APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POWER GENERATION AND FOR LIQUID FILTRATION

Field of invention

The present invention relates generally to power generation and to liquid filtration.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for power generation comprising a turbine arrangement, an aeration chamber which is in the flow path of the turbine arrangement, and an aerator, the apparatus being such that in use an inlet of the turbine arrangement is located in communication with an upstream head of liquid, and the aerator urges gas into the aeration chamber so as to cause the liquid to drive the turbine arrangement.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of generating power comprising urging gas into an aeration chamber, which causes liquid therein to be of reduced density, the aeration chamber being in the flow path of a turbine arrangement, and an inlet of the turbine assembly being in communication with a head of liquid.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for filtration of a liquid comprising a filter arrangement, an aeration chamber which is in the flow path of the filter arrangement, and an aerator, the apparatus being such that in use an inlet of the filter arrangement is located in communication with an upstream head of liquid, and the aerator urges gas into the aeration chamber so as to cause the liquid to pass through the filter arrangement.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of filtering a liquid comprising urging gas into an aeration chamber, which causes liquid therein to be of reduced density, the aeration chamber being in the flow path of a filter arrangement, and an inlet of the filter arrangement being in communication with a head of the liquid.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for power generation comprising a turbine arrangement, a venturi arrangement, an aeration chamber and an aerator, and in use, an inlet of the aeration chamber is located in communication with an upstream head of liquid, and an inlet of the turbine arrangement is in communication with atmosphere, such that, in use, the aerator causes gas to enter the aeration chamber and aerate liquid therein, aerated liquid then flows towards an outlet of the apparatus, the liquid flows past the venturi arrangement causing a reduction in gas pressure, and the pressure differential with atmospheric pressure causes gas to enter the inlet of the turbine arrangement and so drive the turbine arrangement.

Brief description of the drawings

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a power generator located in open water,

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a power generator located in a bore-hole,

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a water filtration apparatus located in open water,

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a water filtration apparatus located in a bored well in a beach,

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of a water filtration apparatus located in a deep aquifer,

Figure 6 is a schematic side view of a power generation apparatus located in open water; and

Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of Figure 6 in a drilled well.

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention

With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a power generation apparatus 1 for use in open water.

The apparatus 1 comprises an outer conduit 2, an inner conduit 3, an air/water mixing chamber 5, a turbine 7 and a compressor 4.

The turbine 7 is located below the open water level and so has impinging on it a head of water. The turbine 7 is provided with one or more inlet ports 7a which allow water to flow therethrough and exit into the mixing chamber through turbine outlet 7b. The compressor is operative to urge air down the inner conduit and into the mixing chamber. This will result in the water in the mixing chamber being aerated and accordingly less dense. This difference in density between the water in the mixing chamber and the open water results in the head of water present at the inlets 7a urging a flow of water so as to drive the turbine. The flow of water passes through the apertures in an upper plate 6 of the mixing chamber up through the outer conduit which exits into the open water.

Alternatively the aerated could be collected and filtered for use as potable water.

The electricity generated by the turbine can then be used and/or stored as required. Advantageously part of the generated electricity could be used to power the compressor, and so the compressor does not require an external power source for continued operation.

Now turning to Figure 2 there is shown a power generation apparatus 10 for use in a lined bored well 8. If the water level is near to ground level then no liner is required. Like features are denoted by like reference numerals. The apparatus 10 is essentially identical to the apparatus 1 , both in its construction and its method of operation, save that the outer conduit comprises a cranked discharge portion 2a. The cranked portion 2a directs aerated water into a spill tank/reservoir 9, from where the (degassed) water runs back into the well for re-use.

It will be appreciated that either of the above embodiments can be used in the sea, inland water, a lake, reservoir or beach well.

Advantageously the only waste product is aerated water; either fresh water or seawater. This 'waste water' may be used as an aid to water treatment of reservoir water, to aid CO ₂ collection by sea or for use in desalination plants (for reverse osmosis) .

With reference now to Figure 3 there is shown water filtration apparatus 20 comprising an outer conduit 12, an inner conduit 13, an air/water mixing chamber 5, a reverse osmosis filter 15 and a compressor 4. The apparatus 20 is located in open water and employs the same mechanism for causing upward flow of water as for the previous embodiments for power generation. By operating the compressor 4 air is

forced down conduit 16, water is caused to flow through the filter 15, with filtered (ie potable) water ascending the inner conduit 13.

Unwanted materials collected by the filter 5 are flushed away by a flow of water in the annular volume surrounding the inner conduit 13.

With reference to Figure 4 there is shown a water filtration apparatus 22 located in a beach. Operation of the compressor 4 causes water seeping into the bored well to flow through the filter 15 and up through the inner conduit 13. Waste water is caused to flow up through the annular volume surrounding the inner conduit 13.

With reference finally to Figure 5 the apparatus 22 is located in a deep aquifer yielding poor quality water. The uppermost part of the bored well is provided with a steel liner.

In a variant embodiment of the above described embodiments a turbine and a liquid filter are located in communication with an air/water mixing chamber, such that, in use, power is generated and filtered water is obtained.

Figure 6 shows a further power generation apparatus 30 comprising an air turbine 36, an aeration chamber 34 and an inner conduit 37 connecting the turbine 36 and the aeration chamber 34. The power generation apparatus 30 further comprises a compressor unit 31 which is in communication with the inner conduit 37 by virtue of connecting conduit 39. An outer conduit 32 encloses the inner conduit 37, the air turbine and the aeration chamber 34.

In use, the apparatus 30 is located in open water such that inlet 34a of the aeration chamber is positioned underwater and inlet 36a is positioned

above the water level and is open to atmosphere. In operation, the compressor unit 31 is activated to urge compressed air into the inner conduit 37. Air is thus forced into the aeration chamber 34 via openings 38. Water inside the aeration chamber is thus aerated and due to the pressure exerted on the aerated water, the aerated water rises in the annular space between the inner and outer conduits towards outlet 33. As the aerated water flows past the openings 38 a venturi effect is achieved wherein the air pressure of air inside the inner conduit 37 is reduced to below atmospheric pressure. This pressure differential causes atmospheric pressure to force a one-way valve 35 to an open condition. Air thus continues to be urged into the aeration chamber 34. Importantly, atmospheric air drawn in through the inlet 36a drives the turbine 36, so generating electricity. It will be appreciated that after a short while the compressor unit is deactivated and the apparatus requires no further external power input in order to continue to generate electricity.

Any waste air from the aerated water in the annular space is directed to atmosphere via the turbine 36.

Waste water exiting at outlet 33 could be used as an aid to water filtration (by reverse osmosis) , and could also aid carbon dioxide collection in sea water.

Figure 7 shows the apparatus 30 used in a drilled well. Waste water is passed into a degas tank 7 before recycling back into the well.

It will be appreciated that in a modified embodiment of apparatus 30 a water turbine could be used instead of an air turbine. Alternatively a reverse osmosis filter could replace the air turbine.