Patent Publication Number: US-2022213860-A1

Title: Pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages, and more particularly, to a pumped-storage hydropower generation tower in which conduits are connected along a spiral inclined passage of the cylindrical tower of a spiral structure to secure a difference in elevation between the upper and lower reservoirs and conduit turbines are installed in multiple stages in the water-guide conduit through which a power generation flow pumped by a pump moves along the spiral passage to generate a lot of power at low cost, maintain the quality of power and stably supply the power. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     An energy storage system (ESS) is used to construct an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or to store generated power. The ESS stores excessively produced power or commercial power and provides the power when power is temporarily insufficient or interrupted. The ESS usually takes the form of a battery employing lithium-ion batteries or the like. The economic feasibility of ESSs is dropping and the price thereof is increasing due to increase in the price of raw materials. 
     Pumped-storage hydropower generation requires selection of mountainous terrain with high elevation differences and a dam or reservoir to secure a fall. Accordingly, it is difficult to apply such pumped-storage hydropower generation to urban areas, factories, or solar power generation complexes. Furthermore, even if a pumped-storage power generation system is built in such areas, space constraints and system configuration related cost burdens are large because large turbines and large generators should be installed. 
     When a backup turbine and generator are installed in order to increase the stability of the system, constraints and burdens will be further increased. 
     Prior art document 1: Korean Utility Model No. 20-0478748 (registered on Nov. 5, 2015) 
     Prior art document 2: Korean Patent No. 10-1868973 (issued on Jun. 12, 2018) 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     It is an object of the present disclosure to build a power storage and production system capable of efficient power generation at low cost. 
     It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a system that may be used to build an ESS using potential energy of water. 
     It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a power storage and production system that may be constructed in a short period of time in a desired area and may be easily expanded because there is no restriction on the installation site. 
     It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a power storage and production system that does not emit pollutants, is eco-friendly, and has high stability at an economical cost. 
     Technical Solution 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, provided is a pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages, including a pump  400  piped to a pumping pipe  410  to pump water contained in a lower reservoir  300  to an upper reservoir  200 ; a water-guide conduit line  500  connected to an inlet water-guide conduit  510  from a bottom surface of one side of the upper reservoir  200  and extending to a position of the lower reservoir  300  along a spiral inclined passage  100  to allow a flow for power generation to pass therethrough; and a conduit turbine unit  600  including a drive shaft  2  extending through a center of a conduit  22 , the flow passing through the conduit  22 ; a conduit support body  4  arranged to rotatably support the drive shaft  2 , and having an arm  6  extending toward an inner surface of the conduit  22 ; a propeller  7  fixed to the drive shaft  2  in between the conduit support body  4  and rotated by movement of the flow; and a generator  10  configured to generate electricity by rotational power received from the drive shaft  2 , wherein the conduit turbine unit  600  has at least two conduit turbine units  600  disposed in the water-guide conduit line  500  in multiple stages. 
     In the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower, the conduit turbine unit  600  may further include an inner gear  8  arranged in between the conduit support body  4  and rotated together with the drive shaft  2 ; and an outer gear  13  arranged outside the conduit  22  and driven together with a shaft  15  when rotational power is transmitted to the inner gear  8  through a power transmission means, wherein the generator  10  may receiver rotational power through the outer gear  13  and the shaft  15 . 
     In the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower, a leading end of each of the conduit support body  4  may be provided with a pressure support  3 , the pressure support  3  being integrally coupled to the drive shaft  2 , wherein a thrust bearing  26  may be arranged between contact portions of the conduit support body  4  and the pressure support  3 . 
     In the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower, the arm  6  of the conduit support body  4  may have a flat plate shape having a cross-sectional area causing minimum resistance against streamline and an axial length greater than a radius of the conduit  22 . 
     The pumped-storage hydropower generation tower may further include a flexible conduit  18  extending from a lower end of the conduit  22  and formed in a corrugated tube structure. 
     The pumped-storage hydropower generation tower may further include a spiral inclined passage  100  supported by a plurality of inner frame pillars  116  and outer frame pillars  114 , and extending from a ground to a predetermined height in a spiral shape; an upper reservoir  200  positioned at an upper portion of the spiral inclined passage  100  and filled with water while being supported by the inner frame pillars  116  and the outer frame pillars  114 ; and a lower reservoir  300  positioned on the ground while maintaining a height difference from the upper reservoir  200 . 
