Submitted art

This is a conceptual design of the on-demand, hydrogen fuel generation system developed by Carl Sandburg College student James D. Hunt.

Water instead of gas

CSC inventor devises hydrogen fuel generation system

Sunday, April 15, 2007

By JOHN R. PULLIAM

The Register-Mail

James D. Hunt, a student at Carl Sandburg College, believes his on-demand, hydrogen fuel generation system can save consumers thousands of dollars. Hunt said large-scale versions could be converted into power generation plants, eliminating the exorbitant cost residents currently pay for electricity, as well as offering substantial savings for fuel for vehicles of all kinds. Hunt has a patent pending.

For those rolling their eyes in disbelief, Hunt is no crackpot. He is 36 years old, a disabled veteran who served eight years in the Navy, a jet mechanic and now a Carl Sandburg College student set to graduate in May.

Hunt is founder and president of the Carl Sandburg College Inventors Club, which is now helping him work on the "energy conversion system." He said without the help of the college, "this invention would probably still be sitting in my garage as a weekend project."

Hunt has presented his research to a number of people, including CSC President Tom Schmidt. In a letter of recommendation, Schmidt wrote of Hunt's invention, "His proposal is quite intriguing and deserves review and consideration by potential investors, supporters, scientists and colleagues."

Dave Burns, a CSC biology instructor, wrote on behalf of Hunt, "In principle, Mr. Hunt's invention could not only lead to our country becoming less (reliant) on foreign oil, but (possibly) replacing our need for fossil fuels altogether. The environment has already suffered catastrophic damages due to the burning of fossil fuels. In concept, this may be one alternative energy source that could be less taxing on the natural world."

Hunt said a short summary of the process is "hydrogen extraction from water via plasmatic induction. By inducing a small amount of plasma into a water tank, we're able to extract hydrogen from the water."

The "plasmatic induction," Hunt mentioned is a form of electrolysis. The water used is ordinary drinking water.

"It could run an internal combustion engine," Hunt said. "The goal is to replace gasoline."

The hydrogen gas is directly ported into an engine, providing the fuel. The system has reserve batteries and solar cells. Carbon rods are also used, but these are, as Hunt said, "simple carbon rods." The process is not radioactive.

"At no time is your system going to be out of control or anything like that," he said.

Hunt said the entire system can be contained inside the area of a vehicle where the gas tank is now.

"Forty percent of all the oil we buy is consumed in vehicles," Hunt said. "We wouldn't have to be dependent upon foreign oil."

While gasoline is highly explosive, with many people suffering serious burns in traffic accidents, Hunt said the new system will not explode. It also does not pollute the atmosphere; steam is the only emission. Hot water is vented through the radiator and the particles are collected. Hunt said the intense pressure inside the exhaust manifold, along with a check valve, pushes water back into the reservoir.

"You'll never run out of water with the system," he said.

Hunt was quick to point out this is not a fuel-cell car, which has a tank of oxygen and a tank of hydrogen, which he said "is destructive beyond belief."

Such a vehicle also carries a $95,000 price tag.

Hunt said his system can be retrofitted into any vehicle for about $2,000. He said it may be possible to do that as early as next year.

Once the system is in place, there are no fuel worries. After a year, a motorist would take his vehicle to a special service station to have the carbon rods replaced, at a cost of about what it takes to fill a car with gasoline for a month, and be good to go for another year.

Since some people drive more miles than others, it is possible they might need service sooner.

"You just need a level light to tell you when you get down to your last five rods," Hunt said.

Hunt said they hope to approach General Motors or Ford to see about interest in installing the fuel system in those vehicles. He believes mass production should mean the system would be available in standard vehicles at about the same price as consumers currently pay.

"If manufacturers implement this kind of system into their vehicles, I don't see how they could increase the cost too much," he said. "The intention is we want to attract one of the big companies" with Ford being the most likely because of its current financial problems.

The club has a 1991 Chevy Cheyenne 4x4 pickup truck it hopes to use to begin testing the energy conversion system this summer.

"We have to get certain clearances to drive around town using a non-mainstream fuel," he said.

There is one thing Hunt, a native of the New Orleans/Baton Rouge area of Louisiana, is adamant about, no matter who builds the system.

"I would insist something be done here. Since we've moved here, I've actually fallen in love with the city," he said. "I'd love to see a manufacturing center in this town."