WO2001098560A2

WO2001098560A2 - Electrolytic tank fro the electrolysis of a liquid

Info

Publication number: WO2001098560A2
Application number: PCT/CA2001/000914
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Lee; Jae-Ki Lee
Original assignee: John Lee; Lee Jae Ki
Priority date: 2000-06-22
Filing date: 2001-06-22
Publication date: 2001-12-27
Also published as: WO2001098560A3; CA2312058A1; AU7038401A

Abstract

An electrolytic tank for electrolysing a liquid to produce a gas has a plurality of electrolysis chambers positioned adjacent each other and having common walls, the common walls comprising the electrodes for the electrolysis chambers and having an upper portion and a lower portion; resiliently deformable sealing means extending between the common walls to define each electrolysis chamber, each electrolysis chamber having a lower portion in which the liquid to be electrolysed is held, an upper portion in which the gas produced by the electrolysis is received and a perimeter; securing means for releasably securing the common walls together to form the electrolytic tank; liquid conduit means for conencting the electrolysis chambers for delivery of liquid to the electrolysis chambers; and, gas conduit means for connecting the electrolysis chambers for removal of gas from the electrolysis chambers.

Description

Title: ELECTROLYTIC TANK FOR THE ELECTROLYSIS OF A LIQUID

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the construction of a novel electrolytic tank for the electrolysis of a liquid and the recovery of gas produced during the electrolysis operation. In one embodiment, the fluid is water and the product gasses which are produced by the electrolysis operation is oxygen and hydrogen. In another embodiment of the invention, the electrolytic tank is connected in fluid communication with the air intake of an internal combustion engine so as to provide hydrogen and oxygen to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water gas is a mixture of oxygen in hydrogen and can be produced by electrolysing water. When water is electrolyzed, hydrogen and oxygen are obtained in a molar ratio of 1:1, which is ideal for combustion.

In about 1833, Faraday conceived the first practical device for conducting electrolysis. Since that time, various apparatus for conducting electrolysis have been developed. However, the apparatus which have been developed to date do not have the requisite efficiency for wide spread commercial application.

Typically, in the electrolysis of water, alternating current is converted to direct current and fed to a tank or reactor which contains an electrolyte, water and electrodes. The direct current causes an electrochemical reaction inside the tank wherein water is dissociated into oxygen and hydrogen gas. They oxygen and hydrogen gas are then collected.

Conventional apparatus for conducting electrolysis use a tank in which a series of electrodes having alternating positive and negative charges are placed. When the temperature in the tank reaches 85 to 90°C, the quantity of product gas which is produced by the electrolysis drops significantly. Accordingly, one disadvantage of the current apparatus is the heat build-up which occurs during the operation of the electrolysis process. A further disadvantage of the current apparatus is that, due to its construction, it may not easily be dismantled for repair. Accordingly, the amount of down time which occurs with current electrolysis equipment is significant. Conventional fossil fuel engines burn fuel in a combustion chamber in which fuel is mixed with air and ignited by a spark. The output of the engine is controlled by the amount of fuel and air which are provided to the combustion chamber. In order to improve the efficiency of combustion, i.e. the output of the engine, fuel may be injected into the combustion chamber by a pump. As the fuel is not completely burned in the combustion chamber, an after burner, called a catalytic converter, may be installed in automobiles to reduce the emission of unbumed or incompletely burned fuel.

In order to improve the performance of an internal combustion engine, and at the same time to reduce harmful emissions from fossil fuel engines, various advances have been suggested.

For example, one process is to heat the fuel prior to delivering it to the combustion chamber. One disadvantage with this approach is that only marginal improvement in engine performance has been achieved when the process is conducted in a cold climate.

Another approach is to use a turbocharger to provide compressed air to the combustion chamber. The increased supply of air results in a higher percentage of the fuel being combusted in the combustion chamber and, consequentially, the engine produces additional power for the same weight of fuel which is burned. Another approach has been to provide multiple valves for permitting the removal of product gases from the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The use of multiple valves results in less power being required to remove the combustion products from the combustion chamber. However, the overall level of emissions produced by the engine are not decreased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention provides a novel construction for an electrolytic tank. The tank comprises a plurality of adjacent or connected electrolysis chambers. The electrolysis chambers are separated by electrolytic plates (i.e. the electrodes). The plates are oppositely charged so as to induce a current to flow through the electrolysis chamber and to thereby cause the liquid in the electrolysis chamber to dissociate into its component molecules which are gasses at standard atmospheric conditions.

