A METHOD FOR USE IN POWER GENERATION AND AN ASSOCIATED APPARATUS

Abstract

In accordance with the present inventive concept, there is provided a method for use in power generation. The method comprises bringing a first target matter via wave resonance into a higher energy state by exposing the first target matter to electromagnetic radiation input energy for producing a first isotope shift in the first target matter and neutrons resulting from the first isotope shift, and capturing the neutrons by a second target matter for producing a second isotope shift in the second target matter and electromagnetic radiation output energy. Furthermore, the present inventive concept also relates to an associated apparatus.

Claims

1. A method for use in power generation comprising: bringing a first target matter via wave resonance into a higher energy state by exposing the first target matter to electromagnetic radiation input energy for producing a first isotope shift in the first target matter and neutrons resulting from the first isotope shift, capturing the neutrons by a second target matter for producing a second isotope shift in the second target matter and electromagnetic radiation output energy, wherein, on a condition that the electromagnetic radiation output power is produced above a power threshold value, maintaining the production of electromagnetic radiation output energy by exposing the first target matter to electromagnetic radiation maintenance energy.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation input energy is sourced by electromagnetic radiation comprising at least one resonance frequency mode comprised in a frequency interval.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the at least one resonance frequency mode is associated with an inter-atomic distance of the first target matter.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the at least one resonance frequency mode is a gas or plasma resonance frequency mode of the first target matter, a plasma resonance that characterize magnetized and/or non-magnetized plasmas of the first target matter, or a solid/fluid/gaseous/plasma resonance frequency mode of the second target matter.

5. The method according to any of claim 1, further comprising heating at least one of the first target matter and the second target matter.

6. The method according to any of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation input energy is provided in the form of a square wave signal or a sinus wave signal.

7. The method according to any one of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation maintenance energy is sourced by electromagnetic radiation comprising at least one resonance frequency mode comprised in a frequency interval.

8. The method according to any one of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation maintenance energy is provided by means of a wave source.

9. The method according to any of claim 1, further comprising providing a third target matter comprising a catalyst material.

10. The method according to any of claim 1, further comprising bringing the first target matter into a plasma state.

11. An apparatus for power generation comprising: a source unit for producing electromagnetic radiation input energy, a first target matter, a second target matter, and a fuel container for containing the first target matter and the second target matter, wherein the source unit is arranged to expose the first target matter to the electromagnetic radiation input energy for bringing the first target matter via wave resonance into a higher energy state, for producing a first isotope shift in the first target matter and neutrons resulting from the first isotope shift, and for capturing the neutrons by the second target matter for producing a second isotope shift in the second target matter and electromagnetic radiation output energy.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the fuel container is a pressure chamber.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first target matter and the second target matter are mixed.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claim 11, wherein the source unit comprises an induction coil arrangement.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claim 11, further comprising a discharge electrode unit.

16. A method for use in power generation comprising: bringing a first target matter via wave resonance into a higher energy state by exposing the first target matter to electromagnetic radiation input energy for producing a first isotope shift in the first target matter and neutrons resulting from the first isotope shift, capturing the neutrons by a second target matter for producing a second isotope shift in the second target matter and electromagnetic radiation output energy, wherein the electromagnetic radiation input energy is provided in the form of a square wave signal or a sinus wave signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0107] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

[0108] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

[0109] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the apparatus in FIG. 1.

[0110] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the inventive method.

[0111] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the step of maintaining the power generation according to the flow chart in FIG. 3.

[0112] FIG. 5 is a power versus time simulation of a .sup.7 Li and .sup.58Ni device.

[0113] FIG. 6 is a power versus time simulation of a D and .sup.58Ni device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0114] Next, the inventive concept will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 which schematically illustrate an apparatus 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventive concept. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 100 and FIG. 2 is a side view along the view A-A in FIG. 1.

[0115] The apparatus 100 may be referred to as a reactor cylinder, or simply a reactor, and comprises a chamber 110, an induction coil arrangement 120, a fuel container 130 and a side part arrangement 140.

[0116] The chamber 110 is a ceramic cylinder forming an outer barrier of the apparatus 100 and enclosing the induction coil arrangement 120 and the fuel container 130. The chamber 110 has an annular cross-section. Moreover, the chamber 110 is tightly fitted with the side part arrangement 140.

[0117] The induction coil arrangement 120 is symmetrically arranged in a twisted configuration around the fuel container 130. Thereby, a geometric focusing onto a reactor centre of the apparatus 100 is provided. The induction coil arrangement 120 comprises at least one induction coil. A first wire 122 is connected to a left end of the induction coil arrangement 120 and a second wire 124 is connected to a right end of the induction coil arrangement 120. In operation of the apparatus 100, the first 122 and the second 124 wires are connected to an electrical power source (not shown) which powers the induction coil arrangement 120. The electrical power source is arranged to pass an alternating current through an electromagnet in the induction coil arrangement 120.

