ILLESNE ARANYODI ILDIKO (HU)
TYUKODINE MIKO GYOERGYI (HU)
TYUKODI IMRE (HU)
TYUKODI LILLA GYOERGYI (HU)
ILLES ZSOLT (HU)
ILLESNE ARANYODI ILDIKO (HU)
| US7135332B2 | 2006-11-14 | |||
| UA42753C2 | ||||
| RU2234033C1 | 2004-08-10 |
| Patent claims: 1. Energy cell for the utilization of heat energy generated through aerobic processes, with the properties that the energy cell (Figure No. 1) is a partially closed container (Figure No. 1) forming a mobile rechargeable unit having own thermal insulation incorporated with a properly sized closed internal heat exchange system (Figure No. 2) capable of heat transfer, all these placed in its interior, filled with a plant-origin filling material (5) in appropriate size, air inlets (2) providing the air intake required to maintain the process, with removable and rebuildable elements providing the cleaning and refilling, the generated heat is extracted through the appropriately dimensioned heat exchange system prepared of heat-transfer material placed inside the energy cell, (Figure No. 2), in which fluid is circulated, and its connection points (1) allow its connection into the heating system in direct or indirect manner. 2. The energy cell based on Claim No. 1 , with the properties that the heat exchange system placed in its interior (Figure No. 2) consists of dividing pipes (6), heat-exchange pipes (8) and connection pipes (9), which may be multi-stage pipes connected in series, prepared of corrosion-resistant material having thermal conductive capabilities, moreover the unit may be entirely elevated from the container and it may be placed back. The energy cell based on CJajm Ho. l, with the properties that the ventilation holes providing ventilation andlhe~quahtity and adjustability of the required air to maintain the process have been designed in such a way that they may be conducted away from the installation location, moreover they include the air inlet and outlet regulator units as well. The energy cell based on Claim No. 1 , with the properties that the thermal insulated container has a net capacity of 1- 5 m3, and for the reason of the design, they may be connected in series in optional number, in order to improve performance. 5. The energy cell based on Claim No. 1 , with the properties that the energy cell is mobile, movable, standing on wheels, legs or supporting structure (7) , forming the part of the energy cell. 6. The process is to the exploitation of the heat energy with the properties that the appropriately sized plant-origin filling material (5) used for the filling of the energy cell covers the internal heat exchanger completely, and the continuous heat development can be maintained with the regulated air amount inserted through air inlets (2), where the application as an independent heat generator for the production of the necessary thermal energy in appropriately dimensioned heating systems operating on low temperature is provided by the possibility of connecting in series of the energy cells, in such a way that the intensity of the process may be regulated. 7. The process indicated in Claim No. 6, with the properties that the process is generated in a closed container-like environment, making the aerobic processes independent from the soil and the environment, the process is maintained through inserting additives maintaining these processes and the core temperature of the filling is regulated (55-60°C). 8. The process indicated in Claim No. 6, with the properties that the filling material filling the interior of the insulated container may be replaced continuously or changed with a new, charged energy cell in the installation location as well, the depleted energy cell may be reused after the filling is changed. 9. The process indicated in Claim No. 6, with the properties that the filling is in contact with the entire surface of the heat-exchanging units (Figure No. 2) placed in the interior of the energy cell, thus the obtained heat is extracted with the fluid circulated in the heat-exchanging elements. 10. The process indicated in Claim No. 6, with the properties that the intensity of the aerobic processes taken place in the filling (5) placed in the interior of the energy cell is regulated through the amount of the air inserted through air inlets (2). |
The object of the invention and fields of application:
The object of our invention is the utilization of heat energy generated through aerobic processes for the supply of heat energy mainly for water source heat pumps' primary side and for the heat energy need of heating systems operating on low temperature, purely by heat, generated through aerobic processes. By using the energy cell, water source heat pumps can be installed to places, where it was not possible before (e.g. downtowns). Other utilization possibility is to operate the energy cell as an independent heat generator for appropriately dimensioned low temperature heating systems by replacing other machinery, (boiler, heat pump)
State of current technology:
Biogas-usager-it-is-an-increasingly-widely used-form-ofalternative-energy extracted ' fromybioma&s A this utilization process an anaerobic process takes place, which is an airtight (occurs without the presence of oxygen) decomposition process accompanied by gas formation. The resulting combustible gases are used to drive gas engines. The heat- and kinetic energy produced by engines are utilized. In contrast, the developed energy-cell and process utilizes directly the heat energy generated through aerobic (requiring the presence of oxygen) transformation processes.
