US 4,382,365 A · Energy conversion derived from pressure and temperature differentials at different elevations

A method of thermal energy conversion, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a solution of a liquid in a gas at a predetermined low elevation;
(b) transporting the solution in a first conduit to a predetermined high elevation, whereby the absolute pressure and the temperature of the solution change;
(c) separating some of the liquid out of the solution in the first conduit in the form of particles suspended in the remaining solution to create a mixture of the separated particles and the remaining solution in the first conduit as a result of said changes in absolute pressure and temperature, so that at any particular position in the first conduit where the separation takes place, the average proportional density of the mixture after the separation has taken place is decreased in relation to the density of the solution at said position prior to the separation taking place;
(d) transporting the mixture through the first conduit into a separation chamber at the high elevation in response to pressure differentials created by the decrease in average proportional density of the mixture in the first conduit;
(e) separating at least a portion of the suspended particles from the mixture in the separation chamber to create a separated liquid, and a dried gas;
and
characterized by
(f) transporting the separated liquid through a second conduit to a transducer at a lower elevation than the high elevation;
and
(g) converting the pressure and motion of the transported separated liquid into a useful form of energy;
and
(h) providing a second solution of a liquid and a gas in a conditioning chamber connected to the first conduit at the low elevation;
(i) conditioning the second solution at the low elevation to create the first-mentioned solution for transportation in the first conduit under conditions that tend to increase the created pressure differential in the first conduit;
and
further characterized by the steps of:
(j) solar heating the first mentioned solution, the second solution and/or the injection liquid to decrease the density of the first-mentioned solution to thereby increase the pressure differential in the first conduit;
and
(k) mixing a dye with the gas, liquid and/or solution to enhance the absorption of sunlight.

15 more elements

A method of thermal energy conversion, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a solution of a liquid in a gas at a predetermined low elevation;
(b) transporting the solution in a first conduit to a predetermined high elevation, whereby the absolute pressure and the temperature of the solution change;
(c) separating some of the liquid out of the solution in the first conduit in the form of particles suspended in the remaining solution to create a mixture of the separated particles and the remaining solution in the first conduit as a result of said changes in absolute pressure and temperature, so that at any particular position in the first conduit where the separation takes place, the average proportional density of the mixture after the separation has taken place is decreased in relation to the density of the solution at said position prior to the separation taking place;
(d) transporting the mixture through the first conduit into a separation chamber at the high elevation in response to pressure differentials created by the decrease in average proportional density of the mixture in the first conduit;
(e) separating at least a portion of the suspended particles from the mixture in the separation chamber to create a separated liquid, and a dried gas;
and
characterized by
(f) transporting the separated liquid through a second conduit to a transducer at a lower elevation than the high elevation;
and
(g) converting the pressure and motion of the transported separated liquid into a useful form of energy;
wherein step (a) comprises the steps of:
(h) providing a second solution of a liquid and a gas in a conditioning chamber connected to the first conduit at the low elevation;
(i) conditioning the second solution at the low elevation to create the first-mentioned solution for transportation in the first conduit under conditions that tend to increase the created pressure differential in the first conduit;
wherein step (i) comprises providing the second solution at an increased pressure by the steps of:
(j) providing a second mixture of liquid particles and a third solution of a liquid and a gas in a third conduit connected to the conditioning chamber and having an entrance position at an elevation that is higher than the elevation of said low elevation;
(k) transporting the second mixture down through the third conduit whereby the absolute pressure and temperature of the second mixture change;
(l) dissolving the particles into the third solution in the third conduit as a result of said changes in absolute pressure and temperature so that at any particular position in the third conduit where the particles are dissolved the density of the third solution after the particles are dissolved is increased from the average proportional density of the components of the second mixture before the particles are dissolved at such position, to provide said second solution;
(m) transporting the second solution to the conditioning chamber in response to pressure differentials created by the increase in density in the third conduit;
whereby the second solution is provided at an increased pressure due to said pressure differentials created in response to said increase in density in the third conduit.

