WO2010151157A1

WO2010151157A1 - High temperature electrolysis system

Info

Publication number: WO2010151157A1
Application number: PCT/PH2010/000006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leonardo Jr I Mendoza
Original assignee: Leonardo Jr I Mendoza
Priority date: 2009-06-22
Filing date: 2010-03-23
Publication date: 2010-12-29
Also published as: WO2010151157A8

Abstract

An high temperature electrolysing system for converting steam into an alternative fuel is disclosed. The system includes an apparatus, fed with a DC current ranging from 5 to 60 amperes, that electrolytically produces hydrogen and oxygen as separate components in a steam-filled chamber using fine mesh metal electrode. Steam in the chamber is produced by known means using waste heat from engines, furnaces and the like. Heat can also be supplied by other sources for purposes of steam production prior to the electrolytic process. The produced hydrogen and oxygen are fed to the engine or furnace at the desired proportion with fossil fuel to improve combustion and lessen the consumption of fossil fuel and to reduce the harmful substances in the exhaust gases. Steam in its pure form can also be injected together with the given fuel mixture into the appropriate section of the combustion chamber of the internal or external combustion engines.

Description

HIGH TEMPERATURE ELECTROLYSIS SYSTEM

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to fuel saving devices for heat engines using hydrogen and oxygen derived from water as part of the fuel for the engine.. Specifically, this invention relates to an ionic fuel generating system for producing alternative fuel by electrolyzing steam to convert it to hydrogen and oxygen and feeding it to the engine or other similar devices as fuel supplement at the desired mixture with fossil fuel like gasoline, diesel and the like to help in energy conservation and to provide an effective solution to the global warming problem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Steam conversion requires an elevated temperature between 100 degrees Centigrade and 1200 degrees Centigrade and produces primarily hydrogen and oxygen at atmospheric pressure. This may vary if pressure changes. Basically, the process of hydrogen generation is separate and requires facilities with huge amount of power to do the process of electrolysis.

Traditionally, hydrogen generation is expensive, the use of a relatively expensive devices such as (high quality palladium membrane, serves as a hydrogen permeable and hydrogen selective membrane.) There are other design that mainly liquefies the hydrogen for larger volume and some uses hydrogen to generate electricity from fossil fuel to run the generator. In some cases liquefied hydrogen is used to generate electricity to run a hybrid car.

Energy Content of Hydrogen

Every type of fuel has a unique amount of energy based on the chemical

i makeup of the substance. Chemical fuels are flammable and when they are combusted or reacted with oxygen their energy content is released. Hydrogen gas is known to have an energy content (net enthalpy) LHV value of 241.8 kJ per mole. Note that a mole of hydrogen is 2 grams.

The amount of hydrogen is equal to 20.8 moles per minute. It is referred to as ideal because the fuel utilization constant is neglected. The maximum energy content of this amount of hydrogen per minute is therefore 20.8241.8 moles per minute, which is equal to 5,035.267 kJ per minute, or 83.8 kJ per second.

In a motor driven design vehicle, torque is reduced and will require huge amount of electricity to drive a heavy load compared to the torque produced by an internal combustion engine. Combining gasoline and steam will produce extremely huge amount of reduction in hydrocarbon consumption. Not only it will reduce pollution, it will also give power that you need. With this current global warming and climate change problem at hand, this alternative fuel will make a global paradigm shift and will reduce the rate of change because of less carbon emission.

A compact On board Hydrogen -Oxygen generating facility without requiring huge amount of electricity will produce huge savings in fuel consumption, clean air emission and reduction of carbon deposits. It will also help bring down the cost of fuel in the world because of this low cost alternative and supplementary fuel.

This invention may look simple, but the result is simply unexpected and brilliant. Using what is abundant in our environment which is Water and Air will help reduce if not eliminate the biggest contributor to air pollution in our planet CO2. These two (2) basic elements will provide the answer to solve the world's problem in global warming and climate change. The Water referred to in this invention is not limited to fresh water but likewise includes salt water (sea water), rain water, snow, H3O (Heavy water) and tap water after running them through a given process.

Related Prior Arts

There are many patents on the use of hydrogen as alternative fuel for internal combustion engines. This includes Philippine Patent No. 30841 issued on November 5, 1997 to Antonio Teves, which relates to a water fuel converter for automotive and other engines. The Teves patent requires 50 to 5,000 amperes of DC current to operate the electrolyzing apparatus. Thus, a DC generator was put on board for this purpose. This adds extra weight for the engine. Also, the patent did not utilize the oxygen derived from the electrolysis but simply release it to the atmosphere.

On the other hand, the one issued to YuII Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,777 on March 29, 1977 discloses a device for producing hydrogen and oxygen gases from water using DC current electrolyzer. While the electrolyzer in Brown's patent used only 15 amperes, Brown used a KOH ( potassium hydroxide) solution in his process which corrode the electrodes and produce harmful exhaust emission.

This problem on electrode corrosion is always present even in other patents for generating hydrogen gas from water in view of the need to add lye, salt or the like to the water solution to the start the electrolyzing process.

