Method and system for converting waste into electricity
OwnerJoseph Frank Pierce, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for converting waste into electricity. Hydrogen gas is produced from waste burned in a vessel including at least one plasma arc torch. Steam is introduced into the vessel to provide a source for the hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is then collected and stored for use as fuel in a boiler used to generate steam that produces electricity with a turbine-driven generator. The hydrogen gas may be routed through a scrubber system prior to storage. The system and method may include a waste feed system that employs a hydraulic ram and an inert gas atmosphere.
Claims25
A method for generating electricity, comprising the steps of:
- adding metal to a vessel;
- heating the vessel to melt the metal, wherein the metal is melted using at least one plasma arc torch;
- adding a portion of waste to the vessel;
- transforming the waste into molten material using the at least one plasma arc torch;
- injecting steam into the vessel, wherein the steam provides a source of hydrogen;
- generating hydrogen gas from the injected steam in the vessel;
- collecting the hydrogen gas in a storage container;
- feeding the hydrogen gas to a steam-producing boiler;
- and
- generating electricity from steam produced in the steam-producing boiler.
A method for generating hydrogen gas for use in producing electricity, comprising the steps of:
- adding metal to a vessel comprising a non-transferred plasma arc torch and a transferred plasma arc torch;
- heating the vessel to melt the metal using the first and second plasma arc torches;
- adding waste to the heated vessel;
- transforming the waste into molten material by use of the non-transferred plasma arc torch and the transferred plasma arc torch;
- injecting steam into the vessel, wherein the steam provides a source of hydrogen gas production;
- collecting the produced hydrogen gas in a storage container;
- feeding the hydrogen gas to a steam-producing boiler;
- and
- generating electricity from steam produced in the steam-producing boiler.
A system for producing electricity from hydrogen gas, comprising:
- a vessel;
- at least one plasma arc torch;
- an inlet for receiving metal and a portion of waste;
- wherein the at least one plasma torch transforms the portion of waste to molten material;
- an inlet for combustible gas used to heat the metal prior to receiving the portion of waste;
- an inlet for injecting steam into the vessel, wherein the steam provides a source of hydrogen gas production;
- an outlet for flowing hydrogen gas generated in the vessel;
- a boiler for receiving the hydrogen gas as fuel to produce steam;
- and
- a turbine for converting the steam produced in the boiler into electricity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.