Offshore Wind Power System with Waste Heat Recovery for Desalination and Hydrogen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind power generation facilities face challenges due to high installation costs and the inability to meet demand-based electricity supply, limiting their dissemination, and there is a need for efficient methods to utilize waste heat and produce hydrogen and fresh water.
Innovation Solution
A complex system integrating offshore wind power generation, seawater desalination, and low-temperature water electrolysis, utilizing waste heat from wind power generators to produce hydrogen and fresh water through a seawater desalination method, where waste heat from the cooler is used in both processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If offshore wind power generation facilities are installed to generate electric power, then renewable energy production is improved, but installation costs increase and the ability to meet demand-based electricity supply deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines offshore wind power generation with seawater desalination and hydrogen production systems into an integrated complex system. The wind power generator's cooler waste heat is merged with the desalination process, and the desalinated water is then used for hydrogen production, creating a synergistic multi-functional system that reduces overall installation costs and improves energy utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The offshore wind power generation system is designed to perform multiple functions: generating electric power, providing waste heat for seawater desalination, and supplying thermal energy for hydrogen production. This multi-functionality allows the single installation to address multiple energy and water needs, thereby reducing the effective installation cost per unit of output and improving demand-based supply capability
2Loss of energy
If waste heat from wind power generators is utilized for seawater desalination and hydrogen production, then energy utilization efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex system is divided into distinct functional modules: the wind power generation module with its cooler, the seawater desalination module, and the hydrogen production module. Each module operates semi-independently with standardized interfaces, allowing the waste heat to be segmented and directed to different uses (desalination and/or hydrogen production) based on demand, thereby managing system complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own waste heat from the wind power generator cooler to drive the desalination and hydrogen production processes without requiring external energy inputs. The desalinated water produced is then fed back to the hydrogen production unit, creating a self-sufficient cycle that minimizes additional resource requirements and reduces operational complexity
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 system effectively utilizes waste heat to produce hydrogen and fresh water, addressing the challenges of high installation costs and demand-based electricity supply, while leveraging abundant offshore wind energy.
Implementation Method 1
a cooler for preventing a overheating phenomenon caused by the electric power generation
Implementation Method 2
a seawater desalination apparatus which desalinates seawater by using hot water discharged after heat exchange through the cooler
Implementation Method 3
a water electrolysis apparatus which receives fresh water (ultrapure water) and a heat source discharged after desalination of seawater in the seawater desalination apparatus to use the fresh water and heat source for producing hydrogen
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a complex system of offshore wind power generation, seawater desalination, and water electrolysis. The system may include a wind power generator which generates electric power in such a manner that blades are rotated by wind power. The wind power generator may include a cooler for preventing a overheating phenomenon caused by electric power generation. The system may also include a seawater desalination apparatus which desalinates seawater by using hot water discharged after heat exchange through the cooler. The system may further include a water electrolysis apparatus which receives fresh water produced by the desalination apparatus and a heat source discharged therefrom to use the fresh water and heat source for producing hydrogen. A part of a heat source discharged from the water electrolysis apparatus after the production of hydrogen may be heat-exchanged with the cooler, and heat-exchanged with the heat source discharged from the desalination apparatus.