CA2207116A1 - Electrolysis apparatus for combustion engines - Google Patents
Electrolysis apparatus for combustion enginesInfo
- Publication number
- CA2207116A1 CA2207116A1 CA002207116A CA2207116A CA2207116A1 CA 2207116 A1 CA2207116 A1 CA 2207116A1 CA 002207116 A CA002207116 A CA 002207116A CA 2207116 A CA2207116 A CA 2207116A CA 2207116 A1 CA2207116 A1 CA 2207116A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- chamber
- electrolysis
- housing
- supply
- electrode
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B43/00—Engines characterised by operating on gaseous fuels; Plants including such engines
- F02B43/10—Engines or plants characterised by use of other specific gases, e.g. acetylene, oxyhydrogen
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B47/00—Methods of operating engines involving adding non-fuel substances or anti-knock agents to combustion air, fuel, or fuel-air mixtures of engines
- F02B47/02—Methods of operating engines involving adding non-fuel substances or anti-knock agents to combustion air, fuel, or fuel-air mixtures of engines the substances being water or steam
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/46—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods
- C02F1/461—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis
- C02F1/46104—Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
- C02F1/4618—Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing for producing "ionised" acidic or basic water
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B43/00—Engines characterised by operating on gaseous fuels; Plants including such engines
- F02B43/10—Engines or plants characterised by use of other specific gases, e.g. acetylene, oxyhydrogen
- F02B2043/106—Hydrogen obtained by electrolysis
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
- Y02T10/12—Improving ICE efficiencies
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
- Y02T10/30—Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
A hydrogen gas generating chamber can be used in a hydrocarbon fuel combustion engine to produce hydrogen gas to supplement the primary fuel burned by the engine. The chamber includes various means for eliminating the risk of explosion including a plug releasable by internal pressure, a burstable section on the housing, and a solenoid valve actuated to vent any gases generated while the engine is not operating and a gas production/consumption feed back loop. The chamber is formedof a ABS material which tends not to shatter. The electrodes of the chamber are arranged to create electrolytic cells operating with voltages efficacious for electrolysis of water and reducing or minimizing ohmic heating while using standard vehicle voltages.
Description
ELECTROLYSIS APPARATUS FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES
Field of the Invention The invention relates to a water electrolysis system for production of hydrogen and oxygen gases for supply to a combustion engine.
5 Background of the Invention Hydl ogen gas has been used as an engine fuel supplement for hydrocarbon fuels, such as gasoline, to improve combustion and to reduce unwanted emissions. In most applications, it is necessary to bring the source of hydrogen close to the engine into which it is being supplied. The hazards of having a tank of hydrogen adjacent an10 engine are known and, therefore, systems have been developed to generate the hydrogen as it is needed by use of an electrolysis chamber.
An electrolysis chamber for generation of hydrogen gas is taught in U.S. Patent 5,231,954 to Stowe. The chamber includes a housing having a pair of electrodes therein at least partially submerged in an electrolyte solution. The electrodes are 15 connected to a source of electrical potential to generate hydrogen and oxygen gases from the electrolyte solution in the chamber. The chamber is mounted in association with an engine and any hydrogen gases generated are fed to the engine via a lineconnected to the air intake manifold.
In order to reduce the risk of explosion, the chamber has a friction fitted top cap which 20 provides for pressure release under conditions where hydrogen builds up within the chamber. The top cap has an end wall and a cylindrical side wall extending therefrom.
The side wall fits over and extends down the sides of the chamber. To be removed, this top cap requires substantial clearance above the chamber. Such clearance is often unavailable in the engine area of most vehicles.
In addition, should the top cap described in the patent be released it is generally incapable of reseating itself to seal the chamber. If the top cap blows off, the vehicle operator can continue to operate the vehicle for a period of time without noticing that the chamber is open. This results in the potential for spillage of the electrolyte and, 5 most importantly, in the operation of the vehicle without the benefits of hydrogen gas fuel supplementation.
Summary of the Invention An electrolysis system has been invented which has safety features which substantially eliminate any risk of explosion by use of the chamber and facilitates efficient use of the 10 chamber. Some of the aspects of the inventive system include a chamber provided with a pressure release cap which functions with very limited clearance suited to automotive applications where engine compartment space is limited. The chamber is provided with a blow-out area formed therein to release any explosion pressures which may build up in the chamber. The blow-out area is located to reduce or substantially eliminate 15 expulsion of electrolyte in the event of explosion. The electrolysis chamber is of a construction which avoids the release of shattered parts in the event of an explosion.
The inventive electrolysis system is provided with a gas supply shunting valve to vent any unwanted gases to the atmosphere therethrough. The electrolysis system has apower supply interruption switch responsive to chamber over-pressure to disconnect 20 the electrolysis chamber from its power source in the event of over-pressure thereby halting further unwanted production of hydrogen gas.
The electrolysis system has a lockout switch to disconnect the electrolysis chamber from its power source when the combustion engine supplied with the combustion gases produced by the electrolysis chamber is not consuming or drawing combustion gases.
25 The system is provided with an electrode arrangement suitable for increasing the conversion efficiency of supplied electrical energy from a power source to hydrogen and oxygen gas production, thereby reducing the production of waste heat throughohmic heating of the electrolyte solution and potential for overheating and boiling of the electrolyte.
The chamber requires only minimum amounts of maintenance because of the nature 5 of the pressure release lid which is shaped to easily reseat itself in the event it is dislodged by a pressure release. In another aspect of the invention, the potential for spillage of the electrolyte is reduced by introducing baffles in the electrolyte chamber which limit wave production in the liquid electrolyte thereby minimizing unwanted spillage. In one manner of construction, electrolyte baffles are provided by selection 10 of the arrangement of electrodes. In yet another aspect, the electrode connection terminals of the chamber are spaced above the fill level of the electrolyte to reduce the chances of leakage of electrolyte via or about the connection terminals.
Thus, according to a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrolysis chamber having a housing defining an interior and an exterior, a pair of 15 electrodes disposed therein and connected to electrical connectors exposed at the exterior of the housing and a hydrogen delivery port extending from the interior of the housing to the exterior thereof, the improvement co,nprising a pressure releasable plug formed to be inserted into an opening in the chamber, the plug being formèd with a bottom and side walls, the side walls converging toward the bottom of the cap.
20 In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrolysis chamber having a housing defining an interior and an exterior, a pair of electrodes disposed therein and having electrical connection exposed at the exterior of the chamber and a hydrogen delivery port extending from the interior of the chamber to the exterior thereof, the improvement comprising the housing formed at least in part 25 of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin.
In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrolysis chamber having a housing defining an interior and an exterior, a pair of electrodes disposed therein and having electrical connection exposed at the exterior of the chamber and a hydrogen delivery port extending from the interior of the chamber to the exterior thereof, the improvement comprising a pressure release device on the housing burstable upon application of pressure thereon.
