Fuel system for internal combustion engine

Abstract

A fuel system is provided for generating hydrogen and oxygen for use in an internal combustion engine to improve combustion efficiency, horsepower, and torque and to decrease emissions. The fuel system has at least one electrolysis cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of an aqueous solution, a power source for providing electrical power to the electrolysis cell, and a heating and cooling system for maintaining the temperature of the electrolysis cell in a desired range to obtain the desired quantities of hydrogen and oxygen for operation of the internal combustion engine. The invention also includes an electrode array of a plurality of spaced apart electrodes for use in this fuel system and a nonconductive support connected to each of the electrodes to hold the electrodes in place, while leaving adequate room around the electrodes to allow free flow of the aqueous solution between the electrodes. High purity electrolyte and substantially non-reactive electrodes result in improved electrolysis.

1 . A system for generating hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of water, the system comprising 
 (a) an aqueous electrolyte solution;    (b) a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes, wherein the electrodes are comprised of substantially non-reactive materials, are at least partially submerged in the aqueous electrolyte solution, and are couplable to an electrical power source;    (c) a heat exchanger configured for exchanging heat with the aqueous electrolyte solution for maintaining the aqueous electrolyte solution in a selected temperature range, wherein the heat exchanger is couplable to a heating and cooling system; and    (d) a sealable housing for receiving the aqueous electrolyte solution, the plurality of spaced apart electrodes, and the heat exchanger, wherein the sealable housing comprises an outlet port.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous electrolyte solution comprises an acid, a base, a salt, or mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the aqueous electrolyte solution comprises a base.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the base comprises about 15% to about 45% by weight of a metal hydroxide.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the base comprises about 25% to about 35% by weight of metal hydroxide.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein metal hydroxide comprises potassium hydroxide.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the aqueous electrolyte solution further comprises about 5% to about 10% by weight of hydrogen peroxide.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous electrolyte solution is least about 80% pure.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the aqueous electrolyte solution is at least about 90% pure.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the aqueous electrolyte solution is at least about 99% pure.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of spaced-apart electrodes are comprised of stainless steel.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises a pressure release mechanism.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heating and cooling system comprises coolant from the engine.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heat exchanger contacts the aqueous electrolyte solution.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heat exchanger exchanges heat with the housing, which in turn exchanges heat with the aqueous electrolyte solution.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heating and cooling system comprises a manual controller.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heating and cooling system comprises an automatic controller.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a device for measuring aqueous electrolyte solution levels in the housing.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous electrolyte solution comprises distilled water.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of spaced-apart electrodes are configured for permitting circulation of aqueous electrolyte solution therethrough.  
   
   
       21 . An electrode array for use in a fuel system comprising an electrolysis cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases from an aqueous electrolyte solution, the electrode array comprising: 
 (a) multiple electrodes configured in a spaced-apart relationship for permitting free circulation of the aqueous electrolyte solution between the multiple electrodes while being close enough to each other to generate hydrogen and oxygen gas by electrolysis of the aqueous electrolyte solution upon application of electrical power to the multiple electrodes; and    (b) a nonconductive support upon which the multiple electrodes are disposed for holding the multiple electrodes in place.    
   
   
       22 . The electrode array of  claim 21  wherein the multiple electrodes comprise concentric metal cylinders.  
   
   
       23 . The electrode array of  claim 21  further comprising a container in which the electrode array and the aqueous electrolyte solution are disposed.  
   
   
       24 . The electrode array of  claim 23  wherein the aqueous electrolyte solution comprises a mixture of distilled water and at least about 90% pure acid, base, salt, or mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       25 . The electrode array of  claim 24  wherein the aqueous electrolyte solution comprises a mixture of distilled water and at least about 99% pure acid, base, salt, or mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       26 . The electrode array of  claim 24  wherein the aqueous electrolyte system further comprises hydrogen peroxide.  
   
   
       27 . The electrode array of  claim 23  wherein the multiple electrodes and container comprise substantially non-reactive materials.  
   
   
       28 . A fuel system for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases by electrolysis of water for supplement a hydrocarbon fuel of an internal combustion engine, the system comprising 
 (a) an aqueous electrolyte solution;    (b) a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes, wherein the electrodes are comprised of substantially non-reactive materials and are at least partially submerged in the aqueous electrolyte solution;    (c) an electrical power source coupled to the plurality of spaced-apart electrodes;    (d) a heat exchanger configured for exchanging heat with the aqueous electrolyte solution for maintaining the aqueous electrolyte solution in a selected temperature range, wherein the heat exchanger is couplable to a heating and cooling system;    (e) a sealable housing for receiving the aqueous electrolyte solution, the plurality of spaced apart electrodes, and the heat exchanger, wherein the sealable housing comprises an outlet port; and    (f) a tube coupled to the outlet port and the internal combustion engine for conducting the hydrogen and oxygen gases to the internal combustion engine for mixing with the hydrocarbon fuel.    
   
   
       29 . A fuel system comprising an electrolysis cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases from an aqueous electrolyte solution, the fuel system comprising: 
 (a) multiple electrodes configured in a spaced-apart relationship for permitting free circulation of the aqueous electrolyte solution between the multiple electrodes while being close enough to each other to generate hydrogen and oxygen gas by electrolysis of the aqueous electrolyte solution upon application of electrical power to the multiple electrodes, wherein the multiple electrodes comprise a substantially nonreactive material and are couplable to an electrical power source;    (b) a nonconductive support upon which the multiple electrodes are disposed for holding the multiple electrodes in place;    (c) a container comprising a substantially nonreactive material for holding the multiple electrodes and support; and    (d) the aqueous electrolyte solution comprises a high purity base, acid, salt, or mixture thereof.    
   
   
       30 . The fuel system of  claim 29  wherein the container is sealable to prevent contamination from entering therein.