CA2613910A1

CA2613910A1 - Forced-air heating system utilizing circulated pulsed electrolysis system medium and method of using same

Info

Publication number: CA2613910A1
Application number: CA002613910A
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 forced-air heating system (100) and a method of operating the same is provided, the system utilizing an electrolytic heating subsystem (103). The electrolytic heating subsystem is a pulsed electrolysis system that, during operation, heats the medium (105) contained within the electrolysis tank (109). The medium is circulated via a conduit (111) to a heat exchanger (107).
As the electrolysis medium is circulated through the conduit and the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger becomes hot and radiates heat. Air forced past the heat exchanger, for example with a blower fan (117), is directed to the desired region, either directly or via ducting (119). In at least one embodiment, the system includes multiple and distinct heat exchangers which are either serially (201/203) or independently (301/303) coupled to the electrolytic heating subsystem.

Description

Forced-Air Heating System Utilizing Circulated Pulsed Electrolysis System Medium and Method of Using Same FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to forced-air heating systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Forced-air heating systems are known in the art. In this type of heating system air is first heated and then delivered to the desired area, either directly, as in a portable space heater, or via a series of ducts, as in a whole-house heating system. A variety of techniques are used to heat the air in such a system. The simplest method uses an electric resistive element which, when powered, heats up. As the air is forced past the electric heating element, it becomes heated. This type of heating system is frequently used in regions where electric power is less expensive than other energy sources or for portable space heaters since the heater can simply be unplugged from an electric wall outlet, moved, and re-plugged into an electric wall outlet in the new area to be heated. In other heating systems, heat is produced in a burner assembly through the combustion of a fuel such as oil, natural gas or propane. The burner heats up a heat exchanger which serves the dual purpose of heating the air that is forced past it and preventing by-products of the combustion process from entering the air stream of the delivered heated air. In still other heating systems, a boiler/burner assembly is used to heat water which is then circulated through a heat exchanger which, in turn, is used to heat the air of the forced-air heating system. The boiler/burner assembly typically uses oil, natural gas or propane as the fuel source.
Regardless of whether the air of a forced-air system is heated via an electric resistive element or a heat exchanger with an oil, natural gas, or propane based burner, the underlying fuel source is typically a conventional fossil fuel since few regions in the world rely on alternative energy sources.
As such, forced-air heating systems 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, e.g., an electric forced-air heater, 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 forced-air heating system utilizing an alternative heat source, provides such a system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a forced-air heating system and a method of operating the same, the system utilizing an electrolytic heating subsystem. The electrolytic heating subsystem is a pulsed electrolysis system that, during operation, heats the medium contained within the electrolysis tank. The medium is circulated via a conduit to a heat exchanger. As the electrolysis medium is circulated through the conduit and the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger becomes hot and radiates heat.
Air forced past the heat exchanger, for example with a blower fan, is directed to the desired region, either directly or via ducting. In at least one embodiment, the system includes multiple and distinct heat exchangers which are either serially or independently coupled to the electrolytic heating subsystem.
In one embodiment of the invention, the forced-air heating system includes an electrolytic heating subsystem 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. The system is further comprised of a heat exchanger and a conduit coupling the heat exchanger to the electrolysis tank. The system is further comprised of a circulation pump for circulating the electrolysis medium through the conduit and the heat exchanger.
The system is further comprised of a blower fan or other means for forcing air past the heat exchanger.
The system can also include a control valve, for example a variable flow valve, for controlling flow of the electrolysis medium. The system can also include one or more of a variety of sensors (e.g., electrolysis medium temperature monitor(s), temperature monitors for monitoring the temperature in the region affected by the forced-air heating system, electrolysis medium level sensors, electrolysis medium pH sensors, electrolysis medium resistivity sensors, etc.). The system can also include a system controller that can be coupled to one or more of the low and high voltage sources, the simultaneous pulsing means, the circulation pump, the blower fan, and/or the system sensors. The forced-air heating system can be comprised of a single heat exchanger or multiple and distinct heat exchangers. 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 one embodiment of the invention, the forced-air heating system includes an electrolytic heating subsystem 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. The system is further comprised of a heat exchanger and a conduit coupling the heat exchanger to the electrolysis tank.
The system is further comprised of a circulation pump for circulating the electrolysis medium through the conduit and the heat exchanger. The system is further comprised of a blower fan or other means for forcing air past the heat exchanger. The system can also include a control valve, for example a variable flow valve, for controlling flow of the electrolysis medium. The system can also include one or more of a variety of sensors (e.g., electrolysis medium temperature monitor(s), temperature monitors for monitoring the temperature in the region affected by the forced-air heating system, electrolysis medium level sensors, electrolysis medium pH sensors, electrolysis medium resistivity sensors, etc.). The system can also include a system controller that can be coupled to one or more of the high voltage source, the pulsing means, the circulation pump, the blower fan, and/or the system sensors. The forced-air heating system can be comprised of a single heat exchanger or multiple and distinct heat exchangers. 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 forced-air heating system is provided, the method comprising the steps of heating a liquid contained within the electrolysis tank of an electrolytic heating subsystem, wherein the liquid heating step is further comprised of performing electrolysis within the electrolysis tank, receiving an instruction to initiate forced-air heating, circulating the heated electrolysis medium through a heat exchanger coupled to the electrolysis tank via a conduit, forcing air through the heat exchanger, and suspending the forcing air step and the circulating step in response to the receipt of an instruction to suspend forced-air heating. In at least one embodiment, the liquid heating step is performed in response to the receipt of the instruction to initiate forced-air heating, and wherein the liquid heating step is suspended in response to the receipt of the instruction to suspend forced-air heating. In at least one embodiment, the liquid within the electrolysis tank is heated to a first temperature prior to receiving the instruction to initiate forced-air heating, and to a second temperature higher than the first temperature after receiving the instruction to initiate forced-air heating. The step of receiving an instruction to initiate forced-air heating can be further comprised of the steps of measuring a temperature in a region impacted by the forced-air heating system, comparing the measured temperature to a preset temperature, and transmitting the instruction to initiate forced-air heating when the measured temperature is less than the preset temperature. The step of receiving an instruction to suspend forced-air heating can be further comprised of the steps of measuring a temperature in a region affected by the forced-air heating system, comparing the measured temperature to a preset temperature, and transmitting the instruction to suspend forced-air heating when the measured temperature is greater than the preset temperature. In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of periodically measuring the temperature of the electrolysis medium, comparing the measured temperature with a preset temperature or temperature range, and modifying at least one process parameter of the electrolytic heating subsystem if the measured temperature is outside (lower or higher) of the preset temperature or temperature range. In at least one embodiment, the step of performing electrolysis further comprises 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 performing electrolysis further comprises 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 electrolytic heating subsystem.
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. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is an illustration of an altemate exemplary embodiment with multiple heat exchangers;
Fig. 3 is an illustration of an alternate exemplary embodiment with multiple heat exchangers, wherein each heat exchanger is independently coupled to the electrolytic heating subsystem;
Fig. 4 is a detailed view of an embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem;

