GB1600728A

GB1600728A - Process for producing liquid hydrocarbons

Info

Publication number: GB1600728A
Application number: GB44606/76A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: LEAD FREE CHEMICAL CI Ltd
Current assignee: LEAD FREE CHEMICAL CI Ltd
Priority date: 1977-06-09
Filing date: 1978-01-27
Publication date: 1981-10-21
Also published as: HU178715B; IT7824385A0; CA1097340A; FR2393806A1; FR2393806B1; AT357678B; ZA783271B; DE2825427A1; GR64145B; IL54877A0; DK254478A; IT1098320B; PL207238A1; JPS545993A; NL7806004A; PT68151A; BE867957A; FI781850A; LU79788A1; NO782001L

Description

(54) A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING LIQUID HYDROCARBONS (71) We, LEAD FREE CHEMICALS (C.I.) LTD., of 8 Duhamel Place, St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands, a British Company, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to a process for producing liquid hydrocarbons capable of being used used as fuels.

In a first aspect, the invention resides in an electrolysis process for producing a liquid hydrocarbon capable of being used as a fuel, comprising the steps of introducing into a container an aqueous electrolyte containing vegetable material, heating the electrolyte in the container, and passing an electric current through the heated electrolyte in the presence of a source of carbon while the container is located in an applied magnetic field having a non-zero component at right angles to the direction of ion migration in the absence of the magnetic field.

In a second aspect, the invention resides in an electrolysis process for producing a liquid hydrocarbon capable of being used as a fuel, comprising the steps of introducing into a container an aqueous electrolyte containing a vegetable material in the form of seaweed or a member of the Cruciferae family, heating the electrolyte in the container, and passing an electric current through the electrolyte in the presence of a source of carbon, while the container is located in an applied magnetic field having a non-zero component at right angles to the direction of ion migration in the absence of the magnetic field, the process parameters being selected so that the required liquid hydrocarbon is produced.

Preferably, the electric current is passed between a silver anode and a steel cathode.

Preferably, the container is pressurised during passage of the electric current, conveniently to at least 4. p.s.i.g.

Preferably, the electrolyte is maintained at a temperature between 87 > C and 98"C.

Preferably, the source of carbon is a porous, carbon-containing member disposed approximately mid-way between the anode and cathode.

Preferably, aluminium is provided in the container between the anode and the cath ode, and more preferably is provided at the base in the form of a series of evenly distributed strips.

Preferably, said member of the Cruciferae family is cauliflower or cabbage.

The invention further resides in apparatus for performing the process described in the preceding paragraphs.

The accompanying drawing is a sectional side view illustrating diagrammatically appa ratus for performing a process according to one example of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the apparatus shown therein includes a container 11 of rectangular configuration formed from an electrically insulating material, such as rein forced fibre glass, and having a lid 12 which can be secured to the container in any convenient manner. Within the container are an anode 13 formed from pure silver, and a cathode 14 formed from mild steel. Conveni ently, the anode 13 and cathode 14 are carried by the lid 12 as shown.

Extending parallel to the anode 13 and cathode 14, is a porous, carbon-containing member 15 which is in the form of an electrically insulating perforated container filled with charcoal or coal dust. The member 15 is approximately equidistant from the anode 13 and cathode 14, and extends completely across the container 11. The member 15 is normally arranged to extend above the intended electrolyte level within the container 11.

On the base of the container 11 are a number of strips 16 formed from aluminium, which can be deposited on the base of the container 11. The aluminium strips are evenly distributed over the base of the container 11 and occupy an area between 5% and 10% of the total area of the base of the container 11.

Extending through one of the side walls of the container 11 approximately mid-way between the container base and the cover 12 is an outlet pipe 17 through which, in use, the liquid electrolysis products are removed un der the control of a tap 18. A further tapcontrolled pipe 19 extends through an opposite side wall of the container 11 adjacent the base thereof to provide an electrolyte inlet.

Moreover, extending from the lid 12 is a further outlet pipe 20 containing a pressure relief valve 21. The valve 21 is conveniently set to open when the pressure inside the container 11 is 5 p.s.i. above ambient atmospheric pressure.

The temperature of the electrolyte is, in use, maintained within the range 87"C to 98'C. For this reason, an electrically insulated heating element is provided within the electrolyte, together with an electrically insulated thermostat. The thermostat is indicated diagrammatically at 22, and provides an input to a control circuit 23 which in turn provides power to an electrical heater 24 within the electrolyte. The leads to the thermostat 22 and heater 24 extend through the lid 12, and any convenient form of sealing arrangement is provided for this purpose.

