Thermodynamic reference symbols

[0088] • Numbers 1 - 4 indicate thermodynamic state points for the working fluid in the TS and pV diagram

[0089] Work equipment used and condition

[0090] • 10 - Work equipment, warm, general

[0091] • 11 - Working fluid, liquid, warm

[0092] • 12 - Working fluid, vaporous, warm

[0093] • 13 - Working fluid, liquid, cold

[0094] • 14 - Working fluid, vaporous, cold

[0095] • 15 - Inert auxiliary gas rotation unit

[0096] • 20 - Rotation unit, consisting of: o 21 - Hollow shaft, designed as a rotation axis o 22 - Circular support structure o 23 - Tubular line o 24 - Outlet nozzle o 25 - Thermal insulation

[0097] • 26 - hose-shaped line laid as a spiral tower 23

[0098] • 30 - Single rotation unit with meandering hose-shaped line 23

[0099] • 31 - Single-rotation unit with tubular line laid in flat spirals 23

[0100] • 32 - Single-rotation unit with coiled corrugated tubular line 23

[0101] • 33 - Single-rotation unit with several (six) hose-shaped lines wound as a spiral tower 26 23

[0102] • 34 - Multi-rotation unit consisting of several single-rotation units 31 Heat engine

[0103] • 40 - Heat engine, with the further components o 41 - Pressure-resistant housing o 42 - Rotary bearing or rotary bearing bushing o 43 - Rotary bushing for the supply of warm working medium 10 o 44 - Opening for the discharge of the remaining liquid cold working medium 13 o 45 - Opening for the discharge of the cold working medium vapor 14 and the inert

[0104] Auxiliary gas 15 o 46 - Opening for circulation of the inert auxiliary gas 15

[0105] • 49 thermal power plants complete

[0106] Detailed description

[0107] The following description shows:

[0108] • the general structure of the new rotation unit 20

[0109] • Construction of a single rotation unit 30

[0110] • the novel process of slow, step-by-step flash evaporation using the example of the single-rotation unit 30

[0111] • Fluid mechanics using the example of the single-rotation unit 30

[0112] • Construction of a single-rotation unit 31

[0113] • Creation of angular momentum using the example of the single rotation unit 31

[0114] • Construction of a single-rotation unit 32 for low temperature differences

[0115] • Construction of a single-rotation unit 33 with spiral towers 26

[0116] • Construction of a multi-rotation unit 34 with several single-rotation units

[0117] • Rotation units for high temperature differences

[0118] • Variations in the design of the tubular line 23

[0119] • Variations in the working equipment General structure of a rotation unit 20

[0120] In the center of a rotation unit 20 (see Fig. 4) there is a hollow shaft 21 designed as a rotation axis. The hollow shaft 21 has at least one inlet opening on its circumference through which, under maximum working pressure pA max standing, heated working fluid 10 is introduced into the inner region of the hollow shaft and at least one outlet opening for discharging the working fluid 10 from the hollow shaft.

[0121] Perpendicular to the hollow shaft 21 there is a support structure 22 which is firmly connected to the hollow shaft 21.

[0122] On the support structure 22 there is at least one pressure-resistant, continuous tubular line 23, which is arranged in regular shapes with varying distances from the axis of rotation on the support structure and is fixed thereon (see Fig. 4 symbolic representation).

[0123] The tubular line 23 is connected on the inlet side to the outlet opening of the hollow shaft 21, so that the working fluid 10 located inside the hollow shaft can flow into the line 23. On the outlet side, the line 23 is connected to at least one outlet nozzle 24 located tangentially on the outer circumference of the support structure 22, which is firmly connected to the support structure 22.

[0124] To reduce or avoid thermal losses, the rotation unit 20, in particular the tubular line 23 (see Fig. 4, section AA) is enclosed with a thermal insulation 25.

[0125] Construction of a single-rotation unit 30 and the slow flash evaporation process

[0126] The novel method for realizing a slow, step-by-step flash evaporation according to the TLC process (see Fig. 1) is based on a large number of small pressure release steps in the tubular line 23 laid in regular shapes with varying distances to the rotation axis, utilizing the centrifugal force F acting on the liquid working medium in the line 23 due to the rotation of the entire rotation unit. F|ieh .

[0127] In Fig.5, the example of the rotation unit 30 shows the interaction of the line 23 laid in regular shapes with varying distances to the rotation axis with the centrifugal force F F|ieh shown. In the rotation unit 30, a tubular line 23 is arranged in a meandering circular shape on a support structure 22 (Fig. 5a).

[0128] In a linear development (Fig. 5b), the line 23 appears like a series of interconnected U-shaped sections, with the lower arcs of the U-shaped sections pointing outwards and having a distance r2 from the axis of rotation.

[0129] The internal connections from one U-shaped section to the next section have a smaller distance r1 to the rotation axis.

[0130] The difference between the two distances r1 and r2 is Ar. The legs of the individual U-shaped sections located radially to the supporting structure are filled with working fluid vapor or liquid fluid. The pressure p1 in the upper vapor-filled leg (see Fig. 5b) of the first U-shaped section is higher than the pressure p2 in the second section, and this is even higher than the pressure p3 in the third vapor-filled section. Therefore, p2 = p1 - Ap and p3 = p2 - Ap.

[0131] The cause of the pressure difference Ap is the centrifugal force F, F.,l.ieh, which is generated by the rotation of the entire rotation unit 30 and acts on the working fluid located in the legs of the U-shaped sections.

[0132] A centrifugal force is initially generated equally by the working fluid vapor 12 and the liquid working fluid 11. Due to its higher density, the liquid working fluid 11 generates a significantly stronger centrifugal force than the already evaporated gaseous working fluid 12. This results in a force imbalance between the centrifugal force of the working fluid vapor 12 and the liquid working fluid 11 in the two legs of a U-shaped section.

[0133] This force imbalance prevents the higher pressure p1 (or p2) from pushing the fluid into the next section with the lower pressure p2 (or p3). A height difference Ah of the fluid arises between the two legs of a U-shaped section, reflecting the pressure difference Ap between two adjacent sections.

[0134] The height difference Ah or the pressure difference Ap (see Fig. 5b) are variable and depend on:

[0135] • the difference in the density of the liquid working medium and the working fluid vapor p^p

[0136] • the rotation speed Cü

[0137] • the difference Ar between the minimum distance r1 and the maximum distance r2 of the line 23 to the rotation axis

[0138] Through a multitude of these U-shaped sections with individual pressure differences Ap, a gradual reduction of the maximum working pressure pA takes place in the rotation unit 30 over the length of the tubular line 23 max except for a small residual pressure pR.

[0139] Fig. 5c shows the pV diagram corresponding to Fig. 5a and 5b with a representation of the position of the individual steps of the flash evaporation with the pressure difference Ap.

[0140] The summation of the individual steps results in a pV diagram as shown in Fig. 5d.

[0141] Fluid mechanics of the single-rotation unit 30

[0142] In the rotation unit 30 according to Fig. 5, as previously described, a continuous reduction of the working pressure pA occurs from section to section through a plurality of U-shaped sections of the tubular line 23. While a quasi-static state is shown in Fig. 5, in reality the working fluid is subject to a flow due to the continuous supply of new working fluid 10 from the hollow shaft 21 into the tubular line 23 (see Fig. 4).

[0143] In order to flow, however, the still liquid working fluid 11 or the already present working fluid vapor 12 must overcome the blocking effect of the liquid working fluid 11 caused by centrifugal force. Overcoming the blocking effect of the liquid working fluid for the working fluid vapor occurs in various processes, which are shown in Fig. 6. For easier understanding, U-shaped sections of the rotation unit 30 according to Fig. 5 are also shown here.

[0144] Fig. 6a shows the simplest case, which typically occurs at the beginning of the tubular line 23. Newly supplied liquid working fluid 10 flows under the pressure p4 into the right leg of the U-shaped section, reducing the height difference Ah and thus the pressure difference Ap caused by centrifugal force, which the liquid working fluid can build up between the right and left legs. If the pressure difference Ap that can be generated by the height difference Ah becomes smaller than the actual pressure difference between the local working pressures p4 and p5, liquid working fluid flows from the left leg of a U-shaped section into the right leg of the next section with the lower working pressure p5, which leads to further changes in the subsequent U-shaped sections.