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem shown in Fig. 4 utilizing an electromagnetic rate controller;
Fig. 7 is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem shown in Fig. 5 utilizing an electromagnetic rate controller as shown in Fig.
6;
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 is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem shown in Fig. 7 utilizing a permanent magnet rate controller;
Fig. 10 illustrates one method of operating the forced-air heating system of the invention;
Fig. 11 illustrates an alternate method of system operation;
Fig. 12 illustrates another alternate method of system operation; and Fig. 13 illustrates another 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; heat exchange subsystem 101 and pulsed electrolytic heating subsystem 103. As will be described in detail, there are numerous configurations of electrolytic heating subsystem 103 applicable to the invention.
During operation, electrolytic heating subsystem 103 becomes very hot, the temperature dependent on the operating conditions of subsystem 103 (e.g., on/off cycling time, electrode size, input power, input frequency and pulse duration). Typically subsystem 103, and more specifically fluid 105 within subsystem 103, is maintained during operation at a relatively high temperature, typically on the order of at least 40 - 50 C, more preferably on the order of 60 - 75 C, and still more preferably on the order of 75 - 95 C. It some embodiments, even higher temperatures are used, for example on the order of 100 - 150 C, or on the order of 150 - 250 C, or on the order of 250 -350 C.
A heat exchanger 107 is coupled to the electrolysis tank 109 of electrolytic heating subsystem 103 via conduit 111. During electrolysis, the heat generated by the process heats electrolysis fluid 105 which is pumped through conduit 111 and heat exchanger 107 using pump 113. Preferably a control valve 115 controls the flow of electrolysis fluid through the system.
In at least one embodiment, control valve 115 is a simple on/off valve and pump 113 is a single speed pump. In at least one other embodiment, control valve 115 is a variable flow valve that allows a range of flow, thus allowing the amount of heat radiated by heat exchanger 107 to be regulated. Alternately, in at least one other embodiment, pump 113 is a variable speed pump, thus providing another means of regulating the amount of heat radiated by heat exchanger 107.
In addition to heat exchanger 107, subsystem 101 also includes one or more blower fans 117 which force air past heat exchanger 107. In some embodiments, subsystem 101 also includes ducting 119 to direct the heated air to the desired location.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a system controller 121 controls the performance of the system, including heat output from subsystem 101, preferably by varying one or more operating parameters (i.e., process parameters) of electrolytic heating subsystem 103 to which it is attached via power supply 123. Varying operating parameters of power supply 123 and thus subsystem 103, for example cycling the subsystem on and off or varying other operational parameters as described further below, allows the subsystem to be operated at the desired temperature.
Preferably a temperature monitor 125, coupled to subsystem 103, allows controller 121 to obtain feedback from the system as the operational parameters are varied. Preferably a second temperature monitor 127, coupled to heat exchanger 107 monitors the temperature of the heat exchanger and/or the electrolysis medium contained therein, thus allowing system operation to be monitored. Preferably a third temperature monitor 129 is mounted such that it monitors the temperature in the region heated by subsystem 101, thereby providing feedback as to system performance. Additionally, in at least one preferred embodiment, circulation pump 113, flow valve 115 and fan 117 are also coupled to, and controlled by, controller 121.
It will be appreciated that there are many potential applications for forced-air heating system 100 and that the exact configuration of system 100 (e.g., system size, operating temperature, heat exchanger configuration, fan size, ducting configuration, etc.) depends upon the selected application.
For example, forced-air heating system 100 can be configured as part of a manufacturing process (e.g., a drying oven) or the system can be configured as a room heater (e.g., portable space heater) or the system can be configured as a whole-house heater (e.g., ducted central heater).
In addition to heating the electrolysis medium for use with a single heat exchanger as shown in Fig. 1, it should be understood that the system can be configured to supply heated electrolysis medium to multiple heat exchangers, thus allowing multiple processes to be handled or providing an alternate approach to multi-room and/or multi-zone applications. For example, system 200 shown in Fig.
2 includes multiple and distinct forced-air systems 201 and 203. In this exemplary embodiment, systems 201 and 203 include separate heat exchangers 205 and 207, respectively, as well as separate fans 209 and 211, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, forced air systems 201 and 203 also include ducts 213 and 215, respectively, although ducting is not a requirement of the invention as previously noted.

