Patent Abstract:
An apparatus and method is provided for the ultra-high temperature cyclic thermal disassociation of water to produce usable hydrogen, oxygen, associated gases, and heat by igniting a previously-dissociated quantity of water and directing the resultant flame at a target material within a reactor whereupon the monatomic elements of the dissociated water recombine to water vapor, release energy, absorb the released energy, and re-dissociate, thereby producing a mostly monatomic mixture of dissociated water. Preferably, steam is produced in a heat exchanger arranged about the reactor and additionally provided to the reactor to undergo thermolytic disassociation.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENTS REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention relates to the arts of disassociation of water to produce the associated resultant gaseous mixture and energy; more specifically, this invention relates to the arts of the ultra-high temperature cyclic thermal disassociation of water. 
         [0005]    This invention relates to a new apparatus and method for the production of hydrogen, oxygen, and energy from the cyclic disassociation and combustion of water. The necessity for a commercially viable, clean source of renewable energy is only becoming more apparent. Because of hydrogen&#39;s available clean uses, apparent abundance, and appropriate combustive properties, hydrogen is looked upon as the source of energy to replace our current reliance on fossil fuels. Unfortunately, large-scale, efficient methods of hydrogen production have remained hidden from the World&#39;s brightest researchers. Many have attempted but all devised methods have inherent shortcomings. 
         [0006]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,977,120 B2, Chou discloses a mixed hydrogen-oxygen fuel generator system using an electrolytic solution to generate gaseous hydrogen-oxygen fuel through the electrolysis of water molecules. Electrolysis has been known for many years and has yet to become commercially viable except in the production of small quantities of high-purity hydrogen and oxygen. Generally, such electrolysis methods have weaknesses such as excessive consumption of electricity, the perilous creation of highly explosive gases, and overheating that requires the shutting down of the process. Chou attempts to overcome such shortcomings by using an electrode plate design that decreases electrical consumption, a method to create a mixed hydrogen-oxygen fuel that bums at a controlled temperature, and a cooling system that re-circulates the electrolytic solution. The claimed improvements purportedly increase the efficiency of the overall electrolysis method. However, Chou does not realize the nature of the produced gaseous hydrogen-oxygen fuel and only uses the electrolyticly-derived mixture for producing a flame with a controlled ignition temperature. The current invention does not utilize classical electrolysis of water for the disassociation of water because of its inherent inefficiencies. Electrolysis just requires too much electricity to viably produce enough hydrogen to meet demand. 
         [0007]    Another attempt at overcoming the inherent limitations of classical electrolysis is Streckert, U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,449 B2. While Chou disclosed a low-temperature, about 30° C., apparatus and method, Streckert utilizes temperatures about 200° C. above room temperature. Streckert emphasizes the need for commercially viable, small scale electrolytic devices. Streckert still suffers from the failures of electrolysis by creating hydrogen for fuel purposes inefficiently, which leads to excessive power consumption. 
         [0008]    Other attempts at creating an efficient device and method for the disassociation of water have been attempted using the Sun as the main source of energy. The Vialaron patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,809, discloses an apparatus and method for the continuous photolytic disassociation of water. Vialaron describes the disclosed invention as a thermolytic but is more accurately described as photolytic because of the preferred use of electromagnetic radiation to achieve disassociation temperatures. Vialoron describes submerging a refractory body in water and focusing energy thereupon such that disassociation temperatures are reached. This heating creates a thin film of dissociated water about the surface of the refractory body. Submersing the refractory body in water replaces other methods of quench cooling the produced gases because the generated hydrogen and oxygen dissolve and diffuse into the water. The resultant bubbles of dissociated gasses are swept away from the refractory body by flowing water, which in turn maintains the desired temperature of the refractory body. The dissolved, produced gases are then extracted by conventional hydrogen, oxygen methods well-known in the art. The preferred embodiment describes the use of mirrors to focus electromagnetic radiation on the refractory body. 
         [0009]    Another attempt at photolytically dissociating water is described by Pyle in U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,594 specifically as a photo separatory nozzle. Pyle describes the preferred apparatus as comprising a reflective dish that focuses solar energy, or electromagnetic radiation, upon a focal point with a concentration ratio of about or greater than 2000:1. Such is necessary to achieve the requisite temperatures to dissociate water into its constituent elements. Pyle discloses the use of a ceramic orifice, through which super-heated steam is forced, to pass over the refractory material that is the focal point of the solar energy. The sudden expansion and concomitant drop in pressure serves to retard recombination so that the lighter constituent gases, namely hydrogen, may be separated from the heavier, such as oxygen and gaseous water. 
