Low Energy Nuclear Reactor

Abstract

A low energy nuclear reactor (LENR) is provided for producing thermal energy. The LENR includes first and second vessels and an ignitor. The first vessel defined a first chamber containing LENR fuel. The second vessel disposed inside the first vessel defines a second chamber containing exothermic material. The ignitor initiates the exothermic material by sparking. The LENR fuel reacts to produce the thermal energy in response to initiation heat from the exothermic material.

Claims

1. A low energy nuclear reactor (LENR) for providing thermal energy, said LENR comprising: a first vessel defining a first chamber containing LENR fuel; a second vessel disposed inside said first vessel and defining a second chamber containing exothermic material; and an ignitor for initiating said exothermic material by sparking, wherein said LENR fuel reacts to produce the thermal energy in response to initiation heat from said exothermic material.

2. The LENR according to claim 1, further comprising an electric source to provide said sparking as sudden energy application.

3. The LENR according to claim 1, wherein said LENR fuel comprises lithium (Li) and lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH.sub.4) as reagents and nickel (Ni) as a catalyst.

4. The LENR according to claim 1, wherein said exothermic material comprises aluminum (Al) and iron oxide (Fe.sub.2O.sub.3).

5. The LENR according to claim 1, further comprising a Seebeck device to convert said thermal energy into electrical energy.

6. The LENR according to claim 1, wherein said vessels are composed of at least one of titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), Hastelloy, Inconel, stainless steel, alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3), and hafnium boride (HfB.sub.2).

7. The LENR according to claim 1, wherein said ignitor is composed of one of sodium azide (NaN.sub.3) and copper azide (Cu(N.sub.3).sub.2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and various other features and aspects of various exemplary embodiments will be readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like or similar numbers are used throughout, and in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a set of plan and isometric views of an exemplary container for a low energy nuclear reactor device; and

[0015] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of instrumentation and control components for the low energy nuclear reactor device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized, and logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

[0017] This disclosure relates to a device for the generation and management of thermal or electromagnetic energy and the transfer of excess heat from one medium to another. Exemplary embodiments generally cover three main aspects:

[0018] 1) a formulation and architecture of initiation (i.e., ignition) and LENR fuels, along with a method and device to initiate a chemical and/or low energy nuclear reaction,

[0019] 2) a method and device that enables the reaction and generation of energy to continue and be modulated, and

[0020] 3) a system for the transfer of energy from one medium to another medium.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows plan and isometric views 100 of a reactor 110 for a LENR device. The reactor 110 includes a first vessel 120 having a first external that defines a first chamber 130. The reactor 110 further includes a second vessel 140 having a second external wall that defines a second chamber 150. As shown, the first vessel 120 inserts into the second chamber 150 within the second vessel 140.

[0022] Both the first and second vessels can be composed of a refractory material having high-temperature-resistance and a high melting point. Such materials may include, but not limited to metals, such as: titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), etc. Alternatively, such materials may be composed of alloys, such as Hastelloy, Inconel, and stainless steel, etc., or else ceramics, such as alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) and hafnium boride (HfB.sub.2).

[0023] In some embodiments, the first (inner) vessel 120 is filled with LENR fuel and the second (outer) vessel 140 is filled with ignition fuel. Alternatively, the first (inner) vessel 120 is filled with ignition fuel and the second (outer) vessel 140 is filled with LENR fuel. The composition of the LENR fuel and the ignition fuel is described in greater detail below. Both the first vessel 120 and the second vessel 140 may be sealed. In some embodiments, such sealing can be accomplished by a high-temperature cement.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view 200 of an apparatus assembly 210 that contains the reactor 110 within a housing 220. An electrical power supply 230 conductively connects to an ignitor 240 disposed within ignition fuel in the reactor 110. The housing 220 can be a ceramic box for example. The power supply 230 can be supply direct current (DC) as from a capacitor or battery for sudden bursts of charge to spark the ignition fuel. The ignitor 240 can be a mechanical device, such as a percussion cup to trigger a fulminant for initiating an exothermic reaction.

[0025] Examples of fulminant include sodium azide (NaN.sub.3) and copper azide (Cu(N.sub.3).sub.2). The assembly 210 can be triggered and monitored remotely, such as by a line-of-sight laser thermometer 250 coupled with a mirror 260 to reflect optical signals, as recognized by artisans of ordinary skill. A thermoelectric strip 270 of includes material that converts thermal energy to electric potential, such as by the Seebeck effect to produce electric current. Alternatively, thermal energy can be used to drive a heat exchanger or turbine.

[0026] According to exemplary devices and methods herein, the LENR fuel may be made of a mixture of reagents containing lithium (Li) and lithium aluminum hydride (LiAH.sub.4 or LAH). In addition, a catalyst, such as nickel (Ni), may be included with the LENR fuel. The nickel may be in powder form and treated to increase its porosity, for example by heating the nickel powder to appropriate temperatures and for times selected to superheat any water (H.sub.2O) present in micro-cavities that are inherently in each particle of nickel powder.

