FR2636674A1 - DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for generating electricity in space without releasing water. A gas generator 12 burning hydrogen and oxygen produces an exhaust consisting of steam. A turbogenerator 14 is driven by the hydrogen supplied to its turbine 16. The hydrogen has been heated as a result of heat exchange with the steam from the gas generator which is condensed 22 to water. Part of the condensed water is used to cool the gas generator by injecting water into its combustion zone. The unused water is stored in a reservoir 28. Application to devices for producing electricity for spacecraft.

Description

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  The present invention relates to the production of electricity

  tricity in general and more particularly a device and

  a process for generating electricity in an environment

space.

  Existing devices that can generate electricity for spacecraft (including rockets, space stations, satellites, etc.) have proven unsuitable for some applications. Solar O10 batteries and energy devices can not provide large amounts of electricity (ie, more than about 1 kWatt) without penalty in terms of size and weight. Turbine generators driven by gas generators can not produce

  electricity without releasing water into space.

  It is envisaged that future space operations will require an electricity generation system that is capable of delivering large amounts of electricity without releasing water into space. For example, zero-gravity manufacturing operations aboard a space station orbiting the earth may require large amounts of electricity while the performance of time-monitoring cameras aboard the space station will be degraded if water was released into space as a by-product of the water system.

  electricity production of the space station.

  The present invention relates to a device and a process for the production of large quantities of electricity.

in a space environment.

  Another object of the present invention is to manufacture

  electricity supply in a way that provides an alternative

  to the use of nuclear energy.

  Another subject of the present invention is the provision of

  electricity without the release of water into space.

  In a first embodiment, the power generation device of the present invention comprises a gas generator burning hydrogen and oxygen, a turbo generator, an apparatus for conveying hydrogen to the hydrogen zone. the gas generator inlet and for conveying hydrogen to the turbine generator turbine, and an apparatus for supplying oxygen to the inlet zone of the gas generator. The device of the invention also comprises a mechanism for exchanging heat between the hot gas exhaust (comprising steam) of the gas generator and the hydrogen conveyed to the turbine of the turbine generator. The device further includes a mechanism for condensing into water substantially all the steam of the exhaust after it has exchanged heat with the hydrogen fed to the turbine. The device further comprises an apparatus for conveying at least a portion of the condensed water to the combustion zone of the gas generator and for storing the water

condensed remaining.

  In another embodiment, the power generation device of the present invention comprises a gas generator burning hydrogen and oxygen, a turbo generator, a condenser, a heat exchanger, a

  tank, and a conveyance device. The apparatus of

  ment comprises means for conveying oxygen to the inlet area of the gas generator and means for

  route the hydrogen to the condenser. The apparatus of

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  It also includes a means of conveying the hydro-

  gene between the condenser and the gas generator inlet zone, between the condenser and the heat exchanger, and between

  the heat exchanger and the turbogenerator turbine.

  The routing apparatus further comprises a means for

  route the exhaust between the exit port of the genera-

  the heat exchanger, between the heat exchanger and the condenser, between the condenser and the combustion zone of the gas generator, and between the condenser and the

tank.

  In an alternative embodiment, the power generation device of the present invention comprises a gas generator burning hydrogen and oxygen, a

  turbogenerator, a condenser, first and second

  heat exchangers, a tank, and a conveyor-

  is lying. The delivery apparatus includes means for conveying oxygen to the first heat exchanger and

  means for conveying hydrogen to the condenser.

  The delivery apparatus further comprises means for conveying hydrogen between the condenser and the gas generator inlet zone, between the condenser and the second heat exchanger, and between the second heat exchanger and the turbine. turbogenerator. The delivery apparatus also includes means for conveying oxygen between the

  heat exchanger and the entrance area of the genera-

  gas. The conveying apparatus further comprises means for conveying the exhaust between the gas generator outlet orifice and the second heat exchanger, between the second heat exchanger and the condenser, between the condenser and the first heat exchanger. of heat, between the first heat exchanger and the combustion zone of the gas generator and between the first heat exchanger and

The reservoir.

