U.S. patent application number 17/555279 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-09 for desalination methods and devices using geothermal energy.
The applicant listed for this patent is Marine Power Products Incorporated. Invention is credited to Jeffrey M. Carey.
Application Number | 20220177304 17/555279 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220177304 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carey; Jeffrey M. |
June 9, 2022 |
DESALINATION METHODS AND DEVICES USING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Abstract
A method of and apparatus for desalinating sea water using
geothermal energy. A low voltage (such as less than 0.9V) is
applied to a hydrogen generating catalysts to generate hydrogen and
oxygen, wherein geothermal heat is used as a heat source. The
hydrogen and oxygen are used to drive a gas turbine to generate
electricity. The oxygen and hydrogen are transported away and
combusted to generate heat and pure water, as such salt are
separated from the pure water.
Inventors: |
Carey; Jeffrey M.; (Pullman,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Marine Power Products Incorporated |
Pullman |
WA |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/555279 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16162562 |
Oct 17, 2018 |
11214486 |
|
|
17555279 |
|
|
|
|
14095765 |
Dec 3, 2013 |
10145015 |
|
|
16162562 |
|
|
|
|
15204609 |
Jul 7, 2016 |
10118821 |
|
|
16162562 |
|
|
|
|
12706639 |
Feb 16, 2010 |
9415363 |
|
|
15204609 |
|
|
|
|
61733868 |
Dec 5, 2012 |
|
|
|
61154282 |
Feb 20, 2009 |
|
|
|
International
Class: |
C01B 3/04 20060101
C01B003/04; C25B 15/08 20060101 C25B015/08; C25B 15/02 20060101
C25B015/02; B01J 38/48 20060101 B01J038/48; B01J 23/72 20060101
B01J023/72; B01J 23/50 20060101 B01J023/50; B01J 21/02 20060101
B01J021/02; C25B 1/04 20060101 C25B001/04; C01B 13/02 20060101
C01B013/02; B01J 7/02 20060101 B01J007/02; B01J 23/89 20060101
B01J023/89; C25B 11/075 20060101 C25B011/075 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A method of desalination of sea water using geothermal heat
comprising: a. providing an amount of sea water with sea salt and
an amount of geothermal heat as a heat source to a reaction vessel;
b. generating an amount of oxygen and an amount of hydrogen by
performing a catalytic electrolysis reaction by applying an
electric voltage between 0.4V to 0.9V to a hydrogen generating
catalyst having aluminum, copper, and silver in the sea water in
the reaction vessel; c. driving a turbine to generate an amount of
generated electricity by using a gas pressure generated by the
amount of hydrogen, the amount of oxygen, or both; d. combusting
the amount of hydrogen and the amount of oxygen generating an
amount of desalinated water and generated heat; and e. providing
the amount of generated electricity or the amount of generated heat
in assisting the catalytic electrolysis reaction in the reaction
vessel.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising leaving the sea salt
in the reaction vessel.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the electric voltage is
0.85V.
24. The method of claim 21, further comprising separating the
desalinated water and the amount of generated heat.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising collecting the
generated heat using a heat exchanger.
26. The method of claim 21, further comprising condensing the
desalinated water using a condenser.
27. The method of claim 21, wherein the solution is a non-acidic
solution.
28. A sea water desalination method comprising: a. providing an
amount of sea water and geothermal heat in a reaction vessel,
wherein the amount of sea water contains water and sea salt; b.
converting the water into hydrogen and oxygen by performing an
electrolysis reaction using a hydrogen generating catalyst
containing aluminum, copper, and silver in the reaction vessel with
a voltage between 0.4V to 0.9V applied; c. generating electricity
by driving an electricity generating device using a pressure
generated by the hydrogen and oxygen; d. combusting the hydrogen
and oxygen in a combustion vessel generating desalinated water and
heat; and e. collecting the desalinated water.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the electricity generating
device comprises an expansion turbine fluidically connected between
the reaction vessel and the combustion vessel.
30. The method of claim 28, further comprising utilizing a light
source configured to regenerate the hydrogen generating
catalyst.
31. The method of claim 28, further comprising utilizing a light
source configured to generate a wavelength that reduces an
oxidation state of silver oxide, copper oxide, or both generated
from the silver, the copper, or both.