[0118] According to the present embodiment, the power source is arranged to supply a square-wave signal to the induction coil arrangement 120. The square-wave signal has a fixed amplitude and width, and is chosen such that it contains at least one resonance frequency mode. The power of the signal from the power source is fixed.

[0119] The fuel container 130 has an annular cross-section as can be seen in FIG. 1. Moreover, the fuel container 130 is made of steel. There is fuel 200 provided in a centre portion of the fuel container 130 which extends along a longitudinal portion of the fuel container 130. The fuel 200 comprises a first target matter 210 and a second target matter 220. Initially, i.e. before any operation of the apparatus 100, the first target matter 210 comprises Lithium-7, .sup.7Li, and the second target matter 220 comprises Nickel-58, .sup.58Ni. According to the present embodiment, the first 210 and the second 220 target matter are provided in the form of grains and are mixed.

[0120] Optionally, the fuel container 130 may comprise a neutron absorption shield (not shown) for blocking neutrons. Also, the fuel container 130 may comprise a radiation absorption shield (not shown) for blocking radiation. The neutron and/or radiation absorption shield may be arranged on at least portions of the fuel container 130. For example, a single shield may form the neutron and radiation absorption shield.

[0121] It is understood that the above example is non-limiting and that other materials may be comprised in the first target matter 210, such as deuterium. Moreover, it is understood that other materials may be comprised in the second target matter 220, such as .sup.40Ca, .sup.46Ti, .sup.52Cr, .sup.64Zn, .sup.70Ge and .sup.74Se.

[0122] The side part 140 arrangement comprises a first side part 142 and a second side part 144. The side part arrangement 140 comprises a discharge electrode unit 150 which is arranged in the first 142 and second 144 side part. A third wire 126 is connected to a left discharge electrode of the discharge electrode unit 150 and a fourth wire 128 is connected to a right discharge electrode of the discharge electrode unit 150. In operation of the apparatus 100, the third 126 and the fourth 128 wires are connected to an electrical power source (not shown) which powers the discharge electrode unit 150.

[0123] According to the present embodiment, the discharge electrode unit 150 is spatially separated from the fuel container 130. The discharge electrode may fire high-voltage, nano-extended pulses at controlled intervals. A voltage of the pulses may be of the order of kilovolts, kV. It is clear that, according to an alternative embodiment, the discharge electrode unit 150 may be spatially connected to the fuel container 130.

[0124] Next, an embodiment of the inventive method (Box 300) for use in power generation will be described with reference to the flow charts in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The method is implemented in the apparatus, or reaction cylinder, 100 which has been described above.

[0125] First, the fuel 200 is provided in the fuel container 130 (Box 310). The fuel 200 comprises the first target matter 210 and the second target matter 220 which comprise .sup.7Li and .sup.58Ni, respectively. More specifically, the fuel 200 comprises .sup.7Li which is mixed with .sup.58Ni. Both .sup.7Li and .sup.58Ni are provided in solid form.

[0126] Next, the fuel 200 is irradiated by EM radiation (Box 320) by means of the induction coil arrangement 120 as has been described above. Thereby, the first target matter 210 is first brought into a gaseous, and partially ionized state, and subsequently a higher energy state via wave resonance. More specifically, the EM radiation comprises at least one resonance frequency mode having a frequency which is close to but below a critical resonance frequency. The critical resonance frequency is a frequency at which a gradient force which is induced by the EM irradiation becomes singular. The characteristics of the gradient force have been detailed in the summary section above. In particular, it has been explained that the gradient force acts in different directions below and above the critical resonance frequency. The directions may be opposed to each other. In particular, the gradient force acts to contract the matter in the fuel 200 below the critical resonance frequency.

[0127] The irradiation by EM radiation is gradually increased to a fixed input power.

[0128] The induction coil arrangement 120 induces further heating of the fuel 200 (Box 330). Notice that the combined central discharge channel and the geometrical focus of induction heating give an increased radiative energy deposition on the fuel 200.

[0129] Geometrical focusing may scale with a size of the apparatus 100. In a non-limiting example, geometrical focusing in the apparatus 100 may amplify the radiation at the focal point by a factor of 2-6, depending on the focussing geometry. Thereby, the gradient forces versus input power for the first and second target matter may be amplified. Note that in this case, the force values are for wavelengths well below resonance.

[0130] As the fuel 200 is heated up, the first target matter 210 it is brought into a gas state and subsequently it becomes ionized and reaches a plasma state. Moreover, the second target matter 220 will remain in solid or liquid form. Indeed, by virtue of a relatively low boiling point of 1342 C., lithium can more easily be transferred to a plasma state. This would also be valid for deuterium. On the other hand, the relatively high boiling point of nickel of 2913 C. implies that it will remain in solid or liquid form, at least during a longer time period.

[0131] The discharge electrode unit 150 ionizes and heats the gas in the reactor cylinder 100. The discharge electrodes 150 at both ends of the reactor cylinder 100 create a charge channel therein, whereby the fuel 200 in the fuel container 130 may maintain a predetermined ionization state.

[0132] The .sup.7Li in the fuel mix is therefore expected to exceed its boiling temperature, thereby enhancing the .sup.7Li gas/ion abundance in the discharge tube. Conversely, .sup.58Ni will remain in solid or in melted form at excess temperature, becoming the main gradient force attractor in the reactor. One reason for this is that the first target matter 210, in this embodiment comprising .sup.7Li, vaporizes and ionizes and is quickly distributed in the fuel container 130 due to a high temperature therein. On the other hand, the second target matter 220, in this embodiment comprising nickel, will gradually become the hottest object in the fuel container 130 due to the process of neutron capturing. Thereby, the second target matter 220 will be the strongest attractor in the apparatus 100. A high melting point of the second target matter 220 counteracts evaporation of the second target matter 220. As a consequence, the second target matter 220 may remain during a longer time period and may thereby attract the surrounding gas and/or plasma.

[0133] Besides heating, the combined inductive and discharge radiation contains a wide spectrum of harmonics, the latter being close to but below the critical resonance frequency.

[0134] The critical resonance frequency changes gradually under the heating process of the fuel 200 until a state of equilibrium where all the lithium has been vaporized and/or ionized. The state of equilibrium may be a state wherein ionization and recombination are in balance. The state of equilibrium may be determined by a recombination frequency.

[0135] As the temperature of the fuel 200 becomes higher, the gradient-force core contraction of the fuel 200 and attraction of ambient particles become higher. Once the fuel 200 reaches fission/spallation energies for the first target matter 210, the first target matter 210 releases neutrons and undergoes an isotope shift from .sup.7 Li to .sup.6Li.

[0136] The released neutrons are captured by the second target matter 220 which undergoes at least one isotope shift. Additionally, EM radiation output energy is released when a neutron is captured. For example, .sup.58Ni in the second target matter 220 may shift into the isotope .sup.60Ni by capturing two neutrons or into the isotope .sup.62Ni by capturing four neutrons.

[0137] If the output power produced by the apparatus 100 is larger than a power threshold value (Box 340), the apparatus 100 may enter a maintenance mode (Box 350). The maintenance mode is explained below with reference to FIG. 4.

[0138] If the output power produced by the apparatus 100 is smaller than the power threshold value (Box 340), the fuel 200 is further irradiated by EM radiation (Box 320) and additional heat is provided (Box 330). The irradiation and heating by the induction coil arrangement 120 and the discharge electrode unit 150 continue until the EM radiation output power produced by means of the neutron capturing is larger than the power threshold value.

[0139] According to the present embodiment, the apparatus 100 enters the maintenance mode (Box 400) when the EM radiation output power produced by the apparatus 100 is above the power threshold value.

[0140] First, the operation of the induction coil arrangement 120 is turned off (Box 410). The turning off is implemented gradually. Thereby, the irradiation and heating provided from the induction coil arrangement 120 to the fuel 200, and in particular to the first target matter 210, is terminated.

[0141] Then, the first target matter 210 is exposed to EM radiation maintenance energy (Box 420). According to the present embodiment, the EM radiation maintenance energy is provided solely from the discharge electrode unit 150. Thereby, the process of spallation, i.e. neutron releases, of the first target matter 210 may be maintained using less input power. The EM radiation maintenance energy preferably comprises a resonance frequency mode having a frequency which is close to but below the critical resonance frequency. Additionally, the spallation process may be better controlled since the discharge electrode unit 150 may be better controlled as compared to the induction coil arrangement 120. Indeed, the discharge electrode unit 150 may provide for more precise frequencies. In particular, the improved control of the discharge electrode unit 150 implies that the power output may be better controlled.

[0142] This state of the apparatus 100 may be referred to as a quasi-steady state, QSS, since less input power is needed for maintaining the process of neutron capturing and hence the power generation. Indeed, a small input power may give rise to a large power gain.

[0143] During operation of the apparatus 100, or equivalently the reactor, in particular during the quasi-steady state, the net power generated inside the apparatus 100 is balanced by a radiative loss of the apparatus 100, i.e. a power emitted from the surface of the apparatus 100, such as from the chamber 110. The power emitted from the surface may be used for operating a device as will be elaborated on further below.