  In another embodiment, the power generation method of the present invention includes the step of supplying oxygen and hydrogen to the input area of a generator. gas to produce a hot exhaust gas comprising steam from the outlet of the gas generator, and the step of conveying hydrogen to the turbine of a turbine generator. The method also comprises the step of heat exchange between the exhaust of the gas generator and the hydrogen which is being conveyed to the turbine of the turbine generator, and the step of condensation in water

  of all the steam from the exhaust after that

  It has exchanged heat with the hydrogen which is conveyed to the turbogenerator turbine. The method further comprises the step of conveying at least a portion of the condensed water to the combustion zone of the gas generator, and the step of storing the remaining condensed water. In a different embodiment, the method of

  electricity generation of the present invention is identi-

  that to the process discussed in the preceding paragraph except that the step of conveying hydrogen and oxygen to the inlet area of a gas generator to produce a hot exhaust gas comprising the vapor from the outlet of the gas generator is replaced by a step of feeding a stoichiometric mixture of hydrogen and oxygen to the inlet area of a gas generator to produce an exhaust of steam from the outlet of the

gas generator.

  The present invention provides several benefits and advantages. The turbogenerator provides large amounts of electricity. The gas generator provides an alternative to nuclear energy. Cycle operation

  closed water prevents the water from being released into the space.

  The stoichiometric mixture of hydrogen and oxygen uses efficiently

  fuel. Injection of water into the generator -5-

of gas allows its cooling.

  The following description refers to the figures

  attached which respectively represent: Figure 1, a diagram of the electricity generating device of the present invention, and Figure 2, a sectional elevation of the gas generator

  schematically represented in FIG.

  The electricity generating device 10 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a gas generator 12 burning hydrogen and oxygen to produce a hot exhaust gas comprising steam (and preferably only steam). In short, the device also comprises a turbine generator 14 having a turbine 16 which drives in

  rotating a generator 18 to produce electricity.

  The turbine 16 is not driven by the exhaust of the gas generator 12 as would be the case of a conventional device. On the contrary, the turbine 16 is driven by heated hydrogen, the hydrogen being heated in a second

  heat exchanger 20 by heat exchange with the exhaust

  of the gas generator. Almost all the water vapor present in this exhaust condenses in water in a condenser 22 and is further cooled in a first heat exchanger 23 by heat exchange with oxygen which is conveyed to the gas generator 12. At least a portion of the water, driven by a turbopump 24, serves to cool the gas generator 12, the unused water 25 (the rest of the water) being conveyed via a valve 26 regulating intake pressure up to one

storage tank 28.

  In the continuation of the description of the device,

  refer to means for conveying hydro-

  50a gene 50e (comprising a liquid and / or a gas), oxygen 48a and 48b (comprising a liquid and / or a gas), or an exhaust fluid 60a to 60g (including steam, - 6 - saturated steam, and / or water). Preferably such means include pipes, manifolds, pipes, valves, etc., for transporting hydrogen, oxygen, or exhaust fluid, as known to the technician. In addition, the heat exchangers and condenser mentioned above are means allowing a heat exchange and means

  for condensation in water and include any type of

  a heat exchanger in which the heat exchange between the two substances does not comprise a physical mixture, such apparatus comprising two sets of closely spaced multiple tubings, apparatus in which a substance flows into a housing which is penetrated by the tubings multiples of the

second substance, and the like.

  The gas generator 12 by combustion of hydrogen and oxygen, as shown in more detail in FIG. 2, has an inlet zone 30 (for receiving hydrogen and oxygen), a combustion zone 32 ( for igniting hydrogen and oxygen and receiving the cooling water), and an outlet 34 for the exhaust located in a bell-shaped inner wall 36, the inner wall 36 being surrounded by an impermeable outer wall 38 having the general shape of a bell so as to create between them a channel 40 having the general shape of a bell, which is known to be typical of a conventional engine rocket hydrogen / oxygen. While this type of engine is cooled by directing hydrogen into the channel, the hydrogen then passing through the porous inner wall, the gas generator 12 of the present invention is cooled by injecting water into the channel 40 through via an inlet orifice 42 formed in the outer wall 38, the water then passing through the porous inner wall 36 to enter the combustion zone 32. The two walls 36 and 38 of the gas generator 12 are traversed near the inlet zone 30 by a tube 44 for admission of hydrogen, in the axis of which is fixed a tube 46 for the admission of oxygen. Hydrogen and oxygen are ignited in the combustion zone 32 by conventional means (not shown), this means not being part of the present invention, hence the production of a hot exhaust gas containing steam . When hydrogen and oxygen are supplied in a stoichiometric ratio, it is

only steam is produced.

  The means 48a make it possible to route the oxygen

  than the first heat exchanger 23. Preferably, the oxygen will be in the form of cold liquid oxygen

  pressurized, as is typical in rocket engines.

