MECHANICAL ENERGY GENERATION SYSTEM WITH ENERGY RECOVERY AND A METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

A mechanical energy generation system with an energy recovery, includes at least one heating volume, wherein a liquid fluid stored in the at least one heating volume, at least one heat exchanger element or a heating fluid allows a heat to be changed to the liquid fluid inside the at least one heating volume, at least one outlet line allows the liquid fluid and/or a gas fluid to exit in a pressurized state when the liquid fluid and/or the gas fluid is compressed inside the at least one heating volume when the liquid fluid transitions partially into a gas phase and the at least one outlet line allows resulting a mechanical energy and at least one feed line allows the liquid fluid to be fed into the at least one heating volume, and an embodiment of the mechanical energy generation system comprising at least a second closed volume.

Claims

1. A mechanical energy generation system with an energy recovery, comprising: at least one heating volume, wherein a liquid fluid is stored in the at least one heating volume, at least one heat exchanger element or a heating fluid allowing a heat to be changed to the liquid fluid inside the at least one heating volume, at least one outlet line, wherein the at least one outlet line allows the liquid fluid and/or a gas fluid to exit in a pressurized state when the liquid fluid and/or the gas fluid is compressed inside the at least one heating volume; and when the liquid fluid transitions partially into a gas phase, the at least one outlet line allows resulting a mechanical energy, and at least one feed line allowing the liquid fluid to be fed into the at least one heating volume, at least one second closed volume, wherein an energy of a high-heat liquid fluid and/or a high-heat gas fluid remaining inside the at least one heating volume or the energy of the high-heat liquid fluid and/or the high-heat gas fluid exited through the at least one outlet line is transferred to the at least one second closed volume to be re-used and the at least one second closed volume is connected with the at least one heating volume.

2. The mechanical energy generation system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second closed volume is identical to the at least one heating volume, and/or the at least one second closed volume is at least one storage volume, and/or the at least one second closed volume is at least one counter-pressure volume.

3. The mechanical energy generation system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one storage volume is a first closed volume with a fixed volume.

4. The mechanical energy generation system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one counter-pressure volume is a third closed volume with a flexible structure to apply a counter force.

5. The mechanical energy generation system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one counter-pressure volume comprises a force element allowing an application of pressure to the liquid fluid and/or the gas fluid filling the at least one counter-pressure volume.

6. The mechanical energy generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer line, wherein the transfer line provides a connection between the at least one heating volume and the at least one second closed volume and the transfer line allows a transfer of the liquid fluid and/or the gas fluid.

7. The mechanical energy generation system according to claim 6, further comprising a bypass line connected between the transfer line, the at least one outlet line and the at least one feed line to enable a transmission of the liquid fluid and/or the gas fluid within the mechanical energy generation system and an energy transfer with a mass.

8. The mechanical energy generation system according to claim 6, comprising at least one control element to provide a liquid fluid control and/or a gas fluid control in the mechanical energy generation system, the at least one control element is introduced on the at least one feed line and/or the at least one outlet line and/or the transfer line.

9. The mechanical energy generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a condenser, wherein the condenser enables the energy of the high-heat liquid fluid and/or the high-heat gas fluid circulating in the mechanical energy generation system to be reduced and/or condensed.

10. The mechanical energy generation system according to claim 1, wherein the energy of the high-heat liquid fluid and/or the high-heat gas fluid remaining in the at least one heating volume upon the liquid fluid and/or the gas fluid exiting the at least one outlet line or the energy of the high-heat liquid fluid and/or the high-heat gas fluid exited from the at least one outlet line is re-used as a heat energy or a pressure energy.

11. The mechanical energy generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanical energy conversion system converting the liquid fluid and/or the gas fluid leaving through the at least one outlet line to be converted into the mechanical energy.

12. A method for mechanical energy generation with an energy recovery, comprising the following steps: after heating a liquid fluid inside a heating volume by a heat exchanger element or a heating fluid and partially transitioning into a gas phase, obtaining a mechanical energy as a result of the liquid fluid and/or a gas fluid compressed inside the heating volume to be exited through an outlet line, feeding the liquid fluid back into the heating volume by a feed line, and transferring an energy of a high-heat liquid fluid and/or a high-heat gas fluid remaining inside the heating volume or being exited through the outlet line transferring to at least one second closed volume connected with the heating volume to be re-used.

