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Hot air is produced by the greenhouse
effect in a simple air collector consisting of a translucent
material such as glass or an alternative. The collector
surface is raised several meters above the ground rising to a
greater height at the base of the tower. This design
facilitates an environment for air to be directed in vertical
movement with minimum friction loss. The ground and air
beneath the collector is heated, the heated air then moves toward
the tower in the center of the collector and then the updraft
created by the cooler air at the top of the tower helps propel the
air up and out the tower. The diameter of the tower for the
proposed 200MW output will vary in relation to site requirements,
although generally it is proposed that the collector be
approximately five kilometer (3.2 miles) in diameter.
The ground under the collector can also
be covered with heat absorbent tubing or similar material to further
increase the plant’s ability to produce a higher power output over
a 24-hour period.
The collector and the tower produce
a self-regulated air throughput. The low temperature
differential needed for the tower’s updraft effect ensures the power
station can continue to operate overnight. Energy generation
can also be restricted to daytime power production by storing heat
until peak demand occurs. Storage can be achieved by
incorporating heat storage units into the design along with the
incorporation of shutters or doors at the base of the tower to trap
the heated air until required. The airflow is released when
the shutters or doors are opened providing the opportunity to take
advantage of higher prices from peak power demand. |
