Energy generation, conversion, and storage equipment and processes

Abstract

The energy generation, conversion and storage device comprises a reaction chamber 2 defining a sealed space within which an extractable energy source can be received, a pair of electrodes 60, 62 positioned such that their ends 61, 63 face the sealed inner space of the reaction chamber 2, and energy conversion systems 23, 16 configured to extract usable work from an energy extractable source to which electrical energy has been applied. The device also comprises an energy accumulator 20 connected to one of the two electrodes 60, 62, and an electrical discharge device 30 connected to the other of the two electrodes 60, 62.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of devices for supplying power using fluids. The present invention has been developed particularly in relation to devices and processes for energy conversion, generation and storage. [Background Art]

[0002] Numerous examples of devices for supplying power using fluids are known. For example, document US2006042251A1 describes a power generator using an arc electrolysis process. The power generator comprises a reaction chamber that performs the function of a high-voltage electrolytic cell, the purpose of which is to provide electrical energy to a fluid contained within the reaction chamber by means of high-voltage electric arc pulses. This produces hot steam, which is then used to cause rotation of a conventional turbine to generate electromechanical energy. To make this process more efficient, a conductor is applied to recover part of the energy dissipated during the reaction in the form of electromagnetic radiation. Document WO2022180413A1 describes a system for generating work by heating and pressurizing an electrolytic fluid by means of a reaction chamber having a pair of electrodes. This process consists of heating the electrolyte by the Joule effect so as to reduce the electrical permeability of the electrolyte and increase the temperature. When the required phase transition temperature is reached, vapor bubbles begin to form inside the liquid. This process continues until the potential difference ionizes the vapor, producing a "plasma bubble". The aforementioned bubble causes emission of photons by energizing and de-energizing an existing object, and the photons are absorbed by the liquid itself and by the walls of the chamber, heating the latter.

[0003] However, each of the known types of devices for supplying power using fluids has a number of limitations and drawbacks. For example, none of these devices generally manages to achieve a generally satisfactory overall output relative to the energy introduced into the device. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] US2006042251A1 [Patent Document 2] WO2022180413A1 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The overall objective of the present invention is to provide energy conversion, generation, and storage apparatus and processes that can activate the chemical-nuclear transmutation of an extractor by the passage of electric charge, obtain increases in pressure and temperature that can be converted into work from changes in the state of the extractor (solid, liquid, gas, and optionally plasma), and achieve a favorable balance during the conversion of energy introduced into the system, in order to obtain favorable overall performance compared to hydrocarbon-powered internal combustion engines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In view of this purpose, the applicant has conceived of providing energy conversion, generation and storage apparatus and processes as defined in the independent claims.

[0007] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description, which is provided as an example with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an unequal angle projection view of a first embodiment of the present invention having a pair of electrodes. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the reaction chamber shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is an unequal angle projection view of a second embodiment of the present invention, which includes a spark plug. [Figure 4] This is a first cross-sectional view of the reaction chamber shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5]This is a second cross-sectional view of the reaction chamber shown in Figure 3. [Figure 6] This is a schematic block diagram of the energy accumulator according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a side view of an embodiment of the variable spark gap according to the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the spark gap. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention, which has a reactor having two reaction chambers. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Various embodiments of the present invention are referenced in detail, and one or more of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each embodiment is provided merely as an example of the present invention and is not to be understood as an limitation of the present invention. For example, technical features illustrated or described because they constitute part of one embodiment may be integrated into or associated with other embodiments in order to produce further embodiments. It is understood that the present invention includes these modifications and variations.

[0010] Furthermore, it is emphasized that this description is not limited in its application to the structural and positional details of the components described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments of the present invention may be conceivable and may be actually realized or implemented by technically equivalent characteristics. The terms used below are for purely descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting.

[0011] The energy generation, conversion and storage apparatus according to the present invention comprises a reactor, which is represented overall by 1, and the reactor comprises at least one reaction chamber 2.

[0012] The reaction chamber 2 defines a sealed space within it, that is, a space particularly suitable for receiving an energy extraction source, an energy source, for example, a room-temperature fluid, as will become clearer below. The reaction chamber 2 is not a high-pressure vessel.

