SOLAR TURBINE POWER GENERATOR SYSTEM

A solar powered electrical generation system can produce electrical power by utilizing energy from the sun to vaporize liquids, such as bromine. The system of the present invention allows liquid to be vaporized by a heating unit powered by the sun. The vapor can travel to a condenser that is disposed at a height higher than a holding tank. The holding tank can collect liquid, which then drains back to the heating unit through a turbine. The turbine powers a generator to produce electricity. Because bromine has a high specific gravity (3.12 at 20° C.) and a relative low boiling point (58.8° C.), it may be ideal for use in the system of the present invention, where gravity provides the motive force of the condensed liquid through the turbine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a solar powered electrical generation system that can produce electrical power by utilizing energy from the sun to vaporize liquids, such as bromine. The system of the present invention allows liquid to be vaporized by a heating unit powered by the sun. The vapor can travel to a condenser that is disposed at a height higher than a holding tank. The holding tank can collect liquid, which then drains back to the heating unit through a turbine. The turbine powers a generator to produce electricity. Because bromine has a high specific gravity (3.12 at 20° C.) and a relative low boiling point (58.8° C.), it may be ideal for use in the system of the present invention, where gravity provides the motive force of the condensed liquid through the turbine.

As is illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the solar powered electrical generation system may include a solar heating unit10. In certain embodiments, the solar heating unit10may be a solar oven. The outlet of the solar heating unit10may connect to a condenser unit12that is located at a height above the solar heating unit10. The condenser unit12may be connected to a liquid holding tank14so that vapor formed in the solar heating unit10is condensed in the condenser unit12and the condensed liquid flows from the condenser unit12to the liquid holding tank14.

The liquid holding tank14may be connected to a turbine16which in turn may be connected to an electrical generator18through the shaft of the turbine16. The turbine16may be attached to a backflow prevent device20. In certain embodiments, the backflow prevent device20may be a check valve. The backflow prevent device20is connected to the inlet of the solar heating unit10, creating a loop. This loop is a closed loop so that neither the liquid nor the gas circulating about the loop is allowed to escape. Therefore, once charged with the appropriate liquid, such as bromine, the system can operate continuously.

In alternate embodiments, the present invention may also include a level controller on the liquid holding tank14. A level controller would allow the unit to operate over a predetermined time frame which would allow the user more flexibility.

In some embodiments, a vacuum pump22can be installed in the system, typically at the condenser unit12. The vacuum pump may reduce the pressure in the system to reduce the boiling point of the liquid, such as the bromine liquid, that is circulated in the system.

To use the system of the present invention, a user can charge an appropriate amount of fluid into the system. Various access ports can be provided to make this fluid addition. Once the fluid is added, the liquid in the solar heating unit10can be heated to its boiling point. The resulting vapor is carried to the condenser unit12where it is condensed back into a liquid. The condenser unit12is disposed at a raised height so that the condensed liquid can flow into the holding tank14and can be released through the turbine16to turn the generator18. After passing through the turbine16, the liquid returns to the solar heating unit10to be heated again, repeating the process.

In some embodiments of the present invention, heat captured from sun light vaporizes a particular liquid, such as bromine, at a low enough temperature to then condense in a condenser. In certain embodiments, a solar oven may be used which may reach temperatures of over 250 degrees Fahrenheit which is sufficient to vaporize many liquids. The invention utilizes the process of a liquid being evaporated and then condensing at a lower temperature.

The system of the present invention may be used in all locations and, depending on the liquid and size of the solar heating unit, the system of the present invention may be used for individual homes or on a commercial scale. The liquid is passed through the system changing phases as it is processed within the system, thereby generating power. This drives down the costs of the invention to something significantly lower than traditional types of solar power.