GB2477582A

GB2477582A - Water electrolysis system

Info

Publication number: GB2477582A
Application number: GB1011006A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Cowan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-08
Filing date: 2010-06-30
Publication date: 2011-08-10
Also published as: CA2788601A1; WO2011086385A1; US20120305388A1; GB201011006D0; GB201000616D0; EP2524070A1; GB201008674D0

Abstract

A water electrolysis system for producing hydrogen and oxygen wherein the produced gases are added to an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The gases may be added to the inlet manifold and/or the air intake of the combustion engine. The system may comprise a water electrolysis cell of the "stacked" or "tower" type having a plurality of electrodes, an electrolyte reservoir with a float valve for regulating the level of water inside the cell, condenser for removing any water from the gases and a vacuum pump. The electrolysis water may include sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

Description

DI S CRIPTION

FUEL CELL

THIS INVENTION CAN BE FITTED TO ANY TYPE OF VEHICLE

BE IT FUELED BY PETROL OR DIESEL, THE HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN FUEL CELL WILL SHOW THE BENEFITS OF THIS, FUEL CONSUMPTION COSTS AND CLEANER EXHAUST EMITIONS,

THE POWER TOWER CAN EASILY BE FITTED BY AN AUTO

ELECTRICIAN, ALL TYPES BEiNG MULTI-STACK VERSIONS

WILL DEPEND ON THE ENGINE CAPACITY TO BE SHOWN IN

THE FOLLOWING DRAWINGS CAN BE STORED UNDER THE

CAR BONNET OR IN THE TRUNK (BOOT) WHEREVER IS CONVENIENT.

THE INVENTION WILL BE DESCRIBED SOLELY BY WAY OF EXAMPLE AND

WITH REFERENCE TO ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS IN WHICH WILL BE

FIGURES 1 AND PROCEDING NUMBERS WILL SHOW EVERY ASPECT OF FUNCTION AND CONNECTIONS.

The drawings enclosed work on the following sequence as Figs:-ito 16.

Fig, 1 has Two (2) Towers of various sizes to suit the type of vehicle ie. Cars, Vans and large Commercial Vehicles Fig, 15 has Four (4) Towers, also enclosed are functional drawings of items to be used with fuel cells/when engine(s) are switched on the Fuel Cells start functioning via the ignition on, When ignition is switched off the Fuel Cell stops functioning, thus saving battery power, if not connected through the ignition sequence the battery would drain if person driving forgot to switch the Fuel Cell off, once the ignition is switched on and the Fuel Cell is working and generating Hydrogen and Oxygen by splitting the gases, both Hydrogen and Oxygen gases are sucked from the stacks by two vacuum pumps, the pumps will draw off about 8 litres of Hydrogen and Oxygen gases per minute then pass through fluid retention units to catch any moisture that may pass through connecting tubing, the Hydrogen is then pumped to the engine connected to the inlet manifold, the Oxygen is pumped to the engine and connected to the air intake unit, this is to keep the gases from reforming to water causing engine damage, all major lengths of tubing will have one way valves connected for safety purposes to stop any pre-ignition flash back, all tubing are push fit connected.

The towers on Fuel Cell (S) will have clear tubes which are strong and acid resistant, where applicable the joint are joined by solvent cement to British Standard No. 1452 All Fuel Cells will have screwed ends including the main body(s) for cleaning purposes, one clear tube will have a Float Switch to indicate the ambient level of water in the unit also the condition of the fluid in the Fuel Cell, the condition of the fluid will determine when a service is needed, this will be when the fluid is about 6 months old depending on usage of vehicle, each screwed end will have "0" ring seals to prevent any leakage of fluid or gas The Float Switch.(Shown on fig. 3) The float switch will activate the pump on the reservoir and fill to the determined level thus retaining a good working unit.

The Reservoir (fig.13)the reservoir should hold no less than 3 Litres. of fluid, larger, if practical, for Trucks.

Amperage.

The amperage the Fuel Cell(s) will work to, will be about amps pulling power.

FLUID.

The fluid used in the Fuel Cell will be distilled or filtered rain water with a small proportion of Bicarbonate of Soda added, approx. two (2) level tablespoon or two (2) level of Caustic Soda per litre of fluid (only in the fuel cell not in the reservoir), the latter should be handled with care.

PIPE WORK.

All pipe work will be located away from any heat source which may cause leakages.

ELECTRIC S. All electric cables or wires must be shrouded to prevent any short circuiting.

THE FOLLOWiNG DRAWINGS EXPLAIN THE

FUNCTIONS OF ALL HYDROGEN FUEL CELL

UNITS.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Assembly

DRAWING DISCRIPTIONS

Fig. (1) :-Side view, Mam body of fuel cell showing float switch assembly, Electrodes, top connections for vacuum pumps and filler connection to reservoir, on main body one end is capped, the other has a screwed end for dismantling for cleaning purposes.

Fig.(2) :-Multi assembly of Positive and Negative Electrodes with spacers, Positive electrodes produce Oxygen and Negative electrodes produce Hydrogen.

Fig. (3) Float Switch, The Float Switch regulates the required fluid level into the Fuel Cell.

Fig. (4) :-Solenoid Valve, This Valve works in conjunction with the Float Switch, without this Valve the fluid would be drawn from the reservoir and flood the Fuel Cell then into the engine causing damage.

Fig. (5) Vacuum Pump (s), Bottom View of vacuum pump(s) one will pump from stack generating Hydrogen to engine via inlet manifold or can be pumped to engine after filter, second pump will pump from other stack which will generate Oxygen to engine via the air intake vent.

Fig. (6) :-Vacuum Pump (s), Side View, showing connection (s) on top of Fuel Cells to extract gases, (note) twin connections for gases to engine, this feature is on both hydrogen and oxygen pumps connecting a "Y" push fit connector on fig. (15).

Fig. (7) :-Condensation Trap, This unit will prevent any condensation from entering the engine that could cause damage.

Fig. (8) :-Tail End Support, This Support is for Electrode assembly at Capped end of Fuel Cell, front and side view shown.

Fig. (9) "0" rings of various sizes to seal Screwed Joints.

Fig. (10) :-Screwed End Cap, This unit contains the electrical connections from the multi plated electrodes, the end cap has a internal cover which is sealed with an "0" ring on the inside of the Fuel Cell, this cover stabilises the connections both inside and outside the Fuel cell.

Fig. (11) Insulated wires, The Electrical Connections, The connections on the inside of the Fuel Cell are insulated with Nylon tubing to prevent short circuiting of the electrodes.

Fig. (12) :-Features side view of one stack with vacuum pump on top, also showing float switch assembly that regulates volume of fluid.

Fig. (13) Side view of reservoir for automatic filling of fluid to fuel cell when necessary.

Fig. (14) :-Side view of Fuel Cell showing wiring diagram of electrodes.

Fig. (15) :-Top view of double Fuel Cell connected by a bridge at side, all features are the same as single units with double connections with "Y" push fits for both hydrogen and oxygen outlets to engine, this Fuel Cell is designed for use on large commercial vehicles.

Fig. (16) View of"Y" push fit connection that connects tubing from vacuum pump (s) to either inlet manifold or after filter for hydrogen and for oxygen pump to air intake.