System and method for power production using a hybrid helical detonation device

Abstract

The system and method described herein uses a hybrid pulsed detonation engine (PDE) system to drive a turbine that powers an electric generator. The combustion chamber of the PDE is shaped in a helical form, so that the external length of the section is reduced, while maintaining the distance for acceleration to detonation. This allows the achievement of deflagration to detonation transition without the help of turbulence enhancing obstacles, while keeping the overall size of the detonation tube small. The PDE output can be scaled by: increasing the cross sectional area of the detonation chamber; increasing the number of detonation tubes; and increasing the frequency of operation of the PDE. The replacement of conventional deflagrative internal combustion engines, including gas turbines and reciprocating engines, with pulsed detonation engines for electric power generation, may provide fuel savings and have a lower environmental impact.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to electric power generation. More particularly, the present invention provides a system and method for using hybrid pulsed detonation engines (PDEs) in electric power generation.[0002]It is well accepted that detonation is a much more efficient form of combustion than deflagration. Consequently, PDEs have a very high theoretical efficiency. Due, in part, to their high efficiencies, PDEs are receiving increased interest as a viable propulsion system for supersonic and hypersonic aircraft. The Chapman-Jouget (C-J) detonation process yields higher pressures and temperatures in cycle thermal efficiencies, which exceeds that of conventional jet engines.[0003]In conventional gas turbine engines, a compressor is used to increase the static pressure of the fluid before heat addition within the combustor. The gas turbine engines are modeled on the Brayton engine cycle, which features a constant pressure heat addition. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Another aspect of the present invention compensates for the high temperatures imposed on the turbine rotor and stator from the detonation shock wave induced inside the detonation chamber.

[0013]Another aspect of the present invention compensates for the pressure loading, which is caused by the detonation shock wave, imposed on the turbine rotor and stator.

[0015]Another aspect of the present invention is a modified helical tube detonation chamber, which allows combustion to start as a slow speed deflagration, which is initiated by a low energy spark and then naturally transition to a detonation wave, whilst providing a reduced overall length of the engine, keeping the engine to a small and practical form.

[0016]Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a means for rapid filling of a long detonation tube.

[0017]Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a source of scalable power by multiple means, to include: increasing the area of the detonation tube; increasing the number of detonation tubes; and increasing the frequency of the operation of the engine.

Problems solved by technology

Gas turbines have a drawback in that while the total temperature is increased, the total pressure of the fluid suffers a very small drop and the density of the fluid drops significantly.

It is widely known that the more popular gasoline engines are less efficient than diesel engines.

While PDEs do have advantages over conventional jet engines, they also pose challenges to their use in electric power generation.

For example, when integrating a turbine with a PDE, the turbine blades will be subjected to shock waves, very high pressures and temperatures.

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