WO2010080042A1

WO2010080042A1 - Energy transformation device, system and method for combusting hydrogen and oxygen

Info

Publication number: WO2010080042A1
Application number: PCT/NO2010/000010
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erling Reidar Andersen; Roger Blomli; Thomas Hendges
Original assignee: Rel Ltd
Priority date: 2009-01-08
Filing date: 2010-01-08
Publication date: 2010-07-15
Also published as: NO332744B1; AU2010203863A1; EP2386019A4; CN102405339B; TR201108323T1; CN102405339A; AU2010203863B2; CA2761356A1; BRPI1006060A2; EP2386019A1; JP2012514714A; RU2011133271A; JP5645194B2; RU2493387C2; NO20090110L

Abstract

The present invention concerns an energy transformation device with a chamber (2) and a supply system with at least one valve (3) for sequential supply of hydrogen and oxygen to the chamber (2). An ignition system ignites the mixture of hydrogen and oxygen such that it is formed a pressure increase and motion in the water in the chamber. A bleed off valve (21 ) is provided to bleed off water formed in the combustion. The bleed off valve forms the only outlet of the chamber (2) such that the chamber forms a closed system. Energy receiving elements (7) for receiving motion and pressure in the liquid are integrated with the chamber (2). Furthermore, it is described a method for operating an energy transformation device and a system with an energy transformation device.

Description

Energy transformation device, system and method for combusting hydrogen and oxygen

The present invention concerns an energy transformation device and a system driven by combustion and expansion of hydrogen and oxygen. The expansion forms motion in liquid that is transformed to a desired form of energy. Furthermore the invention concerns a method for operating the energy transformation device. The energy transformation device is operated in a closed system, such that adding liquid to the unit not is necessary. The unit can thereby act as a mechanical fuel cell. Following combustion and expansion, a cavity that is formed during expansion may collapse. This collapse may form a quick pressure loss that can be exploited in operation of the unit. The unit integrates a combustion unit / reactor and units for exploiting the energy that is formed.

Use of hydrogen as fuel is well known within several subject areas. For instance it is known to use hydrogen in common piston engines, usually along with air. In such known systems the process is however not closed, and the unit for transforming energy is not integrated in the unit. Typically are motors and electric generators or pumps separate units parted from each other.

In WO 2005085614 it is shown a power generating system with a combustion unit and ignition unit, a main accumulator, a hydraulic rotor, a control valve and an energy generator. Hydrogen, oxygen and water are led into a combustion unit. An ignition system ignites a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen in the combustion unit. Expanding fluid inside the combustion units acts to pressurize a hydraulic fluid directly. Pressurized hydraulic fluid inside the combustion chamber flows into a main hydraulic accumulator. A hydraulic rotor transforms energy in the pressurized hydraulic fluid for the rotation of an output shaft.

The energy transformation device according to the present invention does not expel any exhaust gas. The combustion and expansion of hydrogen and oxygen forms water in a first stroke, and collapse and pressure loss in a second stroke. The water that is formed is bled out of the unit. This water may return to a unit for recreating hydrogen and oxygen, resulting in a closed system. Expansion with the following collapse of a gas filled cavity that is formed during expansion may be used to create pressure variations and motion in a liquid, preferably water, that again can be transformed to other forms of energy.

The motion and pressure may be transformed to electricity. Output of the energy lead into the unit is in one embodiment preformed by linear magnets that moves inside a coil and generates electric current. During expansion, the magnet is pressed into the coil, and by implosion/pressure loss it is sucked out of the coil. In other words it has a double acting cycle. The unit is protected with pop off valve in the top that is readjusted as a safety valve. H2 and O2 are the only gasses that are fed to the unit. Water in common or atomized form, steam or in other forms does not need to be used during the process when the initial amount has been added. The pressure loss in the top following the combustion allows the pistons to press the water back to the top.

The initially added amount of liquid will remain inside the reactor as the system not circulates or takes up any liquid beyond what is added through the reaction between 2H2 and O2 to 2H2O. No exhaust is thereby formed in the reaction, and the unit is does therefore not include an outlet for exhaust.

The invention, the motor or energy transformation device is a generator driven by hydrogen and oxygen. The energy transformation device generates preferably electricity, but may also be designed to pump hydraulic liquid / drive pneumatics, generate mechanical rotational motion or the like.

