Abstract:
A non-toxic, non-hazardous, environmentally friendly additive mainly including hydrogen and oxygen with minor amounts of elemental aluminum in less or about 3% by weight. The additive improves the combustion efficiency of all carbon-based combustible materials by increasing the burning efficiency and reducing the overall emissions of the combustible materials.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/602,774 filed on Feb. 24, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    This invention relates to a revolutionary new type of combustion additive for ad carbon-based combustible materials and a method of manufacture and application thereof. One embodiment of the additive includes hydrogen, oxygen, and elemental aluminum (as opposed to compounds of aluminum). The additive and corresponding method are cheaper and more effective than nearly any other methods currently used to accomplish the purpose of improving combustion efficiency and reducing emissions of all carbon-based combustible materials. They requires no major alterations of the current combustion systems, and fundamentally improves the efficiency of the combustion and therefore reduces the emissions it produces. As such, the potential benefit to the environment is so great that it can hardly be overstated. 
         [0003]    Additionally, considering the current hydrocarbon fuel cost, the current environmental requirements and regulations, the limitations on available alternatives to major electricity supply, and the demand for industrial combustion materials, such a new additive is of equal economic importance. 
         [0004]    It is noted that citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention. 
         [0005]    Applicant knows of no comparable processes of producing an additive with such high purity of hydrogen and oxygen that aids the combustion of carbon-based materials. 
         [0006]    Most the current methods of reducing combustion emissions are either very costly or not very effective. Most of these methods require major installation tat new equipment. Some methods only superficially reduce the emissions released into the atmosphere without fundamentally addressing the reduction of the source of the emissions, thereby failing to provide a final resolution to the emissions produced. 
         [0007]    Some of the most noted technologies, such as the “clean coal” technology, reduce the combustion emissions into the atmosphere by storing the emissions underground. Such technology neither reduces the combustion&#39;s emissions themselves nor provides a resolution to the emissions after their storage. Rather, these technologies simply move the emissions from the air into the ground The long-term consequences of such methods require much further research, and their environmental benefits are questionable. In addition, these technologies are very costly to implement. 
         [0008]    Other technologies may use chemical additives to reduce the emissions produced by the combustion, but are mostly very expensive and, again, simply remove the emissions after the emissions are already produced, instead of reducing the production of the emissions themselves from the combustion. 
         [0009]    There also exists technology, such as “chemical looping”, which produces oxides by subjecting certain types of metal to certain conditions resulting in oxidation of the metal. The oxides are then added to the boiler in order to provide additional oxygen to aid the combustion. However, this type of technology requires the installation of additional equipment and the result is not every effective. 
         [0010]    Air is also commonly used to aid the combustion of boilers. However, tie high content of nitrogen in the air creates the issue of undesirable NOx emission. 
         [0011]    Pure oxygen is one of the most ideal combustion additives to improve the combustion efficiency and control combustion emissions. However, pure oxygen is very costly. 
         [0012]    It is noted that in this disclosure and particularly in the claims and/or paragraphs, terms such as “comprises”, “comprised”, “comprising” and the like can have the meaning attributed to it in U.S. Patent law; e.g., they can mean “includes”, “included”, “including”, and the like; and that terms such as “consisting essentially of” and “consists essentially of” have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law, e.g., they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but exclude elements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novel characteristic of the invention. 
         [0013]    It is further noted that the invention does not intend to encompass within the scope of the invention any previously disclosed product, process of making the product or method of using the product, which meets the written description and enablement requirements of the USPTO (35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph) or the EPO (Article 83 of the EPC), such that applicant(s) reserve the right to disclaim, and hereby disclose a disclaimer of, any previously described product, method of making the product, or process of using the product. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a new class or family of combustion additives, which is non-toxic, non-hazardous and non-volatile. 
         [0015]    It is a further object of the present invention to create a new class or family of combustion additive, which is safe and easy to handle, store, and transport. 
         [0016]    It is further an object of the present invention to create a new class or family of combustion additives, which contains potent amounts of hydrogen and oxygen molecules H 2  and O 2 ) and ions (i.e., H 1+  and O 2+ ) bonded stably by particles of aluminum without the potential of ignition and or explosion. 
