Energy-Harvesting Reactor Based on Diffusion of Aluminum in Gallium

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-10-24
MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH
View PDF13 Cites 17 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]There are now described systems and methods for their use for the production of high thermal energy which may be harvested as a substantial anaerobic energy source for powering vehicles such as unmanned-u

Problems solved by technology

But, because aluminum forms a stable protective layer upon oxidation, which limits its further reaction with the oxidant, aluminum-based systems require the use of a depassivating agent to remove the oxide layer and expose ne

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Energy-Harvesting Reactor Based on Diffusion of Aluminum in Gallium
  • Energy-Harvesting Reactor Based on Diffusion of Aluminum in Gallium
  • Energy-Harvesting Reactor Based on Diffusion of Aluminum in Gallium

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0009]There are now described systems and methods for their use for the production of high thermal energy which may be harvested as a substantial anaerobic energy source for powering vehicles such as unmanned-underwater vehicles (UUVs) or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), other small robotics, backup or regular underwater power sources (e.g., for oil rigs), or as an emergency power source in flooded or disaster areas.

[0010]In some embodiments, the systems rely on the use of a stream of molten depassivating agent flowing through a circuit, and passing through a source of fuel, then a source of an oxidizing agent, such as water, in small amounts with respect to the depassivating agent such that the thermodynamic properties of the depassivating agent regulate the thermal energy produced. The stream is then passed through a heat harvester and a waste purifier before being cycled back. Optionally, the hydrogen also produced in this system may be used as an additional fuel for power genera...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

PUM

No PUM Login to view more

Abstract

Aluminum may be used as a fuel source to power small vehicles, unmanned vehicles or underwater vehicles, other small robotics, backup or regular underwater power sources (e.g., for oil rigs), or as an emergency power source in flooded or disaster areas. Reactors are described that harvest energy produced by the exothermic oxidative reaction of aluminum or an aluminum alloy with water, with the assistance of liquid gallium as a depassivating agent.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 636,100 filed Apr. 20, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]This invention was made with government support under Contract No. FA8721-05-C-0002 awarded by the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. government has certain rights in the invention.TECHNICAL FIELD[0003]The present invention relates to electrochemical reactors, and more particularly, to reactors for the production of energy from the oxidation of aluminum.BACKGROUND ART[0004]It is known in the art that aluminum can be used as a fuel for the production of hydrogen which can then be harvested or used in fuel cells. But, because aluminum forms a stable protective layer upon oxidation, which limits its further reaction with the oxidant, aluminum-based systems require the use of a depassivating agent...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to view more
IPC IPC(8): F24J1/00F24V30/00
CPCF24J1/00C01B3/08F24V30/00Y02E60/36Y02P20/129
Inventor MCKAY, IAN S.MACDONALD, RUARIDH R.BRANDEAU, ERICH J.
Owner MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Try Eureka
PatSnap group products

Browse by: Latest US Patents, China's latest patents, Technical Efficacy Thesaurus, Application Domain, Technology Topic.

© 2024 PatSnap. All rights reserved.Legal|Privacy policy|Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement|Sitemap