Generator Cooling via Gas-Liquid Separator in Power Generation Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In power generation systems using low-boiling-point media, cooling the generator can lead to vaporization of the medium, impairing circulation pump efficiency and reducing power generation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A power generation system that includes a cooling system to separate the medium into gas and liquid phases after cooling the generator, with the gas phase reintroduced upstream of the condenser and the liquid phase reintroduced downstream, preventing mixed-phase medium flow into the circulation pump and optimizing medium delivery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the generator is cooled by the medium taken out from the medium circuit, then the generator temperature is reduced and cooling effect is achieved, but the medium temperature increases and causes vaporization that impairs circulation pump efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the medium flow path by introducing a gas-liquid separator that divides the medium into gas and liquid phases after the generator cooling process. The liquid phase is returned to the medium circuit while the gas phase is discharged or reused, preventing vaporized medium from entering the circulation pump and maintaining pump efficiency while achieving generator cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas-liquid separator acts as an intermediary component between the generator cooling system and the medium circuit. It mediates the temperature and phase of the medium, separating vaporized portions from liquid portions to ensure only appropriate phase medium enters the circulation pump, thus resolving the contradiction between cooling effectiveness and pump efficiency.
2Temperature
If the medium temperature is increased by cooling the generator, then cooling effect is achieved, but power generation efficiency is reduced due to medium vaporization
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the medium into gas and liquid phases through the gas-liquid separator, the system prevents vaporized medium from re-entering the evaporator and turbine cycle, thereby avoiding energy losses associated with phase instability and ensuring consistent power generation efficiency while maintaining effective generator cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of medium vaporization (which would reduce power generation efficiency) into a beneficial separation process. The gas-liquid separator captures and manages the vaporized portion, preventing it from disrupting the power generation cycle while allowing the liquid phase to continue efficient heat exchange, thus transforming a potential harm into a controlled process.
3Volume of moving object
If the size of the turbine or generator is reduced, then the power generation system size is reduced, but the rotation speed must be accelerated which increases heat loss and reduces insulation life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts heat from the generator using a dedicated cooling system that utilizes medium from the medium circuit. This external cooling approach removes heat loss from the generator operation, compensating for the increased heat generation caused by higher rotation speeds in compact turbines and generators, thereby maintaining insulation life while achieving size reduction.
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 approach reliably cools the generator while maintaining power generation efficiency by preventing medium vaporization and ensuring efficient medium circulation, reducing power loss and heat-related degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling system configured to cool the generator using the medium taken out from the medium circuit
Implementation Method 2
a gas-liquid separator configured to separate the medium heated as a consequence of cooling the generator by the cooling system into gas and liquid phases
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator configured to evaporate the medium pressurized by the circulation pump, using heat from a heat source
Implementation Method 4
an evaporator configured to evaporate the medium pressurized by the circulation pump, using heat from a heat source
Implementation Method 5
a condenser configured to condense the medium discharged from the expander
Data Source
AI summary
This power generation system is provided with a medium circuit, a circulation pump, an evaporator which evaporates a medium, an expander configured to be driven using the medium evaporated by the evaporator, a condenser configured to condense the medium discharged from the expander, a generator configured to be driven by the expander to generate power, a cooling system configured to cool the generator using the medium taken out from the medium circuit at a downstream side of the condenser, and a gas-liquid separator configured to separate the medium heated as a consequence of cooling the generator by the cooling system into gas and liquid phases, wherein the gas phase of the medium is flowed into the medium circuit at an upstream side of the condenser, and the liquid phase of the medium is flowed into the medium circuit at the downstream side of the condenser.