16 more elements

A method of thermal energy conversion, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a solution of a liquid in a gas at a predetermined low elevation;
(b) transporting the solution in a first conduit to a predetermined high elevation, whereby the absolute pressure and the temperature of the solution change;
(c) separating some of the liquid out of the solution in the first conduit in the form of particles suspended in the remaining solution to create a mixture of the separated particles and the remaining solution in the first conduit as a result of said changes in absolute pressure and temperature, so that at any particular position in the first conduit where the separation takes place, the average proportional density of the mixture after the separation has taken place is decreased in relation to the density of the solution at said position prior to the separation taking place;
(d) transporting the mixture through the first conduit into a separation chamber at the high elevation in response to pressure differentials created by the decrease in average proportional density of the mixture in the first conduit;
(e) separating at least a portion of the suspended particles from the mixture in the separation chamber to create a separated liquid, and a dried gas;
and
characterized by
(f) transporting the separated liquid through a second conduit to a transducer at a lower elevation than the high elevation;
and
(g) converting the pressure and motion of the transported separated liquid into a useful form of energy;
wherein step (a) comprises the steps of:
(h) providing a second solution of a liquid and a gas in a conditioning chamber connected to the first conduit at the low elevation;
(i) conditioning the second solution at the low elevation to create the first-mentioned solution for transportation in the first conduit under conditions that tend to increase the created pressure differential in the first conduit;
wherein step (h) comprises the step of:
(j) recirculating at least a portion of the dried gas through a third vertical conduit connecting the separation chamber to the conditioning chamber to provide at least a portion of said second solution in order to conserve gas, liquid and/or additives contained in the dried gas.

12 more elements

A method of thermal energy conversion, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a solution of a liquid in a gas at a predetermined low elevation;
(b) transporting the solution in a first conduit to a predetermined high elevation, whereby the absolute pressure and the temperature of the solution change;
(c) separating some of the liquid out of the solution in the first conduit in the form of particles suspended in the remaining solution to create a mixture of the separated particles and the remaining solution in the first conduit as a result of said changes in absolute pressure and temperature, so that at any particular position in the first conduit where the separation takes place, the average proportional density of the mixture after the separation has taken place is decreased in relation to the density of the solution at said position prior to the separation taking place;
(d) transporting the mixture through the first conduit into a separation chamber at the high elevation in response to pressure differentials created by the decrease in average proportional density of the mixture in the first conduit;
(e) separating at least a portion of the suspended particles from the mixture in the separation chamber to create a separated liquid, and a dried gas;
and
characterized by
(f) transporting the separated liquid through a second conduit to a transducer at a lower elevation;
and
(g) converting the pressure and motion of the transported separated liquid into a useful form of energy;
wherein step (a) comprises the steps of:
(h) providing a second solution of a liquid and a gas in a conditioning chamber connected to the first conduit at the low elevation;
(i) conditioning the second solution at the low elevation to create the first-mentioned solution for transportation in the first conduit under conditions that tend to increase the created pressure differential in the first conduit;
wherein step (i) comprises the step of:
(j) recirculating at least a portion of the dried gas through a third vertical conduit connecting the separation chamber to the conditioning chamber to provide at least a portion of said second solution at an increased temperature in order to conserve heat contained in the dried gas within the conduit system and thereby increase the proportion of vapor in the second solution.

12 more elements

A method of thermal energy conversion, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a solution of a liquid in a gas at a predetermined low elevation;
(b) transporting the solution in a first conduit to a predetermined high elevation, whereby the absolute pressure and the temperature of the solution change;
(c) separating some of the liquid out of the solution in the first conduit in the form of particles suspended in the remaining solution to create a mixture of the separated particles and the remaining solution in the first conduit as a result of said changes in absolute pressure and temperature, so that at any particular position in the first conduit where the separation takes place, the average proportional density of the mixture after the separation has taken place is decreased in relation to the density of the solution at said position prior to the separation taking place;
(d) transporting the mixture through the first conduit into a separation chamber at the high elevation in response to pressure differentials created by the decrease in average proportional density of the mixture in the first conduit;
(e) separating at least a portion of the suspended particles from the mixture in the separation chamber to create a separated liquid, and a dried gas;
and
characterized by
(f) transporting the separated liquid through a second conduit to a transducer at a lower elevation;
and
(g) converting the pressure and motion of the transported separated liquid into a useful form of energy;
(h) injecting liquid into the solution at the low elevation in such proportion that some of the injected liquid will stay out of the solution in the form of particles as the solution and particles are transported to the separation chamber at the high elevation in response to said pressure differentials to thereby create more particles for separation from the mixture in the separation chamber;
and
further
(i) adding a surfactant to the injection fluid to enhance the creation of particles during injection.

