CA2613819A1

CA2613819A1 - Water heater utilizing pulsed electrolysis system and method of using same

Info

Publication number: CA2613819A1
Application number: CA002613819A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Nehemia Davidson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-12-07
Filing date: 2007-12-07
Publication date: 2009-06-07

Abstract

A water heater and a method of operating the same is provided. The water heater system (100) is comprised of two primary subsystems; a water heating subsystem (101) and an electrolytic heating subsystem (103). The electrolytic heating subsystem (103) is a pulsed electrolysis system that, during operation, heats a heat transfer medium contained within a conduit (105). The heated heat transfer medium is either pumped through the conduit (105) to a heat exchanger (109) within the water storage tank (111), or it is pumped through conduit (105) to an external heat exchanger (201) that is coupled to water storage tank (111) via another circulation conduit (203).

Description

Water Heater Utilizing Pulsed Electrolysis System and Method of Using Same FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to water heating systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water heaters, both storage water heaters and flow-through water heaters, are known in the art. In a conventional water heater, the water is heated by either an electrical resistance heating element or a gas flame, the selected approach typically based on the availability and cost of electricity and gas within the geographic region in which the water heater is to be used.
Regardless of whether the water heater uses a gas flame or a resistive element as the heat source, ultimately the energy required to fuel the heater is typically a conventional fossil fuel since few regions in the world rely on alternative energy sources. As such, water heaters contribute to the world's dependence on fossil fuels, an energy source of finite size and limited regional availability. Dependence on fossil fuels not only leads to increased vulnerability to potential supply disruption, but also continued global warming due to carbon dioxide emissions.
Within recent years there has been considerable research in the area of alternative fuels that provide a`green' approach to the development of electricity. Clearly the benefit of such an approach, besides combating global warming and lessening the world's dependence on fossil fuels, is that the energy provided by the alternative source can then be used to power a host of conventional electrically powered devices without requiring any device modification.
Unfortunately, until such an alternative source is accepted and tied in to the existing power grid, there is little for the end consumer to do to lessen their contribution to the world's dependence on fossil fuels other than to simply lessen their overall power consumption. To date, such an approach has had limited success with most people refusing to limit their power consumption.
Accordingly, what is needed is a means of helping end users to lower their power consumption without requiring actual sacrifice. The present invention, by providing a high efficiency water heater utilizing an alternative heat source, accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a water heater and a method of operating the same. The water heater is comprised of two primary subsystems; a water heating subsystem and an electrolytic heating subsystem. The electrolytic heating subsystem is a pulsed electrolysis system that, during operation, heats a heat transfer medium contained within a conduit. The conduit is coupled to a heat exchanger associated with the water storage tank of the water heating subsystem. The heated heat transfer medium is pumped through the heat exchanger, thereby heating water contained within the water storage tank.
In one embodiment of the invention, the water heater is comprised of an electrolytic heating subsystem and a water heating subsystem, wherein the electrolytic heating subsystem is comprised of an electrolysis tank, a membrane separating the electrolysis tank into two regions, at least one pair of low voltage electrodes, at least one pair of high voltage electrodes, a low voltage source, a high voltage source, and means for simultaneously pulsing both the low voltage source and the high voltage source, and wherein the water heating subsystem is comprised of a water storage tank, a heat exchanger, a water inlet and a water outlet, and wherein the water heater is further comprised of a conduit and a pump, the conduit including a first portion in thermal communication with the electrolytic heating subsystem and a second portion coupled to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can either be mounted within the water storage tank, or externally mounted and coupled to the water storage tank via a separate conduit. The water heater can also include a system controller that can be coupled to one or more temperature monitors, the low and high voltage sources, the pulse generator, the circulation pump, a flow valve(s) and/or a water level monitor(s). The system can further be comprised of at least one electromagnetic coil capable of generating a magnetic field within a portion of the electrolysis tank. The system can further be comprised of at least one permanent magnet capable of generating a magnetic field within a portion of the electrolysis tank.
In another embodiment of the invention, the water heater is comprised of an electrolytic heating subsystem and a water heating subsystem, wherein the electrolytic heating subsystem is comprised of an electrolysis tank, a membrane separating the electrolysis tank into two regions, at least one pair of high voltage electrodes, a plurality of metal members contained within the electrolysis tank and interposed between the high voltage electrodes and the membrane, a high voltage source, and means for pulsing the high voltage source, and wherein the water heating subsystem is comprised of a water storage tank, a heat exchanger, a water inlet and a water outlet, and wherein the water heater is further comprised of a conduit and a pump, the conduit including a first portion in thermal communication with the electrolytic heating subsystem and a second portion coupled to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can either be mounted within the water storage tank, or extemally mounted and coupled to the water storage tank via a separate conduit. The water heater can also include a system controller that can be coupled to one or more temperature monitors, the high voltage source, the pulse generator, the circulation pump, a flow valve(s) and/or a water level monitor(s). The system can further be comprised of at least one electromagnetic coil capable of generating a magnetic field within a portion of the electrolysis tank. The system can further be comprised of at least one permanent magnet capable of generating a magnetic field within a portion of the electrolysis tank.
In another aspect of the invention, a method of operating a water heater is provided, the method comprised of the steps of initiating electrolysis in an electrolytic heating subsystem, heating a heat transfer medium contained in a conduit with the electrolytic heating subsystem, and circulating the heat transfer medium through the conduit, wherein the conduit is coupled to a heat exchanger contained within the water heater. In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of measuring a temperature corresponding to the heat transfer medium and comparing that temperature with a preset temperature, wherein the heat transfer medium circulating step is initiated after the measured temperature is above the preset temperature. In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of periodically measuring the temperature of the water within the water heater, wherein the electrolysis initiating step is performed when the measured temperature falls below a preset temperature.
In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of periodically measuring the temperature of the water within the water heater, comparing the water temperature to a preset temperature, and suspending the electrolysis step, or the electrolysis and circulating steps, when the measured water temperature is above the preset temperature. In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of periodically measuring the temperature of the water within the water heater, comparing the water temperature to a preset temperature, and modifying the electrolysis process when the water temperature is above the preset temperature. In at least one embodiment, the step of initiating electrolysis in the electrolytic heating subsystem may further comprise the steps of applying a low voltage to at least one pair of low voltage electrodes contained within the electrolysis tank of the electrolytic heating subsystem and applying a high voltage to at least one pair of high voltage electrodes contained within the electrolysis tank, wherein the low voltage and the high voltage are simultaneously pulsed. In at least one embodiment, the step of initiating electrolysis in the electrolytic heating subsystem may further comprise the steps of applying a high voltage to at least one pair of high voltage electrodes contained within the electrolysis tank, the high voltage applying step further comprising the step of pulsing said high voltage, wherein at least one metal member is positioned between the high voltage anode(s) and the tank membrane and at least one other metal member is positioned between the high voltage cathode(s) and the tank membrane. In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of generating a magnetic field within a portion of the electrolysis tank, wherein the magnetic field affects a heating rate corresponding to the heat transfer medium heating step.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of operating a water heater is provided, the method comprised of the steps of initiating electrolysis in an electrolytic heating subsystem, heating a heat transfer medium contained in a conduit with the electrolytic heating subsystem, circulating the heat transfer medium through the conduit, wherein the conduit is coupled to a heat exchanger, and circulating water between the water heater and the heat exchanger. In at least one embodiment the method further comprises the steps of measuring a temperature corresponding to the heat transfer medium and comparing that temperature with a preset temperature, wherein the heat transfer medium circulating step is initiated after the measured temperature is above the preset temperature.
In at least one embodiment the method further comprises the steps of periodically measuring the temperature of the water within the water heater, wherein the electrolysis initiating step is performed when the measured temperature falls below a preset temperature. In at least one embodiment the method further comprises the steps of periodically measuring the temperature of the water within the water heater, comparing the water temperature to a preset temperature, and suspending the electrolysis step, or the electrolysis and circulating steps, when the measured water temperature is above the preset temperature. In at least one embodiment the method further comprises the steps of periodically measuring the temperature of the water within the water heater, comparing the water temperature to a preset temperature, and modifying the electrolysis process when the water temperature is above the preset temperature. In at least one embodiment, the step of initiating electrolysis in the electrolytic heating subsystem may further comprise the steps of applying a low voltage to at least one pair of low voltage electrodes contained within the electrolysis tank of the electrolytic heating subsystem and applying a high voltage to at least one pair of high voltage electrodes contained within the electrolysis tank, wherein the low voltage and the high voltage are simultaneously pulsed. In at least one embodiment, the step of initiating electrolysis in the electrolytic heating subsystem may further comprise the steps of applying a high voltage to at least one pair of high voltage electrodes contained within the electrolysis tank, the high voltage applying step further comprising the step of pulsing said high voltage, wherein at least one metal member is positioned between the high voltage anode(s) and the tank membrane and at least one other metal member is positioned between the high voltage cathode(s) and the tank membrane. In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of generating a magnetic field within a portion of the electrolysis tank, wherein the magnetic field affects a heating rate corresponding to the heat transfer medium heating step.
A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. I is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an illustration of an alternate exemplary embodiment utilizing an external heat exchanger;
Fig. 3 is a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem;
Fig. 4 is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem;
Fig. 5 is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem utilizing an electromagnetic rate controller;
Fig. 6 is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem utilizing an electromagnetic rate controller and an electrode configuration as shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 7 is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem shown in Fig. 5 utilizing a permanent magnet rate controller;
Fig. 8 is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem shown in Fig. 6 utilizing a permanent magnet rate controller;
Fig. 9 illustrates one method of system operation;
Fig. 10 illustrates one method of system operation;
Fig. 11 illustrates an alternate method of system operation;
Fig. 12 illustrates an alternate method of system operation; and Fig. 13 illustrates an alternate method of system operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary system 100 in accordance with the invention.
System 100 is comprised of two primary subsystems; water heating subsystem 101 and electrolytic heating subsystem 103. As will be described in detail, there are numerous configurations of electrolytic heating subsystem 103 applicable to the invention.
As will be described further, electrolytic heating subsystem 103 is a pulsed electrolysis system that includes a conduit 105. Conduit 105 can be contained within electrolysis tank 106 as shown in Fig. 1, or mounted around the electrolysis tank, or integrated within the walls of the electrolysis tank.
The primary considerations for the location of conduit 105 are (i) the efficiency of the thermal communication between the electrolytic heating subsystem and the conduit/heat transfer medium and (ii) minimization of conduit erosion. As most materials used for the electrolysis tank are poor thermal conductors, typically conduit 105 is either contained within the tank or integrated within the tank walls.
Flowing within conduits 105 is a heat transfer medium. In one embodiment the heat transfer medium is water. In an alternate embodiment, the heat transfer medium is one with a high vapor pressure. During electrolysis, considerable heat is generated, thereby heating the heat transfer medium within conduit 105.
