Thermal power plants

Abstract

The present disclosure teaches a system and method for generating electrical power by a thermal power plant, the system and method including a fuel heating chamber configured to receive nanothermitic fuel, an induction assembly configured to inductively heat the fuel in the fuel heating chamber, and a power generation subsystem configured to convert heat from the heated nanothermitic fuel into electrical power.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to power plants, and more particularly to methods and systems for generating electrical power using thermal power plants. [Background technology]

[0002] Access to sustainable, affordable energy is essential to meet growing global energy demands. The world's overdependence on fossil fuels is creating an environmental crisis by increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, raising global average temperatures, and accelerating destructive climate change. Furthermore, standard of living is directly correlated with per capita energy consumption, and humanity's desire for improved living standards is driving ever-increasing per capita energy consumption. These societal demands, coupled with rapid population growth, have led to research into new power generation systems and methods that are both environmentally sustainable and economically viable. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure teaches a system and method for generating electrical power using a thermal power plant, the system and method including a fuel heating chamber configured to receive nanothermitic fuel, an induction assembly configured to inductively heat the fuel in the fuel heating chamber, and a power generation subsystem configured to convert heat from the heated nanothermitic fuel into electrical power. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0004] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram of an exemplary thermal power plant. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary induction heating assembly. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method for generating electrical power by the thermal power plant of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram of another exemplary thermal power plant including a regenerator. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for generating electrical power by the thermal power plant of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram of another exemplary thermal power plant including a regenerator with the ability to generate additional fuel that is returned to the thermal power plant. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method for generating power by the thermal power plant of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram of another exemplary thermal power plant including a mixing chamber. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a method for generating power by the thermal power plant of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram of another exemplary thermal power plant for use in space. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram of another exemplary thermal power plant including an exhaust heating assembly. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram of another exemplary thermal power plant including an exhaust heating assembly and the use of two separate working fluids. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram of another exemplary thermal power plant including a thermoelectric generator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Today's thermal power plants burn fossil fuels, such as coal, to generate electricity. While this was previously easy due to the abundance and relative availability of fossil fuels, it is becoming more difficult as fossil fuels begin to deplete and become less available. Furthermore, the use of fossil fuels contributes to global warming by increasing atmospheric CO2 levels.

[0006] Alternative forms of energy generation, such as nuclear fuel, while capable of producing energy without CO2 emissions, come with drawbacks such as the dangers of radioactivity in nuclear materials and the long-term storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel.

[0007] Additionally, there are environments where the use of fossil fuel burning thermal power plants is impractical, such as outer space or other extreme environments.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a system and method for generating electricity using a thermal power plant in which a nanothermite-containing fuel is dispersed at a selected concentration, heated by induction, and injected. The fuel further heats a working fluid, which is then circulated to drive a turbine and generate electricity via a generator. This has the advantage that nanothermites burn at higher temperatures and burn cleaner, resulting in less pollution. Additionally, by-products of nanothermite combustion or sintering can be collected and recycled and / or reused as end products, including for further energy generation. Nanothermite fuel is also generally safe to handle when contained and safe to store for long periods of time due to minimal changes in its molecular structure. Furthermore, the combination of induction heating and the use of nanothermite-containing fuel allows for uniform temperature control even in small spaces, facilitating the efficient operation of complex thermal power plant tasks and optimizing the use of heat and power when heating the nanothermite fuel. Additionally, the combination of induction heating and the use of nanothermite-containing fuel allows for practical operation of thermal power plants in extreme environments.

[0009] 1 illustrates an exemplary thermal power plant 100 according to the present disclosure. The thermal power plant 100 includes a fuel heating chamber 108 configured to receive fuel 104, an induction heating assembly 110 configured to heat the fuel in the fuel heating chamber 108 by induction heating, and a power generation subsystem 194. In this example, the power generation subsystem 194 includes a heat exchanger 198 coupled to the fuel heating chamber 108, the heat exchanger 198 configured to receive a working fluid 124 configured to be heated by the heated fuel 104, and a flow path 128 coupled to the fluid heating chamber 120, the flow path 128 configured to receive the heated working fluid 124 and propel at least one turbine 132 to generate electrical power via at least one generator 136. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the heat exchanger 198 can include the fluid heating chamber 120. In other embodiments, the heat exchanger 198 can include an exhaust heating assembly 176, further described below and shown in other figures. In still other examples, the power generation subsystem 194 may include other components and / or use other methods for converting heat from the heated fuel 104 into electrical power, as further described below.

