WO1981000279A1

WO1981000279A1 - A water dissociation fuel system and method

Info

Publication number: WO1981000279A1
Application number: PCT/US1980/000862
Authority: WO
Inventors: E Anderson
Original assignee: Horizon Manufacturing Corp
Current assignee: Horizon Manufacturing Corp
Priority date: 1979-07-12
Filing date: 1980-07-11
Publication date: 1981-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 1982-01-12
Also published as: EP0035020A1

Abstract

The invention relates to the problems associated with the dissociation of water into hydrogen and oxygen for the purpose of using these gases as fuel for internal combustion engines. A fuel supply system for an engine uses module (36) to support a reactor material (38) which is used to dissociate water supplied to the module (36) by a pump (58) from a water reservoir (56). The vapors produced by the module (36) are then drawn into an air breather (22) by suction from the engine (12). A second embodiment of the invention discloses a fuel injection system (132) having individual injectors (108, 102) associated with each cylinder of the engine (12), each injector (108, 102) including a dissociation module (36) for producing hydrogen and oxygen vapors which are then fed under pressure to the engine (12). Finally, a method for feeding to an engine (12) hydrogen and oxygen vapors produced from the dissociation of water.

Description

_A WATER DISSOCIATIO 'FUEL SYSTEM AND METHOD . CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Serial No. 902,705, entitled MATERIAL AND METHOD OF OBTAINING HYDROGEN BY DISSOCIATION OF WATER, filed on May 4, 1978, and of application Serial No. 902,708, entitled MATERIAL AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING HYDROGEN .AND OXYGEN BY DISSOCIATION OF WATER, filed on May 4,- L-978. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a system and method of providing fuel to an engine and more par¬ ticularly to a system and method of providing fuel to an internal combustion engine used to power a vehicle. Internal combustion engines, such as reciprocat¬ ing spark ignited engines and rotary spark ignited engines, typically have a fuel induction system which either provides an atomized hydrocarbon liquid or a pressurized flammable gas, such as hydrogen, methane, ethane, propane, and butane to the intake manifold for burning in the engine. One type of atomizing system employs a main nozzle disposed within a passageway to create a suction which draws the hydrocarbon liquid into such nozzle for atomization. Another type fuel of atomizing system embodies an injector for each cylinder mounted on such, cylinder's intake manifold. The fuel is supplied to each, respective injector and metered to provide the necessary fuel. A positive pressure is provided to the fuel so that the energy necessary to meet the variation in loads of the engine is provided. The pressurized flammable gas type in- duσtion system supplies the metered flow of gas to the engine for burning. The gas is carried in a tank supported by the vehicle. These fuel systems commonly employ a hydrocarbon fuel and, as everyone is currently aware, the availability of hydrocarbon fuel is dwindling rapidly. Further, these, fuels are extremely volatile and when an accident occurs to the vehicle powered by such, fuels, severe damage to property as well as human life frequently occurs.

Recently, a material has been developed which. dissociates water into gases of hydrogen as well as oxygen. This material and method is disclosed in United States Letters Patent application Serial Nos. 902,7Q5 and 902,708 and all information provided in these patent applications is to Be incorporated herein By reference. Generally, however, it is to be noted . that the reactor material disclosed in these referenced patent applications dissociates water while maintaining the temperature of dissociation below the temperature of combustion of the dissociated vapors. Specifically, this reactor material includes an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury and aluminum wherein the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to mercury is from about 3:1 to about 1:1.5 and the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to aluminum is from about 1:1 to about 3:1 and the amalgam may be combined with a platinum containing alloy and at least one element selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth., lead, zinc and tin.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present in— vention to provide a fuel system and method that uses vapors of dissociated water to fuel an internal com¬ bustion engine.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel system and method that dissociates water near an engine to provide vapors for burning therein to eliminate potential fire hazards associated with the use of liquid hydrocarbon and gaseous fuels normally used in such, engines.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel system and method that uses water, a commonly available material, as the main component to supply fuel for an existing internal combustion engine.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel system and method that enables the dwindling supplies of hydrocarbon fuel to be conserved by using an apparatus which, converts a low-cost substi¬ tute for a portion of the hydrocarbon fuel normally burned in the engine.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel system and method that incorporates a specific reactor material to dissociate water into vapors while maintaining the temperature of dissocia¬ tion below the temperature of combustion of the vapors to inhibit the possibility of explosion while generat- ing dissociated vapors for Burning in the engine.

