Patent ID: 6127054
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A method of power generation by converting thermal energy into electric energy via a reversible chemical reaction, the method comprising the steps of:a. providing a positive catalytic electrode comprised of a catalyst and a negative catalytic electrode comprised of a catalyst from which an electric current for power generation is to be taken;b. interposing an electrolyte between the positive catalytic electrode and the negative catalytic electrode;c. heating the positive catalytic electrode and the negative catalytic electrode to respective temperatures which are different the temperature of the negative catalytic electrode being effective to form decomposition products of a reactant at the negative catalytic electrode by catalytic reaction of the reactant;d. contacting the negative catalytic electrode with the reactant under conditions effective to catalytically react and form the decomposition products thereof, which decomposition products include a cellular reaction material for cellular reaction for power generation;e. contacting the positive catalytic electrode with the decomposition products under conditions effective to reactively reproduce the reactant on the positive catalytic electrode; andf. circulating the reproduced reactant to the negative catalytic electrode,wherein the reactant is 2-propanol which decomposes into acetone and a hydrogen atom, the hydrogen atom being the cellular reaction material and being divided into a proton and an electron on the negative catalytic electrode, the protons moving in the electrolyte and reaching the positive catalytic electrode, andwherein the temperature of the negative catalytic electrode is about the boiling point of the 2-propanol.