Closed cycle power plant

• US 6,477,841 B1
• Filed: 01/15/2002
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Association For Development Of International Energ Projects.
• Original Assignee: Solmecs (Israel), Ltd.
• Inventors: Yantovsky, Evgeny
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOANG M
• Application Number:
  US09/937,152
• Time in Patent Office: 301 Days
• Field of Search: 606/418, 606/411.1, 606/411.5, 606/51, 606/71
• US Class Current: 60/641.8
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 33/00 Cultivation of seaweed or algae
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/0909 Drying
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/0916 Biomass
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/165 integrated with a gas turbine or gas motor
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1675 making use of a steam turbine
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1687 with steam generation
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 3/482 Gasifiers with stationary fluidised bed
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 3/54 Gasification of granular or pulverulent fuels by the Winkler technique, i.e. by fluidisation
• CPC Class Codes: C10K 1/026 by centrifugal forces cyclones B04C
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2206/10 reintroducing the heat in the same process, e.g. for predrying
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2206/202 with an internal combustion engine
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2206/203 with a power/heat generating installation
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2209/26 Biowaste
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 5/027 pyrolising or gasifying stage pyrolisation of sludge C02F11/00; destructive distillation of carbonaceous materials C10B53/00
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 5/30 having a fluidised bed
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 5/46 Recuperation of heat
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/80 in fisheries management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/12 Heat utilisation in combustion or incineration of waste
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/18 Integrated gasification combined cycle [IGCC], e.g. combined with carbon capture and storage [CCS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/129 Energy recovery, e.g. by cogeneration, H2recovery or pressure recovery turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 : Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/12 : using renewable energies, e.g. solar water pumping
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/20 : Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2

Abstract

The invention provides a method for the conversion of solar energy stored by photosynthesis to electrical energy, utilizing a closed cycle power plant (2) comprising providing a body of water (4) for growing macroalgae (6) therein, and providing a fluidized bed combustion chamber (8) for at least partial combustion of partially dried macroalgae having a water content of up to 60% wt/wt, the combustion being carried out in an artificial atmosphere of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Claims

1. A method for the conversion of solar energy stored by photosynthesis to electrical energy utilizing a closed cycle power plant comprising:

a) providing a body of water and introducing microalgae for growth therein; and

b) providing a fluidized bed combustion chamber for at least partial combustion of partially dried microalgae having a water content of up to 60% wt/wt, said combustion being carried out in an artificial atmosphere of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said microalgae have an average size of at least 5 micron.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said atmosphere is substantially devoid of nitrogen.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said combustion is carried out at a temperature of at least 800°

C.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said combustion is carried out at a pressure of at least atmospheric pressure.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein ash from said combustion is recycled to said body of water to serve as nutrients for the growth of said microalgae.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said body of water comprises saline.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein carbon dioxide produced from said combustion is recycled to said body of water for facilitating photosynthesis.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein water is separated from said microalgae before the combustion thereof and wherein said water is utilized for carbon dioxide absorption and further directed to said body of water.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said water is used to cool a steam condenser.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said artificial atmosphere is produced by an air separation unit which removes nitrogen therefrom.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said microalgae is selected from the group consisting of Gracillaria and Ulva.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein gases produced from said combustion are used for heating steam within a Rankine steam power unit.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein gases produced from said combustion are used for vaporizing water within said fluidized bed.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein said combustion chamber is a fluidized bed-type gasifier and said microalgae partial combustion and gasification in said fluidized bed gasifier.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein gasification products from said gasifier are used to power a piston engine or a gas turbine.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein said water is waste or contaminated water.