Centrally disposed at the external surface of the base of the container is an electromagnet 25 including a generally cylindrical mild steel former 26 which is bolted to the container base so that its axis extends generally perpendicular to the base. The winding 27 of the electromagnet 25 is defined by approximately 1000 turns of copper wire and is arranged so that its external diameter is substantially equal to the distance between the mutually presented surfaces of the anode 13 and cathode 14. In use, the winding 27 is connected to 30 volt d.c. supply so as to generate a magnetic field generally parallel with the electrodes 13, 14. Thus, during the electrolysis process, the magnetic field is generally perpendicular to the direction in which the ionised electrolyte would flow in the absence of the magnetic field.

In one practical embodiment using the apparatus described above, the electrolyte was cabbage which had been pulped and mixed with water in proportions by weight of approximately 1 part cabbage to 50 parts water. The electrolyte thus formed was introduced into the container 11 through the pipe 19,-with the tap 18 being closed and the valve 21 being set so that the pressure generated in the container by the introduction of the electrolyte was 5 p.s.i.g. The control circuit 23 was then switched on to maintain the electrolyte at between 87"C and 98"C, and the electromagnet winding 27 was energised.

Moreover, the electrodes 13, 14 were connected to a 230 volt d.c. source, whereby a current of 8 to 12 amps was passed through the electrolyte, the current conveniently being pulsating d.c. with a frequency of 40100 c.p.s. Using this arrangement, an electrolysis process resulted in which hydrogen and oxygen were generated above the electrolyte an escaped through the valve 21 when the pressure in the container became sufficient to open the valve. Moreover, during the electrolysis process, it was found that the carbon of the member 15 and water from the electrolyte were consumed while a mixture of hydrocarbon fuels collected at the surface of the electrolyte. At the end of the process, the tap 18 was opened to allow the fuel to be removed through the pipe 17.

Typically it was possible to remove one gallon of fuel about 25 minutes after the electrolyte had reached the operating temperature of 87C-98C.

In the process described above the presence of the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet 25 is found to increase the reproducibility of the processs.

Further in the example described, the aluminium strips 16 have been distributed evenly throughout the container 11, since it has been found that a single sheet of aluminium occupying the same area as the strips does not give comparable results.

It is to be appreciated that, although in the above example cabbage has been used since it is readily available, satisfactory results can be obtained with other vegetation of the Cruciferae family or with seaweed.

Attention is directed under Section 9 of the Patents Act 1949 to the claims of our British Patent Nos 1459768 and 1459767.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An electrolysis process for producing a liquid hydrocarbon capable of being used as a fuel, comprising the steps of introducing into a container an aqueous electrolyte containing vegetable material, heating the electrolyte in the container, and passing an electric current through the heated electrolyte in the presence of a source of carbon while the container is located in an applied magnetic field having a non-zero component at right angles to the direction of ion migration in the absence of the magnetic field.

2. An electrolysis process for producing a liquid hydrocarbon capable of being used as a fuel, comprising the steps of introducing into a container an aqueous electrolyte containing a vegetable material in the form of seaweed or a member of the Cruciferae family, heating the electrolyte in the container, and passing an electric current through the electrolyte in the presence of a source of carbon, while the container is located in an applied magnetic field having a non-zero component at right angles to the direction of ion migration in the absence of the magnetic field, the process parameters being selected so that the required liquid hydrocarbon is produced.

3. A process as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the electric current is passed between a silver anode and a steel

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. der the control of a tap 18. A further tapcontrolled pipe 19 extends through an opposite side wall of the container 11 adjacent the base thereof to provide an electrolyte inlet. Moreover, extending from the lid 12 is a further outlet pipe 20 containing a pressure relief valve 21. The valve 21 is conveniently set to open when the pressure inside the container 11 is 5 p.s.i. above ambient atmospheric pressure. The temperature of the electrolyte is, in use, maintained within the range 87"C to 98'C. For this reason, an electrically insulated heating element is provided within the electrolyte, together with an electrically insulated thermostat. The thermostat is indicated diagrammatically at 22, and provides an input to a control circuit 23 which in turn provides power to an electrical heater 24 within the electrolyte. The leads to the thermostat 22 and heater 24 extend through the lid 12, and any convenient form of sealing arrangement is provided for this purpose. Centrally disposed at the external surface of the base of the container is an electromagnet 25 including a generally cylindrical mild steel former 26 which is bolted to the container base so that its axis extends generally perpendicular to the base. The winding 27 of the electromagnet 25 is defined by approximately 1000 turns of copper wire and is arranged so that its external diameter is substantially equal to the distance between the mutually presented surfaces of the anode 13 and cathode 14. In use, the winding 27 is connected to 30 volt d.c. supply so as to generate a magnetic field generally parallel with the electrodes 13, 14. Thus, during the electrolysis process, the magnetic field is generally perpendicular to the direction in which the ionised electrolyte would flow in the absence of the magnetic field. In one practical embodiment using the apparatus described above, the electrolyte was cabbage which had been pulped and mixed with water in proportions by weight of approximately 1 part cabbage to 50 parts water. The electrolyte thus formed was introduced into the container 11 through the pipe 19,-with the tap 18 being closed and the valve 21 being set so that the pressure generated in the container by the introduction of the electrolyte was 5 p.s.i.g. The control circuit 23 was then switched on to maintain the electrolyte at between 87"C and 98"C, and the electromagnet winding 27 was energised. Moreover, the electrodes 13, 14 were connected to a 230 volt d.c. source, whereby a current of 8 to 12 amps was passed through the electrolyte, the current conveniently being pulsating d.c. with a frequency of 40100 c.p.s. Using this arrangement, an electrolysis process resulted in which hydrogen and oxygen were generated above the electrolyte an escaped through the valve 21 when the pressure in the container became sufficient to open the valve. Moreover, during the electrolysis process, it was found that the carbon of the member 15 and water from the electrolyte were consumed while a mixture of hydrocarbon fuels collected at the surface of the electrolyte. At the end of the process, the tap 18 was opened to allow the fuel to be removed through the pipe 17. Typically it was possible to remove one gallon of fuel about 25 minutes after the electrolyte had reached the operating temperature of 87C-98C. In the process described above the presence of the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet 25 is found to increase the reproducibility of the processs. Further in the example described, the aluminium strips 16 have been distributed evenly throughout the container 11, since it has been found that a single sheet of aluminium occupying the same area as the strips does not give comparable results. It is to be appreciated that, although in the above example cabbage has been used since it is readily available, satisfactory results can be obtained with other vegetation of the Cruciferae family or with seaweed. Attention is directed under Section 9 of the Patents Act 1949 to the claims of our British Patent Nos 1459768 and 1459767. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An electrolysis process for producing a liquid hydrocarbon capable of being used as a fuel, comprising the steps of introducing into a container an aqueous electrolyte containing vegetable material, heating the electrolyte in the container, and passing an electric current through the heated electrolyte in the presence of a source of carbon while the container is located in an applied magnetic field having a non-zero component at right angles to the direction of ion migration in the absence of the magnetic field.

cathode.

4. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the container is pressurised during passage of the electric current to at least 4 p.s.i.g.

5. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the electrolyte is maintained at a temperature between 87"C and 98 C.

6. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the source of carbon is a porous, carbon-containing member disposed approximately mid-way between the anode and cathode.

7. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein aluminium is provided in the container between the anode and the cathode.

8. A process as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the aluminium is provided at the base of the container in the form of a series of evenly distributed strips.

9. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein said member of the Cruciferae family is cauliflower or cabbage.

10. Apparatus for performing the process claimed in Claim 1, comprising a container at least the interior of which is electrically insulating, an anode and a cathode, a porous carbon-containing member disposed midway between the anode and the cathode and arranged to extend above the level of the electrolyte which is received, in use, in the container, a series of evenly distributed, separate strips of aluminium in the container between the anode and the cathode, means for maintaining the electrolyte within the container at a temperature between 87"C and 98"C, means secured to the external surface of the base of the container for applying a magnetic field to the electrolyte received, in use, by the container such that said magnetic field has a non-zero component at right angles to the direction of ion migration in the absence of said magnetic field, and means for removing the liquid hydrocarbon produced in use.

11. Apparatus for performing the process of Claim 1, comprising the combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

12. A process for producing a liquid hydrocarbon substantially as hereinbefore described.

13. A liquid hydrocarbon produced by a process as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9 or Claim 12.