Patent Grant
12060861
This present disclosure relates to utilizing hydraulic and hydrostatic pressure to generate energy. Particular embodiments relate to recovering hydrostatic pressure from industrial storage tanks or pressurized sources to generate compressed fluids for producing energy and/or providing other functions.
Industrial facilities often include storage tanks and other related equipment that contain fluid (e.g., fuels, chemicals, etc.) and have significant hydraulic and hydrostatic pressure. While the fluid is utilized within processes of the facilities or sold as product, the hydraulic and hydrostatic pressure and potential energy of the fluid and/or storage tanks are often under-utilized or not utilized at all. As a result, the energy associated with the fluid and/or storage tank is wasted. In addition to hydrostatic pressure generated within fluid storage tanks, industrial facilities can use hydrostatic and hydraulic pressure in their processes, which after being used is typically discharged as waste. Accordingly, there is a need for systems, devices, and/or methods that can better utilize the hydraulic and hydrostatic pressure of such fluids and/or storage tanks.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to utilizing hydrostatic and/or hydraulic pressure to generate energy. One way this may be accomplished is by pressurizing water and then depressurizing it through fine bore friction channels to produce water vapor and/or steam, which may then be injected into plasma reactors that separate water into hydrogen and oxygen. Some embodiments may involve injecting a catalyst into the plasma reactors with the water vapor and/or steam. Potential catalysts include without limitation, gases such as nitrogen, argon, helium, xenon, krypton, etc. These catalysts may be injected into plasma reactors to assist in dissociating water into its constituent components. It is to be appreciated that any of the disclosed embodiments are capable of functioning with or without the inclusion of injecting catalyst(s) into the plasma reactors.
Particular embodiments relate to recovering hydrostatic pressure from industrial fluid storage tanks, (Including without limitation municipal and private water tanks and waste water treatment tanks) or by utilizing buildings and structures to support pipes, tubes, conduits, or other containers that are filled with fluid which develop hydrostatic pressure as a function of their fluid collum height. In some embodiments, hydrostatic pressure may be recovered from bodies of water including lakes, oceans, water behind hydroelectric dams, or any other body of water regardless of its depth, including without limitation both salt and fresh water. In some embodiments, waste hydrostatic pressure may be recovered from industrial processes that utilize hydrostatic pressure, particularly waste hydrostatic and hydraulic pressure used in the high-pressure food processing industry, or from industrial fluid accumulators. In some embodiments, hydraulic and hydrostatic pressure may be recovered from other pressurized fluid sources that generate compressed fluids including without limitation from fluid pumps used in municipal and private water supply systems, (and/or fluid pumps used in other applications), or by utilizing pneumatic pumps to compress fluids (Including without limitation windmills, ocean wave pumps and other sources of pneumatic pressure).
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for moving hydrogen and oxygen to the surface when water molecules have been dissociated by plasma reactors that are positioned below the surface in bodies of water. Embodiments of the present invention may utilize compression chambers that are external to the primary compression chamber of the intensifier which produces products of pressurization.
Embodiments of the present invention can be utilized to decompress wasted hydrostatic pressure, for example and without limitation, by accelerating it through fine bore friction channels, orifices, fittings and/or valves and into plasma reactors to produce hydrogen and oxygen. This is especially applicable in the high-pressure food processing industry. Vertical pipes, tubes, conduits, or other containers which are filled with fluid develop hydrostatic pressure as a function of their fluid collum height. By utilizing buildings and structures to support these vertical or partially vertical containers of water, hydrostatic pressure can be developed to produce feed stock for plasma reactors that dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen.
A significant amount of hydrostatic potential energy is found in bodies of water that is not being utilized. Embodiments of the present invention provide new and novel approaches for converting such hydrostatic potential energy into usable kinetic energy. Embodiments of the present invention accomplish this by placing an embodiment of a pressure intensifier along with plasma reactors that separate water into hydrogen and oxygen, beneath the surface of these bodies of water.
Some of these embodiments include fine bore friction channels which help in the process of converting water into water vapor and/or steam. The pressure intensifier pressurizes water. The water is then accelerated by decompressing it through friction channels which converts it to water vapor and or steam, making it feed stock for plasma reactors that dissociate it into hydrogen and oxygen. These underwater embodiments leverage the hydrostatic pressure that is within bodies of water to produce feed stock for plasma reactors. After the plasma reactors separate water into hydrogen and oxygen, embodiments of the invention provide the novel application of utilizing the buoyance of hydrogen and oxygen, relative to water, to facilitate low energy transport of these chemicals to the water's surface.
Pneumatic pressure sources, including without limitation windmills, ocean wave pumps and other sources of pneumatic pressure, can be used to compress fluids, in conjunction with the pressure intensifiers of embodiments of the present invention to provide feed stock to plasma reactors. Municipal & private water supply systems and fluid tanks, along with hydrostatic pressure from wastewater treatment tanks, and/or any fluid pump can be utilized to provide hydraulic and/or hydrostatic pressure to the pressure intensifiers of embodiments of the present invention. Compression chambers may be external to the primary compression chamber of embodiments of the intensifier of the present invention, which may produce products of pressurization, and/or energy and/or other functions.
Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technology may be better understood with regard to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on illustrating clearly the principles of the present disclosure.
It is to be appreciated that the schematic cross-sectional views of the drawings are not necessarily to scale.
A person skilled in the relevant art will understand that the features shown in the drawings are for purposes of illustrations, and that variations, including different and/or additional features arrangements, and scale thereof, are possible.
A. Overview
The hydraulic pressure and/or potential energy of fluid in industrial storage tanks (e.g., at oil and gas facilities, manufacturing plants, etc.) are often under-utilized or not utilized at all, and as a result the energy associated with the fluid and/or storage tank is wasted. Embodiments of the present technology address at least some of these issues via a system that utilizes the hydrostatic and hydraulic pressure to generate energy and/or perform other useful functions. For example, embodiments of the present technology include a system comprising a storage tank containing a fluid, a separator piston, and a pressure intensifier having a first compartment and a second compartment. The separator piston includes a cylinder, and a piston member movable within the cylinder. The piston member within the cylinder defines a first separator compartment fluidically coupled to a bottom portion of the storage tank, and a second separator compartment fluidically coupled to the second compartment of the pressure intensifier. The pressure intensifier further includes a pressure concentrator in the second compartment and a compression chamber downstream of the pressure concentrator. The pressure concentrator can include a housing, a piston head member having arms, a plurality of cylinders each at least partially defined by the housing and the arms of the piston head member, and a drive piston head portion. The drive piston head portion is adjacent to the compression chamber and is configured to apply thereto a pressure equal to the sum of the individual pressures applied via the arms of the piston head member. Each of the cylinders can include a first compartment configured to contain a working fluid, a second compartment spaced apart from the first compartment, and a biasing member applying a force against a corresponding arm of the piston head member in a direction away from the compression chamber. In operation, hydrostatic pressure from the fluid of the storage tank is applied via the separator piston to the second compartment of the pressure intensifier. Additionally, pressure from a pneumatic pressure source is applied to the first compartment of the pressure intensifier. In response to these applied pressures, the arms of the piston head member of the pressure intensifier can exert a pressure that is collectively applied to the drive piston head portion, which applies the collective pressure on to the compression chamber to generate a compressed fluid (CF). The compressed fluid (CF) can be used to perform multiple other useful functions, including processing products (e.g., food products), generating energy, and/or forming oxygen, hydrogen, and/or other compounds for energy harvesting. The uses of the compressed fluid (CF) are described in additional detail herein.
The systems, devices, and methods of embodiments of the present technology have multiple advantages over related conventional technologies. For example, systems configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can convert the potential energy of the fluid in storage tanks, in bodies of water, in columns of fluid in vertical pipes, tubes, conduits, or other containers that develop hydrostatic pressure from their fluid collum height and are supported by buildings and other structures, into usable energy and/or compounds that can be combusted without producing harmful emissions. In doing so, embodiments of the present technology can sustainably generate energy from sources that are otherwise being underutilized or not utilized at all.
Embodiments of the present technology can be utilized in multiple applications, including at oil and gas facilities, municipal sewage and water facilities, hydroelectric dams, manufacturing plants and systems, and the like.
Embodiments of the present technology may be adapted to receive hydrostatic pressure and/or hydraulic pressure from one or more sources including but not limited to:
From hydrostatic and/or hydraulic pressure within any fluid storage tank and/or industrial fluid accumulator.