         [0017]    It is a still further object of the present invention to create a method of carrying hydrogen and oxygen molecules in a high purity form. 
         [0018]    It is yet another object of the present invention to create a new class or family of combustion additives which, when combined with the combustible material, renders the combustion with a much superior combustion efficiency, thereby outputting more energy and reducing the overall emissions of the combustion. 
         [0019]    It is yet still another object of the present invention to create a new class or family of combustion additives, which is non explosive, stable over a wide range of temperatures, and which has a long shelf life (e.g., about, but not limited to, 6 years). 
         [0020]    It is another object of the present invention to create a new class or family of combustion additives, which may conveniently be utilized in a wide variety of external combustion burners (e.g., burners typically found in electric power generation plants), and which may be readily applied to coal or other carbon-based combustible materials. 
         [0021]    It is yet another object of the present invention to create a new class or family of combustion additives that utilizes the infinities of the attraction between silicon and carbon. 
         [0022]    It is yet still another further object of the present invention to create a new class or family of combustion additives which utilizes the silicon (e.g., activated hexagonal silicon) content that exists as impurities contained in certain materials such as metals (e.g., aluminum). 
         [0023]    The additive designed by this inventor supplies high purity hydrogen and oxygen to aid in the combustion of nearly all carbon-based combustible materials. The additive increases combustion efficiency, creates no additional emissions, and further reduces emissions currently produced by the combustion such as NOx, SOx, and carbon emissions. 
         [0024]    The additive is easy to produce, and uses only widely available and economical raw materials. The additive is also safe to store, transport, and handle. It is non-toxic, non-hazardous and non-volatile. In addition, the additive is easy to apply, and requires no major installation of new equipment or alteration to the existing combustion system. It is applied by simply mixing the additive into the combustible material prior to combustion. The amount of additive in the final combustible material/additive combination should be at least 1% by weight/mass. Preferably, the amount of the additive in the final combination should be from 1% to 6% by weight/mass, more preferably from 1.5% to 4% by weight/mass, and most preferably around 2% by weight/mass. 
         [0025]    The additive utilizes the phenomena of the infinity between carbon and silicon. Further, the additive utilizes the fact that there often exists minor amount of activated hexagonal silicon within the impurities of certain materials like metal. An example of such a metal is aluminum. However, any material, with activated hexagonal silicon would also work. As such, all metals (unless 100% pure) would be suitable. Most alloys created below temperature at about 2,000° F. also contain activated hexagonal silicon, and thus are also suitable materials. Iridium can also be used, even though it does not contain activated hexagonal silicon. Other suitable examples include most stones that are the results of earth formation, especially the ones formed during Triassic Era and Permian Era. 
         [0026]    This invention is revolutionary, economical, environmentally friendly, and user friendly. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment of the invention suitable for production on a laboratory scale, a simple bar or rod of aluminum is first, subjected to a chemical bath to remove any oxide film or coating which may be present on the surface of such bar or rod. Many acid solutions are known to the aluminum art which are capable of removing such surface oxide films. Depending upon the particular acid selected and its strength, it may or may not be necessary to stabilize or halt this surface reaction by treating the bar or rod with an appropriate basic chemical or compound after the oxide has been removed. 
         [0028]    The oxide-free aluminum work piece may then be at least partially, if not completely, immersed in a bath of mercury or a source of mercury. It is desirable to leave the work piece so immersed until the mercury has penetrated the surface of the aluminum to a depth of approximately 5 microns (the precise depth of penetration is not critical, and acceptable results may be obtained with more or less penetration). In any event, the time required for adequate penetration is not long. Typically, 10 to 20 minutes is sufficient. 
         [0029]    The mercury-penetrated aluminum work piece may then be at least partially immersed in a halogen acid solution. Immersion of around half the length of such work piece has been found convenient for laboratory-scale production. On the portion of the work piece exposed to the atmosphere, growth of a certain aluminum-hydrogen-oxygen complex may be observed to occur (similar growth on the submerged portion will also occur but will be difficult if not impossible to observe). This growth will fall off the work piece and into the surrounding, solution. Therefore, a barrier should be established above the solution to catch and collect the growth. Such growth shall continue until the work piece is completely consumed by the process. 