[0145] In the incoming liquid working fluid, now at working pressure p5 (see Fig. 6b), the lower working pressure p5 causes minor flash evaporations of the working fluid. The resulting working fluid vapor bubbles increase the volume of the liquid working fluid due to their bubble volume and raise the liquid level in the left leg of the U-shaped section to such an extent that additional liquid working fluid flows to the left into the next section.

[0146] This leads (see Fig. 6c) to the remaining quantity of liquid working fluid 11 and thus the pressure difference Ap that can be generated by the liquid working fluid being lower than the actual pressure difference between p4 and p5. As a result, the blocking effect of the liquid working fluid can no longer be maintained. This results in a direct flow of working fluid vapor 12, which is at the working pressure p4, into the next section at the working pressure p5. Subsequently, the volume of the working fluid vapor that has flowed through and was previously at working pressure p4 increases due to expansion due to the now lower working pressure p5. The local working pressure p5 is slightly increased, which leads to further changes in the subsequent U-shaped sections.

[0147] The processes depicted in Figures 6a to 6c do not occur individually and in isolation, but always in combination. Flow and balancing reactions occur continuously across multiple sections.

[0148] Due to the effect of a large number of these local pressure differences, the process of flash evaporation of the working fluid according to the TLC process (see Fig.1 ) takes place very slowly in many individual steps compared to the state of the art and thus follows the pV evaporation characteristic of the working fluid almost ideally.

[0149] The processes shown in Fig. 6 produce a continuous increase in the volume of the working medium vapor 12 and thus a flow of the liquid working medium 11 and the working medium vapor 12 through the hose-like line 23. The continuously increasing volume of the working medium vapor 12 causes a continuous increase in the flow velocity of the working medium vapor 12 or of the still liquid working medium 11 through the hose-like line 23. This means that the thermal energy consumed during the evaporation of the working medium is converted into kinetic energy of the flowing working medium.

[0150] The continuous increase in the flow velocity results in the cooled working fluid vapor 14 and the cooled, liquid working fluid 13 exiting the outlet nozzle 24 at the end of the tubular line 23 at a low residual working pressure pR at a very high flow velocity.

[0151] This results in the recoil force typical of reaction turbines, which is transferred from the outlet nozzle 24 to the support structure 22 and further to the hollow shaft 21. This force can then be used by the hollow shaft 21 as mechanical rotation to drive, for example, a generator.

[0152] While in reaction turbines according to the state of the art (see Fig.3) the conversion of the entire thermal energy takes place in the nozzle [see Wikipedia], in a rotation unit according to Fig.5 the conversion of the thermal energy takes place over the entire length of the tubular line 23 with a much higher efficiency.

[0153] Preferred structure of a single-rotation unit 31 and generation of angular momentum

[0154] The arrangement of the hose-like line 23 as a meander as shown in Fig.5 is disadvantageous in terms of fluid mechanics, since it is associated with an abrupt change of direction in each section, which leads to flow resistance.

[0155] A continuous flow without abrupt changes in direction is more advantageous. This is achieved in the preferred arrangement by a hose-like conduit 23 arranged in flat, circular spirals on the support structure 22, as shown in Fig. 7a.

[0156] In the linear development of line 23 (see Fig. 7b, 7c), the direct analogy between the arrangement of the spirally laid tubular line 23 and the meandering line 23 shown in Fig. 5 is evident. Thus, the same principles apply as described for Fig. 5 and 6.

[0157] The arrangement of the hose-like line 23 on the support structure 22 in flat, circular spirals, in combination with a high flow velocity, leads to the creation of an angular momentum.

[0158] As shown in Fig. 7b, the working fluid flows clockwise in the spiral line 23.

[0159] This creates an angular momentum that is also directed clockwise <pl . Aufgrund der höheren Dichte wird dieser Drehimpuls insbesondere durch das flüssige Arbeitsmittel 11 hervorgerufen.