11 more elements

A thermal energy conversion system comprising a first conduit for transporting a solution of a liquid in a gas from a predetermined low elevation to a predetermined high elevation, whereby the absolute pressure and the temperature of the solution change thereby causing some of the liquid to separate out of the solution in the first conduit in the form of particles suspended in the remaining solution to create a mixture of the separated particles and the remaining solution in the first conduit as a result of said changes in absolute pressure and temperature, so that at any particular position in the first conduit where the separation takes place, the average proportional density of the mixture after the separation has taken place is decreased in relation to the density of the solution at said position prior to the separation taking place;

and
a separation chamber connected to the first conduit at the high elevation for receiving the mixture transported through the first conduit to the high elevation in response to pressure differentials created by the decrease in average proportional density of the mixture in the first conduit, whereby at least a portion of the suspended particles are separated from the mixture in the separation chamber to create a separated liquid, and a dried gas;
characterized by
a transducer at a lower elevation than the high elevation;
and
a second conduit for transporting the separated liquid to the transducer;
wherein the transducer is adapted for converting the pressure and motion of the transported separated liquid into a useful form of energy;
a conditioning chamber connected to the first conduit at the low elevation;
means for conditioning a second solution of a liquid and a gas in the second chamber at the low elevation to create the first-mentioned solution for transportation in the first conduit, under conditions that tend to increase the created pressure differential in the first conduit;
means for solar heating the first-mentioned solution, the second solution and/or the injection liquid to decrease the density of the first-mentioned solution to thereby increase the pressure differential in the first conduit;
and
means for mixing a dye with the gas, liquid and/or solution to enhance the absorption of sunlight.

9 more elements

A thermal energy conversion system comprising a first conduit for transporting a solution of a liquid in a gas from a predetermined low elevation to a predetermined high elevation, whereby the absolute pressure and the temperature of the solution change thereby causing some of the liquid to separate out of the solution in the first conduit in the form of particles suspended in the remaining solution to create a mixture of the separated particles and the remaining solution in the first conduit as a result of said changes in absolute pressure and temperature, so that at any particular position in the first conduit where the separation takes place, the average proportional density of the mixture after the separation has taken place is decreased in relation to the density of the solution at said position prior to the separation taking place;

and
a separation chamber connected to the first conduit at the high elevation for receiving the mixture transported through the first conduit to the high elevation in response to pressure differentials created by the decrease in average proportional density of the mixture in the first conduit, whereby at least a portion of the suspended particles are separated from the mixture in the separation chamber to create a separated liquid, and a dried gas;
characterized by
a transducer at a lower elevation than the high elevation;
and
a second conduit for transporting the separated liquid to the transducer;
wherein the transducer is adapted for converting the pressure and motion of the transported separated liquid into a useful form of energy;
a conditioning chamber connected to the first conduit at the low elevation;
means for conditioning a second solution of a liquid and a gas in the second chamber at the low elevation to create the first-mentioned solution for transportation in the first conduit, under conditions that tend to increase the created pressure differential in the first conduit;
and
a third conduit connected to the conditioning chamber and having an entrance position at an elevation that is higher than the elevation of said low elevation for transporting a second mixture of liquid particles and a third solution of a liquid and a gas down through the third conduit;
whereby the absolute pressure and temperature of the second mixture chance, and the particles are dissolved into the third solution in the third conduit as a result of said changes in absolute pressure and temperature so that at any particular position in the third conduit where the particles are dissolved, the density of the third solution after the particles are dissolved is increased from the average proportional density of the components of the second mixture before the particles are dissolved at such position, to provide said second solution;
and
whereby the second solution is transported to the conditioning chamber in response to pressure differentials created by the increase in density in the third conduit to thereby provide the second solution in the second chamber at an increased pressure due to said pressure differentials created in response to said increase in density in the third conduit.

