thermal power plant

Abstract

The present disclosure teaches a system and method for generating power by a thermal power plant. The system and method includes a fuel heating chamber configured to receive a nano-thermite fuel, an induction assembly configured to inductively heat the fuel in the fuel heating chamber, and an electricity generating subsystem configured to convert heat from the heated nano-thermite fuel into electricity.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to power plants. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a method and system for generating power by a thermal power plant. BACKGROUND

[0002] Achieving sustainable and affordable energy is fundamental to meeting the growing global energy demand. The world's extreme dependence on fossil fuels is causing an environmental crisis by increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, raising the global average temperature, and accelerating destructive climate change. Furthermore, the standard of living is directly related to the per capita energy consumption, and the urgent need for humans to improve their quality of life leads to higher levels of per capita energy consumption. These social needs, coupled with the exponentially growing population, lead to the search for new power generation systems and methods that are environmentally sustainable and economically viable. SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure teaches a system and method for generating power by a thermal power plant. The system and method include a fuel heating chamber configured to receive a nano-thermite fuel, an induction assembly configured to inductively heat the fuel in the fuel heating chamber, and an electricity generation subsystem configured to convert heat from the heated nano-thermite fuel into electricity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example thermal power plant is shown.

[0005] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an example induction heating assembly is shown.

[0006] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method of generating power by a thermal power plant. Figure 1

[0007] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another example thermal power plant including a recycler is shown.

[0008] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method of generating power by a thermal power plant. Figure 4

[0009] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of another example thermal power plant including a recycler capable of producing additional fuel to be fed back to the thermal power plant is shown.

[0010] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method of generating power by a thermal power plant. Figure 6

[0011] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of another example thermal power plant including a mixing chamber is shown.​​​

[0012] Figure 9 is by Figure 8 a flowchart of a method of generating power by a thermal power plant.

[0013] Figure 10 a schematic diagram showing another example thermal power plant for use in space.

[0014] Figure 11 a schematic diagram showing another example thermal power plant including an exhaust gas heating assembly.

[0015] Figure 12 a schematic diagram showing another example thermal power plant including an exhaust gas heating assembly and using two separate working fluids.

[0016] Figure 13 a schematic diagram showing another example thermal power plant including a thermoelectric generator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Thermal power plants currently burn fossil fuels, such as coal, to generate power. While this is easy to do because there has been an abundance of fossil fuels in the past and it is relatively easy to obtain fossil fuels, this is becoming more difficult as fossil fuels start to run out and become more difficult to obtain. The use of fossil fuels also results in an increase in carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

[0018] Other forms of energy production, such as nuclear power, while able to produce energy without emitting CO2, have their own drawbacks, such as the danger of radioactivity in nuclear materials and the long-term storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel.

[0019] Furthermore, in some environments, it is not practical to use a thermal power plant that burns fossil fuels. An example of this is in space, or in other extreme environments.

[0020] The present disclosure provides a system and method for generating electricity by a thermal power plant, whereby fuel containing nano-thermite is dispersed to a selected concentration level and ignited by inductive heating. The fuel further heats a working fluid, which is then circulated to power a turbine and generate electricity by a generator. An advantage of the present disclosure is that the nano-thermite burns hotter and cleaner, thus producing less pollution. In addition, byproducts of the combustion or sintering of the nano-thermite can be collected and recycled and / or reused for other end products, including further energy production. When the fuel contains nano-thermite, the nano-thermite fuel can also be safely handled and can also be safely stored for long periods of time, with minimal changes to the molecular structure of the nano-thermite in these cases. In addition, by combining inductive heating with the use of fuel containing nano-thermite, a controlled, uniform temperature can be achieved in a limited space, which allows for complex and precise operations in a thermal power plant, resulting in optimal heat and electricity usage when heating the nano-thermite fuel. In addition, the combination of inductive heating and the use of fuel containing nano-thermite further allows the thermal power plant to be practically operated in extreme environments.

[0021] Figure 1 An example thermal power plant 100 according to the present disclosure is depicted. The thermal power plant 100 includes a fuel heating chamber 108 configured to receive fuel 104, an inductive heating assembly 110 configured to heat the fuel 104 in the fuel heating chamber 108 by inductive heating, and an electricity generation subsystem 194. In the present example, the electricity generation subsystem 194 includes a heat exchanger 198 coupled to the fuel heating chamber 108 and configured to receive a working fluid 124; the working fluid 124 configured to be heated by the heated fuel 104; and a flow line 128 coupled to the fluid heating chamber 120 and configured to receive the heated working fluid 124 to power at least one turbine 132 and generate electricity by at least one generator 136. In certain embodiments, for example as depicted in FIG. 2, the heat exchanger 198 can include a fluid heating chamber 120. In other embodiments, the heat exchanger 198 can include an exhaust gas heating assembly 176, which is discussed further below and shown further in other figures. In still further examples, as will be further described below, the electricity generation subsystem 194 can include other components and / or utilize other methods to convert heat from the heated fuel 104 to electricity. Figure 1 In certain embodiments, for example as depicted in FIG. 2, the heat exchanger 198 can include a fluid heating chamber 120. In other embodiments, the heat exchanger 198 can include an exhaust gas heating assembly 176, which is discussed further below and shown further in other figures. In still further examples, as will be further described below, the electricity generation subsystem 194 can include other components and / or utilize other methods to convert heat from the heated fuel 104 to electricity.