[0160] The angular momentum <pl (siehe Fig.7b), dessen Drehpunkt außermittig der Rotationsachse (der Hohlwelle 21) der Rotationseinheit 31 liegt, erzeugt gemäß den Impuls-Gesetzen einen Gegenimpuls <p2 (siehe Fig. 7a), der über die Tragstruktur 22 auf die Rotationseinheit 31 wirkt. Der Gegen-Drehimpuls <p2 hat dabei eine entgegengesetzte Drehrichtung zu (pl , d.h. <p2 dreht sich entgegen dem Uhrzeigersinn. Durch die erfindungsgemäße tangentiale Ausrichtung der Austrittsdüse 24 in Uhrzeigersinn ergibt sich, das die durch die Rückstoßkraft der Austrittsdüse 24 entstehende Drehrichtung der Rotationseinheit und die aus dem Gegenimpuls <p2 resultierende Drehrichtung identisch entgegen dem Uhrzeigersinn sind und sich damit überlagern.

[0161] This means that in addition to the recoil force of the outlet nozzle 24, there is the angular momentum <p2 eine zweite Kraft, die die Rotationseinheit 31 in Rotation versetzt.

[0162] Construction of a single-rotation unit 32 for low temperature differences

[0163] The conversion of small temperature differences into mechanical energy is often desired. This is not possible with current technology, as the small temperature differences only allow for small pressure differences while simultaneously generating a large volume increase due to the resulting steam.

[0164] With a rotation unit 32 (see Fig.8) and a corresponding design of the tubular line 23, even small temperature differences can be converted into mechanical energy.

[0165] If one takes the meandering cable 23 shown in Fig. 5 and reduces the height of the individual sections to a flat waveform, an arrangement of the cable 23 as a concentric winding with individual wave-shaped sections as shown in Fig. 8a is possible. In the linear development of the cable 23 (see Fig. 8b), the principle of the individual U-shaped sections as explained in Fig. 5 can be recognized.

[0166] Only minimal pressure differences Ap can be generated between the individual elongated U-shaped sections, which nevertheless allow a slow and gradual conversion of thermal energy into mechanical flow energy over a large number of sections.

[0167] Construction of a single-rotation unit 33 with spiral towers 26

[0168] As previously explained with reference to Fig. 5, the basis for the inventive function of a rotation unit 20 is the formation of a pressure difference Ap between two successive sections.

[0169] For this purpose, as shown in Fig. 7, the hose-like line 23 can be arranged in spirals as a flat circular ring.

[0170] Another possible spiral arrangement of the tubular line 23 is in the form of superimposed spirals as a spiral tower 26, as shown in Fig. 9b. For reasons of symmetry and to avoid imbalance, at least two spiral towers 26 must be arranged on a support structure 22. This structure is referred to as a rotation unit 33.

[0171] Fig.9a shows an example of a rotation unit 33 with 6 spiral towers 26, but other arrangements with 2-5 or more than 6 spiral towers are also possible.

[0172] As shown in Fig.9c, in a tubular line 23 arranged off-center on a support structure 22 as a spiral tower 26, the same laws of the formation of a pressure difference Ap and an angular momentum <pl wie bei einer in flach liegenden Spiralen angeordneten schlauchförmigen Leitung 23 nach Fig.7. Bei entsprechender Konstruktion der Hohlwelle 21 für die Zuführung des warmen Arbeitsmittels 10 mit individuellen Leitungen zu den einzelnen Spiraltürmen 26, können die einzelnen Spiraltürme bei Veränderungen der thermischen Gegebenheiten zu- oder abgeschaltet werden. Eine entsprechendes Kontroll- und Regelungssystem steuert die Zu- oder Abschaltung der einzelnen Spiraltürme 26.

[0173] Construction of a multi-rotation unit 34

[0174] The structurally simple design of a single-rotation unit, as shown in Fig. 10, allows several single-rotation units (a total of four single-rotation units 31 in Fig. 10) to be operated on a common hollow shaft 21 to increase mechanical performance. This design is referred to as a multi-rotation unit 34.

[0175] By combining different types of single-rotation units (30-33) into a multi-rotation unit 34, the adaptability to changes in the maximum working temperature or the condensation temperature is increased.