         [0030]    During the process of such growth, adjustment of and/or addition to the halogen acid solution may be needed if depletion is observed. The halogen acid solution that immerses the work piece should be kept at mostly the same quantity and quality. 
         [0031]    The collected growth forms the additive, and can be then fed and well mixed into the combustible materials shortly prior to the combustion. 
         [0032]    The amount of additive to be used is dependant somewhat on the type of combustible materials in subject. However, in many cases, it requires less than 10% by weight (such as in the case of coal combustion). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA NGS 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a schematic sectional view of one embodiment of the first stage of a process for producing a combustion additive; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view similar to  FIG. 1 , showing another optional embodiment of the first stage of a process for producing a combustion additive; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view similar to  FIG. 1 , showing formation of a “growth” in an HCl, bath in one embodiment of the second stage of a process for producing a combustion additive (in this embodiment, the aluminum is disposed substantially equidistant from the sides and bottom of the vessel); 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a depiction of the structure of silicon impurities normally found in aluminum, other metals, and other materials, even in materials of high purity; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is a depiction of the hexagonal structure of the complex “growth” in stages two and three of a process for producing a combustion additive; 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  depiction of a collection device to collect the complex “growth” in stages two and three of a process for producing a combustion additive; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 7  is another method of collecting and removing the complex “growth” in stages two and three of a process for producing a combustion additive. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0040]    It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional in this art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. 
         [0041]    The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments. 
         [0042]    It is to be understood throughout this specification that the various descriptions therein are not to be construed as in any way limiting the scope or applicability of the present invention. Numerous embodiments and variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art upon a careful study and understanding of the aforementioned drawings, and the principles and discoveries explained herein. In addition, it is to be understood that the details set forth in the preceding and following descriptions are not in themselves limitations upon the present invention, but merely describe the embodiments of the invention preferred by the inventors. 
         [0043]    It should be noted that when ordinary commercial grade aluminum is introduced into a hydrochloric acid (HCL) solution (e.g. of normality 1 N to 2 N), the formation of aluminum chloride (and water) occurs. However, the mercury-treated aluminum employed in this invention behaves quite differently. There is still the formation of AlCl 3 , and other aluminum compounds, when such is immersed in the HCL solution. However, after a passage of nearly immediately to a few minutes, a white “growth” on the “treated” aluminum surface occurs, which “growth” then “falls off” or “flakes off” into a collection device. 
         [0044]    Entrapped in these “growth particles”, because of their clathrate properties (Van Der Waal), are:
       A) Oxygen and hydrogen, in at least one of molecular and ionic form;   B) Aluminum particles, probably in elemental form; and   C) Silicon impurities of the aluminum, which silicon has been changed to the hexagonal structure (Hunter and Robinson).       
 
         [0048]    The aluminum particles are contained in the complex, and stably hold together the hydrogen and oxygen (with the hydrogen and oxygen in at least one of molecular and ionic form). These aluminum particles contain activated hexagonally shaped silicon. 
         [0049]    Further, the solution at least contains:
       A) The reaction product of the aluminum and hydrochloric acid in solution (e.g., Al +++ Cl—H +  and OH ions in minor trace amount); and   B) Free “activated aluminum”, probably suspended colloidally, containing hexagonally structured silicon and also containing hydrogen and oxygen entrapped therein.       
 
         [0052]    The usefulness of the complex of the present invention will extend virtually to any application where an improvement in the combustion efficiency and a reduction of emissions is desired, for example by using the additive complex in power plants in order to produce electrical power, or by applying it in homes or institutions to generate heat (e.g., steam producing boilers). The additive&#39;s application is easily manageable and, with minor changes, readily applicable to existing heat producing installations. 
         [0053]    According to this invention, the activated silicon-aluminum complex consists essentially of hydrogen, oxygen, and minor amounts of aluminum with activated hexagonally structured silicon. 