From the hydrostatically pressurized water that is behind dams or other water storage facilities, or from the hydrostatic pressure within any body of water, including without limitation fresh or salt water.
From pipes, tubes, conduits, or other columns of fluid and which develop hydrostatic pressure as a function of their fluid collum height. These structures may be supported by buildings and/or structures.
From various kinds of pumps including without limitation water pumps and pneumatic pumps.
From municipal and private water supply tanks and systems.
From municipal and private wastewater treatment tanks and systems.
From outputs of industrial processes where fluids (including without limitation air, water, hydraulic fluid, oil, etc.) are placed under pressure as part of the industrial process, and must then be released.
Embodiments of the present invention may be placed below the surface of bodies of water, utilizing hydrostatic pressure to produce hydrogen and oxygen. As such, embodiments of this present technology can be utilized to provide a system for bringing the produced hydrogen and oxygen to the surface.
In some of these embodiments, when placed below the surface in a body of water, regardless of the depth of where it is placed, after the intensifier has done its work and after the plasma reactor has performed chemical reactions, the water that was used to drive the intensifier will ordinarily need to be removed to make way for air that is used in a subsequent cycle. This water may be moved to the surface and/or moved back into the surrounding water by pressurizing it against the hydrostatic pressure that surrounds the system. In some embodiments the water, or some of this water, may be moved into the compression chamber, filling it for the next cycle.
In these embodiments, the hydrogen and oxygen that is produced by the plasma reactor needs to be moved to the surface. The methodology presented in the embodiment shown in
Additionally, if catalysts are used in the chemical reactions performed by the plasma reactor, the chemical constituents produced also need to be moved to the surface and/or moved back into the surrounding water by pressurizing them against the hydrostatic pressure that surrounds the system. Moving the hydrogen, oxygen, intensifier drain water, or any other generated substances to the surface or pressurizing them against the pressure that surrounds the system can be directly accomplished by utilizing hydraulic and or pumps. Alternatively, the pneumatic system illustrated in
It will be apparent to those having skill in the relevant art that changes may be made to the details of the methodology described in
Industrial facilities that use hydrostatic and hydraulic pressure in their processes typically underutilize or discard the pressurized fluid as waste, after being used. Embodiments of the present technology can decompress such wasted hydrostatic pressure by accelerating it through fine bore friction channels, orifices, fittings and/or valves, converting it into water vapor and/or steam, and then directing it through rotational impellers for conversion into useable kinetic energy, followed by directing the exhausted water vapor and/or steam into plasma reactors to produce hydrogen and oxygen. These embodiments are particularly applicable to recovering waste hydrostatic pressure that is used in the high-pressure food processing industry.
Embodiments of the present invention can be utilized to produce products of pressurization by placing such products within the compression chamber of the intensifier and/or by placing such products within a container that is external to the intensifier compression chamber and connecting the external container to the intensifier compression chamber via high pressure hydraulic lines.
Additionally, embodiments of the present technology can be utilized in generally inaccessible areas, such as in the ocean or other deep bodies of water, which as described herein can enable certain aspects of the present technology to operate more efficiently and/or with less energy.
In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify generally similar, and/or identical, elements. Many of the details, dimensions, and other features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the disclosed technology. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details, dimensions, and features without departing from present technology. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate that further embodiments of the various disclosed technologies can be practiced without several of the details described below.
B. Systems, Devices, and Methods for Utilizing Hydrostatic and Hydraulic Pressure to Generate Energy
The system 100 can further include a separator piston 120 fluidically coupled to the separator inlet conduit 106, and a pressure intensifier 140 coupled to the separator piston 120. The pressure intensifier 140 includes a housing 142, a first compartment 148 (e.g., an upper compartment), a second compartment 146 (e.g., a lower compartment), a base interface 144 between the first compartment 148 and the second compartment 146, a pressure concentrator 150 disposed within the second compartment 146, and a compression chamber 165 downstream of the pressure concentrator 150. The first compartment 148 is configured to receive a pressurized gaseous fluid (e.g., air) from the pressure source 110 via a pressure intensifier inlet conduit 112, and the second compartment 146 is configured to receive a working fluid (WF) (e.g., water) via a connecting conduit 116 fluidically coupled to the separator piston 120. The pressure concentrator 150 is configured to increase the pressure of the working fluid (WF) based on the pressure applied from the tank 105, including via the separator inlet conduit 106 and separator piston 120 from the bottom portion of the tank 105 and the pressure intensifier inlet conduit 112 from external pneumatic pressure source 110 at the top portion of the tank 105. In doing so, the pressure concentrator 150 can produce a compressed fluid (CF) in the compression chamber 165 of least 5,000 3,000 psi, 10,000 psi, 25,000 psi, 50,000 psi, or 100,000 psi. As explained elsewhere herein (e.g., with reference to
The system 100 can further include a manifold 170 downstream of and fluidically coupled to the compression chamber 165 of the pressure intensifier 140 via a manifold conduit 166, and one or more modules or plasma reactors 180 downstream of the manifold 170. As explained elsewhere herein (e.g., with reference to
As shown in
The pressure concentrator 150 can include a housing 352, a piston head member 354 including arms 364a-d (collectively referred to as arms 364), a plurality of individual base cylinders 355a-d (collectively referred to as base cylinders 355) each at least partially defined by the housing 352 and corresponding arm 364 of the piston head member 354, and a drive cylinder 357 positioned at an end portion (e.g., below) the base cylinders 355. Each of the arms 364 of the piston head member 354 acting within the base cylinders 355 receive pressure from the working fluid (WF), and then transfers the pressure via the piston head member 354 to drive the piston head 382 which increases the pressure within the compression chamber 165. In such embodiments, the arms 364 of the piston head member 354, which can be a single component, act within the corresponding base cylinders 355 and the drive piston head portion 382 acts within the drive cylinder 357. As shown in
As shown in
In operation, the pressure intensifier 140 is configured to convert hydrostatic pressure from the stored fluid in the tank 105 and/or from the fluid pressure developed from the pneumatic pressure source 110 to the working fluid (WF) for further utilization. As previously noted, the pressure intensifier 140 is shown in
After the pressure intensifier 140 is filled with the working fluid (WF) and prior to applying the hydraulic pressure from the tank 105 or the pneumatic pressure from the pressure source 110 to the pressure intensifier 140, the base interface 144 can be positioned toward the top of the pressure intensifier 140 and the biasing members 374 can be uncompressed or slightly compressed state, as shown in
Afterward, pneumatic pressure provided via the pressure intensifier inlet conduit 112, e.g., from the pressure source 110 is applied to the pressure intensifier 140, or more specifically to the portion of the base interface 144 exposed to the first compartment 148, by opening the first inlet valves 310a/b. As such pressure is applied, the base interface 144 is forced toward the pressure concentrator 150 and/or the compression chamber 165, thereby causing the pressure within the second compartment of the pressure intensifier 140 to increase. In some embodiments, pressure delivered from the pressure source 110 exceeds a pressure threshold in the first compartment 148 to move the drive interface 144 and/or the drive piston 382 against the compression chamber 165. After pressure from the pneumatic source 110 is sufficient to have enabled the first compartment 148 to overcome the threshold pressure in the second compartment 146, the first shear pins 366 are removed from the individual base cylinders 355, thereby enabling the portions of the piston head member 354 of each of the individual base cylinders 355 to move toward the compression chamber 165 and compress the corresponding biasing members 374, as shown in
In some embodiments, the pressure intensifier 140 can include a preheater 385 (e.g., a solar preheater) that utilizes solar energy to preheat fluid before compression in the compressed fluid (CF). The preheater 385 can include a heat exchanger and/or can be in fluid communication with the compressed fluid (CF) of the compression chamber 165 via preheater conduit 386. Preheating the fluid before becoming compressed fluid (CF) can increase the energy extracted from the compressed fluid (CF), thereby enabling downstream units and/or processes to produce additional energy.
In some embodiments, the pressure intensifier 140 can include a package 365 comprising products to be pressurized (e.g., food, equipment, parts, materials, etc.) that can be beneficially processed via the high pressures of the compressed fluid (CF). For example, the package 365 in the compression chamber 165 can enable high pressure food processing, biomass conversion (e.g., to biocrude), hydroforming of parts and materials, synthetic diamond production, expanding windmill output capacity, and/or electricity generation (e.g., for piezoelectric materials). The package 365 can be contained within compression chamber 165, or can be external to the compression chamber 165 and fluidically coupled to the compression chamber 165. The package 365 can facilitate pretreating of biomass, e.g., for conversion into green hydrocarbon fuels, high pressure food processing, hydroforming of parts and materials, synthetic diamond production, and potentially many other products of pressurization.
Once the individual piston head portions of the individual base cylinders 355 have reached the bottom of their travel, as shown in
For the pressure intensifier 140, the air pressure in the second compartments 372 of the individual base cylinders 355 is first relieved, e.g., via the corresponding pressure relief valves 361 and pressure relief lines 360. Subsequently, the first compartments 370 and the second compartments 372 of the individual base cylinders 355 can be equalized, thereby causing the working fluid (WF) to flow to the second compartments 372, which were previously filled with air, from the first compartments 370. After the first compartments 370 and the second compartments 372 of the individual base cylinders 355 are filled with the working fluid (WF), the shear pins 368 can be released and disengaged from the base piston head portions, thereby causing piston head member 354 within the individual base cylinders 355 and/or pressure concentrator 150 to move to its starting (e.g., default or unpressurized) position. At this point, the compression chamber 165 is considered depressurized. In the default position, the first piston shear pins 366 can engage the base piston head portions. Additionally, the first inlet valves 310a-b of the first compartment 148 of the pressure intensifier 140 are closed and the pressure in the first compartment 148 is relieved, e.g., via first compartment pressure relief valve 321. The working fluid (WF) in the second compartments 372 of the individual base cylinders 355 can be removed, via pumps (not shown) or other means. At this point, the pressurization cycle of the pressure intensifier 140, as described herein, can begin again.
Steam vapor can discharge from the conversion device 480 to the plasma reactors 180 positioned downstream of the manifold 170. As such, the plasma reactors 180 can be configured to receive the decompressing fluid (previously the compressed fluid (CF)), which at that point may include water vapor or steam. In some embodiments, the plasma reactors 180 may be provided in the form of RET modules and/or eRET modules which may be configured to disassociate the steam and/or decompressed fluid (CF), e.g., into hydrogen (H.sub.2) and oxygen (O.sub.2). In such embodiments, the disassociated products can be further utilized, e.g., by directing them to fuel cells and/or combusting them for energy generation.
The method 500 further comprises filling the second compartment of the pressure intensifier with a working fluid (WF) (process portion 504). The working fluid (WF) (e.g., water) can be supplied via a working fluid source (e.g., the working fluid source 115;
In some embodiments, as the second compartment of the pressure intensifier is filled with the working fluid (WF), the separator piston member (e.g., the separator piston member 254;
The method 500 further comprises applying hydraulic pressure from the separator piston to the second compartment of the pressure intensifier (process portion 506). Applying the hydraulic pressure from the separator piston can comprise releasing the separator piston member from a locked position and/or disengaging the separator shear pin(s) from the separator piston member. In doing so, the higher pressure of the fluid in the first separator compartment forces the separator piston member toward the second separator compartment, thereby increasing the pressure of the working fluid (WF) in the second separator compartment and the pressure intensifier. Stated differently, the pressure in the pressure intensifier equalizes with the pressure of the fluid in the first separator compartment, which can correspond to the pressure from the bottom portion of the storage tank. After the pressures are equalized, the pressure intensifier can be isolated from the separator piston, e.g., by closing a valve (e.g., the second inlet valve 318;
The method 500 further comprises applying additional pressure via the first compartment of the pressure intensifier to the working fluid (WF) within the second compartment of the pressure intensifier to generate a compressed fluid (CF), e.g., within the compression chamber (process portion 508). A source of the additional pressure of the first compartment can be a pneumatic pressure source (e.g., the pressure source 110;
The method 500 further comprises utilizing the compressed fluid (CF) to generate energy (process portion 510). As described herein, the system can include an interface (e.g., the interface 384;
As also described herein, the system can comprise a manifold (e.g., the manifold 170;
In some embodiments, the method 500 can further include depressurizing the second compartment of the pistons of the pressure intensifier by fluidically isolating the pressure intensifier from the separator piston and equalizing the pressures of the first compartments and the second compartments of each of the cylinders of the pressure concentrator. In doing so, pressurized air from the second compartments of the pistons is bled off and water fills the second compartments of the pistons, until both the first compartments and the second compartments of each of the cylinders are full of water. In doing so, the corresponding portions of the piston head member that form the piston heads for the pistons is forced upward and/or away from the compression chamber via the biasing members. In some embodiments, the piston member is constructed of a buoyant material which works in conjunction with the biasing members to float the piston member to its starting position. Additionally, the separator piston can be depressurized and the separator piston member can be locked in place.
The method 500 can further comprise recharging the system to prepare the system to be repressurized via the hydraulic pressure of the storage tank via the separator piston, as described with respect to process portion 506. In such embodiments, after the buoyant piston head member, working in conjunction with the biasing members, has moved the piston head member to its uncompressed or less compressed starting position, shear pins can be re-engaged into the piston head member. Fluid in the second compartments of the pistons cylinders can be removed such that the second compartments contain mainly air. In such embodiments, the fluid in the second compartments of the pistons can be removed such that the second compartments contain mainly air, and the piston shear pins can be disengaged from the piston head member to enable the biasing members to push the corresponding portions of the piston head member (e.g., upward) to uncompressed or less compressed positions. In such positions, the pressure intensifier can be filled with the working fluid (WF), if needed, as described herein for process portion 504. Once the system is recharged, the system can be repressurized to generate additional compressed fluid (CF) that can be decompressed through friction channels, orifices, and/or valves to generate frictional heat energy, as described herein for process portion 508.
As illustrated in an example shown in
When embodiments of the present invention are operated under water, the separator piston of
In some embodiments, pneumatic air pressure can be supplied to chamber 148 though line 112 and valves 310a, 310b. Fluid pressure can enter the intensifier through line 116 and valve 318. In some embodiments, if external pneumatic pressure is not applied to the intensifier, then valves 310a, 310b and 321 can be closed or eliminated, and lines 112 can also be eliminated; and piston 144 can float, or not be included in the design.
Referring to
During each cycle of operation, as fluid pressure enters chambers 370 the air in chambers 372 is evacuated through valve 361, line 360. Thus, the pressure of the fluid above each arm 364 a-d moves piston heads arm member 354 downward, moving drive piston 382 downward, thereby compressing the fluid (CF) in chamber 165. For above-water operations, the air from chambers 372 may simply be released to the outside atmosphere. For below-water operations such as those shown in
As described above, the combined force from all pistons of piston arms member 354 is applied through drive piston 382 to compress fluid within compression chamber 165. Compression chamber 165 is fluidly connected downstream through valve 368, line 166, and valves 474 leading to secondary compression chambers 472 and ending at valves 476 as shown in
In some embodiments, as part of this process, the compressed fluid (CF) may be passed from valves 476 through fine bore friction channels, orifices, and/or valves 478 (described below), and then through impeller shaft 480 and into plasma reactor modules 180. The plasma reactor modules 180 separate the decompressing water into hydrogen and oxygen.
By way of example and without limitation, fluid in chambers 472 can be pressurized to upward of 100,000 PSI. Valves 476 are then opened allowing the highly pressurized fluid to decompress through fine bore friction channels, and orifices, 478 and valves 476 as shown in
Referring to
In some embodiments, steam operated impeller shaft 480 may drive air compressor 650, which drives the pneumatic system that controls piston 670. In these embodiments, air may be drawn from above the water surface through line 640 and into the pneumatic system which moves the oxygen produced by the plasma reactor modules 180 together with used drain-water from the intensifier to an oxygen-water separator 685 which is located near the surface of the body of water. From the oxygen-water separator 685 oxygen pump 689 moves the oxygen into a storage system, such as tank 690. In some embodiments, intensifier drain water pump 647 may move the used drain water from the intensifier to cylinder 675. Simultaneously with this, oxygen pump 656 moves oxygen from the plasma reactors 180 to cylinder 675. To reduce the amount of energy required to pump oxygen and drain water into cylinder 675, the fluid pressure in cylinder 675 may be reduced by moving piston 670 down so that it increases the volume capacity of cylinder 675. This is accomplished by simultaneously closing exit valve 677 and opening valves 664, 662, 652 (in some embodiments valve 661 can also be opened); closing valve 651; and pulling air from cylinder 665 through valve 652 and line 654 by utilizing air compressor 650. Then, with piston 670 in a lower position to receive a maximum volume capacity of oxygen and intensifier drain water into cylinder 675, valves 652, 664, 662 may then be closed. Cylinder 675 is charged with oxygen using pump 656 and with intensifier drain water using pump 647. Valves 677 and 651 are then opened. The co-mingled oxygen & drain water in cylinder 675 are then forced up line 680 by pneumatic pressure from compressor 650 that is applied to piston 670 from air chamber 665. Then, co-mingled oxygen and drain water from line 680 enter a water-oxygen separator 685. Oxygen is separated out and pumped into oxygen storage tank 690 by pump 689. Water is released from the water-oxygen separator 685 at the surface of the body of water.