One or more pumps 107 pump the heat transfer medium within conduit 105 through a heat exchanger which, in turn, heats the water within water storage tank 111 through a simple heat exchange process. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the heat exchanger is contained within water storage tank 111 and is represented by coils 109.
In general, water storage tank 111 utilizes a conventional design. More particularly, tank 111 includes wall insulation to minimize heat loss and maximize system efficiency. Additionally, tank 111 includes an inlet line 113 for adding non-heated water to the tank, preferably to the bottom of the tank. Tank 111 also includes an outlet line 115 for withdrawing hot water from the tank, preferably from the top of the tank. In general, water heating subsystem 101 is coupled to either a residential or commercial water system in the same way as a conventional water heater. It will be appreciated that water heating subsystem 101 and electrolytic heating subsystem 103 can be appropriately sized for the intended application, ranging from small systems, for example for use in an apartment or other small area, to large systems, for example for use in a commercial setting.
In use, a temperature monitor 117 (e.g., a thermocouple) contained within tank monitors the water temperature (either absolute temperature or relative temperature) of the tank water and provides this information to a system controller 119. System controller 119 compares the water temperature provided by temperature monitor 117 to a preset temperature, i.e., a temperature preset by the user, installer or manufacturer. Preferably system controller 119 includes an integrated thermostat 121, thermostat 121 either providing absolute temperature control (e.g., 30 C, 40 C, 50 C, etc.) or relative temperature control (e.g., warm, warmer, hot, hotter, etc.).
In one embodiment of the invention, when the water temperature within tank 111 falls below the preset temperature, system controller 119 initiates electrolysis within electrolytic heating subsystem 103 and begins circulating fluid through conduit 105 and heat exchanger 109 using pump 107.
Although electrolysis and pumping can occur simultaneously, preferably before pumping is initiated subsystem 103 is allowed to operate for a preset period of time, or until a preset temperature corresponding to subsystem 103 is reached, thus increasing system efficiency by preventing the system from circulating fluid that has not been heated or has undergone very little heating. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, system controller 119 also monitors the temperature throughout the system, for example using a temperature monitor 123 within the electrolysis tank andlor a temperature monitor 125 coupled to, or within, conduit 105.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention which is especially useful for larger applications of the invention such as commercial water heating systems where system demand is high, pump 107 is a circulation pump which is in continual operation. In this embodiment, subsystem 103 is either in continual operation or it is cycled on and off by controller 119.
Preferably in this embodiment either the strength of the reaction within subsystem 103 or the cycle times of subsystem 103 are controlled by system controller 119 in order to achieve the desired temperature within tank 111. In order to provide the desired level of system control, preferably this embodiment also includes one or more additional system temperature monitors, for example monitors 123 and 125.
The heat exchanger associated with water heating subsystem 101 does not have to be mounted within water storage tank 111 as shown in Fig. 1. For example, in the alternate configuration illustrated in Fig. 2, an external heat exchanger 201 is coupled to water storage tank 111 via conduits 203. As in the previous embodiment, heat transfer medium contained in conduits 105 and heated by the electrolytic heating subsystem 103 is circulated through conduits 105 and the heat exchanger, however, in this embodiment the heat exchanger is external to the water storage tank and the heat transfer medium is circulated through conduits 105 and heat exchanger 201 with pump 205. In order to heat the water within storage tank 111, a second pump 207 circulates water via conduit 203 from tank 111 through heat exchanger 201 and then back into tank 111.
An advantage of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is that it provides an additional level of system control since pumping the heat transfer medium through the heat exchanger does not necessarily heat the water within the water storage tank. Thus the heat transfer medium can be circulated through heat exchanger 201, for example on a continuous basis, while the water within storage tank 111 is only heated when water is circulated through conduits 203 and heat exchanger 201 with pump 207.
Preferably pumps 205 and 207 are independently controlled by system controller 119 as illustrated.
Particulars of the electrolytic heating subsystem will now be discussed in further detail which are applicable to either heat exchanger configuration (i.e., either using an internal heat exchanger 109 or an external heat exchanger 201). Fig. 3 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of an electrolytic heating subsystem 300. Note that in Figs. 3-8 only a portion of conduit 105 is shown (conduit 519 in Figs. 5-8), thus allowing a better view of the underlying electrolytic subsystem.
Additionally, for illustration clarity, the portions of conduit 105 (or conduit 519) that are included are shown mounted to the exterior surface of the electrolysis tank even though as previously noted, conduit 105 is typically integrated within the tank walls or mounted within the tank, thereby improving on the transfer of heat from the electrolytic subsystem to the heat transfer medium contained within conduit 105.
Tank 301 is comprised of a non-conductive material. The size of tank 301 is primarily selected on the basis of desired system output. Although tank 301 is shown as having a rectangular a shape, it will be appreciated that the invention is not so limited and that tank 301 can utilize other shapes, for example cylindrical, square, irregularly-shaped, etc. Tank 301 is substantially filled with liquid 303.
In at least one preferred embodiment, liquid 303 is comprised of water, or more preferably water with an electrolyte, the electrolyte being an acid electrolyte, a base electrolyte, or a combination of an acid electrolyte and a base electrolyte. Exemplary electrolytes include potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. The term "water" as used herein refers to water (H20), deuterated water (deuterium oxide or D20), tritiated water (tritium oxide or T20), semiheavy water (HDO), heavy oxygen water (HZ18O or H2 170) or any other water containing an isotope of either hydrogen or oxygen, either singly or in any combination thereof (for example, a combination of H20 and D20).
A typical electrolysis system used to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen gases utilizes relatively high concentrations of electrolyte. Subsystem 103, however, has been found to work best with relatively low electrolyte concentrations, thereby maintaining a relatively high initial water resistivity. Preferably the water resistivity prior to the addition of an electrolyte is on the order of 1 to 28 megoluns. Preferably the concentration of electrolyte is in the range of 0.05 percent to 10 percent by weight, more preferably the concentration of electrolyte is in the range of 0.05 percent to 2.0 percent by weight, and still more preferably the concentration of electrolyte is in the range of 0.1 percent to 0.5 percent by weight.
Separating tank 301 into two regions is a membrane 305. Membrane 305 permits ion/electron exchange between the two regions of tank 301. Assuming medium 303 is water, as preferred, small amounts of hydrogen and oxygen are produced during operation.
Accordingly membrane 305 also keeps the oxygen and hydrogen bubbles produced during electrolysis separate, thus minimizing the risk of inadvertent recombination of the two gases. Exemplary materials for membrane 305 include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, tetrafluoroethylene, asbestos, etc. Preferably tank 301 also includes a pair of gas outlets 307 and 309, corresponding to the two regions of tank 301. The volume of gases produced by the process can either be released, through outlets 307 and 309, into the atmosphere in a controlled manner or they can be collected and used for other purposes.
As the electrolytic heating subsystem is designed to reach relatively high temperatures, the materials comprising tank 301, membrane 305 and other subsystem components are selected on the basis of their ability to withstand the expected temperatures. For example, in at least one embodiment the subsystem is designed to operate at a temperature of approximately 90 C
at standard pressure. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the system is designed to operate at elevated temperatures (e.g., 100 C
to 150 C) and at sufficient pressure to prevent boiling of liquid 303. In yet another alternate exemplary embodiment, the system is designed to operate at even higher temperatures (e.g., 200 C to 350 C) and higher pressures (e.g., sufficient to prevent boiling). Accordingly, it will be understood that the choice of materials for the subsystem components and the design of the subsystem (e.g., tank wall thicknesses, fittings, etc.) will vary, depending upon the intended subsystem operational parameters, primarily temperature and pressure.
Replenishment of medium 303 can be through one or more dedicated lines, for example conduits 311 and 313 coupled to the two regions of tank 301. Although medium replenishment can be performed manually, preferably replenishment is performed automatically, for example using system controller 119 and flow valves 315 and 317 within lines 311 and 313, respectively. Replenishment can be performed periodically or continually at a very low flow rate. If periodic replenishment is used, it can either be based on the period of system operation, for example replenishing the system with a predetermined volume of medium after a preset number of hours of operation, or based on the volume of medium within tank 301, the volume being provided to controller 119 using a level monitor 319 within the tank or other means. In at least one preferred embodiment system controller 119 is also coupled to a monitor 320, monitor 320 providing either the pH or the resistivity of liquid 303 within the electrolysis tank, thereby providing means for determining when additional electrolyte needs to be added.
In at least one embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem, two types of electrodes are used, each type of electrode being comprised of one or more electrode pairs with each electrode pair including at least one cathode (i.e., a cathode coupled electrode) and at least one anode (i.e., an anode coupled electrode). All cathodes, regardless of the type, are kept in one region of tank 301 while all anodes, regardless of the type, are kept in the other tank region, the two tank regions separated by membrane 305. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, each type of electrode includes a single pair of electrodes.
The first pair of electrodes, electrodes 321/323, are coupled to a low voltage source 325.
The second set of electrodes, electrodes 327/329, are coupled to a high voltage source 331. In the illustrations and as used herein, voltage source 325 is labeled as a`low' voltage source not because of the absolute voltage produced by the source, but because the output of voltage source 325 is maintained at a lower output voltage than the output of voltage source 331. Preferably and as shown, the individual electrodes of each pair of electrodes are parallel to one another; i.e., the face of electrode 321 is parallel to the face of electrode 323 and the face of electrode 327 is parallel to the face of electrode 329. It should be appreciated, however, that such an electrode orientation is not required.
In one preferred embodiment, electrodes 321/323 and electrodes 327/329 are comprised of titanium. In another preferred embodiment, electrodes 321/323 and electrodes 327/329 are comprised of stainless steel. It should be appreciated, however, that other materials can be used and that the same material does not have to be used for both the low and high voltage electrodes. Additionally, the same material does not have to be used for both the anode(s) and the cathode(s) of the low voltage electrodes, nor does the same material have to be used for both the anode(s) and the cathode(s) of the high voltage electrodes. In addition to titanium and stainless steel, other exemplary materials that can be used for the low voltage and high voltage electrodes include, but are not limited to, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, metal hydrides and alloys of these materials. Preferably the surface area of the faces of the low voltage electrodes (e.g., electrode 321 and electrode 323) cover a large percentage of the cross-sectional area of tank 301, typically on the order of at least 40 percent of the cross-sectional area of tank 301, and more typically between approximately 70 percent and 90 percent of the cross-sectional area of tank 301. Preferably the separation between the low voltage electrodes (e.g., electrodes 321 and 323) is between 0.1 millimeters and 15 centimeters. In at least one embodiment the separation between the low voltage electrodes is between 0.1 millimeters and 1 millimeter. In at least one other embodiment the separation between the low voltage electrodes is between 1 millimeter and 5 millimeters. In at least one other embodiment the separation between the low voltage electrodes is between 5 millimeters and 2 centimeters. In at least one other embodiment the separation between the low voltage electrodes is between 5 centimeters and 8 centimeters. In at least one other embodiment the separation between the low voltage electrodes is between 10 centimeters and 12 centimeters.
Electrodes 327/329 are positioned outside of the planes containing electrodes 321/323.
In other words, the separation distance between electrodes 327 and 329 is greater than the separation distance between electrodes 321 and 323 and both low voltage electrodes are positioned between the planes containing the high voltage electrodes. The high voltage electrodes may be larger, smaller or the same size as the low voltage electrodes.
As previously noted, the voltage applied to the high voltage electrodes is greater than that applied to the low voltage electrodes. Preferably the ratio of the high voltage to the low voltage applied to the high voltage and low voltage electrodes, respectively, is at least 5:1, more preferably the ratio is between 5:1 and 100:1, still more preferably the ratio is between 5:1 and 33:1, and even still more preferably the ratio is between 5:1 and 20:1. Preferably the high voltage generated by source 331 is within the range of 50 volts to 50 kilovolts, more preferably within the range of 100 volts to 5 kilovolts, and still more preferably within the range of 500 volts to 2.5 kilovolts.
Preferably the low voltage generated by source 325 is within the range of 3 volts to 1500 volts, more preferably within the range of 12 volts to 750 volts, still more preferably within the range of 24 volts to 500 volts, and yet still more preferably within the range of 48 volts to 250 volts.

