Yull BROWN
HHO / Brown's Gas
Hanissch Engineering Testimonial ( 12
March 1979 ) re: Brown's Gas
Sunday Telegraph (January 16, 1977)
"Brown’s Gas"
A Sydney inventor has refused a giant American oil company’s offer to buy out his method of turning tap water into fuel. The offer is one of more than a dozen Mr Yull Brown, of Auburn, has received.
Mr Brown’s invention allows oxygen and hydrogen extracted from ordinary tap water to be used safely for almost any type of burning fuel. He envisages the day when cars, stoves, heating and most of industry can be run on water or the gas extracted from it. He has perfected his invention in a cutting and welding torch, similar to an oxyacetylene torch, which is 30 times cheaper than present torches and burns with a flame seven times hotter.
Mr Brown says his company has spent more than $650,000 on the invention, which has taken shape in his backyard workshop over the past seven years.
"I will not sellout to any big company because they are all the same, protecting their interests", he said. "People before have had similar inventions to mine and they have sold out and nothing has been heard of then inventions again".
Alternate
"I don’t know whether the Americans want to buy it to use it or to take it right of the market and protect their oil interests.
"I think that while there is a drop of oil left in the world they will try to stop alternate power sources, so I will ignore their offer.
"Companies that sell petrol and industrial gas have invested millions of dollars in plant and steel bottles --- they don’t want to know about an invention that can use 10 gallons of water to produce enough gas for 6 weeks’ work or to run a car".
Mr Brown said he would start producing commercial models of his welding torch within the next couple of months while a company in England did the same thing there.
He has patented his invention in 32 countries, and has entered into a $500,000 agreement with the English firm for the production of his cutting torch.
Mr Brown said the other offers --- from Britain and European forms --- would be considered.
"Only one Australian firm has approached me since I announced the perfection of my method last week, but I would like to see all the other developments take place here".
The torches will incorporate an electric arc welder, will cost
about $1300, and will produce about 10 cubic feet of gas for
about 6 cents.
Australasian Post (February 16, 1978)
[ No Author / Title Info Available ]
The most talked-about inventor in Australia today is Yull Brown of Sydney --- the man who uses ordinary water as the fuel for all his inventions.
To non-scientific minds it must be a bit hard to swallow, but it’s all perfectly true. Mr Brown, 55, has succeeded, among other things, in running a Mazda car, and Holden car engine on water fuel.
He worked as a laboratory technician for a while and later branched into business son his own.
A few years ago, a group of seven businessmen put up $700,000 in a company called Water Fuel Holdings to finance Mr Brown’s experiments.
But what was Mr Brown’s original inspiration to use water as a fuel source? When we stop for a moment and consider the possibilities of water-fuelled ships, cars, and even jumbo jets, it all sounds like something for a Jules Verne novel --- and that, in fact, is where Mr Brown got his idea.
In 1875, Jules Verne in his book The Mysterious Island, wrote the following passage:
"Water decomposed into its primitive elements, and decomposed doubtless by electricity, which will then have become a powerful and manageable force. Yes, my friends, I believe that water will one day be employed as a fuel".
And that’s a fair assessment of how Mr Brown does it. He produces his hydrogen-oxygen mixture by electrolytic dissociation of water by electrolytic dissociation of water under the action of DC electrical current.
He has also successfully demonstrated a new type of welder, powered from energy derived from water that could very soon make him a multi-millionaire.
Small wonder that a steady stream of scientists and electronics experts from all over Australia have been beating a path to Mr Brown’s modest laboratories in the outer Sydney suburb of Auburn.
It seems that just about everyone with a scientific mind in this country wants to know how Yull Brown’s inventions work...
A short, solidly-built man with powerful forearms, Mr Brown is aware that his inventions are bound to create a lot of enemies in big business if and when they are ever launched into commercial use.
"Some businesses stand to lose millions when my inventions are accepted", he said, "so it would be a simple matter for them topay some gangster $10,000 and get me put out of the way.
"I used to carry a pistol in a holster on my belt until a few weeks ago. The police saw me wearing it on a television interview and they came around the next day and took it away from me. All I’ve got to protect me now is my German Shepherd called Ali Baba".
He separates the two gases by passing an electric current through water, and has devised a way of storing them, as a mixture, with no more danger than in the handling and storing of other fuels.
Australian experts who have examined Mr Brown’s work have agreed that he has made a notable breakthrough in the field of oxy-hydrogen experiments.
Imagine Magazine (1988)
"New Alchemy --- Water Into Fire"
by Paul White
Yull Brown is the man responsible for that popular urban myth of the car that runs on water. When he first developed his new water electrolysis process in the mid-70s he found a safe, non-explosive method of separating water into oxygen and hydrogen. He built a device that converted his car to run on the hydrogen from water, with oxygen as the only exhaust emission. He was shown on television at the time actually filling his car with an ordinary garden hose!
A skeptical world was amused by the oddball news snippet. Then Mr Brown began to have problems. He was, of course, loudly denounced as a crank. Scientific experts were quoted as saying the new technology was "physically impossible" and "ludicrous". Absolutely no one would give him a research development load. Approaches to the automobile industry only brought derision. His bank foreclosed the mortgage on his home and, shortly thereafter, he made television news again because of attempts made on his life. Shots were fired into his kitchen.
Realizing that his new technology aroused the considerable opposition of different corporations, Yull Brown disappeared from public view with his water-car and set off on another track to research and develop he new electrolysis process he had discovered. The water-car became another urban myth along with crocodiles in the sewers under the city.
Suddenly, last year, Mr Brown surfaces with a way of turning water into fire.Under the corporate name of B.E.S.T Aust. Pty. Ltd. He introduced a commercial range of revolutionary Gas Generator Welders. Disposing completely with conventional bottled gas, this new water-powered system generates a gas mix called Brown’s Gas which produces a flame that can cut, fuse, weld, solder and braze. Brown’s Gas has some remarkable characteristics which include being able to weld a steel pipe to brick with perfect molecular fusion!
The new company tried to float on the Sydney Stock Exchange for development funds but a mysterious smear campaign of crank phone calls defaming the product and claiming scientific documentation that proved fraud so disturbed the Sponsoring Broker that confidence was lost and all funds were returned to investors. This year (1988), with the enthusiastic backing of a Korean businessman, the company was floated again, quietly with a minimum of fuss, on the Hobart Stock Exchange.
It may take a little while for the new technology to sink in but Mr Brown reports an unprecedented avalanche of enquiries and requests for information since the press reported his successful bid on the Stock Exchange. The most startling claim by the inventor in the press is that the gas produced in his process can reduce nuclear and toxic waste to harmless carbon.
Mr Brown’s company is now in full production of the revolutionary new welding machines, and is making first deliveries. A larger version of the device is about to be shipped to the USA where its ability to destroy plutonium and other problem toxic wastes will be tested.