[0010] The fuel heating chamber 108 is configured to receive the fuel 104. In this example, the fuel heating chamber 108 may be generally cylindrical in shape so that the coil 116 of the induction heating assembly 110 can be wrapped around the fuel heating chamber 108. Other container shapes for the fuel heating chamber 108 are also contemplated. Additionally, in other embodiments, two coils may be wrapped around each other to generate a series of magnetic fields of different magnitudes. Furthermore, in other embodiments, one or more coils may be disposed adjacent to the fuel heating chamber 108. Other configurations for generating the magnetic fields are also contemplated. 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.

[0011] In some examples, the fuel 104 may be supplied to the fuel heating chamber 108 via a supply assembly 106. For example, the supply assembly 106 may include a fuel pump, a supply opening to the fuel heating chamber 108, a conveyor belt, or the like configured to supply the fuel 104 from the fuel source to the fuel heating chamber 108. The fuel source may be another chamber, storage area, or holding area that accommodates the fuel 104 until it is received by the fuel heating chamber 108. In some examples, the supply assembly 106 may further include an intermediate manipulator configured to prepare the fuel 104 to be supplied to the fuel heating chamber 108. In other examples, the supply assembly 106 may also disperse the fuel 104 into the fuel heating chamber 108, or more specifically, if the fuel 104 is aerosolized, the supply assembly 106 may spray the aerosolized fuel 104 into the fuel heating chamber 108. One example of an intermediate manipulator is a mixing chamber for receiving and mixing multiple different types of fuel 104.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 2 , induction heating assembly 110 includes an electromagnet and an electronic oscillator. Induction heating assembly 110 heats fuel 104 using induction heating, for example, by generating eddy currents and hysteresis in the thermite in fuel 104, igniting and heating the fuel 104. In this example, coil 116 and fuel 104 form an electromagnet. Power source 112 is an electronic oscillator. Coil 116 is wrapped around fuel heating chamber 108, forming a solenoid shape with fuel heating chamber 108 at its center. Coil 116 is coupled to power source 112, which is configured to pass a current through coil 116 to generate a magnetic field. The oscillation of the magnetic field may be timed to form an alternating field Halbach array magnet.

[0013] In operation, the fuel heating chamber 108 receives the fuel 104. A power source 112 passes a current through the coil 116, as shown by the arrows in Figure 1. The current flowing through the coil 116 generates a magnetic field around the coil 116 according to Ampere's Law. Furthermore, because the coil 116 is in a solenoid shape wrapped around the fuel heating chamber 108, the magnetic field of each turn of the coil 116 passes through the center of the coil, creating a strong alternating magnetic field at the center of the coil 116 (e.g., within the fuel heating chamber 108).

[0014] In some examples, the power supply 112 is configured to vary the magnetic field by varying the current through the coil 116. In other examples, the coil 116 may be configured to move relative to the fuel heating chamber 108 to vary the frequency and strength of the magnetic field. The varying magnetic field generates eddy currents and hysteresis in nearby conductors and, in this example, in the fuel 104, according to Faraday's Law of Induction, resulting in heating of the nanothermites in the fuel 104.

[0015] In some examples, the fuel 104 may be heated by magnetic hysteresis of the particles. In particular, magnetizing and demagnetizing the fuel 104 creates hysteresis losses that generate 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 resists the magnetic reversal, creating hysteresis losses that result in the fuel 104 heating up and reaching an ignition point.

[0016] In some examples, the induction heating assembly 110 may heat the fuel 104 using a combination of magnetic hysteresis and eddy current induction heating.

[0017] In this example, the fuel 104 is a reactive metal compound, such as nanothermit. Specifically, the nanothermit fuel includes an oxidizer and a reductant (e.g., a metal and a metal oxide). The nanothermit fuel may further include an inert gas, which can aerosolize the nanothermit fuel. The aerosolized nanothermit fuel can be more highly dispersed within the fuel heating chamber 108 for uniform temperature control. The coil 116 and power source 112 generate eddy currents in the nanothermit fuel, and the resistance of the eddy currents flowing through the nanothermit heats the nanothermit via Joule heating.

[0018] Nanothermit fuel can be beneficial for use in thermal power plants 100, where the nanothermit fuel is heated and ignited by induction due to its high energy release per particle mass compared to the ignition of other fuels, such as hydrocarbons, gas, oil, coal, and ethanol. The nanothermit fuel may contain nanothermites measuring 100 nanometers or less. The nanothermit fuel may also contain an oxidizer. The nanothermit fuel in aerosolized form allows for dispersion of the nanothermit fuel within the fuel heating chamber 108. Dispersion of the nanothermit fuel within the fuel heating chamber 108, in conjunction with the coil 116 wrapped around the fuel heating chamber 108, allows for substantially uniform temperature control throughout the entire volume of the fuel heating chamber 108. This allows for control of the optimum temperature for combustion, sintering, or other heating of the nanothermit fuel. Combustion, sintering, or other heating of the fuel 104 is described further below.

