Electricity generator using composite carbon

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electricity generator using composite carbon and, more particularly, to a technology enabling electricity to be generated through a chemical reaction between carbon and metal, wherein, rather than as simple structures, the carbon is applied as composite carbon members in a form that can maximize the degree of activation of the chemical reaction, thereby enabling electricity to be stably generated for a long time and facilitating series or parallel provision. The present invention comprises: a main body having an accommodation space therein; a metal member, which is provided in the accommodation space of the main body and has a negative polarity; and a composite carbon member, which is provided in the accommodation space of the main body and has a positive polarity, wherein electrical energy is generated by a chemical reaction between the metal member and the composite carbon member, and the composite carbon member has a plurality of pores formed therein by mixing two kinds of carbon materials and undergoing foaming.

Description

Electricity generation device using composite carbon

[0001] The present invention relates to an electricity generation device using composite carbon, and more specifically, to a technology that is configured to produce electricity through a chemical reaction between carbon and metal, but uses a composite carbon member having a form that maximizes the degree of activation of the chemical reaction rather than a simple structure of carbon, thereby enabling stable, long-term electricity generation and facilitating serial or parallel installation.

[0002] As science and technology advance, electricity is increasingly needed and used in diverse settings, including industrial sites, homes, and outdoor spaces. Typically, high-voltage electricity is supplied to individual households or by the electricity provider (Korea Electric Power Corporation) for a set fee.

[0003]

[0004] However, in places where the power supply is not smooth, in areas where high-voltage electricity is not needed, and in cases where electronic devices need to be portable, portable power generation devices such as dry cells (batteries) are used.

[0005]

[0006] Generally, the basic principle of a battery is that it converts chemical energy contained within it into electrical energy. The earliest batteries were made by layering multiple pairs of silver and zinc plates, sandwiching them between cloth soaked in salt water or an alkaline solution. Connecting the top silver plate with the bottom zinc plate allowed current to flow.

[0007]

[0008] The most commonly used dry cell battery these days is the manganese dry cell. Its external shape is cylindrical or rectangular, with a zinc-coated (-) terminal cylinder that also serves as a container. At the center is a carbon rod (+) terminal. The metal surrounding the (+) terminal is not zinc, but a special, corrosion-resistant metal.

[0009] Additionally, the area around the carbon rod is filled with a mixture of manganese dioxide and graphite that is pressed under high pressure, and the outside is wrapped with paper that has sufficiently absorbed electrolyte (ammonium chloride), and the top is composed of air chambers and pitch, etc.

[0010] To put it simply, a battery is a structure in which an ammonium chloride solution is filled as an electrolyte between a zinc plate (-) and a carbon rod (+).

[0011]

[0012] However, these batteries have the disadvantage of having a very short electrical energy lifespan, requiring constant replacement. Furthermore, they contain significant amounts of harmful substances, including chemicals, and require separate disposal after use.

[0013] The present invention aims to provide an electric energy generating device using composite carbon capable of generating electric energy through a metal capable of chemically reacting with carbon, by configuring the carbon as a composite carbon member combining two types of carbon, so as to have components optimized for the production of electric energy, and having a configuration capable of effectively contacting and reacting with a liquid conductive catalyst, thereby increasing the efficiency of electric energy generation and generating electricity stably for a long period of time.

[0014] The present invention comprises a main body having an accommodation space inside, a metal member provided in the accommodation space of the main body and having a negative polarity, and a composite carbon member provided in the accommodation space of the main body and having a positive polarity; wherein electric energy is generated by a chemical reaction between the metal member and the composite carbon member, and wherein the composite carbon member is characterized in that a plurality of pores are formed inside by mixing two types of carbon materials and undergoing a foaming process.

[0015]

[0016] In addition, the metal member is characterized in that it is made of magnesium.

[0017]

[0018] In addition, the above composite carbon material is characterized in that it absorbs a liquid-state conductive catalyst and the pores are filled with the conductive catalyst.

