ENERGY GENERATION

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for generating energy suitable for use in an electrical power station. The apparatus comprises a quench chamber, the chamber quench chamber containing a quench fluid, the quench chamber having a fuel inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with at least one turbine of the power station, a target located within the quench chamber, and a propulsion means operable to propel a projectile towards the target. The projectile comprises a shaped charge comprising a charge liner having a front portion and a rear portion, an explosive material located adjacent to at least the rear portion of the charge liner and a detonator operable to detonate the explosive material. In use, the propulsion means propels the projectile through the fuel inlet towards the target and, before the projectile reaches the target, the detonator detonates the explosive material generating a jet of particles which impacts the target, thereby releasing energy, which heats the quench fluid causing a gas to be released through the outlet, which gas then drives the at least one turbine.

Claims

1-33. (canceled)

34. An apparatus for generating energy suitable for use in an electrical power station, comprising: a quench chamber, the quench chamber containing a quench fluid, the quench chamber having a fuel inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with at least one turbine of the power station; a target located within the quench chamber; and a propulsion means operable to propel a projectile towards the target; wherein the projectile comprises a shaped charge comprising a charge liner having a front portion and a rear portion, an explosive material located adjacent to at least the rear portion of the charge liner and a detonator operable to detonate the explosive material; wherein, in use, the propulsion means propels the projectile through the fuel inlet towards the target and, before the projectile reaches the target, the detonator detonates the explosive material generating a jet of particles which impacts the target, thereby releasing energy, which heats the quench fluid causing a gas to be released through the outlet, which gas then drives the at least one turbine.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the charge liner is a conical charge liner, optionally wherein the charge liner is formed of any one or more of: copper; tungsten; tantalum; and molybdenum.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the quench fluid comprises, or consists essentially of, water, such that the when the quench fluid is heated steam is generated which is emitted through the outlet.

37. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the quench chamber comprises an emergency outlet in fluid communication with an expansion chamber, wherein the emergency outlet is operable to allow quench fluid to flow out of the quench chamber into an expansion chamber if the pressure inside the quench chamber exceeds a predetermined value, optionally wherein the emergency outlet comprises a bursting disc configured to rupture when the pressure inside the quench chamber exceeds a maximum safety threshold.

38. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the quench chamber is at least partially evacuated to lower the air pressure inside the quench chamber.

39. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the propulsion means is a chemical propellant or a magnetic or electric propulsion means.

40. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the explosive material comprises any one or more of: a polymer-bonded explosive; Octogen (HMX); Octol; Amatol; TNT; an explosive nitrosamine; and powdered aluminium.

41. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the target has a thickness of at least 400 mm and, optionally, wherein the target is formed of any one or more of: steel; iron; and titanium.

42. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the charge liner is at least partially filled by a pressurised fluid, optionally wherein the pressurised fluid comprises a nuclear fusion fuel, optionally wherein the nuclear fusion fuel comprises deuterium-tritium (D-T).

43. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising a fuel rod connected to the front portion of the charge liner, wherein the fuel rod comprises a cavity containing a fusion fuel, optionally wherein the cavity in the fuel rod at least partially contains lithium deuteride (.sup.6LiD), optionally, wherein the fuel rod comprises a metal rod having a length of up to or at least 100 mm, up to or at least 200 mm and/or up to or at least 400 mm and/or the cavity has a length of up to 100 mm or up to 200 mm.

44. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the quench chamber comprises one or more walls, wherein at least a portion of the one or more walls is formed of one more of steel, iron or titanium and has a thickness of at least 200 mm, optionally wherein an inner surface of the one or more walls of the quench chamber at least partially comprises radiation shielding and/or neutron reflector material, optionally wherein the inner surface of the one or more walls of the quench chamber is/are at least partially coated with graphite and/or beryllium.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the quench chamber comprises at least one outer wall substantially surrounding the quench fluid, wherein the at least one outer wall comprises concrete or other material suitable for withstanding thermal shocks.

46. A power station for generating electrical energy, the power station comprising: the apparatus of claim 34; at least one turbine in fluid communication with the at least one outlet of the quench chamber; and at least one electrical generator operably connected to the at least one turbine; wherein, in use, gas emitted from the at least one outlet turns the at least one turbine, thereby driving the at least one electrical generator.

47. The power station of claim 46, further comprising at least one electrical storage device connected to each electrical generator.

48. A projectile suitable for use in an apparatus according to claim 34, the projectile comprising a shaped charge comprising: a charge liner having a front portion and a rear portion; an explosive material located adjacent to at least the rear portion of the charge liner; and a detonator operable to detonate the explosive material; wherein the charge liner is at least partially filled by a pressurised fluid.