Although system 200 allows individual control over systems 201 and 203 via separate fan control (i.e., fans 209 and 211), this system does not completely separate the two forced-air systems since heat exchangers 205 and 207 are serially coupled, thus requiring that both heat exchangers be simultaneously heated/not heated. System 300, shown in Fig. 3, also provides separate and distinct forced-air systems (i.e., systems 301 and 303 in the exemplary embodiment), but couples each of them individually to the electrolytic heating subsystem 103. By using individual flow valves 305/307 and/or individual pumps 309-311 as shown, the operation and preferably the temperature of each section can be independently controlled. Preferably in such a configuration individual temperature sensors (i.e., heat exchange temperature sensors 313/315 and proximity temperature sensors 317/319) are used to provide performance feedback, and thus individual control, of each section 301/303.
Particulars of the electrolytic heating subsystem will now be provided. Fig. 4 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of an electrolytic heating subsystem 400. Note that in Figs. 4-9 only a portion of conduits 111 are shown. Additionally, while Figs. 1-3 only show a single pair of conduits 111 for tank 109, preferably each region of the electrolysis tank includes an inlet and an outlet conduit 111 as shown in Fig. 4, thus insuring that the electrolysis medium circulated through the heat exchanger is coupled to both regions. As previously noted, preferably a control valve is associated with conduit 111. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, each of the conduits 111 coupled to the two regions of the electrolysis tank 401 include a control valve 403, although it will be appreciated that the system can operate with fewer valves. Control valve or valves 403 are preferably coupled to controller 121 as shown.
Tank 401 is comprised of a non-conductive material. The size of tank 401 is primarily selected on the basis of desired system output, i.e., the level of desired heat, which is based on the desired heat output of the forced-air heating system as well as the volume and flow rate of the electrolysis medium flowing through the conduit and the heat exchanger(s).
Although tank 401 is shown as having a rectangular shape, it will be appreciated that the invention is not so limited and that tank 401 can utilize other shapes, for example cylindrical, square, irregularly-shaped, etc. Tank 401 is substantially filled with medium 105. In at least one preferred embodiment, liquid 105 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 (HZO), deuterated water (deuterium oxide or D20), tritiated water (tritium oxide or T20), semiheavy water (HDO), heavy oxygen water (H218O 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 megohms. 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 401 into two regions is a membrane 405. Membrane 405 permits ion/electron exchange between the two regions of tank 401. Assuming medium 105 is water, as preferred, small amounts of hydrogen and oxygen are produced during operation.
Accordingly membrane 405 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 405 include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, tetrafluoroethylene, asbestos, etc. Preferably tank 401 also includes a pair of gas outlets 407 and 409, corresponding to the two regions of tank 401. The volume of gases produced by the process can either be released, through outlets 407 and 409, 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 401, membrane 405 and other subsystem components are selected on the basis of their ability to withstand the expected temperatures and pressures.
As previously noted, the subsystem can be designed to operate at temperatures ranging from 40 C to 350 C or higher.
Additionally, at elevated temperatures higher pressures are typically required to prevent boiling of liquid 105. 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 105 can be through one or more dedicated lines. Fig. 4 shows a portion of one such conduit, conduit 411, coupled to one of the regions of tank 401. Alternately, a replenishment conduit can be coupled to both regions of tank 401 (not shown).
Alternately, the replenishment conduit can be coupled to the one or more of conduits 111.
Although medium replenishment can be performed manually, preferably replenishment is performed automatically, for example using system controller 121 and flow valve 413 within line 411.
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 401, the volume being provided to controller 121 using a level monitor 415 within the tank or other means. In at least one preferred embodiment system controller 121 is also coupled to a monitor 417, monitor 417 providing either the pH or the resistivity of liquid 105 within the electrolysis tank, thereby providing means for determining when additional electrolyte needs to be added. In at least one embodiment and as previously noted, preferably system controller 121 is also coupled to a temperature monitor 125, monitor 125 providing the temperature of the electrolysis medium.
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 401 while all anodes, regardless of the type, are kept in the other tank region, the two tank regions separated by membrane 405. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4, each type of electrode includes a single pair of electrodes.
The first type of electrodes, electrodes 419/421, are coupled to a low voltage source 423.