32. A method of storing an amount of energy comprising: a.
providing an amount of water and geothermal heat in a reaction
vessel; b. converting the water and geothermal heat into hydrogen
and oxygen by performing an electrolysis reaction using a hydrogen
generating catalyst containing aluminum, copper, and silver in the
reaction vessel with a voltage between 0.4V to 0.9V applied; c.
storing the hydrogen and oxygen as an energy source in a storage
vessel; d. generating electricity by releasing the hydrogen and
oxygen stored at a predetermined event to drive an expansion
turbine; and e. combusting the hydrogen and oxygen release to
generate an amount of stored chemical energy.
33. The method of claim 32, further comprising using a light source
to generate a light energy to regenerate the hydrogen generating
catalyst.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein the light source comprises a
LED.
35. The method of claim 34, further comprising reducing an
oxidation state of the aluminum, copper, and silver using the
LED.
36. The method of claim 32, further comprising reducing an
oxidation state of the aluminum, copper, and silver.
37. The method of claim 32, further comprising reducing an
oxidation state of the aluminum by using the copper.
38. The method of claim 32, further comprising reducing an
oxidation state of the copper by using the silver.
39. The method of claim 32, further comprising reducing an
oxidation state of the silver by using a light source.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the light source comprises a
LED.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation patent application of the
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/162,562, published
as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0047854, filed Oct.
17, 2018, and entitled "DESALINATION METHODS AND DEVICES USING
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY," which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/095,765, filed Dec. 3, 2013, and entitled
"Hydrogen Generating System and Method Using Geothermal Energy,"
which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
61/733,868, filed Dec. 5, 2012 and titled, "Hydrogen Generating
System and Method Using Geothermal Energy," which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
[0002] Additionally, the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 16/162,562, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication
No. 2019/0047854, filed Oct. 17, 2018, and entitled "DESALINATION
METHODS AND DEVICES USING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY," is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/204,609, filed Jul. 7, 2016, and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS
FOR EFFICIENT ON-DEMAND PRODUCTION OF H.sub.2 AND O.sub.2 FROM
WATER USING WASTE HEAT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE METALS," which is a
divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/706,639, filed Feb. 16, 2010, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,415,363,
and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENT ON-DEMAND
PRODUCTION OF H.sub.2 AND O.sub.2 FROM WATER USING WASTE HEAT AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE METALS," which claims priority of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/154,282, filed Feb. 20, 2009
and titled, "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENT ON-DEMAND
PRODUCTION OF H2 AND O2 FROM WATER USING ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE
METALS," which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to hydrogen and oxygen
production. More specifically, the present invention relates to
hydrogen and oxygen production using geothermal heat, water, and an
environmentally safe catalyst.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Typical methods and devices for desalinating sea/salt water
require much energy to push the salt water through an ion exchange
membrane. Distillation of salt water is inefficient in terms of its
energy use. More energy efficient methods and device for
desalination are needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Methods of and apparatuses for producing H.sub.2 and O.sub.2
from salt water using geothermal heat are disclosed. In one aspect,
the apparatus comprises a main reactor, a gas turbine, and a source
of geothermal heat.
[0006] In one aspect, a method of desalination comprising applying
a voltage to a solution containing sodium chloride and a hydrogen
producing catalyst, generating an amount of hydrogen with the
hydrogen producing catalyst, and generating an amount of pure water
by combusting the amount of hydrogen and oxygen. In some
embodiments, the method further comprises providing geothermal
heat. In other embodiments, the voltage is equal or less than 1V.
In some other embodiments, the solution comprises water having
salt. In some embodiments, the solution comprises sea water. In
some other embodiments, the hydrogen producing catalyst contains
aluminum, silver, and copper. In some embodiments, the oxygen is
generated by the hydrogen producing catalyst. In other embodiments,
the method further comprises driving an electricity generating
turbine using the hydrogen generated.
[0007] In another aspect, a hydrogen producing system comprises a
non-acidic solution containing a hydrogen generating catalyst,
wherein the hydrogen generating catalyst contains a charge-treated
aluminum metal, a charge-treated copper metal, and a
charged-treated silver metal, wherein the charge-treated aluminum,
copper, and silver metals are treated by a voltage not less than
1V, and wherein the hydrogen generating catalyst is capable of
generating hydrogen gas in a catalytic manner with an applied
voltage no greater than 1V, an electric energy providing device,
and a geothermal heating device providing heat to the non-acidic
solution.
