JPH06163089A - Alkali metal thermoelectric generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiently circulate an alkali metal with a simple apparatus structure by circulating the alkali metal moved into a condenser to a heating vessel by an electrochemical pump consisting of a solid electrolyte driven by a generated power. CONSTITUTION:In a generator, Na<+> ion of sodium 5 in a heating vessel 3 is passed through a solid electrolyte 1 by the vapor pressure difference with a condenser vessel 43, whereby electrons are passed through positive and load leads 8, 71 to start generation. An electrochemical pump 21 consisting of solid electrolyte passes Na<+> ion by power application to rebond it with the electrons in a basin part 22, and sodium 6 is circulated through a return pipe 10. Since the pipe 100 connects the lower part side surface of the vessel 3 to the side surface of the base part 22, the pump 21 is put in a part of an electric circuit for mutually connecting the sodium 5, 6, and driven by the generated power. Thus, a power source and a control device can be omitted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an alkali metal thermoelectric generator for converting thermal energy of an alkali metal into electric energy to generate electric power, and particularly to efficiently circulate the alkali metal from the condensation container side to the heating container side. The present invention relates to an alkali metal thermoelectric generator that can be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an alkali metal thermoelectric generator (Alka
li Metal thermo Electrical Convertor and below, AMT
EC) is a direct thermoelectric conversion device that combines an alkali metal and a solid electrolyte having conductivity with respect to the alkali metal. The direct thermoelectric conversion device uses the vapor pressure difference between the high-temperature alkali metal and the low-temperature alkali metal as a driving force. Electricity is generated by the movement of the alkali metal ions, and a high thermoelectric conversion efficiency of 20 to 35% is obtained. This AMTEC has a heater (not shown) as shown in the basic structure of FIG.
A heating container 3 for containing sodium 5 which is an alkali metal in a heated state, and attached to the heating container 3 via a solid electrolyte 1 and a porous electrode 2 described later,
It is composed of a condensing container 4 that stores low-temperature sodium 6 and an electromagnetic pump 11 that circulates the sodium 6 in the condensing container 4 to the heating container 3 via a return pipe 10.
This AMTEC contains sodium 6 in the heating container 3.
That dissociates into Na ⁺ ions and electrons in the solid electrolyte 1 surface, passes through an external circuit the electrons connecting positive and negative electrode lead 8 and 7 together with the Na ⁺ ions by vapor pressure difference through the solid electrolyte 1 Electric power is generated by utilizing this, and sodium 6 recombined with electrons in the condensing container 4 is circulated to the heating container 3 via the return pipe 10 by the electromagnetic pump 11 to continuously generate electric power. Further, as the solid electrode 1, β ″ -alumina (β ″ -Al ₂ O ₃ )
In general, the condensing container 4 is cooled by natural cooling or a forced cooling device.

The above-mentioned power generation principle of AMTEC and its basic configuration are disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 47-6660, and as a document describing an alkali metal thermoelectric generator having a mechanism for circulating the alkali metal. For example, JP-A-2-197274 and JP-A-3-25327.
7 and JP-A-2-262877.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
The MTEC requires a plurality of devices to be electrically connected in series in order to obtain a practical level voltage, which requires the same number of electromagnetic pumps as the AMTEC, and therefore a large number of electromagnetic pump power supply devices and power supply operation control devices. However, there is a problem that the device becomes large and complicated. 1
It is possible to circulate the alkali metal in a plurality of power generators with a single electromagnetic pump, but this is not preferable because the power generators are electrically connected in parallel. Further, the conventional AMTEC is premised on that the alkali metal recombined with electrons is collected by the electromagnetic pump in the state of being accumulated on the bottom surface of the condensing container by gravity. It also caused a problem that the circulation of the was difficult.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to provide an alkali metal thermoelectric generator capable of efficiently circulating alkali metal with a simple equipment configuration.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an alkali metal thermoelectric generator for generating power by moving an alkali metal in a heating container through a solid electrolyte into a condensation container, The first feature is that the alkali metal that has moved into the condensing container is circulated to the heating container by using an electrochemical pump made of a solid electrolyte that moves the alkali metal by applying electric power.

Further, the present invention provides an alkali metal thermoelectric generator for generating electric power by moving an alkali metal in a heating vessel through a solid electrolyte and moving into a condensation vessel, wherein the condensation vessel is operated by applying electric power to the alkali metal. An electrochemical pump consisting of a solid electrolyte to be passed through and a return pipe for guiding the alkali metal passing through the electrochemical pump to the heating container are provided, and the alkali metal moved to the condensation container is passed through the return pipe by the electrochemical pump. The second feature is to circulate in the heating container.

Further, the present invention is, in an alkali metal thermoelectric generator, wherein the condensing vessel is an electrochemical pump made of a solid electrolyte which allows the alkali metal to pass by applying electric power,
A wick that guides the alkali metal to the electrochemical pump by trapping the alkali metal in the minute gaps and a return pipe that guides the alkali metal that has passed through the electrochemical pump to the heating container are provided and moved to the condensing container. The third feature is that the electrochemical pump circulates the alkali metal supplemented by Aic to the heating container through the return pipe. In the alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to the first to third features, The fourth characteristic is that the applied electric power is supplied from the solid electrolyte that generates the electric power, and the first characteristic is the same.
In the alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to the third feature, the electric power applied to the electrochemical pump is supplied from the solid electrolyte that performs the power generation, and the surface of the solid electrolyte that constitutes the electrochemical pump is corrugated or uneven. The fifth feature is that it is a shape.

Further, the alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to the present invention comprises a bag-shaped tubular heating container for forming a heating space for heating an alkali metal around a bag-shaped fixed electrolyte having a hollow portion, and a bag-shaped tubular container having a hollow portion. A bag-shaped condensing container forming a condensing space for condensing an alkali metal around an electrochemical pump made of a fixed electrolyte, the heating container and the hollow part of the condensing container are connected, and the condensing space and the heating space are connected to each other. With a fixed part having a tube, the alkali metal contained in the heating space of the heating container passes through the solid electrolyte by heating and moves to the hollow part inside to generate power, and the generated power drives the electrochemical pump. Then, the alkali metal is moved from the hollow portion to the condensation space, and the moved alkali metal is circulated to the heating container through the return pipe of the fixing means. And sixth aspect of the door.

The alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to the present invention further comprises a cylindrical heating plate to be heated, a cylindrical solid electrolyte forming a heating space for heating the alkali metal around the heating plate, and a solid electrolyte of the solid electrolyte. An electrochemical pump composed of a fixed electrolyte forming a cylindrical hollow portion on the outer periphery, a cooling plate for forming and cooling a cylindrical condensing space for condensing an alkali metal on the outer periphery of the electrochemical pump, the condensing space and heating A return pipe that connects the spaces is arranged concentrically from the inner surface in the order of a cylindrical heating plate, a fixed electrolyte, an electrochemical pump, and a cooling plate, and the alkali metal contained in the heating space passes through the solid electrolyte by heating. Then, the electric power is generated by moving to the cylindrical hollow portion, and the generated electric power drives the electrochemical pump to move the alkali metal from the cylindrical hollow portion to the condensation space. A seventh characteristic is that the alkali metal is moved and circulated to a heating container through a return pipe, and in the generators of 6 and 7, the alkali metal is provided in a fine gap inside the hollow portion. An eighth feature is that a wick that complementarily leads to the electrochemical pump is provided.

[0011]

The alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to the first feature requires a large number of power supply devices and control devices by circulating the generated alkali metal in the heating container by an electrochemical pump made of a solid electrolyte. It is possible to efficiently circulate alkali metal with a simple device configuration without using an electromagnetic pump. The power generator according to the second feature can circulate the alkali metal by a return pipe, and the alkali metal thermoelectric power generator according to the third feature has a fine gap inside the alkali metal that has generated power. Since it is circulated by an electrochemical pump after being supplemented by its own wick, it can be continuously used, for example, in weightless outer space. Further, the alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to the fourth feature efficiently generates the driving power of the electrochemical pump by the electric power generated by the solid electrolyte, so that the alkali metal thermoelectric generator can be efficiently and simply configured without an external power source and its control device. In the power generator according to the fifth feature, the surface of the solid electrolyte forming the electrochemical pump is corrugated or uneven, thereby increasing the electrolyte surface area on the unit projection plane and increasing the internal resistance. It is possible to reduce the pump driving power and improve the power generation output.

Further, the alkali metal thermoelectric power generator according to the sixth feature comprises a heating container and a condensing container each having a hollow portion and a bag-shaped solid electrolyte which is driven to generate or power.
The return pipe is connected via a fixing means having an opening, and the solid electrolyte for power generation generates the alkali metal in the heating container by the vapor pressure difference, and the alkali metal that has passed through the solid electrolyte for power generation is converted into electric power. It is configured such that it is returned to the inside of the condensing container by an electrochemical pump composed of a driven solid electrolyte and then circulated to the heating container through the collecting pipe of the fixing means. By arranging and cooling the condenser by a radiator or the like, continuous power generation can be performed, for example, even in a weightless space.

Further, the alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to the seventh feature is constructed by arranging a cylindrical heating plate, a cylindrical solid electrolyte for power generation or electric power drive, and a cylindrical cooling plate in a concentric cylindrical shape. An electrochemistry comprising a solid electrolyte for power generation of an alkali metal in a heating space between a heating surface and a solid electrolyte for power generation by means of a vapor pressure difference between the solid electrolyte for power generation and an electric power drive of the alkali metal passing through the solid electrolyte for power generation. The pump is returned to the inside of the condensing container and is then circulated to the heating container through the collecting pipe of the fixing means. For example, exhaust heat of the pipe is transferred to the heating plate on the inner surface of the cylinder by the heat pipe to generate electricity. It can be applied to a power generation system. Further, the metal thermoelectric power generator according to the eighth feature is the power generator according to the sixth and seventh aspects, wherein the hollow portion is provided with a wick that captures an alkali metal into a minute gap inside and guides it to the electrochemical pump. Power can be continuously generated even in a zero-gravity space.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an alkali metal thermoelectric generator (hereinafter referred to as AMTEC) according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. [Description of First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an AMTEC according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A according to this embodiment
The MTEC includes a heating container 3 that stores sodium 5 which is an alkali metal in a heated state by a heater (not shown), a condensing container 41 that stores low temperature sodium 6 that is an alkali metal, and a condensing container 41. An electrochemical pump 21 which is a feature of the present embodiment for circulating the sodium 6 accumulated on the bottom surface through the return pipe 10 to the heating container 3, and a power source 23 for supplying driving power to the electrochemical pump 21.
The solid electrolyte 1 and the porous electrode 2 arranged between the condensing container 41 and the heating container 3, the positive electrode lead 8 that conducts with the sodium 5 in the heating container 3, and the negative electrode lead that conducts with the sodium 6 in the condensing container 41. 7 and.
The solid electrolyte 1 is made of β ″ -alumina sintered body, and the porous electrode 2 is made of molybdenum, titanium, tungsten, or another alloy or metal thin film.
As the material of the condensing container 41, stainless steel, Hastelloy, or the like is used in consideration of sodium corrosion resistance. The inside of the heating container 3 is 900 to 1300 during operation.
K (sodium vapor pressure is 5000-300000 Pa)
The condensing container 41 is naturally or forcibly cooled to 400 to 800 K (sodium vapor pressure is 0.0002 to 300 Pa).

In particular, the electrochemical pump 21 has a solid electrolyte of a small area arranged so as to constitute a part of the bottom surface of the cooling container 41, and the solid electrolyte has a power source opposite to the solid electrolyte 1. Na ^{+ of} sodium 6 accumulated in the lower portion of the container 41 by supplying electric power from 23
A driving force that allows ions to pass is generated. Therefore, this electrochemical pump 21 allows Na ⁺ ions of sodium 6 accumulated in the lower part of the container 41 to pass therethrough by energization,
The sodium 6 recombined with the electrons in the reservoir 22 is circulated to the heating container 3 via the return pipe 10.

In the AMTEC thus constructed, the inside of the heating container 3 is 900 to 1300K (sodium vapor pressure is 500).
0 to 300000 Pa), and the inside of the condensing container 41 is set to 4
00-800K (sodium vapor pressure 0.0002-3
It is started by applying the electric power of the power supply 23 to the electrochemical pump 21 while cooling to 00 Pa), and the sodium 6 in the heating container 3 is dissociated into Na ⁺ ions and electrons on the surface of the solid electrolyte 1 due to the vapor pressure difference. As Na ⁺ ions pass through the solid electrolyte 1, electrons pass through the positive and negative electrode leads 8 and 7 to start power generation, and in particular, in this embodiment, the electrochemical pump 21 made of a solid electrolyte applies power. electrons and recombine inside the reservoir 22 is passed through the Na ⁺ ions of sodium 6 by, and operates so as to perform circulation through the return tube 10 the sodium 6. Thus, the AMTE according to the present embodiment
In C, since the condensing container and the circulation pump are integrally configured, the device configuration can be simplified.

[Description of Second Embodiment] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of AMTEC by the Example of this. The AMTEC according to the present embodiment is similar to the above-described embodiment in that the heating container 3 stores the sodium 5 in a heated state, the sodium 6 supplied from the heating container 3, and the electrochemical pump 21 and the reservoir part described later. The condensing container 42 provided with 22, the solid electrolyte 1 and the porous electrode 2 arranged between the condensing container 42 and the heating container 3, the sodium 5 in the heating container 3 and the sodium 6 in the reservoir portion 22. The lead 24 electrically connected, the positive electrode lead 8 extending from the porous electrode 2, the negative electrode lead 70 connected to the sodium 6 accumulated in the condensing container 42, and the sodium 6 heated from the bottom surface of the reservoir 22. Return pipe 1 leading to the top of the container 3
It is composed of 0 and. The solid electrolyte 1 /
The materials of the porous electrode 2 / heating container 3, the condensing container 4 and the like, the container temperature and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The characteristic of the AMTEC according to this embodiment is that the electric power of the electrochemical pump 21 is obtained from the electric power generated by the AMTEC. That is, the AMTEC according to this embodiment
Is electrically connected to the sodium 5 in the heating container 3 and the sodium 6 in the reservoir 22 by the lead 24, so that the positive electrode lead 8 leads to the porous electrode 2 → the solid electrolyte 1 → the sodium in the heating container 3. 5 → Lead 24 → Sodium 6 in the reservoir 22 → Electrochemical pump 21 → Sodium 6 in the condensing container 42 → Negative electrode 70 is connected to form an electric circuit to apply generated power to the electrochemical pump 21. It is configured.

In the AMTEC constructed as described above, the Na ⁺ ion of sodium in the heating container 3 passes through the solid electrolyte 1 due to the vapor pressure difference, and the electrochemical pump 21 is interposed in the closed circuit of the generated power. The generated electric power can be used as the driving electric power for the electrochemical pump 21, and the separately provided power source can be omitted. Further, the power generated by the solid electrolyte 1 and the power consumed by the solid electrolyte of the electrochemical pump 21 are equal to each other because they are proportional to the amount of substances (number of molecules) defined by the moles of Na ⁺ ions passing through each solid electrolyte, It is not necessary to control and power supply operation control can be omitted.

Description of Third Embodiment FIG. 3 shows the third embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of AMTEC by the Example of this. This apparatus comprises a heating container 3 for containing sodium 5 and a condensing container 43 for containing sodium 6 supplied from the heating container 3 and having an electrochemical pump 21 and a reservoir 22 as in the above-described embodiment. A return pipe 100 that connects the lower side surface of the heating container 3 to the side surface of the reservoir portion 22 to energize the sodium 5 and 6 and the solid electrolyte 1 disposed between the heating container 3 and the condensation container 43. Porous electrode 2
And a positive electrode lead 8 connected to the porous electrode 2 and a negative electrode lead 71 connected to the sodium 5 in the condensing container 43. The solid electrolyte 1 and other materials, container temperature, etc. are the same as those in the above-described embodiment. It is set similarly.

A characteristic of the AMTEC according to this embodiment is that the sodium 5 and 6 in the return pipe 100 connecting the heating container 3 and the reservoir 22 are also used as a part of the electric circuit. That is, the AMTEC according to the present embodiment is a return pipe 100.
Connects the lower side surface of the heating container 3 and the side surface of the reservoir part 22, so that the sodium 5 and 6 inside these are conducted, and the positive electrode lead 8 to the porous electrode 2 → solid electrolyte 1 → heating container Sodium in 3 → sodium in the return pipe 100 → sodium in the reservoir 22 → electrochemical pump 21 → sodium in the condensation vessel 42 → negative lead 7
The electrochemical pump 21 which constitutes an electric circuit connecting
It is configured to apply generated power to.

In the AMTEC thus constructed, the Na ⁺ ion of sodium in the heating container 3 passes through the solid electrolyte 1 due to the vapor pressure difference, and the electrochemical pump 21 is interposed in the closed circuit of the generated electric power. Since the sodium in the container constitutes a part of the electric circuit, the generated electric power can be used as the driving electric power of the electrochemical pump 21, and the lead in the above-mentioned embodiment can be omitted to simplify the construction. it can.

[Description of Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of AMTEC by the Example of this. In the AMTEC according to this embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the sodium 5 and 6 in the return pipe 100 connecting the heating container 3 and the reservoir 22 also serve as a part of the electric circuit, and the electrochemical The solid electrolyte forming the pump 210 is characterized in that it is formed in a corrugated cross section, and the other mechanical parts are constructed in the same manner as in the third embodiment. In the AMTEC according to the present embodiment, the solid electrolyte forming the electrochemical pump 210 is formed into a cross-sectional wave type, so that the surface area of the electrochemical pump 210 is increased to increase the surface area of the solid electrolyte in a unit projected area. The internal resistance is reduced. This allows the device to
It is possible to reduce pump driving power and improve power generation output. The same effect can be obtained even if the solid electrolyte forming the electrochemical pump 210 is formed to have an uneven cross section.

The AMTEC according to each of the embodiments described above is
The sodium accumulated in the lower part of the condensing container due to gravity is circulated to the heating container.
C is not limited to this, for example, it is also possible to continuously generate power even in a weightless space. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described.

[Description of Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 5 shows the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of AMTEC by the Example of this. The apparatus of this embodiment is similar to the above-described embodiment in that it contains sodium 5 and a heating container 3 provided with a wick 26 having a fine gap on the inner surface thereof, a solid electrolyte 1 fixed to the heating container 3 and a porosity. The electrode 2, the condensing container 45 in which a wick 25 having a fine gap is provided on the inner surface other than the solid electrolyte 1 and the porous electrode 2 portion, and a reservoir 220 which contacts a part of the wick 25 of the condensing container 45 Electrochemical pump 211 connected to the inside of the reservoir 220 and the heating container 3
Return tube 101 for mechanically and electrically connecting the wick 26 of the above, and the positive electrode lead 8 for connecting with the porous electrode 2.
And a negative electrode lead 71 electrically connected to the wick 25 in the condensing container 45. The wick 2
5 and 26 are wire nets with many fine gaps inside,
It is made of foam metal or metal felt and captures the liquid in the internal gap by capillary force. Although not shown in FIG. 5, each of the wicks 25 and 26 contains sodium as in the above embodiment.