5 In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a feed line and a valve in the feed line, the valve having a first outlet for diverting gas to the air intake valve and a second outlet for diverting gas to a vent line for release to the atmosphere, the valve being actuated to divert gases to the first outlet when the engine of the vehicle is operating and being actuated to divert gases to the second outlet when 10 the vehicle is not operating.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided an electrolysis apparatus for producing hydrogen and oxygen gases by electrolysis of water including: a housing forming a chamber to contain a conductive solution of water and an electrolytic agent;
a first electrode and distal therefrom a second electrode disposed in said chamber each 15 configured to form a contact surface with the conductive solution contained in said housing; a first terminal exterior to said housing electrically connected to said first electrode a second terminal exterior to said housing electrically connected to said second electrode; an opening formed in said housing for passage of electrolysis gases therethrough located above the upper surface of any conductive solution contained in 20 said housing; the improvement comprising: at least one intermediate electrodedisposed in said chamber in contact with the conductive solution contained in said housing, said intermediate electrode configured to substantially contour a selected equipotential surface induced between said first and second electrodes.
In another aspect, the invention provides apparatus to control the supply of 25 supplementary fuel gases to a combustion engine comprising: an intake line for connection to the air intake of a combustion engine to recover operating vacuum therefrom; a supply line for connection to a source of supplementary fuel gases; means for controlling the supply of gas obtained from the source of supplementary fuel gas in response to a control signal control; means to produce said control signal in response to a supplied vacuum; a summing junction in communication with control means andinterconnecting said intake line and said supply line, whereby operating vacuum present in said intake line exceeding the supply of supplementary fuel gases present 5 in said supply line causes a net differential vacuum to be supplied to said control means to produce a control signal increasing the supply of gas available from said means for controlling the supply of gas and, conversely, operating vacuum present in said intake line exceeded by the supply of supplementary fuel gases present in said supply line causes a net differential pressure to be supplied to said control means to 10 produce control signalling decreasing the supply of gas available from said means for controlling the supply of gas.
Another aspect of the invention provides apparatus to control the supply of supplementary fuel gases to a combustion engine comprising: an intake line for connection to the air intake of a combustion engine to recover operating vacuum 15 therefrom; a supply line for connection to a source of supplementary fuel gases, a venting line providing a gas path communicating with ambient atmosphere valving means interconnecting said intake line, supply line and venting line to direct a supply of gas from said supply line to either said intake line or said venting line in response to a control signal; control means to produce said control signal in response to20 operation of the combustion engine whereby any gas supplied to said supply line will be directed to said intake line during engine operation and will be directed to said venting line when the engine is not operating.
Brief Description of the Drawings A further, detailed, description of the invention, briefly described above, 25 will follow by reference to the following drawings of specific embodiments of the invention. These drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a electrolytic chamber according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 of Figure 1;
Figure 2a is an alternate embodiment of the explosion vent of Figure 2;
5 Figure 3 is sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 1;
Figure 3a is a sectional view of an alternative shape of the electrolysis chamber; and Figure 4 is a schematic view of a hydrogen generating system according to the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments 10 Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a electrolytic chamber 2 is shown. When in use, the chamber generates hydrogen and oxygen gases.
The various features of the invention for release of internal pressure, for avoiding spillage and leakage of electrolytic solution and for enhancing operation of thechamber, as will be described, need not all be present in the same chamber or 15 electrolysis system, as the presence of one or more of the features may not be required for the application to which the chamber is to be put. Alternately, the various aspects can all be present in the chamber or the system at all times, but be only used as needed.
Chamber 2 includes a housing 4 formed to contain an electrolyte solution 6. The 20 chamber can be cylindrical as shown or any other shape suitable for its intended use.
To facilitate construction, housing 4 preferably has a top 4a and a bottom 4b sealably secured as by suitable adhesives to a cylindrical side wall 4c. Housing 4 is formed from any chemically and electrically inert material. Preferably, housing 4 is formed from the material known as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS) because of itsresistance to chemicals such as the electrolyte solution and its ability to withstand large 5 temperature fluctuations without degradation. In addition, ABS plastic is not brittle and during a chamber failure wherein there is a build up of internal pressure, the chamber formed using ABS will tend to crack rather than shatter.
Housing 4 has a pressure release section 8 which is burstable upon application of pressure, such as internal pressure, thereon. Section 8 of the housing has a reduced 10 thickness T relative to the thickness of the balance of the housing. This section can be formed during the molding or extrusion process or can be milled out after formation of the housing. Section 8 can be integral with the housing or, alternately, be an inset piece of material, such as is shown by way of example in Figure 2a. In the alternative configuration of Figure 2a, a vent port 8a is covered by a displaceable cover 8b which 15 is urged into sealing contact with the top 4a by means of a biasing element 8c such as a spring. In the preferred embodiment of Figure 2, pressure release section 8 has a lower strength than the material used in the formation of the remainder of the housing.
Section 8 is selected to burst when a selected amount of pressure, such as caused by an explosion of the combustible gases within the chamber, is applied thereto. To burst 20 section 8, the amount of pressure is selected to be greater than that pressure which is exerted toward the inside of the chamber when the chamber is under vacuum duringuse.
A port 10 is formed through the housing at an upper portion thereof for introduction of water, electrolytes and/or electrolytic solution. Port 10 has removably inserted therein 25 a plug 12 for sealing the port. Preferably, plug 12 is only frictionally engaged in the port and can be removed by application of a force to pull or push the plug out of the port. Preferably, plug 12 has side walls 12a which converge toward the bottom 12b of the plug (i.e. the end which is inserted into the port) and the port is preferably positioned on the top of the housing, as determined by the intended mounting position of the chamber. Such a plug and port arrangement facilitates the release of internal pressure and greatly reduces the risk of explosion which was encountered in previous systems since, it will be appreciated, that due to the converging side walls anymovement of the plug out of the port will immediately break the seal between the plug and the housing. In addition, the shape of the plug permits it to easily reseat itself should it be pushed out of sealing position, but remain loosely, in the port. To further facilitate reseating, the plug is preferably formed to be generally conical in shape.
Preferably, side walls 12a of plug 12 are coated with a resilient material, such as rubber, to facilitate sealing against the edges of port 10. Alternately, plug 12 can be formed at least in part of a resilient material. In a preferred embodiment, plug 12 is formed from a rubber stopper.
An opening for p~ss~ge of electrolysis gases is provide by means of gas delivery port 14 found at the upper portion of the chamber and is present to provide an exit for the hydrogen and oxygen gases produced during the electrolysis process. In a preferred embodiment, port 14 is formed through plug 12. As may be understood, the port 14 can alternately be formed through any suitable opening provided in housing 4. A connector 16 is provided at port 14 for connection to a delivery line 18 at the time of installation for use. Preferably, as shown, connector 16 is removable from the port for replacement or repair.
Referring also to Figure 3, electrodes 22, 23 and 28 are provided within chamber 2.
The electrode material is selected from any suitable electric conductor which will not chemically react with the electrolytic solution either when electrically energized or not.
A suitable material for construction of electrodes 22, 23, and 28 is stainless steel.
While it will be understood that electrode 28 may be configured as a cathode andelectrode 22 as an anode, or polarity of each may be reversed without changing the principles of operation, for the purpose of illustration, the central electrode 28 has been configured as an anode while outer electrode 22 is configured as a cathode. Preferably electrode 22 is positioned to rest against the interior surface of housing 4 consequently making it cylindrical in shape to correspond with the cross-sectional dimension of the chamber.
An extension 22a of the cathode extends up the inside of the housing 4 for electrical connection to a power supply terminal 24, which is conveniently provided by a bolt.
