Systems and vessels for producing hydrocarbons and/or water, and methods for same

• US 7,750,494 B1
• Filed: 12/03/2007
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rudolph Behrens
• Original Assignee: Rudolph Behrens
• Inventors: Behrens, Derek, Behrens, Todd, Behrens, Rudolph, Behrens, Courtney
• Primary Examiner(s): AVILA, STEPHEN P
• Application Number:
  US11/998,912
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 114/264, 114/265, 290/55
• US Class Current: 290/55
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/04 by electrolysis of water
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 15/08 Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 15/10 using gearing not limited to rotary motion, e.g. with oscillating or reciprocating members
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/005 the axis being vertical
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/11 storing electrical energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/28 the apparatus being a pump or a compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/61 for hydrogen and/or oxygen production
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/62 for desalination
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/95 offshore
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/141 Wind power
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/727 Offshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/74 Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/00 Technologies relating to chemical industry
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

Systems and methods for producing hydrocarbons from wind energy, water, and air comprising a power system, wind turbine, and electrical generator; the system further comprises a water purifier comprising a conduit and vacuum device for flash distillation; the system further includes a hydrocarbon processor, which comprises a carbon dioxide interface, and electrolyzer, a reverse water gas shift reactor, and an ethanation reactor; alternatively the hydrocarbon processor may include a cyanobacteria cultivator a solution optimizer and a catalyzer; also included is a method for producing purified water using vegetation in a floatable craft; also disclosed is a synthetic fuel process consisting of a translucent closed tank for producing algae and a protein separator for dewatering algae; methods relating to production and drawing of algae to produce methane and other hydrocarbon promoters; also disclosed is a energy producing rainkine-cycle engine device for storing concentrated solar energy.

Claims

1. A system for producing hydrocarbons from wind energy, water, and air comprising:

a power system for producing, storing, and distributing power, the power system including;

a wind turbine for harnessing the wind energy, the wind turbine having a rotatable shaft and one or more rotor blades connected to the rotatable shaft,

an electrical generator mechanically coupled with the rotatable shaft for producing power when wind contacts the one or more rotor blades causing the rotatable shaft to rotate thereby producing power, and

a power storage and regulation element, for regulating and storing the power produced by the generator;

a water purifier, the water purifier including;

a conduit comprising a first rim defining a first opening, and second rim defining a second opening, and at least one conduit wall extending from the first rim to an elevation that is higher than the phase change elevation of water to the second rim, thereby allowing water vapor to separate from the water and travel to the second opening of the conduit when a vacuum is applied to the conduit, and

a vacuum device for applying a vacuum,

wherein the first opening of the conduit is submerged in the water, the vacuum device is in communication with the second opening exerting a vacuum sufficient to reduce the pressure inside the conduit to the vapor pressure of the water thereby raising the water in the conduit to a phase change elevation where the water changes state from liquid to vapor, allowing the water vapor to be pulled through the vacuum pump and discharged a collection container, to collect condensate;

a hydrocarbon processor, the hydrocarbon processor including;

a carbon dioxide interface for introducing carbon dioxide to the hydrocarbon processor,

an electrolyzer adapted to receive power produced by the generator, and further adapted to convert water, via electrolysis, into hydrogen and oxygen, and provide a hydrogen effluent stream of hydrogen,

a reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reactor adapted to receive the hydrogen effluent stream from the electrolyzer and a carbon dioxide stream containing carbon dioxide for converting the carbon dioxide and hydrogen, in the presence of a catalyst, into a RWGS effluent stream comprising carbon monoxide and water, and

an ethanation reactor adapted to receive and convert the RWGS effluent stream, in the presence of a catalyst, into the hydrocarbon product; and

a control system for regulating and monitoring the power system and the hydrocarbon processor.

2. The system of claim 1, the vacuum device including a vacuum pump, the vacuum pump being either mechanically adapted to operate from the turning of the rotatable shaft in response to the wind contacting the one or more rotor blades, or the vacuum pump being equipped with an electric motor that operates from the power produced by the generator.