[0022] The fuel heating chamber 108 is configured to receive the fuel 104. In the current example, the shape of the fuel heating chamber 108 can generally be cylindrical to allow the coil 116 of the induction heating assembly 110 to be wound around the fuel heating chamber 108. Various shaped containers can be considered for the fuel heating chamber 108. Further, in other embodiments, there can be two sets of coils wound around each other, allowing for the generation of magnetic field ranges with different amplitudes. Further, in other embodiments, one or more coils can be disposed near the fuel heating chamber 108. Other configurations for generating a magnetic field can be considered. In operation, the fuel 104 is received and contained within the fuel heating chamber 108 while the induction heating assembly 110 heats the fuel 104.

[0023] In some examples, the fuel 104 can be supplied to the fuel heating chamber 108 via the feed assembly 106. For example, the feed assembly 106 can include a fuel pump, a suction port on the fuel heating chamber 108, a conveyor configured to supply the fuel 104 from a fuel source to the fuel heating chamber 108, etc. The fuel source can be another chamber, reservoir, or holding area that contains the fuel 104 until it is received by the fuel heating chamber 108. In some examples, the feed assembly 106 can also include an intermediate manipulator configured to prepare the fuel 104 for supply into the fuel heating chamber 108. In other examples, the feed assembly 106 can further spread the fuel 104 into the fuel heating chamber 108, or more specifically, if the fuel 104 is atomized, the feed assembly 106 can inject the atomized fuel 104 into the fuel heating chamber 108. One example of an intermediate manipulator is a mixing chamber to receive multiple different types of fuel 104 to be combined.

[0024] Referring to Figure 2 The induction heating assembly 110 includes an electromagnet and an electronic oscillator. The induction heating assembly 110 uses induction heating to heat the fuel 104, for example, by inducing eddy currents and magnetic hysteresis in the thermite in the fuel 104 to ignite and heat it. In the current example, the coil 116 and the fuel 104 form the electromagnet. The power source 112 is the electronic oscillator. The coil 116 is wound around the fuel heating chamber 108, so the coil 116 forms a solenoid shape with the fuel heating chamber 108 at the center of the solenoid shape. The coil 116 is coupled to the power source 112, which is configured to pass an electric current through the coil 116 to generate a magnetic field. The oscillation of the magnetic field can be timed to provide an alternating field Halbach array.

[0025] In operation, the fuel heating chamber 108 receives the fuel 104. The power source 112 passes an electric current through the coil 116, as Figure 1The magnetic field induced around the coil 116 by the current passing through the coil 116 is shown by the arrows. According to Ampere’s Law, the current flowing through the coil 116 induces a magnetic field around the coil 116. Moreover, based on the solenoid shape of the coil 116 wrapped around the fuel heating chamber 108, the magnetic field of each turn of the coil 116 passes through the center of the coil, resulting in a strong alternating magnetic field at the center of the coil 116 (e.g., within the fuel heating chamber 108).

[0026] In some examples, the power source 112 is configured to vary the current passing through the coil 116, thereby varying the magnetic field. In other examples, the coil 116 can be configured to move relative to the fuel heating chamber 108 to vary the frequency and strength of the magnetic field. According to Faraday’s Law of Induction, a varying magnetic field induces eddy currents and hysteresis in nearby conductors, and in the current example, the fuel 104 is thereby heated to heat the nano thermite in the fuel 104.

[0027] In some examples, the fuel 104 can be heated by the hysteresis of the particles. In particular, the hysteresis loss caused by the magnetization and demagnetization of the fuel 104 generates heat. When a magnetic force is applied, the molecules of the fuel 104 align in a first direction. When the magnetic force is reversed, the fuel 104 opposes the reversal of the magnetic force, resulting in hysteresis loss, and thus heating the fuel 104 also heats to the ignition point.

[0028] In some examples, the induction heating assembly 110 can employ a combination of hysteresis via eddy currents and induction heating to heat the fuel 104.

[0029] In the current example, the fuel 104 is a reactive metal compound such as nano thermite. In particular, the nano thermite fuel includes an oxidizer and a reducing agent (e.g., a metal and a metal oxide). The nano thermite fuel can also include an inert gas that allows the nano thermite fuel to be atomized. The atomized nano thermite fuel allows for better dispersion in the fuel heating chamber 108 for uniform temperature control. The eddy currents induced by the coil 116 and the power source 112 within the nano thermite fuel heat the nano thermite fuel via Joule heating from the resistance of the eddy currents flowing through the nano thermite.

[0030] Nanothermite fuel can be advantageous for use in thermal power plant 100 that is ignited by induction by inductively heating the nanothermite fuel. The energy release per mass of particles is greater than the ignition of other fuels (e.g., hydrocarbons, gases, petroleum, coal, and ethanol). The nanothermite fuel can contain nanothermites, which are nanometer-sized or below 100 nanometers in size. The nanothermite fuel can also include an oxidizer. The nanothermite fuel in an atomized form allows for the dispersion of the nanothermite fuel within fuel heating chamber 108. The dispersion of the nanothermite fuel within fuel heating chamber 108, along with the coil 116 wrapped around fuel heating chamber 108, allows for substantially uniform temperature control of the entire volume of fuel heating chamber 108. This allows for the optimal temperature control of the combustion or sintering or other form of heating of the nanothermite fuel. Combustion, sintering, and other forms of heating of the fuel 104 will be further discussed below.

