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US5154807A
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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
Assignee: Academy of Applied Science Inc
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Filing: 1991-12-30
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Granted: 1992-10-13
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Expires: 2011-12-30
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Draper M. Harvey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:51
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L1/00; C10L1/02; C10L1/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cathodic surface comprises a helical winding element about the anodic element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 3 and in which the anodic element comprises zinc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
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.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
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.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
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.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 7 and in which the ferrous metal means are magnetized.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
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.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrolytic-catalytic cell as claimed in claim 11 and in which the helical winding is of silver surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
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.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
52 words
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.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
52 words
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.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
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.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
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.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
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.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
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.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-13 | 1996-04-13 | 1996-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-13 | 2000-04-13 | 2000-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-13 | 2004-04-13 | 2004-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |