Vortex engine

An air vortex power plant is a hitherto unrealized theoretical possibility of energy, in which the energy of an artificially generated entangled updraft (chimney effect) is used to generate electricity. It works similar to a solar chimney power plant, with the difference that the intake air is set at the foot through diffusers in twist, creating a giant vortex similar to a stationary dust devil or the " trunk " of a tornado. This air eddy replaced the very high and therefore expensive chimney of the solar chimney power plant.

To generate the updraft different heat sources can be used. As with the solar chimney power plant is the preferred energy source is the solar energy that heats after the greenhouse principle, the air under a huge glass roof. Alternatively, the solar heat could by any other source of warm, moist air, such as waste heat from cooling towers or sea water, to be replaced.

History

The principle of the air vortex power plant was probably designed first scheduling in 1964 by the Frenchman Edgare Nazare and 1982 brought to the patent application.

Independently attacked end of the last century, the Australian Norman Louat and the Canadian Louis Michaud the idea again.

The patent of Michaud sees as the main application for the use in cooling towers of conventional power stations, where 20% of stuck in the exhaust energy to be used by turbines at the base of the tower. The performance of all types of power plants would be in the planned size in the three -digit megawatt range.

Applications

So far, no functioning applications are known. A prototype has been constructed at the University of Utah. Likewise, the University of Western Ontario is concerned with a model.

Criticism

It is not yet clear whether the vortices can be maintained in strong on local wind. Fears that become independent of the air vortex, jump over the building and mutate into a tornado could have been refuted with reference to the possibility of cutting the energy source.

The application in cooling towers of conventional power plants as in the patent Michaud would affect their cooling effect. A proof of the efficiency of such a system does not yet exist.

Swell

• Solar power plant type
• Wind turbine type