[0031] In other examples, fuel 104 can include more than one material. For example, fuel 104 can include, but is not limited to, magnetic materials, electrically conductive materials, nanometer energy composite materials, nanowires or nanorods (e.g., including nickel, gold, and / or silver), solids, liquids, gases, graphene, reactive metal compounds, synthetic and non-synthetic polymers, hydrogels, thermoplastics, metamaterials, and other nanothermites, as well as in-situ space resources (including a variety of fuel sources found on celestial bodies, the moon, Mars, other planets, asteroids, planetoids, and other celestial bodies). In examples using in-situ space resources, this allows for long-term operation of thermal power plant 100 in space. Other examples include long-term operation using available materials in extreme environments. An extreme environment is an environment in which life forms have difficulty surviving. Examples of extreme environments include environments with high or low temperatures, high pressures, or low oxygen, such as at high altitudes or ocean depths. More generally, fuel 104 can include a variety of materials with different configurations, including but not limited to particle size, packing structure (e.g., simple cubic packing, face-centered cubic packing, hexagonal packing), different reaction temperatures, or other different heating profiles. For example, a variety of materials can be combined in fuel 104 as different layers forming a shell, as a heterogeneous or homogeneous mixture, etc. Heating fuel 104 with different layers can result in different heating profiles.

[0032] In the current example, fuel 104 is inductively heated to combust. If fuel 104 is heated to combust, thermal power plant 100 can include an ignition system located in fuel heating chamber 108. The ignition system can be used to ignite fuel 104 to combust. Furthermore, in the current example, fuel 104 can be a nanothermite fuel, which when combusted will result in less pollution than the combustion of other fossil fuels.

[0033] In other examples, the fuel 104 is subjected to sintering (e.g., heating without liquefaction). In other examples of fuel 104 composed of multiple materials, a mix of combustion and sintering can be achieved. Further, in other examples, the fuel 104 can be heated to other reaction points based on the desired manner of using the heated fuel to generate electricity. For example, the fuel 104 can be melted, heated to a certain temperature without changing state, etc.

[0034] The fuel 104 can be heated in a controlled manner according to a desired heating profile. For example, the fuel 104 can be subjected to sintering for a period of time and then subjected to combustion. In another example, the fuel 104 can be subjected to combustion first, and then the post-combustion fuel product and any remaining fuel 104 can be subjected to sintering. In addition to other combinations of sintering, combustion, and other heating methods, the fuel 104 can be subjected to any combination of sintering and combustion cycles.

[0035] An advantage of sintering is to collect the peak efficiency of heating the fuel 104 and output controlled heat, while consuming the fuel 104 at a measurable rate. As will be further described below, an advantage of combustion of the fuel 104 is to use less energy to heat the fuel 104, and the ability to recycle combustion byproducts.

[0036] Returning to Figure 1The fluid heating chamber 120 is coupled to the fuel heating chamber 108 and is configured to receive a working fluid 124. The fluid heating chamber 120 is coupled to the fuel heating chamber 108 with an impermeable wall therebetween. The impermeable wall allows the fuel chamber 108 and the fluid heating chamber 120 to be in electrically conductive contact with each other and physically isolates the contents of each chamber from each other. This allows for heat exchange between the two chambers through the impermeable wall and prevents contamination between the fuel 104 and the working fluid 124. The fluid heating chamber 120, the fuel heating chamber 108, and the impermeable wall form a heat exchange system. For example, the fluid heating chamber 120 and the fuel heating chamber 108 can each be formed from an electrically conductive material and in physical contact with each other to allow heat to pass from the fuel heating chamber to the fluid heating chamber. In such examples, the walls or portions of the walls of the fuel heating chamber 108 and the fluid heating chamber 120 form the impermeable wall. The fluid heating chamber 120 is connected to a flow line 128 to receive the working fluid 124 and to cause the working fluid 124 to exit the fluid heating chamber 120. For example, the fluid heating chamber 120 can be integrally formed with the flow line 128 and can be defined as a portion of the flow line 128 that is in electrically conductive contact with the fuel heating chamber 108 to allow the working fluid 124 to be heated in the portion of the flow line 128. In other examples, the fluid heating chamber 120 can be a separate chamber in series with the flow line 128 (e.g., having a defined space, including having one or more valves, inlets / outlets, etc.). Examples of the working fluid 124 include, but are not limited to, water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, biofuels, etc.

[0037] In other examples, the heat exchanger 198 can allow the heated fuel 104 and the working fluid 124 to be physically mixed. For example, the heat exchanger 198 can include a chamber to draw in the heated fuel 104 and allow the heated fuel 104 to be physically mixed with the working fluid 124 to heat the working fluid 124, and the heat exchanger 198 further includes a separation device to release the heated working fluid 124 to the flow line 128. For example, the heated fuel 104 can be atomized and injected into the chamber to heat the working fluid 124. In other examples, the chamber can include a mixer, such as a rotating paddle, fan, or other device to mix the heated fuel 104 and thereby heat the working fluid 124.

