SBIR Phase I: UpDraft Tower Technology for Geothermal Power Generation and Rankine Cogeneration

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是技术的开发，使大量可用的地热干岩能源成为可靠的可再生能源。这项技术在经济上是可行的，并为利用零排放热电厂的冷却回路余热提供了一种可选的零排放热电联产配置。热电联产应用的额外好处、更广泛的影响和市场机遇将提高发电效率和发电能力。净零排放功率的增加也将在公用事业规模上实现。这项技术将用热电联产取代全球热电厂的标志性辅助冷却塔，从而减少发电厂湿冷过程中的用水量。这项研究的一些更大和更长期的社会影响包括：由于可靠的地热可再生能源发电和更清洁的环境，电网更稳定，特别是对居住在传统发电厂和工业基础设施附近的人口来说。全球技术许可应用包括：电网柔性和弹性、海水淡化/过滤、绿色氢气生产和国家安全。这个SBIR第一阶段项目寻求开发软件，使用计算、测量、观测和计算机模型，基于合理的理论来找到运营边界，验证关键性能指标，并优化功能参数，以实现更高效的发电。这项研究包括对决定最高运营效率的关键技术、功能和要素的检查。这项研究的目标是建立分析计算机模型，专门研究：1)给定一组压差的进气速度，2)进气阻抗，3)由热交换活动产生的热/压力梯度，4)由热交换器产生的气流阻抗，以及5)给定理想进气、热交换配置和设计时的预期排气流量。预期结果将提供可量化和可测量的数据表，包括系统规模、能源输入要求以及机械和有机进口气流，重点是数据分析的建模和确定特定的能源输入和电力输出。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the development of technology that unlocks the use of abundantly available geothermal hot dry rock energy for reliable renewable energy. This technology will be economically feasible and provide an optional zero emission cogeneration configuration for harnessing cooling loop waste heat from zero emissions thermal electric power plants. The additional benefits, broader impacts, and market opportunity for cogeneration applications create an increase in power generation efficiency and capacity. Increases in net zero emissions power will also be available at utility scale. This technology will reduce water use during wet cooling in power plants by replacing the iconic supplemental cooling towers for thermal electric power plants worldwide with cogeneration. Some larger and long-term societal impacts of this research include: a more stable power grid due to reliable geothermal renewable energy generation and a cleaner environment especially for populations living close to traditional power plants and industrial infrastructure. Global technology licensing applications include: grid flexing and resiliency, water desalination/filtration, green hydrogen production, and national security.This SBIR Phase I project seeks to develop software that uses computation, measurement, observations, and computer models, based on sound theory to find operational boundaries, validate key performance metrics, and optimize functional parameters for more efficient power production. This research includes the examination of critical technology functions and elements that determine peak operational efficiencies. The goal of this research will be to produce analytical computer models to look specifically at: 1) air intake velocity for a given set of pressure differentials, 2) air intake impedance, 3) thermal/pressure gradients generated by heat exchange activity, 4) air flow impedance generated by heat exchangers, and 5) expected exhaust air flow given idealized intake, heat exchange configurations, and designs. Anticipated results will provide quantifiable and measurable data tables including system sizing, energy input requirements, and mechanical and organic inlet air flow with emphasis on modeling of data analysis and determining specific energy inputs and power outputs.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.