Pumpless Rankine Cycle System for Intermittent Heat Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Rankine cycle systems require expensive working fluid pumps and consume significant power, leading to decreased efficiency and output, and struggle to operate stably with intermittent heat sources.
Innovation Solution
A Rankine cycle system that eliminates the need for a working fluid pump by using an evaporator, expander, generator, and condenser connected by pipes, with a control system that includes differential pressure transducers and solenoid valves to manage fluid flow and pressure, allowing for automatic operation even with intermittent heat sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional working fluid pump is used to transfer the working fluid from the condenser to the evaporator, then the working fluid can be circulated in the Rankine cycle, but the manufacturing cost increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the working fluid pump from the Rankine cycle system, extracting the component that causes increased power consumption and manufacturing cost. The working fluid transfer from condenser to evaporator is achieved through gravity-driven flow and pressure differential created by the evaporator heating process, eliminating the need for mechanical pumping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational characteristics (heating process creating pressure differential and gravity) to achieve working fluid circulation without external mechanical assistance. The evaporator heating process naturally creates the pressure differential needed to move working fluid, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate pumping equipment.
2Productivity
If a conventional working fluid pump is used to transfer the working fluid from the condenser to the evaporator, then the working fluid can be circulated in the Rankine cycle, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the working fluid pump from the Rankine cycle system, extracting the component that causes increased power consumption and manufacturing cost. The working fluid transfer from condenser to evaporator is achieved through gravity-driven flow and pressure differential created by the evaporator heating process, eliminating the need for mechanical pumping.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the Rankine cycle system operates with intermittent heat supply, then the system can adapt to variable energy input, but stable operation becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the working fluid circulation system through variable speed drive mechanisms and control valves that adjust to intermittent heat supply conditions. The system dynamically adapts its operational parameters (flow rate, pressure differential) to match the intermittent heating pattern, maintaining stable operation despite variable energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control mechanisms that monitor operational parameters (temperature, pressure, flow rate) and adjust the working fluid circulation accordingly. When heat supply is intermittent, the feedback system detects changes and modulates the circulation system to maintain stable operation, ensuring consistent power output despite variable heat input.
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 reduces manufacturing costs and power consumption, enhances output efficiency, and enables stable operation with intermittent heat sources by eliminating the need for a working fluid pump and using a control system to manage fluid flow and pressure.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator filled with a working fluid heated by heat supplied from a heat source, for evaporating the working fluid so as to be converted into a high temperature and high pressure gaseous state
Implementation Method 2
heated by heat supplied from a heat source
Implementation Method 3
an expander connected to the evaporator by a pipe, for expanding the high-temperature and high-pressure working fluid in the gaseous state flowing into the expander
Implementation Method 4
a generator attached to the expander, for generating electricity
Implementation Method 5
a condenser connected to the expander by a pipe through which the expanded working fluid flows into the condenser, for condensing the working fluid by heat-exchange with cooling water transferred from the outside
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a Rankine cycle system which generates electricity by using heat as an energy source, in which a conventional pump for carrying a working fluid is not used, thereby reducing the cost of manufacturing the Rankine cycle system, saving the electric power consumed to operate the pump and therefore obtaining a greater output of power, and in which a control system is used to automatically operate the Rankine cycle system, thereby enabling to stably operate the Rankine cycle system even though a heat source is intermittently supplied.