5 Bolt 24 passes through an aperture in the housing and is electrically connected to a wire 26 when installed for use. Wire 26 extends to a negative ground pole of a battery or a vehicle ground structure, as will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 4. Centrally located in the electrolyte solution 6 is anode 28. Anode 28 may be constructed from any suitable electrical conductor which does not react with the10 electrolyte solution and is preferably a cylinder and may conveniently be a rod formed of stainless steel in common with cathode 22 and intermediate electrodes 23. Anode 28 is supported by a conductor bracket 30 which provides for electrical connection between anode 28 and power supply terminal 32 which is a bolt extending through an aperture in the housing. Bolt 32 is electrically connected at one end to bracket 30 and, 15 when installed, to wire 34 at its opposite end. Wire 34 is ultimately in electrical contact with the positive pole of a battery, as will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5.
Anode 28 is further maintained in position concentrically within cathode 22 by plates 36, 37. Plates 36, 37 are formed of a non-conductive material such as, for example, 20 an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW polymeric resin). Anode 28 is positioned in centrally located apertures 38, 39 in the plates. Upper plate 36 acts to divide the chamber into an electrolyte supply region 42 and an electrolysis region 40, containing the electrodes 22, 23 and 28 submersed in the electrolytic solution 6. A
plurality of apertures 41 are formed in plate 36 for passage of the electrolysis25 generated gases from area 40 to area 42 where the gases will bubble up and flow toward gas delivery port 14.
A plurality of intermediate electrodes 23 are disposed between the powered cathode 22 and anode 28. The shape of these electrodes conforms to the equipotential lines of the electric field induced in electrolyte solution 6 when power is applied to the cathode 22 and anode 28. As most clearly seen in Figure 3, the intermediate 5 electrodes 23 are formed into cylinders to conform with the circular cross-sectional shape of the electrolysis chamber 4 and are positioned between anode 28 and cathode 22. Each electrode is constructed from suitable chemically inert electrically conductive material, such as stainless steel, which has been, for example, rolled and welded along a seam (not shown). The number of intermediate electrodes 23 is selected to provide 10 approximately 2 volts across each cell formed by the gap in spacing between each electrode. A 2 volt difference is preferable to reduce the ohmic heating of the electrolyte solution bounded by adjacent electrode by the current passing therethrough as the ele~;t,."noli~/e force or voltage required for electrolysis of water is approximately 1.5 volts. Thus for a 12 volt vehicle, a group of 5 intermediate electrodes 23 may be 15 provided. For other operating voltages, a differing number of electrodes are provided to achieve like effect. While the electrodes are depicted in Figures 2 and 3 as being equic~islanlly spaced, it will be understood that the actual physical placement or spacing of the intermediate electrodes 23 will be such as to create approximately a 2 volt differential between adjacent electrodes.
20 With concentric cylindrical electrodes, varying physical spacings are required to maintain a uniform electromotive force differential between adjacent electrodes increasing the complexity of the electrolyte chamber in both construction and operation.
For cylindrical electrolysis chambers, each cell, being the electrolyte and surrounding operative electrode pair, has a unique electrolyte volume and electrode surface area 25 resulting in variations in gas production efficiencies and operating parameters. A
uniform result for each cell in the electrolysis chamber apparatus may be obtained by employing a chamber in the shape of a box having a rectangular cross-section as shown in Figure 3a. With such a chamber shape, the equipotential surfaces induced in the electrolyte when electrical potential is applied to the cathode 22 and anode 28 30 are flat surfaces enabling the intermediate electrodes 23 to be flat and equidistantly spaced from one another resulting in substantially uniform construction and operating parameters for the electrolysis chamber 4.
The spacing of the i"lerrrlediate electrodes 23 can be achieved in any suitable way, for example, by plates 36, 37 which have formed therein a plurality of grooves into which 5 intermediate electrodes 23 are fitted as shown most clearly in cross section in Figure 2. The grooves maintain the positioning of the electrodes relative to each other and to the anode and cathode. The intermediate electrodes 23 serve a number of useful purposes. First, the electrodes act as baffles to substantially damp any wave action in the liquid within the chamber. This reduces the likelihood that the electrolyte solution 10 6 will splash around in the chamber. Where the chamber is cylindrical in shape the damping action will be effective regardless of the direction in which the chamber is moved. Additionally, the intermediate electrodes increase the electrode surface area for the generation of electrolysis gases, as well as reduce the electromotive force being applied to the cell to a value most efficacious for water electrolysis. This provides a 15 more efficient chamber with higher gas generation capabilities and lower operating temperatures than a chamber of similar size having therein only the cathode and the anode electrodes. By having lower operating temperatures, the unwanted production of heat and potentially steam from the electrolytic solution is avoided.
Referring to Figure 4, electrolysis chamber 2 generates hydrogen and oxygen gases 20 to supplement the fuel supply of a combustion engine (not shown), such as a h~dloca,bon fueled internal combustion engine employed to supply motive power to an automobile. Common vehicle gasoline or diesel engines have an air intake system supplying a mixture of fuel and air to be combusted within the engine. The air intake system is maintained under vacuum during operation of the engine.
25 A vehicle also includes a battery 60 as a source of electrical potential. The battery has a positive pole 60a and a negative ground pole 60b. In accordance with the invention, a chamber 2 is mounted in the vehicle compartment housing the engine. Power supply wire 26 from cathode 22 is grounded, for example by contact with the vehicle frame.
Power supply wire 34 runs from contact with anode 28 to a control power relay switch 62. From relay switch 62, power wire 64 runs through an overcurrent protection device 66, such as a circuit breaker, fusible link or fuse to positive pole 60a of battery 60.
Relay switch 62 controls the supply of electrical energy to the electrolysis chamber 2.
5 Overcurrent protector 66 prevents overcurrent damage to the components caused by a malfunction, such as a short circuit. To control and prevent unwanted generation of the explosive oxygen hydrogen gas mixture, the control relay switch 62 is configured in such a manner as to ensure that no electrical power will be supplied to electrolysis chamber 2 unless the vehicle engine is both switched on and running. This is 10 controlled in the following manner.
Power relay control wire 68 controls the activation of power relay 62 depending on control signalling received via vacuum switch 70. Vacuum switch 70 is a normally open switch which is closed, making electrical contact with ignition line 72, when vacuum is supplied to tubing 71.1gnition line 72 is powered from the vehicle ignition key system 15 becoming powered when the vehicle ignition switch is turned ON. A fuse 75 is provided for safety. The vacuum to operate the vacuum switch 70 is obtained from the air intake system of the vehicle engine communicated by intake supply line 73 to which tubing 71 is connected via T-connector 80. As will be readily understood, the vehicle engine will only generate a vacuum when it is running and the presence of vacuum switch 70 20 ensures that hydrogen and oxygen combustible gas production will only occur when the engine is running. Thus when the engine has stalled or the ignition switch is, for any reason, ON but the engine is not running, no combustible gas production will occur.
While it will be understood that tubing 71 can be directly connected to the engine manifold to obtain a vacuum supply directly from the engine, the preferred construction 25 is to employ a T-connector 80 which bridges engine intake supply line 73 and the hydrogen oxygen supply line 75. This provides added safety by preventing the undesirable escape of the combustible hydrogen oxygen electrolysis production gases into the engine compartment of the vehicle thereby avoiding potential explosion risks.
When the rate of production of electrolysis gases delivered by supply line 75 exceeds the rate of consumption of those gases through the engine vacuum present in the engine intake supply line 73, the excess production gases will "flood" into the vacuum tubing 71 thereby causing vacuum switch 70 to open, thereby, interrupting the power supplied to the electrolysis chamber 2 halting further gas production. In this way, 5 excessive gas production or system overheating and steam generation within the electrolysis chamber 2 will be prevented.
The electrolyte solution can be any suitable solution of water and electrolytic agent permitting current to move through the solution between the electrodes 22 and 28. An efficacious electrolytic agent will not react during or be affected by the water10 electrolysis process to thereby become expended, decomposed or depleted during the water electrolysis process. The electrolytic agent must not be so volatile as to be removed from solution along with the evolved gases; and, because hydrogen-ion conce"l, alions are being rapidly perturbed at the electrodes during the water electrolysis process, the electrolytic agent should have a strong resistance to pH
15 changes. In one embodiment, the electrolyte solution is made of distilled water and the electrolytic agent is effective quantities of potassium hydroxide (KOH), generally about 10 g KOH per 1 .2L of water. During operation, electrolytic agent concentrations in the water will vary.
The electrolyte solution is added through port 10 to the chamber. Once it is added, it 20 is only necessary to add distilled make-up water on an occasional basis to maintain the unit in operation. Adding make-up water may be accomplished by removing plug 12 and pouring in the make-up water and thereafter replacing plug 12. Make-up watershould be distilled water to avoid contamination of the electrolytic solution with the dissolved salts and other minerals and contan,inants present in water that is not 25 distilled. The initial charge of electrolytic agent will last indefinitely under normal conditions.
Electrical current to the system is actuated by turning the ignition switch key to start the engine. The current flowing from anode 28 to cathode 22 causes the electrolysis of the water in the electrolyte solution and accordingly the generation of hydrogen and oxygen gas. The operation of the engine causes a vacuum to be set up in the air intake system of the engine. This vacuum draws the plug 12 down into port 10 to seal the port. Any generated gases from the chamber are drawn through supply line 18, to air intake valve 5 58, wherein they are mixed with the air and burned with the fuel.
Hydrogen and oxygen are generated as long as the engine is running and vacuum isapplied to vacuum switch 70. When either the vehicle ignition key 81 is turned to the off position, or the supply of vacuum to vacuum switch 70 falls below a preselected threshold amount (because either the engine stalls or stops, or gas or steam production 10 delivered over line 75 exceeds engine vacuum) power to the electrolysis chamber is cut-off by power relay 62 in response to interruption of the control signal provided to the relay by wire 68 resulting in cessation of generation of hydrogen and oxygen gases.
Electrolysis gases produced within chamber 2 are carried along supply line 18 to gas flow control valve 78 which is a directional valve connecting supply line 18 to supply line 75 when control wire 68 is energized (the ignition 81 is on and vacuum switch 70 is receiving vacuum) allowing produced gases to be directed to engine supply line 73.
Any gases which, through a system failure, are generated while the engine is turned off or remain in electrolysis chamber 2 following engine shut off causes control line 68 to lose power thereby causing solenoid valve 78 to couple supply line 18 to the vent 20 line 82 to expel the excess/surplus gases harmlessly into the ambient atmosphere. In the unlikely event that solenoid valve 78 fails or ignition of the hydrogen and oxygen gases occurs within electrolysis chamber 2, any accumulated gases or explosive pressures will be released by pushing out plug 12 or bursting area 8.
25 It will be apparent that many changes may be made to the illustrative embodiments, while falling within the scope of the invention and it is intended that all such changes be covered by the claims appended hereto.
Field of the Invention The invention relates to a water electrolysis system for production of hydrogen and oxygen gases for supply to a combustion engine.
5 Background of the Invention Hydl ogen gas has been used as an engine fuel supplement for hydrocarbon fuels, such as gasoline, to improve combustion and to reduce unwanted emissions. In most applications, it is necessary to bring the source of hydrogen close to the engine into which it is being supplied. The hazards of having a tank of hydrogen adjacent an10 engine are known and, therefore, systems have been developed to generate the hydrogen as it is needed by use of an electrolysis chamber.
An electrolysis chamber for generation of hydrogen gas is taught in U.S. Patent 5,231,954 to Stowe. The chamber includes a housing having a pair of electrodes therein at least partially submerged in an electrolyte solution. The electrodes are 15 connected to a source of electrical potential to generate hydrogen and oxygen gases from the electrolyte solution in the chamber. The chamber is mounted in association with an engine and any hydrogen gases generated are fed to the engine via a lineconnected to the air intake manifold.
In order to reduce the risk of explosion, the chamber has a friction fitted top cap which 20 provides for pressure release under conditions where hydrogen builds up within the chamber. The top cap has an end wall and a cylindrical side wall extending therefrom.
The side wall fits over and extends down the sides of the chamber. To be removed, this top cap requires substantial clearance above the chamber. Such clearance is often unavailable in the engine area of most vehicles.
In addition, should the top cap described in the patent be released it is generally incapable of reseating itself to seal the chamber. If the top cap blows off, the vehicle operator can continue to operate the vehicle for a period of time without noticing that the chamber is open. This results in the potential for spillage of the electrolyte and, 5 most importantly, in the operation of the vehicle without the benefits of hydrogen gas fuel supplementation.
Summary of the Invention An electrolysis system has been invented which has safety features which substantially eliminate any risk of explosion by use of the chamber and facilitates efficient use of the 10 chamber. Some of the aspects of the inventive system include a chamber provided with a pressure release cap which functions with very limited clearance suited to automotive applications where engine compartment space is limited. The chamber is provided with a blow-out area formed therein to release any explosion pressures which may build up in the chamber. The blow-out area is located to reduce or substantially eliminate 15 expulsion of electrolyte in the event of explosion. The electrolysis chamber is of a construction which avoids the release of shattered parts in the event of an explosion.
The inventive electrolysis system is provided with a gas supply shunting valve to vent any unwanted gases to the atmosphere therethrough. The electrolysis system has apower supply interruption switch responsive to chamber over-pressure to disconnect 20 the electrolysis chamber from its power source in the event of over-pressure thereby halting further unwanted production of hydrogen gas.
The electrolysis system has a lockout switch to disconnect the electrolysis chamber from its power source when the combustion engine supplied with the combustion gases produced by the electrolysis chamber is not consuming or drawing combustion gases.
25 The system is provided with an electrode arrangement suitable for increasing the conversion efficiency of supplied electrical energy from a power source to hydrogen and oxygen gas production, thereby reducing the production of waste heat throughohmic heating of the electrolyte solution and potential for overheating and boiling of the electrolyte.
The chamber requires only minimum amounts of maintenance because of the nature 5 of the pressure release lid which is shaped to easily reseat itself in the event it is dislodged by a pressure release. In another aspect of the invention, the potential for spillage of the electrolyte is reduced by introducing baffles in the electrolyte chamber which limit wave production in the liquid electrolyte thereby minimizing unwanted spillage. In one manner of construction, electrolyte baffles are provided by selection 10 of the arrangement of electrodes. In yet another aspect, the electrode connection terminals of the chamber are spaced above the fill level of the electrolyte to reduce the chances of leakage of electrolyte via or about the connection terminals.
Thus, according to a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrolysis chamber having a housing defining an interior and an exterior, a pair of 15 electrodes disposed therein and connected to electrical connectors exposed at the exterior of the housing and a hydrogen delivery port extending from the interior of the housing to the exterior thereof, the improvement co,nprising a pressure releasable plug formed to be inserted into an opening in the chamber, the plug being formèd with a bottom and side walls, the side walls converging toward the bottom of the cap.
