Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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RF SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING SALT WATER
Related Cases
[00011 This case claims priority to and any other benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent
Application Serial No. 60/865,530, filed November 13, 2006, entitled RF SYSTEM
AND
METHODS FOR PROCESSING SALT WATER (Attomey Docket 30064/04004) ("the `530
Application"); U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/938,613,
filed May 17,
2007, entitled RF SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING SALT WATER II (Attorney
Docket
30064/04008) ("tlie `613 Application"); U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Serial No.
60/953,829, filed August 3, 2007, entitled RF SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR
PROCESSING SALT
WATER III (Attorney Docket 30064/04009); and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Serial
No. 60/915,345, filed on May 1, 2007, and entitled FIELD GENERATOR FOR
TARGETED CELL
ABLATION (Attorney Docket 30274/04036), the entire disclosures of wliich,
including all
appendices, diagrains, figures, and photographs of which, are hereby
incorporated by
reference in their entireties.
Field of the Invention
[00021 The present invention relates to systems and methods for processing
water
utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy, such as, for example, RF systems and
methods for
combustion of salt water and/or solutions containing salt water, RF systems
and methods for
desalinating seawater, RF systems and methods for heating seawater, salt
water, and/or
solutioris containing salt water, RF systerris and methods for generating
steam, RF systems
and methods for volatilizing secondary fuels, RF systems and methods for the
electrolysis of
salt water and salt water rnixtures, RF systems and methods for producing
hydrogen frorn salt
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salt water and salt water mixtures, RF systems and methods for producing
hydrogen from salt
water and/or solutions containing salt water, RF systems and metliods for
combustion of
volatiles produced from solutions containing salt water, and/or RF systenis
and methods for
combustion of hydrogen produced from salt water and/or solutions containing
salt water.
Background of the Invention
[00031 Hydrogen gas is combustible and is therefore a potentially viable fuel
source
particularly for use in internal combustion engines. Water can be a source of
hydrogen gas
and unlike ci-ude oil, which is used to produce gasoline, water and
particularly seawater has
an advantage over cnzde oil in that it is present on earth in great abundance.
Furthermore, the
bui7ling of hydrogen produces water, an environmentally clean byproduct. Many
other
volatile organic compounds, such as ethanol for example, are also combustible
and so they
too are potentially viable fuel sources for use in internal combustion
engines. Likewise,
ethanol has an advantage over crude oil in that ethanol can be synthesized
from fermentation
of corn, sugar cane or other agricultural products and it is tlierefore a
renewable resource,
while by contrast crude oil is not.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[00041 Figures 1-7 are high-level block diagrams of exemplary RF systems for
RF
processing of salt water and/or solutions containing salt water, such as
combusting salt water
or solutions containing salt water, generating steam from salt water,
producing and collecting
hydrogen from salt water or solutions containing salt water, and desalinating
seawater;
[ 0 0 0 51 Figures 8A-8C, 9A-9C are various views of exemplary RF
transrnission and RF
reception heads;
[ 0 0 0 6] Figures 10-12, 16, and 16a are schematic diagrams of exemplary RF
circuits for
exerriplary RF systems for RF processing of salt water and/or solutions
containing salt water,
such as combusting salt water or solutions containing salt water, generating
steam from salt
water, producing and collecting hydrogen from salt water or solutions
containing salt water,
and desalinating seawater;
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(00071 Figures 13-15 are top, top/side perspective, and side views of an
exenrplary RF
coupling circuit for exemplary RF systems for RF processing of salt water
and/or solutions
containing salt water, such as combusting salt water or solutions containing
salt water,
generating steam from salt water, producing and collecting hydrogen from salt
water or
solutions containirrg salt water, and desalinating seawater;
[ 0 0 0 8] Figure 17 is a medium-level flowchart of an exemplary ernbodiment
of an RF
rnethodology for producing and collecting hydrogen gas from salt water and
sohztions
containing salt water;
[ 0 0 0 9] Figure 18(a) and 18(b) are medium level flow charts of exemplary
embodiments
of an RF methodology for producing and combusting hydrogen gas from salt water
and for
producing and combusting hydrogen gas arrd producing and combusting other
volatiles from
solutions containing salt water;
[ 0 010 ] Figure 19(a) and 19(b) are medium level flow charts of exemplary
embodiments
of an RF methodology for producing and combusting hydrogen gas from salt water
and for
producing and combusting hydrogen gas and producing and combusting other
volatiles frorn
solutions containing salt water, and transferring the clremical energy
generated by the
combustion of the hydrogen gas and other volatiles into mechanical energy
capable of
moving a piston;
[00111 Figure 20 is a rnediurn level flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of
an RF
methodology for desalinating seawater;
[00121 Figure 21 is a medium level flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of an
RF
methodology for carryirrg out the electrolysis of water;
[00131 Figure 22 is a schematic illustration showing exemplary transmissiorr
and
reception enclosures with their top walls removed;
[ 0 014 ] Figure 23 is a high-level flowchart showing an exemplary method of
combusting
salt water and solutions containing salt water with RF energy;
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[ 0 015 ] Figure 24 is a schematic illustration showing an exemplary sealed
transmission
enclosure which rnay be suitable for lowering into the ground; and
(00161 Figures 25 - 26 are medium level flowcharts of exemplary embodiments of
an RF
methodology for cornbusting gas generated from a liquid by a transmitted RF
signal.
Summary
(00171 Systems are presented for using RF energy to combust salt water and/or
various
solutions containing salt water, to produce hydrogen from salt water, to
produce volatiles
from solutions containing salt water, to desalinate seawater, and/or to carry
out the
electrolysis of water. An exemplary system may comprise a reservoir for
containing salt
water that is a mixture comprising water and salt, the salt water having an
effective amount
of salt dissolved in the water; a reaction charnber having an inlet and an
outlet; a feed line
operatively connecting the reservoir to the inlet of the reaction chamber; an
RF transmitter
having an RF generator in circuit communication with a transmission head, the
RF generator
capable of generating an RF signal at least partially absorbable by the salt
water having at
least one frequency for transmission via the transmission head; and an RF
receiver; wherein
the reaction chamber is positioned such that at least a portion of the
reaction chamber is
between the RF transmission head and the RF receiver. Other exemplary systems
niay
comprise a reservoir for containing a solution that is a mixture of water and
salt arid
optionally containirig (i) at least one additive, or (ii) at least one
secondary fizel, or (iii)
mixtures tllereof.
[ 0 018 ] Similarly, methods are presented for using RF energy to combust salt
water and
solutions containing salt water, to desalinate seawater, to produce hydrogen
from salt water
and solutions containing salt water, and/or to carry out the electrolysis of
salt water. An
exemplary method may comprise providing salt water comprising a mixture of
water and at
least one salt; or a salt water solution comprising a mixture of water and at
least orie salt and
optionally containing (i) at least one additive, or (ii) at least one
secondary fuel, or (iii)
inixtures thereof; the salt water or salt water sohztion having an effective
amount of the salt
dissolved in the water; providing an RF transmitter having an RF generator in
circuit
communication with a transmission head, the RF generator capable of generating
an RF
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signal at least partially absorbable by the salt water or salt water component
of the solution
containiiig salt water and having at least one frequency for transmission via
the transmission
head; arratiging the trailsmission head near the salt water or solution
containing salt water
such that the RF signal transmitted via the transmission head interacts with
at least some of
the salt water; and transmitting the RF signal via the transinission head for
a time sufficient
to combust the salt water or to heat the solution containing salt water to
volatilize and to
combust a secondary fuel source that may be optionally present. If hydrogen
gas is created
frorn the salt water or the solution containing salt water by the RF signal,
the RF signal may
also be transmitted via the transmission head sufficient to combust the
hydrogen gas so
produced.
Detaiied. Description
[ 0 0191 In the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute
a part of
the specification, exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated,
which, together
with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed
description given
below, serve to example principles of the invention.
General Terrns
[ 0 0 2 0] "Additive" as used herein is a chemical compound having solubility,
miscibility,
or compatibility with various solutions of salt water (including sea water,
salt water, or
solutions containing salt water and optionally containing at least one
secondary fuel) that
furthermore is capable of altering the responsiveness of the various solutions
of salt water to
stimulation by RF energy.
[ 0 0 21 ] "Circuit communication" as used herein is used to indicate a
communicative
relationship between devices. Direct electrical, optical, and electromagnetic
connections and
indirect electrical, optical, and electromagnetic connections are examples of
circuit
communication. Two devices are in circuit communication if a signal from one
is received
by the other, regardless of whether the signal is modified by some other
device. For
example, two devices separated by one or more of the following - transformers,
optoisolators,
digital or analog buffers, analog integrators, other electronic circuitry,
fiber optic
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transceivers, or even satellites - are in circuit communication if a signal
from one reaches the
other, even though the sigiial is modified by the inteimediate device(s). As a
final example,
two devices not directly connected to each other (e.g. keyboard and memory),
but both
capable of interfacing with a third device, (e.g., a CPU), are in circuit
communication.
[ 0 02 21 "Combustion" as used herein indicates a process that rapidly
produces heat and
light (perliaps caused by a rapid chemical change and with or without
"burning" or
"oxidation" in the classic sense). Salt water and solutions containing salt
water respond to
RF energy in many of the various systems and methods taught herein witli rapid
lieating and
rapid generation of light, which may be visible, UV, IR, etc. This is
considered
"conibustion" herein, even though it may or may not be "burning" in the
classic sense.
"Combustion" lierein also is used to indicate more typical incendiary
"cornbustion," i.e., the
process of buming in which a rapid chernical change occurs that produces heat
and light,
which includes burning in the classical sense of the products produced from
salt water
reacting with RF. For example, when hydrogen is combusted or burned in air the
hydrogen
is chemically oxidized into water and undergoes such a rapid reaction that a
flame is
produced and the water is discharged in the form of steam.
[ 002 3] "Desalinate" as used herein is used to indicate the process of
removing salt and
other chemicals from water. For example, when desalination of seawater is
carried out
through heating, e.g., boiling, steam is produced and collected. When the
collected steam is
subsequently condensed back into a liquid, pure water is obtained free of any
salt or
minerals. "Electrolysis" as used herein is used to indicate the process of
applying energy to
water in order to decompose the water into its constituent elements hydrogen
and oxygen.
Energy can be applied in the fonn of either electrical energy, as for example
in the
application of an electric current, or in the form of heat energy.
[00241 "Operatively comiected" or "operatively comlecting" as used lierein is
used to
indicate that a functional connection (e.g., a mechanical or physical
connection or an
electrical or optical or electromagnetic or magnetic connection) exists
between the
components of a system.
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[0 02 5] "Salt water" as used herein is used to indicate a mixture coinprising
water and
salt, the salt water having an effective amount of salt dissolved in the
water. "Solution
containing salt water" and "salt water solutions" are used intercliangeably
and as used herein
indicate a mixture comprising salt water and optionally containing one or more
of the
following: (i) at least one additive, (ii) at least one secondary fuel, or
(iii) mixtures of both.
Hence, a solution containing salt water may coinprise only salt water. "Salt
water mixture"
as used herein is used to indicate a rnixture containing salt water that is
used in conducting
electrolysis with the various systems and methods taught herein.
[ 0 02 6] "Secondary fuel" as used herein is used to indicate coinbustible
organic
compounds that can be made volatile and that have solubility, miscibility, or
compatibility
with various salt water solutions (including salt water, sea water, or salt
water solutions
containing salt water and optionally containing at least one additive). As
used herein, a
secondary fuel may be the only substance that is combusting; thus, use of the
temi secondary
fuel does not necessary require that there is a primary fuel also combusting.
Salt and salt
solutions may be used to increase the combustion of secondary fuels without
the salt or salt
solution also combusting.
Systems
[0 0 2 7] Referring to the drawings and to Figures 1-16A, various different
views of
exemplary systems and system components are shown. It is believed that these
systems and
components may be used with virtually all the various RF absorption enhancers
and virtzzally
all the various methods discussed herein.
[ 0 0 2 8] The exemplary systems of Figures 1-4 include an RF generator 102 in
circuit
communication with a transmission head 104 for transmitting through a reaction
cliamber
106 an RF signal 108 generated by the RF generator 102 and transmitted by the
transmitter
head 104. The reaction chamber 106 may be open or closed, depending on the
specific
application. The reaction chamber may be, for example, a vessel or a cylinder
with an
associated piston.
Figure 1
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[00291 Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a first exemplary erribodiment of
an RF
system 100 that uses an RF sigrial 108 to process solutions containing salt
water 110 in the
reaction chamber 106. For example, the RF signal 108 rnay combust the solution
containing
salt water 110. As another example, the RF signal 108 rnay heat the solution
containing salt
water 110 for further processing, e.g., steam collection and condensing to
desalinate a
solution containing salt water 110. As yet another example, the RF signal 108
may produce
hydrogen from the solution containing salt water 110 or the RF signal may heat
the solution
containing salt water and volatilize any secondary fuel that may be optionally
contained in
the solution. The hydrogen produced as well as any volatilized secondary fuel
optionally
present may be collected as a gas and stored for various uses, e.g., stored
for use as a fuel.
Alternative, the hydrogen or any volatilized secondary fuel or both may be
combusted in the
reaction chamber 106. Exemplary system 100 cornprises an RF generator 102 in
circuit
communication with a transmission liead 104. A reaction chamber 106 is
positioned such
that at least a portion of the reaction chamber 106 is RF coupled to the
transmission head
104. hi exemplary system 100, the RF generator 102 cornmunicates an RF signal
for
transmission to the transmission head 104. The RF signal 108 transmitted by
the
transmission head 104 passes through at least a portion of the reaction
chamber 106. A
solution containing salt water (and also a solution optionally containing (i)
at least one
additive, (ii) at least one secondary fuel, or (iii) mixtures thereof) 110
contained within the
reaction chamber 106 is positioned such that the solution containing salt
water 110 (and in
particular the salt water component of the solution) absorbs at least some of
the RF signal
108. Optionally, the RF generator 102 may be controlled adjusting the
frequency and/or
power and/or envelope, etc. of the generated RF signal and/or may have a mode
in which an
RF signal at a predetermined frequency and power are transmitted via
transmission head 104.
