How the GreenBox™ works...
Introduction
The nGeni™ Technology solves the three main obstacles that for over 20 years have been impeding all Energy Transition efforts globally. It enables achieving: (1) costs lower than those of fossil or nuclear based technologies and of most other competing “green” technologies, (2) ability to deploy very large scale, intelligent energy and communications networks with very high node densities and high bandwidth, and (3) very high Energy Returns on Energy Investments (EROIs), substantially above 30:1.
The nGeni’s GreenBox™ is based upon the Brayton-Ericsson cycle whose principles are used every day in jet engines or gas turbines.
Gas turbines are manufactured in a wide range of sizes. However, their efficiencies drop markedly for small size applications (typically between 20% to 28% for units in the order of 30kW and down to only 5% efficiency at 3kW sizes). Instead, SynGeni™ is using an ingenious positive displacement generator system that enables very high efficiencies at very small unit sizes, which it combines with a number of other complementary technologies capable of handling very high temperatures. The proof of concept was successfully accomplished over 50 years ago and then forgotten. SynGeni™ is reviving this, adding new IP and integrating advanced technological components to achieve high ROIs.
On the basis of simulations, we expect to achieve shaft and electrical efficiency over 55% in the main applications, with overall energy efficiencies (heat and power) able to reach 90% in a wide range of applications.
Generate energy flows at the point of use
In order to minimize energy waste and costs, it is necessary to supply each type of energy an end-user requires directly at the point-of-use (instead of in large, centralized utilities that result in over 80% energy waste in overall energy networks).
Cascade energy flows to achieve high efficiency
The key to achieve high EROIs and energy efficiency is to begin with as low entropy as possible (high temperature) in and cascade extraction of the various energy forms required by end-users through series of point-of-use energy conversions where the “waste” flows from one process are inputs to the next ones.
The larger temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the cycle, the greater the efficiency is. In our physical world we can only expect to reach the typical engineering limit of 75% Carnot (which defines the ideal state). In practice, as shown in the diagram on the left, to increase efficiency one can increase the temperature on the hot side. This is why the nGeni™ makes use of the Air Brayton and Ericsson cycles - for they represent the highest efficiency potential.
In a basic Brayton cycle engine, ambient air is compressed, heated, and then expanded through a turbine or positive displacement. The turbine expansion reduces the temperature and pressure of the air and produces shaft power. The power from the turbine drives the compressor, and the power left over drives a generator which converts that power into electricity. The air exiting the turbine is exhausted to the atmosphere, and the only cooling required is for certain parts of the expander.
Conclusion
GreenBoxes™ are being designed to supply very high efficiency power as standalone units or in a distributed generation configuration to end-users, from homes (3 kW -10 kW) to large industrial sites (multiple MWs).
Their main design attributes are as follows:
•Provide power @ lower cost than nuclear or fossil fuels
•Supplies all the energy flows required by end-users (electricity, heating, cooling, motive power)
•Fuel agnostic (gas, biomass, solar)
•Built with proven technologies
•Low capital investment cost
•Easy to install, operate, maintain and upgrade @ low costs
•Green – No GHG on solar/ no water, or air pollution
