GB2607288A - Method and means for increasing the efficiency of an internal combustion engine - Google Patents
Method and means for increasing the efficiency of an internal combustion engine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2607288A GB2607288A GB2107624.5A GB202107624A GB2607288A GB 2607288 A GB2607288 A GB 2607288A GB 202107624 A GB202107624 A GB 202107624A GB 2607288 A GB2607288 A GB 2607288A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- cell
- combustion engine
- internal combustion
- chamber
- electrolysis cell
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 title claims description 20
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 6
- 238000005868 electrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000008151 electrolyte solution Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 9
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 abstract description 9
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 9
- KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M Potassium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[K+] KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- MWUXSHHQAYIFBG-UHFFFAOYSA-N nitrogen oxide Inorganic materials O=[N] MWUXSHHQAYIFBG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 2
- MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dioxygen Chemical compound O=O MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B43/00—Engines characterised by operating on gaseous fuels; Plants including such engines
- F02B43/10—Engines or plants characterised by use of other specific gases, e.g. acetylene, oxyhydrogen
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
- C25B1/01—Products
- C25B1/02—Hydrogen or oxygen
- C25B1/04—Hydrogen or oxygen by electrolysis of water
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
- C25B15/08—Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
- C25B15/087—Recycling of electrolyte to electrochemical cell
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
- C25B9/01—Electrolytic cells characterised by shape or form
- C25B9/015—Cylindrical cells
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
- C25B9/17—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof
- C25B9/19—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof with diaphragms
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M25/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture
- F02M25/10—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture adding acetylene, non-waterborne hydrogen, non-airborne oxygen, or ozone
- F02M25/12—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture adding acetylene, non-waterborne hydrogen, non-airborne oxygen, or ozone the apparatus having means for generating such gases
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B43/00—Engines characterised by operating on gaseous fuels; Plants including such engines
- F02B43/10—Engines or plants characterised by use of other specific gases, e.g. acetylene, oxyhydrogen
- F02B2043/106—Hydrogen obtained by electrolysis
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S123/00—Internal-combustion engines
- Y10S123/12—Hydrogen
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
- Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
An electrolysis cell 13, eg to be connected to an i.c. engine to improve its efficiency and reduce its emissions, comprises an elongated positive electrode (anode) 15 contained within a membrane tube 16, the wall of the cell 13 acting as the negative electrode (cathode). The electrolysis cell 13 may be a vertically extending cylindrical chamber having a lower inlet for the electrolyte, eg dilute potassium hydroxide solution, supplied via a hose 12 from an electrolyte container 10, and an upper outlet for flow of hydrogen through tubes 17 to the engine. An electrolyte return pipe 14 may extend from a midpoint of the cell chamber 13 back to the container 10. The anode 15 may be held in place by a fastener 18 connected either to a hose for the transfer of oxygen to the engine, or to a vent to allow the escape of oxygen. In a modification (fig.3), the cell 13 is located within the electrolyte container 10.
Description
METHOD AND MEANS FOR INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF
AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and means for increasing the efficiency of an internal combustion engine by producing pure hydrogen and pure oxygen independently of each other from a single electrolysis cell.
The objects of the present invention include the provision of an improved method and means for improving the efficiency of an internal combustion engine and, at the same time, providing environmental benefits.
Summary of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of improving the efficiency of an internal combustion engine which includes positioning an eiectrolysis cell adjacent the engine, the electrolysis cell including an elongated positive electrode contained within a membrane tube and in which the wall of the cell acts as the negative electrode.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrolysis cell that can be positioned, in use, adjacent an internal combustion engine or can be used for other purposes, the electrolysis cell including an elongated positive electrode contained within a membrane tube, and in which the wall of the cell acts as the negative electrode.