In addition, optionally, the RF generator 102 provides an RF signal 108 with
variable
amplitudes, pulsed amplitudes, multiple frequencies, etc.
[ 003 0] The solution containing salt water 110 absorbs energy as the RF
signal 108 travels
tl-rrough the reaction chamber 106. The more energy that is absorbed by the
salt water
component of the solution containing salt water 110 the higher the temperature
increase in
the area which leads to water deconrposition and hydrogen production, and in
instances
where the solution containing salt water 110 also contains a secondary fuel,
this rnay also
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lead to volatization and to combustion of the secondary fuel instead of or in
addition to
decomposition of the salt water and hydrogen production. As even more energy
is absorbed
by the salt water component of the solution containing salt water 110,
combustion of the
hydrogen that is being produced eventually occurs. The rate of energy
absorption by the
solution containing salt water 110 can be increased by increasing the RF
signal 108 streiigth,
which increases the amount of energy traveling tlirough the reaction chamber
106. Other
nieans of increasing the rate of energy absorption may include but are not
liniited to
concentrating the signal on a localized area of the solution containing salt
water 110, or
further mixing with the solution containing salt water at least one additive
that is
appropriately selected from various chemical species to be capable of altering
the rate of
energy absorption of the solution containing salt water 110 and as a result
may be able to
increase the rate of energy absorption by the solution containing salt water
110. Examples of
additives that it is believed may be useful in this regard include
surfactants, chemical species
that form azeotropic mixtures with water, and chemical species that alter the
freezing point of
water.
Figures 2-4
[ 0 0 31 ] As shown in Figures 2-4, exemplary systems may also include a
receiver head
112 and an associated current path 114 to permit the RF signal 108 to be
coupled through the
reaction chamber 106. The systems 200, 300, 400 also use an RF signal 108 to
process
solutions 110 in the reaction chainber 106. For example, the RF signal 108 may
combust the
solution containing salt water 110. As another example, the RF signal 108 may
heat the salt
water component of the solution containing salt water 110 in preparation for
further
processing (e.g.: in instances where the sohztion containing salt water 110 is
salt water alone,
steam collection and condensing to desalinate the salt water; in instances
where the solution
containing salt water contains a secondary fuel, the volatization of the
secondary fuel). As
yet another example, the RF signal 108 niay produce hydrogen from or may
volatilize a
secondary fuel contained within the solution containing salt water 110 and the
liydrogen or
the volatilized secondary fizel or both may be collected as a gas and stored
for various uses,
e.g., stored for use as a fuel. In the alternative, the hydrogen produced or
the volatilized
secondary fuel or both may be combusted in the reaction chamber 106.
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[ 0 0 3 21 Referring to Figure 2, the exemplary system 200 has a transmission
head 104 and
receiver head 112 arranged proximate to and on either side at least a portion
of the reaction
chainber 106. This allows at least a portion of the solution containing salt
water 110 in the
reaction chamber 106 to be exposed to the RF signal 108 transmitted by the
transmission
head 104. Some portion of the RF system may be tuned so that the receiver head
112
receives at least a portion of the RF signal 108 transmitted via the
transmission head 104. As
a result, the receiver head 112 receives the RF signal 108 that is transmitted
via the
transmission head 104.
[ 0 03 31 The heads 104, 112 may each or both have associated tuning circuitry
such as pi-
networks or tunable pi-networks, to increase throughput and generate a voltage
in the area of
the reaction chamber 106 and in the solution containing salt water salt 110
contained within.
Thus, as shown in Figure 3, the transmission head 104 may have an associated
tuning circuit
116 in circuit communication between the RF generator 102 and the transmission
head 104.
Additionally, or in the alternative, as shown in Figure 3, the current path
114 may comprise
the receiver liead 112 being grounded.
[0 0341 Referring to Figure 3, the transmission head 104 and receiver head 112
may be
insulated from direct contact with the reaction chamber 106. The transmission
head 104 and
receiver liead 112 may be insulated by means of an air gap 118. An optional
means of
insulating the transmission head 104 and receiver head 112 from the reaction
charnber 106 is
shown in Figure 4. The exemplary system 400 includes inserting an insulating
layer or
material 410 such as, for exarnple, Teflon between the heads 104, 112 and the
reaction
chamber 106. Other optional means include providing an insulation area on the
heads 104,
112, and allowing the lieads to be put in direct contact with the reaction
charnber 106. The
transmission head 104 and the receiver head 112, described in more detail
below, may
include one or more plates of electrically conductive material.
[ 0 0 3 5] One optional method of inducing a higher temperature in the
solution containing
salt water 110 includes using a receiver head 112 that is larger than the
transmission head
104 (although it was earlier believed that a smaller liead would concentrate
the RF to
enhance RF heating, a larger reception head was found to generate a higher
temperature,
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perl-iaps because of the use of a high-Q resonant circuit described in more
detail below). For
exaniple, a single 6" circular copper plate may be used on the Tx side and a
single square
9.5" copper plate inay be used on the Rx side. Optionally, an RF absorption ei-
iliancer may
be added to the solution containing salt water 110. An RF absorption enhancer
is any means
or method of increasing the tendency of the solution containing salt water 110
to absorb more
energy from the RF signal that the salt water component of the solution
containing salt water
would otherwise absorb. Suitable RF absorption enhancers include, for example,
suspended
particles of electrically conductive material, such as rnetals, e.g., iron,
various combination of
metals, e.g., iron and other metals, or magnetic particles. The many types of
RF absorption
ei-dlancers are discussed in greater detail below.
[00361 The RF generator 102 may be any suitable RF signal generator,
generating an RF
signal at any one or more of the RF frequencies or frequency ranges discussed
herein. The
RF signal 108 generated by the RF generator 102 and transniitted by the
transrnission head
104 rnay have a fundamental frequency in the HF range or the VHF range or an
RF signal at
some other fundamental frequency. The RF signal 108 may be a signal having one
or more
fundamental frequencies in the range(s) of 1-2 MHz, and/or 2-3 MHz, and/or 3-4
MHz,
and/or 4-5 MHz, and/or 5-6 MHz, and/or 6-7 MHz, and/or 7-8 MHz, and/or 8-9
MHz, and/or
9-10 MHz, and/or 10-11 MHz, and/or 11-12 MHz, or 12-13 MHz, or 13-14 MHz, or
14-15
MHz. The RF signal 108 may have a fundamental frequency at 13.56 MHz. The RF
generator 102 may be an ENI Model No. OEM-12B (Part No. OEM-12B-07) RF
generator,
which is marked with U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,329 and is known to be used to
generate a 13.56
MHz RF signal for etching systems. Among other things, the ENI OEM-12B RF
generator
has an RF power on/off switch to switch a high-power (0-1250 Watt) RF signal,
has an RF
power output adjust to adjust the power of the signal generated, and has an RF
power meter
to measure the power of the RF signal being generated that can be switched to
select either
forward or reverse power metering. The power meter in reverse rnode can be
used to
calibrate a tuning circuit, as explained above, by adjusting any variable
components of the
tuning circuit until rninirnum power is reflected back to the power meter
(minimum VSWR).
The ENI OEM-12B RF generator may be cooled by a Thermo Neslab Merlin Series
M33
recirculating process chiller. A at 13.56 MHz RF signal from the ENI OEM-12B
RF
generator having a power of about 800-1000 Watts will combust salt water. In
the
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altemative, the RF generator may be a commercial transmitter, e.g., the
transmitter portion of
a YAESU brand FT-1000MP Mark-V transceiver. An RF signal can be generated at
about
13.56 MHz (one of the FCC-authorized frequencies for ISM equipnient) by the
transmitter
portion of a YAESU brand FT-1000MP Marlc-V transceiver by clipping certain
blocking
cornponents as Ialown to those skilled in the art. The RF generator and
transmission head
may have associated antenna tuner circuitry (not shown) in circuit
communication therewith
or integral therewith, e.g., automatic or rnanual antemla tuner circuitry, to
adjust to the
inrpedance of transmission head and the reaction chamber (and a receiver, if
any). The
transmitter portion of a YAESU brand FT-1000MP Mark-V transceiver has such
integral
antem7a tuner circuitry (pressing a "Tune" button causes the unit to
automatically adjust to
the load presented to the RF generator portion). The RF generator and
transmission head
may have associated antenna tuner circuitry (not slrowrr) in circuit
communication therewith
or integral tlrerewith, e.g., automatic or manual antenna tuner circuitry, to
adjust to the
cornbined inlpedance of the reaction chamber and the receiver and compensate
for changes
therein. The transmitter portiorr of a YAESTJ brand FT-1000MP Mark-V
transceiver has
such integral anterma tuner circuitry. Various configurations for the
transmission head and
reception head are possible, as exemplified lrerein.
Figures 5-6
[ 0 0 3 7] The transmission head 104 may be any of a number of different
transmitter head
configurations, such as an electrically conductive plate having a coaxial coil
in circuit
conrrnunication therewith. In the alternative, as exemplified by Figure 5, the
transmission
head 104 may comprise (or consist of) an electrically conductive plate 502
(e.g., a 6"
dianreter, flat, planar plate made of 0.020" stainless steel) without a
correspondirrg coil. The
transrnission plate 502 may be circular and may be sized depending on the size
of the target
area and the desired voltage field generated by the plate. Similarly, as
exemplified by Figure
6, the receiver head 112 may comprise (or consist of) an electrically
conductive plate 602
(e.g., a 6" diameter, flat, planar plate made of 0.020" stainless steel)
without a corresponding
coil. The reception plate 602 may be circular and may be sized depending on
the size of the
target area arrd the desired voltage field generated by the plate. The
reception plate 602 may
be sized substantially smaller or substantially larger than the transmission
plate 502 to
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change the field generated in the reaction chamber 106 by the coupled RF
signal 108. In the
alternative, either the reception plate 602 or the transmission plate 502
(which includes both
of them) rnay be parabolic plates with their convex side facing the target
area (not shown).
The plates may be rnade of copper (e.g., 0.090" copper plate) instead of
stainless steel.
Figure 7-9
(00381 In the alternative, the transmission head 104 or receiver head 112 may
each or
both be comprised of a series of spaced, stacked electrically conductive
plates. The spaced,
stacked electrically conductive plates may be coaxial, circular plates and may
have
sequentially decreasing diameters. Figure 7 shows an exemplary system 700
wherein the
receiver head 112 comprising spaced, stacked, electrically conductive,
coaxial, and circular
plates that have sequentially decreasing diameters. The plates of exemplary
receiver head
800 may be constructed as described in Figures 8A-8C (e.g., sized as shown
with an
Alumiiiuin base) and may be insulated from each other as described in Figures
8A-8C. The
plates may be made of copper (e.g., 0.090" copper plate) instead of stainless
steel.
[ 003 91 Similarly, the transmission head 104 may comprise a series of spaced,
stacked
electrically conductive plates. The spaced, stacked electrically conductive
plates may be
coaxial, circular plates and may have sequentially decreasing diameters.
Figures 9A-9C
show an exemplary transmission head 900 comprising spaced, stacked,
electrically
conductive, coaxial, and circular plates that have sequentially decreasing
diameters. The
plates of exemplary transmission head 900 may be constructed as described in
Figures 9A-
9C (e.g., sized as shown with a Teflon base) and may be insulated from each
other as
described in Figures 9A-9C. In the alternative, plates of exemplary receiver
head 800 and/or
the plates of exemplary transmission head 900 may be in circuit communication
with each
other, e.g., directly electrically coupled in their spaced configuration with
electrically
conductive fasteners. The plates may be made of copper (e.g., 0.090" copper
plate) instead
of stainless steel. A transmission head 900 with electrically insulated plates
may be used
with a receiver head 800 with electrically connected plates, arid vice versa.
Figures 10-16
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[00401 The tuning circuit 116 may be in circuit communication between the RF
generator
102 and the transmission head 104 and may comprise and pi-network or a tunable
pi-
networlc. An exemplary tuning circuit 1000 is shown in Figure 10 formed with
coinponents
listed in that figure. Exemplary cornponent values for Figures 10-16a are
shown in Table I.
Tuning circuit 1000 may be connected between an RF generator 102 and a
transrnission head
104. Thus, as shown in Figure 11 an exemplary systeni may include an ENI OEM-
12B RF
generator in circuit communication with exemplary tuning circuit 1000, which
is in circuit
cornrnunication with exemplary transmission head 900 to generate an RF signal
108 through
the reaction chamber 106 by coupling the RF signal 108 to a receiver head 112.
The receiver
head 112 may be the same as exemplary receiver head 800, as shown in the
exemplary
system of Figure 11.
[00411 The exemplary implementation of the exeinplary tuning circuit 1000 used
in
Figures 10-15 appears to show a voltage gain of about 15-to-1 with respect to
the voltage of
the RF signal generated by the ENI RF generator. Thus exemplary tuning circuit
1000 may
be considered to be a voltage step up transfonner. Voltages of the larger
plate of the
transmission head have been estirnated to be in excess of 40,000 volts per
inch. Accordingly,
some or all of the transmission head and/or the receiving head may be sealed,
enclosed iri an
enclosure, or otherwise encapsulated in an insulating material.
[0042] Figures 13-15 show different views of an exemplary implementation of
portions
of the exemplary system of Figure 12. As showri in those figures, in
implementing the
exemplary tuning circuit 1000 used in Figures 10-12, the larger inductor L2
may be
positioned with its longitudinal axis substantially coaxial with the central
axis of plates of
transmission head FPI, and the central axis of the small inductor L, may be
substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the larger inductor L2. Other
components may be
used to implemerit tuning circuit 1000 instead of the exemplary components
listed on Figures
10-12. For example, the smaller inductor L, may be silver-coated or may be
made of 12
turns of 5/16" copper tubing (or more turris of larger diameter copper tubing)
for increased
current carrying capacity (smaller inductor Ll can get relatively hot in
exemplary
embodiments), and the capacitor C, may be made from thirteen (13) 100 pF
capacitors
instead of eleven (11) for a 1300 pF capacitor CI. As another example, the
plates in the
14
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heads may be made of copper (e.g., made fi=om 0.090" copper plate) instead of
stainless steel.
