WO2014072990A1

WO2014072990A1 - Hydrogen generating system for an internal combustion engine

Info

Publication number: WO2014072990A1
Application number: PCT/IN2013/000275
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sunil Shinde
Original assignee: Sunil Shinde
Priority date: 2012-11-07
Filing date: 2013-04-23
Publication date: 2014-05-15
Also published as: AU2013101077A4

Abstract

A hydrogen generating system on board a vehicle supplementing a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen to the air intake of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is provided. The system operates only when the engine is ON and hydrogen is produced in a reaction container containing an electrolyte solution and a plurality of electrodes. A 3V DC supply is provided to the electrodes by a power converter, wherein a rare earth magnet is used with the electrodes. The generated gas is filtered by a gas filter and is further supplied to the engine by a supply means. The system utilizes ceramic filters to prevent backfire in the system, thus safely generating hydrogen, which reduces carbon emissions from the engine and increases efficiency when provided to the engine.

Description

HYDROGEN GENERATING SYSTEM

FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen generating system for an internal combustion engine.

BACKGROUND

Fuel economy has become an extremely important area of concern because of the rising fuel prices and the need to cut our carbon footprints. Fuel economy is directly related to CO₂ and hydrocarbon emissions because improper combustion of fuel leads to an increased level of emission and decreased efficiency of an internal combustion engine.

Hydrogen gas in combination with oxygen gas is generally utilized for enhancement of fuel combustion in internal combustion engines. Hydrogen gas is used as a fuel while oxygen gas is used as a booster for efficient combustion of hydrocarbon fuel. Generally, predetermined amounts of hydrogen and oxygen are mixed with the normal intake of air and gasoline mixture to improve combustion since nearly twice as much air for a given amount of fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. Conventionally, a hydrogen generating system generates hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of water.

Electrolysis is a method of using a direct current (DC) to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction. Electrolysis of water is the decomposition of water (H₂0) into oxygen gas (0₂) and hydrogen gas (H₂) by passing an electric current through water. An electric power supply may be provided by a battery of 12V which is associated with the system or a vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine. The electric power supply is connected to the electrodes of an electrolysis unit. Hydrogen appears at the cathode (the negatively charged electrode), and oxygen appears at the anode (the positively charged electrode). Electrolysis of distilled water requires excess energy, without excess energy the electrolysis of pure water occurs very slowly or not at all. The efficiency of electrolysis is increased by addition of an electrolyte (such as a salt, an acid or a base).

Conventional systems use pre-determined concentrations of electrolytes mixed in water. Such systems draw a current in the range of 30 amperes to 40 amperes, thereby increasing the load on the vehicle battery and reducing the life of the vehicle battery. Moreover, due to the intake of such high current from the battery, the temperature of water in the electrolysis unit increases up to 60-70 degrees Celsius, thus large volumes of water get converted into steam. Due to an increase in the temperature of water, the electrolysis unit gets heated, making it necessary to cool the electrolysis unit at regular time intervals. With the rise in temperature, the color of water gradually changes thereby necessitating replacement of water at short intervals of time. Moreover, in conventional hydrogen generating systems there is a lack of sufficient safety features which may lead to backfire in the system.

Thus there is felt a need for a system that can efficiently and safely generate hydrogen on board a vehicle at low power conditions. There is felt a need for a system that effectively enhances the combustion of fuel in internal combustion engines and decreases fuel consumption. There is also felt a need for a system that can reduce CO2 emissions and hydrocarbon emissions from internal combustion engines. OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure which at least one embodiment is adapted to provide, are described herein below:

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an efficient hydrogen generating system for an internal combustion engine.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a simple and economic process for generation of hydrogen and oxygen gas.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a hydrogen generating system for an internal combustion engine operating at 3 V DC power supply.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to reduce the load on the battery of a vehicle.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to increase the efficiency of an internal combustion engine.

Further, an object of the present disclosure is to provide safe and secure hydrogen generating system for an internal combustion engine.

