Thermal reactor

Abstract

A thermal reactor is described comprising a first surface of a first electrode and a second surface of a second electrode, to which a potential difference is applicable, a combustion chamber in which the first and second surfaces face each other, wherein the combustion chamber is configured as a tubular cavity defined between two coaxial cylindrical surfaces electrically connected to each other to form together the first surface of the first electrode.

Description

[0001] Thermal reactor

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to the field of thermal combustion reactors; in particular, the invention relates to a hydrogen-metal thermal reactor.

[0004] Prior Art

[0005] Conventional hydrogen combustion systems are based on the controlled oxidation of hydrogen in the presence of oxygen to release energy.

[0006] These systems are generally designed to minimise emissions, with water as the main byproduct.

[0007] Known technologies in this area include hydrogen burners and turbines, developed for applications in stationary power generation and propulsion systems.

[0008] However, these systems often encounter difficulties in managing high combustion temperatures, optimising thermal efficiency and mitigating the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) under extreme operating conditions

[0009] Hydrogen-metal energy devices represent a multidisciplinary innovation between hydrogen energy systems, electrochemical processes and thermal management technologies.

[0010] The use of hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy carrier has been widely studied and implemented in various forms, including fuel cells, combustion systems and hybrid devices.

[0011] The integration of metal electrodes subjected to a potential differential to catalyse the combustion of hydrogen and harness the resulting thermal energy remains a relatively innovative approach that allows precise control of combustion processes. Hydrogen-metal devices are known to comprise a pair of metal-alloy electrodes within a combustion chamber into which synthetic gas mixtures comprising fuel and oxidiser are introduced.

[0012] Applying a high-voltage pulse to the electrodes generates an electric field between the electrodes, which accelerates the free electrons present in the synthesis gas by ionising it. This ionisation process generates a plasma discharge generating thermal energy.

[0013] Summary of the invention

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to realise a thermal reactor, in particular an efficient thermal reactor whose geometry can efficiently utilise the heat developed for the generation of thermal energy to power micro turbines.

[0015] The aforementioned and other purposes and advantages, which will be better understood below, are achieved, according to the present invention, by a thermal reactor having the characteristics defined in the appended claim 1.

[0016] Particular methods of embodiment are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the contents of which are intended to form an integral part of the present description.

[0017] In brief, the thermal reactor comprises a combustion chamber in which the surfaces of a first and second electrode face each other, and wherein said combustion chamber is configured as a tubular cavity defined between two coaxial cylindrical surfaces forming the surface of the first electrode.

[0018] Advantageously, this geometry provides greater thermal inertia to the combustion chamber, improving the efficiency of the thermal reactor and decreasing fuel consumption while maintaining efficient operating parameters.

[0019] Brief description of the designs The functional and structural characteristics of certain embodiments of a thermal reactor according to the invention will now be described. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] - figure 1 is a side view of a thermal reactor injector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] - figure 2 shows an upper view of thermal reactor components according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] - in figure 3 is shown a view of the fluid domain in a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] - Figure 4 shows an internal section of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] - Figure 5 shows a side view of external elements of a combustion chamber of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] - Figure 6 shows a side view of a first external element of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] - Figure 7 shows a side view of an internal element of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Detailed

[0028] Before explaining in detail a plurality of embodiments of the invention, it should be made clear that the invention is not limited in its application to the construction details and configuration of the components presented in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.

[0029] The invention is capable of taking other forms of embodiment and of being practically implemented or realised in various ways. It should also be understood that phraseology and terminology are for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting. The use of "include" and "comprise" and their variations are to be understood as including the elements enunciated below and their equivalents, as well as additional elements and their equivalents.

[0030] A thermal reactor 2 according to the present invention comprises a first surface 41 of a first electrode 40 and a second surface 51 of a second electrode 50, to which a potential difference is applicable.

[0031] The thermal reactor 2 further comprises a combustion chamber 30 in which the first and second surfaces 41, 51 face each other.

[0032] The potential difference is applicable, for example, by means of an electrical voltage spike generator with predetermined pulses or of an amplitude and / or duration modulated type.

[0033] Combustion gases and fuels are added to the combustion chamber 30, generating a synthesis gas mixture.

[0034] The thermal reactor 2 of the present invention is arranged to receive in the combustion chamber 30 hydrogen H2 and oxygen O2.

[0035] However, such a combination of fuel and combustion gas is not to be considered limiting.

[0036] When the high-voltage pulse is applied, an electric field is generated between the two surfaces 41, 51 which accelerates the free electrons present in the synthesis gas causing them to collide with the hydrogen atoms and ionise the gas itself.

[0037] This ionisation process generates a plasma discharge of the hydrogen synthesis gas.

[0038] As the hydrogen gas is ionised and forms a plasma, collisions between ions and electrons occur, developing thermal energy that will be transmitted to the outer wall of the thermal reactor 2.

[0039] Investing the outer wall 70 of thermal reactor 2 with jets of water controlled by a solenoid valve will produce a high concentration of vapour, which can be conducted outside thermal reactor 2 to a microturbine for electricity generation.