13. The mechanical energy generation method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of transferring the high-heat liquid fluid and/or the high-heat gas fluid occurred in the heating volume to at least one storage volume and/or the heating volume and/or at least one counter-pressure volume, as the at least one second closed volume.

14. The mechanical energy generation method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of returning the high-heat liquid fluid and/or the high-heat gas fluid transferred to the at least one second closed volume to a same and/or a different heating volume and/or heat exchanger element and using the same and/or different heating volume and/or heat exchanger element to increase the energy of the liquid fluid.

15. The mechanical energy generation method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of returning the high-heat liquid fluid and/or the high-heat gas fluid transferred to the at least one second closed volume to a same and/or a different heating volume and/or heat exchanger element and using the same and/or different heating volume and/or heat exchanger element to increase the energy of the liquid fluid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The structure of the present invention and its advantages with further elements will become clear based on the drawings described below.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the mechanical energy generation system of the invention, where energy recovery is realized by means of storage volumes.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the mechanical energy generation system of the invention, where energy recovery is realized by means of a heating volume.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the mechanical energy generation system of the invention, where energy recovery is realized by means of a plurality of heating volumes.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the mechanical energy generation system of the invention, where energy recovery is realized by means of both a storage volume and a heating volume.

[0025] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the mechanical energy generation system of the invention, where energy recovery is realized by means of a counter-pressure volume and a heating volume.

[0026] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the mechanical energy generation system of the invention comprising a condenser.

[0027] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the mechanical energy generation system of the invention where it is connected gradually.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0028] 1. Heating volume [0029] 1.1. First heating volume [0030] 1.2. Second heating volume [0031] 1.3. Third heating volume [0032] 2. Heat exchanger element [0033] 2.1. First heat exchanger element [0034] 2.2. Second heat exchanger element [0035] 2.3. Third heat exchanger element [0036] 3. Storage volume [0037] 4. Turbine [0038] 5. Generator [0039] 6. Outlet line [0040] 7. Feed line [0041] 8. Transfer line [0042] 9. Counter-pressure volume [0043] 9.1. Force element [0044] 9.2. Filling volume [0045] 10. Condenser [0046] 10.1. First condenser [0047] 10.2. Second condenser [0048] 11. Control element [0049] 12. Bypass line

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0050] In the herein detailed description, the preferred embodiments of the mechanical energy generation system and method with energy recovery of the invention are described only for a better understanding of the subject matter, without imposing any limitations.

[0051] The mechanical energy generator with energy recovery according to the invention, in its most general state, comprises; at least one heating volume (1) where the liquid fluid stored, at least one heat exchanger element (2) or heater fluid, which allows phase transition by changing the temperature of the liquid fluid inside the heating volume (1), an outlet line (6) which allows liquid and/or gas fluid obtained with high pressure inside the heating volume (1) after phase transition to exit with pressure, at least a second closed volume in connection with the heating volume (1) to which the high-heat liquid and/or gas fluid remaining inside the heating volume (1) is transferred to recover its energy and a feed line (7) which supply fluid back again to the system.

[0052] The method for generating mechanical energy with energy recovery according to the invention, in its most general state, is related to; a liquid fluid transitioning partially into a gas phase by changing its temperature using a heat exchanger element (2) or a heating fluid inside the heating volume (1) and after evacuating the liquid and/or gas fluid by the high pressure resulting inside the heating volume (1) through the outlet line (6) thus generating energy, transferring the high-heat liquid/gas fluid remaining inside the heating volume (1) and or the high-heat liquid/gas fluid exiting through the outlet line (6) to at least a second closed volume and/or to a heat exchanger element (2) to re-use their energy.

