Ground-Level Vortex Station for Stable Waste Heat Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for converting waste heat into electricity using atmospheric buoyancy vortices are inefficient due to low power densities at low temperatures, requiring large and expensive equipment, and often rely on costly vertical structures to create vortices.
Innovation Solution
A vortex station that utilizes a ground platform, vanes to direct air flow, and a supply of water to create a swirling atmospheric buoyancy vortex, with the water being heated to increase saturation and stability, allowing for the concentration of wind speeds at ground level and reducing the need for tall structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If waste heat is used for electrical power generation at low temperatures, then energy conversion is achieved, but power density is low and equipment size becomes large and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using atmospheric buoyancy vortices to concentrate heat transfer at specific locations, enabling efficient low-temperature waste heat conversion without requiring large equipment volumes. The vortex concentration effect allows high power density in a compact footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an atmospheric buoyancy vortex as an intermediary mechanism to transfer and concentrate thermal energy from waste heat sources. This vortex acts as a mediator that concentrates energy density, allowing efficient power generation from low-temperature heat without large equipment.
2Reliability
If vertical cylindrical walls are used to create vortices, then vortex formation is achieved, but construction costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of vortex creation from the costly vertical cylindrical wall structure. By using alternative vortex generation methods that eliminate the need for expensive vertical containment structures, the system achieves vortex formation without the high construction costs associated with traditional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, permanent vertical cylindrical wall structures with simpler, more economical vortex generation mechanisms. The temporary or transient vortex structures used have significantly lower construction costs while maintaining functional effectiveness.
3Power
If tall structures and large turbines are used, then power generation capacity is increased, but capital and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the scaling parameters by using atmospheric buoyancy vortices to achieve high power density in compact configurations. Instead of increasing turbine size and structure height, the system concentrates energy transfer through vortex mechanisms, maintaining power capacity while reducing capital costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from vertical scaling (tall structures) to horizontal concentration (vortex concentration at ground level). By concentrating the buoyancy power in a compact horizontal footprint through vortex formation, the system achieves high power capacity without the need for tall structures or large turbine footprints.
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 vortex station enhances the efficiency of waste heat conversion into electricity by concentrating wind speeds at ground level, reducing equipment costs and maintaining vortex stability through hydrodynamic stability, achieving an overall efficiency of approximately 5%.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of vanes to direct an air flow into a vortex station and about the vortex station in a substantially swirling manner
Implementation Method 2
a supply of vaporisable liquid or working fluid (such as water) to the vortex station at or near the centre of the vortex station, the supply of the vaporisable liquid or working fluid (such as water) being supplied at a sufficient quantity or flow rate to provide for at least some of the air being in a saturated condition
Implementation Method 3
an atmospheric buoyancy vortex is created in the centre of the vortex station
Implementation Method 4
a vortex similar to one of a group consisting of dust-devils and waterspouts
Implementation Method 5
at least one wind turbine disposed near the centre of said vortex station, in a path of a concentrated air flow
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a vortex station and method for producing a vortex similar to one of a group consisting of dust-devils and waterspouts. The apparatus comprises a ground platform forming a base for the vortex station, a plurality of vanes to direct an air flow into a vortex station and about the vortex station in a substantially swirling manner, at least one wind turbine disposed near the centre of said vortex station, in a path of a concentrated air flow, wherein the movement of the air in the vortex station is such that an atmospheric buoyancy vortex is created in the centre of the vortex station, a supply of a working fluid (e.g. water) to the vortex station at or near the centre of the vortex station such that the air is of a saturated condition or an at least partially saturated condition with the working fluid (e.g. water), the working fluid (e.g. water) supplied at a sufficient quantity or amount so as to assist with maintaining buoyancy and stability of a vortex created.