Heat exchangers: there are many different kinds of them; all heat exchangers are pieces of equipment built for efficient heat transfer from one medium to another. The heat is always transferred from the high temperature medium to the low temperature one endeavouring to equalize the temperatures. During the construction of heat exchangers the properties the two different medium are always taken into account, therefore the heat exchangers' structure and design can significantly differ from each other, however they are similar in function.
Looking at their design, the fluid-fluid and some gas-fluid heat exchangers are typically closed systems since there is no need for the presence of oxygen for the heat exchange process. They can be open systems too, where the heat generated during burning, evaporation or steam formation is retrieved and transferred to another medium, (e.g. gas boilers, fireplaces etc.) The developed energy-cell and process is based also on these criteria, it is partially open, but flow exists only in the secondary circuit/side. On the heat generating side (primary) we are using such a permanent medium that generates great amount of heat during the aerobic decomposition process. This arisen heat can be utilized with the energy cell and the developed process.
The challenge to be solved with the invention:
Recognition:
The spread of heat pumps - especially the water-water type - are limited by the fact, that for the heat supply on the primary side a well must be drilled (hydrothermal) or requires significant earthworks (geothermic), therefore their application is limited, they cannot be used at many places, (cities, protected areas, terraced houses etc.) Being aware of this recognition, the energy cell and the process was developed to cover this relatively minimal thermal energy need, utilizing aerobic processes in a unit that can be used anywhere and is easy to install. With the application of the energy cell, there is no need for additional earthworks or well drilling to supply the water-water type heat pumps with heat energy on the primary side, therefore heat pumps can be installed to any places, where this was not possible before.
The energy cell can also be used without heat pumps, is able to supply heat energy to properly sized and regulated, intermittently operated heating systems, operating on low temperature (30-40 °C) (eg. floor or wall heating). This kind of application is ensured by the continuous and constant heat generation of aerobic processes and the possibility of connecting the energy cells in series. To maintain aerobic processes, continuous oxygen supply must be granted and the heat withdrawal cannot be more than 40-50% of the heat generated during the process, or the decomposition process can break its continuity, so the heat generation stops too. More precisely: the core temperature of the transforming organic material is 70-75 °C, which cannot be reduced below 35- 40°C to keep the process alive. The continuous operation can be ensured by bacteria facilitating aerobic processes and with uninterrupted and sufficient oxygen supply.
Aerobic process (Aerobic decomposition, Aerobic fermentation)
It is a chemical transformation, the decomposition of organic materials (fermentation) effected mainly by microorganisms (aerobic organisms), in the presence of air, respectively oxygen. Aerobic process --is- an attribute of natural transformations (for example dry rot) and aerobic biodegradation methods (e.g. composting, biological sewage treatment). As a result of aerobic decomposition organic materials transform to carbon-dioxide and water, nitrites and nitrates, sulphites and sulphates and phosphate (mineralization) with significant heat development but without heavy stink.