In the exemplary irnplementation shown in Figures 13-15, a region of the
target area slightly
closer to the transmission head (about 60/40 distance ratio) heats slightly
more than dead
center between the two heads. The grounded portion of the components of
Figures 10-15
may be mounted to a copper sheet 1300 or other suitable conducting sheet, and
the
conducting stand of reception head FP2 may be mounted on a copper sheet 1500
or other
suitable conducting sheet, as shown in Figure 15. The grounded plates 1300,
1500 may be
connected by one or more copper straps 1302.
Figure 16
[ 0 0431 Figure 16 shows another exemplary system 1600 that is the same as
system 1200
(shown in Figures 8A-8C, 9A-9C, 12-15 aiid as described above), except the
transmission
head FPI' has a single 6" plate, the one 6" circular plate of transmission
head FPI, and the
three 6" and 4" and 3" plates of receiver head FP2 are made from 0.090" thick
copper,
capacitor CI is 1300 pF instead of I100 pF, and the smaller inductor Lr is
silver-coated and
made of 12 turns of 5/16" copper tubing. Figure 16a shows another exemplary
system 1600
that is the same as system 1600 except that the receiver head FP2' has a
single 6" circular
plate. The transmitting portion and the receiving portion may be enclosed in
one or more
suitable enclosures, e.g., enclosures 3502, 3504 in Figure 22. Open circuit
voltage readings
at the transmission head of exemplary physical embodiments have talcen. Open
circuit
voltages of the RF field at 100 W of transmitted power have been measured with
a broadband
oscilloscope at about 6000 volts (e.g., about 5800 V) peak-to-peak amplitude,
which rises to
about 22,000 volts at 1000 W of transmitted power (Figure 16A in the
configuration of
Figures 13-15). Additionally, it is believed that in these exemplary systems
the voltage and
current are not in phase (e.g., out of phase by a certain phase angle).
Additionally, perhaps
improved RF heating efficiency and/or RF transmission efficiency may be
realized by
changing the phase relationship between the voltage and current to a
predetermined phase
angle or real-time detennined (or optimal) phase angle. In addition, the Q of
exemplary
pliysical embodiments have been estimated using bandwidth (S9 or 3 dB point)
in excess of
250 (e.g., 250-290) (Figure 16A in the configuration of Figures 13-15). As
should be
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apparent, the RF heating using these exemplary embodiments is significantly
different than
inductive heating (eveii substantially different from inductive heating at
similar frequencies).
[00441 As shown in Figure 22, the circuits may be mounted in two enclosures: a
transmission enclosure 3502 and a reception enclosure 3504, with a reaction
charnber 3506
there between. Exemplary transmission enclosure 3502 has grounded metallic
walls 3512 on
all sides except the side 3513 facing the reception enclosure 3504 (only four
sucli grounded
walls 3512a-3512d of five such walls 3512 of exemplary transmission enclosure
3502 are
shown; the top grounded wall has been removed). Similarly, exemplary reception
enclosure
3504 lias grounded metallic walls 3514 on all sides except the side 3515
facing the
traiisniission enclosure 3502 (only four such grounded walls 3514a-3514d of
five such walls
3514 of exemplary reception enclosure 3504 are shown; the top grounded wall
has been
renioved). The grounded walls 3512 of transmission enclosure 3502 are in
circuit
cornmunication with the grounded walls 3514 of reception enclosure 3504.
Facing walls
3513 and 3515 may be made from TEFLON or anotlier suitable electrical
insulator.
Transmission enclosure 3502 and/or reception enclosure 3504 rnay be movably
mounted to
pennit variable spacing between the transmission head and the reception head
to
accommodate create differently-sized reaction chambers 3506. Facing walls 3513
and 3515
may have associated openings (not shown) to which various racks and other
structures can be
connected to support a body part or other target structure between the
transmission head and
the reception head. Dispersive pads (not shown) may be provided for direct
grounding of the
target or capacitive grounding of the target structure, which grounding pads
may be
connected to the grounded walls 3512, 3514 (such direct or capacitive
grounding pads may
be help smaller target structures absorb relatively higher levels of RF and
heat better). The
transmission side components 3522 may be mounted inside exemplary transmission
enclosure 3502 and the reception side components 3524 may be mounted inside
exemplary
reception enclosure 3504. Exemplary transmission enclosure 3502 and reception
enclosure
3504 both may be cooled with temperature-sensing fans that turn on responsive
to the heat
inside the enclosures 3502, 3504 reaching a predetermined thermal level.
Exemplary
transmission enclosure 3502 and reception enclosure 3504 also have a plurality
of pass-
through comiectors, e.g., permitting the RF signal to pass from the RF signal
generator into
the exemplary transmission enclosure 3502 (perhaps via a power meter) and
permitting the
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received signal to pass outside exemplary reception enclosure 3504 to a power
meter and
back inside reception enclosure 3504. In this exemplary embodiment, the
enclosures 3502,
3504 may be moved to vary the spacing between the distal, adjacent ends of the
heads from
about two inches to a foot or more apart. Various other embodiments may have
different
ranges of spacing between the distal, adjacent ends of the heads, e.g., frorn
about 2" to about
20" or rnore apart or from about 2" to about 40" or more apart.
[00451 Each such enclosure may have grounded (e.g., aluminum) walls with a
grounded
(e.g., copper) base plate, except for the walls proximate the transmission
head FPt' and the
reception head FP2., which may be made from an electrical insulator such as
ceramic or
TEFLON brand PTFE, e.g., TEFLON brand virgin grade electrical grade PTFE, or
another
insulator. The walls may be grounded to the copper plate using copper straps
and, if a
plurality of enclosures are used, the enclosures may have copper strap between
then to
ground the enclosures together. A long standard fluorescent light bulb can be
used to
confinn effective grounding (e.g., by turning ori the RF signal and repeatedly
placing the
light bulb proxiniate the transmission head to illuminate the bulb and then
moving the bulb to
locations around the enclosure watching for the light bulb to cease
illumination, which
confirrns acceptable grounding). The grounded walls may have a layer of
electrical insulator
on the inside thereof, such as ceramic or TEFLON brand PTFE, e.g., TEFLON
brand virgin
grade electrical grade PTFE, or another insulator.
[00461 The exemplary systems of Figures 12-16 are believed to generate a very
high
voltage field in the target area, which very high voltage field can be used to
heat many
different types of RF absorbing particles as part of RF absorption enhancers
in connection
with the various methods taught herein. For example, the exemplary systems of
Figures 12-
16 are believed to be capable of heating and combusting salt water solutions
in connection
with the various rnethods taught herein.
[00471 Figure 24 illustrates an exeinplary transmission arrangement 2400 that
is adapted
for at least partial submersion in a liquid. The enclosure includes a sealed
circuit housing
2405 in whicli is enclosed a tuning circuit 2420 and a transmission head 2425.
The tuning
circuit receives an RF signal from an RF generator 2410 that may be enclosed
in the
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WO 2008/064002 PCT/US2007/084541
enclosure as shown or located outside of the enclosure 2405. An insulated
region 2430, e.g,
an air pocket or pocket of another gas, is disposed between the transmission
head 2425 and
the enclosure 2405. The enclosure may also include a mounting means, such as a
hook or
loop 2450, that is used to mechanically couple the enclosure to a cable or
other similar
mechanism for lowering the enclosure into a liole or confined treatment area,
e.g., with a
winch or crane (not shown) or other means for mowering. If the RF generator
2410 is
located outside the sealed enclosure 2405, an insulated electrical conductor
(not shown) may
be provided to place the circuit 2420 in circuit communication with the RF
generator.
During construction, air from the portion of the enclosure 2405 surrounding
the couplirig
circuit may be evacuated and the enclosure 2405 filled with an inert gas, such
as nitrogen or
xenon and then sealed. The coupling circuit may be tunable or not (e.g., pre-
tuned), and may
be the same as any of the coupling circuits shown or described herein, with
virtually any of
the transmission heads shown herein. If the coupling circuit portion of the
enclosure 2405 is
filled with an inert gas, it is believed that much higher powered RF signals
may be coupled
using the various coupling circuits disclosed herein, e.g., Figures 13-15 or
Figure 16a. In the
alternative, if the coupling circuit portion of the enclosure 2405 is filled
with an inert gas, it
is believed that significantly smaller coupling circuits may be used vis-a-vis
the exemplary
coupling cireuit of Figures 13-15, because smaller components may be used (by
increasing
the voltage break down of the coupled components within the enclosure). If the
coupling
circuit is tunable, such tuning may be accomplished using remotely
controllable tunable
coniponents, e.g., variable capacitors having stepper motors configured to
change the value
of the capacitor, or with remote cables to remotely mechanically change the
value of the
capacitor. Thus, a control unit remove from the enclosure (not shown) may be
used to send
electrical signals to tune the circuit to reduce or remove reflected power or
a user may
mechanically remotely tune the circuit to reduce or remove reflected power.
Althougli a
grounded reception head (not shown) may be used in this configuration (e.g.,
also mounted to
the enclosure and configured to pennit water to flow between the transmission
and reception
heads or between the insulated region and the reception head) it is believed
that it may be
possible to tune the circuit without a reception head per se, using the target
water as a
receiver and a current path (as a sort of grounded reception head).
Methods
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[0 04 8] Solutions containing salt water and that optionally contain (i) at
least one additive,
or (ii) at least one secondary fuel, or (iii) mixtures thereof may be
combusted using RF
signals by passing a high-voltage RF signal through the solution containing
salt water. In a
general sense, the methods may be characterized by providing a solution
containing salt
water and that may optionally contain (i) at least one additive, or (ii) at
least arie secondary
ftiel, or (iii) mixtures thereof and passing an RF signal tlirough the
solution containing salt
water to combust the solution containing salt water (Figure 23).
Alternatively, in a general
sense the methods may be characterized as methods for adding salt to enhance
the lieating of
water or other liquids. Salt water has been combusted using an exemplary
system that
included a circuit implementation of the circuit of Figure 16 being used to
transmit an RF
signal through the salt water to combust the salt water. A solution of OCEANIC
brand
Natural Sea Salt Mix having a specific gravity of about 1.026 g/cm3 was used.
A 13.56 MHz
RF signal from an ENI OEM-12B RF generator having a power of about 800-1000
Watts
(e.g., about 900 Watts) was used to combust the salt water.
Figure 17
[00491 Figure 17 illustrates a high level exemplary methodology 1700 for
producing
hydrogen from salt water or from solutions containing salt water.
[ 0 0 5 0] The methodology begins at block 1702. At block 1704 the salt water
is provided.
The salt water comprises water and at least one salt wherein an effective
amount of salt is
dissolved in the water. In certain embodiments salt is added to water or other
liquids to
efflhance heating. Optionally, a solution containing salt water may be used
that contains salt
water and (i) at least one additive, or (ii) at least one secondary fizel, or
(iii) mixtures thereof.
The salt can be any type of useful salt which is water soluble. Several
examples of useful
salts are described in greater detail below. An effective amount of salt is
the amount of salt
necessary to absorb sufficient energy output from the RF signal such that salt
water or a
solution coritaining salt water undergoes decomposition to generate hydrogen.
OCEANIC
brand Natural Sea Salt Mix may be used to approximate the composition of
naturally
occurring seawater having an effective amount of salt, and that may be used
further as either
salt water or as the salt water component in a solution containing salt water
that is used in the
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systerns and methods discussed and shown lierein. Such approximations of
naturally
occuiTing seawater may liave a specific gravity of about 1.02 g/cm3 to 1.03
g/cm3, e.g.,
between about 1.020-1.024 or about 28-32 PPT, as read off of a hydrometer. As
an
approximation of naturally occurring seawater, a mixture of water with the
above-identified
sea salt having a specific gravity of about 1.026 g/cm3 (as measured with a
refractometer)
was used in exemplary systems and methods. In the alternative, it is believed
that actual
seawater may be used in the systems and rnethods discussed and shown herein.
[ 0 0511 It is contemplated that a reservoir of salt water or a solution
containing salt water
could be made beforehand and stored in a tank such that it would be available
upon demand.
For example, the storage tarik could be connected to the reaction chamber by
means of a feed
tube. In this manner, a supply of the previously prepared salt water or
solution could be
puinped from the storage tanlc into the reaction chamber via the feed tube;
wherein the feed
tube has one end connected to the storage tank and the other end cormected to
an inlet present
on the reaction chamber. Again, it is believed that ordinary sea water may be
used.
[00521 At bloclc 1706 an RF transmitter is provided. The RF transmitter may be
any type
of RF transmitter generating a suitable RF signal. RF transmitter may be a
variable
frequency RF transmitter. Optionally, the RF transmitter is also multi--
frequency transmitter
capable of providing multiple-frequency RF signals. Optionally the RF
transrnitter is capable
of transmitting RF signals with variable amplitudes or pulsed amplitudes. One
or more of a
variety of different shapes and sizes of transrnission and reception heads may
be provided.
[00531 The transmission head may be selected at block 1708. The selection of
the
transmission head may be based in part on the type of RF transmitter provided.
Other
factors, such as, for example, the depth, size and shape of the general target
area, or specific
target area to be treated, and the number of frequencies transmitted may also
be used in
deteimining the selection of the transmission head.
[00541 The RF receiver is provided at block 1710. The RF receiver rnay be
tuned to the
frequency(s) of the RF transmitter. At block 1712, the desired receiver head
may be selected.
Similarly to the selection of the transmission head, the receiver head may be
selected to fit
the desired characteristics of the particular application. For example, a
receiver head that is
CA 02669709 2009-05-13
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larger than the transmission head can be selected to concentrate the RF signal
on a specific
area in the reaction chamber (although it was earlier believed that a smaller
head would
concentrate the RF to enhance RF heating, a larger reception head was found to
generate a
higher temperature). For example, a single 6" circular copper plate may be
used on the Tx
side and a single square 9.5" copper plate may be used on the Rx side. In this
manner,
selection of various sizes and shapes of the receiver heads allow for optimal
concentration of
the RF signal in the salt water mixture.
[0 05 5] At block 1714 the transmission head is arranged. Arrangement of the
transmission head is accomplished by, for example, placing the transmission
head proximate
to and on one side of the reaction chamber. At block 1716 the receiver head is
arranged.
