Hydrogen engine

• US 4,622,924 A
• Filed: 06/20/1983
• Issued: 11/18/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William N. Lewis
• Original Assignee: William N. Lewis
• Inventors: Lewis, William N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Application Number:
  US06/505,781
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 123/1 A, 123/3, 123/DIG. 12, 123/196 AB, 60/649, 423/648 R, 423/657, 423/658, 423/652, 423/650
• US Class Current: 123/3
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/042 Decomposition of water
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 123/12 Hydrogen

Abstract

Hydrogen and oxygen are dissociated from water by converting water to steam and contacting the steam with resin or oil. Hydrogen is fed as it is dissociated into an internal combustion engine for combustion.

Claims

1. A gas generation process comprising the steps of forming a stream of steam at a temperature of between 500°

F. and 900°

F. and passing the stream through a body of oil or resin whereupon the stream of steam is at least partially dissociated into hydrogen and oxygen.

2. The gas generation process of claim 1 wherein the stream of steam is passed through a body of gum resin.

3. The gas generation process of claim 1 wherein the stream of steam is passed through a body of pine resin.

4. A power generation process comprising the steps of forming a stream of steam at a temperature of between 500°

F. and 900°

F.;

contacting the stream with resin or oil whereupon hydrogen is dissociated from oxygen; and

igniting the hydrogen.

5. The power generation process of claim 4 where the stream of steam is passed through a body of resin.

6. The power generation process of claim 4 wherein the stream of steam is passed through a body of oil.

7. The power generation process of claim 4 wherein the hydrogen is ignited in an internal combustion engine.

8. A power generation process wherein hydrogen is generated and used as engine fuel at substantially the same rates of generation and fuel utilization so that storage may be substantially avoided, and with said process comprising the steps of introducing water into a hydrogen-oxygen dissociation apparatus through valve means controlled by an engine throttle, dissociating hydrogen and oxygen in the dissociation apparatus by vaporizing the water to stream at a temperature of between 500°

F. and 900°

F. and contacting the steam with oil or resin, and feeding the hydrogen as it is generated into the engine for combustion therein.

9. Apparatus for dissociating hydrogen and oxygen comprising a chamber housing oil or resin;

conduit means passing through said chamber through which hot gases may be passed to heat said oil or resin;

a first pipe in communicatioon with a water tank and thermally coupled and communicating with said chamber, said first pipe containing a mass of particulates into which water may be fed and phase-changed into steam upon contact with particulates that have been heated by thermal conduction from said chamber and the steam passed into the chamber and into contact with the oil or resin; and

a second pipe communicating with said chamber through which hydrogen and oxygen dissociated from steam contacted with said oil or resin within said chamber may be conveyed out of said chamber.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 cherein said pipe is convoluted about said dissociation chamber.