MEANS FOR ENERGY STORAGE, MEANS FOR ENERGY RELEASE, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A RELEASED HEAT OF A LITHIUM-BORON ALLOY

Abstract

A means for energy storage includes: a Li-B alloy, wherein the molecular formula of the LiB alloy is Li.sub.x B.sub.1-x, x is the atomic fraction of Li, and x is between 0.1 and 0.95. A means for energy release includes: a LiB alloy adapted to react with oxygen at ambient temperature, wherein the molecular formula of the LiB alloy is Li.sub.x B.sub.1-x, x is the atomic fraction of Li, and x is between 0.1 and 0.95. A method for controlling a released heat of a LiB alloy includes the steps of: providing a LiB alloy placed in a container; and controlling oxygen flux to the container.

Claims

1. A means for energy storage, comprising: a lithium-boron (LiB) alloy, wherein the molecular formula of the LiB alloy is Li.sub.xB.sub.1-x, x is the atomic fraction of Li, and x is between 0.1 and 0.95.

2. The means for energy storage according to claim 1, further comprising an isolation unit, for sealing the LiB alloy and isolating the LiB alloy from oxygen.

3. The means for energy storage according to claim 2, wherein the isolation unit is a film attached to a surface of the LiB alloy.

4. The means for energy storage according to claim 2, wherein the isolation unit is a hard shell or a soft shell.

5. The means for energy storage according to claim 1, wherein the molecular formula of the LiB alloy is Li.sub.xB.sub.1-x, x is the atomic fraction of Li, and x is between 0.3 and 0.9.

6. A means for energy release, comprising: a lithium-boron (LiB) alloy adapted to react with oxygen at room temperature, wherein the molecular formula of the LiB alloy is Li.sub.xB.sub.1-x, x is the atomic fraction of Li, and x is between 0.1 and 0.95.

7. The means for energy release according to claim 6, further comprising: a device for controlling a released heat of a LiB alloy, the device comprising: a container, wherein the LiB alloy is placed in the container; and an oxygen flux control unit in communication with the container, for controlling oxygen flux to the container.

8. The means for energy release according to claim 7, wherein the oxygen flux control unit is in communication with an oxygen supply source or atmospheric environment.

9. The means for energy release according to claim 7, wherein the molecular formula of the LiB alloy is Li.sub.xB.sub.1-x, x is the atomic fraction of Li, and x is between 0.3 and 0.9.

10. The means for energy release according to claim 7, wherein the released heat of the LiB alloy is used as boost energy sources of rockets or torpedoes.

11. The means for energy release according to claim 7, wherein the released heat of the LiB alloy is used as boiler fuel sources in the petrochemical industry.

12. A method for controlling a released heat of a lithium-boron (LiB) alloy, comprising the steps of: providing a LiB alloy placed in a container; and controlling oxygen flux to the container.

13. The method for controlling a released heat of a LiB alloy according to claim 12, wherein the total weight of boron (B) content of the LiB alloy and oxygen flux are controlled to determine the total weight and release speed of released heat.

14. The method for controlling a released heat of a LiB alloy according to claim 13, wherein, when the release speed of the heat is low, at this time the LiB alloy which is in a block shape reacts with oxygen.

15. The method for controlling a released heat of a LiB alloy according to claim 13, wherein, when the release speed of the heat is high, at this time the LiB alloy which is in a powder shape reacts with oxygen.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device for controlling a released heat of a lithium-boron (LiB) alloy according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an isolation unit according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an isolation unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0034] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an isolation unit according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The lithium-boron (LiB) alloy of the present disclosure can react with oxygen (i.e., exothermic reaction) in a general environment at room temperature, to release heat. Therefore, the proposal controls the total weight of boron (B) content of the LiB alloy and oxygen flux to determine the total weight and release speed of released heat.

[0036] The LiB alloy of the present disclosure can be obtained with the following manufacturing method:

[0037] Firstly, an appropriate amount of lithium (Li) metal and boron (B) was add to a crucible, and heated to 250-400 degrees Celsius. The melting point of the Li metal was 182 degrees Celsius, and thus when heated to 250 degrees Celsius in the beginning, the Li metal may fully form a Li metal liquid solution, while B was still in a solid state.

[0038] Then, the holding temperature in the crucible was still kept between 250-400 degrees, and the Li metal solution and B were stirred using a machine until the B was fully dissolved in the Li metal solution to form a LiB solution.

[0039] At least 10 minutes to 1 hours or a longer time was required to dissolving B in the Li metal solution, the dissolving time mainly depended on the size of B and the ratio of Li to B, and during dissolving, it was necessary to keep the temperature in the crucible between 250-400 degrees Celsius.

[0040] Then, after B was fully dissolved in the Li metal solution to form the LiB solution, the temperature in the crucible slowly rose from 400 degrees Celsius to 550 degrees Celsius.

[0041] In the process of temperature rising, the viscosity of the LiB solution may increase with the rise of the temperature until the LiB solution is formed to a solidified LiB alloy. It should be particularly noted that the LiB solution is formed to the LiB alloy mainly in a range of 530 degrees Celsius to 550 degrees Celsius.

