Flash Jet Natural Cycle Power Generation Without Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current low-temperature heat source power generation technologies, such as organic Rankine cycle, Kalina cycle, and supercritical carbon dioxide cycle, face issues of complex structure, low efficiency, and high cost due to their reliance on pumps and valves.
Innovation Solution
A power generation device utilizing a flash jet natural cycle with organic working fluid circulation, employing a flash injection tube and magnetic spheres to drive the cycle without pumps or valves, replacing traditional components with a simpler structure that includes a flash injection tube, magnetic sphere motion tube, storage tank, and nozzles to convert heat into electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional organic Rankine cycle, Kalina cycle, or supercritical carbon dioxide cycle is used, then power generation can be achieved, but the structure becomes complex and cost increases due to reliance on pumps and valves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the pump and valve components from the traditional power generation cycle system. By eliminating these mechanical components, the system achieves simpler structure while maintaining power generation capability through natural circulation driven by density differences and flash evaporation effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service principles by utilizing natural circulation currents driven by density differences between heated and cooled working fluid, and flash evaporation effects to automatically drive the cycle without external mechanical pumping or valving. The working fluid itself provides the driving force for circulation.
2Ease of manufacture
If pumps and valves are used in power generation system, then fluid circulation and control are achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes pumps and valves from the system, eliminating their associated manufacturing costs and maintenance requirements. Fluid circulation and control are achieved through passive natural circulation mechanisms and flash evaporation effects rather than active mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical pumping and valving systems with thermal and fluid dynamic mechanisms. Natural circulation driven by density gradients and flash evaporation effects substitute for mechanical pumps, while pressure-driven flow control replaces mechanical valves.
3Device complexity
If flash injection tube and magnetic spheres are used to drive the cycle, then structure is simplified and cost is reduced, but the mechanism for driving circulation without pump must be established
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flash injection tube as an intermediary component that utilizes flash evaporation effects to convert thermal energy into kinetic energy, driving the working fluid circulation. Magnetic spheres serve as intermediaries to transfer and amplify the driving forces within the system without requiring mechanical pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits phase transitions of the working fluid, particularly flash evaporation from liquid to vapor phase, to generate the driving forces for circulation. The rapid phase change creates pressure differentials and kinetic energy that drive the cycle forward without mechanical assistance.
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 solution results in a power generation system with a simple structure, low cost, and high efficiency, capable of effectively converting low-temperature heat into electricity, suitable for small generators and distributed power systems, and industrial waste heat recovery.
Implementation Method 1
the heat source is used to provide shell side fluid of the tube and shell heat exchanger and transfer heat to tube side fluid to cause the fluid flashing
Implementation Method 2
transfer heat to tube side fluid to cause the fluid flashing
Implementation Method 3
the linear generator coil is wound around the magnetic sphere motion tube, the linear generator coil is connected with the rectifier circuit
Implementation Method 4
the lower magnetic sphere and the upper magnetic sphere are able to replace the valves in some pumpless organic Rankine cycle
Implementation Method 5
the finned tube is used for condensation of the working fluid by the method of air cooling or water cooling
Implementation Method 6
the upper magnetic sphere falling back to an initial position under an action of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A power generation device and method using organic working fluid for circulation without pump and valve are invented, the principle is able to be called flash jet natural cycle. The flash injection tube, the magnetic sphere motion tube and the storage tank are connected to form the main loop. The finned tube and the storage tank are connected to form the cooling loop. The working fluid is heated in the flash injection tube by low-temperature heat source, and is cooled in the finned tube by air or water. The gravity and flash force jointly drive the flash jet natural cycle. The lower magnetic ball acts as a one-way valve for supplying liquid to the flash injection tube. The upper magnetic ball acts as a valve and a rotor driven by the flash force and gravity to move linearly and produce electricity.