Abstract:
Described is a colloidal fluid composition, comprising H 2 O 2 , hydrocarbon(s) and at least one additive, in particular at least a colloid fluid stabilizing agent. The composition can be made using aqueous H 2 O 2  solutions comprising e.g. 30 to 50% H 2 O 2  and is suitable as fuel for different kinds of engines. This colloidal fluid composition can be processed and transformed by a device ( 100 ).

Description:
[0001]    The invention relates to engine fuel compositions and rocket fuel compositions. The invention also relates to special systems and devices using these fuel compositions. The invention also relates a method for producing such a fuel and a method for using such a fuel. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    H 2 O 2  in concentration of 85% is a recognized rocket propellant. It is known that the fuel decomposes in a chamber under high pressure and temperature in the presence of catalysts, whereby the fuel is converted to H 2 O in the form of steam and oxygen, and the gas stream exits the chamber at high speed. This process can be compared to other well-known rocket-propelled processes. 
         [0003]    Normally, the catalyst consists of precious or rare metals such as silver, platinum, palladium or related alloys, which trigger the required decomposition process when the concentrated H 2 O 2  flows through it. For aerospace applications in the past, inexpensive catalysts made out of other materials such as sodium or potassium permanganate have been used to activate the decomposition of the concentrated H 2 O 2 . All these technologies, however, have the significant disadvantage that the catalysts have a limited shelf-life and the systems only work with highly concentrated H 2 O 2 . Another serious shortcoming is the relatively low energy content of concentrated H 2 O 2 , as well as the eminent dangers referring to handling, storage and transport of this product. Furthermore, another crucial factor for aerospace applications is the space requirement for placing the catalyst. 
         [0004]    There is a trend towards a so-called hydrogen economy where cars and other systems will be driven by hydrogen. But the handling of hydrogen has a number of known disadvantages. Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) is currently not being considered as fuel since it is considered to be difficult to handle, dangerous and expensive to produce. 
         [0005]    The present invention seeks to provide a new fuel system or composition which eliminates the above disadvantages and simultaneously creates a cost-effective and environmentally friendly fuel system or composition that is easy to store and employ. 
         [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new fuel system or composition that can be produced and stored easily. 
         [0007]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a systems and device which use the respective fuel system or composition in order to generate power and/or to turn the energy of said fuel system or composition into mechanical or electrical energy. 
         [0008]    Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the fuel is manifested by the features that it is a colloidal fluid composition comprising a mixture of H 2 O 2  (calculated for 100% H 2 O 2 ) and hydrocarbon. Said H 2 O 2 :hydrocarbon mixture has a ratio of from about 31%:about 7% to about 47%:about 6%, preferably from 31.3% H 2 O 2  and 6.9% hydrocarbon to 46.9% H 2 O 2  and 6.3% hydrocarbon. Furthermore, the new fuel system or composition comprises at least one stabilizer additive. 
         [0009]    The fuel system or composition can be made by mixing 93 to 94.5% by weight of aqueous H 2 O 2  having a concentration of 30 to 60% by weight, in particular 30 to 50% by weight, with 7 to 5.5% by weight hydrocarbon to give a total of 100% by weight. 
         [0010]    To this fuel system or composition at least one of the following stabilizing additives may be added (these additives are optional): 
         [0011]    anti-knock additives 
         [0012]    anti-oxidant additives 
         [0013]    static dissipater additives 
         [0014]    icing inhibitor additives 
         [0015]    corrosion inhibitor additives 
         [0016]    power boosting additives. 
         [0017]    The inventive fuel system or composition is a colloidal fluid composition or colloidal dispersion with a high degree of homogeneity (i.e. a nearly homogenous mixture). The inventive fuel system or composition comprises at least two phases: a hydrocarbon phase and an H 2 O 2  phase. Preferably, the hydrocarbon phase is distributed evenly throughout the H 2 O 2  phase so that a homogeneous mixture is provided. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the hydrocarbon content or portion of the inventive fuel system or composition is a hydrocarbon mixture being primarily composed of aromatic hydrocarbons, olefinic hydrocarbons, also known as alkene hydrocarbons, and saturated hydrocarbons, i.e. alkanes, also known as paraffinic hydrocarbons, and/or cycloalkanes. 
