Glossary

This is a conceptual presentation.

This is NOT a proposal or solicitation for work.

Hydrogen-Oxygen Heat Engine (HOX-HE)
Proposed

The PROPOSED Hydrogen Oxygen Heat Engine (HOX-HE) utilizes the maximum potential of the fuel’s combustion capabilities. In its liquid form, it is commonly used as rocket engine fuel known as LH2/LOX. It’s high, controllable operating temperatures of 3200°C (5800°F) allows for boiling water to make both steam at 540°C as well as 750°C for use in very efficient “high temperature electrolysis” units. The heat is stored in igneous rocks or uniformly cast magma Ingots assisted by a blowing fan.  computerized technology controls the intermittent use of the HOX engine as required to keep the ingots in appropriate temperature ranges. 

It is anticipated that the HOX-HE Will be used to heat steam for “high temperature electrolysis” and “hydrogen fuel cell” technology even after steam turbines are replaced for generating electricity.

High Temperature Electrolysis (HTE)

High temperature electrolysis is more efficient economically than traditional room-temperature electrolysis because some of the energy is supplied as heat, which is cheaper than electricity, and also because the electrolysis reaction is more efficient at higher temperatures. In fact, at 2500 °C, electrical input is unnecessary because water breaks down to hydrogen and oxygen through thermolysis. Such temperatures are impractical; proposed HTE systems operate between 100 °C and 850 °C.

The efficiency improvement of high-temperature electrolysis is best appreciated by assuming that the electricity used comes from a heat engine, and then considering the amount of heat energy necessary to produce one kg hydrogen (141.86 megajoules), both in the HTE process itself and also in producing the electricity used. At 100 °C, 350 megajoules of thermal energy are required (41% efficient). At 850 °C, 225 megajoules are required (64% efficient).

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-temperature_electrolysis

 

 

Newest Developments in 

High Temperature Electrolysis - HTE

 

Bloom Energy has created an excellent presentation basically reiterating everything in the attached HOX-HE presentation. This short video explains the shared technology between High Temperature Electrolysis and the Hydrogen Fuel Cell. Video highlights the need for a sustainable, totally green heat source like the HOX-HE.

 

The Bloom Guide to its High Temperature Electrolyzer From Bloom Energy

 

 

Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC)

Link to site

A microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is a technology related to Microbial fuel cells (MFC). Whilst MFCs produce an electric current from the microbial decomposition of organic compounds, MECs partially reverse the process to generate hydrogen or methane from organic material by applying an electric current.The electric current would ideally be produced by a renewable source of power. The hydrogen or methane produced can be used to produce electricity by means of an additional PEM fuel cell or internal combustion engine.

The efficiency of hydrogen production depends on which organic substances are used. Lactic and acetic acid achieve 82% efficiency, while the values for unpretreated cellulose or glucose are close to 63%.

The efficiency of normal water electrolysis is 60 to 70 percent. As MEC’s convert unusable biomass into usable hydrogen, they can produce 144% more usable energy than they consume as electrical energy.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbial_electrolysis_cell

Microbial Electrolysis Carbon Capture (MECC)

Microbial electrolysis carbon capture (MECC) is a carbon capture technique using microbial electrolysis cells during wastewater treatment. MECC results in net negative carbon emission wastewater treatment by removal of carbon dioxide (CO₂) during the treatment process in the form of calcite (CaCO₃), and production of profitable H₂ gas.

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions contribute to significant regional climate change due to the compound's contribution to the greenhouse gas effect in the atmosphere. Most mitigation goals to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere are based on high levels of CO₂ produced by fossil fuel combustion as a basis for energy production. The use of fossil fuels emits CO₂ and other toxic compounds such as SO_x and NO_x in the process of combustion. Economic growth is reliant on energy production for transportation and industrial production of goods and services, the amount of CO₂ emitted is predicted to continue to increase in the foreseeable future.

Wastewater processing reflects a small percentage of greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, wastewater treatment consumes "3% of total electricity within the U.S." At least 12 trillion gallons of wastewater are treated in the United States alone per year, which contributes to 1.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Microbial electrolysis carbon capture (MECC) is a process that contributes to sustainable energy practice in both private and public sectors. MECC takes advantage of properties inherent to wastewater, such as organic content, to remove carbon dioxide and produce calcite precipitate and hydrogen gas.

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell - SOFC

A Hydrogen fuel cell (also Solid Oxide Fuel Cell - SOFC) is a device that generates electricity without any moving parts. It converts chemical potential energy (energy stored in hydrogen’s molecular bonds) into electrical energy. 

A PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) cell uses hydrogen gas (H2) and oxygen gas (O2) as fuel. 

The products of the reaction in the cell are water, electricity, and heat. This is a big improvement over internal combustion engines, coal burning power plants, and nuclear power plants, all of which produce harmful by-products.

Since O2 is readily available in the atmosphere, we only need to supply the fuel cell with H2 which can come from an electrolysis process. 

 

 

The perfect hydrogen Oxygen gas mixture.

The optimum ratio of gases “Hydrogen to Oxygen” is: 

2 Hydrogen atoms to 1 Oxygen atom,  mirroring the chemical composition of Water.

2H2O(l)→ 2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(l)
Chemical formula for optimum combustion

Also matching the amount of each gas produced through electrolysis’ of water.
 

Water recovery and recycling.

The HOX-HE System.

Virtually Recovers and Recycles All water Used.

Water, H2O is the only byproduct of Hydrogen/Oxygen Combustion. and recoverable.

 

It is possible to recover and recycle all the water produced from hydrogen-oxygen combustion in an appropriate designed closed vessel. 

 
View actual lecture hall demonstration.