[0008] In some embodiments, the system comprises a light source. In
other embodiments, the light source comprises LED. In some other
embodiments, the light source provides lights having wavelengths
approximately in the visible light region. In some embodiments, the
geothermal heating device receives a amount of geothermal heat from
the earth. In other embodiments, the hydrogen generating catalyst
comprises aluminum hydroxide. In some other embodiments, the
hydrogen generating catalyst comprises copper hydroxide. In some
embodiments, the hydrogen generating catalyst comprises silver
hydroxide. In other embodiments, the system further comprises a
computer automating a transportation of the non-acidic
solution.
[0009] In another aspect, a method of generating electricity
comprises applying a voltage less than 1V to a solution having a
catalyst, wherein the catalysts containing aluminum complex, copper
complex, and silver complex, and providing heat from a geothermal
heat source to the solution. In some embodiments, the solution is a
non-acidic solution. In other embodiments, the solution has a pH
value equal or great than 7. In some other embodiments, the method
further comprises turning a turbine to generate electricity by
using one or more gases that are generated at the solution. In some
embodiments, the method further comprises using the electricity
generated as an energy source to be applied to the solution. In
other embodiments, the one or more gases comprise hydrogen, oxygen,
or a combination thereof. In some other embodiments, the method
further comprises combusting the hydrogen and oxygen to generate
heat and water. In some embodiments, the method further comprises
transporting the heat and the water to add to the solution.
[0010] In another aspect, a hydrogen generating method comprises
generating hydrogen gas and oxygen gas by applying a pulsed voltage
less than 1V to a solution, wherein the solution containing a
catalyst having aluminum, copper, and silver, and heating the
solution by a geothermal heat and a heat generated by combusting
the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas.
[0011] In some embodiments, the method further comprises
regenerating the catalyst by providing an amount of light. In other
embodiments, the light comprises LED.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a hydrogen producing system in accordance
with some embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates another hydrogen producing system in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a hydrogen producing
process using geothermal as a heat source in accordance with some
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a hydrogen producing system 100 in
accordance with some embodiments. The hydrogen producing system 100
is able to use geothermal heat as the heat source for chemical
reactions. In some embodiments, the hydrogen producing system 100
comprises a reactor 102. The reactor 102 allows an active ion
displacement reaction to occur. In some embodiments, the chemical
reactions in the reactor 102 generate hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.
Details of the compositions, starting materials, and catalysts that
are used in the reactor 102 are described in the following. In some
embodiments, the hydrogen gas producing reaction occurs in the
reactor 102. A heat source 106, such as a geothermal source, having
heat to be provided to the reactor 102. The geothermal source is
able to provide/supply heat to the reactor 102. The geothermal heat
is able to be pre-stored before providing heat to the reactor 102.
A person of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that any other
sources of heat from nature are within the scope of the present
invention. The water source of the reaction is able to be from the
water tank 101. The hydrogen producing reaction in the reactor 102
generates hydrogen gas 108 and oxygen gas 110. The hydrogen gas 108
and oxygen gas 110 are sent to drive a expansion turbine 104 to
generate electricity by using the gas pressure/gas flow generated
at the hydrogen producing reaction. The hydrogen gas 108 and the
oxygen gas 110, after passing through the expansion turbine 104,
are triggered to be combusted/reacted at a combustion chamber 112.
The hydrogen gas is able to react with the oxygen gas by using
electric sparks. Heat that is generated through reacting hydrogen
gas 108 and the oxygen gas 110 is able to be transferred to a heat
exchanger 114, which is able to be applied back to the reactor 102
for recycling and reusing the heat. The combustion reaction of the
oxygen gas 110 and the hydrogen gas 108 produces pure water, which
is able to be condensed and collected at the condenser 116, such
that the system 100 is able to be used as a desalination device to
produce pure water. In some embodiments, the water is able to be
recycled back to the reactor 102, so no new water or external water
is needed for continuously running the hydrogen producing
reaction.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a hydrogen producing system 200 in
accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the system
200 comprises a preparation reactor 203 and a main reactor 214. The
main reactor 214 comprises a photochemical/oxidizer reacting device
232, and a thermal source 230, which is able to be a geothermal
source. A hydrogen producing reaction is able to begin from
preparing a solution 201 containing Al metal 202 (250 mg), Cu metal
204 (250 mg), Ag metal 206 (250 mg), a graphite electrode 212 and 1
liter of water 208 having 1.5% NaCl 210 by weight. A negative
voltage -2.5V is applied to the graphite electrode 212 and a first
positive voltage 1.7V is applied to the Al metal 202 for 15
minutes.