AiTangement of the receiver head is similarly accomplished by, for example,
placing the
receiver head proximate to and on the other side of the reaction chamber so
that an RF signal
transmitted via the transmission head to the receiver head will pass through
the reaction
chamber and be absorbed by the salt water or the salt water component of the
solution
containirig salt water. The transmission head and reception heads are
insulated from direct
contact with the reaction chamber. The heads may be insulated from the
reaction chamber by
means of an air gap. Optionally, the heads may be insulated from the target
area by means of
another insulating material.
E 0 0 5 6] The RF frequency(s) may be selected at block 1718. In addition to
selecting the
desired RF frequency(s) at block 1718, the transmission time or duration may
also be
selected. The duration time is set to, for example, a specified length of
time, or set to raise
the temperature of at least a portion of the salt water or the solution
containing salt water to a
desired temperature/temperature range, or set to a desired change in
temperature. In addition,
optionally, other modifications of the RF signal may be selected at this time,
such as, for
exainple, amplitude, pulsed amplitude, an on/off pulse rate of the RF signal,
a variable RF
signal where the frequency of the RF signal varies over a set time period or
in relation to set
temperatures, ranges or changes in temperatures.
(00571 At block 1720 the RF sigrial is transmitted from the transmission head
to the
receiver head. The RF signal passes through the reaction chamber and is
absorbed by the salt
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water or the salt water component of the solution containing salt water that
is contained
within the reaction chamber. Absorption of the RF energy results in
decomposition of the
salt water or the salt water component of the sohxtion containing salt water
to generate
liydrogen.
[00581 At block 1722 the hydrogen produced by decomposition of a salt water or
solution containing salt water is collected. Hydrogen may be collected by any
means. An
example of a nieans for collecting hydrogen would be to utilize a vacuum or
pump apparatus
to remove the hydrogen gas as it is produced and to then retain the hydrogen
in a location
physically separated from the reaction chamber. For example, such a vacuum or
pump
apparatus could have one end attached to an outlet present on the reaction
chamber and the
other end attached to a gas storage container. It is contemplated that the gas
storage
container may be fitted with valves, as for example a one way valve, such that
gas could
enter or be pumped into the tank but then the gas could not leave the tank.
[ 0 0 5 91 The methodology may end at block 1724 and may be ended after a
predetermined
time interval and/in response to a determination that a desired ainount of
hydrogen
production has been achieved. The method may be performed once or repeatedly,
or
continuously, or periodically, or intermittently.
Figures 18(a) and 18(b)
[ 0 0 6 01 Figure 18(a) illustrates a high level exemplary methodology 1800
for producing
hydrogen from salt water and subsequently for the combustion of the hydrogen
produced.
Figure 18(b) illustrates a high level exemplary methodology 1800 for (i)
sufficiently heating
a solution containing salt water that may optionally contain a secondary fuel
in order to
volatilize and combust the secondary fixel; or (ii) decomposing the salt water
component of
the solution containing salt water to generate hydrogen and to subsequently
coinbust the
hydrogen produced; or (iii) both.
[0061] The methodology for both Figures 18(a) and 18(b) begins at block 1802.
At
block 1804 either salt water or a solution containing salt water is provided.
In Figure 18(a)
the salt water comprises water and at least one salt, wherein an effective
amount of salt is
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dissolved in the water. In certain embodiments salt is added to water or other
liquids to
ei-fliance heating. In Figure 18(b) the salt water solution comprises the salt
water of Figure
18(a) and optionally: (i) at least one additive, or (ii) at least one
secondary fi,iel source, or
(iii) inixtures thereof The salt used in Figures 18(a)-(b)can be any type of
usefizl salt which
is water soluble. Several exarnples of useful salts are described in greater
detail below. An
effective ainount of salt is the amount of salt necessary to allow suiTounding
water to absorb
sufficierit energy output from the RF signal such that it undergoes
decomposition to generate
hydrogen, or the amount of salt necessary to allow surrounding water to absorb
sufficient
energy output from the RF signal such that it undergoes sufficient heating to
volatilize and
combust any secondary fuel source optionally present. OCEANIC brand Natural
Sea Salt
Mix may be used to approximate the composition of naturally occurring seawater
having an
effective ainount of salt arid that may be used further as the salt water
component of the salt
water containing solution in the systems and methods discussed and shown
herein. Such
approximations of naturally occurring seawater may have a specific gravity of
about
1.02 g/cm3 to 1.03 g/cm3, e.g., between about 1.020-1.024 or about 28-32 PPT,
as read off of
a hydrometer. As an approximation of naturally occurring seawater, a mixture
of water with
the above-identified sea salt having a specific gravity of about 1.026 g/cm3
(as rneasured with
a refractorrieter) was used in exemplary systems and methods. In the
alternative, it is
believed that actual seawater may be used in the systems and methods discussed
and shown
herein.
[ 0 0 621 It is contemplated that a reservoir of salt water or a solution
containing salt water
could be made beforehand and stored in a tank such that it would be available
upon demand.
For exainple, the storage tank could be connected to the reaction chamber by
means of a feed
tube. In this manner, a supply of the salt water or the salt water containing
solution
previously prepared could be pumped from the storage tank into the reaction
chamber via the
feed tube; wherein the feed tube has one end connected to the storage tank and
the other end
coru-iected to an inlet present on the reaction chamber.
[ 0 0 6 3] At block 1806 an RF transmitter is provided. The RF transmitter may
be any type
of RF transinitter generating a suitable RF signal. RF transmitter may be a
variable
frequency RF transmitter. Optionally, the RF transmitter may also be a multi-
frequency
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transniitter capable of providing multiple-frequency RF signals. Still yet,
optionally the RF
transmitter rnay be capable of transmitting RF signals with variable
ainplitudes or pulsed
amplitudes. A variety of different shapes and sizes of transmission and
reception heads may
be provided.
[ 0 0 6 4 1 The transmission head may be selected at block 1808. The selection
of the
transmission head may be based in part on the type of RF transmitter provided.
Other
factors, such as, for example, the depth, size and shape of the general target
area, or specific
target area to be treated, and the number of frequencies transmitted may also
be used in
detei7nining the selection of the transmission head.
[00 6 51 The RF receiver is provided at block 1810. The RF receiver may be
tuned to the
fi=equency(s) of the RF transmitter. At block 1812, the desired receiver head
may be selected.
Similarly to the selection of the transmission head, the receiver head may be
selected to fit
the desired characteristics of the particular application. For exainple, a
receiver head that is
larger than the transmission head can be selected to concentrate the RF signal
on a specific
area in the reaction chamber (although it was earlier believed that a smaller
head would
concentrate the RF to enhance RF heating, a larger rec,eption head was found
to generate a
higher temperature). Various sizes and shapes of the receiver heads allow for
optimal
concentration of the RF signal in the salt water and solutions containing salt
water.
[ 0 0 6 61 At block 1814 the transmission head is arranged. Arrangernent of
the
transmission head is accomplished by, for example, placing the transmission
head proximate
to and on one side of the reaction chamber. At block 1816 the receiver head is
arranged.
Arrangement of the receiver head is similarly accornplished by, for example,
placing the
receiver head proxirnate to and on the other side of the reaction chamber so
that an RF signal
transmitted via the transmission head to the receiver head will pass through
the reaction
chaniber and be absorbed by the salt water or the salt water component of a
solution
containing salt water. The transmission head and reception heads are insulated
from direct
contact with the reaction chamber. The heads may be insulated from the
reaction chamber by
means of an air gap. Optionally, the heads may be insulated from the target
area by rneans of
anotlier insulating material.
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[ 0 0 671 The RF frequency(s) may be selected at block 1818. In addition to
selecting the
desired RF frequency(s) at block 1818, the transmission tirne or duration may
also be
selected. The duration time is set to, for example, a specified length of
time, or set to raise
the temperature of at least a portion of the salt water or the solution
containing salt water to a
desired temperature/temperature range, or set to a desired change in
temperature. In addition,
optionally, other modifications of the RF signal may be selected at this time,
such as, for
example, amplitude, pulsed amplitude, an on/off pulse rate of the RF signal, a
variable RF
signal wliere the frequency of the RF signal varies over a set tirne period or
in relation to set
temperatures, ranges or changes in temperatures.
[0 0 6 8] At block 1820 the RF signal is transmitted from the transmission
head to the
receiver head. The RF signal passes tlrrough the reaction chamber and is
absorbed by the salt
water or the salt water component of the solution containing salt water that
is present within
the reaction chamber. In Figure 18(a), absorption of the RF energy initially
results in
decomposition of the salt water to produce hydrogen, while still further
absorption of the RF
energy eventually leads to the combustion of the hydrogen produced by the
decomposition of
the salt water. In Figure 18(b), absorptiorr of the RF energy initially
results in (i) sufficiently
heating the solution containing salt water in order to volatilize arrd to
combust arry secondary
fuel that may be optionally present; or (ii) decomposition of the salt water
component of the
solution containing salt water to generate hydrogerr; or (iii) both.
[00691 The metlrodology may end at block 1822 and may be ended after a
predetermined
time interval and/in response to a deterrnination that a desired amount of
hydrogen
production and hydrogen combustion, or alternatively a desired amount of
volatilization and
combustion of the secondary fuel that may be optionally present is achieved.
The method
may be performed once or repeatedly, or continuously, or periodically, or
interrnittently.
Figures 19(a) and 19(b)
[00701 Figure 19(a) illustrates a high level exemplary methodology 1900 for
producing
hydrogen from salt water, for the combustion of the hydrogen produced, and for
the
subsequent conversion of this chemical energy into mechanical energy that
moves a piston.
Figure 19(b) illustrates a high level exemplary methodology 1900 for (i)
sufficiently heating
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a solution contaiiiing salt water that may optionally contain a secondary
fi.iel in order to
volatilize and combust the secondary fuel; or (ii) decomposing the salt water
component of
the solution containing salt water to generate hydrogen and to subsequently
combust the
volatilized secondary fuel source or the hydrogen produced; or (iii) both; and
for the
subsequent conversion of the chemical energy that combustion releases into
mechanical
energy that moves a piston.
[00711 The methodology for both Figures 19(a) and 19(b) begins at block 1902.
At
block 1904 either salt water or a solution containing salt water is provided.
In Figure 19(a)
the salt water comprises water and at least one salt wherein an effective
amount of salt is
dissolved in the water. hl certain einbodiments salt is added to water or
other liquids to
enhance heating. In Figure 19(b) the solution containing salt water comprises
the salt water
from Figure 19(a) and optionally (i) at least one additive, or (ii) at least
one secondary fuel,
or (iii) mixtures thereof. The salt can be any type of useful salt which is
water soluble.
Several examples of useful salts are described in greater detail below. An
effective amount
of salt is the amount of salt necessary to allow surrounding water to absorb
sufficient energy
output from the RF signal such that it undergoes decomposition to generate
hydrogen, or the
amount of salt necessary to allow surrounding water to absorb sufficient
energy output from
the RF signal such that it undergoes sufficient heating to volatilize and
combust any
secondary fuel source optionally present. OCEANIC brand Natural Sea Salt Mix
may be
used to approximate the composition of naturally occurring seawater having an
effective
amount of salt and that may be used further as the salt water component of the
solutions
containing salt water that are used in the systems and methods discussed and
shown herein.
Such approximations of naturally occurring seawater may have a specific
gravity of about
1.02 g/cm3 to 1.03 g/cm3, e.g., between about 1.020-1.024 or about 28-32 PPT,
as read off of
a hydrometer. As an approximation of naturally occurring seawater, a mixture
of water with
the above-identified sea salt having a specific gravity of about 1.026 g/cm3
(as measured with
a refractorneter) was used in exemplary systems and rnethods. In the
alternative, it is
believed that actual seawater may be used in the systems and methods discussed
and shown
herein.
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[ 0 0721 It is contemplated that a reservoir of the salt water or a solution
containing salt
water could be made beforehand and stored in a tank such that it would be
available upon
demand. For example, the storage tank could be cormected to the reaction
chamber by means
of a feed tube. In this manner, a supply of the salt water or the solution
containing salt water
previously prepared could be pumped from the storage taiik into the reaction
chamber via the
feed tube; wherein the feed tube has one end coimected to the storage tank and
the other end
connected to an inlet present on the reaction chamber. Alternatively, it is
contemplated that a
spray nozzle could be attached onto the end of the feed tube leading into the
inlet present on
the reaction chamber. In this arrarigement it is believed that the salt water
or the solution
contaiiiing salt water could be introduced into the reaction chamber in the
form of a mist or
spray.
[ 0 07 3] At block 1906 an RF transmitter is provided. The RF transmitter may
be any type
of RF transmitter generating a suitable RF signal. RF transmitter may be a
variable
frequency RF transrnitter. Optionally, the RF transmitter may also be a rnulti-
frequency
transmitter capable of providing multiple-frequency RF signals. Still yet,
optionally the RF
transmitter may be capable of transmitting RF signals with variable amplitudes
or pulsed
amplitudes. A variety of different shapes arld sizes of transmission and
reception heads inay
be provided.
[00741 The transmission head may be selected at block 1908. The selection of
the
transmission head may be based in part on the type of RF transmitter provided.
Other
factors, such as, for example, the depth, size and shape of the general target
area, or specific
target area to be treated, and the number of frequencies transmitted may also
be used in
determining the selection of the transmission head.
[ 0 0 7 5] The RF receiver is provided at block 1910. The RF receiver may be
tuned to the
frequency(s) of the RF transmitter. At block 1812, the desired receiver head
rnay be selected.
Similarly to the selection of the transmission head, the receiver head is may
be selected to fit
the desired characteristics of the particular application. For example, a
receiver head that is
larger than the transmission head can be selected to concentrate the RF signal
on a specific
area in the reactiori chamber (although it was earlier believed that a smaller
head would
27
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concentrate the RF to enhance RF heating, a larger reception head was found to
generate a
higher temperature). Various sizes and shapes of the receiver heads allow for
optimal
concentration of the RF signal in the salt water and solution containing salt
water.