There is therefore a need for a system or apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen from water which will substantially reduce if not eliminate the corrosion of electrodes during the electrolyzing process.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides an integrated system for producing alternative fuel for cars, trucks, shipping Vessels, boilers and heaters to utilize the heat generated in the exhaust system to convert water into steam. One part of the system is to produce a superheated steam for low capacity heating purposes, and another part is extracted through an output control valve to an Ion-Exchange Tank that functions as steam converter that converts water ( H₂O), and generates diatomic hydrogen and oxygen gas.

The condensate will be flushed back to the feed water tank, which will be feed back to the boiler. This is a semi-perpetual process although it will still have losses due to evaporation.

Superheated steam will be used as fuel supplement to generate electric power. And use it to supply fuel for small generators to provide power for small equipments, pumps and controllers.

A build-up pressure will re-circulates condensate in the Ion-Exchange Tank back to the feed water line. This condensate will be mixed and fired into the boiler again, creating a semi-perpetual process of re-generation.

The thermal energy of the steam and other heat is directed back into the process and used to continue the hydrogen and oxygen production by Ion- Exchange within the gas generating device(s). The amount of heat created or produced by the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel in the exhaust manifold, burners and boilers augments the thermal processes.

If the On-board H2 plant is used to fuel an automobile vehicle, the heat energy generated by the hydrocarbon fuel in the exhaust manifold is used to heat up the water in the heater tank and produce steam. Then this steam shall pass through the Ion-Exchange Tank then it will be converted into H2 and 02 gases in which it will be used as alternative fuel or supplementary fuel.

All processes are controlled by a central system that monitor, record and control all processes in the production area. It monitors both real time and history of the operation. Sensors under microprocessor control manage the processes. Various means and methods are employed to prevent catastrophic failure of the elements of the system if the water, used as fuel, should freeze.

The primary object of this invention is to integrate an on-board apparatus that performs as mobile fuel generating plant, which uses hydrogen as primary fuel that is extracted from steam. The use of steam in the electrolyzing process makes it possible to reduce corrosion of the electrodes. Unlike, the prior art which directly electrolyze water by adding electrolyte, the present invention does away with the use of KOH, salt and similar substances. In addition, the present invention uses a two-stage process. First, by producing steam and then electrolyzing the steam to produce hydrogen and oxygen.

Another object of the invention is to render the requirement to create a hydrogen fueling infrastructure both on stationary and mobile application thereby producing alternative or supplemental fuel for all types of internal combustion engines, which also includes boilers and heaters.

Part of the object is to create a new breed of fuel system that can be used as hybrid powered vehicle, utilizing heat produced by the engine, boilers and heating burners. This will greatly reduce the cost of operation for industries and eliminate pollution that leads to global warming, by having a by-product of water only.

Part of the invention is the advanced automation control that will provide the means and method to effective control and safety of the entire operational sequences from "cold start", "run" and "shut down" operation modes.

Part of the objective in this invention is to lessen if not eliminate the air pollution coming from internal combustion engines, boilers, power plants and shipping vessels. These and other objects in view will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is the diagram of this invention when applied for boiler operation; showing how this invention works;

FIGURE 2 is the diagram of this invention when applied to heater application;

FIGURE 3 is the diagram of this invention when applied to internal combustion engines;

FIGURE 4A is the diagram showing the different essential elements of the ion-exchange chamber of this invention.

FIGURE 4B is the illustration of a perforated plate that may be used as substitute for the cylindrical wire mesh electrodes.

Detailed Description :

This invention is 1. An on-board self-generating facility of Hydrogen and Oxygen that will not be dependent on any power providing firm or will not require high supply of current for power for splitting the molecules of Water (H2O) that is being used in the electrolysis process in producing this alternative fuel or supplementary fuel for automobiles. 2. Stationary facility for Hydrogen and Oxygen generation that will not be dependent on any power providing firm that will require high supply of current for producing Hydrogen and Oxygen through electrolysis.

Car, Trucks & Shipping Vessel Engines Application : Initially engine will run using hydrocarbon fuels (gasoline or diesel) until such time that the heat developed is already enough to convert the water in the heater tank into saturated steam. From a designated water tank, water will flow-in into the heater tank, this heater tank is integrated or connected to the exhaust manifold of any given engine. This abundant heat produced by the said engine will be utilized to turn the water in the heater tank into steam. The steam will then travel to the Ion -Exchange Chamber that will convert the steam into combustible gases namely Hydrogen and Oxygen. This Hydrogen and Oxygen gases will now go to the fuel line and will mix with hydrocarbon fuels through system controls. Condensate formation shall occur in the Ion-Exchange Chamber but will be flushed back to the water tank because of internal pressure.

Ion-Exchange Chamber - Is a multi-chamber of stainless steel fine mesh screen designated as 10. This fine mesh screen 10 is the one responsible for the conversion of steam into Hydrogen and Oxygen. The fine mesh screen 10 is connected to a positive charge line of the battery 11 and the body of the chamber 12 is grounded to the negative charge line of the battery. Electrolysis starts when chamber is filled with steam, and operates continuously as long as there is a need to supplement the fossil fuel with hydrogen and oxygen to improve combustion and reduce toxic emission.