[0144] External heating of .sup.7 Li and .sup.58Ni will at best establish neutron spallation in the first target matter 210 and neutron capturing in the second target matter 220 up to a theoretical QSS level. For the purpose of illustration, and based on the classical problem of heat exchange, a function

P(t)=P.sub.0(1exp(t/t.sub.0))

may be used to describe a power growth generated by the combined apparatus 100. Here, P.sub.0 is the QSS power, i.e. P.sub.reactor=P.sub.emitted=P.sub.0. Notice that this is an idealized QSS. In reality, the process may change with time, for example involving neutron capture by other elements, or the gradual degradation of the primary isotope with time, e.g. .sup.58Ni to .sup.60Ni to .sup.62Ni. The latter illustrates that internal processes drive QSS to a large extent. Internal heating by neutron capture may enhance the spallation rate in the first target matter 210 and the rate of neutron capturing in the second target matter 220, leading to power gain rates in excess of that possible by external heating. Eventually, internal heating may become the main gain driver in the process in the apparatus 100. Thereby, the gain ratio, defined as the output power divided by the input power, may be magnified by a large factor. In non-limiting example, this factor may be between 3 or 20, or between 5 and 10. As a consequence of the above, a new QSS may be obtained.

[0145] In view of the above, an important issue is to provide a proper reactor design, and material used to conserve, and/or to withstand the reactor wall temperature.

[0146] Thus, the spallation process may eventually become almost self-sustained by internal heating by means of the neutron capturing and, in addition, a minor input of resonating wave power from the discharge electrode unit 150. This may lead to an efficient reaction process requiring only minor power input.

[0147] Optionally, the apparatus 100 further comprises a blocking device (not shown) which is arranged to terminate the production of neutrons once the apparatus 100 has reached the quasi-steady state. By means of the blocking device, the power generation may be terminated or moderated by lowering the production rate of neutrons. The power generation may be moderated when the power output is larger than desired. The blocking device may be arranged near the centre of the fuel container 130. The blocking device may comprise a neutron-absorbing material which may be inserted into the fuel container 130 for blocking neutrons which have been released from the first target matter 210. In non-limiting examples, the neutron-absorbing material may be xenon-135 or samarium-149.

[0148] The power generation described above may be continued until a fixed part of the fuel 200 has been turned into used-up fuel or until the output power declines below a lower output power. By used-up fuel is here meant that the first target matter, initially comprising .sup.7Li has been turned into the isotope .sup.6Li, and/or that the second target matter, initially comprising .sup.58Ni has been turned into other nickel isotopes, such as .sup.58Ni or .sup.62Ni.

[0149] Once the initial fuel 200 has been turned into used-up fuel, the apparatus 100 may be loaded with new fuel 200. Optionally, the loading of new fuel may be provided at regular time intervals, before the initial fuel 200 has been used up. According to an alternative embodiment, deuterium in liquid form or in gas form may be injected continuously.

[0150] The apparatus 100 as described above may be comprised in a power plant (not shown) for generation of electricity. The power plant may comprise the apparatus 100, a steam turbine and additional equipment for generating electricity which are known to a person skilled in the art. The electricity may be generated by utilizing the output power from the apparatus 100.

[0151] In particular, the method described above may be part of a method for generating electricity in a power plant. The latter method may comprise further steps for generating the electricity.

[0152] It is understood that the output power from the apparatus 100 may be used for operating various types of devices. In non-limiting examples, the device may be a Stirling motor, a steam motor, etc. There may be a heat exchanger provided between the apparatus 100 and the device.

[0153] Additionally, two or more apparatuses 100 may be provided in series or in parallel for providing more output power.

[0154] FIG. 5 is a power versus time simulation of a .sup.7Li and .sup.58Ni device demonstrating the different operational phases (A)-(D). (A) Initial gasification and ionization phase of the first target matter. (B) Transition phase leading to the first quasi-steady-phase. (C) Phase combining a gradual power-down of the external heater with temperature feed back external EM wave emissions near resonance. (D) Temperature feed back external EM wave phase operating at the second level quasi-steady-state, characterized by a power gain raised by a factor of 10-50. (1) Gasification/ionization power. (2) Inductive coil input power. (3) Maintenance wave power to acquire the second level quasi-steady-state. (4) Generated reactor power. (5) Excess power (fusion induced spallation).

[0155] FIG. 6 is a power versus time simulation of a D and .sup.58Ni device demonstrating the response phases as in FIG. 5. Notice that the D-.sup.58Ni device is generically about three times more efficient than the .sup.7Li-.sup.58Ni device, capable of operating at a lower external power and wave power input.

[0156] The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims. In particular, the particular choices of the first and second target matter should not be seen as limiting but only represent exemplifying target matters. For example, the first target matter may comprise deuterium, or a mixture of .sup.7Li and deuterium, and the second target matter may comprise .sup.40Ca, .sup.46Ti, .sup.52Cr, .sup.64Zn, .sup.58Ni, .sup.70Ge or .sup.74Se, or a mixture of two or more of these isotopes.