WO2006065152A1

WO2006065152A1 - Apparatus to generate energy using microwave

Info

Publication number: WO2006065152A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2005/000308
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rajeev Prasad Gupta
Original assignee: Rajeev Prasad Gupta
Priority date: 2004-12-13
Filing date: 2005-11-22
Publication date: 2006-06-22
Also published as: NZ537176A

Abstract

The apparatus and process generates energy from organic material or waste, wherein the item is dried using low temperature heat sources. Material in hopper (5) is dried by renewable (6) or conventional heat (3) sources to obtain a kind of fuel (9). The drying system (1) optimises the energy efficiency. Dried material (9) is placed within the air-gap of metal rings (18) and then exposed to microwaves (15,14). The material absorbs microwaves and converts into an atmosphere of high-energy ionised Plasma (23), which releases heat, kinetic-explosion, light and different forms of energy. There is a net gain in the release of energy from fuel (9), whereby the total energy generated is more than that obtained from conventional devices. Total energy released is more than the input electrical energy consumed. The energy extraction (17,20) converts the released form into a useful form. Exhaust gases (10) contain negligible carbon soot; minimum pollution (8) and very small amount of solid (22) residue.

Description

APPARATUS TO GENERATE ENERGY USING MICROWAVES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an efficient method and/or apparatus for generating energy from any type of organic material by means of microwaves, using alternative energy sources like solar and geothermal energy. The invention describes a better technique for plasma and energy generation with minimum amount of residue and pollution. The new apparatus uses very low cost method for plasma generation to convert any organic material into energy. This apparatus produces small amount of residue and pollution.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a process that uses solar or geothermal energy to remove the moisture from any organic material. The dried organic item is subjected to microwave to generate more energy with minimum gaseous pollution and solid residue. This new method reduces the cost of energy conversion and provides new method for energy conversion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

World-over, the most common source of energy is fossil fuel like coal, oil, or gas, which are basically hydrocarbon fuels. The supply of these fuels is limited and they generate unwanted exhaust gases which are harmful to health and create pollution. Fossil fuels are not available everywhere. The fossil fuel such as petroleum, coal and gas contains complex compounds of sulphur and other chemicals, which results in unhealthy emissions.

Natural energy resources like wind energy, solar, geo-thermal etc. has been harnessed to some extent, but they can not be stored. However, it is not convenient to convert these energy sources into other forms of useful energy.

There is a need to devise a cost-effective method for converting and/or generating a useful form or forms of energy from organic material with minimum residue and pollution. Present technology to convert an organic item into another directly useful form of energy needs further improvement to reduce the cost of conversion. In just about every industrial application, waste heat is constantly generated and released into the ambient environment. The amount of this waste energy is huge. The exhaust waste heat is considered as relatively low in temperature and it is difficult to recover this heat for any practical purpose. Significantly, there is no technology available to use this heat for any economical advantage.

Thus, it appears that the prior art processes are deficient in that they mostly use nonrenewable fuel. They do not provide a suitable means of using the organic material or waste heat from industrial activities to generate more energy.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and/or apparatus for the cost- effective conversion of any organic materials into a usable form of energy by means of microwaves. The inventive apparatus utilizes solar and geo-thermal energy to reduce the cost of apparatus. The new technique further reduces the pollution, reduces the percentage of solid-residue and reduces the cost of the apparatus. On exposure to microwave, the organic item is converted into plasma with the release of excessive light, heat and pressure.

Special feature within the apparatus reduces the over-all cost of plasma generation and reduces the amount of emissions. It is a significant improvement over known processes. Energy extraction from the plasma is achieved by using a new apparatus of solar-cells around the microwave cavity for the direct conversion of light energy into electrical energy.

DEFINITIONS

Plasma may be defined as the fourth state of matter wherein matter is found in an energised, excited and/or ionised form.

Efficiency of plasma generation is measured by the amount of microwave energy required to convert a given amount of an organic material into energised plasma. Organic Material as applicable to this invention relates to any organic material other than purely hydrocarbons and includes organic matter which is essentially derived from living, biological or waste organic matter.

Useable form of energy as applicable to this invention relates to any form of energy selected from thermal, electrical, high pressure, a plasma, ionised air or gas and a fusion energy.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an energy conversion system, which is capable of converting an organic item into a useful form of energy. The process uses renewable energy sources like solar energy and geo-thermal energy for converting organic item into a new kind of fuel. This fuel is exposed to microwave using a special device made-up of copper or tungsten, for efficient generation of plasma. The pollution from this energy conversion system is comparatively less harmful and solid residue is almost negligible.

