WO2012125964A2

WO2012125964A2 - Atmospheric-pressure magneto-hydrodynamic heat and power generator for commercial and residential applications

Info

Publication number: WO2012125964A2
Application number: PCT/US2012/029523
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edbertho LEAL-QUIROS; Gerardo DIAZ
Original assignee: The Regents Of The University Of California
Priority date: 2011-03-17
Filing date: 2012-03-16
Publication date: 2012-09-20
Also published as: WO2012125964A3

Abstract

An apparatus, system and method are provided for self-generating electricity in a residential or commercial appliance that combusts a fuel to form a flame for generating heat in the appliance. A burner is coupled to the appliance and receives the fuel, and nozzle(s) are provided on the configured to emit one or more flames for proving a source of heat to the appliance. A magneto-hydrodynamic generator is disposed proximate the burner and includes a first magnet and a second magnet configured to create a magnetic field, and a first power-electrode and a second power-electrode arranged in parallel to one another and perpendicular to the magnets to define a channel therebetween. A power take-off coupled to the magneto-hydrodynamic generator is configured to receive electric power from the power-electrodes for use in supplying at least a portion of the electrical requirements of the appliance when the flame enters the channel.

Description

ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE MAGNETO HYDRODYNAMIC HEAT AND POWER GENERATOR FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL APPLICATIONS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/453,849, having a filing date of March 17, 2011, titled "Atmospheric Pressure Magneto Hydrodynamic Heat and Power Generator for Commercial and Residential Applications," and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/466,380, having a filing date of March 22, 2011, titled "Atmospheric Pressure Magneto Hydrodynamic Heat and Power Generator for Commercial and Residential Applications," the complete disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus, system and method for generating heat and electric power for residential and commercial applications using a magneto-hydrodynamic generator. More specifically, the present invention relates to equipment or appliances having a magneto-hydrodynamic generator that uses a conducting fluid associated with the equipment or appliances to self-generate electricity that can be used to help offset or reduce the amount of electric power required for operation of the equipment or appliance or other related devices in residential or commercial applications.

BACKGROUND

[0003] This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0004] Current projection from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates an increase in the domestic shale gas resources estimated at about 827 trillion cubic feet that supports increased natural gas production and lower expected prices. However, industrial natural gas demand is expected to grow sharply from about 7.3 trillion cubic feet in 2009 to about 9.4 trillion cubic feet in 2020, and total electricity demand is predicted to increase at an annual rate of about 1%. Also, after a recent short decline, energy-related carbon dioxide emissions are expected to continue to grow by about 0.2 percent per year from 2005 to 2035. In California, the revised forecast for electricity consumption was lower than predicted in 2007, however, electricity

consumption is projected to grow at a rate of about 1.2 percent from 2010 to 2018, and End-User Natural Gas consumption growth rate is likely to exceed those of previous forecasts. Prices are expected to follow the increased demand of natural gas and electricity. Therefore, increased efficiency and reduction in energy consumption in residential and commercial appliances can have a substantial impact in overall energy consumption, as well as the energy-related operating budgets of residential households and commercial facilities.

[0005] An average residential household in California is believed to consume about 354 therms per year with water heating accounting for about 49%, and space heating accounting for about 37%. In general, equipment or appliances used in common residential households and commercial facilities, such as water heaters, boilers, space heaters, furnaces, clothes dryers, washing machines, food preparation equipment (e.g. ovens, stoves, ranges, etc.) and the like also require the use of electric power to run devices such as motors (e.g. to provide motive power for pumps, fans, drive trains, etc.), sensors and other instrumentation, valves, controls, lights, and other related devices, etc. However, such typical fuel-burning equipment or appliances intended for relatively small- scale use such as in residential homes or commercial facilities (e.g. offices, stores, shops, restaurants, etc.) generally do not take advantage of the conductive nature of the combusted fuel at atmospheric pressure to generate electricity that can be used to help power the equipment or appliance (or other suitable devices) in a manner that reduces the consumption of externally-generated electricity (e.g. from an electric grid, etc.) and thus improves the overall efficiency of the equipment or appliance.

[0006] It would be desirable to realize the benefits of using this untapped potential to obtain electric power from a fuel-combusting device (e.g. gas burner, nozzle, etc.) on the equipment or appliance in residential and commercial facilities or applications, by making use of the magneto-hydrodynamics principle. One precursor technology to magneto-hydrodynamics is the Wien filter technology, in which a magnetic field is perpendicular to an electric field and the ions enter the filter perpendicular to both fields. A description of Wien filter technology is provided in "Some Experimental Facts that Indicate the Elimination of Astigmatism in Ion Beams with Separators EXB" by E. Leal-Quiros, Journal of Applied Physics 52, 1152, (March 1981), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. However, the use of magneto-hydrodynamic generators to produce electricity in the past has been limited to utility-scale applications under high pressure conditions.

[0007] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide one or more apparatus, systems and methods for using a magneto-hydrodynamic generator to self-generate electricity from an electrically conductive fluid, such as (but not limited to) a fuel that is combusted under atmospheric pressure conditions in residential or commercial equipment or appliances to at least partially self-power the electrical demands of the equipment or appliances and improve their energy efficiency.

SUMMARY

[0008] One embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus for generating electricity from a fuel that is combusted to form a flame for generating heat in a residential or commercial appliance. The apparatus includes a magneto-hydrodynamic generator having a first magnet and a second magnet configured to create a magnetic field, and a first power-electrode and a second power-electrode arranged in parallel to one another and perpendicular to the magnets to define a channel therebetween. The power- electrodes are operable to generate electric power when the flame from the appliance enters the channel. Optionally, the flame may be further ionized using ionizing electrodes at generally opposite ends of the flame to create an electric field along the length of the flame. The ionizing electrodes comprise a non-ferromagnetic material and have a relatively high melting temperature. The power supply used with the ionizing electrodes to create the electric field may provide a substantially steady voltage, or may provide a pulsed or oscillating voltage, depending on the desired characteristics for a particular appliance or application. [0009] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a system for self- generating electricity in a residential or commercial appliance that combusts a fuel to form a flame for generating heat in the appliance and includes a burner coupled to the appliance and configured to receive the fuel, and one or more nozzles on the burner that emit one or more flames for proving a source of heat to the appliance. A magneto- hydrodynamic generator is disposed proximate to the burner and includes a first magnet and a second magnet configured to create a magnetic field, and a first power-electrode and a second power-electrode arranged in parallel to one another and perpendicular to the magnets to define a channel therebetween. A power take-off device receives electric power generated at the power-electrodes for use in supplying at least a portion of the electrical requirements of the appliance when the flame enters the channel.

[0010] Yet another embodiment of the invention relates to a method for self- generating electricity in a residential or commercial appliance that combusts a fuel to form a flame for generating heat in the appliance. The method includes the steps of constructing an apparatus having a magneto-hydrodynamic generator by assembling two magnets to create a magnetic field, assembling two power-electrodes arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the magnets, the magnets and the power-electrodes defining a channel at least partially therebetween, constructing or providing an appliance or piece of equipment for use in a residential or commercial application having a fuel- combusting burner that produces a flame, coupling the apparatus to the appliance so that the flame enters the channel with its flame velocity parallel to the power electrodes and perpendicular to the magnetic field, and electrically coupling the power electrodes to a power take-off device configured to supply the generated electric power for use by the appliance or another suitable device.

[0011] A further embodiment of the invention relates to a method for self- generating electricity in an appliance and includes the step of providing a combustible fuel to a burner in the appliance, the appliance including a magneto-hydrodynamic generator proximate the burner and having a first magnet and a second magnet configured to create a magnetic field, and a first power-electrode and a second power-electrode arranged substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the magnets to define a channel, thereby generating electric power at the first and second power electrodes when a flame from the burner enters the channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

[0013] FIGURES 1A and IB are schematic representations of appliances (shown by way of non-limiting examples as a water heater and a clothes dryer), each having a burner with nozzles for receiving and combusting a fuel to form a flame for providing a source of heat for use in the appliance, and from which electricity can be generated by a magneto-hydrodynamic generator for use by the appliance, according to the exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods described herein.

[0014] FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus including a magneto- hydrodynamic generator for use in a system that includes the apparatus coupled to the appliance for receiving the flame in the magneto-hydrodynamic generator to self-generate electric power for use by the appliance, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0015] FIGURES 3A and 3B are pictorial images of a portion of the apparatus including the magneto-hydrodynamic generator, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0016] FIGURE 4 is a block diagram of a methodology for adapting a magneto- hydrodynamic generator for use with an appliance to self-generate electric power for use by the appliance, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Referring to the FIGURES an apparatus, system and method for self- generating electricity from an electrically conductive fluid, shown and described herein by way of example as a fuel that is combusted in residential or commercial equipment or appliances (as a source of heat for the appliance), to at least partially self-power the electrical demands of the equipment or appliances and improve their energy efficiency are shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The apparatus 10 advantageously has no moving parts and is shown to include a magneto-hydrodynamic generator 20 and related components, that are intended for use with new equipment or appliances, but are also readily adapted for retrofit service on existing equipment or appliances. The system 40 is shown to include an appliance 50 or piece of equipment that uses combustion of a fuel to generate heat, and uses the magneto-hydrodynamic generator 20 and related components to self-generate electricity based upon the conductivity of the combusting fuel (e.g. a gas flame, etc.). The method is shown to include a methodology for adapting a magneto- hydrodynamic generator for use with an appliance or piece of equipment for use in relatively small-scale applications (such as residential homes and commercial facilities). Accordingly, although shown and described according to one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus, system and method for generating electricity from a fuel that is combusted in residential or commercial equipment or appliances to at least partially self-power the electrical demands of the equipment or appliances and improve their energy efficiency of the present invention is adaptable to any one or more of a wide variety of appliances, equipment, and types of fuels (e.g. propane, natural gas, butane, syn-gas, etc. produced from any of a wide variety of waste-products, materials or biomass), or other conductive fluids (e.g. plasmas, etc.), all of which are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0018] Referring further to the FIGURES, the equipment or appliance 50 for a residential or commercial application is shown to include a fuel combusting device 52 (e.g. a gas burner that receives the fuel and includes one or more nozzles 54) that produces a flame intended to provide a source of heat for use by the equipment or appliance 50. According to one embodiment, the equipment or appliance 50 may be any one or more of a water heater (as shown by way of example is FIGURE 1 A), boiler, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer (shown by way of example in FIGURE IB), washing machine, food preparation equipment (e.g. oven, stove, range, etc.), gas-burning fireplace, and the like, which may also require the use of electric power to run other associated devices such as motors (e.g. to provide motive power for pumps, fans, drive trains, etc.), sensors and other instrumentation, valves, controls, lights, and other related devices, etc.

[0019] The components of the magneto-hydrodynamic generator 20 are shown to include a relatively strong magnet 22 (e.g. within a range of about 0.5T - 3.0T for a permanent magnet, or within a range of about 0.5T - 7.0T for an electromagnet, etc.) arranged to provide a magnetic field substantially perpendicular to the velocity of the flame. Although the magnet 22 may use either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, a permanent magnet is preferred in some embodiments because it does not require a source of electric power, and thus is believed to be better suited to improving the efficiency of an appliance 50. Two power-electrodes 24 (i.e. a positive electrode and a negative electrode) are shown as substantially planar metallic electrodes and are arranged substantially parallel to the flame velocity and substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field. According to on embodiment, the power-electrodes 24 are made from a non- ferromagnetic material that has a relatively high melting temperature (e.g. copper, other conductive and non-ferromagnetic material, etc.).

[0020] The components of the system 40 are shown to include the appliance 50 or piece of equipment that uses combustion of the fuel to generate heat, and uses the magneto-hydrodynamic generator 20 to generate electricity based upon the electrical conductivity of the flame. Conductors (e.g. wires, etc.) are provided for delivering the generated DC electric power from the power-electrodes 24 to a suitable device such as a power-takeoff 26 (shown schematically in the FIGURES as a device having a resistance R) for adapting the electricity for use by the appliance 50, the piece of equipment or other device. The power take-off 26 may include any suitable component or device such as a battery charger, an inverter, etc. and appropriate circuitry and electronic components for supplying the power to the appliance 60 or piece of equipment.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the magneto-hydrodynamic generator 20 is configured to operate without ionization of the flame from the appliance 50 or device, in order to minimize the number of components in the apparatus and eliminate the need for an electric power supply to the apparatus.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the magneto-hydrodynamic generator 20 operates with ionization of the flame, which is intended to improve the performance and stability of the flame, and increases ionization. In such embodiments, the apparatus 10 further includes an appropriate power supply 28 configured to provide a relatively high voltage at a relatively low current to ionizing electrodes 30 disposed proximate the base of the flame and the leading end (i.e. "tip") of the flame. According to one embodiment, the ionizing electrodes 30 are generally planar and include an aperture 32, so that the plane of the ionizing electrode 30 is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the flame, and the axis of the flame extends through (or is aligned with) the apertures 32. [0023] According to one embodiment, the flame is further ionized by adding a strong electric field along the length of the flame using a relatively high voltage (for example, in a range between about 1 kV to 12 kV) with very low current (for example, in a suitable milliamp range), so that the amount of electrical power used by the apparatus is relatively small compared to the amount of power generated at the power-electrodes. The power for use in further ionizing the flame may be supplied as a relatively constant voltage. However, according to other embodiments, the power may be supplied as a non- steady voltage, such as a pulsed or oscillating voltage provided by a suitable oscillating or pulsed power supply. The electric potential is intended to help enhance flame ionization that produces positive effects on the performance and stability of the flame. The

