DE102009041509A1 - Wave powered pump without moving parts - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pump driven by wave power without moving parts, especially for draining the coastal lowlands when the sea level rises. This uses the oscillating air pressure in a wave chamber to transport water upwards via a cascade of special artesian vessels.

Description

The aim of this invention is the pumping of water with the power of the sea waves, especially for draining the coastal lowlands with increasing sea level, but also for power generation.

State of the art are all sorts of rafts, buoys and plates that follow the movement of the sea waves and transmit the force occurring on a piston pump, such. B. US7059123 , Such systems work quite well, but are far too expensive and too sensitive to keep entire areas from flooding. At least the piston pumps are made of high quality material, which must also be precisely processed. There are valves, flaps and bearings that wear, contaminate, corrode, age, and therefore require constant maintenance. There are large, moving parts that develop huge forces in the storm, which can easily lead to the destruction of the plant.

To generate electricity from sea waves, numerous methods have been devised that raise seawater with wave power above sea level, from where it can flow back to the sea via a turbine. For example, you direct an incoming water wave in a tapered wave channel in which it gains in height until it finally spills over the edge of the channel in a reservoir. However, such methods are unsuitable for drainage, since the accumulating on land base and rainwater does not have sufficient waves. Of course, electricity from ocean waves could be used to drive electric pumps, but the double conversion between mechanical and electrical energy would be very inefficient overall, and it would also require a power line.

The present invention avoids the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art and advantageously continues to form the latter.

The invention is a directly driven by water waves pump without moving parts, as in the 1 and 2 is shown. This so-called "wave pump" uses the oscillating air pressure in a wave chamber to transport water upwards through a cascade of special artesian vessels.

The wave chamber is already known from the OWC wave power plant, which recovers energy from an oscillating water column (Oscillating Water Column, OWC). The wave chamber ( 1 ) is a space enclosed by solid and dense walls, which is partly filled with air and partly with water, with an inflow opening below the water level. Above the water level, there is also a narrow ventilation channel ( 4 ) to the ambient atmosphere. From the circulating under the waves sea water, the orbital flow, at the inflow opening a swinging water column ( 2 ) and conducted into the wave chamber, where it causes a raising and lowering of the water level, and above all an oscillating pressure of the trapped air, which is used in the following. The ventilation duct constantly adjusts the amount of trapped air to the sea level, which changes with the tides, but also to the atmospheric pressure, and also allows entrained gas to escape.

Pressure differential drives fluid up a tube, this is known from the artesian well. However, the air pressure amplitude reached in the wave chamber is unlikely to be sufficient to lift the rainwater over the dike, which is why a cascade of many such artesian wells, or rather, artesian vessels, is needed. The cascade as a whole could be called an "artesian cascade".

3 shows an artesian vessel in section. It consists of a water-filled basin B1 ( 11 ), over whose water level the air pressure p1 prevails. From this leads a riser ( 12 ) to another, higher level basin B2, above which, as well as above the water level of the riser, the air pressure p2 prevails. If p1> p2, the water level of the riser is higher than that of the basin B1. However, if p1 <p2, it is below it. If the pressure difference p1 - p2 is high enough, the water can rise into the basin B2. An overflow ( 14 ) at the end of the riser prevents water from flowing back from B2 to B1 as the pressure difference decreases. On their way, however, the riser first leads down to an underflow ( 13 ), which always remains covered with water, which therefore lies below the lowest level of water on both sides. The underflow separates the areas of different air pressure with a Wasserpfropfen, so that never air can flow through the riser and compensate for the pressure difference. If the water level in the riser changes, then that of the basin remains almost the same, because the water surface of the basin is much larger.

The cascading of artesian vessels succeeds at oscillating pressure, when in a series connection according to the invention the pools are alternately times in one, sometimes in the other pressure range p1 or p2, and their risers from there into the other pressure range, respectively, in the next higher basin to lead. There are thus two complementary groups of artesian vessels, one of which is positive, the other negative pressure difference p1 - p2 the water while the other group is resting. The artesian cascade is driven according to the invention by wave force when one of the pressure ranges p1 or p2 is the interior of a wave chamber, and the other the ambient atmosphere.