Air compressor 650 can be utilized to supply the pneumatic pressure for driving this system. Pneumatic valves within various air lines can be systematically opened and closed to direct and control air pressure to the various functions of the system. Pneumatic pressure can be utilized to move piston 670 which controls the fluid pressure within chamber 675, and which can apply pressure for driving the oxygen-water mixture up line 680 to oxygen separator 685. Pneumatic pressure can be utilized for evacuating cylinder 372 during operation of intensifier 140. Pneumatic pressure can be utilized for pressurizing cylinder 372 during the reset cycle of intensifier 140. If necessary, pneumatic pressure can be utilized to assist with moving piston arm members 354 to its starting position during the reset cycle by applying pressure against drive piston 382 from within chamber 165. Pneumatic pressure can be utilized to drive desalination module 623, when the system is operated in salt water. Collectively the various functions within the system requires timing when receiving or delivering pneumatic pressure at various volumes, rates, and intensities. Pneumatic accumulator 660 can be utilized to stabilize pressure fluctuations to facilitate proper delivery of air pressure to the various components of the system. For under water embodiments which utilize pneumatic pressure source 110 in conjunction with the hydrostatic pressure that is within bodies of water to drive the intensifier, pneumatic pressure source 110 can be incorporated into driving the various pneumatic system functions of
In some embodiments, pump 626, line 624, and valve 622 may be used when the system is submerged in fresh water. In such embodiments, pump 626 is used to move fresh water that was used to drive the intensifier to compression chamber 165 through valve 622. When the combined volumes of chamber 165, conduit 166, chambers 472, are charged to maximum volume capacity, then the remaining drain water that was used to drive the intensifier in a given cycle may be pumped from the intensifier through line 645 by pump 647 through valve 659 and into chamber 675.
In embodiments when the system is submerged in salt water, a desalination module 623 may be included in the design. For such saltwater applications, pump 626, line 624, and valve 622 can be eliminated. For saltwater applications some of the drain water from the intensifier is pumped to the desalination module through lines 645 and 630, and then from the desalination module 623 a volume of the desalinated fresh water is pumped into chamber 165, which is fluidly connected to the chambers 472, through valve 368, valves 474, and fluid line 166 as shown in
In embodiments of the invention, the volume of water used to drive the intensifier, per cycle, can be larger than the volume of water, which is required to fill the combined chamber 165, chambers 472 and connecting fluid line 166. For saltwater applications this volume of water is supplied from desalination module 623. After each cycle when chamber 165, chambers 472 and connecting fluid line 166 are filled with the required volume of water, the additional intensifier drain water bypasses the desalination module 623 and is pumped directly through line 645 by pump 647 to cylinder 675. Desalination unit 623 (
After a volume of hydrogen and oxygen has been separated, the system may be reset for another separation cycle. The re-set cycle starts after pressurized water in chambers 472 has decompressed through friction channels 478, through impeller shaft 480 and into plasma reactor modules 180 to produce hydrogen and oxygen shown in
By way of example and without limitation, to utilize the buoyance effect, piston arm assembly members 364a, 364b, 364c, 364d and other piston arm members, can be constructed of a lightweight magnesium metal alloy matrix composite which is reinforced with silicon carbide hollow particles, or from materials that have a similar composition and similar density to compression strength ratio. By using such materials, the combined piston arm members can have a density which is less than water. The drive piston head 382 can be constructed from state-of-the-art materials that are utilized in high pressure food processing equipment. The combined buoyant force of all the piston arm members along with the force of the decompressing biasing springs 374 can be used to restore the piston arm member assembly to its starting position, after each cycle. In some embodiments an additional force can work in conjunction with the above-mentioned forces by injecting pneumatic air pressure into compression chamber 165 during the re-set cycle. This air pressure can come from external pneumatic source 110 and or from the pneumatic system that is charged by compressor 650.
The air in chamber 372 is evacuated through lines 360 and line 620 by pump 650. Valves 318, 310a and 310b (
For freshwater embodiments, water from chamber 372 can be moved by pump 626 through valves 361, lines 360, line 624, and valve 622, filling chamber 165, line 166, and chambers 472. After chamber 165, line 166 and chambers 472 are filled with water, if a specific configuration requires more water to be removed from intensifier 140 this may be accomplished by pumping water from chambers 372 through line 645 and into chamber 675 by utilizing pump 647. The system is then re-set and ready to start a new cycle.
For saltwater applications, pump 626, line 624, and valve 622 can be eliminated. Water that was used to drive the intensifier can be pumped from chamber 372 through line 645 and into chamber 675 by utilizing pump 647. The system is then re-set and ready to start a new cycle.
Industrial facilities often consume a significant amount of energy to develop hydraulic, and hydrostatic pressure, for use in their processes. Often after this pressurized fluid has been used it is discarded as waste. This is especially true within the High-Pressure Food Processing Industry (HPP). Embodiments of the present invention are designed to utilize this otherwise wasted pressurized fluid to create energy and/or oxygen and hydrogen.
Referring to the exemplary embodiment of
Referring to the exemplary embodiment of
Referring to the exemplary embodiment of
Referring to the exemplary embodiment of
C. Conclusion
It will be apparent to those having skill in the relevant art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the present disclosure. In some cases, well known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the present technology. Although steps of methods may be presented herein in a particular order, other embodiments may perform the steps in a different order. Similarly, certain aspects of the present technology disclosed in the context of particular embodiments can be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Furthermore, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the present technology may have been disclosed in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments can also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages or other advantages disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein, and the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
Throughout this disclosure, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Reference herein to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments” or similar formulations means that a particular feature, structure, operation, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or formulations herein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, various particular features, structures, operations, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing pressures and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present technology. When used, the term “approximately” refers to values within +/−10% of the stated value. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Additionally, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes any and all subranges between (and including) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10, i.e., any and all subranges having a minimum value of equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10, e.g., 5.5 to 10. Additionally, any qualifying terms at the beginning of a list of numbers should be interpreted to affect each of the numbers. For example, the phrase “at least 2, 4, 6, or 8” should be interpreted to mean “at least 2, at least 4, at least 6, or at least 8.”
The disclosure set forth above is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim requires more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following this Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims.
D. Other Aspects and Embodiments of the Present Invention
The following is a non-exclusive list of additional aspect, applications, methods and embodiments of the present invention:
First Group:
Embodiments of the invention may include novel approaches to produce feed stock for plasma reactor technology, which leverages the internal energies of water molecules thereby reducing the amount of external energy needed to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
These novel approaches for producing hydrogen and oxygen utilize the frictional heat that is generated when decompressing water can accelerate it through fine bore friction channels, orifices, fittings and/or valves. By this water molecules are converted into vapor and/or steam making them compatible with operational requirements for plasma reactor technology to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
Methods for pressurizing water, which precludes the depressurization process, include utilization of hydrostatic pressure, hydraulic pressure, and/or pneumatic pressure to drive a hydraulic pressure intensifier which can pressurize a fluid filled compression chamber to pressures in excess of 100,000 psi. Decompressing these compression chambers can accelerate water molecules through fine bore friction channels to produce water vapor and/or steam. Some embodiments exclusively utilize one of these three pressure sources as the prime driver for the hydraulic pressure intensifier system (e.g., hydrostatic pressure, hydraulic pressure, and/or pneumatic pressure). Other embodiments utilize various combinations of these three pressures sources as the driver for accelerating water molecules through fine bore friction channels.
This family of embodiments includes a multitude of design embodiments and systems which can be combined to produce the required molecular acceleration. Certain aspects of the present technology disclosed in the context of a specific embodiment can be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Furthermore, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the present technology may have been disclosed in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments can also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages or other advantages disclosed herein to fall within the scope of this technology.
