Providing the needs of humanity with enough energy is one of the key tasks facing modern science. In connection with the increase in the energy consumption of processes aimed at maintaining the basic conditions for the existence of society, acute problems arise not only in the generation of large amounts of energy, but also in the balanced organization of its distribution systems. And the topic of energy conversion is of key importance in this context. This process determines the coefficient of generation of useful energy potential, as well as the level of costs for servicing technological operations within the framework of the infrastructure used.
Convert technology overview
The need to use different types of energy is associated with differences in processes that require a supply resource. Heat is required forheating, mechanical energy - for power support of the movement of mechanisms, and light - for lighting. Electricity can be called a universal source of energy both in terms of its transformation and in terms of application possibilities in various fields. As the initial energy, natural phenomena are usually used, as well as artificially organized processes that contribute to the generation of the same heat or mechanical force. In each case, a certain type of equipment or a complex technological structure is required, which, in principle, allows for the conversion of energy into the form required for final or intermediate consumption. Moreover, among the tasks of the converter, not only transformation stands out as the transfer of energy from one form to another. Often this process also serves to change some parameters of energy without its transformation.
Transformation as such can be single-stage or multi-stage. In addition, for example, the operation of solar generators on photocrystalline cells is usually considered as the transformation of light energy into electricity. But at the same time, it is also possible to convert the thermal energy that the Sun gives to the soil as a result of heating. Geothermal modules are placed at a certain depth in the ground and, through special conductors, fill the batteries with energy reserves. In a simple conversion scheme, the geothermal system provides the storage of heat energy, which is given to the heating equipment in its pure form with basic preparation. In a complex structure, a heat pump is used in a single groupwith heat condensers and compressors that provide heat and power conversion.
Types of electrical energy conversion
There are different technological methods for extracting primary energy from natural phenomena. But even more opportunities for changing the properties and forms of energy are provided by the accumulated energy resources, since they are stored in a form convenient for transformation. The most common forms of energy conversion include the operations of radiation, heating, mechanical and chemical effects. The most complex systems use molecular decay processes and multi-level chemical reactions that combine multiple transformation steps.
The choice of a specific method of transformation will depend on the conditions of the organization of the process, the type of initial and final energy. Radiant, mechanical, thermal, electrical and chemical energy can be distinguished among the most common types of energy that, in principle, participate in transformation processes. At a minimum, these resources are successfully exploited in industry and households. Separate attention deserves indirect processes of energy conversion, which are derivatives of a particular technological operation. For example, within the framework of metallurgical production, heating and cooling operations are required, as a result of which steam and heat are generated as derivatives, but not target resources. In essence, these are waste products of processing,that are also being used, transformed or used within the same enterprise.
Heat energy conversion
One of the oldest in terms of development and the most important energy sources for maintaining human life, without which it is impossible to imagine the life of modern society. In most cases, heat is converted into electricity, and a simple scheme for such a transformation does not require the connection of intermediate stages. However, in thermal and nuclear power plants, depending on their operating conditions, a preparation stage with the transfer of thermal into mechanical energy can be used, which requires additional costs. Today, direct-acting thermoelectric generators are increasingly being used to convert thermal energy into electricity.
The process of transformation itself takes place in a special substance that is burned, releases heat and subsequently acts as a source of current generation. That is, thermoelectric installations can be considered as sources of electricity with a zero cycle, since their work is started even before the appearance of the base thermal energy. Fuel cells, usually gas mixtures, act as the main resource. They are burned, as a result of which the heat-distributing metal plate is heated. In the process of heat removal through a special generator module with semiconductor materials, energy is converted. Electric current is generated by a radiator unit connected to a transformer or battery. In the first version, the energyimmediately goes to the consumer in finished form, and in the second - accumulates and is given away as needed.
Generation of thermal energy from mechanical energy
Also one of the most common ways to get energy as a result of transformation. Its essence lies in the ability of bodies to give off thermal energy in the process of doing work. In its simplest form, this energy transformation scheme is demonstrated by the example of the friction of two wooden objects, resulting in fire. However, to use this principle with tangible practical benefits, special devices are required.
In households, the transformation of mechanical energy takes place in heating and water supply systems. These are complex technical structures with a magnetic circuit and a laminated core connected to closed electrically conductive circuits. Also inside the working chamber of this design are heating pipes, which are heated under the action of the work done from the drive. The disadvantage of this solution is the need to connect the system to the mains.
Industry uses more powerful liquid-cooled converters. The source of mechanical work is connected to closed water tanks. In the process of movement of the executive bodies (turbines, blades or other structural elements), conditions for vortex formation are created inside the circuit. This happens during moments of sharp braking of the blades. In addition to heating, in this case, the pressure also increases, which facilitates the processeswater circulation.
Conversion of electromechanical energy
Most modern technical units work on the principles of electromechanics. Synchronous and asynchronous electrical machines and generators are used in transport, machine tools, industrial engineering units and other power plants for various purposes. That is, electromechanical types of energy conversion are applicable to both generator and motor operating modes, depending on the current requirements of the drive system.
In a generalized form, any electrical machine can be considered as a system of mutually moving magnetically coupled electrical circuits. Such phenomena also include hysteresis, saturation, higher harmonics and magnetic losses. But in the classical view, they can be attributed to analogues of electric machines only if we are talking about dynamic modes when the system operates within the energy infrastructure.
The electromechanical energy conversion system is based on the principle of two reactions with two-phase and three-phase components, as well as the method of rotating magnetic fields. The rotor and stator of motors perform mechanical work under the influence of a magnetic field. Depending on the direction of movement of charged particles, the mode of operation is set - as a motor or generator.
Generation of electricity from chemical energy
The total chemical energy source is traditional, but its conversion methods are not so commondue to environmental restrictions. By itself, chemical energy in its pure form is practically not used - at least in the form of concentrated reactions. At the same time, natural chemical processes surround a person everywhere in the form of high- or low-energy bonds, which manifest themselves, for example, during combustion with the release of heat. Nevertheless, the conversion of chemical energy is purposefully organized in some industries. Usually, conditions are created for high-tech combustion in plasma generators or gas turbines. A typical reactant of these processes is a fuel cell, which contributes to the production of electrical energy. From the point of view of efficiency, such conversions are not as profitable compared to alternative methods of generating electricity, since part of the useful heat is dissipated even in modern plasma installations.
Conversion of solar radiation energy
As a way to convert energy, the process of processing sunlight in the near future may become the most demanded in the energy sector. This is due to the fact that even today every homeowner can theoretically purchase equipment for converting solar energy into electrical energy. The key feature of this process is that the accumulated sunlight is free of charge. Another thing is that this does not make the process completely cost-free. First, the costs will be required for the maintenance of solar batteries. Secondly, generators of this type themselves are not cheap, so the initial investment inFew people can afford organizing their own mini-energy station.
What is a solar power generator? This is a set of photovoltaic panels that convert the energy of sunlight into electricity. The very principle of this process is in many ways similar to the operation of a transistor. Silicon is used as the main material for the manufacture of solar cells in different versions. For example, a device for converting solar energy can be poly- and single-crystal. The second option is preferable in terms of performance, but is more expensive. In both cases, the photocell is illuminated, during which the electrodes are activated and an electrodynamic force is generated in the process of their movement.
Steam energy conversion
Steam turbines can be used in industry both as a way of transforming energy into an acceptable form, and as an independent generator of electricity or heat from specially directed conventional gas flows. Far from only turbine machines are used as devices for converting electrical energy in combination with steam generators, but their design is optimally suited for organizing this process with high efficiency. The simplest technical solution is a turbine with blades, to which nozzles with supplied steam are connected. As the blades move, the electromagnetic installation inside the apparatus rotates, mechanical work is performed and current is generated.
Some turbine designs havespecial extensions in the form of steps, where the mechanical energy of steam is converted into kinetic energy. This feature of the device is determined not so much by the interests of increasing the efficiency of the generator energy conversion or the need to develop precisely the kinetic potential, but by providing the possibility of flexible regulation of the turbine operation. The expansion in the turbine provides a control function that enables efficient and safe regulation of the amount of generated energy. By the way, the working area of the expansion, which is included in the conversion process, is called the active pressure stage.
Methods of energy transfer
Methods of energy transformation cannot be considered without the concept of its transfer. To date, there are four ways of interaction of bodies in which energy is transferred - electrical, gravitational, nuclear and weak. Transfer in this context can also be considered as a method of exchange, therefore, in principle, the performance of work in the transfer of energy and the function of heat transfer are separated. What transformations of energy involve doing work? A typical example is a mechanical force, in which macroscopic bodies or individual particles of bodies move in space. In addition to mechanical force, magnetic and electrical work are also distinguished. A key unifying feature for almost all types of work is the ability to fully quantify one another. That is, electricity is transformed intomechanical energy, mechanical work into magnetic potential, etc. Heat transfer is also a common way to transfer energy. It can be non-directional or chaotic, but in any case, there is a movement of microscopic particles. The number of activated particles will determine the amount of heat - useful heat.
Conclusion
The transition of energy from one form to another is normal, and in some industries a prerequisite for the production energy process. In different cases, the need to include this stage can be explained by economic, technological, environmental and other factors of resource generation. At the same time, despite the variety of natural and artificially organized ways of energy transformation, the vast majority of installations that provide transformation processes are used only for electricity, heat and mechanical work. Means for converting electrical energy are the most common. Electric machines that provide the transformation of mechanical work into electricity according to the principle of induction, for example, are used in almost all areas where complex technical devices, assemblies and devices are involved. And this trend is not decreasing, since humanity needs a constant increase in energy production, which forces us to look for new sources of primary energy. At the moment, the most promising areas in the energy sector are considered to be generation systems of the sameelectricity from mechanical energy produced by the Sun, wind and water flows in nature.