[0027] The powder in the fuel mixture consists largely of spherical particles having diameters in the nanometer (nm) to micrometer range (m), for example between 1 nm and 100 m. Variations in the ratio of reactants and catalyst tend to govern reaction rate of the LENR fuel and are not critical. However, a suitable mixture can include a starting mixture of approximately 50% nickel, approximately 20% lithium, and approximately 30% LAH. Within this mixture, nickel acts as a catalyst for the reaction, and is not itself a reagent. While nickel is particularly useful because of its relative abundance, its function can also be accomplished by other elements in IUPAC group-10 transition metals of the periodic table, such as platinum (Pt) or palladium (Pa). The ignition fuel may be composed of a mixture containing aluminum (Al) and iron oxide (Fe.sub.2O.sub.3).

[0028] Both the ignition fuel and LENR fuel can be in many states, liquid solid, or gas at the beginning, during, or at the end of the reaction. In some embodiments, both the LENR fuel and ignition fuel are designed to have a specific architecture or structure (at the nanometer or above scale) to facilitate and enhance the fuel properties, and/or to make them easier to modulate. Structured fuels can be produced by a variety of techniques, such as electro-spraying, molecular beam epitaxial deposition, micro milling, ion beam milling etc. In some embodiments, a sophisticated, architecturally structured fuel core, may be built by the use of three-dimensional (3D) printing.

[0029] The most used hydrogen donor components of the solid state LENR reactor 110 is, or has been, lithium aluminate hydride (LAH). Other hydrogen donor substances that can be exploited as hydrogen in LENR include but are not limited to lithium borohydrate (LiBH.sub.4), sodium alanate (NaAlH.sub.4), di-calcium alanate (Ca(AlH.sub.4).sub.2), magnesium alanate (Mg(AlH.sub.4).sub.2) and calcium borohydrate (Ca(BH.sub.4).sub.2). In some cases, ammonia borane (BH.sub.3NH.sub.3) complex can be used in combination with nickel (Ni) or palladium (Pa), and/or rhodium (Rh) as the LENR fuel. In contrast to LAH in relation to hydrogen-per-mole production 10.5 wt. %, ammonia borane complex is not hazardous, and generates more hydrogen-per-mole at 19.6 wt. %.

[0030] Lithium aluminum hydride contains approximately 10.6 wt. % hydrogen, and, upon heating, the hydrogen is desorbed in a three-step decomposition reaction. The decomposition reactions of LAH upon heating are as follows:

3LiAlH.sub.4.fwdarw.Li.sub.3AlH.sub.6+2Al+3H.sub.2 (5.3 wt. % H.sub.2)(150-175 C.)(1)

2Li.sub.3AlH.sub.6.fwdarw.6LiH+2Al+3H.sub.2(2.6 wt. % H.sub.2)(180-220 C.)(2)

2LiH+2Al.fwdarw.2LiAl+H.sub.2 (2.6 wt. % H.sub.2)(>400 C.)(3)

Above approximately 400 C., the reaction is practically irreversible and involves a state in which the liquid aluminum and lithium, and the gaseous hydrogen (H.sub.2), are embedded in a matrix of nickel solid particles.

[0031] The overall enthalpy for the reaction inside the reactor 110 remains speculative, but decomposition of lithium aluminum hydrate (also known as lithium alanate) in the presence of a mixture of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and water (H.sub.2O) is about 694 kelvin-joules/mol (K-J/mol). The method for initiating and modulating the LENR reaction consists of exploiting the energy released by an exothermic chemical reaction contained in one vessel to initiate the LENR fuel contained in a second vessel. Both vessels would be in close proximity to each other to facility transfer of energy between them.

[0032] As noted above, the ignition fuel may be made of a mixture of aluminum (Al) and iron oxide (Fe.sub.2O.sub.3). The exothermic reaction of iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) with oxygen (O) can be used as an initiating reaction for the reactor 110. The oxidation reactions of iron (Fe) with oxygen (O) are as follows:

2Fe+O.sub.2.fwdarw.2FeO+Heat

4FeO+O.sub.2.fwdarw.2Fe.sub.2O.sub.3+Heat

A complete reaction between the iron (Fe) and oxidizer is the following:

4Fe(s)+3O.sub.2(g).fwdarw.2Fe.sub.2O.sub.3(s)+Heat

[0033] Aluminum (Al) can be added after the oxidation of the iron (Fe) mixtures to improve the exothermic capability of these reactions:

4Fe(s)+3O.sub.2(g).fwdarw.+2Fe.sub.2O.sub.3(s)

2Al(s)+Fe.sub.2O.sub.3(s).fwdarw.2Fe(s)+A.sub.2O.sub.3(s)

The reaction is controlled by adjusting the air flow going to the reactor 110 in such a manner so as to enable sufficient time for oxidation reaction to ignite and self-propagate over the reacting period. The introduction of air into the system is kept at low air flow rate to minimize the convection heat transfer effects, which could dissipate the maximum amount of heat retained inside the reactor 110.