The second type of electrodes, electrodes 425/427, are coupled to a high voltage source 429. In the illustrations and as used herein, voltage source 423 is labeled as a`low' voltage source not because of the absolute voltage produced by the source, but because the output of voltage source 423 is maintained at a lower output voltage than the output of voltage source 429. Preferably and as shown, the individual electrodes of each pair of electrodes are parallel to one another; i.e., the face of electrode 419 is parallel to the face of electrode 421 and the face of electrode 425 is parallel to the face of electrode 427. It should be appreciated, however, that such an electrode orientation is not required.
In one preferred embodiment, electrodes 419/421 and electrodes 425/427 are comprised of titanium. In another preferred embodiment, electrodes 419/421 and electrodes 425/427 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 419 and electrode 421) cover a large percentage of the cross-sectional area of tank 401, typically on the order of at least 40 percent of the cross-sectional area of tank 401, and more typically between approximately 70 percent and 90 percent of the cross-sectional area of tank 401. Preferably the separation between the low voltage electrodes (e.g., electrodes 419 and 421) 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.
In the illustrated embodiment, electrodes 425/427 are positioned outside of the planes containing electrodes 419/421. In other words, the separation distance between electrodes 425 and 427 is greater than the separation distance between electrodes 419 and 421 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 429 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 423 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 423 and 429 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 I 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 1 microsecond to 0.25 milliseconds. Additionally, the voltage pulses are applied simultaneously to the high voltage and low voltage electrodes via sources 423 and 429, respectively. In other words, the voltage pulses applied to high voltage electrodes 425/427 coincide with the pulses applied to low voltage electrodes 419/421. Although voltage sources 423 and 429 can include internal means for pulsing the respective outputs from each source, preferably an external pulse generator 431 controls a pair of switches, i.e., low voltage switch 433 and high voltage switch 435 which, in tum, control the output of voltage sources 423 and 429 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 121 during system operation, thus allowing the operation of the electrolytic heating subsystem to be controlled.
For example, in the configuration shown in Fig. 4, low voltage power supply 423, high voltage power supply 429 and pulse generator 431 are all connected to system controller 121, thus allowing controller 121 to control the amount of heat generated by the electrolytic heating subsystem. It will be appreciated that both power supplies and the pulse generator do not have to be connected to system controller 121 to provide heat generation control. For example, only one of the power supplies and/or the pulse generator can be connected to controller 121.
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. 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 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. 5 is an illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of the electrolytic heating subsystem, this embodiment using a single type of electrodes. Subsystem 500 is basically the same as subsystem 400 shown in Fig. 4 with the exception that low voltage electrodes 421/423 have been replaced with a pair of metal members 501/503; metal member 501 interposed between high voltage electrode 425 and membrane 405 and metal member 503 interposed between high voltage electrode 427 and membrane 405. The materials comprising metal members 501/503 are the same as those of the low voltage electrodes. Preferably the surface area of the faces of members 501 and 503 is a large percentage of the cross-sectional area of tank 401, 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 401. Preferably the separation between members 501 and 503 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. 4 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. 5 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/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 forced-air heating system. 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. 6 provides an exemplary embodiment of an electrolytic heating subsystem 600 that includes an electromagnetic rate controller. It should be understood that the electromagnetic rate controller shown in Figs. 6 and 7, or the rate controller using permanent magnets shown in Figs. 8 and 9, is not limited to a specific tank/electrode configuration. For example, electrolysis tank 601 of system 600 is cylindrically-shaped although the tank could utilize other shapes such as the rectangular shape of tank 401. As in the previous embodiments, the electrolytic heating subsystem includes a membrane (e.g., membrane 603) separating the tank into two regions, a pair of gas outlets (e.g., outlets 605/607), inlet and outlet conduits 111 (one pair per region in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6) to allow the electrolysis medium to be circulated through the heat exchanger, and preferably flow control valves (e.g., valves 403) coupled to the system controller 121. A separate replenishment conduit can be used as previously illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, although such a conduit is not shown in Figs. 6-9, thereby simplifying the illustration. Preferably the system also includes a water level monitor (e.g., monitor 609), a pH or resistivity monitor (e.g., monitor 611), and a temperature monitor 125. This embodiment, similar to the one shown in Fig. 4, utilizes both low voltage and high voltage electrodes. Specifically, subsystem 600 includes a pair of low voltage electrodes 613/615 and a pair of high voltage electrodes 617/619.

