Urea based composition and system for same

• US 20030219371A1
• Filed: 04/07/2003
• Published: 11/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven C. Amendola
• Original Assignee: Steven C. Amendola
• Inventors: Amendola, Steven C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,140,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 423/351
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2208/00309 with two or more reactions in heat exchange with each other, such as an endothermic reaction in heat exchange with an exothermic reaction
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2208/00539 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00006 Large-scale industrial plants
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0004 Processes in series
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 23/745 Iron
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 8/0005 Catalytic processes under superatmospheric pressure non-catalytic processes B01J3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 8/20 with liquid as a fluidising medium
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 21/02 Preparation of nitrogen by decomposition of ammonia C01B3/047
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0233 the reforming step being a steam reforming step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1241 Natural gas or methane
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/047 Decomposition of ammonia
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/34 by reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents
• CPC Class Codes: C01C 1/086 from urea
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1293 Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/147 Fuel cells with molten carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/08 Fuel cells with aqueous electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/222 Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on compounds containing nitrogen, e.g. hydrazine, ammonia
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/52 using catalysts, e.g. selective catalysts

Abstract

A method and apparatus for generating energy from a composition comprising urea and water are described. The method in one embodiment includes: (a) reacting the urea with water to form ammonia; and (b) oxidizing the ammonia formed in step (a) to form water and nitrogen generating energy. The apparatus in one embodiment contains: (a) a first container for providing the composition; (b) a second container for reacting the urea with water to form ammonia, wherein the second container is connected to the first container by means for delivering the composition from the first container to the second container; (c) a third container for providing ammonia, wherein the third container is connected to the second container by means for delivering ammonia from the third container to the second container; and (d) a fourth container for oxidizing ammonia to form water and nitrogen generating energy, wherein the fourth container is connected to the second container by means for delivering ammonia from the second container to the fourth container. The method and apparatus are used to generate energy for use in stationary and mobile applications.

Claims

1. A method for generating energy from a composition comprising urea and water, the method comprising:

(a) reacting the urea with water to form ammonia; and

(b) oxidizing the ammonia formed in step (a) to form water and nitrogen generating energy.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the weight of urea in the composition is equal to about 10% to about 90% of the weight of the water in the composition.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the urea reacts with water in step (a) at a temperature ranging between about 140°

C. and about 240°

C. and a pressure ranging between about 30 atmospheres and 50 atmospheres.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein step (a) of the method is catalyst-free.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the method comprises mixing or contacting the composition with a catalyst capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water in step (a).

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the catalyst is an oxide of a metal, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, vanadium and zinc.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a combustible fuel, a combustion enhancer, and a combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the component is a combustible fuel present in an amount which can be combusted to generate a sufficient amount of heat to initiate a reaction of urea with water.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the combustible fuel is ammonia.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the component is a combustion enhancer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises mixing or contacting the composition with an enzyme capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the enzyme is capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water at a temperature ranging between room temperature and a temperature at which the half life of the enzyme is less than 1 minute.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the enzyme is urease.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises combusting the ammonia formed in step (a).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein nitrogen oxides are formed in step (b) and the method further comprises reacting a sufficient amount of the composition with the nitrogen oxides to reduce the nitrogen oxides.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the ammonia is combusted in an engine having a compression ratio selected from the group consisting of a compression ratio between 9:

1 and 30;

1 and a compression ratio greater than 30;

1.

17. A method for generating energy from a composition comprising urea and water, the method comprising:

(a) reacting the urea with water to form ammonia;

(b) converting the ammonia formed in step (a) to nitrogen and hydrogen; and

(c) oxidizing the hydrogen formed in step (b) to form water generating energy.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the weight of urea in the composition is equal to about 10% to about 90% of the weight of the water in the composition.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the urea reacts with water in step (a) at a temperature ranging between about 140°

C. and about 240°

C. and a pressure ranging between about 30 atmospheres and 50 atmospheres.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein step (a) of the method is catalyst-free.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the method comprises mixing or contacting the composition with a catalyst capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water in step (a).

