Method and apparatus for producing combustible fluid

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing combustible fluid at an efficiency rate of above 65%. The apparatus 10 comprises an electrolysing cell 12 for electrolysing the aqueous electrolytic solution; a separator 16 where the combustible fluid and the solution is separated; a power supply 14 for supplying a DC voltage of from 1 V to 6 V; and a pump for circulating the solution through the apparatus 10. The electrolysing cell 12 includes a first electrode 18 and a second electrode 20 spaced from the first electrode 18 and a plurality of intermediate electrodes 22 disposed between the first and second electrodes 18 and 20 respectively. The power supply 14 applies the DC voltage across the electrodes 18, 20 and 22 to electrolyse the solution, while the solution is circulated through the apparatus 10.

1 . A method for the production of combustible fluid from an aqueous electrolytic solution including the steps of:
 providing an aqueous electrolytic solution;   providing an electrolysing cell having at least two spaced apart electrodes defining a passage between them; and   passing the solution along the passage whilst applying a DC voltage across the electrodes to electrolyse the solution, the voltage being in the range of from 1 V to 6 V.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the two spaced apart electrodes is a first outer electrode and a second inner electrode, and the method includes the further step of providing a plurality of intermediate electrodes disposed between the first and second electrodes, the arrangement being such that a plurality of passages, each having an inlet and an outlet, are defined between the electrodes, and the step of passing the solution along the passage may include the further step of passing the solution along the passages whilst applying the voltage across the electrodes. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of applying the DC voltage across the electrodes includes the step of applying the DC voltage in the range of from 2 V to 4 V across the electrodes. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein the step of applying the DC voltage across the electrodes includes the step of applying the DC voltage in the range of from 2.75 V to 3.25 V across the electrodes. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of applying the DC voltage across the electrodes include the further step of applying a pulsed DC voltage across the electrodes. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein the step of applying the pulsed DC voltage across the electrodes includes the further step of applying a pulsed DC voltage having a duty cycle of from 10% to 90% and a frequency of from 5 kHz to 20 kHz. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein the voltage is pulsed at a duty cycle of from 30% to 70%. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the voltage is pulsed at a duty cycle of from 40% to 60%. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein the voltage is pulsed at a frequency of from 10 kHz to 15 kHz. 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the voltage is pulsed at a frequency of 13 kHz. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the solution is passed continuously along the passages from the inlets to the outlets, by being pumped from the inlets, along the passage, to the outlets and back to the inlets via a separate passage. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the combustible fluid is produced on the surface of the electrodes and in between the electrodes in the passages between the electrodes, in the form of gas bubbles and the step of electrolysing the solution includes the further step of removing the gas bubbles from the surfaces of the electrodes and from the passages, and moving the bubbles towards the outlets of the passages by the stream of the solution flowing along the passages. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of providing the aqueous electrolytic solution includes the further step of providing a sodium hydroxide solution in water of from 1% to 5% on a mass per mass basis. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the step of providing the aqueous electrolytic solution includes the further step of providing a 3% sodium hydroxide solution in water. 
   
   
       15 . Apparatus for the production of combustible fluid from an aqueous electrolytic solution comprising:
 an electrolysing cell for electrolysing the aqueous electrolytic solution, the electrolysing cell having a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from the first electrode and a passage defined between the electrodes, the passage having an inlet and an outlet;   a circulating means for circulating the solution from the inlet, along the passage, to the outlet and back to the inlet via a separate passage; and   a power supply for applying a DC voltage across the electrodes to electrolyse the solution whilst passing along the passage, the voltage being in the range of from 1 V to 6 V.   
   
   
       16 . Apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the DC voltage applied across the electrodes is in the range of from 2 V to 4 V. 
   
   
       17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the DC voltage applied across the electrodes is in the range of from 2.75 V to 3.25 V. 
   
   
       18 . Apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the DC voltage applied across the electrodes is in the range of from 2.85 V to 2.95 V. 
   
   
       19 . Apparatus according to  claim 15  which includes a pulsing means for applying a pulsed voltage across the electrodes. 
   
   
       20 . Apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein the pulsing means is adapted to apply the pulsed DC voltage at a duty cycle of from 10% to 90% and a frequency of from 5 kHz to 20 kHz. 
   
   
       21 . Apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein the pulsing means is adapted to apply the pulsed DC voltage at a duty cycle of from 30% to 70%. 
   
   
       22 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the pulsing means is adapted to apply the pulsed DC voltage at a duty cycle of from 40% to 60%. 
   
   
       23 . Apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the pulsing means is adapted to apply the pulsed DC voltage at a duty cycle of from 10 kHz to 15 kHz. 
   
   
       24 . Apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the pulsing means is adapted to apply the pulsed DC voltage at a duty cycle of 13 kHz. 
   
   
       25 . Apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the electrolytic solution is in the form of a sodium hydroxide solution in water. 
   
   
       26 . Apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein the electrolytic solution is a sodium hydroxide solution in water of from 1% to 5% on a mass per mass basis. 
   
   
       27 . Apparatus according to  claim 26  wherein the electrolytic solution is a 3% sodium hydroxide solution in water. 
   
   
       28 . Apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the electrodes are tubular and elongate and are arranged concentrically with each other, with the first electrode being an outer electrode and the second electrode being an inner electrode disposed within the outer electrode. 
   
   
       29 . Apparatus according to  claim 28  wherein a plurality of intermediate tubular concentrically arranged electrodes are disposed between the first and second electrodes, the arrangement being such that a plurality of passages, each having an inlet and an outlet, and along which the solution is circulated, are defined between adjacent electrodes. 
   
   
       30 . Apparatus according to  claim 29  wherein the longitudinal axes of the electrodes extend vertically so that the passages also extend vertically and the inlets are provided towards the lower end of the electrolysing cell and the outlets are provided towards the upper end of the electrolysing cell. 
   
   
       31 . Apparatus according to  claim 30  wherein the inlet of each of the passages is defined by the lower ends of the electrodes and the outlet of each of the passages is defined by the upper ends of the electrodes. 
   
   
       32 . Apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein opposite ends of the electrodes are interposed between isolators. 
   
   
       33 . Apparatus according to  claim 32  wherein the electrodes are further electrically connected to two conductors, the arrangement being such that the electrodes are connected in a parallel configuration in that every second electrode is connected to an upper conductor, which is electrically connected to one pole of the power supply and the other electrodes are connected to a lower conductor, which is electrically connected to an opposite pole of the power supply. 
   
   
       34 . Apparatus according to  claim 32  wherein the electrodes are connected in a series configuration with the plurality of intermediate tubular concentrically arranged electrodes being floating electrodes disposed between the first and second electrodes, with the first electrode having an opposite polarity to the second electrode. 
   
   
       35 . Apparatus according to  claim 29  wherein the spacing between the electrodes is from 1 mm to 8 mm. 
   
   
       36 . Apparatus according to  claim 34  wherein, in the case where the electrodes are connected in the parallel configuration, the spacing between the electrodes is the same between all adjacent electrodes. 
   
   
       37 . Apparatus according to  claim 34  wherein, in the case where the electrodes are in the series configuration, the spacing between adjacent electrodes increases radially outwardly. 
   
   
       38 . Apparatus according to  claim 28  wherein the electrodes are made of grade 316 stainless steel and the first outer electrode has an opposite polarity to the second inner electrode. 
   
   
       39 . Apparatus according to  claim 29  wherein the electrolysing cell is completely filled with the aqueous electrolytic solution, such that the electrodes are submerged in the solution. 
   
   
       40 . Apparatus according to  claim 39  wherein the circulating means is in the form of a pump and which continuously pumps the solution in an upwardly direction from the lower inlet of the passages to the upper outlet thereof and back to the lower inlet via the separate passage. 
   
   
       41 . An internal combustion engine used in conjunction with an apparatus according to  claim 15 . 
   
   
       42 . A fuel cell used in conjunction with an apparatus according to  claim 15 . 
   
   
       43 . A cutting torch used in conjunction with an apparatus according to  claim 15 . 
   
   
       44 . A welding torch used in conjunction with an apparatus according to  claim 15 . 
   
   
       45 . A method for the production of combustible fluid from an aqueous electrolytic solution substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
   
   
       46 . (canceled)