JP2013151860A - Power generation system employing compressed air - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power generation system employing compressed air which can improve power generation efficiency.SOLUTION: A power generation system includes a water storage tank 11, a water column pipe 12 having the lower end coupled to the water storage tank, an exhaust passage 13 extending from the upper part of the water storage tank 11, an impeller 14 provided in the exhaust passage 13, and a power generator 15 for converting the rotational force produced by means of rotation of the impeller 14 into electrical power. Air inside the water storage tank 11 is compressed by continuously supplying water to the water storage tank 11 through the water column pipe 12 and raising the water level inside the water storage tank 11. The impeller 14 is rotated when the compressed air is discharged through the exhaust passage 13.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power generation system that uses compressed air that is converted into electric power by rotating an impeller by compressed air in a water storage tank.

  The hydroelectric power generator rotates a water turbine by supplying pressurized water from a water source such as a water intake dam or a reservoir to a water turbine via a water conduit, and generates electric power by the driving force of the rotating water turbine. In particular, a turbine used in hydropower generation has only one location for supplying pressurized water, and a turbine with a larger diameter is required to obtain large power generation energy. In addition, in order to improve the power generation efficiency, it is necessary to create a large dam and generate power by dropping water from a high place. For this reason, it has become a barrier in considering practical application as a domestic hydroelectric power generation device using tap water or the like.

That is, when considering a configuration that can be applied to ordinary households by using a small hydroelectric generator, it is necessary to solve both the miniaturization of the entire apparatus and the improvement of power generation efficiency at the same time.
Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example, a power generation system using buoyancy caused by bubbles has been proposed. According to the disclosed technique of Patent Document 1, the annular structure is rotated by the force of pulling downward due to gravity and the buoyant force in which air bubbles coming out of the air pump are stored in the air reservoir. In Patent Document 2, a power machine using buoyancy is disclosed.

JP 2007-239726 A JP 2004-270502 A

  However, according to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, since air is stored in the air reservoir using an air pump, a great amount of energy is consumed in the power of the air pump. In addition, since the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is below the surface of the water, it is substantially impossible to receive the benefits of hydroelectric power generation based on the positional energy difference of water, which is inferior in terms of power generation efficiency. There was also a problem.

  Similarly, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, although application to power generation using buoyancy can be considered, there is room for improvement in terms of power generation efficiency.

  Therefore, the present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to create compressed air in the water storage tank based on the positional energy difference of water, and by the generated compressed air. An object of the present invention is to provide a power generation system using compressed air that can further improve the power generation efficiency by generating power by rotating an impeller.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a power generation system using compressed air according to the present invention has a water storage tank, a water column pipe having a lower end connected to the water storage tank, and an exhaust path extended from the upper part of the water storage tank. And an impeller provided in the exhaust passage, and a generator that converts rotational force generated by rotating the impeller into electric power, and continues to supply water to the water storage tank through the water column pipe The air in the water tank is compressed by raising the water level in the water tank, and the impeller is rotated when the compressed air is discharged from the exhaust passage.

  At this time, the water tank further includes an openable / closable drain pipe for draining the water stored in the water storage tank, and an openable / closable air hole for allowing air to flow into the water storage tank from outside. When supplying the water, water is supplied to the water column pipe while closing the discharge port and the air hole and maintaining the water level of the water column pipe at a predetermined level or higher than the water level in the water tank. When the water supply to the water storage tank is completed, the drain port and the air hole may be opened.

  According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the generation efficiency is further improved by generating compressed air in the water storage tank based on the positional energy difference of water and rotating the impeller with the generated compressed air to generate power. It is possible to provide a power generation system using compressed air that can be improved.

It is a figure which shows the structural example before operation | movement of the electric power generation system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the structural example in operation | movement of the electric power generation system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the state which provided the power generation system to which this invention was applied over multiple stages. It is a figure which shows the example which arranged the power generation system to which this invention was applied in 2 rows.