[0042] The molecular formula of the LiB alloy is Li.sub.xB.sub.1-x, x is the atomic fraction of Li, preferably between 0.1 and 0.95, and more preferably between 0.3 and 0.9; the LiB alloy can react with oxygen in a general environment at room temperature, and can produce enough heat.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a means for energy release according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, the means for energy release includes: a lithium-boron (LiB) alloy 120 adapted to react with oxygen at ambient temperature, wherein the molecular formula of the LiB alloy 120 is Li.sub.xB.sub.1-x, x is the atomic fraction of Li, and x is between 0.1 and 0.95. The means for energy release further includes: a device 10 for controlling a released heat of a LiB alloy 120. The device 10 for controlling a released heat of a LiB alloy includes a container 160 and an oxygen flux control unit 170. The LiB alloy 120 is placed in the container 160 via an inlet (not shown) of the container 160. The oxygen flux control unit 170 (e.g., regulating valve) is in communication with the container 160 and in communication with an oxygen supply source 180 or atmospheric environment, for controlling oxygen flux to the container 160.

[0045] For example, by controlling the total weight of B content (e.g., 1,000 grams) of the LiB alloy and oxygen flux (e.g., 15 liters/minute), the total weight (e.g., 1,000116 KJ) and release speed (e.g., 1120 KJ/min) of released heat, and the released heat can heat air or water via an outlet (not shown) of the container 160, to be used as heating in winter or an (urgent) heating source desired in wilderness survival. As the release speed of the heat is low, at this time the LiB alloy which can be in a block shape reacts with oxygen.

[0046] For another example, by controlling the total weight of B content (e.g., 10,000 grams) of the LiB alloy and oxygen flux, the total weight (e.g., 10,000116 KJ) and release speed of released heat, and the released heat can heat air or water via an outlet (not shown) of the container 160, to be used as boost energy sources of rockets, torpedoes and the like or boiler fuel sources desired in the petrochemical industry and the like. As the release speed of the heat is high, at this time the LiB alloy which can be in a powder shape reacts with oxygen.

[0047] After the LiB alloy reacts with oxygen, a boron oxide (B.sub.2O.sub.3) and Li will be produced. The B.sub.2O.sub.3 can produce a reduction reaction by using K or be electrolyzed to obtain pure B.

[0048] The recycled B and Li can be made into a LiB alloy by using the method for manufacturing a LiB alloy.

[0049] Therefore, the innovation concept of the present disclosure is to manufacture a LiB alloy by heat or electricity so as to convert the electricity into chemical energy, and then to convert the chemical energy of the LiB alloy to heat or electricity by using the device for controlling a released heat of a LiB alloy according to the present disclosure.

[0050] Moreover, to avoid that the LiB alloy reacts with oxygen in a general environment at room temperature, the present disclosure provides a means for energy storage. The means for energy storage includes: a lithium-boron (LiB) alloy, wherein the molecular formula of the LiB alloy is Li.sub.xB.sub.1-x, x is the atomic fraction of Li, and x is between 0.1 and 0.95. The means for energy storage further includes: an isolation unit for storing the LiB alloy. The isolation unit seals the LiB alloy and isolates the LiB alloy from oxygen, to avoid that the LiB alloy produces an exothermic reaction. When the device for controlling a released heat of a LiB alloy according to the present disclosure uses the LiB alloy, it can produce heat for use only by removing the LiB alloy from the isolation unit and placing the LiB alloy in a container to react with oxygen in a general environment at room temperature.

[0051] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an isolation unit according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the isolation unit seals the LiB alloy and isolates the LiB alloy 120 from oxygen. The isolation unit can be a film 110. The film 110 can isolate the LiB alloy 120 from oxygen by being directly attached to the surface of the LiB alloy 120. The film 110 can be an adhesive tape, and an adhesive surface of the adhesive tape is directly attached to the surface of the LiB alloy 120. When the LiB alloy 120 is to be used, the LiB alloy 120 can be used only by directly stripping the adhesive tape.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an isolation unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the isolation unit can be a hard shell 140. A gas 130 is filled between the hard shell 140 and the LiB alloy 120, and the gas 130 can be nitrogen or inert gas. Alternatively, the air between the hard shell 140 and the LiB alloy 120 is sucked fully. The use of the hard shell 140 can prevent the possibility that the isolation unit is damaged by an external force, thereby avoiding possible contact between the LiB alloy 120 and oxygen. The hard shell 140 can be made of a glass material or a metal material, and a sealing method thereof can be a method for sealing a can. When the LiB alloy 120 is to be used, the LiB alloy 120 can be fetched by directly opening an outer cover 141 of the hard shell 140.

[0055] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an isolation unit according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the isolation unit can be a soft shell 150. After the soft shell 150 seals the LiB alloy 120, the air between the soft shell 150 and the LiB alloy 120 is sucked fully and the LiB alloy 120 can be stored. Alternatively, a gas is filled into the soft shell 150, and the gas 130 can be nitrogen or inert gas. The soft shell 150 can be made of a plastic material. When the LiB alloy 120 is to be used, the LiB alloy 120 can be taken out and used by directly damaging the soft shell 150.

[0057] In detail, the device for controlling a released heat of a LiB alloy further includes an isolation unit which can be a film 110 or a hard shell 140 or a soft shell 150, and the isolation unit can effectively isolate the LiB alloy from oxygen in the atmosphere and keep the LiB alloy 120 in a stable state without producing an exothermic reaction. When a user is to use the LiB alloy 120, the user only needs to remove the isolation unit and take out the LiB alloy 120 to react with oxygen in a general environment at room temperature, and heat can be produced for use.

[0058] The above merely describes implementations or embodiments of technical means employed by the present disclosure to solve the technical problems, which are not intended to limit the patent implementation scope of the present disclosure. Equivalent changes and modifications in line with the meaning of the patent scope of the present disclosure or made according to the scope of the disclosure patent are all encompassed in the patent scope of the present disclosure.