[0017] Next, the first positive voltage applied to the Al metal 202
is removed, and a second positive voltage of 1.4V is applied to the
Cu metal 204 for 10 minutes while the negative voltage of -2.5V is
applied to the graphite electrode 212. Next, the second positive
voltage is removed from the Cu metal 204, and a third positive
voltage of 1.0V is applied to the Ag metal 206 for 5 minutes with
the negative voltage still applied to the graphite electrode 212.
The temperature of the solution is maintained at 88.degree. F. by
controlling the heat source 230.
[0018] Next, the solution 201 is transferred to the main reaction
vessel 214, so that the main reaction vessel 214 contains aluminum
complex 215, copper complex 217, silver complex 220, sodium ions
222, and chloride ions 224 from the preparation vessel 203. Water
is able to be input from a water tank 251. The term "complex"
comprises all ligand states of a metal. For example, an aluminum
complex includes Al.sup.3+ or Al(OH).sub.x, where the x represents
the coordinated ligand numbers of the aluminum ion. In some
embodiments, a voltage between 0.4V and 0.9V is applied to the
cathode of the electrodes. In alternative embodiments, a voltage of
0.85V is applied to the cathode of the electrodes. In other
embodiments, a voltage not exceeding 0.9V is applied to the cathode
of the electrodes. Some experiments indicate that hydrogen
production is reduced when a voltage exceeding 0.9V is applied. In
some embodiments, the applied voltage of the anode is at 0V
compared with a voltage on the standard hydrogen electrode. In some
embodiments, the voltage is applied in a way that a negative charge
is applied to the stainless steel electrode 216 and a positive
charge is applied to the graphite electrode 218. A hydrolysis
reaction begins to occur when sufficient voltage is applied, and
hydrogen gas 236 is generated at the stainless steel electrode 216
when the voltage is applied to the stainless steel electrode 216
and the graphite electrode 218. While the hydrogen producing
reaction is going, heat is provided through the heat source 230 and
lightings 232 (such as, LED lights) are applied to the main reactor
214 for assisting a photolysis reaction.
[0019] Oxygen gas 240 and hydrogen gas 236 are output to the
expansion turbine 244 to generate electricity. The oxygen gas 240
and the hydrogen gas 236 are able to react at the combustion
chamber 246 to generate electricity through a combustion reaction.
The heat generated at the combustion chamber 246 is able to be
collected at the heat exchanger 248 and the water generated is able
to be collected at the condenser 250. The water collected at the
condenser 250 is able to be used as pure water or recycled back to
the main reactor 214. The whole reaction is able to be
automatically controlled by a computer system to maintain a
continuous operation of the reaction, including maintaining an
optimized reaction condition for the hydrogen producing
reaction.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a hydrogen producing
process 300 using geothermal as a heat source. The process 300 is
able to begin from preparing a reaction solution at Step 302.
[0021] The solution preparation is able to be performed at the
preparation reactor 203 (FIG. 2) with the procedures described
above. At Step 304, voltage is applied to the solution to generate
hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. At Step 306, the hydrogen gas and the
oxygen gas are sent to a gas turbine to generate electricity. At
Step 308, the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas are combusted to
generate heat and pure water. At Step 310, the heat and water is
recycled back to the main reactor for running the reaction. All the
steps that are contained in the methods/procedures described above
are some embodiments of the present application. All the steps are
optional and all the steps when applicable are able to be performed
in any sequences or orders. Additional steps are also able to be
added when a person skilled in the art deems proper.
[0022] Geothermal Heat Storing and/or Desalination Devices and
Systems
[0023] In some embodiments, the systems and methods use the
hydrogen and/or oxygen as an intermediate energy storage device. In
other words, it can be used as a device or method for storing heat
from a geothermal source. Heat in general is a type of energy that
is more difficult to store than storing energy in a form of gases,
which are more stable and storable when compared with heat. Here,
the hydrogen and oxygen gases are able to be generated using
thermal energy, which are used to drive one or more gas turbines
via gas flow or pressure difference to generate electricity. Next,
the hydrogen and oxygen are combusted to release their potential
energy and make water. Since hydrogen and oxygen are generated and
consumed without additional gases generated or consumed, the
hydrogen and oxygen are able to be used as a form of energy
storage.