In this way, the sodium contained in the wick 25 in the condensing container 45 and the sodium contained in the wick 26 in the heating container 3 in this embodiment are electrically connected. That is, the electric circuit in the present embodiment is composed of the positive electrode lead 8 to the porous electrode 2 → the solid electrolyte 1
→ Wick 26 and sodium in wick 26 → Sodium in return tube 101 → Sodium 6 in reservoir 220 → Electrochemical pump 211 → Sodium in wick 25 and wick 25 → A circuit connecting negative electrode lead 71 .

The AMTEC thus constructed supplements the liquid sodium in the heating container 3 and the condensing container 45 with the wicks 25 and 26, while the solid electrolyte 1 and the porous electrode 2 are exposed to sodium Na ⁺ ions. The generated electric power can be used as driving power for the electrochemical pump 211 by passing through the vapor pressure difference to generate electric power and interposing the electrochemical pump 211 in the power generation circuit. In particular, in the AMTEC according to this embodiment, the wicks 25 and 26 capture the liquid sodium by the capillary force to generate and circulate the liquid sodium, so that the wicks 25 and 26 can remove the suspended sodium even in a weightless state such as outer space. Can supplement and circulate to generate continuous electricity. Needless to say, sodium can be supplemented even in a normal gravity field.

[Explanation of Sixth Embodiment] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sixth embodiment of the present invention in which the AMTEC capable of generating power even in the weightless space according to the above-mentioned embodiment is further improved. The difference between this embodiment and the AMTEC according to the above embodiment is that the electrochemical pump 211 and the reservoir 220 are arranged outside the condensing container 45 in the above embodiment, whereas the inside of the condensing container 46 is present in this embodiment. That is, the wick 250 including the electrochemical pump 212 is projected, and a space in which the sodium 6 can be contained is provided in the electrochemical pump 212 to also serve as a reservoir. Further, the AMTEC according to the present embodiment is similar to the above-described embodiment in that from the negative electrode lead 72 to the wick 250 → electrochemical pump 212 → sodium 6 → sodium in the return tube 102 → wick 26 and sodium in the heating container 3 → solid electrolyte 1 → porous electrode 2 → An electric circuit for connecting the positive electrode lead 8 is configured to generate electric power and drive an electrochemical pump.

In the AMTEC thus constructed, the wick 250 for supplementing sodium is projected into the condensing container 46 to increase the surface area, whereby the electrochemical pump 21
The internal resistance of 2 can be reduced to further reduce the required pump drive power. Needless to say, the shapes of the protruding wick and the electrochemical pump in this embodiment may be arbitrary shapes in consideration of the efficiency of supplementing the circulation of the natrim. The AMTEC according to each embodiment described above is
Although an example of heating sodium using a heater has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, AM that heats sodium using exhaust heat or solar heat in outer space as a heat source.
It can also be applied to TEC. Next, an example of the AMTEC using such another heat source will be described.

[Explanation of Seventh Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of AMTEC in which a bag-shaped solid electrolyte is used to heat the heating section with sunlight to generate electric power. The AMTEC according to this embodiment has a slender outer shape, and has a plurality of bag-like tubular layers formed therein. The outer peripheral portion above the drawing is a heating portion for heating sodium, and the outer peripheral portion below the drawing is a condensing portion for condensing sodium. The inner hollow portion forms a hollow portion that guides the sodium lime that has passed through the solid electrolyte to the condensation portion. First, in the heating unit, a heating container 31 having a closed upper end and a tubular shape inside, a wick 26 for supplementing sodium circulated in the container 31, and the wick 26 are provided.
A bag-shaped solid electrolyte 11 and a porous electrode 2 for generating Na ⁺ ions of sodium in the inside by passing vapor pressure difference to generate electricity
And a hollow portion from which sodium obtained by recombining Na + ions and electrons from the porous electrode 2 is released. A heating space for accommodating and heating an alkali metal is formed between the inner surface of the heating container 31 and the outer surface of the solid electrolyte 11.

The condensing part supplements sodium in which Na ⁺ ions and electrons are combined from a cylindrical condensing container 47 having a closed lower end and a hollow part (internal space) connected to the hollow part of the heating part. A wick 25, and an electrochemical pump 213 for sucking sodium captured by the wick 25,
A condensing space for recombining the passed Na ⁺ ions of sodium with electrons and condensing. This condensing section constitutes a condensing space for condensing the alkali metal between the inner surface of the condensing container 47 and the outer circumference of the electrochemical pump 213.

