Hydrogen Jet Energy Transfer with Field-Controlled Heat Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transferring energy, particularly for providing heat energy, are inefficient and lack scalability for industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an evacuated recirculation duct with a pump, a control nozzle, and an electrical device to dissociate hydrogen molecules into atoms, which are then ionized and used to generate heat through impact on a heat exchanger, with magnetic or electric fields to manage the heat load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to transfer energy and provide heat, then the process is simple and easy to implement, but the energy transfer efficiency is low and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state of hydrogen from molecular (H2) to atomic (H) and then to ionized state, fundamentally altering the energy transfer mechanism. This parameter change enables highly efficient energy transfer through ion impact and recombination processes, achieving industrial-scale productivity while managing system complexity through controlled physical transformations
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic cycling of hydrogen through dissociation, ionization, energy release, and recombination phases. This periodic action maintains continuous high-efficiency energy transfer while allowing the system to reset and sustain operation, resolving the contradiction between productivity and complexity through rhythmic operational cycles
2Reliability
If hydrogen gas is used and recirculated in the system, then additional hydrogen must be supplied to replace losses, but this increases operational complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers hydrogen atoms after they release their energy by capturing the resulting protons and electrons and recombining them back into hydrogen molecules. This recovery process minimizes hydrogen consumption and maintains reliable continuous operation, as the hydrogen fuel is effectively reused rather than lost
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the products of energy release (protons and electrons) are fed back into the system to be recombined into hydrogen fuel. This closed-loop feedback ensures continuous operation with minimal hydrogen supplementation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and substance consumption
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves efficient energy transfer by converting hydrogen molecules into high-energy ions and electrons, which provide significant thermal energy upon impact, potentially generating substantial power while safely disposing of protons and electrons through a fuel cell.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical device to provide energy into the jet of gas so as to form hydrogen atoms
Implementation Method 2
If the field is transverse to the direction of travel of the jet it will deflect the ions; while if the field is generally parallel to the direction of the jet it will cause any ions that diverge from the jet to follow a spiral path
Implementation Method 3
The electric field-generating means may comprise two electrodes, each defining an aperture through which the jet of gas can flow
Implementation Method 4
a heat exchanger within the recirculation duct downstream of the electrical device, onto which the flowing jet of gas impacts
Implementation Method 5
The coolant fluid which may for example be a liquid such as water or a gas such as nitrogen is pumped by the pump through the heat exchange target
Data Source
AI summary
A system (10) and method for transferring energy utilises an evacuated recirculation duct (11), with a pump (20) to circulate gas and a control nozzle (22) to form a jet of gas. Hydrogen gas is provided into the duct to be circulated, and an electrical device (30, 32) provides energy into the jet of gas so as to form hydrogen atoms. A heat exchanger (44) is arranged downstream of the electrical device (30, 32), onto which the flowing jet of gas impacts. Means (40) are also provided to generate an electric or magnetic field in the region of the jet of gas between the electrical device (30, 32) and the heat exchanger (44), and is connected to a source (42) of electricity. For example, an electromagnet coil (40) and may generate a magnetic field (B) transverse to the direction of travel of the jet of gas, or an electromagnet coil (40A, 40B) may generate a magnetic field parallel to the jet of gas.