[0013] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the reactor 1 comprises at least one pair of electrodes, namely an anode 60 and a cathode 62, whose ends 61 and 63 are positioned to face the sealed inner space of the reaction chamber 2. As will become clearer below, the electrodes 60 and 62 are particularly suited for applying electrical energy to an energy extraction source housed within the reaction chamber. Each electrode 60 and 62 is movably engaged with the reaction chamber 2 so as to be selectively displaced along its longitudinal direction toward and away from the other electrode.

[0014] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the pair of electrodes form part of a spark plug 4 inserted into an opening 6 formed in one of the walls of the reaction chamber 2. The spark plug 4 is positioned so that its terminals protrude outward from the reaction chamber 2 and its electrodes face the sealed inner space of the reaction chamber 2.

[0015] The reaction chamber 2 further comprises a pair of openings 18, 19 formed in its bottom portion, which communicate with the sealed inner space of the reaction chamber 2 via a conduit 21, allowing fluid to enter and exit the reaction chamber during use. Preferably, a closure element (not shown) located near the conduit 21 allows for the sealed isolation of the inner space of the reaction chamber 2.

[0016] The reactor 1 also comprises an energy conversion system configured to extract usable work from an energy extraction source to which electrical energy is applied. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the reaction chamber 2 comprises, at one end thereof, an opening 11, which opening 11 is closed by a partition 23 arranged to engage with the reaction chamber 2 and overlap with said opening 11.

[0017] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the reactor 1 also comprises a partition 23, and may further comprise a connection plate 7 arranged to overlap one end of the reaction chamber, which connection plate 7 is particularly suitable for engaging the reaction chamber with a second reaction chamber, a support structure or an actuator during use. In this case, the connection plate 7 comprises an opening 9 opposite the opening 11 and the partition 23.

[0018] The partition 23 is made of an elastic and resilient material such that it can deform in response to application of a force and return to its initial configuration when said application of force ceases. As will become clearer hereinafter, deformation of the partition 23 allows useful work to be extracted from the reactor 1 of the present invention.

[0019] The reaction chamber 2 further comprises an outlet opening 14, and the outlet opening 14 can be selectively closed to enable recovery of any unused gas.

[0020] With particular reference to the embodiment illustrated in all of Figures 1 to 5, the reactor 1 may also comprise other devices engaged with the reaction chamber 2. For example, the reactor 1 may comprise a pressure detector 12, a thermometer or other types of sensing device inserted inside a further opening 10 formed in the wall of the reaction chamber 2 and facing the inner space sealed at one end thereof.

[0021] An energy conversion system configured to extract usable work from an energy source to which electrical energy is applied may also include an actuator or thermocouple 16, or other type of energy conversion device, inserted inside a further opening formed in the wall of the reaction chamber 2 and facing an inner space sealed at one end thereof.

[0022] It is obvious that the number and types of devices, the corresponding openings formed in the walls of the reaction chamber and their positions should not be considered limiting in nature, but can vary widely from those described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0023] The energy generation, conversion, and storage device 1 according to the present invention also includes a system for storing and supplying electrical energy, comprising an energy accumulator 20 and an electrical discharge device 30. The electrical energy storage and supply system is designed to be connected to an electrical network (220 volts), for example, non-exclusively, through a variable converter capable of outputting a maximum voltage of 280 V and a current of 20 A.

[0024] Referring particularly to Figure 6, the energy accumulator 20 comprises a voltage booster 22 and a storage system 24. According to this embodiment, the voltage booster 22 comprises a voltage multiplier rectifier circuit used to convert an alternating current (AC) voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage. In particular, the voltage booster 22 consists of a diode voltage multiplier rectifier circuit that uses a series of cascaded diodes or capacitors to obtain a DC output voltage that is a multiple of the peak voltage of the input AC wave.

[0025] The storage system 24 includes a bank of high-voltage ceramic capacitors. The capacitor bank can be adjusted in terms of its capacitance, and by assembling paired capacitors in sequence, capacitances of 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 μF can be obtained. The maximum voltage that can be supported is 2000 V. Thus, the storage system can store up to 200 joules of energy. A voltage divider with special resistors for high-voltage use is present at the output of the storage system, allowing the output amplitude to be attenuated in order to measure the value of the output amplitude through an acquisition board.

