Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F03D—WIND MOTORS
  • F03D3/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor 
  • F03D3/04—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor  having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels
  • F03D3/0409—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor  having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels surrounding the rotor
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F03D—WIND MOTORS
  • F03D1/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor 
  • F03D1/04—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor  having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F03D—WIND MOTORS
  • F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
  • F03D9/008—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations the wind motor being combined with water energy converters, e.g. a water turbine
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2210/00—Working fluid
  • F05B2210/18—Air and water being simultaneously used as working fluid
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2240/00—Components
  • F05B2240/10—Stators
  • F05B2240/13—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines
  • F05B2240/131—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines by means of vertical structures, i.e. chimneys
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2240/00—Components
  • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
  • F05B2240/93—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a structure floating on a liquid surface
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2260/00—Function
  • F05B2260/20—Heat transfer, e.g. cooling
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2260/00—Function
  • F05B2260/20—Heat transfer, e.g. cooling
  • F05B2260/24—Heat transfer, e.g. cooling for draft enhancement in chimneys, using solar or other heat sources
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
  • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
  • Y02E10/46—Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
  • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
  • Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
  • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
  • Y02E10/74—Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for use as an electricity producing means typically rotating on the surface of the water and utilizing tempera ⁇ ture difference of water and air, and horizontal wind.
• the invention particularly relates to the method according to preamble of claim 1 and to an apparatus according to preamble of claim 5.
• one and same apparatus recovers electricity both from upward directed flow of open air heated with water and from wind, whereby the means operates as a windmill with vertical axis.
• Use of heat for producing vertical flow is known in the form of vertical wind power plant.
• a power plant recovering horizon ⁇ tal wind and vertical wind is below called a combined wind power plant.
• the power plant or a part thereof is rotating on the surface of the water supported by a pontoon.
• a bearing system is simultaneously provided which is appropriate for both a vertical and a horizontal wind power plant. Recovering electricity from rotary movement is known in the art.
• a heat transfer means based on siphonage.
• the air pressure raises the water up to the height of ten meters at most in the tubing.
• the water flow in the pipes of the heat transfer means is provided by utilizing the rotary movement.
• a heat transfer means disclosed in the utility model U930372 may also be used, in which air first is first conveyed under the water surface, e.g. within a pontoon.
• the present method is essential when trying to produce electricity at low cost from wind and/or vertical wind.
• the great volume of air needed in a vertical wind power plant is heated advantageously with a transfer means according to the present method.
• the rising of hot air upwards is known in the art also as a chimney effect.
• a stationary vertical power plant has been built at least in Spain.
• the great volume of heat to be needed is generated with the aid of a light transmitting cover when the sun is heating the earth and the earth in turn the air.
• the cost of the cover is up to 70% of the price of the power plant.
• There should be a great quantity of cover because the power achieved from the sun is small, the maximum being 1 kW/m 2 . Even in the best areas the average is only about 200 W/m 2 .
• electricity has been reported to be achieved at low cost (60 Finnish pennies per kWh).
• the method of the present invention is mainly characterized in what is presented in the characteristic features' part of claim 1, and the apparatus of the invention is mainly characterized in what is presented in the characteristic features' part of claim 5.
• a combined wind power plant is a novel method of electricity production in which renewable energies can be utilized more advantageously than before.
• the greatest power from the vertical wind is derived when the energy need is greatest, that is, in freezing cold weather.
• the same apparatus is enabled to utilize horizontal wind when the wind is blowing.
• the power plant can be bearably carried in the water.
• the invention also includes a heat transfer means for transferring a great quantity of thermal power from the water into the air advantageously and reliably.
• the requisite thermal power required in a vertical wind power plant is of the order 1000 MW. Raising water into the pipes can advantageously be accomplished by siphonage so that the potential energy of the water remains there and will not be lost.
• the flow in the water pipes is maintained by the forces generated by the rotation of the apparatus and by increased density of the cooling water.
• the rotary movement is produced using simple vanes at good aerodynamic effi ⁇ ciency.
• 80% efficiency is typically achieved using a centrifugal blower. In windmills rotating freely in the wind, the efficiency is probably below 50%. This difference can be explained by the envelope of the blower.
• a preferred procedure to produce electricity from temperature difference of water/open air and/or wind is to use the present method and an apparatus like one defined in the characteristic features' part of the protective claim.
• power is produced by the method 24 hrs on cold days at temperatures below 0°C.
• the heat transfer means according to the invention efficiently transfers great quantities of heat.
• the power plant, or part thereof, is rotating so that electricity can be recovered without wind turbines.
• electricity can be generated also from heat stores in tropical seas, particularly at night times.
• Preferred locations are discharge locations of waste and condensation heat, such as nuclear power plants, and as cold shores of open seas as possible.
• the output of vertical wind is in proportion to the surface area (d A 2) of the vertical chimney of the power plant.
• the output is also in proportion to height power 1.5 (h ⁇ 3/2).
• the delivery price is in proportion to the surface area (d*h) of the envel ⁇ ope.
• An optimal power plant would be as large in size as possible because the output increases more steeply than the structures of the envelope. A limitation thereto is caused by siphonage.
• the greatest height of the heat transfer means, and consequently, of the air inlet, from the water surface is below ten metres.
• the optimal flow rate is dependent on the height of the tower.
• the efficiency is proportional to the height divided by the outside temperature and specific heat.
• the thermodynamic efficiency that is, the electricity obtained divided by the consumed heat, is merely a few per cents.
• the heat is required to be free.
• the "efficiency" of ordinary wind is even poorer.
• Fig. 1 presents according to the invention a vertical wind power plant rotating in the water in elevational view, partly sectioned.
