Systems for the recovery of gas and/or heat from the melting of metals and/or the smelting of ores and conversion thereof to electricity

Abstract

Systems recover gas and/or heat and convert the recovered gas and/or heat to electrical power. The systems recover gas and/or heat from metal melting and/or smelting processes used in the manufacturing and/or refining of metals and/or their by-products. The recovered gas and/or heat are converted into electrical power. The heat of the metal melting and/or smelting process is converted to superheated liquid, such as steam, through a heat exchanger for operating a turbine motor and electrical power generator to produce electrical power. Flue gases from the melting and/or smelting processes used in the manufacturing and/or refining of metals and/or their by-products are utilized to drive a gas turbine motor and electrical power generator to produce electrical power. Electricity generated by the systems electrolyze water to form hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for generating electricity, the system comprising:
 a first vessel containing heated material generated during a heating process;   a first conduit thermally connected to the first vessel wherein heat from the first vessel and the heated material generate a first vaporized liquid within the first conduit;   a first turbine fluidly connected to the first conduit wherein the first vaporized liquid drives the turbine;   a first electricity generator connected to the first turbine wherein the first electricity generator generates electricity when driven by the first turbine; and   a channel connecting the first vessel to a second vessel for transporting a portion of the heated material to the second vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heated material is generated during the heating processes of metal melting and/or smelting of metal ore. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first conduit is integrally connected external to the first vessel. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first conduit is internal to the first vessel and further wherein the first conduit is submerged in a portion of the heated material. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flue gas conduit that routes flue gases from the first vessel and/or the second vessel;   a second conduit thermally connected to the flue gas conduit wherein heat from the flue gas conduit generates a second vaporized liquid within the second conduit;   a second turbine connected to the flue gas conduit wherein the flue gases drive the second turbine; and   a second electricity generator connected to the second turbine wherein the second electricity generator generates electricity when driven by the second turbine.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second conduit thermally connected to the second vessel wherein heat from the second vessel generates a second vaporized liquid within the second conduit;   a second turbine fluidly connected to the second conduit wherein the second vaporized liquid drives the second turbine; and   a second electricity generator connected to the second turbine wherein the second electricity generator generates electricity when driven by the second turbine.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second conduit thermally connected to the second vessel wherein the second conduit is integrally connected external to the second vessel.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second conduit thermally connected to the second vessel wherein the second conduit is integrally connected internal to the second vessel and further wherein the second conduit is submerged in a portion of the heated material.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a roof removably disposed on the first vessel and/or the second vessel; and   a conduit thermally connected to the roof wherein heat from the first vessel and/or the second vessel generates vaporized liquid within the conduit.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a condenser fluidly connected to the first turbine wherein the vaporized liquid condenses and further wherein the condenser is fluidly connected to the first vessel and/or the second vessel.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electrolysis system having water and electrodes wherein the electricity generated from the first electricity generator is directed to the electrodes and electrolyzes the water producing hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.   
     
     
         12 . A system for generating electricity, the system comprising:
 a first conduit containing a first vaporized liquid generated from a vessel in a heating process of metal melting and/or smelting of metal ore;   a first turbine fluidly connected to the first conduit wherein the first vaporized liquid drives the first turbine;   a first electricity generator connected to the first turbine wherein the first electricity generator generates electricity when driven by the first turbine;   a second conduit fluidly connected to the first turbine wherein the second conduit receives steam from the first turbine;   a heat exchanger that receives liquid water from a third conduit wherein the heat from the steam generates a second vaporized liquid;   a second turbine fluidly connected to the heat exchanger wherein the second vaporized liquid drives the second turbine; and   a second electricity generator connected to the second turbine wherein the second electricity generator generates electricity when driven by the second turbine.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a vessel containing heated material fluidly connected to a condenser wherein the vessel receive condensed water from a condenser and further wherein heat from the vessel generates a third vaporized liquid within a third conduit;   a third turbine connected to the third conduit wherein the third vaporized liquid drives the third turbine; and   a third electricity generator connected to the third turbine wherein the third electricity generator generates electricity when driven by the third turbine.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 an electrolysis system having water and electrodes wherein the electricity generated from the electricity generator is directed to the electrodes and electrolyzes the water producing hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.   
     
     
         15 . A system for generating electricity during a metal melting and/or smelting process that produces a derivative material, the system comprising:
 a slag box that receives the derivative material;   a conduit thermally connected to the slag box wherein heat from the slag box generates a vaporized liquid within the conduit;   a turbine connected to the conduit wherein the vaporized liquid drives the turbine; and   an electricity generator connected to the turbine wherein the electricity generator generates electricity when driven by the turbine.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a flue gas conduit that routes flue gases from the slag box;   a second turbine connected to the flue gas conduit wherein the flue gases drive the second turbine; and   a second electricity generator connected to the second turbine wherein the second electricity generator generates electricity when driven by the second turbine.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an electrolysis system having water and electrodes wherein the electricity generated from the electricity generator is directed to the electrodes and electrolyzes the water producing hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.