3. The system of claim 1, the vacuum device including a venturi duct and a fan, the venturi duct defined by an upstream opening defining a first cross sectional area at a first end, a downstream opening having a second cross sectional area at a second end, and one or more duct walls connecting the upstream opening to the downstream opening,

said duct having a throat section defined by the one or more duct walls, located between the upstream opening and the downstream opening, and having a throat cross sectional area that is less than the first cross sectional area, and

the venturi duct further being connected to the second opening of the conduit at a port located in the one or more duct walls at the throat section, whereby the fan directs airflow through the throat section of the duct, causing a drop in pressure and exerting a vacuum at the second opening of the conduit.

20. The system of claim 1, further including a heating element applied to the conduit to regulate the temperature of the water and/or the water vapor and to prevent icing in the conduit.

21. The system of claim 1, the vacuum pump being mechanically adapted to operate from the turning of the rotatable shaft in response to the wind contacting the one or more rotor blades.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising a telemetric system for remote operation and monitoring of the system.

23. The system of claim 1, the system being integral to a floating vessel.

24. The system of claim 23, the floating vessel comprising:

one or more containers having a chamber formed therein, and

a structural frame for interconnecting the one or more chambers.

25. The system of claim 22, further comprising a navigation and propulsion system for permitting the system to traverse open waters.

26. The system of claim 25, the navigation and propulsion system being adapted to be remotely operated and monitored.

4. A system for producing hydrocarbons from wind energy, water, and algae comprising:

a power system for producing, storing, and distributing power, the power system including;

a wind turbine for harnessing the wind energy, the wind turbine having a rotatable shaft and one or more rotor blades connected to the rotatable shaft,

an electrical generator mechanically coupled with the rotatable shaft for producing power when wind contacts the one or more rotor blades causing the rotatable shaft to rotate thereby producing power, and

a power storage and regulation element, for regulating and storing the power produced by the generator;

a water purifier, the water purifier including;

a conduit, the conduit comprising a first rim defining a first opening, and second rim defining a second opening, and at least one conduit wall extending from the first rim to an elevation that is higher than the phase change elevation of water to the second rim, thereby allowing water vapor to separate from the water and travel to the second opening of the conduit when a vacuum is applied to the conduit, and

a vacuum device for applying a vacuum,

wherein the first opening of the conduit is submerged in the water, the vacuum device is in communication with the second opening exerting a vacuum sufficient to reduce the pressure inside the conduit to the vapor pressure of the water thereby raising the water in the conduit to a phase change elevation where the water changes state from liquid to vapor, allowing the water vapor to be pulled through the vacuum pump and discharged a collection container, to collect condensate water;

a hydrocarbon processor, the hydrocarbon processor including;

a cyanobacteria cultivator for cultivating a solution of cyanobacteria utilizing the condensate water,

a solution optimizer for adjusting the amount of water in the solution of cyanobacteria and water to create an optimized solution of cyanobacteria and water, and

a catalyzer for causing a portion of the optimized solution of cyanobacteria and water to reach a supercritical state, wherein a portion of the optimized solution is broken down into its elemental constituents creating a postsupercritical portion of the optimized solution; and

a control system for regulating and monitoring the power system and the hydrocarbon processor.

5. The system of claim 4, the vacuum device including a vacuum pump, the vacuum pump being either mechanically adapted to operate from the turning of the rotatable shaft in response to the wind contacting the one or more rotor blades, or the vacuum pump being equipped with an electric motor that operates from the power produced by the generator.