[0040] Referring now to Figure 4, an internal section of a thermal reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0041] In order to improve the interpretation of the figures, in some cases, not all occurrences of each element have been indicated by a reference number but only certain elements by way of example, corresponding elements are to be interpreted as being indicated by the same reference numbers.

[0042] The combustion chamber of the thermal reactor 2 is configured as a tubular cavity defined between two coaxial cylindrical surfaces electrically connected to each other to form together the first electrode surface 42 40.

[0043] In particular, referring to Figure 6 the two coaxial cylindrical surfaces may comprise a first cylindrical surface 57 externally delimiting the tubular cavity, said first cylindrical surface being defined by a central bore 52 of an outer element 53 of the thermal reactor 2.

[0044] The outer element 53 may further comprise an outermost surface 70 relative to the combustion chamber 30 configured to be the target of respective centrally directed radial rays of water to be vaporised.

[0045] The coaxial cylindrical surfaces may further comprise a second cylindrical surface 58 internally bounding the tubular cavity, the second cylindrical surface 58 being defined by a cylindrical formation 55 of an inner element 54 of the thermal reactor 2 shown, for example, in an embodiment form shown in figure 7.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in figure 7, the inner element 54 further comprises a top portion 56. Said top portion 56 has a lower profile 80 corresponding to an upper profile 81 of the first outer element 57 in an assembled condition.

[0047] The outer element 53 and the inner cladding element 54 may be made, for example, of steel or an alloy of steel or titanium or tungsten.

[0048] In a further embodiment, the second electrode 50 comprises an excitation element housed within the tubular cavity.

[0049] In particular, the excitation element may comprise, but is not limited to, a loop or cage positioned at a predetermined distance between the coaxial cylindrical surfaces.

[0050] The mesh density, coil passages and distance between the coaxial cylindrical surfaces may vary depending on the required operating parameters of the thermal reactor 2.

[0051] The excitation element may be made of metal alloys such as, for example, a nickel-copper alloy (Ni-CU) or an iridium-rhodium alloy (Ir-Rh) or a nickel-chromium alloy (Ni-Cr).

[0052] Referring now to Figure 5, a side view of external components of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0053] The thermal reactor 2 subject of the present invention comprises, in a further embodiment, an outer wall 70 which presents a plurality of angularly spaced surfaces 71 around a predetermined central axis Y and each comprising a central region 73 closer to said central axis Y and, in use of the thermal reactor, hotter; said central regions 73 being adapted to be the target of respective centrally directed radial sprays of water to be vaporised or to be immersed, partially or totally, in water.

[0054] The central regions 73 reach higher temperatures during the use of the thermal reactor 2 as a function of the shorter distance from the combustion chamber 30 of the thermal reactor 2.

[0055] In a particular embodiment, the angularly spaced surfaces 71 comprise concave surfaces facing outwards.

[0056] The angularly spaced surfaces 71 may be three as shown in Figure 5; this number is not to be considered limiting.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A thermal reactor (2) comprising: a first surface (41) of a first electrode (40) and a second surface (51) of a second electrode (50), to which a potential difference is applicable; a combustion chamber (30) in which said first and second surfaces (41, 51) face each other; and in which said combustion chamber (30) is configured as a tubular cavity defined between two coaxial cylindrical surfaces electrically connected to each other to form together said first surface (42) of said first electrode (40).

2. Thermal reactor (2) according to claim 1, wherein said two coaxial cylindrical surfaces comprise a first cylindrical surface (57) externally delimiting the tubular cavity, said first cylindrical surface (57) being defined by a central hole (52) of an outer element (53) of the thermal reactor (2).

3. Thermal reactor (2) according to claim 2, wherein said outer element (53) of the thermal reactor (2) further comprising an outermost wall (70) relative to the combustion chamber (30) and configured to be a target of respective centrally directed radial beams of water to be vaporized.

4. Thermal reactor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said coaxial cylindrical surfaces comprise a second cylindrical surface (58) internally delimiting the tubular cavity, said second cylindrical surface (58) being defined by a cylindrical formation (55) of an internal element (54) of the thermal reactor (2).

5. Thermal reactor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said outer element (53) and said inner element (54) are made of steel or an alloy of steel or titanium or tungsten.

6. Thermal reactor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said second electrode (50) comprises at least one excitation element (59) housed in said tubular cavity.

7. Thermal reactor (2) according to claim 6, wherein said at least one excitation element (59) comprises a coil or cage positioned at a predetermined distance between said coaxial cylindrical surfaces.

8. Thermal reactor (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein said excitation element is made of a metal alloy.

9. Thermal reactor (2) according to claim 8, wherein said metal alloy is a nickel-copper alloy (Ni-CU) or an iridium-rhodium alloy (Ir-Rh) or a nickel-chromium alloy (Ni-Cr).

10. Thermal reactor (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said potential difference is applied by an electrical generator to predetermined pulses or pulses of a type modulated in amplitude and / or duration.

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