Pump and drop electrical generation apparatus

Abstract

A pump storage hydroelectricity storage and generation system configured to burn un-scrubbed gas and generate electricity with minimal elevation differential between upper and lower fluid storage reservoirs.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating electrical energy from chemical energy comprising: A) a first liquid storage container, B) a second liquid storage container at a higher elevation than said first liquid storage container in fluid communication with said first liquid storage container, C) a Humphrey pump configured to move liquid from said first liquid storage container to said second liquid storage container, D) a fluid communication means for liquid to pass from said second liquid storage container to said first liquid storage container, and E) an electrical generation means disposed in said fluid communication means configured to generate electricity from liquid passing from said second liquid storage container to said first liquid storage container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: A) means for selectively substantially closing said fluid communication means for liquid to pass from said second liquid storage container to said first liquid storage container thereby preventing the passage of liquid from said second liquid storage container to said first liquid storage container.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: A) a control system configured to: I) selectively activate and deactivate said Humphrey pump and II) selectively activate and deactivate said electrical generation means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said electrical generation means comprise an Archimedes screw turbine.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said electrical generation means comprise a Kaplan turbine.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising: A) means for capturing exhaust of said Humphrey pump.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: A) means for diffusing exhaust captured from said Humphrey pump into a liquid.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: A) means for diffusing exhaust captured from said Humphrey pump into the liquid being pumped by said Humphrey pump.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: A) a fermentation chamber containing an environment favorable to anaerobic bacterium.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: A) means for circulating said fluid being pumped by said Humphrey pump, with diffused exhaust gas, through said fermentation chamber.

11. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: A) said control system selectively activates and deactivates said Humphrey pump and electrical generation means in response to inputs comprising one or more of: I) current market price of electricity, II) current price of fuel for said Humphrey pump, III) permit requirements concerning permissible amounts of gas which may be vented, flared, or otherwise be released.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a preferred process of the applicant's invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The applicant's invention is a pumped-storage hydroelectricity generation system. The applicant's invention is preferably a closed system wherein fluid begins in a first lower fluid storage reservoir 102. The fluid is then raised from the lower fluid storage reservoir 102 to a second higher fluid storage reservoir 106 using a pump 104 of some type. In a preferred embodiment, the applicant's invention uses a Humphrey pump to move fluid from the first lower fluid storage reservoir 102 to the second higher fluid storage reservoir 106 in a generally closed loop.

[0018] The applicant's system is further operable to generate electricity from flammable gasses which are not suitable for other purposes due to location, gas contaminents/composition. In each of years 2011-2017, between 200,000 and 300,000 million cubic feet of natural gas were vented and flared in the United States according to data provided by the US Energy Information Administration.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the fluid is water due to its low reactivity and low toxicity. In this embodiment, water is used as a starting fluid. Exhaust gases, particulate, and other exhaust materials are added inherently by the water's operation as a piston in a Humphrey pump. In a variation of this embodiment, exhaust materials from the pump operation are intentionally injected into the operating fluid. When, due to the addition of exhaust materials, the fluid becomes a solution of a particular concentration, the fluid may be cleaned or put to a beneficial use and the fluid in the system replaced. In alternative embodiments, a fluid other than water is used.

[0020] The fluid is selectively allowed to flow from the second higher fluid storage reservoir 106 to the first lower fluid storage reservoir 102 through an electrical generation apparatus 108.

[0021] The applicant's process 100 preferably uses an Archimedes screw turbine to convert gravitational potential energy in fluid contained in the second higher fluid storage reservoir 106 into electrical energy 108 as the fluid flows into the first lower fluid storage reservoir 102. This electricity may be generated at the same time as fluid is being moved from the first lower fluid storage reservoir 102 to the second higher fluid storage reservoir 106 or at a later time. The Archimedes screw turbine is well adapted to fluids which contain significant impurities, including sediment and has a long service life (often about 30 years) with minimal maintenance. In an alternative embodiment, a Kaplan turbine is used instead of an Archimedes screw. A variety of other electrical generation mechanisms and techniques are well known in the art and are within the scope of the applicant's invention. The specific mechanism for converting gravitational potential energy to electricity is preferably selected to balance high efficiency with low maintenance based on the pressure and volume of fluid.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, a control system 110 controls fuel provided to the pump 104 and a valve between the higher fluid storage chamber 106 and the lower fluid storage chamber 102. Fuel is provided to the pump 104 when it is advantageous to add gravitational potential energy to the system. The valve between the higher fluid storage chamber 106 and the lower fluid storage chamber 102 is opened when it is advantageous to generate electrical energy. It may, but need not, be advantageous to simultaneously add energy to the system and generate electrical energy.