An advantage of the instant design is that the plates themselves are used to construct the electrolysis chambers thereby simplifying the construction of the electrolysis tank. In particular, an exterior housing in which electrodes are mounted is not required. Instead, the plates are separated by a sealing member (such as a resilient- deformable elastomeric material). A secure member (eg. a number of tie bolts) are provided to dimensionally stabilize the plates and to thereby maintain them in position with respect to each other. It will be appreciated that the tank may easily be serviced by removing the tie bolts and separating the necessary plates one from another.

Another advantage of the instant invention is that the perimeter of the plates defines the exterior of the electrolysis chambers. The plates may therefore be used as cooling means to transfer heat from the electrolysis chambers to the ambient. The elastomeric material may be positioned at a distance spaced from the perimeter of the plates so that the plates extend outwardly from the electrolysis chambers thereby effectively creating a plurality of cooling fins extending outwardly from the electrolysis chambers to thereby provide cooling. , In summary, in accordance with one aspect of the instant invention, there is provided an electrolytic tank for electrolysing a liquid to produce a gas comprising:

(a) a plurality of spaced apart plates, each plate having a first side and a second side and an upper portion and a lower portion;

(b) an anode mounted at one end of the plurality of spaced apart plates and a cathode mounted at the other end of the plurality of spaced apart plates, the plates are electrically connected to the anode and the cathode whereby the first and second sides of each plate is oppositely charged;

(c) at least one sealing member extending between adjacent spaced apart plates to define a plurality of electrolysis chambers, each electrolysis chamber having a lower portion in which the liquid to be electrolysed is held, an upper portion in which the gas produced by the electrolysis is received and a perimeter, each chamber having at least one liquid inlet in the lower portion and at least one gas outlet in the upper portion; and,

(d) a securing member engaging at least the anode and the cathode whereby the plates are held together.

In one embodiment, the liquid comprises water and the gas comprises oxygen and hydrogen and the electrolytic tank further comprises a water inlet connectable to a source of water and in fluid communication with the liquid inlets of the chambers. In another embodiment, the electrolytic tank as further comprises a main gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas outlets of the chambers and connectable in fluid communication with the air intake of an internal combustion engine.

In another embodiment, each plate has an opening in its lower portion which defines a liquid inlet whereby each chamber is in fluid communication with the chambers adjacent to it.

In another embodiment, each plate has an opening in its upper portion which defines a gas outlet whereby each chamber is also in fluid communication with the chambers adjacent to it via the gas outlets. In another embodiment, the electrolytic tank has an uppermost portion, is rectangular and has four longitudinally extending sides having longitudinally extending corners there between and, in use, the electrolytic tank is positioned such that one of the corners defines the uppermost portion of the electrolytic tank and the gas outlets are positioned to be adjacent the uppermost portion of the tank.

In another embodiment, the sealing member comprises an elastomeric material extending along the perimeter of each electrolysis chamber. In another embodiment, the plurality of plates define a longitudinally extending axis which passes through the electrolysis chambers and the securing member comprises a plurality of discrete longitudinally extending members which extend from one end of the electrolytic tank to other end of the electrolytic tank. In another embodiment, each discrete longitudinally extending member comprises a first portion and a second portion which releasably engages the first portion.

In another embodiment, the electrolytic tank further comprises cooling fins extending outwardly from the electrolysis chambers. Preferably, the cooling fins comprise extensions of the plates beyond the perimeter of the electrolysis chambers. The cooling fins are preferably integrally formed as part of the plates. In another embodiment, the electrolytic tank further comprises a current source connectable to the electrolytic tank, a main gas outlet connectable to a conduit external to the electrolytic tank and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the main gas outlet, the main gas outlet is in fluid communication with the gas outlets of the chambers whereby the gas produced by the electrolytic tank is transported downstream from the tank, the pressure sensor is drivingly connected to a current source whereby during operation of the electrolytic tank, the electrolysis chambers are at a varying pressure and the operation of the electrolytic tank is controlled by the pressure which is sensed by the pressure sensor.

In another embodiment, the plurality of plates define a longitudinally extending axis which passes through the electrolysis chambers, the chamber has a top and the gas outlet of the chambers is provided at the top of the chamber whereby the upper portion of the electrolysis chambers functions as a gas storage chamber.

