Cascade process heat conversion system

• US 5,518,554 A
• Filed: 01/27/1994
• Issued: 05/21/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edwin Newman
• Original Assignee: Edwin Newman
• Inventors: Newman, Edwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Weisstuch, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US08/188,312
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 136/248, 136/253, 136/206, 60/641.8, 60/641.15
• US Class Current: 136/248
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 6/00 Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy solar boilers F24
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/44 Means to utilise heat energy, e.g. hybrid systems producing warm water and electricity at the same time directly associated with the PV cell or integrated with the PV cell H01L31/0525
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/46 Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/60 Thermal-PV hybrids

Abstract

This invention discloses a solar energy system wherein some of the waste heat of a thermophotovoltaic system is made to operate a thermionic power generator. The waste heat of the thermionic power generator is then made to operate an alkali-metal thermal electric converter, and the waste heat from the alkali-metal thermal electric converter as well as the rest of the waste heat of the thermophotovoltaic system is made to operate a methane reformation system. Stored heat from the methane reformation system is made to operate the invention at night. The overall efficiency of the example of the invention shown in the Summary is 42.6%.

Claims

1. A heat conversion system comprising:

a. a light gathering/concentrating means for activating a radiatively emissive target means;

b. a thermophotovoltaic subsystem to convert solar insolation into electrical energy;

c. a thermionic power subsystem to convert the waste heat of said thermophotovoltaic subsystem into electric energy;

d. an alkali-metal thermal electric conversion subsystem to convert the waste heat of said thermionic power subsystem into electric energy;

e. a methane reformation subsystem to convert the waste heat of said thermophotovoltaic subsystem and said alkali-metal thermoelectric converter subsystem into storable heat energy;

f. pipe means to transfer heat from storage facilities to heat said thermophotovoltaic subsystem at night; and

g. electric power production means to provide a steady rate of power production.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said thermionic power subsystem encloses said thermophotovoltaic subsystem.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said alkali-metal thermal electric conversion subsystem encloses said thermionic power subsystem.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein catalyst-filled pipes of the said methane reformation subsystem encloses a beta alumina/porous electrode of the said alkali-metal thermal electric conversion subsystem.

5. A method for converting solar energy to electrical energy, comprising the steps of:

a. transmitting incident solar flux to a target mass, thereby raising the temperature of said mass;

b. reflecting the incoming heat from said mass to the inside of a half-shell to such an extent that the inner and outer surfaces of the half-shell glow;

c. transferring the radiation from the glowing inner surface of said half-shell to a photovoltaic array;

d. operating said photovoltaic array to produce electrical energy;

e. utilizing the electrons emitted from the glowing outer surface of said half-shell to produce electrical energy in a thermionic power generator arrangement;

f. utilizing the waste heat from said thermionic power generator arrangement to operate an alkali-metal thermal electric converter to further produce electrical energy;

g. utilizing the waste heat from said photovoltaic array to operate a methane reforming system to store heat energy;

h. utilizing the waste heat from said alkali-metal thermal electric converter to operate a methane reforming system to store heat energy;

i. utilizing said stored heat to heat up said target mass at night or on cloudy days;

j. utilizing the variously produced electrical energy to charge an electric storage apparatus which is connected to electric machines.