[0019] In other examples, the fuel 104 may include two or more materials. For example, the fuel 104 may include, but is not limited to, magnetic materials, conductive materials, nanoenergetic composites, 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 multiple fuel sources present on celestial bodies, the Moon, Mars, other planets, asteroids, planetary bodies, and other celestial bodies. In examples where in situ resources are used, the thermal power plant 100 may be capable of long-term operation in space. Other examples include using available materials for long-term operation in extreme environments. Extreme environments are environments that are difficult for life forms to inhabit. Examples of extreme environments include high or low temperature environments, high pressure environments, or low-oxygen environments, such as high altitudes or deep oceans. More generally, the fuel 104 may include multiple materials with different configurations, including, but not limited to, different particle sizes, packing structures (e.g., simple cubic packing, face-centered cubic packing, hexagonal packing, etc.), different reaction temperatures, or different heating profiles. For example, the fuel 104 may be configured with multiple materials combined in different layers forming a shell, a heterogeneous mixture, a homogeneous mixture, etc. Heating a fuel 104 with multiple different layers may result in multiple different heating profiles.

[0020] In this example, the fuel 104 is inductively heated and combusted. When the fuel 104 is heated and combusted, the thermal power plant 100 may include an ignition system within the fuel heating chamber 108. The ignition system may be used to ignite and combust the fuel 104. Additionally, in this example, the fuel 104 may be a nanothermitic fuel, which produces less pollution when burned compared to burning other fossil fuels.

[0021] In other examples, the fuel 104 is sintered (e.g., heated without melting). In other examples where the fuel 104 is composed of multiple materials, a combination of combustion and sintering may be performed. Additionally, in other examples, the fuel 104 may be heated to other reaction points based on the desired method of generating power from the heated fuel. For example, the fuel 104 may be melted or heated to a predetermined temperature without changing state.

[0022] The fuel 104 may be heated in a controlled manner based on a desired heating profile. For example, the fuel 104 may first be sintered for a period of time and then combusted. In another example, the fuel 104 may be combusted first, and then the resulting fuel products and the remaining fuel 104 may be sintered. The fuel 104 may be subjected to any combination of sintering and combustion cycles, as well as other combinations of sintering, combustion, and other heating methods.

[0023] The advantage of sintering is that it concentrates the peak efficiency of heating the fuel 104 and provides a controlled heat output while reducing the fuel 104 at a measurable rate. The advantage of burning the fuel 104 is that it uses less energy to heat the fuel 104 and, as further explained below, the combustion by-products can be recycled.

[0024] Returning to FIG. 1 , the fluid heating chamber 120 is coupled to the fuel heating chamber 108 and configured to receive the working fluid 124. The fluid heating chamber 120 is coupled to the fuel heating chamber 108 via an impermeable wall. The impermeable wall allows the fuel chamber 108 and the fluid heating chamber 120 to be in conductive contact with each other while physically isolating the contents of each chamber from each other. This allows heat exchange between the two chambers through the impermeable wall and prevents mixing of 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 may each be formed from a conductive material and positioned in physical contact with each other to allow heat to be transferred from the fuel heating chamber to the fluid heating chamber. In such an example, 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 path 128 for receiving the working fluid 124 and for expelling the working fluid 124 from the fluid heating chamber 120. For example, the fluid heating chamber 120 may be integrally formed with the flow path 128 or may be defined as part of the flow path 128 in conductive contact with the fuel heating chamber 108, allowing the working fluid 124 to be heated at the aforementioned location in the flow path 128. In other examples, the fluid heating chamber 120 may be a separate chamber (e.g., having a defined space, with one or more valves, inlets / outlets, etc.) aligned with the flow path 128. Examples of the working fluid 124 include, but are not limited to, water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, biofuel, etc.

[0025] In another example, the heat exchanger 198 allows the heated fuel 104 and the working fluid 124 to physically intermix. For example, the heat exchanger 198 may include a chamber that takes in the heated fuel 104 and allows it to mix with the working fluid 124 to heat the working fluid 124, and a separation means that releases the heated working fluid 124 into the flow path 124. For example, the heated fuel 104 may be aerosolized and sprayed into the chamber to heat the working fluid 124. In another example, the chamber may include a mixer, such as a rotating paddle, fan, or other means, for mixing the heated fuel 104 and heating the working fluid 124.

[0026] The working fluid 124 is heated by heat exchange from the heated fuel 104. Heat is transferred by conduction from the fuel 104 to the fluid heating chamber 120 containing the working fluid 124. In this example, a continuous supply of fuel 104 is combusted to heat the working fluid 124 as it flows through the fluid heating chamber 120. In other examples where the fuel 104 is sintered, the heat from the sintering allows the working fluid 124 to heat as it flows through the fluid heating chamber 120. The working fluid 124 may undergo a phase change as it is heated and is then discharged from the fluid heating chamber 120 into a flow path 128. In this example, the working fluid 124 is water, which evaporates into steam as it flows through the fluid heating chamber 120. The steam then flows from the fluid heating chamber 120 into the flow path 128.