         [0054]    The complex can be prepared by the following sequence of steps:
       1) Contacting an aluminum metal, having a purity preferably on the order of at least 99.94% by weight and including at least a trace amount of silicon, with a source of acid of a type and concentration which will remove and inhibit the formation of oxide thereon, simultaneously or thereafter contacting said aluminum metal with a source of mercury (e.g., gallium or indium) or, preferably, mercury in an oxygen containing atmosphere;   2) Immersing said mercury-contacted aluminum at least partially in an acidic solution, containing halogen, to effect a “growth” of additive particles from said mercury contacted aluminum in and above said halogen-acidic solution, at a temperature of between ambient and not more than about 30° C.;   3) Collecting the “growth”/additive with a collection device of some sort before the “growth”/additive falls into or contacts the acidic halogen solution;   4) Adjusting or adding to the acidic halogen solution so as to maintain the same or near same quality and quantity;   5) Mixing the collected “growth”/additive with at least one carbon-based combustible material prior to combustion in most cases the amount of “growth”/additive required to accomplish the desired effect is enough to make up less than 10% by weight of the final additive and combustible material combination); and   6) Combusting the carbon-based combustible material enriched with the “growth”/additive.       
 
         [0061]    The activated-silicon containing aluminum-hydrogen-oxygen complex of this invention can be conveniently prepared and applied, using a six stage process, although the process is not to be narrowly construed as being limited to such. 
         [0062]    The first stage (i.e., “phase one”) is the preparation of a material containing silicon impurities (in the current embodiment, the material is a form of aluminum), and can typically be carried out as follows. 
         [0063]    Utilizing the apparatus in  FIG. 1 , an aluminum bar or rod  1  is placed as shown in vessel  2 . The vessel  2  is constructed from any acid-resistant material, (preferably of glass or Plexiglas®), and a layer of halogen acid  3  is placed in the vessel  2  so as to slightly cover the aluminum. In this context, the shape of the aluminum is not critical. However, a singular solid shape is generally preferred., examples of which include bar, rod, and cube shapes. While a powder or pellets may be used, a singular solid shape is preferred because it provides a better surface on which for the reaction to take place. The purpose of this acid treatment is to remove and to inhibit the formation of oxide on the aluminum surface. Hydrochloric acid of the strength/normality of 3 N is preferably the acid employed for this purpose. 
         [0064]    The aluminum should be substantially pure, on the order of at least, but not limited to, 99.94% pure, and also should also contain amounts of silicon on the order of trace to about 45 ppm to about 150 ppm. As a practical matter, whether or not the aluminum is sufficiently pure can be empirically determined, since an abrupt rise in the temperature (typically caused by impurities reacting with the acid solution) indicates oxide formation and that the aluminum starting material is not sufficiently pure. Such a rise in temperature because of impurities is usually seen in the growth phase using a lower normality acid solution, since the higher normality of the acid in the cleaning/inhibiting stage may cause a violent reaction irrespective of the aluminum purity. Therefore, for the purpose of this application, the term “substantially” is empirically determinable so as to be capable of being used in the process of this invention. 
         [0065]    The aluminum is then contacted or coated with mercury or a source of mercury, preferably by placing the aluminum in a bath of the mercury or source of mercury (contained in an apparatus similar to the type used to contain the hydrochloric acid) in the presence of any oxygen containing atmosphere, such as air. In either of these preliminary steps, the temperature is not narrowly critical, but should not be such as to encourage oxide formation and or chlorine gas. For example, a temperature of greater than about 40° C. would generally encourage oxide formation and or chlorine gas, and therefore be undesirable. Ambient temperature is satisfactory. 
         [0066]    If desired, the acid and mercury contact can be made simultaneously, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this figure, the aluminum  1  is immersed in the acid bath  3  and the heavier mercury bath  4 , the HCL forming a layer on top of the bath of mercury. 
         [0067]    Whether the apparatus in  FIG. 1  or  2 , or arty other suitable apparatus is used, the length of time of the contact with the mercury can be minimal, on the order of about fifteen to thirty minutes (longer contact however is not detrimental). Within the context of his invention, the mercury acts as a catalyst, which effects a change in the aluminum structure. This changed structure is referred to as the “Phase one” aluminum. 
         [0068]    The second stage (“i.e., “phase two”) involves the formation of an additive “growth” comprising, in part, the “phase one” aluminum with the aluminum piece partially immersed in an acidic halogen-containing solution. A particularly preferred suitable halogen solution is hydrochloric acid. 
         [0069]    The additive “growth” can be formed in a number of ways, and the method thereof is not critical in and of itself. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , after contact with the mercury bath, the “phase one” treated aluminum piece  1  is then partially immersed in another vessel  2 , containing a bath  5  of a halogen acid (e.g., HCL). The halogen acid should have strength/normality of about 1 normal “N”) to about 2 N, but the actual range of concentration is empirical. 
         [0070]    When the “phase one” aluminum  1  (which is soluble in HCL to some extent) is partially immersed in the acid solution  5  with the remaining part of the aluminum  1  above the acid solution  5  and exposed to the oxygen containing ambient temperature environment, a rather light weight, white and light blue in color additive “growth”  10  is formed. The additive “growth”  10  begins as a whitish and bluish particulate growth in and on the mercury treated and activated aluminum work piece of “phase one” above the surface of the solution  5 . This additive “growth”  10  is shown in  FIG. 6 , wherein the acid solution  5  begins to thicken as the additive “growth”  10  above the solution continues to grow. As shown in  FIG. 6 , as more and more additive “growth”  10  particles form, the additive “growth”  10  may rise vertically to be about, but not limited to, 16 inches high. 
         [0071]    Depending on the size of the aluminum work piece  1  or mount of acid solution  5  present, the formation of the additive“growth ”  10  can continue up to the entire consummation of the “phase one” aluminum material. However, it is often necessary to adjust and re-supply the acid solution  5  to maintain a consistent quality and quantity throughout “phase two”. 
         [0072]    In “phase two” the temperature should be between ambient and not more than about 25° C. to 30° C. It should be noted that a sudden adverse rise in temperature of the reaction environment during “phase two” could again mean that the aluminum starting Material was not sufficiently pure. 
         [0073]    Alternatively, though less desirably; the additive “growth” can also be made “in situ” in the embodiment represented in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the aluminum work piece is covered by the solution  3  but is also partly submerged in the source of mercury  4 . 
         [0074]    The acid solution needs not cover the aluminum work piece, after oxide formation thereon is prevented or inhibited. A portion of the aluminum work piece needs to be exposed above the surface of the solution. Whether the solution containing mercury bath continues to cover partially the surface of the aluminum work piece, or the aluminum work piece be placed in a separate solution bath, a “growth” of some kind of complex occurs. This “growth” itself in this embodiment is the “phase two” additive “growth” of this embodiment. In either case (i.e., the case of  FIG. 2  or that of  FIG. 3 ) the sequence has been followed of treating an oxide ire aluminum work piece with mercury or a source of mercury to change the structure of the aluminum work piece and to effect its activation, and then contacting or continuing to contact said aluminum work piece partially with the acid solution to cause the “phase two” additive “growth” formation. 
         [0075]    In the additive “growth” formation step, it has been found useful, in order to avoid undesirable heat from occurring, to position the aluminum work piece so as to be spaced substantially equidistant from the sides and bottom of vessel. This equidistant spacing is preferred to be is essentially the same as, or greater than, the diameter of the aluminum bar or rod (a cylindrical rod shape being preferred). It is of course possible to inhibit formation of undesirable heat without the above-indicated special relationship/spacing. In this event, the avoidance of oxides as a consequence of overheating would have to be constantly monitored in this regard. For example, the treated work piece could be constantly removed, rewashed, reinserted, and recoated with mercury or a source of mercury. 
         [0076]    In “phase two”, the additive “growth” is light-weight. It contains hydrogen, oxygen, and minor amount of aluminum. The reason for this is that the “phase one” material has clathrate capabilities (i.e. can entrap or confine the hydrogen and oxygen, most likely as ions, and be bonded stably by the aluminum particles). 
         [0077]    While the aforesaid temperature gradients are important when preparing for the subsequent formation of the additive complex, it should be noted that the acid solution itself could be formed using somewhat higher temperatures, on the order of up to about 40° C., and also starting with aluminum of slightly lower purity. 