In accordance with, the invention, a fuel system comprises an apparatus for dissociating water into vapors including hydrogen and oxygen. Water is sup¬ plied through, apparatus to the dissociating apparatus and dissociated vapors for use as a fuel by the engine and are then supplied through apparatus to the engine for Burning therein.

Further, in accordance with, the invention, a method of providing fuel to an engine comprises the steps of positioning a dissociating device in relative close proximity to the engine and supplying water from a relatively remote location to the dissociating device.

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^■y- . ^V:P0 - . The water received in the device is dissociated into vapors, including hydrogen or oxygen while the temp¬ erature of dissociation is maintained below the temp¬ erature of combustion of the vapors. These dissociated 5 vapors are then supplied to the fuel induction apparatus of the engine for burning therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed 1Q description and upon reference to the drawings, in which like reference characters are used throughout to desig¬ nate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a fuel system constructed according to the present invention 15 mounted on an internal combustion engine;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, in section, of a portion of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, illustrating a carburetor which may be used in the in- 20. vention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, of another carburetor which may be used with the engine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an embodiment of 25 the apparatus which may be used with portions of the fuel system and the engine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration, partly in section, of another embodiment of a fuel system con¬ structed according to the present invention. 30 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a fuel system 10, constructed according to the present inven¬ tion, mounted with a conventional internal combustion engine 12. As shown, a battery 14 is provided with. 35. engine 12 for starting engine 12 upon activation by an ignition switch.16 connected throug ^• conductor 18 to Battery 14. A fuel inductor device 20 is mounted onto the intake manifold of engine 12 through which an air breather 22 is mounted to the top of fuel in¬ ductor device 20 to remove particulate matter from the air when it is drawn through the fuel inductor device ⁵ into engine 12. Fuel inductor device 20 may be of con¬ ventional design embodying the modifications shown in FIGS. 3 or 4 or may be of complete new design as shown in FIG. 5.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the fuel

--^■ inductor device 20 is mounted to an intake manifold

22 of the engine and includes a two-barrel conventional carburetor 24 mounted to intake manifold 22 and an air breather 26 mounted to the top of the carburetor. A main nozzle 28 is provided in passageway.30 of

¹⁵ carburetor 24 for drawing liquid hydrocarbon fuel through nozzle 32 with the fuel being atomized and burned in engine 12.

Carburetor 24 is then modified by mounting a hose or pipe 34 between the throttle plate and choke plate.

20 The dissociated vapors of water are supplied to the engine through this hose and such vapors replace a portion of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel used by the con¬ ventional carburetor before modification.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the other end of

25 hose 34 is mounted to a module 36 which supports a reactor material 38 capable of dissociating water while maintaining the temperature of dissociation below the temperature of combustion of the dissociated vapors. The method of making reactor material 38 has been ex¬

30. plained in applications Serial Nos. 902,705 and 902,708, which is incorporated herein by reference. As shown, module 36 is an enclosed, hollow tubular body 40. with a conically shaped outlet 42, which extends outwardly- of the body and has a passageway permitting