In accordance with another aspect of the instant invention, there is also provided an electrolytic tank for electrolysing a liquid to produce a gas comprising: (a) a plurality of electrolysis chambers positioned adjacent each other and having common walls, the common walls comprising the electrodes for the electrolysis chambers and having an upper portion and a lower portion; (b) resiliently deformable sealing means extending between the common walls to define each electrolysis chamber, each electrolysis chamber having a lower portion in which the liquid to be electrolysed is held, an upper portion in which the gas produced by the electrolysis is received and a perimeter; (c) securing means for releasably securing the common walls together to form the electrolytic tank; (d) liquid conduit means for connecting the electrolysis chambers for delivery of liquid to the electrolysis chambers; and,

(e) gas conduit means for connecting the electrolysis chambers for removal of gas from the electrolysis chambers.

In accordance with another aspect of the instant invention, there is also provided an engine comprising:

(a) a combustion chamber for burning a fuel; (b) an air inlet for providing air to the combustion chamber;

(c) a fuel inlet connectable to a fuel source for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber;

(d) electrolytic tank for electrolysing a water to produce a oxygen and hydrogen comprising:

(a) a plurality of electrolysis chambers positioned adjacent each other and having common walls, the common walls comprising the electrodes for the electrolysis chambers and having an upper portion and a lower portion;

(b) resiliently deformable sealing means extending between the common walls to define each electrolysis chamber, each electrolysis chamber having a lower portion in which the water to be electrolysed is held, an upper portion in which the gas produced by the electrolysis is received and a perimeter;

(c) securing means for securing the common walls together to form the electrolytic tank;

(d) water conduit means for connecting the electrolysis chambers for delivery of water to the electrolysis chambers; and, (e) gas conduit means for connecting the electrolysis chambers for removal of gas from the electrolysis chambers and in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. In one embodiment, the water conduit means comprises first openings in the common walls whereby the water conduit means comprises a continuous passage through the electrolysis chambers from one end of the electrolytic tank to the other.

In another embodiment, the gas conduit means comprises second openings in the common walls whereby the gas conduit means comprises a continuous passage through the electrolysis chambers from one end of the electrolytic tank to the other.

In another embodiment, the second openings are provided adjacent the upper portion of the electrolysis chambers and the water is maintained in the lower portion of each electrolysis chambers whereby each electrolysis chamber functions as a gas storage chamber.

In another embodiment, the securing means comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending members which extend from one end of the electrolytic tank to other end of the electrolytic tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention as encompassed by the claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrolytic tank according to the instant invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a fluid circulation system utilizing the electrolytic tank of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross section along line 3 - 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4a is a top plan view of the exterior surface of one of the end caps of the electrolytic tank of Figure 1; Figure 4b is a plan view of the interior surface of the end caps shown in Figure 4a;

Figure 4c is a side elevational view of the end cap shown in Figure 4a; Figure 5a is a plan view of one of the electrolytic plates of the electrolytic tank of Figure 1;

Figure 5b is a side elevational view of the electrolytic plate of Figure 5a;

Figure 6 is a schematic view of an apparatus utilizing the electrolytic tank of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an internal combustion engine;

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an internal combustion engine incorporating an electrolytic tank according to the instant invention;

Figure 9 is an enlargement of the electrolytic tank shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10a is a plan view of a electrolytic plate of the electrolytic tank shown in Figure 8; and, Figure 10b is a side elevational view of the electrolytic plate of Figure 10a.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, in accordance with the instant invention, electrolytic tank 10 comprises an anode 12, a cathode 14, a plurality of spaced apart, aligned electrolytic plates 16 extending between anode 12 and cathode 14 to define a plurality of electrolysis chambers 18, at least one liquid inlet 20, at least one product gas outlet 22 and securing members 24. Preferably, the electrolytic tank is used to produce water gas

(i.e. hydrogen and oxygen gas) from water. Accordingly, liquid inlet 20 supplies water to electrolytic tank 20 and product gas outlet 20 removes oxygen and hydrogen which are produced in electrolysis chambers 18. It will be appreciated that electrolytes and other additives known in the electrolysis art may be provided to electrolysis chambers 18. Further, electrolysis tank 10 may be used to electrolyse any liquid known in the electrolysis art.