The Technology
In 1973, Prof Brown found that if hydrogen and oxygen were carefully mixed in the same proportion found in water (two hydrogen atoms to each oxygen atom) they would burn much more safely. He developed the first high efficiency electrolysis cell to produce his unique gas mix in a confined gas mix causes it to implode rather than explode. It burns faster with higher efficiency than any other gas mix. The flame front propagates at 3 km/second compared with only 10 m/sec for oxy-acetylene. This means that with the gas burned at high pressure extremely intense heat can be produced in a tiny volume.
In one instant the flame can be the temperature of a candle, and you can wave your finger through it. Then, it will melt and split granite or fuse metal pipes to house bricks. Brown’s gas can reach 6000 degrees, the hottest known temperature. Tungsten, the most heat-resistant metal which melts at 3600 degrees, changes directly from a solid to a dark gas under the welder.
Mr Brown theorizes that the temperature of the flame is determined at the surface of the material through an interactive process between the hydrogen molecules and the atomic bonds in the object being welded. Essentially, he argues, this is a controlled thermonuclear reaction.
To use Brown’s gas as an energy source, it is detonated by a spark which immediately forms a vacuum. Atmospheric pressure then sucks water or any other liquid through a container or hollowed area, electricity and water are the only elements needed to activate and fuel the unit. Yull Brown has converted the engine of his car to run on the mix. Atmospheric pressure forces the pistons down into the cylinders to occupy the near-vacuum caused by the implosion of the gas.
One wonders if the now much-mooted Greenhouse Effect might break down the resistance of certain major corporations to Brown’s gas generators being used to run cars and aircraft run on water sooner rather than later. Indeed, this remarkable Australian technology may have surfaced just in time to offer a healthy alternative to present polluting power sources.
The water generator and welder have up to 30 different applications covering the following technical areas: Glazing and kiln operation, mining and mineral separation, drying of foods, rocket fuel production, silica conversion, primary production, irrigation, etc. Techniques are: Air-conditioning and cooling, coal to oil conversion, pollution, smoke cleaning and disintegration of toxic waste, cheap hydrogen production, welding and brazing, liquid displacement, water pumps, graphite production, industrial and somatic heating and cooking, motor-cars, railways, ships, waste gas conversion, vacuum systems, and the timber industry.
Don’t look back but it looks as if the future may well have arrived!
Unidentified Text
"Yull Brown’s Gas"
Dr Brown’s Gas Production Differs From Electrolysis of Water
The electrolysis method of separating water into its components of hydrogen and oxygen is accomplished by passing an electric current through water and is known since the early 1880s. Though various methods of water electrolysis have been developed, these require that the two gases, hydrogen and oxygen, are passed into separate chambers due to the volatile nature of the gases when mixed. If a volume of hydrogen is mixed with a volume of oxygen in a percentage greater than 5%, a violent explosion occurs. Likewise when oxygen is mixed with hydrogen. Water electrolysis cells are generally not an efficient or economic source of energy.
Brown’s proprietary process results in Brown’s Gas, a gas containing ionic hydrogen and oxygen in proper mixtures which is generated economically and safely and which can be compressed up to 100 psi. It was first patented in Australia in 1977, with patents granted in over 30 countries since. Six models of generators are in production.
Brown’s Gas Implodes to Vacuum + Water
With his system, 1 kWh of electricity produces 340 liters of gas. One unit of water yields 1866.6 units of the gas --- and the inverse applies as well. Upon ignition, Brown’s Gas implodes --- resulting in 1865.6 units of vacuum with one unit of water. The end result of implosion is always pure water. The vacuum may be generated in a device without moving parts.
Thermal Effects of Brown’s Gas
Standard blowtorches may be used to burn the gas, ignition being obtained with a hot spark. Thermal energy is generated by the interaction of ionic oxygen with the material coming in contact, while the ionic hydrogen penetrates the material beyond the oxidizing (heated) matrix domain, permitting a cooling effect beyond. Brown’s Gas has achieved temperatures at above 6000 C --- the temperature of the sublimation of Tungsten (1/8" diameter tungsten rod will vaporize within 30 seconds). Evaluations show that Brown’s Gas welding is anywhere from 7.06 to 58.33% less expensive than oxy-acetylene gas welding, depending on cost of electricity. The generators used for welding purposes are manufactured by the major high-tech Chinese manufacturing facility, NORINCO in Baotou, sold by Brown’s Gas International Corp. in the USA.
Ultra-Performance Fuel for Engines
The February 9, 1978 Hansard of the New South Wales Legislative and Legislative Assembly in Australia reports that Yull Brown has driven his car 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) tone gallon of water.
Brown’s Gas for Deep-Space Life Support
Brown’s Gas has been found to be of particular value in replacing air, helium and oxygen for deep-sea breathing. It permits doubling of the depth of manned diver penetration to about 2,050 meters (over 6,750 feet) without narcosis effects, and full working capacity despite the high pressures, as was demonstrated in 16-day tests.
Planetary Association for Clean Energy, Vol. 8(3)
"Brown’s Gas"
by Floyd Farley
Extracting Precious Minerals
This report is strictly a preliminary report on using the flame from Brown’s gas BN-200 Gas Generator extract complex Sonoran Desert ores for assaying. It is in no way to be construed as a final answer nor a methodology in the pretreatment or treatment of ores for precious metal recovery.
Many months, if not years, of research still remain before any real answers can be given with any degree of certainty as to the effectiveness of the treatment of ores that exist in the world.
Tests completed to date by this writer are on ore from three mines near Tonopah, AZ. They are: Hummingbird Group, Sierra Associates, and Number Three Mine. Ore from all these mines were known to contain gold, some silver, and the platinum group. Silver, because of its low quantity and low price, has been discounted in these tests. These ores are a complex of many elements and compounds and have not been workable with any of the commercial processes for recovery of precious metals. Recovery can be made on the laboratory bench, but no commercial process has been developed that will work. In addition, the values in these ores can’t be concentrated.
Otherwise Economical Recovery
The complexity of the ores causes them to be not amenable to any type of fire assay, giving very little or no metals in the cupel. Assays can be made with complex, uneconomical chemical processes in the lab. Attempts to scale up with these processes have been dismal failures.
Tests conducted by this writer and his associates initially were with 1/6 assay ton samples. The flame was played across and through the ores for different lengths of time and the changes in colors and reactions were noted.
These samples were then fire-assayed using a straightforward, common flux, crucible fusion, cupel method. Surprising results occurred the first time with odd-looking odd-colored beads remaining in the cupel. These beads were then weighed and pasted with hot dilute nitric acid to expel silver, palladium, and other unwanted metals. The remaining particles were again weighted and digested in aqua regia.
Successful, Enhanced Recovery
The gold was then precipitated out and the residuals were again put back in solution to digest the platinum and the rhodium and the precipitants reduced to metal and weighed.
Metal recovery was consistent with the AA readings. The chemical assay results were read on the AA and no attempt was made to recover the metals, as the AA readings were consistent with readings and recoveries from the fire assays. A third set of tests has confirmed these results. A videotape is being made that will show is being made that will show the methods used, the reactions taking place and results.