A chamber is adapted to include a liquid filled portion, and in some situations, a liquid free portion by partly filling it with liquid such that it is formed a liquid free cavity above the liquid. A supply system supplies hydrogen and oxygen to the liquid free cavity. An ignition system, for instance with a spark plug or a plasma arc is included in the liquid free cavity for igniting and combusting the hydrogen and oxygen, such that it is formed a pressure change in the liquid free cavity that propagates to the liquid in the chamber and puts it into motion. A bleed-off valve only bleeds of water that is formed through the combustion and forms the only outlet of the chamber such that the chamber forms a substantially closed system. Energy receiving elements for receiving the motion and the 5 pressure in the liquid are integrated with the chamber. This for instance means that these elements are attached in openings in the wall of the chamber such that the liquid in the chamber directly acts on the energy receiving elements.

The ignition system may be coordinated with a natural frequency for the recipro-0 eating, moving masses in the system. The masses of the system are represented by the mass of the liquid and the mass of the energy receiving elements, for instance the pistons.

The energy receiving elements receives the motion in the liquid resulting from thes pressure changes, and transforms this motion to electric current, pneumatic pressure, hydraulic pressure or the same as defined above.

The energy receiving elements allow the volume of the chamber to change by pressure variations in the chamber and this change of volume drives the energyo receiving elements.

The energy receiving elements may for instance include pistons placed in cylinders. The pistons may be in connection with units that transform mechanical motion to electric current. Typically will the pistons drive fixed magnets placed in5 coils such that the fixed magnet may be driven back and forth in the coil and generates electric current. A control unit may coordinate and handle the current from the coils.

The pistons may alternatively be in connection with units that transform mechani-o cal motion to hydraulic pressure, for instance hydraulic pumps. The supply system includes at least one controlled valve for sequential supply of oxygen and hydrogen to the liquid free cavity and the ignition system includes a unit for sequential ignition, coordinated with the at least one controlled valve.

The chamber may be connected to an outlet with a valve for bleeding of water that is formed during the combustion of hydrogen and oxygen.

An elastic diaphragm may be placed between the liquid filled portion and the liquid free portion. The diaphragm may for instance reduce the steam generation and will divide the phases between gas and liquid.

Energy receiving elements may include pistons placed in cylinders and the pistons may be connected to a system holding the pistons in a resting position. The resting position may for instance be maintained by a spring or by electric control of for instance the magnet and the coil.

The transformation device may have a natural frequency for the motion of the liquid and the sequence for supply of gas and ignition may be coordinated with the natural frequency of the liquid in motion.

The chamber may be formed as a substantially horizontal cylinder with hemispherical ends, and a plurality of energy receiving elements may be placed along this cylinder.

A safety valve may ensure that the pressure in the chamber not exceeds pre- determent values.

The liquid may be water.

Furthermore, the invention concerns a method for operating an energy transformation device for combusting hydrogen and oxygen in a chamber with a supply system with at least one valve. The at least one valve ensures sequential supply of hydrogen and oxygen to the chamber. An ignition system is provided for ignition and combustion to create a pressure surge and motion in water in the chamber. The method includes the following steps: providing water in the chamber, supplying hydrogen and oxygen in a substantially

5 stoichiometric relationship through the at least one valve such that it is formed a liquid free gas cavity in the chamber, ignite the gas in the gas cavity with the ignition system resulting in a pressure increase and motion in the water in the chamber, receiving the pressure increase and the motion in the water in the chamber in energy receiving elements integrated with the chamber and bleeding-o off water formed in the combustion with a bleed valve.

The bleed-off water may be brought back to a unit for separating the water to hydrogen and oxygen, such that a completely closed circuit is formed. s The method may furthermore include adding an amount of H2 to the chamber, such that the chamber includes a surplus of H2 for thermally insolating the ignition system and the supply system, and to reduce heat loss during the expansion.

The portion of H2 not participating in the combustion may be controlled and thiso portion of H2 may be replenished in operation to maintain predetermined operating parameters.

Furthermore, the invention concerns a system with an energy transformation device with a chamber and a supply system with at least one valve for sequential5 supply of hydrogen and oxygen to the chamber, and an ignition system for ignition and combustion for thereby creating a pressure increase and motion in water in the chamber. The system furthermore includes a bleed-off valve for bleeding off water formed through the combustion and which forms the only outlet of the chamber during operation such that the chamber forms a sealed system. Theo energy receiving elements for receiving the motion and the pressure in the liquid are integrated in the chamber. The bleed-off valve may be connected to a unit for separating the water to hydrogen and oxygen, such that a completely sealed circle is formed. Short description of the enclosed figures:

In figure 1 it is shown a cross sectional detail of an upper part of the invention according to a first embodiment; In figure 2 it is shown an energy transformation part according to an embodiment of the invention;

In figure 3 it is shown an embodiment of the invention shown partly in section, in perspective; and

In figure 4 it is furthermore shown a closed system for transforming energy accord- ing to the invention.

Figure 1 shows the invention were an energy transformation device, engine or generator 9 is shown with a chamber 2 placed at the upper portion. A spark plug 1 is shown at the top of the chamber 2 at the side of a safety valve 6. One single supply nozzle 3 preferably for supplying a stoichiometric mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is placed in the chamber. A liquid surface 10 is shown as a partition between a liquid filled portion and a gas filled portion. Energy receiving elements 7 are shown as pistons 4 moving fixed magnets in coils 5. The spark plug is typically a unit that generates a plasma arc.

In figure 2 it is shown an energy transformer 9, according to the invention, seen from the outside where the energy receiving elements 7 with coils 5 are clearly shown.

In figure 3 the invention is furthermore shown where the upper chamber 2 is shown below two electrodes 1a and a safety valve 6. The energy receiving elements 7 with pistons 4 are shown installed into the side of the cylindrical chamber. It is shown six energy receiving elements 7. An electronic control unit 8 may control the inlet of gas, ignition, monitor pressure, temperature, liquid level and may control the valve for bleeding off liquid. In figure 4 it is furthermore shown a system according to the invention where the liquid empty chamber 2 is shown below plasma electrodes 1a that provides plasma in a high voltage plasma field. The strength and duration of the plasma field is controlled by a plasma coil 18. A field is formed between the two plasma electrodes 1a that are connected to a source of high voltage, shown as a plasma coil 18 on the figure. The plasma coil 18 is controlled by a control unit 19. A voltage in the order of magnitude of 400 000V-450 000V is supplied to the plasma electrodes 1a. The plasma arc that is formed between the electrodes typically starts the reaction between the hydrogen and the oxygen, and this then propa- gates typically at a speed of 12 000 m/s. The plasma arc may be sufficiently strong to be ignited submerged under water. The plasma electrodes and the inlets for gas are specially designed to ensure complete isolation of the electrodes.

The reaction between the hydrogen and oxygen provides a pressure increase in the chamber 2. Water is formed in this reaction.

When the reaction is over, a cavity that is formed by the reaction collapses and results in a quick pressure loss in the chamber 2. The pressure in the chamber 2 will in this way oscillate between a considerable increased pressure and a pressure that is considerably lower than the atmospheric pressure. These pressure oscillations will put a column of water inside the chamber in motion such that the column moves up and down. This motion in the water may then drive energy receiving elements 7. The assembly may have a separate inlet for fluid, for instance water.

The amount of water that is added may be approximately half of the total volume of the reactor with the energy receiving elements 7 in their outer position. This forms a liquid free cavity above the liquid at the top of the unit when the energy receiving elements 7 not are in their inner position. The fluid is accelerated down- wards during the combustion and presses the pistons in the energy receiving elements outwards. The energy receiving elements 7 include pistons 4 with built inn magnets that may move back and forth in the cylinders surrounded by coils 5. However, the energy receiving elements 7 may be designed in other ways, for instance with diaphragms instead of pistons 7. What is important is that the elements are capable of trans- ferring the motion in the water to useful energy.

The valve unit 3 sequentially allows a controlled amount of oxygen and hydrogen respectively into the unit. The valve units are controlled by the control unit 19 and are typically magnet valves. Water that is generated in the reaction between the hydrogen and the oxygen is bleed through a level or bleed off valve 21. Bleed off valve 21 may also be controlled by the control unit 19. The bleed off valve 21 may be a magnetically controlled valve. The essential feature of the bleed off valve 21 is to ensure that it not is accumulated to much water in the chamber such that the pistons 4 are pressed to far out. The water that is expelled through the bleed off valve 21 may be laid back to a transforming unit transforming the water to hydrogen and oxygen again through a first return line 13 connected to a fluid return pump 14 and further a second return line 15.

