Generation of high octane hydrogen gas from acetic acid

Abstract

A device and method for generation of high octane hydrogen gas from acetic acid includes providing an electrolysis unit having a cathode, an anode, neutral elements, gaskets, and an electrolyte including acetic acid; applying pulse-width-modulated power to the cathode and anode to produce hydrogen and oxygen gas from the electrolyte; transporting the gas and some of the electrolyte from the electrolysis unit to a reservoir; transporting the electrolyte in the reservoir back to the electrolysis unit, thereby reusing the electrolyte; refilling the reservoir with distilled water when the level of electrolyte in the reservoir is low; utilizing a condensate trap to dump water that condenses out of the gas in the reservoir; and transporting the gas in the condensate trap for use. The hydrogen and oxygen gas may be provided to the air intake of an engine.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Patent Application No. 61 / 224,194, filed Jul. 9, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to generation of hydrogen gas and more specifically to generation of high octane hydrogen gas from acetic acid.[0003]Existing internal combustion engines for automobiles may burn only 20% of the carbon in the gasoline or diesel fuel. Carbon is sent to a catalytic converter, which is wasteful, and produces emissions that include noxious gasses and green house gasses, such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (NO).[0004]The use of on-board electrolysis in producing small amounts of hydrogen and oxygen gasses into the air intake of an internal combustion engine may increase mileage and reduce emissions from the automobile.[0005]It would be therefore be desirable to have a device that may ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of producing a gas includes providing an electrolysis unit having a cathode, an anode, a neutral element between the cathode and anode, gaskets therebetween, and an electrolyte including acetic acid; applying pulse-width-modulated power to the cathode and anode to produce gas from the electrolyte, the gas substantially containing hydrogen and oxygen; transporting the gas and some

Problems solved by technology

Carbon is sent to a catalytic converter, which is wasteful, and produces emissions that include noxious gasses and green house gasses, such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (NO).

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