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DE-102024003709-A1 - Method and apparatus for using water as fuel

DE102024003709A1DE 102024003709 A1DE102024003709 A1DE 102024003709A1DE-102024003709-A1

Abstract

Method for using water (H2O) as fuel or additive fuel for thermal processes and power engines, comprising a combustion chamber (1) in which a temperature so high (approx. 3000 degrees C) is generated that water decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen and/or oxyhydrogen gas (HHO) and with which water is continuously supplied to maintain the process.

Inventors

  • Erfinder gleich Anmelder

Assignees

  • Thomas Patzer

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241113

Claims (9)

  1. Method for using water (H2O) as fuel or additive fuel for thermal processes and power engines, characterized by a combustion chamber (1) in which a temperature so high (approx. 3000 degrees C) is generated that water decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen and/or oxyhydrogen gas (HHO) and by the continuous supply of water to maintain the process.
  2. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the decomposition of water serves to form oxyhydrogen gas.
  3. Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that oxyhydrogen gas is used to generate the temperature in the combustion chamber (1) and to initiate and/or maintain the decomposition of water.
  4. Combustion chamber for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by inlets for oxyhydrogen gas and water, by an ignition device and by an outlet of the combustion product.
  5. combustion chamber after Claim 4 , characterized in that the inlets for oxyhydrogen gas and water are combined to form an inlet channel (4) and that the inner end of the channel is designed as an annular nozzle (3) whose cross-section is adjustable by means of a movable nozzle head (7).
  6. Combustion chamber according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an annular body (8) is installed within the combustion chamber (1), the inner shell of which together with a conical extension of the nozzle head (7) forms an annular combustion chamber (9).
  7. Combustion chamber according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner shell of the ring body (8) tapers from the ring nozzle (3) and has an ignition device (2) in the region of its end.
  8. Combustion chamber according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet of the combustion products is arranged on the end of the combustion chamber (1) facing away from the inlet channel (4) and is designed as an annular gap (11).
  9. Combustion chamber according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the annular gap (11) is controlled by an adjusting body (5) whose internal shape is adapted to the flows in the combustion chamber (1) and in the annular gap (11).

Description

The invention relates to a method and a combustion chamber for using water as fuel for thermal processes in power engines. It is known that water (H2O) also has an energy content. To make this energy usable, H2O is split into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). This is done by introducing energy, either electrically (electrolysis) or thermally. The resulting H2 gas can then be reacted with O2, mostly from the ambient air, to release the contained energy. This can be done either in a fuel cell (electrical energy) or by combustion (thermal energy). Current methods for splitting H₂O do not achieve efficiencies close to 100%, meaning that significantly more energy must always be supplied than can be gained in the subsequent reaction. The losses are primarily thermal in nature. If the energy is to be used directly for thermal purposes, separating the gases is unnecessary, resulting in a stoichiometric gas mixture known as hydrogen oxyhydrogen (HHO). However, this mixture is highly unstable and explosive, making safe storage extremely difficult. HHO is used as a fuel gas because its flame temperature is around 3000°C and it emits very little radiant heat, allowing for very precise application. (See application information on the Wikipedia article.) Currently, there is no process or technology to use H2O directly as fuel, so the energy contained in the water can only be used with the help of several processes with efficiencies of a maximum of 80% (alkaline electrolysis). Since lines of action multiply, this is not feasible with the most efficient methods currently available. The object of the invention is to eliminate the described disadvantages and to provide a method and a combustion chamber in which water can be provided as fuel. The object of the invention is solved by a combustion chamber in which temperatures so high (approx. 3000 degrees Celsius) are generated that water decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen and/or oxyhydrogen gas is produced, and by continuously supplying water to maintain the process. The processes of splitting and utilization must take place within the same system. The device consists of a high-temperature combustion chamber with a special combustion chamber geometry, an initiation system (HHO ring nozzle + ignition device), a control/regulation of the fuel supply (H2O) and the control/regulation of the exhaust annular gap - usable energy (e.g. thrust). HHO gas is introduced into the combustion chamber via the annular nozzle and ignited by means of the ignition device. A stable, funnel-shaped flame is formed. The fuel supply is opened slightly at the center, and H₂O is injected in a ring shape into the funnel flame. It is crucial that the amount of energy introduced by the HHO during the heating phase is always significantly greater than the amount required to heat the injected mass of H₂O to 3000°C. The injected water vaporizes as it passes through the funnel flame, flows through the vortex channels, and heats the entire combustion chamber. The cooled, but still hot, water vapor passes outside the funnel flame. Due to its higher density, inertia drives it into the exhaust opening (annular gap). Once the combustion chamber reaches its maximum heat capacity, the heating steam maintains its temperature and, as it passes through the vortex channels, decomposes into H2 and O2, thus forming HHO itself. This ignites at the funnel flame, triggering a chain reaction which, as long as H2O is continuously supplied, will not cease. Pure HHO combustion (without generation) has an efficiency close to 100%, since 100% combustion is guaranteed with the stoichiometric mixture and there are virtually no losses due to radiant heat. The lower heating value of H2 is 33.33 kWh/kg. One kg of H2O contains 110g of H2. This means that one kg of H2O has an energy content of 3.6663 kWh. The thermal decomposition (decomposition) of water begins at a temperature of 1700°C and occurs reliably at a temperature of 2500°C. To heat one kilogram of water (H₂O) to a temperature of 3000°C, at which 100% decomposition is guaranteed, 8.5 megajoules are required. 8.5 MJ is equivalent to 2.36 kWh. This makes it possible to use water (H2O) as fuel with a calorific value of 1.3 kWh. Therefore, if the overall efficiency of the process chain is above 64.4%, no additional energy is required. Due to the high temperatures of 3000°C, a material must be chosen whose melting point is significantly above 3000°C, such as tantalum hafnium carbide with a melting point of 4215°C. For safety reasons, the controls and regulators should be equipped with spring mechanisms so that in case of overload the fuel supply is automatically closed or the annular gap of the outlet is opened further. This new technology can either be used to drive turbines for electricity generation or directly as a thruster to generate thrust. The development of this system as a thrust jet engine for maritime applications would result in a propulsion system that can only be used