Device and method for producing green energy

Abstract

The present invention provides an inexpensive and environmentally friendly system and method for producing energy utilizing a gravitation drip technique. A clean burning liquid fuel is dripped from an upper container into a lower container that houses a heat-absorbing substrate. A combustion reaction is initiated between the fuel and the heat absorbing substrate to produce a continuous flame. Thermal energy from the flame and the combustion process is retained by the heat-absorbing substrate. The thermal energy from the flame and/or heat-absorbing substrate can be harvested to convert water into steam. This steam energy can be harnessed to generate mechanical energy and produce electricity.

1 . A system for producing thermal energy, comprising:
 a first container having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion comprising a removably covered opening and the bottom portion comprising a regulatable opening;   a second container positioned below the first container, the second container comprising a top portion, a base portion and at least one sidewall, the top portion being at least partially uncovered;   a liquid biofuel contained in the first container; and   a heat-absorbing substrate contained in the second container.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an ignition source coupled to the second container for initiating a combustion reaction in the second container. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the biofuel is a bioalcohol. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat-absorbing substrate comprises one selected from the list consisting of silica, silicon dioxide, and sodium chloride. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first container is positioned above the second container on a support. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a tube comprising a proximal and a distal end, the proximal end being coupled to the regulatable opening of the upper container. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the distal end of the tube includes a valve. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lower container comprises a metal. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a tubing system at least partially disposed within the second container and comprising an inlet end and an outlet end. 
     
     
         13 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the inlet end of the tubing system is coupled to a cold water source. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the outlet end of the tubing system is coupled to a steam radiator system. 
     
     
         17 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A gravitational drip method for producing thermal energy, the method comprising:
 providing a first container comprising a liquid fuel;   providing a second container comprising a heat-absorbing substrate;   dripping the liquid fuel from said first container into the heat-absorbing substrate in the second container by gravitational force; and   initiating a combustion reaction of the liquid fuel.   
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the liquid fuel is a biofuel selected from the group consisting of a bioalcohol, a biodiesel, a green diesel or a vegetable oil. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the heat-absorbing substrate is comprised of silica, silicon dioxide, sodium chloride, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising the step of
 providing a tubing system for circulating water, the tubing system comprising an inlet end and an outlet end, and 
 disposing at least a portion of the tubing system in or above the second container. 
 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the inlet end of the tubing system is coupled to a cold water source. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the step of flowing cold water into the tubing system and converting the cold water into steam. 
     
     
         31 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the outlet end of the tubing system is coupled to a steam radiator system. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the outlet end of the tubing system is coupled to a steam turbine. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A gravitational drip method for producing electricity, the method comprising:
 providing a first container comprising a liquid fuel;   providing a second container comprising a heat-absorbing substrate;   providing a tubing system for circulating cold water, the tubing system being at least partially disposed above the heat-absorbing substrate in the second container;   dripping the liquid fuel from said first container into the heat-absorbing substrate in the second container by gravitational force;   initiating a combustion reaction to combust the liquid fuel and produce thermal energy that is retained within heat-absorbing substrate;   flowing cold water into the tubing system;   converting the water into steam using the thermal energy retained by the heat-absorbing substrate;   providing the steam to a steam turbine for producing mechanical energy;   providing the mechanical energy to a power generator; and   producing an electric current.   
     
     
         38 - 40 . (canceled)