Thermal Salinity Gradient Power Generation from Waste Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy generation methods relying on salinity gradients, such as pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) and reverse electrodialysis (RED), are limited by the need for natural environmental conditions and lack scalability, as they depend on geographical factors like river mouths meeting the sea, restricting their applicability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates a salinity gradient using thermal energy to separate saline solutions into concentrated and dilute streams, which are then mixed to produce power or hydrogen, utilizing thermal diffusion units, reverse electrodialysis, and other processes to regenerate salinity gradients from waste heat sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If natural salinity gradient methods (PRO, RED) are used to generate power, then power generation is achieved, but scalability is limited due to dependence on specific geographical conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using thermal energy to alter the temperature parameter of saline solutions, which in turn changes the salinity concentration parameter. Thermal diffusion units heat saline solutions to create concentrated and dilute streams, transforming the system from relying on natural geographical salinity gradients to using controllable thermal parameters to generate the necessary concentration differences for power generation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If thermal diffusion units are used to generate salinity gradients from waste heat, then scalability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by using waste heat sources to drive the thermal diffusion process. The waste heat, which would otherwise be discarded, automatically provides the thermal energy needed to create salinity gradients, eliminating the need for additional external energy input systems and reducing overall device complexity despite the addition of thermal diffusion units.
3Loss of energy
If waste heat is used to regenerate salinity gradients, then energy efficiency is improved, but heat transfer requirements increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses saline solutions as an intermediary medium to transfer thermal energy from waste heat sources into chemical potential energy in the form of salinity gradients. The thermal diffusion units and membrane assemblies act as intermediaries that facilitate the conversion of waste heat into usable energy storage, enabling efficient energy recovery while managing heat transfer requirements through staged processing.
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 enables sustainable and efficient energy generation from thermal gradients, regenerating salinity gradients using waste heat, enhancing the scalability and efficiency of RED and PRO processes, and providing a continuous energy source.
Implementation Method 1
A thermal diffusion unit having a reservoir of a saline solution, the thermal diffusion unit configured to apply the received heat to the reservoir, generating a thermal gradient across the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a power generator configured to receive the more concentrated saline solution and the less concentrated saline solution and generate power by performing a controlled mixing of the more concentrated saline solution with the less concentrated saline solution
Implementation Method 3
PRO relies on solvent transport from a solution of lower osmotic pressure to a solution of higher osmotic pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of generating electrical power or hydrogen from thermal energy is disclosed. The method includes adding heat to (or removing heat from) a salinity gradient generator configured to generate a more concentrated and a less concentrated saline solution. The method further includes drawing the more concentrated saline solution and the less concentrated saline solution from the salinity gradient generator and feeding the more concentrated saline solution and the less concentrated saline solution into a power generator. Feeding the saline solutions into the power generator causes the power generator to receive the saline solutions and generate power by performing a controlled mixing of the more concentrated saline solution and the less concentrated saline solution. The method further includes drawing, from the power generator, a combined saline solution comprising the mixed saline solutions and feeding the combined saline solution to the salinity gradient generator.