Carbon free electricity production from the alternative energy concepts based on the utilization of the convective vortex systems as a heat engines: Review of the current status and perspective

The idea of using convective vortices as heat engines as the source of useful mechanical work for carbon free electricity production is really intriguing one. On the other side technical realisation of assumed alternative energy concepts represents an exceptional engineering challenge, but with huge potential benefits to society. Foundations and motivation for proposal of the herein elaborated alternative energy concepts lies in the existence of the natural vortex phenomena's, such as tornadoes, waterspouts and dust devils. Namely, they are clear and obvious proof that it is possible to obtain and maintain vortex in specific surrounding circumstances. The main energy source for the herein assumed energy concept is heat input that can be ensured in the form of waste industrial heat, for example from convectional power plants, or even solar energy as a renewable energy source. Therefore in the recent decades alternative energy concepts have been proposed, where the main feature is a specific fluid flow (vortex) that is assumed to be produced and maintained artificially from available heat input. By proposed alternative energy concepts it is possible to obtain significant increase in the energy efficiency of the existing convectional power plants or even to produce carbon free electricity. Thus, this paper provides insight in the main research outcomes from recent decades (a state of the art), where all important issues have been addressed together with the discussed perspective for future research activities in this challenging and demanding research topic. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.