³⁵ fluid flow from the interior of body 40 through Base 34, and with a conically shaped inlet 44, which extends outwardly of the Body on the other end and has a passageway permitting fluid flow into the body. Inlet 44 is threadedly connected to a bolt 46 which thread- edly supports a plug 48 having an orifice 50 provided therein to control the rate of flow of water into module 36. It has been found that engine 12 will operate economically when 50% of the heat produced by the fuel burned in the engine comes from the dissoci¬ ated vapors of water. Accordingly, orifice 50 is chosen so that 50% or more of the heat used by the engine at peak load is provided by burning the dis¬ sociated vapors and the remaining heat used by the engine at peak load is provided by burning the atomized hydrocarbon liquid. Further, although reactor material 38 may be provided as a block, it is preferred that the reactor material is in a granular form to provide an increased dissociation area which means that an outlet screen 52 and an inlet screen 54 extend across the interior of body 40 to prevent granular material from passing out the module. As best shown in FIG. 1, the water may be supplied to module 36 By using a tank 56 which supports a quantity of water. A pump 58 withdraws the water from tank 56 through hose 60 and pumps it through, hose 62 into a device 64 for controlling pump operations. A hose 66 leads from control device 64 to a filter 68 which eliminates impurities from the water prior to passing through hose 70 into module 36.

Since engine 12 is normally used in powering a vehicle, it is desirable to inhibit the possibility of unplanned combustion of the hydrogen. For this reason, device 64 is positioned at approximately the same ele¬ vation, as module i le.t 44 and includes a switch, which activates pump 58 when the water level in the reservoir falls belo a specified elevation while preventing the water level in the reservoir from rising above the ele¬ vation of inlet 44. Thus, water pressure is provided at module inlet 44 while allowing suction from carburetor 24 to draw the dissociated vapors through module outlet 42. Also for this reason, module 36 is positioned in relative close proximity to fuel inductor device 20. Accordingly, it is preferred that module 36 be mounted within an engine compartment 72 of the vehicle and tank 56 be mounted in a trunk 74 of the vehicle.

Also, a conventional moisture sensing device 73 is mounted in hose 34 to indicate when water passes out of module 36 and thereby indicate that reactor material 38 has become spent.

In operation, an individual will get into his car, turn ignition 16 to the on position thereby activating pump 58 which supplies water to the reservoir of con- trol device 64 until the pump is inactivated by device 64. When the individual further turns ignition 16 to the start position, engine 12 will be turned over which creates a vacuum at module outlet 42 to draw dissociated vapors through hose 34 into carburetor 24 along with atomized fuel for burning in the engine. Since hydrogen is provided as part of the fuel in engine 12, this system also aids to start the engine in cold weather.

As shown in FIG. 4, a four-barrel carburetor 80 is mounted on engine 12. Hose 34 may not be mounted with the carburetor as shown in FIG. 3 because of the fuel bowl positioning. Accordingly, two modules 36 are disposed on either side of air breather 20 and each module has an outlet hose or pipe 34 extending through the top of air breather 26. Modules 36 are mounted in fluid communication through pipes or hose 75 to con¬ trol device 64 which is mounted on the side of air breather 26. A venturi nozzle 76 for each hose 34 is provided in the top of passage 78 of four-barrel car- buretor 80 so as to create a suction. Each outlet of hose 34 is positioned relative to nozzle 76 so that the dissociated vapors are drawn into carburetor 80 for mixing with the atomized liquid hydrocarbon fuel for burning in engine 12. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 operates similar to that of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, fuel system 10 of FIG. 1 may be modified by eliminating module 36 and control device 64. This modification also in¬ cludes a support body 82 mounted with intake mani¬ fold 22 of engine 12. Support body 82 has a mount¬ ing bolt configuration similar to fuel inductor device 20 and has passageways 84 provided therein for receiving a block of reactor material 86. Apertures 88 are provided through reactor block 86 to provide increased surface area for water contact and to permit dissociated vapors to flow toward the engine. A mounting body 90 is mounted above support body 82 with both bodies being attached to intake manifold 22 of engine 12 by the use of bolts 92. A mounting fixture 94 is threaded to mounting body 90 for attach¬ ing hose 70, as shown in FIG. 1, to thereby place the supply of water into fluid communication with a passageway 96 leading to block of reactor material 86. A conventional air breather 98 is mounted above mounting body 90 to remove any impurities from the air prior to the air's passage into the engine 12. To operate the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the individual would turn ignition switch 16 to the on position which provides electrical power to water pump 58. An acceleration type mechanism similar to a stan¬ dard vehicle acceleration mechanism is mounted with the vehicle to increase the output from pump 58 as the acceleration type mechanism is depressed. This causes an increased water pressure in hose 70, which threby increases the quantity of water flowing through the control orifice in mounting fixture 94. Of course, it should be understood, that the water flow decreases as the acceleration type mechanism is allowed to return from the depressed state. Since the flow of water to the reactor material 86 is regulated by this acceler¬ ation type mechanism, the fuel available for use in the engine is likewise regulated. Although an acceler¬ ation type mechanism has been disclosed for this embodiment to control the pump output, a constant pump output and variable orifice arrangement, which is moved in response to the demand requirements of the engine, may be used. An advantage of this embodi¬ ment is that only the dissociated vapors of water is used as the engine fuel.

As best seen in FIG. 6, an embodiment 100 for use on fuel injection type fuel systems of the inven¬ tion is shown. This embodiment includes an acceler¬ ation injector module 102 for each cylinder 104 of the engine 106. Thus, if engine 106 is an eight cylinder engine, eight acceleration injector modules 102 are used with each module being mounted with the engine's intake manifold in close proximity to the respective cylinder 104. The inlet orifice in injec- tor modules 106 is of sufficient size for enough water to contact the reactor material to form sufficient vapors to fuel the engine at maximum load. Also, a cold start injector module 108 is provided for each cylinder of the engine and is also mounted with the intake manifold.

Each injector module 102 and 108 supports a reactor material capable of dissociating the water while maintaining the temperature of dissociation below the temperature of combustion of the dissociated vapors as previously explained. Water is supplied to acceler¬ ator injector module 102 by conduit 110 and water is supplied to cold start injector module 108 through conduit 112. Conduits 110 and 112 are mounted in fluid communication with a water distributor 114 which supplies water to the appropriate injector module 102 or 108 at the appropriate cylinder 104 being fired. Further, water distributor 114 controls the quantity of water being distributed to each of the modules to thereby regulate the engine output or speed.

Water is drawn from tank 116 by use of pump 118 which sucks water through a conduit 120, pushes it through a conduit 122, a water accumulator 124, a con¬ duit 126, filter 128, a conduit 130, water distributor 114 and into injector module 102 and 108.

Since engine 106 is used to power a vehicle, it is appropriate that tank 116 be disposed in the normal fuel tank position and the remaining elements of the fuel system be disposed within engine compart¬ ment 132.

Further, it is contemplated that to prevent pre- ignition of the hydrogen vapors, exhaust gas will be circulated through inlet 134 of manifold 107 while fresh air will flow through intake 136 of manifold 107.

In operation, the individual will turn the ignition switch to the start position which causes water to flow from tank 116 to distributor 114 and passes therefrom to the appropriate injector modules, reactor material causes the water to dissociate into vapors which are drawn into appropriate cylinder 104 for burning thereof. In this embodiment, a positive pressure feed of water is supplied to the appropriate injector modules for operating the engine as opposed to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 - 4.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed with reference to other features and sub- combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

The invention having been described, what is claimed is:

1. A fuel system for an engine, comprising: means for dissociating water into vapors, including hydrogen and oxygen; means for supplying water to said dissociating means; and means for supplying the dis- sociated vapors to the engine for use as a fuel.

2. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said dissociating means includes a module supporting a reactor material which dissociates the water while maintaining the temperature of dissociation below the temperature of combustion of the dissociated vapors.

3. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 2, wherein the reactor material includes an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury and aluminum wherein the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to mercury is from about 3:1 to about 1:1.5 and the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to aluminum is from about 1:1 to about 3:1.

4. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 3, wherein the amalgam is combined with an alloy of platinum and at least one element selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth, lead, zinc and tin.

5. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 4, wherein said water supplying means includes a filter to remove impurities from the water prior to passing into the module.

6. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 1, includ¬ ing a carburetor mounted with the engine for atomizing a hydrocarbon fuel; and wherein said dissociated vapors , supplying means includes a hose through which the dis- sociated vapors are supplied to the carburetor to thereby provide a mixture of atomized hydrocarbon fuel and dissociated vapors as the fuel burned by the engine.

7. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said dissociating means includes a module supporting a reactor material mounted near the engine, and wherein said water supplying means includes a tank supporting a quantity of water mounted remotely from the engine and a means mounted in fluid communication with the tank for pumping the water toward an inlet of the module.

8. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 7, includ¬ ing: means for controlling the pumping means to provide water pressure to the inlet of the module while allowing a suction from the carburetor to draw the dissociated vapors through an outlet of the module into the engine.

9. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 8, wherein float valve disposed in a reservoir positioned at

^■ approximately the same elevation as the module inlet to activate the pumping means when the water level in the reservoir falls below a specified elevation while preventing the water level in the reservoir from rising above the elevation f the module inlet.

10. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 6, wherei the dissociated vapors supplying means includes a venturi nozzle mounted with the carburetor for creating a suction to draw the dissociated vapors through the tube into the engine.

11. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 10, where¬ in said dissociating means includes a module supporting a reactor material mounted with an air breather used with the engine, and wherein said water supplying means includes a tank supporting a quantity of water mounted remotely from the engine and means mounted in fluid communication with the tank for pumping the water toward an inlet of the module.

12. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 11, in¬ cluding means mounted with, the air breather for con¬ trolling the pumping means to provide water pressure to the inlet of the module while allowing a suction from the carburetor to draw the dissociated vapors through an outlet of the module into the engine.

13. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 12, wherein the controlling means includes a float valve disposed in a reservoir positioned on the air breather at approximately the same elevation as the module inlet to activate the pumping means when the water level in the reservoir falls below a specified eleva¬ tion while preventing the water level in the reservoir from rising above the elevation of the module inlet.

14. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said dissociated vapors supplying means includes a support body mounted with, the engine having a passageway extending therethrough communicating with an intake

5 manifold of the engine; and wherein said dissociating means includes a reactor material disposed in the passageway, the reactor material Being capable, of dissociating the water while maintaining the temperature of dissociation below the temperature of combustion of Q the dissociated vapors.

15. A^' fuel system as set forth in Claim 14, wherein said water supplying means includes means for pumping water toward the dissociating means at an in-

4 creased rate of flow as the engine load demand increases.

16. A fuel system as set forth, in Claim 14, wherein said water supplying means includes a mounting Body disposed with, the support Body on a side away from the engine and a control orifice provided in the

5 mounting body to limit the quantity of water flow into the reactor material to the amount necessary to provide sufficient dissociated vapors for the engine to operate at its peak engine demand.

17. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said dissociating means includes a module for support¬ ing a reactor material having a hollow Body with an inlet to receive water and with an outlet through which the component vapors flow, and an orifice provided in the inlet to limit the quantity of water flow into the module to that amount necessary to provide sufficient dissociated vapors for the engine to operate at its peak engine demand.

18. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said dissociating means includes an acceler¬ ation injector module for each cylinder of the engine mounted with the intake manifold of each cylinder in the engine, each module supporting reactor material and having an outlet orifice with a maximum opening sufficient to supply all the fuel demanded by the engine at peak load.

19. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 18, wherein said water supplying means includes a tank supporting a quantity of water mounted remotely from the engine and means for pumping the water to each module in response to the demand made by the engine.

20. A fuel system as set forth in Claim 18, wherein said dissociating means includes a cold start injector module for each cylinder of the engine, each module supporting reactor material being mounted with the intake manifold of the engine, and having an ori¬ fice with an outlet opening sufficient to provide additional fuel to the engine during cold starting operations.