[0019]

[0020] In addition, the above composite carbon member is characterized in that it is manufactured by a manufacturing method including the steps of preparing a first raw material corresponding to graphite and a second raw material corresponding to a carbon-based material other than graphite in a powder state, a step of mixing a water-soluble binder with the first raw material and the second raw material at a certain ratio to manufacture a mixed dough, a step of freezing the mixed dough at a temperature condition of 0°C or lower to cause volume expansion of the mixed dough, and a step of thawing the expanded mixed dough to form a plurality of pores inside and manufacture a foamed composite carbon member.

[0021]

[0022] In addition, in the step of manufacturing the mixed dough, the mixing ratio of the first raw material, the second raw material, and the water-soluble binder is characterized by being 40 to 70 parts by weight of the first raw material, 10 to 30 parts by weight of the second raw material, and 25 to 50 parts by weight of the water-soluble binder.

[0023] The present invention applies a composite carbon material in which a plurality of pores are formed inside by mixing two types of carbon materials and going through a foaming process, thereby enabling the carbon material to have a high efficiency in generating electric energy by adjusting the mixing ratio, and has the effect of making the chemical reaction more efficient by making it easy to absorb a conductive catalyst in a liquid state.

[0024]

[0025] The present invention has the advantage of being able to generate electric energy for a long period of time because it is very stable and does not contain any harmful chemicals, and because the physical properties change slowly due to chemical reactions.

[0026] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an electricity generating device using the composite carbon of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 is an example of a power generation device using composite carbon of the present invention in which a metal member and a composite carbon member are arranged in parallel.

[0028] Figure 3 is another embodiment of an electric power generation device using a composite carbon of the present invention, which further includes a current collector.

[0029] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a composite carbon member in an electricity generating device using composite carbon of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 is a drawing showing an example of sealing of a mixed dough in a method for manufacturing a composite carbon member applied to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6 is a photograph of a composite carbon member manufactured through the manufacturing method of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 is an enlarged photograph of a composite carbon member manufactured through the manufacturing method of the present invention.

[0033] Fig. 8 is a photograph showing the voltage of electric energy generated using the composite carbon material of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 9 is a photograph showing power being supplied to an LED module using electric energy generated using the composite carbon material of the present invention.

[0035] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0036]

[0037] The electric power generation device using composite carbon of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises a main body (100) having an internal accommodation space, a metal member (200) provided in the accommodation space of the main body (100) and having a negative polarity, and a composite carbon member (300) provided in the accommodation space of the main body (100) and having a positive polarity; and electric energy is generated by a chemical reaction between the metal member (200) and the composite carbon member (300). The composite carbon member (300) is characterized in that a plurality of pores are formed inside by mixing two types of carbon materials and undergoing a foaming process.

[0038]

[0039] The above metal member (200) is applied with magnesium, and the principle of generating electricity through the reaction of carbon and magnesium is a known configuration, but it is currently being used as an educational kit to confirm the generation of electricity by fixing a carbon sheet and a magnesium sheet to both ends of a tank containing an electrolyte such as salt water.

[0040] This principle requires a large amount of electrolyte, such as salt water, and the carbon sheets used in educational kits are in a form that does not significantly affect chemical reactions, making them inefficient for electricity generation and difficult to manufacture into actual battery forms.

[0041]

[0042] However, the purpose of the present invention is to further increase the efficiency of electric energy generation by improving the chemical reaction through the foam structure of the composite carbon.

[0043]

[0044] First, the main body (100) of the present invention forms an accommodation space inside to accommodate the metal member (200) and the composite carbon member (300). Of course, even without the main body (100), electric energy can be generated with only the metal member (200) and the composite carbon member (300). However, the main body (100) can protect the metal member (200) and the composite carbon member (300) without exposing them to the outside, and also has a function of stably holding the position of each component.

[0045] Conventional batteries have structural problems, such as the outer case having to be formed to have polarity or having to have a sturdy sealing structure to prevent internal chemicals from leaking, but the main body (100) of the present invention has the advantage of being able to be manufactured in any shape as long as it can accommodate a metal member (200) and a composite carbon member (300).