         [0019]    Very well suited are hydrocarbon mixtures comprising one or more of the following: 
         [0020]    Kerosene (e.g. JP-6 kerosene, or Jet-A or Jet-A1 kerosene) 
         [0021]    gasoline 
         [0022]    diesel 
         [0023]    paraffin oil 
         [0024]    N-hexane (preferably mixed or combined with ammonium nitrate) 
         [0025]    Methanol 
         [0026]    Ethanol 
         [0027]    Azethon (preferably mixed or combined with ammonium acid) 
         [0028]    Preferably, the hydrocarbon amount is selected so that the stoichiometric amount of oxygen provided by the H 2 O 2  is approximately twice the stoichiometric amount of carbon provided by the hydrocarbon. This ensures that the respective oxygen is used for producing CO 2  as output gas. 
         [0029]    An inventive fuel system or composition with the above described ratio of aqueous H 2 O 2  and hydrocarbons can be brought into a stabilized dispersion by the addition of one or more further additives as mentioned above. An essential additive for stabilizing the dispersion is the stabilizing additive that in general is one or more alcohols, in particular ethanol and/or propanol (n-propanol and/or isopropanol). The necessary amount can easily be determined by simple storage experiments. In general it is in the range of 1.5 to 15%, whereby for ethanol preferably at least 5% vol. are present, while in the case of isopropanol 1.5% vol. are sufficient. The minimally necessary and/or the optimal amount may vary dependent on other additives present. 
         [0030]    An obvious benefit of this invention is that the inventive fuel system or composition, in spite of the high water content, surprisingly has very a high energy value and therewith represents a significant advantage for all moving and flying objects where endurance and long range is desired and where the ratio between fuel and total weight is of importance. 
         [0031]    Furthermore, this new fuel system or composition is very safe to handle and—due to its high water content—can not be ignited with an open flame. 
         [0032]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the fuel system or composition does not need a secondary injection for another fuel component, since the fuel system or composition as such is already kind of a bi-fuel. This bi-fuel, however, carries all reagents in itself and the reagents are stabilized. 
         [0033]    While the fuel system or composition of the present invention, due to the high energy content, might allow the design of a smaller engines or systems, it can also be used with known engines or systems. 
         [0034]    According to the present invention the aims are achieved by providing a liquid fuel system or composition, a method for its production as well as systems or devices utilizing the respective fuel system or composition. 
         [0035]    The fuel system or composition of the present invention is characterized in that it is a colloidal fluid composition comprising a H 2 O 2  (calculated for 100% H 2 O 2 ):hydrocarbon mixture ratio of from about 31%:about 7% to about 47%:about 6%, preferably from a minimal H 2 O 2  content of 31.3% to 6.9% hydrocarbon mixture to a maximal H 2 O 2  content of 46.9% to 6.3% hydrocarbon mixture (all % are % by weight) and at least one additive, in particular at least a stabilizing additive. 
         [0036]    Such a mixture can be produced by using a low concentration solution of aqueous H 2 O 2 , namely a concentration of 30-50% by weight, although higher concentrations can also be used. Besides of this aqueous H 2 O 2 , the liquid fuel system or composition comprises a certain amount of hydrocarbons and one or more additives to stabilize the colloidal fluid. 
         [0037]    The fuel composition or system can be made by mixing 93 to 94.5% by weight of aqueous H 2 O 2  having a concentration of 30 to 60% by weight, in particular 30 to 50% by weight, with 7 to 5.5% by weight hydrocarbon mixture to give a total of 100% by weight. To this mixture at least one stabilizer additive is added. Optionally, the following stabilizing additives may be added: 
         [0038]    anti-knock additives 
         [0039]    anti-oxidant additives 
         [0040]    static dissipater additives 
         [0041]    icing inhibitor additives 
         [0042]    corrosion inhibitor additives 
         [0043]    power boosting additives. 
