Solvation entropy engine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing salinity gradient energy (SGE) devices, such as pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) and reverse electrodialysis (RED), are limited to fluid mixtures and fail to capture the entropy generated when a solute dissolves in a solvent, limiting their efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A process and system that dissolve a solute into an unsaturated stream to create a high concentration stream, converting latent mixing energy into power through a power unit, with recirculation to maintain solute concentration and capture solvation entropy, using semi-permeable membranes or ion exchange membranes to generate electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If PRO or RED devices are used to capture mixing energy, then some entropy can be harvested, but the devices are limited to fluid mixtures and cannot capture solvation entropy from solid solute dissolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (solid solute) that mediates between the liquid stream and the entropy capture mechanism. The solid solute dissolves in the liquid stream, and this dissolution process itself becomes the source of entropy capture, bridging the gap between traditional fluid-only SGE devices and solid solute applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the system by incorporating solid solute dissolution rather than relying solely on liquid-liquid mixing. This parameter change enables the capture of solvation entropy in addition to mixing entropy, expanding the energy harvesting capability beyond traditional fluid mixtures.
2Loss of energy
If high concentration streams are produced by dissolving solute, then energy efficiency is improved, but freshwater requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers the diluted stream after entropy capture and returns it to the dissolution process. This circular approach allows the system to reuse the same water volume multiple times for dissolving solute, significantly reducing freshwater requirements while maintaining continuous energy capture from the dissolution process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a continuous process where the diluted stream is continuously recycled back to dissolve more solute. This continuous circulation maintains the entropy capture process ongoing without interruption and maximizes the utilization of the same water resource, reducing the need for additional freshwater input.
3Power
If solute is continuously dissolved to maintain high concentration stream, then power generation is sustained, but the process requires prolonged operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous operation by recycling the diluted stream back to the dissolution process. This creates an uninterrupted cycle where solute continuously dissolves and entropy is continuously captured, sustaining power generation over extended periods without requiring intermittent restarts or additional freshwater input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback by using the output of the entropy capture process (diluted stream) as the input for the next dissolution cycle. This feedback loop ensures that the system maintains steady-state operation, where the concentration gradient is continuously regenerated, enabling sustained power generation.
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 the energy efficiency of solute dissolution processes by capturing solvation entropy, allowing for prolonged operation and wider source utilization of low concentration streams, and reduces freshwater requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane allows solvent to pass from the less concentrated solution (with low osmotic pressure) to the more concentrated solution (with high osmotic pressure) by osmosis
Implementation Method 2
Each membrane allows positively or negatively charged ions to pass from the more concentrated solution to the less concentration solution
Data Source
AI summary
A power generation process is disclosed, the process comprises dissolving a solute (10) into an unsaturated stream (140) to produce a high concentration stream (130) and converting latent mixing energy present in a high concentration input stream (130) into power by passage through a power unit (20) in which the concentration of the high concentration input stream (130) is reduced. The process comprises using a reduced concentration output stream (140) derived from the high concentration input stream (130) following passage through the power unit (20) as the unsaturated stream (140). A first fraction of the high concentration stream (130) is passed to the power unit (20) for use as the high concentration input stream (130) and a second fraction of the high concentration stream (130) is output from the process.