         [0010]    These electromagnetic dependent inventions suffer from the inherent limitations of all inventions dependent upon the use of the Sun as the electromagnetic radiation generator. This dependence results in decreased capabilities because most parts of the Earth have access to the Sun&#39;s radiation for no more than half of the day. If the device were moved to polar regions, efficiency would be decreased because of the Sun&#39;s radiation having to travel through more of the Earth&#39;s atmosphere. Also, efficiency or reflection would decrease throughout time of operation as the mirrors&#39; surfaces become soiled. 
         [0011]    Another method of dissociating water into hydrogen and oxygen has been disclosed by Lee in U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,893 B2. Lee discloses the well-known thermolytic disassociation of water, but provides semi-permeable membranes to drive the equilibrium of the reaction to the products, namely hydrogen and oxygen. Lee teaches that at about 1600° C., the concentrations of hydrogen and oxygen are 0.1 and 0.042%, respectively. By removing both the produced hydrogen and oxygen, the equilibrium of the disassociation reaction is driven to reactants and the disassociation can take place at lower temperatures. Lee prefers temperatures at least as high as 700° C., but preferably around 1500-1600° C., as determined by economics and engineering. Unfortunately for Lee, the economics of providing such high temperatures as required by the disassociation needs of water have traditionally limited the commercial viability thermolytic disassociation processes. 
         [0012]    Others have addressed such limitations of thermolytic disassociation such as Vialaron as discussed above. Heller, U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,329, attempts to utilize a different approach: supplying energy to the water to be dissociated through use of ionization and magnetic fields. Heller discloses a device and method to dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen that provides a P—N semiconductor system to ionize a stream of flowing steam. The device then heats the steam, through traditional methods, and accelerates the steam using a sweeping magnetic field, which results in molecular speeds of about 16,000 feet/second. The steam is subjected to increasing kinetic energy until it obtains an equivalent energy of about 13.5 electron-volts, at which point the steam dissociates. The dissociated gas is then passed through a porous platinum plug, which serves as a catalyst, to impart the accumulated kinetic energy to the resultant stable forms of hydrogen and oxygen. This invention suffers from the same problem of supplying heat to the water despite compensating by accelerating the steam flow through the use of the magnetic field. Heat generation is generally inefficient and dependent upon nonrenewable sources like fossil fuels. 
         [0013]    Others have attempted to circumvent such heating inefficiencies by supplementing the addition of heat with chemical reactions, such as Baldwin, U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,862 B2. Baldwin describes a method of thermochemically dissociating water. Baldwin prefers the use of an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and a disassociation-initiating material such as metallic aluminum. It is thought that the sodium hydroxide solution contacts the metallic aluminum and releases hydrogen from water through a reduction-oxidation reaction. The free hydrogen is then extracted by processes well-known in the art. This invention suffers from a deficiency not present in the currently disclosed invention in that the process reaction will result in the using up of the sodium hydroxide solution and the metallic aluminum. This will result in increasing reaction inefficiencies throughout time and require the replenishment of these materials, which will increase overall hydrogen production costs. Also, a deterrent to use of thermochemical processes is the creation of toxic or dangerous materials upon degradation of the catalyst, which raises both health and economic concerns. Such is the failure of thermochemical disassociation of water. 
         [0014]    Another innovative attempt at dissociating water is disclosed in Leach, U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,345. Leach teaches the use of heat exchangers, taking advantage of heat that would otherwise be wasted, to dissociate the water into hydrogen and oxygen. However, waste heat from normal chemical and industrial processes is insufficient to dissociate water by itself. Leach overcomes this limitation by the addition of a chemical process much as described above in Baldwin. Leach uses a different metallic catalyst, manganese oxide, but results in the same sequestration of oxygen. This technique suffers from the same deficiencies as Baldwin in that the manganese oxide will be used up and will require replenishment. In addition to the metallic catalyst, Leach teaches the use of a host and sensitizer material, such as a compound of calcium, tungsten, and neodymium, which emits coherent, monochromatic radiation at an absorption band of water, thus imparting energy to the molecule. Leach teaches a different technique for fully dissociating water. The Leach apparatus and method applies very high intensity infrared radiation to steam produced from a series of heat exchangers to excite the polar, covalent bonds of the already energetic water molecules. This further excitation results in the disassociation of the steam water to hydrogen and oxygen. A resonant cavity and high pass filtering film arrangement may be employed to shift the very high intensity infrared radiation into the ultraviolet frequency range to further excite the water molecules. The Leach patent fails in general commercial viability in that it requires a source of heat sufficient to transform water into steam outside of the disclosed techniques. The conservation of heat aspect of the Leach patent is impressive but is inappropriate for the uses of the currently-disclosed invention. 