         [0044]    The hydrocarbon mixture preferably has the following composition (in % by weight) 
         [0045]    approx. 10-20% aromatic hydrocarbons, 
         [0046]    approx. 0.5-1.5% olefinic hydrocarbons, 30 also known as alkene hydrocarbons, 
         [0047]    approx. 80-85% saturated hydrocarbons, i.e. alkanes, also known as paraffinic hydrocarbons, and/or cycloalkanes. 
         [0048]    The aromatic hydrocarbons are primarily selected from benzene derivetives. They preferably are selected from the group consisting of toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene, and mixtures of two or more thereof. Much preferred, the aromatic component comprises toluene and xylene and ethyl benzene whereby in a three component mixture the minimal amount of each is 5%, preferably 10%, wherein the three xylenen isomers are considered as one component. 
         [0049]    Preferred olefinic hydrocarbons are C3 to C15 hydrocarbons with 1 to 3 double bonds. They can be used in pure form or in mixture with one or more compounds falling under the above definition. Suitable olefinic hydrocarbons or mixtures of olefinic hydrocarbons are liquid at room temperature. 
         [0050]    The aliphatic hydrocarbons are selected from liquid hydrocarbons and liquid hydrocarbon mixtures, in particular from linear and branched C4 to C15 hydrocarbons, and/or from cycloalophatic hydrocarbons, in particular from alkyl substituted cyclopentanes and alkyl substituted cyclohexanes, in particular from alkyl substituted cyclopentane or alkyl substituted cyclohexane having a total carbon content of 15 C-atoms, preferably 13 C-atoms. Suitable aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons or mixtures of such hydrocarbons are liquid at room temperature. 
         [0051]    Further to the above basic elements, additives are required to obtain a colloidal fluid with H 2 O 2 , water and the hydrocarbon content and—if present—a critical mixture of at least one organic nitrogen compound or a nitrated aromatic compound. In general, the additives are added in the following amounts: 
         [0052]    Anti-knock additives 2-5.7 mg/l 
         [0053]    Antioxidant additives 10-15 mg/l 
         [0054]    Static dissipater additives 0.6-4.5% vol. 
         [0055]    Icing inhibitors about 0.10-0.15 mg/l 
         [0056]    Corrosion inhibitors about 0.05-0.20 mg/l 
         [0057]    Stabilizer additives 1.5-15% vol. 
         [0058]    Power boosting additives 0.02-2.00% vol. 
         [0059]    The amount of additives added is referred to the aqueous H 2 O 2  and hydrocarbon comprising fuel system or composition (basic composition), i.e. mg/l basic composition and % by volume with the basic composition being 100%. 
         [0060]    Examples for anti-knock additives are additives based on propylene alcohol and/or ketones and/or aldehydes (see also stabilizer additives). 
         [0061]    Examples for antioxidant additives are phenols or organic sulphides or polysulphides, dithiocarbamates, phosphates and phosphonates. The antioxidant additives are added to prevent the formation of gum deposits and to prevent other oxidation problems. 
         [0062]    Examples for static dissipater additives are nitroso compounds based. They are not required but added for security reasons to reduce the creation of electricity which may be generated by the movement of the fuel through modern, high-flow-rate fuel transfer lines. 
         [0063]    Examples for icing inhibitors are isopropanol and isopropylen and mixtures thereof that are e.g. used among others to prevent the formation of ice crystals. These additives are also helpful to create—and even more important to stabilize—the colloidal fluid between hydrocarbons and the aqueous H 2 O 2  (see also stabilizer additives). 