[0038] The working fluid 124 is heated by heat exchange from the heated fuel 104. Heat is transferred from the fuel 104 to the fluid heating chamber 120 containing the working fluid 124 by conduction. In the current example, the working fluid 124 is heated by the continuous supply of combustion of the fuel 104 as it flows through the fluid heating chamber 120. In other examples, where sintering of the fuel 104 occurs, the heat generated by the sintering allows the working fluid 124 to be heated as it flows through the fluid heating chamber 120. As the working fluid 124 is heated, it can undergo a phase change and then exit the fluid heating chamber 120 into the flow line 128. In the current example, the working fluid 124 is water, which vaporizes into steam as it flows through the fluid heating chamber 120. The steam then exits the fluid heating chamber 120 into the flow line 128.

[0039] The flow line 128 receives the working fluid 124 and directs the flow of the working fluid 124 to the turbine 132. In the current example, the working fluid 124 flows in the direction of the arrows depicted in the flow line 128. The flow line 128 further conveys the working fluid 124 from the turbine 132 to the condenser 138 and back to the fluid heating chamber 120, forming a cycle of the working fluid 124. Figure 1

[0040] The turbine 132 is connected to the flow line 128 containing the heated working fluid 124 to receive the heated working fluid 124. The turbine 132 is also connected to the generator 136 by a shaft. The heated working fluid 124 pushes the turbine 132, which in turn drives the generator 136. Continuing the current example, where the heated working fluid 124 is steam, the steam flows from the flow line 128 into the turbine 132, where it pushes the turbine 132. The generator 136 generates an electric current, which is then sent out of the thermal power plant 100 to be used as electrical power.

[0041] In alternative embodiments, the working fluid 124, as steam, can drive a steam engine, such as a sterling engine, in order to generate power and / or provide motion. Other uses of steam to power different mechanical engines to generate power can be considered.

[0042] ​The condenser 138 is configured to receive the working fluid 124 after the working fluid 124 has circulated through the turbine 132 and the working fluid 124 is condensed, before the condensed working fluid 124 is returned to the fluid heating chamber 120. The condenser 138 can be an active condenser or a passive condenser. Active condensers include spray condensers or surface condensers. The condenser 138 can also be a combination of an active condenser and a passive condenser, or a combination of two types of active condensers. For example, the condenser 138 can be a combination of a spray condenser and a surface condenser. In other examples, such as when a working fluid other than water is used, the condenser 138 can more generally cool or otherwise restore the heated working fluid to its original state for recirculation.

[0043] In Figure 13 an alternative example depicted in FIG. 1G, the thermal power plant 100G includes a thermoelectric generator 190. In the previously described embodiments, the power generation subsystem 194 can include the heat exchanger 198, the condenser 138, the flow line 128, the turbine 132, and the generator 136. In this example, the thermal power plant 100G, the power generation subsystem 194 is composed of the thermoelectric generator 190. The thermoelectric generator 190 can be used in place of the generator 136 without the need for the fluid heating chamber 120, the working fluid 124, the flow line 128, the turbine 132, and the condenser 138. Thermoelectric generators convert heat to electricity using the thermoelectric effect, such as the Seebeck effect, the Peltier effect, and the Thompson effect. The Seebeck effect generates an electric current when different metals are exposed to a temperature change that allows the thermoelectric generator to convert heat to energy, where the voltage generated is proportional to the temperature difference between the two different metals. Thermoelectric generators generate electricity from the heat produced by the combustion and / or sintering of the fuel 104 in the fuel heating chamber 108. The Peltier effect generates or absorbs heat at a junction between two different conductors when an electric charge flows through the junction. The Thompson effect generates or absorbs heat along a conductor with a temperature gradient when an electric charge flows through the conductor with a temperature gradient.

[0044] Referring now to Figure 3A method 200 of generating power is depicted. The method 200 will be described in connection with its performance in a thermal power plant 100. In other examples, the method 200 can be performed by other suitable systems. At block 205, fuel 104 is supplied and placed into a fuel heating chamber 108, for example, by a feed assembly 106. At block 210, the fuel 104 is heated by induction within the fuel heating chamber 108 using an induction heating assembly 110. In particular, an alternating magnetic field is passed through a surrounding coil 116 with a power source 112 and applied to the fuel 104 to induce eddy currents and / or magnetic hysteresis, causing the fuel 104 to heat due to combustion and / or sintering.

[0045] At block 215, a working fluid 124 is heated in a fluid heating chamber 120 by heat exchange from the fuel 104. For example, the induction heating of the fuel 104 causes combustion of the fuel 104. In the current example, the combustion of the fuel 104 heats the working fluid 124.

[0046] At blocks 220 and 225, the heated working fluid 124 is circulated via a flow line 128 to a turbine 132, where the working fluid 124 pushes the turbine 132. The pushing of the turbine 132 turns a shaft connected to a generator 136, where power can be generated.

[0047] At block 230, the working fluid 124 is collected in a condenser 138, where the working fluid 124 is condensed and then returned via the flow line 128 to the fluid heating chamber 120, where it can be heated again and recirculated for another cycle.

