Method for operating an internal combustion engine with a gas mixture supplied to the combustion air and produced by water electrolysis, and assembly and electrolysis device for carrying out said method

Page 1 — bibliographic record

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( 51 ) Int . Ci . 2002/0189601 A1 12/2002 Morrison et al . FO2M 25/12 ( 2006.01 ) 2004/0074781 A1 * 4/2004 Klein C25B 9/06

FO2D 19/06 ( 2006.01 ) 2010/0065419 Al 3/2010 Richardson FO2M 27/04 ( 2006.01 ) 2010/0175941 A1 7/2010 Khodabakhsh F02B 47/06 ( 2006.01 ) 2011/0220516 A1 9/2011 Finfrock et al . FO2D 41/20 ( 2006.01 ) 2015/0361569 A1 * 12/2015 Mabie, Jr. C25B 15/02 FO2B 43/10 (2006.01 ) 204 / 229.5 (52) U.S. CI. FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

( 2013.01 ) ; F02D 41/18 ( 2013.01 ) ; F02M DE 102009026374 Al 2/2011 25/12 ( 2013.01 ) ; F02M 27/04 ( 2013.01 ) ; EP 2818581 A1 12/2014 F02B 2043/106 (2013.01 ) ; F02D 2041/2027 KR 20030044602 A 6/2003 ( 2013.01 ) ; F02D 2041/2034 (2013.01 ) ; YO2E SG 172123 A1 7/2011 60/36 (2013.01 ) ; YO2T 10/30 (2013.01 ) WO WO 2006124805 A2 11/2006

( 56 ) References Cited WO WO 2007101329 Al 9/2007

6,155,212 A 12/2000 McAlister WO WO 2015021385 Al 2/2015

123/25 C * cited by examiner

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METHOD FOR OPERATING AN INTERNAL the battery such that a voltage of approximately two volts is COMBUSTION ENGINE WITH A GAS applied between two opposite electrode surfaces in order to MIXTURE SUPPLIED TO THE carry out the electrolysis process .

COMBUSTION AIR AND PRODUCED BY

WATER ELECTROLYSIS , AND ASSEMBLY 5 SUMMARY

AND ELECTROLYSIS DEVICE FOR

CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for operating an internal combustion engine using a

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED gas mixture that is supplied to the fossil fuel in the engine APPLICATIONS 10 combustion chamber in addition to the combustion air and is produced by the electrolysis of water. The method includes

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application measuring a quantity of air drawn into the intake tract of the under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. engine in accordance with a particular engine operating PCT/DE2016 / 100557 filed on Nov. 28 , 2016 , and claims mode ; and directly supplying, to the combustion air per unit benefit to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2015 120 15 of volume of combustion air, a same , limited quantity of 545.9 filed on Nov. 26 , 2015. The International Application Brown's gas that acts as an additive , that is produced by was published in German on Jun . 1 , 2017 , as WO 2017 / means of an electrolyzer operated using a pulsating current, 088858 A1 under PCT Article 21 (2 ) . and that contains energy -enriched, gaseous water molecules . The percentage of the gas molecules present in the fuel

BACKGROUND 20 during the combustion process is limited such that the energy - enriched, gaseous water molecules that are evenly

The invention relates to a method for operating an internal distributed in the fuel - air mixture are only used as start or combustion engine using a gas mixture that is supplied to the ignition nuclei that ignite the fuel for early and long -lasting combustion air and is produced by the electrolysis of water, intensive and complete combustion . and to an arrangement comprising an electrolyzer for car- 25 rying out the method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS BACKGROUND The present invention will be described in even greater detail below based on the exemplary figures. The invention

In a method known from DE 10 2009 026 374 Al for 30 is not limited to the exemplary embodiments . All features operating an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles described and / or illustrated herein can be used alone or using fossil fuel and a hydrogen -oxygen mixture (oxyhy combined in different combinations in embodiments of the drogen gas , Brown's gas ) that is supplied to the combustion invention . The features and advantages of various embodi air in the intake tract of the engine and is produced in the ments of the present invention will become apparent by vehicle by the electrolysis of water, the hydrogen -oxygen 35 reading the following detailed description with reference to mixture is produced and temporarily stored during normal the attached drawings which illustrate the following: operation of the engine until a preset accumulator pressure FIG . 1 shows an arrangement for operating an internal is reached, and is only conducted to the intake tract of the combustion engine using fossil fuel and a gas mixture engine in the event of high engine output when starting and consisting ofhydrogen , oxygen and gaseous water (Brown's accelerating the vehicle . The hydrogen is produced by 40 gas ) , which is supplied to the combustion air resulting from means of a complex electrolyzer, which is supplied with an electrolysis process ;