     The pumped-storage hydropower generation tower may further include an elevator  700  installed in an inner center of the spiral inclined passage  100  to move from the ground to each floor and an uppermost position of the upper reservoir  200 . 
     Advantageous Effects 
     In a pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages according to the present disclosure, a conduit turbine unit  600  may be constructed using a low-cost compact propeller  7 , a generator  10 , and the like, and may be installed in multiple stages instead of water-guide conduit. Accordingly, large electric power may be stored and produced at low cost, and the number of conduit turbines may be easily increased or decreased as needed. 
     In addition, since the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages according to the present disclosure has conduit turbines installed at the location instead of the water-guide conduit line  500 , efficient power storage and production may be implemented, and installation space may be saved. 
     In addition, with the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages according to the present disclosure, an ESS based on potential energy of water may be constructed by installing the turbines in multiple stages along a spiral line between the upper reservoir  200  and the lower reservoir  300 . 
     In addition, in the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages according to the present disclosure, a large number of conduit turbine units  600  is installed in multiple stages. Accordingly, even when one or two of the conduit turbine units fail, the remaining conduit turbine units  600  can normally generate power, and therefore stability of power supply is high and the tower may be implemented at low cost. 
     In addition, with the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages according to the present disclosure, a power generation apparatus may be easily installed by connecting conduits. 
     In addition, the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages according to the present disclosure may be easily installed in an area having power demands and may greatly increase power generation capacity at a given flow rate. 
     In addition, the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages according to the present disclosure may be constructed by selecting an area having an actual demand. Accordingly, it may minimize the construction of transmission towers or transmission lines and may be expanded in a short period to increase the total power generation capacity. 
     Further, the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages according to the present disclosure neither causes damage to the natural environment, nor emits any environmental pollutants in the power generation process. Accordingly, it may obtain clean energy and operate in any area throughout the year to generate power. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the configuration of a conduit turbine unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a longitudinal sectional view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing holes through which a ball chain passes and bolt holes for fixing member installation formed in the conduit of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view showing a disassembled state of a conduit support body and the fixing member. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a main part in which the conduit turbine unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is installed in multiple stages in a spiral shape along a water-guide conduit line. 
         FIG. 7  is a longitudinal sectional view showing an overall configuration of an apparatus of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an air vent pipe equipped with an air vent. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE 
     Objects, specific advantages and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description and embodiments associated with the accompanying drawings. In the present specification, in adding reference numerals to elements in each drawing, it should be noted that the same elements are assigned the same reference numerals, even if they are presented in different drawings. 
     In describing the present disclosure, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, some components are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated, and the dimensions of components do not precisely reflect the actual dimensions thereof. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     A pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure may pump water from a lower reservoir  300  to an upper reservoir  200  mostly at night or when there is spare power generation capacity, and may be used to generate power when power consumption increases or when an emergency situation such as power outage occurs. 
     A difference in elevation and a flow rate are secured by pumping up water. In the structure of the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower, a spiral inclined road  100  is installed and is supported by several internal frame pillars  116  and external frame pillars  114 . 
     The spiral inclined road  100  is a reinforced concrete structure that continues in a spiral shape from the first floor on the ground to the top floor, and a cylindrical space is formed in the inner center part thereof. The pumped-storage hydropower generation tower is constructed as a structure having a cylindrical shape as a whole. 
     In the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower of the present disclosure, several external frame pillars  114  are erected on the outside along the cylinder, and several internal frame pillars  116  are erected inside along the cylindrical center space to stably support the entire structure. 
     The spiral inclined road  100  is connected to one inclined road along a spiral like a  360 -degree curved road from the ground to the top floor, thereby securing a sufficient length for arrangement of a plurality of conduit turbine units  600 . 
     The spiral inclined road  100  is formed as a spiral that rotates several times along the circumference, such that the water-guide conduit line  500  extending to the top and the plurality of conduit turbine units  600  are connected smoothly without being sharply bent. Thus, pressure loss occurring at a bent part is prevented. 
     An upper reservoir  200  filled with water is located at the top of the spiral inclined road  100 . The upper reservoir  200  is also firmly supported by the internal frame pillars  116  and the external frame pillars  114 . 
     In addition, a lower water reservoir  300  filled with water is arranged on the ground or at a position close to the ground while maintaining a height difference from the upper water reservoir  200 , and a pumping pipe  410  is arranged and connected between the upper water reservoir  200  and the lower water reservoir. 
