KR20230100122A - AMTEC Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a thermoelectric generation apparatus is an alkali metal thermal electric converter (AMTEC) thermoelectric generation apparatus which converts thermal energy into electric energy. The thermoelectric generation apparatus comprises: a case (100) which is filled with an alkali metal charge carrier for transporting charges therein; a plurality of heat conversion power generation cells (200) which are installed radially from the center of the case (100); an evaporation unit (300) which is located on a lower end of the case (100), converts heat into vapor by transferring the same to the alkali metal charge carrier, and transporting vapor to the heat conversion power generation cells (200); a condensing unit (400) which is located on an upper end of the case (100) and collects and condenses the alkali metal charge carrier that have passed through the plurality of heat conversion power generation cells (200); a capillary wick (500) which forms a passage for transferring and circulating the alkali metal charge carrier condensed by the condensing unit (400) to the evaporation unit (300); and a storage unit (600) which is located inside the capillary wick (500) and stores and transports the condensed alkali metal charge carrier to the evaporation unit (300). The heat conversion power generation cells (200) each include: a positive electrode (210) and a negative electrode (220) that exchange charges from the alkali metal charge carrier; and a porous electrolyte (230) which is located between the positive electrode (210) and the negative electrode (220) and selectively transmits the alkali metal charge carrier, wherein the heat conversion power generation cells (200) each have inner and outer peripheral surfaces formed in a concave-convex shape. According to the present invention, heat conversion efficiency can be improved by expanding a contact cross-sectional area by means of an internal structure of a heat conversion power generation cell.

Description

Thermoelectric generator {AMTEC Apparatus}

The present invention is a result generated by the support of the Busan Metropolitan City University Innovation Research Complex Creation Project of the Busan Institute of Industrial Science and Innovation (BISTEP), and relates to a thermoelectric generator. More specifically, the present invention relates to a thermoelectric power generation device capable of improving heat conversion efficiency by increasing a contact cross-sectional area by an internal structure of a heat conversion power cell when an alkali metal charge carrier is vaporized and transferred to a heat conversion power cell.

AMTEC (Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Convertor) is a thermal conversion electricity generating device that has the characteristics of directly converting thermal energy into electrical energy. The difference in vapor pressure of Na charged inside the main cell becomes a driving force, and the movement of Na+ ions occurs into the loosely bound lattice oxygen interstitial layer.

Free electrons pass from the anode to the electrical load, return to the cathode, and recombine with ions from the surface of the beta-alumina solid electrolyte to generate electricity in the process of neutralization. In this case, a single electrochemical An open circuit voltage (OCV) of the cell is obtained above 1.6V. At this time, low voltage and high current are generated in the form of output. If they are modularized and collected, large-capacity power generation is possible.

A semiconductor-type thermoelectric power generation system is used as a power source for space, but it has low efficiency and a heavy power generation system. It has advantages of maintaining high power density, high efficiency and stability.

In addition, AMTEC technology has the advantage of being able to use various heat sources such as solar energy, fossil fuels, waste heat, geothermal heat, and nuclear reactors as heat sources because it does not have driving parts such as turbines or boilers unlike conventional power generation technologies. In particular, the power density per unit mass is about twice that of solar power generation and Stirling engines, so it is evaluated as a future-oriented new technology that can be widely applied to space, military, and power technology using high-temperature waste heat.

On the other hand, the type of waste heat includes exhaust gas, exhaust air, waste hot water, waste steam, etc., and sensible heat and reaction heat of products in the production process are also classified as waste heat. Applicable heat exchangers have various shapes, specifications, and materials, and waste heat utilization devices include waste heat recovery devices, total heat exchangers, heat pipe type heat exchangers, and the like, and in special cases, a separate recovery system is being considered.

AMTEC technology is emerging as a promising technology that can replace power generation technologies such as hydropower, thermal power, nuclear power, tidal power, and wind power because it can produce high-quality electricity directly from a heat source and increase efficiency. It is characterized by simple yet high energy conversion efficiency.

KR 10-1007850 B1 KR 10-1479089 B1 KR 10-1584617 B1

The thermoelectric generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure was created to further improve the heat conversion efficiency in the conventional thermoelectric generator, and when the alkali metal charge carrier is vaporized and transferred to the thermoelectric power generation cell, the thermoelectric power generation cell The present invention relates to a thermoelectric generator capable of improving heat conversion efficiency by increasing a contact cross-sectional area by an internal structure.

The thermoelectric generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for solving the above problems is,

In the AMTEC (Amtec) thermoelectric generator that converts thermal energy into electrical energy,

A case 100 filled with an alkali metal charge carrier for carrying electric charges therein; A plurality of thermal conversion power generation cells 200 radially installed in the central portion of the case 100; an evaporation unit 300 located at a lower end of the case 100 and transferring heat to the alkali metal charge carrier, converting it into vapor, and transferring the heat to the heat conversion power generation cell 200; a condensing unit 400 located at an upper end of the case 100 and collecting and condensing the alkali metal charge carriers that have passed through the plurality of thermal conversion power generation cells 200; a capillary wick 500 forming a passage through which the alkali metal charge carriers condensed in the condensation unit 400 are transported to the evaporation unit 300 and circulated; and a storage unit 600 located inside the capillary wick 500 and transporting the condensed alkali metal charge carrier to the evaporation unit 300 after storing it. The thermal conversion power cell 200 is positioned between an anode 210 and a cathode 220 that exchange charge from the alkali metal charge carrier and between the anode 210 and the cathode 220, and the alkali metal It may include a porous electrolyte 230 that selectively transmits metal charge carriers, but the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the thermal conversion power cell 200 may be formed in a concavo-convex shape.

In addition, the anode 210 and the cathode 220 are iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), PtW , RhW nickel-iron alloy, stainless steel, bronze, PtW, RhW, TiC, TiN, SiN, RuO, RuW, Ru ₂ 0, Rh ₂ W, a porous membrane comprising at least one selected from NbC It can be configured as a feature.

In addition, the porous electrolyte 230 may be configured as a beta-alumina (β/β”-Alumina) or NASICON (Na Super Ionic Conductor)-based solid electrolyte.

In addition, the beta-alumina (β/β”-Alumina) is produced by reacting a complex of alpha-alumina and yttria-stabilized zirconia with gas-phase sodium oxide (Na ₂ O). It can be configured as a feature.

In addition, the alkali metal charge carrier may be composed of one or more materials selected from sodium (Na), potassium (K), and lithium (Li).

Accordingly, the thermoelectric generator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure,

When the alkali metal charge carrier is vaporized and transferred to the thermal conversion power cell, the thermal conversion efficiency is improved by increasing the contact cross-sectional area due to the internal structure of the thermal conversion power cell.

In addition, there is an advantage in that unnecessary energy consumption can be minimized by selectively operating the evaporation unit and the condensation unit in association with the storage unit.

1 is a configuration diagram briefly showing the configuration of a thermoelectric generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a thermoelectric power generation cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
3 is a view showing the configuration of a thermoelectric power generation cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a thermoelectric power generation cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
5 is a diagram for specifically explaining a thermoelectric generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, the technical spirit of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but this is for easier understanding, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

In describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted, and the same reference numerals throughout the specification refer to the same components. refers to an element

1 is a configuration diagram briefly showing the configuration of a thermoelectric power generation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a thermoelectric power generation cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 is a view showing the configuration of a thermoelectric power generation cell according to an example, Figure 4 is a view showing the configuration of a thermoelectric power generation cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 5 is a thermoelectric generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in detail It is a drawing for explanation.

<Thermoelectric generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure>

1 to 5, the thermoelectric generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a case 100, a thermal conversion power generation cell 200, an evaporation unit 300, a condensation unit 400, and a capillary wick 500. And it may be configured to include a storage unit (600).