         [0015]    A non-hydrogen producing invention, but one that is still within the art, is disclosed by Kim, U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,725 B1. Kim discloses a heat generating apparatus, for use in commercial heating, that utilizes the cyclic combustion of Brown gas. Kim discloses that Brown gas is a gas generated in the electrolytic structures of oxyhdrogen gas generators as in Korea Utility Model Registration No. 117445, Korean Industrial Design Registration Nos. 193034, 193035, 19384266, and 191184, and Japan Utility Model Registration No. 3037633. This invention, through its dependency upon an electrolytically produced fuel, suffers from the inefficiencies associate with such fuel production as discussed above. Brown gas is disclosed as a mixture of gas that includes atomic hydrogen and oxygen dissociated from water. The Kim patent supplies ignited Brown gas to a semi-sealed combustion chamber, which has only an exhaust port. The ignited Brown gas heats the chamber to over 1000° C. through the disassociation process and teaches that the dissociated gas then recombines to water. The gaseous water is then dissociated again by the infrared rays radiated from the heated chamber walls. This patent utilizes the cyclic nature of dissociated water but fails to disclose recognize the importance of such a reaction. This patent also fails to produce mechanical work from the heat that is generated. 
         [0016]    The current invention is superior to and distinct from the above-disclosed inventions in several ways. The current invention can use a conventional counter-current flow heat exchanger to transfer the heat associated with the disassociation and recombination of water in order to produce steam, which has many well-known, workable uses. The current invention also produces a gaseous mixture that can be used to drive a standard hydrogen fuel cell. The invention herein disclosed also produces a stable, circular, surface reaction from an abundantly available source, namely water, which can produce both usable hydrogen and oxygen and usable energy for work. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The current invention relates to an apparatus and method for dissociating water producing a resultant gaseous mixture composed of monatomic hydrogen (H + ), monatomic oxygen (O 2− ), diatomic hydrogen (H 2 ), diatomic oxygen (O 2 ), hydroxyl (OH − ), and water (H 2 O) and energy using ultra-high temperature cyclic thermal disassociation. Use of the apparatus may begin by igniting an initial mixture of dissociated water and aiming the stream produced at a target material within a reactor tube. The flow of the gaseous mixture entering the reactor tube is controlled by a valve, which also serves to control the temperature of the reaction. The initial mixture of dissociated water will have a greater concentration of monatomic hydrogen and monatomic oxygen and is produced by any of the well-known methods in the art. An arc or laser can be used to ignite the stream of gaseous mixture into a plasma-like state. The arc or laser may be maintained throughout the process, which increases the overall efficiency of production of the resultant gaseous mixture and energy, or the arc or laser may be ceased while still producing the resultant gaseous mixture and energy. 
         [0018]    The stream of the gaseous mixture is directed through a reactor tube at a target material creating a reaction area at the surface of the target material. The target material preferably has a high refractory index, a demonstrated ability to resist the containment of heat, a molecular structure susceptible to the absorption of monatomic hydrogen, and a porous structure. Target materials with the desired and demonstrated qualities include aluminum silicate, platinum group metals, and graphite foam. The target material can be placed as a block within the reactor tube or can line the reactor tube. 
         [0019]    The efficiency of the system is dependent upon the surface area of the target material because the observed phenomenon occurs about the surface of the target material. The tube configuration is the least efficient, while the U-shaped and W-shaped configurations are intermediately efficient, and while the six-pointed star configuration is yet more efficient. More efficiency can be obtained by decreasingly tapering the area through which the ignited plasma-like gaseous mixture flows from the entrance to the exit of the reactor tube as the ignited gaseous mixture travels down the length of the reactor tube. 
         [0020]    It is thought that the monatomic hydrogen reacts with the target material, or gets trapped by the target material, and creates a region of increased positive charge. This, in turn, causes the congregation of the negatively-charged monatomic oxygen atoms. The congregation of negatively-charged monatomic oxygen results in the increased strength of the negatively-charged area, which overpowers the monatomic hydrogen&#39;s affinity for the target material such that the monatomic hydrogen and monatomic oxygen recombine to form water. Upon recombination, there is a concomitant production of energy. It is believed that the energy produced from the recombination excites the water created from a neighboring reaction and dissociates that molecule to result in monatomic hydrogen and monatomic oxygen. The resultant monatomic hydrogen and monatomic oxygen are then free to repeat the process of separation, charge congregation, and recombination to water; or, they are free to flow out of the reactor tube. 