     The lower reservoir  300  may be formed to be slightly larger than the upper reservoir  200  to contain a larger amount of fluid, and a pump  400  is installed in the pumping pipe  410  to pump water contained in the lower reservoir  300  to the upper reservoir  200 . 
     At this time, the lower water reservoir  300  is directly connected to a hood conduit of the pump  400 , and a filter having a filter structure is installed in front of the hood conduit to block the inflow of various foreign substances including solids. 
     The pump  400  having a sufficient pumping capacity is selected, and a spare pump may be further installed so as to be selectively operated in case of an emergency. 
     In the present disclosure, in order to secure water to be used and to make up for the amount of fluid that decreases due to evaporation or the like, groundwater may be drawn, or water may be pumped and supplied from a municipal water supply, or a nearby river or lake. In order to drive the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower of the present disclosure, a facility including a central control room and a transformer, and auxiliary facilities such as an office may be provided together. 
     The water-guide conduit line  500  is arranged along the upper surface of the spiral inclined road  100  such that the power generation fluid contained in the upper reservoir  200  may be moved to the position of the lower reservoir  300  through the water-guide conduit line  500  by a difference in elevation. 
     The upper reservoir  200  may be formed in the shape of a container with a closed bottom and an open or closed top and located on the top floor of the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower. The upper reservoir may have a floor area equal to or similar to the area of the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower. 
     According to the present disclosure, it is necessary to design a storage capacity of the upper reservoir  200  and construct the same to enable power generation for a time for emergency replacement or a time for power replenishment in an emergency such as upon power failure or in a situation such as power shortage. In addition, at normal times or when there is surplus power, the pump  400  pumps water from the lower reservoir  300  to the upper reservoir  200  through the pumping pipe  410  so as to be prepared for power generation. 
     The upper reservoir  200  has a bottom surface inclined to one side as shown in  FIG. 7 . An inlet water-guide conduit  510  and a valve located at an upper end of the water-guide conduit line  500  are sequentially connected to the bottom surface at the one side. 
     Preferably, a filter may be installed at the inlet water-guide conduit  510  to prevent foreign matter such as solids from being contained in the flow and supplied to the conduit turbine unit  600 . 
     In addition, to prevent rapid supply of the fluid from creating a whirling stream causing air to be introduced into the conduit, multiple partition boards are arranged in a zigzag manner so as to suppress generation of air bubbles. Automatic air vents  39  may be further installed in the middle of the water-guide conduit line  500 . In addition, railings or partition walls may be installed on the outer frame pillar  114  and the inner frame pillar  116 , which are arranged all the way to the position of the upper reservoir  200 . 
     In addition, a valve  511  is installed at a flow outlet at the lower end of the water-guide conduit line  500  to control the flow directed to the lower reservoir  300 . 
     At least two conduit turbine units  600 , preferably five or more conduit turbine units, are installed in series in multiple stages on the water-guide conduit line  500  through which the flow for power generation passes. While the conduit turbine unit  600  is shown in  FIGS. 6 to 8  to have a curvature, it has a straight line shape corresponding to a straight drive shaft  2  except for a flexible tube  18 , which will be described later. 
     Each conduit turbine unit  600  converts the potential energy of a fluid (water) secured by pumping into kinetic energy and converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy. When the power generation capacities of the respective small-capacity conduit turbine units  600  are summed, the total power generation capacity may be increased to a large capacity. 
     The drive shaft  2 , which is installed at the center of the conduit  22  through which the fluid (water) moves in the conduit turbine unit  600  is supported by a conduit support body  4 , such that the rotational motion of the drive shaft  2  is stably maintained. 
     The conduit support body  4  is supported on the inner surface of the conduit  22  by multiple (preferably four) arms  6  of the same length. The arm  6  is fastened to a fixing member  5 , which is located on the outer surface of the conduit  22  by multiple bolts to stably support the rotation of the drive shaft  2  while maintaining coaxial arrangement of the conduit  22  and the drive shaft  2 . 
     The conduit support body  4  is divided into, for example, two parts having flanges connected by bolts, and is assembled in a cylindrical shape with bearings  26  and  27  installed therein. 