Second Group:
Other embodiments of invention may utilize the hydrostatic pressure within fluid storage tanks, fluid accumulators and other industrial equipment that contains fluid under hydrostatic pressure, as the prime drivers for the hydraulic pressure intensifier which accelerates water molecules through fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water molecules to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, and producing hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may utilize buildings and structures to support pipes, tubes, conduits, or other fluid filled containers which develop hydrostatic pressure from their fluid collum height, for applying pressure to embodiments of the intensifier and systems, which accelerates water molecules through fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water molecules to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, producing hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may utilize the hydrostatic pressure in bodies of water for applying pressure to our intensifier and systems, which accelerates water molecules through fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water molecules to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, producing hydrogen and oxygen. When utilizing the hydrostatic pressure within bodies of water to generate molecular acceleration, embodiments of this patent family can include our novel methods and systems for raising the produced hydrogen, oxygen and the excess water used to drive the intensifier, to the surface of the body of water.
These embodiments may utilize hydraulic pumps, water pumps, and water supply pumping systems to apply pressure to the fluid intensifier which accelerates water molecules through fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water molecules to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, producing hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may utilize pneumatic pumps, offshore ocean wave pneumatic pumps, windmills, and other methods for compressing air, to apply pressure to the fluid intensifiers and systems, which accelerates water molecules through fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water molecules to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, producing hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may recover waste hydrostatic pressure from industrial processes, such as high-pressure food processing, by accelerating water molecules through our fine bore friction channel system during decompression, producing feed stock for plasma reactor technology to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
Third Group:
These embodiments may utilize an impeller shaft that is designed into various family systems between the point where water vapor and or steam exhaust from the fine bore friction channels and before it enters the plasma reactor, to produce mechanical energy.
These embodiments may produce products to be pressurized within the compression chamber of the intensifier and/or have external compression chambers that contains products of pressurization, and which are fluidly connected to the internal compression chamber.
These embodiments may utilize wind generators that are positioned along roads, highways and in tunnels to capture the wind generated by vehicles, including trains, trucks, busses, and automobiles to apply pressure to the fluid intensifiers and systems, which accelerates water molecules through fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water molecules to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, producing hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may be systems and methods that utilize site specific characteristics to facilitate their functionality. Offshore oil pumping platforms can be utilized to access hydrostatically pressurized water, driving the intensifier which accelerates water molecules through fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water molecules to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, producing hydrogen and oxygen. The water that is used to drive the intensifier can be drained from the intensifier to be integrated into underwater systems including systems that cool crude oil pumps. The produced hydrogen and oxygen can be brought to the surface with our systems and method for raising hydrogen and oxygen. Alternately, the water that is used to drive the intensifier can be integrated into our systems and method for raising hydrogen and oxygen to the surface.
These embodiments may be utilized at specific depths, within bodies of water, to directly supply hydrostatic pressure to our friction channel bore system, to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The produced hydrogen and oxygen can be brought to the surface with our systems and method for raising hydrogen and oxygen. Additionally, any water making it through the system that is not converted to hydrogen or oxygen can be moved to the surface by utilizing our system and method for raising hydrogen and oxygen to the surface.
These embodiments may be systems and methods that utilize site specific characteristics to facilitate their functionality. Well shafts can be drilled adjacent to bodies of water, including creeks, rivers, or any other body of water. Our system and or parts of our system can be placed down the shaft which is filled with water.
Hydrostatic pressure from the water in the shaft drives our intensifier which accelerates water molecules through fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water molecules to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, producing hydrogen and oxygen. The site-specific terrain where this system is placed facilitates low energy consumption for removal of the water driving the intensifier and for recovery of the produced hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may be designed to utilize a double-sided piston in a hydraulic intensifier. Whereas the ratio between the area of the piston that is receiving fluid pressure and the area of the piston that is applying fluid pressure is such that the piston area that is applying fluid pressure is magnitudes of order smaller than the piston area that is receiving fluid pressure. Pressure from the intensifier that is applied to the compression chamber can be magnitudes of order greater than the fluid pressure that is initially applied to the intensifier. By utilizing this piston area ratio difference, water molecules can be accelerated by decompression through fine bore friction channels conditioning the water to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology which produces hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may be designed whereas the secondary fluid compression chambers of the intensifier, (the chambers which feed the plasma reactors), have a two-sided internal piston, pneumatic on one side and hydraulic on the other side. The system can be designed and timed to apply pneumatic pressure against one side of this piston as hydrostatic pressure on the other side of the piston is being decompressed to accelerate water molecules through fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, producing hydrogen and oxygen.
Fourth Group:
These embodiments may accelerate water downward through vertical or simi-vertical pipes, tubes, and/or conduits transitioning the accelerated water into fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may accelerate water downward through vertical pipes, tubes, and/or conduits that are positioned within bodies of water, including within water that is behind hydroelectric dams, transitioning the accelerated water into fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The produced hydrogen and oxygen, along with excess water flow that is not converted into water vapor and/or steam, can be brought to the surface by our system and method for raising hydrogen, oxygen, and excess water to the surface when it is produced within bodies of water.
These embodiments may accelerate ambient moist-air mixtures through venturi inlets that are attached to powered vehicles. The flow of the incoming moist-air mixture through the venturi transitions to fine bore friction channels which conditions the moist air mixture to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may be systems and methods for expanding the energy output capacity of windmills. The propeller blades of the windmill can have internal channels that allow timed water to accelerate from tip to tip during rotation. The accelerating water induces a shock wave through a double-sided piston and water filled compression line that exhaust into fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may be systems and methods for expanding the energy output capacity of windmills. The propeller blades of the windmill can have internal channels that accelerate water during rotation. As the accelerating water approaches each tip of the blade it transitions into venturi channels and or into fine bore friction channels, which converts the water into vapor and or steam, to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may be systems and methods that utilize site specific characteristics to facilitate their functionality. Pipes can be laid on river and creek beds to produce a fluid pressure head that drives our intensifier, accelerating water molecules through fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water molecules to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, producing hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may be systems and methods that utilize site specific characteristics to facilitate their functionality. Solar tunnel bore's can be drilled and utilized in site specific locations to enable updraft winds to drive pneumatic pumps for pressurizing the hydraulic intensifier, which accelerates water molecules through fine bore friction channels, conditioning the water molecules to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, producing hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may be systems and methods that condense water out of ambient air. A thermally conductive pipe can be placed on a slight grade. A fan blows moist ambient air through the thermally conductive pipe. Conductive tubes can be wound around the outside diameter of this conductive pipe. Valves inside the tubing divide it into sections. A nipple valve projects from each of these tubing sections. The conductive tubing is filled with water and pressurized by the intensifier, interior valves close dividing the tubing into sections that are now full of pressurized water. The Fluid pressure in each section is decompressed through the nipple valves, accelerating water molecules through fine bore friction channels. The friction channel bore tubes are also wrapped around the conductive pipe that is placed on a slight grade. As the decompressing water is converted to vapor and or steam, heat is drawn from within the conductive pipe that is placed on a slight grade causing the ambient moist air that is blown through it to condense. Fresh water flows down this pipe that is placed on a slight grade. The water molecules that are accelerated through fine bore friction channels are conditioned to become feed stock for plasma reactor technology, producing hydrogen and oxygen.
These embodiments may utilize the heat transfer effect that occurs when our system accelerates water molecules through fine bore friction channels. Operationally, as the accelerated water molecules change state from liquid to gas, heat is drawn from the space where the phase change takes place. Embodiments of this patent family can be designed to air condition enclosures while producing hydrogen and oxygen.
E. Potential Applications for Various Embodiments
The following is a non-exclusive list of potential applications of various embodiments of the present invention:
Additional aspects of the present technology are described below, and various examples of the present technology are described as numbered clauses (1, 2, 3, etc.) for convenience. These clauses are provided as examples and do not limit the present technology. It is noted that any of the dependent clauses may be combined in any combination, and placed into a respective independent clause.