20 In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrolysis chamber having a housing defining an interior and an exterior, a pair of electrodes disposed therein and having electrical connection exposed at the exterior of the chamber and a hydrogen delivery port extending from the interior of the chamber to the exterior thereof, the improvement comprising the housing formed at least in part 25 of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin.
In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrolysis chamber having a housing defining an interior and an exterior, a pair of electrodes disposed therein and having electrical connection exposed at the exterior of the chamber and a hydrogen delivery port extending from the interior of the chamber to the exterior thereof, the improvement comprising a pressure release device on the housing burstable upon application of pressure thereon.
5 In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a feed line and a valve in the feed line, the valve having a first outlet for diverting gas to the air intake valve and a second outlet for diverting gas to a vent line for release to the atmosphere, the valve being actuated to divert gases to the first outlet when the engine of the vehicle is operating and being actuated to divert gases to the second outlet when 10 the vehicle is not operating.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided an electrolysis apparatus for producing hydrogen and oxygen gases by electrolysis of water including: a housing forming a chamber to contain a conductive solution of water and an electrolytic agent;
a first electrode and distal therefrom a second electrode disposed in said chamber each 15 configured to form a contact surface with the conductive solution contained in said housing; a first terminal exterior to said housing electrically connected to said first electrode a second terminal exterior to said housing electrically connected to said second electrode; an opening formed in said housing for passage of electrolysis gases therethrough located above the upper surface of any conductive solution contained in 20 said housing; the improvement comprising: at least one intermediate electrodedisposed in said chamber in contact with the conductive solution contained in said housing, said intermediate electrode configured to substantially contour a selected equipotential surface induced between said first and second electrodes.
In another aspect, the invention provides apparatus to control the supply of 25 supplementary fuel gases to a combustion engine comprising: an intake line for connection to the air intake of a combustion engine to recover operating vacuum therefrom; a supply line for connection to a source of supplementary fuel gases; means for controlling the supply of gas obtained from the source of supplementary fuel gas in response to a control signal control; means to produce said control signal in response to a supplied vacuum; a summing junction in communication with control means andinterconnecting said intake line and said supply line, whereby operating vacuum present in said intake line exceeding the supply of supplementary fuel gases present 5 in said supply line causes a net differential vacuum to be supplied to said control means to produce a control signal increasing the supply of gas available from said means for controlling the supply of gas and, conversely, operating vacuum present in said intake line exceeded by the supply of supplementary fuel gases present in said supply line causes a net differential pressure to be supplied to said control means to 10 produce control signalling decreasing the supply of gas available from said means for controlling the supply of gas.
Another aspect of the invention provides apparatus to control the supply of supplementary fuel gases to a combustion engine comprising: an intake line for connection to the air intake of a combustion engine to recover operating vacuum 15 therefrom; a supply line for connection to a source of supplementary fuel gases, a venting line providing a gas path communicating with ambient atmosphere valving means interconnecting said intake line, supply line and venting line to direct a supply of gas from said supply line to either said intake line or said venting line in response to a control signal; control means to produce said control signal in response to20 operation of the combustion engine whereby any gas supplied to said supply line will be directed to said intake line during engine operation and will be directed to said venting line when the engine is not operating.
Brief Description of the Drawings A further, detailed, description of the invention, briefly described above, 25 will follow by reference to the following drawings of specific embodiments of the invention. These drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a electrolytic chamber according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 of Figure 1;
Figure 2a is an alternate embodiment of the explosion vent of Figure 2;
5 Figure 3 is sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 1;
Figure 3a is a sectional view of an alternative shape of the electrolysis chamber; and Figure 4 is a schematic view of a hydrogen generating system according to the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments 10 Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a electrolytic chamber 2 is shown. When in use, the chamber generates hydrogen and oxygen gases.
The various features of the invention for release of internal pressure, for avoiding spillage and leakage of electrolytic solution and for enhancing operation of thechamber, as will be described, need not all be present in the same chamber or 15 electrolysis system, as the presence of one or more of the features may not be required for the application to which the chamber is to be put. Alternately, the various aspects can all be present in the chamber or the system at all times, but be only used as needed.
Chamber 2 includes a housing 4 formed to contain an electrolyte solution 6. The 20 chamber can be cylindrical as shown or any other shape suitable for its intended use.
To facilitate construction, housing 4 preferably has a top 4a and a bottom 4b sealably secured as by suitable adhesives to a cylindrical side wall 4c. Housing 4 is formed from any chemically and electrically inert material. Preferably, housing 4 is formed from the material known as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS) because of itsresistance to chemicals such as the electrolyte solution and its ability to withstand large 5 temperature fluctuations without degradation. In addition, ABS plastic is not brittle and during a chamber failure wherein there is a build up of internal pressure, the chamber formed using ABS will tend to crack rather than shatter.
Housing 4 has a pressure release section 8 which is burstable upon application of pressure, such as internal pressure, thereon. Section 8 of the housing has a reduced 10 thickness T relative to the thickness of the balance of the housing. This section can be formed during the molding or extrusion process or can be milled out after formation of the housing. Section 8 can be integral with the housing or, alternately, be an inset piece of material, such as is shown by way of example in Figure 2a. In the alternative configuration of Figure 2a, a vent port 8a is covered by a displaceable cover 8b which 15 is urged into sealing contact with the top 4a by means of a biasing element 8c such as a spring. In the preferred embodiment of Figure 2, pressure release section 8 has a lower strength than the material used in the formation of the remainder of the housing.
Section 8 is selected to burst when a selected amount of pressure, such as caused by an explosion of the combustible gases within the chamber, is applied thereto. To burst 20 section 8, the amount of pressure is selected to be greater than that pressure which is exerted toward the inside of the chamber when the chamber is under vacuum duringuse.
A port 10 is formed through the housing at an upper portion thereof for introduction of water, electrolytes and/or electrolytic solution. Port 10 has removably inserted therein 25 a plug 12 for sealing the port. Preferably, plug 12 is only frictionally engaged in the port and can be removed by application of a force to pull or push the plug out of the port. Preferably, plug 12 has side walls 12a which converge toward the bottom 12b of the plug (i.e. the end which is inserted into the port) and the port is preferably positioned on the top of the housing, as determined by the intended mounting position of the chamber. Such a plug and port arrangement facilitates the release of internal pressure and greatly reduces the risk of explosion which was encountered in previous systems since, it will be appreciated, that due to the converging side walls anymovement of the plug out of the port will immediately break the seal between the plug and the housing. In addition, the shape of the plug permits it to easily reseat itself should it be pushed out of sealing position, but remain loosely, in the port. To further facilitate reseating, the plug is preferably formed to be generally conical in shape.
Preferably, side walls 12a of plug 12 are coated with a resilient material, such as rubber, to facilitate sealing against the edges of port 10. Alternately, plug 12 can be formed at least in part of a resilient material. In a preferred embodiment, plug 12 is formed from a rubber stopper.
An opening for p~ss~ge of electrolysis gases is provide by means of gas delivery port 14 found at the upper portion of the chamber and is present to provide an exit for the hydrogen and oxygen gases produced during the electrolysis process. In a preferred embodiment, port 14 is formed through plug 12. As may be understood, the port 14 can alternately be formed through any suitable opening provided in housing 4. A connector 16 is provided at port 14 for connection to a delivery line 18 at the time of installation for use. Preferably, as shown, connector 16 is removable from the port for replacement or repair.