[00761 At block 1914 the transmission head is arranged. Ar-rangement of the
transmission head is accomplished by, for example, placing the transmission
head proximate
to and on one side of the reaction chamber. At block 1916 the receiver head is
arrarrged.
Arrangenient of the receiver head is similarly accomplished by, for example,
placing the
receiver head proximate to and on the other side of the reaction chamber so
that an RF signal
transmitted via the transmission head to the receiver head will pass tlirough
the reaction
charnber and be absorbed by the salt water or the salt water component of a
solution
containing salt water. The transmission head and receiving heads are insulated
from direct
contact with the reaction clramber. The heads may be insulated from the
reaction chamber by
nieans of an air gap. Optionally, the heads are insulated from the target area
by means of
another insulating material.
[ 0 0771 The RF fi=equency(s) may be selected at block 1918. In addition to
selecting the
desired RF frequency(s) at block 1918, the transmission time or duration may
also be
selected. The duration time is set to, for example, a specified length of
time, or set to raise
the temperature of at least a portion of the salt water or salt water
solutiorr to a desired
ternperature/temperature range, or set to a desired change in temperature. In
addition,
optionally, other modifications of the RF signal may be selected at this time,
such as, for
example, amplitude, pulsed amplitude, an on/off pulse rate of the RF signal, a
variable RF
signal where the frequency of the RF signal varies over a set time period or
in relation to set
ternperatures, rarrges or changes in temperatures.
[ 0 07 8] At block 1920 the RF signal is transmitted from the transmission
head to the
receiver head. The RF signal passes tlu-ough the reaction chamber and is
absorbed by the salt
water or the salt water component of the salt water containing solution
present witlrin the
reaction chamber. In Figure 19(a), absorption of the RF energy initially
results in
decomposition of the salt water to produce hydrogen, while still further
absorption of the RF
energy eventually leads to the combustion of the hydrogen produced by the
decomposition of
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the salt water. In Figure 19(b), absorptiorr of the RF energy initially
results in (i) sufficiently
heating the solution containing salt water in order to volatilize and to
combust any secondary
fuel that may be optionally present; or (ii) decornposition of the salt water
component of the
aqueous solution to generate hydrogen; or (iii) both.
[ 0 07 9] Altenratively, it is contemplated that an igiiition source, for
example a spark plug,
could be attached to the reaction chamber. This ignition source would also be
in circuit
communication with a current source, such as for example a battery. The
arrangement
contemplated here would provide for a current going to the ignition source to
be switched on
and off when desired. This would result in generation of an ignition event, as
for example
with a spark plug a sparlc would be produced, on demand. It is believed that
this ignition
event would cause the combustion of the hydrogen that had been produced by the
decornposition of the salt water, or would cause the combustion of either the
hydrogen or any
volatilized secondary fuel or both that is produced by RF treatement of a
solution contairring
salt water in the reaction chamber.
[ 0 0 8 0] At block 1922, the energy generated from the combustion of
hydrogen, which is
produced from the decomposition of the salt water (or more generally, the
energy generated
from either (i) combustion of the hydrogen produced from decomposition of the
salt water, or
(ii) the volatilization and combustiorr of any secondary fuel that may be
optionally preserrt in
a solution containing salt water, or (iii) both), is transmitted to a piston
in order to perform
rnechanical work. In any event, the combustion of either the hydrogen or any
secondary fuel
or both generates hot exhaust gases including steam. These hot exhaust gases
expand and in
doing so create an increase in pressure. It is contemplated that the head of a
piston could be
attaclred to the outlet present on the reaction chamber and the other end of
piston attached to
a lever ann. As expanding exhaust gases push against the piston head, the
lever arrrr is
moved transforming the chemical energy of expanding exhaust gases into
mechanical energy
and into the performance of inechanical work.
[ 0 0 811 It is further contemplated that this piston arrangement could be
utilized together
with the spray nozzle and ignition source described above, to allow one to
convert chemical
energy into rneclianical energy and subsequently into the performance of
inechanical work,
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on demand. For example, this method could be used in such an arrangement in
order to
power an internal combustion engine. It is furtller contemplated that one
example of how
this niethod together with the appropriate system could be utilized, would be
in providing an
engine that would be fiieled by salt water or various solutions containing
salt water, or even
directly by seawater taken from the ocean without furtlier purification,
rather than requiring
gasoline or other water incompatible hydrocarbon fuels to operate.
Specifically, it is
contemplated that this engine could be provided in an appropriate size and in
a manner such
that it could be used to power an automobile or other form of motorized
vehicle.
[ 0 0 8 2] The methodology may end at block 1924 and may be ended after a
predeterrnined
time interval and/in response to a determination that a desired amount of
hydrogen
production and hydrogen coinbustion, or alternatively that a desired amount of
volatilization
and combustion of any secondary fizel source that is optionally present has
been achieved.
The inethod may be perforined once or repeatedly, or continuously, or
periodically, or
intermittently.
Figure 20
[0 0 831 Figure 20 illustrates a high level exemplary methodology 2000 for
desalinating
seawater.
[00841 The methodology begins at block 2002. At block 2004 seawater is
provided.
Any manner of seawater from any ocean or of any concentration or salinity
would suffice.
Furthermore, it is contemplated that the seawater could be taken from the
source in its natural
occurring form and used directly without the need for any further purification
or processing.
Examples of several sources for seawater are described below. It is also
contemplated that an
amount of seawater could be stored in a reservoir or storage tank such that it
would be
available to fill the reaction chamber upon dernand. For example, the storage
tank could be
coiuiected to the reaction chamber by means of a feed tube. In this manner, a
supply of
seawater could be pumped from the storage tank into the reaction chamber via
the feed tube;
wherein the feed tube has one end connected to the storage tank and the other
end connected
to an inlet present on the reaction chamber.
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[00851 At block 2006 an RF transmitter is provided. The RF transrnitter may be
any type
of RF transmitter generating a suitable RF signal. RF transmitter may be a
variable
frequency RF transmitter. Optionally, the RF transmitter may also be a nnilti-
frequerrcy
transmitter capable of providing multiple-frequency RF signals. Still yet,
optionally the RF
transmitter may be capable of transmitting RF signals with variable amplitudes
or pulsed
amplitudes. A variety of different shapes and sizes of transmission and
reception heads are
provided.
[ 0 0 8 6] The transmission head may be selected at block 2008. The selection
of the
trarrsmissian liead rnay be based in par-t on the type of RF transmitter
provided. Otlrer
factors, such as, for example, the deptlr, size and shape of the general
target area, or specific
target area to be treated, and the number of frequencies transmitted may also
be used in
determining the selection of the transmission head.
[ 0 0 8 71 The RF receiver is provided at block 2010. The RF receiver may be
tuned to the
frequency(s) of the RF transmitter. At block 2012, the desired receiver head
may be selected.
Similarly to the selection of the transmission head, the receiver head may be
selected to fit
the desired characteristics of the particular application. For example, a
receiver head that is
larger than the transmission head can be selected to concentrate the RF signal
on a specific
area in the reaction chamber (although it was earlier believed that a smaller
head would
concentrate the RF to enhance RF heating, a larger reception head was found to
generate a
higher temperature). Various sizes and shapes of the receiver heads allow for
optimal
concentration of the RF signal in the seawater.
[ 0 0 8 8] At block 2014 the transmission head is arranged. Arrangement of the
transmission head is accomplished by, for example, placing the transmission
head proximate
to and on one side of the reaction chamber. At block 2016 the receiver head is
arranged.
Arrangement of the receiver head is similarly accomplished by, for example,
placing the
receiver head proximate to and on the other side of the reaction chamber so
that an RF signal
transmitted via the transmission head to the receiver head will pass through
the reaction
chamber and be absorbed by the seawater. The transmission head and reception
heads are
insulated from direct contact with the reaction chamber. The heads may be
insulated from
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the reaction chamber by means of an air gap. Optionally, the heads may be
insulated from
the target area by means of another insulating material.
[0 0 8 9] The RF frequency(s) may be selected at block 2018. In addition to
selecting the
desired RF frequency(s) at block 2018, the transmission time or duration may
also be
selected. The duration time is set to, for exainple, a specified length of
tirne, or set to raise
the temperature of at least a portion of the seawater to boiling. In addition,
optionally, other
modifications of the RF signal are selected at this time, such as, for
example, amplitude,
pulsed amplitude, an on/off pulse rate of the RF signal, a variable RF signal
where the
frequency of the RF signal varies over a set time period or in relation to set
temperatures,
ranges or changes in temperatures or desired phase transitions.
[00 9 0] At block 2020 the RF signal is transmitted from the transmission head
to the
receiver head. The RF signal passes through the reaction chamber and is
absorbed by the
seawater contained witliin the reaction chamber. Absorption of the RF energy
results in
heating of the seawater causing the seawater to undergo a phase change and
produce steam.
The steain produced would be free of any salt, minerals, or any other
nonvolatile impurities
initially present in the seawater.
[00 91 ] At block 2022 the steam produced by heating the seawater to boiling
is collected.
At block 2024 the collected steam is condensed to form purified water. The
steam may be
collected by any means. An example of a means for collecting and condensing
steam would
be to utilize a the natural tendency of hot gases, such as steam, to rise. For
example, it is
contemplated that an exhaust pipe having one end attached to the outlet
present in the
reaction chamber and positioned to be directly above the reaction chamber
could conduct the
steam, as it is produced, away from the reaction chamber. It is further
contemplated that the
other end of the exhaust pipe could be attached to a remotely positioned tank
and that this
tank would functioned as a condenser such that, upon entering the tank, the
steam would cool
and convert phases from steam into water. As a result, it is believed that
purified water
would be condensed and collect in such a condenser tank. It is contemplated
that, optionally,
the condenser tai-ik could be externally cooled in order to facilitate the
rate of condensation of
the steam.
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[00921 The methodology may end at block 2026 and may be ended after a
predetennined
time inteival and/in response to a detennination that a desired amount of
steam production
and desalination has been achieved. The method may be performed once or
repeatedly, or
continuously, or periodically, or intermittently.
Figure 21
[0 0 931 Figure 21 illustrates a high level exemplary methodology 2100 of
carrying out the
electrolysis of water.
[00941 The methodology begins at block 2102. At block 2104 a salt water
mixture is
provided. The salt water mixture comprises water and at least one salt wherein
an effective
amount of salt is dissolved in the water. The salt should be water soluble
and, in order to
effectively fonn both hydrogen and oxygen gases, the salt should be selected
such that the
corresponding cation of the salt has a lower standard electrode potential
tlian H+ and the
corresponding anion of the salt has a higher standard electrode potential than
OH". A rnore
detailed description of various salts and their effective amounts which are
useful in this
regard is given below.
[ 0 0 9 5] At block 2106 an RF transmitter is provided. The RF transmitter may
be any type
of RF transmitter generating a suitable RF signal. RF transmitter may be a
variable
frequency RF transmitter. Optionally, the RF transmitter may also be a multi-
frequency
transmitter capable of providing rnultiple-frequency RF signals. Still yet,
optionally the RF
transmitter may be capable of transmitting RF signals with variable amplitudes
or pulsed
ainplitudes. A variety of differerit shapes and sizes of transmission and
reception heads may
be provided.
[ 0 0 9 6] The transmission head may be selected at block 2108. The selection
of the
transmission head may be based in part on the type of RF transmitter provided.
Other
factors, such as, for example, the depth, size and shape of the general target
area, or specific
target area to be treated, and the number of frequencies transmitted may also
be used in
determining the selection of the transmission head.
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(00971 The RF receiver is provided at block 2110. The RF receiver may be
turred to the
frequency(s) of the RF transrnitter. At block 2112, the desired receiver head
may be selected.
Similarly to the selection of the transmission head, the receiver head may be
selected to fit
the desired characteristics of the particular application. For example, a
receiver head that is
larger than the transmission head can be selected to concentrate the RF signal
on a specific
area in the reactiorr chamber (although it was earlier believed that a smaller
head would
concentrate the RF to enhance RF heating, a larger reception head was found to
generate a
higher temperature). Various sizes and shapes of the receiver heads allow for
optimal
concentration of the RF signal in the salt water mixture.
[0 0 9 8] At block 2114 the transmission head is arranged. Arrangement of the
transrnission head is accomplislred by, for example, placing the transmission
head proximate
to and on orre side of the reaction clramber. At block 2116 the receiver head
is arranged.
Arrangement of the receiver head is similarly accomplished by, for example,
placing the
receiver head proximate to and on the other side of the reaction chamber so
that an RF signal
transrnitted via the transmission head to the receiver head will pass through
the reaction
chamber and be absorbed by the salt water mixture. The transrnission head and
reception
heads are insulated from direct corrtact with the reaction chamber. The heads
may be
insulated fronr the reaction chamber by means of an air gap. Optionally, the
heads are
insulated froin the target area by means of another insulating material.
[ 0 0 9 9] The RF frequency(s) may be selected at block 2118. In addition to
selecting the
desired RF frequency(s) at block 2118, the transmissiorr tirne or duration may
also be
selected. The duration time is set to, for example, a specified length of
time, or set to raise
the ternperature of at least a portion of the salt water mixture to a desired
temperature/temperature range, or set to a desired change in temperature. In
addition,
optionally, other modifications of the RF signal are selected at this time,
such as, for
example, amplitude, pulsed amplitude, an on/off pulse rate of the RF signal, a
variable RF
sigrral where the frequency of the RF signal varies over a set time period or
in relation to set
ternperatures, ranges or changes in ternperatures.
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[001001 At block 2120 the RF signal is transmitted from the transrnission head
to the
receiver head. The RF signal passes through the reaction chamber and is
absorbed by the salt
water mixture contained within the reaction chamber. Absoiption of the RF
energy results in
decomposition of the salt water mixture to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
[ 0 0101 ] At block 2122 both the hydrogen and oxygen produced by
decomposition of the
salt water mixture is collected. Means for collecting and separating the
hydrogen and oxygen
produced by the electrolysis of the salt water mixture will be known to those
skilled in the
art. Such techniques may include using two evacuated, gas collection bells
that are nested
within one another; where the opening to the innermost gas collection bell is
covered with a
serni-permeable rnembrane. The semi-penneable membrane may be made from a
material
that has a greater permeability to hydrogen gas than it does to oxygen gas. In
this regard, as
the mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases are directed using a series of tubes
and valves
towards the two gas collection bells nested within one another, only hydrogen
gas would be
able to effectively pass through the inembrane covering the innermost gas
collection bell. As
such, the hydrogen gas would become concentrated in the imiermost gas
collection bell,
while the oxygen gas would become concentrated in the outermost gas collection
bell. In this
marmer, it is believed that the hydrogen gas could be isolated and collected
separately from
the oxygen gas.