A greater amount of hydrogen than oxygen may be added in the chamber 2 such that it always is a surplus of hydrogen. During combustion will only a stoichiometric amount of hydrogen and oxygen combust, and theoretically it is therefore only necessary to add a stoichiometric amount of hydrogen and oxygen to the reaction for each power stroke when the additional amount of hydrogen is supplied. The additional amount of hydrogen will be located at the top of the chamber and will act as an insulator. In this way will a greater portion of the heat go downwards to contribute to the expansion. At the same time will a smaller amount of the heat lead upwards, and the upper portion of the chamber along with the electrodes for the plasma arc and the inlet valves will be exposed to considerably less heat. The amount of extra hydrogen that is added may be controlled by the controlled unit 18 based on measured parameters or experienced data. For instance may the amount be controlled depending of the temperature in the chamber in the area around the above mentioned exposed components. Alternatively it may be used a different inert insolating gas. The additional gas may be injected through the hydrogen valve 3 that also adds hydrogen for combustion, or may be added through a separate valve.

5 The entire unit may also be cooled as needed with for instance liquid or air cooling at the outside of the chamber, through a cooled pipe coil inside the chamber by circulating the water in the chamber through a cooling unit etc. The cooling may be controlled by common thermostats, of the control unit etc. o The transformation device is connected to storage tanks 11 and 12 for buffering hydrogen and oxygen respectfully. In this manner may the entire unit be designed as a closed system without supply of liquid/water. The water in the chamber 2 also forms a closed system, and will not be exchanged apart from in connection with the circulation that is the result of water from the reaction between the oxygen ands the hydrogen. The separating unit is shown as an electrolyser 17.

The pistons 4 with fixed magnets are placed inside a cylinder that at end is in fluid contact with the chamber 2, and at its other end is in contact with the surrounding atmosphere. Alternatively may the other end be in contact with a source of gaso through pipe 20 to control or attenuate the stroke of the pistons 4. Pistons 4 may be lead in towards the chamber 2 by the atmospheric pressure, by springs, by a magnetic field or by other effects or units that are able to impose a force on the piston 4 in a direction inwards towards the chamber 2. 5 If the tubes 20 are connected to suitable valves (not shown), may these be used for pumping fluid, either in combination with generation of current or alone. In this case may the energy receiving elements 7 include units to ensure return of the pistons 4, for instance springs (not shown). o The pistons may also be mechanically connected to units for transferring the force to a rotating shaft. A safety valve 6 may be placed inside the chamber 2 to ensure that the pressure in the chamber not exceed a predetermined level.

When the energy transformation device is started, the pistons 4 are led towards an inner position against the chamber 2. This position is the inner position for the pistons. It is ensured that the chamber is completely filled with water in this position. This may for instance be preformed in that fluid is sucked out through the top of the chamber 2 such that the pistons 4 are sucked inn, and the chamber is filled with water. This reduction of the pressure in the chamber may also be desirable to0 expel gasses and contaminations dissolved in the water. It is not desirable with any other substances than hydrogen, oxygen and water participating in the reaction.

Alternatively the inner position for the pistons 4 may represent the chamber filleds with a combination of water and insolating gas, preferably hydrogen.

The inner position of the position of the pistons may alternatively be monitored during operation, and may be controlled with the amount of water that is allowed to escape through the bleed off valve 21 and the amount of insolating hydrogen thato is added.

The chamber should not contain anything else than pure water and possibly insulating gas. It is an advantage with the closed system that this provides controlled environment without contamination in the water. Contaminations in the water may5 contribute negatively in the system, both in combustion / reaction, and after the combustion when it is desirable that the pressure of the system should fall as quickly and as much as possible. Contaminations may also have other unfavourable effects typically related to corrosion and wear. o Alternatively it may if required be placed a diaphragm in the chamber that can separate between two fluids. One of the fluids must necessarily be pure water as water is formed in the reaction / combustion of hydrogen and oxygen. The electronic control unit may include sensors that monitors pressure, temperature, piston position etc. and based on the measured data control the injection gas and the ignition of the plasma arc. The explanation related to the unit shown in connection with figure 4 it is also relevant in connection with the remaining figures, and the unit shown on figure 4 may of course be used without a unit for generating and recycling hydrogen and oxygen through the water that is formed. In this case may the water be drained to the surroundings.

