Demisting Flame Arrestor for an Electrolytic Hydrogen Generator

Abstract

A demisting flame arrestor provides a border between an electrolytic reaction vessel and an intake manifold of an engine, and includes a composite material having hydrophilic zones and hydrophobic zones constructed to form multiple pathways for permitting gaseous flow. The hydrophilic zones promote trapping and condensation of water vapor and in the event of fire disperse flame into the multiple pathways to arrest the flame front. The hydrophobic zones repel condensed water to return the water to the reaction vessel through force of gravity.

1 . A demisting flame arrestor, comprising:
 a composite material having hydrophilic zones and hydrophobic zones;   multiple pathways constructed through the hydrophilic zones and hydrophobic zones for permitting gaseous flow; and   the hydrophilic zones configured to disperse flame into the multiple pathways and to promote trapping and condensation of water vapor.   
     
     
         2 . The demisting flame arrestor of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophilic zones and hydrophobic zones are evenly distributed throughout the composite material. 
     
     
         3 . The demisting flame arrestor of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophilic zones comprise a structural base containing the hydrophobic zones. 
     
     
         4 . The demisting flame arrestor of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophobic zones comprise a structural base containing the hydrophilic zones. 
     
     
         5 . The demisting flame arrestor of  claim 1  wherein the composite material has a gradual distribution of hydrophobic zones from one end of the demisting flame arrestor to an opposite end of the demisting flame arrestor. 
     
     
         6 . The demisting flame arrestor of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophilic zones comprise metal and the hydrophobic zones comprise a polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The demisting flame arrestor of  claim 6  wherein the metal comprises nickel and the polymer comprises Teflon. 
     
     
         8 . The demisting flame arrestor of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophilic zones comprise nickel mesh and the hydrophobic zones comprise Teflon particles. 
     
     
         9 . A method for manufacturing a demisting flame arrestor, comprising:
 preparing an emulsion of polymer;   soaking a metal mesh in the emulsion;   removing the metal mesh from the emulsion;   draining the metal mesh;   applying heat to the metal mesh to sinter the polymer onto the metal mesh; and   compressing the sintered metal mesh into a desired form.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the metal mesh comprises nickel and the polymer comprises Teflon.