4 shows two complementary artesian vessels. If p1 - p2, then the water in the riser of the basin B1 rises by a distance h, while at the same time the water in the riser of the basin B2 falls by the same distance h. If the pressure difference p1 - p2 increases, the water level in the first riser approaches the overflow into the basin B2. At the same time, the water level in the second riser sinks towards the lower reaches. Appropriately, the underflow is so deep that the water in the first riser rather reaches the overflow than the water in the second riser the lower reaches. If in the course of the oscillation p1 <p2, then the water level in the first riser decreases and increases in the second by an equal distance h, which is why complementary artesian vessels are expediently to be designed symmetrically.

When the first water column reaches the overflow, then the driving pressure difference p1 - p2, in purely hydrostatic observation, can not continue to grow, because now water flows over the overflow, the water column can not rise further and therefore build up no greater back pressure. Any supply of compressed air will now only push water over the overflow without increasing the pressure difference. But if the pressure difference can not continue to grow, then the water in the second riser can not continue to decline, and therefore the underflow needs to be only slightly lower than the overflow is high.

More importantly, if in a cascade several water columns simultaneously use the same pressure difference and one of them reaches its overflow sooner than the others, then all other water columns can no longer reach their respective overflow. It is therefore expedient to overflow all water columns at the same height. However, due to their inertia, the water columns can, on dynamic observation, overcome small differences in the overflow heights. In addition, there is some self-regulation of the overflow heights, as these are dependent on the water levels of each basin: In early overflow loses a basin more water than the others, whereby its overflow height increases in comparison again.

When viewed dynamically, the oscillation capability of the water columns immediately catches the eye. In the case of resonance and with low attenuation, the water column in an artesian vessel may possibly rise higher than would be expected from the stimulating pressure amplitude under purely hydrostatic observation. It may therefore be appropriate to tune the artesian vessels in their vibration behavior on the stimulating pressure vibration and also provide opportunities for changing the vibration behavior, such as variable length of the risers.

The function of the artesian cascade is not affected if one or more of its lower vessels are flooded. The water then automatically finds its way to the upper ones, which continue to work as intended.

The 1 and 2 show shaft pumps according to the invention, which are in the design of the shaft chamber ( 1 ). In 1 is the wave chamber through an inflow pipe ( 9 ), with which the oscillating water column ( 2 ) in an exposed position, where the orbital flow is still little slowed by the nearby seabed, or even by the pump itself. Even obstacles in the water can handle it. In 2 However, the wave chamber is characterized by an overhanging plate ( 10 ) formed on a wall that covers a comparatively large water surface cost.

Which type of construction is cheaper in an individual case depends on the local conditions. In any case, either the inflow pipe or the plate should be adjustable in height so that they can adapt to the tides. The inflow opening is held as close as possible to the water surface ( 8th ), where the power of the waves is strongest. The switching on or off of the shaft pump takes place by laying the inflow corresponding to below or above the water level. Also, by opening a flap, lid or door on the wave chamber which allows the pressure to escape, one could turn off the wave pump.

The type with inlet pipe can be optimized by streamlined design of the inflow pipe, so that the largest possible proportion of the wave energy enters the wave chamber. To do this, look at the flow field near the mouth. 5 shows some possibilities that also apply to other OWC applications. Unfavorable is certainly the possibility of A, where the orbital flow through a hole in the wall should. Immediately adjacent to the inflowing water particles, other water particles collide fully against the wall, lose their momentum and then stand in the way of the inflowing particles, effectively resulting in a narrowing of the cross-section which reduces the performance. Better is therefore a free pipe end B, where the adjacent flow outside unchecked continues until it no longer bothers the incoming water. A funnel-shaped expansion of the tube end C probably facilitates the entry of flow that is not parallel to the tube axis. However, the expansion must not be too strong, since otherwise it brakes the entering flow like the wall A. Fins should make it difficult for the orbital flow to flow around the inflow opening, which can block both the circumferential direction D, as well as radial directions E, but if possible align the flow parallel to the pipe axis. An annular, inwardly curved guide surface F can additionally achieve a nozzle effect, which accelerates the flow at the mouth.