The chamber itself may be designed as a horizontal or vertical cylindrical unit with hemispherical ends, and the units for receiving the energy are placed in the cylinder wall.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. An energy transformation device with a chamber (2) and a supply system with at least one valve (3) for sequential supply of hydrogen and oxygen to the chamber (2), and an ignition system for ignition and for initiating combustion to form a pressure increase and motion in water in the chamber (2), c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y : a bleed off valve (21) to only bleed off water created in the combustion and that forms the only outlet of the chamber (2) such that the chamber forms a closed system; and energy receiving elements (7) for receiving the motion and the pressure in the liquid, integrated with the chamber (2).

2. The energy transformation device according to claim 1 , wherein the energy receiving elements (7) include pistons (4) placed in cylinders, said pistons (4) being connected to units that transforms mechanical motion electric energy.

3. The energy transformation device according to claim 1 , wherein the energy receiving elements (7) include pistons (4) placed in cylinders, said pistons (4) being connected to units transforming mechanical motion to hydraulic pressure.

4. The energy transformation device according to claim 1 , wherein the supply system includes at least two controlled valves (2) for sequential and separate supply of oxygen and hydrogen respectively to the liquid free cavity and the ignition system includes a unit for sequential ignition, coordinated with the two controlled valves (3).

5. The energy transformation device according to claim 1 , further including a pressure and motion transferring elastic diaphragm between a first section and a second liquid filled section.

6. The energy transformation device according to claim 5, wherein the energy receiving elements include pistons placed in cylinders, and where the pistons are connected to a system that maintains the pistons at a resting position, wherein the transformation device has a natural frequency for the motion of the liquid and where the sequence for supply of gas and ignition is coordinated with the natural frequency of the motion of the liquid.

7. The energy transformation device according to claim 1 , wherein the chamber 2 is formed as a substantially horizontal cylinder with hemispherical ends and where a plurality of energy receiving elements (7) are placed along the cylinder.

8. The energy transformation device according to claim 1 , further including a safety valve (6) to insure that the pressure in the chamber not exceeds predetermined values.

9. The energy transformation device according to claim 1 , wherein the ignition system includes plasma electrodes (1a) which provide plasma in a high voltage plasma field.

10. A method for operating an energy transformation device for combusting hydrogen and oxygen in a chamber with a supply system with at least one valve (3) for sequential supply of hydrogen and oxygen to the chamber and an ignition system for igniting and for initiating combustion to create a pressure increase and motion in water in the chamber (2) c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y the following steps: providing water in the chamber; supplying hydrogen and oxygen in a substantially stoichiometric ratio through the at least one valve (3) such that it is formed a liquid free gas filled cavity in the chamber (2); ignite the gas in the gas filled cavity with the ignition system such that it is formed a pressure increase and motion of the water in the chamber (2); receiving the pressure increase and motion in the water in the chamber in energy receiving elements (7) integrated with the chamber (2); and bleeding off water formed in the combustion with a bleed off valve (21).

5 11. Method according to claim 10 further including feedback of the bleed off water to a unit (16) for transforming the water to hydrogen and oxygen, such that it is formed a completely sealed circuit.

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11 further including supplying an amount ofo H2 to the chamber, such that the chamber includes a surplus of H2 for thermal insulation of the ignition system and the supply system, and to reduce heat loss during expansion.

13. Method according to claim 10-12 further including monitoring the portion ofs H2 that not participates in the combustion; and replenish H2 during operation to maintain predetermined operating parameters.

14. System with an energy transformation device with a chamber (2) and a supply system with at least one valve (3) for sequential supply of hydrogen ando oxygen to the chamber, and an ignition system for igniting and for initiating combustion to create a pressure increase and motion in water in the chamber (2), c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y : a bleed off valve (21) to only give off water formed through the combustion and that forms the only outlet of the chamber (2) such that the chamber forms a closed5 system; energy receiving elements (7) for receiving the motion and the pressure in the liquid integrated with the chamber (2); and wherein said bleed off valve (21) is connected to a unit (16) for transforming the water to hydrogen and oxygen, such that it is formed a completely sealed circuit.