1. An industrial system for utilizing hydraulic pressure from a storage tank to generate energy, the system comprising: a storage tank containing fluid; a separator piston including a cylinder and a separator piston member movable within the cylinder, the separator piston member defining a first separator compartment configured to be fluidically coupled to a bottom portion of the storage tank, and a second separator compartment fluidically isolated from the first separator compartment, wherein the separator piston is configured to transfer pressure of the first separator compartment to the second separator compartment; and a pressure intensifier including a first compartment configured to receive a gaseous fluid and configured to be fluidically coupled to a pressure source; a second compartment fluidically isolated from the first compartment and configured to be fluidically coupled to the second separator compartment of the separator piston, wherein the second compartment is configured to be filled with a working fluid; a base interface between and abutting the first compartment and the second compartment, the base interface being moveable within the pressure intensifier in response to a pressure change of the first compartment and/or the second compartment; a compression chamber fluidically isolated from the second compartment and configured to contain a compressed fluid; and a pressure concentrator within the second compartment of the pressure intensifier, the pressure concentrator including a housing; a piston head member including arms; a plurality of base cylinders each defined at least in part by the housing of the pressure concentrator, wherein each of the base cylinders and the piston head member at least in part define a first compartment configured to contain the working fluid, and a second compartment spaced apart from the first compartment by the arms of the piston head member; a biasing member exerting a force against the corresponding arm of the piston head member in a direction toward the first compartment of the base cylinders; and a drive piston head portion, wherein, in operation—arms of the piston head member acting within the base cylinders are each configured to receive pressure from the working fluid, and the drive piston head portion is configured to exert, on the compressed fluid, a pressure approximately equal to the collective exerted pressures of the arms of the piston head member.
2. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a manifold coupled to the compression chamber, the manifold including a plurality of chambers and a plurality of friction channels downstream of the chambers, wherein each of the friction channels is fluidically coupled to a corresponding one of the chambers, and wherein, in operation, flow of the compressed fluid through the friction channels generates water vapor and/or steam.
3. The system of clause 2, further comprising one of more modules downstream of and fluidically coupled to the friction channels, wherein the one or more modules are configured to disassociate the generated water vapor and/or steam into at least one of hydrogen or oxygen.
4. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the separator piston member is a single component and comprises the drive piston head portion.
5. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a heater positioned to heat fluid provided to the compression chamber.
6. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the pressure the drive piston head portion is configured to exert on the compressed fluid is at least 50,000 psi or between 1,000-100,000 psi.
7. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the pressure source is a pneumatic pressure source configured to provide a gaseous fluid to the first compartment of the pressure intensifier.
8. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a container having one or more products, wherein the container is in the compression chamber and is processed by the pressure of the compression chamber.
9. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising an interface in the compression chamber and abutting the drive piston head portion, the interface comprising a piezoelectric material, wherein, in operation, the piezoelectric material generates a charge in response to the pressure applied via the drive piston member.
10. An industrial system for utilizing hydraulic pressure to generate energy, the system comprising: a pressure intensifier positioned to receive a working fluid having a pressure corresponding to a pressure of a fluid external to the pressure intensifier, the pressure intensifier including—a first compartment configured to receive a pressurized gaseous fluid; a second compartment fluidically isolated from the first compartment and configured to be filled with the working fluid; a base interface between and abutting the first compartment and the second compartment, the base interface being moveable within the pressure intensifier in response to a pressure change of the first compartment and/or the second compartment; and a compression chamber fluidically isolated from the second compartment and configured to contain a compressed fluid; and a pressure concentrator within the second compartment of the pressure intensifier, the pressure concentrator including—a housing; a piston head member including arms; a plurality of base cylinders each defined at least in part by the housing of the pressure concentrator, wherein each of the base cylinders and the piston head member at least in part define a first compartment configured to contain the working fluid, and a second compartment spaced apart from the first compartment of the corresponding piston by the arms of the piston head member, a biasing member exerting a force against the portion of the piston head member in a direction toward the first compartment of the corresponding piston; and a drive piston head portion, wherein, in operation, (i) the arms of the piston head member acting within the base cylinders are each configured to receive a pressure from the working fluid, and (ii) the drive piston head portion is configured to exert a pressure approximately equal to the collective exerted pressures of the arms of the piston head member; and a manifold downstream of and fluidically coupled to the compression chamber, the manifold including a plurality of chambers and a plurality of friction channels downstream of the chambers, wherein each of the friction channels is fluidically coupled to a corresponding one of the chambers, and wherein, in operation, flow of the compressed fluid through the channels generates water vapor and/or steam.
11. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising one of more modules downstream of and fluidically coupled to the manifold, wherein the one or more modules are configured to disassociate the compressed fluid into hydrogen and oxygen.
12. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a container having one or more products, wherein the container is in the compression chamber and is processed by the pressure of the compression chamber.
13. The system of clause 12, further comprising an interface in the compression chamber and abutting the drive piston head portion, the interface comprising a piezoelectric material, wherein, in operation, the piezoelectric material generates a charge in response to the pressure applied via the drive piston member.
14. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising: a storage tank containing the fluid external to the pressure intensifier; and a separator piston, the separator piston including a cylinder and a separator piston member movable within the cylinder, the separator piston member defining a first separator compartment configured to be fluidically coupled to a bottom portion of the storage tank, and a second separator compartment fluidically isolated from the first separator compartment, wherein the separator piston is configured to transfer pressure of the first separator compartment to the second separator compartment.
15. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a separator piston, the separator piston including a cylinder and a separator piston member movable within the cylinder, the separator piston member defining a first separator compartment fluidically coupled to a bottom portion of the storage tank, and a second separator compartment fluidically isolated from the first separator compartment, wherein the separator piston is configured to transfer pressure of the first separator compartment to the second separator compartment.
16. A method for utilizing hydrostatic and/or hydraulic pressure to generate energy, the method comprising: providing a system including a separator piston and a pressure intensifier positioned to receive a working fluid, the separator piston including a cylinder and a separator piston member movable within the cylinder, the separator piston member defining a first separator compartment, and a second separator compartment fluidically isolated from the first separator compartment, wherein the separator piston is configured to transfer pressure of the first separator compartment to the second separator compartment, the pressure intensifier including—a first compartment; a second compartment fluidically isolated from the first compartment; a base interface between and abutting the first compartment and the second compartment; a pressure concentrator within the second compartment of the pressure intensifier, the pressure concentrator including a housing, a piston head member including arms, a plurality of base cylinders each defined at least in part by the housing, and a plurality of biasing members in a corresponding one of the base cylinders, wherein—each of the base cylinders and the arms of the piston head member at least in part define a first compartment and a second compartment spaced apart from the first compartment, the arms of the piston head member acting within the base cylinders receive a force from the working fluid in the first compartment of each of the base cylinders, and each of the biasing members exert a force against the corresponding arms of piston head member in a direction toward the corresponding first compartment; and a compression chamber fluidically isolated from the second compartment, wherein the drive piston head portion abuts the compression chamber; filling the second compartment of the pressure intensifier and the first compartments of the pistons with a working fluid; applying, via the separator piston, a hydraulic force to the working fluid within the pressure intensifier; applying, via the first compartment of the pressure intensifier, additional pressure to the second compartment of the pressure intensifier, thereby causing the drive piston head portion to compress the fluid within the compression chamber and generate a compressed fluid, wherein the pressure exerted via the drive piston head portion is approximately equal to the sum of the pressures exerted via the pistons; and utilizing the compressed fluid to generate energy.
17. The method of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the system further comprises a manifold including a plurality of chambers and a plurality of channels downstream of the chambers, wherein each of the friction channels is fluidically coupled to a corresponding one of the chambers, and wherein utilizing the compressed fluid comprises directing the compressed fluid through the friction channels to generate water vapor and/or steam.
18. The method of clause 17, wherein the system further comprises a plurality of modules downstream of the channels, the method further comprising directing the generated steam and/or water vapor through the plurality of modules to disassociate the steam into at least one of hydrogen or oxygen.
19. The method of any one of the clauses herein, wherein applying the additional pressure via the first compartment causes the piston head member to move toward the compression chamber and the pistons to compress the corresponding biasing members, and wherein utilizing the compressed fluid comprises depressurizing the compression chamber, the method further comprising: depressurizing the second compartment of the pressure intensifier by fluidically isolating the pressure intensifier from the separator piston and equalizing the pressures of the first compartments and the second compartments of each of the cylinders; and recharging the pressure intensifier and applying the hydraulic pressure to the working fluid within the pressure intensifier via the separator piston.
20. The method of any one of the clauses herein, wherein, prior to applying the additional pressure, the portions of the piston head members for the pistons are locked in place via shear pins, the method further comprising, after applying the hydraulic and before applying the additional pressure, disengaging the shear pins such that the portions of the piston head members are free to move in response to the additional pressure.
21. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a manifold coupled to the compression chamber, the manifold including a plurality of chambers and a plurality of friction channels downstream of the chambers, wherein each of the friction channels is fluidically coupled to a corresponding one of the chambers, and wherein, in operation, flow of the decompressing fluid through the friction channels generates water vapor and/or steam.
22. The system of clause 21, further comprising one of more plasma reactor modules downstream of and fluidically coupled to the friction channels, wherein the one or more plasma reactor modules are configured to disassociate the generated water vapor and/or steam into at least one of hydrogen or oxygen. Potential catalysts include without limitation, gases such as nitrogen, argon, helium, xenon, krypton, etc. If catalysts are injected into the plasma reactor with the water vapor and or steam, other molecular constituents can be produced, in addition to the hydrogen and oxygen.
23. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a container having one or more products, wherein the container is in a compression chamber and is processed by the pressure of the compression chamber.
24. An industrial system for utilizing hydraulic pressure to generate energy, the system comprising: a pressure intensifier positioned to receive a working fluid having a pressure corresponding to a pressure of a fluid external to the pressure intensifier, the pressure intensifier including—a first compartment configured to receive a pressurized gaseous fluid; a second compartment fluidically isolated from the first compartment and configured to be filled with the working fluid; a base interface between and abutting the first compartment and the second compartment, the base interface being moveable within the pressure intensifier in response to a pressure change of the first compartment and/or the second compartment; and a compression chamber fluidically isolated from the second compartment and configured to contain a compressed fluid; and a pressure concentrator within the second compartment of the pressure intensifier, the pressure concentrator including—a housing; a piston head member including arms; a plurality of base cylinders each defined at least in part by the housing of the pressure concentrator, wherein each of the base cylinders and the piston head member at least in part define a first compartment configured to contain the working fluid, and a second compartment spaced apart from the first compartment of the corresponding piston by the arms of the piston head member, a biasing member exerting a force against the portion of the piston head member in a direction toward the first compartment of the corresponding piston; and a drive piston head portion, wherein, in operation, (i) the arms of the piston head member acting within the base cylinders are each configured to receive a pressure from the working fluid, and (ii) the drive piston head portion is configured to exert a pressure approximately equal to the collective exerted pressures of the arms of the piston head member; and a manifold downstream of and fluidically coupled to the compression chamber, the manifold including a plurality of chambers and a plurality of friction channels downstream of the chambers, wherein each of the friction channels is fluidically coupled to a corresponding one of the chambers, and wherein, in operation, flow of the decompressing fluid through the channels generates water vapor and/or steam.
25. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a container having one or more products, wherein the container is in the compression chamber and is processed by the pressure of the compression chamber. Additionally, a container having one or more products can be located externally to the compression chamber with hydraulic lines connecting it to the intensifier compression chamber.
26. An industrial system for utilizing hydrostatic pressure from a storage tank to generate energy, the system comprising: a pressure concentrator including—a housing; a piston head member including arms; a plurality of base cylinders each defined at least in part by the housing of the pressure concentrator, wherein each of the base cylinders and the corresponding arm of the piston head member at least in part define a first compartment configured to contain the working fluid, and a second compartment spaced apart from the first compartment by the corresponding arm of the piston head member; a biasing member exerting a force against the corresponding arm of the piston head member in a direction toward the corresponding first compartment of the base cylinders; and a drive piston head portion, wherein, in operation—the arms of the piston head member acting within the base cylinders are each configured to receive a pressure from the working fluid, and the drive piston head portion is configured to exert, on the compressed fluid, a pressure approximately equal to the collective exerted pressures of the arms of the piston head member.
27. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a pressure intensifier including a first compartment configured to receive a gaseous fluid and configured to be fluidically coupled to a pressure source; a second compartment fluidically isolated from the first compartment, wherein the second compartment is configured to be filled with a working fluid; and a base interface between and abutting the first compartment and the second compartment, the base interface being moveable within the pressure intensifier in response to a pressure change of the first compartment and/or the second compartment; wherein the pressure concentrator is within the second compartment of the pressure intensifier.
28. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the pressure intensifier further comprises a compression chamber fluidically isolated from the second compartment of the pressure intensifier and configured to contain a compressed fluid to receive the exerted pressure from the first drive piston head portion of the pressure concentrator.
29. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a manifold coupled to the compression chamber, the manifold including a plurality of chambers and a plurality of friction channels downstream of the chambers, wherein each of the friction channels is fluidically coupled to the chamber, and wherein, in operation, flow of the compressed fluid through the channel generates steam and/or water vapor.
30. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a module downstream of and fluidically coupled to the friction channel, wherein the module is configured to disassociate the generated steam and/or water vapor into at least one of hydrogen or oxygen.
31. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a container having one or more products, wherein the container is in the compression chamber and is processed by the pressure of the compression chamber.
32. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising an interface in the compression chamber and abutting the drive piston head portion, the interface comprising a piezoelectric material, wherein, in operation, the piezoelectric material generates a charge in response to the pressure applied via the drive piston head portion.
33. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a separator piston including a cylinder and a separator piston member movable within the cylinder.
34. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the separator piston member defines, at least in part, a first separator compartment, and a second separator compartment fluidically isolated from the first separator compartment, wherein the separator piston is configured to transfer pressure of the first separator compartment to the second separator compartment.
35. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a storage tank containing fluid, wherein a bottom portion of the storage tank is fluidically coupled to the first separator compartment.
36. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the pressure source is a pneumatic pressure source configured to provide the gaseous fluid to the first compartment of the pressure intensifier.
37. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the piston head member is a single component and comprises the drive piston head portion.
38. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the drive piston head portion is configured to exert a pressure between 3,000-100,000 psi.
39. An industrial system for utilizing hydraulic pressure to generate energy, the system comprising: a pressure concentrator including—a housing; a piston head member within the housing and including arms; a plurality of base cylinders each defined at least in part by the housing of the pressure concentrator, wherein each of the base cylinders is operably coupled to a corresponding arm of the piston head member, and wherein each of the base cylinders and the corresponding arm of the piston head member at least in part define a first compartment configured to contain a working fluid, and a second compartment spaced apart from the first compartment by the corresponding arm of the piston head member, a biasing member exerting a force against the corresponding arm of the piston head member in a direction toward the first compartment of the corresponding arm; and a drive piston head portion, wherein, in operation, (i) the arms of the piston head member acting within the base cylinders are each subjected to a pressure from the working fluid, and (ii) the drive piston head portion is configured to exert a pressure approximately equal to the collective exerted pressures of the arms of the piston head member; and a compression chamber fluidically isolated from the pressure concentrator, wherein the compression chamber is configured to contain a compressed fluid that is subjected to the exerted pressure of the drive piston head portion.
40. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a manifold downstream of and fluidically coupled to the compression chamber, the manifold including a plurality of chambers and a plurality of friction channels downstream of the chambers, wherein individual ones of the friction channels are fluidically coupled to a corresponding one of the chambers, and wherein, in operation, flow of the compressed fluid through the channels generates steam and/or water vapor.
41. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising one or more reactor modules downstream of and fluidically coupled to the manifold, wherein the one or more reactor modules are configured to disassociate the compressed fluid into hydrogen and oxygen.
42. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a container having one or more products, wherein the container is in the compression chamber and is processed by the pressure of the compression chamber.
43. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising an interface in the compression chamber and abutting the drive piston head portion, the interface comprising a piezoelectric material, wherein, in operation, the piezoelectric material generates a charge in response to the pressure applied via the drive piston head portion.
44. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a pressure intensifier positioned to receive the working fluid, the pressure intensifier including—a first compartment positioned to receive a pressurized gaseous fluid; a second compartment fluidically isolated from the first compartment and configured to be filled with the working fluid; a base interface between and abutting the first compartment and the second compartment, the base interface being moveable within the pressure intensifier in response to a pressure change of the first compartment and/or the second compartment, wherein the pressure concentrator is within the second compartment.
45. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising: a storage tank fluidically coupled to the pressure intensifier; and a separator piston, the separator piston including a cylinder and a separator piston member movable within the cylinder, the separator piston member defining a first separator compartment configured to be fluidically coupled to a bottom portion of the storage tank, and a second separator compartment fluidically isolated from the first separator compartment, wherein the separator piston is configured to transfer pressure of the first separator compartment to the second separator compartment.
46. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the piston head member is a single component and comprises the drive piston head portion.
47. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the drive piston head portion is configured to exert a pressure between 3,000-100,000 psi.