Rather than continually apply voltage to the electrodes, sources 325 and 331 are pulsed, preferably at a frequency of between 50 Hz and 1 MHz, more preferably at a frequency of between 100 Hz and 10 kHz, and still more preferably at a frequency of between 150 Hz and 7 kHz. The pulse width (i.e., pulse duration) is preferably between 0.01 and 75 percent of the time period defined by the frequency, and more preferably between 0.1 and 50 percent of the time period defined by the frequency, and still more preferably between 0.1 and 25 percent of the time period defined by the frequency. Thus, for example, for a frequency of 150 Hz, the pulse duration is preferably in the range of 0.67 microseconds to 5 milliseconds, more preferably in the range of 6.67 microseconds to 3.3 milliseconds, and still more preferably in the range of 6.67 microseconds to 1.7 milliseconds. Alternately, for example, for a frequency of 1 kHz, the pulse duration is preferably in the range of 0.1 microseconds to 0.75 milliseconds, more preferably in the range of 1 microsecond to 0.5 milliseconds, and still more preferably in the range of I microsecond to 0.25 milliseconds. Additionally, the voltage pulses are applied simultaneously to the high voltage and low voltage electrodes via sources 331 and 325, respectively. In other words, the voltage pulses applied to high voltage electrodes 327/329 coincide with the pulses applied to low voltage electrodes 321/323. Although voltage sources 325 and 331 can include internal means for pulsing the respective outputs from each source, preferably an external pulse generator 333 controls a pair of switches, i.e., low voltage switch 335 and high voltage switch 337 which, in turn, control the output of voltage sources 325 and 331 as shown, and as described above.
In at least one preferred embodiment, the frequency and/or pulse duration and/or low voltage and/or high voltage can be changed by system controller 119 during system operation, thus allowing the output and the output heat production efficiency of the electrolytic heating subsystem to be periodically or continually altered (e.g., optimized).
As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, there are numerous minor variations of the electrolytic heating subsystem described above and shown in Fig. 3 that can be used with the invention. For example, and as previously noted, alternate configurations can utilize tanks of different size and/or shape, different electrolytic solutions, and a variety of different electrode configurations and materials. Exemplary alternate electrode configurations include, but are not limited to, multiple low voltage cathodes, multiple low voltage anodes, multiple high voltage cathodes, multiple high voltage anodes, multiple low voltage electrode pairs combined with multiple high voltage electrode pairs, electrodes of varying size or shape (e.g., cylindrical, curved, etc.), and electrode pairs of varying orientation (e.g., non-parallel faces, pairs in which individual electrodes are not positioned directly across from one another, etc.). Additionally, alternate configurations can utilize a variety of input powers, pulse frequencies and pulse durations as previously noted.

In an exemplary embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem, a cylindrical chamber measuring 125 centimeters long with an inside diameter of 44 centimeters and an outside diameter of 50 centimeters was used. The tank contained 175 liters of water, the water including a potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte at a concentration of 0.1 % by weight.
The low voltage electrodes were 75 centimeters by 30 centimeters by 0.5 centimeters and had a separation distance of approximately 10 centimeters. The high voltage electrodes were 3 centimeters by 2.5 centimeters by 0.5 centimeters and had a separation distance of approximately 32 centimeters.
Both sets of electrodes were comprised of titanium. The pulse frequency was maintained at 150 Hz and the pulse duration was initially set to 260 microseconds and gradually lowered to 180 microseconds during the course of a 4 hour run. The low voltage supply was set to 50 volts, drawing a current of between 5.5 and 7.65 amps, and the high voltage supply was set to 910 volts, drawing a current of between 2.15 and 2.48 amps. The initial temperature was 28 C and monitored continuously with a pair of thermocouples, one in each side of the tank. After conclusion of the 4 hour run, the temperature of the tank fluid had increased to 67 C.
Illustrating the correlation between electrode size and heat production efficiency, the high voltage electrodes of the previous test were replaced with larger electrodes, the larger electrodes measuring 9.5 centimeters by 5 centimeters by 0.5 centimeters, thus providing approximately 6.3 times the surface area of the previous high voltage electrodes. The larger electrodes, still operating at a voltage of 910 volts, drew a current of between 1.73 and 1.9 amps. The low voltage supply was again set at 50 volts, in this run the low voltage electrodes drawing between 0.6 and 1.25 amps. Although the pulse frequency was still maintained at 150 Hz, the pulse duration was lowered from an initial setting of 60 microseconds to 15 microseconds. All other operating parameters were the same as in the previous test.
In this test, during the course of a 5 hour run, the temperature of the tank fluid increased from 28 C to 69 C. Given the shorter pulses and the lower current, this test with the larger high voltage electrodes exhibited a heat production efficiency approximately 8 times that exhibited in the previous test.
Fig. 4 is an illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem, this embodiment using a single type of electrodes. Subsystem 400 is basically the same as the subsystem shown in Fig. 3 with the exception that low voltage electrodes 321/323 have been replaced with a pair of metal members 401/403; metal member 401 interposed between high voltage electrode 327 and membrane 305 and metal member 403 interposed between high voltage electrode 329 and membrane 305. The materials comprising metal members 401/403 are the same as those of the low voltage electrodes. Preferably the surface area of the faces of members 401 and 403 is a large percentage of the cross-sectional area of tank 301, typically on the order of at least 40 percent, and often between approximately 70 percent and 90 percent of the cross-sectional area of tank 201. Preferably the separation between members 401 and 403 is between 0.1 millimeters and 15 centimeters. In at least one embodiment the separation between the metal members is between 0.1 millimeters and 1 millimeter. In at least one other embodiment the separation between the metal members is between 1 millimeter and 5 millimeters. In at least one other embodiment the separation between the metal members is between 5 millimeters and 2 centimeters. In at least one other embodiment the separation between the metal members is between 5 centimeters and 8 centimeters. In at least one other embodiment the separation between the metal members is between 10 centimeters and 12 centimeters. The preferred ranges for the size of the high voltage electrodes as well as the high voltage power, pulse frequency and pulse duration are the same as in the exemplary subsystem shown in Fig. 3 and described above.
In a test of the exemplary embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem using metal members in place of low voltage electrodes, the same cylindrical chamber and electrolyte-containing water was used as in the previous test. The metal members were 75 centimeters by 30 centimeters by 0.5 centimeters and had a separation distance of approximately 10 centimeters. The high voltage electrodes were 3 centimeters by 2.5 centimeters by 0.5 centimeters and had a separation distance of approximately 32 centimeters. The high voltage electrodes and the metal members were fabricated from stainless steel.
The pulse frequency was maintained at 150 Hz and the pulse duration was initially set to 250 microseconds and gradually lowered to 200 microseconds during the course of a 2 hour run. The high voltage supply was set to 910 volts, drawing a current of between 2.21 and 2.45 amps. The initial temperature was 30 C and monitored continuously with a pair of thermocouples, one in each side of the tank. After conclusion of the 2 hour run, the temperature of the tank fluid had increased to 60 C.
As with the previously described set of tests, the correlation between electrode size and heat production efficiency was demonstrated by replacing the high voltage electrodes with larger electrodes measuring 9.5 centimeters by 5 centimeters by 0.5 centimeters. The larger electrodes, still operating at a voltage of 910 volts, drew a current of between 1.6 and 1.94 amps. The pulse frequency was still maintained at 150 Hz, however, the pulse duration was lowered from an initial setting of 90 microseconds to 25 microseconds. All other operating parameters were the same as in the previous test.
In this test during the course of a 6 hour run, the temperature of the tank fluid increased from 23 C to 68 C, providing an increase in heat production efficiency of approximately 3 times over that exhibited in the previous test.
As with the previous exemplary embodiment, it will be appreciated that there are numerous minor variations of the electrolytic heating subsystem described above and shown in Fig. 4 that can be used with the invention. For example, and as previously noted, altemate configurations can utilize tanks of different size and/or shape, different electrolytic solutions, and a variety of different electrode/metal member configurations and materials. Exemplary alternate electrode/metal member configurations include, but are not limited to, multiple sets of metal members, multiple high voltage cathodes, multiple high voltage anodes, multiple sets of metal members combined with multiple high voltage cathodes and anodes, electrodes/metal members of varying size or shape (e.g., cylindrical, curved, etc.), and electrodes/metal members of varying orientation (e.g., non-parallel faces, pairs in which individual electrodes are not positioned directly across from one another, etc.). Additionally, alternate configurations can utilize a variety of input powers, pulse frequencies and pulse durations.
In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrolytic heating subsystem uses a reaction rate controller to help achieve optimal performance of the heating subsystem relative to the water heating subsystem. The rate controller operates by generating a magnetic field within the electrolysis tank, either within the region between the high voltage cathode(s) and the low voltage cathode(s) or metal member(s), or within the region between the high voltage anode(s) and the low voltage anode(s) or metal member(s), or both regions. The magnetic field can either be generated with an electromagnetic coil or coils, or with one or more permanent magnets. The benefit of using electromagnetic coils is that the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the coil or coils can be varied by controlling the current supplied to the coil(s), thus providing a convenient method of controlling the reaction rate.
Fig. 5 provides an exemplary embodiment of an electrolytic heating subsystem 500 that includes an electromagnetic rate controller. It should be understood that the electromagnetic rate controller shown in Figs. 5 and 6, or a rate controller using permanent magnets as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, is not limited to a specific tank/electrode configuration. For example, electrolysis tank 501 of system 500 is cylindrically-shaped although the tank could utilize other shapes such as the rectangular shape of tank 301. As in the previous embodiments, the electrolytic heating subsystem includes a membrane (e.g., membrane 503) separating the tank into two regions, a pair of gas outlets (e.g., outlets 505/507), a pair of water removal and replenishment lines (e.g., conduits 509/511), flow control valves (e.g., valves 513/515) coupled to the system controller, a water level monitor (e.g., monitor 516), a temperature monitor (e.g., monitor 517), a pH or resistivity monitor (e.g., monitor 518) and heat removal conduits (e.g., conduits 519 which are functional equivalents to conduits 105). As in the embodiments shown in Figs. 3 and 4, only a portion of the conduits are shown, thus providing a better view of the underlying system. This embodiment, similar to the one shown in Fig. 1, utilizes both low voltage and high voltage electrodes. Specifically, subsystem 500 includes a pair of low voltage electrodes 521/523 and a pair of high voltage electrodes 525/527.

