Apparatus and Method for Generating Electricity With Pressurized Water and Air Flow Media

Abstract

A facility for generating electricity, including a water source and a plurality of penstocks adapted for selective flow communication with the water source for delivering water from the water source to a turbine electricity generator. An electricity distribution system is provided having a first component adapted to deliver electricity generated by the turbine electricity generator to an electric grid and an alternative second component adapted to use the electricity to power an air compressor. A compressed air storage reservoir is provided for storing air compressed by the air compressor, including an outlet for selectively delivering the compressed air to the plurality of penstocks according to a predetermined sequence for providing energy to the water contained in the penstock to propel the water from the penstock to the turbine.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A facility for generating electricity, comprising:
 (a) a water source;   (b) a plurality of penstocks adapted for selective flow communication with the water source for delivering water from the water source to a turbine electricity generator;   (c) an electricity distribution system having a first component adapted to deliver electricity generated by the turbine electricity generator to an electric grid and a second component adapted to use electricity to power an air compressor; and   (d) a compressed air storage reservoir for storing air compressed by the air compressor, and including an outlet for selectively delivering the compressed air to the plurality of penstocks according to a predetermined sequence for providing energy to the water contained in the selected penstock to propel the water from the penstock to the turbine.   
     
     
         2 . A facility for generating electricity according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the facility components are contained within a structure constructed at least in part of coal combustion residue. 
     
     
         3 . A facility for generating electricity according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) the water source is selected from the group consisting of a river, channel or canal;   (b) a water intake is positioned between the water source and the plurality of penstocks;   (c) each of the plurality of penstocks includes a water inflow valve adapted to control the flow of water from the water source to the penstock;   (d) a water outflow valve is adapted to control the flow of water from the penstock to the turbine electricity generator;   (e) a compressed air inflow valve is adapted to control the flow of compressed air from the compressed air storage reservoir to the penstock;   (f) the penstocks converge to form a single outflow to the turbine electricity generator; and   (g) an electronic control is provided for controlling the operation of the water inflow valves, the water outflow valves and the compressed air inflow valves.   
     
     
         4 . A facility for generating electricity according to  claim 3 , wherein the compressed air is in flow communication with the water in the selected penstock. 
     
     
         5 . A facility for generating electricity according to  claim 3 , wherein each of the penstocks includes a piston positioned in the penstock downstream from the compressed air inflow valve and movable downstream within the penstock by compressed air discharged from the compressed air inflow valve on an upstream side of the piston. 
     
     
         6 . A facility for generating electricity according to  claim 3 , wherein the water intakes are laterally offset from the respective penstocks and connect to a respective penstock for water flow into the penstocks at a position downstream of the compressed air inflow valves and upstream of the water outflow valves, and further wherein a piston is positioned in each of the penstocks upstream of the respective water outflow valve and downstream of the respective compressed air inflow valve and movable downstream within the penstocks by compressed air discharged from the compressed air inflow valve on the upstream side of the piston. 
     
     
         7 . A facility for generating electricity, comprising:
 (a) a water source;   (b) a plurality of penstocks adapted for selective flow communication with the water source for delivering water from the water source to a turbine electricity generator;   (c) an electricity distribution system having a first component adapted to deliver electricity generated by the turbine electricity generator to an electric grid and an alternative second component adapted to use the electricity to power an air compressor;   (d) a compressed air storage reservoir for storing air compressed by the air compressor, and including an outlet for selectively delivering the compressed air to the plurality of penstocks according to a predetermined sequence for providing energy to the water contained in the selected penstock to propel the water from the penstock to the turbine;   (e) a structure constructed at least in part of coal combustion residue and within which at least some of the operating components of the facility are positioned;   (f) a water intake positioned between the water source and the plurality of penstocks; and   (g) each of the plurality of penstocks including a water inflow valve adapted to control the flow of water from the water source to the penstock; a water outflow valve adapted to control the flow of water from the penstock to the turbine electricity generator; and a compressed air inflow valve adapted to control the flow of compressed air from the compressed air storage reservoir to the penstock.   
     
     
         8 . A facility for generating electricity according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 (h) the penstocks converge to form a single outflow to the turbine electricity generator; and   (i) an electronic control is provided for controlling the operation of the water inflow valves, the water outflow valves and the compressed air inflow valves.   
     
     
         9 . A facility for generating electricity according to  claim 8 , wherein the compressed air is in flow communication with the water in the selected penstock and each of the penstocks includes a piston positioned in the penstock downstream from the compressed air inflow valve and movable downstream within the penstock by compressed air discharged from the compressed air inflow valve on an upstream side of the piston. 
     
     
         10 . A facility for generating electricity according to  claim 9 , wherein the water intakes are laterally offset from the respective penstocks and connect to a respective penstock for water flow into the penstocks at a position downstream of the compressed air inflow valves and upstream of the water outflow valves, and further wherein a piston is positioned in each of the penstocks upstream of the respective water outflow valve and downstream of the respective compressed air inflow valve and movable downstream within the penstocks by compressed air discharged from the compressed air inflow valve on the upstream side of the piston. 
     
     
         11 . A method of generating electricity, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a water source, a plurality of penstocks adapted for selective flow communication with the water source for delivering water from the water source to a turbine electricity generator, an electricity distribution system having a first component adapted to deliver electricity generated by the turbine electricity generator to an electric grid and an alternative second component adapted to use the electricity to power an air compressor; and a compressed air storage reservoir for storing air compressed by the air compressor, and including an outlet for delivering the compressed air to the plurality of penstocks for providing energy to the water contained in the selected penstock to propel the water from the penstock to the turbine;   (b) diverting water from the water source into the plurality of penstocks;   (c) delivering the water downstream to a turbine electricity generator where electricity is generated;   (d) delivering a predetermined portion of the electricity to an air compressor;   (e) compressing air for storage in the compressed air storage reservoir; and   (f) delivering the compressed air to the penstocks for propelling the water down the penstock to the turbine electricity generator.   
     
     
         12 . A method of generating electricity according to  claim 11 , and including the step of delivering the compressed air to the penstocks according to a predetermined repeating sequence. 
     
     
         13 . A method of generating electricity according to  claim 11 , and including the step of containing at least a portion of the facility components within a structure constructed at least in part of coal combustion residue. 
     
     
         14 . A method of generating electricity according to  claim 11 , and including the step of providing a piston positioned in each penstock downstream from the respective compressed air inflow valve and movable downstream within the penstock by compressed air discharged from the compressed air inflow valve on an upstream side of the piston. 
     
     
         15 . A method of generating electricity according to  claim 11 , and including the step of laterally offsetting the water intakes from the respective penstocks and connecting the water intakes to a respective penstock for water flow into the penstocks at a position downstream of the compressed air inflow valves and upstream of the water outflow valves. 
     
     
         16 . A method of generating electricity according to  claim 15 , and including the step of positioning a piston in each of the penstocks upstream of the respective water outflow valve and downstream of the respective compressed air inflow valve and movable downstream within the penstocks by compressed air discharged from the compressed air inflow valve on the upstream side of the piston. 
     
     
         17 . A method of generating electricity according to  claim 11 , including the steps of during time periods of relatively high electricity demand, delivering the electricity to an electricity grid and during time periods of relatively low electricity demand delivering the electricity to the air compressor. 
     
     
         18 . A method of generating electricity according to  claim 11 , including the step of splitting the delivery of electricity from the turbine electricity generator to an electricity grid and the air compressor according to a formula wherein the grid has electricity priority with any excess electricity being delivered to the air compressor.