Anode 12 and cathode 14 are provided on opposed ends of the plurality of spaced apart electrolytic plates 16. Anode 12 and cathode 14 may be of any particular construction known in the electrolysis art which will function as end caps for electrolytic tank 10. Preferably, anode 12 and cathode 14 are identical. Referring to Figures 4a - c, anode 12 is shown. It will be appreciated that this in construction may be used for cathode 14. Anode 12 has an inner surface 26 and an outer surface 28. These surfaces are preferably substantially planar (i.e. flat) as shown in Figure 4c. Liquid inlet 20 and product gas outlet 22 extend through anode 12 so as to be in fluid flow communication with the interior of electrolytic tank 10. Anode 12 may be connected to a current source by any means known in the art. As shown in Figure 4c, outer surface 28 of anode 12 is provided with electrical connector 30 to which an electrically conductive member (eg. wire 32 as shown in Figure 9) may be connected.

Securing members 24 may comprise any means which extend generally in the direction of longitudinal axis A - A (as shown in Figure 3) to maintain electrolytic plates 16 in position between anode 12 and cathode 14. While securing members 24 may comprise a housing extending around or at least substantially around the exterior of electrolytic plate 16, in the preferred embodiment, electrolytic tank 10 does not have an exterior housing. Instead, securing members 24 comprise a plurality of individual or discreet members which are used to tie the opposed ends (eg. anode 12 and cathode 14) together to thereby sandwich electrolytic plate 16 there between. Further, securing members 24 are preferably removably mounted to electrolytic tank 10 so that they may be removed from electrolytic tank 10 and tank 10 disassembled for servicing as may be needed.

As shown in Figures 4a - c, anode 12 (and accordingly cathode 14) may have a plurality of openings 34 through which securing members 24 extend. In this embodiment, each securing member 24 comprises a longitudinally extending rod 36 which is sized to pass through opening 34. End caps 38 are secured to the opposed ends of rod 36 exterior to outer surface 28 of anode 12 and cathode 14. End caps 38 are sized to be larger than openings 34 and accordingly can not pass through openings 34. End caps 38 may be mounted to rods 36 permanently (eg. by welding, an adhesive or the like) or may be releasably mounted thereto (such as by means of a set screw, by being τhreadedly mounted on rods 36, by a running locking fit or the like).

Alternately, each securing member 24 may comprise two rods which extend approximately half-way out along the longitudinal length of electrolytic tank 10. The rod may have a flange for engaging outer surface 28 of anode 12 and cathode 14. The opposed ends of the rods may be received in a turnbuckle or the like which may be tightened to draw the ends of rods together thereby drawing anode 12 and cathode 14 towards each other.

In an alternate embodiment, it will be appreciated that securing members 36 may extend external to the perimeter 40 of cathode 12 and anode 14 and engage outer surfaces 28 so as to draw anode 12 and cathode 14 together. For example, as shown in Figure 10a, openings 34 are provided as recesses in the exterior perimeter 42 of plate 16.

An advantage of using securing members 24 which comprise a plurality of discreet components positioned exterior to perimeters 42 (see Figure 5a) of plates 16 when sealing member 44 is positioned interior to perimeter 42 is that the outer portion of plates 16 are exposed to the ambient (i.e. they are not positioned within a sealed housing) thereby facilitating the cooling of electrolysis chambers 18.

Sealing member 44 extends between adjacent electrolytic plates 16 as well as between anode 12 and the adjacent electrolytic plate 16 as well as between cathode 14 and the adjacent electrolytic plate 16 so as to define the exterior perimeter of electrolysis chambers 18 (see in particular Figure 9). Accordingly, except for the two outermost electrolysis chambers 18, namely those adjacent to anode 12 and cathode 14, electrolysis chambers 18 comprise the open area between a pair of adjacent, vertically aligned, electrolytic plates 16 within the perimeter defined by sealing member 44. Referring in particular to Figure 4b, sealing member 44 is shown as a thin member defining a rectangular area within perimeter 40 of anode 12. Similarly, referring to Figure 5a, sealing member 44 is shown again as a thin longitudinally extending member defining a square within perimeter 42 of plate 16.