The electrolysis cell preferably includes a chamber in which an electrolyte solution is contained, there being an inlet at the bottom of the housing for the introduction of the electrolyte into the chamber and an outlet near the top of the chamber for the flow of hydrogen to the combustion engine.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a first embodiment of an electrolysis cell in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of an electrolysis cell in accordance with the present invention, and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a third embodiment of an electrolysis cell in accordance with the present invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The electrolysis cell shown in Figure 1 includes an electrolyte container 10 at the top of which there is a removable cap 11. The container 10 is connected by flexible pipes 12 to the lower ends of a pair of vertically extending cylindrical chambers 13. Pipes 14 extend from adjacent the midpoints of the chambers 13 back to the container 10 for the return flow of the electrolyte solution to the container 10. The electrolyte solution is typically dilute potassium hydroxide solution.
Each chamber 13 contains a vertical positive electrode 15 contained within a synthetic membrane tube 16 and the wall of each chamber 13 acts as a negative electrode resulting in the flow of hydrogen from the interior of the housing 10 through tubes 17 to an internal combustion engine (not shown) for the addition of the hydrogen generated in the cell to the fuel being supplied, in operation, to the internal combustion engine.
Each positive electrode 15 extends downwardly from the top of its respective chamber 13 and is held in position by means of a fastener 18 which is either connected to a hose 19 for the transfer of the oxygen generated during an electrolysis operation or is formed with a vent to 5 allow the escape of oxygen generated during an electrolysis operation to the atmosphere. Thus, as oxygen is generated during operation of the electrolysis cell, it will be kept within the confines of the chambers 13 and will rise to the surface of the electrolyte solution within the chambers 13. It will then exit either through the hose 19 for collection 10 and use or through the vents in the fasteners 18 into the atmosphere.
Thus, during the operation of an internal combustion engine adjacent to which the electrolysis cell is located, a battery (not shown) which supplies power to the internal combustion engine also serves to apply a voltage difference to the two electrodes so as to generate oxygen which will flow either to be used or collected for other applications or will flow into the atmosphere -with environmental benefits -and hydrogen which will be supplied to the internal combustion engine, thereby improving the efficiency of the engine and reducing the emission of obnoxious exhaust gases such as nitrogen oxides.
The electrolysis cell shown in Figure 2 includes a single vertically extending cylindrical chamber 13 to which electrolyte solution, typically dilute potassium hydroxide solution, is supplied via a pipe 12 from a container 10 and returned via a pipe 14. The chamber 13 contains a vertical positive electrode 15 contained within a synthetic membrane tube 16 and the wall of the chamber 13 acts as a negative electrode resulting in the flow of hydrogen from the interior of the chamber 13 through a tube 17 to an internal combustion engine (not shown) for the addition of the hydrogen generated in the cell to the fuel being supplied, in operation, to the internal combustion engine.
In operation, hydrogen is formed in the chamber 13 from which it travels via the tube 17 to the internal combustion engine (not shown). At the same time, oxygen is being formed in the chamber 13 and flows upwardly and is collected via a hose 19 for other applications or is discharged into the atmosphere via a vent.
The embodiment shown in Figure 3 operates in a similar way to that shown in Figure 2 but differs therefrom in that the chamber 13 is located within the container 10 and has an opening 20 adjacent its lower end for the flow of electrolyte solution into the chamber 13 and an opening 21 near its upper end for the flow of electrolyte solution out of the chamber 13. There is a hose 17 for the discharge of hydrogen to an appropriate recipient and a hose 19 for the discharge of oxygen to another recipient.
The present invention thus enables the internal combustion engine to operate more efficiently while having significant environmental benefits.
It will be appreciated that the electrolysis cell having the features 10 described above can be used for generating hydrogen and oxygen for any other purposes in addition to its use in improving the efficiency of an internal combustion engine.
Claims (3)
- Claims:- 1. A method of improving the efficiency of an internal combustion engine which includes positioning an electrolysis cell adjacent the engine, the electrolysis cell including an elongated positive electrode contained within a membrane tube and in which the wall of the cell acts as the negative electrode.