In the electrolytic heating subsystem illustrated in Fig. 5, a magnetic field of controllable intensity is generated between the low voltage and high voltage electrodes within each region of tank 501. Although a single electromagnetic coil can generate fields within both tank regions, in the illustrated embodiment the desired magnetic fields are generated by a pair of electromagnetic coils 531/533. As shown, electromagnetic coil 531 is interposed between the planes containing low voltage electrode 521 and high voltage electrode 525 and electromagnetic coil 533 is interposed between the planes containing low voltage electrode 523 and high voltage electrode 527.
Electromagnetic coils 531/533 are coupled to a controller 535 which is used to vary the current through coils 531/533, thus allowing the strength of the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coils to be varied as desired.
As a result, the rate of the reaction driven by the electrolysis system, and thus the amount of heat generated by the subsystem, can be controlled. In particular, increasing the magnetic field generated by coils 531/533 decreases the reaction rate. Accordingly, a maximum reaction rate is achieved with no magnetic field while the minimum reaction rate is achieved by imposing the maximum magnetic field. It will be appreciated that the exact relationship between the magnetic field and the reaction rate depends on a variety of factors including reaction strength, electrode composition and configuration, voltage/pulse frequency/pulse duration applied to the electrodes, electrolyte concentration, and achievable magnetic field, the last parameter dependent primarily upon the composition of the coils, the number of coil turns, and the current available from controller 535.
Although the subsystem embodiment shown in Fig. 5 utilizes coils that are interposed between the low voltage electrode and the high voltage electrode planes, it will be appreciated that the critical parameter is to configure the system such that there is a magnetic field, preferably of controllable intensity, between the low voltage and high voltage electrode planes. Thus, for example, if the coils extend beyond either, or both, the plane containing the low voltage electrode(s) and the plane controlling the high voltage electrode(s), the system will still work as the field generated by the coils includes the regions between the low voltage and high voltage electrodes. Additionally it will be appreciated that although the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 utilizes a single controller 535 coupled to both coils, the system can also utilize separate controllers for each coil (not shown).
Similarly, while the illustrated subsystems utilize dual coils, the invention can also use a single coil to generate a single field which affects both tank regions, or primarily affects a single tank region.
Additionally it will be appreciated that the electromagnetic coils do not have to be mounted to the exterior surface of the tank as shown in Fig. 5. For example, the electromagnetic coils can be integrated within the walls of the tank, or mounted within the tank. By mounting the electromagnetic coils within, or outside, of the tank walls, coil deterioration from electrolytic erosion is minimized.

The magnetic field rate controller is not limited to use with electrolytic heating subsystems employing both low and high voltage electrodes. For example, the electromagnetic rate controller subsystem can be used with embodiments using high voltage electrodes and metal members as described above and shown in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment based on the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, replacing low voltage electrodes 521/523 with metal members 601/603, respectively. As with the electromagnetic rate controller used with the dual voltage system, it will be appreciated that configurations using high voltage electrodes and metal members can utilize internal electromagnetic coils, electromagnetic coils mounted within the tank walls, and electromagnetic coils mounted outside of the tank walls.
Additionally, and as previously noted, the electromagnetic rate controller is not limited to a specific tank and/or electrode configuration.
As previously noted, although electromagnetic coils provide a convenient means for controlling the intensity of the magnetic field applied to the reactor, permanent magnets can also be used with the electrolytic heating subsystem of the invention, for example when the magnetic field does not need to be variable. Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate embodiments based on the configurations shown in Figs. 5 and 6, but replacing coils 531 and 533 with permanent magnets 701 and 703, respectively. Note that in the view of Fig. 7, only the edge of electrode 521 is visible while none of electrode 527 is visible.
Similarly in the view of Fig. 8, only the edge of metal member 601 is visible while none of electrode 827 is visible.
As previously described, the water heating system of the invention can be operated in a variety of ways, depending primarily upon the desired level of system control.
Further detail regarding the primary and preferred methodologies will now be provided.
In the simplest method of use, the electrolytic heating subsystem is operated continuously and the heated heat transfer medium is continually pumped through the water heating subsystem conduit. Typically in this approach the system is set-up so that the steady-state temperature reached within the water tank is an acceptable temperature, the steady-state temperature based on the assumption of zero water usage (i.e., the only heat loss is through heat transfer out of the system).
In a minor variation of the above-described process applicable to embodiments utilizing an extetnally mounted heat exchanger, the electrolytic heating subsystem is operated continuously and the heat transfer medium is continually pumped through the external heat exchanger (step 901 of Fig. 9).
During system operation, the system controller compares a desired water temperature (set in step 903, for example using thermostat 121) with the actual water temperature within storage tank 111, for example using monitor 117 (step 905). If the actual temperature is above (or above or equal to depending upon set-up) the desired temperature (step 907), the system does nothing and simply continues to monitor and compare the temperatures. If the actual temperature is less than the desired temperature (step 909), for example due to heat loss from tank 111 or through hot water usage, then the system controller initiates pumping of water from the storage tank through the heat exchanger and back into the tank (step 911).
After pumping has been initiated (step 911), the system controller compares the temperature within the water storage tank to a second preset temperature (step 913). The second preset temperature may be the same as the first preset temperature, assuming that the system is designed to only heat the water within the water tank to the initially desired temperature.
Alternately, the second preset temperature may be higher than the first, desired, preset temperature.
Typically the second preset temperature is slightly higher than the first, desired, preset temperature, thus maximizing system efficiency while insuring that end users are not scalded by water temperatures that are greater than expected. As long as the temperature within the water tank is lower than the third preset temperature (915), water pumping from the storage tank through the heat exchanger continues and the system controller continues to compare temperatures (step 913). Once the temperature within the water tank exceeds the second preset temperature (step 917), water pumping is suspended (step 919) and the system goes back to comparing the temperature of the water within the water tank to the desired temperature (step 921).
Fig. 10 illustrates an alternate method of operation in which the electrolytic heating subsystem is not continually operated. As in the previous embodiment, initially the desired water temperature is set (i.e., first preset temperature), for example using thermostat 121 (step 903). Then the system controller compares the desired water temperature with the actual water temperature, for example using monitor 117 (step 1001). If the actual temperature is above (or above or equal to depending upon set-up) the desired temperature (step 1003), the system does nothing and simply continues to monitor and compare the temperatures. If the actual temperature is less than the desired temperature (step 1005), for example due to simple heat loss out of tank 111 or through hot water usage, then the system controller initiates electrolysis in the electrolytic heating subsystem (step 1007).
Preferably the system controller compares a second preset temperature with either, or both, the temperature of the fluid within the electrolysis tank (for example, using monitor 123) or the temperature of the heat transfer medium within the heat exchange conduit (for example, using monitor 125 within conduit 105) (step 1009). The second preset temperature, which determines at what point heat transfer medium within the conduit is pumped through the conduit within the water heating subsystem, can be designed to be set by the system manufacturer, the system installer, or the end user. As long as the temperature within the electrolysis tank and/or the heat exchange conduit 105 is less than the second preset temperature (step 1011), the system controller simply continues to compare and monitor temperatures. Once the temperature within the electrolysis tank and/or the heat exchange conduit 105 exceeds the second preset temperature (step 1013), the system controller initiates pumping the heat transfer medium through the conduit and the heat exchanger (step 1015). In at least one embodiment, if an external heat exchanger is used then during step 1015 pumping of water from storage tank 111 through the heat exchanger is also initiated.
During pumping (step 1015), the system controller compares the temperature within the water heating tank to a third preset temperature (step 1017). The third preset temperature may be the same as the first preset temperature, assuming that the system is designed to only heat the water within the water tank to the initially desired temperature. Alternately, the third preset temperature may be higher than the first, desired, preset temperature. Typically the third preset temperature is slightly higher than the first, desired, preset temperature, thus maximizing system efficiency while insuring that end users are not scalded by water temperatures that are greater than expected. As long as the temperature within the water tank is lower than the third preset temperature (1019), pumping of the heat transfer medium within the conduit continues and the system controller continues to compare temperatures (step 1017). Once the temperature within the water tank exceeds the third preset temperature (step 1021), fluid pumping is suspended (step 1023), electrolysis is suspended (step 1025) and the system goes back to comparing the temperature of the water within the water tank to the desired temperature (step 1027).
If an external heat exchanger is used, heat transfer medium pumping and water pumping (previous step 1015) do not have to occur simultaneously. For example, heat transfer medium pumping may occur before water pumping with either a preset period of time passing between the two pumping steps or two different preset temperatures being used to determine when to initiate each pumping step.
Similarly, the time at which pumping is suspended (previous step 1023) may be different for heat transfer medium pumping and storage tank water pumping. For example, heat transfer medium pumping may be suspended before suspending water pumping.
In a minor variation of the process described above, the process illustrated in Fig. 11 eliminates the pre-heating of the electrolysis fluid/heat transfer medium before initiating pumping.
Accordingly, and as shown, once the system controller determines that the temperature within the water tank is lower than the first preset temperature (step 1005), both electrolysis and fluid pumping are initiated (i.e., steps 1007 and 1015). If an external heat exchanger is used, preferably storage tank water pumping is initiated at the same time as heat transfer medium pumping although, as previously noted, these two pumping steps can be performed sequentially.
In further simplification of the method described above, the process illustrated in Fig. 12 eliminates the steps of turning on and off the heat transfer pump 107 (or pumps 205 and 207 if an external heat exchanger is used). Rather, the heat transfer pump is turned on during system initialization (step 1201). In this method pumping is continual and only operation of the electrolytic heating subsystem is suspended (step 1025) when the water temperature exceeds the preset temperature (step 1021).
In an alternative process shown in Fig. 13, the electrolysis process is modified if the temperature within the water tank becomes too high, or more preferably, if the temperature within the water tank falls outside of an acceptable range. Initially electrolysis is initiated (step 1301) as well as fluid pumping (1303). If an internal heat exchanger is used, only heat transfer medium pumping occurs in step 1303. If an external heat exchanger is used, preferably both heat transfer medium pumping and storage tank water pumping occurs in step 1303. Once the system is operational, the temperature within the water storage tank is periodically compared to a preset temperature (step 1305). If the monitored temperature falls outside of the preset range (step 1307), the electrolysis process is modified (step 1309).
During the electrolysis process modification step, one or more process parameters are varied. Typically pulse duration and/or pulse frequency are varied and, in some embodiments, electrode voltage.
Additionally, if the system includes an electromagnetic rate control system, the intensity of the magnetic field may be altered, thus changing the rate of reaction as previously described. Preferably during the electrolysis modification step, the system controller modifies the process in accordance with a series of pre-programmed changes, for example decreasing the pulse duration in 10 microsecond steps until the desired temperature is reached. Since varying the electrolysis process does not have an immediate affect on the temperature of the water within the water tank, preferably after making a system change, a period of time is allowed to pass (step 1311), thus allowing the system to reach equilibrium, or close to equilibrium, before determining if further process modification is required.
During this process, the system controller monitors the temperature within the electrolysis tank (step 1313) while determining if further modification is required (step 1315). Once the temperature reaches an acceptable level (step 1317), the system goes back to monitoring system performance (step 1305).
It will be understood that the previously described method can also be used to optimize system performance as the system ages. For example, if the electrolysis performance deteriorates, for example due to electrode erosion, the above-described system can be used to modify the process (e.g., increasing pulse duration or frequency) to insure that the temperature of the water in the water tank falls within the desired range.
As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.
Accordingly, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A water heater comprising:
an electrolytic heating subsystem comprising:
an electrolysis tank;
a membrane separating said electrolysis tank into a first region and a second region;
at least one pair of low voltage electrodes contained within said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode;
at least one pair of high voltage electrodes contained within said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said first region, wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said second region, and wherein a first separation distance corresponding to the distance between the electrodes of each pair of high voltage electrodes is greater than a second separation distance corresponding to the distance between the electrodes of each pair of low voltage electrodes;
a low voltage source with a first output voltage electrically connected to said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes;
a high voltage source with a second output voltage electrically connected to said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes, wherein said second output voltage is higher than said first output voltage; and means for simultaneously pulsing both said low voltage source and said high voltage source voltage at a specific frequency and with a specific pulse duration;
a water heating subsystem comprising:
a water storage tank;
a water inlet coupled to said water storage tank;
a water outlet coupled to said water storage tank; and a heat exchanger within said water storage tank;

a conduit containing a heat transfer medium, wherein a first portion of said conduit is in thermal communication with said electrolytic heating subsystem and a second portion of said conduit is coupled to said heat exchanger; and a circulation pump coupled to said conduit and interposed between said first and second portions of said conduit.