water by a separate water tank and is connected to an FIG . 2 shows an electrolyzer for generating Brown's gas additional alternator. ( HHO ) comprising a plate arrangement that is shown in WO 2007/091105 describes the use of a hydrogen -oxygen detail; and mixture produced in the electrolyzer in an internal combus- 45 FIG . 3 shows another embodiment of the plate arrange tion engine that is operated using conventional fuel, either ment in the electrolyzer in more detail. all or some of the fuel being temporarily replaced by the hydrogen -oxygen mixture produced in the vehicle when the DETAILED DESCRIPTION load changes . WO 2007/101329 A1 discloses a method and a device for the hydrogen - assisted cold - starting of an inter- 50 Embodiments of the invention provide methods for oper nal combustion engine. In this case , the oxygen is intended ating an internal combustion engine using a gas mixture that to be separated out of the hydrogen -oxygen mixture pro is supplied to the combustion air and is produced by the duced in an electrolyzer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,212 A1 and electrolysis of water, and an arrangement and an electrolyzer WO 2006/124805 A2 also describe the additional use of for carrying out the method such that enough gas is produced hydrogen, which is produced and temporarily stored in the 55 for efficient fuel combustion using a small amount of equip motor vehicle, for the combustion process. ment and energy, which gas is conducted to the engine An electrolyzer, which is known from DE 10 2008 003 combustion chamber so as to simultaneously reduce fuel 126 A1 , is directly connected to the combustion chamber of consumption and pollutant emissions. an internal combustion engine and produces a hydrogen Embodiments of the invention provide methods for oper oxygen mixture that is to be admixed to the fuel, uses 60 ating an internal combustion engine using a gas mixture that potassium hydroxide (KOH ) as the electrolyte in order to is supplied to the fossil fuel in the engine combustion improve the effectiveness of the electrolysis process . The chamber in addition to the combustion air and is produced electrolyzer comprises electrode plates that are uniformly by the electrolysis of water, the quantity of air drawn into the spaced apart and are submerged in the electrolyte that is intake tract of the engine in accordance with the particular contained in a container . The two outer plates are connected 65 engine operating mode being measured and, per unit of to the negative or positive pole of the vehicle battery and the volume of combustion air drawn in each time , the same , number of plates is set according to the voltage provided by limited quantity of Brown's gas that merely acts as an

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additive, that is produced by means of an electrolyzer that quickly and explosively ignite the fuel for early and operated using a pulsating current and contains energy long - lasting intensive and complete combustion . enriched , gaseous water molecules , is always directly sup The fossil fuel ( for example diesel or petrol) is used more plied to the combustion air, i.e. without being temporarily efficiently solely due to the energy - enriched gaseous water stored, the percentage of the gas molecules present in the 5 molecules in the Brown's gas that only act as ignition nuclei fuel during the combustion process being limited such that such that the engine output can be improved , and fuel the energy - enriched, gaseous water molecules that are consumption and consequently the emission of pollutants evenly distributed in the fuel - air mixture are only used as can be reduced . Furthermore , the exhaust - gas temperature is start or ignition nuclei that ignite the fuel for early and further reduced (by –8 to -10% ) and therefore also the nitric long - lasting intensive and complete combustion . 10 oxide and carbon dioxide emissions . The electrolysis pro A gas mixture produced by electrolyzing water is referred cess carried out according to embodiments of the invention to as Brown's gas . It may contain additional products such for the continuous provision of the Brown's gas does not as ozone and hydrogen peroxide in addition to hydrogen, require a large amount of equipment or energy due to the oxygen and water molecules . The water molecules that are production , which is controlled on the basis of the quantity not separated are still enriched with energy immediately 15 of intake air, of a quantity of gas that is also limited, and due after the water electrolysis process and form , with their to the production of gas in the electrolyzer, which is different spatial orientations, an isomer of the water mol increased by the pulsating current. The power consumption ecule . They are also referred to as energetically charged for the electrolysis process is minimized such that the hydroplasma. These energy - enriched water molecules or electrical energy required without an additional or larger water isomers have limited stability and turn into conven- 20 alternator can be supplied by the vehicle battery alone . The tional molecules when the gas is passed through a water bath extremely low Brown's gas requirement of 0.05 % 0 to 0.5 % o or during storage , for example. The entire gas mixture preferably 0.05 % o to 0.2 % o per liter of intake air is also produced by the electrolysis of water is preferably supplied advantageous inasmuch as a small electrolyzer can con to the combustion air. This gas mixture in particular also stantly provide the quantity of gas required , without it being comprises the energy -enriched water molecules . This is 25 temporarily stored . The specific requirement is dependent on preferably achieved by said gas mixture being supplied to the size of the engine displacement, the number of cylinders, the combustion air without being temporarily stored . As a the speed and the load . With reference to the energy result , a large fraction of energy -enriched water molecules , enriched, gaseous water molecules ( the energetically i.e. of the energetically charged hydroplasma, is maintained . charged hydroplasma) as a component of the Brown's gas , In this case , the fraction of energy -enriched water molecules 30 the proportion thereof in said gas is preferably 0.015 % 0 to in the gas mixture produced by the electrolysis of water is 0.06 % o per liter of intake air.

preferably more than a fifth , preferably more than a quarter, In another embodiment of the invention , the current particularly preferably more than a third . pulses acting on the electrolyzer are rectangular or trapezoi The gas mixture is directly supplied to the combustion air . dal .