11 more elements

A thermal energy conversion system comprising a first conduit for transporting a solution of a liquid in a gas from a predetermined low elevation to a predetermined high elevation, whereby the absolute pressure and the temperature of the solution change thereby causing some of the liquid to separate out of the solution in the first conduit in the form of particles suspended in the remaining solution to create a mixture of the separated particles and the remaining solution in the first conduit as a result of said changes in absolute pressure and temperature, so that at any particular position in the first conduit where the separation takes place, the average proportional density of the mixture after the separation has taken place is decreased in relation to the density of the solution at said position prior to the separation taking place;

and
a separation chamber connected to the first conduit at the high elevation for receiving the mixture transported through the first conduit to the high elevation in response to pressure differentials created by the decrease in average proportional density of the mixture in the first conduit, whereby at least a portion of the suspended particles are separated from the mixture in the separation chamber to create a separated liquid, and a dried gas;
characterized by
a transducer at a lower elevation than the high elevation;
and
a second conduit for transporting the separated liquid to the transducer;
wherein the transducer is adapted for converting the pressure and motion of the transported separated liquid into a useful form of energy;
a conditioning chamber connected to the first conduit at the low elevation;
means for conditioning a second solution of a liquid and a gas in the second chamber at the low elevation to create the first-mentioned solution for transportation in the first conduit, under conditions that tend to increase the created pressure differential in the first conduit;
and
a third vertical conduit connecting the separation chamber to the conditioning chamber for recirculating at least a portion of the dried gas to provide at least a portion of said second solution in order to conserve gas, liquid and/or additives contained in the dried gas.

8 more elements

A thermal energy conversion system comprising a first conduit for transporting a solution of a liquid in a gas from a predetermined low elevation to a predetermined high elevation, whereby the absolute pressure and the temperature of the solution change thereby causing some of the liquid to separate out of the solution in the first conduit in the form of particles suspended in the remaining solution to create a mixture of the separated particles and the remaining solution in the first conduit as a result of said changes in absolute pressure and temperature, so that at any particular position in the first conduit where the separation takes place, the average proportional density of the mixture after the separation has taken place is decreased in relation to the density of the solution at said position prior to the separation taking place;

and
a separation chamber connected to the first conduit at the high elevation for receiving the mixture transported through the first conduit to the high elevation in response to pressure differentials created by the decrease in average proportional density of the mixture in the first conduit, whereby at least a portion of the suspended particles are separated from the mixture in the separation chamber to create a separated liquid, and a dried gas;
characterized by
a transducer at a lower elevation that the high elevation;
and
a second conduit for transporting the separated liquid to the transducer;
wherein the transducer is adapted for converting the pressure and motion of the transported separated liquid into a useful form of energy;
a conditioning chamber connected to the first conduit at the low elevation;
means for conditioning a second solution of a liquid and a gas in the second chamber at the low elevation to create the first-mentioned solution for transportation in the first conduit, under conditions that tend to increase the created pressure differential in the first conduit;
and
a third vertical conduit connecting the separation chamber to the conditioning chamber for recirculating at least a portion of the dried gas to provide at least a portion of said second solution at an increased temperature in order to conserve heat contained in the dried gas within the conduit system and thereby increase the proportion of vapor in the second solution.

8 more elements

A thermal energy conversion system comprising a first conduit for transporting a solution of a liquid in a gas from a predetermined low elevation to a predetermined high elevation, whereby the absolute pressure and the temperature of the solution change thereby causing some of the liquid to separate out of the solution in the first conduit in the form of particles suspended in the remaining solution to create a mixture of the separated particles and the remaining solution in the first conduit as a result of said changes in absolute pressure and temperature, so that at any particular position in the first conduit where the separation takes place, the average proportional density of the mixture after the separation has taken place is decreased in relation to the density of the solution at said position prior to the separation taking place;

and
a separation chamber connected to the first conduit at the high elevation for receiving the mixture transported through the first conduit to the high elevation in response to pressure differentials created by the decrease in average proportional density of the mixture in the first conduit, whereby at least a portion of the suspended particles are separated from the mixture in the separation chamber to create a separated liquid, and a dried gas;
characterized by
a transducer at a lower elevation than the high elevation;
and
a second conduit for transporting the separated liquid to the transducer;
wherein the transducer is adapted for converting the pressure and motion of the transported separated liquid into a useful form of energy;
means for injecting liquid into the solution at the low elevation in such proportion that some of the injected liquid will stay out of the solution in the form of particles as the solution and particles are transported to the separation chamber at the high elevation in response to said pressure differentials to thereby create more particles for separation from the mixture in the separation chamber;
and
means for adding a surfactant to the injection fluid to enhance the creation of particles during injection.

7 more elements

Energy conversion derived from pressure and temperature differentials at different elevations

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Energy conversion derived from pressure and temperature differentials at different elevations

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Abstract

Claims24