Referring also to Figure 3, electrodes 22, 23 and 28 are provided within chamber 2.
The electrode material is selected from any suitable electric conductor which will not chemically react with the electrolytic solution either when electrically energized or not.
A suitable material for construction of electrodes 22, 23, and 28 is stainless steel.
While it will be understood that electrode 28 may be configured as a cathode andelectrode 22 as an anode, or polarity of each may be reversed without changing the principles of operation, for the purpose of illustration, the central electrode 28 has been configured as an anode while outer electrode 22 is configured as a cathode. Preferably electrode 22 is positioned to rest against the interior surface of housing 4 consequently making it cylindrical in shape to correspond with the cross-sectional dimension of the chamber.
An extension 22a of the cathode extends up the inside of the housing 4 for electrical connection to a power supply terminal 24, which is conveniently provided by a bolt.
5 Bolt 24 passes through an aperture in the housing and is electrically connected to a wire 26 when installed for use. Wire 26 extends to a negative ground pole of a battery or a vehicle ground structure, as will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 4. Centrally located in the electrolyte solution 6 is anode 28. Anode 28 may be constructed from any suitable electrical conductor which does not react with the10 electrolyte solution and is preferably a cylinder and may conveniently be a rod formed of stainless steel in common with cathode 22 and intermediate electrodes 23. Anode 28 is supported by a conductor bracket 30 which provides for electrical connection between anode 28 and power supply terminal 32 which is a bolt extending through an aperture in the housing. Bolt 32 is electrically connected at one end to bracket 30 and, 15 when installed, to wire 34 at its opposite end. Wire 34 is ultimately in electrical contact with the positive pole of a battery, as will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5.
Anode 28 is further maintained in position concentrically within cathode 22 by plates 36, 37. Plates 36, 37 are formed of a non-conductive material such as, for example, 20 an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW polymeric resin). Anode 28 is positioned in centrally located apertures 38, 39 in the plates. Upper plate 36 acts to divide the chamber into an electrolyte supply region 42 and an electrolysis region 40, containing the electrodes 22, 23 and 28 submersed in the electrolytic solution 6. A
plurality of apertures 41 are formed in plate 36 for passage of the electrolysis25 generated gases from area 40 to area 42 where the gases will bubble up and flow toward gas delivery port 14.
A plurality of intermediate electrodes 23 are disposed between the powered cathode 22 and anode 28. The shape of these electrodes conforms to the equipotential lines of the electric field induced in electrolyte solution 6 when power is applied to the cathode 22 and anode 28. As most clearly seen in Figure 3, the intermediate 5 electrodes 23 are formed into cylinders to conform with the circular cross-sectional shape of the electrolysis chamber 4 and are positioned between anode 28 and cathode 22. Each electrode is constructed from suitable chemically inert electrically conductive material, such as stainless steel, which has been, for example, rolled and welded along a seam (not shown). The number of intermediate electrodes 23 is selected to provide 10 approximately 2 volts across each cell formed by the gap in spacing between each electrode. A 2 volt difference is preferable to reduce the ohmic heating of the electrolyte solution bounded by adjacent electrode by the current passing therethrough as the ele~;t,."noli~/e force or voltage required for electrolysis of water is approximately 1.5 volts. Thus for a 12 volt vehicle, a group of 5 intermediate electrodes 23 may be 15 provided. For other operating voltages, a differing number of electrodes are provided to achieve like effect. While the electrodes are depicted in Figures 2 and 3 as being equic~islanlly spaced, it will be understood that the actual physical placement or spacing of the intermediate electrodes 23 will be such as to create approximately a 2 volt differential between adjacent electrodes.
20 With concentric cylindrical electrodes, varying physical spacings are required to maintain a uniform electromotive force differential between adjacent electrodes increasing the complexity of the electrolyte chamber in both construction and operation.
For cylindrical electrolysis chambers, each cell, being the electrolyte and surrounding operative electrode pair, has a unique electrolyte volume and electrode surface area 25 resulting in variations in gas production efficiencies and operating parameters. A
uniform result for each cell in the electrolysis chamber apparatus may be obtained by employing a chamber in the shape of a box having a rectangular cross-section as shown in Figure 3a. With such a chamber shape, the equipotential surfaces induced in the electrolyte when electrical potential is applied to the cathode 22 and anode 28 30 are flat surfaces enabling the intermediate electrodes 23 to be flat and equidistantly spaced from one another resulting in substantially uniform construction and operating parameters for the electrolysis chamber 4.
The spacing of the i"lerrrlediate electrodes 23 can be achieved in any suitable way, for example, by plates 36, 37 which have formed therein a plurality of grooves into which 5 intermediate electrodes 23 are fitted as shown most clearly in cross section in Figure 2. The grooves maintain the positioning of the electrodes relative to each other and to the anode and cathode. The intermediate electrodes 23 serve a number of useful purposes. First, the electrodes act as baffles to substantially damp any wave action in the liquid within the chamber. This reduces the likelihood that the electrolyte solution 10 6 will splash around in the chamber. Where the chamber is cylindrical in shape the damping action will be effective regardless of the direction in which the chamber is moved. Additionally, the intermediate electrodes increase the electrode surface area for the generation of electrolysis gases, as well as reduce the electromotive force being applied to the cell to a value most efficacious for water electrolysis. This provides a 15 more efficient chamber with higher gas generation capabilities and lower operating temperatures than a chamber of similar size having therein only the cathode and the anode electrodes. By having lower operating temperatures, the unwanted production of heat and potentially steam from the electrolytic solution is avoided.
Referring to Figure 4, electrolysis chamber 2 generates hydrogen and oxygen gases 20 to supplement the fuel supply of a combustion engine (not shown), such as a h~dloca,bon fueled internal combustion engine employed to supply motive power to an automobile. Common vehicle gasoline or diesel engines have an air intake system supplying a mixture of fuel and air to be combusted within the engine. The air intake system is maintained under vacuum during operation of the engine.
25 A vehicle also includes a battery 60 as a source of electrical potential. The battery has a positive pole 60a and a negative ground pole 60b. In accordance with the invention, a chamber 2 is mounted in the vehicle compartment housing the engine. Power supply wire 26 from cathode 22 is grounded, for example by contact with the vehicle frame.
Power supply wire 34 runs from contact with anode 28 to a control power relay switch 62. From relay switch 62, power wire 64 runs through an overcurrent protection device 66, such as a circuit breaker, fusible link or fuse to positive pole 60a of battery 60.
Relay switch 62 controls the supply of electrical energy to the electrolysis chamber 2.
5 Overcurrent protector 66 prevents overcurrent damage to the components caused by a malfunction, such as a short circuit. To control and prevent unwanted generation of the explosive oxygen hydrogen gas mixture, the control relay switch 62 is configured in such a manner as to ensure that no electrical power will be supplied to electrolysis chamber 2 unless the vehicle engine is both switched on and running. This is 10 controlled in the following manner.