2. The water heater of claim 1, further comprising a system controller coupled to said electrolytic heating subsystem and said water heating subsystem.

3. The water heater of claim 2, wherein said system controller is coupled to at least one of said low voltage source, said high voltage source, and said simultaneous pulsing means.

4. The water heater of claim 2, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with water within said water storage tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

5. The water heater of claim 2, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with said electrolytic heating subsystem, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

6. The water heater of claim 2, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with said conduit, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

7. The water heater of claim 2, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with said heat transfer medium within said conduit, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

8. The water heater of claim 2, wherein said system controller is coupled to said circulation pump.

9. The water heater of claim 2, further comprising a flow valve within an inlet line coupled to said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said flow valve.

10. The water heater of claim 2, further comprising a water level monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said water level monitor.

11. The water heater of claim 2, further comprising a pH monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said pH
monitor.

12. The water heater of claim 2, further comprising a resistivity monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said resistivity monitor.

13. The water heater of claim 1, wherein said first portion of said conduit surrounds at least a portion of said electrolysis tank.

14. The water heater of claim 1, wherein said first portion of said conduit is contained within said electrolysis tank.

15. The water heater of claim 1, wherein said first portion of said conduit is integrated within a portion of a wall comprising said electrolysis tank.

16. The water heater of claim 1, further comprising a liquid within said electrolysis tank, wherein said liquid includes at least one of water, deuterated water, tritiated water, semiheavy water, heavy oxygen water, water containing an isotope of hydrogen, and water containing an isotope of oxygen.

17. The water heater of claim 16, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.05 and 10.0 percent by weight.

18. The water heater of claim 16, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.05 and 2.0 percent by weight.

19. The water heater of claim 16, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.1 and 0.5 percent by weight.

20. The water heater of claim 1, wherein said specific frequency is between 50 Hz and 1 MHz.

21. The water heater of claim 1, wherein said specific frequency is between 100 Hz and 10 kHz.

22. The water heater of claim 1, wherein said specific pulse duration is between 0.01 and 75 percent of a time period defined by said specific frequency.

23. The water heater of claim 1, wherein said specific pulse duration is between 0.1 and 50 percent of a time period defined by said specific frequency.

24. The water heater of claim 1, wherein said simultaneous pulsing means comprises a pulse generator coupled to said low voltage source and to said high voltage source.

25. The water heater of claim 1, wherein said simultaneous pulsing means comprises a pulse generator coupled to a low voltage switch and coupled to a high voltage switch, wherein said low voltage switch is coupled to said low voltage source, and wherein said high voltage switch is coupled to said high voltage source.

26. The water heater of claim 1, wherein said simultaneous pulsing means comprises a first internal pulse generator coupled to said low voltage source and a second internal pulse generator coupled to said high voltage source.

27. The water heater of claim 1, wherein a ratio of said second output voltage to said first output voltage is within the range of 5:1 to 100:1.

28. The water heater of claim 1, wherein said first output voltage is between 3 volts and 1500 volts and said second output voltage is between 50 volts and 50 kilovolts.

29. The water heater of claim 1, wherein said first output voltage is between 12 volts and 750 volts and said second output voltage is between 100 volts and 5 kilovolts.

30. The water heater of claim 1, wherein each low voltage cathode is comprised of a first material, wherein each low voltage anode is comprised of a second material, wherein each high voltage cathode is comprised of a third material, wherein each high voltage anode is comprised of a fourth material, and wherein said first, second, third and fourth materials are selected from the group consisting of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides and alloys of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides.

31. The water heater of claim 1, further comprising an electromagnetic rate controller subsystem, said electromagnetic rate controller subsystem comprising:

at least one electromagnetic coil, said at least one electromagnetic coil generating a controllable magnetic field within a portion of said electrolysis tank; and means for controlling magnetic field intensity of said magnetic field, wherein said controlling means is coupled to said at least one electromagnetic coil.

32. The water heater of claim 31, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil is contained within said electrolysis tank.

33. The water heater of claim 31, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil is integrated within a wall of said electrolysis tank.

34. The water heater of claim 31, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil surrounds a section of said electrolysis tank.

35. The water heater of claim 31, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

36. The water heater of claim 31, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

37. The water heater of claim 31, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a first section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said first section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes, and wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a second section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said second section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

38. The water heater of claim 31, said magnetic field intensity controlling means further comprising a variable output power supply.

39. The water heater of claim 31, further comprising a system controller coupled to at least one of said electrolytic heating subsystem, said water heating subsystem and said electromagnetic rate controller subsystem.

40. The water heater of claim 1, further comprising at least one permanent magnet, said at least one permanent magnet generating a magnetic field within a portion of said electrolysis tank.

41. The water heater of claim 40, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

42. The water heater of claim 40, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

43. The water heater of claim 40, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a first section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said first section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes, and wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a second section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said second section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

44. The water heater of claim 40, wherein said at least one permanent magnet is comprised of a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet, wherein said first permanent magnet generates a magnetic field within a first section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said first section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes, and wherein said second permanent magnet generates a magnetic field within a second section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said second section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

45. A water heater comprising:
an electrolytic heating subsystem comprising:

an electrolysis tank;
a membrane separating said electrolysis tank into a first region and a second region;
at least one pair of high voltage electrodes contained within said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said first region, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said second region;
a plurality of metal members contained within said electrolysis tank, wherein at least a first metal member of said plurality of metal members is contained within said first region and interposed between said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane, and wherein at least a second metal member of said plurality of metal members is contained within said second region and interposed between said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane;
a high voltage source with an output voltage electrically connected to said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes; and means for pulsing said high voltage source voltage at a specific frequency and with a specific pulse duration;
a water heating subsystem comprising:
a water storage tank;
a water inlet coupled to said water storage tank;
a water outlet coupled to said water storage tank; and a heat exchanger within said water storage tank;
a conduit containing a heat transfer medium, wherein a first portion of said conduit is in thermal communication with said electrolytic heating subsystem and a second portion of said conduit is coupled to said heat exchanger; and a circulation pump coupled to said conduit and interposed between said first and second portions of said conduit.

46. The water heater of claim 45, further comprising a system controller coupled to said electrolytic heating subsystem and said water heating subsystem.

47. The water heater of claim 46, wherein said system controller is coupled to at least one of said high voltage source and said pulsing means.

48. The water heater of claim 46, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with water within said water storage tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

49. The water heater of claim 46, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with said electrolytic heating subsystem, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

50. The water heater of claim 46, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with said conduit, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

51. The water heater of claim 46, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with said heat transfer medium within said conduit, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

52. The water heater of claim 46, wherein said system controller is coupled to said circulation pump.

53. The water heater of claim 46, further comprising a flow valve within an inlet line coupled to said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said flow valve.

54. The water heater of claim 46, further comprising a water level monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said water level monitor.

55. The water heater of claim 46, further comprising a pH monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said pH
monitor.

56. The water heater of claim 46, further comprising a resistivity monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said resistivity monitor.

57. The water heater of claim 45, wherein said first portion of said conduit surrounds at least a portion of said electrolysis tank.

58. The water heater of claim 45, wherein said first portion of said conduit is contained within said electrolysis tank.

59. The water heater of claim 45, wherein said first portion of said conduit is integrated within a portion of a wall comprising said electrolysis tank.

60. The water heater of claim 45, further comprising a liquid within said electrolysis tank, wherein said liquid includes at least one of water, deuterated water, tritiated water, semiheavy water, heavy oxygen water, water containing an isotope of hydrogen, and water containing an isotope of oxygen.

61. The water heater of claim 60, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.05 and 10.0 percent by weight.

62. The water heater of claim 60, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.05 and 2.0 percent by weight.

63. The water heater of claim 60, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.1 and 0.5 percent by weight.

64. The water heater of claim 45, wherein said specific frequency is between 50 Hz and 1 MHz.

65. The water heater of claim 45, wherein said specific frequency is between 100 Hz and 10 kHz.

66. The water heater of claim 45, wherein said specific pulse duration is between 0.01 and 75 percent of a time period defined by said specific frequency.

67. The water heater of claim 45, wherein said specific pulse duration is between 0.1 and 50 percent of a time period defined by said specific frequency.

68. The water heater of claim 45, wherein said pulsing means comprises a pulse generator coupled to said high voltage source.

69. The water heater of claim 68, wherein said pulse generator is integrated within said high voltage source.

70. The water heater of claim 45, wherein said pulsing means comprises a pulse generator coupled to a high voltage switch, wherein said high voltage switch is coupled to said high voltage source.

71. The water heater of claim 45, wherein said output voltage is between 50 volts and 50 kilovolts.

72. The water heater of claim 45, wherein said output voltage is between 100 volts and 5 kilovolts.

73. The water heater of claim 45, wherein each high voltage cathode is comprised of a first material, wherein each high voltage anode is comprised of a second material, wherein each metal member of said plurality of metal members is comprised of a third material, and wherein said first, second and third materials are selected from the group consisting of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides and alloys of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides.

74. The water heater of claim 45, further comprising an electromagnetic rate controller subsystem, said electromagnetic rate controller subsystem comprising:
at least one electromagnetic coil, said at least one electromagnetic coil generating a controllable magnetic field within a portion of said electrolysis tank; and means for controlling magnetic field intensity of said magnetic field, wherein said controlling means is coupled to said at least one electromagnetic coil.

75. The water heater of claim 74, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil is contained within said electrolysis tank.

76. The water heater of claim 74, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil is integrated within a wall of said electrolysis tank.

77. The water heater of claim 74, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil surrounds a section of said electrolysis tank.

78. The water heater of claim 74, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

79. The water heater of claim 74, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

80. The water heater of claim 74, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a first section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said first section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane, and wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a second section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said second section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

81. The water heater of claim 74, said magnetic field intensity controlling means further comprising a variable output power supply.

82. The water heater of claim 74, further comprising a system controller coupled to at least one of said electrolytic heating subsystem, said water heating subsystem and said electromagnetic rate controller subsystem.

83. The water heater of claim 45, further comprising at least one permanent magnet, said at least one permanent magnet generating a magnetic field within a portion of said electrolysis tank.

84. The water heater of claim 83, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

85. The water heater of claim 83, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

86. The water heater of claim 83, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a first section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said first section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane, and wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a second section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said second section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

87. The water heater of claim 83, wherein said at least one permanent magnet is comprised of a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet, wherein said first permanent magnet generates a magnetic field within a first section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said first section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane, and wherein said second permanent magnet generates a magnetic field within a second section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said second section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

88. A water heater comprising:
an electrolytic heating subsystem comprising:
an electrolysis tank;
a membrane separating said electrolysis tank into a first region and a second region;
at least one pair of low voltage electrodes contained within said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode;
at least one pair of high voltage electrodes contained within said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said first region, wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said second region, and wherein a first separation distance corresponding to the distance between the electrodes of each pair of high voltage electrodes is greater than a second separation distance corresponding to the distance between the electrodes of each pair of low voltage electrodes;
a low voltage source with a first output voltage electrically connected to said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes;
a high voltage source with a second output voltage electrically connected to said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes, wherein said second output voltage is higher than said first output voltage; and means for simultaneously pulsing both said low voltage source and said high voltage source voltage at a specific frequency and with a specific pulse duration;
a water heating subsystem comprising:
a water storage tank;
a water inlet coupled to said water storage tank; and a water outlet coupled to said water storage tank;
a heat exchanger;
a heat transfer medium circulation conduit, wherein a first portion of said heat transfer medium conduit is in thermal communication with said electrolytic heating subsystem and a second portion of said heat transfer medium conduit is coupled to said heat exchanger;
a water circulation conduit coupled to said water storage tank and coupled to said heat exchanger;
a first circulation pump coupled to said heat transfer medium circulation conduit and interposed between said first portion of said heat transfer medium conduit and said second portion of said heat transfer medium conduit; and a second circulation pump coupled to said water circulation conduit and interposed between said water storage tank and said heat exchanger.

