WO2010101484A1

WO2010101484A1 - An electrolytic fuel reformer system

Info

Publication number: WO2010101484A1
Application number: PCT/PH2010/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dominic N. Chung, Jr.; Enrico S. Luga
Original assignee: Chung Dominic N Jr; Luga Enrico S
Priority date: 2009-03-02
Filing date: 2010-02-26
Publication date: 2010-09-10

Abstract

An Electrolytic Fuel Reformer System for producing a superior, clean stream of hydrogen and oxygen gas (hydroxy gas) from water through electrolysis on demand comprising an electrolytic cell having a cathode and an anode provided with water as electrolyte, an electrical power supply connected to said cell for applying a voltage across the cathode and anode, a water reserve tank connected to the cell for supplying water to said cell, a gas scrubber connected for receiving hydrogen and oxygen gas from said cell and a water recirculating conduit connecting the main reserve tank to the cell and returning water to the water reservoir whereby the water is recycled to the cell, an air scrubber connected to said main water reserve tank for filtering said gas emanating thereof and being regulated by gas output regulating valve provided thereon before inducing into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine (ICE).

Description

S P E C I F I C A T I O N

AN ELECTROLYTIC FUEL REFORMER SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present utility model is directed to an apparatus and system for producing superior, clean stream of hydrogen and oxygen gas (hydroxy gas) from water through electrolysis on demand or as needed that delivers a saving benefit for an internal combustion engine (ICE). It also produces a more efficient combustion with increased performance and cleaner emission.

BACKGROUND OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Heretofore, petroleum products of various types and descriptions have been used extensively; such products are in somewhat short supply and hence are relatively expensive. It has been realized for some period of time, that it would be desirable to have an internal combustion engine which exhibits greater efficiency in using its petroleum base fuel so as to help decrease the demand for such materials. Also, environmental concerns are being highlighted lately that the atmosphere has become polluted with the gaseous residue from inefficient burning of petroleum base fuel in internal combustion engines. Accordingly, it has been further realized that such polluting emissions from the operation of internal combustion engines could be reduced as a result of more efficient burning of the fuel so that little or no residue would be emitted into the atmosphere.

It has also been recognized for some time that hydrogen as a fuel has numerous advantages over fossil fuels. In burning, it releases heat energy almost three times greater than any other fuel. It burns clean, producing only water as residue. It can be made from water almost any place on earth by several processes, one of the most convenient being by electrolysis of water. However, the 100% substitution of hydrogen for gasoline or other fossil fuels in vehicle engines presents practical problems, which have delayed commercial acceptance. A hydrogen tank is an explosion hazard. Also, the energy required to convert water to hydrogen in itself requires the burning of fossil or other fuels, with accompanying reduction in existing fuel supplies and accompanying increase in pollution or other hazards.

SUMMARY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

It is therefore the primary object of the present utility model to provide an electrolytic fuel reformer system and apparatus for internal combustion engines which produces a superior, clean stream of hydrogen, and oxygen fuel from water that delivers a saving benefit for your vehicle, and also produces a more efficient combustion with increased performance and cleaner emissions.

Another object of the present utility model is to provide an electrolytic fuel reformer system and apparatus for internal combustion engines which employs electrolysis of water for adding both oxygen and hydrogen gases to the fuel-air mixture of an engine.

A further object of the present utility model is to provide an electrolytic fuel reformer system and apparatus device for internal combustion engines, which utilizes the electrical energy source normally associated with internal combustion engines for operating the electrolysis cell.

An even further object of the present utility model is to provide an electrolytic fuel reformer system and apparatus for internal combustion engines wherein the Hydrogen (H₂) and Oxygen (O₂) gas of a plain Water (H₂O) is broken down through electrolysis to be fed into the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine on demand or as needed thereby eliminating the need for pressure tanks to store the production of the hydrogen.

Another further object of the present utility model is to provide an electrolytic fuel reformer system and apparatus for internal combustion engines wherein the electrolysis is a semi saturated system wherein the cell itself acts as a water separator and recirculator at the same time by using gravitational principles in relation to pressure distribution based on internal cell geometry.

Still a further object of the present utility model is to provide an electrolytic fuel reformer system and apparatus for internal combustion engines, which allows a better and more complete combustion to take place, thus make the vehicle gain more mileage with in contrast with the same amount of fuel used. A further object of the present utility model is to provide an electrolytic fuel reformer system and apparatus for internal combustion engines as characterized above which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and which is rugged and dependable in operation.

The novel features which we consider characteristic of our utility model are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The utility model itself, however, both as to its structure and mode of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following detailed description of specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the flow hydroxy gas flow according to the system of the present utility model;

FIG.2 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of FIG.1 with schematic representation of hydroxy gas forming means thereof;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a more detailed representation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the Water Electrolyzer Cell of the present utility model; as shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view Water Electrolyzer Cell of the present utility model as shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the main reserve water tank assembly of the present utility model;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the gas scrubber assembly thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE UTLITY MODEL

The present utility model is directed to an apparatus and system for producing a superior, clean stream of hydrogen and oxygen gas (hydroxy gas) from water through electrolysis on demand or as needed that delivers a saving benefit for an internal combustion engine (ICE), it also produces a more efficient combustion with increased performance and cleaner emission. The system 10 provides an electrolytic fuel reformer apparatus 11 comprising an electrolytic/electrolyzer cell 12 with water W as electrolyte having a cathode and an anode and being electrically connected to a 12V/24V DC source preferably the battery of the engine that splits Hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2) gas from plain water (H2O) through electrolysis. The electrolysis is a semi- saturated system wherein a main reserve tank 14 also acts as a gas/water separator and recirculator at the same time by using gravitational principles in relation to its slightly elevated position and of pressure distribution based on internal cell geometry. The recirculation of electrolyte water W goes to a main reserve tank 14 which also acts as a sediment trap, the water W is brought here thru the rising of hydroxyl gas G from the electrolytic cell 12 into the main reserve tank 14 by an outlet port 13 of said electrolytic cell 12 through an inlet port 15 by a conduit 15 and then at the lower portion of said tank, 14 an outlet port 16 allows the water to be recirculated back into the electrolytic cell, 12 through an inlet port 18 by way of conduit 18' and the cycle repeats itself without the need of a power electric pump.

This system allows hydroxy gas G to flow from said main reserve tank 14 of a generally cylindrical configuration having end caps 19, 19' by way of a gas outlet port 20 provided at its top portion through a conduit 22 into an air scrubber or filter dryer 24 of a generally cylindrical in configuration having end caps 23, 23 a through an inlet port 26 provided at end cap 23, said scrubber 24 being partially-filled with water W to act as filter thereof. The hydroxy G from this scrubber 24 is fed to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine (ICE) being regulated by a gas output regulator 26 through a conduit 27 provided thereon and mixes with atmospheric air and fossil fuel thereof. A user interface control system 28 is being operably provided to electronically control the safe operation of said system which includes; gauges M for amperage, voltage, temperature, water level, tank pressure, gas output, air flow, warning indicators (pilot lights), gas leak detector and emergency shut off.

This electrolytic fuel reformer apparatus 11 for internal combustion engines allows a better and more complete combustion to take place, thus make the engine gain more mileage in contrast with the same amount of fuel used and cleaner emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂)- Said electrolytic cell 12 having main cylinder 30 preferably made of stainless steel having a top and bottom end caps 32, 34 preferably made of hard rubber or plastic defining an enclosure 36. Said enclosure 36 containing a series of concentric cylinders consisting of innermost cylinder 38 as the negative electrode or anode, outermost cylinder 40 as a positive electrode or cathode and an in-between cylinder 42 acting as insulators thereof, all are mounted within each other in concentric spaced manner. The cylinders 38,40 act as electrodes within the electrolytic cell 12 and electrolyte W preferably plain water may be used in conjunction thereof. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the innermost cylinder 38 is connected via connecting bolts 44 centrally provided on its oppose open ends by a brace member 45 diametrically provided thereon and also to provide with a connection point through said end caps 32 and 34 to fixedly held in place the assembly of electrolytic cell 12 and also serves as the negative electrical connecting point 46 provided thereon. Said outermost cylinder 40 having connecting bolts 48 extending outwardly thereon through said end cap 32 and also providing positive electrical connecting point 50 thereon.

