Apparatus and method for generating power with a thermoelectric generator, passive burner, and passive heat sink
地域：
IL
IL Des Plaines
摘要
An integrated combustor-thermoelectric generator and method for producing electrical power and/or for operating a pneumatic or electric device. The apparatus includes a burner tube, a tubular heat exchanger extending along and around the burner tube, a plurality of thermoelectric generators disposed along sides of the heat exchanger, and a heat sink on an opposite side of the thermoelectric generators from the burner and heat exchanger. The thermoelectric generators can be paired with an electric valve or a DC air compressor for operating a pneumatic device by directing heated gases from the combustor through the heat exchanger to thermoelectric couples and/or modules for powering the air compressor. The thermoelectric generator and DC compressor can be installed to a natural gas source at a well pad for operating a pneumatic device at the well pad.
說明書
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/213,483, filed on 22 Jun. 2021. The provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and is made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portions which specifically appear hereinafter.
This invention was made with government support under award number DE-FE0029060 awarded by the Depailinent of Energy. The government has certain rights in the invention.
This invention relates to power generation, and more particularly, provides a method and apparatus for generating power and subsequent pneumatic or other action through a thermoelectric generator device.
Gas and oil field operation constitutes one of the more significant sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Methane emissions are a significant issue due to the Greenhouse Gas Intensification factor and the amount of methane that is produced. A major gas leakage source is emissions from natural gas operated pneumatic devices. Approximately 30-35% of all production related emissions in the U.S. come from pneumatic controllers. There are between 500,000 and 600,000 wells that utilize intermittent pneumatic controllers in the U.S. There is thus a continuing need for improved power and air sources for remote well head pneumatic devices.
權(quán)利要求
What is claimed is:1. An apparatus for producing electric power, comprising:a burner, wherein the burner comprises a horizontal burner tube; a tubular heat exchanger extending along and around the burner tube, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to allow air to naturally flow from a bottom to feed a combustion process and includes exchanger holes on a top to vent hot gases, and as the gases are burnt and vented, the heat exchanger absorbs energy to increase temperature; a thermoelectric generator disposed along a side of the heat exchanger; and a heat sink on an opposite side of the thermoelectric generator from the burner. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a pressure of a fuel within the burner tube inducts air into the burner tube to create an inflammable mixture of fuel and air within the burner tube. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the mixture exits the burner tube through a plurality of burner holes extending along sides of the burner tube, where the mixture is combusted within the tubular heat exchanger. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric generator is placed adjacent an external surface of the heat exchanger. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric generator is one of a plurality of thermoelectric generators each sandwiched between the heat exchanger and the heat sink, wherein a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator between the heat exchanger and the heat sink causes the thermoelectric generator to produce an electrical current. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat sink comprises heat pipes and fins, wherein the heat pipes extend along or through a side of the thermoelectric generator opposite the heat exchanger, and each of opposing ends of the heat pipes extend through the fins. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat sink comprises heat pipes that extend along or through a side of the thermoelectric generator opposite the burner. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the heat pipes extend between the thermoelectric generator and a cooling unit. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the cooling unit comprises cooling fins. 10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat sink comprises a heat pipe and a cooling unit, wherein the heat pipe extends along or through a side of the thermoelectric generator opposite the heat exchanger, and each of the opposing ends of the heat pipe extend into the cooling unit. 11. An apparatus for producing electric power, comprising:a burner tube; a tubular heat exchanger extending along and around the burner tube, wherein the heat exchanger includes air intake holes on a first side, is configured to allow air to naturally flow from the intake holes to feed a combustion process, and the heat exchanger includes vent holes on a second side to vent hot gases, and the heat exchanger absorbs energy from the combustion process to increase temperature; a plurality of thermoelectric generators disposed along sides of the heat exchanger; and a heat sink on an opposite side of the thermoelectric generators from the burner and heat exchanger, wherein a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generators between the heat exchanger and the heat sink causes the thermoelectric generators to produce an electrical current. 12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein a pressure of a fuel within the burner tube inducts air to create an inflammable mixture of fuel and air within the burner tube, and the mixture exits the burner tube through a plurality of burner holes, where the mixture is burned and naturally aspirated within the tubular heat exchanger. 13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the thermoelectric generators are disposed along an external surface of a third side of the heat exchanger. 14. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the tubular heat exchanger comprises a square tube, and the thermoelectric generators are disposed along an external surface of a third side and an opposite fourth side of the heat exchanger. 15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the heat sink comprises heat pipes that extend along or through a side of each of the thermoelectric generators opposite the heat exchanger, wherein the heat pipes extend between the thermoelectric generators and a cooling unit, wherein the cooling unit comprises cooling fins. 16. A method of operating a device, the method comprising:providing a fuel to a burner comprising a horizontal burner tube; directing heated gases from the burner to a tubular heat exchanger extending along and around the burner tube, wherein the heat exchanger includes air intake holes on a first side, is configured to allow air to naturally flow from the intake holes to feed a combustion process, and includes vent holes on a second side to vent hot gases, and the heat exchanger absorbs energy from the combustion process to increase temperature; creating a temperature difference across a plurality of thermoelectric generators disposed along sides of the heat exchanger and between the heat exchanger and a heat sink; and powering the device with the thermoelectric generators to operate the device. 17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising storing generated power from the thermoelectric generators in a battery, and powering an air compressor via the battery. 18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the device is a pneumatic device or an electric valve.
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