Hydrogen Energy Systems

Abstract

A hydrogen energy system comprising galvanic hydrogen generators and hydrogen input manifolds for vehicle engines. The galvanic hydrogen generators generate hydrogen gas, magnesium hydroxide, and heat by the galvanic reaction of magnesium anodes with steel cathodes in salt water. Heat exchangers channel excess heat to a heat sink such as a thermocouple, Stirling engine, hot water system, etc. The hydrogen input manifold is bolted between the engine block and the air intake manifold of a gasoline or diesel engine. Hydrogen gas is injected into the hydrogen input manifold to provide supplementary fuel to the engine, lowering the amount of petroleum that is used.

1 ) A galvanic hydrogen generator system, relating to generating hydrogen gas from water, comprising: 
 a) at least one galvanic cell, comprising 
 i) at least one anode;  
 ii) at least one cathode; and  
 iii) at least one buffer having an electrochemical potential between said at least one anode and said at least one cathode;  
   b) at least one container, adapted to contain said at least one galvanic cell, comprising 
 i) volume in excess of five gallons,  
 ii) at least one construction seam,  
 iii) at least one hydrogen gas storage headspace, and  
 iv) at least one hydrogen gas release valve;  
   c) wherein said at least one construction seam is substantially permanently sealed;    d) wherein said at least one anode initially weighs at least about seven pounds; and    e) wherein said at least one container is adapted to hold at least one quantity of water sufficient relative to the quantity of said at least one anode to prevent overheating resulting in passivation of said at least one anode.    
   
   
       2 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one electrolyte comprising such at least one quantity of water.  
   
   
       3 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one electrolyte comprises at least one solution of about twenty percent sea salt in water, by weight.  
   
   
       4 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one anode, said at least one buffer, and said at least one cathode are electrically connected together by said at least one electrolyte.  
   
   
       5 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one container comprises said at least one cathode.  
   
   
       6 ) A galvanic hydrogen generator system, relating to generating hydrogen gas from water, comprising: 
 a) at least one galvanic hydrogen generator, comprising: 
 i) at least one anode;  
 ii) at least one container, adapted to contain said at least one anode, comprising 
 (1) volume in excess of three gallons,  
 (2) at least one cathode;  
 (3) at least one lid,  
 (4) at least one hydrogen gas storage headspace, and  
 (5) at least one hydrogen gas release valve;  
 
 iii) at least one buffer having an electrochemical potential between said at least one anode and said at least one cathode;  
 iv) at least one heat exchanger adapted to move heat from inside said at least one container to outside of said at least one container;  
 v) wherein said at least one anode initially weighs at least about one half pound;  
   b) at least one water tank adapted to receive heat from said at least one heat exchanger.    
   
   
       7 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 6 , further comprising at least one gas-burning water heater.  
   
   
       8 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 7 , further comprising at least one hydrogen supply tube adapted to supply hydrogen from said at least one container to said at least one gas-burning water heater.  
   
   
       9 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 8 , further comprising at least one hydrogen gas regulator adapted to regulate flow of hydrogen gas through said at least one hydrogen supply tube.  
   
   
       10 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 6 , further comprising at least one electrolyte comprising such at least one quantity of water.  
   
   
       11 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one electrolyte comprises at least one solution of about twenty percent sea salt in water, by weight.  
   
   
       12 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one anode, said at least one buffer, and said at least one cathode are electrically connected together by said at least one electrolyte.  
   
   
       13 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one container comprises at least one electrolyte drain.  
   
   
       14 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 13 , wherein said at least one anode is located above said at least one electrolyte drain.  
   
   
       15 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one anode comprises magnesium.  
   
   
       16 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one buffer comprises aluminum.  
   
   
       17 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one cathode comprises iron.  
   
   
       18 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one anode is substantially consumed within about one week.  
   
   
       19 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 6 , further comprising at least one hydrogen storage tank adapted to store hydrogen gas at pressures under about 400 pounds per square inch.  
   
   
       20 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 6 , further comprising at least one hydrogen leak sensor.  
   
   
       21 ) A galvanic hydrogen generator system, relating to generating hydrogen gas from water, comprising the steps of: 
 a) operating at least one galvanic hydrogen generator;    b) transferring heat from such at least one galvanic hydrogen generator to at least one quantity of water contained in at least one tank;    c) transferring heated water from such at least one tank to at least one clothes washing machine; and    d) replacing at least one old magnesium-containing anode of such at least one galvanic hydrogen generator with at least one new magnesium-containing anode.    
   
   
       22 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 21 , further comprising the step of burning hydrogen.  
   
   
       23 ) The galvanic hydrogen generator system, according to  claim 22 , further comprising the step of burning hydrogen in at least one water heater.