Sealing member 44 may be any member which may be adhered to plate 16 and anode and cathode 12 and 14 to create a sealed electrolysis chamber 18. Preferably, sealing member 44 comprises an elastomeric material which is resiliently deformable so as to maintain a seal between adjacent plates 16 as stresses are applied to the exterior surface of electrolytic tank 10 during normal operating use. Preferably, sealing member 44 is a silicon rubber. Plates 16 have a first side 114 and a second side 116. Each side 114 and 116 is oppositely charged. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 9, one side of plate 16 (eg. side 114) may be positively charged and the other side of plate 16 may be negatively charged (eg. side 116). Thus, electrolysis chamber 18 will have opposed transverse (or vertically extending) walls which are oppositely charged. In particular, each electrolysis chamber 18 is filled with an electrolyte (eg. water and potassium hydroxide) which conducts electricity. When anode and cathode 12 and 14 are connected to an electric current source, the electrolyte is ionized producing positively charged hydrogen ions and negatively charged oxygen ions. The positively charged hydrogen ions are repulsed from anode 12 (which is positively charged) and the negatively charged oxygen ions are attracted to anode 12. Similarly, the oxygen ions are repulsed from cathode 14 and the hydrogen ions are attracted to cathode 14. The side of electrolytic plate 16 which faces anode 12 accordingly assumes a negative pole thus attracting the positively charged hydrogen ions. The opposing side of plate 16 assumes the opposite polarity.

In order to maintain the spacing between adjacent plates 16, as well as between anode 12 and the adjacent plate 16 and cathode 14 in the adjacent plate 16, at least one, and preferably a plurality of spacing members 46 are positioned interior of the perimeter defined by sealing member 44. Preferably, spacing members 46 comprise discreet droplets of an elastomeric material, which is preferably a silicon rubber compound.

Each electrolysis chamber 18 is in fluid flow communication with inlet 20 and outlet 22. Any gas conduit means known in the art may be utilized. For example, a manifold positioned exterior to the perimeter defined by sealing member 44 may be provided with individual conduits extending into each electrolysis chamber 18. Preferably, as shown in Figure 5a, each plate 16 is provided with a fluid flow passage 48 and a gas flow passage 50. The fluid flow passages of plate 16 are preferably aligned with each other and with inlet 20 as shown in Figure 9. Similarly, gas flow passages 50 are preferably aligned with each other and with outlet 22 as shown in Figure 9. Accordingly, inlet 20 is in fluid flow communication with each electrolysis chamber 18 via liquid flow passages 48. Similarly, product gases produced in electrolysis chamber 18 may be transported to outlet 20 by means of gas flow passages 50.

As shown in Figure 2, each end of electrolytic tank 10 (namely anode 12 and cathode 14) is preferably provided with an inlet 20 and an outlet 22. Accordingly, water may be supplied to electrolysis chambers 18 via inlet 52 to T-junction 54 and from T- junction 54 to inlets 20 via conduits 56. Similarly, product gas may be conveyed from outlet 22 via conduit 62 to T-junction 60 and may be removed from T-junction 60 via outlet 58. The product gas may be provided to a storage tank position downstream of outlet 58 or immediately provided for use in a downstream process. It will be appreciated that only one end of electrolytic tank 10 need be provided with an inlet 20 and an outlet 22. Further, inlet 20 and outlet 22 may be provided on opposed ends of electrolytic tank 10. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, electrolysis chambers 18 are positioned so as to be thin vertically extending chambers. Liquid flow passages 48 are positioned in the lower portion of electrolysis chambers 18 and, preferably, are provided adjacent the bottom of electrolysis chambers 18. Similarly, gas flow passages 50 are provided in the upper portion of electrolysis chambers 18 and preferably are positioned at the upper most portion of electrolysis chambers 18. Referring to Figure 5a, liquid flow passage 48 is provided in one corner adjacent the perimeter defined by sealing member 44. Gas flow passage 50 is provided in the opposed corner. In operation, electrolytic tank is preferably positioned so that corner 64 is the lower most portion of plate 16. Accordingly, liquid flow passage 48 is provided in the lower most portion of electrolysis chamber 18. In particular, electrolytic tank 10 is positioned such that corners 64 of plates 16 define the lower most portion of electrolysis tank 10. Further, it is also preferred that the width or diameter of electrolysis chambers 18 decreases at the bottom and increases at the uppermost portions. This may be achieved by orienting plates 16 so that corner 64 is lower most or by constructing plates 16 to a shape to provide this result (eg circular as shown in Figure 10a).

In one preferred embodiment, sealing member 44 is positioned internal to perimeter 42 of plate 16. Accordingly, a portion of plate 16 extends outwardly from electrolysis chamber 18. Thus, portion 66 of plate 16 which extends outwardly from sealing member 44 defines a cooling fin for electrolytic tank 10. In the preferred embodiment, cooling fin is 66 formed as an integral part of plate 16. However, it will be appreciated that cooling fin 66 may be separately manufactured and subsequently assembled to plate 16 to define a one piece assembly which is then used to construct electrolytic tank 10.

