Adsorption Recuperative Power Cycle Without Bulk Condensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermodynamic power generation systems, such as Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems, face inefficiencies and high costs when utilizing low-grade heat sources due to the need for bulk liquid condensation and vaporization, which limits their ability to generate power at high ambient temperatures and low driving temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A multi-bed adsorption-based power generation system that eliminates the need for bulk liquid condensation and vaporization by using a sorbent with strong temperature-dependent adsorption affinity, allowing the working fluid to remain in a vapor phase and achieve thermal compression, thereby increasing power output and reducing operating costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional ORC systems use bulk liquid condensation and vaporization, then the system can operate with standard thermodynamic cycles, but the system requires significantly larger equipment and achieves inherently low efficiency less than 10%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermodynamic parameters by eliminating bulk phase change and using vapor-phase working fluid with adsorption-based compression. This transforms the cycle from conventional liquid-vapor ORC to a vapor-phase adsorption-driven cycle, achieving efficiency greater than 10% while using smaller equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical compression with adsorption-based thermal compression. Instead of using mechanical compressors to compress the working fluid, the system uses temperature-dependent adsorption affinity of sorbent materials to achieve compression, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical compression equipment
2Temperature
If conventional ORC systems operate with low driving source temperatures, then the system can utilize low-grade heat sources, but the pressure drop across the expander becomes too small to drive the engine and achieve condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature-pressure relationship by using adsorption-based compression. The sorbent's strong temperature-dependent adsorption affinity allows the system to maintain sufficient pressure drop across the expander even when operating with low-grade heat sources at temperatures below 100°C, enabling power generation from previously unusable low-temperature resources
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional ORC systems use bulk liquid condensation, then the thermodynamic cycle can be completed, but the system fails to produce power at high ambient temperature and low driving temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase state parameter by maintaining the working fluid in vapor phase throughout the cycle instead of requiring bulk liquid condensation. This vapor-phase operation allows the system to continue producing power under high ambient temperature conditions where conventional ORC systems fail, as the adsorption-based compression maintains sufficient pressure differential
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system can produce at least 40% more power and operate effectively at higher ambient temperatures, achieving higher efficiency and reducing capital and operating costs compared to traditional ORC systems.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorption compressor that contains a sorbent with a strong and highly temperature dependent adsorption affinity for the working fluid
Implementation Method 2
the heat exchange fluid passes through the thermal compression system and transfers energy to and from the working fluid confined in the sorbent
Data Source
AI summary
A new power generation thermodynamic cycle is described that eliminates need for bulk liquid condensation and vaporization steps required in conventional ORC power systems. An exemplary harmonic adsorption recuperative power cycle system offers more efficient power generation as compared with conventional ORC systems. A multibed adsorption system is used to provide thermal compression for the cycle. An adsorption compressor contains a sorbent with strong adsorption affinity for the working fluid in the pores while well outside the P-T conditions needed to condense the liquid phase, allowing the adsorption compressor to reduce operating pressure exiting the expander.