System and Method for Hydrogen-Assisted Cold Starting of An Engine

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for providing hydrogen gas to inject into the intake of an internal combustion engine. A hydrogen storage reservoir in communication with the gas output port stores a supply of hydrogen, and a hydrogen storage release valve retains the hydrogen in the storage reservoir and selectively releases hydrogen from the storage reservoir when the engine is started. In the preferred embodiment the system comprises an electrolysis cell that produces hydrogen when the engine is warm, and hydrogen is released from the storage reservoir when the system is active but the electrolysis cell is not producing hydrogen.

1 . A hydrogen delivery system for supplying hydrogen to a combustion engine, comprising a hydrogen storage reservoir in communication with an input port of the engine, for storing a supply of hydrogen, and a hydrogen storage release valve for retaining hydrogen in the storage reservoir and selectively releasing hydrogen from the storage reservoir when the engine is started. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  comprising an electrolysis cell having at least one electrolyte input port, at least one electrolyte output port, an electrolyte circulating system for replenishing electrolyte in the electrolysis cell, and at least one gas output port for supplying hydrogen under pressure to the storage reservoir. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the hydrogen storage release valve selectively releases hydrogen from the storage reservoir when the electrolysis cell is not producing hydrogen 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2  comprising a check valve preventing hydrogen from flowing from the hydrogen storage reservoir to the gas output port. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the hydrogen storage release valve is opened responsive to a temperature of electrolyte being below a threshold temperature or a pressure of hydrogen in the system being below a threshold pressure. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising a hydrogen regulator valve in communication with the gas output port, for regulating a delivery of hydrogen from the system. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the hydrogen regulator valve is in communication with the hydrogen output port through a separator for separating electrolyte solution from the hydrogen. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the electrolysis cell supplies substantially pure hydrogen from the gas output port. 
   
   
       9 . A method of supplying hydrogen to an engine, comprising the steps of:
 a. storing hydrogen in a storage reservoir;   b. closing the storage reservoir to retain the hydrogen; and   c. opening the storage reservoir to deliver stored hydrogen to the engine when the engine is started.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising: before step a., the step of producing hydrogen in an electrolysis cell; while the electrolysis cell is producing hydrogen, the step of delivering the hydrogen to the engine and to the storage reservoir; and during step b., the step of closing the hydrogen storage reservoir to store the hydrogen when the electrolysis cell is deactivated. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein step c. is performed when the electrolysis cell is reactivated but before the electrolysis cell is producing substantial hydrogen. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  comprising, after step b, the step of detecting a temperature of electrolyte, wherein the storage reservoir is opened responsive to the temperature of electrolyte being below a threshold temperature. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  comprising, after step b., the step of detecting a pressure of hydrogen in the system, wherein the storage reservoir is opened responsive to the pressure of hydrogen in the system being below a threshold pressure. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein hydrogen is delivered to the engine through a hydrogen regulator valve in communication with a gas output port of the electrolysis cell. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  comprising, before step a., the step of separating electrolyte solution from the hydrogen. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising, before step b., the steps of separating oxygen from the hydrogen, and circulating electrolyte using a pressure of the oxygen. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising, at any time, the steps of detecting a pressure of the oxygen and releasing the oxygen from the system as required to maintain a pressure of the oxygen lower than a pressure of the hydrogen. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of separating the oxygen from the hydrogen takes place in the electrolysis cell. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the electrolysis cell supplies substantially pure hydrogen from the gas output port.