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the catalyst is an oxide of a metal, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, vanadium and zinc.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein step (b) comprises mixing or contacting the ammonia formed in step (a) with a catalyst capable of catalyzing the formation of hydrogen.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the catalyst is iron (II) oxide or iron (III) oxide.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the composition further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a combustible fuel, a combustion enhancer, and a combination thereof.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the method comprises mixing or contacting the composition with an enzyme capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein step (c) comprises combusting the hydrogen formed in step (b).

28. The method of claim 17, wherein step (c) is catalyzed by a catalyst containing platinum.

29. A method for generating energy from a composition comprising urea and water, the method comprising:

(a) reacting the urea with water in the absence of an oxidizing agent to form hydrogen; and

(b) oxidizing the hydrogen formed in step (a) to form water generating energy.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the weight of urea in the composition is equal to about 10% to about 90% of the weight of the water in the composition.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the composition is heated at a temperature ranging between about 150°

C. and 250°

C. and a pressure ranging between about 30 and about 50 atmospheres.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the composition further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a combustbile fuel, a combustion enhancer, and a combination thereof.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein step (a) comprises contacting the composition with a catalyst capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water to form hydrogen.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the catalyst capable of catalyzing the formation of hydrogen is selected from the group consisting of a catalyst comprising a transition metal, a catalyst comprising a rare earth element, a catalyst comprising an actinide, and a combination thereof.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the transition metal is selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, nickel, cobalt, iron, copper, zinc, titanium, vanadium, molybdenum, rhodium, ruthenium, zirconium, tungsten, rhenium, silver, and gold.

36. A method for generating energy from a composition comprising urea and water, the method comprising heating the composition to oxidize the urea with an oxidizing agent to form water generating energy.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the weight of urea in the composition is equal to about 10% to about 90% of the weight of the water in the composition.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the composition is heated at a temperature ranging between about 150°

C. and 250°

C. and a pressure ranging between about 30 and about 50 atmospheres.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the composition further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a combustbile fuel, a combustion enhancer, and a combination thereof.

40. The method of claim 36, comprising contacting the composition with a catalyst capable of catalyzing the oxidation of urea.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein the catalyst capable of catalyzing the oxidation of urea is the oxidizing agent.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the catalyst capable of catalyzing the formation of hydrogen is selected from the group consisting of a catalyst comprising a transition metal, a catalyst comprising a rare earth element, a catalyst comprising an actinide, and a combination thereof.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the transition metal is selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, nickel, cobalt, iron, copper, zinc, titanium, vanadium, molybdenum, rhodium, ruthenium, zirconium, tungsten, rhenium, silver, and gold.

44. A method for generating energy from a composition comprising urea and water, comprising:

(a) reacting the urea with water to form ammonia;

(b) dividing the ammonia formed in step (a) into a first portion and a second portion;

(c) converting the first portion of ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen; and

(d) oxidizing the hydrogen formed in step (c) and the second portion of ammonia to form nitrogen and water generating energy.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the weight of urea in the composition is equal to about 10% to about 90% of the weight of the water in the composition.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the urea reacts with water in step (a) at a temperature ranging between about 140°

C. and about 240°

C. and a pressure ranging between about 30 atmospheres and 50 atmospheres.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein step (a) of the method is catalyst-free.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the method comprises mixing or contacting the composition with a catalyst capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water in step (a).

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the catalyst is an oxide of a metal, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, vanadium and zinc.

50. The method of claim 44, wherein the method comprises mixing or contacting the composition with an enzyme capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the enzyme is capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water at a temperature ranging between room temperature and a temperature at which the half life of the enzyme is less than 1 minute.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein the enzyme is urease.

53. The method of claim 44, wherein step (d) comprises combusting the hydrogen and the second portion of the ammonia.

54. The method of claim 44, wherein step (c) comprises mixing or contacting the first portion of ammonia with a catalyst capable of catalyzing the conversion of ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the catalyst is iron (II) oxide or iron (III) oxide.

