Retractable Hood Heat Module for Biomass Waste Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste heat capture systems for biomass combustion face issues such as maintenance-intensive designs, internal leakage leading to downtime, inefficiencies due to fluctuating combustion heat, and limited portability, with no means to regulate heat transfer effectively.
Innovation Solution
A skid-mounted heat capturing module with a retractable hood and variable speed induction fan, connected to an organic Rankine cycle unit, allows for controlled heat capture and conversion to electrical power, independent of the biomass burn container, and includes a closed flow loop with sensors and controllers for maintaining optimal temperature and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If heat transfer panels with circulating water are used in firebox walls, then waste heat can be captured and converted to useful heat, but the system requires maintenance and leaks lead to significant downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heat transfer function from the firebox wall structure itself and places it in a separate, removable hood assembly. This allows the heat transfer panels to be easily removed, repaired, or replaced without affecting the firebox structure, thereby maintaining high reliability while enabling waste heat recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat capturing system is divided into modular components: the hood, heat transfer panels, tubing, and pump are separate from the firebox. This segmentation allows individual components to be maintained or replaced independently, reducing downtime and improving reliability while preserving heat recovery functionality.
2Loss of energy
If heat transfer panels with water circulation are installed in firebox walls, then waste heat can be recovered, but internal leakage causes downtime requiring burning to be halted
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer panels are extracted from the permanent firebox wall installation and placed in a removable hood. This extraction enables quick removal and replacement of panels without halting the burning process, maintaining productivity while enabling heat recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, permanent wall installation to a dynamic, removable hood assembly that can be quickly deployed and removed. This dynamic design allows maintenance or replacement of heat transfer panels without interrupting the burning process, ensuring continuous power generation.
3Loss of energy
If a fixed firebox wall design with heat transfer panels is used, then heat can be captured, but the system lacks portability and cannot be used with different fireboxes or fire pits
Solution Approach 1:
The hood assembly with heat transfer panels is designed as a universal, portable unit that can be attached to various types of burn containers including fireboxes, fire pits, and portable burners. This multi-functional design enables waste heat capture across different applications while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed, location-specific installation to a portable, movable hood assembly that can be dynamically positioned and attached to different burn containers. This dynamic portability enables versatility across various applications while preserving heat capture functionality.
4Productivity
If combustion heat fluctuates as biomass fuel is depleted and replenished, then heat transfer is variable, but there is no means to regulate heat transfer from the combustion plume to the heat transfer medium
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that monitor heat transfer medium temperature and provide feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the pump speed and hood position in response to this feedback, enabling automatic regulation of heat transfer efficiency despite fluctuations in combustion heat.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses variable speed pumps and adjustable hood positions to dynamically regulate heat transfer. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize heat transfer efficiency in response to fluctuating combustion conditions, improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
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
The system provides efficient and reliable conversion of waste heat to electrical power with reduced downtime and increased portability, capable of operating across various biomass burn containers, while maintaining optimal heat transfer and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange assembly in flow communication with an internal space of the hood for receiving hot gas from the hood
Implementation Method 2
Heat capturing module generally comprises... a heat exchange assembly... for receiving hot gas
Implementation Method 3
connected to an organic Rankine cycle unit, allows for controlled heat capture and conversion to electrical power
Implementation Method 4
connected to an organic Rankine cycle unit
Data Source
AI summary
A heat capturing module for obtaining useful energy from waste heat includes an extendable hood directing hot gas through a heat exchange assembly having a plurality of heat pipes. A closed flow loop directs a heat transfer medium through the heat exchange assembly to heat the heat transfer medium, and directs the heated medium for use by an application. In one embodiment, the closed flow loop directs the heat transfer medium through an organic Rankine cycle unit where heat is converted to electrical power. An exhaust system having a variable-speed induction fan induces flow of the hot gas through the heat exchange assembly. The speed of the induction fan may be controlled to maintain a setpoint temperature of the heat transfer medium. The hood may be extended and retracted based on a measured temperature of gas at an intake region of the hood. The module is transportable by truck trailer.