49. The projectile according to claim 48, wherein the pressurised fluid comprises a fusion fuel, optionally wherein the fusion fuel comprises one or more of: deuterium-tritium (D-T); helium; helium-deuterium; and/or lithium deuteride (.sup.6LiD).

50. The projectile according to claim 48, further comprising a fuel rod connected to the front portion of the charge liner, wherein the fuel rod comprises a cavity containing a fusion fuel, optionally wherein the cavity in the fuel rod at least partially contains lithium deuteride (.sup.6LiD).

51. A method of generating energy comprising the steps of: providing a projectile comprising a shaped charge comprising a charge liner having a front portion and a rear portion, an explosive material located adjacent to at least the rear portion of the charge liner and a detonator operable to detonate the explosive material; propelling the projectile towards a target located in a quench chamber, the quench chamber containing a quench fluid; and before the projectile reaches the target, detonating the explosive material to collapse the charge liner, thereby generating a jet of particles which impacts the target, thereby releasing energy which heats the quench fluid causing a gas to be released from the quench chamber through an outlet, the outlet being in fluid communication with at least one turbine of a power station.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of igniting nuclear fusion of a fusion fuel contained in the charge liner and/or in a fuel rod connected to the front portion of the charge liner, optionally further comprising extracting one or more by-products of the fusion reactions from the quench chamber, optionally further comprising storing at least a portion of the energy generated by the power station.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the step of propelling the projectile towards the target is repeated periodically, either at regular or irregular intervals.

Description

[0079] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0080] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus for generating energy according to embodiment of the invention;

[0081] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a shaped charge according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0082] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a shaped charge comprising a fuel rod according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0083] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of an apparatus for generating energy according to the invention. The apparatus comprises a quench chamber 10.

[0084] The quench chamber 10 does not have to be round or spheroidal and is not shown to scale.

[0085] The quench chamber 10 is at least partially filled with a quench fluid (not shown). Typically, the quench fluid may comprise, or consist essentially of, water. The quench chamber 10 may be at least partially evacuated to reduce the pressure inside the quench chamber 10. This may be advantageous to reduce the boiling temperature of the quench fluid.

[0086] The quench chamber 10 comprises a fluid inlet 17 which allows quench fluid (e.g. water) to flow into the chamber. The quench chamber 10 also comprises a fuel inlet 16. In use, a propulsion means (not shown) is operable to propel a projectile through the fuel inlet 16. The propulsion means may comprise a gun barrel.

[0087] A target 13 is located within the quench chamber 10. The target 13 is positioned in the path of a projectile propelled, in use, through the fuel inlet 16 into the quench chamber 10. In this example, the target 13 is made of one or more of steel, iron or titanium and has a thickness of at least 300 mm.

[0088] The quench chamber 10 comprises an inner wall 11 and an outer wall 12. The inner wall 11 is preferably formed of steel having a thickness of at least 200 mm; this may prevent the quench chamber 10 from being perforated, in use, by any deflected matter from the projectile 20 or the target 13.

[0089] The surface of the inner wall 11 may be coated at least in part with a neutron reflector material such as graphite and/or beryllium to improve the reflection of any neutrons emitted in the quench chamber 10. The outer wall 12 is at least partially formed of concrete or other materials suitable for absorbing thermal shocks.

[0090] In use, the quench fluid may at least partially boil due to energy transferred to the quench fluid by the projectile and/or the impact of the projectile with the target 13. Hence, a gas (e.g. steam) may be produced in the quench chamber 10. Such a gas is emitted from the chamber 10 via the outlet 14 which is in fluid communication with one or more turbines (not shown) of a power station (not shown). In some embodiments more than one outlet 14 may be provided. As in a conventional power station, the turbines drive at least one electrical generator to generate electrical energy.

[0091] If the pressure within the quench chamber 10 exceeds a maximum safety threshold then the quench fluid can be at least partially released from the quench chamber 10 via an emergency outlet 15. The emergency outlet 15 is in fluid communication with an expansion chamber (not shown). The emergency outlet 15 may comprise a bursting disc which is operable to rupture when the pressure in the quench chamber 10 reaches a predetermined threshold, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the emergency outlet 15. Alternatively, the emergency outlet 15 may be automatically opened by a control unit if the pressure inside the quench chamber 10 reaches a predetermined threshold.

[0092] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a longitudinal cross-section of a projectile 20 for use with an apparatus for generating energy of the present invention, for example the apparatus in FIG. 1.

[0093] The projectile 20 comprises a shaped charge 21. The shaped charge is contained within an outer housing having a front portion 22a and a rear portion 22b. The housing 22a, 22b may be shaped to improve the aerodynamic properties of the projectile 20. The front portion 22a and the rear portion 22b of the housing may be integral or contiguous, for example the housing may be moulded as a single continuous piece.

