Power generation system driven by heat pump

Abstract

A power generation system driven by heat pump which produces a heat source by heating and a cold source by cooling for the driving of a heat engine to produce mechanical energy to drive a generator generating electrical power. Part of the power generated by the generator is fed back to the heat pump continuously, and the remaining power is provided to end users in need of electrical power. The heat engine of the power generation system can be Stirling engine or a steam turbine, wherein the heat efficiency of the Stirling engine can reach 25%, and the heat efficiency of the steam turbine can reach above 30%. The heat pump used in the power generation system can be a vapor-compression heat pump. Under operating conditions where temperature difference between the generated heat and cold sources is over 25 degree celcius, the coefficient of performance can reach above 7.

1 : A Power generation system driven by a heat pump at least comprising:
 a heat pump for producing a heat source and a cold source;   a heat engine driven by the heat source and the cold source generated by the heat pump; and   a generator coupled with the heat engine for power generation;   wherein, working fluid of the heat engine is heated and cooled by the heat source and the cold source such that the heat engine is powered for generating mechanical energy, and the mechanical energy is converted into electrical power by the generator.   
   
   
       2 : The power generation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat engine is a Stirling heat engine. 
   
   
       3 : The power generation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat engine is a steam turbine. 
   
   
       4 : The power generation system according to  claim 3 , further including a flow controller arranged in a path of the working fluid of the steam turbine from the cold source towards the heat source for preventing the working fluid vaporized by the heat source from flowing reversely towards the cold source. 
   
   
       5 : The power generation system according to  claim 3 , wherein the working fluid used in the steam turbine is selected from ammonias, alkanes, fluids possessing low evaporating temperatures or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       6 : The power generation system according to  claim 5 , further including a flow controller arranged in a path of the working fluid of the steam turbine from the cold source towards the heat source for preventing the working fluid vaporized by the heat source from flowing reversely towards the cold source. 
   
   
       7 : The power generation system according to  claim 1 , wherein heat is exchanged directly between the working fluid of the heat engine and the heat pump. 
   
   
       8 : The power generation system according to  claim 7 , wherein the heat pump is a vapor-compression heat pump. 
   
   
       9 : The power generation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat is exchanged indirectly between the working fluid of the heat engine and the heat pump through a heat transfer device. 
   
   
       10 : The power generation system according to  claim 9 , wherein the heat pump is a vapor-compression heat pump. 
   
   
       11 : The power generation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat pump is initially actuated for operation by start up electric power, which can be chosen from electricity provided by electric power company, fuel batteries, storage batteries, solar energy battery modules, wind power generating modules or combinations thereof, until the generator generates enough electric power for both continuous supply to the heat pump for operation and feed back to the heat pump, then input of start up electric power is stopped or gradually reduced and a remaining electric power of the generator is supplied to end users in need of electric power. 
   
   
       12 : The power generation system according to  claim 11 , wherein the heat pump is a vapor-compression heat pump. 
   
   
       13 : The power generation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat pump is continuously actuated by an auxiliary power, which can be chosen from electricity provided by electric power company, fuel batteries, storage batteries, solar energy battery modules, wind power generating modules or combinations thereof, and the electric power generated by the generator is completely supplied to end users in need of electric power. 
   
   
       14 : The power system according to  claim 13 , wherein the heat pump is a vapor-compression heat pump.