Thermal processes and systems for generating electricity utilizing predetermined working fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Geothermal energy systems using water as a working fluid suffer from inefficiencies due to its high latent heat and specific heat capacity, leading to reduced kinetic energy and electromagnetic induction, resulting in lower electricity generation. Drilling deep wells for thermal energy is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
Implementing predetermined working fluids with higher latent heat and lower specific heat capacity than water, and utilizing supercritical states to maximize thermal energy absorption and kinetic energy for driving turbines, allowing electricity generation from various thermal sources, including geothermal, gas flares, and exhaust gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is used as the working fluid in geothermal energy systems, then the system can operate with simple fluid circulation, but the high latent heat and specific heat capacity of water reduce kinetic energy and electricity generation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the working fluid by selecting fluids with specific properties (lower latent heat and lower specific heat capacity than water) to optimize thermal energy conversion efficiency and maximize kinetic energy for electricity generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the working fluid (liquid to vapor and back) to absorb and release thermal energy efficiently, where the fluid evaporates to absorb heat from the geothermal source and condenses to release heat, driving the turbine process
2Temperature
If deep wells are drilled to access high thermal energy, then sufficient thermal energy can be obtained, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermodynamic parameters of the working fluid to enable efficient heat absorption at lower temperatures, allowing the system to operate effectively with shallower wells that take less time to drill and maintain
3Temperature
If deep wells are drilled to access high thermal energy, then sufficient thermal energy can be obtained, but the cost of drilling and maintaining wells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thermal parameters of the working fluid to maximize heat absorption efficiency, enabling the system to achieve required thermal energy levels with shallower, less expensive wells that are easier and cheaper to drill and maintain
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
Enhances kinetic energy and electromagnetic induction in turbines, increasing electricity generation efficiency and reducing reliance on deep wells, while utilizing diverse thermal sources effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a predetermined working fluid that absorbs thermal energy from a geothermal energy source to become a heated working fluid
Implementation Method 2
the latent heat of water at a phase change from liquid to gas
Implementation Method 3
a turbine that is driven by kinetic energy of the heated working fluid
Implementation Method 4
an electricity generator that is driven by the turbine to generate electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A process of generating electricity from a thermal energy source includes selecting a predetermined primary fluid having: a latent heat greater than a latent heat of water at a phase change from liquid to gas; and a specific heat capacity less than a specific heat capacity of water in a liquid phase and in a gas phase; and selecting a predetermined secondary fluid having: a latent heat less than a latent heat of water at a phase change from liquid, to gas; and; a specific heat capacity less than a specific heat capacity of water in a liquid phase and in a gas phase. The process includes the primary fluid absorbing thermal energy from the thermal energy source; exchanging the thermal energy of the primary fluid with the secondary fluid; driving a turbine via the secondary fluid; and driving an electricity generator by the turbine to generate electricity.