6. The system of claim 4, the vacuum device including a venturi duct and a fan, the venturi duct defined by defined by an upstream opening defining a first cross sectional area at a first end, a downstream opening having a second cross sectional area at a second end, and one or more duct walls connecting the upstream opening to the downstream opening,

said duct having a throat section defined by the one or more passageway walls, located between the upstream opening and the downstream opening, and having a throat cross sectional area that is less than the first cross sectional area, and

the venturi duct further being connected to the second opening of the conduit at a port located in the one or more duct walls at the throat section, whereby the fan directs airflow through the throat section of the duct, causing a drop in pressure and exerting a vacuum at the second opening of the conduit.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the catalyzer comprises a pressure vessel having electrodes disposed within the pressure vessel for applying an electrical current to the optimized solution.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the catalyzer comprises a pressure vessel having electrodes disposed within the pressure vessel for applying an electrical current to the optimized solution.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein the catalyzer comprises a cavatition inducing nozzle, wherein the optimized solution is forced through said nozzle, causing a portion of the optimized solution to reach a supercritical state, wherein said portion of the optimized solution is reduced into its elemental constituents creating a postsupercritical portion of the optimized solution containing hydrocarbons after cooling and condensing.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the catalyzer comprises a cavatition inducing nozzle, wherein the optimized solution is forced through said nozzle, causing a portion of the optimized solution to reach a supercritical state, wherein said portion of the optimized solution is reduced into its elemental constituents creating a postsupercritical portion of the optimized solution containing hydrocarbons after cooling and condensing.

11. A system for producing purified water from wind energy and water comprising:

a wind turbine for harnessing the wind energy, the wind turbine having a rotatable shaft and one or more rotor blades connected to the rotatable shaft,

a conduit, the conduit comprising a first rim defining a first opening, and second rim defining a second opening, and at least one conduit wall extending from the first rim to an elevation that is higher than the phase change elevation of water to the second rim, thereby allowing water vapor to separate from the water and travel to the second opening of the conduit when a vacuum is applied to the conduit, and

a vacuum device for applying a vacuum,

wherein the first opening of the conduit is submerged in the water, the vacuum device is in communication with the second opening exerting a vacuum sufficient to reduce the pressure inside the conduit to the vapor pressure of the water thereby raising the water in the conduit to a phase change elevation where the water changes state from liquid to vapor, allowing the water vapor to be pulled through the vacuum device and discharged into a collection container, to collect condensate water.

12. The system of claim 11, the vacuum device including a vacuum pump, the vacuum pump being either mechanically adapted to operate from the turning of the rotatable shaft in response to the wind contacting the one or more rotor blades, or the vacuum pump being equipped with an electric motor that operates from the power produced by the generator.

13. The system of claim 11, the vacuum device including a venturi duct and a fan, the venturi duct defined by defined by an upstream opening defining a first cross sectional area at a first end, a downstream opening having a second cross sectional area at a second end, and one or more duct walls connecting the upstream opening to the downstream opening,

said duct having a throat section defined by the one or more duct walls, located between the upstream opening and the downstream opening, and having a throat cross sectional area that is less than the first cross sectional area, and

the venturi duct further being connected to the second opening of the conduit at a port located in the one or more duct walls at the throat section, whereby the fan directs airflow through the throat section of the duct, causing a drop in pressure and exerting a vacuum at the second opening of the conduit.

28. The system of claim 11, further comprising a telemetric system for remote operation and monitoring of the system.

29. The system of claim 28, the system being integral to a floating vessel.

14. A method for producing purified water comprising:

turning a wind turbine to effect generation of electricity in a generator;

transferring electricity produced by the generator to power one or more devices;

exerting a vacuum on a water source to extract water vapor;

condensing the water vapor; and

collecting the water vapor that condensed, wherein the step of exerting a vacuum on a water source to extract water vapor comprises

providing a conduit, the conduit comprising a first rim defining a first opening, and second rim defining a second opening, and at least one conduit wall extending from the first rim to an elevation that is higher than the phase change elevation of water to the second rim, thereby allowing water vapor to separate from the water and travel to the second opening of the conduit when a negative pressure is applied to the conduit,

submerging the first opening of the conduit in water,

connecting the second opening of the conduit to a vacuum pump, and

applying a negative pressure to the second opening of the conduit with the vacuum pump, thereby causing water from the water source to be drawn upwardly into the conduit to the phase change elevation, wherein the water vapor is separated from the water and pulled towards the second opening of the conduit.