[0048] Figure 4 Another example thermal power plant 100A is depicted. In this example, a collection line 140 is connected to the fuel heating chamber 108 to collect and transport one or more combustion byproducts 144. A recycler 148 is configured to receive the one or more combustion byproducts 144. The combustion of the fuel 104 can result in one or more combustion byproducts 144 that can be chemically recycled into new products by changing the chemical composition. The recycler 148 is configured to process and chemically change the combustion byproducts 144 into new end products for other uses. The recycler 148 can receive additional raw materials to mix with the combustion byproducts 144 to chemically alternate. For example, using the combustion of nano-aluminum thermite as the fuel 104, heat and combustion byproducts 144 are produced. The heat is used to heat a working fluid, while the combustion byproducts 144 are collected through the collection line 140 and sent to the recycler 148. The combustion byproducts 144 can be subjected to a reduction process, such as electrolysis, to produce end products that can be recycled and / or reused.

[0049] The thermal power plant 100A can additionally include a separation device to separate the combustion byproducts. The separation device can be integrated with the fuel heating chamber 108, the recycler 148, or can be a distinct component. The separation device can include a physical device to separate the combustion byproducts 144 from the fuel 104 or from other waste in the fuel heating chamber 108, such as a sieve, a separation chamber (e.g., to allow natural separation of products by density), or other device to separate the combustion byproducts 144 (e.g., magnetically, ionically, or based on other properties of the combustion byproducts 144).

[0050] An example of the fuel 104 that is a nano-thermite fuel can be aluminum-iron (II) oxide. Upon combustion, the aluminum-iron (II) oxide becomes aluminum oxide, elemental iron, and a large amount of heat. The heat is used to heat the working fluid 124. The combustion byproducts 144 are aluminum oxide and iron. The aluminum oxide can be used alone for other products, or can be chemically transformed into other materials for other products.

[0051] Figure 5 A method 200A of generating power using the example thermal power plant 100A is depicted. Block 205A, block 210A, block 215A, block 220A, block 225A, and block 230A are analogous to block 205, block 210, block 215, block 220, block 225, and block 230, respectively, in method 200. At block 235A, the combustion byproducts 144 are collected by the collection line 140 and sent to the recycler 148. The recycler 148 takes the combustion byproducts 144 and chemically alters them into recycled products that can be used elsewhere (e.g., in other industries or for other goods).

[0052] Figure 6 Another example thermal power plant 100B is depicted that is an extension of the thermal power plant 100A. In this example, the recycler 148 can chemically alter the combustion byproducts 144 into another compound to be used as the fuel 104. Alternatively, the recycler 148 can chemically alter the combustion byproducts 144 into an alternative nano-thermite to be used as the fuel 104. It is also contemplated that the recycler 148 can chemically alter the combustion byproducts 144 and return the chemical composition of the combustion byproducts 144 into the fuel 104. The thermal power plant 100B also includes a return line 152 configured to send the chemically altered combustion byproducts 144 back to the feed assembly 106 as the fuel 104 to be reintroduced into the fuel heating chamber 108.

[0053] Figure 7A method 200B of generating power using the example thermal power plant 100B is depicted. Block 205B, block 210B, block 215B, block 220B, block 225B, block 230B, and block 235B are analogous to block 205A, block 210A, block 215A, block 220A, block 225A, block 230A, and block 235A, respectively, in method 200. At block 240B, the recycler 148 transforms the combustion byproducts 144 from the fuel heating chamber 108. In particular, the recycler 148 takes the combustion byproducts 144 and chemically alters the combustion byproducts 144 into fuel 104, which can then be reintroduced to the fuel heating chamber 108. In this particular example, the fuel 104 initially introduced to the fuel heating chamber 108 can be the same as the recycled product fuel 104 reintroduced, or can be chemically different from the recycled product fuel 104 reintroduced. If the two compounds are different, this can result in a mixture of fuels 104.

[0054] For example, returning to the example above, where the combustion byproducts 144 are aluminum oxide and iron, a chemical reaction can be performed to return the aluminum oxide and iron to aluminum iron (II) oxide. The aluminum iron (II) oxide can then be returned to use as fuel 104.

[0055] Figure 8 Another example thermal power plant 100C is depicted, including a different configuration. The thermal power plant 100C includes an integrated heating chamber 160. In this example, the heat exchanger 198 includes the integrated heating chamber 160. The integrated heating chamber 160 can be an integration of the fuel heating chamber 108 and the fluid heating chamber 120 that allows for inductive heating of a mixture of the working fluid 124 and the fuel 104. In this example, a mixing chamber 156 mixes the fuel 104 and the working fluid 124 to create a slurry. The slurry is inductively heated in the integrated heating chamber 160, and then the fuel 104 and the working fluid 124 are separated. The separation can occur by a change of state as the temperature changes in the integrated heating chamber 160. Alternatively, a mechanical device, such as a screen, can be used to separate the working fluid 124 from the fuel 104. Additionally, the separation can occur by a pressure-changed separation chamber. Other forms of separation are contemplated. The fuel 104 is returned to the mixing chamber 156 to be mixed again, while the working fluid 124 is sent through the turbine 132 to generate power.

[0056] Figure 9 A method 200C of generating power for this example thermal power plant 100C is depicted. At block 205C, the fuel 104 is supplied to the mixing chamber 156. At block 245C, the fuel 104 is mixed with the working fluid 124 to create a slurry.

