US 2021/0280886 A1 · STEAM CONCENTRATION ENERGY CONVERTER

Abstract

A steam concentration energy converter has an array or series of Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) cells electrically connected in series. The array of MEA cells is configured as a separator between a high water vapor partial pressure region and a low water vapor partial pressure region. A housing may be utilized to separate the high water vapor partial pressure region from the low water vapor partial pressure region. The array of MEA cells are electrically coupled to a load/controller through an electrical conduit. Each MEA cell has electrodes separated from each other by an ion conductive membrane, which is preferably a proton conductive membrane. The electrodes are electrically coupled to electrical conduit.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A steam concentration energy converter for generating electrical power from a water vapor pressure differential created between a high water vapor partial pressure region and a low water vapor partial pressure region, said steam concentration energy converter comprising:

an electrical load controller;
a housing at least partially separating the high water vapor partial pressure region from the low water vapor partial pressure region
an ion conductive membrane electrode assembly coupled to said housing and electrically coupled to said electrical load controller, said ion conductive membrane electrode assembly having a first electrode in fluid communication with a high water vapor partial pressure region, a second electrode in fluid communication with a lower water vapor partial pressure region, and an ion conductive membrane positioned between said first electrode and said second electrode, said first electrode oxidizing water within the high water vapor partial pressure region to produce protons and electrons wherein the protons are conducted through said ion conductive membrane to said second electrode and wherein the electrons are conducted to said electrical load controller to said second electrode.

A steam concentration energy converter for generating electrical power from a water vapor pressure differential comprising:

a proton conductive membrane electrode assembly, said proton conductive membrane electrode assembly having a first electrode, a second electrode and an ion conductive membrane, said ion conductive membrane being sandwiched between said first and second electrodes;
said first electrode being exposed to a first source of water vapor latent gas having a first water vapor partial pressure;
said second electrode being exposed to a second source of water vapor latent gas having a second water vapor partial pressure, said second water vapor partial pressure being less than said first water vapor partial pressure, said second source of water vapor latent gas including oxygen gas;
and
an electrical load/controller, said load/controller being connected between said first electrode and said second electrodes of said proton conductive membrane electrode assembly.
whereby the load/controller extracts power from the proton conductive membrane electrode assembly as electrochemical reactions driven by the pressure difference between water entering the first electrode and exiting the second electrode, exhaust water vapor entering the first electrode being oxidized into protons and electrons, the resulting oxygen being released back to the exhaust gas and the protons being conducted through the membrane to the second electrode as the electrons are routed through the load/controller to the second electrode where the electrons react with oxygen to produce water, the water thus produced being released at the lower pressure of the second electrode.

3 more elements

A steam concentration energy converter for generating electrical power from a water vapor pressure differential comprising:

a proton conductive membrane electrode assembly, said proton conductive membrane electrode assembly having a first electrode, a second electrode and a hydrogen conductive membrane, said hydrogen conductive membrane being sandwiched between said first and second electrodes;
said first electrode being exposed to a first source of water vapor latent gas having a first water vapor partial pressure;
said second electrode being exposed to a second source of water vapor latent gas having a second water vapor partial pressure, said second water vapor partial pressure being less than said first water vapor partial pressure, said second source of water vapor latent gas including oxygen gas;
and
an electrical load/controller, said load/controller being connected between said first electrode and said second electrodes of said proton conductive membrane electrode assembly.
whereby the load/controller extracts power from the proton conductive membrane electrode assembly as electrochemical reactions driven by the pressure difference between water entering the first electrode and exiting the second electrode, exhaust water vapor entering the first electrode being oxidized into protons and electrons, the resulting oxygen being released back to the exhaust gas and the protons being conducted through the membrane to the second electrode as the electrons are routed through the load/controller to the second electrode where the electrons react with oxygen to produce water, the water thus produced being released at the lower pressure of the second electrode.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Steam concentration energy converter

Life of this patent

Steam concentration energy converter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29