         [0021]    Once out of the reactor tube, the resultant mixture of dissociated gas can be used again in several configurations. It is preferred that the resultant dissociated gaseous mixture be passed through a flashback arrestor so as to both quench cool and dehydrate the product stream as well as prevent flashback and cessation of the reaction cycle. The dissociated gas mixture retains a sufficiently high concentration of hydrogen ions so that it may be used in a standard hydrogen fuel cell. The resultant gaseous mixture can also be used exclusively or in conjunction with hydrocarbon fuels as a fuel additive to run a standard internal combustion engine. Most importantly, the resultant gaseous mixture of dissociated water can be recycled such that it reenters the reactor tube and proceeds through the cyclic disassociation reaction again until being swept away. Because the resultant gaseous mixture can be recycled to combine with the initial mixture of dissociated water to supply the reactor with reactants, flow of such initial gaseous mixture may be decreased. This recirculation of the resultant gaseous mixture also indicates, and as has been shown, that the mixture can supply a second and third reactor with each reactor&#39;s need of an initial gaseous mixture of dissociated water. These second and third reactors can be arranged, either simultaneously or independently, in series or parallel configurations. 
         [0022]    In order to take advantage of the excess heat generated by the reaction, an industry-standard heat exchanger is placed about the reactor tube. The heat generated by the reactor tube is more than sufficient to produce workable steam from the water supplied to the heat exchanger. One skilled in any art associated with the supplication of heat necessary for a reaction or phase change will recognize the utility of the disclosed invention. Also, the steam provided can be used in any number of devices that require the use of steam to provide work. The steam generated can be used in subsequent heat exchangers to provide heat for any purpose that requires the achievement of temperature change. The above-disclosed series and parallel arrangements of reactors can be designed such that the reactors can be placed in a single heat exchanger body so that the inlet flow of heat exchanger fluid can be increased to provide for increased output of steam. Also, this arrangement allows for more heat to be supplied to chemical reactions to increase the reactivity and drive the reaction to produce more products. The use of the heat exchanger also protects the integrity of the materials used to form the reactor tube from thermal decomposition and degradation. 
         [0023]    Another embodiment of the current invention provides steam to the reactor tube so that the production of hydrogen, oxygen, and the resultant gaseous mixture can be increased. The steam that enters the reactor tube is excited by the heat generated by the reaction such that upon entry it dissociates. The entering, dissociating steam provides more reactants to participate in the cyclic reaction of disassociation, charge congregation, recombination, and subsequent disassociation. However, the available steam must be maintained at a sufficiently low pressure so as to not lower the reaction temperature so much so that the reaction cycle is ceased. The reaction provides enough heat to the heat exchanger to provide both the steam input into the reactor tube to provide more reactants and a product stream of steam to provide work for other independent processes. The input of steam to the reactor tube also increases the output of hydrogen, oxygen, and the resultant gaseous mixture such that the output stream of the reactor tube can provide enough gaseous mixture to be recycled as well as enough to create a product stream of hydrogen and oxygen, which can then be separated into usable hydrogen and oxygen gases using known methods or can be used in hydrogen fuel cells or combustion engines as disclosed above. The introduction of steam to the reactor tube can also provide the lone reactants for the reactor, if maintained at a sufficiently low pressure so as to not cease the reaction, so that the requirement of a recycle stream of resultant dissociated water is no longer necessary; all resultant dissociated water mixture can be diverted as products or serve as initial dissociated gaseous mixture for other reactor tubes. 
         [0024]    The advantages of the current invention overcome the above-described art by providing an efficient, commercially viable, and clean source of energy, hydrogen, and oxygen. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is an isometric left perspective view of the apparatus. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a right cross-sectional view of the apparatus demonstrating tube target material configuration. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a right cross-sectional view of the apparatus illustrating a flow configuration with a recycle stream. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is an isometric left perspective view of the apparatus demonstrating steam inlet tubes. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5   a  is a right cross-sectional view of the apparatus highlighting reactor flow. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5   b  is a right cross sectional view of the apparatus highlighting the heat reactor fluid flow. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is an isometric left perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7   a  is a right cross-sectional view of the invention highlighting reactor flow streams. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7   b  is a right cross-sectional view of the invention highlighting heat exchanger fluid flow. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is an isometric right perspective view of a target material in a U-shaped configuration. 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is an isometric right perspective view of a target material in a W-shaped configuration. 
           [0036]      FIG. 9   a  is an isometric view of the back of a target material in a W-shaped configuration. 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is an isometric right perspective view of target material in 6-point star configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]      FIGS. 1 through 10  depict and illustrate some particular embodiments of a device to produce hydrogen, oxygen, and workable heat from a gaseous mixture of dissociated water. It is contemplated that one skilled in the art will see that the claimed invention can take on additional embodiments not herein described. For example, the current invention is discussed as having only two baffles within the heat exchanger body, but other configurations are heat exchangers are well known and intended to fall within the scope of this claimed invention. 