[0046]

[0047] The metal member (200) of the present invention is a metal having a negative polarity, and is installed in a form that directly contacts the composite carbon member (300) having a positive polarity. As described above, it is preferably applied as magnesium. Considering the standard electrode level of metals, magnesium is a metal that is both efficient and stable.

[0048]

[0049] The composite carbon member (300) of the present invention is formed with a large number of pores inside by mixing two types of carbon materials and going through a foaming process. Since the composite carbon member (300) in a dry state cannot properly induce a chemical reaction, a conductive catalyst (400) in a liquid state must be absorbed to maintain the state in which the pores are filled with the conductive catalyst.

[0050] Accordingly, the conductive catalyst (400) is sprayed so that it can be sufficiently absorbed into the composite carbon member (300) or filled to a certain level inside the main body (100) so that the composite carbon member (300) is immersed.

[0051]

[0052] And the conductive catalyst (400) can be used as distilled water or general water, and in order to generate high electric energy, it is preferable to apply it as a sodium carbonate aqueous solution composed of a high alkaline component.

[0053]

[0054] The present invention, considering the sizes of the metal member (200) and the composite carbon member (300), can generate long-term electric energy that could not be achieved in existing batteries because the chemical reaction occurs slowly. Here, in order to further increase the duration of the electric energy or generate a high current, the metal member (200) and the composite carbon member (300) can be configured in a form in which they are connected or connected in series, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0055]

[0056] And the power generation device using the composite carbon of the present invention can also be applied in a form in which a current collector (310) is further arranged on one side of the composite carbon member (300), as illustrated in FIG. 3. That is, by contacting the current collector (310) with one side of the composite carbon member (300) and then configuring the + line to be connected to the current collector (310), the power generation efficiency can be further increased. The current collector (310) has a low electrical resistance and is a structure that efficiently transmits electric energy. The current collector (310) is preferably applied as a lead alloy, but it is of course also applicable to other metals having the function of the current collector (310).

[0057] In addition, it is also possible to manufacture the composite carbon material (300) and the current collector (310) in a form in which they are wound multiple times with a single + wire to generate an electromagnetic field, thereby increasing the efficiency of electricity generation.

[0058]

[0059] The composite carbon member (300) corresponding to the core component of the present invention is manufactured by the following manufacturing method.

[0060] The method for manufacturing the above composite carbon member (300) comprises the steps of: a step (S1) of preparing a first raw material corresponding to graphite and a second raw material corresponding to a carbon-based material other than graphite in a powder state, as illustrated in FIG. 4; a step (S2) of mixing a water-soluble binder with the first and second raw materials at a certain ratio to manufacture a mixed dough; a step (S3) of freezing the mixed dough at a temperature condition of 0°C or lower to cause volume expansion of the mixed dough; and a step (S4) of thawing the expanded mixed dough to form a plurality of pores inside and manufacture a foamed composite carbon member (300).

[0061]

[0062] The step (S1) of preparing in a powder state is to prepare two materials corresponding to the first and second raw materials of the carbon series in a powder state. Here, the first raw material is graphite, and the second raw material corresponds to a carbon-based material other than graphite.

[0063]

[0064] Graphite, the primary raw material, is also known as graphite and occurs naturally and is also manufactured artificially. While graphite shares the same chemical composition as diamond, its crystal structure differs. It is composed of hexagonal plate-shaped crystals, with atoms arranged in a hierarchical structure in parallel planes. Consequently, graphite is slippery and slippery, making it useful as ink and pencil lead. It also possesses excellent electrical and thermal conductivity.

[0065]

[0066] The second raw material is a carbonaceous material other than graphite, and among various carbonaceous materials, carbon black (CB) is preferably used. Carbon black is produced by incomplete combustion or thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons, and carbon black also has excellent electrical conductivity.

[0067]

[0068] In the step (S2) of manufacturing the above-mentioned mixed dough, a water-soluble binder is mixed with the first and second raw materials prepared in powder form at a certain ratio to manufacture the dough. The water-soluble binder acts as a binding agent that binds the first and second raw materials together, and contains moisture to enable a foaming action.

