Method and device for operating a mini/micro chp plant for single-family dwellings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mini/micro combined heat and power plants struggle to establish themselves in single-family homes due to high annual running time requirements, high acquisition and maintenance costs, and low electrical efficiency, as they cannot adapt their electrical output to varying heat and electrical energy consumption loads.

Innovation Solution

The method involves redistributing power output from the generator based on current load conditions by measuring thermal and electrical energy consumption and adjusting the power distribution among phases R, S, and T, using a control element like a three-phase AC transformer or rectifiers to synchronize power delivery with consumption patterns, allowing for efficient storage in battery and heat accumulators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mini/micro CHP plant operates continuously to meet high annual running time requirements, then the thermal and electrical energy supply is maintained, but the maintenance costs and system wear increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy supply reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system switches from continuous operation to periodic operation by utilizing storage media (battery for electrical energy, heat accumulator for thermal energy) to decouple the CHP plant operation from the actual consumption demand. The CHP plant operates only when storage media are charged or when consumption exceeds storage capacity, transforming continuous operation into periodic charging/discharging cycles that reduce wear and maintenance needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Temperature

If the CHP plant operates at full load continuously, then the thermal energy supply is ensured, but the electrical efficiency decreases due to mismatched electrical load demand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal energy supplyVSAvoidelectrical efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the thermal energy supply function from the electrical energy supply function. The thermal energy is continuously supplied to the heat accumulator regardless of immediate consumption needs, while electrical energy is managed separately through battery storage and controlled distribution to consumers, allowing independent optimization of each energy type's efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Storage media act as intermediaries between the CHP plant and the consumers. The heat accumulator stores thermal energy from the CHP plant, and the battery stores electrical energy, allowing the CHP plant to operate at optimal full load while the storage media buffer the mismatch between generation and consumption patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If the electrical output is increased to meet peak demand, then the electrical energy supply is improved, but the annual running time requirement becomes harder to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical outputVSAvoidannual running time
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by charging the battery storage and heat accumulator during periods when CHP plant operation is economically viable and consumption demand exists. This advance charging allows the system to meet peak electrical demand without requiring the CHP plant to operate continuously at high output, thereby reducing the required annual running time while maintaining adequate power supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 significantly reduces the annual running time of mini/micro combined heat and power plants, enhances thermal and electrical efficiency, lowers maintenance and operating costs, and achieves efficient energy utilization, making them suitable for single-family homes with over 90% efficiency and reduced user costs.

Implementation Method 1

generates an exhaust gas stream whose waste heat is fed via a heat exchanger to a heat accumulator for generating heat energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchanger: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a rectifier/inverter unit for charging the battery storage by rectifying at least part of the alternating current supplied by the generator and for converting the direct current into alternating current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification:

Implementation Method 3

converting the direct current into alternating current for electrical consumers in the house

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInversion:

Data Source

PatentEP3124878B1Method and device for operating a mini/micro chp plant for single-family dwellings
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 WBG WAERME & BET GMBH
  • EP3124878B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3124878B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3124878B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a block-type thermal power station, in particular a mini/micro-CHP unit, for a single-family house. The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device for operating a mini / micro combined heat and power plant for single-family homes, with which the annual running time of the mini / micro CHP significantly reduced while improving the thermal and electrical efficiency and the maintenance effort and the operating costs are reduced. This task is solved in that the electrical power of the generator (3) to be made available on the individual phases (R, S and T) depending on the current consumption load of thermal energy and electrical energy is partially or completely distributed at least from one phase (R and T). the third phase (S) is redistributed and thus adapted to the current load of thermal and electrical energy, in which the current loads of thermal energy and electrical energy are permanently measured, the measured values ​​are transmitted to the central logic (21, in this with a consumption compared to the coordinated annual duration and daily Gariglinie for heat and electrical energy, load deviations with permissible tolerance determined and the electrical power held available in one or both phases (R, T) by a control element (22) according to the current consumption load on the third phase (S) potential-free is fed.