Power relay control wire 68 controls the activation of power relay 62 depending on control signalling received via vacuum switch 70. Vacuum switch 70 is a normally open switch which is closed, making electrical contact with ignition line 72, when vacuum is supplied to tubing 71.1gnition line 72 is powered from the vehicle ignition key system 15 becoming powered when the vehicle ignition switch is turned ON. A fuse 75 is provided for safety. The vacuum to operate the vacuum switch 70 is obtained from the air intake system of the vehicle engine communicated by intake supply line 73 to which tubing 71 is connected via T-connector 80. As will be readily understood, the vehicle engine will only generate a vacuum when it is running and the presence of vacuum switch 70 20 ensures that hydrogen and oxygen combustible gas production will only occur when the engine is running. Thus when the engine has stalled or the ignition switch is, for any reason, ON but the engine is not running, no combustible gas production will occur.
While it will be understood that tubing 71 can be directly connected to the engine manifold to obtain a vacuum supply directly from the engine, the preferred construction 25 is to employ a T-connector 80 which bridges engine intake supply line 73 and the hydrogen oxygen supply line 75. This provides added safety by preventing the undesirable escape of the combustible hydrogen oxygen electrolysis production gases into the engine compartment of the vehicle thereby avoiding potential explosion risks.
When the rate of production of electrolysis gases delivered by supply line 75 exceeds the rate of consumption of those gases through the engine vacuum present in the engine intake supply line 73, the excess production gases will "flood" into the vacuum tubing 71 thereby causing vacuum switch 70 to open, thereby, interrupting the power supplied to the electrolysis chamber 2 halting further gas production. In this way, 5 excessive gas production or system overheating and steam generation within the electrolysis chamber 2 will be prevented.
The electrolyte solution can be any suitable solution of water and electrolytic agent permitting current to move through the solution between the electrodes 22 and 28. An efficacious electrolytic agent will not react during or be affected by the water10 electrolysis process to thereby become expended, decomposed or depleted during the water electrolysis process. The electrolytic agent must not be so volatile as to be removed from solution along with the evolved gases; and, because hydrogen-ion conce"l, alions are being rapidly perturbed at the electrodes during the water electrolysis process, the electrolytic agent should have a strong resistance to pH
15 changes. In one embodiment, the electrolyte solution is made of distilled water and the electrolytic agent is effective quantities of potassium hydroxide (KOH), generally about 10 g KOH per 1 .2L of water. During operation, electrolytic agent concentrations in the water will vary.
The electrolyte solution is added through port 10 to the chamber. Once it is added, it 20 is only necessary to add distilled make-up water on an occasional basis to maintain the unit in operation. Adding make-up water may be accomplished by removing plug 12 and pouring in the make-up water and thereafter replacing plug 12. Make-up watershould be distilled water to avoid contamination of the electrolytic solution with the dissolved salts and other minerals and contan,inants present in water that is not 25 distilled. The initial charge of electrolytic agent will last indefinitely under normal conditions.
Electrical current to the system is actuated by turning the ignition switch key to start the engine. The current flowing from anode 28 to cathode 22 causes the electrolysis of the water in the electrolyte solution and accordingly the generation of hydrogen and oxygen gas. The operation of the engine causes a vacuum to be set up in the air intake system of the engine. This vacuum draws the plug 12 down into port 10 to seal the port. Any generated gases from the chamber are drawn through supply line 18, to air intake valve 5 58, wherein they are mixed with the air and burned with the fuel.
Hydrogen and oxygen are generated as long as the engine is running and vacuum isapplied to vacuum switch 70. When either the vehicle ignition key 81 is turned to the off position, or the supply of vacuum to vacuum switch 70 falls below a preselected threshold amount (because either the engine stalls or stops, or gas or steam production 10 delivered over line 75 exceeds engine vacuum) power to the electrolysis chamber is cut-off by power relay 62 in response to interruption of the control signal provided to the relay by wire 68 resulting in cessation of generation of hydrogen and oxygen gases.
Electrolysis gases produced within chamber 2 are carried along supply line 18 to gas flow control valve 78 which is a directional valve connecting supply line 18 to supply line 75 when control wire 68 is energized (the ignition 81 is on and vacuum switch 70 is receiving vacuum) allowing produced gases to be directed to engine supply line 73.
Any gases which, through a system failure, are generated while the engine is turned off or remain in electrolysis chamber 2 following engine shut off causes control line 68 to lose power thereby causing solenoid valve 78 to couple supply line 18 to the vent 20 line 82 to expel the excess/surplus gases harmlessly into the ambient atmosphere. In the unlikely event that solenoid valve 78 fails or ignition of the hydrogen and oxygen gases occurs within electrolysis chamber 2, any accumulated gases or explosive pressures will be released by pushing out plug 12 or bursting area 8.
25 It will be apparent that many changes may be made to the illustrative embodiments, while falling within the scope of the invention and it is intended that all such changes be covered by the claims appended hereto.
Claims (19)
1. In an electrolysis chamber formed by a housing defining an interior and an exterior, a pair of electrodes disposed therein and connected to electrical connectors exposed at the exterior of the housing and an electrolysis gas delivery port extending from the interior of the housing to the exterior thereof, the improvement comprising a pressure releasable plug formed to be inserted into an opening in the chamber, the plug being formed with a bottom and side walls, the side walls converging toward the bottom of the cap.
2. In an electrolysis chamber formed by a housing defining an interior and an exterior, a pair of electrodes disposed therein and having electrical connection exposed at the exterior of the chamber and an electrolysis gas delivery port extending from the interior of the chamber to the exterior thereof, the improvement comprising the housing constructed at least in part of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin.
3. In an electrolysis chamber formed by a housing defining an interior and an exterior, a pair of electrodes disposed therein and having electrical connection exposed at the exterior of the chamber and an electrolysis gas delivery port extending from the interior of the chamber to the exterior thereof, the improvement comprising a pressure release device on the housing burstable upon application of pressure thereon.
4. Apparatus to control the flow of combustible gases for mounting of a vehicle having an engine which receives an air intake through an air intake valve comprising:
a feed line and a valve in the feed line, the valve having a first outlet for diverting gas to the air intake valve and a second outlet for diverting gas to a vent line for release to the atmosphere, the valve being actuated to divert gases to the first outlet when the engine of the vehicle is operating and being actuated to divert gases to the second outlet when the vehicle is not operating.
a feed line and a valve in the feed line, the valve having a first outlet for diverting gas to the air intake valve and a second outlet for diverting gas to a vent line for release to the atmosphere, the valve being actuated to divert gases to the first outlet when the engine of the vehicle is operating and being actuated to divert gases to the second outlet when the vehicle is not operating.
5. In electrolysis apparatus for producing hydrogen and oxygen gases by electrolysis of water including:
- a housing forming a chamber to contain a conductive solution of water and an electrolytic agent;
- a first electrode and distal therefrom a second electrode disposed in said chamber each configured to form a contact surface with any conductive solution contained in said housing;
- an opening formed in said housing for passage of electrolysis gases therethrough located above the upper surface of any conductive solution contained in said housing;
the improvement comprising:
- at least one intermediate electrode disposed in said chamber to form a member in contact with any conductive solution contained in said housing.
- a housing forming a chamber to contain a conductive solution of water and an electrolytic agent;
- a first electrode and distal therefrom a second electrode disposed in said chamber each configured to form a contact surface with any conductive solution contained in said housing;
- an opening formed in said housing for passage of electrolysis gases therethrough located above the upper surface of any conductive solution contained in said housing;
the improvement comprising:
- at least one intermediate electrode disposed in said chamber to form a member in contact with any conductive solution contained in said housing.
6. Electrolysis apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein each said intermediate electrode is configured to substantially contour a selected equipotential surface induced between said first and second electrodes.