[0069]

[0070] In the step (S2) of manufacturing the above mixed dough, the mixing ratio of the first raw material, the second raw material, and the water-soluble binder is characterized by being 40 to 70 parts by weight of the first raw material, 10 to 30 parts by weight of the second raw material, and 25 to 50 parts by weight of the water-soluble binder.

[0071] The reason for mixing the first and second raw materials in the present invention is to increase chemical reaction efficiency. Furthermore, it is preferable to use a higher amount of the first raw material, which corresponds to graphite, than the second raw material, which corresponds to carbon black, to maximize electrical energy generation efficiency.

[0072]

[0073] In addition, if the water-soluble binder content is lower than the above, the specific gravity of the first and second raw materials becomes relatively high, making it difficult to combine them in a dough form, and the expansion effect is low, which is disadvantageous for having a foam structure. On the other hand, if the content is higher than the above, the content of the first and second raw materials becomes relatively low, making it difficult to expect the chemical and electrical functionality inherent in the raw materials, and there is a problem of the particles being easily broken due to the low density. Therefore, it is preferable to mix them within the above range.

[0074]

[0075] The step (S3) for achieving the above volume expansion is to allow the mixed dough, in which the first raw material, the second raw material, and the water-soluble binder are mixed, to undergo a freezing process at a sub-zero temperature (below 0°C) and undergo a phase change process of the mixed dough, thereby achieving volume expansion. In other words, the dough, which is not in a completely solid state, is frozen to become a hard solid state. The volume expands during this process, which is similar to the principle of volume expansion when water is turned into ice.

[0076] At this time, it is desirable to maintain the frozen state for 50 to 80 hours to ensure sufficient volume expansion. The reason for maintaining the frozen state for such a long time is that the freezing time of at least 50 hours is necessary due to the physical properties of the mixed dough itself, and if it exceeds 80 hours, the expansion effect gradually decreases, so it is recommended to maintain the above-mentioned maintenance time.

[0077]

[0078] In the step (S3) for achieving the above-mentioned volume expansion, the moisture content of the mixed dough must be maintained without being lost to ensure proper expansion. Therefore, freezing is performed in a sealed state to prevent moisture loss during the freezing process. More specifically, the freezing process is performed in an environment that allows volume expansion of the mixed dough while preventing moisture loss.

[0079]

[0080] After the volume of the mixed dough has expanded, a step (S4) is performed to thaw the expanded mixed dough so that a plurality of pores are formed inside, thereby manufacturing a foamed composite carbon material (300). At this time, it is preferable that the thawing be performed at room temperature, such as 15 to 25°C, rather than at an excessively high temperature.

[0081] The thawing time described above is preferably a long period of time, 50 to 80 hours, similar to the freezing time described above. Normally, water melts and shrinks in volume when the temperature exceeds 4°C. However, since the mixed dough contains a binder, the overall volume does not shrink and numerous pores are created inside.

[0082]

[0083] The above mixed dough can form pores inside with just one freezing and one thawing, but to form more pores inside and achieve a more stable foaming state, it is recommended to repeat freezing and thawing.

[0084] That is, the step (S4) of manufacturing the foamed composite carbon member (300) may further include a process of repeating refreezing and rethawing at a temperature of 0°C or lower. In this process of repeating refreezing and rethawing, it is preferable that the repetition number be 3 to 12 times. If the number of repetitions exceeds 12, pore formation reaches its maximum, reducing the effect of repetition.

[0085]

[0086] The composite carbon material (300) thus finally completed has a rubber-like texture that is soft enough to be deformed by pressure when pressed by hand, and has a light weight relative to its volume due to the formation of numerous pores inside.

[0087]

[0088] Although a composite carbon member (300) can be made by repeating freezing and thawing in this manner, a more thorough process of placing the thawed mixed dough in a steamer and supplying high-temperature steam for a certain period of time can be performed. When steam is supplied, moisture is evenly filled within the foamed pores, and the fibrous structure within the composite carbon member (300) becomes solid.