[0027] The flow path 128 receives the working fluid 124 and directs the flow of the working fluid 124 to the turbine 132. In this example, the working fluid 124 flows in the direction of the arrows shown in the flow path 128 in Figure 1. The flow path 128 further delivers the working fluid 124 from the turbine 132 to a condenser 138 and returns the working fluid 124 to the fluid heating chamber 120, circulating the working fluid 124.

[0028] The turbine 132 is connected to the flow path 128 containing the heated working fluid 124 to receive the heated working fluid 124. The turbine 132 is also connected via a shaft to a generator 136. The heated working fluid 124 propels the turbine 132, which in turn drives the generator 136. In this example where the heated working fluid 124 is steam, the steam flows from the flow path 128 into the turbine 132, propelling it. The generator 136 generates an electric current, which is then exported from the thermal power plant 100 and used as electricity.

[0029] In another embodiment, the working fluid 124 as a steam may drive a steam engine, such as a Stirling engine, to generate electricity and / or provide motive power. Other uses of steam to power different mechanical engines to generate electricity are also contemplated.

[0030] The condenser 138 is configured to receive the working fluid 124 after it has circulated through the turbine 132, condense the working fluid 124, and then return the condensed working fluid 124 to the fluid heating chamber 120. The condenser 138 may be an active condenser or a passive condenser. Active condensers include either jet condensers or surface condensers. The condenser 138 may 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 may be a combination of a jet condenser followed by a surface condenser. In other examples, such as when a working fluid other than water is used, the condenser 138 may more generally cool the heated working fluid or recirculate it back to its original state.

[0031] In another example shown in FIG. 13 , a thermal power plant 100G includes a thermoelectric generator 190. In the above-described embodiment, the power generation subsystem 194 can include a heat exchanger 198, a condenser 138, a flow path 128, a turbine 132, and a generator 136. In this example, the thermal power plant 100G includes the thermoelectric generator 190. The thermoelectric generator 190 may be used in place of the generator 136 without the need for the fluid heating chamber 120, the working fluid 124, the flow path 128, the turbine 132, and the condenser 138. Thermoelectric generators convert heat into electrical power using thermoelectric effects, such as the Seebeck effect, the Peltier effect, and the Thomson effect. The Seebeck effect generates an electric current when a temperature difference is created between dissimilar metals, allowing the thermoelectric generator to convert heat into energy. The generated voltage is proportional to the temperature difference between the two dissimilar metals. Thermoelectric generators generate electrical power from heat resulting from the combustion and / or sintering of fuel 104 within the fuel heating chamber 108. The Peltier effect is the generation or absorption of heat at a junction between two dissimilar conductors when an electric charge flows through the junction. The Thomson effect is the generation or absorption of heat along a conductor when an electric charge flows through the conductor with a temperature gradient.

[0032] 3 , a method 200 for generating electrical power is illustrated. The method 200 will be described in connection with its implementation in a thermal power plant 100. In other examples, the method 200 may be implemented in other suitable systems. At block 205, the fuel 104 is delivered and placed in the fuel heating chamber 108, for example, via the delivery assembly 106. At block 210, the fuel 104 is inductively heated within the fuel heating chamber 108 using the induction heating assembly 110. In particular, using the power source 112, an alternating magnetic field is passed through the surrounding coil 116 and applied to the fuel 104, generating eddy currents and / or hysteresis, which heat the fuel 104 by combustion and / or sintering.

[0033] At block 215, the working fluid 124 is heated in the fluid heating chamber 120 by heat exchange with the fuel 104. For example, by inductively heating the fuel 104, the fuel 104 is combusted. In this example, the combustion of the fuel 104 heats the working fluid 124.

[0034] In blocks 220 and 225, the heated working fluid 124 is circulated through a flow path 128 to a turbine 132, where the working fluid 124 propels the turbine 132. Propelling the turbine 132 rotates a shaft connected to a generator 136, which can generate electricity.

[0035] At block 230, the working fluid 124 is recovered in a condenser 138 where the working fluid 124 is condensed and then returned via a flow path 128 to the fluid heating chamber 120 where the working fluid 124 is reheated and may be recirculated in a loop.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram of another exemplary thermal power plant 100A. In this example, a recovery line 140 is connected to the fuel heating chamber 108 for collecting and delivering one or more combustion byproducts 144. A regenerator 148 is configured to receive one or more of the combustion byproducts 144. Combustion of the fuel 104 may result in one or more combustion byproducts 144 that can be chemically recycled into new products by reforming their chemical composition. The regenerator 148 is configured to process and chemically reform the combustion byproducts 144 into new end products that can be used for other purposes. The regenerator 148 may also receive additional raw materials that can be mixed with the combustion byproducts 144 for chemical reforming. For example, combustion using nanothermites as the fuel 104 produces heat and combustion byproducts 144. The heat is used to heat the working fluid, while the combustion byproducts 144 are collected by the recovery line 140 and delivered to the regenerator 148. The combustion by-products 144 may be subjected to a reduction process, such as electrolysis, to produce end products that are regenerated and / or reused.

