Novel concept for generating power via an inorganic nitrogen cycle, based on sand as the starting material and producing higher silanes

Abstract

The invention relates to a novel energy concept that relates to an artificial silicon-nitrogen cycle and that constitutes the complement to the natural carbon-oxygen cycle. Pure silicon is produced from sand using solar energy. By repeated Muller-Rochow synthesis with silylchlorides the silicon is converted to higher silanes. The silylchlorides used are either silicons derived from chemical wastes or are economically produced from monosilanes or disilanes. They are mixed with silicon powder and combusted with air to give H 2 O and silicon nitride Si 3 H 4 , thereby generating power. The silicon nitride is converted to ammonia NH 3 under alkaline conditions, thereby producing silicates. Part of the NH 3 is converted to follow-on products, the major portion however is combusted with air to give H 2 O and N 2 , thereby generating power. The N 2 cycle is thereby closed.

1 . A method of generating energy in the course of an inorganic hydrogen-silicon cycle, characterized in that cyclically the following steps are carried out: 
 a. Generating pure silicon by the reduction of sand SiO 2  with coal in an electrical arc furnace with the production of pure CO 2 ;    b. generating higher silanes SixH2x+2 by repeated use of the modified Muller-Rochow synthesis with silylchlorides;    c. generating energy by stoichiometrically combusting the silanes with dispersed silicon powder in air N 2 /O 2  with the generation of H 2 O and Si 3 N 4 , for instance in motors of different vehicles;    d. collecting or filtrating the Si 3 N 4  dust and converting the same in an alkaline manner to obtain ammonia NH 3  with the generation of silicates (silicon oxides);    e. working up the NH 3  in small parts to obtain artificial fertilizer, however, mainly combusting NH 3  with air with the generation of H 2 O and N 2 .    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the electrical current required for the electrical arc furnace is generated in solar cells.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the pure CO 2  generated during the reduction of the silicon dioxide is upgraded to methanol CH 3 OH.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the hydrogen H 2  required for the upgrading of the CO 2  to methanol is generated by electrolysis with solar current.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the silylchlorides are produced by the chlorination with HCl from monosilanes and disilanes which are obtained in large amounts during the acidic decomposition of magnesium silicide.