(001021 The methodology ends at block 2124 and may be ended after a
predetermined
time inteival and/in response to a determination that a desired arnount of
hydrogen
production has been achieved.
Figure 25
[001031 Figure 25 illustrates a high level exemplary methodology 2500 of
carrying out the
combustion of a liquid. The methodology begins at block 2510. At block 2510 an
RF
system is provided that is capable of generating an RF signal. The RF system
may include an
RF generator, transmitter and transmission head and be of the type described
above such that
it is capable of generating an ignitable gas from sea water in an open
container proximate to
the transmission head. At block 2520 a liquid is provided that includes an
effective amount
of at least one ion dissolved in the liquid for generation of an ignitable gas
by the RF signal.
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At block 2530 the RF signal is transmitted such that it interacts with at
least some of the
liquid. At block 2540 the ignitable gas generated from the liquid by the RF
signal is ignited.
At block 2550 the methodology ends and may be ended after a predetermined time
interval
and/in response to a detennination that a portion of the liquid has been
combusted.
Figure 26
[001041 Figure 26 illustrates a high level exemplary metllodology 2600 of
carrying out the
combustion of a liquid. The methodology begins at block 2610. At block 2610 an
RF
system is provided that is capable of generating an RF signal. The RF system
may include an
RF generator, transmitter, and transmission head and be of the type described
above such that
it is capable of generating an ignitable gas from sea water in an open
container proximate to
the transmission head. At block 2620 a liquid is provided that includes an
effective amount
of at least one ion dissolved in the liquid for generation of an ignitable gas
by the RF signal.
At block 2630 the RF signal is transmitted and at block 2640 a portion of the
liquid is
colnbusted.
[ 0 010 5] Additioiial methods are contemplated using the systems described
herein where a
frequency for operation of the RF signal may be selected such that the
frequency is the same
as, or overlaps (either partially or completely)-or has harmonics that are the
same as or
overlaps-specific RF frequencies that are capable of stimulating or exciting
any of the
various energy levels of various ions, e.g., any of the various metal species
that comprise the
salts that are dissolved in the salt water solutions. One having ordinary
skill in the art will
understand how to determine and to measure RF frequencies that stimulate or
excite various
energy levels for various metal species. In this regard and based on empirical
testing, we
believe that 13.56 stimulates and/or excites Na ions better than any other
ions herein so
tested. As such, it is believed that useful embodiments of the methods
described herein may
therefore also include (i) selecting an RF signal having a preferred
frequency, (ii) selecting a
metal salt comprising a metal species capable of being stimulated or excited
by the preferred
frequency selected (or a harmonic thereof), (iii) transmitting the RF signal
having the
preferred frequericy through or to an aqueous solution of the metal salt for a
sufficient time in
order to stimulate or excite the rnetal species present in the aqueous
solution to generate heat.
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Alternatively, methods may also include (i) selecting a salt comprising a
preferred metal
species, (ii) selecting an RF signal having a frequency (or a harmonic
thereof) capable of
stimulating or exciting the preferred metal species, (iii) trarismitting the
RF signal having the
frequency to or through an aqueous solution of the rnetal salt comprising the
preferred metal
species for a sufficient time to generate heat.
[001061 Additional rnetliods are contemplated using the systems described
herein where
the RF sigiial may be used to process clays and soils to heat and sterilize
the clays and soils,
to directly generate hydrogen from the clays and soils, and for remediation of
the clays or
soils by removing or extracting organic contaminants and wastes. It is
contemplated, as
above, that a frequency for operation of the RF signal may be selected such
that the
frequency (or a harmonic thereof) is the same as or overlaps with (either
partially or
completely) specific RF frequencies capable of stimulating or exciting any of
the various
energy levels of any of the various metal species comprising metal salts or
metal compounds
that are dissolved or distributed within the soils. Since soils often contain
moisture or the
metal species present in the soils and clays have water molecules coordinated
to them, it is
therefore believed that the systems and methods described herein could be used
to heat and
process such metal-containing soils. As such, we believe the RF signal could
be used (in any
of the various manners herein described for treatment of salt water solutions)
to produced
heat and/or steam and/or hydrogen and oxygen free radicals in-situ within
various soils, and
in particular in clays and clay containing soils. The heat arrd/or the steam
and/or the
hydrogen arid oxygen free radical produced from the water molecules present in
the soil
would treat the surrounding soil, in particular the heat and/or the free
radicals generated
would perhaps sterilize the soil, killing any animal, vegetable or rnicrobial
life that may also
be present. It is further contemplated that steam produced in-situ in this
manner niay also be
used to volatize and extract any hydrocarbon pollutants that may also be
present in the soils
and clays. As such, it is contemplated that soils of contaminated commercial
residential and
industrial sites, hazardous waste dump sites, gas stations, etc. could be
remediated using the
systerns and methods described herein. One skilled in the art will understand
how the RF
systerns and methods described herein could be coupled with known extraction
and
remediation processes and methods for in-situ treatment of contaminated soils.
Exenrplary
hydrocarbon contaminants that could be extracted or rernoved would include but
are not
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limited to organic solvents, oil and oil byproducts, insecticides, and
polychlorinated
biplienyls. Similarly, it is contemplated that clathrates, zeolites, and other
materials
containing or having various metal species adsorbed to their surfaces or in
there sti-Lictures
and containing either moisture or water nlolecules coordinated to the metal
species present
may be processed and heated in similar manners as has been described herein
for soils and
clays.
[001071 In accordance with the systems and methods of the present invention
previously
described, further embodiments are coritemplated of an RF system for selective
disinfection
of surfaces and materials is provided. The system includes an RF transmitter
having an RF
generator and a transmission head, and an RF receiver having a resonant
circuit and a
reception head. When the transmission and reception heads are arranged
proximate to and on
eitlier side of a surface or material and an RF signal is transmitted from the
transmission
head, through the surface or material, to the reception head, at least a
portion of the surface or
rnaterial is disinfected without direct contact of the heads to the surface or
material. It is
contemplated, as above, that a frequency for operation of the RF signal may be
selected such
that the frequency (or harmonic thereof) is the same as or overlaps with
(either partially or
completely) specific RF frequencies that are capable of stimulating or
exciting any of the
various energy levels of any of the various metal species or inetal salts or
rnetal compounds
that iriay, for example, be present within various targeted microbes,
bacteria, or viruses.
Since enviroiiments where microbes, bacteria, and viruses are found also often
contain
moisture, we therefore believe that the systems and methods described herein
could be used
to disinfect surfaces and materials through selectively heating and destroying
various
targeted microbes, bacteria, and viruses that are present on the surfaces or
materials to be
disinfected. The RF signal would be applied for a sufficient time to locally
heat and destroy
any targeted microbes, bacteria, and viruses that contain metals (metals that
are either
coordinated by water molecules or in an enviroiunent containing moisture) that
are
stimulated or excited by the RF signal having the particular frequency so
selected.
[ 0 010 8] In accordance with the systems and methods of the present invention
previously
described, fizrther embodiments are contemplated of an RF system for affecting
a change in
the germination and growth of plant life is provided. The system includes an
RF transmitter
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having an RF generator and a transmission head, and an RF receiver having a
resonant circuit
and a reception head. When the transmission and reception heads are arranged
proximate to
and on either side of a seed or a plant and an RF signal is transmitted from
the transmission
head, through the seed or plant, to the reception head, at least a portion of
the seed or plant is
processed without direct contact of the heads to the seed or plant. For
example, a seed may
be placed in a brackish enviromnent or a plant may be watered with brine
solution and
natural biological processes such as osrnotic pumping mechanisms may be taken
advantage
of in order to create a seed or plant having an internal environment with an
increased salt
concentration. We believe that any of the systerns or methods described herein
may be used
to then expose the so prepared seed or plant to an RF signal, wherein the RF
signal would
affect a change in the rate of germination of the seed or affect a change in
the rate of growth
of the plant. We believed that that a frequency for operation of the RF
sigiial may be
selected such that the frequency (or hannonic thereof) is the same as or
overlaps with (either
partially or completely) specific RF frequencies that are capable of either
increasing or
decreasing the rates of seed gennination and plant growth in order to affect
such a cliange in
the genniiiation and growth of plant life.
[0 010 9] In accordance with the systems and methods of the present invention
previously
described, further embodiments contemplating RF systems and methods for
processing a
fluid are provided. Processing a fluid includes but is not limited to heating
and/or
combusting the fluid. Fluids can be processed whether or not they contain any
of the useful
salts or ions (either cations or anions) herein described. An exeniplary fluid
in this regard
includes but is not limited to water that is extracted from oil wells and that
is contaminated
with oil residues and/or other hydrocarbon contaminants. Methods for
processing (including
heating and/or coinbustirig) a fluid involve using any of the systems
previously described and
(i) providing a fluid to be processed (including heating and/or cornbusting
the fluid), (ii)
adding an effective amount of salt to the fluid (e.g., by adding solid salt or
by adding a salt
solution), and (iii) passing RF through the fluid containing an effective
amount of salt to
process the fluid. In gerieral, useful systems may include an RF transmitter
having an RF
generator and a transmission head, and an RF receiver having a resonant
circuit and a
reception head. When the transmission and reception heads are arranged
proximate to and on
either side of the fluid liaving an effective amount of salt added to it an RF
signal is
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transmitted froin the transmission head, through the fluid containing the
salt, to the reception
head, and at least a portion of the fluid is processed. Processing in this
regard inay include
heating the fluid and/or combusting the fluid and in such situations salt is
added to enhance
heating of the fluid.
Salt Water, Salt Water Solutions, and Salt Water Mixtures
[ 0 0 110 ] Ordinary and naturally occurring seawater may be used. Generally,
a salt wliich
is useful as the salt water or in the solution containing salt water or in the
salt water mixtures
employed in these systems and methods disclosed herein include any salt which
has
solubility in water. For example, NaCl is a useful salt because NaCI is very
soluble in water.
Other useful salts may include salts that have as their cation any element in
cationic form,
which may selected from the group consisting of Li+, Na+, K+> Rb+> Cs+, Be2+,
Mg2+, Ca2+
,
BaZ+> Sr2+> Mn2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Ni2+, Cuz+, Zn2+, Ag+, Au+, B3+, A13+, Ga3+,
In3+ and that have as
the anion any element in anionic form that is selected from the group
consisting of Cl", Br", I",
borate, citrate, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, carbonate, and hydroxide. The
salt used in the
systems and methods disclosed herein can be used as either a pure salt, the
salt made from
one type of cation and one type of anion that are those cations and anions
listed above; or it
can be a salt mixture, made from more than one type salt, made from one or
rnore types of
cations and/or one or more types of anions that are those cations and anions
listed above.
Again, ordinary and naturally occurring seawater may be used.
[ 0 0111 ] Another useful salt water (or salt water component of either
solutions containing
salt water or salt water mixtures) for use in the systems and methods
disclosed herein is
seawater. This includes all types of seawater, including water taken from any
of the oceans
or other naturally salty bodies of water found on the earth. Using seawater as
disclosed
lierein includes using seawater in its natural occurring form, that is,
seawater which is taken
froin the ocean and used directly without any further processing or
purification.
[001121 Another useful salt water or salt water solution for use in the
systems and methods
disclosed herein is brine water. Brine water may be water extracted from the
ground (ground
water) and includes water that is taken from water wells and oil wells. Using
brine water as
disclosed herein includes using brine water that lias been further processed
or treated (for
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example, by addition of salt, e.g., adding solid salt or a salt solution) or
that is in its naturally
occurring forin and used directly without any further processing or
purification.
[001131 OCEANIC brand Natural Sea Salt Mix may be used to approximate
naturally
occun-ing seawater having an effective aniount of salt and used as the salt
water or salt water
cornponent of solutions containing salt water and salt water mixtures employed
in the
systems and methods discussed and shown herein. Such approximations of
naturally
occui7=ing seawater may have a specific gravity of about 1.02 g/cm3 to 1.03
g/cnn 3, e.g.,
between about 1.020-1.024 or about 28-32 PPT, as read off of a hydrometer. A
mixture of
the above-identified sea salt mix having a specific gravity of about 1.026
g/cm3 (as measured
with a refractometer) was used in exemplary systems and inethods. In the
alternative, it is
believed that actual seawater may be used in the systems and methods discussed
and shown
herein. The precise alnount of salt in salt water or in the salt water
component of the
solutions containing salt water and salt water mixtures used and contemplated
herein niay
vary from specific application to specific application.
[001141 In order to form both hydrogen and oxygen gas, salts capable of
forming salt
water mixtures that are useful for use in the electrolysis systems and
electrolysis methods
disclosed lierein, should be water soluble salts and also should have a cation
and an anion
selected such that the cation has a lower standard electrode potential than H+
and the anion
has a greater standard electrode potential than OH-. For example, the
following cations have
lower standard electrode potential than H+ and are therefore suitable for use
as electrolyte
cations: Li+ Rb+ K. Cs+ Ba2+ a+ a+ + z+
, , , , , Sr , Ca , Na , and Mg . For example, a useful anion
would be S042- , because it has a greater standard electrode potential than
OH" and is very
difficult to oxidize. It is contemplated that Na2SO4 would be a useful salt
for use with the
electrolysis systems and methods disclosed here within because it is a water
soluble salt that
is composed of a cation (Na) that has a lower standard electrode potential
than H+ and an
anion (SO4Z-) that has a greater standard electrode potential than OHm.
Additive
[001151 As previously indicated, as used herein an additive may be an organic,
organometallic, or inorganic chemical compound having solubility, miscibility,
or
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compatibility with salt water and solutions containing salt water and salt
water mixtures
(including seawater or solutions containing salt water and optionally
containing at least one
secoridary fiiel) and that is capable of altering the response of the salt
water, various solutions
containing salt water, and salt water mixtures in response to stimulation by
RF energy. Both
molecular and polymeric, species are contemplated as being usefizl additives.
