Metal-water combustion for clean propulsion and power generation

Jeffrey M. Bergthorson, Yinon Yavor, Jan Palecka, William Georges, Michael Soo, James Vickery, Samuel Goroshin, David L. Frost and Andrew J. Higgins

Applied Energy, 2017, vol. 186, issue P1, 13-27

Abstract: Metals are energy-dense fuels that can react exothermically with water to produce hydrogen, and this hydrogen is useful as a propellant for rockets and underwater vehicles or as a fuel for engines and fuel cells. Propulsion systems usually rely on high-temperature combustion (T>3000K) of metal-water propellants, while hydrogen-production systems typically employ low reactor temperatures (T<100°C). This paper reviews the current state of knowledge of both low-temperature and high-temperature metal-water reactions. Low-temperature reactions allow only the chemical energy contained in the hydrogen to be used, with the thermal energy released during the metal-water reaction being wasted. Metal-water propulsion systems typically make use of only the thermal energy of the metal-water reaction, with the hydrogen being exhausted to produce thrust. This paper proposes several novel applications of high-temperature metal-water combustion that allow the full chemical energy within the metal fuel to be harnessed, including high-speed air-breathing engines and high-power, compact, low-emissions power-generation systems. These technologies promise improved performance by maximizing the conversion of the chemical energy, stored within the metal fuel, into useful work at sufficient rates for high-power applications.

Keywords: Metal fuels; Hydrogen; Propulsion; Power generation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:appene:v:186:y:2017:i:p1:p:13-27

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.10.033

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