DESC:Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a highly reliable remote power energy source specifically designed for Oil and Gas sector. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thermoelectric module static generator capable of working in a wide range of temperatures in ambient temperatures from -40deg to +70oC.

Background of the invention
Operation of a thermoelectric power generating product is based on a phenomenon of direct conversion of heat flow into electromotive force. Said phenomenon was discovered in 1821 by Thomas Seebeck. The basic element of thermoelectric devices is a thermocouple. The temperature gradient across the junctions of dissimilar conductors (or semiconductors) leads to the generation of the electromotive force. The electric current flows through the circuit formed by the connection of the thermocouple to an external electric load.

The Global Gentherm Canada Based Thermoelectric Generator is the only manufacturer that complies with the oil and gas hazardous area classification with required Voltage and Wattage. The requirements comprises of Certified Class 1, Division II, T3, Zone 0. The conventional system in India is based on Solar Power system on Offshore Unmanned Platforms, Remote Oil Wells, Cathodic Protection of Pipelines etc.

The thermoelectric generators as available in the market are designed only for cold countries. Said thermoelectric generators work on filter called GCS (Gas Conditioning System) that consists of two stages coalesce filter thereby making said product less efficient; bulky in size; heavy in weight; and difficult to maintain. The efficiency of the thermoelectric generator is 4% and is quite expensive. The conventional systems that are available in India are based on Solar Power system on Offshore Unmanned Platforms, Remote Oil Wells, Cathodic Protection of Pipelines etc. and possess problems like heavy steel structures for Solar PV modules; huge lead acid batteries (harmful for environment) and heavy long cables with heavy annual maintenance.

Objective of the Invention
The objective of the present invention is to design a thermoelectric module capable of working in a wide range of temperatures and humid environment and in warmer countries like India.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to design a thermoelectric module that is easy to maintain; small in size; portable in nature; highly efficient and reasonable for the users.
The instant invention achieves the objective by designing a power generating source that does not require a moving part; a battery; and a steel structure and also capable of generating as much power as can be drawn.

Summary of the Invention
The present invention relates to a highly reliable remote power energy source specifically designed for Oil and Gas sector. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thermoelectric module static generator capable of working in a wide range of temperatures in ambient temperatures from -40deg to +70oC.

The thermocouple works on the phenomenon of Seebeck effect also known as Seebeck phenomenon that is defined as direct conversion of heat into electricity at a junction of different types of wire. The thermocouple comprises of two thermoelectric elements known as pellets. Said thermoelectric elements are made of semiconductor materials with p-type and n-type electric conductivity. The electric conductivity of said material is measured relatively by value of Pb – zero and said p-type and n-type materials possess positive and negative value respectively while referring to zero material. Such a combination of n- type and p-type material in the thermocouple provides maximum TEMPF value.

A thermoelectric module comprises of thermocouples electrically connected in series and sandwiched between two Alumina (ceramic) plates. Said thermocouples may be connected in a parallel circuit for the purpose of thermal flow. The number of thermocouples in a thermoelectric module may vary greatly ranging from several elements to hundreds of said thermocouples. The direct flow of heat (Qh) to the hot side of Thermoelectric Generating Module (TGM) and dissipation of heat flow (Qc) from the cold side of said Thermoelectric Generating Module is necessary for providing temperature difference between the TGM sides.

The electric power available at the load is proportional to the squared difference of temperatures and may be defined by the following equation:

?T: P = Qh – Qc = I2* RL ~ ?T2
where,
?T = Difference in temperature;
P = Power;
Qh= Heat flow from hot side of TGM;
Qc = Heat dissipated from cold side of TGM;
I = Electric current;
RL = Load resistance.

The medium temperature range generating modules produces electric power ranging from 35 Watts to 65 Watts under the temperature difference 385 ÷ 500°C. The thermoelectric generating modules works with a heat source providing temperature ranging upto 570°C. Such modules are capable of generating electricity without the employment of any moving part and using the Blue Flame Combustion method that is the cleanest possible combustion method.

The maintenance of temperature difference between the TGM sides, the heat flow from hot side of TGM to the cold side of TGM is required. If Qh defines the incoming heat energy from the hot side of the TGM side and Qc is the thermal energy dissipated from the cold side of the TGM, then according to the law of conservation of energy the electrical power available at the load may be determined from the following equitation:

P = Qh – Qc = ??2??

According to the above mentioned equitation, it is obvious that the generated power is proportional to the squared difference of temperatures (?T). If the value of load resistance (RL) is equal to the value of internal resistance of the TGM, then the value of Power (P) generated would be maximum.

The thermoelectric module static generator DC is:
1. Power for Cathodic Protection of pipelines and well casings
2. Power for remote Control and monitoring
3. Power for Motor operated valves, chemical dosing system
4. Power for Navigational aids, telecommunication systems
5. Power for Space Shuttles and Mars rover mission
6. Power for Ships, Cruise.
7. Power for Electric Vehicles, electric trains and Charging stations
8. Power using radio Isotope TMSG-DC
9. Power for Solar Thermal storage/batteries

Detailed Description of the Invention
The present invention relates to a remote power energy source specifically designed for Oil and Gas sector. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thermoelectric module static generator capable of working in a wide range of temperatures in ambient temperatures up to 70oC.

The technical characteristics of said TMSG are as follows:

S. No. CHARACTERISTIC VALUE
1. Nominal voltage, V Vteg=27.0?0.5
2. Nominal electric power, W, min 200
3. Fuel grade** Natural gas, IEC XXXX; liquefied petroleum gas, IEC XXXX;
4. Electrical insulation resistance in normal climatic
conditions, at test voltage 100 V, MOhm, min 1
5. Heat absorber temperature in nominal mode, ?? 500
6. Nominal TMSG-200 inlet gas pressure, kgf/cm2 0.50 (LPG)
7. Maximum TMSG-200 inlet gas pressure,kgf/cm2 1.0 (LPG)
8. Fuel consumption, m3/h, max 0.7
9. Service life, years, min 25*
10. Continuous run time, h, min 8760
11. Time to nominal stabilized mode under NCC, mts, ma 25min
12. Outside dimensions, mm, max:
- width
- diameter
- height
765
610
3250
13. Weight, kg, max 210
14. Gas supply connector 1/2”, female thread

Notes: *Service life is specified including storage time.
**Fuel grade is a factory preset according to specifications from the customer.

According to the instant invention, the TMSG-200 comprises of interconnected functional parts (units, systems) mounted on a base frame including the following: a thermoelectric generation unit, a gas unit, an electric cabinet, protection and control device, a high voltage source and a battery.

According to a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the said thermoelectric generation unit includes, but not limited to, radiating unit – 1 pc.;heat absorber – 1 pc.;encapsulated thermoelectric modules (hereinafter – TEM) – 6 pcs;heat sinks – 6 pcs; and spring clamping system.

According to another preferred embodiment of the instant invention, said gas unit comprises of the following devices, but not limited to, gas burner unit with air shutter,flame sensor, wool insulation and spark plug;gas ball valve;gas filter;pressure sensor;safety gas valve; and regulating gas valve.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the electric cabinet includes, but not limited to, TMSG- control unit; and voltage limiter.

According to a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the protection and control device includes, but not limited to, thermocouple; and pressure sensor.

According to the instant invention, the TMSG-DC-200 operation is based on principle of direct thermoelectric conversion. TMSG-DC-200 operation requires maintenance of TEM (10) temperature difference, which provides generation of direct current. Heat, necessary to warm up TEM (10) hot junctions, is emitted upon gas combustion in the TMSG-200 gas burner unit, supplied with gas mixture, ignited by high-voltage source (16). Gas is supplied from external gas pipeline. Heat from cold junctions is removed by radiators. Amount of gas, supplied to the gas burner unit is adjusted by change of gas pressure, using a reducing gear of the gas supply system, while the amount of induced air is adjusted by rotation of the slide valve in the gas burner unit. Slide valve position is adjusted at the TMSG-200 manufacturer’s.

Brief Description of Drawings
Figure 1 illustrates the appearance and design of TMSG-200.
Figure 2 illustrates the electric cabinet of TMSG-200.
Figure 3 illustrates the appearance of control unit and control panel.
Figure 4 illustrates the electric circuit of TMSG-DC-200 devices connection to CU.

Detailed Description of Drawings

The figures illustrate the design and different components of the instant invention. According to Figure 1 of the present invention, the components of TMSG-200 includes base frame (1); support frame (2); heat sinks (3); base frame structural support rings (4); exhaust pipe (5); electric cabinet (6); burner arrangement (7); radiating unit (8); heat absorber (9); TEM (10); flat springs (11); pressure sensor (12); safety valve (13); regulating valve (14); battery (15); high- voltage source (16); gas ball valve (17); gas filter (18); holes to fix TMSG-200 to steel base (19).
Heat absorber (9) is a central unit of the structure, TEM (10) is connected thereto. SixTEMs (10) are installed between planes of the heat absorber (9) and cooling system TEM radiators by means of clamping system.Clamping system includes structural support rings (4) with flat springs (11). Required clamping pressure is attained, using bolts, by compression of flat springs (11). The clamping pressure is required to be constant throughout the operation of the TMSG-200. Heat from TEM (10) cold junctions is removed into the ambient environment through radiators. The thermocouple, mounted on the heat absorber (9) serves to measure temperature thereof. Volume of gas, supplied to the burner arrangement (7) is adjusted automatically, based on signals from the thermocouple, coming to Control Unit.
There is a gas burner unit with a gas main connector at the bottom of the heat absorber (9). Gas-air mixture burns inside a perforated radiator inside the heat absorber (9). Air- gas mixture is ignited by spark discharge from spark plug in the gas burner unit.The spark plug is energized by high-voltage source (16) placed on the base frame (1). Top part of the heat absorber (9) is connected to the neck and the junction pipe, which should also be connected to the exhaust system.
Figure 2 of the instant invention depicts the electric cabinet of the TMSG-200. Said electric cabinet comprises of control unit, wherein said control unit performs start function of TMSG-DC-200, control of generation and monitoring of TMSG-DC-200 operating parameters. Results of said monitoring are displayed by LED lights, placed on the control panel, and are transmitted by RS-485 interface to SCPS control unit. The voltage limiter limits generated voltage, providing TMSG-DC-200 output voltage in the range of Voltage=(27.0?0.5) V. Output voltage is imposed to output terminals to apply the load to TMSG-DC and is used to energize control unit, sensors, valves and other devices, comprising TMSG-DC-200.
According to Figure 3 of the instant invention, the control unit (CU) initiates the start of TMSG-200, control thermoelectric generation processes. CU monitors operating parameters with a flame sensor and a thermocouple. When monitored parameters go beyond the set values, CU generates the alarm signal, de-energizes the safety valve, thus stopping gas supply to the burner unit.
Figure 4 illustrates the connection of the electric circuit of TMSG-DC-200 devices connection to CU whereas figure 5 illustrates the layout of terminals at control unit as VL1- voltage limiter; TEM1–TEM6 – thermoelectric modules;IVN-24- high-voltage source; FS1- flame sensor; PS – pressure sensor; V1- safety gas valve; V2 – control gas valve; ??1 – thermocouple.
,CLAIMS:I Claim:
1. A power generating source, said source comprising of:
i. base frame (1);
ii. support frame (2);
iii. heat sinks (3);
iv. base frame structural support rings (4);
v. exhaust pipe (5);
vi. electric cabinet (6);
vii. burner arrangement (7);
viii. radiating unit (8);
ix. heat absorber (9);
x. TEM (10);
xi. flat springs (11);
xii. pressure sensor (12);
xiii. safety valve (13);
xiv. regulating valve (14);
xv. battery (15);
xvi. high- voltage source (16);
xvii. gas ball valve (17);
xviii. gas filter (18); and
xix. holes to fix TMSG-200 to steel base (19);
characterized in that said power generating source does not require a moving part; and a steel structure and also capable of generating as much power as can be drawn.

2. The power generating source as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said thermoelectric generation unit comprises of:
i. radiating unit;
ii. heat absorber;
iii. encapsulated thermoelectric modules;
iv. heat sinks; and
v. spring clamping system.

3. The power generation source as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, wherein the clamping system is the connecting link between the heat absorber (9) and the thermoelectric module.

4. The power generation source as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, wherein the required clamping pressure is attained through compression of flat springs wherein said compression is performed by bolts.

5. The power generating source as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said gas unit comprises of:
i. gas burner unit with air shutter,
ii. flame sensor,
iii. wool insulation and spark plug;
iv. gas ball valve;
v. gas filter;
vi. pressure sensor;
vii. safety gas valve; and
viii. regulating gas valve

6. The power generating source as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the electric cabinet comprises of:
i. TMSG- control unit; and
ii. voltage limiter.

7. The power generation source as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the protection and control device comprises of:
i. thermocouple; and
ii. pressure sensor.

8. The method of operation of the power generation source as claimed in Claim 1, said method comprising the steps of:
i. maintaining the temperature difference of the thermoelectric module;
ii. generation of direct current;
iii. emission of heat through gas combustion;
iv. removal of heat from cold junctions;
v. adjustment of the amount of the gas supplied.

9. The method of operation of power generation source as claimed in Claim 8, the heat from the cold junctions is removed through radiators.

10. The method of operation of power generation source as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the amount of the gas supplied is adjusted automatically based on the signals received by the control unit.