89. The water heater of claim 88, further comprising a system controller coupled to said electrolytic heating subsystem and said water heating subsystem.

90. The water heater of claim 89, wherein said system controller is coupled to at least one of said low voltage source, said high voltage source, and said simultaneous pulsing means.

91. The water heater of claim 89, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with water within said water storage tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

92. The water heater of claim 89, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with said electrolytic heating subsystem, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

93. The water heater of claim 89, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with said heat transfer medium circulation conduit, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

94. The water heater of claim 89, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with heat transfer medium contained within said heat transfer medium circulation conduit, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

95. The water heater of claim 89, wherein said system controller is coupled to at least one of said first circulation pump and said second circulation pump.

96. The water heater of claim 89, further comprising a flow valve within an inlet line coupled to said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said flow valve.

97. The water heater of claim 89, further comprising a water level monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said water level monitor.

98. The water heater of claim 89, further comprising a pH monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said pH
monitor.

99. The water heater of claim 89, further comprising a resistivity monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said resistivity monitor.

100. The water heater of claim 88, wherein said first portion of said heat transfer medium circulation conduit surrounds at least a portion of said electrolysis tank.

101. The water heater of claim 88, wherein said first portion of said heat transfer medium circulation conduit is contained within said electrolysis tank.

102. The water heater of claim 88, wherein said first portion of said heat transfer medium circulation conduit is integrated within a portion of a wall comprising said electrolysis tank.

103. The water heater of claim 88, further comprising a liquid within said electrolysis tank, wherein said liquid includes at least one of water, deuterated water, tritiated water, semiheavy water, heavy oxygen water, water containing an isotope of hydrogen, and water containing an isotope of oxygen.

104. The water heater of claim 103, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.05 and 10.0 percent by weight.

105. The water heater of claim 103, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.05 and 2.0 percent by weight.

106. The water heater of claim 103, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.1 and 0.5 percent by weight.

107. The water heater of claim 88, wherein said specific frequency is between 50 Hz and 1 MHz.

108. The water heater of claim 88, wherein said specific frequency is between 100 Hz and 10 kHz.

109. The water heater of claim 88, wherein said specific pulse duration is between 0.01 and 75 percent of a time period defined by said specific frequency.

110. The water heater of claim 88, wherein said specific pulse duration is between 0.1 and 50 percent of a time period defined by said specific frequency.

111. The water heater of claim 88, wherein said simultaneous pulsing means comprises a pulse generator coupled to said low voltage source and to said high voltage source.

112. The water heater of claim 88, wherein said simultaneous pulsing means comprises a pulse generator coupled to a low voltage switch and coupled to a high voltage switch, wherein said low voltage switch is coupled to said low voltage source, and wherein said high voltage switch is coupled to said high voltage source.

113. The water heater of claim 88, wherein said simultaneous pulsing means comprises a first internal pulse generator coupled to said low voltage source and a second internal pulse generator coupled to said high voltage source.

114. The water heater of claim 88, wherein a ratio of said second output voltage to said first output voltage is within the range of 5:1 to 100:1.

115. The water heater of claim 88, wherein said first output voltage is between 3 volts and 1500 volts and said second output voltage is between 50 volts and 50 kilovolts.

116. The water heater of claim 88, wherein said first output voltage is between 12 volts and 750 volts and said second output voltage is between 100 volts and 5 kilovolts.

117. The water heater of claim 88, wherein each low voltage cathode is comprised of a first material, wherein each low voltage anode is comprised of a second material, wherein each high voltage cathode is comprised of a third material, wherein each high voltage anode is comprised of a fourth material, and wherein said first, second, third and fourth materials are selected from the group consisting of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides and alloys of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides.

118. The water heater of claim 88, further comprising an electromagnetic rate controller subsystem, said electromagnetic rate controller subsystem comprising:
at least one electromagnetic coil, said at least one electromagnetic coil generating a controllable magnetic field within a portion of said electrolysis tank; and means for controlling magnetic field intensity of said magnetic field, wherein said controlling means is coupled to said at least one electromagnetic coil.

119. The water heater of claim 118, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil is contained within said electrolysis tank.

120. The water heater of claim 118, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil is integrated within a wall of said electrolysis tank.

121. The water heater of claim 118, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil surrounds a section of said electrolysis tank.

122. The water heater of claim 118, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

123. The water heater of claim 118, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

124. The water heater of claim 118, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a first section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said first section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes, and wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a second section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said second section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

125. The water heater of claim 118, said magnetic field intensity controlling means further comprising a variable output power supply.

126. The water heater of claim 118, further comprising a system controller coupled to at least one of said electrolytic heating subsystem, said water heating subsystem and said electromagnetic rate controller subsystem.

127. The water heater of claim 88, further comprising at least one permanent magnet, said at least one permanent magnet generating a magnetic field within a portion of said electrolysis tank.

128. The water heater of claim 127, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

129. The water heater of claim 127, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

130. The water heater of claim 127, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a first section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said first section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes, and wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a second section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said second section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

131. The water heater of claim 127, wherein said at least one permanent magnet is comprised of a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet, wherein said first permanent magnet generates a magnetic field within a first section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said first section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes, and wherein said second permanent magnet generates a magnetic field within a second section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said second section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes.

132. A water heater comprising:
an electrolytic heating subsystem comprising:
an electrolysis tank;
a membrane separating said electrolysis tank into a first region and a second region;
at least one pair of high voltage electrodes contained within said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said first region, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said second region;
a plurality of metal members contained within said electrolysis tank, wherein at least a first metal member of said plurality of metal members is contained within said first region and interposed between said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane, and wherein at least a second metal member of said plurality of metal members is contained within said second region and interposed between said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane;
a high voltage source with an output voltage electrically connected to said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes; and means for pulsing said high voltage source voltage at a specific frequency and with a specific pulse duration;
a water heating subsystem comprising:
a water storage tank;
a water inlet coupled to said water storage tank; and a water outlet coupled to said water storage tank;

a heat exchanger;
a heat transfer medium circulation conduit, wherein a first portion of said heat transfer medium conduit is in thermal communication with said electrolytic heating subsystem and a second portion of said heat transfer medium conduit is coupled to said heat exchanger;
a water circulation conduit coupled to said water storage tank and coupled to said heat exchanger;
a first circulation pump coupled to said heat transfer medium circulation conduit and interposed between said first portion of said heat transfer medium conduit and said second portion of said heat transfer medium conduit; and a second circulation pump coupled to said water circulation conduit and interposed between said water storage tank and said heat exchanger.

133. The water heater of claim 132, further comprising a system controller coupled to said electrolytic heating subsystem and said water heating subsystem.

134. The water heater of claim 133, wherein said system controller is coupled to at least one of said high voltage source and said pulsing means.

135. The water heater of claim 133, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with water within said water storage tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

136. The water heater of claim 133, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with said electrolytic heating subsystem, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

137. The water heater of claim 133, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with said heat transfer medium circulation conduit, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

138. The water heater of claim 133, further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal contact with heat transfer medium contained within said heat transfer medium circulation conduit, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

139. The water heater of claim 133, wherein said system controller is coupled to at least one of said first circulation pump and said second circulation pump.

140. The water heater of claim 133, further comprising a flow valve within an inlet line coupled to said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said flow valve.

141. The water heater of claim 133, further comprising a water level monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said water level monitor.

142. The water heater of claim 133, further comprising a pH monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said pH
monitor.

143. The water heater of claim 133, further comprising a resistivity monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said resistivity monitor.

144. The water heater of claim 132, wherein said first portion of said heat transfer medium circulation conduit surrounds at least a portion of said electrolysis tank.

145. The water heater of claim 132, wherein said first portion of said heat transfer medium circulation conduit is contained within said electrolysis tank.

146. The water heater of claim 132, wherein said first portion of said heat transfer medium circulation conduit is integrated within a portion of a wall comprising said electrolysis tank.

147. The water heater of claim 132, further comprising a liquid within said electrolysis tank, wherein said liquid includes at least one of water, deuterated water, tritiated water, semiheavy water, heavy oxygen water, water containing an isotope of hydrogen, and water containing an isotope of oxygen.

148. The water heater of claim 147, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.05 and 10.0 percent by weight.

149. The water heater of claim 147, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.05 and 2.0 percent by weight.

150. The water heater of claim 147, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.1 and 0.5 percent by weight.

151. The water heater of claim 132, wherein said specific frequency is between 50 Hz and 1 MHz.

152. The water heater of claim 132, wherein said specific frequency is between Hz and 10 kHz.

153. The water heater of claim 132, wherein said specific pulse duration is between 0.01 and 75 percent of a time period defined by said specific frequency.

154. The water heater of claim 132, wherein said specific pulse duration is between 0.1 and 50 percent of a time period defined by said specific frequency.

155. The water heater of claim 132, wherein said pulsing means comprises a pulse generator coupled to said high voltage source.

156. The water heater of claim 155, wherein said pulse generator is integrated within said high voltage source.

157. The water heater of claim 132, wherein said pulsing means comprises a pulse generator coupled to a high voltage switch, wherein said high voltage switch is coupled to said high voltage source.

158. The water heater of claim 132, wherein said output voltage is between 50 volts and 50 kilovolts.

159. The water heater of claim 132, wherein said output voltage is between 100 volts and 5 kilovolts.

160. The water heater of claim 132, wherein each high voltage cathode is comprised of a first material, wherein each high voltage anode is comprised of a second material, wherein each metal member of said plurality of metal members is comprised of a third material, and wherein said first, second and third materials are selected from the group consisting of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides and alloys of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides.

161. The water heater of claim 132, further comprising an electromagnetic rate controller subsystem, said electromagnetic rate controller subsystem comprising:

at least one electromagnetic coil, said at least one electromagnetic coil generating a controllable magnetic field within a portion of said electrolysis tank; and means for controlling magnetic field intensity of said magnetic field, wherein said controlling means is coupled to said at least one electromagnetic coil.

162. The water heater of claim 161, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil is contained within said electrolysis tank.

163. The water heater of claim 161, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil is integrated within a wall of said electrolysis tank.

164. The water heater of claim 161, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil surrounds a section of said electrolysis tank.

165. The water heater of claim 161, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

166. The water heater of claim 161, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

167. The water heater of claim 161, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a first section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said first section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane, and wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a second section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said second section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

168. The water heater of claim 161, said magnetic field intensity controlling means further comprising a variable output power supply.

169. The water heater of claim 161, further comprising a system controller coupled to at least one of said electrolytic heating subsystem, said water heating subsystem and said electromagnetic rate controller subsystem.