The heating part and the condensing part are connected at one end by a fixing means having a return pipe 102 which is connected to the wick 26. The wick 26 of the heating part is connected to the positive electrode lead 81, and the condensing part is also connected. Wick 25
Is connected to the negative electrode lead 73.

In the AMTEC thus constructed, for example, by heating the heating part and cooling the condensing part, sodium in the wick 26 of the heating container 34 is thermally dissociated into Na ⁺ ions and electrons, and Na ⁺ ions are generated. By passing through the tubular solid electrolyte 11 due to the difference in vapor pressure, a potential difference is generated in the positive and negative leads 81 and 73, and power generation is started. In addition, Na ⁺ ions and electrons recombined from the porous electrode 12 are recombined with each other and are released into the internal space as indicated by an arrow A, and then captured by the wick 25 in the condensing portion as indicated by an arrow BC. The sodium recovered by the chemical pump 213 in the condensing space and returned to the liquid state is circulated again inside the heating container 31 via the return pipe 102 of the fixing means 34, and power generation and circulation are continuously performed. In the AMTEC according to the present embodiment, for example, a heating unit is arranged at a position for concentrating sunlight, and a condenser unit is cooled by a radiator or the like, so that continuous power generation can be performed.

[Explanation of Eighth Embodiment] FIG. 8 is a view showing an embodiment of AMTEC in which, for example, exhaust heat is introduced by a heat pipe to heat sodium as in the above-mentioned embodiments. The AMTEC according to the present embodiment has a generally outer shape of a short cylinder, the inner surface of the cylinder forms a heating part, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder forms a cooling part. The space, the electrochemical pump and the sodium reservoir are concentrically arranged. More specifically, the present AMTEC has a cylindrical heating plate 33 to which heat is applied to the inner peripheral surface, and the heating plate 3
3 Na ⁺ ions of sodium is formed and circulates heated space interval between the outer periphery 5 and the solid electrolyte 1 and a porous electrode 2 for generating electric power through the vapor pressure difference, Na released from the solid electrolyte 1 Cylindrical hollow part through which sodium that recombines ⁺ ion with electron passes, cylindrical wick 25 that traps the sodium inside the minute gap, and Na ⁺ ion of sodium trapped by the wick 25 passes An electrochemical pump 214 made of a solid electrolyte that generates a driving force for driving the cooling plate 34, a cooling plate 34 that forms a cylindrical condensing space for storing the sodium 6 recovered by the pump 214 and has an outer periphery cooled, and a condensing space in the condensing space. The return pipe 103 that circulates the sodium 6 in the heating space, and the radiation heat radiated from the heating space to the condensation space in the cylindrical condensation space are reduced. A heat shielding plate 35 for causing the solid electrolyte cathode lead 8 connected to 1, and a negative electrode lead 7 connected to the electrochemical pump 214.

In the AMTEC thus constructed, for example, when waste heat of the pipe is transferred to the heating plate 33 by a heat pipe,
The sodium inside the heating plate 33 is thermally dissociated, and Na ⁺ ions pass through the solid electrolyte 1 and the porous electrode 2 due to the vapor pressure difference and are discharged into the cylindrical condensing space to generate power. In addition, the wick 25 in the cylindrical condensing space
The sodium captured by the return pipe 10 is moved to the condensation space by the electrochemical pump 214 as indicated by the arrow.
It is circulated to the solid electrolyte 1 through 3.

As described above, in the AMTEC according to the present embodiment, the heating part and the condensing part are concentrically arranged, and sodium in the condensing part is circulated by the electrochemical pump and the return pipe. By setting, it is possible to apply to, for example, a power generation system in which exhaust heat of a pipe is thermally transported by a heat pipe to generate power.

The AMTEC described above is mainly intended for power generation, but the AMTEC according to the present invention can also be applied to a pump device for an alkali metal, for example, a pump device for transferring sodium. explain. [Explanation of Ninth Embodiment] The apparatus shown in FIG. 9 is a pump apparatus in which all of the electric power obtained by the power generator according to the present invention is used as the driving power for the electrochemical pump, and the temperature difference is used as the driving source. The present apparatus comprises a heating tube 43 for heating the sodium 5 supplied upward, a solid electrolyte 1 and a porous electrode 2 arranged on the bottom surface of the heating tube 43, and Na ⁺ ions which have passed through the solid electrolyte 1. A wick 25 for supplementing sodium recombined with electrons, an electrochemical pump 215 for passing sodium supplemented by the wick 25, and a sodium discharged from the electrochemical pump 215 accommodating the wick 25 and the electrochemical pump 215. 6, a cooling pipe 44 for delivering 6 and sodium 5 and a cooling pipe 4 in the heating pipe 43.
A lead 241 for conducting sodium 6 in 4 and a lead 240 for conducting the porous electrode 2 and the wick 25. When Na ⁺ ions of the heated sodium 5 pass through the solid electrolyte 1 due to the vapor pressure difference. The generated power is used as a driving power source for the electrochemical pump 215. That is, solid electrolyte 1 → porous electrode 2 → lead 240
→ wick 25 → electrochemical pump 215 → sodium 6
→ Lead 240 → Na ^{+ of} heated sodium 5 by forming an electric circuit to connect with sodium 5
The electric power that the ions have passed through the solid electrolyte 1 due to the difference in vapor pressure is used as a driving power source for the electrochemical pump 215 to form a pump for transferring sodium. The start / stop of the main pump drive can be controlled by the on / off switch of the lead 241 and / or the heating / cooling of the heating tube 43.