[0026] In a possible embodiment, the energy accumulator 20 may also include a measuring board 26 connected to the storage capacitor 24 and designed to detect voltage signals emitted by the storage block during use. The measuring board 26 comprises an isolated AC / DC voltage converter and a galvanic isolation barrier formed by an analog signal optical cutoff. This configuration allows for the adjustment (filtering and amplification) of the acquired signal and connection of the output to an analog signal adjustment board or oscilloscope, while enabling the reference voltage of the acquisition section to be "decoupled" from the reference voltage of the power system.

[0027] As will become clearer below, the energy output during the energy conversion and generation process according to the present invention is stored in an energy accumulator 20 and then discharged through a driven "control switch." This switch is represented by a discharge device 30.

[0028] Referring particularly to Figure 7, the electrical discharge device 30 is, The trigger 32 (SG1) is powered by 12V by battery 34, A coil 36 connected to the trigger 32, The converter 38 (T1) connected to the trigger 32, The spark gap 40 (SG2) connected to the converter 38 and It is equipped with.

[0029] The term "trigger" is understood to mean any device that can selectively close an electrical circuit when predetermined conditions are met. For example, non-exclusively, a trigger could be a switch that is activated when a predetermined pressure is applied, or a spark gap that is activated when a predetermined amount of voltage is stored between electrodes.

[0030] A particularly advantageous feature is that the spark gap 40 can be a variable-distance spark gap in which the distance between the two electrodes can be selectively modified.

[0031] The elements and connections described above constitute an electrical discharge device consisting of two sections. The first section, defined as the "trigger section," is supplied with 12 volts and includes a trigger 32, while the second section, defined as the "power section," includes a spark gap 40.

[0032] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, both the energy accumulator 20 and the electrical discharge device 30 are connected to the spark plug 4. Generally, the energy accumulator 20 is connected to one of two electrodes 60, 62 located inside the reaction chamber 2, and the electrical discharge device 30 is connected to the other of the two electrodes 60, 62 located inside the reaction chamber 2.

[0033] Figures 8 and 9 illustrate one embodiment of a variable configuration spark gap comprising a main frame 100. The frame 100 comprises two housing structures 102 and 104, each containing two electrodes 106 and 108. The first housing structure 102 includes a through hole 103 into which the first electrode 106 is positioned and fixed.

[0034] The second housing structure 104 includes a through conduit 105 in which the second electrode 108 is slidably disposed inward. The second housing structure 104 also includes an actuator connected to the second electrode 108 and designed to move the second electrode inside the through conduit 105 during use. In this embodiment, the actuator is a roller wheel 101 having a through hole and a threaded outer surface, and the second electrode 108 has a similarly threaded outer surface.

[0035] Both one end 107 of the first electrode 106 and one end 109 of the second electrode are positioned to face each other inside the space located between the two housing structures 102 and 104.

[0036] During use, the actuator 101 can move the second electrode 108 in two opposite directions so as to decrease or increase the distance between the two ends 107 and 109 of the two electrodes 106 and 108.

[0037] According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the energy accumulator 20 may be supplied by an independent accumulator such as an electric battery or a supercapacitor, i.e., it may not be connected to an external power distribution network.

[0038] The energy generation, conversion and storage device 1 according to the present invention is an electronic system, which also includes, for example, an electronic system comprising a microprocessor and a rewritable memory unit, non-exclusively. The electronic system is connected to the electrical system and the mechanical components described above, and during use, To measure and control the energy introduced into the reaction chamber, Measuring the voltage applied to components of an electrical system, Measuring the input power value, Controlling electrical pulses to activate the reaction, Controlling the pulse frequency, To manage the electrode and potential (voltage) difference values ​​(of one or more series) It is equipped with electronic components to enable this function.