- 2. An electrolysis cell that can be positioned, in use, adjacent an internal combustion engine or can be used for other purposes, the electrolysis cell including an elongated positive electrode contained within a membrane tube, and in which the wall of the cell acts as the negative electrode.
- 3. An electrolysis cell as claimed in Claim 2, which includes a chamber in which an electrolyte solution is contained, there being an inlet at the bottom of the housing for the introduction of the electrolyte into the chamber and an outlet near the top of the chamber for the flow of hydrogen to the combustion engine.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2107624.5A GB2607288B (en) | 2021-05-28 | 2021-05-28 | Method and means for increasing the efficiency of an internal combustion engine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2107624.5A GB2607288B (en) | 2021-05-28 | 2021-05-28 | Method and means for increasing the efficiency of an internal combustion engine |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB202107624D0 GB202107624D0 (en) | 2021-07-14 |
| GB2607288A true GB2607288A (en) | 2022-12-07 |
| GB2607288B GB2607288B (en) | 2024-01-10 |
Family
ID=76741369
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2107624.5A Active GB2607288B (en) | 2021-05-28 | 2021-05-28 | Method and means for increasing the efficiency of an internal combustion engine |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2607288B (en) |
Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3980053A (en) * | 1974-07-03 | 1976-09-14 | Beeston Company Limited | Fuel supply apparatus for internal combustion engines |
| US3984303A (en) * | 1975-07-02 | 1976-10-05 | Diamond Shamrock Corporation | Membrane electrolytic cell with concentric electrodes |
| US5452688A (en) * | 1994-12-27 | 1995-09-26 | Rose; Hugh W. | Method and apparatus for enhancing combustion in internal combustion engines |
| US5783052A (en) * | 1996-03-11 | 1998-07-21 | Rscecat, Usa, Inc. | Electrochemical cell |
| WO1998058880A1 (en) * | 1997-06-25 | 1998-12-30 | Sterilox Technologies International Limited | Method and apparatus for the electrochemical treatment of water and aqueous salt solutions |
| WO2004076721A2 (en) * | 2003-02-21 | 2004-09-10 | Avalence Llc | Electrolyzer apparatus and method for hydrogen production |
| US20120012456A1 (en) * | 2010-07-18 | 2012-01-19 | Fletcher Darrel | Electrolytic cell |
| WO2013066331A2 (en) * | 2011-11-03 | 2013-05-10 | Avalence Llc | Method for controlling cell-presssure balance and separator liquid level in an electrolyzer and apparatus thereof |
-
2021
- 2021-05-28 GB GB2107624.5A patent/GB2607288B/en active Active
Patent Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3980053A (en) * | 1974-07-03 | 1976-09-14 | Beeston Company Limited | Fuel supply apparatus for internal combustion engines |
| US3984303A (en) * | 1975-07-02 | 1976-10-05 | Diamond Shamrock Corporation | Membrane electrolytic cell with concentric electrodes |
| US5452688A (en) * | 1994-12-27 | 1995-09-26 | Rose; Hugh W. | Method and apparatus for enhancing combustion in internal combustion engines |
| US5783052A (en) * | 1996-03-11 | 1998-07-21 | Rscecat, Usa, Inc. | Electrochemical cell |
| WO1998058880A1 (en) * | 1997-06-25 | 1998-12-30 | Sterilox Technologies International Limited | Method and apparatus for the electrochemical treatment of water and aqueous salt solutions |
| WO2004076721A2 (en) * | 2003-02-21 | 2004-09-10 | Avalence Llc | Electrolyzer apparatus and method for hydrogen production |
| US20120012456A1 (en) * | 2010-07-18 | 2012-01-19 | Fletcher Darrel | Electrolytic cell |
| WO2013066331A2 (en) * | 2011-11-03 | 2013-05-10 | Avalence Llc | Method for controlling cell-presssure balance and separator liquid level in an electrolyzer and apparatus thereof |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2607288B (en) | 2024-01-10 |
| GB202107624D0 (en) | 2021-07-14 |
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