The apparatus constructed in this way is equipped with sodium 5
By heating the heating pipe 43 to which Na is supplied, the Na ⁺ ions of the sodium 5 are solidified by the vapor pressure difference.
Further, sodium can be transferred by passing through the porous electrode 2 and using the generated power at this time as the driving source of the electrochemical pump 215. Further, the present apparatus can simultaneously purify sodium by thermally dissociating and resynthesizing sodium at the same time as this transfer, and as a result, it can be used as a purifying apparatus.

Thus, the AMTEC according to each of the above-mentioned embodiments
Circulates sodium used for power generation by an electrochemical pump composed of a fixed electrolyte, so that it can be efficiently driven with a simple structure without providing a special electromagnetic pump, a power supply device for an electromagnetic pump, and a power supply operation control device. be able to. Further, in the AMTEC provided with the wick, since the wick captures sodium in the internal fine gaps by the capillary force, it can be continuously driven even in outer space without being affected by gravity.
Further, by devising various shapes of the AMTEC, it is possible to generate electricity using, for example, exhaust heat or a solar heat source without providing a special heating means. It can also be applied to an apparatus for transferring and purifying an alkali metal such as sodium.

[0040]

As described above, in the alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to the first feature of the present invention, a large number of alkali metal thermoelectric generators are circulated to the heating container by an electrochemical pump made of a solid electrolyte. It is possible to efficiently circulate an alkali metal with a simple device configuration without using an electromagnetic pump that requires a power supply device and a control device. In the power generator according to the second feature, the alkali metal can be circulated by the return pipe.
The metal thermoelectric power generator with the feature of (1) is used continuously even in the weightless space, for example, because the alkali metal that has generated power is supplemented by the wick having minute gaps inside and then circulated by the electrochemical pump. be able to.

Further, the alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to the fourth feature efficiently generates electric power for driving the electrochemical pump by the electric power generated by the solid electrolyte, and has a simple structure and is efficient without an external power source and its control device. The alkali metal can be circulated, and the power generation device according to the fifth feature reduces the pump driving power to generate power output by making the surface of the solid electrolyte forming the electrochemical pump into a corrugated or uneven shape. Can be improved.

Further, in the alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a heating container and a condensing container each having a hollow portion and having a tubular solid electrolyte for power generation or electric power drive, and a return pipe are opened. Connected by a fixing means to generate electricity by allowing the alkali metal in the heating container to pass through the solid electrolyte for power generation, and condensing the alkali metal that has passed through the solid electrolyte for power generation by an electrochemical pump. Since it is configured to circulate in the heating container through the return pipe of the fixing means after returning to the inside of the container, by arranging the heating part at a position where sunlight is collected, for example, it is possible to efficiently and continuously operate with a simple structure. It can generate various power.