The case 100 is sealed by enclosing the thermal conversion power cell 200, the evaporation unit 300, the condensation unit 400, the capillary wick 500, and the storage unit 600. A space filled with an alkali metal charge carrier for carrying charges may be formed. The case 100 is preferably formed in a cylindrical shape, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The thermal conversion power generation cell 200 is a unit cell that generates electricity by interacting with the vapor of an alkali metal charge carrier, and may be formed in plurality radially from the central portion of the case 100 . The thermal conversion power generation cell 200 is preferably formed in a truncated cone shape with a bottom surface larger than an upper surface in terms of fluid circulation, but is not limited thereto, and may be formed in a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 As shown, it may be formed in a cylindrical shape.

The alkali metal charge carrier is preferably sodium (Na), but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be one or more materials selected from potassium (K) and lithium (Li). In the case of using sodium (Na), the temperature of the evaporation unit 300 may be set to 1100K, and the temperature of the condensation unit 400 may be set to 650K. Meanwhile, in the case of using potassium (K) having a low melting point, the driving temperature of the evaporation unit 300 and the condensation unit 400 may be lowered by about 120K. Hereinafter, the alkali metal charge carrier will be described as sodium (Na).

Referring to FIG. 2, the thermal conversion power cell 200 is located between an anode 210 and a cathode 220 that exchange charge from the alkali metal charge carrier and between the anode 210 and the cathode 220, It may be configured to include a porous electrolyte 230 that selectively transmits the alkali metal charge carrier.

The positive electrode 210 and the negative electrode 220 are iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), PtW, RhW It is preferably a porous membrane comprising at least one selected from nickel-iron alloy, stainless steel, bronze, PtW, RhW, TiC, TiN, SiN, RuO, RuW, Ru ₂ 0, Rh ₂ W, and NbC. It is not necessarily limited to this.

The porous electrolyte 230 is a material that generates electricity by passing sodium (Na) ions, and must have high ionic conductivity, strength, and high durability due to a dense microstructure, and a layer through which sodium (Na) ions can pass well. A material with a structure must be applied.

Specifically, the porous electrolyte 230 is preferably a beta-alumina (β”-Alumina)-based solid electrolyte, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and a beta-alumina (β-Alumina) or NASICON (Na Super Ionic Conductor)-based solid electrolyte. can be

The beta-alumina (β/β”-Alumina) may be produced by reacting a complex of alpha-alumina and yttria-stabilized zirconia with gas-phase sodium oxide (Na ₂ O), By using yttria-stabilized zirconia having excellent mechanical strength, there is an advantage in that strength and water resistance can be improved.

When the alkali metal charge carrier is changed into a vapor state and transferred into the thermal conversion power generation cell 200 by the evaporation unit 300 to be described later, the alkali metal charge carrier ions pass through the porous electrolyte 230, and free electrons It passes through the anode 210 as an electric load, returns to the cathode 220, and recombines with the alkali metal charge carrier ions coming out of the porous electrolyte 230 to generate electricity. To this end, of course, the thermal conversion power generation cell 200 may include a transfer device such as an electric wire to transfer electricity and a power collector connected to the transfer device to collect power.

Meanwhile, in order to improve the power generation efficiency of the thermal conversion power generation cell 200, it is preferable to increase the contact cross-sectional area between the thermal conversion power cell 200 and the alkali metal charge carrier vapor.

3 is a view showing a thermal conversion power generation cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, the thermal conversion power cell 200 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is the alkali metal charge carrier An anode 210 and a cathode 220 exchanging charges from the anode 210 and a cathode 220 and a porous electrolyte 230 positioned between the anode 210 and the cathode 220 and selectively permeating the alkali metal charge carrier, The thermal conversion power cell 200 may be formed in a cylindrical shape, and the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the thermal conversion power cell 200 may be formed in a concavo-convex shape. As a result, when the alkali metal charge carrier is vaporized and transferred to the thermal conversion power generation cell 200, the thermal conversion efficiency can be improved by increasing the contact cross-sectional area with the thermal conversion power cell 200. In addition, in the case of the thermal conversion power generation cell 200, as a protruding part is formed therein, a vortex may be formed when the alkali metal charge carrier vapor is transferred, which causes the thermal conversion power cell 200 and the alkali metal charge carrier vapor to form. The thermal conversion efficiency can be improved by promoting the interaction of the metal charge carrier vapor.