[0039] These functions can be achieved by any configuration of known types of electronic circuits, or by a combination thereof, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0040] According to a further embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 10, the energy generation, conversion and storage apparatus 1 according to the present invention comprises two reactors 1, 1', each comprising reaction chambers 2, 4. The two reaction chambers 2, 4 are adjacent to each other and communicate with each other to create an overall inner space consisting of two respective inner spaces. In this case, one or both of the reaction chambers 2, 4 may be provided with an elastic and resilient partition, and the remaining technical characteristics are the same as those described above for a single reaction chamber 2, and therefore will not be repeated in detail here for brevity.

[0041] In this embodiment, the energy generation, conversion, and storage device 1 comprises the electrical system and electronic system described above.

[0042] The present invention also relates to processes for energy conversion, generation, and storage.

[0043] In the first embodiment, the process comprises a first step of preparing / assembling an energy generation, conversion and storage device 1 equipped with the reaction chamber 2 described above.

[0044] The process comprises a second step in which a predetermined amount of energy extractor is inserted into the sealed inner space of the reaction chamber 2 through the opening 18 and the conduit 21. The predetermined amount of fluid forming the energy extractor must allow for the complete immersion of the electrode in the aforementioned fluid, thereby positioning the electrode in a homogeneous and isotropic environment.

[0045] According to this embodiment, the energy extraction source consists of water (H2O) enriched in various concentrations with salts, such as sodium chloride (NaCl) or sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), or other substances, such as metals or oxides. The energy extraction source may also consist of seawater that has been pre-filtered to remove any carbon compound residues.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the process comprises, between the first and second steps described above, a step in which at least one of two electrodes 60, 62 located inside the reaction chamber 2 is moved to correct the distance between the anode 60 and the cathode 62.

[0047] The process comprises a third step in which the trigger 32 is driven by the coil 36 and, coupled by the converter 38, generates an instantaneous current discharge that enables a boost in voltage value.

[0048] The voltage value to be applied depends on the material / fluid forming the energy extraction source and the distance between the two electrodes.

[0049] The spark gap 40 ionizes the air contained inside the reaction chamber 2 according to the sudden potential difference generated by the discharge of the trigger 32, allowing the discharge current of the energy accumulator 20 to pass through the electrodes of the reactor.

[0050] In particular, an increase in voltage at the electrode terminals leads to a breakdown of electrical stiffness. Electrical stiffness (Er) is understood as the potential difference beyond which the intervening material becomes conductive, or the maximum potential difference beyond which the intervening material is not conductive and can be measured in V / m or more commonly kV / mm.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature value of the energy extraction source is equivalent to the ambient temperature value, or is in the range of 23°C to 27°C.

[0052] The breakdown of electrical rigidity closes the electrical circuit formed by the energy accumulator 20, the electrical discharge device 30, and the energy extraction source, allowing the charge stored in the energy accumulator 30 to flow into the energy extraction source itself.

[0053] The presence of the energy accumulator 20 and discharge device 30 described above is fundamental to the objectives of the present invention.

[0054] The trigger 32 and spark gap 40 are, in fact, switches that can close an electrical circuit for a short period of time. In particular, in the case of a variable configuration spark gap, it is possible to modify the distance between electrodes 106 and 108 to set a predetermined voltage value at the terminals that can overcome the dielectric resistance of the air located between them. The trigger 32 and spark gap 40 are located in the discharge device 30, on the one hand, a spark is generated in the chamber that breaks the dielectric of the energy extraction source, and subsequently the discharge circuit of the storage capacitor 24 is opened by the charge flowing through the already ionized energy extraction source. In this way, it is possible to produce a large flow of charge and concentrate it in millimeter space for a very short period of time.

[0055] The combination of electrical rigidity breakdown discharge and charge flow from the energy accumulator 20 generates a pressure wave within the energy extraction source inside the reaction chamber 2. The strength of the pressure wave depends on the potential difference (approximately kV) applied across the spark gap 40, but can be optimized to obtain the optimal ratio (or power) of applied energy and wave for the desired work extraction.

[0056] The resulting pressure curve is repeatable and can be used to extract usable work from an energy source to which electrical energy is applied.

