ELECTROLYSIS HEATING SYSTEM

Abstract

An electrolysis heating system includes: A) a generator containing distilled water and connected to a direct electrical current power supply unit for creating a gas electrolytic dissociation; B) a duct conveying the gas from the generator to a first sparger containing distilled water and provided with a replenishment duct for maintaining the level of distilled water; C) a duct conveying the gas to a second sparger containing distilled water; D) a duct conveying the gas from the second sparger to a safety solenoid valve; E) ducts conveying the gas from a safety filter towards a final duct; F) tangential fans along the path of the ducts; G) check valves between the tangential fans and the safety filter; H) a final duct conveying the gas towards an appliance; I) a pressure sensor monitoring outflow pressure; J) a temperature sensor monitoring outflow temperature; K) a control unit with a microprocessor/display.

Claims

1. Electrolysis heating system, comprising: A) one generator (10) consisting of a container suitable to contain a predetermined amount of distilled water (H2O), obtained with at least one pair of metal layers intervalled by at least one layer made of common insulating material, said generator (10) being connected to an electrical current supply unit (11) suitable to provide a direct electrical current to dissociate the distilled water (H2O) contained in said generator, through an electrolytic dissociation process, creating a gas consisting of a hydrogen and oxygen mixture (HHO); B) at least one first sparger (20) suitable to contain a predetermined amount of distilled water (H2O), provided with at least one replenishment duct (14) suitable to convey part of the distilled water (H2O) contained in said first sparger (20) towards said generator (10) maintaining the mutual filling level constant; C) at least one duct (15) for the outflow of gas (HHO) suitable to convey a predetermined amount of gas (HHO) from an outflow nozzle (12) of said generator (10) to a site of said first sparger (20), said site being arranged beneath the level of said distilled water (H2O); D) at least one second sparger (30) suitable to contain a predetermined amount of distilled water (H2O), connected to said first sparger (20) through a duct (22) for the outflow of the gas (HHO) suitable to convey a predetermined amount of gas (HHO) from an outflow nozzle (21) of said first sparger (20) to a site of said second sparger (30), said site being arranged below the level of said distilled water (H2O); E) at least one duct (32) for the outflow of gas (HHO) suitable to convey a predetermined amount of gas (HHO) from an outflow nozzle (31) of said second sparger (30) to a common safety solenoid valve (40) suitable to prevent the backflow of said gas (HHO) following an inverse path with respect to the pre-set one; F) at least one pair of ducts (45-45) suitable to convey a predetermined amount of gas (HHO) from said safety solenoid valve (40) to a safety filter (65) through which said gas (HHO) reaches at least one final duct (61); said safety filter (65) being suitable to prevent any possible backflow of the gas (HHO) into the ducts upstream; G) at least one pair of tangential fans (50-50), connected to a corresponding pair of motors (55-55), arranged along the path of said pair of ducts (45-45), suitable to modulate and quickenin a predetermined fashionthe flow of said gas (HHO) through said ducts (45-45); H) at least one pair of check valves (60-60) arranged along the path of said pair of ducts (45-45) between said tangential fans (50-50) and said safety filter (65); I) at least one final duct (61) suitable to convey the flow of said gas (HHO) contained in said pair of ducts (45-45) towards any appliance (100); J) at least one pressure sensor (70) arranged at least at said final duct (61), suitable to monitor the values regarding the pressure of the outflowing gas (HHO); K) at least one temperature sensor (75) arranged at least at said final duct (61), suitable to monitor the temperature of the outflowing gas (HHO); L) at least one control unit (80) provided with a microprocessor (90), suitable to monitor the data coming from said pressure sensors (70) and said temperature sensors (75) and suitable to manageaccording to pre-set parametersthe switching of the system ON and OFF, the replenishment of the distilled water (H2O) through said replenishment duct (14), the electrical power of said supply unit (11), said safety solenoid valve (40) and said motors (55-55) of said tangential fans (50-50); said control unit (80) also being suitable to monitor the correct operation of said check valves (60-60), of said safety filter (65) and any other component of said system; M) at least one display (81) suitable to serve as a communication interface between said control unit (80) and a user designated to check the operation; said display (81) enabling the display of possible error, malfunction or failure messages and enabling setting the required system operating parameters.

2. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 1, wherein said appliance (100) is a common gas boiler with a combustion chamber (150) provided with a coil (130) arranged at the upper part and with a plurality of flames (120) supplied with LPG or methane gas arranged at the lower part of said combustion chamber (150), said appliance (100) being provided with a plurality of nozzles (110), connected to said final duct (61), suitable to introduce a predetermined amount of said gas (HHO) towards said flames (120), determining the combustion of said gas (HHO) and the ensuing heating of the water contained in said coil (130).

3. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 2, wherein said appliance (100) is provided with a common pyrometric sensor (140) arranged inside said combustion chamber (150) suitable to monitor the combustion of said gas (HHO) and thus automatically adjust the flow of said gas (HHO) through said nozzles 110) to maintain the thermal power within the pre-set safety parameters; said pyrometric sensor (140) being placed in data communication with said control unit (80).

4. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 1, further comprising a water distiller connected at least to said generator (10), suitable to provide the required amount of distilled water (H2O) to the system; the activation and deactivation of said distiller being managed by said control unit (80).

5. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 1, further comprising a tank for distilled water (H2O) suitable to replenish the distilled water (H2O) in said generator (10) according to parameters pre-set and managed by said control unit (80).

6. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 1, further comprising at least one further sparger installed in succession after said second sparger (30), suitable to contain a predetermined amount of distilled water (H2O), connected to said second sparger (30) through a duct for the outflow of the gas (HHO) suitable to convey a predetermined amount of gas (HHO) from an outflow nozzle (31) of said second sparger (30) to a site of said further sparger, said site being arranged below the level of said distilled water (H2O).

7. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of generators (10) arranged adjacent to each other and connected to the direct electrical current power supply unit (11).

8. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 1, wherein said control unit (80) is suitable to be connected to a common electronic device remotely positioned for the communication of possible error, malfunction or failure messages and to enable the switching ON/OFF of the system by entering pre-set safety codes.

9. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 1, wherein said control unit (80) is provided with a timer suitable to enable a user to set a determined time for automatically switching the system ON/OFF.

10. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 1, wherein the system can be installed on any new or existent appliance (100) supplied with LPG or methane gas.

11. The electrolysis heating system of claim 1, wherein: the appliance is a common gas boiler; the at least one pressure sensor is a plurality of pressure sensors; and the at least one temperature sensor is a plurality of temperature sensors arranged at all the ducts of the system;

12. The electrolysis heating system of claim 4, wherein the water distiller is also connected to the spargers.

13. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 2, further comprising a water distiller connected at least to said generator (10), suitable to provide the required amount of distilled water (H2O) to the system; the activation and deactivation of said distiller being managed by said control unit (80).

14. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 3, further comprising a water distiller connected at least to said generator (10), suitable to provide the required amount of distilled water (H2O) to the system; the activation and deactivation of said distiller being managed by said control unit (80).

15. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 2, further comprising a tank for distilled water (H2O) suitable to replenish the distilled water (H2O) in said generator (10) according to parameters pre-set and managed by said control unit (80).

16. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 3, further comprising a tank for distilled water (H2O) suitable to replenish the distilled water (H2O) in said generator (10) according to parameters pre-set and managed by said control unit (80).

17. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 4, further comprising a tank for distilled water (H2O) suitable to replenish the distilled water (H2O) in said generator (10) according to parameters pre-set and managed by said control unit (80).

18. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 2, further comprising at least one further sparger installed in succession after said second sparger (30), suitable to contain a predetermined amount of distilled water (H2O), connected to said second sparger (30) through a duct for the outflow of the gas (HHO) suitable to convey a predetermined amount of gas (HHO) from an outflow nozzle (31) of said second sparger (30) to a site of said further sparger, said site being arranged below the level of said distilled water (H2O).

19. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 3, further comprising at least one further sparger installed in succession after said second sparger (30), suitable to contain a predetermined amount of distilled water (H2O), connected to said second sparger (30) through a duct for the outflow of the gas (HHO) suitable to convey a predetermined amount of gas (HHO) from an outflow nozzle (31) of said second sparger (30) to a site of said further sparger, said site being arranged below the level of said distilled water (H2O).

20. Electrolysis heating system, according to claim 4, further comprising at least one further sparger installed in succession after said second sparger (30), suitable to contain a predetermined amount of distilled water (H2O), connected to said second sparger (30) through a duct for the outflow of the gas (HHO) suitable to convey a predetermined amount of gas (HHO) from an outflow nozzle (31) of said second sparger (30) to a site of said further sparger, said site being arranged below the level of said distilled water (H2O).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] The invention will be described hereinafter in at least one preferred embodiment, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an operating diagram of a heating system according to the present invention. In particular, this figure shows the system upstream of the appliance 100, represented more in detail in the subsequent figure. It is clear that a plurality of appliances 100, all symbolically represented by the small cube bearing the reference number 100, can be connected to the present system. Furthermore, on the top left there is shown a diagram of the control and management unit 80 which constantly verifies the correct operation of the entire system.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows an example of one of the possible appliances 100 consisting of a gas boiler commonly used for domestic heating. The combustion chamber 150 is characterised by a coil 130 overlying a plurality of flames 120 fed with gas. The nozzles 110, represented on the right and left side of the boiler, are suitable to blow the hydrogen and oxygen mixture on said flames 120, causing a combustion that heats the water flowing in the coil 130.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the system subject of the present invention in a microalgae industrial cultivation plant. In this case, the appliance 100 consists of boilers which heat the water for cultivating the micro-organisms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Now, the present invention will be illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the figures illustrating some embodiments regarding the present inventive concept.

[0038] With reference to FIG. 3 there is shown an operating diagram of a microalgae industrial cultivation plant, in which the required heating of cultivation water is supplied by the system subject of the present invention.

[0039] The system, suitably dimensioned depending on the capacity of the system, is used for heating the water of the containers in which the chlorophyll function is carried out. As a matter of fact, the water used in the photosynthesis process requires a constant temperature at around 30 C.

[0040] The aforementioned system also has a medium or high enthalpy geothermal system for producing the electrical energy required for the photosynthesis of the omega 3 uni-cellular algae. This produced electrical energy falls within the context of lighting installations in which the result of the light spectrum is identified as very close to the solar one. This characteristic benefits the coefficient of efficiency of the chlorophyll function. The artificial lighting and heating of the greenhouses make the plant fully independent.

[0041] Furthermore, in the step of transforming the oil for propulsion or for the production of products for the pharmaceutical industry, electrical and thermal energy is also integrated with the CO.sub.2 production plant required to complete chlorophyll photosynthesis. Lastly, the integrated system makes the conditioning and energy supply process of the system independent.

[0042] Furthermore, thanks to the use of the present invention to obtain the correct heating of the culture water, the emissions are also extensively reduced in that they substantially consist of water vapour.

[0043] With reference to FIG. 1, there is schematically shown the operation of the heating system which also consists of, among the various components, a plurality of components suitable to make the system safe albeit the use of hydrogen which, as known, is highly flammable and potentially hazardous.