[0037] The thermal power plant 100A may further include a separation means for separating the combustion by-products. The separation means may be integrated with the fuel heating chamber 108, the regenerator 148, or may be a separate component. The separation means may include physical means, such as a sieve, a separation chamber (e.g., that naturally separates products by density), or other means for separating the combustion by-products 144 (e.g., magnetically, by ionic bonding, or by other properties of the combustion by-products 144), to separate the combustion by-products 144 from the fuel 104 or from other excess products in the fuel heating chamber 108.

[0038] An example of a fuel 104 that is a nanothermitic fuel can be aluminum-iron (II) oxide. When aluminum-iron (II) oxide is burned, it becomes aluminum oxide, elemental iron, and a large amount of heat. The heat is used to heat the working fluid 124. The combustion by-products 144 are aluminum oxide and iron. The aluminum oxide may itself be used in other products or may be chemically converted into other materials that are used in other products.

[0039] 5 illustrates a method 200A of generating electrical power using the exemplary thermal power plant 100A. Blocks 205A, 210A, 215A, 220A, 225A, and 230A are similar to blocks 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, and 230, respectively, of method 200. In block 235A, combustion by-products 144 are collected by collection line 140 and sent to regenerator 148. Regenerator 148 takes combustion by-products 144 and chemically reforms them into regenerated products that can be used elsewhere (e.g., in other industries or for other purposes).

[0040] 6 illustrates another exemplary thermal power plant 100B, which is an extension of the thermal power plant 100A. In this example, the regenerator 148 may chemically reform the combustion byproducts 144 into another compound for use as the fuel 104. Alternatively, the regenerator 148 may chemically reform the combustion byproducts 144 into an alternative nanothermite for use as the fuel 104. It is also contemplated that the regenerator 148 may chemically reform the combustion byproducts 144 and return the compounds of the combustion byproducts 144 to the fuel 104. The thermal power plant 100B further includes a return path 152 configured to return the chemically reformed combustion byproducts 144 to the supply assembly 106 as fuel 104 to be reintroduced into the fuel heating chamber 108.

[0041] 7 illustrates a method 200B for generating electrical power using the exemplary thermal power plant 100B. Blocks 205B, 210B, 215B, 220B, 225B, 230B, and 235B are similar to blocks 205A, 210A, 215A, 220A, 225A, 230A, and 235A, respectively, of method 200. In block 240B, a regenerator 148 converts combustion by-products 144 from the fuel heating chamber 108. Specifically, the regenerator 148 takes the combustion by-products 144 and chemically reforms them into fuel 104, which may then be reintroduced into the fuel heating chamber 108. In this specific example, the fuel 104 initially introduced into the fuel heating chamber 108 may be chemically the same as, or different from, the reintroduced regeneration product fuel 104. If these two compounds are different, a fuel blend 104 may be produced.

[0042] For example, returning to the example above where the combustion by-products 144 are aluminum oxide and iron, a chemical reaction may be performed to convert the aluminum oxide and iron back into aluminum-iron (II) oxide, which may then be returned for use as fuel 104.

[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary thermal power plant 100C with a different configuration. The thermal power plant 100C includes an integrated heating chamber 160. In this example, the heating chamber 160 includes an integrated heat exchanger 198. The integrated heating chamber 160 may be an integrated fuel heating chamber 108 and fluid heating chamber 120, allowing for induction 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 form a slurry. The slurry is induction heated within the integrated heating chamber 160, and then the fuel 104 and the working fluid 124 are separated. Separation may occur through a change of state associated with a temperature change within the integrated heating chamber 160. Alternatively, a mechanical device, such as a sieve, may be used to separate the working fluid 124 from the fuel 104. Additionally, separation may occur using a pressure-varying separation chamber. Other forms of separation are contemplated. The fuel 104 is returned to the mixing chamber 156 and remixed, while the working fluid 124 is pumped through a turbine 132 to generate power.

[0044] 9 illustrates a power generation method 200C for this example thermal power plant 100C. At block 205C, fuel 104 is provided to the mixing chamber 156. At block 245C, the fuel 104 is mixed with the working fluid 124 to form a slurry.

