Contemporary bulk energy technologies and systems - Thermal power station (TPS), Nuclear power plants (APP), Hydroelectric dams (HPS), Wind power (WPS), Geothermal power (Geo- TPS) and Solar thermal (GELIO-TPS) - refer to macroscopic power (macropower) engineering and make advantage of macroscopic elements of working substance (motion of streams of water and air) utilizing of massive elements (rotors) for intermediate transformation of one type of energy in other. 

These bulk electric power systems have definite failings and limitations.

Macroscopic power systems are the systems of indirect action. They need double and even more intermediate transformations of energy.

Massive rotors used stipulate their high inertia and a necessity in periodic maintenance at all time of exploitation.

Macroscopic power systems mainly use not renewable resources (nuclear power engineering, thermal electrical power engineering) and create considerable ecological problems at use of Renewable energy sources (large hydroelectric stations and wind power-stations).

Considerable hopes on the peaceful coexistence of a «new» energy (Wind turbines, hydroelectric dams and sun thermal towers confirmed possibility of the effective use of energy of natural sources) with a man were premature. The fields (farms) of wind turbines, hydro-turbines, and towers of the sun thermal stations strongly remind the traditional bulk power systems.

Basic conclusion which is today got as a result of exploitation of power resources - steady development (Sustainable development) of earthly civilization is not compatible with extensive development of macroscopic power engineering, so as he is limited by reduction of supplies of not renewable fossil types of fuel, low efficiency of their power transformation and growing influence of negative ecological factors on an environment.

The advances in Molecular physics are evidence of possibility to utilize energy of molecules and atoms of different substances: gaseous, liquids and solids. With the use of the internal energy of elementary particles new revolutionary types of power equipment can be created – molecular power systems.

The work of theses systems is based on the concepts of molecular theory of structure of matter. The knowledge of deep processes that take place in working substances will considerably facilitate the research & development and practical application of molecular power technologies and equipment.

The elements of molecular theory of structure of matter. Molecular physics is a science about the structure, physical properties and aggregate state of matter that is examined as an aggregate of a plenty of molecules, which are interacting one with other and are found in thermal motion. 

The least particle of matter, which saves all its chemical properties, is named a molecule. Their chaotic unregulated motion is called a thermal motion of molecules that has not some prevailing direction. A molecule can consist of one or a few atoms of identical or different chemical elements. A molecule is chemically neutral. She includes the even amount of the positively and negatively charged particles.

The basic tasks of Molecular physics are the following: research of structure of matter and its change under action of external forces; research of the processes of transfer – diffusion, heat conductivity, internal friction; study of phase transformations – evaporation and condensations, melting and crystallizations; research of the critical state of matter; research of the superficial phenomena on the boundary of phases.

The macroscopic properties of matter are described by molecular physics and considered independent of internal structure of molecules.

The state of the given matter is characterized by following parameters: pressure, volume, specific volume, temperature, molecular mass et al.

The normal constituent of force is named pressure R that acts on a unit of area of surface.

Specific volume is the value reverse to density.

Molecular mass m of matter is a physical value which is equal to the relation of mass of his molecule to 1/12 of mass of nucleus of atom ¹²С.

Atomic unit of mass (a.u.m.) is mass, that even to 1/12of the masses of mass of nucleus of atom 12С.

Mole is defined as the amount of substance, which contains as many molecules, as there are atoms in 12 g of isotope of carbon 12С. In one mole of different substances there is the same number of molecules – the Avogadro constant NA = 6,0221415x1023mol-1.

Mass of mole is the molar mass.

A physical value, which characterizes the degree of heating of substance, is called a temperature. The middle kinetic energy of forward motion of molecules is the measure of temperature.  If bodies that are found in the touch are not exchanged by energy, these bodies have an identical temperature. If two bodies with a different temperature touch, their temperature will be evened after some time. Thus there is transition of energy from a body with higher temperature to the body with lower temperature. The physical properties of bodies rely on a temperature. At temperature of absolute zero (-273,15 ⁰С) the thermal motion of molecules is fully absent. No one of substances can be chilled to the temperature below 0⁰К.

Molecular-kinetic theory explains the properties of macroscopic bodies that are directly observed in experiments: pressure, temperature, distribution of kinetic energy on to the degrees of freedom, Brownian motion, heat capacity, laws of distributing of molecules in accordance with their velocities, phenomenon of transfer and other. She explains these properties as a result of motion and interaction of a plenty of molecules, from which all bodies are composed. Three substantive provisions lie in the basis of theory.

All bodies consist of enormous amount of particles – molecules, atoms and ions. The linear sizes of these particles have an order of 10^-10м. This size is called Angstrom.

The molecules, atoms and ions are found in continuous motion. The middle kinetic energy of this motion determines the temperature of body.

Between molecules, atoms and ions the forces of interaction exist, which depending on the distance between them will be attractive powers or pushing away.

In accordance with the molecular-kinetic theory the substance can be found in three aggregate states – solid, liquid and gaseous. In the gaseous state the substance occupies any volume and is named a gas. In the liquid state the substance takes the form of vessel, in which it is placed, forming a surface or a drop and is called a liquid. In the solid state the substance saves its form and volume without the action of external forces and is called a solid. The transitions from one aggregate state to other are possible. A physical nature of change of the aggregate state is explained by the thermodynamics.

To be continued…

By Vasil Sidorov on October 18, 2009 in Queltanews.com

sidorovvasil@gmail.com