Internal combustion engine/water source system
First Claim
1. An internal combustion engine (ICE)/water source system comprising:
- (a) an ICE assembly including an ICE and an exhaust duct for flowing exhaust gases from said ICE; and
,(b) a water source assembly for providing liquid water, said water source assembly comprising;
(i) a compressor fluidly connected to said exhaust duct, said compressor adapted for receiving exhaust gases from said exhaust duct and compressing them to a predetermined pressure value, said predetermined pressure value being substantially greater than the pressure inside said exhaust duct;
(ii) a condenser fluidly connected to said compressor, said condenser adapted for receiving compressed gases from said compressor and cooling them to below a dew point to induce condensation of liquid water therefrom;
(iii) a reservoir fluidly connected to said condenser and adapted for receiving and collecting liquid water therefrom;
(iv) a backpressure device fluidly connected to said reservoir and adapted for releasing excess compressed gases; and
wherein said ICE assembly further includes a coolant system having a flow of liquid coolant maintained by a thermostatic valve at a temperature between about 10 degrees Centigrade and about 50 degrees Centigrade; and
at least one of said compressor, said condenser and said reservoir is in a good thermal communication with said flow of liquid coolant.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An internal combustion engine system for automotive vehicle wherein liquid water is produced by cooling a portion of exhaust gases at elevated pressure to induce condensation. The use of elevated pressure allows condensation to occur at a higher dew point which is easier to realize with cooling by ambient air. Liquid water condensate is collected and provided to an electrolytic cell for electrolysis into gaseous hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen gas generated by the cell is used by the internal combustion engine to reduce internal combustion engine wear and to reduce exhaust pollutants especially during start-up. Alternate uses of the liquid water include a replenishment of engine coolant and window washing fluid.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An internal combustion engine (ICE)/water source system comprising:
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(a) an ICE assembly including an ICE and an exhaust duct for flowing exhaust gases from said ICE; and
,(b) a water source assembly for providing liquid water, said water source assembly comprising; (i) a compressor fluidly connected to said exhaust duct, said compressor adapted for receiving exhaust gases from said exhaust duct and compressing them to a predetermined pressure value, said predetermined pressure value being substantially greater than the pressure inside said exhaust duct; (ii) a condenser fluidly connected to said compressor, said condenser adapted for receiving compressed gases from said compressor and cooling them to below a dew point to induce condensation of liquid water therefrom; (iii) a reservoir fluidly connected to said condenser and adapted for receiving and collecting liquid water therefrom; (iv) a backpressure device fluidly connected to said reservoir and adapted for releasing excess compressed gases; and wherein said ICE assembly further includes a coolant system having a flow of liquid coolant maintained by a thermostatic valve at a temperature between about 10 degrees Centigrade and about 50 degrees Centigrade; and
at least one of said compressor, said condenser and said reservoir is in a good thermal communication with said flow of liquid coolant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An internal combustion engine (ICE)/water source system comprising:
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(a) an ICE assembly including an ICE, an exhaust manifold for flowing exhaust gases at manifold pressure from said ICE, and a turbocharger fluidly connected to said exhaust manifold and receiving therefrom exhaust gases at about said manifold pressure; and
,(b) a water source assembly for providing liquid water, said water source assembly comprising; (i) a condenser fluidly connected to said exhaust manifold upstream of said turbocharger, said condenser adapted for receiving exhaust gases at about said manifold pressure from said exhaust manifold and cooling them to below a dew point to induce condensation of liquid water therefrom; (ii) a reservoir fluidly connected to said condenser and adapted for receiving and collecting liquid water therefrom; and (iii) a backpressure device fluidly connected to said reservoir and adapted for releasing excess gases from said reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for producing liquid water from exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a turbocharger comprising the steps of:
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a. operating an ICE to generate exhaust gas stream feeding said turbocharger; b. operating said turbocharger; c. separating a portion of said exhaust gas stream feeding said turbocharger to form a process stream; d. cooling said process stream to induce condensation of liquid water therein; and e. collecting said liquid water. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification