Method of and electrolytic-catalytic cell for improving the completion of combustion of oxygenated hydrocarbon fuels by chemically modifying the structure thereof including through developing hydroxyl ions therein

• US 5,154,807 A
• Filed: 12/30/1991
• Issued: 10/13/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology Academy of Military Medical Sciences PLA China
• Original Assignee: Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology Academy of Military Medical Sciences PLA China
• Inventors: Harvey, Draper M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Niebling, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): GORGOS, KATHRYN L
• Application Number:
  US07/814,764
• Time in Patent Office: 288 Days
• Field of Search: 204/101, 204/130, 204/131, 204/242, 204/272, 204/280, 204/292, 204/222, 204/212, 204/157.15, 204/157.52, 204/157.44, 429/17, 429/27, 429/68, 429/94, 123/538
• US Class Current: 205/688
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 1/023 for spark ignition

Abstract

A method and electrolytic catalytic cell that chemically modifies the structure of hydrocarbon fuels in which the cell is immersed, by electrochemical series potential, electrolytic cell and catalytic action of preferably a noble metal cathode and zinc anodic elements movably continually contacting and circulating the fuel, giving rise to evenness in ignition and completion of combustion with elimination of noxious by-products largely by combination with the hydroxyl ions formed by the catalytic action. Preferred helical-cathode and anode cell structures and other types of hydroxyl ion generators are described for scavenging also in post-combustion exhausts including industrial effluents.

Claims

1. In combination with a hydrocarbon fuel combustion system in which hydrocarbon fuel containing entrapped oxygen, hydrogen and water is supplied for combustion from a storage vessel containing the fuel, means immersed within the fuel in the vessel for converting oxygen and hydrogen in the fuel to at least one of hydroxyl ions and hydrogen oxides, said means comprising an electrochemical series potential cell having a cathodic element and a juxtaposed anodic element both in contact with the fuel and of different metals in the electrochemical series, electrolytically to operate the cell by inherently self-generated electrochemical series fractional to few volt potentials only.

2. An electrolytic-catalytic cell for hydrocarbon fuel having, in combination, a negative potential anodic element surrounded by a cathodic noble metal surface providing openings exposing the anodic element directly to the fuel.

3. An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cathodic surface comprises a helical winding element about the anodic element.

4. An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 3 and in which the anodic element comprises zinc.

5. An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 3 and in which the anodic element is of cylindrical form and the helical winding wraps around the anodic cylindrical element.

6. An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 5 and in which the anodic and cathodic elements are movably mounted within an apertured housing carrying one of a platinum-family surface and a steel surface.

7. An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 5 and in which the anodic element is provided separately of the cathodic helical winding element with ferrous metal means.

8. An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 7 and in which the ferrous metal means is carried by reduced diameter terminal extensions of the anodic element.

9. An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 7 and in which the ferrous metal means is carried in a groove in the anodic element.

10. An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 7 and in which the ferrous metal means are magnetized.

11. An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 5 and in which the anodic element is provided with grooves containing one or more of platinum-family and ferrous metal elements therein.

12. An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 11 and in which the helical winding is of silver surface.

13. An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 3 and in which platinum-family metal elements are provided at the ends of the anodic element external of the said helical winding element.

14. An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 2 and in which the anodic element is provided with ends at which insulating mounts are disposed.

15. A method of improving the substantial elimination of noxious emission by-products of combustion of oxygenated hydrocarbons, that comprises, supplying in at least one of pre- and post-combustion regions sufficient hydroxyl ions well distributed throughout such region substantially to scavenge the elements that generate such noxious emissions and thereby substantially eliminate said by-products.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 and in which said hydroxyl ion supplying is effected by electrolytic-catalytic action of juxtaposed immediately adjacent anodic and cathodic different electrochemical series potential metal electrode surfaces at such region.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15 and in which said hydroxyl ion supplying is effected post-combustion in a flue gas combustion process by injecting hydroxyl ions into the flue gas exhaust or effluent of such combustion process.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 and in which such hydroxyl ion injecting is effected at a plurality of successive locations in such exhaust or effluent.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17 and in which the injected hydroxyl ions are automatically controlled as needed in response to monitoring the properties of the exhaust of effluent.

20. A method as claimed in claim 17 and in which the hydroxyl ions are generated by reacting ultraviolet light with a mixture of oxygen and water.