o preserve and renew is almost as nobleas to create." This statement by Voltaire(1694-1778) sits at the heart of InfinergyPower's hybrid renewable energy solutionfor power generation.In developing a 60 per cent electrically efficient powerplant, we are helping topreserveour dwindling fossil-fuel reserve. To blend in renewable fuels seamlesslyinto the hybrid system, we utilise homegrownresources and local renewable markets. To createafurther 40+ per cent efficiency in the fuel blend by co-firing an emulsified aqueous stream, with no loss ofpower generation, we are able to fulfill Voltaire'sforward thinking view. Equally, and of no lessimportance, Infinergy Power's electricity generatingsolution answers the questions raised today of bothextracting more electricity from existing plants and theability to simply and at low-cost create new plants. Ithelps to satisfy the expected short- and long-termelectrical growth requirements of the world withoutincreasing greenhouse emissions. It is felt that this willin turn greatly increase the option of providing thepower source for electrical cars and other vehicles.Infinergy Poweruses a combination of three initiativesthat, together, reduce the total reliance on purelycarbon-based fuels to double electrical outputefficiency from the same volume of hydrocarbon used;therefore halving CO2 emissions. Separately:n A highly efficient electricity generating plant,running at 60 per cent electrical efficiency;n A scientific breakthrough in fuel production togive a 40 per cent reduction in hydrocarbon fuelfeedstock, either fossil, renewable or acombination of both;n The ability to use the most cost effective fuel mix,solid, liquid or gas, renewable or fossil in anypercentage, supply dependant;n A vastly more efficient heat transfer cycle;n Predictable and scalable supply of electricity, ondemand;n Low cost of capex per megawatt and simplicity ofdesign.TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTIONThe system comprises of a controller, a multi-fuelprocessor (liquid/solid/gas), a plurality of heat recoveryand heat exchange modules, a piston steam engineand steam pressure generator. The system recoversheat from waste fluids and gases, improves thecombustion of hydrocarbon fuels and improves theheat through the heat exchange. The combustion andflue heat recovery modules consist of a plurality of heatpipes, a steam manifold, a flue gas manifold and awater storage section. The heat pipe carries theevaporable working fluid and a wick for promotingcapillary pressure differences. In this manner, heat isrecovered from the combustion and flue gases throughthe repeated process of evaporating and condensingthe working fluid. The flue gas manifold is separatedfrom the steam manifold by a plate to form a water-tight seal. The heat pipes extend through the plate withone end exposed within the flue gas manifold and theother end exposed in the steam manifold. In use, hotflue gases are passed around one end of the heat pipeof the flue gas manifold, from which heat is extractedand transferred to the water manifold. The heat in thewaste gases is recovered and stored as heated water inthe storage section. In the case whereby the heatrecovery unit is producing steam, the "water storage"section is configured as a pressure vessel and at a pre-set pressure point discharges into one of two pre-sizedsteam accumulators. The design caters for two steamAPIONEERING SOLUTIONTOENHANCEENERGY SUPPLIES054INNOVATION TECHNOLOGYMIKE TAYLOR, MANAGING DIRECTOR, INFINERGY POWER LTDT
INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY055Right: Mike TaylorBelow (top):Testing thediesel hydro-blend on aScania CF85Below (bottom):Steampiston engine utilisingthe pressure generatorgenerators and two accumulators, giving both primeand waste heat steam production. The steam enginegives considerable energy benefit in the negation ofhaving to condense the exhaust steam back to liquidfor re-use, therefore retaining the latent heat value ofcirca 900 btu/lb of water prior to full operational steamre-heat. Fuel can be virtually any hydrocarbon;therefore supply chain is not limited; the cheapestsustainable source can be utilised. The use of 40 percent less fuel and 50 per cent more electricalproduction than current power plants make it greenerand more sustainable, co-firing with any percentage offossil, renewable or waste hydrocarbon source. Thecomplete system delivers a circa 90 percent energyconversion ratio. The system can, therefore, replaceany static gen-set or power plant, using 50 per centless fuel to generate the same amount of electricity.This means that renewable fuels can be used moreefficiently, increasing the balance shift towards a low-carbon economy. As environment engineers and fuelspecialists, we have been driven to provide commercialsolutions to the global energy problem since the Kyotoagreement. We have, through innovation, madegroundbreaking scientific solutions to the areas oflimited supply of renewable fuels (making them workharder, burn leaner) and ultimately the efficientconversion to electricity.GAME-CHANGING BENEFITSIn relation to power generation:n The power plant has 60 per cent electricalefficiency - 50 per cent more than a conventionalpower plant;n Uses 40 per cent less hydrocarbon fuel, inaddition to its increased efficiency;n Has simplicity of design, utilising ease of usetechnology.In relation to fuel:The hydro-blended hydrocarbon gives:n Reduction in CO2 by a minimum of 40 per centusing a fossil fuel;n Further reduction in CO2 as renewablepercentages of the hydro-blend are increased;n Lean burn, as the hydro-blend is oxygenated;n Reduction of soot emissions by 40-60 per cent,fuel dependant.The shortage of electrical power is felt not only in thedeveloped world but also intensely in the developingworld. Equally, the developing world is caughtbetween the twin pressures of minimising harmfulemissions and satisfying their populations growingdemand for power to enable poverty reduction andemployment growth in a low-skill environment. Thesynergistic approach offered by Infinergy Power'ssolution will enable existing coal fired power plants toreduce the quantity of fossil fuels burnt, thus reducingemissions whilst also enabling the construction at alower capex cost per megawatt of new plants. As adirect result of the importance of the technology shiftinitiated by Infinergy Power's methodology, we haveopened discussions with South African partners toparticipate in the construction of a pilot plant to takethe proven emulsified blended fuel componentcapability into a commercialisation process. It isintended that this will then lead to a licensedmanufacturing capability in South Africa, directlyinfluencing energy supplies in the developing world.Infinergy has been short-listed for the 6thInternational Green Awards 2011, in the category of"Best Green Technology". nABOUT THE AUTHORMike Taylor is Managing Director at Infinergy PowerLtd. An entrepreneur in the field of renewable energyand specialist fuel production, Mr Taylor is workingwith emulsion technology and nano-bubbletechnology, developing fuels and processes fortransport and industry. He also owns a nationwidefuel recycling business, Refuels Ltd. Mike Taylor canbe contacted on: email@example.com firstname.lastname@example.orgACKNOWLEDGEMENTThis article has been reviewed by Steve Mongan,Director at Infinergy Power Ltd. Mr Mongan is aninnovator in the applied physics of energythermodynamics and heat transfer. He has developedand patented new boiler heat exchange and steamgeneration systems, with specialistion in renewablefuel applications. Mr Mongan has been presented withinvitations to select committees of The House of Lordsand the United Nations' "Bio-Electricity".