In particular, the gas mixture is not conducted through a 35 In an advantageous development, the current pulses for water bath or is temporarily stored for no longer than 10 s , influencing the quantity of Brown's gas produced and in preferably no longer than 20 s , particularly preferably no particular the number of energy - enriched, gaseous water longer than 60 s , in particular no longer than 180 s , particu molecules therein are generated either continuously or in larly preferably no longer than 600 s after it has been intervals and with different amplitudes. The gas yield can produced. The gas mixture is therefore supplied to the 40 also be influenced by the selection of the flank angle of the combustion air immediately after the gas mixture has been current pulse length .

produced by means of water electrolysis. In another embodiment of the invention , the current According to embodiments of the invention, when an pulses are controlled on the basis of the temperature and internal combustion engine is operated using a gas mixture concentration of the electrolyte and on the plate geometry that is additionally supplied to the fossil fuel in the engine 45 and the spacing between the plates such that the system combustion chamber, is produced by an electrolyzer consisting of the electrode plates and electrolyte is operated assigned to the internal combustion engine and is introduced in resonance . This causes the electrolyte to be washed into the combustion air, the quantity of air drawn into the around the plates and leads to the rapid removal of gas intake tract of the engine is measured in accordance with the bubbles in the electrode plates and to the rapid removal of particular engine operating mode or the engine output, for 50 the gas bubbles and therefore also to an increase in the gas example when idling , accelerating, etc. , and, per unit of yield . A frequency of more than 1000 Hz is preferably volume of combustion air drawn in each time , the same, selected, particularly preferably of more than 3,000 Hz , limited quantity of Brown's gas that merely acts as an particularly preferably of more than 10 kHz , particularly additive , that is produced by means of the electrolyzer using preferably of more than 25 kHz, most particularly preferably a pulsating current and contains hydrogen, oxygen and 55 of more than 50 kHz. Another frequency is preferably energy - enriched, gaseous water molecules , is always sup superposed , which is in the range between 43 kHz and the plied to the combustion air without being temporarily stored , harmonics thereof ( n = 1 to 5 ) . This can increase the yield of i.e. when the energy -rich and ignitable gaseous water mol the isomer formed .

ecules that are only temporarily stable are still being pro According to another feature of the invention , the quantity duced (also referred to as linear water isomers ) . In this case , 60 of Brown's gas produced in the electrolyzer is controlled the percentage of the gas mixture that is present in the fuel depending on the particular engine operating mode and on during the combustion process and produced electrolytically the basis of the quantity of air that is supplied to the intake is limited such that the extent to which the hydrogen tract and is detected by an air mass measuring device in molecules distributed in the fuel - air mixture in the engine conjunction with the quantity of Brown's gas that is detected combustion chamber act as additional fuel to is insignificant, 65 by a flowmeter and is actually produced by the electrolyzer. but on their own the energy - enriched, gaseous water mol This means that essentially only so much Brown's gas is ecules in the Brown's gas are used as start or ignition nuclei produced in the electrolyzer that is currently required in the

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particular engine operating mode , and therefore the current surface area , but ensures that the volumetric flow rate of the consumption is low and the vehicle battery capacity is not energetically charged hydroplasma is already homoge used any more than is required. neously mixed with the air drawn in . In another embodiment of the invention , the energy In an advantageous development, the electrolyzer com enriched water molecules , which are bound in so - called 5 prises a plurality of electrode plates that are arranged in Rydberg clusters in the form of an ionized gas , are used as parallel and at a spacing from one another in a housing that a constituent of the Brown's gas since they render said gas is filled with an electrolyte and are provided with apertures . electrically conductive and responsive to electromagnetic The two outer electrode plates or alternatively one central fields. This particular property of the Brown's gas preferably electrode plate and the two outer electrode plates are con allows for additional energetic charging of the linear energy- 10 nected to the positive or negative pole of the vehicle battery enriched water molecules according to the magnetohydro by means of the first control device . A gas collecting dynamic principle. When the Brown's gas is passed through chamber that is delimited above the electrode plates by a an electrostatic field (magnetic field energy ), an additional housing cover and temporarily receives the Brown's gas surface charge ( induction charge ) is produced. The associ produced can be connected to the gas supply line that leads ated charge separation of the ion current leads to the 15 to the air supply line by means of a cap that can be placed conversion of thermal and kinetic energy into electrical field on a gas outlet connecting piece so as to seal it , automati energy by the voltage increase, and a low -temperature cally opens when a certain amount of overpressure prevails plasma in the form of the energetically charged hydroplasma in the gas collecting chamber ( approx . >0.1 bar ) and com is produced , which is therefore considerably richer in prises an internal tube piece , which receives a filter, and a energy . 20 gas connecting piece . The small , low -pressure gas reservoir According to embodiments of the invention , arrange above the electrode plates allows the energy -rich gaseous ments for carrying out a method are provided , the arrange water molecules that are only temporarily stable to be ments including an air supply line that proceeds from an air swiftly supplied to the combustion air. filter box and is connected to the engine combustion cham In one embodiment of the invention , the housing cover of ber of the internal combustion engine in order to supply a 25 the electrolyzer comprises a portion having a filling opening quantity of air that is adapted to the particular engine that can be sealed by a screw cap , which portion is lowered operating mode , is characterized in that a gas supply line that to the maximum electrolyte fill level in the housing . This is connected to an electrolyzer that is supplied with power by means that the electrolyzer cannot be overfilled or the means of a vehicle battery directly opens up into the air electrolytes cannot be excessively diluted , and a gas reser supply line , and an air mass measuring device for detecting 30 voir of a certain size is always available above the electro the volume of air drawn in on the basis of the particular lytes .