[0053] In the mechanical energy generation system with energy recovery, the heating volume (1) is a closed volume and is resilient to high pressure so that the liquid fluid in it can be heated and transitioned into the gas phase. The heat exchanger element (2), which allows changing the temperature of liquid fluid, can be in any structure that performs heating and cooling functions, as well as a heat exchanger that allows transferring the energy of any waste heat to the system. The heat exchanger element (2) may be located inside or outside of the heating volume (1). Alternatively, changing the temperature of liquid fluid can be achieved by means of a heater fluid. By feeding a gas fluid into the heating volume (1) at a high temperature, the temperature of the liquid fluid inside the heating volume (1) can be increased. Or vice versa, by means of a liquid fluid fed into the heating volume (1) at a low temperature, the temperature of the gas fluid in the heating volume (1) can be reduced and it can be liquefied. As the second closed volume in the system; a storage volume (3) and/or a second heating volume (1) and/or counter-pressure volume (9) can be used. These mentioned closed volumes can be used in the system alone or together. Storage volumes (3) are fixed volume containers and may be in different volumes according to the structure of the system. Counter-pressure volume (9) is a closed volume of any structure with flexible or mechanical properties that will apply self-pressure to the liquid/gas fluid transferred into it. The second closed volume may be located inside or outside the heating volume (1) depending on the use. The connection of the heating volume (1) with the second closed volume/volumes is preferably provided by a transfer line (8). Control elements (11) are used both on the feed line (7), on the output line (6) and on the transfer line (8) to ensure control of all liquid/gas fluids in the system. Mentioned control elements (11) are preferably valves, and these control elements (11) can provide connection between the heating volume (1) and at least a second closed volume, or they can be positioned on the transfer line (8) that provides connection. High-heat and high pressure liquid/gas fluid leaving the mechanical energy generation system through the outlet line (6) can be used as mechanical energy in addition to acting as a pump for the system or generating various types of energy together with energy conversion units. One of these energy conversion systems generates electrical energy through a turbine (4) and a generator (5).

[0054] With the embodiment of the invention, the energy of high-heat liquid and/or gas fluid occurred within the heating volume (1) is recovered in the form of heat energy or pressure energy. To achieve this, the energy of the high-heat liquid and/or gas fluid occurred within the heating volume (1) is used in every way to re-heat the liquid fluid within the system. To ensure this use, high-heat liquid and/or gas fluid can be transferred to another heating volume (1) and/or a heat exchanger element (2) and/or a storage volume (3) and/or a counter-pressure volume (9). In this way, the liquid fluid in the system is heated by supplying direct or indirect energy. Some application forms of energy recovery mechanical energy generation system are stated below.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the mechanical energy generation system. In this embodiment, storage volumes (3) are used as the second closed volume to ensure the recovery of heat in the mechanical energy generation system. Liquid fluid in the first heating volume (1.1) is heated with the first heat exchanger element (2.1) or a heat exchanger fluid and liquid fluid is partially transitioned into the gas phase. Following the formation of adequate pressure within the first heating volume (1.1), it is ensured that the trapped liquid/gas fluid exits the outlet line (6) and mechanical energy is obtained. After the evacuation of a certain amount of liquid/gas fluid from the output line (6), the high-heat liquid and/or gas fluid remaining within the first heating volume (1.1) is transferred to at least one storage volume (3) that is connected to the first heating volume (1.1). After feeding liquid fluid again to the first heating volume (1.1) through the feed line (7), the high-heat liquid/gas fluid inside the storage volume/volumes (3) is transferred into the first heating volume (1.1) and/or the first heat exchanger element (2.1) to be re-used to heat the liquid fluid and recovered. In this way, the energy of high temperature liquid/gas fluid is used directly or indirectly. The storage volumes (3) mentioned in this embodiment are fixed volumes and different storage volumes (3) can be used according to the system's needs. The high-temperature liquid/gas fluid occurred within the first heating volume (1.1) can be transferred to one or more storage volumes (3) according to the mode of use or volume. That is, liquid/gas fluid at a certain volume and pressure occurred within the first heating volume (1.1) can be transferred to storage volumes (3) at different volumes and pressures. For example, while a 5 bar fluid can be transferred to one storage volume (3), a 3 bar fluid can be transferred to another storage volume (3) and these fluids can be used in order according to the need.