[0176] With a corresponding design of the hollow shaft 21 with several separate lines for supplying the warm working fluid 10, as shown in Fig. 10, section AA, the individual rotating units can be switched on or off depending on changes in the thermal conditions. A corresponding control and regulation system controls the number of rotating units switched on or off.

[0177] To avoid or reduce thermal losses, the multi-rotation unit 34, in particular the tubular lines 23 (see Fig.10) are enclosed with a thermal insulation 25.

[0178] Rotation units for high pressure differences

[0179] Depending on the working medium used, maximum working temperature or condensation temperature, the maximum working pressure pA maxand the residual working pressure pR, a high pressure difference arises, which, as previously explained, must be reduced in the individual spirals of the tubular line 23 via the individual pressure differences Ap. Thus, at high pressure differences, there is a need for a correspondingly large number of individual sections of the tubular line 23. There are various implementation variants for this, as shown in Fig. 11.

[0180] In Fig.11 a, a rotation unit 31 with a large number of individual spirals is shown, whereby there are limitations due to the base area of ​​the support structure 22 and the mechanical properties of the hose-like line 23.

[0181] Another variant of a rotation unit for high pressure differences involves the use of a rotation unit 33 with spiral towers. The hose-like lines 23 of the individual spiral towers 26 are connected to each other (see Fig. 11 b) in such a way that the mixture of liquid working fluid 11 and working fluid vapor 12 passes through several spiral towers one after the other before exiting from an outlet nozzle 24. Depending on the number of spiral towers used in a rotation unit 34, a variable interconnection is also possible.

[0182] Likewise, in a multi-rotation unit 34, large pressure differences can be reduced by connecting the individual single-rotation units in series. Variations in the design of the tubular line 23

[0183] As previously shown in Fig.5, the basic condition for the inventive function of a rotation unit 20 is that a pressure difference Ap arises in a tubular line 23 between two adjacent sections during rotation.

[0184] To optimize the performance and the technical properties of the rotary unit resulting from the increasing steam volume, a change in the pressure difference Ap is desirable during the flash evaporation process. This can be achieved by varying the tubular line 23.

[0185] In a first variant, the difference Ar between the radii r1 and r2 of the tubular line 23 (see Figs. 5, 7, 8, 9) can be varied from the beginning to the end. A reduction in Ar leads to a reduction in the possible height difference Ah and thus in the maximum pressure difference Ap. Conversely, an increase in Ar is also possible with an increase in the maximum pressure difference Ap.

[0186] Another variant involves changing the distance of the tubular line 23 from the rotation axis from the beginning to the end while maintaining a constant difference Ar. A reduction leads to a reduction in the maximum pressure difference Ap due to the similarly decreasing centrifugal force. In this case, an increase in the distance and thus an increase in the maximum pressure difference Ap is also possible.

[0187] The rapidly changing flow volume of liquid working fluid 11 and working fluid vapor 12 can be accommodated as a further option with a tubular line 23 that has a cross-sectional area that varies from beginning to end. Increasing the cross-sectional area leads to a reduction in the flow velocity, while decreasing the cross-sectional area leads to an increase in the flow velocity.

[0188] Depending on the specific application or area of ​​use, combinations of the above-mentioned variations as well as other variants can also be used.

[0189] Variations in work equipment

[0190] The classic Smith TLC process (see Fig. 1) uses a working fluid 10, typically a single chemical compound, which partially evaporates isentropically in step 4. "Partially" here means that the entire amount of heated working fluid never evaporates. Depending on the working fluid used, the operating temperatures, and the temperature difference between heating and condensation, more than half of the working fluid remains cooled in the liquid state. This remaining liquid portion of the working fluid serves only as a heat reservoir in the original TLC process and provides the thermal energy for the evaporating portion of the working fluid.

[0191] Here, the solution of a binary mixture acts as the working fluid, replacing the remaining liquid portion of the working fluid with a second, chemically different compound. At the same pressure, this second compound always has a higher vaporization temperature than the first, evaporating compound. As a result, the second compound always remains liquid and never converts to vapor. It serves solely as a heat reservoir for the complete evaporation of the first chemical compound.