engine operating mode is integrated in the air supply line , In another embodiment of the invention , the electrode upstream of where the gas supply line opens up therein , and plates are fixed in position in grooves made in the base and when viewed in the direction of flow , in the gas supply line in two opposite side walls of the housing and in the region there are integrated first a flowmeter for detecting the actual 35 of the upper edge of the electrodes. quantity of gas produced and a throttle valve for ultimately In an advantageous development, the electrolyzer com setting the volume of gas that is adapted to the quantity of prises a densitometer, a fill level measuring device, a tem air conveyed , each of which is connected to a first control perature sensor and a pressure -relief valve for monitoring device that is assigned to the electrolyzer and controls the the electrolytes.

generation of gas on the basis of the quantity of air drawn in 40 In one embodiment of the invention , the width of the and on the quantity of gas detected by means of a pulsating electrode plates is much greater than the height thereof. As current which is transformed either continuously or in a result, a sufficiently large electrode surface area is covered intervals by a modulator and has a variable frequency, with electrolyte for a long period of time , thus ensuring a amplitude , flank angle of gradient and duration . long operating life of the electrolyzer without having to add In an arrangement according to an embodiment of the 45 electrolyte .

invention , a water separator, a water detector,a gas filter for The electrode plate is approximately one millimeter thick cleaning the gas and a burnback arrestor, which is made of and the electrode plates are spaced apart by between 1.5 and a gas -permeable ceramic material and prevents a flashback 10.5 millimeters . The electrolyte in the electrolyzer is pref into the electrolyzer, are integrated in the gas supply line . erably a 3.5 to 5.0 % caustic potash solution . The Brown's gas and the constituents thereof preferably 50 In another embodiment of the invention , the electrolyte flow through a magnetic field ( electrostatic field ) applied to has a higher concentration in order to lower the freezing the gas supply line before being introduced into the air point during winter operation and / or contains up to a maxi supply line , as a result of which additional surface charging mum of 10% ethylene glycol as an antifreezing agent. or induction charging of the linear water isomers is produced The arrangement shown in FIG . 1 comprises , as a con and the energetically charged hydroplasma is produced that 55 ventional component, an internal combustion engine ( for has a considerably higher energetic charge. example for a passenger car ), which is only represented by In an embodiment of the invention , the first control device the engine combustion chamber 1 here and the individual is connected to a main control device that is assigned to the cylinders of which are connected by means of an inlet internal combustion engine by means of a second control manifold 2 to the intake tract for the combustion air that is device . The first and second control devices can also be 60 drawn in as a result of the movement of the piston . The integrated in the main control device . intake tract substantially consists of an air supply line 4 , In another embodiment of the invention , the gas supply which proceeds from an air filter box 3 and in which there line opens up into the air supply line in order to swirl and are integrated an air mass measuring device 5 for detecting uniformly distribute the gaseous water molecules contained the volume of air that is drawn in on the basis of the engine in the gas flow in the intake air by means of a Venturi nozzle 65 operating mode in each case , and a turbocharger 6 for arranged downstream of the air mass measuring device . This compressing the air and a throttle valve 7 for controlling the preferably not only regulates the pressure and increases the quantity of air that is supplied to the inlet manifold 2 in