[0056] FIG. 2 has a different embodiment of the mechanical energy generation system. A second heating volume (1) is used as the second closed volume in this embodiment. In other words, two different heating volumes (1), the first heating volume (1.1) and the second heating volume (1.2), are used in the system and there is a high-heat liquid/gas fluid transfer between each other. In this structure there is liquid fluid in both heating volumes (1.1, 1.2). The liquid fluid in the first heating volume (1.1) is heated by the first heat exchanger element (2.1) or by the heater fluid and partially transitions into the gas phase. As a result of increasing pressure within the first heating volume (1.1), liquid/gas fluid is exited from the outlet line (6). In this case, high temperature liquid and/or gas fluid remain within the first heating volume (1.1). In order to raise the temperature of liquid fluid in second heating volume (1.2), high temperature liquid/gas fluid in first heating volume (1.1) is used. To achieve this, the high-temperature liquid/gas fluid in the first heating volume (1.1) is transferred directly into the second heating volume (1.2) and/or to the second heat exchanger element (2.2) via the transfer line (8). In this way, the energy of the high-temperature liquid/gas fluid within the first heating volume (1.1) is provided directly or indirectly to the liquid fluid within the second heating volume (1.2). Along with this energy, when needed, the liquid fluid inside the inside the second heating volume (1.2) is heated by means of the second heat exchanger element (2.2) or the second heating fluid and transitioned partially into the gas phase and when enough pressure is obtained inside the second heating volume (1.2), the liquid/gas fluid is evacuated through the output line (6) and mechanical energy is obtained. By certain amount of liquid/gas fluid within the second heating volume (1.2) is exited by the output line (6), high-temperature liquid and/or gas fluid remains within the second heating volume (1.2). The liquid fluid is fed again by means of the feed line (7) into the first heating volume (1.1) which transfers all or part of the high-heat liquid/gas fluid contained in it to the second heating volume (1.2). If there is a high-heat liquid/gas fluid in the first heating volume (1.1), it will increase the temperature of the newly fed liquid fluid to some extent. In order to raise the temperature of liquid fluid in first heating volume (1.1), high temperature liquid/gas fluid in second heating volume (1.2) is used. The high-heat liquid/gas fluid in the second heating volume (1.2) is transferred directly into the first heating volume (1.1) and/or to the first heat exchanger element (2.1) via again the transfer line (8). Thereby, the energy of the high-heat liquid/gas fluid within the second heating volume (1.2) is provided directly or indirectly to the liquid fluid within the first heating volume (1.1). This cycle continues to operate in the same way. In case of insufficient heat of high-heat liquid/gas fluids in heating volumes (1), heats of liquid fluids is increased by means of heating elements (2) or heating fluids. In this system, a heat exchanger element (2) can be used for each heating volume (1) or a common heat exchanger element (2) can be used.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows a mechanical energy generation system in which more than two heating volumes (1) are used. In this system, there is a high heat liquid/gas fluid transfer between heating volumes (1), similar to the system in FIG. 2. The difference of this system is that there can be cross-transitions between heating volumes (1). Example mode of operation: all heating volumes (1) contain liquid fluid. Let us assume that the liquid fluid in the first heating volume (1.1) is heated by means of the first heat exchanger element (2.1) and that the mechanical energy is obtained and that the high-heat liquid and/or gas fluid remains in the first heating volume (1.1). The high-heat liquid/gas fluid in the first heating volume (1.1) can be used for heating liquid fluids in the second heating volume (1.2) and in the third heating volume (1.3). To ensure this, there are transfer lines (8) between the heating volumes (1) and the heating elements (2). High-heat liquid/gas fluid in the first heating volume (1.1) can be transferred directly to the second heating volume (1.2) and the third heating volume (1.3) and/or to the second heat exchanger element (2.2) and the third heat exchanger element (2.3) through the transport lines (8). In this way, the energy of the high-heat liquid/gas fluid within the first heating volume (1.1) is provided directly or indirectly to the liquid fluid within the second heating volume (1.2) and/or third heating volume (1.3). After feeding liquid fluid to the first heating volume (1.1) through the feed line (7), in the same way; the transfer of the high-heat liquid and/or gas fluid obtained inside the second heating volume (1.2) to the first heating volume (1.1) and the third heating volume (1.3) and/or to the first heat exchanger element (2.1) and the third heat exchanging element (2.3); the high-heat liquid and/or gas fluid obtained inside the third heating volume (1.3) to the first heating volume (1.1) and the second heating volume (1.2) and/or to the first heat exchanger element (2.1) and the second heat exchanging element (2.2), can be provided. The number of heating volumes (1) and heating elements (2) that will be used in this system can be increased and can be connected to each other by a transfer line (8). In this system, a heat exchanger element (2) can be used for each heating volume (1) and a common heat exchanger element (2) can be used for all heating volumes (1).

