Electric-powered, closed-loop, continuous-feed, endothermic energy-conversion systems and methods
AssigneeMontauk Renewables, Inc.
InventorsMartin Redeker, Joseph P. Carroll, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Electric-powered, closed-loop, continuous-feed, endothermic energy-conversion systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a shaftless auger. In another embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a drag conveyor. In yet another embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a distillation and/or fractionating stage. The endothermic energy-conversion systems and methods feature mechanisms for natural resource recovery, refining, and recycling, such as secondary recovery of metals, minerals, nutrients, and/or carbon char.
Claims13
A method for converting energy, comprising the steps of:
- providing an energy-conversion system, the energy-conversion system comprising:
- a controller;
- a reactor operated by the controller;
- a shaftless auger in the reactor, the shaftless auger adapted to rotate in contact with inner walls of the reactor;
- and
- a heater surrounding the reactor and the shaftless auger;
- supplying feedstock material to the energy-conversion system;
- processing the feedstock material;
- supplying the processed feedstock material to the inlet of the reactor;
- advancing the processed feedstock through the reactor while the reactor facilitates a phase- change process of at least a portion of the feedstock from solid to liquid to vapor;
- maintaining through the heater accurate and consistent temperature within reactor;
- maintaining a positive pressure in the energy-conversion system;
- and
- discharging from reactor outlets char and vapor obtained from the reacted feedstock.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.