Power generation systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A method of power generation comprising the steps of:
- supplying an electrolyte to an electrochemical reaction zone defined between a reactive metal anode and a spaced cathode of an electrochemical cell to produce a power output, said electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said reactive metal;
oxidizing carbon to form carbon dioxide and generate useful power;
combining said useful power with the power output of said electrochemical cell to produce useful work;
contacting said electrolyte with said carbon dioxide to form a carbonate reaction product of said metal hydroxide and said carbon dioxide;
separating said carbonate reaction product from said electrolyte; and
recirculating said separated electrolyte to said reaction zone.
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Abstract
A power generation system utilizing an electrochemical cell comprising a reactive metal anode, a cathode spaced from the anode, and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of the reactive metal is disclosed. Carbon is oxidized to form carbon dioxide which in turn is contacted with the electrolyte of the electrochemical cell to form a carbonate reaction product of the metal hydroxide and the carbon dioxide. The carbonate reaction product is separated from the electrolyte and the electrolyte is recirculated to the electrochemical cell. The carbon may be oxidized in a manner so as to generate useful power.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of power generation comprising the steps of:
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supplying an electrolyte to an electrochemical reaction zone defined between a reactive metal anode and a spaced cathode of an electrochemical cell to produce a power output, said electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said reactive metal; oxidizing carbon to form carbon dioxide and generate useful power; combining said useful power with the power output of said electrochemical cell to produce useful work; contacting said electrolyte with said carbon dioxide to form a carbonate reaction product of said metal hydroxide and said carbon dioxide; separating said carbonate reaction product from said electrolyte; and recirculating said separated electrolyte to said reaction zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for power generation comprising:
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an electrochemical cell for producing a power output including a reactive metal anode, a cathode spaced from said anode, and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said reactive metal; a source of oxidizable carbon; means for oxidizing said carbon to form carbon dioxide and generate useful power; means for contacting said electrolyte with said carbon dioxide to form a carbonate reaction product of said metal hydroxide and said carbon dioxide; means for separating said carbonate reaction product from said electrolyte; means for recirculating said separated electrolyte to said electrochemical cell; and means for combining the power output of said electrochemical cell with the power output of said oxidizing means to produce useful work. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification