3. Theory of operation


Present Invention

The present invention relates to production of hydrogen gas by reacting aluminum with water in the presence of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. The process is carried out at room temperature and
produces lot of heat and hydrogen gas of high purity. The invention also relates to using a simple hydrogen generator which uses water and aluminum particles as fuel, and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as a catalyst. The aluminum used in the reaction comprises aluminum foil, electrical wire, beverage cans and other similar aluminum waste.

The catalyst is mixed with tap water in a proportion of about 225 g. per liter of water. The sodium hydroxide content of the catalytic solution is preferably about 18% by weight. The catalyst is not chemically consumed in the process.

A series of experiments were carried out to measure the volume of hydrogen gas produced in the reaction at room temperature of 21 degree C and an atmospheric pressure of 758 mm Hg. It was noticed that a typical reaction with less than 5 grams of loosely crumpled aluminum foil, is complete in less than 5 minutes. The results of these experiments are shown in Table.

Exp.(#)
Al (g.)
H2(l)
H2(l)(STP)
H2(l)
Theo- retical
Yield (%)
Deviation
(+/- %)
1 2.08 2.94 2.71 2.59 104 2.6
2 2.03 2.85 2.62 2.53 104 2.6
3 2.21 3.05 2.81 2.75 102 2.5
4 2.16 2.9 2.67 2.69 99 2.6
5 2.2 3.04 2.8 2.74 102 2.5
6 2.21 3.04 2.8 2.76 102 2.5
7 0.73 1.03 0.94 0.91 103 2.4
8 0.83 1.15 1.05 1.03 102 2.2
Ave.     102 2.47    

The reaction yields a net maximum heat production during hydrogen generation of 195.6 kCal/mole. A further 204.9 kCal/mole will be released if the hydrogen is burned with oxygen. 51% of the reaction energy is used to form hydrogen gas and 49% goes into the production of heat.

Watch video of hydrogen generation demo using lye and aluminim foil*
*requires Apple Quicktime

Mixture of water (H20) and Sodium Hydroxide are added to reaction tank then aluminum is added to start releasing hydrogen and heat. Since top of reaction tank is closed, hydrogen gas travels through outlet line into the water lock, water lock is added as a safety feature to lower the possibilty of an explosion should an engine backfire occur. It also filters the hydrogen gas to help remove sodium hydroxide  vapors. Most cars and trucks have aluminum engine components and since we know it will dissolve aluminum this would not be good to get inside of engine parts. Then the hydrogen gas enters the inlet side of the airfilter housing where it will be drawn in and burned by the combustion process.

cutting the pipe
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