15. A method for producing purified water comprising:

turning a wind turbine to effect generation of electricity in a generator;

transferring electricity produced by the generator to power one or more devices;

exerting a vacuum on a water source to extract water vapor;

condensing the water vapor; and

collecting the water vapor that condensed, wherein the step of exerting a vacuum on a water source to extract water vapor comprises

providing a duct defined by a upstream opening defining a first cross sectional area at a first end and a downstream opening having a second cross sectional area at a second end, and one or more duct walls connecting the upstream opening to the downstream opening, said duct having a throat section defined by the one or more duct walls, located between the upstream opening and the downstream opening, and having a throat cross sectional area that is less than the first cross sectional area,

providing a conduit, the conduit comprising a first rim defining a first opening, and second rim defining a second opening, and at least one conduit wall extending from the first rim to an elevation that is higher than the phase change elevation of water to the second rim, thereby allowing water vapor to separate from the water and travel to the second opening of the conduit when a negative pressure is applied to the conduit,

submerging the first opening of the conduit in water,

connecting the second opening of the conduit to a port located in the one or more duct walls

at the throat section, and

forcing air through the duct, thereby exerting a vacuum on the second opening.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of forcing air through the duct is accomplished by directing wind from a fan into the duct.

17. A method for producing hydrocarbons, comprising:

turning a wind turbine to effect generation of electricity in a generator,

transferring electricity produced by the generator to an electrolyzer to enable the electrolyzer,

exerting a vacuum on a water source to extract water vapor,

condensing the water vapor,

cultivating cyanobacteria in the water condensed form the water vapor to create a solution of cyanobacteria and water,

adjusting the amount of water in the solution to obtain an optimized solution of cyanobacteria and water,

catalyzing the optimized solution, causing a portion of the optimized solution to reach a supercritical state, wherein said portion of the optimized solution is broken down into its elemental constituents creating a postsupercritical portion of the optimized solution,

allowing the optimized solution and the postsupercritical portion of the optimized solution to cool and condense, thereby forming a hydrocarbon product from the postsupercritical portion.

18. The method of claim 17, the step of catalyzing the optimized solution including applying an electrical current to the optimized solution, causing a portion of the

optimized solution to reach a supercritical state, wherein said portion of the optimized solution is broken down into its elemental constituents creating a postsupercritical portion of the optimized solution.

19. The method of claim 17, the step of catalyzing the optimized solution including forcing the optimized solution through a cavitation inducing nozzle, causing a portion of the optimized solution to reach a supercritical state, wherein said portion of the optimized solution is broken down into its elemental constituents creating a postsupercritical portion of the optimized solution.

27. A floating vessel for producing water comprising:

one or more containers having one or more chambers formed therein, at least one of the one or more chambers being a root chamber for containing a root portion of a plant, and at least another of the one or more chambers being a transpiration chamber containing a non root containing portion of the plant,

a temperature and humidity controller for providing the root portion of the plant and/or the non root portion of the plant with an optimal environment for transpiring water vapor,

a nutrient controller for maintaining the optimal delivery of nutrients the root portion of the plant and/or the non root portion of the plant,

a lighting controller for maintaining optimal lighting within at least one of the one or more containers,

a power system for producing, storing, and distributing power, the power system including;

a wind turbine for harnessing the wind energy, the wind turbine having a rotatable shaft and one or more rotor blades connected to the rotatable shaft,

an electrical generator mechanically coupled with the rotatable shaft for producing power when wind contacts the one or more rotor blades causing the rotatable shaft to rotate thereby producing power, and

a power storage and regulation element, for regulating and storing the power produced by

the generator; and

a cooling container that is ported to the non root chamber, wherein the temperature and humidity controller, the nutrient water passes into the root chamber containing the root portion of the plant and the plant absorbs the water and transpires water vapor from the non root portion of the plant into the transpiration chamber where the water vapor passes into the cooling container and cools and condensate is collected.