Electrical power producing device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency in utilizing cold energy generated during the evaporation of liquefied hydrogen, which results in significant energy wastage, as existing methods do not effectively recover and convert this energy into a usable form like electrical power.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a heat exchanger, air storage container, evaporator, and power generator that utilizes the heat exchange between air and hydrogen to produce electrical power by evaporating liquid-state air, thereby recovering cold energy that would otherwise be wasted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If liquid hydrogen is evaporated to use as fuel, then hydrogen becomes usable gas state, but cold energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the previously wasted cold energy from liquid hydrogen evaporation into a useful resource by using it to liquefy air. The evaporator allows liquid hydrogen to evaporate and absorb heat, cooling and liquefying air in the process. This transformed waste cold energy now serves the beneficial purpose of producing liquid air for storage and subsequent power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transitions of both hydrogen and air. Liquid hydrogen evaporates to gas state, absorbing heat and cooling air to its liquefaction point. The air then transitions from gas to liquid state in the heat exchanger, storing the cold energy. Later, liquid air evaporates back to gas to drive the turbine, completing a phase transition cycle that converts thermal energy to mechanical work.
2Loss of energy
If air is cooled to liquid state to store cold energy, then energy recovery is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into integrated components. The heat exchanger simultaneously cools air to liquid state and stores cold energy, while also preparing air for storage. The evaporator both evaporates liquid hydrogen and liquefies air in one process. The liquid air storage container stores both liquid air and recovers cold energy. These merged functions reduce the need for separate dedicated components for each task.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger serves multiple purposes: it cools atmospheric air to liquid state, stores the cold energy in the liquid air, and prepares the air for storage in the liquid air container. The evaporator both evaporates liquid hydrogen to provide cold energy and simultaneously liquefies the air. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated components for each function.
3Loss of energy
If heat exchanger is used to liquefy air, then cold energy is recovered, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger acts as an intermediary device that facilitates heat transfer between evaporating liquid hydrogen and atmospheric air. Rather than directly cooling air using complex cryogenic equipment, the system uses the phase change of hydrogen as a natural cooling medium. The heat exchanger simply provides thermal coupling between these two streams, leveraging the hydrogen's evaporation to automatically cool and liquefy the air without requiring active refrigeration systems.
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 device efficiently recovers cold energy from the evaporation process of liquid hydrogen, converting it into electrical power, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing energy wastage by utilizing air as a medium for energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger connected to an air line, through which air flows, and a hydrogen line, through which liquid-state hydrogen flows. The heat exchanger is configured to produce liquid-state air as the air and the liquid-state hydrogen exchange heat with each other
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator connected to the air storage container via the air line and configured to evaporate the liquid-state air, supplied from the air storage container, through heat exchange
Implementation Method 3
a power generator configured to receive the air, discharged from the evaporator, via the air line, thereby producing electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a heat exchanger having one end connected to an air line through which air flows, and the other end connected to a hydrogen line through which liquid-state hydrogen flows. The heat exchanger is configured to produce liquid-state air as the air and the liquid-state hydrogen exchange heat with each other. The device also includes an air storage container connected to the heat exchanger via the air line and configured to store the liquid-state air discharged from the heat exchanger, and an evaporator connected to the air storage container via the air line and configured to evaporate the liquid-state air, supplied from the air storage container, through heat exchange. The device additionally includes a power generator configured to receive the air, discharged from the evaporator, via the air line, thereby producing electrical power.