The important discovery here is the ability after flame treatment to use a straightforward fire assay to determine the values in the ore. To this writer’s and to his associate’s knowledge, this has never been done with any degree of certainty or consistency. Also, never has the platinum from these ores been this easy to get in hand as metal.
Gold values were somewhat lower (1.86 oz/ton) than previous tests would indicate; however platinum (17.2 oz) and rhodium were higher. These tests have proven what was known: that these ores carry extremely good commercial values, even though no process existed to extract them.
The next set of planned tests will attempt to determine dwell time upon each of these ores for maximum assay recovery. Through noted microscopic matrix changes in the ores, attempts to concentrate the values will also be made.
Extraordinary Science (October-December 1990)
"Brown’s Gas --- A Global Technological Breakthrough"
by Robert Card
Tomahawk Resources, Inc. (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
What is Brown’s Gas?
Brown’s Gas is the product of the dissociation of water by electrolysis, using the gas generator patented world wide by Professor Yull Brown. It is a completely safe, compressed stoichometric mixture of atomic and molecular hydrogen and oxygen. It is colorless, odorless, lighter than air, and non-toxic.
Properties of Brown’s Gas
Brown’s Gas burns with a clean flame. It will burn in a vacuum, or under water. It uses no atmospheric oxygen, and creates only pure water as its sole combustion product.
Brown’s Gas contains no hydrocarbons, and therefore is incapable of producing carbon dioxide, or any other atmospheric pollutant, when ignited.
Brown’s Gas cannot explode; indeed, it implodes upon ignition. One liter of water produces 1860 liters of gas. When this gas is ignited, the volume is reduced to the original one liter of water. This characteristic is very useful in the creation of near-perfect vacuums.
Brown’s Gas is produced from a very plentiful fuel, water, and is may times less expensive than conventional bottled gas.
Very high temperatures are obtainable when Brown’s Gas is ignited using a standard torch. Brown’s Gas is strongly ionized, and exhibits many of the characteristics of plasma, at a small fraction of the cost.
Advantages of Brown’s Gas
Brown’s Gas is derived from ordinary water, a plentiful and readily available fuel, is safe and pollution-free, and presents no hazard to the environment.
Due to its stoichometric nature, Brown’s Gas normally burns with a perfectly neutral flame. This flame can be modified, fluxed and switched from a reducing to an oxidizing flame at extremely high frequencies.
The heat is highly concentrated, can be applied with extreme accuracy and is axial in nature.
Brown’s Gas is produced on demand, where and when needed so no storage is required. It can, therefore, be used in locations where bottled gas is prohibited.
Since Brown’s Gas is lighter than air no dangerous concentrations of gas are likely. Since it uses no oxygen from the atmosphere, it can be used safely in closed spaces. Brown’s gas is completely safe to generate and use, is pollution-free and does not contribute in any way to the greenhouse effect.
All Brown’s Gas Generators are subject to a one-year guarantee against defective materials and workmanship.
Features of the Brown’s Gas Generator
Brown’s Gas is supplied at 280-400 kpa (40-60 psi).
Brown’s Gas is produced at the rate of approximately 340 liters per kilowatt of DC electricity.
Brown’s Gas Generators are fully safely, and are approved for manufacture and use by the New South Wales Department of Industrial Relations.
Have an automatic, fully regulated pressure system. They are equipped with a pressure regulator, and pressure, voltage and amperage gauges. Bo internal compressor is required, the gas is generated and pressurized with no moving parts.
All units are compact, mobile, solidly constructed, with a durable baked enamel finish.
The Brown’s Gas Generator is easily installed, as well as simple and safe to operate.
"For technical questions, ordering details, shipping quotes, etc. contact: watertorch@eagle-research.com
-
"Eagle-Research is working with people around the world to
develop the Brown's Gas technology. This patent-free exchange of
information has resulted in an avalanche of progress in the
Brown's Gas research. Free cooperation has made tremendous
progress developing Brown's Gas machines that are far superior
to anything that has existed until now.
"For people who wish to find out more about Brown's Gas, a large portion of the history and development of Brown's Gas research is detailed in 'Brown's Gas, Book One'. It also gives most of the mathematics needed to understand Brown's Gas and the theory behind the Gas.
-
"'Brown's Gas, Book 2' contains all the needed information to
home-build a safe and easy to use commercial sized Brown's Gas
electrolyzer (several people have now done it, using surplus
components). The latter part of Brown's Gas, Book Two points out
some misconceptions and myths about Brown's Gas that that
Eagle-Research has been able to prove false with actual
experiments. However, Brown's Gas has many wonderful, beneficial
applications."... www.eagle-research.com (George
Wiseman).
References
Nexus Magazine ( US: PO Box 177, Kempton, IL 60946-0177, Ph: 815 253-6464 ~ Australia: PO Box 30, Mapleton, Qld 4560, Ph: +61 (0)7 5442-9280 ~ Netherlands: PO Box 372, Dronten 8250 AJ, Ph: +31 (0)3210 80558 ~ UK: 55 Queens Rd, East Grinstead, W. Sussex, RH19 1BG, Ph: +44 (0)1342 322854 ) ~ Issue No 7, Summer 1989, "Fire From Water" ~ Issue No 8, Autumn 1989, "Jules Verne to Yull Brown, An Urban Myth Come True" ~ Issue No 9, 1989-1990, "Water Power--Fuel of the Future Today"
Extraordinary Science Magazine ( PO Box 5636, Colorado Springs, CO 80931, Ph: 719-475-0918 ) ~ Vol 5 (3), Jul-Aug-Sep 1993, "Brown's Gas, A Revolutionary Breakthrough"
Explore Magazine ( PO Box 1508, Mt Vernon, WA 98273, Ph: 800-845-7866, 360-293-3282 ) ~ Vol 3 (2), 1992, "Fire From Water, Saga of Yull Brown" (Part 1); Vol 3 (3), 1992, "Fire From Water, Saga of Yull Brown" (Part 2) ~ Vol 3 (6), 1992, "Fire From Water, Saga of Yull Brown" (Part 3)
Planetary Association For Clean Energy ( 100 Bronson Ave, Suite 1001, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1R6, Ph: 613 236-6265 ) ~ Vol. 6, No 4, "Transmutations of Radioactive Materials with Yull Brown's Gas"
MaxaPower Technical Bulletin (16625 Redmond Way, Redmond, WA 98052 ) ~ "The Aqua-Phase Shift Technology 1991"
http://www.pureenergysystems.com/academy/papers/Common_Duct_Electrolytic_Oxy-Hydrogen.htm
William A.Rhodes --- Common Duct Electrolytic Oxy-Hydrogen --- Claims precedence over Brown (Brown references Rhodes' patents:USP # 3,262,872 and 3,310,483)
KeelyNet (04/11/02)
"Difference between Rhodes Gas & Browns Gas" -
'An inventor who has been referenced before issuance of the
Yull Brown patents is now making claims on the Internet for
precedence for generation and single-ducted use of mixed atomic
hydrogen and oxygen. William A. Rhodes of the Arizona State
University, refers to his US patents 3,262,872 issued July 26,
1966 and 3,310,483 of March 21, 1977, about 5 years before Yull
Brown discovered his process in a small Sydney, Australia lab in
1971. Over 20 examiners, from Australia to the United Kingdom,
did not agree when they granted some 30 patents to Yull Brown in
the mid-1970s.
