Domestic energy supply system

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DOMESTC ENERGY SUPPLY SYSTEM Source is provided by a first fluid-flow circuit, a heating circuit, generally denoted 19, which comprises a reservoir

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 22 of liquid, in series with a solar heating element 20. The 08/150,119, filed Dec. 16, 1993, now abandoned. Solar heating element 20 is powered by Solar energy denoted

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A, the Solar energy A Serving to heat the liquid contained therein and consequentially the liquid contained in the

The present invention relates to an energy Supply System, reservoir 22.

which has particular, but not exclusive, application to The Second circuit, the working circuit, generally denoted domestic installations. 1, comprises a vaporizing chamber 10, which is immersed in In the context of the present invention the term alternative the reservoir 22 of the heating circuit 19, and is in series with energy Source refers to all non-fossil fuels. Such as wind an engine 12 and a condenser 14, the condenser 14 thus also generated energy, Solar energy, energy derived from waste being connected to the vaporizing chamber 10 via feed disposal, energy recovered from flue gases or other waste means 15. The condenser 14 is further provided with a cold fluids, and energy derived from the decomposition of Veg water inlet 8 which is operable to feed cold water from an etable or other matter. 15 external Source (not shown) on to the coil of the condenser

In one aspect, the present invention provides an energy 14. The cold water serves to cool the coil of the condenser Supply System comprising a vaporizing chamber containing 14, after which the resulting heated water exits the con a vaporisable liquid to which heat from heat Source is denser 14 via hot water outlet 9. The engine 12 is further Supplied to vaporize the liquid; energy-conversion means connected to an electrical generator 16, the output of which which is driven by the vaporized liquid from the vaporizing is operatively connected to a load 18 and an electrolysis chamber So producing mechanical energy; and a condenser plant 40, via relay 2. The output of the electrical generator which condenses the vaporized liquid exiting from the 16 is also monitored by a controller 51, which inter alia, energy-conversion means, and feed means which returns the controls the relay 2.

resulting condensate to the vaporizing chamber, at least a 25 The precise nature of feed means 15 Selected depends on portion of the produced mechanical energy being used to what type of engine is used. For example, if a positive power an electrolysis of water to Separate it into its con displacement device is Selected as the engine 12 then the Stituent parts for Subsequent energy-creating recombination. feed means 15 may comprise an auxiliary piston attached to, The heat source may be in the form of an alternative and driven by, the engine piston. On the other hand, if a energy Source, as hereinbefore defined, or combinations turbine is used, then an electric pump driven by the electrical thereof. generator 16 might be used. Of course, in a domestic energy Preferably, the energy-conversion means may be an Supply System for use in a domestic installation, where engine in the form of a turbine or positive displacement relatively Small amounts of power are generated, a Small device. positive displacement device is significantly more energy Preferably, an electrical generator uses the mechanical 35 efficient than a turbine. Currently, a turbine is not usable for energy produced by the energy-conversion means to gener the Scale of application of a domestic installation. ate electrical energy, which powerS Said electrolysis of The electrolysis plant 40, which is of conventional Water. construction, carries out the electrolysis of water and is Preferably, the energy-creating recombination of the con provided with an oxygen outlet 100 and a hydrogen outlet Stituent parts of the water may be implemented using an 40 102. The hydrogen outlet 102 is connected to a suitable underwater burner, whereby the energy created is in the form container 41, which itself is in communication with a fuel of heat. cell 42 via a valve 3. The valve 3 is also controlled by Preferably, the energy-creating recombination of constitu controller electrical 51. The fuel cell 42 is operable to provide power when hydrogen gas enters the fuel cell 42 ent parts of the water takes place using a fuel cell, whereby via valve 3, in manner which is widely known. The power the energy created is in the form of electricity. 45

In another aspect the present invention provides a method Voltage regulator 52 which 42 output 44 of the fuel cell is connected to an electronic for Supplying energy comprising the Steps of heating a Voltage at a predetermined level. to maintain the output is operable

Vaporisable liquid; Supplying the vaporized liquid to the energy-conversion means which is driven by the vaporized energy In use, for example, in the domestic Situation, the Solar liquid So producing mechanical energy; using the mechani 50 A heats up the liquid contained in the heating circuit cal energy to power an electrolysis of water So as to Separate heating thus 19 and also heats the liquid in the reservoir 22. The of liquid in the reservoir 22 vaporizes the liquid in it into its constituent parts, and Subsequently recombining the vaporizing chamber 10. The resultant pressure build-up the constituent parts to produce energy. in the vaporizing chamber 10 causes high pressure vaporized BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 55 liquid 3 to drive the engine 12, and hence the connected Embodiments of the invention are hereinafter described electrical generator 16. The lower pressure vapor 4 which is with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: expelled from the engine 12 is condensed in the condenser FIG. 1 represents a schematic view of an embodiment of 14 and passed as liquid 5 back into the higher pressure the invention in use with a Solar heating device as the heat vaporizing chamber 10, via the feed means 15. Source; and 60 If the Solar energy A is present in Sufficient quantities, then FIG. 2 shows a schematic of an underwater burner used the controller 51 establishes that the present load require when reacting together hydrogen and oxygen. ments of the household are below the power currently being

