초록 ▼

An encagement vessel contains water and a working gas capable of forming hydrate with the water. A heat exchange arrangement is associated with the encagement vessel for removing heat from the working gas and water in the encagement vessel to form gas hydrate at an initial temperature. A working gas

An encagement vessel contains water and a working gas capable of forming hydrate with the water. A heat exchange arrangement is associated with the encagement vessel for removing heat from the working gas and water in the encagement vessel to form gas hydrate at an initial temperature. A working gas supply continues to add working gas to the encagement vessel as heat is removed in order to maintain the equilibrium pressure of the gas hydrate at the equilibrium pressure associated with the initial temperature as the hydrate is formed. An equilibrium pressure shifting arrangement increases the equilibrium pressure of the gas hydrate to an end pressure. A dissociating heat exchanger is included for adding heat to the hydrate at the end equilibrium pressure to dissociate the gas hydrate into water and working gas at the end pressure. A suitable gas valve is associated with the vessel in which dissociation is performed in order to remove gas hydrate at the end pressure and maintain the pressure in the vessel at the end pressure as the hydrate is dissociated. The working gas released at the high end pressure may be directed to a suitable gas turbine for driving the turbine to produce mechanical energy that can in turn be used to produce electricity through a suitable generator.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for converting energy using gas hydrates, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming gas hydrate at an initial temperature from a working gas and water; (b) increasing the equilibrium pressure of the gas hydrate to an end pressure; and (c) dissociating the gas hydrate into water and wo

A method for converting energy using gas hydrates, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming gas hydrate at an initial temperature from a working gas and water; (b) increasing the equilibrium pressure of the gas hydrate to an end pressure; and (c) dissociating the gas hydrate into water and working gas at the end pressure.