Applicants believe that increases in laminar flame speed of up to 20% and thermal enhancements of about 100°C to 200° (180°F to 360°F) are achievable using flame ionization. The improvement in flame performance through ionization can be coupled with the generation of electric power by utilizing strong magnets with the magnetic field acting perpendicularly to the electric field that is parallel to the flow of the ionized particles in the magneto-hydrodynamic generator 20.

[0024] The apparatus 10 including the magneto-hydrodynamic generator 20 is positioned on the appliance 50 proximate the burner 54 so that the ionized flame enters the channel defined by the power-electrodes 24 and the magnets 22 of the magneto- hydrodynamic generator 20. The exhaust gases exit the magneto-hydrodynamic generator 20 and transfer heat to the appliance 50 at a temperature higher than without ionization, and DC electric power is produced at the power-electrodes 24 for use by the appliance 50, thus, increasing the energy efficiency of the appliance 50. Advantageously, the magneto- hydrodynamic generator 20 has no moving parts and the power used to ionize the flame is very low. In order to produce power most effectively, the magneto-hydrodynamic generator 20 is configured in relation to the appliance 50 so that the flame enters the channel with its velocity perpendicular to the magnetic field. The generated DC voltage appears as a potential difference between the two power-electrodes 24 that are

perpendicular to the magnetic field (see FIGURE 2). The maximum power density delivered to the power take-off device 26 (e.g. for use by the appliance or related component, etc.) per unit volume is given by the following expression:

P = (σν 2 B 2 )/4 Watts/m 3 , where σ is the ionized gas conductivity in Siemens/m; v is the ionized fluid velocity (m/s), and B is the magnetic field induction (Tesla). According to one example, a magneto-hydrodynamic generator having a magnetic field induction of B = 1/3 T, and a conductivity of σ = 50 Siemens/m, and a flame ion velocity of V = 1000 m/s, and a volume of 20 cm will generate a maximum power of approximately 111 Watts. Increasing the velocity or magnetic field can be seen to have a quadratic effect on power produced at the power electrodes for use by the appliance.

[0025] According to other embodiments, the apparatus having a magneto- hydrodynamic generator may also be used with a plasma torch replacing the gas combustor. The use of a plasma torch does not require the application of an external electric field since the degree of ionization is higher than that of the gas flame. Thus the electric power obtained from the power electrodes is higher.

[0026] Referring to FIGURE 4 a progressive flow of steps for one methodology is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The steps include: constructing an apparatus having a magneto-hydrodynamic generator by assembling two magnets parallel to one another and two metallic power-electrodes parallel to one another and

perpendicular to the magnets, so that a channel having a volume is defined therebetween; constructing or providing an appliance or piece of equipment for use in a residential or commercial application having a fuel-combusting burner that produces a flame; coupling the apparatus to the appliance so that the flame enters the channel with its flame velocity direction parallel to the power-electrodes and perpendicular to the magnetic field from the magnets; electrically coupling the power-electrodes to a power take-off device for use of the generated power by the appliance or other suitable device; optionally providing ionization electrodes on the magneto-hydrodynamic generator that are configured to ionize the flame; packaging the system, comprising the apparatus and the appliance, for sale; installing the system in connection with a fuel source; and operating the system to generate heat for the appliance and produce electricity at the power-electrodes for augmenting an external supply of electricity to the appliance.

EXAMPLES

[0027] Examples of one embodiment of an apparatus 10 having a magneto- hydrodynamic generator 20 for use in an appliance 50 or piece of equipment in a residential or commercial application are shown in FIGURES 3A and 3B. [0028] Referring to FIGURE 3A, a first example shows the magneto- hydrodynamic generator 20 constructed using two magnets 22 (shown for example at a top and bottom location) to create a magnetic field of about 1.3T, and planar metallic power-electrodes 24 arranged in parallel to one another (e.g. in the manner of vertical side-walls) and perpendicular to the magnets 22 to define a channel having a rectangular volume therebetween, and with conductive leads extending from the power-electrodes 24 to a power take-off 26 for an appliance (shown for illustration purposes as a voltmeter). In the example of FIGURE 3 A, the burner 52 for the appliance 50 is simulated by a torch and the fuel being combusted to generate the flame is a mixture of methylacetylene and propadiene (MAPP). No ionizing electrodes and thus no electric field along the length of the flame is used in this example, so the ionization level in the flame is relatively low. The flame has a temperature of about 3100°C, and is shown entering the channel with the flame velocity extending parallel to the power-electrodes 24 and perpendicular to the magnetic field. The resulting voltage produced at the power-electrodes 24 for this example is shown to be 10.8 mV.