It is further
believe that useful amounts of additive include solutions containing salt
water where the
additive is present as at least one minor component in the solution containing
salt water.
Embodiments contemplated in this regard would include solutions containing
salt water and
having from about 0.001 to about 10.0 weight % additive, and inore preferably
from about
0.001 to about 1.0 weight % additive, and even more preferably from about
0.001 to about
0.1 weight % additive.
[001161 It is contemplated that a salt water solution or salt water mixture
containing an
additive will respond differently to RF stimulation versus comparable salt
water solution or
salt water mixture that does not contain any additive. We believe that the
response of a salt
water solution or salt water mixture to RF energy may be altered in a variety
of ways. For
example, an alteration in RF response that an additive may have may include
but is not
limited to increasing or decreasing the rate at which a solution or mixture
containing the
additive either heats, combusts, or both upon exposure to a fixed amount or
flux of RF
energy; exhibiting a desired temperature change or level of combustion of a
salt water
solution containing an additive with exposure to a larger or a smaller amount
of RF energy;
and decreasing the surface tension of a salt water solution containing an
additive such that
coinbustion of the salt water solution or mixture occurs upon application of
an RF field
without any need for externally perturbing the surface of the salt water
solution. Surfactants,
including soaps and detergents, are embodiments of useful additives in this
regard since they
are known to lower the surface tension of aqueous solutions. Furthermore, we
believe that
water soluble organic compounds that can lower the heat capacity of an aqueous
solution or
that can change the freezing point of water or that can fonn azeotropic
mixtures with water
would also be useful additives in this regard.
Secondar~~Fuels
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[001171 As previously indicated, as used herein a secondary fuel may be any
combustible
organic compound that has solubility, miscibility, or compatibility with salt
water or various
solutions containing salt water or salt water mixtures (including seawater,
salt water or
solutions containing salt water that optionally contain at least one
additive). It is believe that
a useful amount of secoiidary fttel includes solutions containing salt water
were the
secondary fuel is present as the minor component. Alternatively, it is also
believe that a
useful amount of secondary fuel includes solutions containing salt or salt
water were the
secondary fuel is present as the major component. In this regard, embodiments
are
contemplated of salt water solutions containing from about 0.01 to about 99.99
weight % of
at least one alternative fuel, and preferably from about 1.0 to about 99.0
weight % of at least
one alternative fuel, and more preferably from about 10 to about 90 weight %
of at least one
alternative fuel, and even more preferably frorn about 30 to about 70 weight %
of at least one
alternative fuel, and even more preferably from about 40 to about 60 weight %
of at least one
alternative fuel.
[0 0118 ] It is contemplated that exposure to RF energy of a salt water
solution containing
at least one secondary fuel, wherein the secondary fuel is the minor
constituent, may result in
an enhanc.ement or in a boost in performance in terms of the combustibility of
the salt water
solution versus the results obtairied by a comparable salt water solution that
does not contain
any secondary fuel. Alternatively, it is also contemplated that exposure to RF
energy of a
salt water solution containing at least one secondary fuel, where the
secondary fuel is the
major constituent of the mix, allows RF energy to be used to coinbust the
secondary fuel
even though the secondary fuel itself may be RF inert. Without intending to be
bound by
theory, we believe that the secondary fuel may be useful as either the minor
or the major
component in a salt water solution because the salt water component of the
salt water
solution is stimulated by the RF signal and absorbs energy. As such,
absorption of RF
energy by the salt water component causes the temperature of the salt water
solution to
increase to the point where secondary fuel present in any amount volatilizes
and becomes
more capability of combustirig in the presence of a spark, flame, or any other
incendiary
source. In this regard, methanol, ethanol, and iso-propanol are useful as
secondary fuels
because they are conibustible organic solvents and are soluble with or have
chemical
compatibility with water. Furthermore, we believe that many additional organic
solvents and
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compounds, which may have both volatility and solubility or miscibility with
aqueous
solutions, would also be useful as secondary fuels in this regard. For
example, we
contemplate that n-propanol, acetone, formaldehyde, acetic acid, and forniic
acid may also be
usefi.il secondary fixels.
RF Absorption Enhancers
[001191 Salt water, solutions containing salt water, and salt water mixtures
may be
processed using RF as-is. In the alternative, it is also believed that RF
absorption enhancers
inay be added to the salt water, solutions containing salt water, and salt
water mixtures prior
to processing with RF to enhance the effects of the RF energy on the salt
water, e.g.,
enlianced heating, ei'dlanced, combustion, enhanced desalination, etc. The RF
absorption
ei-diancers may be particles made from RF absorbing materials that absorb one
or more
frequencies of an RF electromagnetic signal substantially more than other
materials. This
niay perrnit the RF signal to heat salt water (or any solution containing salt
water or salt
water mixture) containing RF absorbing enhancers substantially more thaii it
would salt
water (or salt water solution or salt water mixture) that does not contain
additional RF
absorption enhancers.
[ 0 012 0] Exemplary RF absorption enhancers include particles of electrically
conductive
material, such as silver, gold, copper, magnesium, iron, any of the other
metals, and/or
magnetic particles, or various combinations and permutations of gold, iron,
any of the other
inetals, and/or magnetic particles. Examples of other RF absorption enhancers
include:
metal tubules (such as silver or gold nanotubes or silver or gold microtubes,
which may be
water-soluble), particles made of piezoelectric crystal (natural or
synthetic), particles made of
syntlietic materials, particles made of biologic materials, robotic particles,
particles made of
man made applied materials, like organically modified silica (ORMOSIL)
nanoparticles.
Examples of yet other RF absorption enhancers that may be useful include RF
absorbing
carbon molecules and compounds: fullerenes (any of a class of closed hollow
aromatic
carbon cornpounds that are made up of twelve pentagonal and differing numbers
of
hexagonal faces), carbon nanotubes, other molecules or compounds having one or
more
graphene layers, and other RF-absorbing carbon molecules and compounds e.g.,
C60 (also
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la'iown as a"buckyball" or a"buclaninsterfizllerene"), C70, C76, C84,
buckytubes (single-
walled carbon nanotubes, SWNTs), inulti-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and
other
nano-sized or micro-sized carbon cage molecules and compounds. Such carbon-
based
particles may be in water-soluble form. Such carbon-based particles may have
metal atoiiis
(e.g., nickel atoms) integral therewith, which may affect their ability to
absorb RF energy arid
heat in response thereto. Any of the foregoing (and subsequently listed)
particles may be
sized as so-called "nanoparticles" (microscopic particles whose size is
measured in
nanometers, e.g., 1-1000 nm) or sized as so-called "rnicroparticles"
(microscopic particles
whose size is measured in micrometers, e.g., 1-1000 grn).
[ 0 0121 ] Additionally, RF absorbing carbon molecules and compounds may be
fabricated
as RF absorption enhancers to be particles with non-linear I-V characteristics
(rectifying
characteristics) and/or capacitance. Such non-linear I-V characteristics may
result from, for
example, nanotubes with a portion doped (e.g., by modulation doping) with a
material giving
n-type semiconducting properties adjacent a portion doped with p-type
semiconducting
properties to form a nanotube haviiig an integral rectifying p-n junction. In
the alternative,
nanotubes can be fabricated with an integral Schottky barrier. In either case,
it may be
helpful to use nanotubes having at least two conducting regions with a
rectifying region
tllerebetweeii. Accordingly, rectifying circuits for RF absorbing particles
for RF absorption
ei-Alancers may be fabricated from RF absorbing carbon molecules and
cornpounds having
non-linear I-V characteristics.
[001221 Any of the RF absorption enhancers described herein may be used alone
or in
virtually any combination of and/or permutation of any of the particle or
particles described
herein. For example, it may be beneficial to use a plurality of different RF
absorbing
particles described herein for purposes of tuning the reaction kinetics of the
various methods
herein described. Accordingly, virtually any combination or permutation of RF
absorption
eiihancers may be used in virtually any combination of and/or permutation of
any RF
absorbing particle or particles described herein to create RF absorption
enhancers for use in
accordance with the teachings herein.
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[001231 Of the RF absorption enhancers mentioned herein, some may be suitable
for a
13.56 MHz RF signal, e.g., silver nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, copper
nanoparticles,
magnesium nanoparticles, aqueous solutions of any of the metal sulfates
rnentioned herein,
and RF absorbing carbon molecules and compounds. RF absorption enhancers using
these
RF absorbing particles are also expected to be effective at slightly higher
frequencies, such as
those having a frequency on the order of the second or third harrnonics of
13.56 MHz.
RF Si nal
[001241 The RF signals may have a frequency corresponding to a selected
parameter of an
RF enhancer, e.g., 13.56 MHz, 27.12 MHz, 915 MHz, 1.2 GHz. Several RF
frequencies
have been allocated for industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) equipment,
e.g.: 6.78 MHz
15.01cHz; 13.56 MHz 7.0 kHz; 27.12 MHz 163.0 kHz; 40.68 MHz 20.0 kHz; 915
MHz
13.0 MHz; 2450 MHz 50.0 MHz. See Part 18 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal
Regulations. These and other frequencies of the same orders of magnitude may
be used in
virtually any of the systems and methods discussed herein, depending on which
RF absorbing
particles are used. For exarnple, RF signals having a fundamental frequency of
about 700
MHz or less miglit be suitable for many of the systems and methods described
herein. RF
signals having a fundamental frequency in the high frequency (HF) range (3-30
MHz) of the
RF range might be suitable for many of the systems and methods described
herein.
Similarly, RF signals having a fundamental frequerrcy in the very high
frequency (VHF)
range (30-300 MHz) of the RF range might also be suitable for many of the
systems and
methods described herein. Of course, RF signals at any fundamental frequency
may also
have harmonic components that are multiples of the fundamental frequency of
frequencies.
Also, RF signals at any fundamental frequencies or periodic multiples of such
fundamental
frequencies that are harmonics of a fundamental frequency may be selected such
that the
frequency is the same as or has overlap with (either partially or completely)
specific RF
frequencies capable of stimulatirrg or exciting any of the various electron
energy levels of
any of the various metal species that comprise the salts that are dissolved in
the salt water
solutions. For example, based on empirical testing we believe that an RF
signal with a
frequency of 13.56 MHz stimulates and/or excites Na ions better than any other
ions herein
so tested.
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[001251 Additionally, in any of the embodimerits discussed hereirr, the RF
signal used may
be a pulsed, nlodulated FM RF signal, or a pulse fixed frequency signal. A
pulsed signal
may permit a relatively higher peak-power level (e.g., a single "burst" pulse
at 1000 Watts or
more, or a 1000 Watt signal having a duty cycle of about 10% to about 25%) and
may create
higher local temperatures at RF absorption enlrancer particles. Such pulsed
signals may have
any of various characteristics. For exarnple, the RF pulse may be a square
wave, or may be a
sine wave, or may have a sharp rise tirne with an extended ringing effect at
base line, or nray
have a slow rise time and a fast decay, etc. Pulsed RF signals (and other
shaped RF signals)
may produce very localized temperatures that are higher for a lerrgth of time
on the order of
about a rnillisecond or longer. For exarnple, a short 5 kilowatt RF pulse of
less than a
second, e.g., on the order of microseconds (e.g., 3-4 microseconds) may be
sufficient to raise
the teniperature of the rnixture sufficiently to achieve the desired effect,
e.g., combustion of
the salt water, desalination, heating, creation of hydrogen gas, etc.
[ 0 012 6] As discussed herein, the RF energy directed toward the salt water
(or any solution
containing salt water, or salt water mixture) may be RF energy having a very
high field
strength and rnay also be coupled through the portion of the reaction chamber
witlr coupling
lieads having a very high Q (e.g., a Q on the order of 250 or more). A pulsed
RF signal with
a relatively higher power may be effective to quickly heat the salt water,
etc., such as a pulse
of HF or VHF RF energy (e.g., 27.12 MHz).
Rate of Combustion
[ 0 012 7] Salt water combusts relatively quickly in a test tube using a 600
Watt 13.56 MHz
RF signal. For example, sea water--rratural or artificial--combusts in a test
tube on the order
of about 1 ml per minute initially and later combusts on the order of about 1
ml per every 30
seconds as a substantial amount of water has been combusted from the test
tube. In some
cases, less salt permits better combustion than rnore salt. For example, a
mixture of 99.5%
ethanol and 0.5% salt solution combusts much better (faster) than a 50/50
mixture of ethanol
and salt solution (see examples below). As another example, sea water from the
Gulf of
Mexico combusted at about 2-3 rnl per 90 second period at about 1000 watts,
using either a
ml or 100 ml test tube, with the upper surface of the sea water in the RF
field.
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Comparative Examples
Series 1: Experin7ents with ocean water-
[001281 It was previously demonstrated that salt water made from sea salt mix
will
combust using the RF system described in the '530 Application. It has been
confirmed that
ocean water will conibust using the ENI RF generator using the coupling
circuit of Figures
46-49 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/915,345, filed on
May 1, 2007,
and entitled FIELD GENERATOR FOR. TARGETED CELL ABLATION (Attorney Docket
30274/04036) ("the '345 Application"), the entire disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety, with a 6" silver coated circular copper Tx head
(single plate) and
a 9.5" silver coated square copper Rx head (single plate).
[001291 It is believed that the RF field that combusts salt water is
substantially the same as
the field discussed in the '345 Application (see Figures 53-end of that
application). (It is also
believed that Ocean water will combust with the other head configurations
discussed in the
'530 Application, as well.)