[0192] A change in the mixing ratio of the two compounds allows easy adaptation of the energy converter to changing temperatures or temperature differences between the heat source and the condensation.

[0193] The use of a binary mixture as a working medium has no influence on the physical course of the TLC process, the technical function of the rotation unit 20 or the operation of the heat engine.

[0194] In the classic TLC process, it is also usual to work with a heated and pressurized working medium 10, which is completely in the liquid state when fed to the heat engine.

[0195] The newly developed and technically very simple design of a rotation unit 20 with a tubular line 23 allows operation with a working fluid 10 that is already in a partially vaporized state. This means that the warm working fluid 10 supplied to the rotation unit 20 can be a mixture of heated liquid working fluid 11 and already formed working fluid vapor 12.

[0196] This property extends the working range of the rotation unit 20 to variable temperatures, such as those that can occur during the course of the day during solar thermal heating.

[0197] Example of a heat engine 40

[0198] A single-rotation unit or a multi-rotation unit is the essential element of a heat engine 40, the structure of which is shown in Fig. 12.

[0199] Fig. 12a shows a heat engine with a single-rotation unit, and Fig. 12b shows a heat engine with a multi-rotation unit.

[0200] A heat engine 40 consists of at least the following components:

[0201] • a single or multi-rotation unit 20

[0202] • a pressure-resistant housing 41 with rotary bearings or rotary bearing bushings 42 for the rotatable mounting of the rotation unit 20

[0203] • Rotary unions 43 for supplying warm working fluid 10 into the hollow shaft 21 of the rotary unit

[0204] • An opening 44 in the lower part of the housing 41 for discharging the remaining liquid cold working medium 13 and

[0205] • An opening 45 in the upper part of the housing 41 for discharging the cold working fluid vapor 14

[0206] • An opening 46 in the central area of ​​the housing 41 for the circulation of an inert auxiliary gas 15 To operate the heat engine 40, heated gas is supplied to the heat engine 40 at maximum working pressure pA max stationary working medium 10 is introduced from the outside into the rotary union 43 and from there further into the hollow shaft 21 of the rotation unit.

[0207] The rotation unit converts the thermal energy of the working medium 10 into a mechanical rotation of the rotation unit or the hollow shaft 21. The rotation of the hollow shaft 21 is then transmitted via a rotary bearing bushing 42 to a generator, where it generates electrical energy.

[0208] The cooled liquid working fluid 13 and the cooled working fluid vapor 14 emerging from the rotation unit are collected in the housing 41.

[0209] The liquid working medium 13 flows out through the opening 44 in the lower area of ​​the housing 41 to be reheated.

[0210] The working fluid vapor 14 flows together with parts of the inert auxiliary gas 15 through the opening 45 in the upper region of the housing 41 to a condenser for liquefaction.

[0211] The inert auxiliary gas 15 flows into the housing 41 through the opening 46 located in the central region.

[0212] The arrangement of the rotation unit 20 with a vertical rotation axis shown in Fig. 12 is the preferred arrangement. However, in principle, a horizontal or inclined arrangement of the rotation axis is also possible without affecting the basic function of the rotation unit 20.

[0213] Fig. 13 shows the structure of a complete thermal power plant 49 with a heat engine 40. The working fluid vapor 14 exiting the heat engine 40, together with portions of the inert auxiliary gas 15, flows to a condenser for removing the entropy while liquefying the working fluid vapor 14. After condensation, the cold working fluid 13, now liquid again, flows to a collecting tank.

[0214] In the condenser, the inert auxiliary gas is separated from the liquid cold working medium 13 and flows slightly cooled through the opening 46 back to the heat engine 40.

[0215] The cold working fluid 13 remaining liquid in the heat engine 40 also flows from the heat engine 40 to the collecting tank.

[0216] A pump sucks the liquid cold working medium 13 from the collecting tank and puts it under maximum working pressure pA max and pumps it further to a heater for heating to maximum working temperature. The pressurized and heated working fluid 10 is then fed back to the rotation unit 20 for conversion of thermal energy into mechanical energy.

[0217] The inert auxiliary gas 15 circulating between the heat engine 40 and the condenser performs functions for controlling the flow direction of the cold working fluid vapor 14 and for pressure equalization between the condenser and the heat engine 40.