[0044] In order to meet all necessary requirements and achieve the advantages indicated in the present patent, said system should at least consist of: [0045] A) a generator 10, or a container of distilled water (H2O), obtained using at least one pair of metal layers intervalled by at least one layer of a common insulating material. It is connected to an electrical current power supply unit 11 for carrying out an electrolytic dissociation process, creating a gas consisting of a hydrogen and oxygen mixture (HHO); [0046] B) a first sparger 20 also containing a predetermined amount of distilled water (H2O) and provided with at least one replenishment duct 14 suitable to convey part of the distilled water (H2O) contained therein towards said generator 10 so as to keep the mutual filling level constant; [0047] C) a duct 15 for the outflow of the gas (HHO) connecting said generator 10 to said first sparger 20 conveying a predetermined amount of gas (HHO) from an outflow nozzle 12 of said generator 10 to a submerged point of said first sparger 20; [0048] D) a second sparger 30, entirely similar to said first sparger 20, containing distilled water (H2O) and connected to said first sparger 20 through a duct 22 for the outflow of the gas (HHO) suitable to convey a predetermined amount of gas (HHO) from an outflow nozzle 21 of said first sparger 20 to a submerged point of said second sparger 30, [0049] E) a duct 32 for the outflow of the gas (HHO) suitable to convey said gas (HHO) from an outflow nozzle 31 of said second sparger 30 to a safety solenoid valve 40 suitable to prevent the backflow of said gas (HHO) following an inverse path with respect to the pre-established one; [0050] F) a pair of ducts 45-45 for conveying said gas (HHO) from said safety solenoid valve 40 to a safety filter 65, which prevents the backflow of the gas (HHO) into the ducts upstream, through which said gas (HHO) reaches at least one final duct 61; [0051] G) a pair of tangential fans 50-50, connected to a corresponding pair of motors 55-55, arranged along the path of said pair of ducts 45-45, suitable to modulate and possibly quickenin a predetermined fashionthe flow of said gas (HHO) through said ducts (45-45); [0052] H) at least one pair of check valves 60-60, also suitable perform the safety function, arranged along the path of said pair of ducts 45-45 between said tangential fans 50-50 and said safety filter 65; [0053] I) at least one final duct 61 through which said gas (HHO) contained in said pair of ducts 45-45 reaches said appliance 100.

[0054] In order to enable a user, designated for the control and maintenance of the system and further enhance the safety standards offered by the present patent, said system is provided with at least: [0055] J) one or more pressure sensors 70, arranged at least at said final duct 61, suitable to monitor the values regarding the pressure of the outflowing gas (HHO); [0056] K) one or more temperature sensors 75, preferably arranged at all ducts of said system but at least in the final one 61, suitable to monitor the temperature of the outflowing gas (HHO); [0057] L) a control unit 80 provided with a microprocessor 90, suitable to monitor the data coming from said pressure sensors 70 and said temperature sensors 75 and suitable to manageaccording to pre-set parametersthe switching of the system ON and OFF, the replenishment of the distilled water (H2O) through said replenishment duct 14, the electrical power supply of said supply unit 11, said safety solenoid valve (40) and said motors 55-55 of said tangential fans 50-50, the correct operation of said check valves 60-60, of said safety filter 65 and any other component of said system; [0058] M) a display 81 suitable to serve as a communication interface between said control unit 80 and a user designated to check the operation; said display 81 enabling the display of possible error, malfunction or failure messages and enabling setting the required system operating parameters.

[0059] In a preferred version, in order to make the whole system even more independent, it can be provided with a water distiller connected at least to said generator 10, preferably connected to said spargers 20, 30 too, so as to supply the required amount of distilled water (H2O) to the system. The system may also be provided with a tank for distilled water (H2O) suitable to replenish the distilled water (H2O) in said generator 10 according to parameters pre-set and managed by said control unit 80.

[0060] Depending on the capacity of the system designated to be built and the required safety features the water heating system described up to now can also be designed differently, still falling within the scope of protection of the present patent, by installing: [0061] one or more further spargers after said second sparger 30; [0062] a plurality of generators 10 arranged adjacent to each other and connected to the direct electrical current supply unit 11; [0063] a pyrometric sensor 140 arranged inside said combustion chamber 150 of the appliance 100, suitable to monitor the combustion of said gas HHO and thus automatically adjust the flow of said gas HHO through said nozzles 110; the entirety with the aim of maintaining the thermal power within the pre-set safety parameters; said pyrometric sensor 140, if provided, must also be placed in data communication with said control unit 80. [0064] a remote connection system suitable to enable data communication between said control unit 80 and a common electronic device remotely positioned for the communication of possible error, malfunction or failure messages and to enable the switching ON/OFF of the system by entering pre-set safety codes. [0065] a timer connected to said control unit 80 to enable a user to set a determined time for automatically switching the system ON/OFF.