The proposed wave pump is constructed preferably and cost of reinforced concrete. One first manufactures concrete profiles, according to the cuts in the 1 or 2 that one thinks extruded perpendicular to the image plane. The ends of the concrete profiles are then inserted vertically into two common end plates, also made of concrete, which have special recesses. The parts are finally glued and sealed with asphalt. The lower edges of the end plates, which are parallel, can be used, like the skids of a sled, to push the finished wave pump over a sandy beach into the sea, where it begins to work immediately. So you need to install no watercraft, and you can easily remove the system again. But you should provide options for adjustment and stabilization of the situation so that the pools are horizontal. In another design, the concrete profiles are closed to rings that have no ends, and stacks them with a few intermediate pieces. The interior of the ring stack then forms a corrugated chamber, which must be equipped only with roof and bottom plate, as well as with an inflow pipe. Gluing and sealing the profiles is not required here. On a small scale, a wave pump can also be welded together from bent metal or plastic plates.

A wave pump is preferably built at the end of a dam that protrudes as far as possible into the sea, where the waves still develop their full power. In the dam, it is convenient to house a sewer that carries the surplus water from the land to the wave pump. The sewer pipe and also the larger part of the wave pump may well be below sea level. You can also integrate the wave pump in a dike system, in large numbers and at short intervals. If you put the inflow high enough, the wave pump will be active only by flood or storm surge.

It is also possible to operate on a floating platform, which is also best made from concrete and anchored off the coast. For this you may need far less material than for the construction of a dam. The platform follows the tides by itself up and down, so that a constant tracking of the inflow opening is not necessary. The sewage pipe from the land must then be movable accordingly.

The rocking motion of the platform can assist the pumping process: it allows the water of the riser pipes to slosh into the next higher pool rather than the pressure difference alone, and from there it can not go back. Thus, the kinetic energy of the platform, which ultimately comes from the waves, is converted into altitude energy of the water. This also means that the wave pump effectively acts as a vibration damper, which stabilizes the platform in their position. However, the rocking movement must not be too strong so that water does not slosh down from a pool into a lower pool.

The construction of floating platforms can also be useful as such. For example, to build buildings on it, docks, parking lots, factories, highways, airfields, especially in areas where land is scarce. In addition one pours in a piece a large concrete slab with upwardly curved edges. This floats on the water like a plate, but the soil remains below sea level, so that rainwater can not drain off by itself. So that this artificial island does not sink after a short time, one must remove the rainwater constantly and preferably with wave pumps. Floating platforms should be much cheaper and more stable than landfilled land.

The water raised by the shaft pump can be used to generate electricity. For this purpose, it is preferable to collect the water from several wave pumps in a common collecting channel, which perhaps runs on the crest of a dike, and then passes it through a water turbine. From there, the water finally flows into the sea, or back into the country, from where it pumps up again. The water turbine is preferably operated with fresh water, which is less corrosive than seawater. Alternatively or additionally, one can install in the ventilation duct of the wave pump, as in the OWC wave power plant, an air turbine.

The wave pump can be used in aquaculture or sewage treatment plants to circulate, renew, aerate, filter and cool the water of the ponds. The pools of the wave pump can be colonized with microorganisms, which cleanse the passing water and rid it of parasites, or which are otherwise useful. Filling the pelvis with gravel enlarges the settable surface. Translucent walls allow photosynthesis, and thus algae breeding.

The proposed pump can also be driven by other pressure fluctuations than those in a wave chamber. For example, you could take advantage of the rapidly changing wind pressure on the different sides of a building or mountain, or pump out the pull of passing vehicles, perhaps to pump seepage from a tunnel. Usable pressure fluctuations also occur in particular on gas-filled cavities which are exposed to temperature fluctuations.

With the present invention, the following advantages are achieved.

The proposed wave pump can pump not only seawater, but also fresh and brackish water, which is why it is suitable for draining land. The insurmountable height difference does not depend on the height of the waves, but on the number of cascade stages that can be easily adapted to a given situation. The wave pump can therefore also be used with small and medium waves.

The proposed wave pump causes no energy costs, can even contribute to electricity production. It uses wave energy efficiently because it uses it directly and without electromechanical intermediate conversion for pumping.