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accordance with the engine output that is required in each mately two volts is applied in the chambers 37 formed case . The amount of fuel that is supplied to the engine between said plates in each case , which is optimum for the combustion chamber 1 is controlled by a main control electrolysis process . The width of the electrode plates 20 is device 8 (OBD control device ) , which is assigned to the preferably greater than the height thereof such that for an internal combustion engine and is connected to the air mass 5 electrolyte that is to be used up gradually the electrode measuring device 5 . plates 20 are submerged in the electrolyte to an adequate An alternator 10 that is connected to the vehicle batter 9 depth for a long period of time , and a sufficient amount of is coupled in the usual manner to the internal combustion Brown's gas is produced without electrolyte having to be engine in order to supply current to the electrical devices constantly added . A liter of electrolyte lasts for approxi required for the internal combustion engine to operate and to 10 mately 50 operating hours or up to 5000 kilometers in a 31 any other electrical loads . The electrolyzer 12 described diesel engine.

below is also operated by means of the current provided by However, as shown in FIG . 3 , it is also conceivable for a the vehicle battery 9 by means of a safety device 11 , with central electrode plate 20" to be connected to the positive which a set quantity of Brown's gas (HHD ) and in particular pole of the vehicle battery and for the two outer electrode of the energy - enriched gaseous water (HO-H ) contained 15 plates 20 ' to be connected to the negative pole such that the in the hydrogen -oxygen gas mixture at the start is continu central anode and two outer cathodes and the electrode ously generated during operation of the internal combustion plates arranged therebetween ensure a larger electrode sur engine by means of electrolytic water decomposition, and is face area and therefore a high gas production rate when the fed into the part of the air supply line 4 that is located electrolyzer is compact.

between the air mass measuring device 5 and the turbo- 20 As shown in FIG . 1 , a first control device 23 comprising charger 6 by means of a gas supply line 13 . an integrated modulator ( not shown) for converting the DC The electrolyzer 12 shown in FIG . 2 comprises a closed current supplied by the vehicle battery 9 into substantially housing 14 that is made of plastics material and comprises rectangular current pulses is connected to the electrolyzer a gas outlet connecting piece that proceeds from the housing 12 , which pulses vibrate the system consisting of the elec cover 15 and on which a cap 16 is placed , which sealed by 25 trode plates 20 and the electrolytes located therebetween so means of an O ring (not shown in each case ) . A tube piece that the small hydrogen , oxygen and water gas bubbles 17 that accommodates a filter ( not shown) and extends into (Brown's gas ) formed during electrolysis are removed from the gas outlet connecting piece proceeds from the horizontal the electrode plates 20 more effectively by the movement of inside of the cap 16 , by means of which filter salt particles the entire system , and a maximum electrode surface area is that have been carried along by the gas produced during 30 therefore always available in the engine combustion cham electrolysis, water and water vapor are intended to be ber 1 for producing a high volume of Brown's gas as an trapped. A gas connecting piece 27 attached to the cap 16 additive for the fuel -air mixture. Due to the water molecules above the filter is connected to the gas supply line 13 shown that are vibrated by the pulsating current, in addition to the in FIG . 1. The cap 16 can easily be removed by hand from electrolysis of water to form hydrogen and oxygen , a larger the gas outlet connecting piece that is integrally formed on 35 number of the water molecules contained in the electrolyte the housing cover 15 in order to clean the filter. The opening are also spread apart to form linear water isomers (H – O resistance of the cap 16 is limited to a low operating pressure H ) , i.e. the production of energy - enriched, gaseous water of 0.1 bar . molecules as a constituent of Brown's gas is excited and In a portion 18 of the housing cover 15 that is moved assisted such that an additive , which is only required in downwards, i.e. in a plane that is lowered with respect to the 40 small quantities but which has a considerably greater housing cover and the gas outlet opening formed therein , a amount of energy than conventional oxyhydrogen gas , is filling opening (not shown) is provided, which can be sealed available for the combustion process. The pulsating current by a screw cap 19 , for the electrolytes, preferably a 3.5 to and the vibrations generated thereby in the electrolysis 5.0 % caustic potash solution in this case , which are to be system can be generated either constantly or at intervals of introduced into the housing 14 up to no higher than the level 45 equal or different lengths and at different frequencies and of the lowered portion 18 of the housing cover 1. Due to the amplitudes ( current strength ), in order to thus be able to maximum fill level h that is limited by said lowered portion , influence the volume of gas produced and the structure of the a specific minimum height is set for the gas reservoir in the gas during operation of the engine and in particular to gas collecting chamber 24 of the electrolyzer 12 and also provide the energy - rich Brown's gas . The gas production prevents the electrolyte accidentally reaching the gas supply 50 that is increased by the vibration of the electrolysis system line 13 that leads to the intake tract of the engine. allows the power consumption to be reduced and a high gas Electrode plates 20 that are 1 mm thick in this case and are yield to be achieved nonetheless.

