Solar to electrical energy conversion using the streaming potential
OwnerMichael E. STARZAKinventor
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Abstract
A system and method is presented that uses solar power driven expansion of an electrolytic solution to force the electrolytic solution from a container through at least one pore of an insulator having a fixed surface charge of one polarity into a collection receptacle. The velocities of the cations and anions flowing through the pore differ because of the fixed surface charge of the pore and this produces an electrical charge separation, the streaming potential, as a source of electrical power. Energy absorption spans the full solar spectrum including infrared, visible and near ultraviolet wavelengths.
Claims20
A system for generating electrical energy comprising:
- an insulator having at least one pore that contains a fixed surface charge of one polarity;
- a container receiving an electrolytic solution, said container in fluid communication with the at least one pore of the insulator;
- a solar radiation absorber configured to transfer heat to the electrolytic solution of the container to cause thermal expansion of the electrolytic solution such that the electrolytic solution flows from the container through the at least one pore of the insulator;
- a collection receptacle connected to the at least one pore of the insulator to receive the electrolytic solution that has passed through the at least one pore from the container;
- a first electrode contacting the electrolytic solution on a first side of the insulator;
- and
- a second electrode contacting the electrolytic solution on a second side of the insulator, the second side opposite the first side relative to the insulator.
A method for generating electricity comprising:
- providing an insulator having at least one pore that contains a fixed surface charge of one polarity;
- providing a container with an electrolytic solution therein, the container in fluid communication with the at least one pore of the insulator;
- exposing a solar radiation absorber to solar radiation;
- transferring heat from the solar radiation absorber to the electrolytic solution thermally expanding the electrolytic solution;
- connecting a first electrode to the electrolytic solution on a first side of the insulator;
- connecting a second electrode to the electrolytic solution on a second side of the insulator, the second side opposite the first side relative to the insulator;
- flowing the electrolytic solution from the container through the at least one pore to generate an electrical current between the first electrode and the second electrode;
- receiving the electrolytic solution flowing from the container through the at least one pore in a collection receptacle connected to the at least one pore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.