Thermoelectric Generation System Using Seawater Temperature Difference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoelectric generation systems have unsatisfactory electric generation efficiency and high equipment and maintenance costs due to the difficulty in generating electricity from seawater with a small temperature difference between the seawater discharged from a steam condenser and sea water, and the need for underwater equipment installation.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric generation system that utilizes a cyclic water circulation system with a high-temperature and low-temperature cooling unit in a steam condenser to generate electricity from the temperature difference between heated seawater and cooled seawater, with a generator unit placed on land to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a pipe from the steam condenser is laid under the sea to generate electricity using the temperature difference between waste water and sea water, then electricity generation is enabled, but the equipment installation cost increases and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the thermoelectric generation function from the underwater environment and relocates it to land-based equipment. The pipe is no longer laid under the sea, but rather connects the steam condenser to land-based thermoelectric conversion elements, eliminating the need for expensive underwater installation and maintenance infrastructure.
2Power
If the pipe from the steam condenser is laid under the sea, then electricity can be generated using waste heat, but the equipment running cost increases due to maintenance difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoelectric conversion elements are extracted from the underwater environment and installed on land, making them easily accessible for maintenance and repair operations. This eliminates the high running costs associated with underwater equipment maintenance while preserving the electricity generation function.
3Productivity
If electricity is generated using seawater passing through the low temperature portion of the steam condenser, then the system can operate, but the electric generation efficiency is unsatisfactory when the temperature difference is small
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters by utilizing waste water from the high temperature portion of the steam condenser instead of the low temperature portion. This increases the temperature parameter of the heat source, thereby improving the temperature difference available for thermoelectric conversion and enhancing electric generation efficiency.
4Power
If seawater with high temperature is used for electricity generation, then power generation output increases, but it becomes difficult to maintain the temperature difference within the required range for environmental protection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the seawater flow into two separate pathways: one stream is used for thermoelectric power generation using high-temperature waste water, while another stream continues to cool the steam condenser and discharge to the sea. This segmentation allows both high power generation output and compliance with environmental temperature difference requirements to be achieved simultaneously.
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 generation output and efficiency by utilizing seawater at higher temperatures, reduces equipment and maintenance costs, and maintains a favorable environmental burden by managing temperature differences effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric conversion element (34) which generates electricity by utilizing a temperature difference between the hot water and the cold water
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a thermoelectric generation system that generates electricity using waste heat from a steam condenser that exchanges heat with steam as cyclic water flows through a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion, the thermoelectric generation system including: a first hot-water discharge line used to discharge the cyclic water passing through the high temperature portion; a cyclic water circulation line through which the cyclic water from under water circulates; and a thermoelectric generation unit that generates electricity on the basis of a temperature difference between a temperature of the cyclic water flowing through the first hot-water discharge line and a temperature of the cyclic water flowing through the cyclic water circulation line.