fixed in position in grooves ( not shown) on the base and on The electrolyzer 12 is equipped with a pressure -relief two opposite side walls of the housing 14 and in the region valve 25 (only shown schematically in FIG . 1 ) as an of the upper edge of the plates , at a spacing of approximately 55 additional safety device ( which opens under an operating 1 mm therefrom , are submerged in the electrolyte. The pressure in the gas collecting chamber- > 0.1 bar in this electrode plates 20 can therefore be easily assembled and case) , which is arranged in the gas collecting chamber 24 disassembled in order to clean or replace them . The elec located above the particular electrolyte level . trode plates 20 each comprise one or more holes ( not At a gas pressure of <0.1 bar, the gas produced is directly shown ), so that the chambers 37 formed therebetween are 60 forwarded and in particular the energy - rich gaseous water connected to one another and the electrolyte can flow molecules that are only temporarily stable are still being therethrough. The two outer electrode plates 20 ' , 20" are produced in the intake tract . Further protection against the connected to the negative or positive pole of the vehicle occurrence of an inadmissibly high pressure in the electro battery 9 , by means of a connecting line 21 and terminals 22 lyzer 12 is provided by the cap 16 , which is merely held on attached to the housing cover 15. In accordance with the 65 the housing 14 by a plug connection and is removed from the battery voltage ( for example 12-15 volts for passenger cars ) gas outlet connecting piece that is integrally formed on the and the number of electrode plates 20 , a voltage of approxi housing cover 15 when the gas pressure is too high. The

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concentration of potassium hydroxide in the aqueous elec the quantity of air drawn in each time and from the main trolyte solution can be monitored by means of a densitom control device 8 and the second control device 36 relating to eter 26 that protrudes into the electrolyte, whilst a fill level the vacuum in the intake tract and additional engine oper measuring device 28 can be used to determine the fill level ating data . Lastly, the first control device 23 is also con in the housing 14 and the temperature of the electrolyte is 5 nected to the throttle valve 34 by means of a control line, so indicated using a temperature sensor 29. At an operating that a quantity of gas that is adapted to the quantity of air to temperature of from 60 to 65 ° C. and preferably a KOH be supplied in each case to the turbocharger or the engine proportion of from 3.5 to 5.0 % , in conjunction with the combustion chamber depending on the particular engine pulsed current applied to the electrolyzer 12 and specifically operating mode is supplied to the intake tract and , per unit at a current strength that is considerably lower than in 10 of volume of air drawn in by means of the Venturi nozzle 35 , conventional electrolyzers used in internal combustion a defined quantity of gas of from 0.05 % o to 0.5 % o, preferably engines, the quantity of gas produced is sufficient for the from 0.05 % 0 7 % 0 to 0.2 7 % 0 liters of intake air is always Brown's gas mixture to only act as an additive . The plate sprayed into the air supply line 4 and reaches the engine surface area required and the electrolyte consumption are combustion chamber 1. Irrespective of the particular vehicle comparatively low. The electrolyzer can therefore be small 15 and engine operating mode, per unit of volume of combus and compact and requires a small amount of maintenance . tion air drawn in, the fuel in the engine combustion chamber Due to the low current consumption , current can be supplied in each case always contains a certain percentage of to the electrolyzer by means of the alternator of the vehicle Brown's gas that is the same , and therefore always contains that is connected to the vehicle battery. A signal initiated by a certain percentage of the energy - rich, gaseous water mol the first control device indicates when the fill level or the 20 ecules that act as ignition nuclei. KOH concentration or the temperature of the electrolyte is The production of gas in the electrolyzer 12 is therefore outside a preset range . substantially controlled by means of the engine speed (main According to FIG . 1 , first a water separator 30 , a water control device ), the quantity of intake air (air quantity detector 30a and a gas filter 31 for precipitating water vapor measuring device), the quantity of gas that is actually that is still in the Brown's gas and for separating salt 25 produced ( flowmeter) and the quantity of gas determined per particles are integrated in the gas supply line 13 , which is unit of intake volume ( throttle valve) together with the connected to the air supply line 4 , downstream of the amplitude and structure of the current pulses generated. electrolyzer 12. By means of a flowmeter 32 , a burnback Only enough gas is therefore produced that is specifically arrestor 33 and a throttle valve 34 that preferably comprises required for the particular vehicle / engine operating mode in an electrostatic field (magnetic field ) applied downstream 30 order to quickly ignite and fully combust the fossil fuel. This thereof, the gas mixture finally reaches a Venturi nozzle 35 means the percentage of Brown's gas in a unit of intake that directly opens up into the air supply line 4 downstream volume is deliberately kept low and said gas does not of the air mass measuring device 5 and upstream of the traditionally act as an additional fuel, but merely has the turbocharger 6. The main control device 8 that is connected function of an additive when provided in small amounts. to the internal combustion engine, the throttle valve 7 and to 35 This means that the gaseous water molecules that are the air mass measuring device 5 is connected to the first uniformly distributed in the combustion chamber merely act control device 23 that is assigned to the electrolyzer 12 by as start nuclei or ignition nuclei, which accelerate and means of a second control device 36 and is in turn electri intensify ignition of the fuel-air mixture in the engine cally connected to the flowmeter 32 , the air mass measuring combustion chamber during the combustion cycle . The device 5 and to the throttle valve 34 . 40 reaction energy that is released explosively ignites the fuel The burnback arrestor 33 comprises a porous structure on a plurality of ignition hearths and ensures homogeneous made of a sintered material, which prevents flashback of a and full combustion of the fuel introduced into the combus flame generated by the combustion process in the engine tion chamber. The fuel is used more efficiently solely due to compartment and the resultant ignition of the gas mixture the gaseous water molecules of the Brown's gas that only act stored in the gas reservoir of the electrolyzer. The throttle 45 as ignition nuclei, and therefore the engine output is valve 34 connected to the first control device 23 ensures that, improved and fuel consumption and consequently the emis in the event of low motor output, for example when idling , sion of pollutants can be reduced . Furthermore , the exhaust and a correspondingly low gas removal rate due to the slight gas temperature and therefore nitric oxide and carbon diox vacuum in front of the turbocharger 6 , an excessive amount ide emissions are further reduced . Due to the controlled of gas does not reach the intake tract . The electrostatic field 50 production of a limited quantity of gas , only a small amount (magnetic field ) that is preferably applied increases the of equipment and energy is required for the continuous surface charge ( induction charge) of the already energized, provision of the Brown's gas .