• Fig. 2 presents part of a pontoon of a vertical wind power plant floating in the water and of a heat transfer means in elevational view according to the invention, the structure being partly sectioned.
• Fig. 3 presents a simple combined wind power plant floating in the water according to the invention, in top view and in a position utilizing horizontal wind.
• Fig. 4 presents a combined power plant according to the invention in elevational view.
• the horizontal wind is being recovered continuously by means of sail-like vanes.
• a vertical wind power plant as shown in Fig. 1, rotates in the water 1 supported by an annular pontoon 2.
• Open air 3 is drawn in through the lower part of the power plant and it exits up through a high air chimney section 4.
• the chimney has been so shaped that very little pressure is consumed in flow resistances.
• the speed in the lower section becomes gradually accelerated and in the upper part, the expanded section converts the speed back into static pressure.
• the air passed through the heat transfer means 5 nearly reaches the temperature of the water.
• the suction is provided by the chimney effect.
• the heated air tends to rise up while being lighter than the environment.
• the vanes 6 on top of the pontoon deflect the direction of the air current, thus causing the power plant to rotate.
• vanes As designing blower vanes. It may be useful to employ, e.g. lead vanes in front of the blower vanes rotating together with the pontoon (FI 790746).
• the rotation can be utilized both in electricity production and in heat transferring. Electricity can be generated with generators 7 which at the same time maintain the construction in place. This location of the generators is advantageous as regards maintenance.
• a roof 8 could be provided to prevent snow from getting into the heat transfer means.
• Fig. 2 shows how a heat transfer means 5 comprises water pipes 10 and thermally conductive fins 9 in association therewith. Because of air pressure, the water rises into a manifold 11 through a rise pipe in the middle when air is removed from the tube system at point 12.
• the flowing of the water is generated by forces caused by the rotation of the pontoon or of the entire construction.
• One of such forces is centrifugal force, which in the pipe 11 of the figure induces flowing from the middle towards the heat transfer means.
• the flow is also produced without using the rise pipe 16 in the middle, by directing the water-raising pipe upstream and the discharge pipe downstream at 13.
• the flow rate of the water is dimensioned by selecting the magnitude of the flow losses of the pipe and the speed of rotation of the heat transfer means as desired. Also the flow produced by centrifugal force is intensified by directing the pipe returning from the heat transfer means downstream as at point 13. Cooling of the water in the heat transfer means 5 also increases the flow because the cool water weighs more than warm.
• Heat transfer can be intensified by conducting the air through water jets 14 in which heat is efficiently transferred from the water into the air.
• water jets When using water jets, the siphonage idea is not operational, but the potential energy of the water becomes lost. When small temperature differences are in question, the loss can be tens of percen ⁇ tages of the electricity obtained.
• Electricity can be recovered from the rotary movement also at point 5 where the stationary rise pipe 16 has been bearably carried to the rotating construction.
• the rise pipe 16 remains in place when anchored to the bottom with rods 17 through which, for instance, supply of electricity into the network can be arranged.
• condensation pipe and the rise pipe of a nuclear power plant cannot be connected.
• the condensation water needs to be discharged also during maintenance of the vertical wind power plant.
• Fig. 3 presents in simplified manner how a chimney needed in a vertical wind power plant can be produced from the vanes 19 of the vertical axis windmill, which alternatively serve as a chimney and as a vane of the windmill.
• the vanes may be enabled to move supported to the roof 8 and to the heat transfer means thereunder.
• the generator is indicated by numeral 7.
• the vane may also resemble a sail.
• a sail-shaped vane 20 may be opened from the side thereof in the downwind section. The design is particularly useful in a slowly rotating power plant, whereby the wind can be significantly retarded with the sail.
• the appliance is typically 150 m high. Let the appliance be dimensioned for 25 CEL air temperature rise (-23 CEL > +2 CEL). This can be achieved without any condensation heat.
• the suction of the chimney is 200 Pa (density change * gravity constant * height). Let the dimensioning air current be 30000 m3/s (100 MW).
• the diameter must be over 100 m so that the speed and pressure loss remain moderate in the air inlet and outlet.
• the height of the inlet is restricted to less than 10 m on the water surface because of the siphonage. Air circulation may also be used inside the pontoon under the water surface.
• the power potential is 6 MW (30000 m3/s*200 Pa). Let us be pessimistic and reserve half (50%) for losses, whereby the net electrical power is 3 MW.
• the stability of the peak power is about 4500 h/year, thus, the vertical wind power plant of the example will generate 13500 MWh energy a year.
• the value of the energy is, at Finnish price of electricity, 20 Finnish pennies per kWh, is 2.7 million FIM per year.
• the energy obtained from the horizontal wind is of significance particularly when there is no temperature difference, that is in the summer.
• the annual yield with the horizontal wind is clearly less than with vertical wind.
• the power loss caused by the rotation of the pontoon can be estimated by the aid of pipe flow.
• a dynamic pressure of about 10 kPa can be produced.
• the pressure caused by the centrifugal force is lower than that.
• the total water flow is 30 m3/s.
• the pumping rate is 36 kW (1.2 kPa * 30 m3/s). This means more than one per cent loss in the power.
• vanes 6,19,20 and water pipes 10,11,16 per location, and the shape of the tower or pontoon may vary.
• the vanes can be bearably carried, e.g. with a rail.
• the chimney can be built to be fixed and the heat transfer means may be allowed to rotate in the water.
• high ratings may be produced by burning any kind of fuel within the power plant.

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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• 1993
  • 1993-12-13 FI FI935572A patent/FI96795C/fi active
• 1994
  • 1994-12-09 EP EP95903355A patent/EP0832355A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1994-12-09 WO PCT/FI1994/000559 patent/WO1995016858A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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