GB2313657A

GB2313657A - Generating superheated steam

Info

Publication number: GB2313657A
Application number: GB9611302A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henry Donald Macgowan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-05-30
Filing date: 1996-05-30
Publication date: 1997-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-30
Also published as: GB2313657B; GB9611302D0

Abstract

A superheated steam generating process with its intrinsic steam generator, is operated by applying electromagnetic microwave radiated energy, using a magnetron device to heat water, contained with in a pressure boiler. A basic generator comprises the magnetron transmitters and antennae devices 1, an electrical power supply 2 and waveguide systems; magnetron cooling and ventilation systems 3, the enclosed pressure boiler 6, boiler high pressure input pump 10 and output valve systems 11, input liquid feeder 9 and steam output systems; boiler thermal insulation jacket 5; A depleted steam regeneration system 12 and the generator protective outer casing 4. Multiple boilers may be arranged in various arrays to operate either in unison, independently, or in a synchronised or phased fashion.

Description

GENERATING SUPERBEATED STEAM This invention relates to a method and its intrinsic device for generating superheated steam or dry saturated steam or a saturated liquid, by the application of electromagnetic microwave radiation to a vaporising liquid, contained within an enclosed pressure boiler.

Commercial steam power requires heat generation in its production, supplied from either coal, oil, gas, or nuclear fuels. Economies of scale and production pollutants prohibits the general use of steam power, restricting the means of production to large scale operations in isolated areas.

The present invention is a method of steam production which is economic and practical on both large and small scales and does not emit polluting by-products. It is a 'missing link' process between fossil fuel and radioactive processes. It produces steam at temperatures and pressures, limited only by the design and materials used. This enables the general use of superheated steam power and the related products for domestic, commercial or industrial utility, work or processing; including vehicular locomotion. The primary energy input to the process is electricity which, inter alia, can be potentially provided by alternative energy sources. The method of production provided is generally physically and environmentally unrestricted in location, including underground siting in places where land is a scarce resource. Also, compared with existing steam generation methods it reduces the amount of heavy engineering construction and is therefore more cost effective. It is a production method which is clean, easy to operate, control and maintain and uses existing, proven technology It precludes the necessity of producing steam power by means which generate 'green house effect' gases or radioactive radiation. Consequently the method provided is safe, environmentally beneficial and does not add to global warming.

According to the present invention shown in figure 1, there is provided a microwave superheated steam generating process with its intrinsic microwave steam generator, for transferring externally radiated energy into a liquid substance contained within an enclosed and sealed pressure boiler to produce superheated steam, by the sustained application of sufficient and enough electromagnetic microwave radiation energy onto the boiler contents, in a directed and controlled fashion in order to uniformly increase the enthalpy of a liquid. This generates a change of state in the liquid to a saturated liquid state, then a wet steam, followed by a dry saturated steam state and finally to generate superheated steam. The magnetron transmitter devices and associated antennae provide the means to generate and radiate the electromagnetic microwave energy, which when applied to the liquid results in the production of sensible heat sufficient to increase the temperature and pressure within the boiler to superheated steam conditions. A basic generator comprises the magnetron transmitters and antennae devices, together with their associated electrical power supply, and waveguide systems; the magnetron cooling and ventilation systems; the enclosed pressure boiler; the boiler high pressure input pump and output valve systems; the input liquid feeder system; the boiler thermal insulation jacket or vacuum chamber; the depleted steam regeneration system and the protective outer casing. The boiler is so designed and constructed with a suitable material, able to allow the transfer into and, engender the acceptance and retention of the magnetron electromagnetic microwave radiation. The magnetron devices and antennae are so configured and inset inside the outer protective casing, between and around the external surface of the boiler, in such a fashion as to direct the electromagnetic microwave radiation into the boiler contents. The electromagnetic radiation is focused from the magnetrons into the boiler by the action of electromagnetic waveguides, independent of or, intrinsic within the boiler design, which ever is the most appropriate. The waveguides are engineered to be microwave tuned to the appropriate magnetron resonance supply frequency or range of frequencies. A boiler thermal insulation system, comprising either a vacuum chamber or thermal insulating material jacket, surrounds the boiler to reduce boiler heat loss. The boiler operational temperatures and pressures are controlled by varying directly, indirectly or remotely, one or more of the magnetron devices' operational parameters, including the device operating time duration. The expended and depleted output steam is recycled to the boiler for regeneration. The recycled output is combined with any required additional water, as a preheating medium, prior to reintroduction to the boiler. The magnetron cooling and ventilation system is provided by either an electric motor fan, or as shown in figure 3, refrigerated dehumidified dry air 1. The generator outer protective casing is of such designed, constructed and made of such material, to prohibit stray electromagnetic microwave radiation emissions escaping the generator outer-casing and provide access to the magnetrons and boiler for equipment installation, maintenance and servicing purposes. Multiple generators can be arranged or harnessed in a series, parallel, radial or stacked array pattern or any combination thereof so as to operate and function either in unison, independently or in a synchronised or phased fashion. The boiler and, or magnetron devices are installed in either a horizontal and, or the vertical plane, figures 2 and 4. The generator can be designed to be in the mode of a fixture, mobile, surface or vacuum floating, suspended or submerged or, propulsion operating system as shown in figure 3. The process and generator can exist either as an independent unit or form part of a contraption, process, function, system or application, for doing any work or providing general utility or service. As shown in figure 2, muti-boiler configurations would include separation pressure valves 1 which interconnect or separate contiguous boilers to allow independent, phased, synchronised, syncopated or compounded boiler use. The process allows a generator design in which a charged boiler can be retracted and disconnected from the generator system, for independent connection to an engine, utility or process and then reconnected for re-charging.

