Energy recovery system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current combined heat and power systems face challenges in economically providing energy while reclaiming heat and reducing carbon emissions, with inefficiencies in heat utilization and packaging, as well as compliance with environmental regulations, especially in residential settings.
Innovation Solution
A combined heat and power unit utilizing a four-stroke opposed piston engine that converts mechanical energy into electricity and captures heat from both exhaust and coolant streams, with heat exchangers to maximize thermodynamic efficiency and comply with EPA regulations, incorporating a compact design for efficient packaging and heat recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heat is recovered from exhaust and coolant streams using heat exchangers, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides heat recovery into separate streams: exhaust gas heat recovery through a heat exchanger and coolant heat recovery through a separate heat exchanger, allowing independent optimization of each heat recovery path while maintaining overall system efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple heat exchangers within a compact housing structure, nesting the exhaust heat exchanger and coolant heat exchanger in a space-efficient arrangement that recovers heat from multiple sources without proportionally increasing overall system volume
2Productivity
If a four-stroke opposed piston engine is used to generate electricity, then productivity is improved, but packaging difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the engine, generator, heat exchangers, and control systems into an integrated combined heat and power unit, merging multiple functions into a single packaged system that reduces installation complexity while maintaining electricity generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The opposed piston engine serves multiple functions: generating electricity through the generator and providing thermal energy through exhaust and coolant heat recovery, allowing a single engine to fulfill both power generation and heating needs in residential applications
3Loss of energy
If heat recovery systems are implemented in residential settings, then loss of energy is reduced, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to regulatory compliance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts harmful exhaust gases and waste heat from the engine into useful thermal energy for residential heating and hot water, transforming environmental byproducts into valuable resources that reduce overall energy consumption and carbon 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 system effectively recovers and utilizes heat from both exhaust and coolant streams, enhancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and meeting environmental compliance, while providing a compact and efficient energy solution for residential use.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger fluidly communicating with the exhaust vent or duct and thermodynamically communicating with a first hot liquid storage container
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the cooling jacket surrounding the engine, the second heat exchanger in thermodynamic communication with a second liquid storage container
Implementation Method 3
the engine contains a cooling jacket housing a coolant
Implementation Method 4
heat generated from an engine for a variety of applications... through the engine exhaust stream
Data Source
AI summary
A combined heat and power system, or an energy system, is provided. A four-stroke opposed-piston engine provides efficient power from a generator set or genset. A heat exchange system is provided within the energy system to provide efficient waste heat recovery as the engine is operated.