170. The water heater of claim 132, further comprising at least one permanent magnet, said at least one permanent magnet generating a magnetic field within a portion of said electrolysis tank.

171. The water heater of claim 170, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

172. The water heater of claim 170, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

173. The water heater of claim 170, wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a first section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said first section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane, and wherein said portion of said electrolysis tank includes a second section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said second section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

174. The water heater of claim 170, wherein said at least one permanent magnet is comprised of a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet, wherein said first permanent magnet generates a magnetic field within a first section of said first region of said electrolysis tank, said first section defined by said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane, and wherein said second permanent magnet generates a magnetic field within a second section of said second region of said electrolysis tank, said second section defined by said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes and said membrane.

175. A method of operating a water heater, the method comprising the steps of initiating electrolysis in an electrolysis tank of an electrolytic heating subsystem;
heating a heat transfer medium contained within a first portion of a conduit, said first portion of said conduit in thermal communication with said electrolytic heating subsystem, wherein said heat transfer medium heating step is performed by said electrolytic heating subsystem; and circulating said heat transfer medium through said conduit, wherein a second portion of said conduit is coupled to a heat exchanger within said water heater.

176. The method of claim 175, further comprising the steps of:
measuring a temperature associated with said heat transfer medium contained within said first portion of said conduit;
comparing said measured temperature with a preset temperature; and initiating said circulating step when said measured temperature is above said preset temperature.

177. The method of claim 175, further comprising the steps of periodically measuring a water temperature within said water heater;
comparing said measured water temperature with a preset temperature; and modifying said electrolysis in said electrolytic heating subsystem when said measured water temperature is above said preset temperature.

178. The method of claim 175, further comprising the steps of:
periodically measuring a water temperature within said water heater;
comparing said measured water temperature with a first preset temperature; and performing said electrolysis initiating step when said measured water temperature is below said first preset temperature.

179. The method of claim 178, further comprising the steps of:
comparing said measured water temperature with a second preset temperature;
and suspending electrolysis in said electrolytic heating subsystem when said measured water temperature is above said second preset temperature.

180. The method of claim 178, further comprising the steps of:
comparing said measured water temperature with a second preset temperature;
and suspending said circulating step when said measured water temperature is above said second preset temperature.

181. The method of claim 178, further comprising the steps of:
comparing said measured water temperature with a second preset temperature;
and modifying said electrolysis in said electrolytic heating subsystem when said measured water temperature is above said second preset temperature.

182. The method of claim 175, said electrolysis initiating step further comprising the steps of:
applying a low voltage to at least one pair of low voltage electrodes contained within said electrolysis tank of said electrolytic heating subsystem, said low voltage applying step further comprising the step of pulsing said low voltage at a first frequency and with a first pulse duration; and applying a high voltage to at least one pair of high voltage electrodes contained within said electrolysis tank, said high voltage applying step further comprising the step of pulsing said high voltage at said first frequency and with said first pulse duration, wherein said high voltage pulsing step is performed simultaneously with said low voltage pulsing step, and wherein said low voltage electrodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes are positioned between said high voltage electrodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes.

183. The method of claim 182, further comprising the step of filling said electrolysis tank with a liquid, wherein said liquid includes at least one of water, deuterated water, tritiated water, semiheavy water, heavy oxygen water, water containing an isotope of hydrogen, and water containing an isotope of oxygen.

184. The method of claim 183, further comprising the steps of:
monitoring a liquid level within said electrolysis tank; and adding more of said liquid to said electrolysis tank when said monitored liquid level falls below a preset value.

185. The method of claim 183, further comprising the step of adding an electrolyte to said liquid.

186. The method of claim 185, further comprising the step of selecting a concentration of said electrolyte to be within a range of 0.05 to 10.0 percent by weight.

187. The method of claim 185, further comprising the step of selecting a concentration of said electrolyte to be within a range of 0.05 to 2.0 percent by weight.

188. The method of claim 185, further comprising the step of selecting a concentration of said electrolyte to be within a range of 0.1 to 0.5 percent by weight.

189. The method of claim 183, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring pH of said liquid within said electrolysis tank; and adding an electrolyte to said liquid when said monitored pH falls outside of a preset range.

190. The method of claim 183, further comprising the steps of monitoring resistivity of said liquid within said electrolysis tank; and adding an electrolyte to said liquid when said monitored resistivity falls outside of a preset range.

191. The method of claim 182, further comprising the steps of:
fabricating said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes from a first material;
fabricating said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes from a second material; and selecting said first material and said second material from the group consisting of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides and alloys of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides.

192. The method of claim 182, further comprising the steps of selecting said high voltage within the range of 50 volts to 50 kilovolts and selecting said low voltage within the range of 3 volts to 1500 volts.

193. The method of claim 182, further comprising the steps of selecting said high voltage within the range of 100 volts to 5 kilovolts and selecting said low voltage within the range of 12 volt to 750 volts.

194. The method of claim 182, further comprising the step of selecting said high voltage and said low voltage such that a ratio of said high voltage to said low voltage is at least 5 to 1.

195. The method of claim 182, further comprising the step of selecting said first frequency to be within the range of 50 Hz to 1 MHz.

196. The method of claim 182, further comprising the step of selecting said first frequency to be within the range of 100 Hz to 10 kHz.

197. The method of claim 182, further comprising the step of selecting said first pulse duration to be between 0.01 and 75 percent of a time period defined by said first frequency.

198. The method of claim 182, further comprising the step of selecting said first pulse duration to be between 0.1 and 50 percent of a time period defined by said first frequency.

199. The method of claim 182, further comprising the step of generating a magnetic field within a portion of said electrolysis tank, wherein said magnetic field affects a heating rate corresponding to said heat transfer medium heating step.

200. The method of claim 199, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one electromagnetic coil adjacent to a first region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, and wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said first region.

201. The method of claim 199, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one electromagnetic coil adjacent to a first region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said first region.

202. The method of claim 199, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the steps of positioning at least a first electromagnetic coil adjacent to a first region of said electrolysis tank and positioning at least a second electromagnetic coil adjacent to a second region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said first region, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said second region.

203. The method of claim 199, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one electromagnetic coil adjacent to a first region and a second region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said first region, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said second region.

204. The method of claim 199, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one permanent magnet adjacent to a first region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, and wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said first region.

205. The method of claim 199, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one permanent magnet adjacent to a first region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said first region.

206. The method of claim 199, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the steps of positioning at least a first permanent magnet adjacent to a first region of said electrolysis tank and positioning at least a second permanent magnet adjacent to a second region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said first region, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said second region.

207. The method of claim 199, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one permanent magnet adjacent to a first region and a second region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said first region, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said second region.

208. The method of claim 199, further comprising the step of controlling an intensity corresponding to said magnetic field.

209. The method of claim 208, said intensity controlling step further comprising the step of controllably varying an output of a power supply coupled to at least one electromagnetic coil, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil performs said magnetic field generating step.

210. The method of claim 175, said electrolysis initiating step further comprising the steps of applying a high voltage to at least one pair of high voltage electrodes contained within said electrolysis tank, said high voltage applying step further comprising the step of pulsing said high voltage at a first frequency and with a first pulse duration, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes at least one high voltage cathode electrode and at least one high voltage anode electrode, wherein each high voltage cathode electrode is positioned within a first region of said electrolysis tank and each high voltage anode electrode is positioned within a second region of said electrolysis tank, wherein at least a first metal member of a plurality of metal members is located within said first region of said electrolysis tank between said high voltage cathode electrodes and a membrane located within said electrolysis tank, and wherein at least a second metal member of said plurality of metal members is located within said second region of said electrolysis tank between said high voltage anode electrodes and said membrane.

211. The method of claim 210, further comprising the step of filling said electrolysis tank with a liquid, wherein said liquid includes at least one of water, deuterated water, tritiated water, semiheavy water, heavy oxygen water, water containing an isotope of hydrogen, and water containing an isotope of oxygen.

212. The method of claim 211, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring a liquid level within said electrolysis tank; and adding more of said liquid to said electrolysis tank when said monitored liquid level falls below a preset value.

213. The method of claim 211, further comprising the step of adding an electrolyte to said liquid.

214. The method of claim 213, further comprising the step of selecting a concentration of said electrolyte to be within a range of 0.05 to 10.0 percent by weight.

215. The method of claim 213, further comprising the step of selecting a concentration of said electrolyte to be within a range of 0.05 to 2.0 percent by weight.

216. The method of claim 213, further comprising the step of selecting a concentration of said electrolyte to be within a range of 0.1 to 0.5 percent by weight.

217. The method of claim 211, further comprising the steps of:
monitoring pH of said liquid within said electrolysis tank; and adding an electrolyte to said liquid when said monitored pH falls outside of a preset range.

218. The method of claim 211, further comprising the steps of:
monitoring resistivity of said liquid within said electrolysis tank; and adding an electrolyte to said liquid when said monitored resistivity falls outside of a preset range.

219. The method of claim 210, further comprising the steps of:
fabricating said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes from a first material;
fabricating said plurality of metal members from a second material; and selecting said first material and said second material from the group consisting of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides and alloys of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides.

220. The method of claim 210, further comprising the step of selecting said high voltage within the range of 50 volts to 50 kilovolts.

221. The method of claim 210, further comprising the step of selecting said high voltage within the range of 100 volts to 5 kilovolts.

222. The method of claim 210, further comprising the step of selecting said first frequency to be within the range of 50 Hz to 1 MHz.

223. The method of claim 210, further comprising the step of selecting said first frequency to be within the range of 100 Hz to 10 kHz.

224. The method of claim 210, further comprising the step of selecting said first pulse duration to be between 0.01 and 75 percent of a time period defined by said first frequency.

225. The method of claim 210, further comprising the step of selecting said first pulse duration to be between 0.1 and 50 percent of a time period defined by said first frequency.

226. The method of claim 210, further comprising the step of generating a magnetic field within a portion of said electrolysis tank, wherein said magnetic field affects a heating rate corresponding to said heat transfer medium heating step.

227. The method of claim 226, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one electromagnetic coil adjacent to said first region of said electrolysis tank.

228. The method of claim 226, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one electromagnetic coil adjacent to said second region of said electrolysis tank.

229. The method of claim 226, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the steps of positioning at least a first electromagnetic coil adjacent to said first region of said electrolysis tank and positioning at least a second electromagnetic coil adjacent to said second region of said electrolysis tank.

230. The method of claim 226, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one electromagnetic coil adjacent to said first region and said second region of said electrolysis tank.

231. The method of claim 226, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one permanent magnet adjacent to said first region of said electrolysis tank.

232. The method of claim 226, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one permanent magnet adjacent to said second region of said electrolysis tank.

233. The method of claim 226, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the steps of positioning at least a first permanent magnet adjacent to said first region of said electrolysis tank and positioning at least a second permanent magnet adjacent to said second region of said electrolysis tank.

234. The method of claim 226, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one permanent magnet adjacent to said first region and said second region of said electrolysis tank.

235. The method of claim 226, further comprising the step of controlling an intensity corresponding to said magnetic field.

236. The method of claim 235, said controlling step further comprising the step of controllably varying an output of a power supply coupled to at least one electromagnetic coil, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil performs said magnetic field generating step.

