Power generation using ice or other frozen fluids as a heat source
AssigneeInnovator Energy, LLC
InventorEthan J. Novek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present application pertains to novel methods to generate power. In a representative embodiment, power is generated by warming a body of air having a temperature lower than the freezing point of liquid water by contacting the body of air with liquid water. The liquid water has a temperature greater than the freezing point of liquid water. Liquid water freezes thereby generating latent heat from freezing and thereby warming the body of air. The warmed body of air may be passed through an air turbine to generate power. Other methods and systems are described that use similar principles.
Claims28
A process for generating power comprising:
- warming a body of air having a temperature lower than the freezing point of water by contacting said body of air with liquid water having a temperature greater than or equal to the freezing point of the liquid water under conditions such that liquid water freezes thereby generating latent heat from freezing and thereby warming the body of air;
- wherein the body of air is within a substantially vertical tower having a base such that the warming the body of air causes the body of air to rise and pass through an air turbine;
- and
- generating power from the body of air passing through the air turbine;
- wherein the air turbine is located at the base of the substantially vertical tower.
A process for generating power comprising:
- warming a body of air having a temperature lower than 0° C. by contacting said body of air with liquid water having a temperature greater than or equal to the freezing point of the water under conditions such that liquid water freezes thereby generating latent heat from freezing and thereby warming the body of air;
- passing the warmed body of air through an air turbine;
- and
- generating power from the body of air passing through the air turbine wherein the air turbine is located at a base of a substantially vertical tower.
A process for generating power comprising:
- passing a body of air having a temperature lower than 0° C. through an air turbine;
- warming the body of air having a temperature lower than 0° C. by contacting said body of air with liquid water having a temperature greater than or equal to the freezing point of the water under conditions such that liquid water freezes thereby generating latent heat from freezing and thereby warming the body of air;
- and
- generating power;
- wherein the air turbine is located at a base of a substantially vertical tower.
A process for generating power comprising:
- contacting a body of air with a liquid having a freezing point under conditions such that the liquid freezes thereby generating latent heat from freezing and thereby warming the body of air;
- wherein the body of air is at a temperature less than the freezing point of the liquid prior to contacting;
- passing the warmed body of air through an air turbine;
- and
- generating power from the body of air passing through the air turbine;
- ‘wherein the air turbine is located at a base of a substantially vertical tower.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.