[0045] An example of a slurry may be a mixture of water as the working fluid 124 and aluminum-iron (II) oxide as the nanothermitic fuel 104. Other forms of slurries in which the working fluid 124 and fuel 104 are mixed are also contemplated.

[0046] The slurry is then injected into the integrated heating chamber 160. The slurry is heated by induction at block 250C, and then the slurry is separated into working fluid 124 and fuel 104 at block 255C and returned. A flow path 164 collects the fuel 104 and delivers it to a condenser 168 for condensation, as shown at block 265C. After condensation, the condensed fuel is returned to the mixing chamber 156 to be remixed with the working fluid 124 and reintroduced into the integrated heating chamber 160 as a slurry.

[0047] Continuing with this example, at block 225C, the working fluid 124 is collected and pumped through the flow path 128 to propel the turbine 132. At block 260C, the working fluid 124 is cooled and condensed in the condenser 138. After circulating through the turbine 132 and the condenser 138, the working fluid 124 is returned to the mixing chamber 156 to be remixed with the fuel 104 and reintroduced into the integrated heating chamber 160 as a slurry.

[0048] 10 illustrates an exemplary thermal power plant 100D that may be used in space. In the thermal power plant 100D, a heat sink 172 is in thermal contact with the condenser 138. The heat sink 172 is also exposed to the vacuum of space, allowing the working fluid 124 condensing in the condenser 138 to exchange heat with the heat sink 172.

[0049] In another example, FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary thermal power plant 100E in which an exhaust heating assembly 176 can be used instead of the fluid heating chamber 120. In the previous embodiment, the heat exchanger 198 is comprised of the fluid heating chamber 120. In this exemplary thermal power plant 100E, the heat exchanger 198 is comprised of the exhaust heating assembly 176. The exhaust heating assembly 176 includes an exhaust nozzle and a chamber containing the working fluid 124. In this embodiment, when the fuel 104 is heated in the fuel heating chamber 108, exhaust can be a by-product of heating. Exhaust (also known as flue gas) can be generated when the fuel 104 is heated and combusted, when it is heated by sintering, or a combination of the two. The generated exhaust is hot, and the exhaust heat can be used to heat the working fluid 124 through heat exchange. In this embodiment, the chamber containing the working fluid 124 in the exhaust heating assembly 176 can be isolated from the exhaust to prevent residue from the fuel 104 from contaminating the working fluid 124. The heat exchange can occur through conductive elements in the chamber containing the working fluid 124 .

[0050] In another embodiment (not shown) in which the exhaust heating assembly 176 can be used, the heat exchanger 198 further includes two stages of exposure of the working fluid received from the flow path 128 to the exhaust heating assembly 176: an evaporator and a superheater. Similar to the exhaust heating assembly 176, the working fluid 124 is isolated from the exhaust by an impermeable wall, and the working fluid 124 may be contained in various separate tubes within the exhaust heating assembly 176 to increase the surface area of ​​the impermeable tube wall in contact with the exhaust. The two stages of exposure of the tubes containing the working fluid 124 to the exhaust may be located in different regions of the exhaust heating assembly 176, with the superheater located closer to the point of receipt of the exhaust from the fuel heating chamber 108 and the evaporator located farther from the point of receipt of the exhaust from the fuel heating chamber 108 being hotter and the temperature decreasing with increasing distance from the point of receipt of the exhaust. By having an evaporator and a superheater, the working fluid 124 can be heated in two stages, thereby increasing the temperature of the working fluid 124 more quickly than an exhaust heating assembly 176 that has only one stage.

[0051] In another example, FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary thermal power plant 100F that may use two heat exchangers 198, namely, heat exchanger 198-1 and heat exchanger 198-2. In heat exchanger 198-1, the exhaust heating assembly 176 is used to heat a secondary working fluid 184 that is circulated through a secondary flow path 186. The flow path 128 and the secondary flow path 186 are isolated from each other, and therefore, different fluids may be delivered as the working fluid 124 and the secondary working fluid 184. In this example, the working fluid 124 is water, while the secondary working fluid 184 may be sodium. Other working fluids 124 and secondary working fluids 184 may also be contemplated.

[0052] The secondary working fluid 184 may remain heated by passing exhaust from the fuel heating chamber 108 through an exhaust heating assembly 176, which heats the secondary working fluid 184. The secondary working fluid 184 flows from the exhaust heating assembly 176 through a secondary flow path 186 to a heat exchanger 198-2. The heat exchanger 198-2 includes a boiler 180. As the heated secondary working fluid 184 flows through the boiler 180, it heats the working fluid 124. As described above, the working fluid 124 is isolated from the secondary working fluid 184. An impermeable wall within the boiler 180 separates the working fluid 124 from the secondary working fluid 184 to prevent mixing as the working fluid 124 circulates to power the turbine 132. In this example, the working fluid 124 is conductively heated through the impermeable wall within the flow path 128 as it flows through the boiler 180. Although shown as straight in FIG. 12, other embodiments may include a coil-shaped flow path 128 to increase the surface area available for heat exchange from the secondary flow path 186 by conduction.