         [0064]    Examples for corrosion inhibitors are phenol derivatives such as dibutylmethylphenol (BHT) and butylhydroxyanisol (BHA). The corrosion inhibitor additives serve the protection of ferrous metals in fuel handling systems. 
         [0065]    Examples for stabilizer additives are liquid alcohols such as ethanol or propanol, whereby in the case of ethanol preferably at least 5% vol. are present, while in the case of isopropanol 1.5% vol. are sufficient. Glycol is also well suited. Other stabilizer additives that are very well suited are surface-active agents having a hydrophobic and hydrophilic group, preferably a tenside. The surface-active agents act as friction-reducing surfactant and thus stabilize the fuel composition or system. The stabilizer additives are added to stably keep the fuel system or composition colloidal. The alcohols can be used in mixture of two or more thereof, whereby the amount of long chain alcohols must be limited to avoid phase separation (see also anti-knock Additives and icing inhibitors). 
         [0066]    Examples for power boosting additives are nitrated aromatics, e.g. trinitrobenzene and related compounds or TNT (Trinitrotoluene). The addition of power boosting additives is optional. A power boosting additives is characterized by the fact that it is able to provide radicals. 
         [0067]    As can be seen from the above list, some of the compounds may have different functions such as e.g. isopropanol that can act as stabilizer additive and icing inhibitor additive. In such cases, the two amounts may be additive. But in most cases it is sufficient to add a smaller amounts if one and the same additive performs two functions 
         [0068]    With extensive tests mixing relations between hydrocarbons and 30-60%, preferably 30 to 50% concentrated H 2 O 2  could be found that provide an easy to store, non-explosive, colloidal fluid which, according to this invention, has an energy value of approximately 3 times the normally used high concentrated 85% H 2 O 2  mono-fuel. These tests showed that the mixture relation between H 2 O 2 (calculated for 100% H 2 O 2 ) is from 31% H 2 O 2  to 7% hydrocarbon mixture:47% H 2 O 2  to 6% hydrocarbon mixture, preferably from 31.3% H 2 O 2  to 6.9% hydrocarbon mixture:46.9% H 2 O 2  to 6.3% hydrocarbon mixture. If 30-50% concentrated H 2 O 2  is used, the mixing ratio of said H 2 O 2  preferably should be in relation of 93.1% H 2 O 2  to 6.9% hydrocarbon mixture, up to 93.7% H 2 O 2  to 6.3% hydrocarbon mixture respectively whereas the hydrocarbon whereas the hydrocarbon mixture preferably is the hydrocarbon mixture described in this invention. 
         [0069]    A fuel system or composition in this ratio can be brought into a stabilized dispersion by the addition of one or more further additives as mentioned above. 
         [0070]    An essential additive for stabilizing the dispersion is the stabilizing additive. 
         [0071]    An obvious benefit of this invention is that the inventive mixture with a substantially higher energy value represents significant advantages for all flying and moving objects where endurance and long range is desired and where the ratio between fuel and total weight is of importance. Furthermore, this new fuel system or composition is very safe to handle and can not be ignited with an open flame. 
         [0072]    It is a further advantage that the new fuel system or composition does not react or explode in an open space. It requires a certain well controlled pressure to enable a reaction at all. 
         [0073]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the fuel does not need a secondary injection for another fuel component, as is the case with conventional bi-fuels. 
         [0074]    In order to improve ignition, it might be advantageous to pre-treat the fuel with a pre-dissociation enhancing substance. Such pre-dissociation enhancing substance could be a catalyst (e.g. a mixture of CoO and NgO). 
         [0075]    The present fuel system or composition enables the construction of small and simple engines, rockets, machines and the like, where the handling of the fuel is simple and easy and not dangerous in any way. 