         [0039]      FIG. 1  specifically illustrates the most basic configuration of the disclosed hydrogen, oxygen, and heat generating apparatus  10 . A generally cylindrical, elongated reactor tube  11 , with inner surface  12 , outer surface  13 , generally flat annular front edge  14 , and generally flat annular back edge surface  15 , is shown encased in generally cylindrical, elongated heat exchanger body  19 . Heat exchanger body  19  is of greater radius than and is arranged concentrically with reactor tube  11  and comprises inner surface  20 , outer surface  21 , generally circular front hole  166 , generally circular back hole  170 , front heat exchanger cap  22 , back heat exchanger cap  23 , and heat exchanger flow connectors  24  and  25 . Heat exchanger caps  22  and  23  are generally flat circular discs containing holes therethrough for the acceptance of reactor tube  11 . Front heat exchanger cap connects to heat exchanger body  19  at front corner  159 . Front heat exchanger cap  22  contacts and connects to outer surface  13  of reactor tube  11  at front corner  157 . Back heat exchanger cap  23  connects to heat exchanger body  19  at back corner  160 . Back heat exchanger cap  23  contacts and connects to outer surface  13  of reactor tube  11  at back corner  158 . Front hole  166  extends through heat exchanger body  19  near front heat exchanger cap  22  while back hole  170  extends through heat exchanger body  19  near back heat exchanger cap  23 . 
         [0040]    A gaseous mixture of dissociated water is directed through the entry of reactor tube  11  as defined by inner surface  12  and bound by front edge surface  14 . Generally cylindrical left ignition tube  16  and generally cylindrical right ignition tube  17  are attached to reactor tube  11  and allow for an ignition source to be provided across reactor tube  11  so as to ignite the gaseous mixture of dissociated water. Left ignition tube  16  is attached to reactor tube  11  about generally circular hole  31  at corner  161 . Right ignition tube  17  is attached to reactor tube  11  about generally circular hole  32  at corner  162 . Holes  31  and  32  in reactor tube  11  provide access to the gaseous mixture of dissociated water. Once ignited, the stream is directed at a target material  18 , shown here in a U-shaped configuration as a generally elongated rectangular prism. Target material  18  can take on other configurations as shown in  FIG. 2  as target material  33  in generally cylindrical, elongated tube configuration. Target material is constructed of a material with a high refractory index, high heat capacity, a porous structure, and the ability to absorb monatomic hydrogen. Functional materials have been found to include aluminum silicate, platinum group metals, and graphite foam. Target material  18  of  FIG. 1  is simply placed within reactor tube  11  so that the ignited stream of dissociated water may pass over it. 
         [0041]    Target material  18  absorbs monatomic hydrogen from the ignited gaseous mixture of dissociated water stream in such a quantity to build localized regions of positive charge. This polarization of target material  18  attracts monatomic oxygen to congregate about the surface of target material  18 . The monatomic oxygen builds an area of negative charge about target material  18  until the charge is strong enough to pull the monatomic hydrogen from target material  18 , and the monatomic hydrogen and monatomic oxygen condense to form water molecules. The condensation to water molecules releases energy which can be absorbed by neighboring molecules or be transferred to reactor tube  11 , through inner surface  12  and outer surface  13 , to heat fluid contained in heat exchanger body  19 . The dissociated water molecules are thought to generally participate in the following cyclic reaction: 
         [0000]      2H − +O 2− →H 2 O+heat 
         [0000]      H 2 O+heat→2H − +O 2−   
         [0042]    Target material  18  provides the opportunity for the charged elements to separate and congregate charge. In words, the dissociated water contacts target material  18 , then the monatomic hydrogen congregates on or in target material  18  and creates a region of positive charge. Monatomic oxygen congregates about the surface of target material  18  to create a region of negative charge. The strengths of the separated regions of charge increase such that they overcome the monatomic hydrogen&#39;s affinity for target material  18  to result in recombination of the monatomic hydrogen and monatomic oxygen to condense into water molecules, thereby releasing energy. The energy then contributes to the disassociation of the resultant water molecules, which can then repeat the cycle of charge congregation, recombination, energy release, and disassociation. The gaseous mixture can continue to travel the length of reactor tube  11  to the exit of reactor tube  11  as defined by inner surface  12  and bounded by back edge surface  15 . 
