Wave/blowhole electrical power generating plant
This electrical power generating system is applicable in any location where wave action in blowhole shafts can be constructed in the protection of the geological formation. This system by using high efficiency manmade blowholes is capable of producing large quantities of compressed air. These blowholes are excavated into the natural geological formation by the application of conventional excavation, soil stabilization or construction tunneling methods. Waves entering these blowhole shafts generate a wave piston that compresses trapped air in the excavated blowhole shaft. The compressed air generated in these manmade blowholes is then utilized to drive air-driven motors, water pumps and turbines for running electrical generators. The air processing equipment, high pressure piping, valves, and related instrumentation are made up of standard industrial hardware. Surplus compressed air can also be utilized to run second stage air equipment.
1. A system for converting water wave energy into the production of compressed air, the system comprising a manmade blowhole constructed inside the protection of a natural geological formation, wherein
the manmade blowhole is a long tapering shaft in which large waves can enter at an opening in said natural geological formation, said waves race up said shaft as a water piston,
said large waves rise and fall in the said tapered shaft with the cycle of each consecutive wave,
the air trapped in front of said water piston is compressed as said water piston moves deeper into said tapering shaft,
said compressed air is allowed to vent off through an emergency relief valve during emergency shutdown situations or storms,
said emergency relief valve allows said compressed air to vent out through the natural geological formation when said emergencies occur,
under normal operation said compressed air will travel through an emergency shutdown valve that will only close during said emergency shutdown situations or storms, and then will pass through a one-way check valve which will prevent said compressed air from being drawn back into said blowhole shaft as said wave subsides,
when said wave subsides a resulting vacuum forces a fresh air intake valve to open as the receding wave moves back out of said blowhole and fresh air rushes through said air intake valve to fill said blowhole shaft with outside air in preparation for the next incoming wave,
said compressed air that is generated passes through said check valve and enter a compressed air header piping which feeds one of air-driven turbines that run electrical generators, and
excess compressed air is collected in air dehydration vessels and stored in back up compressed air storage vessels that are connected to high pressure pipelines for use inland.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein cracks, faults, and fissures in the natural geological formation are repaired or corrected by means of one of pressure grouting, gunnited concrete, reinforced concrete, welded steel structure, and the implementation of bulkheads.