Still further, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a hydrogen generating system capable of operating without making any modification to the internal combustion engine. Yet another object of the present disclosure is to reduce exhaust emissions from

i

an internal combustion engine.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to reduce the fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent_, from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a Hydrogen Generating System for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the system comprises:

• a system activation module configured to selectively activate the system, the system activation module comprises:

^■ a sensor for detecting the operation of the internal combustion engine;

^■ a power converter electrically coupled to a battery of the vehicle to generate a pre-defined DC power supply based on the detected operation of the internal combustion engine;

• a reaction container containing an electrolyte solution of a predetermined concentration and configured to generate hydrogen and oxygen, the container comprising:

^■ a plurality Of electrodes disposed within the electrolyte solution and receiving the generated pre-defined DC power supply, wherein each electrode comprises at least two holes; and

^■ a rare earth magnet inserted into at least one of the holes; • a gas filter connected to the reaction container, the gas filter is configured to filter hydrogen and oxygen generated in the reaction container;

• a supply means coupled to the gas filter and is configured to supply generated hydrogen and oxygen to the internal combustion engine;

• a first ceramic filter coupled to the supply means; and

• a second ceramic filter coupled between the gas filter and the reaction container.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the plurality of electrodes receives 3V DC supply.

Typically, the electrolyte solution consists of potassium hydroxide (KOH) in a pre-determined concentration ranging between 50 grams - 300 grams in half a litre of distilled water, based on the capacity of the internal combustion engine.

Typically, the plurality of electrodes draws current in a pre-determined range of 3 amperes - 13 amperes.

Typically, the plurality of electrodes comprises at least five cathodes and at least five anodes arranged 10mm apart.

Typically, the plurality of electrodes is at least one selected from the group comprising stainless steel, platinum and titanium.

Typically, each electrode is a square plate of length ranging between 50 mm - 300 mm, preferably 150mm X 150mm and arranged 1mm apart from each other. Typically, the rare earth magnet has a magnetic field of at least 3 Gs.

Typically, the first ceramic filter and the second ceramic filter comprises a gas passage passing through a filter section having at least two porous and aerial ceramic filter walls arranged 12mm apart from each other.

Typically, the first ceramic filter and the second ceramic filter are made up of at least one material selected from the group comprising inorganic, non-metallic, crystalline oxide, nitride and carbide. ^■

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The hydrogen generating system of the present disclosure will now be explained in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a system for generating hydrogen and oxygen in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGURE 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an electrode utilized in the hydrogen generating system of Figure 1; and

FIGURE 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a ceramic filter utilized in the hydrogen generating system of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The hydrogen generating system of the present disclosure will now be described with the embodiments which do, not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration. The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The present disclosure envisages a system which generates hydrogen and oxygen gas on board a vehicle by electrolysis of water. The generated gas is filtered and is further supplied to an internal combustion engine of the vehicle along with a hydrocarbon fuel. When the gaseous hydrogen and oxygen are mixed and combusted with the hydrocarbon fuel, the gaseous hydrogen enhances the flame velocity and permits the engine to operate with leaner fuel mixtures, thereby increasing the efficiency of the engine and reducing harmful gas emissions from the engine.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a system for generating hydrogen in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in figure 1, a system 100 comprises: - a reaction container 102;

a gas filter 106;

a system activation module 120;

a battery 110;

a power converter circuit 108;

a sensor 122;

a first ceramic filter 116; a second ceramic filter 114; and

a supply means 118.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the battery 110, typically rated 12V, is utilized in the system for the electrolysis of water. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery 110 is the battery associated with the internal combustion engine. The power converter 108 is connected with the battery 110 to step down DC voltage of 12 V to at least 3 V. In one embodiment, the power supplied to the reaction container is adjustable over the range of 12V to 3V. The power converter 108 in combination with the sensor 122 constitutes the system activation module 120, which selectively provides an electric power to the reaction container 102. The sensor 122 detects the operation of the engine and generates an activating signal corresponding to the detected operation of the engine. Based on the generated activating signal, the stepped down voltage of 3V is further supplied to the reaction container 102 by the power converter 108.

