Cooling Tower Hydroelectric Power Generation Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling towers do not incorporate designs for reducing carbon dioxide emissions or resource usage, and there is a lack of integration with hydroelectric power generation units.
Innovation Solution
A cooling tower design that includes a tower body with a divided water collection tank, a water spraying device, a water guiding plate, and a hydroelectric power generation unit, where water flowing from the collecting tank to the power-generating tank drives the generation of electricity from a water level difference, allowing for the conversion of cooled water's potential energy into electric energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a cooling tower is designed with conventional structures only, then the cooling function is achieved, but energy waste occurs and no electricity is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling tower function with hydroelectric power generation by integrating a water collection tank, partition portion, and hydroelectric power generation unit within the same tower structure. The cooling water flow is utilized to drive the hydroelectric generator, merging two functions (cooling and power generation) into a single integrated system, thereby reducing energy waste without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling tower is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools water through conventional heat dissipation and simultaneously generates electricity through the hydroelectric power generation unit. The water collection tank and partition portion enable the same structure to facilitate both cooling operations and hydroelectric power generation, making the device multi-functional and reducing overall energy waste
2Loss of substance
If cooling towers focus only on traditional cooling functions, then cooling performance is maintained, but resource consumption increases and carbon dioxide emissions are not reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential energy of cooled water, which would otherwise be wasted as it drains from the cooling tower, into useful electric energy through the hydroelectric power generation unit. The water flow that is necessary for the cooling function is simultaneously utilized to drive the generator, transforming what would be a wasted resource into a beneficial energy source, thereby reducing resource consumption and enabling electricity generation
3Device complexity
If the water collection tank is not divided, then the structure is simple, but the hydroelectric power generation cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The water collection tank is segmented into different areas by a partition portion, creating a first water collecting tank area and a second water collecting tank area. This segmentation allows the system to implement hydroelectric power generation by directing water flow through the hydroelectric power generation unit located in the second area, while maintaining relative structural simplicity through the use of a straightforward partition wall rather than complex multi-chamber designs
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 design enables energy savings and environmental protection by directly converting cooled water's potential energy into usable electric energy, reducing resource consumption and emissions.
Implementation Method 1
the hydroelectric power generation unit is provided in the power-generating tank area of the tower body and is adjacent to the partition portion. When the water in the water-collecting tank area flows through the partition portion into the power-generating tank area, the same water flows through the hydroelectric power generation unit such that the hydroelectric power generation unit generates electricity from a water level difference of the water
Implementation Method 2
A cooling tower is a device for cooling water, or more particularly a device in which water is cooled by exchanging heat with the air flowing through the device
Implementation Method 3
the double-curve shape of the tower body is intended to facilitate the exchange of heat between water and air through convection
Implementation Method 4
A pipe is provided in a top portion of the tower body to spray in a downward direction the water to be cooled
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling tower with a hydroelectric power generation unit includes a tower body, a water spraying device, and a water guiding plate, in addition to the hydroelectric power generation unit. The tower body has a water collection tank divided into a water-collecting tank area and a power-generating tank area. The water sprayed out by the water spraying device is guided by the water guiding plate into the water-collecting tank area. When the water-collecting tank area is full, the water in the water-collecting tank area flows into the power-generating tank area through the partition portion, or more particularly through the hydroelectric power generation unit, such that the hydroelectric power generation unit generates electricity from a difference in water level. By directly converting the potential energy of cooled cooling water into electric energy that can be stored or used, the cooling tower saves energy and contributes to environmental protection.