Combined Hydrogen, Heat, Steam and Power Generation System (patent pending, all rights reserved)

Paper in proceeding, 2008

A novel concept of combined generation of hydrogen, heat, steam and power based on the combustion of aluminum in water is explored. The energy conversion system proposed (patent pending, all rights reserved) is potentially able to provide four different energy sources, such us pressurized hydrogen, high temperature steam, heat, and work at the crankshaft on demand, as well as to fully comply with the environment sustainability requirements. Once aluminum oxide layer is removed, the pure aluminum can react with water producing alumina and hydrogen while releasing a significant amount of energy. Thus, the hydrogen can be stored for further use and the steam can be employed for energy generation in a supplementary power system. The process is proved to be self-sustained and to provide a remarkable energy available as steam, heat or work. Furthermore, since the aluminum oxidation is completely GHG free and the alumina produced by the reaction can be recycled back to aluminum, the process has a sustainable environmental management. A preliminary design of an energy conversion system (patent pending, all rights reserved) based on the aluminum combustion in water is proposed and the efficiency of the process is discussed in terms of both hydrogen production and energy generation.