The reaction container 102 comprises at least ten electrodes 112, of which at least, five are negative electrodes (cathode) and at least five are positive electrodes (anode). The cathodes and anodes are immersed in an electrolyte solution 104 consisting of distilled water and an electrolyte in a pre-determined concentration. In one embodiment, the electrolyte is potassium hydroxide (KOH) mixed with water in a pre-determined concentration depending on the capacity of the engine. The cathodes and anodes are arranged in such a way that there is a gap of 10mm between each set of cathodes and anodes. Moreover, •between each plate of cathode and anode there is a gap of 1mm. In accordance with the present disclosure, the electrodes are typically square in shape having a length ranging between 50mm - 300mm, preferably 150mm. A direct current (DC) is passed through the electrolyte, thus producing hydrogen and oxygen. The generated mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is filtered by the gas filter 106 and then provided to the engine of the vehicle through the supply means 118. Hydrogen is not stored in the system and is produced only when the engine is running. The first ceramic filter 116 is coupled to the supply means 118 to prevent backfire from the engine as hydrogen and oxygen mixture is highly inflammable. The second ceramic filter 114 is coupled to a tube connecting the gas filter 106 and the reaction container 102.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an electrode utilized in one embodiment of the hydrogen generating system of Figure 1. As illustrated, the electrode 200 is preferably a square plate of dimensions 150mm X 150mm, which provides an optimum rate of gas production. The square plate comprises four apertures, aperture A, aperture B, aperture C and aperture D. The apertures A and B have a diameter of 10mm, while apertures C and D have a diameter of 6.2mm. At least one aperture, from aperture A and aperture B, is utilized to hold a permanent magnet, wherein the permanent magnet is a rare earth magnet of 3 Gs. The magnet decreases the energy required for dissociation of water and enhances electrolysis of water.

The square plate is made of at least one material selected from the group comprising stainless steel, platinum, titanium and the like. In one embodiment, the square plate is made of stainless steel. The apertures C and D are utilized to connect the electrode 200 to an electric power supply.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a ceramic filter utilized in one embodiment of the hydrogen generating system of Figure 1. As illustrated, the ceramic filter 300 comprises gas passages 302 and 310 which allow the flow of the generated hydrogen and oxygen. The gas passages at both the ends of the filter 300 are 25mm in length. The gas, through the gas passage 302, passes through the ceramic filter walls 306 and 308 which are 12mm apart from each other. The ceramic filter walls 306 and 308 are housed in a PVC pipe 304. The ceramic filter walls 306 and 308 are 25mm in length and 30mm in diameter. The ceramic filter walls are typically made of material comprising inorganic, non-metallic, crystalline oxide, nitride and carbide. The generated gas enters through the gas passage 302, passes through the pores of the ceramic material of the ceramic filter wall 306 and 308 and flows out to the supply means 118 (shown in Figure 1) by the gas passage 310. The ceramic filter walls 306 and 308 allow the generated gas to pass though the pores but fire is prevented by the pores of the walls from travelling from one end of the filter to the other end.

The system as envisaged by the present disclosure provides a uniform flow of gas to the internal combustion engine. The system reduces the load on the vehicle battery by utilizing only a 3 V DC supply. Since the system operates on low voltage DC supply, the temperature of the distilled water used in the electrolyte solution does not increase and is maintained at room temperature. Moreover, due to the flow of a low amount of current in the system, the color of water does not change, thereby reducing the necessity of adding or replacing the water before 10000km. The system provides a safety feature for the vehicle by using ceramic filters that prevent backfire and also the system operates only when the engine is ON. The system is cost effective and easy to install as it does not require any changes to be made in the vehicle.