7. Electrolysis apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said housing forms a cylinder and said first electrode is a cylinder dimensioned substantially corresponding to the chamber formed by said housing and said second electrode is a cylinder coaxial to said first electrode and each said intermediate electrode is a cylinder of unique size disposed coaxially with said first and second electrode.
8. Electrolysis apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein - said housing forms a box - said first electrode is a plate dimensioned substantially corresponding to an end of the chamber formed by said housing and disposed proximal that end;
- said second electrode is a plate disposed at the end of said chamber distal tosaid first electrode, and - each said intermediate electrode is of equal dimension to said first electrode.
- said second electrode is a plate disposed at the end of said chamber distal tosaid first electrode, and - each said intermediate electrode is of equal dimension to said first electrode.
9. Electrolysis apparatus as claimed in claims 5, 6, 7 or 8 wherein the number of intermediate electrodes is selected to maintain an electrical potential between each said electrode and the next adjacent electrode sufficient to electrolyze any conductive solution in contact therewith.
10. Electrolysis apparatus as claimed in claim 5, 6, 7 or 8 wherein said electrical potential is in a range between 1, 2 and 4 volts.
11. Electrolysis apparatus as claimed in claims 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 wherein said electrodes are constructed from stainless steel.
12. Apparatus to control the supply of supplementary fuel gases to a combustion engine comprising:
- an intake line for connection to the air intake of a combustion engine to recover operating vacuum therefrom;
- a supply line for connection to a source of supplementary fuel gases - means for controlling the supply of gas obtained from the source of supplementary fuel gas in response to a control signal - control means to produce said control signal in response to a supplied vacuum - a summing junction in communication with control means and interconnecting said intake line and said supply line, whereby operating vacuum present in said intake line exceeding the supply of supplementary fuel gases present in said supply line causes a net differential vacuum to be supplied to said control means to produce a control signal increasing the supply of gas available from said means for controlling the supply of gas and, conversely, operating vacuum present in said intake line exceeded by the supply of supplementary fuel gases present in said supply line causes a net differential pressure to be supplied to said control means to produce control signalling decreasing the supply of gasavailable from said means for controlling the supply of gas.
- an intake line for connection to the air intake of a combustion engine to recover operating vacuum therefrom;
- a supply line for connection to a source of supplementary fuel gases - means for controlling the supply of gas obtained from the source of supplementary fuel gas in response to a control signal - control means to produce said control signal in response to a supplied vacuum - a summing junction in communication with control means and interconnecting said intake line and said supply line, whereby operating vacuum present in said intake line exceeding the supply of supplementary fuel gases present in said supply line causes a net differential vacuum to be supplied to said control means to produce a control signal increasing the supply of gas available from said means for controlling the supply of gas and, conversely, operating vacuum present in said intake line exceeded by the supply of supplementary fuel gases present in said supply line causes a net differential pressure to be supplied to said control means to produce control signalling decreasing the supply of gasavailable from said means for controlling the supply of gas.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said source of supplementary fuel gases is an electrolysis chamber for production of hydrogen and oxygen gases by electrolysis of water.
14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said control means comprises a vacuum switch configured to control the supply of electrical energy applied to effect electrolysis of water in said electrolysis chamber.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claims 12, 13 or 14 wherein said summing junction comprises a T-connector.
16. Apparatus to control the supply of supplementary fuel gases to a combustion engine comprising:
- an intake line for connection to the air intake of a combustion engine to recover operating vacuum therefrom;
- a supply line for connection to a source of supplementary fuel gases - a venting line providing a gas path communicating with ambient atmosphere - valving means interconnecting said intake line, supply line and venting line to direct a supply of gas from said supply line to either said intake line or said venting line in response to a control signal;
- control means to produce said control signal in response to operation of the combustion engine whereby any gas supplied to said supply line will be directed to said intake line during engine operation and will be directed to said venting line when the engine is not operating.
- an intake line for connection to the air intake of a combustion engine to recover operating vacuum therefrom;
- a supply line for connection to a source of supplementary fuel gases - a venting line providing a gas path communicating with ambient atmosphere - valving means interconnecting said intake line, supply line and venting line to direct a supply of gas from said supply line to either said intake line or said venting line in response to a control signal;
- control means to produce said control signal in response to operation of the combustion engine whereby any gas supplied to said supply line will be directed to said intake line during engine operation and will be directed to said venting line when the engine is not operating.
17. Control apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said control means is a vacuum switch responsive to a vacuum recovered from an operating combustion engine.
18. Control apparatus as claimed in claims 16 or 17 wherein said valving means comprises a solenoid actuated valve.
19. Control apparatus as claimed in claims 16, 17 or 18 wherein said source ofsupplementary fuel gases comprises an electrolysis chamber to produce hydrogen and oxygen gases from the electrolysis of water.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002207116A CA2207116A1 (en) | 1997-06-06 | 1997-06-06 | Electrolysis apparatus for combustion engines |
| ZA984842A ZA984842B (en) | 1997-06-06 | 1998-06-04 | Electrolysis apparatus for internal combustion engine with enhanced fuel efficiency |
| PCT/CA1998/000571 WO1998055745A1 (en) | 1997-06-06 | 1998-06-05 | Electrolysis apparatus for internal combustion engine with enhanced fuel efficiency |
| AU79019/98A AU7901998A (en) | 1997-06-06 | 1998-06-05 | Electrolysis apparatus for internal combustion engine with enhanced fuel effic iency |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002207116A CA2207116A1 (en) | 1997-06-06 | 1997-06-06 | Electrolysis apparatus for combustion engines |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2207116A1 true CA2207116A1 (en) | 1998-12-06 |
Family
ID=4160828
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002207116A Abandoned CA2207116A1 (en) | 1997-06-06 | 1997-06-06 | Electrolysis apparatus for combustion engines |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2207116A1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA984842B (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7948101B2 (en) | 2005-09-02 | 2011-05-24 | John Christopher Burtch | Apparatus for production of hydrogen gas using wind and wave action |
| WO2016054371A1 (en) * | 2014-10-02 | 2016-04-07 | Imagestatistics, Inc. | Voltage calculator and generator for on-board diagnostic system and method of using the same |
| WO2021099664A1 (en) * | 2019-11-20 | 2021-05-27 | Hydris Ecotech, S.L. | Fluid heater, installation for heating by air ducts and installation for heating by radiators and sanitary hot water (shw) incorporating said heater |
-
1997
- 1997-06-06 CA CA002207116A patent/CA2207116A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1998
- 1998-06-04 ZA ZA984842A patent/ZA984842B/en unknown
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7948101B2 (en) | 2005-09-02 | 2011-05-24 | John Christopher Burtch | Apparatus for production of hydrogen gas using wind and wave action |
| WO2016054371A1 (en) * | 2014-10-02 | 2016-04-07 | Imagestatistics, Inc. | Voltage calculator and generator for on-board diagnostic system and method of using the same |
| US20170268465A1 (en) * | 2014-10-02 | 2017-09-21 | Imagestatistics, Inc. | Voltage Calculator and Generator for On-Board Diagnostic System and Method of Using the Same |
| WO2021099664A1 (en) * | 2019-11-20 | 2021-05-27 | Hydris Ecotech, S.L. | Fluid heater, installation for heating by air ducts and installation for heating by radiators and sanitary hot water (shw) incorporating said heater |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ZA984842B (en) | 1999-04-07 |
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