Microscale distributed energy cogeneration method and system

Abstract

A microscale energy cogeneration system includes at least a micro/nano-turbine set for converting fuel into mechanical energy, and a generator for converting mechanical energy produced by said micro/nano-turbine into electrical energy in the range of 1 to 5 kWh. The system further includes an exhaust passage downstream from said micro/nano-turbine delivering high temperature exhaust air from said micro/nano-turbine. At least one heat exchanger receives high temperature exhaust air from said exhaust passage for heat transfer. Said heat exchanger may be used to heat water and/or air of a house. A water heating system may be coupled to the heat exchanger for convening tap water into hot water and/or cool heating air into hot air. The portable micro/nano-turbine set may be scaled up by interconnecting several units at the same time and/or interconnecting different units of different users for balancing out the energy demand of those users.

1 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration system comprising at least a portable energy cogeneration unit including at least a micro/nano-turbine set and a micro electric generator set, an exhaust passage downstream from said micro/nano-turbine delivering high temperature exhaust air from said micro/nano-turbine, and at least one heat exchanger receiving high temperature exhaust air from said exhaust passage for heat transfer. 
     
     
         2 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger heats water and/or air of a house. 
     
     
         3 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein several portable energy cogeneration units are interconnected as a set and/or different individual units of different users are interconnected balancing out the energy demand of those users. 
     
     
         4 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration system in accordance with  claim 3 , a portable and modular unit is created by interconnecting individual units capable of producing between 1 to 5 kWh, more particularly 1 to 3 kWh and more specifically 3 kWh. 
     
     
         5 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger heats tap water and air at the same time. 
     
     
         6 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the generator is an electric generator producing alternating electric current during operation of the microscale energy cogeneration system. 
     
     
         7 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the fuel for the microscale energy cogeneration system is one of natural gas, diesel, gasoline, and LPG. 
     
     
         8 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the microscale energy cogeneration system includes an exhaust passage downstream from the micro/nano-turbine delivering high temperature exhaust air from the micro/nano-turbine and a heat exchanger receiving the high temperature exhaust air for heat transfer. 
     
     
         9 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein a water heating system for converting tap water into hot water may be coupled to a heat exchange exhaust for releasing lower temperature exhaust air. 
     
     
         10 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the system is modular and portable and generates electricity, hot water and hot air at the same time with efficiency of at least 85%. 
     
     
         11 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the microscale energy cogeneration system includes another heat exchanger for coupling the present system to the heating system of a house. 
     
     
         12 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the microscale energy cogeneration system forms a set of interconnected micro/nano turbines to provide the same user more energy to or for balancing out the energy demand of a group of houses in a residential area. 
     
     
         13 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the microscale energy cogeneration system is managed remotely by connecting the controls of the system with a mini PLC through Internet. 
     
     
         14 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration method comprising the steps of:
 connecting a fuel provider to a micro/nano turbine;   connecting the micro/nano turbine to an micro electric generator;   connecting the micro electric generator to the electrical grid of a facility;   connecting a heat exchanger apparatus to an exhaust passage downstream from said micro/nano-turbine; and   connecting the heating system of the house to the heat exchanger apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the generator includes a rotating rotor and a stator, the rotor is a permanent magnet positioned rotatably within the stator and rotates relative to the stator during operation of micro/nano-turbine. 
     
     
         16 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the shaft of the micro/nano-turbine and the rotor of said generator rotate in unison. 
     
     
         17 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the heating system is connected to a water system of a facility, the water system comprising a hot water heater, a water boiler and a condenser to produce potable water. 
     
     
         18 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein several micro/nano turbines, heat exchangers and electric generator sets are connected for the same facility. 
     
     
         19 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein several micro/nano turbines, heat exchangers and electric generator sets are connected to several houses interconnected as a grid for balancing out the energy demand of a specific set of facilities. 
     
     
         20 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the facility is one of the following: a house, a boat, a group of houses, a small building. 
     
     
         21 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration method, wherein at least two portable energy cogeneration units are combined and connected to a power grid to add power. 
     
     
         22 . A microscale distributed energy cogeneration method, in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the portable energy cogeneration units are combines and connected to one of the following functions to a facility: hot air, hot water, cool air, power.