4 is a view showing a thermal conversion power generation cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, the thermal conversion power cell 200 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is the alkali metal charge carrier An anode 210 and a cathode 220 exchanging charges from the anode 210 and a cathode 220 and a porous electrolyte 230 positioned between the anode 210 and the cathode 220 and selectively permeating the alkali metal charge carrier, The thermal conversion power cell 200 may be formed in a cylindrical shape, and the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the thermal conversion power cell 200 may be formed in a screw shape. As a result, when the alkali metal charge carrier is vaporized and transferred to the thermal conversion power generation cell 200, the thermal conversion efficiency can be improved by increasing the contact cross-sectional area with the thermal conversion power cell 200. In addition, in the case of such a thermal conversion power cell 200, as a protruding part is formed therein, a vortex may be formed when the alkali metal charge carrier vapor is transferred, which causes the thermal conversion power cell 200 and the The thermal conversion efficiency can be improved by promoting the interaction of the alkali metal charge carrier vapor.

The evaporation unit 300 is located at the lower end of the case 100, and transfers heat to the alkali metal charge carrier to convert it into vapor. The evaporation unit 300 includes a heat exchanger such as a heat pipe. It can be. Of course, various heat sources such as solar energy, fossil fuels, waste heat, geothermal heat, and nuclear reactors can be applied as the heat source of the evaporation unit 300 .

The evaporation unit 300 is provided with data on the amount of initial alkali metal charge carriers and data on the time required to vaporize the alkali metal charge carriers in advance, and is operated for a predetermined time and then automatically turned off. can be configured. This may minimize unnecessary energy consumption by configuring the evaporation unit 300 to be selectively operated in conjunction with the storage unit 600 to be described later.

On the other hand, as described above, when the alkali metal charge carrier is sodium (Na), the set temperature of the evaporator 300 is preferably 1100K, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and the set temperature of the evaporator 300 Of course, may be in the range of 900 ~ 1150K.

The condensing unit 400 is located at the upper end of the case 100 and is for collecting and condensing the alkali metal charge carriers that have passed through the thermal conversion power generation cell 200. It may be configured including the same heat exchanger.

The condensing unit 400 is also provided with data on the amount of initial alkali metal charge carriers and data on the time required for condensation of the alkali metal charge carriers in advance, so that the condensation unit 400 is automatically turned off after operating for a predetermined time. can be configured. This may minimize unnecessary energy consumption by configuring the condensing unit 400 to be selectively operated in conjunction with the storage unit 600 to be described later.

On the other hand, as described above, when the alkali metal charge carrier is sodium (Na), the set temperature of the condensation unit 400 is preferably 650K, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and the set temperature of the condensation unit 400 Of course, may be in the range of 500 ~ 700K.

The capillary wick 500 is connected to the condensation unit 400 at the center of the case 100, collects the alkali metal charge carriers condensed in the condensation unit 400, transfers them to the evaporation unit 300, and circulates them. It may be configured to form a passage for

The evaporation unit 300, the condensation unit 400, and the capillary wick 500 have been described as independent, but are not limited thereto, and the evaporation unit 300, the condensation unit 400, and the capillary wick Of course, 500 may be integrally composed of one capillary wick. On the other hand, there is an advantage in that the stability of the device can be improved by minimizing mechanical factors by using a capillary wick for circulation of the alkali metal charge carrier.

The storage unit 600 is located inside the capillary wick 500 and may be configured to store the condensed alkali metal charge carrier and transfer the condensed alkali metal charge carrier to the evaporation unit 300 .

The storage unit 600 may include a storage module having a storage space and capable of opening and closing, a detection module for detecting the amount of fluid stored in the storage module, and a control module for opening and closing the body module in conjunction with the detection module. This storage unit 600 may be configured to be associated with the evaporation unit 300 and the condensation unit 400 .