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE

produced (i.e., the voltage output of electrical generator is

INVENTION

above a certain threshold value), in which case the excess 65 power is channelled via relay 2 to the electrolysis plant 40,

In an embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIG. where water is then electrolyzed. The evolved hydrogen 1, the system has two closed fluid-flow circuits. A heat exits via outlet 102 and is stored in the hydrogen store 41.

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The oxygen gas which is evolved from oxygen outlet 100 omitted, it will be appreciated that the vaporizing chamber may be vented to the atmosphere. In the case when the heat may be directly heated by Solar or other energy. Source is derived not from the Sun but, for example, from It will thus be understood that the present invention is waste material then the oxygen may assist in the combustion Suitable for use in all areas where it is desired to cut down thereof. Alternatively, the oxygen may simply be stored in a on energy bills by making use of alternative energy Sources. Similar way to the hydrogen for either possible use in the In domestic installations, the use of the invention may well fuel cell or possible Sale. dispense Substantially with the need for conventional gas If the controller 51 establishes that the Solar energy source and electricity services. It will be appreciated that distilled is insufficient to meet the present load requirements of the water will also be a product of the energy-creating recom household (i.e., the output voltage of the generator falls bination of the hydrogen and oxygen, thereby providing a below a predetermined threshold), the controller 51 opens Source of potable water which could dispense with the need the valve 3, thus allowing hydrogen to flow into the fuel cell for a basic potable Supply to the dwelling. Furthermore, it 42. The resultant electrical power produced by the fuel cell will be seen that there are no pollutants generated by the 42 enables the Voltage regulator 52 to compensate for the System of the present invention, whereby the System is Shortfall in the available Solar energy and maintain the 15 environmentally friendly.

output power of the generator 16 in Step with the household What is claimed is:

power requirements. 1. A domestic energy Supply System comprising: In another embodiment of the invention, the Voltage a vaporizing chamber containing a vaporisable fluid; regulator 52 may be replaced by an electric motor in Series a heat Source capable of Supplying heat to turn Said with the generator 16. In another embodiment of the Vaporisable fluid from a liquid to a vapor, Said heat invention, where the heat Storage properties of the heating Source comprising an energy Source Selected from one circuit 19 are not required, it may be omitted. or more of the group consisting of a wind generated It will be appreciated by any skilled person that within the energy Source, a Solar energy Source, a flue gas energy System just described, there are Several heat Sources which Source, and a Source in which energy is derived from can be further exploited. For example, the cooling fluid 25 the decomposition of organic matter; flowing through the condenser via inlet 8 and outlet 9 may an energy-conversion means connected to Said vaporizing be used in numerous other to domestic contexts, for example chamber which is driven by Said vapor to produce Space heating. It may also be used to heat outside areas Such mechanical energy, as patioS to keep free from ice or Snow. a condenser for cooling Said vapor and condensing Said AS an alternative to the fuel cell 42 arrangement herein Vapor back to liquid, Said condenser being connected to before described, an underwater burner 35 of the type shown Said energy conversion means, in FIG.2 may be utilized as a replacement to or in conjunc feed means connected to Said condenser which returns tion with fuel cell 42. Previously electrolyzed hydrogen and Said liquid to Said Vaporizing chamber, oxygen gas are Supplied by pipes 31 and 32 respectively into a metering device 33, which controls the ratioS of hydrogen 35 water in electrical contact with means for producing and oxygen flowing therethrough. The correct ratios of electrolysis of water to Separate Said water into its hydrogen and oxygen are then fed into a combustion cham constituent parts connected to Said energy-conversion ber 34 lined with catalyst, which is submersed in fluid water means and powered by at least a portion of Said 37. The fluid may be or any other suitable fluid. The mechanical energy; and combustion chamber 34 is shaped to ensure complete com 40 means for producing a recombination of the constituent bustion and mixing of the gases. The combustion chamber parts of Said water to produce energy, connected to Said 34 is further provided with an igniter 39 which initiates the means for producing electrolysis, comprising a fuel cell complete combustion of the gases, if complete combustion to produce electrical energy, and an underwater burner is not achieved spontaneously on mixing together the gases. for producing heat energy to heat a domestic water The resultant mixture of water, water vapor and Super-heated 45 Supply Surrounding Said underwater burner. steam leaves the combustion chamber 34 by a conventional 2. A domestic energy Supply System comprising: non-return valve 36. a vaporizing chamber containing a vaporisable fluid; The heat energy generated during recombination Serves to a heat Source capable of Supplying heat to turn Said heat up the Surrounding fluid 37 by convection, radiation and Vaporisable fluid from a liquid to a vapor, Said heat from the gases in the combustion chamber 34. The surround 50 Source comprising an energy Source Selected from one ing fluid 37 can thus be a source of hot water on demand, the or more of the group consisting of a wind generated temperature thereof simply being controlled by the amount energy Source, a Solar energy Source, a flue gas energy of hydrogen and oxygen to be re-combined. After combus Source, and a Source in which energy is derived from tion is complete a further non-return valve 38 allows air to the decomposition of organic matter; bleed into the chamber 34 to prevent the formation of a 55 a positive displacement device connected to Said vapor Vacuum therein. The formation of a vacuum in the chamber izing chamber which is driven by Said vapor to produce 34 would give rise to the risk of the combustion chamber 34 mechanical energy, collapsing. a condenser for cooling Said vapor and condensing Said In another embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), Vapor back to liquid, Said condenser being connected to where the heat source is provided by a furnace, it will be 60 Said a positive displacement device; appreciated that the oxygen produced by the electrolysis feed means connected to Said condenser which returns plant 40 may be fed back to the furnace to aid further the Said liquid to Said vaporizing chamber; operation of the furnace. In this respect, it is pointed out that water in electrical contact with means for producing hydrogen gas may similarly be used in this role, if desired electrolysis of water to Separate Said water into its or otherwise disposed of. 65 constituent parts connected to Said positive displace The electrolysis plant 40 and the fuel cell 42 may be ment device and powered by at least a portion of Said embodied in a single unit. When the heating circuit 19 is mechanical energy; and

