Binary Cycle Power System Using Heat Pump for Ambient Heat Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing binary cycle power systems are limited to areas with volcanic activity, as they rely on geothermal energy from underground reservoirs heated by volcanic activity, restricting their geographical deployment.
Innovation Solution
A binary cycle power system utilizing an industrial heat pump to transfer heat from surrounding air, lake water, or seawater to a binary fluid, facilitating evaporation and energy conversion for electricity generation, independent of volcanic activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If geothermal energy from volcanic activity is used, then electrical power can be generated, but the system can only be deployed in areas with volcanic activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat pump as an intermediary device that mediates between ambient heat sources (air, water) and the binary fluid. This heat pump enables the system to operate in locations without volcanic activity by transferring thermal energy from readily available ambient sources to the working fluid, thus expanding geographical deployment while maintaining reliable power generation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the heat source from requiring high-temperature volcanic heat to utilizing lower-temperature ambient heat sources. By using a heat pump to elevate the temperature of ambient heat to sufficient levels for binary fluid evaporation, the system can operate in diverse geographical locations with varying climate conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If ambient heat sources are used instead of geothermal energy, then geographical deployment is expanded, but heat transfer efficiency must be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump serves as an efficient thermal intermediary that minimizes energy loss during heat transfer. It captures ambient heat that would otherwise be wasted and efficiently transfers it to the binary fluid, maintaining high thermal efficiency while enabling deployment in non-geothermal locations
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transitions of the binary fluid (evaporation and condensation) in the heat exchanger to efficiently transfer and convert thermal energy. The heat pump leverages these phase change processes to maximize energy utilization from ambient heat sources, minimizing energy loss while expanding geographical capability
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
Enables the generation of clean and sustainable electrical power in a wider geographical range by harnessing ambient heat, providing a limitless and efficient energy source.
Implementation Method 1
The heat pump transfers heat from a second fluid circulating in the heat pump to the first fluid so that the first fluid evaporates
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger for evaporating a first fluid
Implementation Method 3
The turbine converter converts energy of the evaporated first fluid to mechanical energy
Implementation Method 4
the electrical generator generates the electrical power from the mechanical energy
Implementation Method 5
a first condenser for condensing the evaporated first fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The application relates to a binary cycle power system for generating electrical power. The system comprises a heat exchanger for evaporating a first fluid, a turbine converter, an electrical generator, and a first condenser for condensing the evaporated first fluid. The turbine converter converts energy of the evaporated first fluid to mechanical energy and the electrical generator generates the electrical power from the mechanical energy. The heat exchanger is a second conderser, which is a part of a heat pump that transfers heat from a second fluid circulating in the heat pump to the first fluid so that the first fluid evaporates.