Specifically, the storage unit 600 is provided with data on the amount of initial alkali metal charge carriers in advance, and the alkali metal charge carriers stored in the storage module are stored under a first condition (eg, the amount of stored alkali metal charge carriers). In the case of one third of the initial alkali metal charge carriers), the evaporation unit 300 and the condensation unit 400 are operated, and the alkali metal charge carriers stored in the storage module are stored under the second condition (for example, , The alkali metal charge carriers stored in the storage module may be transferred to the evaporation unit through the control module when the amount of the stored alkali metal charge carriers corresponds to 1/2 of the initial alkali metal charge carriers.

On the other hand, in the evaporation unit 300, as described above, it is operated for a predetermined time based on the data on the amount of the initial alkali metal charge carrier and the data on the time consumed for vaporizing the alkali metal charge carrier, As described above, the condensation unit 400 may be configured to operate for a predetermined period of time based on data on the amount of initial alkali metal charge carriers and data on time consumed for condensation of the alkali metal charge carriers. . That is, unnecessary energy consumption can be minimized by selectively operating the evaporator 300 and the condenser 400 through this driving cycle.

Accordingly, the thermoelectric generator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure,

When the alkali metal charge carrier is vaporized and transferred to the thermal conversion power cell, the thermal conversion efficiency is improved by increasing the cross-sectional area of contact due to the internal structure of the thermal conversion power cell, and the evaporation and condensation sections are selectively operated in connection with the storage unit. This has the advantage of minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.

On the other hand, although the thermoelectric generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described for sodium as an alkali metal charge carrier, it is not limited thereto, and can be applied to lithium, potassium, and the like, of course.

Although the above has been described with reference to drawings according to embodiments of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will be able to make various applications, modifications, and adaptations within the scope of the present invention based on the above information. will be.

1000: thermoelectric generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
100: case 200: thermal conversion power generation cell
210: anode 220: cathode
230: porous electrolyte 300: evaporation unit
400: condensation unit 500: capillary wick
600: storage unit

Claims (5)

In the AMTEC (Amtec) thermoelectric generator that converts thermal energy into electrical energy,
A case 100 filled with an alkali metal charge carrier for carrying electric charges therein;
A plurality of thermal conversion power generation cells 200 radially installed in the central portion of the case 100;
an evaporation unit 300 located at a lower end of the case 100 and transferring heat to the alkali metal charge carrier, converting it into vapor, and transferring the heat to the heat conversion power generation cell 200;
a condensing unit 400 located at an upper end of the case 100 and collecting and condensing the alkali metal charge carriers that have passed through the plurality of thermal conversion power generation cells 200;
a capillary wick 500 forming a passage through which the alkali metal charge carriers condensed in the condensation unit 400 are transported to the evaporation unit 300 and circulated; and
a storage unit 600 located inside the capillary wick 500 and transporting the condensed alkali metal charge carrier to the evaporation unit 300; including,
The thermal conversion power generation cell 200 is positioned between an anode 210 and a cathode 220 that exchange charges from the alkali metal charge carrier, and between the anode 210 and the cathode 220, and the alkali metal charge carrier A thermoelectric power generation device comprising a porous electrolyte 230 selectively permeable, wherein inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the thermal conversion power generation cell 200 are formed in concavo-convex shapes.
According to claim 1,
The positive electrode 210 and the negative electrode 220 are iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), PtW, RhW It is a porous membrane comprising at least one selected from nickel-iron alloy, stainless steel, bronze, PtW, RhW, TiC, TiN, SiN, RuO, RuW, Ru ₂ 0, Rh ₂ W, and NbC. A thermoelectric generator that does.
According to claim 2,
The porous electrolyte 230 is a thermoelectric generator, characterized in that the solid electrolyte of beta-alumina (β / β "-Alumina) or NASICON (Na Super Ionic CONductor) system.
According to claim 3,
The beta alumina (β/β”-Alumina) is produced by reacting a complex of alpha alumina and yttria-stabilized zirconia with sodium oxide (Na ₂ O) in the gas phase. A thermoelectric generator that does.
According to claim 1,
The alkali metal charge carrier is a thermoelectric generator, characterized in that at least one material selected from sodium (Na), potassium (K), lithium (Li).

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