[0023] The applicant's process reduces the cost of converting chemical energy into electrical energy by reducing the cost of purifying (or scrubbing) the fuel gas prior to use. The process further is readily adaptable to operate on a variety of flammable gasses. In a preferred embodiment, the pump may use a variety of fuel injection schemes, including, but not limited to, multi port injection and ignition. Conventional internal combustion engines require relatively clean fuel since the tolerances are fairly tight to allow a seal between the piston and the cylinder. Deposits on the cylinder walls from impure fuels wear the seals. In contrast, the only moving parts to a Humphrey pump are valves. There are no fixed pistons since the fluid being pumped is the piston. Therefore, Humphrey pumps are able to operate on fuel containing contains impurities which would not be suitable for conventional internal combustion engines. Further, because the operating fluid is preferably used in a closed loop, and particularly if exhaust is injected into the operating fluid, the fluid may be used to capture exhaust materials which would otherwise undesirably be vented. Additionally, because the fluid is used as a closed loop, the system may become more efficient. Heat from the fluid being used as the piston in a Humphrey pump will, at least in part, be transferred into the fluid. Because the viscosity of water, and may fluids, decreases as the temperature of the fluid increases, the operating fluid will induce less friction as it is moved through pipes as it is lifted by the pump.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, steam energy is used in place of, or in addition to, the Humphrey pump, when steam energy is available, such as when direct sunlight is available.

[0025] The applicant's process, by virtue of the Humphrey pump and Archimedes screw turbine, is adapted to operate on fluids which contains significant impurities. The applicant's process requires fewer screens and other mechanisms to filter debris from the fluid which would jam the pump than other pumping mechanisms. Conventional turbines, particularly those adapted to high pressure, also require screens and other mechanisms to filter out debris which would significantly wear the turbine blades. In the applicant's process, debris which would prevent a valve from closing is a concern, but debris which would interfere with a pump diaphragm or impeller need not be remediated.

[0026] The applicant's invention further reduces energy transportation costs. The applicant's process is uniquely adapted to remote and small-scale power generation. Electrical transmission lines are substantially less expensive ( 1/30th to th the cost) than pipelines for transporting either gases or liquids. Transmitting electrical energy is also better suited for intermittent demand-based use because pipelines are subject to freezing and may require constant pressurization to avoid contamination. Further, electrical transmission lines are more geographically dispersed than gas or fluid pipelines and already available at many wells which produce gases which are suitable for use as fuel for the applicant's process.

[0027] The applicant's invention preferably uses existing gas producing infrastructure. In a preferred embodiment, gas which would otherwise be burned by flaring is used to fuel the Humphrey pump. In a first alternative embodiment, syngas is used to fuel the Humphrey pump. In a second alternative embodiment, hydrogen generated directly or indirectly by solar energy, electricity, or electrolysis is used to fuel the Humphrey pump. In a third alternative embodiment, a steam engine is used to lift the fluid instead of a Humphrey pump. In a fourth alternative embodiment, another conventional pumping mechanism is used.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the exhaust gas from the Humphrey pump is collected and stored for a beneficial use. In a preferred embodiment, the gas is collected in a silo adapted for gas storage. The silo preferably has a gas and liquid impermeable bladder in the bottom of the silo. There is preferably disposed above the bladder a pressure applying means configured to apply pressure on the bladder. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure applying means is a column of water. In a further preferred embodiment a relatively rigid member is disposed between the column of water and the bladder to prevent portions of the bladder from extending above the pressure applying means (similar to a hernia) thereby stressing the bladder and impeding the pressure applying means from applying constant pressure on the bladder. In an alternative embodiment, the gas collection system is used to store gas to be burned in the Humphrey pump.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the collected exhaust gas is used to produce ethanol through a biological process. Certain bacteria are able to feed on gasses, particularly hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and methane. Processes, such as those popularized by LanzaTech are well known in the art. Clostridium autoethanogenum is one such anaerobic bacterium which produces ethanol from carbon dioxide. In a conventional process, a carbon gas stream from an industrial source (such as steel manufacturing), biogas (such as from agricultural animal facilities), gassification from a solid waste stream, biomass (such as accumulated agriculture materials like straw) is accumulated, compressed, and directed into a fermentation chamber. In the fermentation chamber, bacteria feed on the carbon-rich gas and excrete ethanol as waste. The waste is fed into a recovery vessel where the desired product, such as ethanol, is concentrated. The concentrated output is then fed into, and stored in, a product tank.

SEQUENCE LISTING

[0030] Not Applicable