Solar and geo-thermal energy are low temperature energy sources and direct energy conversion is uneconomical. However, the temperature of about 70degC to llOdegC is sufficient to remove the moisture content of most of the organic items. Hence they can be used for the drying of organic items.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention: Plasma Generation

The main aspect of the invention provides for a method for converting organic material into plasma and usable form of energy by means of microwaves, the method comprising the following steps:

(a) Use of solar-drying system or geo-thermal energy system to remove at least 80% to 90% of the moisture content of any organic material. The organic material can now be stored for long duration without any fermentation and it becomes a kind of fuel,

(b) the dried organic material is placed in a special glass chamber with embedded copper or tungsten rings, wherein each ring has a air gap of about 2 to 8mm, the dried organic material is placed within the air gap, (c) the above chamber is exposed to microwaves, wherein the plasma discharge develops within the air-gap of the rings. This plasma results into a chain reaction and the organic material converts into plasma with release of high intensity light and heat energy. At the same time, energy is released due to the creation of the atmosphere of highly energetic ions and electrons. Energy contained within the organic item or fuel is now converted into a usable form of energy selected from thermal, electrical, a high pressure, plasma, ionised air or gas and fusion energy. The exhaust contains negligible carbon soot with minimum gaseous and ash pollution.

The microwave operates at a frequency of 500MHz to 5000MHz and at a power of between 500W to 100 kW. Depending on the power of microwaves and type of material, the plasma is generated within 2 to 400 seconds.

Dried organic item is exposed to microwave in a specially designed device, wherein the organic item is converted to plasma. The mass of the residue left after the conversion process is less than 4% by weight of the original mass of the organic material. There is no formation of carbon soot or black carbon, proper air mixing ratio ensures nil carbon soot and no particulate formation or deposition. This ensures negligible particulate pollution or emission of any poisonous gases.

Preferably, the preparative steps are monitored to ensure that the conversion of energy from the organic material is maintained at a temperature and pressure in a sustainable and/or continuous manner.

The organic material is of any kind as drawn from living things, like trees, plants, part of animals or from under the sea.

The fuel prepared at step (a) is exposed to microwaves at step (c) in the following manner: (i) the prepared fuel is transferred to a specially designed glass vessel having a few embedded copper or tungsten rings with air gap in the rings,

(ii) this special glass vessel is kept within a heat exchanger or the glass vessel is part of an external or internal combustion engine for energy transfer, (iii) the above Pyrex-glass vessel is placed in a microwave cavity or microwave oven, alternatively a magnetron for microwave generation is placed inside the glass vessel, (iv) microwave source is actuated whereby the prepared fuel is transformed into a plasma of temperature above 100⁰C, with excessive release of heat and light energy.

The above innovative method is discovered or invented for efficient generation of highly energetic plasma from any organic material using microwave energy. Organic material now becomes a kind of fuel, which is renewable because it grows on trees and plants. It is very safe to handle, transport and store, without any danger of inadvertent ignition.

Microwave energy is used as an initiating energy source and the complete process becomes self-sustaining with the extraction of energy from plasma. Cost effective methods have been selected to achieve efficient energy extraction.

Extraction of Energy from Plasma:

An additional aspect of the invention provides for the apparatus, wherein plasma generated at step (c) is confined within the glass chamber or heat exchanger used at step Qa). The method to extract energy from the generated plasma comprises of:

1) Installation of solar-cells around the glass vessel for direct conversion of the intense glow and light energy of plasma into electricity,

2) Using the heat energy of plasma for external combustion engine like Sterling Engine, wherein a cylinder is heated externally for conversion of heat into mechanical and electrical energy,

3) Plasma Dynamic Conversion (PDC), special electrodes are placed within the confined plasma for direct conversion of the kinetic and chemical energy of plasma into electrical energy,

4) Electro-Hydrodynamic Plasma Conversion, the kinetic energy of energetic ions and electrons within the plasma is harnessed to extract energy. This kinetic energy is available to be converted into a useful form of energy,

The energy extracted from plasma is further converted into any other form of useful applications like, heating, mechanical work and electrical operations. In yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a method and apparatus for extracting energy from plasma by using solar cells. The plasma glow is very bright with intense light energy. Solar cells are placed around the glass vessel with wire-mesh to reduce the effect of microwave radiation, however visible light can pass across the wire-mesh. It was discovered that solar cell directly converts this plasma glow into electricity.

