Boundary-Layer Turbine Cycle for Multiphase Power Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbomachinery systems face inefficiencies due to energy loss, high manufacturing and maintenance costs, and structural issues with multiphase flows, particularly in power generation applications, which are exacerbated by the need for high precision and costly designs to prevent structural failure.
Innovation Solution
The use of boundary-layer turbomachines that leverage the boundary-layer effect to drive concentrically nested rotors, utilizing fluid jets and blades to extract energy efficiently while minimizing moving parts, and employing fluid bearings to support high rotational speeds and temperatures, allowing for multiphase fluid operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional turbomachinery is used for power generation, then structural strength can be maintained through heavy design, but efficiency is reduced due to parasitic loading and energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical turbomachinery with a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator system. The MHD generator uses magnetic fields and electric currents to directly convert kinetic energy of the working fluid into electrical energy, eliminating mechanical moving parts such as turbines and compressors. This substitution eliminates parasitic loading and mechanical energy losses while maintaining structural integrity through the stationary magnetic field system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the working fluid itself (electrified gas or plasma) as the energy transfer medium. The fluid is accelerated through a nozzle and passes through the MHD generator channel where energy is extracted. The fluid dynamics are carefully controlled to maintain efficient energy conversion while reducing mechanical stress on components.
2Loss of energy
If multiphase flow is used in turbomachinery to extract energy, then energy efficiency improves, but structural loads increase causing potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The MHD generator system replaces mechanical turbines that would need to withstand multiphase flow loads with a stationary electromagnetic field system. The working fluid, whether single-phase or multiphase, flows through the generator channel without mechanical contact, extracting energy through electromagnetic induction. This eliminates structural loading issues while maintaining the ability to extract energy from multiphase flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase state of the working fluid by electrifying the gas or plasma to enhance its electrical conductivity. This parameter change enables effective MHD energy extraction while allowing the system to handle multiphase conditions without the structural penalties associated with conventional mechanical turbomachinery.
3Loss of energy
If conventional turbines with blades are used, then energy extraction is effective, but manufacturing precision and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bladed turbine rotors with a stationary MHD generator channel and magnetic field system. Energy extraction is achieved through electromagnetic induction as the electrified working fluid passes through the channel, eliminating the need for precision-manufactured rotating blades. This significantly reduces manufacturing complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining effective energy extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The MHD generator system serves multiple functions: it acts as both the energy extraction device and the electrical generator in a single integrated component. The stationary channel structure performs the work of both conventional turbine blades and generator stators, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing the number of precision components required.
4Loss of energy
If heat recuperators are used to reduce heat loss, then energy efficiency improves, but they do not address all types of heat loss and may not operate efficiently in low-grade heat applications
Solution Approach 1:
The MHD generator system changes the operating parameters by using electrified gas or plasma with enhanced electrical conductivity. This enables direct kinetic-to-electrical energy conversion that is particularly effective for low-grade heat applications where conventional thermal cycles struggle. The system can efficiently convert low-grade thermal energy into electrical energy without requiring high-temperature heat recuperation.
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
This approach achieves higher efficiencies, reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs, and enables energy extraction from low-grade heat sources, such as sea water, with lower rotational frequencies and reduced structural loading, while maintaining durability and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
boundary-layer turbomachines may have advantages such as increased efficiency... boundary-layer turbomachines for extracting and injecting energy into a fluid
Implementation Method 2
utilizing fluid jets and blades to extract energy efficiently... the fluid being frictionally engaged with the duct walls to transfer mechanical energy
Implementation Method 3
employing fluid bearings to support high rotational speeds and temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for generating power involves a heater for heating condensate to generate at least partially vaporized fluid for supply to a boundary-layer turbine, which extracts energy therefrom. An axial turbine of the system is coupled to the boundary-layer turbine to receive the fluid therefrom to extract energy. A boundary-layer turbomachine of the system is coupled to the axial turbine to receive the fluid therefrom and to generate the condensate for the heater. Each of the boundary-layer turbine and turbomachine includes a corresponding plurality of ducts for receiving the fluid therein, which corresponding plurality of ducts are defined by a corresponding plurality of duct walls that are configured for drivable rotation by the fluid azimuthally frictionally dragging the respective plurality of duct walls. The plurality of duct walls of the boundary-layer turbomachine are configured to condense the fluid to generate the condensate for the heater.