In the electrolytic heating subsystem illustrated in Fig. 6, a magnetic field of controllable intensity is generated between the low voltage and high voltage electrodes within each region of tank 601. 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 621/623. As shown, electromagnetic coil 621 generates a magnetic field between the planes containing low voltage electrode 613 and high voltage electrode 617 and electromagnetic coil 623 generates a magnetic field between the planes containing low voltage electrode 615 and high voltage electrode 619.
Electromagnetic coils 621/623 are coupled to a controller 625 which is used to vary the current through coils 621/623, 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 621/623 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 625.
Although the subsystem embodiment shown in Fig. 6 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. 6 utilizes a single controller 625 coupled to both coils, the system can also utilize separate controllers for each coil (not shown).
Similarly, while the illustrated subsystem utilizes 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. 6. 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. 5. Fig. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment based on the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, replacing low voltage electrodes 613/615 with metal members 701/703, 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. 8 and 9 illustrate embodiments based on the configurations shown in Figs. 6 and 7, but replacing coils 621 and 623 with permanent magnets 801 and 803, respectively. Note that in the view of Fig. 8, only a portion of electrode 613 is visible while none of electrode 619 is visible.
Similarly in the view of Fig. 9, only a portion of metal member 701 is visible while none of electrode 619 is visible.
As previously described, the forced-air 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 one preferred method of operation, electrolytic heating subsystem 103 is operated on a continuous basis (step 1001 of Fig. 10). The primary advantage of this approach is that it allows the heat exchanger of the forced-air heating system to be quickly heated to the desired operating temperature. The initial operational step is when a demand for heat is placed on the system (step 1003).
The demand can be made manually, for example by a user flipping an on-off switch to the "on" position, or made automatically, for example by a timer or a thermostat which compares a monitored temperature (using, for example, monitor 129) with a preset temperature. After receiving the demand, the system begins to pump heated electrolysis fluid through the conduit and the heat exchanger coupled to the conduit (step 1005), thereby heating the heat exchanger. At the same time, or after the heat exchanger has been provided time to heat-up as determined either by a temperature monitor, e.g., monitor 127, or based on operating time, the blower fan (e.g., fan 117) is turned on (step 1007), resulting in the desired forced-air heating (step 1009). Eventually the demand for heat ends (step 1011), either manually, for example by the user flipping the on-off switch to the "off' position, or automatically, for example by a timer or a thermostat. At this point electrolysis fluid pumping and blower fan operation are suspended (step 1013). Blower fan operation can be suspended at the same time as pumping suspension, or after a preset time has passed, or after a preset temperature has been reached. It will also be appreciated that the invention can utilize either a single speed or a multi-speed fan.
Although the electrolytic heating subsystem can be operated continuously, as in the process illustrated in Fig. 10, in at least one embodiment the electrolytic heating subsystem is only run after the system receives a demand for forced-air heating. As shown in Fig.
11, once a demand for heat is received by the system (step 1101), electrolysis in the electrolytic heating subsystem is initiated (step 1103). As in the previous process, the demand for heat can be made manually, for example by a user flipping an on-off switch, or made automatically, for example using a timer or a thermostat. After electrolysis and thus electrolysis medium heating is initiated, the electrolysis medium is circulated through the heat exchanger (step 1105) and blower fan operation is initiated (step 1107) thereby providing the desired forced-air heating (step 1109). Electrolysis medium circulation and/or blower fan operation can begin immediately after electrolysis initiation or after a preset time period or a preset electrolysis temperature has been reached, thereby allowing the electrolytic heating subsystem to heat-up. After the demand for forced-air heating ends (step 1111), blower fan operation is suspended (step 1113), electrolysis fluid circulation is suspended (step 1115), and electrolytic heating subsystem operation is suspended (step 1117).
In a minor modification of the previously described processes, the electrolytic heating subsystem is continuously operated at a low output level until a demand for heat is placed on the system, at which time heat output is increased. This approach provides rapid heat output from the forced-air heater while limiting system inefficiency.
As shown in Fig. 12, the electrolytic heating subsystem operates at a low output level continuously (step 1201). Once a demand for forced-air heat is received by the system (step 1203), electrolysis fluid circulation is initiated (step 1205), blower fan operation is initiated (step 1207) and heat output from the electrolytic heating subsystem is increased (step 1209).
Forced-air heating continues (step 1211) until the demand for heating ends (step 1213), at which time blower fan operation is suspended (step 1215), electrolysis fluid circulation is suspended (step 1217), and the heat output from the electrolytic heating subsystem is decreased to the pre-demand level (step 1219).
As previously described, if desired the system can be configured to adjust the operating parameters of the electrolytic heating subsystem during operation, for example based on the temperature of the electrolysis fluid within the electrolysis tank or within the heat exchanger. This type of control can be used, for example, to insure that the temperature of the electrolytic heating subsystem remains within a preset range, even if the system output varies with age. Typically this type of process modification occurs periodically; for example the system can be configured to execute a system performance self-check once during every 30 minutes of operation or at some other time interval. As process modification is used to optimize the system, it will be appreciated that it is done in addition to, not as a replacement for, the processes described relative to Figs. 10-12.
Fig. 13 illustrates a preferred method of modifying the output of the electrolytic heating subsystem. In this aspect of operation, when the system is in use and operating at full, not reduced, heat output (step 1301), it periodically undergoes a self-checking process (step 1303). The first step of the self-check process is to determine the temperature of the electrolysis subsystem or another representative region (step 1305). The measured temperature is then compared to a preset temperature or temperature range (step 1307), the preset temperature/temperature range set by the end-user, the installer, or the manufacturer. If the temperature is acceptable (step 1309), for example within the preset temperature range, the system simply goes back to standard operation until the system determines that it is time for another system check. If the measured temperature is unacceptable (step 1311), for example it falls outside of the preset range, the electrolysis process is modified (step 1313).
During the electrolysis process modification step, i.e., step 1313, one or more process parameters are varied. Exemplary process parameters include pulse duration, pulse frequency, system power cycling, electrode voltage, and, if the system includes an electromagnetic rate control system, the intensity of the magnetic field. Preferably during the electrolysis modification step, the system controller modifies the process in accordance with a series of pre-programmed changes, for example altering 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 monitored temperature, preferably after making a system change a period of time is allowed to pass (step 1315), 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 continues to monitor the temperature of the electrolytic heating subsystem or another representative temperature (step 1317) while determining if further system modification is required (step 1319) by continuing to compare the monitored temperature with the preset temperature/temperature range. Once the temperature reaches an acceptable level (step 1321), the system goes back to standard operation.
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