[0089]

[0090] <Example 1>

[0091] First, powdered graphite, carbon black, and a water-soluble binder are mixed in a ratio of 5:2:3 and then stirred. Then, the mixed dough is placed in a freezer (10) as shown in Fig. 5.

[0092] At this time, it is recommended that the freezing container (10) be placed in a well-closed container that is not open to prevent moisture from escaping from the mixed dough. In addition, since the mixed dough expands during the freezing process, the container should not be filled with the mixed dough but rather should have some space, and it is recommended that a small air outlet (11) be formed at the top of the freezing container (10) to allow the mixed dough to expand smoothly.

[0093]

[0094] Then, the mixed dough is placed in a freezer and frozen at a temperature of -30℃ for 72 hours. The mixed dough, which has expanded after 72 hours of freezing, is slowly thawed at a room temperature of 20℃ for 72 hours. At this time, it is preferable to thaw the mixed dough in a freezer container (10) so that moisture is not released during the thawing process, and the hole of the air outlet (11) may be covered to prevent drying.

[0095]

[0096] By going through this thawing process, pores are formed inside the mixed dough, and in order to form a larger amount of pores, freezing and thawing are repeated 10 times. By repeating this freezing and thawing process, the composite carbon material (300) in which pores are sufficiently formed is taken out of the freezing container (10).

[0097]

[0098] The composite carbon member (300) manufactured in this manner maintains a stable foam state, and when cut to a certain size, it takes the shape shown in the photograph of Fig. 6. The composite carbon member (300) manufactured in this manner has the characteristic of changing shape when pressure is applied, and returns to its original state when the pressure is released. As shown in the enlarged photograph of Fig. 7, the interior is formed with numerous pores like a sponge.

[0099]

[0100] As pores are formed in this way, unlike other carbon compositions, air can pass through them and when they come into contact with moisture, they become a form that can store moisture inside, so that the absorption of a liquid conductive catalyst (400) is easily achieved and a chemical reaction can occur effectively.

[0101]

[0102] When a conductive catalyst (400) is absorbed into the composite carbon member (300) manufactured in this manner and then brought into contact with a metal member (200) made of magnesium, a voltage of 1.7 volts or more is generated, as shown in Fig. 8. The current generated in this manner is sufficient to generate light from an LED module with sufficient brightness, as shown in Fig. 9.

[0103]

[0104] The above example is an experimental example for confirming electricity generation. If the arrangement structure of the metal member (200) and the composite carbon member (300) is further strengthened and configured more efficiently, a higher current can be generated.

[0105]

[0106] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the above embodiments, it is of course possible to make various modifications within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

Claims

1. A body (100) having an accommodation space inside, a metal member (200) provided in the accommodation space of the body (100) and having a - polarity, and a composite carbon member (300) provided in the accommodation space of the body (100) and having a + polarity; electrical energy is generated by a chemical reaction between the metal member (200) and the composite carbon member (300), and the composite carbon member (300) is formed with a plurality of pores inside by mixing two types of carbon materials and going through a foaming process. The above composite carbon material (300) is; Step (S1) of preparing a first raw material corresponding to graphite and a second raw material corresponding to a carbon-based material other than graphite in powder form, A step (S2) of producing a mixed dough by mixing a water-soluble binder with the first and second raw materials, Step (S3) of placing the above mixed dough into a freezer and freezing it in a sealed state at a temperature of 0℃ or lower so that moisture in the dough does not escape, thereby allowing the volume of the mixed dough to expand; It is manufactured through a step (S4) of manufacturing a composite carbon material (300) in a foamed state by thawing the expanded mixed dough in a freezer container and forming a large number of pores inside; An electricity generating device using composite carbon, characterized in that the composite carbon member (300) absorbs a liquid-state conductive catalyst (400) so that the pores are filled with the conductive catalyst.

2. In paragraph 1, An electric power generation device using composite carbon, characterized in that the above metal member (200) is magnesium.

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