[0053] In another example (not shown), the thermal power plant has means for simultaneous cogeneration of electricity and heat. The heat rejected from the turbine 132 may be recovered in a heat recovery unit. The heat may then be used for a variety of purposes. One example of a use for the recovered heat is to provide hot water to homes. Cogeneration puts waste heat energy to some productive use. Similarly, trigeneration and multigeneration of electricity and heat are also contemplated.

[0054] In another example (not shown), a thermal power plant is used for multigeneration, simultaneously producing electricity, useful heat, cooling, propulsion, energy storage, and industrial products.

[0055] In another example (not shown), a thermal power plant consists of nanothermitic fuel dispersed in a solid medium and formed into a rod shape. The nanothermitic fuel rod is surrounded by multiple coils. When energized by a power source, the coils create a magnetic field around the rod-shaped nanothermitic fuel, heating it. By controlling the magnetic field, the rod-shaped nanothermitic fuel can be maintained at a high temperature without undergoing a phase change. This heats the working fluid surrounding the rod, which can then power a turbine and generator.

[0056] In another example (not shown), a thermal power plant is constructed with replaceable nanothermit fuel rods. As in the previous example, the nanothermit fuel rods are surrounded by multiple coils that, when energized by a power source, create a magnetic field around the rod-shaped nanothermit fuel, heating it. In this example, the rod-shaped nanothermit fuel is burned. After burning, they can be replaced with new nanothermit fuel rods. The combustion of the nanothermit fuel rods heats the working fluid surrounding the rods, which can then power a turbine and generator.

[0057] In another example (not shown), a thermal power plant is constructed with nanothermitic fuel-coated rods. The nanothermitic fuel-coated rods are surrounded by multiple coils similar to those described above. As with the previous example, the coils, when energized by a power source, create a magnetic field around the nanothermitic fuel-coated rods, heating them. Controlling the magnetic field maintains the rods at a high temperature and time-controls the combustion of the nanothermitic fuel coating the rods. This heats the working fluid surrounding the rods, powering a turbine and generator.

[0058] It is contemplated that the regenerator 148 in the exemplary thermal power plants 100A and 100B can be used in the different embodiments of the thermal power plants 100C, 100D, 100E, and 100F. As discussed above, the regenerator 148 may be used to convert the combustion by-products 144 into useful end products. Examples of end products include industrial and consumer goods. One advantage of using the regenerator 148 is reduced waste and the conversion of potentially environmentally harmful combustion by-products 144 into cleaner alternatives. An additional advantage of the thermal power plant 100C, in which the regenerator 148 is connected to the fuel supply 104 to the fuel heating chamber 108, is significantly reduced waste because the end products are recycled.

[0059] In other embodiments, thermal power plants may be combined with renewable or non-renewable power generation systems for the production of generated power, useful heat, cooling, propulsion, energy storage, and industrial products, and / or multigeneration. Non-renewable power generation systems include, but are not limited to, oil, gas, coal, natural gas, and nuclear. Renewable power generation systems include, but are not limited to, solar, biomass, compressor, fuel cell, geothermal, and the like.

[0060] In other embodiments, multigeneration is achieved through spin-mediated interconversion phenomena between different physical entities to generate electricity, light, sound, vibration, and heat in Earth-based and space-based systems. These phenomena include, but are not limited to, the Seebeck effect, Peltier effect, spin-Seebeck effect, spin-Peltier effect, spin-Hall effect, and inverse spin-Hall effect. Spin conversion occurs within regions near interfaces between physical entities via spin-mediated transfer of angular momentum, enabling the interconversion of electricity, light, sound, vibration, and heat.

[0061] Excess energy is stored in energy storage systems for on-demand delivery and distribution. These systems include, but are not limited to, electrochemical, electromagnetic, thermodynamic, and mechanical systems. The stored energy is utilized as needed through energy conversion processes, either directly or indirectly, to balance energy supply and demand. A distribution network may combine multiple transmission methods to connect multiple nodes and optimize for sustainable delivery and utilization.

[0062] Thermal power plants that inductively heat nanothermit fuel are less polluting. Additionally, as contemplated by the present invention, further pollution can be reduced by using a regenerator 148 to convert all combustion byproducts 144 into useful end products that can be used in a variety of applications, from consumer goods to raw materials used in construction. Having the regenerator 148 convert the combustion byproducts 144 into fuel that can be returned to the thermal power plant further reduces pollution and waste. The regenerator 148 may also be combined with other embodiments of thermal power plants that include inductively heated nanothermit fuel. Additional benefits of inductively heating nanothermit fuel in thermal power plants include the operation of thermal power plants in space and extreme environments.

[0063] The scope of the claims is not intended to be limited to the embodiments set forth in the examples above, but rather is to be accorded the broadest interpretation consistent with the specification as a whole.

[0064] It is understood that features and aspects of the various examples described above may be combined to form additional examples within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and size and shape may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes.

Claims

1. 1. A thermal power plant for generating electricity, comprising: a fuel heating chamber configured to receive a nanothermitic fuel; an induction heating assembly configured to inductively heat the nanothermitic fuel in the fuel heating chamber; a power generation subsystem configured to convert heat from the heated nanothermit fuel into electrical power, a heat exchanger including a fluid heating chamber coupled to the fuel heating chamber, the fluid heating chamber configured to receive a working fluid, the heat exchanger transferring heat from the heated nanothermit fuel to the working fluid; a flow path coupled to the heat exchanger, the flow path 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 power via a generator; a power generation subsystem including: Equipped with a mixing chamber configured to mix the nanothermit fuel and the working fluid to form a mixture, the mixing chamber coupled to the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger including an integrated heating chamber configured to heat the mixture.

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

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

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

5. 3. The thermal power plant of claim 2, wherein the induction heating assembly is configured to heat and combust the nanothermit fuel, and the thermal power plant further comprises a collection line connected to the fuel heating chamber for collecting combustion by-products from the combustion of the nanothermit fuel.

6. 6. The thermal power plant of claim 5, further comprising a regenerator configured to receive at least one combustion by-product from the recovery line and to modify a chemical composition of the combustion by-product to a regenerated product.

7. 1. A method of generating electrical power using a thermal power plant, comprising: receiving a nanothermitic fuel by a fuel heating chamber; heating the nanothermitic fuel in the fuel heating chamber using induction heating; converting heat from the heated nanothermit fuel into electrical power via a power generation subsystem, the power generation subsystem comprising: a heat exchanger including a fluid heating chamber coupled to the fuel heating chamber, the fluid heating chamber configured to receive a working fluid, the heat exchanger transferring heat from the heated nanothermit fuel to the working fluid; a flow path coupled to the heat exchanger, the flow path 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 power via a generator; and The method further includes mixing the nanothermit fuel with the working fluid in a mixing chamber to form a mixture, and delivering the mixture to a heat exchanger for heating, the heat exchanger including an integrated heating chamber for heating the mixture.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein heating the nanothermitic fuel comprises passing an alternating current through an electromagnet via an electronic oscillator and placing the nanothermitic fuel within the surrounding electromagnet.

9. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising separating the heated working fluid and the heated nanothermit fuel, collecting the heated nanothermit fuel in a collection passage, and circulating the heated working fluid through the passage.

10. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising condensing the nanothermit fuel and returning the condensed nanothermit fuel to the mixing chamber to mix with the working fluid.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising condensing the working fluid after circulating, and returning the condensed working fluid to the mixing chamber to mix with the nanothermit fuel.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein heating the fuel comprises combusting the nanothermitic fuel to produce at least one combustion byproduct.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising recovering at least one combustion by-product from the fuel heating chamber using a recovery line, and delivering the combustion by-product to a regenerator via the recovery line.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising reforming the chemical composition of the combustion by-products into regenerated products in the regenerator.

15. The method of claim 7 , wherein heating the fuel comprises sintering the nanothermitic fuel in the fuel heating chamber.

16. 10. The thermal power plant of claim 1, further comprising means for cogeneration, trigeneration and multigeneration of cooling, heating, electricity generation, propulsion and industrial products.

17. 10. The thermal power plant of claim 1, further comprising an energy storage system coupled to the power generation subsystem, the energy storage system configured to store energy generated by the thermal power plant.

18. 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising mixing the nanothermitic fuel with resources at an in-space location for long-term operation in space and other extreme environments.

19. 2. The thermal power plant of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger includes an exhaust heating assembly coupled to the fuel heating chamber, the exhaust heating assembly configured to receive the working fluid, the working fluid being heated by exhaust from the fuel heating chamber through an impermeable wall, and the working fluid being isolated from the exhaust by the impermeable wall.

20. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the heat exchanger includes an exhaust heating assembly coupled to the fuel heating chamber, the exhaust heating assembly configured to receive the working fluid, the working fluid being heated by exhaust from the fuel heating chamber through an impermeable wall, the working fluid being isolated from the exhaust by the impermeable wall.

21. The thermal power plant of claim 1 , wherein the nanothermitic fuel is dispersed in a controlled manner within the fuel heating chamber.

22. The method of claim 7 , wherein receiving the nanothermit fuel within the fuel heating chamber further comprises dispersing the nanothermit fuel within the fuel heating chamber.

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