The fuel is exposed to microwaves under a switching or valve control such that the temperature and pressure generated is able to be maintained within desired parameters.

In a still further aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus useful in a method according to any one of the preceding claims, the apparatus comprising:

(a) Drying equipment built around a solar-drying system, geo-thermal system or system using heats from waste sources of heat or any conventional source of heat,

(b) a special glass vessel with embedded rings of copper or tungsten, wherein the rings are provided with air-gap to generate plasma discharge around the organic material,

(c) housed within the microwave cavity or oven is a glass chamber with heat exchanger, (d) optionally an inlet for providing a gas or air stream, preferably heated, to the glass chamber or heat exchanger,

(e) a means for harnessing or extracting the thermal, electrical, high pressure, plasma, ionised gas or air, or fusion energy generated within the cavity, and

(f) an outlet for exhaust gases.

DEFINITIONS

Plasma may be defined as the fourth state of matter wherein matter is found in an energised, excited and/or in a form of gaseous mixture of positive ions and electrons.

Efficiency of plasma generation is measured by the amount of microwave energy required to convert a given amount of an organic material into energised plasma. Organic Material as applicable to this invention relates to any organic material other than purely hydrocarbons and includes organic matter, which is essentially derived from living, biological or waste organic matter.

BMEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the following figure:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of apparatus comprising of a drying chamber 1 to remove moisture from organic item using solar energy or heat from geo-thermal energy or from source of any waste heat. It comprises of a microwave cavity 12 to convert the dried organic item into plasma using metallic rings 18. A suitable extracting device 17 extracts the energy from plasma.

Apparatus - Industrial Applicability:

The present invention provides for an energy generating and/or conversion system, wherein an organic item or an organic waste, preferably a vegetable, fruit, meat scrap, manure or compost is heated by any heat source or from an exhaust waste heat source, to convert any organic item into a new kind of fuel. This new fuel can be converted into a more usable higher level of energy on exposure to microwave energy.

The energy conversion system converts an organic material into a new kind of fuel. The energy generated from this fuel using the energy conversion system greater than the input of power to operate the energy conversion system. The process provides a new source of renewable energy; the organic material is obtained from the normal fruits and vegetables. The material is renewable, because it's organic source is renewable and optimally may be cropped year after year, season after season.

The foregoing apparatus are illustrative only and, where specific integers are mentioned which have been known equivalents, such equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. The process involves a preparative step wherein an organic item is pre-heated or dried using low temperature sources of heat like solar energy, geo-thermal energy and any other conventional or non-conventional heating source. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus as shown in Fig. 1, comprising of:

(a) An organic non-hydrocarbons, Le. organic item derived from living beings like trees, plants and animals, is placed through a hopper 5 onto a conveyer belt 2. It is heated by the presence of heat 6 from sun, geo-thermal heat 3 or any other heat source at temperature of 70 degC to 300 degC. This heat evaporates and removes 21 the majority and preferably substantially, all of the moisture content of said organic item. Heat input from any source of waste heat reduces the cost of heating;

(b) After the above drying process, fermentation of the item is now stopped and even a prolonged period of storage will not alter its properties;

(c) The item is now converted into a new kind of fuel suitable for conversion into energy using microwaves.

Throughout the specification the terms organic, organic waste and food item are understood to be substantially interchangeable and for the purposes of the remaining embodiments, descriptions and examples reference to organic item will encompass all of the above variations.

hi a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the energisation process converts a food item into a new type of fuel, which can be preserved or stored indefinitely. The next step according to the present invention is to expose the prepared fuel to microwave energy.

Preferably, the microwave energy is of any frequency from 500 MHz to 5000 MHz. The power of microwave energy can be a pulsed or continuous power, ranging from 100 watts to 100 KWatts. The input energy is used to generate higher level of output energy, i.e. the input microwave energy converts the fuel to a higher level of output energy. As shown in Fig. 1, the apparatus comprises the following parts:

The preferable method steps for using the apparatus are as follows:

(a) The dried and prepared fuel from the process of Fig.1 is transferred to a special glass vessel or Pyrex-glass chamber or high temperature ceramic chamber 19, with specially designed tungsten or copper rings 18 installed within the chamber or the vessel. These rings have a air-gap of about 3mm to 15mm within which plasma is formed, '

(b) the prepared organic item is placed within the air gap of rings 18,

(c) the glass chamber or vessel is equipped with a suitable safety pressure release and exhaust valve, (d) This glass chamber is connected to a suitable system for extraction of energy from plasma, this system can comprise of a heat exchanger 17 in thermal contact or/and solar-cells 20 in optical contact or part of an internal combustion engine or an external combustion engine or magnetic system of MHD or a electro-hydrodynamic system or Plasma Dynamic conversion or any suitable energy extraction system,

(e) Microwave energy is switched on and within 2 to 400 seconds this fuel converts into hot plasma of temperature higher than 100⁰C. The time taken is a function of the type, amount of item and microwave level. The heat exchanger 17 could be an internal combustion engine or external combustion engine or MHD system with a circulating duct for plasma.