linear water isomers , as a result of which additional field While the invention has been illustrated and described in energy and an energetically charged hydroplasma is pro detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illus duced . Lastly, the Venturi nozzle 35 is tasked with inten- 55 tration and description are to be considered illustrative or sively swirling the Brown's gas that is introduced into the air exemplary and not restrictive. It will be understood that supply line 4 in the air drawn in via the air filter box 3 , and changes and modifications may be made by those of ordi distributing it very finely and uniformly . nary skill within the scope of the following claims . In The flowmeter 32 , which is integrated in the gas supply particular, the present invention covers further embodiments line 13 downstream of the water separator 30 and the gas 60 with any combination of features from different embodi filter 31 and measures the quantity of gas produced in the ments described above and below . electrolyzer 12 and transmits the measurement result to the The terms used in the claims should be construed to have control device 23 of the electrolyzer 12 also has an essential the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the function in the entire system . Depending on the particular foregoing description. For example, the use of the article “ a ” vehicle operating mode (idling , stop and go driving, speed , 65 or “ the ” in introducing an element should not be interpreted acceleration, etc. ) , the first control device 23 also obtains as being exclusive of a plurality of elements. Likewise , the information from the air mass measuring device 5 relating to recitation of “ or ” should be interpreted as being inclusive ,

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such that the recitation of “ A or B ” is not exclusive of “ Aand means of an electrolyzer operated using a pulsating B ,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing current, and that contains energy - enriched , gaseous description that only one of A and B is intended . Further, the water molecules , recitation of " at least one of A , B and C ” should be wherein the percentage of the gas molecules present in the interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting 5 fuel during the combustion process is limited such that of A , B and C , and should not be interpreted as requiring at the energy -enriched, gaseous water molecules that are least one of each of the listed elements A , B and C , evenly distributed in the fuel- air mixture are only used regardless of whether A , B and C are related as categories or as start or ignition nuclei that ignite the fuel for early otherwise . Moreover, the recitation of “ A , B and / or C ” or “ at and long - lasting intensive and complete combustion , least one of A , B or C ” should be interpreted as including 10 wherein and any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g. , A , any a quantity of Brown's gas produced in the subset from the listed elements, e.g. , A and B , or the entire electrolyzer is controlled depending on the particular list of elements A , B and C. engine operating mode and on a basis of a quantity of air that is supplied to the intake tract and is detected by

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

15 an air mass measuring device in conjunction with a quantity of Brown's gas that is detected by a flowmeter and is actually produced by the electrolyzer.

1 engine combustion chamber 2. The method as per claim 1 , wherein current pulses 2 inlet manifold acting on the electrolyzer are rectangular or trapezoidal. 3 air filter box 20 3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein current 4 air supply line pulses for influencing both the gas yield and the number of 5 air mass measuring device energy -enriched, gaseous water molecules are generated 6 turbocharger either continuously or in intervals and with different ampli 7 throttle valve tudes.

8 main control device 25 4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein current 9 vehicle battery pulses for influencing both the gas yield and the number of 10 alternator energy -enriched gaseous water molecules in the Brown's 11 safety device gas have a variable flank angle of gradient. 12 electrolyzer 5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein , in order to 13 gas supply line 30 increase a Brown's gas yield, current pulses are controlled 14 housing of 12 on a basis of a temperature and concentration of an electro 15 housing cover lyte and on an electrode plate geometry and a spacing 16 cap of gas outlet connecting piece between plates such that a system consisting of the electrode 17 tube piece of foam filter plates and the electrolyte is operated in resonance so that the 18 sunken portion of 15 35 electrode plates can be separated and the electrolyte can be 19 screw cap of electrolyte filling opening washed therearound.