[0057] One example of a slurry can be a mixture of water as the working fluid 124 and aluminum iron (II) oxide as the nano-thermite fuel 104. Other forms of slurry are contemplated in which the working fluid 124 and the fuel 104 are mixed.

[0058] The slurry is then delivered to the integrated heating chamber 160. At block 250C, the slurry is heated by induction, after which at block 255C, the slurry is separated back into the working fluid 124 and the fuel 104. The flow line 164 collects the fuel 104 and sends it to the condenser 168 to be condensed. This is depicted at block 265C. After being condensed, the condensed fuel returns to the mixing chamber 156 to be mixed again with the working fluid 124 and reintroduced to the integrated heating chamber 160 as a slurry.

[0059] Continuing with the example, at block 225C, the working fluid 124 is collected by the flow line 128, where it is sent to the propulsion turbine 132. At block 260C, the working fluid 124 is cooled and condensed in the condenser 138. After cycling through the turbine 132 and the condenser 138, the working fluid 124 returns to the mixing chamber 156 to be mixed again with the fuel 104 and reintroduced to the integrated heating chamber 160 as a slurry.

[0060] In an alternative example, Figure 10 An example heat power plant 100D is depicted that can be used in space. In the heat power plant 100D, the heat sink 172 is in thermal contact with the condenser 138. The heat sink 172 is also exposed to the vacuum of space. This allows the working fluid 124 to be condensed in the condenser 138 in thermal exchange with the heat sink 172.

[0061] In an alternative example, Figure 11An example thermal power plant 100E is depicted in which a waste heat assembly 176 can be used in place of the fluid heating chamber 120. In the preceding embodiments, the heat exchanger 198 is comprised of the fluid heating chamber 120. In this example thermal power plant 100E, the heat exchanger 198 is comprised of the waste heat assembly 176. The waste heat assembly 176 includes a waste gas nozzle and a chamber in which the working fluid 124 resides. In this embodiment, as the fuel 104 is heated in the fuel heating chamber 108, waste gas can be a byproduct of the heating. Whether the fuel 104 is heated by sintering, combustion, or a combination of both sintering and combustion, waste gas (also known as flue gas) can be produced. The waste gas produced is hot, and the waste gas heat can be used to heat the working fluid 124 through heat exchange. In the current embodiment, the chamber in which the working fluid 124 resides in the waste heat assembly 176 can be isolated from the waste gas to prevent contamination of the working fluid 124 by residue of the fuel 104. Heat exchange through a conductive element of the chamber containing the working fluid 124 is possible.

[0062] In another embodiment (not depicted) in which the waste heat assembly 176 can be used, the heat exchanger 198 also includes two stages of exposing the working fluid 124 received from the flow line 128 to the waste heat assembly 176, the two stages being an evaporator and a superheater. Similar to the waste heat assembly 176, the working fluid 124 is kept separate from the waste gas by an impermeable wall, and the working fluid 124 can be in various different tubes in the waste heat assembly 176 to increase the surface area of the impermeable tubes in contact with the waste gas. The two stages of tubes containing the working fluid 124 exposed to the waste gas can be placed in different areas of the waste heat assembly 176, with the superheater closer to the point of waste gas reception from the fuel heating chamber 108, and the evaporator further away from the point of waste gas reception from the fuel heating chamber 108, with the point of waste gas reception from the fuel heating chamber 108 being hotter the closer it is to the point of waste gas reception, and the further away from the point of waste gas reception the lower the temperature. By having an evaporator and a superheater, two stages of heating can be performed on the working fluid 124, allowing the temperature in the working fluid 124 to rise faster than in a waste heat assembly 176 having only a single stage.

[0063] In an alternative example, Figure 12 An example thermal power plant 100F is depicted in which two heat exchangers 198, heat exchanger 198-1 and heat exchanger 198-2, can be used. In the heat exchanger 198-1, a waste heat assembly 176 is used to heat a secondary working fluid 184 that is circulated through a secondary flow line 186. The flow line 128 and the secondary flow line 186 are isolated from each other, so different fluids can be carried for the working fluid 124 and the secondary working fluid 184. In the current example, the working fluid 124 can be water, while the secondary working fluid 184 can be sodium. Other working fluids 124 and secondary working fluids 184 can be considered.

[0064] The secondary working fluid 184 can be kept in a heated state by the exhaust heating assembly 176, where exhaust from the fuel heating chamber 108 heats the secondary working fluid 184. The secondary working fluid 184 flows from the exhaust heating assembly 176 to the heat converter 198-2 through a secondary flow line 186. The heat converter 198-2 includes a boiler 180. As the working fluid 124 flows through the boiler 180, the heated secondary working fluid 184 heats the working fluid 124. As described above, the working fluid 124 is kept isolated from the secondary working fluid 184. An impermeable wall in the boiler 180 separates the working fluid 124 from the secondary working fluid 184. This is to prevent contamination of the working fluid 124 as it is delivered to the power turbine 132. In the current example, as the working fluid 124 flows through the boiler 180, it is conductively heated by the impermeable wall in the flow line 128. Although Figure 12 While a linear depiction is shown in the middle, other embodiments can include a flow line 128 in the shape of a coil to provide additional surface area over which heat from the secondary flow line 186 can be conductively exchanged.