48. An industrial system for utilizing hydraulic or pressure to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen, the system comprising: a source of pressurized fluid; a pressure concentrator including—a housing; a piston head member within the housing and including arms and a drive piston portion; at least one chamber, each such chamber defined at least in part by the housing of the pressure concentrator, wherein each of the chambers is operably coupled to a corresponding arm of the piston head member, and wherein each of the chambers and the corresponding arm of the piston head member at least in part define a first compartment configured to receive fluid from the source of pressurized fluid, and a second compartment spaced apart from the first compartment by the corresponding arm of the piston head member; and at least one biasing member in each second compartment exerting a force against the corresponding arm of the piston head member in a direction toward the first compartment of the corresponding arm; a compression chamber fluidically isolated from the pressure concentrator, wherein the compression chamber is configured to contain a compressed fluid that is subjected pressure of the drive piston head portion; at least one decompression chamber in fluid communication with the compression chamber; a friction channel downstream from each decompression chamber; and a plasma reactor fluidically coupled to each friction channel, each plasma reactor configured to disassociate steam and/or water vapor into at least one of hydrogen or oxygen.
49. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a manifold coupled between the compression chamber and a plurality of decompression chambers, with a plurality of friction channels downstream of the chambers, and with a plurality of plasma reactors coupled to the friction channels.
50. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the source of pressurized fluid is unused hydrostatic pressure from an industrial process.
51. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the source of pressurized fluid is hydrostatic pressure from at least one fluid pump.
52. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the source of pressurized fluid is at least one vertical column of fluid supported by a structure.
53. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising an external compression chamber in fluid communication with said compression chamber.
54. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the system is submerged in a body of water, the source of pressurized fluid is water from the body of water outside of said housing, and a source of air is provided in communication with the second compartments of said pressure concentrator.
55. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein said source of air comprises a first line 640 leading from above a surface of said body of water, said third line being in communication with the second compartments of said pressure concentrator.
56. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a second line leading from each plasma reactor to a storage tank located above the surface of said body of water for transporting hydrogen separated in each such plasma reactor to said first storage tank.
57. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a third line leading from each plasma reactor to a second storage tank 690 located near the surface of said body of water for transporting oxygen separated in each such plasma reactor to said second storage tank.
58. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising an oxygen-water separator located on said third line near said second storage tank.
59. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a pump located between said oxygen-water separator and said second storage tank.
60. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising an external cylinder located on said third line between said plasma reactors and said oxygen-water separator, said cylinder having a moveable piston located therein defining an upper area and a lower area, wherein said third line is in communication with said upper area, a source of water is in communication with said upper area, and a source of air is in communication with said lower area.
61. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising an impeller housing provided between the at least one decompression chamber and its associated plasma reactor, the housing surrounding a rotatable shaft having an impeller between each decompression chamber and its associated plasma reactor.
62. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein said rotatable shaft is connected to a drive air compressor that is in communication with the lower area of said moveable piston.
63. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein said system is deployed in salt water and further comprising a desalination unit between said outside water and said pressure concentrator.
64. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein said desalination unit is in communication with said compression chamber and said second compartments.
65. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a fourth line extending between said pressure chamber 165 and said first compartments of said pressure concentrator.
66. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein said piston head member is made from a material that is buoyant in water.
67. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a pressure intensifier positioned to receive a working fluid, the pressure intensifier including—a third compartment in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid; a fourth compartment fluidically isolated from the third compartment and configured to be filled with the working fluid; a base interface between and abutting the third compartment and the fourth compartment, the base interface being moveable within the pressure intensifier in response to a pressure change of the third compartment and/or the fourth compartment, wherein the pressure concentrator is within the fourth compartment.
68. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the pressure intensifier further comprises a compression chamber fluidically isolated from the fourth compartment of the pressure intensifier and configured to contain a compressed fluid to receive pressure exerted from the first drive piston head portion of the pressure concentrator.
69. The system of any one of the clauses herein, wherein the source of pressurized fluid is a storage tank that is fluidically coupled to the pressure intensifier, the system further comprising: a separator piston, the separator piston including a cylinder and a separator piston member movable within the cylinder, the separator piston member defining a first separator compartment configured to be fluidically coupled to a bottom portion of the storage tank, and a second separator compartment fluidically isolated from the first separator compartment, wherein the separator piston is configured to transfer pressure of the first separator compartment to the second separator compartment.
70. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising a manifold downstream of and fluidically coupled to the compression chamber, the manifold including a plurality of chambers and a plurality of friction channels downstream of the chambers, wherein individual ones of the friction channels are fluidically coupled to a corresponding one of the chambers, and wherein, in operation, flow of the compressed fluid through the channels generates steam and/or water vapor.
71. The system of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising one or more plasma reactors downstream of and fluidically coupled to the manifold, wherein the one or more reactor modules are configured to disassociate the compressed fluid into hydrogen and oxygen.
72. An apparatus for utilizing pressurized fluid to generate energy comprising: (a) a source of fluid under pressure; (b) a pressure concentrator comprising at least one internal chamber; (c) a separate pressure chamber fluidly isolated from said pressure concentrator; (d) a moveable piston member located inside said pressure concentrator, said piston member including at least one compression arm in each internal chamber and a drive piston portion that extends into said separate pressure chamber; (e) at least one decompression chamber in fluid communication with the separate compression chamber; (f) at least one friction channel 478 in fluid communication with and downstream from each decompression chamber; and (g) at least one plasma reactor 180 fluidically coupled to and downstream from each friction channel.
73. The system or apparatus of any one of the clauses herein, wherein each internal chamber comprises a first compartment on one side of said piston compression arm, and a second compartment on the opposite side of said compression arm, wherein said first compartment is in fluid communication with said source of fluid under pressure, and said second compartment is in communication with an external air outlet.
74. The system or apparatus of any one of the clauses herein, further comprising at least one biasing member in each second compartment exerting a force against the corresponding arm of the piston member in a direction toward the first compartment of the corresponding arm.
75. The system or apparatus of any one of the clauses herein, wherein said pressure concentrator, said separate pressure chamber, said at least one decompression chamber, said at least one friction channel and said at least one plasma reactor are all submerged in a body of water, and the source of pressurized fluid is water from the body of water outside of said pressure concentrator, and a source of air 640 is provided in communication with the second compartments of said pressure concentrator.
76. The system or apparatus of any one of the clauses herein, wherein said piston member is made from a material that is buoyant in water.
77. The system or apparatus of any one of the clauses herein, wherein said body of water is salt water, and further comprising a desalination unit between said outside water and said pressure concentrator.
78. A method of utilizing pressurized fluid to generate energy comprising the steps of: (a) providing fluid under pressure into a first compartment of a chamber located within a pressure concentrator, said first compartment being separated from a second compartment of said chamber by an arm of a movable piston member, said piston member having a drive portion extending into a separate pressure chamber that is fluidly isolated from said pressure concentrator; (b) said fluid under pressure moving said arm toward said second compartment, and moving said drive portion into said pressure chamber to compress water contained therein; (c) allowing said compressed water to travel from said separate pressure chamber to at least one decompression chamber to convert said water into water vapor; (d) transferring said water vapor from said decompression chamber to at least one friction channel downstream from each decompression chamber; and (e) transferring said water vapor from said at least one friction channel to at least one plasma reactor, each such plasma reactor configured to disassociate said water vapor into at least one of hydrogen or oxygen.
79. The system or apparatus or method of any one of the clauses herein, comprising the additional steps of: (f) transferring the hydrogen from each such plasma reactor to a hydrogen storage unit; and (g) transferring the oxygen from each such plasma reactor to an oxygen storage unit.
80. The system or apparatus or method of any one of the clauses herein, comprising the additional steps of: (f) transferring the hydrogen from each such plasma reactor to a hydrogen storage unit; (g) transferring the oxygen from each such plasma reactor to a fluid pressure chamber; (h) transferring water from said pressure concentrator to said fluid pressure chamber; (i) transferring oxygen and water from said fluid pressure chamber to an oxygen-water separator; and (j) transferring oxygen from said oxygen-water separator to an oxygen storage unit.
This is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/365,431 filed on Aug. 4, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/153,966 filed on Jan. 12, 2023, now U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/746,740, both of which are incorporated herein by this reference in their entireties.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20240240606 A1 | Jul 2024 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18153966 | Jan 2023 | US |
| Child | 18365431 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18365431 | Aug 2023 | US |
| Child | 18409722 | US |
