Description:
Princeton Docket # 15-3092
Researchers at Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed a means of greatly extending the lifetime of electrodes used in harsh, reacting environments by using liquid electrodes.
A typical application, such as magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generation – a direct power extraction scheme, involves operating electrodes at high temperatures while exposed to combustion exhaust gases. Previous studies of MHD power generation identified electrode lifetime as a key limiting feature of prototypes at that time. These previous studies utilized various metals, metal alloys, and ceramic materials as the electrode material but all suffered corrosion in the harsh combustion gas stream used in MHD power generation. With the use of particular liquids (e.g. molten salts), the electrodes can be replenished while remaining stable in the high-temperature flue stream.
Use is not limited to electrode systems but can also enable high temperature heat exchangers that would otherwise be fouled by condensing exhaust products. The moving liquid can collect the condensing materials and sweep them out of the system preventing build-up and eventual clogging of the internal components.
Applications:
• Replace existing solid electrodes in harsh environments
• Electrostatic precipitators
• Electrodes in combustion gas streams
• High temperature heat exchangers
• Carbon-capture systems with coal, natural gas, oil and bio-energy
Advantages:
• Extends lifetime of electrodes
• Avoids fouling/corrosion
• Improves economic viability
• Allows replenishment of electrode surface during operation
• Reduces downtime
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory(PPPL)
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is a collaborative national center for fusion energy research. The Laboratory advances the coupled fields of fusion energy and plasma physics research, and, with collaborators, is developing the scientific understanding and key innovations needed to realize fusion as an energy source for the world. An associated mission is providing the highest quality of scientific education.
Inventor
Michael Jaworski is a Staff Research Physicist at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). His work focuses on the understanding of fusion energy and the development of new technologies to enable economical power reactors. He currently leads the Materials and Plasma-Facing Components Topical Science Group in the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) - a premiere fusion research facility located at PPPL. Jaworski's research has examined self-generation of fluid flow in liquid metals by thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamic processes; stabilization of free-surface liquids via capillary structures, development of high-power density, liquid-metal targets cooled with supercritical-CO2, and analysis of non-equilibrium effects in fusion plasmas. Jaworski is also active in the development of molten salts for advanced power plants utilizing direct power extraction from combustion products. Jaworski received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2002. He received his MS and PhD in Nuclear Engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009.
Intellectual Property Status
Patent protection is pending.
Princeton is currently seeking commercial partners for the further development and commercialization of this opportunity.
Contact
Michael Tyerech
Princeton University Office of Technology Licensing • (609) 258-6762• tyerech@princeton.edu
Xin (Shane) Peng
Princeton University Office of Technology Licensing • (609) 258-5579• xinp@princeton.edu