  Hereinafter, a power generation system to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 show a configuration example of a power generation system 1 to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 shows a state before operation of the power generation system 1, and FIG. 2 shows a state during operation of the power generation system 1. This power generation system 1 includes a water storage tank 11, a water column pipe 12 having a lower end connected to the water storage tank 11, an exhaust path 13 extended from the upper part of the water storage tank 11, and an impeller 14 provided in the exhaust path 13. And a generator 15 that converts rotational force generated by rotating the impeller 14 into electric power, a drain pipe 23 that extends from the bottom surface of the water tank 11, and water for draining water stored in the water tank 11. An openable / closable solenoid valve 16 and an openable / closable air hole 17 through which air flows into the water storage tank 11 from the outside are provided.

  The water storage tank 11 stores the water supplied from the water column pipe 12 over a predetermined amount. The water stored in the water tank 11 is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 23. By storing water in the water storage tank 11, the water level can be gradually increased. The water storage tank 11 is assumed to be opened to the outside through a drain pipe 23, an air hole 17, an exhaust path 13, and a water column pipe 12 which will be described later. In other words, when the drain pipe 23, the air hole 17, the exhaust path 13, and the water column pipe 12 are closed, the water storage tank 11 is in a sealed state.

  The water column pipe 12 is configured to extend vertically upward so that the upper end is higher than the water storage tank 11. In addition, this water column pipe 12 is not limited to the case where it extends vertically above in this way, It may be extended in other directions. At least one electromagnetic valve 24 is provided in the middle of the water column pipe 12. Water is supplied to the water column pipe 12 from above via a water supply pipe 21. The water supplied to the water column pipe 12 flows down the water column pipe 12, passes through the electromagnetic valve 24 and the inlet 41, and flows into the water storage tank 11. When the electromagnetic valve 24 is closed, water is accumulated above the electromagnetic valve 24 as shown in FIG. The configuration of the electromagnetic valve 24 may be omitted. Incidentally, in this water column pipe 12, the structure of the water supply pipe 21 may be omitted, and the water column pipe 12 may be configured as a water pipe itself.

  As shown in the drawing, the exhaust passage 13 is constituted by a tubular body extending upward from the ceiling surface of the water storage tank 11. Incidentally, the exhaust passage 13 is not limited to the case where it is provided on the ceiling surface of the water storage tank 11, and it is sufficient that it is provided at least in the upper part of the water storage tank 11.

  An impeller 14 provided in the middle of the exhaust passage 13 is rotatable by compressed air passing through the exhaust passage 13. Incidentally, in order to rotate the impeller 14 more efficiently, the pipe line directly under the impeller 14 may be made narrower, or the pipe line directly under the impeller 14 may be configured in a nozzle shape. Also good. The compressed air that has passed through the impeller 14 is discharged from the outlet 13a of the exhaust passage 13 to the outside.

  The generator 15 rotates a shaft (not shown) constituting the impeller 14 by rotating the impeller 14 described above with compressed air, and converts the rotational force of the shaft (not shown) into electric power by a known method. It is.

  The drain pipe 23 is extended from the bottom surface of the water storage tank 11. In the middle of the drain pipe 23, at least one electromagnetic valve 16 is provided. The water in the water storage tank 11 flows into the drain pipe 23 and can be drained through the electromagnetic valve 16. Further, when the electromagnetic valve 16 is closed, water is accumulated above the electromagnetic valve 16 as shown in FIG. That is, the drain pipe 23 is configured to be openable and closable for draining water stored in the water storage tank 11 by the electromagnetic valve 16.

  The air hole 17 is provided in the ceiling surface of the water tank 11 as shown in the figure. The air hole 17 is connected to an inflow pipe 28, and the inflow pipe 28 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 29. By opening the electromagnetic valve 29, it becomes possible to allow air to flow into the water storage tank 11 from the air hole 17 through the inflow pipe 28. Moreover, by closing the electromagnetic valve 29, it is possible to prevent the air in the water storage tank 11 from flowing out to the outside through the air hole 17. That is, the air hole 17 can be configured to be openable and closable by allowing air to flow into the water storage tank 11 from the outside by the electromagnetic valve 29.

