US3576424A - Method and apparatus for melting a salt bed in a steam generator - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for melting a salt bed in a steam generator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3576424A US3576424A US644437A US3576424DA US3576424A US 3576424 A US3576424 A US 3576424A US 644437 A US644437 A US 644437A US 3576424D A US3576424D A US 3576424DA US 3576424 A US3576424 A US 3576424A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- salt mixture
- coil
- container
- steam
- temperature
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 9
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 title claims description 8
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 title claims description 8
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 title abstract description 17
- 239000011833 salt mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 29
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 26
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- WMFOQBRAJBCJND-UHFFFAOYSA-M Lithium hydroxide Chemical compound [Li+].[OH-] WMFOQBRAJBCJND-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- 238000010309 melting process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004326 stimulated echo acquisition mode for imaging Methods 0.000 description 2
- 101100400378 Mus musculus Marveld2 gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 244000019194 Sorbus aucuparia Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005338 heat storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001026 inconel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000006414 serbal de cazadores Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
- F01K3/00—Plants characterised by the use of steam or heat accumulators, or intermediate steam heaters, therein
- F01K3/08—Use of accumulators and the plant being specially adapted for a specific use
- F01K3/10—Use of accumulators and the plant being specially adapted for a specific use for vehicle drive, e.g. for accumulator locomotives
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F22—STEAM GENERATION
- F22B—METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
- F22B1/00—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method
- F22B1/02—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method by exploitation of the heat content of hot heat carriers
- F22B1/06—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method by exploitation of the heat content of hot heat carriers the heat carrier being molten; Use of molten metal, e.g. zinc, as heat transfer medium
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a boiler for use in the environments referred to and in which the steam coil may be of any desired configuration.
- One of the objects of the invention is to provide method and apparatus for melting a salt bed without the use of super- I heated steam.
- Another object is to provide method and apparatus for transferring heat to the entire bed uniformly to thereby uniformly raise its temperature and melt it substantially at the same time.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an environment for the invention
- FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the vehicle propulsion system and ship apparatus for melting the boiler salt bed.
- FIG. I illustrates an underwater drone vehicle 10, controlled from a surface ship 12 which detects a submarine 14 by sonar.
- the boiler 16. as illustrated in FIG. 2, comprises a container 18 and a steam generating coil 20 within the container, the coil being submerged in a salt mixture 22.
- feed water is fed from the condenser to the steam coil which generates steam for operating the steam engine, all as more fully described in the application to Karig et al.
- a salt bed of the composition disclosed by Karig et al. which is 60 to 90 percent LiOH and 40- l percent LiF, by weight, is electrically nonconductive and that the steam coil, when formed of inconel, provides a high resistance to fiow of current which may thus be employed as a heating coil to melt the mixture.
- the vehicle is brought to the surface ship and the ends of the coil are connected to an electric power source 23, such as a generator, current being passed through the coil until the salt bed has been melted and raised to desired temperature.
- the melting process difiers from melting by steam since the coil is at uniform temperature throughout its length rather than at the variable temperature when supplied with superheated steam.
- the container may be subjected to increasing water pressure. If it is desired to use thin-wall construction for the container the pressure within the container may be equalized with ambient water pressure by a conduit 25 which extends through the container and is open at an exterior end to the water and is open at an interior end to the top of the container 18.
- an underwater vehicle of the type including apparatus for generating steam for propelling same, said apparatus comprising a closed thin-wall container having a void space at its upper end, a meltable salt mixture filling said container below said space, said mixture having substantially zero coefficient of expansion at its solidifying temperature, the solidifying temperature being in excess of 212 F., the outside of said container being in contact with and subjected to water at ambient pressure, means for pressurizing said space to ambient water pressure, whereby the salt mixture, when melted, subjects the inside of said container to ambient water pressure, a steam generating coil within said salt mixture having a water inlet at its lower end and a steam outlet at its upper end adapted to extract heat from the salt mixture and cause it to solidify, first at the bottom of the container, and thereafter in succeeding layers thereabove, the improvements, in combination, comprising:
- said salt mixture being electrically nonconductive, whereby electric current flows only through the coil and maintains it at uniform temperature throughout its length, whereby the entire salt mixture is uniformly raised in temperature.
- a method for use with an underwater vehicle of the type including apparatus for generating steam for propelling same, said apparatus comprising a closed thin-wall container having a void space at its upper end, a meltable salt mixture filling said container below said space, said mixture having substantially zero coefficient of expansion at its solidifying temperature, the solidifying temperature being in excess of 2 1 2 F., the outside of said container being in contact with and subjected to water at ambient pressure, means for pressurizing said space to ambient water pressure, whereby the salt mixture, when melted, subjects the inside of said container to ambient water pressure, a steam generating coil within said salt mixture having a water inlet at its lower end and a steam outlet at its upper end adapted to extract heat from the salt mixture and cause it to solidify, first at the bottom of the container, and thereafter in succeeding layers thereabove, said coil having high electrical resistance, whereby it serves as a heating coil, said salt mixture being electrically nonconductive whereby current will flow only through the coil and maintain it at uniform temperature throughout its length, whereby said entire salt mixture may be uniform
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- General Induction Heating (AREA)
- Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
A steam generator which includes a container, a meltable and electrically nonconductive salt disposed in the container to form a salt bed, and a high electrical resistance steam generating coil disposed in the slat bed so that an electric current can be passed through the coil to heat the salt bed and then the heat of the salt bed can be used to generate steam in the coil.
Description
United States Patent l 13,576,424
[72] Inventors John P. Strapp [56] References Cited Glendale; g UNITED STATES PATENTS Nmma Mcmmam 2033.1 1 1 3/1936 Carleton 219/300x [21] Appl. No. 644,437
. v 3,008,889 11/1961 Junkms 122/33)( [22] Flled Ma 31, 1967 3,069,527 12/1962 Kovacik 219/378X [45 1 Paemed 1971 3 147 744 9/1964 P rc'v 1 122/33 [73) Assignee The United Stats of America as represented 3356834 12/1967 1 a 219 530 by the Secretary of the Navy e ean Primary Examiner-Albert W. Davis, Jr. Attorneys-J. P. Dunlavey and E. F. Johnston [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MELTING A SALT BED IN A STEAM GENERATOR 2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S. Cl 219/275, ABSTRACT: A steam generator which includes a container, at 60/59, 114/16, 122/32, 219/300, 219/325, meltable and electrically nonconductive salt disposed in the 219/378 container to form a salt bed, and a high electrical resistance [51] Int. Cl F22b 1/28 steam generating coil disposed in the slat bed so that an elec- [50] Field of Search 126/400; tric current can be passed through the coil to heat the salt bed 60/(1nquired), 59; 122/32, 33; 219/300, 325, 378, and then the heat of the salt bed can be used to generate steam 275,271;237/81; 114/16 in the coil.
CONDENSER ELECTRIC POWER SOURCE (SNX BOARO) Patented A ril 27, 1971 ,J s'ranm ENGINE on -X 'ruaame conosussn ELECTRIC rowan sounc: 23 (SHIPBOARO) INVENTORS.
JOSEPH P. STRAPP NORMAN S. MC DONALD V. C. MULLER ROY MILLER ATTORNEYS.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MELTING A SALT BED TN A STEAM GENERATOR The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
In the copending application of Horace E. Karig et al., Ser. No. 500,389, filed Oct. 2l, I965, an underwater molten salt heat storage boiler is disclosed which generates steam for propelling an underwater vehicle which is periodically raised to the surface of the water for remelting the salt bed, the remelting being effected by passing superheated steam, available on the surface ship, through the steam coil. In the copending application of Gerrit DeVries et al., Ser. No. 584,062, filed Sept. 30, 1966, there is disclosed a boiler for use in the same environment wherein the novelty resides in the specific configuration of the steam coil.
The present invention relates to a boiler for use in the environments referred to and in which the steam coil may be of any desired configuration.
One of the objects of the invention is to provide method and apparatus for melting a salt bed without the use of super- I heated steam.
Another object is to provide method and apparatus for transferring heat to the entire bed uniformly to thereby uniformly raise its temperature and melt it substantially at the same time.
Still further objects, advantages, and salient features will become more apparent from the description to follow, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an environment for the invention, and
FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the vehicle propulsion system and ship apparatus for melting the boiler salt bed.
Referring now to the drawing, FIG. I, as in the application to Karig et al., illustrates an underwater drone vehicle 10, controlled from a surface ship 12 which detects a submarine 14 by sonar.
The boiler 16. as illustrated in FIG. 2, comprises a container 18 and a steam generating coil 20 within the container, the coil being submerged in a salt mixture 22. When the drone is submerged, feed water is fed from the condenser to the steam coil which generates steam for operating the steam engine, all as more fully described in the application to Karig et al.
It has been discovered that a salt bed of the composition disclosed by Karig et al., which is 60 to 90 percent LiOH and 40- l percent LiF, by weight, is electrically nonconductive and that the steam coil, when formed of inconel, provides a high resistance to fiow of current which may thus be employed as a heating coil to melt the mixture. in the melting process, the vehicle is brought to the surface ship and the ends of the coil are connected to an electric power source 23, such as a generator, current being passed through the coil until the salt bed has been melted and raised to desired temperature. The melting process difiers from melting by steam since the coil is at uniform temperature throughout its length rather than at the variable temperature when supplied with superheated steam.
As the vehicle descends in the water the container may be subjected to increasing water pressure. If it is desired to use thin-wall construction for the container the pressure within the container may be equalized with ambient water pressure by a conduit 25 which extends through the container and is open at an exterior end to the water and is open at an interior end to the top of the container 18.
Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
We claim:
I. In an underwater vehicle of the type including apparatus for generating steam for propelling same, said apparatus comprising a closed thin-wall container having a void space at its upper end, a meltable salt mixture filling said container below said space, said mixture having substantially zero coefficient of expansion at its solidifying temperature, the solidifying temperature being in excess of 212 F., the outside of said container being in contact with and subjected to water at ambient pressure, means for pressurizing said space to ambient water pressure, whereby the salt mixture, when melted, subjects the inside of said container to ambient water pressure, a steam generating coil within said salt mixture having a water inlet at its lower end and a steam outlet at its upper end adapted to extract heat from the salt mixture and cause it to solidify, first at the bottom of the container, and thereafter in succeeding layers thereabove, the improvements, in combination, comprising:
a. a source of electric power for melting said salt mixture disposed at the surface of the water and means for connecting ends of said coil to same,
b. said coil having high electrical resistance, whereby it serves as a heating coil, 1
c. said salt mixture being electrically nonconductive, whereby electric current flows only through the coil and maintains it at uniform temperature throughout its length, whereby the entire salt mixture is uniformly raised in temperature.
2. A method for use with an underwater vehicle of the type including apparatus for generating steam for propelling same, said apparatus comprising a closed thin-wall container having a void space at its upper end, a meltable salt mixture filling said container below said space, said mixture having substantially zero coefficient of expansion at its solidifying temperature, the solidifying temperature being in excess of 2 1 2 F., the outside of said container being in contact with and subjected to water at ambient pressure, means for pressurizing said space to ambient water pressure, whereby the salt mixture, when melted, subjects the inside of said container to ambient water pressure, a steam generating coil within said salt mixture having a water inlet at its lower end and a steam outlet at its upper end adapted to extract heat from the salt mixture and cause it to solidify, first at the bottom of the container, and thereafter in succeeding layers thereabove, said coil having high electrical resistance, whereby it serves as a heating coil, said salt mixture being electrically nonconductive whereby current will flow only through the coil and maintain it at uniform temperature throughout its length, whereby said entire salt mixture may be uniformly raised in temperature, said method comprising the step of a. passing an electric current through said coil when the vehicle is at the surface of the water until the salt mixture is melted and raised to a desired temperature.
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No- 3,576,424 Anil 2L l21l Invent0r(s) Joseph P. Strapp, et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:
On the cover sheet [72] "John P. Strapp Glendale; ShOll read Joseph P. Strapp Glendora; J
Signed ahd sealed this 24th day of October 1972.
(SEAL) Attest:
EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GO'ITSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patent FORM PO-105OUU-59) ulnnuu-nc ansvl
Claims (2)
1. In an underwater vehicle of the type including apparatus for generating steam for propelling same, said apparatus comprising a closed thin-wall container having a void space at its upper end, a meltable salt mixture filling said container below said space, said mixture having substantially zero coefficient of expansion at its solidifying temperature, the solidifying temperature being in excess of 212* F., the outside of said container being in contact with and subjected to water at ambient pressure, means for pressurizing said space to ambient water pressure, whereby the salt mixture, when melted, subjects the inside of said container to ambient water pressure, a steam generating coil within said salt mixture having a water inlet at its lower end and a steam outlet at its upper end adapted to extract heat from the salt mixture and cause it to solidify, first at the bottom of the container, and thereafter in succeeding layers thereabove, the improvements, in combination, comprising: a. a source of electric power for melting said salt mixture disposed at the surface of the water and means for connecting ends of said coil to same, b. said coil having high electrical resistance, whereby it serves as a heating coil, c. said salt mixture being electrically nonconductive, whereby electric current flows only through the coil and maintains it at uniform temperature throughout its length, whereby the entire salt mixture is uniformly raised in temperature.
