DE102016206998A1 - Compression device and compression method - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to provide a compression device which is simple in construction and enables energy-efficient gas compression, it is proposed that the compression device comprises: a liquid container for receiving a liquid; a gas supply, by means of which in a direction of gravity with respect to the upper end region of the liquid container gas is provided; one or more transport containers movable by means of a drive device within the liquid container such that the one or more transport containers receive gas in the upper end region of the liquid container and transport it through the liquid into a lower end region of the liquid container; a gas collection device arranged in the lower end region of the liquid container for receiving gas transported into the lower end region by means of the one transport container or the plurality of transport containers; a gas discharge, by means of which the gas received in the gas collecting device can be discharged from the liquid container.

Description

The present invention relates to a compression device and a compression method, in particular for the compression of gas.

The DE 10 2011 053 428 B4 discloses an apparatus and method for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, wherein a gas rising in a liquid container is used to drive a rotating device.

The present invention has for its object to provide a compression device which is simple in construction and enables energy-efficient gas compression.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a compression device for compressing gas, the compression device comprising:
a liquid container for receiving a liquid;
a gas supply, by means of which in a direction of gravity with respect to the upper end region of the liquid container gas is provided;
one or more transport containers which are movable by means of a drive device within the liquid container such that the one or more transport containers in the upper end region of the liquid container receive gas and transport it through the liquid into a lower end region of the liquid container;
a gas collection device arranged in the lower end region of the liquid container for receiving gas transported into the lower end region by means of the one transport container or the plurality of transport containers;
a gas discharge, by means of which the gas received in the gas collecting device can be discharged from the liquid container.

Characterized in that in the inventive compression device gas by means of one or more transport containers against the direction of gravity from top to bottom by the liquid disposed in the liquid container is transportable, the gas can be compressed easily and energy efficient. In particular, by suitable design of the one or more transport containers, a complicated sealing of a compression space, in which the gas is compressed, can be dispensed with.

It may be favorable if the gas and the liquid are different aggregate states of the same substance.

For example, it can be provided that the gas is water vapor and / or that the liquid is water.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the gas comprises water vapor and / or air.

The liquid may include, for example, water.

The one transport container or the plurality of transport containers are formed for example as a cup.

A "cup" is to be understood in this description and the appended claims, in particular a receptacle, which is closed, for example, five-sided and open on one side.

The drive device preferably comprises a belt conveyor or chain conveyor, by means of which the one or more transport containers are movable along a conveying path.

By means of the drive device, the one or more transport containers can be conveyed in particular along a section-wise straight conveying path, which extends in particular substantially parallel to a direction of gravity. As a result, large differences in height to generate high pressure differences can be overcome.

The one or more transport containers are preferably movable by means of the drive device in a closed circuit and / or on a closed conveying path.

The transport containers can form, for example, links of a chain of the drive device.

A belt of a belt conveyor or a chain of a chain conveyor of the drive device is guided over one or more drums, for example.

The drive device in particular forms a traction mechanism drive, wherein the one or more transport containers are arranged on the traction means or form the traction means.

Traction pulleys of the drive device preferably form a filling device for filling the one or more transport containers and / or a removal device for removing gas from the one or more transport containers.

It can be provided that a filling device for filling the one or more liquid containers with gas and / or a removal device for removing gas from the one or more transport containers have one or more valves which can be actuated in particular by means of the one or more transport containers are to selectively supply gas to the one or more transport containers or remove them from the same.

The valves are arranged and / or designed, in particular, on traction mechanism pulleys, designed as drums, of a drive device designed as a traction mechanism drive.

In one embodiment of the invention can be provided that the drive device comprises a circular rotor, by means of which the one or more transport containers along a circular conveying path are movable.

A gas supply of the compression device may be, for example, an open end of the liquid container. The gas to be supplied to the one or more transport containers is then in particular ambient air.

However, it can also be provided that the liquid container is closed to the environment.

It may be favorable if the liquid container is a closed or closable pressure container. In this way, in particular a varying output pressure of the gas to be compressed can be provided and / or adjusted.

The drive device of the compression device preferably comprises an electric motor and / or an internal combustion engine. In this way, in particular electrical energy and / or chemical energy can be used to drive the drive device and to compress the gas to be compressed by movement of the one or more transport containers.

The compression device is particularly suitable for use in a compression system.

The present invention therefore also relates to a compression system which comprises one or more compression devices, in particular compression devices according to the invention.

The compression devices are preferably connected in series such that a gas discharge of one of the compression devices opens into a gas supply to a further one of the compression devices.

In particular, a plurality of compression devices connected in series can be provided. As a result, in particular a stepwise increase in pressure can be realized.

The present invention further relates to the use of a compression device, in particular a compression device according to the invention.

In addition, the present invention preferably further relates to the use of a compression system, in particular a compression system according to the invention.

The compression device and / or the compression system is preferably used for the compression of water vapor, in particular in a pressure range below an atmospheric pressure.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the compression device and / or the compression system is used as a heat pump and / or as an engine.

In addition, as an alternative or in addition thereto, provision can be made for the compression device and / or the compression system to be used for loading a thermal storage device.

The present invention has the further object of providing a compression method which is simple to perform and enables energy-efficient gas compression.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a compression method which comprises:
Receiving a gas to be compressed by means of a transport container or by means of a plurality of transport containers in a respect to a direction of gravity upper end portion of a liquid container, wherein the liquid container is filled with a liquid;
Moving the one or more transport containers through the liquid downwardly in the direction of gravity compressing the gas received in the one or more transport containers;
Dispensing of the gas received in the one or more transport containers in a direction of gravity lower end portion of the liquid container to a gas collection device.

The compression method according to the invention preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the inventive compression device, the compression system according to the invention and / or the uses according to the invention.

It may be beneficial if the gas is water vapor and / or if the liquid is water.

The compressed gas received in the gas collecting device is preferably removed from the liquid container by means of a gas discharge.

Preferably, a gas pressure of the gas to be compressed while receiving it by means of the one transport container or by means of the plurality of transport containers at most about 20 mbar, in particular at most about 15 mbar, preferably at most about 10 mbar.

Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that a gas pressure of the compressed gas in the gas collecting device is at least about 20 mbar, in particular at least about 30 mbar, preferably at least about 50 mbar.

The gas pressure is in particular an absolute pressure, assuming an atmospheric pressure with an absolute value of 1013 mbar.

For varying the pressure of the gas received in the gas collecting device, a filling level of the liquid container is preferably varied with liquid.

Preferably, a heat release of the gas to be compressed takes place during the compression of the same to the surrounding liquid. The compression is thus preferably isothermal.

To limit overheating of the gas to be compressed, for example, a liquid can be injected. At the same time thereby the mass of the gas to be compressed can be increased.

In the present compression device and the present compression method, in particular, a continuous injection of liquid can take place, in particular in order to minimize overheating.

During the compression, in particular during the movement of the gas in the liquid container down, the temperature of the gas increases. This increase in temperature also increases the required compaction work. In certain applications, it may be desirable for the temperature of the gas at the end of the compression process to be as close as possible to the boiling temperature associated with the pressure. This can be achieved by cooling the gas during compression, i. during the downward movement, to be achieved.

One way to achieve such cooling is the injection of liquid into the gas volume, preferably in the form of a mist, which in particular offers a large liquid surface. The injected liquid can be evaporated during the cooling and / or due to the cooling and / or cooling of the gas volume, whereby preferably the mass of the compressed gas can increase.

During the injection, in particular, that substance in the liquid state of matter can be supplied to the gas which, in the gaseous state of matter, forms the main constituent or the sole constituent of the gas.

In particular, when using steam as the gas to be compressed water can be injected.

A liquid, in particular a mist from a liquid, can in particular be injected into the one or more transport containers by means of one or more injection devices. For example, each transport container is assigned a separate injection device.

The compression device according to the invention is preferably suitable for the compression of loaded gases, in particular polluted, dust-laden and / or contaminated gases.

The term "charged gas" is to be understood in particular as contamination of the gas with foreign substances, hazardous substances, solid particles and / or an abrasive medium.

A polluted gas is in particular an aerosol.

Strained gas may cause damage to the compression device, in particular in conventional compression devices, for example, due to chemical or physical deterioration of compressor blades or parts, etc.

In the compression device according to the invention, however, preferably no impairment of the operation or stability to fear through the use of polluted gases.

The compression device according to the invention is also particularly suitable as part of an energy management system for buildings.

It can be provided that two compression devices are combined with one another, wherein a compression device is operated for example as a heat pump, while the other compression device is operated as an engine. The engine can be used in particular to drive the heat pump. The heat pump can be used, for example, to provide thermal energy at a low temperature level, in particular for surface heating.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a compression device is a basic component of a system for storing electrical energy, wherein the compression device can be used for example as a heat pump to load a thermal storage. For discharging the thermal storage then the stored thermal energy can be used to operate the compression device as an engine that gives off mechanical work. In particular, it can be provided here that the waste heat of the engine can be used for heating purposes during a discharge of the thermal store.