237. A method of operating a water heater, the method comprising the steps of:

initiating electrolysis in an electrolysis tank of an electrolytic heating subsystem;
heating a heat transfer medium contained within a first portion of a conduit, said first portion of said conduit in thermal communication with said electrolytic heating subsystem, wherein said heat transfer medium heating step is performed by said electrolytic heating subsystem;
circulating said heat transfer medium between said first portion of said conduit and a heat exchanger; and circulating water between a water tank of said water heater and said heat exchanger.

238. The method of claim 237, further comprising the steps of:
measuring a temperature associated with said heat transfer medium contained within said first portion of said conduit;
comparing said measured temperature with a preset temperature; and initiating said heat transfer medium circulating step when said measured temperature is above said preset temperature.

239. The method of claim 237, further comprising the steps of:
measuring a temperature corresponding to said heat transfer medium contained within said first portion of said conduit;
comparing said measured temperature with a first preset temperature;
initiating said heat transfer medium circulating step when said measured temperature is above said first preset temperature;
comparing said measured temperature with a second preset temperature; and initiating said water circulating step when said measured temperature is above said second preset temperature.

240. The method of claim 239, wherein said first and second preset temperatures are the same.

241. The method of claim 237, further comprising the steps of:
periodically measuring a water temperature within said water heater;
comparing said measured water temperature with a preset temperature; and modifying said electrolysis in said electrolytic heating subsystem when said measured water temperature is above said preset temperature.

242. The method of claim 237, further comprising the steps of:
periodically measuring a water temperature within said water heater;
comparing said measured water temperature with a first preset temperature; and performing said electrolysis initiating step when said measured water temperature is below said first preset temperature.

243. The method of claim 242, further comprising the steps of:
comparing said measured water temperature with a second preset temperature;
and suspending electrolysis in said electrolytic heating subsystem when said measured water temperature is above said second preset temperature.

244. The method of claim 242, further comprising the steps of:
comparing said measured water temperature with a second preset temperature;
and suspending said heat transfer medium circulating step when said measured water temperature is above said second preset temperature.

245. The method of claim 242, further comprising the steps of:
comparing said measured water temperature with a second preset temperature;
and suspending said water circulating step when said measured water temperature is above said second preset temperature.

246. The method of claim 242, further comprising the steps of:
comparing said measured water temperature with a second preset temperature;
and modifying said electrolysis in said electrolytic heating subsystem when said measured water temperature is above said second preset temperature.

247. The method of claim 237, said electrolysis initiating step further comprising the steps of:
applying a low voltage to at least one pair of low voltage electrodes contained within said electrolysis tank of said electrolytic heating subsystem, said low voltage applying step further comprising the step of pulsing said low voltage at a first frequency and with a first pulse duration; and applying a high voltage to at least one pair of high voltage electrodes contained within said electrolysis tank, said high voltage applying step further comprising the step of pulsing said high voltage at said first frequency and with said first pulse duration, wherein said high voltage pulsing step is performed simultaneously with said low voltage pulsing step, and wherein said low voltage electrodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes are positioned between said high voltage electrodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes.

248. The method of claim 247, further comprising the step of filling said electrolysis tank with a liquid, wherein said liquid includes at least one of water, deuterated water, tritiated water, semiheavy water, heavy oxygen water, water containing an isotope of hydrogen, and water containing an isotope of oxygen.

249. The method of claim 248, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring a liquid level within said electrolysis tank; and adding more of said liquid to said electrolysis tank when said monitored liquid level falls below a preset value.

250. The method of claim 248, further comprising the step of adding an electrolyte to said liquid.

251. The method of claim 250, further comprising the step of selecting a concentration of said electrolyte to be within a range of 0.05 to 10.0 percent by weight.

252. The method of claim 250, further comprising the step of selecting a concentration of said electrolyte to be within a range of 0.05 to 2.0 percent by weight.

253. The method of claim 250, further comprising the step of selecting a concentration of said electrolyte to be within a range of 0.1 to 0.5 percent by weight.

254. The method of claim 248, further comprising the steps of:
monitoring pH of said liquid within said electrolysis tank; and adding an electrolyte to said liquid when said monitored pH falls outside of a preset range.

255. The method of claim 248, further comprising the steps of:
monitoring resistivity of said liquid within said electrolysis tank; and adding an electrolyte to said liquid when said monitored resistivity falls outside of a preset range.

256. The method of claim 247, further comprising the steps of:
fabricating said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes from a first material;
fabricating said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes from a second material; and selecting said first material and said second material from the group consisting of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides and alloys of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides.

257. The method of claim 247, further comprising the steps of selecting said high voltage within the range of 50 volts to 50 kilovolts and selecting said low voltage within the range of 3 volts to 1500 volts.

258. The method of claim 247, further comprising the steps of selecting said high voltage within the range of 100 volts to 5 kilovolts and selecting said low voltage within the range of 12 volt to 750 volts.

259. The method of claim 247, further comprising the step of selecting said high voltage and said low voltage such that a ratio of said high voltage to said low voltage is at least 5 to 1.

260. The method of claim 247, further comprising the step of selecting said first frequency to be within the range of 50 Hz to 1 MHz.

261. The method of claim 247, further comprising the step of selecting said first frequency to be within the range of 100 Hz to 10 kHz.

262. The method of claim 247, further comprising the step of selecting said first pulse duration to be between 0.01 and 75 percent of a time period defined by said first frequency.

263. The method of claim 247, further comprising the step of selecting said first pulse duration to be between 0.1 and 50 percent of a time period defined by said first frequency.

264. The method of claim 247, further comprising the step of generating a magnetic field within a portion of said electrolysis tank, wherein said magnetic field affects a heating rate corresponding to said heat transfer medium heating step.

265. The method of claim 264, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one electromagnetic coil adjacent to a first region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, and wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said first region.

266. The method of claim 264, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one electromagnetic coil adjacent to a first region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said first region.

267. The method of claim 264, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the steps of positioning at least a first electromagnetic coil adjacent to a first region of said electrolysis tank and positioning at least a second electromagnetic coil adjacent to a second region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said first region, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said second region.

268. The method of claim 264, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one electromagnetic coil adjacent to a first region and a second region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said first region, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said second region.

269. The method of claim 264, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one permanent magnet adjacent to a first region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, and wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said first region.

270. The method of claim 264, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one permanent magnet adjacent to a first region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said first region.

271. The method of claim 264, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the steps of positioning at least a first permanent magnet adjacent to a first region of said electrolysis tank and positioning at least a second permanent magnet adjacent to a second region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said first region, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes define said second region.

272. The method of claim 264, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one permanent magnet adjacent to a first region and a second region of said electrolysis tank, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes an anode and a cathode, wherein said anodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said anodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said first region, and wherein said cathodes of said at least one pair of low voltage electrodes and said cathodes of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes are contained within said second region.

273. The method of claim 264, further comprising the step of controlling an intensity corresponding to said magnetic field.

274. The method of claim 273, said intensity controlling step further comprising the step of controllably varying an output of a power supply coupled to at least one electromagnetic coil, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil performs said magnetic field generating step.

275. The method of claim 237, said electrolysis initiating step further comprising the steps of applying a high voltage to at least one pair of high voltage electrodes contained within said electrolysis tank, said high voltage applying step further comprising the step of pulsing said high voltage at a first frequency and with a first pulse duration, wherein each pair of said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes includes at least one high voltage cathode electrode and at least one high voltage anode electrode, wherein each high voltage cathode electrode is positioned within a first region of said electrolysis tank and each high voltage anode electrode is positioned within a second region of said electrolysis tank, wherein at least a first metal member of a plurality of metal members is located within said first region of said electrolysis tank between said high voltage cathode electrodes and a membrane located within said electrolysis tank, and wherein at least a second metal member of said plurality of metal members is located within said second region of said electrolysis tank between said high voltage anode electrodes and said membrane.

276. The method of claim 275, further comprising the step of filling said electrolysis tank with a liquid, wherein said liquid includes at least one of water, deuterated water, tritiated water, semiheavy water, heavy oxygen water, water containing an isotope of hydrogen, and water containing an isotope of oxygen.

277. The method of claim 276, further comprising the steps of:
monitoring a liquid level within said electrolysis tank; and adding more of said liquid to said electrolysis tank when said monitored liquid level falls below a preset value.

278. The method of claim 276, further comprising the step of adding an electrolyte to said liquid.

279. The method of claim 278, further comprising the step of selecting a concentration of said electrolyte to be within a range of 0.05 to 10.0 percent by weight.

280. The method of claim 278, further comprising the step of selecting a concentration of said electrolyte to be within a range of 0.05 to 2.0 percent by weight.

281. The method of claim 278, further comprising the step of selecting a concentration of said electrolyte to be within a range of 0.1 to 0.5 percent by weight.

282. The method of claim 276, further comprising the steps of:
monitoring pH of said liquid within said electrolysis tank; and adding an electrolyte to said liquid when said monitored pH falls outside of a preset range.

283. The method of claim 276, further comprising the steps of:
monitoring resistivity of said liquid within said electrolysis tank; and adding an electrolyte to said liquid when said monitored resistivity falls outside of a preset range.

284. The method of claim 275, further comprising the steps of:
fabricating said at least one pair of high voltage electrodes from a first material;
fabricating said plurality of metal members from a second material; and selecting said first material and said second material from the group consisting of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides and alloys of titanium, stainless steel, copper, iron, steel, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, aluminum, lithium, magnesium, boron, carbon, graphite, carbon-graphite, and metal hydrides.

285. The method of claim 275, further comprising the step of selecting said high voltage within the range of 50 volts to 50 kilovolts.

286. The method of claim 275, further comprising the step of selecting said high voltage within the range of 100 volts to 5 kilovolts.

287. The method of claim 275, further comprising the step of selecting said first frequency to be within the range of 50 Hz to 1 MHz.

288. The method of claim 275, further comprising the step of selecting said first frequency to be within the range of 100 Hz to 10 kHz.

289. The method of claim 275, further comprising the step of selecting said first pulse duration to be between 0.01 and 75 percent of a time period defined by said first frequency.

290. The method of claim 275, further comprising the step of selecting said first pulse duration to be between 0.1 and 50 percent of a time period defined by said first frequency.

291. The method of claim 275, further comprising the step of generating a magnetic field within a portion of said electrolysis tank, wherein said magnetic field affects a heating rate corresponding to said heat transfer medium heating step.

292. The method of claim 291, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one electromagnetic coil adjacent to said first region of said electrolysis tank.

293. The method of claim 291, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one electromagnetic coil adjacent to said second region of said electrolysis tank.

294. The method of claim 291, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the steps of positioning at least a first electromagnetic coil adjacent to said first region of said electrolysis tank and positioning at least a second electromagnetic coil adjacent to said second region of said electrolysis tank.

295. The method of claim 291, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one electromagnetic coil adjacent to said first region and said second region of said electrolysis tank.

296. The method of claim 291, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one permanent magnet adjacent to said first region of said electrolysis tank.

297. The method of claim 291, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one permanent magnet adjacent to said second region of said electrolysis tank.

298. The method of claim 291, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the steps of positioning at least a first permanent magnet adjacent to said first region of said electrolysis tank and positioning at least a second permanent magnet adjacent to said second region of said electrolysis tank.

299. The method of claim 291, said magnetic field generating step further comprising the step of positioning at least one permanent magnet adjacent to said first region and said second region of said electrolysis tank.

300. The method of claim 291, further comprising the step of controlling an intensity corresponding to said magnetic field.

301. The method of claim 300, said controlling step further comprising the step of controllably varying an output of a power supply coupled to at least one electromagnetic coil, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil performs said magnetic field generating step.