56. A method for driving a pneumatic device, comprising:

(a) providing a composition comprising urea and water;

(b) oxidizing the urea with an oxidizing agent in the presence of a catalyst to generate energy and form a plurality of gaseous substances under pressure; and

(c) directing the plurality of gaseous substances formed under pressure into the pneumatic device to drive the pneumatic device.

57. An apparatus for generating energy from a composition comprising urea and water, comprising:

(a) a first container for providing the composition;

(b) a second container for reacting the urea with water to form ammonia, wherein the second container is connected to the first container by means for delivering the composition from the first container to the second container;

(c) a third container for providing ammonia, wherein the third container is connected to the second container by means for delivering ammonia from the third container to the second container; and

(d) a fourth container for oxidizing ammonia to form water and nitrogen generating energy, wherein the fourth container is connected to the second container by means for delivering ammonia from the second container to the fourth container.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the fourth container for oxidizing ammonia is an engine for combusting ammonia.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein nitrogen oxides are formed from the combustion of ammonia, and the apparatus further comprises

(c) a fifth container for providing a sufficient amount of the composition to reduce the nitrogen oxides;

and

(f) means for delivering the nitrogen oxides from the engine to the fifth container.

60. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the third container is a container for providing an amount of ammonia which can be combusted to generate a sufficient amount of heat to initiate the reaction of urea with water to form ammonia.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the amount of heat is sufficient to instantly initiate the reaction of urea with water to form ammonia.

62. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the second container for reacting the urea with water to form ammonia is a container for providing a catalyst capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water.

63. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the second container for reacting the urea with water to form ammonia is a container for providing an enzyme capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water.

64. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the second container is fitted with a first valve for adding the enzyme to the second container.

65. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein particulate matter is formed during the reaction of urea with water, and the second container is fitted with a second valve for draining the particulate matter.

66. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the fourth container for oxidizing ammonia is an ammonia fuel cell.

67. An apparatus for generating energy from a composition comprising urea and water, comprising:

(a) a first container for providing the composition;

(b) a second container for reacting the urea with water to form ammonia, wherein the second container is connected to the first container by means for delivering the composition from the first container to the second container;

(c) a third container for providing ammonia, wherein the third container is connected to the second container by means for delivering ammonia from the third container to the second container;

(d) a fourth container for converting ammonia to nitrogen and hydrogen, wherein the fourth container is connected to the second container by means for delivering ammonia from the second container to the fourth container;

(e) a fifth container for providing hydrogen, wherein the fifth container is connected to the fourth container by means for delivering hydrogen from the fifth container to the fourth container; and

(f) a sixth container for oxidizing hydrogen to form water generating energy, wherein the sixth container is connected to the fourth container by means for delivering hydrogen from the fourth container to the sixth container.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the sixth container for oxidizing hydrogen is an engine for combusting hydrogen.

69. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the third container is a container for providing an amount of ammonia which can be combusted to generate a sufficient amount of heat to initiate the reaction of urea with water to form ammonia.

70. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the amount of heat is sufficient to instantly initiate the reaction of urea with water to form ammonia.

71. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the second container for reacting the urea with water to form ammonia is a container for providing a catalyst capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water to form ammonia.

72. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the second container for reacting the urea with water to form ammonia is a container for providing an enzyme capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water.

73. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the second container is fitted with a first valve for adding the enzyme to the second container.

74. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein particulate matter is formed during the reaction of urea with water, and the second container is fitted with a second valve for draining the particulate matter.

75. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the fourth container for converting ammonia to nitrogen and hydrogen is a container for providing a catalyst capable of catalyzing the formation of hydrogen from ammonia.

76. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the sixth container for oxidizing hydrogen is a hydrogen fuel cell.