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A forced-air heating system comprising:
an electrolytic heating subsystem comprising:
an electrolysis tank;
a liquid within said 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 liquid circulation conduit comprising at least one conduit inlet coupled to said electrolysis tank and at least one conduit outlet coupled to said electrolysis tank;
a heat exchanger coupled to said liquid circulation conduit and interposed between said at least one conduit inlet and said at least one conduit outlet;

a circulation pump coupled to said liquid circulation conduit and to said heat exchanger, wherein said circulation pump circulates said liquid from said electrolysis tank through said liquid circulation conduit and said heat exchanger; and a blower fan, wherein said blower fan directs air through said heat exchanger.

2. The forced-air heating system of claim 1, further comprising a system controller coupled to at least one of said electrolytic heating subsystem, said circulation pump and said blower fan.

3. The forced-air heating system of claim 2, wherein said system controller is coupled to at least one of said low voltage source, said high voltage source, said simultaneous pulsing means, said circulation pump and said blower fan.

4. The forced-air heating system of claim 2, said forced-air heating system further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal communication with said liquid contained within said heat exchanger, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

5. The forced-air heating system of claim 2, said forced-air heating system further comprising a temperature monitor in proximity to said heat exchanger, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

6. The forced-air heating system of claim 2, said forced-air heating system further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal communication with said liquid within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

7. The forced-air heating system of claim 2, said forced-air heating system further comprising a control valve interposed between said electrolysis tank and said heat exchanger, wherein said system controller is coupled to said control valve.

8. The forced-air heating system of claim 7, wherein said control valve is a variable flow valve.

9. The forced-air heating system of claim 2, said forced-air heating system further comprising a liquid level monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said liquid level monitor.

10. The forced-air heating system of claim 2, said forced-air heating system further comprising a pH monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said pH monitor.

11. The forced-air heating system of claim 2, said forced-air heating system further comprising a resistivity monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said resistivity monitor.

12. The forced-air heating system of claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger is comprised of a plurality of distinct heat exchangers, and wherein said blower fan is comprised of a plurality of blower fans corresponding to said plurality of distinct heat exchangers.

13. The forced-air heating system of claim 12, wherein said circulation pump is comprised of a plurality of circulation pumps, wherein each of said plurality of circulation pumps corresponds to one of said plurality of distinct heat exchangers.

14. The forced-air heating system of claim 12, said forced-air heating system further comprising a plurality of control valves, wherein each of said plurality of control valves corresponds to one of said plurality of distinct heat exchangers.

15. The forced-air heating system of claim 1, 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.

16. The forced-air heating system of claim 1, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.05 and 10.0 percent by weight.

17. The forced-air heating system of claim 1, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.05 and 2.0 percent by weight.

18. The forced-air heating system of claim 1, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.1 and 0.5 percent by weight.

19. The forced-air heating system of claim 1, wherein said specific frequency is between 50 Hz and 1 MHz.

20. The forced-air heating system of claim 1, wherein said specific frequency is between 100 Hz and 10 kHz.

21. The forced-air heating system of claim 1, wherein said specific pulse duration is between 0.01 and 75 percent of a time period defined by said specific frequency.

22. The forced-air heating system of claim 1, wherein said specific pulse duration is between 0.1 and 50 percent of a time period defined by said specific frequency.

23. The forced-air heating system of claim 1, wherein said simultaneous pulsing means comprises a pulse generator coupled to said low voltage source and to said high voltage source.

24. The forced-air heating system 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.

25. The forced-air heating system 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.

26. The forced-air heating system 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.

27. The forced-air heating system 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.

28. The forced-air heating system 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.

29. The forced-air heating system 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.

30. The forced-air heating system 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.

31. The forced-air heating system of claim 30, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil is contained within said electrolysis tank.

32. The forced-air heating system of claim 30, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil is integrated within a wall of said electrolysis tank.

33. The forced-air heating system of claim 30, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil surrounds a section of said electrolysis tank.

34. The forced-air heating system of claim 30, 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.

35. The forced-air heating system of claim 30, 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.

36. The forced-air heating system of claim 30, 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.

37. The forced-air heating system of claim 30, said magnetic field intensity controlling means further comprising a variable output power supply.