20 electrode plates , ( 20 ' , 20" outer electrode plates) 6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein directly 21 connecting line supplying , to the combustion air per unit of volume of 22 terminals combustion air, a same, limited quantity of Brown's gas 23 first control device 40 comprises supplying the Brown's gas without temporarily 24 gas collecting chamber, gas reservoir storing the Brown's gas in any storage tank . 25 pressure-relief valve 7. The method as per claim 1 , wherein a proportion of 26 densitometer Brown's gas that is supplied to a liter of intake air is between 27 gas connecting piece 0.05 and 0.5 per thousand.

28 fill level measuring device 45 8. An arrangement for operating an internal combustion 29 temperature sensor engine, comprising:

30 water separator , 30a water detector an air supply line, which proceeds from an air filter box , 31 gas filter connected to an engine combustion chamber of an 32 flowmeter internal combustion engine, the air supply line being 33 burnback arrestor 50 configured to supply a quantity of air that is adapted to 34 throttle valve a particular engine operating mode , 35 Venturi nozzle a gas supply line opening up into the air supply line , the 36 second control device gas supply line being connected to an electrolyzer, the 37 chamber between 20 electrolyzer being supplied with power by a vehicle

The invention claimed is : an air mass measuring device configured to detect a 1. A method for operating an internal combustion engine volume of air drawn in on a basis of the particular using a gas mixture that is supplied to the fossil fuel in the engine operating mode , the air mass measuring device engine combustion chamber in addition to the combustion being integrated in the air supply line upstream of air and is produced by the electrolysis of water, the method 60 where the gas supply line opens up thereinto , comprising: wherein when viewed in a direction of flow in the gas measuring a quantity of air drawn into the intake tract of supply line , there are integrated first a flowmeter for the engine in accordance with a particular engine detecting the actual quantity of gas produced and a operating mode; and throttle valve for ultimately setting a volume of gas that directly supplying , to the combustion air per unit of 65 is adapted to the quantity of air conveyed , each of volume of combustion air, a same , limited quantity of which is connected to a first control device and is Brown's gas that acts as an additive, that is produced by assigned to the electrolyzer and controls the generation

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of gas on a basis of the quantity of air drawn in and on a certain amount of overpressure prevails in the gas collect a quantity of gas detected by means of a pulsating ing chamber and comprises an internal tube piece , which current which is transformed either continuously or in receives a filter, and a gas connecting piece . intervals by a modulator and has a variable frequency, 13. The arrangement according to claim 12 , wherein the amplitude, flank angle and duration. 5 housing cover comprises a portion having a filling opening 9. The arrangement according to claim 8 , wherein a water that can be sealed by a screw cap , which portion is lowered separator, a water detector, a gas filter for cleaning the gas to 14. a maximum electrolyte fill level in the housing . The arrangement according to claim 12 , wherein the and a burnback arrestor, which is made of a gas - permeable electrode ceramic material and prevents a flashback into the electro 10 base and inplates are fixed in position in grooves made in the two opposite side walls of the housing and in the lyzer, are integrated in the gas supply line.

10. The arrangement according to claim 8 , wherein the region 15.

of an upper edge of the plates .

The arrangement according to claim 12 , wherein the first control device is connected to a main control device that electrolyzer is assigned to the internal combustion engine by a second device, a temperature comprises a densitometer, a fill level measuring control device. sensor and a pressure - relief valve for 11. The arrangement according to claim 8 , wherein the gas 15 monitoring the electrolytes .

supply line opens up into the air supply line in order to swirl width 16. The arrangement according to claim 12 , wherein a and uniformly distribute molecules contained in the gas flow and thereforeof the electrode plates is greater than a height thereof in the intake air by a Venturi nozzle arranged downstream of electrolyte for aanperiod electrode surface area is covered with of time .

the air mass measuring device . 20 17. The arrangement according to claim 12 , wherein the 12. The arrangement according to claim 8 , wherein the electrode plate is one millimeter thick and the electrode electrolyzer comprises a plurality of electrode plates that are plates are spaced apart by between 1.5 and 10.5 millimeters . arranged in parallel and at a spacing from one another in a 18. The arrangement according to claim 12 , wherein the housing that is filled with an electrolyte and are provided electrolyte with apertures, and two outer electrode plates and / or one 25 solution . in the electrolyzer is a 3.5 to 5.0 % caustic potash central electrode plate are connected to a positive or a 19. The arrangement according to claim 18 , wherein the negative pole of the vehicle battery by the first control electrolyte has a higher concentration in order to lower a device, a gas collecting chamber that is delimited above the freezing point during winter operation and / or contains up to electrode plates by a housing cover being connectable to the a maximum of 10 % ethylene glycol as an antifreezing agent. gas supply line by a cap that can be placed on a gas outlet connecting piece so as to seal it , automatically opens when