US 4,945,721 A · Electromagnetic converter for reduction of exhaust emissions

Abstract

An electromagnetic converter directs the exhaust stream of a fossil fuel combustion process, for example the exhaust from an internal combustion engine, through a series of electrostatic fields to convert a substantial portion of the pollutants into non-harmful base elements. In an exemplary embodiment, the exhaust stream is directed through an anti-turbulator chamber, which conditions the flow. The chamber includes an electron transfer grid in the path of the flow. The grid has a negative dc charge of sufficient strength to achieve the first ionization level of the HC, CO, and CO.sub.2 molecules present. The ionized exhaust is thereafter directed to an ion generator chamber, which includes coils carrying a very high positive dc charge, e.g. 20,000-50,000 volts dc, sufficient to achieve ionization potential of the molecules to induce molecular breakdown into the base components of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. From the ion generator chamber, the exhaust is directed to a collector chamber which collector surfaces connected to a positive dc ground or otherwise configured to induce polar covalent bonding of the carbon ions. The resulting gases emitted contain substantially reduced levels of HC, CO, and CO.sub.2, and very high levels of pure oxygen, as compared to present catalytic converters.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A device for reduction of emissions in the exhaust stream of fossil fuel combustion processes, said device comprising:

an ion generator chamber having non-conductive walls, an inlet means for directing the exhaust stream into said chamber, and a first field generator means disposed within said walls in the path of said exhaust stream;
means for producing a dc positive field in said first field generator means of a field strength sufficient to achieve ionization potential of HC, CO, and CO.sub.2 molecules present in the exhaust stream and for inducing molecular breakdown into base components of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen;
a collector chamber being insulated from ground and being connected to receive the exhaust steam from said ion generator chamber, said collector chamber having a surface means for effecting polar covalent bonding of the carbon ions in the exhaust stream and an outlet for discharging the remainder of said exhaust stream;
and
an electron transfer chamber having non-conductive walls and being connected upstream of said ion generator chamber, said electron transfer chamber including a second field generator means for providing a dc negative field of strength sufficient to achieve the first ionization level of HC, CO, and CO.sub.2 molecules present in the exhaust stream, and means for discharging the ionized exhaust stream to said ion generator chamber.

2 more elements

A converter for use especially in mobile sources for reduction of emissions in the exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine, comprising a housing, wherein said housing defines:

an inlet connectable to the exhaust stream of an engine;
an ion generator chamber communicating with said inlet, said ion generator chamber having non-conductive walls;
and
a collector chamber having non-conductive walls, being connected to receive the exhaust stream from said ion generator chamber, and having an outlet for discharging the exhaust stream;
wherein said converter further comprises:
a first field generator means disposed within said ion generator chamber in the path of said exhaust stream;
means for providing a dc positive field to said first field generator means of a field strength sufficient to achieve ionization potential of HC, CO, and CO.sub.2 molecules present in the exhaust stream and for inducing molecular breakdown into base components of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen;
and
wherein said collector chamber is insulated from ground and includes surface means therein for effecting polar covalent bonding of carbon ions in the exhaust stream, said surface means being provided by a paramagnetic material;
means for connecting the collector chamber surface means to dc positive ground of a voltage substantially less than the potential of the voltage of the first generator means;
and
field shunting means connected to said first field generator means for varying the potential over time of the dc positive field.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electromagnetic converter for reduction of exhaust emissions

Life of this patent

Electromagnetic converter for reduction of exhaust emissions

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31