Electricity generation process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) technologies for renewable energy generation face economic viability due to low power densities, and solution mining processes for natural gas storage and mineral extraction are inefficient, requiring external power sources and significant water consumption.
Innovation Solution
Integrating an osmotic power unit with a semi-permeable membrane into the solution mining process to harness latent osmotic energy from saline streams, using the salinity differential between the input and output streams to generate electricity, thereby reducing reliance on external power and minimizing water consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) technology is used for renewable energy generation, then electricity can be generated from salinity differences, but power density remains low making the process uneconomic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the solution mining process with the pressure retarded osmosis power generation process by using the saline brine stream from solution mining as the feed stream for the osmotic power unit. This integration allows the system to generate electricity while simultaneously performing salt dissolution, effectively combining two industrial processes to achieve both energy generation and mining objectives, thereby improving power density and economic viability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the PRO system by using highly concentrated saline brine from solution mining (with much higher salt concentration than typical seawater) as the feed stream. This parameter change in salinity concentration significantly increases the osmotic pressure differential across the membrane, thereby increasing power density from the conventional low levels to economically viable levels
2Productivity
If solution mining is used to create storage caverns or extract minerals, then natural gas storage or mineral production is achieved, but the process requires significant external power and water consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the osmotic power unit to generate electricity that directly powers the solution mining process. The system uses its own waste product (saline brine) as the energy source, creating a self-sustaining cycle where the mining process generates its own power requirement through osmotic energy conversion, thereby eliminating or reducing external power requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful waste product (saline brine) from solution mining into a beneficial energy source. The highly concentrated salt solution, which would normally be a disposal problem requiring energy-intensive handling, is instead used as the feed stream for osmotic power generation, transforming a waste stream into a valuable energy resource that powers the mining operation
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 increases power density, reduces the need for external power, simplifies waste disposal, and enhances the efficiency of both osmotic power generation and solution mining processes, making them more economically viable and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a semipermeable membrane which permits the passage of water but not the passage of salts
Implementation Method 2
converting latent osmotic energy present in said saline stream into electricity by passage through an osmotic power unit comprising a semi-permeable membrane
Data Source
AI summary
An electricity generation process is disclosed. The process comprises injecting an aqueous feed stream into a salt formation to dissolve the salt contained therein, and then extracting a saline stream containing said dissolved salt from the salt formation. The process also comprises converting latent osmotic energy present in said saline stream into electricity by passage through an osmotic power unit comprising a semi-permeable membrane which permits the passage of water but not the passage of salts in which said saline stream is passed over one side of the semi-permeable membrane, a low salinity stream being passed over the other side of said membrane. The process also comprises using an output stream derived from the low salinity stream as the aqueous feed stream.