The proposed wave pump is very simple in its construction. There are no moving parts that easily break in the storm, which wear out, corrode, age, which you have to constantly check and maintain. The few immovable parts can be poured out of concrete with simple means. The wave pump is extremely inexpensive and can therefore be made very large and in large numbers. It would provide tremendous and affordable pumping power within a short time to meet rising sea levels.

The drawings are explained in more detail below.

1 shows a wave pump with inflow pipe ( 9 ) on average. The in the wave chamber ( 1 ) enclosed air extends from the oscillating water column ( 2 ) up to the artesian cascade ( 3 ), which consists of a stack of concrete profiles with water-filled gaps. Concrete is diagonally hatched, water horizontally. From the wave chamber leads a narrow ventilation channel ( 4 ) to the ambient atmosphere. The water to be pumped ( 5 ) is transported from the artesian cascade to a reservoir ( 6 ), from where it flows through a drainage pipe ( 7 ) into the sea ( 8th ) flows.

2 shows a similar shaft pump with overhanging plate ( 10 ) on average.

3 shows an artesian vessel in section. From a pool of water ( 11 ) leads a riser ( 12 ) first down to an underflow ( 13 ), then up to an overflow ( 14 ), behind which is another, higher-lying pool of water. The riser may actually be much narrower than pictured.

4 shows two complementary artesian vessels in section.

5 compares design possibilities of the inflow pipe.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US7059123 [0002]

Claims (24)

Pump for lifting a liquid driven by an oscillating pressure difference between two gas bodies, wherein the liquid passes through a series of pools whose liquid levels are alternately exposed to the pressure of the one gas body and the pressure of the other gas body in order, wherein in each case two successive basins are connected by a line which initially runs below the liquid level of the first basin, later above the liquid level of the second basin. A pump according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two gas bodies is the ambient atmosphere. Pump according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the two gas bodies is placed in wave form in pressure oscillation, in particular by waves of the sea or another body of water. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the two gas bodies is at least partially enclosed in a wave chamber, above a vibrating liquid column whose vibration is transmitted to the gas body. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a shaft chamber is partly bounded by an overhanging plate, which is preferably adjustable in height, possibly also with the waves movable or elastic. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a shaft chamber is partly bounded by an inflow pipe, which taps from a liquid body an oscillating liquid column, which is preferably adjustable in height, possibly also with the waves movable or elastic, and its mouth widened funnel-shaped or with Filling surfaces can be equipped. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the ventilation duct of a wave chamber, an air turbine, in particular a Wells turbine can be installed, which preferably serves to generate electricity. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein this is integrated into a dike system, preferably with a collecting channel for pumped-up water, which preferably supplies this power generation. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it can be moved on skids or wheels a shallow shore down into the sea, preferably equipped with means for adjusting and stabilizing the correct position there. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is installed on a floating or supported floating platform. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, which is also or exclusively driven by acceleration and thereby possibly acts as a vibration damper. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein this is tuned in their vibration behavior to the stimulating vibration. A pump according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basins are populated by animals which clean or otherwise benefit from the water flowing through. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the basins are filled with gravel or other material through which can flow. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein this is constructed at least in part of a transparent material, so that light reaches the basins. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the gas bodies is replaced by a liquid body which floats on the liquid to be pumped. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein this is driven by the pull of passing vehicles, which is preferably picked up on barred openings in the roadway. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the two gas body changes by temperature variation its pressure and thereby drives the pump. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein basin and lines in their shape flow into each other. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein basins and conduits are formed by the interstices stacked solids, which are preferably identical in shape and size and are at most alternately differently oriented, or at least each to the previous mirror symmetry, or at least everyone is similar to the previous one, at least in essence, the first or last perhaps excepted. A pump as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each pelvis is located above the previous one by a same height difference, or at least in relation to the pre-pending, at least substantially, perhaps the first or last excepted. A pump as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each tank of duct shape and size is mirror symmetrical to the previous one, or at least substantially equal to, or at least substantially equal to, the first or last excepted. Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the basins is divided into several sub-basins. A pump as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the basins is connected to or identical to at least one basin of another pump by way of a conduit, or flows smoothly into it.

Images