[0034] Once the LENR reaction is initiated, the temperature of the LENR reaction can be modulated to avoid a run-away reaction by transferring some energy (heat), mostly by diffusion, from the LENR reaction vessel back to the (ignition reaction vessel). The energy absorbed by the spent chemical mixture present in the ignition vessel can then be withdraw from the two-vessel apparatus to generate useful energy or work. Possible mechanisms to withdraw the excess energy may include an appropriate heat exchanger using a cooling fluid system such as in a steam generator. Other methods may use thermoelectric materials, e.g., strip 270, and Sterling-machine schemes.

[0035] The transfer of energy from one medium to other medium can occur by convection, radiation, conduction, or a combination thereof. As long as the rate of energy loss is equal to the rate of energy production by the LENR process, the temperature will remain stable. Several configurations for the reactor 140 can be used, and one possible approach is shown in view 100 with cylindrical vessels, although alternative shapes are possible, including shapes resembling biological systems, such as the alveoli sacs of the lungs. The choice of vessel shape is a dictated by the energetic nature of the ignition and/or LENR fuels, and by the choice of the vessel material.

[0036] Because both the ignition reaction and the LENR reaction are quite exothermic, generating temperature in excess of 1200 C., the vessel material should have a high melting point. For example, silicon nitride (Si.sub.3N.sub.4) can be used as the reactor material due to its high melting temperature of about 2660K. Also, silicon nitride is generally manufactured as a porous material with approximately 40% porosity. In addition to having a melting point higher than 1200 C., the vessel 120 or 140 containing the LENR fuel should also:

[0037] 1) be gas tight,

[0038] 2) not be able to absorb or adsorb hydrogen,

[0039] 3) have high thermal conductivity, and

[0040] 4) be chemically non-reactive.

[0041] The method process can be described as follows:

[0042] 1) provide a first chamber containing LENR fuel,

[0043] 2) provide a second chamber containing exothermic ignition material,

[0044] 3) dispose the first chamber into the second,

[0045] 4) ignite the exothermic ignition material,

[0046] 5) collect heat generated from LENR chamber via heat exchanger, and

[0047] 6) convert gathered heat into usable energy, e.g., electric or mechanical. For the first operation, the first chamber 120 may be filled with nickel or palladium powder that has been mixed with lithium aluminum hydride or ammonia-borane complex, or any chemical capable of evolving hydrogen, e.g., lithium borohydrate (LiBH.sub.4). LAH and ammonia-borane complex are highly hydroscopic. Thus, they should be manipulated under an inert atmosphere, and so this operation should be carried out inside a glove-box filled with inert gas, such as Argon (Ar).

[0048] For the second operation, the second chamber 140 contains the ignition formulation, which could be selected methyl isocyanate (C.sub.2H.sub.3NO or MIC) formulations, or any exothermic chemical formulation, e.g., potassium permanganate (KMnO.sub.4) plus glycerin (C.sub.3H.sub.8O.sub.3). For the third operation, the first chamber 120 is disposed inside the second chamber 140. Alternatively, the second chamber 140 is disposed inside the first chamber 120. In one configuration, the LENR fuel occupies the inner (first) vessel 120 while the ignition fuel fills the outer (second) vessel 140. In another configuration, the ignition fuel occupies the inner vessel 120 while the LENR fuel fills the outer vessel 140.

[0049] In the fourth operation, the exothermic ignition material 240 is ignited, such as by using an electromagnetic burst or a percussion device to trigger a fulminant. For example, the ignition formulation reaction may be initiated by a short burst of electrical energy (e.g., sparks) from an electromagnetic device, e.g., capacitor or battery, serving as an electrical source 230. Alternatively, a fulminant, e.g., sodium or copper azides, can be used to ignite the ignition material. The exothermic ignition material 240 delivers heat to the LENR fuel and initiates an exothermic reaction in the LENR fuel. In the fifth operation, the heat generated by the exothermic reaction in the LENR fuel is collected using an appropriate heat exchanger. For example, a cooling fluid system such as in a steam generator can be used to collect the heat generated from the LENR chamber, which can be transformed into useable electrical or mechanical energy in the sixth operation.

[0050] The disclosed invention can be used to generate power for aerial, terrestrial, space, and water, and underwater vehicles. In addition, the invention can be used to generate power for housing and storing areas, as well as to provide power for electronic devices of all kinds. Some of the exemplary advantages include a novel ignition (chemical/thermal) system for LENR using exothermic chemical reactions, a novel scheme or method for modulating operation of LENR, using 3-D printing to create more efficient matrix for LENR and/or ignition fuels, and using ammona borane complex as a hydrogen source for the LENR reactor.

[0051] Artisans of ordinary skill will recognize that, in the light of the above teachings, specifics described herein are subject to modification without departing from the claims recited herein. Any numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations (for example, by using the term about or approximately) that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by exemplary embodiments. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding.

[0052] While certain features of the embodiments of the invention have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the embodiments.