The invention will now be described by way of four design examples with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which Figure 1 shows single boiler process, serving a steam turbine engine; Figure 2 shows the process using horizontal tandem boilers, interconnected by a separating pressure valve.

Figure 3 a multi-boiler and magnetron configuration, with a magnetron jet-steam refrigeration cooling system 1, directly fed from the generator via outlet pipe 2. The multi-output valve system can act as a propulsion unit in a water or space environment.

Figure 4 shows a solar power served process 1, with vertical tandem boilers, including electrical and centrifugal kinetic generators 2 and 3, with their respective electrical feedback connection to the magnetron power supplies 4 and 5; including, the steam accumulator for storing steam energy when supply exceeds demand 6.

Figure 5 shows an energy flow diagram displaying the energy changes in the figure 4 process.

Referring to the drawing the Microwave Steam Generator comprises, as shown in figure 1, the magnetron transmitters and antennae devices 1, together with their associated electrical power supply 2 and cooling ventilation system 3; the protective outer casing and ventilation ducts 4; the boiler thermal insulation jacket or vacuum chamber 5; the enclosed pressure boiler 6 with its high pressure input pump 10 and high pressure output valve 11, with respective water feeder input system and steam output system. The magnetron devices 1 are inset between the outer casing 4 and configured around the inner boiler 6 in such a fashion which maximises the radiation effect on the contents. The microwaves are focused into the boiler 6 by suitably aligned waveguides 7. The waveguides 7 are attuned to the appropriate range of magnetron resonance frequencies needed to generate the required boiler 6 temperatures and pressures.

Initially, water is introduced to the generator via the input pipe 9 the high pressure pump 10 and the feeder pipe system. Additional water is added to the boiler 6 as and when required. The magnetron devices 1 are cooled by a ventilation system 3, such as an electric fan or, on large scale generator, by a air-conditioned or dehumidified refrigeration system, figure 3.1. The electrical energy from the power supply 2 is converted to microwave radiation at 3 and via the waveguides 7 is applied to the water. The resulting heat, generated by molecular kinetic friction within the water, progressively produces superheated stream 8. The steam product 8 is expelled from the boiler 6 via the pressure valve outlet system 11. Expelled steam is returned to the boiler for regeneration via regeneration system 12. The steam energy 8, is thermodynamically converted into kinetic energy by the rotation ofthe turbine machine 13, and then transferred to the work load at 14. The generator hot air is expelled through the cooling and ventilation system 3. On multi-boiler systems a pressure separation valve, figure 2.1, allows versatility in operations by linking and separating contiguous boiler units which, along with the independent output valves, can be tailor operated to suit the application, such as the propulsion unit shown on figure 3.

Claims

1. A microwave superheated steam generating process with its intrinsic microwave steam generator, for transferring externally radiated energy into a liquid substance contained within an enclosed and sealed pressure boiler to produce superheated steam, by the sustained application of sufficient and enough electromagnetic microwave radiation energy onto the boiler contents, in a directed and controlled fashion in order to uniformly increase the enthalpy of a liquid. This generates a change of state in the liquid to a saturated liquid state then to a wet steam followed by a dry saturated steam state and finally generates superheated steam. The magnetron transmitter devices and associated antennae provide the means to generate and radiate the electromagnetic microwave energy, which when applied to the liquid results in the production of sensible heat sufficient to increase the temperature and pressure within the boiler to superheated steam conditions. A basic generator comprises the magnetron transmitters and antennae devices, together with their associated electrical power supply, and waveguide systems; the magnetron cooling and ventilation systems; the enclosed pressure boiler; the boiler high pressure input pump and output valve systems; the input liquid feeder system; the boiler thermal insulation jacket or vacuum chamber; the depleted steam regeneration system and the protective outer casing. The boiler is so designed and constructed with a suitable material, able to allow the transfer into and, engender the acceptance and retention of the magnetron electromagnetic microwave radiation. The magnetron devices and antennae are so configured arXd inset inside the outer protective casing, between and around the external surface of the boiler, in such a fashion as to direct the electromagnetic microwave radiation into the boiler contents. The electromagnetic radiation is focused from the magnetrons into the boiler by the action of electromagnetic waveguides, independent of or, intrinsic within the boiler design, which ever is the most appropriate. The waveguides are engineered to be microwave tuned to the appropriate magnetron resonance supply frequency or range of frequencies. A boiler thermal insulation system, comprising either a vacuum chamber or thermal insulating material jacket, surrounds the boiler to reduce boiler heat loss. The boiler operational temperatures and pressures are controlled by varying directly, indirectly or remotely, one or more of the magnetron devices' operational parameters, including the device operating time duration. The expended and depleted output steam is recycled to the boiler for regeneration. The recycled output is combined with any required additional water, as a preheating medium, prior to reintroduction to the boiler. The magnetron cooling and ventilation system is provided by either an electric motor fan or refrigerated dehumidified dry air. The generator outer protective casing is of such design, construction and made of such materials, to prohibit stray electromagnetic microwave radiation emissions escaping the generator outer-casing and provides access to the magnetronsand boiler systems for equipment installation, maintenance and servicing purposes.