2. A method for use with an underwater vehicle of the type including apparatus for generating steam for propelling same, said apparatus comprising a closed thin-wall container having a void space at its upper end, a meltable salt mixture filling said container below said space, said mixture having substantially zero coefficient of expansion at its solidifying temperature, the solidifying temperature being in excess of 212* F., the outside of said container being in contact with and subjected to water at ambient pressure, means for pressurizing said space to ambient water pressure, whereby the salt mixture, when melted, subjects the inside of said container to ambient water pressure, a steam generating coil within said salt mixture having a water inlet at its lower end and a steam outlet at its upper end adapted to extract heat from the salt mixture and cause it to solidify, first at the bottom of the container, and thereafter in succeeding layers thereabove, said coil having high electrical resistance, whereby it serves as a heating coil, said salt mixture being electrically nonconductive whereby current will flow only through the coil and maintain it at uniform temperature throughout its length, whereby said entire salt mixture may be uniformly raised in temperature, said method comprising the step of a. passing an electric current through said coil when the vehicle is at the surface of the water until the salt mixture is melted and raised to a desired temperature.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US64443767A | 1967-05-31 | 1967-05-31 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US3576424A true US3576424A (en) | 1971-04-27 |
Family
ID=24584900
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US644437A Expired - Lifetime US3576424A (en) | 1967-05-31 | 1967-05-31 | Method and apparatus for melting a salt bed in a steam generator |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3576424A (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3972183A (en) * | 1975-04-17 | 1976-08-03 | Chubb Talbot A | Gas dissociation thermal power system |
| US4038826A (en) * | 1975-03-03 | 1977-08-02 | Shaw John S | Solar energy system utilizing buoyancy as a conversion force |
| US4318274A (en) * | 1979-03-30 | 1982-03-09 | Boc Limited | Gas-operated motors |
| US4571484A (en) * | 1979-04-02 | 1986-02-18 | Dicore Resources, Ltd. | Mechanisms to heat fluids to higher temperatures and pressures |
| FR2765266A1 (en) * | 1997-06-26 | 1998-12-31 | Bernard Francis Jean Daligault | Energy producing device using heated gas which may be recovered from a turbine |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2033111A (en) * | 1932-02-05 | 1936-03-10 | Nat Electric Heating Company I | Electric steam heating apparatus |
| US3008889A (en) * | 1953-08-07 | 1961-11-14 | Bailey Meter Co | Control systems |
| US3069527A (en) * | 1959-09-08 | 1962-12-18 | Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc | Vapor generator utilizing heat of fusion |
| US3147744A (en) * | 1959-07-27 | 1964-09-08 | Gen Motors Corp | Thermal power plant |
| US3356834A (en) * | 1964-05-11 | 1967-12-05 | Hooker Chemical Corp | Process and apparatus for storing heat |
-
1967
- 1967-05-31 US US644437A patent/US3576424A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2033111A (en) * | 1932-02-05 | 1936-03-10 | Nat Electric Heating Company I | Electric steam heating apparatus |
| US3008889A (en) * | 1953-08-07 | 1961-11-14 | Bailey Meter Co | Control systems |
| US3147744A (en) * | 1959-07-27 | 1964-09-08 | Gen Motors Corp | Thermal power plant |
| US3069527A (en) * | 1959-09-08 | 1962-12-18 | Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc | Vapor generator utilizing heat of fusion |
| US3356834A (en) * | 1964-05-11 | 1967-12-05 | Hooker Chemical Corp | Process and apparatus for storing heat |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4038826A (en) * | 1975-03-03 | 1977-08-02 | Shaw John S | Solar energy system utilizing buoyancy as a conversion force |
| US3972183A (en) * | 1975-04-17 | 1976-08-03 | Chubb Talbot A | Gas dissociation thermal power system |
| US4318274A (en) * | 1979-03-30 | 1982-03-09 | Boc Limited | Gas-operated motors |
| US4571484A (en) * | 1979-04-02 | 1986-02-18 | Dicore Resources, Ltd. | Mechanisms to heat fluids to higher temperatures and pressures |
| FR2765266A1 (en) * | 1997-06-26 | 1998-12-31 | Bernard Francis Jean Daligault | Energy producing device using heated gas which may be recovered from a turbine |
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