The mixed gas produced by the Rhodes system is different and
does not have the unique - and for most conventional scientists
- 'anomalous' physical properties of Brown's gas. Essentially,
Brown's gas comes already mixed and compressed at determinable
levels, straight out of the electrolysis, while the Rhodes'
system is mixed in a 2:1 ratio after electolysis prior to
membranes and onto conduits and then to the torch.
Browns's gas burns in a vacuum, is subject to implosion - as a single reaction - when sparked or heated, has a variable flame temperature of about 138 C to over 6,000 C at which tungsten sublimates and allows transmutation.
The Rhodes system allows for a production in 20, 75, 150 and 300 litres of mixed gas per hour. While 340 litres of Browns Gas are generated per 1kwh, only 167 litres of the Rhodes mixed gas are. The Rhodes system can use an 'outboard' alcohol booster tank that increases BTU output while decreasing the flame temperature of the standard 3,315 C to about 1,930 C.
The Rhodes system is manufactured by Arizona HydroGen Manufacturing, 4225 East Madison Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034. It has applications in welding, soldering, polishing and annealing in industrial electronics, jewelry manufacturing, dental laboratories, glass, ceramic and plastics industries. Details: Dennis McMurray at 602-275-4126, FAX 267-8787.'
Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2002
From: WILLIAM A. RHODES
To: Jerry Decker
TO: Planetary Association for Clean Energy
I am William Rhodes, whom your following newsletter was aimed at.
Since my research documentation covering my invention of the Single Ducted Oxy-Hydrogen system was complete on Keelynet (see links below), I am puzzled by your statements. However, your questions will be answered for correction further clarification (Yours in quotes.):
"An inventor who has been referenced before issuance of the Yull Brown patents is now making claims on the Internet for precedence for generation and single-ducted use of mixed atomic hydrogen and oxygen. William A. Rhodes of the Arizona State University, refers to his US patents 3,262,872 issued July 26, 1966 and 3,310,483 of March 21, 1977, about 5 years before Yull Brown discovered his process in a small Sydney, Australia lab in 1971."
** I am *now* making claims? Look at Yull Brown's first U.S. patent. My patent is clearly listed as a reference there and dated 11 years prior to his. I used two years of experimenting before going for a patent. **
"Over 20 examiners, from Australia to the United Kingdom, did not agree when they granted some 30 patents to Yull Brown in the mid-1970s."
** What did Examiners not agree on? Certainly it cannot be my date of issuance or the invention itself? If not, then what? So far, this dealt with non-applicable trivia. Many patent attor- neys get jobs with the patent office because they were not intel- ligent enough to remain in private practice. I have about 60 patents.
One case involved technology so strange I was attacked as a fraud, and my application rejected. Time does not permit details except to say, the invention was gross simplification of an electrostatic generator using water dripping through two open cans. It's predecessor existed for sale in an old Central Scientific catalog. It contained four cans. I ripped out the page and mailed it to the examiner with a note that said, "If I am a fraud, then the company selling its equivalent is also a fraud." US 2,742,58l patent issued immediately. Now, lets look at more of your complaints.**
"The mixed gas produced by the Rhodes system is different and does not have the unique - and for most conventional scientists - 'anomalous' physical properties of Brown's gas. Essentially, Brown's gas comes already mixed and compressed at determinable levels, straight out of the electrolysis, while the Rhodes' system is mixed in a 2:1 ratio after electrolysis prior to mem- branes and onto conduits and then to the torch."
** I would certainly appreciate your explanation of what is unique about Brown's Gas. I examined his patent and find nothing different in his gas from mine. In either case compression of such gases must not approach 400 psi where auto-ignition occurs. Rhodes gas likewise comes straight from the electrolysis tank, ALREADY MIXED, but NOT in a 2:1 ratio. It is a stoichiometric mixture of 1:1 (atom for atom). A 2:1 ratio cannot be stoichio- metric and would cause incomplete burning. There are no mem- branes and "conduits". Mine is a single conduit. Whomever wrote this either did not read, did not understand, or too hastily scanned the document on Keelynet.**
"Browns's gas burns in a vacuum, is subject to implosion --- as a single reaction --- when sparked or heated, has a variable flame temperature of about 138 C to over 6,000 C at which tungsten sublimates and allows transmutation."
** Excuse me! There is no scientific reason why any combustible gas mixture chosen would not burn in a vacuum. This is an oxymoron. The degree of vacuum is not mentioned. Not much of a vacuum can exist with combustion occurring in it. The pumping system merely sucks gases out the burner orifice. "Implosion?" Implosion always occurs in both Brown and Rhodes. All hot gases "implode" on a continuous basis, with continuous combustion. To be proper, it should be called "volume shrinkage". When combus- tion ceases, regardless of the gas species used the byproducts of combustion and internal atmosphere SHRINKS toward ambient pres- sure. This is just plain high-school physics, in open air or partial vacuum. So far the author has a failing grade in physics. This implosion myth has been circulating many years. It comes from the scientifically ignorant. **
"The Rhodes system allows for a production in 20, 75, 150 and 300 liters of mixed gas per hour. While 340 liters of Brown's Gas are generated per 1kwh, only 167 liters of the Rhodes mixed gas are. The Rhodes system can use an 'outboard' alcohol booster tank that increases BTU output while decreasing the flame temperature of the standard 3,315 C to about 1,930 C."
** How was the liters per kw determined? The Rhodes electrolyzer system delivers the maximum output from a proper amount of potas- sium hydroxide (KOH). (Read the Keelynet document again.) In the States, there are two manufacturers claiming 100% efficiency. That, dear friend, would mean an electrolyte with zero resist- ance, presently impossible. They, including Yull Brown, were not aware that instruments used for such measurements must be capable of accurately reading all power delivered harmonics. Using the wrong instruments can and does provide readings in excess of true energy used.
Example: If electrical energy is through a converter that yields spikes occupying say 10% of the duty cycle, then false readings can produce a miracle by showing an efficiency of 300% or more. A gross impossibility. With that we would have, hooray, over-unity -- free energy from nothing. (Yull Brown's higher gas yields per 1kwh are no doubt instrument errors.) The only way to determine true energy input vs BTU delivered is using a watt/hour meter of the type seen on homes and businesses, followed by a calorimeter. They read ALL energy, not just portions of it. The last three sentences in the previous text about the alcohol booster are almost correct.** Instruments used in compiling the original Keelynet document were NIST calibrated. Nothing was left to chance. I would advise you read and understand it before launching such ridiculous trivia as found here. Somehow I touched a nerve yielding an emotional response instead of a scientific one.**
The Rhodes system is manufactured by Arizona HydroGen Manufacturing, 4225 East Madison Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034. It has applications in welding, soldering, polishing and annealing in industrial electronics, jewelry manufacturing, dental laboratories, glass, ceramic and plastics industries. Details: Dennis McMurray at 602-275-4126, FAX 267-8787.'
