The boiler using a liquid metal as a working medium according to the present invention is comprises: a combustion furnace, in which the working medium is supplied and heated; a heat exchange part, which is connected to the combustion furnace and to which the working medium heated in the combustion furnace is supplied; a heat medium injection part, which is positioned in the heat exchange part; and a supply part, which is connected to the heat exchange part and supplies the heat medium to the heat medium injection part. In the heat exchange part, the heat exchange between the heat medium supplied to the heat medium injection part and the heated working medium is performed. The heat medium reaches high temperature and high pressure states at a threshold point or higher by means of the heat exchange. In addition, the working medium is a liquid metal.

A multi-stage sodium heat engine is provided to convert thermal energy to electrical energy, the multi-stage sodium heat engine including at least a first stage, a second stage, and an electrical circuit operatively connecting the first stage and the second stage with an electrical load. One or more methods of powering an electrical load using a multi-stage sodium heat engine are also described.

A multi-stage sodium heat engine is provided to convert thermal energy to electrical energy, the multi-stage sodium heat engine including at least a first stage, a second stage, and an electrical circuit operatively connecting the first stage and the second stage with an electrical load. One or more methods of powering an electrical load using a multi-stage sodium heat engine are also described.

The boiler using a liquid metal as a working medium according to the present invention is comprises: a combustion furnace, in which the working medium is supplied and heated; a heat exchange part, which is connected to the combustion furnace and to which the working medium heated in the combustion furnace is supplied; a heat medium injection part, which is positioned in the heat exchange part; and a supply part, which is connected to the heat exchange part and supplies the heat medium to the heat medium injection part. In the heat exchange part, the heat exchange between the heat medium supplied to the heat medium injection part and the heated working medium is performed. The heat medium reaches high temperature and high pressure states at a threshold point or higher by means of the heat exchange. In addition, the working medium is a liquid metal.

The boiler using a liquid metal as a working medium according to the present invention is comprises: a combustion furnace, in which the working medium is supplied and heated; a heat exchange part, which is connected to the combustion furnace and to which the working medium heated in the combustion furnace is supplied; a heat medium injection part, which is positioned in the heat exchange part; and a supply part, which is connected to the heat exchange part and supplies the heat medium to the heat medium injection part. In the heat exchange part, the heat exchange between the heat medium supplied to the heat medium injection part and the heated working medium is performed. The heat medium reaches high temperature and high pressure states at a threshold point or higher by means of the heat exchange. In addition, the working medium is a liquid metal.

An improved heat engine includes at least one heat pipe containing a working fluid flowing in a thermal cycle between vapor phase at an evaporator end and liquid phase at a condenser end. The heat pipe may have an improved capillary structure configuration with a continuous or stepwise gradient in pore size along the capillary flow direction. The heat engine may have an improved generator assembly configuration that includes an expander (e.g. rotary/turbine or reciprocating piston machine) and generator along with magnetic bearings, magnetic couplings, and/or magnetic gearing. The expander-generator may be wholly or partially sealed within the heat pipe. A heat engine system (e.g. individual heat engine or array of heat engines in series and/or in parallel) for converting thermal energy to useful work (including heat engines operating from a common heat source) is also disclosed. The system can be installed in a vehicle or facility to generate electricity.

An improved heat engine includes at least one heat pipe containing a working fluid flowing in a thermal cycle between vapor phase at an evaporator end and liquid phase at a condenser end. The heat pipe may have an improved capillary structure configuration with a continuous or stepwise gradient in pore size along the capillary flow direction. The heat engine may have an improved generator assembly configuration that includes an expander (e.g. rotary/turbine or reciprocating piston machine) and generator along with magnetic bearings, magnetic couplings, and/or magnetic gearing. The expander-generator may be wholly or partially sealed within the heat pipe. A heat engine system (e.g. individual heat engine or array of heat engines in series and/or in parallel) for converting thermal energy to useful work (including heat engines operating from a common heat source) is also disclosed. The system can be installed in a vehicle or facility to generate electricity.

A submersible liquid-vapor generator (LVG) includes an evaporator portion in heat transfer communication with a heat energy source. The LVG also includes a magnetic field apparatus coupled in flow communication with the evaporator portion. The LVG further includes a condenser portion coupled in flow communication with the magnetic field apparatus. The LVG also includes a hybrid working fluid including nanoparticles. The evaporator portion, the magnetic field portion, and the condenser portion at least partially define a hybrid working vapor flow path. The LVG further includes an electrically non-conductive wick structure coupled in flow communication with the evaporator portion and the condenser portion. The wick structure at least partially defines a hybrid working liquid flow path extending between the condenser portion and the evaporator portion.

A submersible liquid-vapor generator (LVG) includes an evaporator portion in heat transfer communication with a heat energy source. The LVG also includes a magnetic field apparatus coupled in flow communication with the evaporator portion. The LVG further includes a condenser portion coupled in flow communication with the magnetic field apparatus. The LVG also includes a hybrid working fluid including nanoparticles. The evaporator portion, the magnetic field portion, and the condenser portion at least partially define a hybrid working vapor flow path. The LVG further includes an electrically non-conductive wick structure coupled in flow communication with the evaporator portion and the condenser portion. The wick structure at least partially defines a hybrid working liquid flow path extending between the condenser portion and the evaporator portion.

A multi-stage sodium heat engine is provided to convert thermal energy to electrical energy, the multi-stage sodium heat engine including at least a first stage, a second stage, and an electrical circuit operatively connecting the first stage and the second stage with an electrical load. One or more methods of powering an electrical load using a multi-stage sodium heat engine are also described.