Method of and apparatus for power generation

Abstract

Thermal decomposition of a reactant, XY, proceeds on a negative catalytic electrode to form products, X and Y. The product Y is a cellular reaction material, which separates into ions, Y.sup.+, and electrons, e.sup.-, on the negative catalytic electrode. The ions Y.sup.+ move through a solid electrolyte, the electrons e.sup.- pass through an external resistor, and the product X formed on the negative catalytic electrode is circulated to the positive catalytic electrode, therefore reproducing the reactant XY. Since the cellular reaction material Y need not be released from the top of the catalytic electrode, the invention is adapted to convert heat energy into electric energy efficiently as compared with conventional methods. In one embodiment, reactant XY is 2-propanol, and products X and Y are acetone and hydrogen, respectively.