Respectfully,
William A. Rhodes, Physicist
US Patent # 4,014,777
March 29, 1977 ~ US Cl. 204/228.5
Welding
Yull Brown
Abstract --- This invention relates to welding, brazing or the like utilizing a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen generated in substantially stoichiometric proportions in an electrolytic cell by electrolytic dissociation of water, the mixture so generated being passed from the generator through a flash-back arrestor and thence to a burner where the gases are ignited. The invention also relates to atomic welding in which the above mentioned mixture is passed through an arc causing dissociation of both the hydrogen and oxygen into atomic hydrogen and oxygen which on recombination generate an intensely hot flame.
Foreign Application Priority Data
Jul 20, 1973[AU] 4159/73
May 02, 1974[AU] 7418/73
Aug 03, 1973[AU] 4341/73
Current U.S. Class: 204/228.5; 204/268; 204/269; 204/270;
204/272; 429/21; 431/354
Intern'l Class: C25B 001/02; C25B 001/04
Field of Search:
204/129,270,278,228,230,237,269,229,272,271 136/86 R 55/3,100
29/498.5 219/137 431/354 206/.7
References Cited
US Patent Documents
685,274 ~ Oct., 1901 ~ Haas ~ Cl. 204/268.
1,600,478 ~ Sep., 1926 ~ Lawaczeck ~ Cl. 204/272.
3,045,665 ~ Jul., 1962 ~ Movat ~ Cl. 204/129.
3,177,633 ~ Apr., 1965 ~ McDonald, Jr. ~ Cl. 55/3.
3,262,872 ~ Jul., 1966 ~ Rhodes, et al. ~ Cl. 204/129.
3,310,483 ~ Mar., 1967 ~ Rhodes ~ Cl. 204/129.
Description
This invention relates to welding, brazing and the like, utilizing hydrogen and oxygen, and extends to such applications as oxy-welding, oxy-cutting, atomic welding, and welding or cutting in combination with electric arc techniques. The invention also provides for the generation of hydrogen and oxygen for the abovementioned applications in combination therewith or separately.
A most important application of the invention is atomic welding
utilizing the properties of atomic oxygen in combination with
atomic hydrogen (for welding) or atomic oxygen separately (for
cutting). This particular application of the invention is based,
among other things, on the appreciation that considerable energy
is associated with the dissociation of molecular oxygen into
atomic oxygen by passing this gas through an arc, and that this
property can be usefully employed to generate temperatures even
higher than those previously attainable with, for example, an
atomic hydrogen flame. The significance of the energy which can
be obtained in this way can be appreciated from the following
reactions that take place, and the heat energies associated
therewith, when hydrogen and oxygen are both passed through an
electric arc. Thus:
______________________________________
H.sub.2 H + H
absorbing
101,000 cal. per gram mole
O.sub.2 O + O
absorbing
117,000 cal. per gram mole
total218,000
cal. per gram mole
______________________________________
On recombination of these atoms this energy is released as heat through a number of complex chemical reactions and results in an extremely high flame temperature. Previously it would not have been considered possible to practically pass oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen together through an arc due to the highly explosive or inflammable nature of such gases. However in accordance with the concepts of the present invention this is indeed both possible and practical and, as mentioned above, enables the realization of much higher welding or cutting temperatures than hitherto obtainable by known practical means.
One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus whereby hydrogen and oxygen can be generated quickly and conveniently for immediate use for welding, etc., without many of the disadvantages associated with conventional gas welding practice. For example, the practice of employing cylinders (or "bottles") of gas, usually oxygen and acetylene can have significant disadvantages, particularly for users working remote from a supply depot and for whom there might be an appreciable delay between the placing of an order for a delivery of gas the the actual delivery. For such users, in order to ensure an adequate supply of gas when a particular job demands it, it is often necessary to order fresh supplies in advance, even before the supply on hand is fully used, or else risk running out of gas before a job is completed. Since bottles of gas are generally delivered on a strictly exchange basis -- in that a used bottle must be returned in exchange for a refilled bottle -- the practice can mean a significant waste, as far as the user is concerned, if bottles containing useful amounts of unused gas have to be returned to the supplier.
The practice of using bottled gas also has associated with it a large number of other problems such as the possibility of gas leaking from bottles, possibility of industrial disputes which can result in severe delays in delivery and in supply shortages, liabilities, high purchase and storage costs, freight charges, and so on.
To illustrate some of the conditions which the consumer of bottled gas must put up with, listed below is a summary of the "conditions of sale" which apply to the sale and distribution of bottled gas.
a. The cylinder remains the sole property of the supplier, which retains the right to exercise at any time its proprietory powers in its discretion.
b. All cylinders and contents are forwarded at the expense and risk of the customers.
c. It is the responsibility of the customers to provide adequate labour for the loading and unloading of all cylinders at the premises.
d. Cylinders are to be returned to the supplier as soon as empty, carriage and freight charges paid.
e. A cylinder is not `returned` until received by the supplier at its works or warehouse or by its truck and a receipt on the suppliers form given for the same. No document purporting to be a receipt for any such cylinder shall be valid unless it is the suppliers printed form of receipt.
f. Cylinders are not transferable and must not be used for any purpose other than as containers for the gas sold by the supplier and must not be delivered or sent for recharging to any place other than the suppliers gas station.
g. The customer agrees not to resell to any person or Corporation, the gas contents of the cylinders of any part thereof.
h. Customers are held responsible for all loss or damage to cylinders from whatever cause arising from the time of delivery until returned to the suppliers. (Customers are advised to cover the cylinders by insurance).
i. Where a customer has not returned a cylinder in good order and condition within six months from the date of delivery, the supplier may, at its option, charge the customer with an amount not exceeding the agreed value of the cylinder and the demurrage due in respect thereof, and such amount is payable by the customer as liquidated damages for the detention of the cylinder. Notwithstanding the payment of such amount in respect of any cylinder, it remains the property of the suppliers and the right of the suppliers to recover possession thereof is not affected in any way.
j. No allowance is made on any residual gas returned in the cylinders.
k. And many other conditions varying in the different countries in the world.
Another disadvantage, which is associated with oxy-hydrogen welding arises due to the marked ability of hydrogen to be absorbed by most metals. Thus when welding steel, for example, great care must be taken to ensure that excess hydrogen is not present otherwise it will be absorbed in the metal to cause loss of strength and brittleness. On the other hand, an excess of oxygen would cause burning of the metal and should thus equally be avoided. It is most important therefore that with oxy-hydrogen welding the mixture at the burner be adjusted to produce a neutral flame, that is, one in which there is neither excess hydrogen nor excess oxygen. In practice it is most difficult to maintain (and virtually impossible to judge by flame colour) a neutral flame, and for that reason oxy-hydrogen welding is not widely used despite the inherent advantages of low cost and high heat value offered by hydrogen as a fuel.
These and other disadvantages can be overcome to a significant extent by the present invention whereby hydrogen and oxygen fuel are generated simultaneously by electrolysis in an electrolytic cell and allowed to freely mix therein to form a stoichiometric mixture that will burn with a neutral flame. The fuel gas can be generated where and whenever required thereby eliminating the need for storage of bottles of gas and reliance on regular deliveries of gas which often cannot be guaranteed.
The method of the present invention requires no diaphragms or the like to separate the hydrogen and oxygen liberated by the electrolysis process and thereby enables considerable advantages to be realized over conventional electrolytic production of these gases. Such diaphragms have normally been regarded as essential for conventional electrolytic generators in order to separate the two gases that would otherwise form a highly explosive mixture; however, it has been found, in accordance with the present invention, that the two gases can be safely, and usefully, produced and utilized as a mixture for fuel purposes provided that suitable safety precautions, such as the employment of a flash-back arrestor, are taken. Such safety precautions may include, for example, the employment of a device which removes electrolyte vapour from the gas and at the same time acts as a flash-back arrestor. In obviating the need for diaphragms or the like the present invention enables the electrodes to be placed much closer together and avoids the high resistance associated with diaphragms, which in turn enables a significant increase in the rate of gas production for a given size of apparatus. In short the present invention enables the manufacture of small size equipment that is useful for a large variety of welding and similar work and that is not prohibitively bulky for the average situation: something which is impossible with conventional hydrogen-oxygen generating equipment.
In the development of apparatus from the basic concept of generation of hydrogen and oxygen electrolytically in a practical manner suitable for large industrial applications on the one hand, and small domestic applications on the other hand, a number of factors had to be taken into account, analysed and weighed one against the other. The following is a list of some of these factors to illustrate what has been involved.
a. Endosmotic pressure to be balanced against the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid.
b. Rate of flow of electric current in relation to the area of the electrodes.
c. The prior art problem of removing the gases from anolyte and catholyte, before diffusion and before the electrolytes are intermixed.
d. Effects of rapid changes in the rate of flow of electricity through the cell.
e. Effects of auxiliary decomposition within the anode and cathode sides of the cell.
f. The choice of the most readily ionized electrolyte of a maximum conductivity.
g. The least possible spacing between anode and cathode that can be employed.
h. A design of cell in which previously it was regarded impossible for the H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 given to become mixed with safety, which does away with diaphragms or the like which would increase the internal resistance, in which both hydrogen and oxygen can be mixed within the cell, and in which cells can be connected in series, parallel, or parallel and series to suit requirements.
i. The choice of materials for the electrodes.
j. The quantity of acids or alkali to be used.
k. The shapes of cells according to purpose of the cells, and the application for which they are designed.
l. The possibility of improvement with permanent or electro-magnetically induced fields applied to the electrolytic cells, to cause controlled separation of a quantity of the gases generated in the cells.
m. Ensuring effective circulation of electrolyte between the electrodes, with as little electrical resistance as possible.
n. The possibility of using sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide which, in concentrations from 10% up to 30%, which has negligible corrosion action on iron or nickel electrodes, apart from producing a solution of good conductivity.
o. The use of the cooling effect by passing of hydrogen and oxygen gases, for cooling electrolyte in the cell, for controlling the cell temperature, preferably between 40.degree. C to 60.degree. C, at which temperature the bonds between hydrogen and oxygen need a minimum of electrical energy to break.
g. The separation of hydrogen and oxygen from a mixture, using, possibly, a permanent magnetic field, or an electro-magnetic field which can be controlled to obtain a desired separation between the hydrogen and oxygen. Based on this principle, the oxygen could be substantially separated from the mixture and the hydrogen could be absorbed by, for example, selected metals, which have high absorption affinity for hydrogen (for example, paladium which absorbs 900 times more hydrogen from its volume). Also, using the principle of the invention, hydrogen and oxygen can be generated in large quantities with small units and the oxygen could, for example, be separated and used to supply hospitals, baby rooms, air conditioning systems, or for any other application, when oxygen is required. Oxygen can, in this way, be generated much faster and more conveniently than with conventional electrolytic generating equipment.
q. The possibility of absorbing the hydrogen or oxygen by specially selected materials in small containers and where the absorbed gas can be extracted when desired for welding or brazing where it would be inconvenient or impossible to do so with conventional equipment.
r. Making the welding operator entirely independent of any gas suppliers.
s. The generation of cheap gas, up to 6 to 7 times cheaper than normal gas supplies.
t. The design of equipment which gives not only professional welders, but handymen, or people who would like to do welding at home with oxy-welding apparatus, but would do it only occasionally and could not justify the expense associated with conventional gas supplies. Such people cannot justify paying for bottles of gas for a single welding only (having to keep the bottles, paying rent for them to keep them up to two years, to perform the next welding). For this reason, the welding apparatus made possible by the present invention is ideal because it produces gases for welding at the time and in the quantity that is needed.
u. Hydrogen-oxygen welding has the advantage that it does not pollute the atmosphere as does oxy-acetylene welding.
v. The design of electrolytic cells which are safe to use as well as convenient, which cells may incorporate their own flash-back arrestors as a safety precaution or an equivalent means, to prevent the hazards of explosion or fire.
w. The control of the current which passes through the cells, the temperature of the cell, which is a function of current, the control of the separation of the gases, and the removal from the gases of electrolyte vapours. In this regard there has been designed a special unit with preferably conical electrodes, and a flash-back arrestor. The flash arrestor may be constituted by a pellet of porous material, or a long capilliary pipe located between the gas generator and a burner head. The fire hazards associated with a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen cannot be overemphasized and indeed it is probably mainly because of the recognized dangers associated therewith that extreme lengths have been taken to separate the two gases completely until they reach the burner. In accordance with the present invention it has been realized that, contrary to long standing opinions, the gases can be safely mixed together even when being produced and as a result many desirable advantages can be realized.
x. The provision of one or more safety valves adjusted to convenient pressure for releasing excessive pressures in the cell (for example, greater than 30 p.s.i.) which may result, for example, if a current control mechanism fails. The safety valves could be attached to an alarm, for example, to indicate a failure in the current control mechanism or the cut-off switches, etc.
y. Porous material may conveniently be placed in the burner head, so that backfire through the burner into the cell cannot occur.
In summary, the present invention contemplates, as an important feature thereof, a universal welding apparatus capable of being used to perform different types of welding operations based on the utilization of hydrogen and oxygen, making full use of the advantages which can thereby be realized, and equipment which can be made small and portable compared with existing apparatus such as that presently used for gas welding using bulky bottled hydrogen. To generate the fuel, in accordance with the invention a small compact electrolytic cell is made possible in which the only raw material which has to be replenished from time to time is water and which can be used whenever a source of electrical energy is available to supply the necessary amount of hydrogen or hydrogen and oxygen mixture for performing atomic welding or hydrogen-oxygen flame welding. In its simplest form, the gas generating apparatus of the present invention comprises an electrolytic cell adapted to be connected to an energy source, optionally through a step down transformer and rectifier, and having means for connection to a burner, preferably through a flash-back arrestor as a safety precaution.