[0065] In an alternative example (not depicted), a thermal power plant has a device that simultaneously produces electricity and heat. Heat that is exhausted from the turbine 132 can be collected using a heat recovery unit. The heat can then be used for a variety of purposes. One example use of the collected heat is to provide hot water for a house. By using cogeneration, wasted heat energy is used for some productive use. Similarly, trigeneration and polygeneration of electricity and heat are contemplated.

[0066] In an alternative example (not depicted), a thermal power plant is used for polygeneration to simultaneously produce electricity, useful heat, cooling, propulsion, energy storage, and industrial products.

[0067] In an alternative example (not depicted), a thermal power plant is configured with nano-thermite fuel that is dispersed in a solid medium and shaped into a rod. The rod of nano-thermite fuel is surrounded by a plurality of coils. The coils are powered by an electrical source, creating a magnetic field around the rod of nano-thermite fuel, heating the nano-thermite fuel. By controlling the magnetic field, the rod of nano-thermite fuel can be kept at a high temperature—without any phase change. This allows a working fluid surrounding the rod to be heated, providing power to a turbine and generator.

[0068] In an alternative example (not depicted), a thermal power plant is configured with replaceable nano-thermite fuel rods. Similar to the above example, the nano-thermite fuel rods are surrounded by a plurality of coils that are powered by a power source that creates a magnetic field around the rod-shaped nano-thermite fuel that heats the nano-thermite fuel. In this example, the rod-shaped nano-thermite fuel rods are burned. Once burned, they can be replaced with new nano-thermite fuel rods. The burning of the nano-thermite fuel rods heats the working fluid around the rods that can then power a turbine and generator.

[0069] In an alternative example (not depicted), a thermal power plant is configured with rods that are covered with nano-thermite fuel. The rods covered with nano-thermite fuel are surrounded by a plurality of coils similar to the above example. Similar to the above example, the coils are powered by a power source that creates a magnetic field around the rods covered with nano-thermite fuel that heats the nano-thermite fuel. By controlling the magnetic field, the rods can be kept at a high temperature and the nano-thermite fuel covering the rods is burned in a controlled timed fashion. This allows the working fluid surrounding the rods to be heated, powering a turbine and generator.

[0070] It can be considered that the use of a recycler 148 in the example thermal power plant 100A and the example thermal power plant 100B can be used in different embodiments of the thermal power plants 100C, 100D, 100E, and 100F. As described above, the recycler 148 can be used to convert the combustion byproducts 144 into useful end products. Example end products include materials that are made into finished goods or consumer goods. One of the advantages of using the recycler 148 is that there is less waste and the combustion byproducts 144 that can be harmful to the environment can be converted into cleaner alternatives. Another advantage of the thermal power plant 100C is that the recycler 148 is connected to provide the fuel 104 for the fuel heating chamber 108, and when the end products are reused, there is significantly less waste.

[0071] In other implementations, the thermal power plants can be combined with renewable and non-renewable power generation systems to generate and / or multiple generations of generated electricity, useful heat, cooling, propulsion, energy storage, and industrial products. Non-renewable power generation systems include, but are not limited to, oil, gas, coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy, among others. Renewable power generation systems include, but are not limited to, solar thermal, biomass, compressors, fuel cells, and geothermal, among others.

[0072] In other embodiments, multiple production is achieved through spin-mediated interconversion phenomena between different physical entities to produce electricity, light, sound, vibration, and heat - for Earth and space-based systems. These phenomena include, but are not limited to, the Seebeck effect, the Peltier effect, the Spin Seebeck effect, the Spin Peltier effect, the Spin Hall effect, and the Inverse spin Hall effect. Spin conversion occurs in a region near the interface between spin-mediated physical entities, with spins carrying angular momentum, allowing for interconversion of electricity, light, sound, vibration, and heat.

[0073] Excess energy is stored in energy storage systems for on-demand application and distribution. These systems include, but are not limited to, electrochemical, electromagnetic, thermodynamic, and mechanical. Stored energy can be used directly or indirectly through energy conversion processes as needed to provide balance between energy supply and demand. Distribution networks can incorporate multiple transmission methods to connect multiple nodes to optimize sustainable delivery and utilization.

[0074] Thermal power plants that heat nanothermite fuel through induction heating are less polluting. Furthermore, as contemplated by the present invention, a recycler 148 can be used to further minimize pollution by further converting any combustion byproducts 144 into useful end products that can be used for various purposes from consumer goods to raw materials for construction. By having the recycler 148 convert the combustion byproducts 144 into fuel that can then be fed back into the thermal power plant, pollution and waste can be further reduced. The recycler 148 can be used in conjunction with different embodiments of thermal power plants that include nanothermite fuel heated through induction heating. Further advantages of heating nanothermite fuel through induction heating in a thermal power plant include operation of the thermal power plant in space and extreme environments.

[0075] The scope of the claims should not be limited to the embodiments set forth in the above examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the entire description.

[0076] It will be recognized that features and aspects of the various examples provided above can be combined into further examples that also fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the figures are not drawn to scale and dimensions and shapes can be exaggerated for purposes of illustration.