  Oxygen will leave the first heat exchanger 23 in the form of pressurized oxygen gas, means 48b for conveying oxygen between the first heat exchanger 23

  and the inlet area of the gas generator 12.

  The means 50a carry hydrogen to the condensate

  22. Preferably, the hydrogen will be in the form of a pressurized cold gas as known to the technician. The hydrogen will leave the condenser 22 in form

  more pressurized hot gas, means 50b

  Hydrogen between the condenser 22 and the inlet area of the gas generator 12. In order to start the gas generator, additional valves and lines carry hydrogen and oxygen to an igniter (all elements not shown) as is known from

  specialist in rockets.

  The means 50c carry the hydrogen between the condensate

  22 and the second heat exchanger 20. The hydrogen will leave the second heat exchanger 20 in the form of a highly pressurized hot gas, the means 50d conveying the hydrogen between the second heat exchanger 20 and the turbine 16 in order to drive the turbine generator 14 and produce electricity. Preferably, the means 50d comprise a tube 52 leaving the second heat exchanger 20 to form two branches leading to two valves 54 and 56, the valve 54 being connected by a tube 58 to the turbine 16 and the second valve 56 opening into the atmosphere (59a). It will be noted that the hydrogen consumed coming out of the turbine also escapes into space (at 59b). The means 60a, 60b, 60c make it possible to route the exhaust of the gas generator between the outlet orifice 34 of the gas generator 12 and the second heat exchanger, between the second heat exchanger 20 and the condenser 22 and between the condenser 22 and the first heat exchanger 23. Preferably, the exhaust consists entirely of steam when it enters the second heat exchanger 20, and is saturated with water vapor when it leaves the second heat exchanger. heat and enters the condenser 22, and is hot water when it leaves the condenser 22 and

  enters the first heat exchanger 23.

  The means 60d and 60e serve to convey the escape

  consisting of cold water between the first heat exchanger 23 and the pump portion 62 of the turbopump 24 and between the turbopump 24 and the combustion zone of the gas generator 12. To drive the turbopump 24, the means 50e are used to to convey the hydrogen between the condenser 22 and the turbine part 64 of the turbopump 24. The hydrogen consumed

  which leaves the turbine 64 escapes into space (in 65).

  Means 60f and 60g are also provided for conveying

  the cold water exhaust between the first sample

  23 and the valve 26 for regulating the inlet pressure in the tank and between the valve 26 and the reservoir 28. The adjustment of the valve 26 determines the portion of the exhaust water that enters the reservoir 28 and the part that is injected into the combustion zone of the

gas generator 12.

  The power generation method of the present invention includes the step of conveying hydrogen and oxygen to the inlet area 30 of the gas generator 12 to produce a hot gas exhaust incorporating the steam at the outlet 34 of the gas generator. The additional steps of the process involve the transport of hydrogen to turbine 16 of turbine generator 14, the heat exchange between the exhaust and the hydrogen conveyed to turbine 16. Other steps include condensation almost all the steam from the exhaust after it has exchanged heat

  with the hydrogen conveyed to the turbine 16, it conveys it

  at least a portion of the condensed water to the combustion zone 32 of the gas generator 12, and the storage of the

  rest of the condensed water. Preferably, a general mixture

  stoichiometric hydrogen and oxygen is conveyed to the inlet zone 30 of the gas generator to produce an exhaust generally consisting of steam at the

output 34 of the generator.

  Note that if the device operates such that any gas in the exhaust remains after the first heat exchanger 23, the entire output of the heat exchanger 23, in an optional embodiment, could be routed to the valve 26 for regulating the inlet pressure and up to the reservoir 28. The reservoir 28 could contain a gas separator (a

  hydrogen separator in the case where the device

  is used to promote the production of hydrogen in an exhaust comprising mainly steam) and a vent to evacuate the gas in space (these two elements are not shown). Means (not shown) would then be provided to convey the water between the reservoir 28 and the pump portion 62 of the turbopump 24. The technician will understand the operation of the device of the present invention.

  invention after reading the foregoing description, and the

  control of the device (conditions for the supply of hydro-

  gene and oxygen, adjusting the valve 26 regulating the intake pressure, adjusting the hydrogen inlet

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  54 in the turbine of the turbine generator and the bypass valves 56, etc.) is not described because it does not form part of the present invention, such a command being known to the technician.

