US 11,894,685 B1 · Systems and processes for pipeline transport of water using micro hydroelectric turbines to reduce electricity drawn from third-party electrical power grids

Abstract

Disclosed herein are unique systems and processes to transport water or fluids within pipelines by generating electricity along various portions of the water pipeline route using micro hydroelectric turbines (also referred to herein as mini-turbines) placed in-line inside of (or adjacent to/parallel with) the pipeline at one or more distances. The mini-turbines are connected via wiring systems to the pump stations at the bottom of declines in the pipeline to generate electricity via gravity flow of the water through the pipeline, and then provide such electricity to a pump to propel or pump the water up inclined portions of the pipeline route. In this manner, water or fluids can be transported from a first location to a second location along significant distances through a pipeline while reducing the electrical consumption from a third-party electrical power grid.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for providing renewable electrical power for transporting water from a first location to a second location through a water pipeline having one or more pumps operating with an electrical power grid, comprising:

at least one micro-turbine fluidly coupled with the water pipeline, wherein the micro-turbine is located along a down-sloped portion of the pipeline, the micro-turbine generating electricity as water passes through the micro-turbine, the micro-turbine having an electrical output coupled with the one or more pumps to provide electricity to the one or more pumps;
and
a controller coupled with the micro-turbine, the controller monitoring the electrical demands of the one or more pumps, the controller monitoring the electrical output of the micro-turbine, and if power is available from the micro-turbine, the controller directing power from the micro-turbine to the one or more pumps to pump the water through the one or more pumps towards the second location thereby reducing an amount of electricity consumed from the electrical power grid.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and processes for pipeline transport of water using micro hydroelectric turbines to reduce electricity drawn from third-party electrical power grids

Life of this patent

Systems and processes for pipeline transport of water using micro hydroelectric turbines to reduce electricity drawn from third-party electrical power grids

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20