[0024] Additionally, the systems and devices are used as a
desalination device or method, wherein a geothermal heat is used to
perform the process. Since the unique property of the hydrogen
generating catalysts (e.g., an aluminum complex, a copper complex,
and a silver complex), a low temperature (e.g., below 40.degree.
C.) is used to perform the hydrogen generating reaction. In some
embodiments, the low temperature (e.g., below 40.degree. C.) is
used for the entire reaction, including the catalysts preparation
and hydrogen generating catalysts regeneration reaction. In some
embodiments, 31.degree. C. is the temperature that is used for
generating the hydrogen gas. In some embodiments, an amount of sea
water is used as a source of the water supply. By using the
desalination methods and devices described herein, salts that are
contained in the sea water are left at the main reactor and pure
water is generated by combining and combusting the hydrogen and
oxygen gases generated. A regular cleaning or removal of the salts
at the reactor where the salts are left is performed (e.g, once a
day, once a week, or any other predetermined duration). As
described above, the methods and devices disclosed herein are
configured to generate hydrogen/oxygen gases, serve as a
desalination device, and/or a geothermal storage using an amount of
the geothermal heat, sea water, or a combination thereof.
[0025] In one of the exemplary cases as illustrated by the FIG. 2,
a main reactor 214 is coupled with or located at or near a source
of the geothermal heat 230. In some embodiments, the main reactor
214 is a geothermal power plant. An amount of the geothermal heat
230 is conducted via one or more thermal paths, such as by direct
contact, to be transferred to the main reactor 214, such as a wall
or a bottom surface of a reactor. In some embodiments, a continuous
supply of the geothermal heat 230 is provided to the main reactor
214.
[0026] In the reactor, one or more of the light sources 232 (e.g.,
LED light) are in the main reactor 214, so that a regeneration
reaction of the hydrogen generating catalysts can be performed
inside the main reactor 214. In some embodiments, the light sources
232 are included in a separate chamber, reactor, or container, so
that the regeneration of the hydrogen generating reaction can be
performed in a regeneration reactor that is separated or
independent from the solution of the main reactor 214. In some
embodiments, an additional heat source, such as a heating coil
heater, is used to provide heat needed for the regeneration
reaction of the hydrogen generating catalysts.
[0027] In some embodiments, the preparation of the hydrogen
generating catalysts is able to be followed by the description in
the FIG. 2 and its accompanying text. In some embodiments, the
preparation of the hydrogen generating catalysts including applying
a first voltage to a graphite electrode (e.g., a voltage greater
than -2.0V, such as -2.0 to -2.5V) and one or more voltages to the
metal catalysts (e.g., aluminum metal, copper metal, and silver
metal respectively). In some embodiments, the voltage that is
applied to the metals is greater than 1V. In some embodiments, the
voltage that is applied to the metals is 0.9V or greater (e.g.,
0.9V-1.9V). For example, a voltage of 1.1V-1.9V, 1.7V, or 1.5-2.0V
is applied to the aluminum metal. A voltage of 1.1V-1.9V, 1.4V, or
1.2-2.0V is applied to the copper metal. A voltage of 1.1V-1.9V,
1.4V, or 1.2-2.0V is applied to the silver metal.
[0028] In some embodiments, a voltage for generating hydrogen gas,
oxygen gas, or both is applied to the electrodes/solution
containing the hydrogen generating catalysts. In some embodiments,
the voltage for generating the above mentioned gases is configured
to or limited to a voltage that is equal or below 0.9V. For
example, a voltage between 0.4V to 0.9V is applied to the
electrodes and solutions for generating a continuous stream of
hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.
[0029] In some embodiments, a voltage of 0.85V is configured to be
applied to the electrodes for driving the catalysts to produce the
gases mentioned above.
[0030] The systems and procedures are able to be utilized to
produce electricity, hydrogen, oxygen, pure water on-demand using a
geothermal heat. In operation, a low voltage (such as less than
0.9V) is applied to a prepared solution having active catalysts
(hydrogen generating substances) to generate hydrogen and oxygen.
The hydrogen and oxygen are used to move a gas turbine to generate
electricity. The oxygen and hydrogen are combusted to generate heat
and pure water. This process is advantageous in many aspects
including desalinating salt/sea water using a geothermal heat.
[0031] The present invention has been described in terms of
specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the
understanding of principles of construction and operation of the
invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and
details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims
appended hereto. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the
art that other various modifications may be made in the embodiment
chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the claims.
* * * * *