Hydrogen Oxygen Combustion System With Steam Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for generating energy using hydrogen and oxygen suffer from interconnection of fuel and working fluid cycles, leading to leakage and contamination, and require high-temperature resistant materials due to high combustion temperatures, which are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system with a burner for combustion of hydrogen and oxygen producing steam, a boiler for heat exchange with a working fluid, a condenser for oxygen separation, and recirculation loops for reaction products and excess oxygen, allowing for separation of oxygen/hydrogen/steam and working fluid circuits and using conventional materials by controlling combustion temperature through steam recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If hydrogen and oxygen are combusted to generate high temperature steam, then energy generation efficiency is improved, but the combustion temperature becomes excessively high requiring expensive heat-resistant materials
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the thermal energy utilization into two separate circuits: a primary circuit where hydrogen-oxygen combustion generates steam, and a secondary circuit where the working fluid absorbs heat. This segmentation allows the combustion chamber to operate at optimal temperatures while the working fluid reaches higher temperatures for efficient energy generation without requiring the entire system to withstand extreme heat.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat exchange medium (working fluid) as an intermediary between the combustion steam and the final energy output. The working fluid absorbs thermal energy from the combustion process through heat exchangers, enabling efficient energy transfer while protecting the system structure from direct exposure to extreme combustion temperatures.
2Device complexity
If the fuel cycle and working fluid cycle are interconnected, then system compactness is improved, but leakage and contamination occur affecting system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent closed loops: a primary loop for hydrogen-oxygen combustion and steam generation, and a secondary loop for working fluid circulation and heat absorption. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination and leakage between fuel and working fluid while maintaining system compactness through integrated heat exchanger design.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat exchangers serve as intermediary components that enable thermal energy transfer between the primary combustion circuit and the secondary working fluid circuit without direct fluid contact. This intermediary mechanism eliminates leakage and contamination pathways while maintaining efficient heat transfer for system operation.
3Device complexity
If excess oxygen is not recovered and recycled, then system simplicity is maintained, but oxygen waste increases reducing combustion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements oxygen recovery and recycling through the working fluid circuit. Excess oxygen that would otherwise be wasted is captured during the condensation process and fed back to the combustion chamber, improving combustion efficiency and reducing oxygen consumption while integrating seamlessly into the existing system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the working fluid circuit monitors and recovers excess oxygen, which is then fed back to the combustion chamber. This feedback mechanism optimizes combustion efficiency by ensuring adequate oxygen supply while minimizing waste, creating a self-regulating system that improves overall performance.
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 prevents contamination and leakage, reduces material costs by using conventional materials and ensures efficient energy generation with complete combustion of hydrogen, while maintaining a closed and robust energy cycle.
Implementation Method 1
a burner for combustion of hydrogen and oxygen into steam
Implementation Method 2
a boiler operably connected to the burner for heating the working fluid having a feed for introducing the working fluid and a discharge for discharging heated working fluid and a heat exchanging surface for heat exchange between the steam and the working fluid
Implementation Method 3
a condenser for condensing steam and separating oxygen operably connected to the boiler downstream thereof
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for generating energy in a working fluid from hydrogen and oxygen, comprises a burner (12) for combustion of hydrogen and oxygen into steam provided with a feed (14) for oxygen and a feed (16) for hydrogen, a boiler (22) operably connected to the burner for heating the working fluid having a feed (24) for introducing the working fluid and a discharge (26) for discharging heated working fluid and a heat exchanging surface (25) for heat exchange between the steam and the working fluid, a condenser (30) for condensing steam operably connected to the boiler downstream thereof, wherein a recirculation loop (32; 55; 57) is provided for recirculation of reaction products of the combustion of hydrogen and oxygen downstream of the condenser to the burner, and a recovery loop (38) for recycling oxygen separated in the separator from the separator to the feed of oxygen of the burner.