GB2384786A

GB2384786A - Improving combustion by magnetic conditioning of fluids in pipes

Info

Publication number: GB2384786A
Application number: GB0128434A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hugh Bland
Original assignee: MAGNAFLOW MAGNETIC FLUID CONDI
Current assignee: MAGNAFLOW MAGNETIC FLUID CONDI
Priority date: 2001-11-28
Filing date: 2001-11-28
Publication date: 2003-08-06
Also published as: GB0128434D0

Abstract

A method, and apparatus, for enhancing the combustion effect of a fluid fuel flowing in a conduit made of magnetisable material. The method comprises attaching at least one permanent magnet directly to, the fuel conduit so as to create a magnetic field within the material of the conduit. More than one magnet may be attached to the conduit, and permanent magnets of high field strength, such as those comprising neodymium may be used. Use of the method to enhance the performance of a diesel engine is described, with two magnets being attached to each of four fuel injection pipes, near to the point of injection. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for application in gas boiler and diesel engine systems.

Description

MAGNETIC CONDITIONING OF FLUIDS IN PIPES Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the field of "magnetic conditioning" of fluids, gas or liquid, in conduits.

Background to the Invention The inventors have discovered a new application and field of use for the magnetic conditioning of fuels, especially hydrocarbons, in conduits.

Whilst the mechanism for conditioning or treating fluids in conduits by the action of magnetic fields is still not completely understood, there have been significant and measurable improvements in certain specific areas. The most notable is probably the prevention of, or reduction in, scaling of pipes by the application of radial and/or axial magnetic fields imposed by permanent magnets attached to or around the outside of a conduit carrying e. g. water.

In our earlier Patent Application No GB 9808391. 8, we describe the magnetic conditioning of various fluids flowing in conduits, ranging from water (drinking, swimming pool, dishwasher etc), beer and liquid or gaseous fuel. In that application, we use a permanent magnet associated with one or more, typically two, ferromagnetic plates attached directly to and in contact with the conduit through which the fluid flows. That application is concerned specifically with a construction enabling the device to be fitted around a conduit running close to a wall or other surface. However, there is no requirement for the conduit to be of magnetisable material nor for the permanent magnet (s) to be in contact with the conduit.

The conditioning of hydrocarbon fuels is also known from the work of Prof Ruskin, for example as described in US Patent No 3228868, issued 11 January 1966. In this patent there is described apparatus for enhancing the effect of missile fuel. Alternating pairs of magnetic poles (e. g. NSSNNS) are formed into a rod which is located centrally and axially within a fuel pipe carrying parahydrogen. The magnetic field is believed to convert the para-to orthohydrogen and also to transform its molecular state from the symmetrical to the anti-symmetrical, highly reactive state, leading to an enhanced rate of evaporation and therefore greater thrust.

What the present inventors have discovered is that the combustion effectiveness of e. g. hydrocarbon fuels is enhanced when the fuel is caused to flow in a conduit of magnetisable material subjected to a magnetic field.

Unlike the US Patent mentioned above, we have found the effect to be particularly noticeable when the fuel is constrained to flow inside a conduit made of magnetisable material, typically iron or steel, and a magnetic field is applied by magnets attached directly to, and in contact with, the outside of the conduit carrying the fuel.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the invention comprises, in its broadest sense, a method of enhancing the combustion effect of a fluid fuel flowing in a conduit made of magnetisable material, the method comprising attaching at least one permanent magnet directly to, and in contact with, the pipe so as to create a magnetic field within the material of the pipe.

The invention also encompasses apparatus for performing that method, comprising: a conduit of magnetisable material through which a fluid fuel is adapted or caused to flow ; and at least one permanent magnetic directly attached to, and in contact with, the conduit so as to create a magnetic field within the material of the conduit, thereby to exert a magnetic influence on the fuel flowing through the conduit and thus to enhance combustion.

Preferably the conduit is of iron or steel. The permanent magnet (or magnets) is advantageously made of a material exhibiting high field strength, such as neodymium.

The magnets may be attached directly to the conduit solely as a result of their own magnetic field. Alternatively, or in addition, they may be secured by bands or straps or they may be supported in or by holding means which are themselves affixed around the conduit, e. g. by means of clips, clamps, belts, straps or bands or by an other convenient means.

Advantageously, the magnet (or magnets) would be arranged so that the South Pole points at and is attached to the conduit. This makes the steel or iron conduit become a South Pole magnet, the field having to complete its circuit back to the North Pole of the magnet which is pointing away from the conduit and thus the fuel.

Where the conduit is of comparatively narrow diameter (e. g. up to about 1 inch) there would preferably be two magnets. A 2 inch conduit would preferably have four magnets and a 4 inch conduit would benefit from twenty-four magnets arranged in three rings of eight. These figures are only intended as a guide since other numbers and configurations of magnets are possible. The effect is particularly noticeable when the magnetic field strength at the surface of the magnets is in the region of 2, 000 gauss although other values, higher or lower, are also effective and may therefore be used.

Results of experimental testing have shown that the engine efficiency of a diesel fuel engine is increased by the application of a magnetic field to the fuel supply pipes.

Over a period of time, a diesel fuel tractor was found to have an improved power output.

Test Methodology The main values being measured during the experiment were: The level of exhaust emissions, which was measured using the standard method applied to lorries and buses during an MOT test. In this test, a computer prompts an operator to engage the throttle fully and then release it a total of four times. The computer then analyses the emissions from the exhaust and counts the number of carbon particles present, this figure is presented in parts per million.

The engine power level, which was measured using a dynamometer that measures the engine power through the power take off (PTO). In order to enable the tractor to reach its optimum operating temperature the dynamometer collected results for ten minutes. It is appreciated that the PTO does not truly represent the power of an engine due to the loss of power through the gears and oil lubrication. However, the PTO does give a valuable indication of engine power output.

The collection of measurements was carried out at three distinct points in time.

The first sets of readings were taken before the application of magnets to the tractor.

The second sets of readings were taken after approximately 78 hours of usage. The third and final sets of readings were taken after a further 74 hours of usage. Between the tests, the tractor was used in a variety of standard tasks in line with the usual working of a tractor.

After the first sets of readings were taken, the tractor was fitted with eight neodymium magnets. Two magnets were secured to each of the tractor's four injection pipes. The magnets were positioned as near to the point of injection as possible so that the fuel would pass through the magnetic field just before entering the high-pressure injectors from where they entered into the cylinders to be combusted.

The experimental results show the effects that the presence of the magnets had on the tractor engine.

Test Results 1) Emissions testing of a Tractor Diesel engine

First Reading Second Reading Third Reading (pre-magnet) (after 78 hours use) (after 152 hours use) carbon particles per million carbon particles per million carbon particles per million Test 1 1. 65 0. 70 0. 16 Test 2 1. 61 0. 37 0. 12 Test 3 1. 72 0. 96 0. 39 Test 4 1. 65 0. 89 0. 21 Average 1.66 0.73 0.22 2) Power testing of a Tractor Diesel engine

First Reading Second Reading Third Reading (pre-magnet) (after 78 hours use) (after 152 hours use) Horse power measured by dynamometer at Power 100hp 101hp 102hp Take Off point

The continued application of a magnetic field to the fuel pipes was found to have a beneficial effect on the carbon dioxide emissions of the tractor. A reduction of 87% in the emission levels was measured. It will be understood to the man skilled in the art that a lower carbon dioxide output indicates greater fuel efficiency.

The continued application of a magnetic field to the fuel pipes was also found to cause a small, but noticeable, increase in the power output measured at the Power Take Off point. The measured power increase suggests that improved hydrocarbon combus-

tion is taking place within the engine, as a result of the presence of magnets on the fuel pipes. These results support the inventors belief that the invention has great potential benefits to the field of hydrocarbon conditioning.

The inventors appreciate that the applicability of this form of conditioning may be applied to a whole range of hydrocarbon combustion systems including gas-powered boilers. Increased heat output has been observed in boilers with magnets arranged on the fuel supply pipes, thus allowing the same amount of heat to be generated from a lower amount of fuel.

Brief Description of the Drawing The drawing illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 is a diagram showing the positioning of the magnet relative to the fuel conduit.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment Figure 1 shows a preferred arrangement in which a fuel conduit 1, can be subjected to a magnetic field and thus become magnetised.

A Neodymium magnet 3, is held within a casing 2 so that the south pole of the magnet faces out of the underside of the casing. The casing 2 is arranged to engage the fuel conduit 1, whereby the magnet 3 is in contact with the conduit.