         [0076]    While there are shown and described presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. The aspects and features of the different embodiment disclosed may be combined with each other. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0077]    For a more complete description of the present invention and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which show: 
           [0078]      FIG. 1  a schematic diagram of a device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0079]      FIG. 2  a cross-section of the main part of one possible engine in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0080]      FIG. 3  a cross-section of one possible element of an engine in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0081]    The present invention concerns different kinds of engines. The expression engine is herein used as a synonym for the following: motors, generators, actuators, reactors, power units, drives, pumps, compressors, turbines, rockets. Such an engine is a device, system or apparatus that produces some form of output from a given input. A typical example is an engine whose purpose is to produce kinetic energy output from a fuel source. 
         [0082]    The present invention can be used in connection with vehicles, such as cars, trucks, buses, tanks, trains, aircraft, helicopters, rockets, boats, submarines and other means of transport. But the invention can also be used in stationary systems or portable systems. 
         [0083]    The invention uses a special fuel system which comprises hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) plus at least one hydrocarbon. Examples of such hydrocarbons are: 
         [0084]    Kerosene (e.g. JP-6 kerosene, or Jet-A or Jet-A1 kerosene) 
         [0085]    gasoline 
         [0086]    diesel 
         [0087]    paraffin oil. 
         [0088]    According to the present invention the H 2 O 2  plus the hydrocarbon(s) participate in a chemical reaction as will be described later. Best results are obtained if also the additives, e.g. the stabilizing additive, participate in this reaction, which means that the additive has at least two functions. From this point of view alcohol-based additives are very well suited. 
         [0089]    When referring to “reaction temperatures”, temperatures between 600° C. and 1100° C., and preferably between 700° C. and 1000° C. are meant. In some applications, the temperatures can even be higher than the ones mentioned. 
         [0090]    Basic aspects of the invention are described in connection with  FIG. 1 . This Figure is a schematic block-diagram illustrating functional blocks or elements of an inventive device or system  100 . 
         [0091]    The inventive fuel system or composition, as described and defined before, is preferably kept in some kind of tank  31  or reservoir. The tank  31  or reservoir may be connectable to a next functional block  32  or element by means of a fuel feed line or pipe  10 . 
         [0092]    According to the present invention, the fuel system or composition is “vaporized”, which means that the liquid fuel is expanded to a phase with very small droplets or elements are present. The expansion factor is between 5 and 50, preferably between 10 and 30, since in the room or zone into which the liquid fuel is expanded a high pressure is maintained. Without the high pressure, the expansion factor would be much larger. The expression “vaporized” is used as a synonym for the creating or generation of very small particles, droplets or entities out of the liquid fuel system stream. The block  32  represents the respective step, process or system in  FIG. 1 . In order for a proper reaction in block  31  to take place, the particles, droplets or entities have to be smaller than 100 μm. Preferably, they are as small as 50 μm. In addition, the “vapor” so produced should be homogenous. 
         [0093]    After the “vaporization”, the fuel system or composition is activated, as indicated by the block  33 . There are two different possibilities for the activation. Both options are illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The first approach is a thermal activation (block  33 . 1 ) where the fuel particles, droplets or entities are heated up to a suitable reaction temperature. The heating up can be done by means of heating elements or by forcing the fuel through a heating section. The heating can be done directly or indirectly. 
         [0094]    The second option is a heating approach combined with the employment of a catalyzer (see block  33 . 2 ). In this case the activation is ensured by a combination of heat and catalytic action. The catalyzer may be injected or introduced into the fuel, or the fuel particles, droplets or entities may be made to pass by a catalyzer. 
         [0095]    Then the reaction takes place (box  34 ). The word reaction is used in order to emphasize that the fuel does not burn with oxygen like the fuel inside a combustion engine. According to the present invention, a chemical reaction takes place where the atoms or molecules of the fuel particles, droplets or entities are transformed or re-arranged into other molecules. This transformation or rearrangement is done so that the Gibbs free energy is reduced. The Gibbs free energy (Gibbs energy) is a thermodynamic potential which measures the useful or process-initiating work obtainable from the fuel composition or system. According to the invention, the Gibbs free energy is reduced to a minimum since the “products” at the output side of the process (water and carbon dioxide) have a very low thermodynamic potential. 