[0094] The rear portion of the housing 22b is connected to a first end 28 of an elongate member 27. In use, a propulsion means (not shown) applies a propulsion force to a second end 29 of the elongate member 27, in order to propel the projectile 20, e.g. through the fuel inlet 16 and into the quench chamber 10 (see FIG. 1).

[0095] Contained within the housing 22a, 22b of the shaped charge 21 is a hollow charge liner 23, wherein the charge liner 23 comprises a front portion 23a and a rear portion 23b. In this embodiment the charge liner 23 is formed of copper and/or tantalum. Optionally, the housing 22a, 22b may be formed of the same material as the charge liner 23.

[0096] The charge liner 23 in FIG. 2 is a conical charge liner. The front portion 23a of the charge liner 23 comprises a tip and the diameter of the front portion 23a of the charge liner 23 increases from the tip towards to rear portion 23b. The diameter of the rear portion 23b of the charge liner 23 decreases along its length, such that its narrowest point is furthest from the front portion 23a of the charge liner 23. The front portion 23a and the rear portion 23b may be integral, or they may be connected by a joining technique such as welding, adhesive or brazing, or by one or more bolts or screws.

[0097] An explosive material 25 at least partially surrounds the rear portion 23b of the charge liner 2. In some embodiments, the explosive material 25 may comprise one or more of Octogen, Octol, Amatol, or a polymer-based explosive material. A detonator 26 is located adjacent to the rear portion 23b of the charge liner 23. Thus, in use, the explosive material 25 is detonated from behind the rear portion 23b to collapse the walls of the rear portion 23b of the charge liner along the central axis. This should ensure that the explosive material's energy is correctly focused to form a jet of particles from the colliding walls of the charge liner 23.

[0098] In use, it is important that the detonator 26 detonates the explosive material before the projectile 10 impacts the target 13.

[0099] In some embodiments, multiple detonators 26 may be provided adjacent to the rear portion 23b of the charge liner. The detonator(s) 26 may be triggered remotely (e.g. via an electromagnetic signal emitted from a control unit) and/or the detonator(s) 26 may be triggered by a trigger (e.g. a piezoelectric trigger) provided on the front of the housing 22a or the front portion 23a of the charge liner 23 (not shown).

[0100] The charge liner 23 may contain air, or another fluid, which may be pressurised (i.e. have a higher average pressure than standard atmospheric pressure). In some embodiments, the charge liner 23 may be at least partially filed with a nuclear fusion fuel, such as deuterium-tritium and/or lithium deuteride. The fusion fuel is preferably highly pressurised to the maximum pressure that can be withstood by the charge liner 23 before leakage or structural damage occurs.

[0101] Every joint or connection in the charge liner 23 should be hermetically sealed with a suitable fluid-tight sealant. The charge liner 23 may be at least partially evacuated before inserting the fusion fuel into the charge liner 23. For example, the air within the charge liner 23 may be at least partially removed using a vacuum pump or a hypodermic needle. The charge liner 23 may comprise a one-way valve (e.g. no return valve) or a rubber septum through which the pump or needle may be inserted to evacuate the charge liner 23. The fusion fuel may then be inserted into the charge liner 23 through the valve or septum using the pump or a needle.

[0102] Another example of a projectile 20 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 2, wherein the features which are common to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are labelled with the same reference numerals.

[0103] The projectile 20 in FIG. 2 comprises a fuel rod 30 connected to the front portion 23a of the charge liner 23. In other examples, the fuel rod 30 may be integral to the front portion of the housing 22a or to the charge liner 23.

[0104] The fuel rod 30 comprises a cavity 31 which is drilled into the fuel rod 30. In this example the fuel rod comprises a steel rod having a length of around 300 mm and a diameter slightly larger than the tip of the front portion 23a of the charge liner. The cavity 31 extends no more than 100 mm into the rod. However, other materials and length of rod and/or cavity are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0105] The cavity 31 contains a fusion fuel which in this example is lithium deuteride. Preferably, the fusion fuel is pressurised. As such, the rod 30 provides booster fuel for the reaction of the charge liner 23, as neutrons released from the fusion of the fuel within the shaped charge 23 may react with the lithium deuteride in the cavity 31 to form tritium, which provides more fuel for the fusion reaction in the shaped charge 23.

[0106] In use, the rod 30 may be trapped between the target 13 and the jet formed by the collapsed charge liner 23. The pressure exerted during impact with the target 13 may be sufficient to at least partially ignite nuclear fusion of the material in the cavity 31 of the fuel rod 30 and any fusion fuel contained in the charge liner 23.

[0107] Various modifications of the specific example embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.