[0058] In the mechanical energy generation system seen in FIG. 4, there are storage volumes (3) between two different heating volumes (1.1, 1.2). In contrast to the embodiment mentioned in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the high-heat liquid and/or gas fluid obtained inside the first heating volume (1.1) is transferred to the second heating volume (1.2) and/or to the second heat exchanger element (2.2) or before this transfer, the liquid/gas fluid is transferred to the storage volume/volumes (3) and kept there. The system can also operate in the opposite way, i.e. the high-temperature liquid/gas fluid obtained at the second heating volume (1.2) can also be transferred to the first heating volume (1.1) or the storage volumes (3). With this configuration, in systems where more than one heating volume (1) is used, the resulting high-temperature liquid/gas fluid can be stored in storage volumes (3) and transferred to the related heating volume (1) depending on the need.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the mechanical energy generation system. In this embodiment, heating volumes (1) and counter-pressure volume (9) are used as closed second closed volume to provide heat recovery. The high-heat liquid and/or gas fluid obtained by heating the liquid fluid in the first heating volume (1.1) by giving energy and obtaining mechanical energy and remaining in the first heating volume (1.1) is transferred to at least one counter-pressure volume (9) and/or another heating volume (1.2, 1.3) which are connected to the first heating volume. Mentioned counter-pressure volume (9) is a structure in which the empty space inside is able to expand as a result of the high pressure and apply continuous pressure to the liquid/gas fluid that fills it. To provide this, the mentioned counter-pressure volume (9) may comprise structure that can expand with the high pressure liquid/gas fluid filling it, or in a structure that contains a mechanism to expand the empty space in it. In the present embodiment, preferably a structure comprising a filling volume (9.2) in which the filling volume (9.2) is pressured by a force element (9.1) is used. In this structure, some or all of the high-heat liquid/gas fluid that remains within the first heating volume (1.1) after mechanical energy formation is transferred into the counter-pressure volume (9) at high pressure. Due to the high pressure of liquid/gas fluid, the force element (9.1) is compressed and the filling volume (9.2) is expanded. After transferring high-heat liquid/gas fluid to counter-pressure volume (9), the liquid fluid is again fed back into the first heating volume (1.1) with the feed line (7). After filling the first heating volume (1.1) with liquid fluid, the high-heat liquid/gas fluid inside the counter-pressure volume (9) is transferred into the first heating element (1.1) and/or to the first heat exchanging element (2.1) or to the other heating volumes (1.2, 1.3) or heating elements (2.2, 2.3) present in the system and the heat of the liquid fluid inside the heating volumes (1) is increased directly or indirectly. At least one counter-pressure volume (9) connected with each heating volume (1) can be used in the system, as well as at least one counter-pressure volume (9) common to the whole system can be used. In this way, the efficiency is increased by re-using the energy generated in the previous mechanical energy generation.