In a further embodiment it can be provided that heat from a low-temperature source is used for loading the thermal store, in particular in order to reduce the work required for the compression device functioning as a heat pump. As a result, the work delivered during a subsequent discharge can possibly be greater than the work expended in the loading process.

It may be provided that the compression device is used as a heat pump and / or engine for the generation of low-temperature heat.

In the case of a discharge of a thermal store, in particular mechanical work and / or useful heat can be given off above the ambient temperature.

In addition, it can be provided that the compression device is used as a low-pressure stage of a system for compressing a gas, in particular of water vapor, into a high pressure range, for example at least approximately 10 bar.

Further preferred features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of exemplary embodiments.

In the drawings show:

1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a compression device in which a belt conveyor comprising a drive device for conveying transport containers is provided;

2 a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a compression device in which a chain conveyor comprising a drive device is provided, wherein chain links of the chain conveyor form transport containers;

3 a schematic side view of the compression device 2 with a view in the direction of the arrow 3 in 2 ;

4 an enlarged view of chain links of the chain conveyor of the compression device 2 ;

5 an enlarged view of the area V in 3 ;

6 a schematic sectional view of a valve for filling and / or emptying of transport containers, wherein the valve is in the closed state;

7 one of the 6 corresponding schematic representation of the valve, wherein the valve is actuated by means of a transport container and is in the open state; and

8th one of the 1 corresponding schematic representation of a third embodiment of a compression device in which a circular arrangement and movement of transport containers is provided.

Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

An in 1 shown as a whole with 100 Specified compression device is used in particular for the compression of gas, for example, to provide pressurized gas to store or otherwise use.

The compression device 100 includes a liquid container 102 in which a drive device 104 is arranged.

By means of the drive device 104 are one or more transport containers 106 the compression device 100 along a conveyor route 108 movable.

The drive device 104 is especially as a traction drive 110 designed and includes a traction device 112 , by means of which the transport containers 106 along the conveyor route 108 are movable.

The traction device 112 is in particular guided over two pulleys not shown. The Zugmittelscheiben can be formed for example as drums.

The traction device 112 may be a band, for example. The drive device 104 then includes in particular a belt conveyor 114 , the transport containers 106 preferably on the traction means 112 are fixed.

By means of the drive device 104 are the transport containers 106 in particular with respect to a direction of gravity g alternately downward and upward movable.

The transport containers 106 are in particular cup-shaped and allow the inclusion of gas.

In particular, the transport containers 106 such on the drive device 104 set that one opening of each transport container 106 during a promotion of the transport container 106 in the direction of gravity g is directed downward. The transport container 106 can then absorb in particular gas without the gas can escape.

In particular, the gas is characterized by a in the liquid container 102 arranged liquid conveyed through.

An upper end area 116 of the liquid container 102 serves to receive gas by means of the transport container 106 ,

The upper end area 116 is this particular by means of a gas supply 118 supplied with the gas.

A with respect to the direction of gravity g below the upper end 116 of the liquid container 102 arranged lower end area 120 of the liquid container 102 serves to deliver the in the liquid container 102 absorbed gas.

In particular, the gas is by tilting the transport container 106 drained from it and by means of a gas collection device 122 collected.

The gas collection device 122 is thus in particular in the lower end region 120 of the liquid container 102 arranged.

The gas collection device 122 For example, as a gas bell 124 be educated.

By means of a gas discharge 126 is the gas from the gas collector 122 and thus from the liquid container 102 dischargeable.

In that the gas by means of the transport container 106 in the direction of gravity g down through the liquid and in the lower end 120 of the liquid container 102 to the gas collection device 122 is discharged, the pressure of the gas is increased.

In particular, the pressure of the gas is the sum of an outlet pressure in the upper end region 116 plus the hydrostatic pressure, which is due to the liquid filling of the liquid container 102 in the lower end area 120 of the liquid container 102 results.

By means of the compression device 100 Thus, in particular, via the gas supply 118 gas supplied compressed easily and with little sealing effort and finally on the gas discharge 126 be discharged as compressed gas.

The liquid container 102 For example, as a pressure vessel 128 be educated.

Such a pressure vessel 128 allows in particular the use of different pressures in the upper end 116 of the liquid container 102 ,

In addition, by a closed liquid container 102 any gas for use in the compression device 100 be used.

The compression device described above 100 works as follows:
About the gas supply 118 becomes the upper end area 116 supplied a gas. This gas is, for example, water vapor having a relatively low pressure of, for example, about 8.7 mbar.

By means of the drive device 104 become the transport containers 106 through the upper end area 116 of the liquid container 102 moved while rotated so that in the transport containers 106 poured out liquid or otherwise how is displaced and the transport containers 106 be filled with the gas.

The transport containers 106 are then by means of the drive device 104 in the direction of gravity g moves down.

In particular, this is the case in the transport containers 106 absorbed gas through the liquid in the liquid container 102 down and compressed due to the increasing depth of increasing hydrostatic pressure.

In the lower end area 120 become the transport containers 106 tilted, so that the compressed gas contained therein escapes and to the gas collection device 122 is delivered.

About the gas discharge 126 Finally, this compressed gas can be removed and sent for further use or storage.

A difference in height between the upper end area 116 , in particular a liquid surface in the upper end region 116 , and the gas collection device 122 is for example about 0.5 m.

By transporting the gas by means of the drive device 104 In particular, an increase in pressure by 0.05 bar, that is 50 mbar, can then be achieved.

The liquid may be, for example, water.

Preferably, heat generated during the compression of the gas is at least partially released to the liquid. The compression of the gas is thus preferably at least approximately isothermal.

One in the 2 to 5 illustrated second embodiment of a compression device 100 is different from the one in 1 illustrated first embodiment essentially in that the drive device 104 as a chain conveyor 130 is trained.

The chain conveyor 130 includes in particular a plurality of chain links 132 which the transport containers 106 form.

The chain links 132 For this purpose, in particular with one or more access openings 134 provided to gas in the transport container 106 initiate or withdraw from the same.

The chain links 132 together form a traction device 112 performing chain 136 of the chain conveyor 130 ,

This necklace 136 is especially about two drums 138 the drive device 104 guided.

The drums 138 are in particular via hollow shafts 140 rotatably mounted.

The hollow shafts 140 serve in particular at the same time as gas supply 118 or gas discharge 126 ,

In particular 3 it can be seen, are the drums 138 preferably with protrusions 142 provided, which in particular in the access openings 134 the chain links 132 intervention.

On the one hand are the chain links 132 and thus the entire chain 136 thus safe on the drums 138 fixed and thus reliable along the conveying path 108 drivable.

On the other hand, the projections serve 142 preferably as valves 144 for supplying gas to the transport containers 106 passing through the chain links 132 are formed, or for the discharge of gas from the transport containers 106 ,

The compression device 100 thus includes in particular a filling device 146 , which by the respect to the direction of gravity g upper drum 138 , the associated hollow shaft 140 as well as the drum 138 arranged protrusions 142 is formed.

Furthermore, the compression device comprises 100 a removal device 148 , which in particular the lower drum 138 , the associated hollow shaft 140 and those on the drum 138 provided projections 142 includes.

Preferably, the valves 144 by means of chain links 132 actuated, allowing an undesirable outflow of gas from the filling device 146 on the one hand and an undesirable inflow of liquid into the sampling device 148 On the other hand effectively prevented.

Incidentally, the right in the 2 to 5 illustrated second embodiment of the compression device 100 in terms of structure and function with the in 1 illustrated first embodiment, so that reference is made to the above description in this respect.

The in the 2 to 5 illustrated second embodiment of the compression device 100 is suitable due to the special filling device 146 and the special removal device 148 especially when the drive device 104 is substantially completely surrounded by liquid and does not protrude from the liquid.

In the 6 and 7 is a possible embodiment of the valve 144 serving projections 142 shown.

A valve 144 in particular includes an operating section 150 which is fixed and immovable with a closure section 152 connected is.

The operating section 150 and the closure section 152 in particular form a valve body 154 of the valve 144 ,

This valve body 154 is in particular relative to a valve body receptacle 156 movable to a flow through the valve 144 Optionally with gas to enable or prevent.

In the in 6 illustrated position of the valve body 154 a flow of gas is prevented.

If, as in 7 represented, a transport container 106 , in particular a chain link 132 , on the operating section 150 attacks, the valve body 154 in the in 7 shown open position moves. In particular, the closure portion becomes 152 moved to release a flow path.

In this open position, in particular gas in the transport container 106 be initiated.

An in 8th illustrated third embodiment of a compression device 100 is different from the one in the 2 to 5 illustrated second embodiment essentially in that the drive device 104 a circular rotor 158 includes.

The circular rotor 158 includes in particular a plurality of individual chambers 160 which the transport containers 106 form and along a circular conveyor 108 are movable.

Similar in the 2 to 5 illustrated second embodiment are also in the in 8th illustrated third embodiment two drums 138 for guiding and driving the transport container 106 intended.

In addition, one or more stabilizing rollers can be used 162 be provided to the circular rotor 158 stable to lead.

Incidentally, the in 8th illustrated third embodiment of the compression device 100 in terms of structure and function with in the 2 to 5 illustrated second embodiment, so that reference is made to the above description in this respect.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

 compression device

102

 liquid container

104

 driving device

106

 transport container

108

 conveying

110

 traction drive

112

 traction means

114

 belt conveyors

116

 upper end area

118

 gas supply

120

 lower end area

122

 Gas collection device

124

 gas bell

126

 gas discharge

128

 pressure vessel

130

 chain conveyors

132

 link

134

 access opening

136

 Chain

138

 drum

140

 hollow shaft

142

 head Start

144

 Valve

146

 filling

148

 removal device

150

 actuating section

152

 closure portion

154

 valve body

156

 Valve Length

158

 circular rotor

160

 chamber

162

 Stabilization role

G

 The direction of gravity

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

• DE 102011053428 B4 [0002]

Claims (15)

Compression device ( 100 ) for compressing gas, wherein the compression device ( 100 ) Comprises: - a liquid container ( 102 ) for receiving a liquid; A gas supply ( 118 ), by means of which in a direction of gravity upper end region ( 116 ) of the liquid container ( 102 ) Gas is available; - one or more transport containers ( 106 ), which by means of a drive device ( 104 ) within the liquid container ( 102 ) are movable such that the one transport container ( 106 ) or the plurality of transport containers ( 106 ) in the upper end region ( 116 ) of the liquid container ( 102 ) Gas and through the liquid into a lower end region ( 120 ) of the liquid container ( 102 ) transport; - one in the lower end area ( 120 ) of the liquid container ( 102 ) arranged gas collection device ( 122 ) for receiving by means of a transport container ( 106 ) or the plurality of transport containers ( 106 ) in the lower end region ( 120 ) transported gas; - a gas discharge ( 126 ), by means of which in the gas collection device ( 122 ) received gas from the liquid container ( 102 ) is dissipatable. Compression device ( 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas and the liquid are different states of matter of the same substance. Compression device ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the gas is water vapor and / or that the liquid is water. Compression device ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the one transport container ( 106 ) or the plurality of transport containers ( 106 ) are formed as a cup. Compression device ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the drive device ( 104 ) a belt conveyor ( 114 ) or chain conveyor ( 130 ) by means of which the one or more transport containers ( 106 ) along a conveying path ( 108 ) are movable. Compression device ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drive device ( 104 ) a circular rotor ( 158 ) by means of which the one or more transport containers ( 106 ) along a circular conveying path ( 108 ) are movable. Compression device ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the liquid container ( 102 ) a closed or closable pressure vessel ( 128 ). Compression device ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the drive device ( 104 ) of the compression device ( 100 ) comprises an electric motor and / or an internal combustion engine. Compression system comprising a plurality of compression devices ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the compression devices ( 100 ) are connected in series in such a way that a gas discharge ( 126 ) one of the compression devices ( 100 ) in a gas supply ( 118 ) another of the compression devices ( 100 ) opens. Use of a compression device ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8 or a compression system according to claim 9 a) for the compression of water vapor, in particular in a pressure range below an atmospheric pressure; b) as a heat pump; c) as an engine; and / or d) for loading a thermal storage device. Compression method, comprising: - receiving a gas to be compressed by means of a transport container ( 106 ) or by means of several transport containers ( 106 ) in a direction of gravity (g) upper end region (FIG. 116 ) of a liquid container ( 102 ), wherein the liquid container ( 102 ) is filled with a liquid; - moving the one transport container ( 106 ) or the plurality of transport containers ( 106 ) through the liquid in the direction of gravity (g) down, whereby in the one transport container ( 106 ) or the plurality of transport containers ( 106 ) compressed gas is compressed; - dispensing the in the one transport container ( 106 ) or the plurality of transport containers ( 106 ) received gas in a with respect to the direction of gravity (g) lower end ( 120 ) of the liquid container ( 102 ) to a gas collecting device ( 122 ). Compression method according to claim 11, characterized in that the gas is water vapor and / or that the liquid is water. Compression method according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that in the gas collecting device ( 122 ) absorbed compressed gas by means of a gas discharge ( 126 ) from the liquid container ( 102 ) is discharged. Compression method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that a gas pressure of the gas to be compressed while receiving the same by means of a transport container ( 106 ) or by means of the plurality of transport containers ( 106 ) is at most about 20 mbar, in particular at most about 15 mbar, preferably at most about 10 mbar. Compression method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that a gas pressure of the compressed gas in the gas collecting device ( 122 ) is at least about 20 mbar, in particular at least about 30 mbar, preferably at least about 50 mbar.

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