THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION TO ELECTRICITY

摘要

A system or methodology for converting thermal energy obtained from solar thermal, photovoltaic, geothermal or industrial waste heat into electrical power is disclosed. The energy efficient way of transferring two steams of liquid solutions containing different concentrations of ionic species is disclosed. The combination of thermal gradient in addition to concentration gradient to improve efficiency, reduce or avoid fouling is disclosed. This invention describes a method of efficient ion migration from concentrated stream to dilute stream thereby improving DC power generation process. The utilization of solar thermal energy from solar collector or concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) generator system or solar thermal power generation (CSP) system provides the additional driving force for ions transport from concentrated stream to dilute stream, apart from the concentration grading to generating power. The thermal power is also used to bring back the diluted steam to original concentration in the reverse Electro dialysis system. The utilization of CPV process heat or solar or waste heat for bringing back the dilute stream into the concentrated stream for next operation of ions gradient power generation is also disclosed in this invention.