Ionization of Fuel Gas

[Benjer]

I was wondering if anybody has any experience in using magnets or other<br>
system to ionize gas before it is combusted in a furnace or boiler. I<br>
think that these types of systems can also be used on the fuel to car<br>
engines.<br>
I have read several articles on the technology, mainly by those selling the<br>
systems, that give numerous benefits of the ionizing the fuel which<br>
include...<br>
Faster ignition & improved flame stability<br>
Less soot formation and better heat generation efficiency<br>
Cleaner heat transfer surfaces<br>
Lower fuel consumption at a given heat duty<br>
Lower total flow of stack gas<br>
Lower stack concentration of carbon and NOx<br>
However, none of the articles offer a valid scientific explanation on how<br>
the system works. Some figures quoted show efficiency improvements of up<br>
to 30% but surely this means that the boiler was up to 30% inefficient to<br>
begin with!<br>
Rather than reading articles with 'claimed' benefits, I was hoping that<br>
someone would be able to offer their experience of trying ionized fuels.<br>
Cheers,<br>
Ben Jefferies<br>

 

[mbeychok]

<br>
Benger, anyone who believes that using magnets to improve fuel combustion must still believe in the tooth fairy ... and anyone who sells such systems is a charlatan. <p> Milton Beychok<br><a href=mailto:mbeychok@home.com>mbeychok@home.com</a><br><a href=

http://www.air-dispersion.com>

Air Pollution Dispersion Modeling</a><br>Visit my URL to learn about "Fundamentals of Stack Gas Dispersion",<br>
the most comprehensive book on air dispersion modeling of <br>
continuous, buoyant air pollution plumes. Site includes published<br>
peer reviews and complete Table of Contents.

 

[FireLover]

MIT is working on a system like this for automotive use. I have no experience with it. However, I have talked to them about it (I was very sceptical as well). The improved igintability and flamabilty of the fuel allows leaner combustion compared to regular gasoline. The efficiency and emissions benefits come from being able to run very lean. They do require energy to generate the plasma, and lose some available energy of the fuel as it is decomposed to a plasma. But they claim a net efficiency gain. Again I have no data to prove this, it is just what they have told me. They have some very generic publications as well, I think they were given on the MIT website. I think the system is called &quot;Plasmatron&quot;.

Hope this helps.

 

[tonyleeusa]

Dear Mr. Jefferies,

Ionizing fuel gas to improve combustion efficiency for automobile engine is possible. Fuel could be ionized by subject the fuel/air mixture to high velocity electron. The impact will breakdown non-conductive gasoline into radicals, thus became conductive. The fuel/air mixture became easier to burn and burn more completely. The result is increased horse power,less carbon deposit, and cleaner exhaust. I can prove if with a device that I made it myself. The device has been in four of my cars for many years with good result.

Tony Lee

 

Ben,

I cannot comment regarding the automotive uses of this technology..

However, in industrial boiler usage..this sound pretty
much like &quot;snake oil&quot; to me.

The chemistry of combustion is pretty clear when it come
to burning fuel oil and natural gas.

Nox and CO2 stack concentrations should have nothing
to do with ionizing the fuel. Take a look at this URL:

http://energyconcepts.tripod.com/energyconcepts/combustionfluegasses.htm

firetube