     For example, three bearings  27  are provided between the contact portions of the conduit support body  4  and the drive shaft  2 , thereby supporting rotation of the drive shaft  2 . In particular, thrust bearings  26  are provided between the contact portions of the conduit support body  4  and a pressure support  3 , such that the pressure support  3 , which applies an axial load to the conduit support body  4  and the drive shaft  2  may be supported while rotating without any resistance. 
     The leading end of the drive shaft  2  is formed in a semicircular or pointed conical shape to reduce head resistance, and a pressure support  3  is installed at the leading end side of each conduit support body  4  so as to be integrally coupled to the drive shaft  2 . Thus, the load such as the drive shaft  2  is allowed to freely rotate by the thrust bearing  26  described above while being supported by each conduit support body  4 . 
     The pressure support  3  is installed at the leading end of each conduit support body  4 . When the flow rate of fluid flowing through the conduit  22  is high and the fluid volume is large, a large pressure is produced and the gravity load is large. Thus, the conduit support body  4  may be installed in three places as shown in the drawing to stably support the drive shaft  2  and to distribute pressure and load. 
     In addition, the arm  6  of the conduit support body  4  is formed in a flat shape so as to minimize the cross-sectional area thereof causing resistance against streamline and has a length that is at least greater than the radius of the conduit  22 . Accordingly, it may correct the streamline disturbed by the propeller  7 , thereby improving power generation efficiency. 
     One or more propellers  7  are arranged between the conduit support bodies  4 , such that when the fluid flows into the conduit  22 , the propellers  7  and the drive shaft  2  are rotated together by the flow condition quantity (free fall, fluid volume, flow rate). For example, while the figures show that two two-wing propellers  7  are arranged on the drive shaft  2  in series, various embodiments are possible. For example, one or two four-wing propellers  7  may be provided. 
     Part of the rectilinear kinetic energy of the fluid is converted into rotational kinetic energy by the propellers  7 , and the generator  10  may be driven through an inner gear  8  and an outer gear  13 . The inner gear  8  is fixedly installed on the drive shaft  2  inside the conduit  22  so as to be driven together with the drive shaft  2 . The outer gear  13  arranged outside the conduit and driven by the rotational power transmitted from the inner gear  8  is connected to the generator  10 . 
     A ball chain  17  made of stainless steel wire is provided as a means to connect the inner gear  8  and the outer gear  13  to transmit rotational power. Since there is no concern about mechanical damage or corrosion inside the conduit through which water always flows, stable operation efficiency may be achieved. Since the rotational kinetic energy of the drive shaft  2  is large, the ball chain  17  is preferably installed in two rows for effective and stable power transmission, as shown in the figures. It is to be noted that another type of chain or a power transmission means such as a timing belt can be selected instead of the ball chain  17 . 
     The conduit support bodies  4  are also installed on both sides of the inner gear  8  to support stable rotation of the gear. In order to transmit power to the outer gear  13  through the ball chain  17 , holes  37  are formed in the conduit  22  at positions where the ball chain  17  passes through the conduit (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     The inside of the outer gear  13  is sealed by a case  12  such that water inside does not flow out to the outside of the outer gear  13  and air is not introduced from the outside. The case  12  is coupled using bolts to facilitate connection or removal of internal devices. 
     The outer gear  13  and the generator  10  are connected coaxially, and the shaft  11  is axially supported by a bearing  14  so as to freely rotate. Power is connected between the shaft  11  and the generator  10  through coupling  15 . The generator  10  is stably arranged outside the conduit  22  by a generator pedestal  24 . 
     The flexible conduit  18  is welded to the lower end of the conduit  22  or fixed by fastening bolts to the flange. The flexible conduit  18  of a corrugated tube structure may be installed on the spiral inclined road  100  to compensate for the straightness of most of the conduit turbine unit  600 . The flexible conduit may be used to correct the length error during the piping process to facilitate piping work. The flexible conduit may also facilitate removal of one of the conduit turbine units  600  installed in multiple stages for replacement or maintenance. 
     Further, when vibration is applied to the entire apparatus, the flexible conduit may absorb the vibration. Even when a natural disaster such as an earthquake occurs, the flexible conduit may act as a buffer to prevent shock from being transmitted to all of the conduits, thereby improving stability. 
     In this structure, the conduit turbine units  600  may be repeatedly installed in two or more stages in the water-guide conduit line  500  while being maintained at a constant interval. 