[0060] FIG. 6 shows a structure where a condenser (10) is used in the mechanical energy generation system. In all mentioned systems mentioned, water or different fluids can be used as liquid fluids for mechanical energy generation. Some liquid fluids are not economical to dispose of after mechanical energy production and must be reused within the system. In this case, the energy of the liquid and/or gas fluid leaving the mechanical energy line (6) is decreased (cooled and condensed) and fed back to the system, that is, it is used as liquid fluid. A condenser (10) is used in the system to ensure this. In a different case; it is not always possible to transfer all of the high-heat liquid and/or gas fluid obtained inside the heating volume (1) to a second closed volume and high-heat liquid and/or gas fluid may remain inside the heating volume. In this case, the pressure of the feed line (7), which is the supplier of the liquid fluid to be fed into the heating volume (1), must be higher than the pressure in the heating volume (1). Where this is not possible, liquid fluid is fed to the heating volume (1) by using a condenser (10) on the feed line (7). Furthermore, the mentioned condenser (10) can be used for energy transfer and in different embodiments, can be used to supply energy to the heat exchanger element (2) of a different heating volume (1) or to perform heating operation directly. Thereby, the high heat required to be discharged during condensation is utilized and the efficiency is increased.

[0061] The heating of the liquid fluid within inside the heating volume (1) is carried out by means of the heat exchanger element (2) or heater fluid as mentioned. Indirect heating of liquid fluid occurs when the heat exchanger element (2) is used. If the heater fluid is used, the heater fluid that enters the heating volume (1) can transfer both pressure and heat energy to drive the entire system. In this way, a direct energy transfer is realized. The use of oil vapor can be given as an example of heater fluid. In the case that water is used as liquid fluid in the system, heating volume (1) when oil vapor is given as heater fluid, both the heat of the water is increased and water and oil will not mix together so they can be removed from the system separately.

[0062] In cases where more than one heating volume (1) is used in the system, different liquid fluids can be used within the mentioned heating volume (1). In this case, the mentioned heating volumes (1) are gradually connected to each other in such a way that liquid fluids do not mix. In this connection type, every heating volume (1) except the first heating volume (1.1) supplies the energy needed by the condenser (10) of the previous system. FIG. 7 shows an example of this embodiment. In this embodiment, liquid fluid within the first heating volume (1.1) is heated by means of the first heat exchanger element (2.1). After obtaining mechanical energy, the energy of the high-heat liquid/gas fluid is obtained in the first condenser (10.1), while the energy of the different liquid fluid in the second heating volume (1.2) is increased in the first condenser (10.1). After obtaining mechanical energy in the second heating volume (1.2), energy is obtained by means of the second condenser (10.2), which is the high-heat liquid/gas fluid belonging to the second heating volume (1.2). After the second heating volume (1.2), energy is fed to the liquid fluid of the gradually connected heating volume (1) by means of the second condenser (10.2). This gradual structure continues to operate in this way.

[0063] In the system of the invention, storage volumes (3), which are the mentioned second closed volumes, the heating volume (1) or the counter-pressure volume (9), can be used separately, as well as together in an unlimited number. With the embodiment of the invention, the energy of the high-temperature liquid/gas fluid occurred within the heating volume (1) is reused and a system in which the energy loss is reduced to a minimum is provided. The mentioned recovered energy can be heat energy or pressure energy.

[0064] In the embodiment of the invention, the liquid/gas fluid can be fed again by means of the feed line (7) over the low-pressure liquid/gas fluid which remains in the heating volume (1) after obtaining mechanical energy, or by means of the heat exchanger element (2) it can be ensured that the liquid/gas fluid's temperature is reduced and completely transitioned into the liquid phase.

[0065] In the system of the invention, the bypass lines (12) can be connected between transfer lines (8), outlet line (6) and feed line (7). Thereby, the transmission of liquid/gas fluid within the system and the transfer of energy with mass can be achieved. (FIG. 5 and FIG. 6)

[0066] The control elements mentioned in the embodiment of the invention (11) are used at every point where fluids need to be controlled. Control of control elements (11) can be manually achieved, as well as pressure sensitive or sensor structures or any kind of autonomous control can be provided.

[0067] The feed line (7), outlet line (6) and transmission line (8) mentioned in the embodiment of the invention can be used interchangeably. For example, if necessary connections are made, the feed line (7) can be used as the outlet line (6) or the outlet line (6) can be used as the feed line (7). Likewise, the transmission line (8) can function as the feed line (7), providing liquid transmission between closed volumes. Thereby, a single line can be connected, allowing this line to function as a feed line (7) and/or outlet line (6) and/or transfer line (8).