[0029] Referring to FIGURE 3B, a second example shows the magneto- hydrodynamic generator 20 constructed using two magnets 22 (shown for example at a top and bottom location) to create a magnetic field of about 1.3T, and planar metallic power-electrodes 24 arranged in parallel to one another (e.g. in the manner of vertical side-walls) and perpendicular to the magnets 22 to define a channel having a rectangular volume therebetween, and with conductive leads extending from the power-electrodes to a power take-off 26 for an appliance (shown for illustration purposes as a voltmeter). In the example of FIGURE 3B, the burner 52 for the appliance 50 is simulated by a torch and the fuel being combusted to generate the flame is propane/air. No ionizing electrodes and thus no electric field is used in this example, so the ionization level in the flame is low. The flame has a temperature of about 1980°C, and is shown entering the channel with the flame velocity extending parallel to the power-electrodes 24 and perpendicular to the magnetic field. The resulting voltage produced at the power-electrodes 24 for this example is shown to be 4.6mV (shown in FIGURE 3B as a negative (-) number due to the polarity of the voltmeter connections).

[0030] Although these examples did not use ionizing electrodes to create an electric field (e.g. steady, oscillating, pulsed, etc.) for further ionizing the flame, the application of the such an electric field is believed to increase the electrical conductivity σ of the flame and thus the voltage generated at the power-electrodes would increase. Also, the flame temperature of propane/air is about 1980°C, which is relatively close to the flame temperature of natural gas/air, and is thus considered a relatively good

representation of performance for use with a majority of residential and commercial appliances that use natural gas as a fuel for combustion to generate heat. Accordingly, the apparatus 10 may be designed with ionizing electrodes and a suitable power supply (for systems where the appliance's flame has relatively low ionization), or the apparatus may be designed without the ionizing electrodes for systems where the appliance's flame is relatively highly ionized to reduce cost and components in the apparatus. All such variations are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0031] According to other embodiments, the apparatus may include a magneto- hydrodynamic generator having magnet and power-electrode configurations that create one or more channels that are adapted for the particular burner nozzle and flame patterns of the particular appliance. For example, the magnets and power-electrodes may be configured to provide a multitude of channels that extend radially outward for use with generally circular burners. Also, the magnets and power-electrodes may be configured to provide a multitude of channels that extend in a row substantially parallel to each other for use with elongated linear burners. Further, the magnets and power-electrodes may be configured to provide a multitude of channels with a first section that extend radially outward and a second section that has rows of parallel channels for use with U-shaped burners or the like. Accordingly, the magnets and power-electrodes (with or without ionizing electrodes for creating an electric field to ionize the flames) may be arranged in any suitable relationship to provide channels which are adapted to receive the flames extending from the nozzles of a burner in any appliance that combusts a fuel for generating heat in the appliance. Further, the various configurations of the components of the magneto hydrodynamic generator in the appliance may be configured for use in the design, manufacture and sale of new and more efficient appliances, or they may be configured for retrofit application on older, less efficient appliances in order to realize the benefits available from the various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. All such variations are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure. [0032] According to any exemplary embodiment, an apparatus having a magneto-hydrodynamic generator, and a system and method are provided for self- generating electricity from a conductive fluid such as a fuel that is combusted in residential or commercial equipment or appliances to at least partially self-power the electrical demands of the equipment or appliances and improve their energy efficiency. This apparatus, system and method are believed to provide a number of advantages, including (among others) electric power production without the need to increase the amount of fuel used (the power required to ionize the flame is lower than the power obtained at the power electrodes), reduction of pollutants due to lowering the amount of electric power drawn from the grid, and enable a new generation of appliances that reduce power consumption by self-generating electricity.

[0033] As utilized herein, the terms "approximately," "about," "substantially," and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. For example, substantially perpendicular, planar or parallel are intended to mean sufficiently perpendicular, planar or parallel (as the case may be) to obtain the desired result of generating an electrical potential difference across the power- electrodes. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

[0034] It should be noted that the term "exemplary" as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

[0035] The terms "coupled," "connected," and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.

[0036] It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0037] It is also important to note that the construction of the apparatus including the magneto-hydrodynamic generator and the arrangement of the components of the systems and description of methods for generating electricity from a fuel that is combusted in residential or commercial equipment or appliances to at least partially self- power the electrical demands of the equipment or appliances and improve their energy efficiency as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., with and without separate electrodes for flame ionization, using steady, pulsed or oscillating power for ionizing the flame, variations in electrode types, materials, quantities, shapes, sizes and placement, spacing therebetween, types of gases, plasmas or other conductive fluids, permanent magnets or electromagnets, supporting hardware, nature and types of equipment of appliances, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present inventions.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A magneto-hydrodynamic generator to generate electricity from a conductive flame, comprising:

a first magnet and a second magnet configured to create a magnetic field;

a first power-electrode and a second power-electrode arranged substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the magnets to define a channel having a volume therebetween, wherein the first and second power-electrodes are operable to generate electric power when the flame enters the channel.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the magneto-hydrodynamic generator further comprises a first ionizing electrode and a second ionizing electrode, each ionizing electrode having an aperture that aligns with a longitudinal axis of the flame.

3. The apparatus of Claim 2, further comprising a power supply electrically coupled to the ionizing electrodes and configured to generate an electric field along the length of the flame.

4. The apparatus of Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the fuel comprises at least one of: natural gas, propane, butane, oxyacetylene, landfill gas, or syn-gas produced from a waste-material or biomass.

5. A system for self-generating electricity in an appliance, comprising:

a burner coupled to the appliance and configured to receive a combustible fuel, and one or more nozzles on the burner configured to emit one or more flames for proving a source of heat to the appliance;

a magneto-hydrodynamic generator disposed proximate the burner and

comprising:

a first magnet and a second magnet configured to create a magnetic field; a first power-electrode and a second power-electrode arranged substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the magnets to define a channel therebetween; and

a power take-off configured to receive electric power from the power-electrodes for use in supplying at least a portion of the electrical requirements of the appliance when the flame enters the channel.

6. The system of Claim 5 wherein the appliance comprises at least one of: a water heater, a boiler, a space heater, a furnace, a clothes dryer, a washing machine, a food preparation device, or a gas-burning fireplace.

7. The system of Claim 5 or 6, wherein the magneto-hydrodynamic generator further comprises a first ionizing electrode and a second ionizing electrode, each ionizing electrode having an aperture aligned with a longitudinal axis of the flame.

8. The system of Claim 7, further comprising a power supply electrically coupled to the ionizing electrodes and configured to generate an electric field along the length of the flame.

9. The system of Claim 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the fuel comprises at least one of: natural gas, propane, butane, oxyacetylene, landfill gas, or syn-gas produced from a waste-material or biomass.

10. A method for self-generating electricity in a residential or commercial appliance that combusts a fuel to form a flame for generating heat in the appliance, comprising:

constructing an apparatus having a magneto hydrodynamic generator by assembling two magnets configured to create a magnetic field, and assembling two power-electrodes arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the magnets, the magnets and the power-electrodes defining a channel at least partially therebetween; constructing or providing an appliance or piece of equipment for use in a residential or commercial application having a fuel-combusting burner that produces a flame;

coupling the apparatus to the appliance so that the flame enters the channel with its flame velocity direction parallel to the power electrodes and perpendicular to the magnetic field;

electrically coupling the power electrodes to a power take-off device configured to supply the generated power for use by the appliance or another suitable device.

11. The method of Claim 10, further comprising the step of providing ionization electrodes on the magneto hydrodynamic generator that are configured to ionize the flame.

12. The method of Claim 10 or 11, further comprising the step of packaging the system, comprising the apparatus and the appliance, for sale.

13. The method of Claim 10, 11 or 12, further comprising the step of installing the system in connection with a fuel source.

14. The method of Claim 10, 11, 12 or 13 further comprising the step of operating the system to generate heat for the appliance and produce electricity at the power-electrodes for augmenting an external supply of electricity to the appliance.

15. A method for self-generating electricity in an appliance, comprising: providing a combustible fuel to a burner in the appliance, the appliance comprising a magneto-hydrodynamic generator proximate the burner and having a first magnet and a second magnet configured to create a magnetic field, and a first power- electrode and a second power-electrode arranged substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the magnets to define a channel, thereby generating electric power at the first and second power electrodes when a flame from the burner enters the channel.