38. The forced-air heating system of claim 30, 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.

39. The forced-air heating system 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.

40. The forced-air heating system of claim 39, 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.

41. The forced-air heating system of claim 39, 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.

42. The forced-air heating system of claim 39, 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.

43. The forced-air heating system of claim 39, 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.

44. A forced-air heating system comprising:
an electrolytic heating subsystem comprising:
an electrolysis tank;
a liquid within said 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 liquid circulation conduit comprising at least one conduit inlet coupled to said electrolysis tank and at least one conduit outlet coupled to said electrolysis tank;
a heat exchanger coupled to said liquid circulation conduit and interposed between said at least one conduit inlet and said at least one conduit outlet;
a circulation pump coupled to said liquid circulation conduit and to said heat exchanger, wherein said circulation pump circulates said liquid from said electrolysis tank through said liquid circulation conduit and said heat exchanger; and a blower fan, wherein said blower fan directs air through said heat exchanger.

45. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, further comprising a system controller coupled to at least one of said electrolytic heating subsystem, said circulation pump and said blower fan.

46. The forced-air heating system of claim 45, wherein said system controller is coupled to at least one of said high voltage source, said pulsing means, said circulation pump and said blower fan.

47. The forced-air heating system of claim 45, said forced-air heating system further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal communication with said liquid contained within said heat exchanger, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

48. The forced-air heating system of claim 45, said forced-air heating system further comprising a temperature monitor in proximity to said heat exchanger, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

49. The forced-air heating system of claim 45, said forced-air heating system further comprising a temperature monitor in thermal communication with said liquid within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said temperature monitor.

50. The forced-air heating system of claim 45, said forced-air heating system further comprising a control valve interposed between said electrolysis tank and said heat exchanger, wherein said system controller is coupled to said control valve.

51. The forced-air heating system of claim 50, wherein said control valve is a variable flow valve.

52. The forced-air heating system of claim 45, said forced-air heating system further comprising a liquid level monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said liquid level monitor.

53. The forced-air heating system of claim 45, said forced-air heating system further comprising a pH monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said pH monitor.

54. The forced-air heating system of claim 45, said forced-air heating system further comprising a resistivity monitor within said electrolysis tank, wherein said system controller is coupled to said resistivity monitor.

55. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, wherein said heat exchanger is comprised of a plurality of distinct heat exchangers, and wherein said blower fan is comprised of a plurality of blower fans corresponding to said plurality of distinct heat exchangers.

56. The forced-air heating system of claim 55, wherein said circulation pump is comprised of a plurality of circulation pumps, wherein each of said plurality of circulation pumps corresponds to one of said plurality of distinct heat exchangers.

57. The forced-air heating system of claim 55, said forced-air heating system further comprising a plurality of control valves, wherein each of said plurality of control valves corresponds to one of said plurality of distinct heat exchangers.

58. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, 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.

59. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.05 and 10.0 percent by weight.

60. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.05 and 2.0 percent by weight.

61. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, further comprising an electrolyte within said liquid, said electrolyte having a concentration of between 0.1 and 0.5 percent by weight.

62. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, wherein said specific frequency is between 50 Hz and 1 MHz.

63. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, wherein said specific frequency is between 100 Hz and 10 kHz.

64. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, wherein said specific pulse duration is between 0.01 and 75 percent of a time period defined by said specific frequency.

65. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, wherein said specific pulse duration is between 0.1 and 50 percent of a time period defined by said specific frequency.

66. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, wherein said pulsing means comprises a pulse generator coupled to said high voltage source.

67. The forced-air heating system of claim 66, wherein said pulse generator is integrated within said high voltage source.

68. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, 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.

69. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, wherein said output voltage is between 50 volts and 50 kilovolts.

70. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, wherein said output voltage is between 100 volts and 5 kilovolts.

71. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, 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.

72. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, 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.

73. The forced-air heating system of claim 72, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil is contained within said electrolysis tank.

74. The forced-air heating system of claim 72, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil is integrated within a wall of said electrolysis tank.

75. The forced-air heating system of claim 72, wherein said at least one electromagnetic coil surrounds a section of said electrolysis tank.

76. The forced-air heating system of claim 72, 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.

77. The forced-air heating system of claim 72, 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.

78. The forced-air heating system of claim 72, 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.

79. The forced-air heating system of claim 72, said magnetic field intensity controlling means further comprising a variable output power supply.

80. The forced-air heating system of claim 72, 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.

81. The forced-air heating system of claim 44, further comprising at least one permanent magnet, said at least one permanent magnet generating a magnetic field within a portion of said electrolysis tank.

82. The forced-air heating system of claim 81, 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.

83. The forced-air heating system of claim 81, 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.

84. The forced-air heating system of claim 81, 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.

85. The forced-air heating system of claim 81, 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.

86. A method of operating a forced-air heating system, the method comprising the steps of:
heating a liquid contained within an electrolysis tank of an electrolytic heating subsystem, wherein said liquid heating step further comprises the step of performing electrolysis in said electrolysis tank of said electrolytic heating subsystem, wherein said liquid heating step is performed by said electrolytic heating subsystem;
receiving an instruction to initiate forced-air heating;
circulating said heated liquid from said electrolysis tank through a conduit and through a heat exchanger coupled to said conduit;
forcing air through said heat exchanger;
receiving an instruction to suspend forced-air heating;

suspending said forcing air step in response to said step of receiving said instruction to suspend forced-air heating; and suspending said circulating step in response to said step of receiving said instruction to suspend forced-air heating.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein said liquid heating step is performed in response to said step of receiving said instruction to initiate forced-air heating, and wherein said method further comprises the step of suspending said liquid heating step in response to said step of receiving said instruction to suspend forced-air heating.

