Metal Catalyst Heat Generation via Internal Plasma Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating heat from metal-hydrogen systems require external stimulation, limiting the amount of hydrogen that can be coupled and resulting in modest heat evolution due to restricted penetration depth of radio frequency and laser energy.
Innovation Solution
An internal triggering system and method that uses a reactor with a metallic vessel, a metal substrate thermally sprayed with a hydrogen-absorbing catalyst, and a DC power supply to generate heat reactions between hydrogen isotopes and the metal catalyst, eliminating the need for external stimulation and enhancing hydrogen coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external triggering methods (radio frequency or laser stimulation) are used to generate heat from metal-hydrogen systems, then heat evolution can be achieved, but the penetration depth is limited and only modest amounts of heat are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses internally generated plasma within the reactor to trigger the metal-hydrogen reaction, eliminating the need for external stimulation. The plasma is self-generated through electrical discharge in the sealed reactor environment, allowing the system to serve itself by using the hydrogen and deuterium already present in the catalyst to create the triggering condition internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the triggering mechanism from external radio frequency or laser stimulation to internal plasma generation through electrical discharge. This parameter change in the triggering method enables deeper penetration and more effective coupling with the hydrogen fuel within the metal catalyst, resulting in significant heat evolution.
2Temperature
If radio frequency energy is used for stimulation, then some heat can be generated, but the energy cannot penetrate into the metal or hydride beyond a few microns
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the electromagnetic radiation-based triggering methods (radio frequency or laser) with a plasma-based triggering mechanism. The plasma is generated through electrical discharge within the sealed reactor, creating a different physical state that can penetrate and stimulate the metal-hydrogen system more effectively throughout the catalyst material.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and mode of energy delivery from external electromagnetic radiation to internal plasma generation. This parameter change in the energy delivery mechanism enables much greater penetration depth, allowing the triggering energy to reach and stimulate hydrogen throughout the entire catalyst volume rather than being limited to surface layers.
3Temperature
If laser stimulation is used to trigger the reaction, then heat can be evolved, but the penetration depth is much less than radio frequency stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces optical-based laser stimulation with plasma-based triggering through electrical discharge. This substitution of the triggering mechanism fundamentally changes how energy is delivered to the metal-hydrogen system, enabling much deeper penetration and more uniform distribution of triggering energy throughout the catalyst material.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the energy delivery parameter from high-frequency optical radiation to plasma generation through electrical discharge. This parameter change results in significantly improved penetration depth, allowing the triggering mechanism to effectively stimulate hydrogen throughout the entire catalyst volume rather than being limited to shallow surface layers.
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 significant heat evolution by internally stimulating the metal-hydrogen reaction, coupling with a larger amount of hydrogen fuel and producing more usable heat compared to external triggering methods.
Implementation Method 1
Many metals and their alloys are known to take up hydrogen in its various isotopic forms
Implementation Method 2
some metal-hydrogen systems are classified as exothermic absorbers and produce a small amount of chemical heat when loaded with hydrogen
Implementation Method 3
a DC power supply configured to supply a current to the reactor
Implementation Method 4
internal triggering of hydrogen that evolves usable heat from a catalyst
Implementation Method 5
a metal substrate thermally sprayed with a metal catalyst
Implementation Method 6
a metal substrate thermally sprayed with a metal catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating heat reactions between hydrogen isotopes and a metal catalyst includes placing at least one fuel source within a reactor. The reactor includes an anode and a cathode, wherein the cathode is a metallic vessel, wherein the at least one fuel source comprises a metal substrate thermally sprayed with a metal catalyst, and wherein the at least one fuel source is in thermal and electrical contact with the reactor. The method includes sealing the reactor to produce a vacuum within the reactor. The method includes adding hydrogen to the reactor and adding deuterium to the reactor. The method includes supplying a current to the reactor from a DC power supply.