SUMMARY
Our team is conducting research on a possible use of vortex tubes for energy extraction from wasted heat produced by computer data centres.
This research is critical for understanding similarity of vortex tubes and artificial tornadoes.
We are seeking grant funds to support our study.
Our need for this research
arose from the series of our field tests in which we aimed
to confirm waste heat energy extraction using our patented
uWIN device[5]. Research of extracting energy from waste
heat, vortex tubes phenomena and tornadoes seems to be a
natural continuation to our uWIN testing.
Narative
Globally, up to 60% of energy in form of low
grade heat is wasted. Where is it going? To atmosphere,
contributing to climate change.
Our project is working on recovering some of this wasted energy without the use of refrigerant type heat pumps.
Using the concept of uWIN invention and data
obtained from the uWIN model testing carried out to date,
start reviewing Manzanare project in Spain.
Project roadmap
1. Replace solar greenhouse at the bottom of the updraft tower with low grade wasted heat.
2. Tower concept to be retained, but the tower will be flexible pipe hoisted by a balloon
3. Introduce wind generating vacuum on top of the tower by utilizing the uWIN device
4. Create tornado vortex to extract more energy from the air.
5. Large scale tornadoes are difficult to
create and to control. Therefore, explore using compact
tornado device, called vortex (Hilsch)tube.
Focus of the uWinGreen [note] project
Incorporate Vortex tube to uWIN in conjunction
with source of low grade heat.
Converting
low
grade heat to cooling air
Data centres consume about 3 to 4% of electricity produced in North America. The number is similar for Europe.
Electricity is powering thousands of microprocessors in data centres. All this electronics require massive cooling systems, which also need electricity.
The electric energy provided to data centres is eventually exhausted to atmosphere in the form of low grade heat. [1]
The warm exhaust from data centres can be captured and fed to uWIN
uWIN is based on Solar updraft tower [Fig2], modified as per Canadian patent[5]:
Improvements and add ons
replace solid tower with flexible lightweight pipe, hoisted by balloon [5].
add vacuum venturi device on top of the tower to increased air flow
explore inserting vortex tube to convert warm to cool air stream [Fig3]
Fig2. Solar
Updraft
Tower Pilot Plant Manzanares, Spain
Fig 3. Energy removal from low grade heat – block diagram
Here is what we propose to do in our research project
research advances in vortex tube design
establish boundary conditions for operation of large scale vortex tubes
Vortex
tube is a
device used in various industrial applications to provide
heating and cooling simultaneously without requiring any moving
parts or chemicals. Also known as the Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube,
it operates on the principle of compressed air expansion and
vortex generation to separate air into hot and cold streams.
Fig4. Vortex tube separates air stream to produce cold air
In a vortex tube compressed air expands into a helical motion,
creating a vortex. The air is injected tangentially into a
cylindrical tube, The air accelerates into a high-speed spinning
motion along the inner walls of the tube. This spinning column
of air flows toward the end of the tube, where it reaches a
valve that controls the volume of escaping air.
The spinning air separates into two parts. The inner part of the air loses heat and exits through one end of tube as a cold air, while the outer part of the spinning air gains heat and is expelled through the opposite end as hot air. The separation and extreme temperature differences are achieved purely by energy taken from the compressed air.
Vortex tubes are valued for their simplicity, reliability, and the absence of moving parts, which minimizes maintenance. They operate without electricity (assuming compressed air is available), making them ideal for hazardous or remote environments.
The efficiency of a vortex tube is notably lower than traditional heating or cooling devices. They are also dependent on a supply of high-pressure air, which can be a limitation in setups where compressed air is not readily available.
Scaling up vortex tube: Swirling flow in a cyclone
Research teams throughout the world are working to recreate sustained small tornadoes [3]
in order to harness large amounts of energy released by rotating air.
Recreating small scale tornadoes in controlled environment is difficult. There is one demonstration, which was done incidentally for smoke evacuation in Mercedes Benz complex. [4]. In this installation the vortex is created and maintained by fan on the top of the building.
Our project will explore creation of artificial tornado in vortex (Ranque-Hilsch) tube with the help of venturi vacuum device powered by wind energy. See Fig4 above.
Figures
1 Google Alphabet data centre
2 Solar Updraft Tower Pilot Plant Manzanares
3 Energy removal from low grade heat source – block diagram
4 Vortex tube converts air stream to cold air
References
[2] Design guidelines for the vortex tube. Rutika Godbole , P.A. Ramakrishna October 2020
[3] Tornado Power: Breakout Labs Funds Research Into Energy-Generating Vortex. IEEE Spectrum, Louis Michaud, Dec 2012.
[4] Mercedes-Benz Museum artificial vortex video https://youtu.be/DvK8D0VNumQ?t=90
[5] Canadian
Patent 2,808,001
Karl Heimlich
(blukar@rogers.com),
George
Mlynsky(george.mlynsky@gmail.com)