[0057] Since the extractable energy source formed by water enriched in various ways with salt or other substances is an incompressible liquid, the pressure wave pushes the water toward the wall of the reaction chamber 2, and especially toward the elastic and resilient partition 23, deforming it. This change results in the generation of work. At the end of the expansion of the pressure wave, the elastic partition 23 returns to its original shape.

[0058] It is obvious that different embodiments of energy conversion systems configured to extract usable work from an energy source to which electrical energy is applied can be envisioned, namely instantaneous or mechanical actuator devices such as pistons or deformable bellows that can convert pressure waves into work.

[0059] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the process involves repeating the above-described step of generating a pressure wave a given number of times at a predetermined frequency, so as to produce a series of steps for the conversion of energy into work.

[0060] During the process, whenever an electric current flows through a mixture of water and salt or other substances at a specific voltage, electrolysis occurs, resulting in the breakdown of water molecules.

[0061] This reaction produces final molecules of H2 or O2 in gaseous form.

[0062] The process according to the present invention ultimately comprises a final step in which the reaction chamber 2 is cleaned by the thrust force of a new extraction source. This also allows for the extraction of gas by cooling the supply circuit.

[0063] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the process comprises a first step of preparing / assembling an energy generation, conversion and storage device 1 comprising the two reaction chambers 2, 4 described above.

[0064] The process includes all of the steps described above.

Claims

1. A reaction chamber (2) having a sealed space defined inside that is suitable for receiving an energy extraction source, A pair of electrodes (60, 62) are arranged such that their ends (61, 63) face the sealed inner space of the reaction chamber (2), An energy conversion system (23, 16) configured to extract usable work from the energy source to which electrical energy is applied, and An energy generation, conversion and storage device comprising, The aforementioned device is An energy accumulator (20) is connected to one of the two electrodes (60, 62) and includes a voltage booster (22) and a storage system (24), An electrical discharge device (30) connected to the other of the two electrodes (60, 62), comprising: a trigger (32) connected to a battery (24); a coil (36) connected to the trigger (32); a converter (38) connected to the trigger (32); and a spark gap (40) connected to the converter (38). An energy generation, conversion, and storage device characterized by also being equipped with the following.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each electrode (60, 62) is movably engaged with the reaction chamber (2) such that it can be selectively displaced along its longitudinal direction toward and toward the other electrode (60, 62) and toward the other electrode (60, 62).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of openings (18, 19) that are in fluid communication with the sealed inner space of the reaction chamber (2) through a conduit (21).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy conversion system comprises an opening (11) formed at one end of the reaction chamber (2) and a partition (23) engaged with the reaction chamber 2 and positioned to overlap the opening (11).

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage system (24) comprises a bank of high-voltage ceramic capacitors.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the spark gap (40) is a variable-configuration spark gap.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the variable configuration spark gap (40) comprises two housing structures (102, 104) in which two electrodes (106, 108) are disposed, and the second housing structure (104) comprises a through conduit (105) in which the second electrode (108) is slidably disposed, and an actuator connected to the second electrode (108) and suitable for moving the second electrode (108) within the through conduit (105).

8. (a) the step of preparing an energy conversion, generation and storage apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, (b) A step of inserting an energy extraction source into the reaction chamber (2), wherein the reaction chamber (2) is called the reaction chamber (2) by comprising a pair of electrodes (60, 62) having defined a sealed space in which it is suitable for receiving the energy extraction source and whose ends (61, 63) face the sealed inner space of the reaction chamber (2), (c) The step of storing energy in a storage system (24) connected to one of the pair of electrodes (60, 62) (62), (d) A step of generating an initial electrical discharge in the reaction chamber (2) such that it causes the electrical rigidity of the energy extraction source to break down, (e) The step of releasing the energy stored in the storage system (24) inside the energy extraction source through the electrode (4) at predetermined time intervals, (f) A step of generating a pressure wave in the energy extraction source, (g) A step of extracting usable work from the pressure wave generated in the energy source. Energy conversion, generation, and storage processes comprising:

9. Steps to generate H2 and O2 molecules in gaseous form. The process according to claim 8, further comprising the following:

10. The process according to claim 8, characterized in that steps (b) to (f) are repeated a predetermined number of times at a predetermined frequency.

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