In the alternate embodiment shown in Figures 10a and 10b, plate 16 is generally circular. Further, sealing member 44 is provided along the exterior perimeter 42 of plate 16. Accordingly, in this embodiment, a portion of plate 16 does not function as a cooling fin. This later embodiment is preferably used in conjunction with an internal combustion engine as shown in particular in Figure 8.

A mode of operating electrolytic tank 10 will now be explained in reference to Figure 6. A water supply tank 70 is in fluid flow communication with distribution and collection tank 70 via conduit 74. Supply tank 70 may be isolated from distribution and collection tank 702 via solenoid valve 76. When solenoid valve 74 is opened, water passes from tank 74 to the bottom of distribution and collection tank 72. The lower portion of distribution and collection tank 72 is in fluid flow communication with water inlet 20 via conduit 56. Accordingly, water is supplied to each electrolysis chamber 18 via water flow passages 48. in plates 16. Each electrolysis chamber 18 is in fluid flow communication with conduit 62 via gas flow passages 50 in plate 16. Product gas passes through conduit 62 into collection and distribution chamber 72 where it rises to the upper part thereof.

Power is provided to electrolysis tank 10 from any power supply known in the art. For example, as shown in Figure 6, converter 78 is electrically connected to a source of current via wire 80. Converter 78 converts AC power received via wire 82 to DC power which is provided to electrolytic tank 10 via wires 84. Controller 82 is provided to produce the desired level of amperage and voltage which is fed to electrolytic tank 10 via wires 84. Electrolytic tank 10 may be cooled by a cooling fan 86 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 88 which is driven by a motor (not shown). Cooling fan 86 causes, eg., ambient air to pass over cooling fins 66 which are part of plates 16, thereby providing efficient cooling to electrolytic tank 10. Optionally, the apparatus may be provided with a pressure sensor in fluid flow communication with gas outlet 22 and the pressure sensor is drivingly connected to the current source (eg. converter 78) whereby the operation of electrolytic tank 10 is controlled by the pressure which is sensed by the pressure sensor. For example, referring to Figure 6, product gas is conveyed from tank 70 to pressure sensor 90 via conduit 92 which is in fluid flow communication with T-junction 94 and conduit 96. In one embodiment, when pressure sensor 90 reads a pre-set pressure, then pressure sensor 90 sends a signal to controller 98 via wire 100. Controller 98 sends a signal to converter 78 via wire 102 causing the current to electrolytic tank 10 to be discontinued. It will be appreciated that pressure sensor 90 may be configured to discontinue operation of electrolytic tank 10 when pressure sensor 90 senses a pressure indicating that a sufficient supply of product gas has been stored in electrolysis chamber 16 and tank 72 (as well as potentially downstream from pressure sensor 90 in a storage tank). Alternately, pressure sensor 90 could shut off the electrolysis if pressure sensor 90 senses that the pressure in the system has reached an excessive level. Alternately, or in addition, the pressure sensor 90 may be configured to sense a second preset value, lower than the higher preset value, so as to actuate electrolysis when the pressure drops below the second preset value (eg., controller 98 sends a signal to converter 78 via wire 102 causing the current to electrolytic tank 10 to be supplied). This could occur when a sufficient amount of stored product gas is withdrawn from the system thus signalling the controller 98 to commence the production of more product gas.

Optionally, a condensing dryer 104 may be provided downstream from T-junction 94 so as to remove water and other contaminants from the product gas. Condensing dryer 104 may be provided with a drain valve 106. A flame stopper 108 as is known in the art may be provided downstream from condensing dryer 104. The system may be provided with a valve 104 so as to selectively provide product gas to nozzle 112.

In accordance with another aspect of the instant invention, electrolytic tank 10 may be connected to provide water gas to a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber may be any chamber known in the art used to react an organic fuel (eg. gasoline) with an oxygen containing gas (eg. air). An example of such a system are gasoline and diesel engines of automobiles, boats, ships as well as airplanes. Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of such a combustion engine. Typically, such engines have an air intake 120 which provides air for combustion to air cleaner 122 which removes particulate matter and the like from the air for combustion. The cleaned air is conveyed via conduit 124 to intake manifold of combustion chamber 130. Fuel line 128 provides fuel for combustion to fuel injector 132. The fuel and air is combined in combustion chamber 130 and rapidly oxidized to produce exhaust gases which are collected in exhaust manifold 134. The exhaust gases pass through conduit 136 to catalytic converter 138 which is optionally provided to reduce the pollution level created by the combustion of the fuel in combustion chamber 130. The treated exhaust gases are conveyed via conduit 140 to muffler 142 and then exit the system via exhaust outlet 144.

