Electrolyte Delivery System

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for providing electrolyte to an electrolysis cell for producing hydrogen gas to inject into the intake of an internal combustion engine. The system includes an electrolysis cell having an electrolyte input port, an electrolyte output port and at least one working gas output port. The electrolyte output port communicates with a storage reservoir. A coolant liquid conduit is in thermal communication with the electrolyte solution and in fluid communication with a portion of the engine coolant system in which the coolant liquid has been heated by the engine when the engine is running. To heat up the electrolyte solution and improve the efficiency of electrolysis, the heated liquid coolant is diverted from the engine coolant system and circulated through the heating system to transfer heat to the liquid containing the electrolyte. In freezing temperatures the heated liquid coolant may also be diverted from the engine coolant system and circulated through the distilled water store to thaw the water used to replenish the electrolyte solution.

1 . An electrolyte supply system for supplying a liquid containing an electrolyte to at least one electrolysis cell providing hydrogen gas to a combustion engine having an engine coolant system for circulating a coolant liquid, comprising at least one coolant liquid conduit in thermal communication with the liquid containing the electrolyte and in fluid communication with a portion of the engine coolant system in which the coolant liquid has been heated by the engine when the engine is running, whereby the heated liquid coolant is diverted from the engine coolant system and circulated through the heating system to transfer heat to the liquid containing the electrolyte. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the supply system comprises at least one storage reservoir, for storing a supply of the liquid containing the electrolyte. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the liquid in the storage reservoir is water. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the liquid in the storage reservoir is electrolyte solution. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  comprising at least one water store for containing a supply of water to replenish the electrolyte solution, the heating system being in thermal communication with the water in the at least one water store. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  comprising a coolant diversion valve, for selectively diverting the heated liquid coolant in the heating system between the liquid in the storage reservoir and the liquid in the water store. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein a controller actuates the coolant diversion valve based on a temperature of the electrolyte solution or a temperature of the water, or both. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  comprising heating system shutoff valve, for selectively blocking the coolant liquid from the heating system. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein a controller closes the heating system shutoff valve when the electrolyte solution and the water have each reached a respective preset temperature and when the system is deactivated. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heating system liquid conduit comprises tubing. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the heating system liquid conduit is integrated into the storage reservoir. 
   
   
       12 . A method for pre-heating a liquid containing an electrolyte for supplying the electrolyte to at least one electrolysis cell providing hydrogen gas to a combustion engine, the engine having an engine coolant system for circulating a liquid coolant, comprising the steps of:
 a. diverting liquid coolant from a portion of the engine coolant system in which the liquid coolant has been heated by the engine when the engine is running, and   b. bringing the heated liquid coolant into thermal communication with the liquid containing the electrolyte.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  comprising, at any time, the step of storing the liquid containing the electrolyte in at least one storage reservoir. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the storage reservoir contains water. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the storage reservoir contains electrolyte solution. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  comprising, at any time, the step of storing a supply of water to replenish the electrolyte solution, the heating system being in thermal communication with the water. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  comprising, at any time, the step of selectively diverting the heated liquid coolant in the heating system between the storage reservoir and the water store. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of selectively diverting the heated liquid coolant is performed selectively based on a temperature of the electrolyte solution or a temperature of the water, or both. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12  comprising the step of blocking the coolant liquid from the heating system when the system is deactivated. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12  comprising the step of blocking the coolant liquid from the heating system when the electrolyte solution the water have each reached a respective preset temperature. 
   
   
       21 . An electrolyte supply system for supplying a liquid containing an electrolyte to at least one electrolysis cell providing hydrogen gas to a combustion engine having an engine coolant system for circulating a coolant liquid, comprising at least one coolant liquid conduit in thermal communication with a store of water for replenishing liquid containing the electrolyte and in fluid communication with a portion of the engine coolant system in which the coolant liquid has been heated by the engine when the engine is running, whereby the heated liquid coolant is diverted from the engine coolant system and circulated through the heating system to transfer heat to the water in the water store. 
   
   
       22 . The electrolyte supply system of  claim 21  further comprising a controller for diverting heated liquid coolant to the water in the water store when an ambient temperature is below a freezing temperature of the water. 
   
   
       23 . A method for heating a water store for replenishing an electrolyte solution for supply to at least one electrolysis cell providing hydrogen gas to a combustion engine, the engine having an engine coolant system for circulating a liquid coolant, comprising the steps of:
 a. diverting liquid coolant from a portion of the engine coolant system in which the liquid coolant has been heated by the engine when the engine is running, and   b. bringing the heated liquid coolant into thermal communication with the water in the water store.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the step of diverting the heated liquid coolant is performed when a temperature of the water in the water store is below a freezing temperature.