Claims

1. A thermal power plant for generating electricity, the thermal power plant comprising: a fuel heating chamber configured to receive a nano-thermite fuel; an induction heating assembly configured to heat the nano-thermite fuel in the fuel heating chamber by induction heating; an electricity generation subsystem configured to convert heat from the heated nano-thermite fuel into electricity, the electricity generation subsystem comprising: a heat exchanger comprising a fluid heating chamber coupled to the fuel heating chamber and configured to receive a working fluid, wherein the heat exchanger transfers heat from the heated nano-thermite fuel to the working fluid; and a flow line coupled to the heat exchanger, the flow line configured to receive the heated working fluid from the heat exchanger and circulate the heated working fluid to propel a turbine and generate electrical energy through a generator; and a mixing chamber configured to mix the nano-thermite fuel and the working fluid to form a mixture, wherein the mixing chamber is coupled to the heat exchanger, and wherein the heat exchanger comprises an integrated heating chamber configured to heat the mixture.

2. The thermal power plant of claim 1, wherein, the fluid heating chamber is coupled to the fuel heating chamber at / through an impermeable wall and is configured to receive the heated working fluid, wherein the heated nano-thermite fuel heats the working fluid by conductive heating through the impermeable wall.

3. The thermal power plant of claim 2, wherein, the induction heating assembly comprises an electromagnet; and an electronic oscillator that transfers alternating current through the electromagnet.

4. The thermal power plant of claim 2, wherein, the induction heating assembly is configured to sinter the nano-thermite fuel in the fuel heating chamber.

5. The thermal power plant of claim 2, wherein, the induction heating assembly is configured to heat the nano-thermite fuel to combustion, and wherein the thermal power plant further comprises a collection line connected to the fuel heating chamber to collect combustion byproducts from the combustion of the nano-thermite fuel.

6. The thermal power plant of claim 5, further comprising a recycler configured to receive at least one combustion byproduct from the collection line and change a chemical composition of the combustion byproduct to a recycled product.

7. The thermal power plant of claim 1, further comprising means for co-production, trigeneration, and polygeneration of cooling, heating, electricity, propulsion, and industrial products.

8. The thermal power plant of claim 1, further comprising an energy storage system coupled to the electricity generation subsystem, the energy storage system configured to store energy generated by the thermal power plant, the energy storage system further configured to provide energy to the induction heating assembly.

9. The thermal power plant of claim 1, further comprising a distribution network coupled to the electricity generation subsystem, the distribution network configured to receive electricity from the electricity generation subsystem and further configured to deliver power, useful heat, and cooling.

10. The thermal power plant of claim 1, wherein, The heat exchanger includes: a waste heat heating assembly coupled to the fuel heating chamber, the waste heat heating assembly configured to receive the working fluid, heat the working fluid via waste heat from the fuel heating chamber through an impermeable wall, and separate the working fluid from the waste heat using the impermeable wall.

11. The thermal power plant of claim 1, wherein, The nano-thermite fuel is dispersed into the fuel heating chamber in a controlled manner.

12. A method of generating electricity using a thermal power plant, the method comprising: receiving a nano-thermite fuel by a fuel heating chamber; heating the nano-thermite fuel in the fuel heating chamber using inductive heating; and converting heat from the heated nano-thermite fuel into electricity by an electricity generation subsystem, the electricity generation subsystem including: a heat exchanger including a fluid heating chamber coupled to the fuel heating chamber and configured to receive a working fluid, wherein the heat exchanger transfers heat from the heated nano-thermite fuel to the working fluid; a flow line coupled to the heat exchanger, the flow line configured to receive the heated working fluid from the fluid heating chamber and circulate the heated working fluid to propel a turbine and generate electrical energy through a generator; and The method further comprises: mixing the nano-thermite fuel with the working fluid in a mixing chamber to form a mixture; and delivering the mixture to the heat exchanger for heating, the heat exchanger including an integrated heating chamber for heating the mixture.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, Heating the nano-thermite fuel includes: passing an alternating current through an electromagnet by an electronic oscillator, and placing the nano-thermite fuel in the encircling electromagnet.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising separating the heated working fluid and the heated nano-thermite fuel; collecting the heated nano-thermite fuel in a collection line; and circulating the heated working fluid through the flow line.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: condensing the nano-thermite fuel; and returning the condensed nano-thermite fuel to the mixing chamber for mixing with the working fluid.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: condensing the working fluid after circulation; returning the condensed working fluid to the mixing chamber for mixing with the nano-thermite fuel.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein, Heating the fuel includes combusting the nano-thermite fuel and producing at least one combustion byproduct.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: collecting at least one combustion byproduct from the fuel heating chamber using a collection line; and delivering the combustion byproduct to a recycler through the collection line.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising changing a chemical composition of the combustion byproduct to a recycled product in the recycler.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein, Heating the fuel includes sintering the nano-thermite fuel in the fuel heating chamber.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising mixing the nano-thermite fuel with in-situ space resources for long-term operations in space and other extreme environments.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein, The heat exchanger includes: a waste gas heating assembly coupled to the fuel heating chamber, the waste gas heating assembly configured to receive the working fluid, heat the working fluid via waste gas from the fuel heating chamber through an impermeable wall, and separate the working fluid from the waste gas using the impermeable wall.

23. The method of claim 12, wherein, Receiving the nano-thermite fuel into the fuel heating chamber also includes dispersing the nano-thermite fuel into the fuel heating chamber.

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