77. An apparatus for generating energy from a composition comprising urea and water, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a first container for providing the composition;

(b) a second container for reacting the urea with water in the absence of an oxidizing agent to form hydrogen, wherein the second container is connected to the first container by means for delivering the composition from the first container to the second container;

(c) a third container for providing hydrogen, wherein the third container is connected to the second container by means for delivering hydrogen from the third container to the second container; and

(d) a fourth container for oxidizing hydrogen to form water generating energy, wherein the fourth container is connected to the second container by means for delivering hydrogen from the second container to the fourth container.

78. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein the fourth container for oxidizing hydrogen is an engine for combusting hydrogen.

79. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein the second container for reacting the urea with water to form hydrogen is a container for providing a catalyst capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water to form hydrogen.

80. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein the fourth container for oxidizing hydrogen is a hydrogen fuel cell.

81. An apparatus for generating energy from a composition comprising urea and water, comprising:

(a) a first container for providing the composition; and

(b) a second container oxidizing the urea with an oxidizing agent to form water, wherein the second container is connected to the first container by means for delivering the composition from the first container to the second container.

82. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the second container for oxidizing the urea is an engine for combusting the urea.

83. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the second container for heating the composition to oxidize the urea is a container for providing a catalyst capable of catalyzing the oxidation of urea.

84. An apparatus for generating energy from a composition comprising urea and water, comprising:

(a) a first container for providing the composition;

(b) a second container for reacting the urea with water to form ammonia, wherein the second container is connected to the first container by means for delivering the composition from the first container to the second container;

(c) a third container for providing ammonia, wherein the third container is connected to the second container by means for delivering ammonia from the third container to the second container;

(d) a fourth container for converting a first portion of the ammonia formed in the second container into nitrogen and hydrogen, wherein the fourth container is connected to the second container by means for delivering the first portion of ammonia from the second container to the fourth container;

(e) a fifth container for providing hydrogen, wherein the fifth container is connected to the fourth container by means for delivering hydrogen from the fifth container to the fourth container; and

(f) a sixth container for oxidizing hydrogen and a second portion of the ammonia to form nitrogen and water generating energy, wherein the sixth container is connected to the fourth container by means for delivering hydrogen from the fourth container to the sixth container, and wherein the sixth container is connected to the second container by means for delivering the second portion of ammonia from the second container to the sixth container.

85. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the sixth container for oxidizing hydrogen and the second portion of ammonia is an engine for combusting hydrogen and ammonia.

86. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein nitrogen oxides are formed from the combustion of the second portion of the ammonia, and the apparatus further comprises

(e) a seventh container for providing a sufficient amount of the composition to reduce the nitrogen oxides;

and

(f) means for delivering the nitrogen oxides from the engine to the seventh container.

87. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the third container is a container for providing an amount of ammonia which can be combusted to generate a sufficient amount of heat to initiate the reaction of urea with water to form ammonia.

88. The apparatus of claim 87, wherein the amount of heat is sufficient to instantly initiate the reaction of urea with water to form ammonia.

89. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the second container for reacting the urea with water to form ammonia is a container for providing a catalyst capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water to form ammonia.

90. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the second container for reacting the urea with water to form ammonia is a container for providing an enzyme capable of catalyzing the reaction of urea with water.

91. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the second container is fitted with a first valve for adding the enzyme to the second container.

92. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein particulate matter is formed during the reaction of urea with water, and the second container is fitted with a second valve for draining the particulate matter.

93. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the fourth container for converting the first portion of ammonia to nitrogen and hydrogen is a container for providing a catalyst capable of catalyzing the conversion of the first portion of ammonia to nitrogen and hydrogen.

94. An apparatus for generating energy from a composition comprising urea and water, the apparatus comprising a fuel cell capable of utilizing urea as a fuel, wherein the cell is selected from the group consisting of a low temperature fuel cell and a high temperature fuel cell, and electricity is generated directly from urea by passing the urea through the fuel cell.

95. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the fuel cell is a high high temperature fuel cell selected from the group consisting of a solid oxide fuel cell and a molten carbonate fuel cell.

96. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the fuel cell is a low high temperature fuel cell selected from the group consisting of an alkaline-fuel cell and a phosphoric acid fuel cell.