US4257232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Calcium carbide power system
Assignee: KRAUS PHYLLIS C/O PAUL C GUZIK ATTORNEY AT LAW
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Filing: 1979-07-13
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Granted: 1981-03-24
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Expires: 1999-07-13
Abstract
Abstract A calcium carbide based power system for stationary and mobile power plants. The carbide is reacted with water to create heat and acetylene, with the acetylene then being burned to heat a boiler for providing steam to a steam turbine. The exhaust of the turbine is condensed and pumped back into the boiler, first being pre-heated by a heat exchanger in the carbide-water reactor to pre-heat the boiler makeup water (steam) and to cool the reactor. The system may limit the excess water required for the carbide-water reactor, and provides recovery of the heat given off in the generation of the acetylene for maximum system efficiency. Other, alternate embodiments are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Ealious D. Bell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:20
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K3/00; F01K3/18; F01K3/188
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A power system comprising; conversion means for converting a heat rate to power; reactor means utilizing a dry process for reacting calcium carbide and water to provide acetylene and a first source of heat; means for conveying heat from said first source of heat to said conversion means; and means coupled to said reactor means for conveying acetylene from said reactor means to said conversion means and for burning the acetylene to provide a second source of heat for said conversion means, said means for conveying heat from said first source of heat to said conversion means being a means for conveying heat at rates dependent upon the rate of the reaction in said reactor means, whereby the temperature of said reactor means will tend to be self-regulating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A power system comprising; conversion means for converting a heat rate to power; reactor means utilizing a dry process for reacting calcium carbide and water to provide acetylene and a first source of heat; means for conveying heat from said first source of heat to said conversion means; and means coupled to said reactor means for conveying acetylene from said reactor means to said conversion means and for burning the acetylene to provide a second source of heat for said conversion means, said means for conveying heat from said first source of heat to said conversion means being a means for conveying heat at rates dependent upon the rate of the reaction in said reactor means, whereby the temperature of said reactor means will tend to be self-regulating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The power system of claim 1 wherein said conversion means comprises a means for converting a heat rate to electrical power.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The power system of claim 1 wherein said conversion means comprises a means for converting a heat rate to mechanical power.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The power system of claim 1 wherein said conversion means comprises a steam turbine system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The power system of claim 4 wherein said steam turbine system comprises a closed loop steam turbine system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The power system of claim 1 further comprised of means for controlling the rate of the calcium carbide-water reaction in said reactor means responsive to the heat required in said conversion means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The power system of claim 6 wherein said means for controlling the rate of the calcium carbide-water reaction in said reactor means comprises means for controlling the rate of addition of at least one of the reactants to said reactor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The power system of claim 7 wherein said means for controlling the rate of the calcium carbide-water reaction in said reactor means comprises means for controlling the rate of addition of both calcium carbide and water to said reactor means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The power system of claim 1 wherein said reactor means is a counter flow reactor means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The power system of claim 1 wherein said conversion means utilizes external combustion apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
A power system comprising: a steam turbine means for extracting power from steam; a boiler coupled to said steam turbine for providing steam thereto; means for providing water to said boiler; an acetylene burner system for heating said boiler; and a calcium carbide-water reactor coupled to said acetylene burner system for reacting calcium carbide and water utilizing a dry process to provide acetylene to said acetylene burner system; said reactor including a heat exchanger coupled to said means for providing water to said boiler to transfer heat from said reactor to the water, the rate at which water is provided by said means for providing water to said boiler varying with the rate of the reaction in said reactor, whereby the reactor temperature will be self-regulating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
126 words
A power system comprising: a steam turbine means for extracting power from steam; a boiler coupled to said steam turbine for providing steam thereto; means for providing water to said boiler; an acetylene burner system for heating said boiler; and a calcium carbide-water reactor coupled to said acetylene burner system for reacting calcium carbide and water utilizing a dry process to provide acetylene to said acetylene burner system; said reactor including a heat exchanger coupled to said means for providing water to said boiler to transfer heat from said reactor to the water, the rate at which water is provided by said means for providing water to said boiler varying with the rate of the reaction in said reactor, whereby the reactor temperature will be self-regulating.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The power system of claim 11 wherein said means for providing water comprises a condenser coupled to the output of said steam turbine, and a pump coupled to said condensor for pumping water into said heat exchanger.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power system of claim 11 further comprised of means for controlling the rate of the calcium carbide-water reaction in said reactor responsive to the need for acetylene in said acetylene burner system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The power system of claim 13 wherein said means for controlling the rate of the calcium carbide-water reaction in said reactor comprises means for controlling the rate of addition of at least one of the reactants to said reactor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The power system of claim 14 wherein said means for controlling the rate of the calcium carbide-water reaction in said reactor comprises means for controlling the rate of addition of both calcium carbide and water to said reactor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The power system of claim 15 wherein said reactor is a counter flow reactor having an acetylene outlet adjacent the calcium carbide inlet, and a moisture inlet adjacent the outlet of the reacted calcium carbide outlet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The power system of claim 11 further comprised of a condenser coupled between said reactor and said acetylene burner system for removing moisture from the acetylene produced by the reactor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-23 | 1984-09-22 | 1985-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-23 | 1988-09-22 | 1989-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-23 | 1992-09-22 | 1993-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |