Solid fuel power systems

Abstract

The subject invention “Solid Fuel Power Systems” is for the purpose of generating heat and power for very many practical applications by use of exothermal chemical energy from the oxidation of the element aluminum. In addition, there is hydrogen-oxygen exothermal energy from reactions of hydrogen subsequently produced as a by-product. The energy produced from these reactions is equivalent to the energy content of gasoline. Aluminum is easily available in large quantities. It is economical to use, and is an environmentally friendly fuel. The concepts in this invention promise to make solid aluminum fuel the universal fuel of the future.

1 . Fuel power systems that generate heat and power by virtue of exothermal chemical reactions resulting from the oxidation of metallic aluminum by water or water vapor, or other oxidation medium.  
   
   
       2 . The fuel power systems of  claim 1  that utilize mixing of molten aluminum spray and water spray, or water vapor spray, to promote complete oxidation of metallic aluminum for the production of heat and power.  
   
   
       3 . The fuel power systems of  claim 1  that utilize mixing of aluminum powder spray with water, or water vapor spray, for the production of heat and power when the mixing temperature is above the melting point of aluminum to assure complete oxidation of the metallic aluminum.  
   
   
       4 . The fuel power systems of  claim 1  that utilize molten aluminum spray, or powdered aluminum spray when the mixing temperature is above the melting point of aluminum, in an environment of atmospheric air, or compressed air, to promote complete oxidation of the metallic aluminum for the production of heat and power.  
   
   
       5 . The fuel systems of  claim 1  that produce hydrogen as an end product of the aluminum oxidation reaction and for which this hydrogen subsequently combines with oxygen to further generate exothermic chemical energy for the production of heat and power.  
   
   
       6 . The fuel systems of  claim 1  that, in addition to producing exothermic energy from the oxidation of aluminum, utilize water or water vapor, to create steam that can be used as a medium to do work, or as a medium to transport energy.  
   
   
       7 . The fuel systems of  claim 1  that can utilize a circular array of fuel nozzles to selectively mix fuel sprays of molten aluminum, water or water vapor, aluminum powder, or ordinary jet fuel in a combustion chamber to generate heat and power.  
   
   
       8 . The fuel systems of  claim 1  that spray molten aluminum onto a reservoir of water to generate heat and power.  
   
   
       9 . The fuel systems of  claim 1  that utilize an electric current, or other means, to keep a pool of molten aluminum in the molten state while the exposed surface of the molten aluminum is in contact with water or water vapor to generate heat and power by virtue of the exothermic chemical energy released by the oxidation of aluminum.  
   
   
       10 . A turbojet engine which has an air compressor that forces air into a combustion chamber where exothermal chemical reactions of molten aluminum spray or powdered aluminum spray, mixed with water spray or water vapor spray, combine to oxidize the aluminum and produce exothermal chemical energy to generate heat and power.  
   
   
       11 . The turbojet engine of  claim 10  that achieves a combustion chamber temperature above the melting point of aluminum using ordinary jet fuel, and then can operate using only aluminum powder fuel. Oxidation of the aluminum can take place with only air as the oxidant, or with air together water spray or water vapor spray.  
   
   
       12 . A reciprocating engine that has a piston powered by energy from the exothermal chemical energy resulting from oxidation of molten aluminum or powdered aluminum spray mixed with water or water vapor spray. The resulting increase in air pressure and steam pressure forces the piston along the inside of a cylinder to do work. The engine is a two-cycle engine with exhaust valves.