Cogeneration boiler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cogeneration boilers are not optimized for home installations, lacking efficiency in both heat and electric energy production.
Innovation Solution
A cogeneration boiler design featuring a specific structure with an internal and external jacket, a combustion chamber, evaporator, condenser, and turbogenerator, optimized for efficient heat and electric energy production with reduced space occupation and minimized leakage points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate exchangers are used in the Rankine cycle, then heat exchange functions are achieved, but potential leakage points increase and space occupancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the evaporator, condenser, and pump into a single integrated exchanger assembly that forms a closed loop. The evaporator and condenser are connected through sealed end caps, eliminating the need for external threaded connections and gaskets that would create leakage points. This merging of multiple heat exchange functions into one compact unit directly addresses the reliability issue while reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the evaporator has a uniform cross-section, then manufacturing is simplified, but flow resistance increases and pressure stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is designed with a variable cross-section where the diameter changes along the length of the pipe coil, specifically increasing in the direction of working agent flow. This local variation in geometry optimizes flow characteristics at different positions, reducing flow resistance and preventing pressure surges while maintaining manufacturability through standard pipe bending techniques.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact boiler design is used, then space occupancy is reduced, but heat exchange efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the evaporator pipe coil is positioned inside the combustion chamber, allowing it to directly utilize the thermal energy from combustion gases. The condenser is then positioned around the evaporator assembly, creating a compact concentric structure. This nesting maximizes heat exchange surface area within a minimal volume, maintaining high heat efficiency while minimizing space occupancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transitions of the working agent (evaporation in the evaporator and condensation in the condenser) as the primary heat exchange mechanism. This allows for highly efficient heat transfer in a compact volume, as phase change processes transfer large amounts of thermal energy rapidly, thereby maintaining high heat efficiency within a small footprint.
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 design ensures high heat efficiency, stable evaporation process, and simultaneous generation of electric energy while minimizing pressure fluctuations and leakage, thus optimizing space usage and performance.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator placed therein, where the outlet of the evaporator is linked to the inlet of a turbogenerator
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger for the exchange of thermal energy between the combustion fumes generated in the combustor and a fluid coming from the compressor
Implementation Method 3
between the internal jacket of the combustion chamber and the external jacket of the boiler there is a chamber with a condenser placed therein, the inlet of which is linked to the outlet of the said turbogenerator
Implementation Method 4
its outlet is linked to the inlet of the evaporator via a pump
Implementation Method 5
a current generator and a current converter able to generate electric energy
Implementation Method 6
capable of producing electric energy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a~3
AI summary
Cogeneration boiler comprises an external jacket, boiler/domestic water inlet and outlet stub pipes, an internal jacket with a layer of thermal insulation encased inside of which there is a combustion chamber with an evaporator placed therein, where the outlet of the evaporator is linked to the inlet of a turbogenerator, and where the said combustion chamber features a lid with an opening for the burner and is linked to the flue gas pipes of the boiler water/domestic water heater fitted with a flue gas outlet stub pipe. Between the internal jacket (21) of the combustion chamber (A) and the external jacket (18) of the boiler there is a chamber (B) with a condenser (2) placed therein, the inlet (10) of which is linked to the outlet of the said turbogenerator, while its outlet (9) is linked to the inlet (11) of the evaporator (1) via a pump, and where the flue gas pipes (5) of the said boiler water/domestic water heater are placed in the water chamber (C) of the heater and on the one end are fixed in the sieve bottom (16) of the combustion chamber (A) and on the other end in the sieve bottom (17) of the said boiler water/domestic water heater, and where the said water chamber (C) of the boiler water/domestic water heater is linked to the chamber (B) in which the condenser (2) is placed.