2 A microwave superheated steam generating process with its intrinsic microwave steam generator as claimed in Claim 1, wherein multiple boilers are arranged or harnessed in a tandem, series, parallel, radial or stacked array pattern or any combination thereof so as to operate and function either in unison, independently or in a synchronised or phased fashion.

3 A microwave superheated steam generating process with its intrinsic microwave steam generator as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2, wherein two or more boilers are interconnected by a separation pressure valve device to engender, independent, phased, syncopated or synchronised, or compounded use.

4 A microwave superheated steam generating process with its intrinsic microwave steam generator as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the boiler or magnetron devices are installed in either a vertical or horizontal plane.

5 A microwave superheated steam generating process with its intrinsic microwave steam generator as claimed in Claim 4, which is designed to be in the mode of a fixture, mobile, surface or vacuum floating, submerged or suspended or propulsion operating system.

6 A microwave superheated steam generating process with its intrinsic microwave steam generator as claimed in any preceding claim in which it acts either as an independent unit or forms part of a contraption, process, function, system or application, for doing any work or providing general utility or service.

7. A microwave superheated steam generator as claimed in Claim 6, in which a boiler charged with superheated steam can be retracted and disconnected from the generator system for use in an independent engine, utility or process and thereafter be reconnected for recharging.

7 A microwave superheated steam generating process with its intrinsic microwave steam generator as claimed in Claim 6, in which a charged boiler can be retracted and disconnected from the generator system for use in an independent engine, utility or process and, reconnected for recharging.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A microwave superheated steam generator for transferring externally radiated energy into a liquid substance contained within an enclosed and sealed pressure boiler to produce superheated steam, by the sustained application of sufficient and enough electromagnetic microwave radiation energy onto the boiler contents, in a directed and controlled fashion in order to uniformly increase the enthalpy of a liquid, thus generating a change in the liquid to a saturated liquid state, then to a wet steam followed by a dry saturated steam state and finally generates superheated steam, having all the following characteristics in combination: (1) a magnetron transmitter and antennae device, together with the associated electrical power supply, and waveguide system; the magnetron cooling and ventilation systems; the enclosed pressure boiler; the boiler high pressure input pump and output valve systems; the input liquid feeder system; the boiler thermal insulation jacket or vacuum chamber; the depleted steam regeneration system and the protective outer casing.

(2) the boiler is so designed and constructed with a suitable material able to allow the electromagnetic microwave radiation to be transferred to the boiler from the transmitter antennae and waveguide device which are so configured and inset inside the outer protective casing, between and around the external surface of the boiler, in such a fashion as to direct the electromagnetic microwave radiation into the boiler contents via the electromagnetic waveguide device which can be either independent of or, intrinsic within the boiler design, and in addition the waveguide is engineered to be microwave tuned to the appropriate magnetron resonance supply frequency or range of frequencies.

(3) a boiler thermal insulation system comprising either a vacuum chamber or thermal insulating material jacket, surrounds the boiler to reduce boiler heat loss and the boiler operational temperatures and pressures are controlled by varying directly, indirectly or remotely, one or more of the magnetron devices' operational parameters, including the device operating time duration whist the magnetron cooling and ventilation system is provided by either an electric motor fan or refrigerated dehumidified dry air.

(4) the expended and depleted boiler output steam is recycled to the boiler for regeneration thereby the recycled boiler output is combined with any required additional water as a preheating medium prior to reintroduction to the boiler.

(5) the generator outer protective casing is of such design and construction and made of such materials, to prohibit stray electromagnetic microwave radiation emissions escaping the generator outer-casing and, to allow access to the generator for equipment installation, maintenance and servicing purposes.

2. A microwave superheated steam generator as claimed in Claim 1, wherein multiple boilers are arranged or harnessed in a tandem, series, parallel, radial or stacked array pattern or any combination thereof so as to operate and function either in unison, independently or in a synchronised or phased fashion.

3. A microwave superheated steam generator as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2, wherein two or more boilers are interconnected by separation pressure valves or valve devices each capable of independent operation and control to engender, independent, phased, syncopated or synchronised, or compounded use.

4. A microwave superheated steam generator as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the boiler or magnetron devices are installed in either a vertical or horizontal plane.

5. A microwave superheated steam generator as claimed in Claim 4, which is designed to be in the mode of a fixture, mobile, surface or vacuum floating, submerged or suspended or propulsion operating system.

6. A microwave superheated steam generator as claimed in any preceding claim in which it acts either as an independent unit or forms part of a contraption, process, function, system or application, for doing any work or providing general utility or service.