Mixtures may vary from 5%-100% Hydrogen-Oxygen depending on the demand which will be controlled by a control valve and will be injected into the combustion chamber. In the combustion chamber steam-gasoline and air are mixed then a spark from the spark plug will trigger the percussion explosion. This explosion will create a power stroke and drive the crankshaft of any given engine.

Noticeably, cleaner exhaust and better power will be experienced using this type of hybrid fuel. On-board facility makes it easier to manage the formation and production of steam-fuel without the need to change your engine.

Boilers Heaters and Steam Power Plants Application : In boiler application, since it is generally known for steam generation, we will just tap from the steam line to use the steam for fuel. From the steam line, we will tap a connection that will go to the Ion-Exchange Chamber which will be 5 controlled by a smart valve. From the Ion-Exchange Chamber it will be injected to the fuel line of the boiler, where mixture will occur. Again it can be from 5% - 100% Mixture.

This Diesel-Steam mixture and Bunker-Steam mixture is a new breed of

10 hybrid fuel of the future. This is a semi-perpetual process, which will re-circulate used or condensed steam back into the boiler and will again be converted into steam then into fuel then back to water. It is a continuous process, though it will still have loses due to evaporation and leakages. (Please see Technical Drawing)

15 Hydrogen has 3x energy content by weight, and is capable to generate enough heat to create enough heat and power stroke needed for its intended usage. It also reduces the cost of operation by having cheaper fuel cost. It also contributes to the recovery of our planet from global warming and climate change. Note: That one kilogram (kg) of hydrogen contains just about the same amount of

20 energy as in 3 kilogram (kg) of gasoline. (Please see Table. 1)

Table 1:

* Liquid in form ^** in Btu /gal

5 Chemical Formula :

Gasoline (octane) : C8H 18 (1)

Diesel (dodecane) : C12H26 (2)

10 Stoichiometric Combustion of Hydrocarbons + Oxygen :

CxHy + (x +{y/4}) O2 — ►xCO2 + (y/2) H2O (3)

15 FOR ENGINES :

"Ideal" Combustion

If "perfect" combustion were to occur, hydrocarbons (HC) would be oxidized into water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Also, nitrogen (N₂) would 20 pass through unaffected

Perfect Combustion

HC

N₂ ► N₂

Intake and Compression Stroke

30 During intake, air and fuel is drawn into the cylinder by the downward motion of the piston. During compression, cylinder pressure is increased making the air/fuel charge prime for ignition. Power and Exhuast Stroke

During power stroke, the air/fuel charge is ignited and the combustion pressure is exerted on the piston. During exhaust stroke, combustion gases are expelled into the exhaust system.

The combustion of hydrogen with oxygen produces water as its only byproduct:

2H₂ + O₂ = 2H₂O

The forgoing description is made for illustrative purposes only to show the nature and operation of the invention and by no mean should be taken as a limitation of the scope of this invention, the scope and extent of which being defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An ionic fuel generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen comprising: an electrolyzer apparatus having a chamber for containing steam, electrodes fitted in the chamber, and a DC power source connected to the electrodes to effect the electrolytic process of the contained steam thereby separating the hydrogen and oxygen components thereof; means for producing steam connected to the electrolyzer apparatus; and feeding means for feeding the hydrogen and oxygen as fuel to engines, boilers and heaters in proper proportion with the fossil fuel.

2. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen as in claim 1 wherein the electrode of the electrolyzer apparatus is in the form of a mesh-type or perforated structure.

3. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen as in claim 1 wherein the electrode is nickel alloy.

4. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen as in claim 1 wherein the electrode is cobalt alloy.

5. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen as in claims 3 and 4 wherein the electrode is in the form of a mesh-type structure.

6. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen as in claim 1 wherein the means for producing steam is connected to the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine to recover the heat from the exhaust gases.

7. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen as in claim 1 wherein the means for producing steam is connected to the economizer of a boiler.

8. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen as in claim 1 wherein the means for producing steam is connected to the exhaust system of a heating and ventilating unit.

9. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen as in claim 1 wherein the DC power source supplies current to the electrode in the range of 5 to 60 amperes for automotive vehicles.

10. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen as in claim 2 wherein the electrode is made of stainless steel.

11. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen wherein steam is a volcanic steam produced by injecting water to the magma.

12. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen wherein discharge steam from geothermal power plant as supplementary or alternative fuel for small power generator.

13. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen wherein H3) (Heavy water) is used as raw material to be converted to hydrogen and Oxygen gas.

14. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen wherein the steam temperature is 100⁰C - 1 , 200 ⁰C.

15. An ionic generating system for producing hydrogen and oxygen wherein perforated stainless steel sheet or plate with 1 mm - 25mm bore is used as electrode.

16. A fuel saving system wherein coal-steam mixture is used as new hybrid fuel for boilers and power plants.

17. A fuel saving system wherein bunker-steam is used as new hybrid fuel or boilers, heater and power plants.