The apparatus may be combined with a transformer as a single compact unit and for convenience the transformer may be provided with several windings to enable it to be used for auxiliary purposes such as battery charging, electroplating, arc welding or to provide an arc for atomic welding.
It has been found that a single electrolytic cell operating without diaphragms at several hundred amps will generate hydrogen and oxygen at a reasonable rate for small welding and brazing work but for larger work (for example, the welding of 10 mm steel plate) the required amperage becomes excessive (typically of the order of 900A or more) when considering the size of conductors and transformer and the problem of heat generation. Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention these problems can be significantly reduced by arranging a plurality of cells in series and using a much smaller current to obtain the same effective gas output. In effect the capacity of a series of cells for a given current input is that of a single cell multiplied by the number of cells. Alternatively the current requirement is reduced by a factor equal to the number of cells -- for a given rate of gas production.
Even so a large number of separate cells can be excessively bulky for portable applications and in a further aspect of the invention, therefore, the bulk can be greatly reduced by arranging the cells as a single unit in which a number of electrodes, effectively in series, are arranged adjacent each other in a common electrolytic chamber, the chamber being provided with a gas collection space and an outlet for connection to, for example, gas burner means. Furthermore, only the end electrodes need be connected to an external source of electrical energy and the arrangement as a whole can be made extremely efficient and compact. Additionally the need for a transformer for most applications can be eliminated by such an arrangement so that the apparatus can be designed to be electrically connected directly to a main electrical supply, through a bridge rectifier if desired. By eliminating the need for a transformer, the gas generating equipment as a whole can be made surprisingly compact, to be well suited for small domestic requirements as well as heavy industrial requirements.
In another important aspect of the invention, there is provided a safety device which monitors the pressure of hydrogen and oxygen being generated and regulates the current flowing through the cell(s) to increase or decrease the rate of gas production depending on the pressure. In one form the device comprises a chamber containing two electrodes, at least one of which is conical, arranged in the chamber (which normally contains a conductive liquid) and the electrodes being connectable in series with one or more electrolytic cells used for oxygen-hydrogen production.
The pressure responsive, current regulating device can be designed as an integral part of the electrolytic cell(s) or can be used as an attachment connectable externally and in series with the gas generating cell(s). The device can also be designed to combine the functions of a current regulating device and a flash-back arrestor, the latter function ensuring that a flame at the burner does not accidentally pass back through the hose lines to the highly explosive mixture in the gas generating cell(s). The device may incorporate a total current cut-out feature or may be used in combination with a cut-out device which fully interrupts the supply of electrical power should the pressure in the cell(s) accidentally exceed a maximum safe value. The current regulating device may also operate to regulate the current passing through the cells in accordance with the temperature to maintain the temperature within a desired range.
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows schematically a single electrolytic cell 10 operating to produce a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, which mixture is passed through a flash-back arrestor 11 to a burner 12. The cell 10 contains two plate electrodes 10a and 10b immersed in an electrolyte consisting of a solution of KOH in water and connectable through terminals 13 and 14 respectively to a source of a.c. or d.c. electricity. Preferably, d.c. is used as the electrical impedance of the cell, is much lower for d.c. than for a.c. The source of electricity may be a transformer, typically of 300 Amps output rating, connected to the cell through a bridge rectifier. The flash-back arrestor 11 is constituted by a water bath in which gas liberated in the cell 10 passes through a tube 15 into the water bath 11 and thence through a tube 16 to the burner 12. The arrangement is suitable for small welding and brazing work but becomes too bulky for very large work.
FIG. 2 illustrates in vertical cross-section an electrolytic cell 20 which requires a much lower current than the cell illustrated in FIG. 1 for a given current input. The cell 20 comprises what is in effect a series of cells constituted by a plurality of plate electrodes immersed in a solution of KOH in water. For convenience the electrodes are designated as 20a for the two electrodes at the ends and 20b for the intermediate electrodes. The electrodes 20a are connected, via conductors 21 to terminals 22 for connection to an external supply of electricity. The mixture of hydrogen and oxygen which is evolved at the electrodes when an electric current is applied, passes through an outlet opening 23 to a flash-back arrestor and thence to a burner (not shown in FIG. 2). The series of electrodes 20a and 20b are sealingly mounted in a tube 24 of insulating material which is provided with restricted apertures 24a at the top and 24b at the bottom, between each pair of electrodes. The apertures 24a permit gas to escape into the space 25 above the surface of the electrolyte and the apertures 24b permit electrolyte to enter freely into the spaces between each pair of electrodes. By virtue of this arrangement the electrical resistance between any two adjacent electrodes is far less than that between non-adjacent electrodes so that the arrangement is effectively one of a large number of individual cells connected in series. A very compact arrangement is therefore obtained but one which permits a relatively high gas production rate for a reasonably low current input. For example, a structure like that shown, consisting of the equivalent of, for example, 120 cells can generate gas at a current input of 15A (at, for example, 240V) equal to that of a single cell requiring a current input of approximately 1800A. This means in practice that a relatively portable apparatus can be produced which can be connected directly, without a transformer, to most domestic electrical supplies and which can maintain a sufficient rate of gas production for most types of welding work.
An advantage which particularly distinguishes the arrangements disclosed from conventional gas welding apparatus is that the hydrogen and oxygen are automatically produced in substantially the correct proportions to give a neutral flame. No mixing valves are required and even unskilled personnel can produce satisfactory welds without difficulty. In fact indications are that many welds can be produced better than by any other welding process.
FIG. 3 illustrates a pressure responsive safety device 30 operably connected in series (electrically) with an electrolytic hydrogen-oxygen cell 31 for regulating the current passing therethrough in accordance with the gas pressure being generated. The device, or cell 30 comprises a chamber 30' in communication with a reservoir 32 via a passage 33. Two conical electrodes 34 and 35 are mounted in spaced relation within the chamber and connected in series between a d.c. source (not shown) and the electrolytic cell 31. An electrolytic solution of KOH and water is provided within the chamber, portion of which enters the reservoir 32. When the cell 31 is operating to produce hydrogen and oxygen the pressure of the gas being produced acts on the surface of the electrolyte in the chamber 30' to displace an amount of the electrolyte into the reservoir 32 against back pressure exerted by air trapped in the reservoir, the amount of electrolyte displaced depending on the pressure of the gas in the chamber 30'. At the same time the area of contact between the electrodes and the electrolyte in the cell 30 reduces in proportion to the drop in electrolyte level, causing the electrical resistance of the cell 30 to rise and the current passing therethrough to fall. Should the gas pressure drop the electrolyte level in the cell 30 will rise and the current passing into the cell 31 will also rise. Thus the cell 30 operates to regulate the rate of gas production in accordance with the pressure produced and prevents excess gas pressure to build up in the cell 31.
FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative form of safety device which is operable to make or break the connection between an electrolytic hydrogen-oxygen cell (not shown in FIG. 4) and an electric current source. The device comprises a cylindrical container 40 in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir 41 via a passageway 42, and a quantity of mercury 42' contained in the container and reservoir. Two electrodes 43 and 44 are disposed one above the other in the container 40 and are normally immersed in the mercury with a conductive path thereby formed between them. The container is connected electrically in series with an electrolytic cell (or cells) and in gaseous communication therewith through a hose 45. An increase in gas pressure resulting from generation of gases by the electrolytic cell(s) causes the mercury to be displaced towards the reservoir and the mercury level in the container 40 to fall. When the pressure exceeds a predetermined level the mercury level falls below that of the electrode 43 and electrical connection between the two electrodes is broken. The electrical connection is again restored when the gas pressure falls. A non-inflammable liquid, such as silicone oil or freon is provided on top of the mercury to ensure that any arc which may be generated between the electrode 43 and the mercury is totally isolated from the gases above the liquids.
FIG. 5 shows schematically an arrangement whereby an exceedingly hot flame can be produced using the gaseous mixture generated electrolytically by the apparatus previously described. In this arrangement a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, preferably in stoichiometrical proportion, is passed via a line 50 between a pair of tungsten electrodes 51 to produce molecular dissociation of the hydrogen and the oxygen and a very hot flame 52. It can be appreciated that whereas in an atomic hydrogen flame a significant temperature rise is obtained by striking an arc in the hydrogen, an even greater temperature rise can be realized by striking the arc between the oxygen as well since the dissociation energy of molecular oxygen is of the same order of magnitude as that of molecular hydrogen.
FIG. 6 illustrates an arrangement for the magnetic separation of oxygen from a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen, whereby the oxygen can be used for flame cutting. The apparatus consists of a chamber 60 containing a magnet 61 and is located in a conduit 62. A mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is passed through the conduit and around the magnet 61. The diamagnetic oxygen is diverted by the magnetic field into a transverse passageway 63 to a central conduit (not shown) leading from this passageway and thence to a flame-cutting head. The paramagnetic hydrogen continues along the conduit, past the magnet and can be allowed to escape or can be collected, as desired. If the magnet is an electromagnet it can be turned off when hydrogen and oxygen is required as a mixture, and in that case the downstream side of the conduit 62 can be closed off to prevent the loss of gas.
FIG. 7 illustrates a complete oxy-hydrogen generator and welding apparatus comprising a gas generator 70, a current regulating cell 71 and a power supply 72. The construction of the electrodes 73 of the generator 70 and 74 of the cell 71 are identical with those illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively. In this arrangement, however, the gas generator 70 and cell 71 are combined as an integrated unit and as such has some features not found in the arrangements shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In particular the chamber 75 of the generator 70 and the chamber 76 of the current regulator cell 71 are separated by two partitions 77 and 78 defining between them a passageway communicating between the two chambers. The respective electrodes of the cell 71 and a generator 70 are connected electrically in series with the power supply.
Gas produced by electrolysis in the chamber 75 rises into the space in the chamber above the electrodes 73, passes down the passageway between the partitions 77 and 78, bubbles through the electrolyte in the chamber 76 and thence passes through an outlet opening 79 to a burner 80. An air trap reservoir 81 is formed integrally with the cell 71 and is in liquid communication therewith through an opening between the bottom of the reservoir and the cell. When the pressure of the gas generated by the generator 70 rises, this pressure causes the electrolyte in the chamber 76 to be displaced into the reservoir 81 resulting in a reduction of the current being passed to the generator 70 by the mechanism previously described in relation to FIG. 3 of the drawings. In this way the cell 71 effectively monitors the gas pressure and regulates the current to maintain an approximately constant pressure. To ensure against the possibility that the pressure should accidentally exceed a predetermined maximum safe value, a spring-loaded safety pressure valve 82 is provided at the top of the reservoir 81 to release the excess pressure into the atmosphere.
The burner 80 is provided with a flash-back arrestor in the form of a porous ceramic pellet 83 located in the gas flow path between the handle part 84 of the burner and the burner tip 85. The flash-back arrestor acts by quenching any flame blowing back into the burner before the flame has a chance to reach the hose 86 connecting the burner with the gas generator.
The power supply is of the universal type, that is, it is provided with a transformer 87 connectable to an alternating current electrical supply and provided with a number of electrical outlets for various purposes. One winding of the transformer is connected to a bridge rectifier which provides the d.c. current for the gas generator. Another winding is used for arc welding or can be used to supply an arc for atomic oxy-hydrogen welding. It will be appreciated that the transformer is optional and that the generator can be connected directly to the mains. In fact the bridge rectifier is not essential either and can be omitted if desired.
In the operation of apparatus of the type described it is often required to conveniently change between neutral and oxidizing flames, for example when changing from a welding operation to a cutting operation and the present invention makes provision for the variation of these functions. Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, apparatus for either oxy-hydrogen welding or cutting may comprise a first electrolytic generator for generating hydrogen and oxygen by the electrolysis of water in substantially stoichiometric proportions to produce a neutral flame and a further electrolytic generator from which hydrogen and oxygen are separately delivered, which means for adding either the hydrogen from this further cell, or the oxygen from the further generator to the gas mixture obtained from the first generator. This arrangement results in a most efficient combination of functions when a neutral flame or other is required. The hydrogen gas produced by the further generator, when added to the flame mixture, burns with atmospheric oxygen thereby producing a reducing flame. When an oxidizing flame is required, the additional hydrogen is cut off and the oxygen produced by the further generator is added to the flame mixture. It will be appreciated that various designs can be employed for either generator, for example, they may be completely independent or they may share a common electrolyte. The further gas generator can also, in practice, be made somewhat smaller than the other generator since it does not have to produce the bulk of the gas required.
It has been found that welding with hydrogen and oxygen in an exact 2 to 1 ratio (as when the gases are produced electrolytically) results in a particularly clean, oxide free welded surface and a strong welded joint. For the same quality welding to be produced by conventional gas welding technique substantially greater skill is required and, in the case of conventional hydrogen welding, for example, good welded joints are obtained only with great difficulty due to the extreme difficulty in obtaining and maintaining a neutral flame. With the method of the present invention there is no difficulty in obtaining a neutral flame, and hence the ease with which high quality welds can be obtained.
Finally, it can sometimes be convenient to store hydrogen
and/or oxygen, generated electrolytically in a specially
designed container, or to slowly accumulate these gases and
then, when required, using the accumulated stored gas for extra
heavy work for a short time. It is quite hazardous to pressurize
a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen under very high pressures, of
course, but it is possible, in accordance with one aspect of the
invention, to store a useful amount of gas in a relatively small
volume at low pressures and this can be done by using a highly
gas absorbent metal in the storage container. The metal
palladium, for example, can absorb up to 900 times its own
volume of hydrogen and can be used with advantage for this
application. In fact useful amounts of hydrogen, for small scale
brazing work can readily be stored in a small hand held
container, containing a gas absorbent material.