Hyperbaric Fuel System Dissolving Hydrogen in Liquid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydrogen fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines are inefficient in delivering optimal amounts of hydrogen to the combustion chamber, leading to significant losses and impracticality for on-road applications due to air induction methods.

Innovation Solution

A hyperbaric fuel system that dissolves hydrogen gas in liquid fuel under pressure in a hyperbaric chamber, allowing it to attach to carbon molecules, which is then supplied to the engine, minimizing losses and enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If air induction methods are used to deliver hydrogen gas to the combustion chamber, then hydrogen delivery is attempted, but substantial quantities of hydrogen gas are lost and proper introduction of measured quantities is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen gas delivery quantityVSAvoidhydrogen gas loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of hydrogen from gas to dissolved state in liquid fuel, and changes the delivery pressure from atmospheric to hyperbaric conditions. This transformation allows precise control of hydrogen quantity delivered to the combustion chamber while eliminating gas loss through air induction systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces liquid fuel as an intermediary carrier for hydrogen transport. Hydrogen is dissolved in liquid fuel under hyperbaric pressure, allowing it to be delivered through the existing fuel injection system rather than through air induction pathways, thereby preventing hydrogen loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If hydrogen gas is injected into the moving fuel stream under pressure, then hydrogen delivery is attempted, but losses occur due to laminar airflow or cavitation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen gas deliveryVSAvoidhydrogen gas loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes hydrogen from a gas to be injected into the fuel stream to a dissolved state within the liquid fuel under hyperbaric pressure. This eliminates the problems of laminar airflow separation and cavitation that occur with gas injection into moving liquid streams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of hydrogen from gas to dissolved state in liquid fuel under high pressure. This phase change allows hydrogen to remain stable and attached to carbon molecules in the liquid fuel base, preventing loss during fuel pump operations and injection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

3Reliability

If a hyperbaric fuel system dissolves hydrogen gas in liquid fuel under pressure, then consistent hydrogen delivery is achieved and hydrogen gas loss is minimized, but system complexity increases with multiple chambers and hyperbaric equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen delivery consistencyVSAvoidhyperbaric chamber system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the liquid fuel serve multiple functions: as the fuel itself, as the solvent for hydrogen, as the transport medium, and as the delivery vehicle through the existing fuel injection system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate hydrogen storage and delivery infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing fuel injection system is utilized to deliver the hydrogenated fuel, making the system self-service for hydrogen delivery. The fuel pump and injection infrastructure already present in the vehicle are used to transport the hydrogen-containing fuel, eliminating the need for separate hydrogen injection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively reduces NOx, CO, and unburned hydrocarbon emissions while improving fossil fuel efficiency by ensuring consistent hydrogen delivery to the combustion chamber, reducing fuel consumption, and minimizing hydrogen gas loss.

Implementation Method 1

The system preferably includes a water reservoir and electrolysis device to generate the hydrogen gas.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

The system dissolves hydrogen gas in liquid gasoline or liquid diesel fuel under pressure, much like carbon dioxide is dissolved in liquid to make carbonated beverages. Under pressure, hydrogen gas dissolves, differentiates and attaches to carbon molecules in the liquid fuel base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure dissolution: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

Hydrogen is produced, compressed and delivered at predetermined pressures into the hyperbaric mixing chamber, which causes the hydrogen gas to compress and suspend in the fossil fuel.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3464866B1Hydrogenated liquid fuel production and hyperbaric fuel induction system for gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 SALUS ENERGY SOLUTIONS LP
  • EP3464866B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3464866B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A hyperbaric fuel system (10a, 10b) produces hydrogenated liquid fuel (30) for combustion reactions of compression or spark ignition engines and improves fossil fuel efficiency without requiring major changes to existing fuel systems. The hydrogenated liquid fuel (30) decreases the NOx, CO and unburned hydrocarbon particulate matter, and reduces the consumption of liquid fuel (26). The systems produces hydrogen gas (18) and dissolves the hydrogen gas (18) in the liquid fuel (26) using several chambers, including a hyperbaric mixing chamber (58), between the liquid fuel supply and a fuel pump (28) supplying the hydrogenated liquid fuel (30) to fuel injectors (40). Unused hydrogen gas (18) and hydrogenated liquid fuel (30) is recirculated to minimize loss of efficiency. The system preferably includes a water reservoir and electrolysis device to generate the hydrogen gas.