List of figures:
1. figure cutaway view of the Energy cell
2. figure conceptual representation of the Internal heat exchanger
General solution of the problem:
Energy cell and procedure - for the exploitation of heat energy arising during aerobic processes - utilize the heat generated during a controlled aerobic process which takes place in a partially closed, thermal insulated, properly sized container. The method for extracting heat is the following: the heat producing process has to be done in a thermal insulated, partly closed container (Figure No. 1. graph) under control. The presence of oxygen - what is needed to maintain the process - is ensured by natural air through one or more air inlets (2). We fill the internal part of the thermal insulated container with organic material and due to the aerobic decomposition process we generate heat. The organic materials can be: e.g. plant-origin/vegetable, anything that can be composted, animal manure, sawdust, green waste or the mix of them. To maintain the process and ensure the highest possible efficiency, continuous supply and change (if necessary) of organic materials are needed.
The heat can be extracted through the closed, properly sized, internal heat exchanger pipes (Figure No. 2.) that are placed in the energy cell and made by materials which are able to transfer heat. In these pipes we circulate fluid and its connection points (1) allow its connection to heating systems indirectly (heat pump) or directly. For bigger heat demand the connection of more containers is possible. Compared to connection points, the connection pipes (8) of the heat exchanger are narrowed and are multi stage-pipes. Using more and smaller diameter pipes ensure big heat transfer surface and they slow down the stream, thus the fluids circulated in the pipes spend more time inside the energy cell. This means that fluids contact with the warmer medium on larger surface. This way we can ensure the proper, timely temperature increase of the fluid. Execution methods:
The formation of the energy cell is multi layered, made of an external carrying and an internal storing layer. Between the two layers thermal insulation creates the sandwich structure (4). The heat exchanger system (Figure No. 2.) is placed inside the container and made up of connecting pipes (9), dividing pipes (6), and heat-exchange pipes (8). Regarding the formation and size of the bioenergy cell the fact has to be considered, that its weight in fully filled stage can be significant making transportation (when filled) difficult.
The connecting points are placed on the container, where the in-out points (1) of the heat exchanger (Figure No. 2.) are. Circulation can be achieved in the heat-exchanger with pumps in a way, where the heat exchange happens we slow down the circulation and increase the heat transfer surface. Individual heat exchanger units are connected with larger diameter connecting pipes (9) than heat exchanger pipes (8) are. The number of heat exchanger units in the energy cell, thus the size of heat transfer surfaces are defined by the desired temperature and the attributes of the filling materials (5) used in the container (what temperature can be achieved with the given material).
Definition of pipe: pipe is such a hollow body, which wall thickness is smaller than its internal diameter. Accordingly, square hollow sections and other hollow sectioned shapes, which are able to transport fluids are also pipes.
The structure of the energy cell:
double walled, sandwich structured (4), thermal insulation fills the space between the two walls of the container. We circulate the fluid - which temperature we want to increase - in the heat exchanger unit (Figure No. 2.) placed in the container. Heat exchanger units are connected via connecting pipes (9) and made up from needed number of elements. Within the container, heat exchanger units are entirely covered by such organic materials (5) that generate sufficient heat through aerobic processes thus creating the desired level of positive temperature change in the fluid being circulated in the heat exchanger units. The energy cell has one or more ventilation holes (2) because of their design, they form unoccupied free space (3) through which the oxygen need of the aerobic processes can be covered. The energy cell has openings to be able to make up for the transformed material (result of aerobic processes) and make available replacement. Through these openings it also offers cleaning possibility, when out of use. The energy cell has at least 4 legs (7) or wheels, to make moving and transportation easier.
Typical figure No. 1.
Advantages of the energy cell and the process (utilization of heat energy generated through aerobic processes):
With the application of the energy cell, water heat pumps can be installed to any places, where it was not possible before, (because of the requirement of earthworks or well drilling)
The energy cell can generate heat energy on its own, being sufficient for a properly sized and built heating system, operating on low temperature. In this case, it provides very cheap (free) thermal energy.
Does not have negative impact on the environment, as it is based on the utilization of heat, generated through natural, biological processes.
The energy source (green waste) needed for the process is available almost everywhere.