  Of course, each of the above-described electromagnetic valves 16, 24, and 29 may be opened and closed by automatic control. In such a case, a water level sensor (not shown) may be installed in the water storage tank 11, and the electromagnetic valves 16, 24, and 29 may be opened and closed by automatic control according to the water level detected by the water level sensor (not shown).

  Next, the operation of the power generation system 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the electromagnetic valve 24 is closed. Then, water is supplied to the water column pipe 12 through the water supply pipe 21. Since the solenoid valve 24 is closed, the water supplied from the water supply pipe 21 is stored in the water column pipe 12, and the water level in the water column pipe 12 gradually rises. Incidentally, in the stage where the electromagnetic valve 24 is closed and the water is stored in the water supply pipe 21, the water stored in the water storage tank 11 for the previous power generation is drained through the drain pipe 23 and drained. In the process, air flows from the outside through the air holes 17. And the inside of the water storage tank 11 is in a state almost filled with air.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the electromagnetic valves 16 and 29 are closed and the electromagnetic valve 24 is opened to discharge the water in the water column pipe 12 to the water storage tank 11. Also in this process, water is continuously supplied from the water supply pipe 21. As a result, since the electromagnetic valve 16 is closed in the water tank 11, the water from the water column pipe 12 is stored, and the water level in the water tank 11 rises as time passes. Will go. And when this water level becomes higher than the inflow port 41 from the water column pipe 12 to the water storage tank 11, the water surface stored in this water storage tank 11, the upper surface of the water storage tank 11, and the space 43 enclosed by the peripheral wall Will be compressed.

  When the compressed air in the space 43 is compressed to a certain atmospheric pressure, it is discharged from the outlet 13a to the outside through the exhaust passage 13 as indicated by the arrow in the figure. The impeller 14 provided in the middle of the exhaust path 13 rotates. And the rotational force by rotating this impeller 14 is converted into electric power by the generator 15.

  By continuing to supply water from the water supply pipe 21, the water level in the water storage tank 11 rises sequentially, and the compressed air constituting the space 43 moves from the outlet 13 a to the outside via the exhaust passage 13 according to the rise in the water level. And the impeller 14 is rotated in the process. The rise in the water level in the water tank 11 continues as long as the water level in the water column pipe 12 is higher than the water level in the water tank 11.

  When the water level of the water storage tank 11 reaches the upper surface of the water storage tank 11, the electromagnetic valve 24 is closed and the supply of water from the water supply pipe 21 is once stopped. Then, by opening the electromagnetic valves 16 and 29, the water stored in the water storage tank 11 is drained to the outside through the drain pipe 23 and air is introduced from the outside through the air hole 17. And the inside of the water tank 11 will be in the state substantially filled with air, and will return to a state as shown in FIG.

  By repeatedly executing the above-described process, it is possible to generate electric power by converting the rotational force generated by rotating the impeller 14 into electric power by the generator 15. Incidentally, when the configuration of the electromagnetic valve 24 is omitted, ON / OFF of water supply from the water supply pipe 21 may be switched instead of opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 24.

  Thus, in the power generation system 1 to which the present invention is applied, compressed air is generated in the water storage tank 11 based on the positional energy difference of water, and the impeller 14 is rotated by the generated compressed air to generate power. It becomes possible to further improve the power generation efficiency.

  In the present invention, water may be supplied from the water supply pipe 21 while maintaining the water level of the water column pipe 12 at a predetermined height or higher than the water level in the water storage tank 11. By making the water level of the water column pipe 12 higher than the water level in the water tank 11, the potential energy due to the water level of the water column pipe 12 can be made higher than the water level of the water tank 11. By maintaining such a state, it becomes possible to raise the water level in the water storage tank 11 by supplying water from the water column pipe 12 to the water storage tank 11. At this time, by supplying water so that the water level of the water column pipe 12 is higher than the water level in the water storage tank 11 by a predetermined height or more, the pressure of the compressed air constituting the space 43 can be set to a predetermined level or higher. It is also possible to stabilize the power generation amount.

  Moreover, in the example shown in FIG. 3, it is a figure which shows the state which provided the electric power generation system 1 which consists of the above structures over multiple stages. The water that has been drained from the water storage tank 11 of the upper power generation system 1 through the drain pipe 23 is poured into the water column pipe 21 in the lower power generation system 1. By providing the power generation system 1 in multiple stages in this manner, water can be efficiently used for multiple power generations. At this time, in the lower power generation system 1, the configuration of the electromagnetic valve 24 may be omitted, and the role of the electromagnetic valve 24 may be assigned to the electromagnetic valve 16 of the upper power generation system 1.

  FIG. 4 shows an example in which the power generation systems 1 are arranged in two rows. The power generation system 1 in the left row and the power generation system 1 in the right row are arranged, and a base pipe 60 and a branch pipe 62 branched in two directions from the base pipe 60 are provided on the power generation system 1. It has been. Each branch pipe 62 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 61 for opening and closing the pipe line. One of the branch pipes 62 is led to the water column pipe 12 of the power generation system 1 in the left column, and the other one of the branch pipes 62 is led to the water column pipe 12 of the power generation system 1 in the right column.

  By flowing water through the base pipe 60, opening one electromagnetic valve 61, and controlling one electromagnetic valve 61 to close, water can flow through only one of the branch pipes 62. And the water which flowed into one branch pipe 62 will be guide | induced to the water column pipe 12 in one power generation system 1 as it is. Although the water that has flowed into the water column pipe 12 flows into the water storage tank 11 as it is, the configuration of the electromagnetic valve 24 that should be provided in the water column pipe 12 as shown in FIG. 1 can be omitted. The electromagnetic valve 61 may be made to play the role of. The guide control means for guiding water from the base pipe 60 to any one of the branch pipes 62 is not limited to the electromagnetic valve 61. For example, the base pipe 60 and the branch pipe 62 are configured separately, and A spatula (not shown) for guiding water from the pipe 60 to any one of the branch pipes 62 may be provided. And this spatula may operate | move automatically using a cylinder etc., for example.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to tap water, and can be applied to any environment that uses water, such as middle water, sewage, and households.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power generation system 11 Water storage tank 12 Water column pipe 13 Exhaust path 14 Impeller 15 Generator 16, 24, 29 Electromagnetic valve 17 Air hole 23 Drain pipe 41 Inlet

Claims (3)

A water tank,
A water column pipe whose lower end is connected to the water tank;
An exhaust passage extending from the top of the water tank;
An impeller provided in the exhaust path;
A generator that converts rotational force generated by rotating the impeller into electric power;
The air in the water tank is compressed by continuing to supply water to the water tank through the water column pipe to raise the water level in the water tank, and when the compressed air is discharged from the exhaust passage, A power generation system using compressed air characterized by rotating an impeller. An openable and closable drainage pipe for draining the water stored in the water tank,
An openable / closable air hole for allowing air to flow into the water tank from the outside,
When supplying water to the water tank, the water column is closed while the discharge port and the air hole are closed, and the water column pipe is maintained at a predetermined level or higher than the water level in the water tank. Supply water to the tube,
2. The power generation system using compressed air according to claim 1, wherein when the supply of water to the water storage tank is completed, the drain port and the air hole are opened. The power generation system using compressed air according to claim 1 or 2 is provided over two rows,
A base tube,
A branch pipe divided in two directions from the base pipe;
A guide control means for guiding water flowing in the base pipe to any one of the branch pipes,
The power generation system using compressed air according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each branch pipe is led to a water column pipe in a power generation system constituting each row.

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