88. The method of claim 86, wherein said liquid heating step further comprises the steps of:
heating said liquid to a first temperature prior to said step of receiving said instruction to initiate forced-air heating;
heating said liquid to a second temperature in response to said step of receiving said instruction to initiate forced-air heating, wherein said second temperature is higher than said first temperature; and modifying said liquid heating step to heat said liquid to said first temperature in response to said step of receiving said instruction to suspend forced-air heating.

89. The method of claim 86, wherein said step of receiving said instruction to initiate forced-air heating further comprises the steps of:
measuring a temperature within a region affected by said forced-air heating system;
comparing said measured temperature to a preset temperature; and transmitting said instruction to initiate forced-air heating to said forced-air heating system when said measured temperature is below said preset temperature.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein said step of receiving said instruction to suspend forced-air heating further comprises the steps of:
comparing said measured temperature to a second preset temperature; and transmitting said instruction to suspend forced-air heating to said forced-air heating system when said measured temperature is above said second preset temperature.

91. The method of claim 86, wherein said electrolysis performing step further comprises the steps of:

periodically measuring a temperature corresponding to said electrolytic heating subsystem;
comparing said measured temperature with a preset temperature; and modifying at least one process parameter of said electrolytic heating subsystem when said measured temperature is above said preset temperature.

92. The method of claim 86, wherein said electrolysis performing step further comprises the steps of:
periodically measuring a temperature corresponding to said electrolytic heating subsystem;
comparing said measured temperature with a preset temperature; and modifying at least one process parameter of said electrolytic heating subsystem when said measured temperature is below said preset temperature.

93. The method of claim 86, wherein said electrolysis performing step further comprises the steps of:
periodically measuring a temperature corresponding to said electrolytic heating subsystem;
comparing said measured temperature with a preset temperature range; and modifying at least one process parameter of said electrolytic heating subsystem when said measured temperature is outside of said preset temperature range.

94. The method of claim 86, further comprising the step of selecting said liquid from the group consisting of water, deuterated water, tritiated water, semiheavy water, heavy oxygen water, water containing an isotope of hydrogen, water containing an isotope of oxygen, or some combination of water, deuterated water, tritiated water, semiheavy water, heavy oxygen water, water containing an isotope of hydrogen, and water containing an isotope of oxygen.

95. The method of claim 86, further comprising the steps of:
monitoring a level of said liquid within said electrolysis tank; and adding more of said liquid to said electrolysis tank when said monitored liquid level falls below a preset value.

96. The method of claim 86, further comprising the step of adding an electrolyte to said liquid.

97. The method of claim 96, 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.

98. The method of claim 96, 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.

99. The method of claim 96, 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.

100. The method of claim 86, further comprising the steps of:
monitoring pH of said liquid within said electrolysis tank; and adding electrolyte to said liquid when said monitored pH falls outside of a preset range.

101. The method of claim 86, further comprising the steps of:
monitoring resistivity of said liquid within said electrolysis tank; and adding electrolyte to said liquid when said monitored resistivity falls outside of a preset range.

102. The method of claim 86, said electrolysis performing 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.

103. The method of claim 102, 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.

104. The method of claim 102, 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.

105. The method of claim 102, 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.

106. The method of claim 102, 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.

107. The method of claim 102, further comprising the step of selecting said first frequency to be within the range of 50 Hz to 1 MHz.

108. The method of claim 102, further comprising the step of selecting said first frequency to be within the range of 100 Hz to 10 kHz.

109. The method of claim 102, 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.

110. The method of claim 102, 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.

111. The method of claim 102, 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.

112. The method of claim 111, 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.

113. The method of claim 111, 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.

114. The method of claim 111, 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.

115. The method of claim 111, 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.

116. The method of claim 111, 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.

117. The method of claim 111, 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.

118. The method of claim 111, 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.

119. The method of claim 111, 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.

120. The method of claim 111, further comprising the step of controlling an intensity corresponding to said magnetic field.

121. The method of claim 120, 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.

122. The method of claim 86, said electrolysis performing 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.

123. The method of claim 122, 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.

124. The method of claim 122, further comprising the step of selecting said high voltage within the range of 50 volts to 50 kilovolts.

125. The method of claim 122, further comprising the step of selecting said high voltage within the range of 100 volts to 5 kilovolts.

126. The method of claim 122, further comprising the step of selecting said first frequency to be within the range of 50 Hz to 1 MHz.

127. The method of claim 122, further comprising the step of selecting said first frequency to be within the range of 100 Hz to 10 kHz.

128. The method of claim 122, 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.

129. The method of claim 122, 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.

130. The method of claim 122, 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.

131. The method of claim 130, 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.

132. The method of claim 130, 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.

133. The method of claim 130, 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.

134. The method of claim 130, 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.

135. The method of claim 130, 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.

136. The method of claim 130, 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.

137. The method of claim 130, 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.

138. The method of claim 130, 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.

139. The method of claim 130, further comprising the step of controlling an intensity corresponding to said magnetic field.

140. The method of claim 139, 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.