The way of getting thermal energy when burning thermit compounds is known: a mixture of metals (alloys) is a fuel with oxides of less active metals as an oxidizer.

As a basic fuel Al, Mg, alloys Ca-Si, Cu-Al, Fe-Mn, as an oxidizer Fe203, Fe304, CuO, NiO, Pb304, Mn02 can be used. Encyclopaedia of Chemisty ed. N. S. Zefirov,-M: The Grand Russian encyclopaedia, 1995, v4 pp. 532,533. [1].

Shortcomings of the way [I] are: an uncontrolled process of oxidizing the metal (alloy) because an exothermic self-sustaining reaction goes on until the metal is totally burned; this method can not be used for getting a kinetic energy.

The way of burning metal containing fuels as a part of hybrid fuels consist of components in different aggregate states (solid, liquid or gaseous) is also known. The burning of metal containing fuels is going on after they had been dispergated into gaseous phase by gaseous oxidizers (oxygen, chlorin, fluorin). The short Encyclopaedia,-M : Janus-K, 1999, pp.

136,137. [2].

In this method [2] a metal containing fuel, for example, lithium hydride or aluminum is delivered into the combustible chamber by a flow of liquid or gaseous components. These components are kept out of the chamber in special tanks.

In this method [2], the process of burning can be adjusted by a variation of a flow of liquid and gaseous components into the chamber.

However, this method [2] is rather complicated because it requires separate tanks for liquid and gaseous components, collectors for outboard oxidizers, feeding systems for liquid and gaseous components and a cooling device for the chamber of combustion.

The method of getting a hydrogen when oxidizing an aluminum by water in an inert environment or in a vacuum. Jpn Kokai Tokyo Koho-jp 01,208301 (89,208301). hit Cl. C 01 B 3/08. [3].

According to this way the oxidizing of aluminum requires a preliminary removal of protective oxide film and the reaction is going on in the inert environment or in vacuum witch makes the technological process rather complicated.

The method of oxidizing of aluminum by caustic dip with an emission of heat and hydrogen is also known. Patent Fr. Ns 2512527 Int. Cl. F 24 J 1/02/10.09.81. [4].

But the conditions of oxidizing do not provide the burning of an aluminum, because the device is working as a hydrogen burner and for the oxidizing of aluminum a caustic dip is used.

Under these conditions the reaction is slow and requires a permanent extraction of aluminum hydrooxide which creates diffusion restrictions to the reaction According to the number of common features and technical solutions the proximate method is the method by V. E. Alemasov. The Theory of Rocket engines,-M. : Mashinostroevie, 1989, pp. 434,435. [5] when a water goes directly into the combustible chamber where the process of burning a metal containing fuel is taking place.

This method [5] is realized in hydrojet engines with water reacting heterogeneous combination of metal containing fuel, nonorganic oxidizers (nitrates or perchlorates of alkaline metals) and polimeric binders.

Combustion products contain plenty of nonreacted metal which is afterburned by outboard water in the combustible chamber.

In the engine [5], a solid fuel charge is ignited by a special device, then it is burned down in the chamber by water. The work of the hybrid engine is adjusted by speed of feeding (supply) of water and stops after complete combustion of solid fuel charge.

The burning of metal hydroreacting mixtures allows to receive plenty of heat and working body.

The main shortcoming of the method [5] is a double step of metal oxidizing, first by products of disintegration of the main oxidizer, then by water. At the first step an intensive agglomeration of metal particles is taking place which leads to the chemical and gasedinamic loses. The use of primary oxidizer is necessary for an activation of metal particles which provides the second reaction with water. Thus, the use of nonorganic oxidizers, specially chlorin-containing ones makes the method [5] rather complicating, explosivelly and ecologically hazardous.

The above mentioned method [5] is considered to be a proximate analogue.

The proposed invention aims at receiving a big quantity of heat and kinetic energy by simple and safe way of direct burning of metal containing fuel in the water environment. This way permits to control a speed of burning process and provides the complete use of metal containing fuel. For example, the burning 1 kg. of aluminium by this method gives 15 Mjoul of heat and 110,16 g. of hydrogen.

According to the invention this can be achieved by covering metal particles used as a fuel with a water-soluble film and by using a water in a supercritical phase.

It is known that water is an oxidizer for many metals. (Encyclopaedia of Chemistry, ed.

1. L. Knounianz,-M. : Soviet encyclopaedia, 1990, v. 1, pp. 116,117,394-397). [6]. For example, 2A1 + 3H20 = A1203+3H2+921, 8 kjoul.

However a dense oxide film formed on a surface of aluminum at contact with oxygen from the air creates diffusion restrictions to an oxidation of aluminum even in boiling water.

It is also known that in an supercritical phase (a pressure more than 22,12 mpa, a temperature more than 647,3 K). the water can be used for oxidizing organic and nonorganic substances. (Encyclopedia of Chemistry, ed. I. L. Knounianz,-M.: Soviet encyclopaedia, 1990, v. 2, pp. 540-543). [7].

Meanwhile these reactions going on in the water environment require an additional oxidizer like oxygen or oxygen containing substanses.

In the proposed method the charge does not contain an oxidizer but the reaction of it burning goes on at direct contact of supercritical water with the surface of the charge covered by a gasproof water-soluble film.

The declarant did not find any other technical solutions containing an idea of covering a metal surface by a gasproof water-soluble film. The general totality of vital features, mentioned in the formula of the invention pennits to make a conclusion that the declared method corresponds to the criterion of"novelty"and"invention level".

The essence of the method is the use of metal containing substances covered by a water- soluble polimeric (for example, polyethylenoxide) film as a fuel and an superrcritical (pressure > 22,12 Mpa, temperature > 647,3K) water as an oxidizer.

When the fuel contacts with the supercritical water the protective film is dissolving and the metal substance reacts with molecules of water. In the overcritical water the distances between its molecules are bigger than in normal liquid water. The hydrogen linkages are practically collapsed and the hydrol molecules do not have intermolecular bonds. In the supercritical water the coefficients of diffusion is very high but the resistance to the masstransference is practically absent so all conditions for fast reactions have been provided.

As examples of the described method the following experiments had been made: the aluminum ultradisperse pyrophoric powder (diameter of particles around 0,2 mkm) created by the method of an electroarc plasma condensation in an argon environment. Then the powder is covered by a water-soluble polimeric (polyethylenoxide p. e.) film in the horseshoe mixer. The substance is granulated and formed up to desired dimensions by compressing. Then the prepared charge of 0,5 kg of mass is put info a closed type reactor (volume 25 1) and after its hermetisation add there 0, 5kg of supercritical water (647,3k, 25 Mpa). The polimeric film is dissolving on the surface of the charge and the process of burning layer-by layer with emission of heat starts.

If a high disperse nonpyrophoric aluminum powder (diameter of particles around 50 mkm) is used as a fuel it is also covered by a water-soluble polyethylenoxide film. The powder is granulated and formed as a charge. The charge of 526,3g. is put info a closed type reactor (volume 45 1.) and after its hermetisation 473,7 g. of supercritical water is added inside.

The proposed method can be used for burning a metal containing fuel in open type reactors. In that case the burning is going on under the constant pressure if the speed of gas emission is equal to the speed of outflow of products of burning. The pressure in the chamber of combustion can be adjusted by the speed of water inflow, by the surface of burning and by the characteristics of nozzle. The outflow of products of burning can be directed to the closed volume to accumulate a pressure or to the open volume as a rocket jet. Other characteristics of the process do not differ than those of the closed type reactor.

The proposed method permits to convert directly the thermal energy of burning products into the kinetic energy.