         [0096]    According to the present invention, a chemical reaction takes place where the oxygen of the hydrogen peroxide reacts with carbon from the hydrocarbon(s) to produce CO 2 . The hydrogen of the hydrogen peroxide and the hydrogen of the hydrocarbon forms water with the remaining oxygen. No oxygen needs to be provided from external sources and no oxygen is fed into the reaction or activation zone or region. 
         [0097]    The reaction only takes place in an enclosed environment (called reaction zone or region), since only in such an enclosed environment the right conditions (pressure and temperature) are typically guaranteed. Very well suited is a reaction chamber or tube  14  having an output side with a thrust nozzle  16  (cf.  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0098]    The inventive fuel system or composition is designed so that it only reacts if the right conditions are met, which means that the fuel system or composition is very stable and not dangerous in any respect. 
         [0099]    Preferably, the temperature in the reaction zone or region is between 700° C. and 1000° C. and the pressure is above 50 bar. Good results are achieved if the pressure is in the range between 60-80 bar. Very well suited is a pressure at about 70 bar. 
         [0100]    A first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Details of the invention are now described by making reference to this figure, but it is to be kept in mind that all aspects which are discussed in the context of this specific embodiment can also be used in connection with the other embodiments of the invention. 
         [0101]    The novel fuel system presented has the advantage that its autoignition temperature is very high. It is a further advantage of the inventive fuel system that even if an empty fuel tank would contain some residual fuel or an air/fuel mixture, this residual fuel would not react or explode. The residual fuel or combustible air/fuel mixture is stable at ambient temperatures ranging from below −50° C. to above 50° C., at atmospheric pressure. The fuel system does not permit a combustible mixture to develop or exist which would pose a potential hazard. 
         [0102]    The fuel system or composition flows through a fuel feed line  10  or infeed into a chamber or zone. When or while entering the chamber or zone, the fuel system or composition is vaporized. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  comprises a recoil valve  11  followed by a steam creator or generator  12 . A (spray) nozzle or injection nozzle may be used as steam creator or generator  12 , for instance. Well suited are Piezzo-based steam creators or generators  12 . These elements are herein also referred to a vaporizing means which provide for an “atomization” of the fuel. The vaporizing means provide for an expansion of the fuel stream into a fuel cloud or fuel vapor. The factor of expansion is relatively low (between 5 and 50, preferably between 10 and 30), due to the fact that the pressure in the chamber or zone is above 50 bar. Good results are achieved if the pressure is in the range between 60-80 bar. Very well suited is a pressure at about 70 bar. 
         [0103]    The recoil valve  11  (or a start up valve) can be employed in order to open or close the fuel streaming into the vaporizing means. A speed or thrust regulator (not shown) may be employed as part of the engine  100  in order to adjust the fuel amount. 
         [0104]    The fuel system is typically stored in a tank  20  or container which can be connected to the fuel feed line  10 . In  FIG. 2  a fuel tank  20  is schematically indicated. It is connectable to the fuel feed line  10 , as illustrated by means of a doted line  21 . The tank  20  might be a pressurized system, but the fuel system or composition does not require pressurized tanks or the like. The fuel system or composition could also be stored in an open tank. 
         [0105]    The tank  20  of the present embodiment, but also the tanks of other embodiments, may be constructed out of carbon-based composite material. But it is also possible to use plastic materials, such as a thermoplastic material, or metal. It is an advantage of the fuel system or composition used, that it cannot be accidentally ignited. The fuel system or composition has the further advantage that it does not burn or explode when being exposed to a flame, for instance. The fuel system or composition is absolutely safe and thus does not jeopardize anybody. 
         [0106]    Inside the engine  100  there is an activator  13  which activates the fuel cloud or fuel vapor. The activator  13  comprises a heating element or heating section (not visible in  FIG. 2 ) in order to heat up the fuel. Preferably, a catalyzer  13 . 1  (e.g. a precious metal activator) is situated at or inside the heating section or near the heating element of the activator  13 . The heating section or heating element is designed so that the fuel vapor is quickly heated up to an ignition temperature. The respective temperature range for the reaction temperature is mentioned above. The catalyzer  13 . 1  may be employed in order to support or assist the ignition process. 
         [0107]    As a general rule of thumb one can say that the reaction temperature can be lower if a catalyzer  13 . 1  is employed. Without such a catalyzer  13 . 1 , the reaction temperature has to be somewhat higher in order to ensure proper initialization of the reaction of the fuel cloud or fuel vapor. 
         [0108]    The catalyzer  13 . 1  provides for a pre-dissociation. Well suited are precious metal activators or activators comprising a catalyst, such as one or more of the following: CoO and/or MgO and/or Platinum and/or Silver and/or Rhodium and/or Palladium. 
         [0109]    After the fuel cloud or fuel vapor has passed through the heating section  13  (with or without catalyzer  13 . 1 ), the fuel cloud or fuel vapor has reached the reaction temperature and an immediate reaction is guaranteed. 
         [0110]    The present embodiment comprises an ignition system  15  with an ignition plug, for instance. The ignition plug may, like in a combustion engine, generate sparks at a suitable rate. But it is also possible to employ an ignition system  15  which is continuously running. Well suited is a glowing metal piece, grid or filament for instance. Preferably, the ignition system  15  is mounted inside a reaction chamber or zone  14  where the fuel reacts. The ignition system  15  can also sit outside (at least partially) the reaction chamber or zone  14 , but in this case some portion of the ignition system  15  sits inside or protrudes into the reaction chamber or zone  14 . 
         [0111]    In a currently preferred embodiment, the reaction chamber or zone  14  is designed so that an enthalpic gas expansion takes place when igniting the fuel cloud or fuel vapor. This means that the gas expands at a total constant enthalpy. This expansion is more or less isotropic. 
         [0112]    In a preferred embodiment, the fuel cloud or fuel vapor reaches temperatures of more than 600° C. and a pressure of above 50 bar (good results are achieved if the pressure is in the range between 60-80 bar. Very well suited is a pressure at about 70 bar) inside the reaction chamber or zone  14 . This ensures that the fuel expands and dissolves mainly to water (H 2 O) vapor and CO 2 . 
         [0113]    Last but not least there may be a thrust nozzle  16  which is connected on one side to the reaction chamber or zone  14  so that the fuel gas when expanding or reacting is able to expand and exit the engine  10 . 
         [0114]    Since an inventive and new fuel system or composition is being proposed, special activations means  13  have to be provided which enable the ignition or dissociation of the fuel. As mentioned in connection with the description of  FIG. 2 , preferably an activator  13  is employed which contains a catalyzer  13 . 1 . The activator  13  comprises at least one heating element or a heating section. In addition, the activator  13  may comprise a net, sieve or stack of layers (herein referred to as catalyzer  13 . 1 ) which comprise a catalytic material. 
         [0115]    The fuel may be pre-heated before arriving at the activator  13 . 
         [0116]    In  FIG. 3  a preferred embodiment of an activator  13  is shown. This activator  13  comprises a heatable section (e.g. a heatable pipe) with heating elements  13 . 3 . Furthermore, the activator  13  may comprise a sieve  13 . 4 . This sieve  13 . 4  provides for the vaporization of the liquid fuel. The sieve  13 . 4  might at the same time act as a catalyzer. The liquid fuel travels through this activator  13  from the right to the left and is turned into a fuel vapor or cloud. The fuel meets temperatures in excess of 50° C. and preferably about 100° C. to 150° C. 
         [0117]    The designs of the embodiments which are shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  are very simple and cost effective and provide for reproducible conditions allowing a reliable ignition of the new fuel system or composition. 
         [0118]    It will be understood that many variations could be adopted based on the specific structure hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.