Further, in the alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to the seventh feature, the heating plate, the solid electrolyte and the cooling plate are concentrically arranged so that the alkali metal passes through the solid electrolyte for power generation from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the cylinder. By generating electricity and returning the alkali metal to the inside of the condensing container by an electrochemical pump composed of a solid electrolyte driven by electric power, and then circulating the alkali metal to the heating container through the return pipe of the fixing means, for example, the piping It can be applied to a power generation system in which waste heat is transferred to a heating plate on the inner surface of a cylinder by a heat pipe to generate power. Further, the metal thermoelectric generator according to the eighth feature can continuously generate power even in a zero-gravity space by providing the wick for supplementing the internal fine interval with the alkali metal.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration in which electric power generated by a power generator according to a second embodiment is used as a circulating drive source.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which an electric circuit of a power generator according to a third embodiment is simply configured.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the surface area of an electrochemical pump of a power generator according to a fourth embodiment is increased.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration using a wick of a metal thermoelectric generator according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration in which a wick of a power generation device according to a sixth embodiment is increased.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a bag-shaped alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a cylindrical alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an alkali metal thermoelectric generator capable of transferring and refining alkali metal.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a conventional alkali metal thermoelectric generator.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Solid electrolyte, 2 ... Porous electrode, 3 ... Heating container, 4 ...
Condensing container, 5 ... hot sodium, 6 ... cold sodium, 7 ... negative electrode current lead, 8 ... positive electrode current lead, 1
0 ... Return pipe, 11 ... Electromagnetic pump, 21 ... Solid electrolyte used for electrochemical pump, 22 ... Na reservoir, 23 ... Power supply,
24 ... current lead, 25 ... wick, 26 ... wick,
31 ... Fixing means, 33 ... Heating plate, 34 ... Cooling plate, 35 ...
Heat shield plate, 43 ... Heating pipe, 44 ... Cooling pipe.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A heating container for heating an alkali metal and a condensation container attached to the heating container with a solid electrolyte interposed therebetween, wherein the alkali metal in the heating container passes through the solid electrolyte and moves into the condensation container. In the alkali metal thermoelectric power generator for generating power by doing so, it is possible to circulate the alkali metal that has moved into the condensation container to the heating container by using an electrochemical pump made of a solid electrolyte that moves the alkali metal by applying electric power. Characteristic alkali metal thermoelectric generator. 2. A heating container for heating an alkali metal and a condensation container attached to the heating container with a solid electrolyte interposed therebetween, wherein the alkali metal in the heating container passes through the solid electrolyte and moves into the condensation container. In the alkali metal thermoelectric power generation device for generating electric power by performing the above, the condensing container guides an electrochemical pump made of a solid electrolyte that allows the alkali metal to pass by applying electric power, and the alkali metal passing through the electrochemical pump to the heating container. An alkali metal thermoelectric generator comprising: a return pipe, wherein an electrochemical pump circulates the alkali metal moved to the condensation container to the heating container through the return pipe. 3. A heating container for heating an alkali metal and a condensation container attached to the heating container with a solid electrolyte interposed therebetween, wherein the alkali metal in the heating container passes through the solid electrolyte and moves into the condensation container. In the alkali metal thermoelectric power generator for generating electric power by performing the electric power generation, the condensing container is an electrochemical pump made of a solid electrolyte that allows the alkali metal to pass by applying electric power, and the alkali metal is supplemented to the internal fine gaps to generate electricity. A wick that leads to a chemical pump and a return pipe that guides the alkali metal that has passed through the electrochemical pump to the heating container are provided, and the electrochemical pump moves the alkali metal that moves to the condensation container and is captured by the wick through the return pipe. An alkali metal thermoelectric generator characterized in that it is circulated in a heating container. 4. The alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein the electric power applied to the electrochemical pump is supplied from the solid electrolyte that generates the electric power. 5. The electric power applied to the electrochemical pump is supplied from the solid electrolyte that performs the power generation, and the surface of the solid electrolyte that constitutes the electrochemical pump is corrugated or uneven. The alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to claim 1. 6. A bag-shaped tubular heating electrolyte for heating an alkali metal around a bag-shaped fixed electrolyte having a hollow portion, and an electrochemical pump comprising a bag-shaped fixed electrolyte having a hollow portion. An alkali having a bag-shaped cylindrical condensing container forming a condensing space for condensing an alkali metal, and a fixing part connecting the heating container and the hollow part of the condensing container and having a return pipe connecting the condensing space and the heating space. In the metal thermoelectric generator, the alkali metal housed in the heating space of the heating container passes through the solid electrolyte by heating and moves to the internal hollow portion to generate electric power, and the generated electric power drives the electrochemical pump. The alkali metal is moved from the hollow part to the condensing space, and the moved alkali metal is circulated to the heating container through the return pipe of the fixing means. Alkali metal thermoelectric generator. 7. A cylindrical heating plate to be heated, a cylindrical solid electrolyte forming a heating space for heating an alkali metal on the outer periphery of the heating plate, and a cylindrical hollow portion on the outer periphery of the solid electrolyte. An electrochemical pump including a fixed electrolyte, a cooling plate that forms a cylindrical condensing space for condensing an alkali metal around the outer periphery of the electrochemical pump and is cooled, and a return pipe that connects the condensing space and the heating space In the alkali metal thermoelectric generator in which the cylindrical heating plate, the fixed electrolyte, the electrochemical pump, and the cooling plate are concentrically arranged in order from the inner surface, the alkali metal housed in the heating space heats the solid electrolyte. Electricity is generated by passing through and moving to the cylindrical hollow portion, and the generated electric power drives the electrochemical pump to move the alkali metal from the cylindrical hollow portion to the condensation space. The alkali metal thermoelectric power generator is characterized in that the alkali metal is moved and circulated to the heating container through a return pipe. 8. The alkali metal thermoelectric generator according to claim 6, wherein the hollow portion is provided with a wick that captures an alkali metal into a fine gap inside and guides it to the electrochemical pump.