TEST DATA

The system of the present disclosure is evaluated for the amount of gas generated and the current drawn by the electrodes. The amount of KOH added was varied from 100 gram to 300 gram per half a liter of distilled water. The results are provided herein below in Table 1. Table 1

The amount of KOH added in distilled water depends on the engine capacity i.e., the displacement of the engine of a vehicle. Typically, for a 1.6L and 1.2L engine, 100 gram of KOH was added in distilled water. For an engine of capacity 3L, 200 gram of KOH was added. For engines of capacity 3L - 6L, 300 gram of KOH was added.

The system as envisaged by the present disclosure effectively reduces carbon emissions (CO level) and hydrocarbon emissions (HC level) from the engine of a vehicle. A test report of a prototype of a Hydrogen generating system of the present disclosure is provided herein below in Table 2 and Table 3.

Type of vehicle: 4wheeler

Type of fuel used by the vehicle: Petrol

Engine Stroke: 4-stroke Table 2

Type of vehicle: 4wheeler

Type of fuel used by the vehicle: Diesel

Engine Stroke: 4-stroke

Table 3

The system as envisaged by the present disclosure effectively increases the efficiency of the engine when utilized in a vehicle. A test report of a prototype of a Hydrogen generating system of the present disclosure is provided herein below in Table 4. Table 4

ADVANCEMENTS AND ECONOMICAL

The technical advancements offered by the present disclosure include the realization of:

• a simple and economic process for generation of hydrogen gas;

• a hydrogen generator system for a vehicle utilizing only 3V DC power supply;

• a simple optimized hydrogen generator system for a vehicle;

• a reduced load on the battery of the vehicle;

• an increased efficiency of the engine of a vehicle by utilizing the generated hydrogen in complete combustion of the fuel and generated oxygen in reducing the noise of the engine;

• a safe and secure hydrogen generating system for a vehicle; • an efficient hydrogen generator system consuming less amperes of current and thus increasing the life of the vehicle battery; and

• a hydrogen generating system operating only when the engine is ON.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

Wherever a range of values is specified, a value up to 10% below and above the- lowest and highest numerical value respectively, of the specified range, is included in the scope of the disclosure.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

A hydrogen generating system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said system comprises:

• a system activation module configured to selectively activate the system, said system activation module comprises:

■ a sensor for detecting the operation of the internal combustion engine;

■ a power converter electrically coupled to a battery of the vehicle to generate a pre-defined DC power supply based on the detected operation of the internal combustion engine;

• a reaction container containing an electrolyte solution of a predetermined concentration and configured to generate hydrogen and oxygen, said container comprising:

■ a rare earth magnet inserted into at least one of said holes;

• a gas filter connected to said reaction container, said gas filter is configured to filter hydrogen and oxygen generated in said reaction container;

• a supply means coupled to said gas filter and is configured to supply generated hydrogen and oxygen to the internal combustion engine;

• a first ceramic filter coupled to said supply means; and

• a second ceramic filter coupled between said gas filter and said reaction container.

2. The hydrogen generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrolyte solution consists of potassium hydroxide ( OH) in a predetermined concentration ranging between 50 grams - 300 grams in half a litre of distilled water based on the capacity of the internal combustion engine.

3. The hydrogen generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes receives 3 V DC supply.

4. The hydrogen generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes draw current in a pre-determined range of 3 amperes - 13 amperes.

5. The hydrogen generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises at least five cathodes and at least five anodes arranged 10mm apart.

6. The hydrogen generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes is at least one selected from the group comprising stainless steel, platinum and titanium.

7. The hydrogen generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each electrode is a square plate of length ranging between 50 mm - 300 mm, preferably 150mm X 150mm and arranged 1mm apart from each other.

8. The hydrogen generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rare earth magnet has a magnetic field of at least 3 Gs.

9. The hydrogen generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first ceramic filter and the second ceramic filter comprises a gas passage, passing through a filter section having at least two porous and aerial ceramic filter walls arranged 12mm apart from each other.

10. The hydrogen generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first ceramic filter and the second ceramic filter are made up of at least one material selected from the group comprising inorganic, non-metallic, crystalline oxide, nitride and carbide.