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S 6 means for producing a recombination of the constituent 4. A domestic energy Supply System according to claim 1 parts of Said water to produce energy, connected to Said or 3, wherein Said energy-conversion means is a positive means for producing electrolysis, comprising a fuel cell displacement device.

5. A domestic energy Supply System according to claim 2, to produce electrical energy, and an underwater burner wherein for producing heat energy to heat a domestic water connectedSaid to means for producing electrolysis of water is

Said positive displacement device via an elec

Supply Surrounding Said underwater burner. trical generator which uses Said mechanical energy produced 3. A domestic energy Supply System comprising: by Said positive displacement device to generate output a vaporizing chamber containing vaporisable fluid; electrical power to Said means for producing electrolysis of a heat Source capable of Supplying heat to turn Said Water. 6. A domestic energy Supply System according to claim 5, Vaporisable fluid from a liquid to a vapor, Said heat further comprising a regulation means, operable to monitor Source comprising an energy Source Selected from one Said output electrical power from Said electrical generator, or more of the group consisting of a wind generated Said regulation means being adapted to control the energy energy Source, a Solar energy Source, a flue gas energy creating recombination of the constituent parts of Said water Source, and a Source in which energy is derived from 15 and initiate operation of Said electrolysis means in response the decomposition of organic matter; to variations in Said output electrical power. energy-conversion means connected to Said vaporizing 7. A domestic energy Supply System according to claims chamber which is driven by Said vapor to produce water 1 or 3, wherein Said means for producing electrolysis of mechanical energy, is contacted to Said energy-conversion means via an a condenser for cooling Said vapor and condensing Said produced generator electrical which uses Said mechanical energy by Said energy-conversion means to generate

Vapor back to liquid, Said condenser being connected to output electrical power to Said means for producing elec Said energy conversion means, trolysis of water.

feed means connected to Said condenser which returns 8. A domestic energy Supply System according to claim 7, Said liquid to Said vaporizing chamber; further comprising a regulation means, operable to monitor water in electrical contact with means for producing 25 Said output electrical power from Said electrical generator, electrolysis of water to Separate Said water into its Said regulation means being adapted to control the energy creating recombination of the constituent parts of Said water constituent parts connected lo Said energy-conversion and initiate means and powered by at least a portion of Said to variationsoperation in Said of Said electrolysis means in response output electrical power.

mechanical energy; and 9. A domestic energy Supply System according to claims an underwater burner, connected to Said means for pro 1, 2, or 3, further comprising an inlet to Said condenser for ducing electrolysis, for producing a recombination of Supplying cooling fluid to Said condenser and an outlet from the constituent parts of Said water for producing heat Said condenser for removing cooling fluid. energy to heat a domestic water Supply Surrounding

Said underwater burner.