[0218] Gases such as nitrogen (N2) or carbon dioxide (CO2) can be used as inert auxiliary gases. A control and regulation system adjusts the supplied quantity of heated working fluid 10, the mixing ratio of a binary working fluid 10, or the number of single-rotation units 20 switched on or off in a multi-rotation unit to changes in the temperature of the low-temperature heat source, the condensation temperature, or the available energy quantity of the low-temperature heat source.

[0219] Not shown are various auxiliary systems such as:

[0220] Starting aids for initial commissioning

[0221] Measuring sensors and process control and regulation technology

[0222] Heat storage

[0223] Filter systems for cleaning the liquid working fluid Filling, removal and refilling systems for the working fluid

[0224] In Fig.14, various operating scenarios are additionally shown as TS diagrams of the work equipment.

[0225] Fig. 14a - Course under basic operating conditions (dashed lines) defined by the temperature of the heat source and the condensation temperature

[0226] Fig. 14b - Course with increased temperature of the heat source

[0227] Example: Use of solar thermal energy as a heat source in summer

[0228] The starting point of the flash evaporation (point 3) is shifted upwards.

[0229] More thermal energy is converted than under basic operating conditions.

[0230] Fig. 14c - Course with increased condensation temperature

[0231] Example: Use of geothermal energy as a heat source and cooling by ambient air in summer The condensation line from point 4 to point 1 is shifted upwards.

[0232] The relaxation curve from point 3 to point 4 is shortened.

[0233] Less energy is converted than under basic operating conditions.

[0234] Fig. 14d - Course with increased temperature of the heat source and increased condensation temperature Example: Use of solar thermal energy as a heat source and cooling by ambient air in summer Depending on the temperature difference between points 2 and 3, more or less thermal energy can be converted than under basic operating conditions.

[0235] Literature:

[0236] [Smith2016]

[0237] IK Smith

[0238] Total flow and other systems involving two-phase expansion

[0239] Geothermal Power Generation 2016, pp. 321-351 http: / / dx.doi.Org / 10.1016 / B978-0-08-100337-4.00012-7

[0240] [Francesconi2022]

[0241] Francesconi, M.; Briola, S.; Antonelli, M.

[0242] A Review on Two-Phase Volumetric Expanders and Their Applications

[0243] Appl. Sei. 2022, 12, 10328. https: / / doi.Org / 10.3390 / app122010328

[0244] [Markides_Wang2023]

[0245] Christos N. Markides, Kai Wang

[0246] Power Generation Technologies for Low-Temperature and Distributed Heat

[0247] DOI: https: / / doi.org / 10.1016 / B978-0-12-818022-8.00003-X 2023 Elsevier Ltd.

[0248] [Wikipedia] https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Reaktionsgrad

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Rotation unit (20) for converting the thermal energy of a warm working medium (10) in a flash evaporation according to the TLC process into rotational energy, characterized by: • a hollow shaft (21) designed as a rotation axis with at least one inlet opening on the circumference for supplying liquid under maximum working pressure pA max standing and heated working fluid (10) into the inner region of the hollow shaft (21) and at least one outlet opening on the circumference for discharging the working fluid (10) from the hollow shaft • at least one support structure (22) fixedly connected to the hollow shaft (21) and arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation • at least one outlet nozzle (24) fixed tangentially to the outer edge of the support structure (22) • at least one pressure-resistant, continuous hose-shaped line (23) arranged on the support structure (22), which o is laid and fixed in at least 5 geometric shapes, with alternately decreasing and increasing distance from the rotation axis o on the support structure (22) o on the inlet side with the at least one outlet opening of the hollow shaft (21) for admitting the under maximum working pressure pA max standing heated liquid working medium (10) is connected into the tubular line (23) o is connected on the output side to the at least one outlet nozzle (24) for discharging liquid remaining and cooled working medium (13) under a residual pressure pR and cold working medium vapor (14) also under residual pressure pR, thereby generating a recoil force acting on the support structure (22).

2. Rotation unit (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one pressure-resistant, continuous tubular line (23) is designed as a self-supporting 3D structure without a supporting structure (22).

3. Rotation unit (20) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the supplied working medium 10 is a mixture of liquid working medium (11) and working medium vapor (12).

4. Rotation unit (20) according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the working medium (AM) consists of a single chemical compound.

5. Rotation unit (20) according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the working medium (AM) consists of a binary mixture of two chemically different compounds, wherein in the rotation unit (20) one of these compounds evaporates completely and the second compound always remains liquid and acts as a non-evaporating heat carrier which supplies heat of evaporation for the evaporation of the first compound.

6. Single-rotation unit (30) according to one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the at least one pressure-resistant, continuous tubular line (23) is laid in a circular ring in meanders with varying distances from the axis of rotation.

7. Single-rotation unit (31) according to one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the at least one pressure-resistant, continuous tubular line (23) is laid in a circular ring in flat spirals with varying distances from the axis of rotation.

8. Single-rotation unit (32) according to one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the at least one pressure-resistant, continuous tubular line (23) is laid as a concentric winding in a wave form with a varying distance from the axis of rotation.

9. Single-rotation unit (33) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least two tubular lines (23) are arranged as spiral towers (26) with varying distances from the axis of rotation on a support structure (22).

10. Multi-rotation unit (34), characterized in that several rotation units 20 according to one of claims 1 to 9 are arranged on a common hollow shaft (21).

11. Rotation unit (33, 34) according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the supply of warm working medium (10) to the individual single-rotation units (30, 31, 32) or spiral towers (26) can be individually switched on or off.

12. Heat engine (40) for converting thermal energy into rotational energy using the TLC process, characterized by: • At least one rotation unit (20, 30 - 34) according to one of claims 1 to 11 • A pressure-resistant housing (41) with pivot bearings (42) for receiving and rotatably positioning the rotation unit (20, 30 - 34) in the housing (41) • at least one rotary union (43) for supplying liquid, pressurized and heated working medium (10) into the inner area of the hollow shaft (21) of the rotary unit (20, 30 - 34) • an electric generator connected to the hollow shaft (21) of the rotation unit (20, 30 - 34) or another technical device for utilising the mechanical energy generated by the rotation unit (20, 30 - 34) • at least one opening (44) at the bottom of the housing (41) for discharging the remaining liquid cold working medium (13). • at least one opening (45) in the upper area of the housing (41) for discharging the resulting cold working fluid vapor (14) • at least one opening (46) for the circulation of an inert auxiliary gas.

13. Heat engine (40) according to claim 12, characterized in that it has a control and regulation system which is used to adapt the heat engine (40) to • Changes in the temperature of the low-temperature heat source, • the condensation temperature or • the available energy quantity of the low-temperature heat source • amount of heated working fluid supplied (10) • the mixing ratio of a binary working medium (10) or • regulates the number of spiral towers (26) of a single-rotation unit (33) that are switched on or off, or the number of single-rotation units (20, 30 - 32) of a multi-rotation unit (34) that are switched on or off.

14. Method for converting the thermal energy of a warm working medium (10) in a flash evaporation according to the TLC process into rotational energy by means of a rotation unit with a • laid in at least 5 geometric shapes with varying distances to the rotation axis • through which the liquid working medium (11, 13) and the working medium vapor (12, 14) flow • with the rotation unit rotating hose-shaped line (23), characterized in that: in each section of the line (23) with a distance of the line (23) to the axis of rotation that decreases in the direction of flow, a partial counterpressure (Ap) is created locally by the centrifugal force acting on the liquid working medium (11, 13) located in the line (23), which counteracts the local working pressure (pA) or the flow of the liquid and vaporous working medium (11, 12, 13, 14) and thus enables a gradual, slow flash evaporation of the warm working medium (11) in the line (23).

15. A method for converting the thermal energy of a warm working medium (10) in a flash evaporation according to the TLC process into rotational energy, characterized in that the liquid and evaporated working medium (11, 12, 13, 14) flowing in a rotation unit (31, 33) with a spirally laid tubular line (23) generates a rotational pulse (cp1) by an off-center circular movement in the line (23), which is transmitted to the rotation unit (31) as a counter-pulse (cp2).

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