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Claims (7)

  1. Device for the production of electricity, characterized in that it comprises:   (a) a gas generator (12) for burning hydrogen   gene and oxygen to produce a hot exhaust gas comprising steam, the generator having an inlet zone (30), a combustion zone (32), and an exhaust port 34; (b) a turbine generator (14) having a turbine (16)   (c) means (50a, b, d) for conveying the hydrogen to the inlet area of the gas generator and for conveying the hydrogen to the turbine, (d) means (48a); 48b) for supplying oxygen to the inlet area of the gas generator, (e) means (20) for exchanging heat between the exhaust and the hydrogen conveyed to the turbine,   (f) means (22) for condensing into water the quasi-   all of the steam from the exhaust after it has exchanged heat with the hydrogen to the turbine, (g) a means for conveying at least a portion of the condensed water to the zone generator combustion   of gas and to store the rest of the condensed water.   2. Device for generating electricity, characterized in that it comprises:   (a) a gas generator (12) for burning hydrogen   gene and oxygen to produce a hot gas exhaust incorporating steam, the generator having an inlet zone (30), a combustion zone (32) and an exhaust port (34), (b) means (48a-48b) for conveying oxygen to the inlet area of the gas generator; (c) a condenser (22), (d) means (50a) for conveying hydrogen - 12 -   to the condenser, (e) a heat exchanger (20); (f) a turbine generator (14) having a turbine (16); (h) means (50b, c, d, 52; 58) for conveying hydrogen between the condenser and the gas generator inlet zone, between the condenser and the heat exchanger, and between the heat exchanger and turbine; (i) a reservoir (28) and; (j) means (60 a, b, c, f) for conveying the exhaust between the outlet port of the exhaust and the heat exchanger, between the heat exchanger and the condenser, between the condenser and the combustion zone of the   gas generator, and between the condenser and the tank.   3. Device for the production of electricity,   characterized in that it comprises: (a) a gas generator (12) burning hydrogen and oxygen to produce a hot gas exhaust incorporating steam, the generator having an inlet zone (30) a combustion zone (32) and an exhaust port (34), (b) a first heat exchanger (23); (c) means (48a) for conveying oxygen to the first heat exchanger; (d) a condenser (22); (e) means (50a) for conveying hydrogen to the condenser; (f) a second exchanger (20); (g) a turbo generator (14) having a turbine (16); (h) means (50b, c, d, 52; 58) for conveying hydrogen between the condenser and the gas generator inlet zone, between the condenser and the second heat exchanger, and between the second and second heat exchangers; heat exchanger and turbine; M (i) means (48b) for conveying oxygen between the - 13 -   heat exchanger and the entrance area of the genera-   gas generator; (j) a reservoir (28) and (k) means (60a, b, c, d, f) for conveying the exhaust between the outlet port of the exhaust and the second heat exchanger, between the second heat exchanger and the condenser, between the condenser and the first heat exchanger, between the first heat exchanger and the combustion zone of the gas generator, and between the   first heat exchanger and the tank.   4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for conveying the exhaust between the first heat exchanger and the combustion zone (32) of the gas generator (12) comprises a turbopump (24), the device also comprising means (50th) for conveying   the hydrogen between the condenser (22) and the turbopump.   5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the reservoir (28) comprises a valve (26) of   regulation of the input pressure, and the means of   of the exhaust between the first heat exchanger (23) and the reservoir (28) comprises means for conveying the exhaust between the first heat exchanger and the   valve (26) for regulating the inlet pressure.   6. Process for the production of electricity,   characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (a) supplying hydrogen and oxygen to the inlet zone (30) of a gas generator (12) to produce an exhaust hot gaseous gas incorporating steam from the outlet of the gas generator (34), (b) supplying the hydrogen to the turbine (16) of a turbo-generator (14); (c) exchanging heat between the exhaust and the hydrogen to the turbine; (d) Condense in water almost all of the exhaust steam after it has exchanged heat - 14 -   with the hydrogen conveyed to the turbine; (e) conveying at least a portion of the condensed water to a combustion zone (32) of the gas generator; and   (f) store the rest of the condensed water.   7. A process for the production of electricity, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (a) feeding a generally stoichiometric mixture of hydrogen and oxygen to an inlet zone (30) a gas generator (12) for producing an exhaust generally consisting of steam at the outlet (34) of the gas generator; (b) supplying hydrogen to the turbine (16) of a turbo-generator (14); (c) exchanging heat between the exhaust and the hydrogen conveyed to the turbine;   (d) to condense in water almost the whole of the   It consists of steam after it has exchanged heat with the hydrogen fed to the turbine; (e) conveying at least a portion of the condensed water to the combustion zone (32) of the gas generator, and   (f) store the rest of the condensed water.