(f) Preferably a process to feed an air stream 24 to a glass chamber or a heat exchanger by means of an air blower. Microwave energy is applied under switching control to maintain the temperature and pressure within safe limits of the complete process;

(g) Process is monitored to control the energy extraction 17, while maintaining the pressure and temperature to sustain the process.

(h) For continuous and self-sustaining process, the prepared fuel is fed from hopper 13 spent solid residue 22 is discarded. Preferably the process is under complete control by switching and pulsed operation of microwave energy.

(i) The generated heat or electrical energy is converted into a useful form for delivery to energy utility system such as an electrical national grid or industrial processes.

(j) The energy feedback system delivers fraction of output energy through an auxiliary power source for microwave energy. Organic item is converted into energy, a fraction of which is fed back for microwave source. A continuous supply of raw material will sustain the process. The microwave source can be a pulsed or a continuous source. (k) The exhaust gases 8. resulting from above process are less harmful when compared to the gases released by any petro-chemical engine. A stoichiometric amount of fuel and air will ensure minimum fumes and maximum energy output.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the process of plasma and energy generation is kept under complete control. With the control of input microwave energy and a suitable pressure release system, the process remains under complete control. Regulating the air pressure, with a pressure regulating system controls the rise in temperature of the process. The rate of flow of water or air or any medium within the heat exchanger further controls the temperature and pressure. Managing the various parameters within the desired limits will control the process of conversion of food item into energy.

Preferably, the means for harnessing plasma or ionised gas or air, generated at step (e) of the method comprises a coil of any conductive material such that when in contact with the ionised particles of plasma an electric current is induced or generated. This current induction creates a reactive force to confine the plasma, which helps to harness its energy.

Preferably, this process for plasma and heat generation can be utilized for number of different applications, like external or internal combustion engine. A skilled reader will instantly realize that energy generated from this process is a function of air pressure inside the chamber. The high compression ratio of the engine cycle increases the air pressure. When the compression cycle reaches its top end, it maximizes the air pressure. Release of microwave energy at this stage will result in a relatively more powerful down stroke when compared with a conventional.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT I CLAIM IS:

Claim 1: A method for converting organic material (as hereinbefore defined) into plasma and usable form of energy (as hereinbefore defined) by means of microwaves, the method including the following steps:

a) drying the organic material to remove at least 80% to 90% of the moisture content of the organic material,

b) placing the dried organic material in a chamber with at least one embedded copper or tungsten ring, wherein the ring has a air gap in which the dried organic material is placed, and

c) exposing the chamber to microwaves to induce a plasma discharge within the air- gap of the ring so that the plasma discharge causes a chain reaction to occur and converts the dried organic material into a usable form of energy, whereby the energy is extracted from plasma for useful work..

Claim 2: The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the organic material is dried by a solar-drying system or geo-thermal energy system or any other suitable organic material drying system.

Claim 3: The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber is made from glass.

Claim 4: The ntethod as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring is a hertzian loop.

Claim 5: The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring has an air gap of about 2 to 8mm.

Claim 6: The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is a plurality of rings. Claim 7: The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plasma discharge releases high intensity light and heat energy that converts the stored energy within the dried organic material in to a usable form of energy.

Claim 8: The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein exhaust produced, from converting the stored energy in the organic material to usable form of energy, contains negligible carbon soot and minimum gaseous and ash pollution.

Claim 9: The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frequency of the microwaves is between 500MHz to 5000MHz.

Claim 10: The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the power of the microwaves is between 500W to 100 kW.

Claim 11: The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plasma discharge is generated within 2 to 400 seconds of the exposing of the chamber to microwaves.

Claim 12: The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mass of the residue left after the conversion process is less than 4% by weight of the original mass of the organic material.

Claim 13: The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method includes a monitoring step to ensure that the conversion of energy from the organic material is maintained at a temperature and pressure in a sustainable and/or continuous manner.

Claim 14: The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the organic material is of any kind organic material including trees, plants, animals or marine matter.