[ 0 013 0] With respect to the combustion of ocean water, water from the Gulf
of Mexico
having the following characteristics was capable of being rapidly combusted
with the above-
described RF system (a 10 ml sample was analyzed prior to any combustion):
11,r<ifnc:re;r l)atrofAuaIvs?s ]I?nsiattF 'Cxn.its FznPnrcin4T,tj= NleSj`od
B;omide 5/10/2007 57.0 mg/i 0.5 300.0
C2l rium 5/11/2007 970,0 ma/I 0.05 6010
Chloride 5/1012007 18562.0 rngrt 1.0 300.0
1=luoride b!'i012007 BRL mg/I 0.1 300.0
tviagnnsium S11'112007 1600.0 mg/I 0.5 G010
pH 519/2007 8102 s.u.923.8C 0.01 EPA 150.1
Pn:aszium 5/1112007 770.0 mgA D.l 6010
Sadium 511612007 12000_0 mg/I 1_0 6010
Sulfate 5/1012007 26310 mg1! 1.0 ~OO.o
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[ 0 0131 ] In this example, combusted ocean water differed from uncombusted
ocean water
in the concentration of most of these coinponents increases, while the
concentration of
calcium decreases. Two 10 ml samples of the above water from the Gulf of
Mexico were
combusted down to 5 ml each and combined, and the resulting 10 ml of combusted
ocean
water was analyzed to reveal the following:
Bromidv 5/1012007 57.0 m0/1 0.5 300.0
CaIciurn 5/11/2007 730.0 mg/i 0.05 p01D
Chloride 5110I2007 2031 6.0 ITtcl) 1,0 300,0
Fluoride, 511012007 BRL mg/) 0.1 300.0
iUtagnca;ium 5I11I2007 19C70.0 mg/l 0.5 6010
pH 5/9/2007 8.55 c;.u.@22.8C 0.01 GPA 150.1
Potassium 5111f2007 880.0 mg/i 0.1 6010
Sodiurrl 51 16/2007 17000.0 mg/I 1.0 6010
Suifate 51102007 3036.0 mgli 1.0 300.0
[001321 A white residue forms on the irlside of the test tube after combustion
of salt water.
The calcium may be part of that residue.
(001331 TJsing the above-described RF system, salt water will combust, as will
solutions
of HCI arid NaC1. Distilled water will boil in the RF field, but will not
combust. Adding
additional sea salt mix (e.g., OCEANIC brand Natural Sea Salt Mix) to ocean
water causes
the rate of combustion to increase. Adding sea salt mix sufficient to
approxirnately triple the
sodium of ocean water causes a dramatic increase in the rate of combustion of
the resulting
salt water mixture. Thus, the methods herein may be modified by including the
additional
step of adding additional ions to the sea water prior to combustion.
[001341 Salt water (ocean water and/or salt water made from OCEANIC brand
Natural
Sea Salt Mix) will begin to combust in the above-described RF system at RF
wattages of
about 250 Watts arid salt water will continue to combust at lower wattages,
e.g., about 200
Watts, after igniting. Salt water may begin to combust spontaneously at higher
temperatures,
or may require some sort of igniter (e.g., a drop of salt water dropped
through the RF field,
which combusts and ignites the other salt water in the field). Additionally,
some sort of wick
(e.g., a piece of paper towel) extending above the surface of the salt water
in the field will
greatly increase the tendency of salt water in the RF field to spontaneously
ignite. Filling the
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test tube to the brim with salt water and then adding a couple more drops of
salt water
facilitates ignition.
[001351 Using a setup witli about 5.5" spacing between Tx plate and Rx plate,
and the test
tube being about 2" from the Tx plate at about the top of the Tx plate, and
applying RF to the
salt water, the products produced from exposure of salt water to RF energy
burn. The
temperature of the burning products of salt water exposed to RF energy has
been measured as
high as about 1700 C using a FLIR Systems ThermaCAM P65 theimometer with
ThermaCAM Quick View V2.0 Software, which measures temperatures up to 1700 C
(it is
believed that the salt water is combusting at a higher temperature).
Surprisingly, the
temperature of the salt water in the test tube remains relatively low (e.g.,
less than 45 C)
while the salt water is combusting.
[ 0 013 6] Without intending to be bound by this description, it is believed
that the special
RF field generated by the above-described RF system causes hydrogen in salt
water to
separate from oxygen, and then the hydrogen is burned in the presence of the
released
oxygen and the oxygen in the surrounding air.
[001371 Heat from RF-induced combustion of salt water may be used in any of
the
traditional methods of gathering and using heat, e.g., a heat exchanger, a
Stirling Engine, a
turbine system, etc.
[001381 Additionally, multiple Tx and Rx heads may be used at one or more
frequencies.
Series 2: Experiments with salt water and solutions with additives and
secondary fuels
[001391 For all the Series 2 exainples described below, a circuit
implementation of Figure
16 was used to traiismit the RF signal through the exemplary solutions to
yield the various
results. Unless otherwise indicated, for all examples a 13.56 MHz RF signal
from an ENI
OEM-12B RF generator having a variable power output of up to about 1000 Watts
was
applied for thirty seconds to the reaction chaniber, which in these instances
consisted of a
glass test tube (in which the various exemplary solutions were placed)
connected to a support
arm that was positioned such that the test tube was suspended between the
transmission head
(one plate) and the reception head (three plates). Unless otherwise indicated,
the salt water
CA 02669709 2009-05-13
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solutions used in carrying out the various examples included Gulf of Mexico
salt water,
Brine salt water extracted from an oil well (located in Erie, PA) , and a 3.5
wt % stock
solution of OCEANIC brand Natural Sea Salt Mix having a specific gravity of
about 1.026
g/cm3. For all examples containing ethanol, denatured, Apple Products 1z brand
ethanol was
used.
Salt Water
[ 0 014 0] A first 100 mL, sample containing salt water was placed in a test
tube and the test
tube was then attached to a support arm and positioned between the
transmission head and
receiver head of the RF apparatus (described above). The teinperature of the
salt water was
measured using a fiber optic thermometer. A 13.56 MHz RF signal at about 300
Watts was
then applied for about 30 seconds, after which the temperature was again
measured using a
fiber optic thermometer. Starting temperature = 24.0 C; Ending temperature =
25.9 C.
[ 0 0141 ] A second 100 mL sample of salt water was placed in a test tube and
the test tube
was then attached to a support ann and positioned between the transmission
head and
receiver head of the RF apparatus (described above). The temperature of the
salt water was
measured using a fiber optic thermometer. A 13.56 MHz RF signal at about 600
Watts was
then applied and, as soon as the RF signal was applied, combustion of the salt
water was
initiated by momentarily placing an ordinary steel screwdriver in contact with
the lip of the
test tube. The screw driver was removed and the RF signal was left on for
about 30 seconds
as combustion of the salt water continued. After about 30 seconds, the RF
sigrial was turned
off and the combustion of the salt water ceased. The temperature of the salt
water sample
was then measured using a fiber optic thermometer at both the top part of the
test tube and
the bottom part of the test tube. Starting temperature = 20.5 C; Ending
temperature (Top) _
66.0 C; Ending temperature (Bottom) = 28.0 C.
(001421 A third 100 mL sample of salt water was placed in a test tube and the
test tube
was then attached to a support arm and positioned between the transmission
head and
receiver head of the RF apparatus (described above). However, the salt water
used here
contained 1 mL, of stock salt water diluted to 100 mL, with distilled water to
give a 0.0035%
salt water solution. A 13.56 MHz RF signal at about 600 Watts was then applied
for about
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30 seconds, after which the temperature was again measured using a fiber optic
thermometer.
tJnlike the second sample of salt water, cornbustion of this third sample of
salt water could
not be initiated by placing an ordinary steel screwdriver in contact with the
lip of the test
tube. Starting temperature = 26.6 C; Ending temperature = 75.5 C.
Salt Water + Carboraate and/or CO2 (as the "Additive')
[001431 Carbon dioxide may be useful as an additive, as may other additives
that produce
carbon dioxide. Photographs 9-11 of the incorporated rnaterial show the
combustion of
ground water--here a sample of brine water collected from an oil well (located
in Erie, PA),
while photograph 12 of the incorporated material shows the combustion of a
sainple of brine
water obtained from the Gulf of Mexico. We have observed that the brine water
obtained
from the Gulf of Mexico combusts in a less sporadic manner than brine water
collected from
the oil well located in Erie, PA. Without intending to be bound by theory, we
believe high
levels of carbonate salts present in the brine water collected from the oil
well located in Erie,
PA, that is not present in the brine water collected from the Gulf of Mexico,
effects the
conibustibility of the brine water collected from the oil well located in
Erie, PA. We further
believe that, as the brine water collected from the oil well located in Erie,
PA combusts
carbonate salts that are present release carbon dioxide into the sarnple which
acts to suppress
or limit further combustion of the brine water as the RF signal is applied.
Therefore,
additional embodiments are contemplate wherein additives capable of inhibiting
coinbustion
or that are combustion suppressants may be added to any of the various salt
water solutions
herein disclosed in order to control or hinder the rate of salt water
combustion or limit the
ainount of overall combustion.
Salt Water + Surfactant (as the "Additive ")
[ 0 014 41 A 100 niL, sample of salt water that also contained 1 metric drop
(about 0.05 mL)
of an ordinary hand soap (Liquid Nature Antibacterial Hand Soap) was placed in
a test tube
and the test tube was then attached to a support arm and positioned between
the transrnission
head and receiver head of the RF apparatus (described above). A 13.56 MHz RF
signal at
about 600 Watts was then applied to the sample and as soon as the RF signal
was applied,
combustion of the salt water sample was initiated immediately. No external
perturbation of
52
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the test tube (by a screwdriver, a drop of salt water, use of a wick or
otherwise) was required.
The RF signal was repeatedly switched on and off; each time the RF signal was
switched on
the salt water sample immediately began combusting, while each time the RF
signal was
switched off the salt water sample immediately ceased coinbusting.
Salt Water + Ethaszol (as the "Secondary Fuel ")
[ 0 014 5] A first 100 mL sample containing a mixture of 50 mL of ethanol and
50 mL, of
salt water was placed in a test tube and the test tube was then attached to a
support arm and
positioned between the transmission head and receiver head of the RF apparatus
(described
above). A 13.56 MHz RF signal at several hundred Watts was then applied to the
sample
and, as soon as the RF signal was applied, combustion of the sample was
initiated by
momentarily placing an ordinary steel screwdriver in contact with the lip of
the test tube.
Once the RF signal was turned off the combustion of the sample ceased.
Surprisingly, in the
absence of any applied RF signal combustion of the sample could not be
initiated even when
an open flame was used to attempt initiation of combustion.
[001461 A second 100 mL sample containing a mixture of 99.5 rnL of ethanol and
0.5 mL,
of salt water was placed in a test tube and the test tube was then attached to
a support arm
and positioned between the transmission head and receiver head of the RF
apparatus
(described above). The temperature of the salt water was measured using a
fiber optic
thermometer. A 13.56 MHz RF signal at several hundred Watts was then applied
for about
15 seconds, after which the temperature was again measured using a fiber optic
thennometer.
Starting teinperature = 26.6 C; Ending temperature = 62.0 C. This exarnple
shows that an
effective arnount of salt (e.g., solid salt or a salt solution) can be added
to enhance heating of
liquids.
[ 0 014 7] A third 100 mL sample containing a mixture of 99.5 mL of ethanol
and 0.5 mL of
salt water was placed in a test tube and the test tube was then attached to a
support arm and
positioned between the transmission head and receiver head of the RF apparatus
(described
above). The temperature of the salt water was measured using a fiber optic
thermorneter. A
13.56 MHz RF signal at several hundred Watts was then applied and, as soon as
the RF
signal was applied, combustion of the sample was initiated by momentarily
placing aii
53
CA 02669709 2009-05-13
WO 2008/064002 PCT/US2007/084541
ordinary steel screwdriver in contact with the lip of the test tube.
Combustion of the sample
was highly energetic and resulted in a very large flame as compared to RF
combustion of a
stock solution of salt water that did not contain any ethanol. The screw
driver was removed
and the RF signal was left on for 15 seconds as energetic combustion of the
sample
continued. Combustion was so energetic that some of the sample solution
bubbled out of the
test tube and onto the laboratory floor when it continued to combust. After
about 15 seconds,
the RF sigiial was turned off. However, combustion of the sample did not cease
and the
sample had to be extinguished using a fire extinguisher.
CONTROL 1: Distilled Water
[ 0 014 81 A 100 mL sample containing distilled water was placed in a test
tube and the test
tube was then attached to a support arm and positioned between the
transmission head and
receiver head of the RF apparatus (described above). The temperature of the
distilled water
was measured using a fiber optic thermometer. A 13.56 MHz RF signal at about
300 Watts
was then applied for about 30 seconds, after wliich the temperature was again
measured
using a fiber optic thermometer. Starting temperature = 24.0 C; Ending
ternperature = 24.8
C.
CONTROL 2: Tap Water-
[ 0 014 91 A 100 mL sample containing ordinary tap water was placed in a test
tube and the
test tube was then attached to a support arm and positioned between the
transmission head
and receiver head of the RF apparatus (described above). The temperature of
the ordinary
tap water was measured using a fiber optic thermometer. A 13.56 MHz RF signal
at about
300 Watts was then applied for about 30 seconds, after which the temperature
was again
measured using a fiber optic thermometer. Starting temperature = 23.7 C;
Ending
temperature = 47.8 C.
CONTROL 3: 100% Ethanol
[ 0 015 01 A 100 mL sample containing ethanol was placed in a test tube and
the test tube
was then attached to a support arm and positioned between the transniission
head and
receiver head of the RF apparatus (described above). The temperature of the
ethanol was
54
CA 02669709 2009-05-13
WO 2008/064002 PCT/US2007/084541
nieasured using a fiber optic thermometer. A 13.56 MHz RF signal at several
hundred Watts
was then applied for about 15 seconds, after which the temperature was again
measured
using a fiber optic therrnometer. Starting temperature = 25.0 C; Endirig
temperature = 30.0
C.
[001511 Wliile the present invention has been illustrated by the description
of
embodiments thereof, arid while the embodiments have been described in some
detail, it is
not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope
of the appended
claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily
appear to those
skilled in the art. For example, in all of the various systems and methods
presented herein,
the RF electromagnetic sigiial may be applied until no liquid remains, or
until substantially
no liquid remains, or for a shorter period of time. Additionally, the steps of
methods herein
may generally be perfonned in any order, unless the context dictates that
specific steps be
performed in a specific, order. Therefore, the invention in its broader
aspects is not limited to
the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative
exarnples shown
and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without
departing
from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
CA 02669709 2009-05-13
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