Night and Day -
Sustainable electrical power.
Uses the temperature difference between a cool night and a sunny day with a Williams or Wells Engine to generate electricity.
For a more detailed power point version click here.
For the 5 JPEG files click here.
For a more detailed power point version click here.
For the 5 JPEG files click here.
Basic system operation.
Uses the temperature difference between a cool night and a sunny day with a Williams or Wells Engine to generate electricity.
The system is enhanced by large cheap solar collectors that absorb a high proportion of the suns energy.
Uniqueness
Does not need cooling towers to dispose of low grade heat.
Advantages
Does not need sun tracking collectors.
Closed loop system, therefore does not need to be near a generous water source.
Simple architecture and minimal moving parts.
Williams Engine can be adjust the convection current flow speed by adjusting the heat differential applied to it.
The design lends itself well to small, medium or large power generation.
Highly efficient design as no heat is wasted.
No tall chimneys and hence is not an eyesore.
Can be located in remote desert areas where solar irradiation is maximum and environmental impact is minimised.
Disadvantages
The
relatively low temperature difference used to power the Williams engine
would mean the ring system has to be large meaning that this
system can only be used at permanent sites. Minimum sizes for a efficient system might be 100meters high with 5m diameter pipes for the air to circulate .
The
air flow in the ring needs flow smoothly with minimum turbulence, the
design must be aerodynamic in every respect to maintain the high speed
air flow that is required. The electricity
generating turbines would unavoidably create turbulence, however the
heat exchangers could create significant drag to the air flow. Hence there is a danger that the drag would create a high degree of inefficiency in the whole system.