Claim 15: The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dried organic material is exposed to microwaves at step (b) of claim 1 in the following manner:

i) transferring the dried organic material into the chamber and within the air gap of the ring or rings,

ii) placing the chamber within a heat exchanger, iii) placing the chamber in a microwave cavity or microwave oven, and

iv) actuating the microwave source such that the dried organic material is transformed into a plasma of temperature above 10O⁰CJ, with excessive release of heat and light energy.

Claim 16: The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the dried organic material is exposed to microwaves at step (b) of claim 1 in the following manner:

ii) connecting the chamber to an external or internal combustion engine for energy transfer,

iii) placing or surrounding the chamber in a microwave cavity or microwave oven, and

iv) actuating the microwave source such that the dried organic material is transformed into a plasma of temperature above 100⁰C, with excessive release of heat and light energy.

Claim 17: The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the dried organic material is exposed to microwaves at step (b) of claim 1 in the following manner:

iii) placing a magnetron for microwave generation inside the chamber, and

iv) actuating the microwave source such that the dried organic material is transformed into a plasma of temperature above 100⁰C, with excessive release of heat and light energy. Claim 18: The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dried organic material is exposed to microwaves at step (b) of claim 1 in the following manner:

ii) placing the chamber within a within a heat exchanger,

iii) connecting the chamber to an external or internal combustion engine for energy transfer, and

Claim 19: An apparatus for converting organic material (as hereinbefore defined) into plasma and usable form of energy (as hereinbefore defined) by means of microwaves, the apparatus including:

a) chamber having at least one embedded ring of copper or tungsten with an air gap, wherein the chamber is adapted to allow dried organic material to enter the chamber and be situated within the air gap of the ring,

b) microwave power source for generating and directing microwaves into and through the chamber, and

c) a means for harnessing or extracting useable form of energy,

wherein in use the organic material entering the chamber is adapted to be placed within the air gap and subjected to microwave radiation from the microwave power source whereby a plasma discharge is adapted to be induced within the air-gap of the ring so that the plasma discharge causes a chain reaction to occur and converts the dried organic material into a usable form of energy. Claim 20: The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the organic material is dried by a solar-drying system or geo-thermal energy system or any other suitable organic material drying system.

Claim 21 : The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 20, wherein the chamber is made from glass.

Claim 22 The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the ring is a hertzian loop.

Claim 23: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the ring has an air gap of about 2 to 8mm.

Claim 24: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein there is a plurality of rings.

Claim 25: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the plasma discharge releases high intensity light and heat energy that converts the stored energy within the dried organic material into a usable form of energy.

Claim 26: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the frequency produced by the microwave source is between 500MHz to 5000MHz.

Claim 27: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein the power of the microwaves produced by the microwave source is between 500W to 100 kW.

Claim 28: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein the plasma discharge is generated within 2 to 400 seconds of the exposing of the chamber to microwaves.

Claim 29: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 28, wherein the apparatus includes a monitoring means to monitor and ensure that the conversion of energy from the organic material is maintained at a temperature and pressure in a sustainable and/or continuous manner. Claim 30: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 29, wherein the microwave source has a housing with a cavity in which the chamber is adapted to be situated.

Claim 31: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 30, wherein the microwave source is a magnetron that is adapted to be placed within the chamber.

Claim 32: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 31, wherein the means for harnessing or extracting useable form of energy is a heat exchanger.

Claim 33: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 32, wherein the means for harnessing or extracting useable form of energy is light absorbing and conversion means whereby the light produced is absorbed and converted into electricity.

Claim 34: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 33, wherein the means for harnessing or extracting useable form of energy is a combined heat exchanger and light absorbing and conversion means.

Claim 35: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 31 or 33, wherein the chamber has an inlet for providing a gas or air stream, preferably heated, to chamber or heat exchanger.

Claim 36: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 35, wherein the chamber has an outlet for exhaust gases.

Claim 37: The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 36, wherein the means for harnessing or extracting useable form of energy converts the useable form of energy for use in heating, mechanical and/or electrical applications.

Claim 38: The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the monitoring means for includes a switching or valve control means such that the temperature and pressure generated is able to be maintained within desired parameters.

Claim 39: The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the output of the converted energy is greater than the energy input used to power the microwaves. Claim 40: A method for converting organic material (as hereinbefore defined) into plasma and usable form of energy (as hereinbefore defined) by means of microwaves as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 1.

Claim 41 An apparatus for converting organic material (as hereinbefore defined) into plasma and usable form of energy (as hereinbefore defined) by means of microwaves as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 1.