     At the end of the pipe of the conduit turbine unit  600  installed at the remote end, a discharge conduit  518  and a valve  511  are sequentially arranged and then connected to the lower reservoir  300 . 
     The conduit turbine units  600  are connected to the water-guide conduit lines  500  in multiple stages at constant intervals along the spiral inclined road  100 , which is installed in the form of a spiral curve shape from the bottom of the upper reservoir  200  located at the top floor to the lowest floor, and the positions thereof are secured fixed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , when a flow volume is secured in the upper reservoir  200  by pumping water by the pump  400 , the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower of the present disclosure generates electric power through the generator  10  of the conduit turbine unit  600  when the fluid introduced through the inlet water-guide conduit  510 , which is formed at the top of the water-guide conduit line  500 , falls. Then, water is collected in the lower reservoir  300  through the discharge conduit  518  and the valve  511 , which are connected to the last conduit turbine unit  600 . 
     In addition, air vent pipes  38  provided with an air vent  39  are arranged in each predetermined section in the middle of the water-guide conduit line  500  to discharge air from the conduits to the outside. In addition, the pump  400  is operated to perform a pumping operation to move the water in the lower reservoir  300  into the upper reservoir  200 . 
     In the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages according to the present disclosure, the conduit turbine unit  600  may be constructed using a low-cost compact propeller  7 , a generator  10 , and the like. By installing the conduit turbines in multiple stages in the water-guide conduit line  500 , large power may be produced at low cost. Further, the number of conduit turbines may be easily increased or decreased as needed. 
     In addition, since the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages according to the present disclosure has conduit turbines installed at the location instead of the water-guide conduit line  500 , efficient power storage and production may be implemented, and installation space may be saved. 
     Further, in the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages according to the present disclosure, the pipes are arranged along the spiral inclined passage  100 , and the conduit turbine units  600  having a long pipe length as a whole are installed in multiple stages. Accordingly, an ESS using potential energy of water may be constructed. 
     Hereinafter, the operation of the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower according to the present disclosure will be described. 
     First, the lower reservoir  300  is filled with water from a water source such as municipal water supply, groundwater or a nearby reservoir, and the pump  400  is operated. Then, the water moves along the pumping pipe  410  to fill the upper reservoir  200  up to a certain level or higher. 
     Then, when the valve  511  of the water-guide conduit line  500  is opened, the flow in the conduit falling from the upper reservoir  200  passes through each conduit turbine unit  600 , the propellers  7  are rotated by the energy of flow state quantities (free fall, fluid volume, flow rate), and power is generated from the generator  10  that receives power transmitted by the ball chain  17 . The respective amounts of generated electricity are combined and voltage-transformed by a transformer. Then, power is supplied along the transmission or distribution line. 
     When any one of the conduit turbine units  600  that are installed in multiple stages fails, only the propeller  7  of the failed conduit turbine unit  600  runs idling, and the remaining conduit turbine units  600  may continue to generate power, and the power generated by the remaining conduit turbine units  600  may be appropriately voltage-transformed and supplied. Therefore, high stability may be obtained in power supply. 
     The water-guide conduit line  100  includes a work passage space  117  allowing a work vehicle or operator to move therethrough to perform maintenance work when inspection or maintenance is needed, and a piping space  113  in which the conduit turbine units  600  are installed. 
     Workers may carry equipment and a conduit turbine unit  600  to be installed on foot or by car through the work passage space  117  from the ground to a floor where a need for maintenance or inspection has occurred. In addition, workers or equipment may be quickly moved to a desired floor using the elevator  700  installed vertically in the center of the apparatus of the present disclosure. In addition, an observatory may be installed at a position higher than the upper reservoir  200  at the top. In this case, the observatory may be directly connected to the elevator  700 . 
     In the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower of the present disclosure, each conduit turbine unit  600  may generate power with the same power generation capacity. Since the conduit turbine units are connected in multiple stages, it may be easy to increase the total power generation capacity. 
     Since the apparatus of the present disclosure is constructed by selecting an area having an actual demand, the construction of transmission towers or transmission lines may be minimized, and the total power generation capacity may be increased in a short period of time. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, but the pumped-storage hydropower generation tower employing conduit turbines installed in multiple stages according to the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes are possible, without departing from the idea and scope of the disclosure. 
     All simple modifications and changes of the present disclosure belong to the scope of the present disclosure, and the scope of protection sought for by the present disclosure will be apparent from the appended claims.