         [0078]    The next stage in the process is collecting the additive complex/“groth” (i.e. “phase three”) with a certain device. Examples of such a device include a divider of some type which separates the additive “growth” from the liquid solution below (see  FIG. 6 ), and/or a constant vacuum of some kind which sucks up the growth before it falls into the liquid solution below (see  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0079]    The next stage in the process is maintaining the formation of the complex (i.e., “phase four”). This includes adjusting and re-supplying the acid solution or “phase two” to maintain the same (i.e., a consistent) quality and quantity of the acid solution as in “phase two”. 
         [0080]    The “phase five” includes mixing the collected additive “growth” with at least one carbon-based combustible material. The mixing process preferably should be at a slow speed to prevent a sudden drastic rise in temperature and moisture, and to prevent a breakdown of the additive. In particular, the mixing should be done so as not to create too much friction, which may cause the hydrogen and oxygen of the additive to combine into water (H 2 0). For example, while hand mixing is suitable, care must be taken with machine mixing as a lab blender used on its slowest setting was too fast. Accordingly, machines which do not create too much friction while mixing are preferable, such as a cement mixer. The mixing should be done to accomplish well homogenization of the additive and the carbon-based combustible material. In most cases, the amount of additive should be less than 10% by mass but at least 1% by mass of the total additive and combustible material combination, even though it is not absolutely limited to such amount. Preferably, the amount of the additive in the final combination should be from 1% to 6% by mass, more preferably from 1.5% to 4% by mass, and most preferably around 2% by mass. 
         [0081]    The “phase six” is the last of the phases in this embodiment of the invention. It encompasses the practical ignition combustion of the carbon-based combustible material containing the additive, and may include:
       1) Executing the delivery of the carbon-based combustible material enriched with the additive by practical conventional means to suitable containers (e.g., steam producing boilers); and   2) Igniting the mixture.       
 
         [0084]    The mixture combusts with improved combustion efficiency due to the addition of the added additive containing hydrogen and oxygen in a high purity form. No additional oxygen or air is needed, though does not have to be eliminated. 
         [0085]    The combustion will produce no additional emissions as compared to combustion of the original combustion material without the additive. Furthermore, the combustion will produce reduced emissions due to the addition of the high purity hydrogen oxygen containing additive (i.e., hydrogen and oxygen are released from the additive without impurities such as nitrogen contained in normal air). This is a, result of the improved combustion efficiency which renders the combustion with more effective energy output, less left over residues (e.g., fly-ash), and less NOx and SOx formation as emissions. 
         [0086]    The hydrogen and oxygen components in the additive should be in combinations that are well balanced to render the additive stable, non-ignitable, and non-explosive. One formula for the additive in the above embodiment is Al 12 (H 2 O 2 ) 18 H 6 . However, it has been discovered that the “H 6 ” on the end is not always stable. As a result, some, and even all, of the hydrogen atoms/ions in the “H 6  ” may not make it into the final additive product. Further, it has also been discovered that some of the hydrogen atoms from the “(H 2 O 2 ) 18 ” portion are also not always stable. Thus, while the additive can have a ratio of hydrogen atoms/ions to oxygen atoms/ions of as high as H 42 :O 36  (i.e., 21:18 or roughly 1,1667:1), the ratio may at times he as low as 1:1 hydrogen to oxygen, and has even been tested to be at levels as low as H 16 O 18  (i.e., 8:9 or roughly 0.889:1.000) and H 14 :O 16  (i.e., 7:8 or roughly 0.875:1.000 hydrogen to oxygen). As such, the preferred ratio of hydrogen atoms/ions to oxygen atoms/ions should be between H 14 :O 16  (i.e., roughly 0.875:1.000 hydrogen to oxygen) and H 21 :O 18  (i.e., roughly 1.667:1.000 hydrogen to oxygen). 
         [0087]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims. 
         [0088]    Reference Numerals
     1  aluminum rod or bar     2  vessel     3  housing     4  halogen acid     5  a source of mercury     6  solution     7  structure of silicon impurities     8  hexagonal structure of the complex growth     9  collection device     10  complex growth