FWG- Frozen Water Generator
A majority of the United States dips below freezing temperatures for many months of the year. Indeed, many states in the Midwest, northeast and northwest face extreme colds. There has been no way to extract energy from these frigid winter months, until now...
The FWG (Frozen Water Generator) taps into the powerful forces of the expansion of water molecules when they freeze into solid ice. Ice is one of the strongest forces in nature. The FWG is the first generator of its kind to tap into this mechanical force for usable electric energy.
The FWG pressurizes water as part of a water tank freezes with low temperatures. As the water freezes, the tank becomes more and more pressurized, ultimately tripping a relief valve and running a pump generator. This cycle repeats until all of the remaining water in the tank has frozen solid.
This system could be scaled up or down, increasing or decreasing the amount of energy to be generated.
Warning: The FWG is a theoretical model, build at your own risk and safety. Since the FWG harnesses the intense pressure created by ice, there is a danger in working with any pressurized systems. Pressurized ice has led to exploding trees in Canada and Alaska. Work with caution and at your own risk when setting up this pressurized system.
Parts needed:
-100 gallon tank (water heater)
-PVC pipe
-PVC pipe insulation
-Relief valve (to be fit with PVC pipe)
-Water pump
-Rechargable battery
The FWG (Frozen Water Generator) taps into the powerful forces of the expansion of water molecules when they freeze into solid ice. Ice is one of the strongest forces in nature. The FWG is the first generator of its kind to tap into this mechanical force for usable electric energy.
The FWG pressurizes water as part of a water tank freezes with low temperatures. As the water freezes, the tank becomes more and more pressurized, ultimately tripping a relief valve and running a pump generator. This cycle repeats until all of the remaining water in the tank has frozen solid.
This system could be scaled up or down, increasing or decreasing the amount of energy to be generated.
Warning: The FWG is a theoretical model, build at your own risk and safety. Since the FWG harnesses the intense pressure created by ice, there is a danger in working with any pressurized systems. Pressurized ice has led to exploding trees in Canada and Alaska. Work with caution and at your own risk when setting up this pressurized system.
Parts needed:
-100 gallon tank (water heater)
-PVC pipe
-PVC pipe insulation
-Relief valve (to be fit with PVC pipe)
-Water pump
-Rechargable battery
Inserting PVC Pipe Into Water Heater/Attaching Relief Valve
Insert PVC pipe into tank so that it roughly halfway into the tank. Insulate the half of the pipe outside of the tank.
Attach the relief valve to the PVC pipe. The relief valve is the crucial element of this whole system. The strength of this relief valve will determine how much energy can be generated from the FWG. Choosing a relief valve that doesn't "trip" until higher pressures are reached will create more energy, however, the relief valve must be the "weakest" point, otherwise the PVC pipe or tank will burst.
Attach the relief valve to the PVC pipe. The relief valve is the crucial element of this whole system. The strength of this relief valve will determine how much energy can be generated from the FWG. Choosing a relief valve that doesn't "trip" until higher pressures are reached will create more energy, however, the relief valve must be the "weakest" point, otherwise the PVC pipe or tank will burst.
Attach Water Pump
Attach a water pump onto the outlet PVC pipe from the relief valve. This will act as the generator when the pressurizes water flows from the opened relief valve. Attach a PVC pipe on the outlet side of the water pump to allow for the water to stream out after going through the water pump.
Attach Rechargeable Battery
Attach rechargeable battery to water pump in order to store the energy created by running the water pump from pressurizes water.
Let the FWG Do Its Thing!
As the temperature goes down, the water will begin to freeze within the tank. Water naturally freezes from out to in. Therefore, the water around the PVC pipe inside the tank will not freeze until the very end.
Pressure will build and build within the tank until the relief valve trips and allows water to rush out before closing again. The pressure will then build back up as more water freezes and the cycle will repeat.
Pressure will build and build within the tank until the relief valve trips and allows water to rush out before closing again. The pressure will then build back up as more water freezes and the cycle will repeat.