21.. A fuel system, comprising: a carburetor for atomizing a hydrocarbon liquid mounted with, an internal combustion engine, which is used to power a vehicle; a module mounted in the engine compartment of 5 the vehicle and in fluid communication with said car¬ buretor, said module having a hollow body with, an inlet and an outlet; a tank for supporting a quantity of water mounted with, the vehicle; means for pumping water from said tank to the inlet of said module; a 0 switch, mounted with, a float valve disposed in a reservoir positioned in the engine compartment of the vehicle at approximately the same elevation as the outlet of said module to activate the pumping means when the water level in the. reservoir falls below a 5 specified elevation while preventing the water level in the reservoir from rising above the elevation of 'the outlet of said module; a filter to eliminate im¬ purities from the water mounted in fluid communication Between said tank and said module; a reactor material Q disposed in the hollow body of said module to dissoc¬ iate received water into vapors while maintaining the temperature of dissociation Below the temperature of combustion of the vapors, said reactor material includ¬ ing an amalgam of an alkali netal, mercury and aluminum 5 wherein the atomic weight ratio of alkali, metal to mercury is from about 3:1 to about 1:1.5 and the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to aluminum is from about 1:1 to about 3:1 combined with a platinum containing alloy and at least one element selected from the group 0 consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallitim, indium, cadmium, bismuth, lead, zinc and tin; a hose mounted with, the outlet of said module to supply the component vapors to the carburetor for mixing with, the atomized hydrocarbon liquid to provide the fuel to be 5 burned in the engine; and means mounted with, said hose for indicating the passage of water through, the outlet of said module.

22. A .fuel system as set forth, in Claim 21, in¬ cluding a control body disposed in the inlet of said module having an orifice to control the flow of water into said reactor material, the orifice in said control body being chosen so that 50% or more of the heat used by the engine at peak load is provided by burning the dissociated vapors and the remaining heat used by the engine at peak load is provided by burning the atomized hydrocarbon liquid.

23. A fuel system, comprising: an acceleration injector module for each cylinder of an internal com¬ bustion engine which is used to power a vehicle mounted with an intake manifold in proximity to such cylinder; 5 a cold start injector module for each cylinder of the engine mounted with the intake manifold in proximity to such cylinder; a tank mounted with the vehicle for supporting a quantity of water; a filter to eliminate impurities from the water mounted in fluid communication 0 between said tank and said injector modules; means mounted with the vehicle for pumping water from said tank toward said injector modules; a fuel distributor to direct water to the appropriate injector modules and to regulate the flow of water into said injector 5 modules; and a reactor material disposed in each, said injector module to dissociate received water into vapors while maintaining the temperature of dissociation below the temperature of combustion of the component vapors, said reactor material including an amalgam of an alkali Q metal, mercury and aluminum wherein the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to mercury is from about 3:1 to about 1:1.5 and the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to aluminum is from about 1:1 to about 3:1 combined with, a platinum containing alloy and at least one element 5 selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth., lead, zinc and tin; and means mounted with said injector modules for indicating the passage of water out of said injector modules.

24. A method of providing fuel to an engine, com¬ prising the steps of: positioning a dissociating device in relative close proximity to the engine; supplying water from a relatively remote location to the dissociating device; dissociating the water received in the dissociating device into vapors including hydrogen and oxygen while maintaining the temperature of dissociation below the temperature of combustion of the vapors; and supplying the dissociated vapors to fuel induction apparatus for Burning by the engine.

25. A. method of providing fuel as set forth in Claim 24, including the steps of: disposing an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury and aluminum combined with an alloy of platinum in the dissociating device; and choosing the amalgam to have an atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to mercury from about 3:1 to about 1:1.5 and an atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to aluminum from about 1:1 to about 3:1.

26. A method of providing fuel as set forth in Claim 24, including the step of: controlling the amount of water supplied to the dissociating device in response to a demand made by the engine.

27. A method of providing fuel as set forth in Claim 26, including the steps of: limiting the amount of water supplied to the dissociating device so that 50% or more of the heat used By the engine during peak load is provided b burning the dissociated vapors; and atomizing a hydrocarbon liquid to be burned by the engine which provides the remaining heat used by the engine during peak load.

28. A method of providing fuel as. set forth in Claim 26, including the step of: limiting the amount of water supplied to the dissociating device so that all of the heat generated in the engine during peak load is provided by burning the dissociated vapors.