Osmotic Power Generation Using Seawater Density Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing osmotic energy generation systems require continuous supply of both high and low solute liquids, which is costly and limits their usage areas, as they rely on uninterrupted addition of these liquids to generate electricity.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an osmotic membrane between liquids of different densities, with a valve unit and density sensors to manage vapor pressure equalization between a regeneration unit and a retaining chamber, allowing for electricity generation using only one type of liquid by leveraging daily changes in air humidity to create density differences, and an ejector for efficient liquid transfer without additional energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional osmotic energy generation systems use continuous supply of high and low solute liquids, then electricity generation is maintained, but system cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of liquid storage, density adjustment, and osmotic energy generation into a single integrated system. The regulating chamber merges the roles of maintaining liquid levels and adjusting density ratios, while the regeneration unit combines evaporation and condensation functions to continuously regenerate the density difference without requiring external low-solute liquid supplies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sea water for multiple purposes: as the high-solute liquid for osmotic power generation, as the liquid to be evaporated for density adjustment, and as the condensed liquid for regeneration. The same liquid circulates through different functions within the system, eliminating the need for separate low-solute liquid supplies and reducing overall system complexity.
2Power
If conventional systems require uninterrupted addition of high and low solute liquids, then continuous electricity generation is achieved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and reuses sea water that would otherwise be wasted. The evaporation-regeneration cycle condenses evaporated sea water back into liquid form, which is then returned to the system. This closed-loop approach eliminates the need for continuous addition of fresh low-solute liquid and reduces consumption of high-solute liquid, thereby reducing operational costs while maintaining continuous power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the density parameter of the liquid through evaporation and condensation processes. By evaporating sea water to create a denser liquid and then condensing it back, the system continuously regenerates the density difference required for osmotic power generation without requiring external liquid supplies, thus reducing substance consumption costs.
3Power
If osmotic membrane is used between liquids of different densities, then solvent passage increases pressure for electricity generation, but system requires complex valve and sensor control
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses natural physical processes to automate control functions. The evaporation and condensation processes occur naturally based on temperature differences, automatically regulating liquid density and levels without requiring complex external control systems. The density sensors and valves work passively响应 to natural density differences created by the evaporation-condensation cycle, reducing the need for active control complexity.
4Quantity of substance
If sea water is used as the only liquid source, then system cost decreases, but density difference maintenance becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses phase transitions (evaporation and condensation) of sea water to maintain density differences. By evaporating sea water to create a denser liquid and then condensing it back, the system continuously regenerates the density difference required for osmotic power generation. This natural phase transition process maintains composition stability without requiring multiple liquid types or complex intervention.
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 eliminates the need for continuous low and high solute liquids, reduces energy consumption, and enables electricity generation using only sea water by exploiting daily changes in air humidity to create liquid density variations, ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
provides solvent passage from one of the liquids to the other liquid by means of an osmotic membrane provided between liquids taken to a first volume and to a second volume and having different densities
Implementation Method 2
a first regeneration unit and a second regeneration unit which provide equalization of the vapor pressure of the liquid accommodated therein to the vapor pressure of air
Implementation Method 3
provide equalization of the vapor pressure of the liquid accommodated therein to the vapor pressure of air
Implementation Method 4
a first density sensor provided between the first regeneration unit and the valve unit, a second density sensor provided between the retaining chamber and the valve
Implementation Method 5
an ejector for efficient liquid transfer without additional energy consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a power generator which provides solvent passage from one of the liquids to the other liquid by means of an osmotic membrane provided between liquids taken to a first volume and to a second volume and having different densities and which provides increasing of the pressure of the liquid to which the solvent passage occurs and which provides generation of electricity from the formed pressure. Accordingly, the system includes a first regeneration unit and a second regeneration unit, a retaining chamber, a valve unit, a first density sensor, a second density sensor, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to determine the liquid having high density in accordance with the measurements taken and to determine the operation mode of the valve unit accordingly.