The casing comprises a lug 4 at either end thereof to facilitate the fixing of the casing, and thus the magnet, to the conduit. Fixing means 5 are wrapped around the conduit 1 and the lugs 4 to secure the positioning of the casing 2.

It is appreciated that the fuel conduit 1 may comprise any fuel conduit within a hydrocarbon combustion system; typical examples of which include gas boilers and diesel engines.

Claims

Claims 1. A method of enhancing the combustion effect of a fluid fuel flowing in a conduit made of magnetisable material, the method comprising attaching at least one permanent magnet directly to, and in contact with, the conduit so as to create a magnetic field within the material of the conduit.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the conduit comprises iron or steel.
3. A method in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the permanent magnet comprises a material exhibiting high field strength, such as neodymium.
4. A method in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the step of attaching comprises attaching the magnet directly to the conduit using the magnet's own

magnetic field.
5. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the magnet is attached to the conduit solely as a result of the magnet's own magnetic field.
6. A method in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the step of attaching comprises securing the magnet by bands or straps.
7. A method in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4 or claim 6, wherein the step of attaching comprises supporting the magnet in or by holding means which are affixed around the conduit.
8. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein the holding means are affixed around the conduit by means selected from a list including : clips ; clamps ; belts ; straps; and bands.

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9. A method in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the step of attaching comprises arranging the magnet such that its South Pole points at and is attached to the conduit
10. A method in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the step of attaching comprises attaching two said permanent magnets.
11. A method in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the step of attaching comprises attaching four said permanent magnets.
12. A method in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the step of attaching comprises attaching twenty-four said permanent magnets, arranged in three rings of eight.
13. A method in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein when the magnetic field strength at the surface of the magnet or magnets is in the region of 2, 000 gauss.
14. A method in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the fluid fuel is diesel.
15. A method in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the conduit is a fuel pipe supplying diesel to a diesel engine.
16. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein the engine is supplied by a plurality of injection pipes and the step of attaching comprises attaching at least one said magnet to each injection pipe, near to the point of injection into the engine.
17. A method in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the conduit is a gas pipe supplying gas to a gas boiler.

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18. Apparatus for enhancing the combustion effect of a fluid fuel, comprising: a conduit of magnetisable material through which a fluid fuel is adapted or caused to flow ; and at least one permanent magnetic directly attached to, and in contact with, the conduit so as to create a magnetic field within the material of the conduit, thereby to exert a magnetic influence on the fuel flowing through the conduit and thus to enhance combustion.
19. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein the conduit comprises iron or steel.
20. Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 or claim 19 wherein the permanent magnet comprises a material exhibiting high field strength, such as neodymium.
21. Apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the magnet is directly attached to the conduit using the magnet's own magnetic field.
22. Apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein the magnet is attached to the conduit solely as a result of the magnet's own magnetic field.
23. Apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 21 wherein the magnet is secured to the conduit by bands or straps.
24. Apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 21 or claim 23, wherein the magnet is supported in or by holding means which are affixed around the conduit.
25. Apparatus in accordance with claim 24 wherein the holding means are affixed around the conduit by means selected from a list including : clips ; clamps ; belts ; straps; and bands.

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26. Apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein the magnet is arranged such that its South Pole points at and is attached to the conduit
27. Apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 26, comprising two said permanent magnets attached to the conduit.
28. Apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 27, comprising four said permanent magnets attached to the conduit.
29. Apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 28, comprising twenty-four said permanent magnets attached to the conduit, arranged in three rings of eight.
30. Apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 29, wherein when the magnetic field strength at the surface of the. magnet or magnets is in the region of 2, 000 gauss.
31. Apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 30, wherein the fluid fuel is diesel.
32. Apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 31, wherein the conduit is a fuel pipe supplying diesel to a diesel engine.
33. Apparatus in accordance with claim 32 comprising a diesel engine sup- plied by a plurality of injection pipes, at least one said magnet being attached to each injection pipe.
34. Apparatus in accordance with claim 33 wherein each said magnet is at- tached to a respective injection pipe, near to the point of injection into the engine.

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35. Apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 30, further comprising a gas boiler supplied with gas fuel via the conduit.
36. A method of enhancing the combustion effect of a fluid fuel flowing in a conduit made of magnetisable material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawing.
37. Apparatus for enhancing the combustion effect of a fluid fuel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawing.