Gas generating apparatus

Abstract

A gas generating apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising a reactor including a housing, at least one anode and at least one cathode located within the housing, an electrolyte input and a gas output, wherein the at least one anode and the at least one cathode are electrically connected to an electrical energy source; the electrolyte input is adapted to provide in use a flow of electrolyte such that a substantially constant volume of electrolyte is maintained within the reactor; and the gas output is in fluid communication with an air inlet of the engine, whereby in use the electrolyte is broken down to a gas in the reactor and the product gas is supplied to the engine.

1 . A gas generating apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising a reactor including a housing, at least one anode and at least one cathode located within the housing, an electrolyte input and a gas output, wherein the at least one anode and the at least one cathode are electrically connected to an electrical energy source; the electrolyte input is adapted to provide in use a flow of electrolyte such that a substantially constant volume of electrolyte is maintained within the reactor; and the gas output is in fluid communication with an air inlet of the engine, whereby in use the electrolyte is broken down to a gas product in the reactor and the product gas is supplied to the engine. 
   
   
       2 . A gas generating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte input includes a pump to provide the flow of electrolyte into the reactor. 
   
   
       3 . A gas generating apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus further includes an electrolyte vessel located above the reactor, the electrolyte vessel being in fluid communication with the electrolyte input whereby the pump is a gravity pump. 
   
   
       4 . A gas generating apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the apparatus further includes an electrolyte reservoir in fluid communication with the electrolyte vessel, such that the electrolyte volume in the electrolyte vessel is maintained substantially constant. 
   
   
       5 . A gas generating apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the gas output is connected to the engine air inlet via the electrolyte vessel, whereby at least some of the electrolyte entrained within the gas flow from the reactor is returned to the electrolyte vessel. 
   
   
       6 . A gas generating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes a gas purifier located between the gas output and the engine air inlet, the gas purifier being capable of removing residual electrolyte from the gas product. 
   
   
       7 . A gas generating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes a cooling system capable of maintaining the temperature of the reactor within a desired range. 
   
   
       8 . A gas generating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes a controller which is adapted to energise the reactor only when the engine is running. 
   
   
       9 . A gas generating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte is water and the gas product comprises a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. 
   
   
       10 . A method of generating a combustion-enhancing gas for use in an internal combustion engine, the method including providing a flow of electrolyte to a gas generating apparatus according to  claim 1  and removing the gas product from the gas output. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the electrolyte is water and the combustion-enhancing gas comprises a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. 
   
   
       12 . A method of increasing the efficiency of an internal combustion engine, the method including generating a combustion-enhancing gas according to  claim 10  and introducing the gas into the air inlet of the engine.