Velocity, Acceleration & Motion
The
Recovery 2.0
process and related energy harvesting activities rely upon a few fundamental and technical issues,
some of those are tied directly to Velocity, Acceleration & Motion.
The physical processes involved in the recovery of strategic resources from mixed
waste streams
are diverse and at times challenge the limits of current material science and technology know how.
Gaining a basic understanding of
Velocity,
Acceleration
and
Motion
may assist in grasping the overall concepts of some of the approaches used to achieve the materials and
energy
recovery.
Velocity
Velocity is typically regarded as speed and direction measured in meters/second.
The speed or frequency of mass in motion largely determines the quantity of energy available to be harvested.
This becomes an important factor when attempting to frame an understanding of the
size
and
scope
of the energy required to process the waste materials and what energy is available to be recovered in a
harvesting
effort.
The Recovery 2.0 system uses a
Multi-Stage approach
in its Energy Management and recovery Strategy.
Acceleration
Acceleration is a measurement of the rate of change in
Velocity
of an object with respect to time.
This is typically measured in units of Metre per second squared (m/sē).
With the force of
gravity
an object accelerates for each second it falls,
within the recovery 2.0 system we loose most of the potential amplification of a large mass falling over a great distance
since we rely on
Short Cycle
regeneration.
Due to the short distance, low height or limited head the Short Cycle Regeneration process is restricted to a fixed energy
in each complete cycle.
Energy in Motion
There is Energy contained in the Motion of a object or mass that is commonly referred to as a force.
A Force is defined as a push or a pull upon an object that creates motion and
motion is defined as a change in position of an object.
This is typically measured in units referred to as
Newton
Motion may be induced by
Gravity
or by
Buoyancy
Forces or invoked with
Pressure
Within the Recovery 2.0 system the opportunity exists for the creation or harvesting of
Linear Motion,
Rotary Motion
or
Vibrational Motion.
Linear Motion
Linear Motion,
Linear Actuator,
Pneumatic Power,
Hydraulic Power,
Linear Induction Generators
Translational Motion, Force Velocity F=MA
Rectilinear Motion,
Fluid Displacement
Conversion of Motion
Working Fluids
under
Pressure
are used to convert pressure into motion.
+ + + + + +
The direct Electricity generation from harvesting a temperature gradient differential
with the use of solid state Thermo Electric Generators (TEG).
This approach may be ideal for micro or small
scale
energy recovery.
Rotary Motion
The most common interpretation of the benefit of Rotary Motion, is the rotation around a central axle to turn
turbines, turbo machinery or pumps.
High
Velocity,
High
Torque
central axis rotation is the basis of the most desirable and common use of
Rotary Motion energy extraction.
Lower torque or lower speed applications may use hub rotation with energy generation at the rim in an attempt to
amplify the harvesting potential.
One common
pathway
to generate
Electricity
from rotary motion is by the
Electromagnetic Induction
method.
Another alternative to directly producing electricity is the conversion of rotary motion into
Pumped Energy Storage
by using an interim stage of a Hydro/Water cycle or with the utilization of a compressed air method.
Inertia
An extrapolation of Newton's statement that an object at rest will remain at rest
and an object in motion will remain in motion, we attempt to gain an understanding of a change in inertia.
Activation Energy
A starter motor is one method of creating kinetic motion from a cold stop of an object or a mass at rest.
Spark plugs are a one popular method to provide the ignition energy with in an engine,
and chemical reactions require the input of some sort of activation energy.
A counterweight offset may provide an over center push that may be used to maintain motion and overcome stall speed.
Inertia may be provided by
Flywheel
Energy.
Torque
If we define Torque as the angular velocity in relation to rotational motion,
in regard to energy harvesting we are most concerned with the need to be aware of the load pushing capacity
in relationship to stall speed.
The challenge of different combinations of Torque and Speed (velocity) each may require a unique approach
or a custom harvesting mechanism to extract energy.
Some combinations of Torque and Speed may better be suited for the harvesting of specific types of energy outputs,
for example generating electricity versus powering mechanical pumping motion.
Hi-Speed & Hi-Torque
The ideal scenario to generate electricity has historically been High Speed and High Torque sources of rotary motion
to drive some arrangement of magnets through a coil (Electromagnetic Induction).
Common examples of this are high temperature/high pressure steam turbines and large horizontal wind turbines.
Low-Speed & Hi-Torque
Hydraulic motors are typically used in high torque, low speed applications where load pushing capacity is the priority.
The pumping of liquids, compression or high pressure pumps are common uses of Hydraulic pumps.
Some shredders in the recycling industry take advantage of high torque, low speed machinery.
Hi-Speed & Low-Torque
Pneumatic actuators are typically considered as a high speed, low torque application.
One of the historic weaknesses of hot air or
Stirling engines
has been the lack of torque
when attempting to generate a meaningful amount of electricity with Electromagnetic Induction.
By configuring a low torque
Electrostatic Generator
in a Stirling cycle you may be able to improve the ability to generate electricity.
Low-Speed & Low-Torque
The abundance of Low Speed sources of motion need to be explored to establish the viability of their energy harvesting potential.
Sound/Pressure & Vibration may be better suited to a
Piezoelectric
Harvesting device.
Conversion of Motion
The Conversion of Linear Motion into
Rotary Motion
or the The Conversion of Rotary Motion into
Linear Motion,
is commonly achieved with the aid of Cams, crankshafts and gears.
The combination of
Speed
and
Torque
creates a challange in designing the proper energy harvesting system.
The type of energy output desired may also impact the choice of harvesting mechanism,
for example if you wish to generate
electricity
versus extracting mechanical
pumping
motion.
Vibrational Motion
In addition to traditional
Linear
and
Rotational Motion,
the field of harvesting Vibrational Motion offers an exciting opportunity.
Vibration energy
harvesting
has commonly been associated with IOT or The Internet of Things and
Small scale energy levels to power sensors and switches
In the Recovery 2.0 system we attempt to absorb the sound and vibration waves to calm or neutralize
the impact from operational motions.
Any amount of energy harvested from these efforts are purely a bonus.
Energy = Amplitude of Motion
Periodic motion like that of a pendulum oscillating or from a spring vibration is a harvestable form of energy.
Tuning a harvesting mechanism for either a broad range frequency or a fine tuned harmonic resistance
may maximize the amount of energy that may actually be harvested depending upon
the source and its regularity and intensity of the vibration.
Valves & Pumps
The development of a strategic network of valves and pumps can create a circulatory system that may act as the heartbeat of a
power harvesting pipeline loop.
A series of automated and manual pumps and control vales may be used to direct the stream of working fluids
and to manipulate the pressure, temperature and velocity flow as desired.
The collection of even small qualities of energy, provided that energy may be stored and not lost,
may utilize a Value and Pump circuit system for the accumulation and conversion of this energy into meaningful power.
The ability to organize sporadic bits of
perishable
energy into a harvestable circuit and
develop that circuit into a repetitive cycle is a largely untapped potential.
The accumulation of what at first may seem to be insignificant bits of energy,
consolidated or converted into meaningful quantities of dispatchable power is an understated value
especially if that source of energy is passive or low maintenance.
Energy Storage
- Battery Banks
- Thermal Energy Storage
- Compressed Air Storage
- Exothermic Element Storage
Short Cycle Regeneration
- Hydro Energy
- Wind Energy
- Gravity Energy
- Gradient Energy
Energy Sources
- Solar
- Electricity
- Waste Heat
- Optional Sidestreams
Understanding Energy & Recovery
- Energy as a Commodity
- Recovered Energy
