System and Method for Zero Emissions, Hydrogen Fueled Steam Generator

Abstract

As we move towards a hydrogen economy or use hydrogen as an energy carrier, the need to get heat energy and steam out of the hydrogen is arising more frequently. This invention addresses that need without the atmospheric pollutants which would result from burning carbon based fuels or hydrogen freely in the air. Presented is an invention which has very high overall efficiency and generates no oxides of carbon and nearly zero nitrogen oxide compounds. The generated steam can be used for comfort heating, process heating, electric generation and other common applications requiring steam. The invention can also be used for generation of hot water. The process of steam generation is accomplished by precisely metering the mixing and oxidation of hydrogen and oxygen under controlled conditions. The result of this oxidation reaction is simply only water and heat, which are used to generate steam.

1 . A system and method for generation of steam comprising:
 (a) a hydrogen fuel source   (b) a pressure chamber or heat exchanger for converting water to steam by the addition of heat energy,   (c) a means for metering hydrogen and oxygen into a reaction chamber to generate heat energy,   (d) a means of using a plurality of high temperature tubes for transferring said heat energy from the reaction chamber to the water so as to generate steam,   (e) said reaction system and steam generation system are isolated from each other, and from the outside atmosphere and do not necessarily operate at the same pressure,   (f) a control system for said steam generator system.   
   
   
       2 . The steam generator of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen fuel and isolated systems result in a zero emission, closed system. 
   
   
       3 . The steam generator of  claim 1 , wherein a gas or liquid is added to the reaction chamber for the purpose to control one or more of the following: temperature, erosion, corrosion, embrittlement, or reaction characteristics. 
   
   
       4 . The steam generator of  claim 1 , wherein the tubes are coated with a protective material such as chromium, titanium dioxide, ceramic or similar material. 
   
   
       5 . The steam generator of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure chamber or exchanger is connected via a conduit to a superheater. Said superheater is provided the necessary heat energy from a hydrogen and oxygen reaction. 
   
   
       6 . The steam generator of  claim 1 , wherein a condenser is use to recover energy from the reaction products and additives supplied in the reaction chamber. 
   
   
       7 . The steam generator of  claim 6 , wherein the water from said condenser is fed into the pressure chamber as feedwater. 
   
   
       8 . A system and method for generation of steam comprising:
 (a) a hydrogen fuel source   (b) a pressure chamber or heat exchanger for converting water to steam by the addition of heat energy,   (c) a means for metering hydrogen and oxygen into a reaction chamber to generate heat energy,   (d) a means of using a plurality of high temperature tubes for transferring said heat energy from the reaction chamber to the water so as to generate steam,   (e) said reaction system and steam generation system are connected together, and are isolate from the outside atmosphere and operate at substantially the same pressure.   (f) a control system for said steam generator system.   
   
   
       9 . The steam generator of  claim 8 , wherein the hydrogen fuel and isolated systems result in a zero emission, closed system. 
   
   
       10 . The steam generator of  claim 8 , wherein a gas or liquid is added to the reaction chamber for the purpose to control one or more of the following: temperature, erosion, corrosion, embrittlement, or reaction characteristics. 
   
   
       11 . The steam generator of  claim 8 , wherein the tubes are coated with a protective material such as chromium, titanium dioxide, ceramic or similar material. 
   
   
       12 . The steam generator of  claim 8 , wherein the pressure chamber or exchanger is connected via a conduit to a superheater. Said superheater is provided the necessary heat energy from a hydrogen and oxygen reaction. 
   
   
       13 . The steam generator of  claim 8 , wherein a condenser is used to recover energy from the reaction products and additives supplied in the reaction chamber. 
   
   
       14 . The steam generator of  claim 8 , wherein the water from said condenser is fed into the pressure chamber as feedwater. 
   
   
       15 . A system and method for generation of steam comprising:
 (a) a hydrogen fuel source   (b) a pressure chamber or heat exchanger for converting water to steam by the addition of heat energy,   (c) a means for metering hydrogen and oxygen into a reaction chamber to generate heat energy,   (d) a means of using a plurality of high temperature tubes for transferring said heat energy from the reaction chamber to the water so as to generate steam,   (e) said reaction system and steam generation system are isolated from each other, and do not necessarily operate at the same pressure,   (f) a control system for said steam generator system.   
   
   
       16 . The steam generator of  claim 15 , wherein a gas or liquid is added to the reaction chamber for the purpose to control one or more of the following: temperature, erosion, corrosion, embrittlement, or reaction characteristics. 
   
   
       17 . The steam generator of  claim 15 , wherein the tubes are coated with a protective material such as chromium, titanium dioxide, ceramic or similar material. 
   
   
       18 . The steam generator of  claim 15 , wherein the reaction products are released out a stack to the atmosphere. 
   
   
       19 . The steam generator of  claim 18 , wherein the oxygen is supplied from outside air. 
   
   
       20 . A steam generator of  claim 18 , wherein the exhaust passes through a nitrogen compound scrubber or selective catalytic reactor (SCR) to further reduce the nitrogen pollution released to the atmosphere. 
   
   
       21 . The steam generator of  claim 15 , wherein the pressure chamber or exchanger is connected via a conduit to a superheater. 
   
   
       22 . The steam generator of  claim 15 , wherein a condenser is used to recover energy from the reaction products and additives supplied in the reaction chamber. 
   
   
       23 . The steam generator of  claim 15 , wherein the water from said condenser is fed into the pressure chamber as feedwater. 
   
   
       24 . The steam generator of  claim 15 , wherein said reaction chamber contains a catalyst material which promotes the hydrogen-oxygen reaction 
   
   
       25 . A system and method for generation of steam comprising:
 (a) a hydrogen fuel source   (b) a pressure chamber or heat exchanger for converting water to steam by the addition of heat energy,   (c) a means for metering hydrogen and oxygen into a reaction chamber to generate heat energy,   (d) a means of using a plurality heat transfer plates or fins for transferring said heat energy from the reaction chamber to the water so as to generate steam,   (e) a control system for said steam generator system.   
   
   
       26 . A system and method for generation of steam comprising:
 (a) a hydrogen fuel source   (b) a pressure chamber or heat exchanger for converting water to steam by the addition of heat energy,   (c) a means for metering hydrogen and oxygen into a reaction chamber to generate heat energy,   (d) a reaction chamber which directly transfers heat energy to generate steam,   (e) a control system for said steam generator system.