The application of electrolytic tank 10 to such an internal combustion engine is shown in Figure 8. Where applicable, the same reference numerals have been utilized as were used to describe the system of Figure 6. In this case, tank 72 has a lower portion 146 which is used as the water storage and supply tank for electrolytic tank 10. Upper portion 148 of tank 72 comprises a storage chamber for product gases. When required, tank 72 is refilled with water by removing cap 150 from water inlet 152.

Water gas is provided to conduit 124 via valve 154 which may be a solenoid valve which is connected to a controller which is used to operate combustion chamber 130 at optimal conditions. The combustion of the hydrogen in combustion chamber 130 produces increased power from the engine. The oxygen provided together with the hydrogen aids in the combustion of the added fuel. In the case of an automobile or the like, current for the electrolysis operation may be provided from battery 156 and/ or an alternator 158 which is run by the engine. The system may be provided with switch 160 so as to supply current to electrolytic tank 10 from alternator 158 (thereby disconnecting battery 156 from electrolytic tank 10) when current flows from alternator 158.

It will be appreciated that a switch may be provided to manually disconnect electrolytic tank 10 from the system (eg. switch 160 may have a manual override to disconnect electrolytic tank 10 from both battery 156 and from alternator 158). Further, a pressure sensor may be provided to the system to terminate the electrolysis process or to recommence the electrolysis process if the pressure in electrolytic 10 and/or tank 72 reaches preset values. It will further be appreciated that pressure sensor 90 may also be utilized in this system.

When electrolytic tank 10 is used in an internal combustion engine for a car or the like, plates 16 are preferably constructed so as not to function as cooling fins 66. Accordingly, as shown in Figures 10a and 10b, sealing member 44 is preferably positioned adjacent the perimeter 42 of plate 16.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art for various additions and modifications may be made to the instant invention and that each of these is incorporated within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An electrolytic tank for electrolysing a liquid to produce a gas comprising:

(a) a plurality of spaced apart plates, each plate having a first side and a second side and an upper portion and a lower portion; (b) an anode mounted at one end of the plurality¹ of spaced apart plates and a cathode mounted at the other end of the plurality of spaced apart plates, the plates are electrically connected to the anode and the cathode whereby the first and second sides of each plate is oppositely charged; (c) at least one sealing member extending between adjacent spaced apart plates to define a plurality of electrolysis chambers, each electrolysis chamber having a lower portion in which the liquid to be , electrolysed is held, an upper portion in which the gas produced by the electrolysis is received and a perimeter, each chamber having at least one liquid inlet in the lower portion and at least one gas _^outlet in the upper portion; and,

2. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liquid comprises water and the gas- comprises oxygen and hydrogen and the electrolytic tank further comprises a water inlet connectable to a source of water and in fluid communication with the liquid inlets of the chambers.

3. An electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a main gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas outlets of the chambers and connectable in fluid communication with the air intake of an internal combustion engine.

4. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 1 wherein each plate has an opening in its lower portion which defines a liquid inlet whereby each chamber is in fluid communication with the chambers adjacent to it.

5. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 4 wherein each plate has an opening in its upper portion which defines a gas outlet whereby each chamber is also in fluid communication with the chambers adjacent to it via the gas outlets.

6. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 5 wherein the electrolytic tank has an uppermost portion, is rectangular and has four longitudinally extending sides having longitudinally extending corners there between and, in use, the electrolytic tank is positioned such that one of the corners defines the uppermost portion of the electrolytic tank and the gas outlets are positioned to be adjacent the uppermost portion of the tank.

7. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sealing member comprises an elastomeric material extending along the perimeter of each electrolysis chamber.

8. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of plates define a longitudinally extending axis which passes through the electrolysis chambers and the securing member comprises a plurality of discrete longitudinally extending members which extend from one end of the electrolytic tank to other end of the electrolytic tank.

9. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 1 wherein each discrete longitudinally extending member comprises a first portion and a second portion which releasably engages the first portion.

10. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 1 further comprising cooling fins extending outwardly from the electrolysis chambers.

11. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 10 wherein the cooling fins comprise extensions of the plates beyond the perimeter of the electrolysis chambers.

>

12. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 10 wherein the cooling fins are integrally formed as part of the plates.

13. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 1 further comprises a current source connectable to the electrolytic tank, a main gas outlet connectable to a conduit external to the electrolytic tank and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the main gas outlet, the main gas outlet is in fluid communication with the gas outlets of the chambers whereby the gas produced by the electrolytic tank is transported downstream from the tank, the pressure sensor is drivingly connected to a current source whereby during operation of the electrolytic tank, the electrolysis chambers are at a varying pressure and the operation of the electrolytic tank is controlled by the pressure which is sensed by the pressure sensor.

14. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of plates define a longitudinally extending axis which passes through the electrolysis chambers, the chamber has a top and the gas outlet of the chambers is provided at the top of the chamber whereby the upper portion of the electrolysis chambers functions as a gas storage chamber.

15. An electrolytic tank for electrolysing a liquid to produce a gas comprising:

(a) a plurality of electrolysis chambers positioned adjacent each other and having common walls, the common walls comprising the electrodes for the electrolysis chambers and having an upper portion and a lower portion; (b) resiliently deformable sealing means extending between the common walls to define each electrolysis chamber, each electrolysis chamber having a lower portion in which the liquid to be electrolysed is held, an upper portion in which the gas produced by the electrolysis is received and a perimeter;

(c) securing means for releasably securing the common walls together to form the electrolytic tank;

(d) liquid conduit means for connecting the electrolysis chambers for delivery of liquid to the electrolysis chambers; and,

16. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 15 wherein the liquid conduit means comprises first openings in the common walls whereby the liquid conduit means comprises a continuous passage through the electrolysis chambers from one end of the electrolytic tank to the other.

17. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 16 wherein the gas conduit means comprises second openings in the common walls whereby the gas conduit means comprises a continuous passage through the electrolysis chambers from one end of the electrolytic tank to the other.

18. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 17 wherein the second openings are provided adjacent the upper portion of the electrolysis chambers and the liquid is maintained in the lower portion of each electrolysis chambers whereby each electrolysis chamber functions as a gas storage chamber.

19. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 15 wherein the securing means comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending members which extend from one end of the electrolytic tank to other end of the electrolytic tank.

20. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 15 further comprising heat exchange means extending outwardly from the electrolysis chambers.

21. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 20 wherein the heat exchange means comprises cooling fins formed as extensions of the common walls beyond the perimeter of the electrolysis chambers.

22. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a current source connectable to the electrolytic tank and pressure sensing means in fluid communication with the electrolysis chambers, the pressure sensing means switching the current source between an on and off position depending on the pressure in the electrolysis chambers.

23. An engine comprising:

(a) a combustion chamber for burning a fuel;

(b) an air inlet for providing air to the combustion chamber; (c) a fuel inlet connectable to a fuel source for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber;

(i) a plurality of electrolysis chambers positioned adjacent each other and having common walls, the common walls comprising the electrodes for the electrolysis chambers and having an upper portion and a lower portion; (ii) resiliently deformable sealing means extending between the common walls to define each electrolysis chamber, each electrolysis chamber having a lower portion in which the water to be electrolysed is held, an upper portion in which the gas produced* by the electrolysis is received and a perimeter; (iii) securing means for securing the common walls together to form the electrolytic tank; (iv) water conduit means for connecting the electrolysis chambers for delivery of water to the electrolysis chambers; and, (v) gas conduit means for connecting the electrolysis chambers for removal of gas from the electrolysis chambers and in fluid communication with the combustion chamber.

24. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 23 wherein the water conduit means comprises first openings in the common walls whereby the water conduit means comprises a continuous passage through the electrolysis chambers from one end of the electrolytic tank to the other.

25. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 24 wherein the gas conduit means comprises second openings in the common walls whereby the gas conduit means comprises a continuous passage through the electrolysis chambers from one end of the electrolytic tank to the other.

26. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 25 wherein the second openings are provided adjacent the upper portion of the electrolysis chambers and the water is maintained in the lower portion of each electrolysis chambers whereby each electrolysis chamber functions as a gas storage chamber.

27. The electrolytic tank as claimed in claim 23 wherein the securing means comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending members which extend from one end of the electrolytic tank to other end of the electrolytic tank.