For the electrolytic cell 12 to operate efficiently, the concentric cylinders are self contained as a unit, and should be equally spaced apart by insulating cylinders 39 and being held in place with end caps 32, 34 having a space S in between thereof and on its top and bottom portions providing a maximum flow path throughout the apparatus 10 as a whole and prevents the short-circuiting of flow between non-adjacent cylinders.

To accommodate the pressures within the electrolytic cell 12, the electrodes may be constructed preferably from stainless steel pipe and the end caps 32, 34 are constructed from non-conductive materials preferably hard plastic or rubber. The Hydrogen and oxygen (hydoxy gas) G from said electrolytic cell 12 flows through an outlet port 13 being connected by a conduit 15' to an inlet port 15 of said main reserve tank 14, an hydroxy gas port 20 provided at its top portion where said hydroxy gas G will then pass through and a conduit 22 operably connected to an inlet port 25 provided on said gas scrubber/filter 24 having a cylindrical body 63 being provided with top and bottom end caps 64 being partially filled with water W for filtering, a gas output regulator 26 being provided before said intake manifold through a conduit 66.

In operation, an Electrolytic Fuel Reformer System for producing stream of hydrogen and oxygen gas from water through electrolysis on demand comprising an electrolytic cell 12 having a cathode and an anode provided with water as electrolyte, an electrical power supply connected to said cell for applying a voltage across the anode 38 and cathode 40, a main reserve tank 14 connected to the cell 12 for supplying water W to said cell 12 in a cycle and receives said hydrogen and oxygen gas produced on said cell 12, said main reserve tank 14 is being operably connected to an air scrubber 24 for filtering said gas emanating thereof and being regulated by gas output regulating valve 26 provided thereon.

The insulating components within the cell or any other non metallic components used within or in conjunction with the cell may be constructed from hard plastic; high molecular weight polyethylene and, more preferably, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

An experimental prototype of the apparatus 10 has been made in accordance with the description above and tested on different types of internal combustion engines (ICE) to verify improvement in combustion efficiency resulting in fuel savings as shown in Table 1.

Table 1

An experimental prototype of the apparatus 10 has been made in accordance with the description above and tested on different types of internal combustion engines (ICE) to verify reduction in the amount of Carbon Monoxide (CO2 as shown in Table 2.

Table 2

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components of the utility model having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this utility model has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the utility model as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An Electrolytic Fuel Reformer System for producing a stream of hydrogen and oxygen gas from water through electrolysis on demand comprising an electrolytic cell having a cathode and an anode provided with water as electrolyte, an electrical power supply connected to said cell for applying a voltage across the cathode and anode, a main reserve tank connected to the cell for supplying water to said cell in a cycle and receives said hydrogen and oxygen gas produced on said cell, said main reserve tank is being operably connected to an air scrubber for filtering said gas emanating thereof and being regulated by gas output regulating valve provided thereon.

2. An Electrolytic Fuel Reformer System for producing a hydrogen and oxygen gas from water through electrolysis on demand according to claim 1 wherein a user interface control system is being operably provided to electronically control the operation of said system

3. An Electrolytic Fuel Reformer System for producing a hydrogen and oxygen gas from water through electrolysis on demand according to claim 1 wherein said user interface control system having gauges for amperage, voltage, temperature, water level, tank pressure, gas output air flow, warning indicators, gas leak detector and emergency shut off.