         [0043]    Continuing in  FIG. 1 , heat exchanger body  19  is configured about reactor tube  11  so as to pass fluid over outer surface  13  of reactor tube  11  while being bound by inner surface  20  of heat exchanger body  19 , generally circular front hole  166 , generally circular back hole  170 , front heat exchanger cap  22 , and back heat exchanger cap  23 . The heat generated by the reaction within reactor tube  11  passes through inner surface  12  and outer surface  13  to be transferred to the fluid passing through heat exchanger body  19 . Heat exchanger body  19  is constructed with inner surface  20 , outer surface  21 , front heat exchanger cap  22 , and back heat exchanger cap  23 . Heat exchanger fluid flows through both front heat exchanger flow connector  24  and back heat exchanger flow connector  25 . Both flow connector  24  and flow connector  25  are generally cylindrical elongated tubes. Flow connector  24  comprises outer edge  163 , which connects to a flow inlet stream (not shown), and inner edge  164 , which connects to heat exchanger body  19  about hole  166  at corner  165 . Flow connector  25  comprises outer edge  167 , which connects to a fluid outlet (not shown), and inner edge  168 , which connects to heat exchanger body  19  about hole  170  at corner  169 . Within heat exchanger body  19  and about reactor tube  11  are baffles  26  and  27 . Baffles  26  and  27  are generally flat and semi-circular and extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of generally elongated cylindrical concentric heat exchanger tube  19  and reactor tube  11 . More specifically, front baffle  26  extends from and contacts inner surface  20  of heat exchanger body  19  at connection  171 . Front baffle  26  extends to contact outer surface  13  of reactor tube  11  at connection  172 . Front baffle extends beyond reactor tube  11  so as to drive the fluid within completely about reactor tube  11 . Back baffle  27  extends from and contacts inner surface  20  of heat exchanger body  19  at connection  173 . Back baffle  27  extends to contact outer surface  13  of reactor tube  11  at connection  174 . Back baffle extends beyond reactor tube  11  so as to drive the fluid within completely about reactor tube  11 . The heat exchanger&#39;s fluid&#39;s path is directed by inner surface  20  and heat exchanger baffles  26  and  27 , and bounded by heat exchanger caps  22  and  23 . 
         [0044]    The heat exchanger&#39;s fluid&#39;s flow may be concurrent, such that the fluid enters at a lower temperature through front heat exchanger fluid connector  24 , travels the length of reactor tube  11  about baffles  26  and  27 , respectively, and exits through back heat exchanger fluid connector  25  at a higher temperature; or, the heat exchanger&#39;s fluid&#39;s flow may be counter-current such that the fluid enters at a lower temperature through back heat exchanger fluid connector  25 , travels the length of reactor tube  11  about baffles  27  and  26 , respectively, and exits through front heat exchanger fluid connector  24  at a higher temperature. Preferably and as described, the heat exchanger&#39;s fluid flows in a counter-current design so as to increase the efficiency of heat transfer from reactor tube  11  to the heat exchanger fluid. The heat exchanger fluid can be chemical reactants that require heat to increase the efficiency of the reaction or can be water to accomplish the phase transition to steam. Also, hydrogen, oxygen, and heat generating apparatus  10  can be utilized for any of the traditional uses of previously-known heat exchangers. 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  most effectively demonstrates target material  33 &#39;s tube configuration as well as provides a two-dimensional cross-sectional view of hydrogen, oxygen, and heat generating apparatus  10 . The embodiment in  FIG. 2  is the generally the same as described above, but that target material  33  is used. More specifically, generally cylindrical elongated reactor tube  11  extends concentrically through generally cylindrical elongated tube heat exchanger body  19  with front heat exchanger cap  22 , back heat exchanger cap  23 , front baffle  26 , back baffle  27 , front fluid connector  24  and back fluid connector  25 . Reactor tube  11  extends through and connects to front heat exchanger cap  22  and back heat exchanger cap  23 . Heat exchanger fluid flows counter-currently through heat exchanger body  19 , bound by inner surface  20  and directed about outer surface  13  of reactor tube  11  by baffles  27  and  26 , entering through fluid connector  25  and exiting from fluid connector  24 . 
         [0046]    Target material  33  comprises a generally cylindrical elongated tube with inner surface  175 , outer surface  176 , front edge  177 , and back lip  178 . Back lip  178  of target material  33  comprises outer edge  179 , front surface  180 , and back surface  181 . Target material  33  extends through and contacts inner surface  12  of reactor tube  11  with outer surface  176 . Target material  33  extends from a location in reactor tube  11  posterior to the location of holes  31  and  32  (not shown) out the exit of reactor tube  11  as defined by inner surface  12  and bound by generally flat, annular back edge  15 . Back lip  178  extends radially outward such that front surface  180  of back lip  178 , extending generally perpendicularly from outer surface  176  to outer edge  179 , contacts back edge  15  of reactor tube  11 . A gaseous mixture of dissociated water enters generally cylindrical elongated reactor tube  11 , which is lined by target material  33 , through the entrance to reactor tube  11  as defined by inner surface  12  and bound by front edge  14  of reactor tube  11 . Generally circular hole  31  extends through reactor tube  11  to allow for an ignition device to ignite the stream of gaseous mixture of dissociated water. In this figure, hole  31  is associated with left ignition tube  16 , which cannot be seen. An arc, laser, or other ignition device is allowed access to ignite the stream of gaseous mixture of dissociated water through holes  31  and  32  (not shown). The ignited mixture is directed down the center of target material  33  and reactor tube  11 . The cyclic reactions of charge congregation, recombination and condensation, energy release, and re-disassociation take place throughout the length of target material  33 , at target material surface  175 , and reactor tube  11 , but have been found to be more prominent at node points along the length of inner surface  175  of target material  33 . For example, through thermal imaging, it has been shown that for a ½ inch diameter reactor tube  11  and a flow rate of 2 liters per minute, the reaction is strongest at 1.5 inch increments down the length of reactor tube  11 .  FIG. 2  also clearly shows a two-dimensional representation of the path of the heat exchanger fluid through heat exchanger fluid connector  25 , about outer surface  13  of reactor tube  11 , about baffles  27  and  26 , respectively, and exiting out of heat exchanger fluid connector  24 . More specifically, fluid enters connecter  25  at outer edge  167  and flows through to inner edge  168 , entering heat exchanger body  19 . Once inside, the fluid travels past reactor tube  11 , bounded by back heat exchanger cap  23  and baffle  27 . The fluid then takes a u-turn towards front heat exchanger cap  22  about baffle  27 , due to the boundary of inner surface  20  of heat exchanger body  19 , so as to pass over outer surface  13  of reactor tube  11  for a second time. The fluid completely passes over outer surface  13  of reator tube  11  to take another forward u-turn toward front heat exchanger cap  22  about baffle  26 , due again to the boundary of inner surface  20  of heat exchanger body  19 . The fluid then completely passes over outer surface  13  of reactor tube  11  for a third time to exit heat exchanger body  19  through hole  166 . The fluid finally flows out through connector  24  from inner edge  164  to outer edge  163 . Throughout the three passes of the heat exchanger fluid about the outer surface  13  of reactor tube  11 , heat is transferred from reactor tube  11  to the heat exchanger fluid throughout the length of reactor tube  11 . Again, inner surface  20  of heat exchanger body  19  and front and back heat exchanger caps  22  and  23 , respectively, bound the heat exchanger fluid flow. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  discloses and defines useful streams associated with hydrogen, oxygen, and heat generating apparatus  10  with resultant gaseous mixture of dissociated water recycle stream  38 . For purposes of example, reactor tube  11  contains target material  33  in generally cylindrical elongated tube configuration. Reactor input stream I  34  combines with reactor recycle stream  38 , before entering reactor tube  11  through the entrance defined by inner surface  12  and bound by front edge  14 , to form reactor input stream II  35 . Reactor recycle stream  38 &#39;s flow rate can be equal to zero such that the only source of reactants is reactor input stream I  34 . Reactor input streams I and II,  34  and  35 , respectively, and reactor recycle stream  38  are composed of a gaseous mixture of dissociated water containing mostly monatomic hydrogen and monatomic oxygen. Reactor input stream II  35  is ignited by an arc or laser through holes  31  and  32  (not shown) in reactor tube  11  and directed down the center of reactor tube  11  and target material  33 . Reactor output stream  36  can be split, after exiting reactor tube  11  and back lip  178  of target material  33  and preferably flowing through a flashback arrestor (not shown), into reactor product stream  37  and reactor recycle stream  38 , all of which generally have the same composition of monatomic hydrogen, monatomic oxygen, and associated gasses. Reactor output stream  36  will generally have a higher water content than the other streams such that it is preferable to flow reactor output stream  36  through a flashback arrestor to remove such water molecules. Reactor product stream  37 &#39;s flow rate can be decreased so that at least a portion of reactor output stream  36  is recycled through reactor recycle stream  38 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 4  discloses and illustrates the addition of generally cylindrical elongated steam inlet tubes to reactor tube  11 . Steam inlet tubes  41  and  42  introduce steam to reactor tube  11  at locations determined as the specific nodes of maximum reaction, dependent upon inlet flow rate of the dissociated gaseous mixture. The specific locations of the nodes can be easily observed using infrared heat detection technology of common knowledge. Specifically, First steam inlet tube  41  introduces steam to reactor tube  11  at a distance between the entrance to reactor tube  11  as defined by inner surface  12  and bound by front edge  14  and the front baffle  26 . Second steam inlet tube  42  introduces steam to reactor tube  11  at a distance between front baffle  26  and back baffle  27 . First steam inlet tube  41  extends from outer edge  182  to inner edge  183 . First steam inlet tube  41  extends through and contacts the edge of hole  43  in heat exchanger body  19  at connection  184 . First steam inlet tube  41  continues through the heat exchanger fluid to hole  45  in reactor tube  11  and inner edge  183  contacts reactor tube  11  about hole  45  at connection  185 . Second steam inlet tube  42  extends from outer edge  186  to inner edge  187 . Second steam inlet tube  42  extends through and contacts hole  44  in heat exchanger body  19  at connection  188 . Second steam inlet tube  42  continues through the heat exchanger fluid to hole  46  in reactor tube  11 , and inner edge  187  contacts reactor tube  11  about hole  46  at connection  189 . Target materials  58  and  59  are placed, in U-shaped configuration, to accept steam flowing through steam inlet tubes  41  and  42 , respectively. Such placement of target materials  58  and  59  in reactor tube  11 , such that target materials  58  and  59  are placed directly over holes  45  and  46 , respectively, require that holes must be bored through each target material so as to provide a path through target materials  58  and  59  for the provided steam. The same can be accomplished by moving the placements of target materials  58  and  59  forward or backward so that the incoming steam has direct access to the ignited flow of the incoming gaseous mixture dissociated water. Or, the same may be accomplished by placing the U-shaped target materials opposite the incoming steam so as to accept the incoming steam in the channel defined within the U-shaped configuration, i.e. where the reaction is taking place on the inside surface of the U-shape. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  discloses and demonstrates two substantial elements of the claimed invention. First, the combustion and recombination of water into a dissociated gaseous mixture back into water is a cyclic reaction that can take place at several locations within one reactor tube  11 . Here, target material  58  and target material  59  are illustrated and provide more surface area for the cyclic reactions to take place, resulting in increased heat generation. The addition of multiple target materials in a U-shaped configuration lead to the design of target material  33  in tube configuration to line reactor tube  11  of  FIG. 2  and results in increased heat generation. The increased heat generation will cause more heat to be transferred to the fluid flowing through heat exchanger body  19 , about baffles  26  and  27 . Thus, if hydrogen, oxygen, and heat generating apparatus  10  is set up to impart heat to water to change the water to steam, the input flow rate through either front heat exchanger flow tube  24  or back heat exchanger flow tube  25  can be increased so as to turn more water into steam and thereby produce more energy to accomplish more work.  FIG. 4  only discloses two locations for steam inlet and target material placement, but fewer locations are possible as disclosed above and more locations can be added to increase heat production and possible work. 
         [0050]    Second,  FIG. 4  discloses and illustrates the addition of steam to reactor tube  11 . Two locations are shown, but again, fewer or more locations are possible. The import of the introduction of steam can be more easily understood in examining  FIGS. 4 ,  5   a , and  5   b  in conjunction. Referring to  FIG. 5   a , reactor input stream I  34  combines with reactor recycle stream  38 , before entrance into reactor tube  11 , to form reactor input stream II  35 . The composition of each of streams  34 ,  38 , and  35  is generally the same and is a gaseous mixture of dissociated water containing almost exclusively monatomic hydrogen and monatonic oxygen. Reactor input stream II  35  enters reactor tube  11  through an entry as defined by inner surface  12  and bound by front edge surface  14 . An arc or laser is activated between holes  31  and  32  in reactor tube  11 , through left ignition tube  16  and right ignition tube  17  (not shown), respectively, so as to ignite the flowing gaseous mixture of dissociate water from reactor input stream II  35 . Ignited reactant flow stream  52  is directed at target material  58  (shown in  FIG. 4 ), which begins the cyclic reaction disclosed above. However, during the condensation step of the cyclic reaction, there is a concomitant pressure drop that allows steam flow stream  53  to be drawn through steam inlet tube  41  to increase the reaction production by providing more water molecules to participate in the cyclic reaction process. Ignited reactant flow stream  52  combines with steam flow stream I  53  at target material  58 . Upon entry of steam flow stream I  53  to reactor tube  11 , the steam molecules are immediately dissociated because of the available energy from the cyclic reaction process. Reactant flow stream II  54  is composed of a gaseous mixture of dissociated water, just as streams  34 ,  35 ,  38 , and  52 , but has an increased flow rate because of the addition of steam from steam input stream I  53  through first steam inlet tube  41  results in an increase of moles of the gaseous mixture of dissociated water. The above-described process is repeated at the location of target material  59  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and second steam inlet tube  42 . Second steam inlet tube  42  extends through hole  44  in heat exchanger body  19  to hole  46  in reactor tube  11 . Steam flow stream II  55  enters reactor tube  11  at target material  59  to combine with reactant flow stream II  54 . Reactant flow stream II  54 &#39;s cyclic reaction with target material  59  decreases the pressure within the area about target material  59  within reactor tube  11 , thereby pulling into reactor tube  11  steam flow stream II  55 . Steam flow stream II  55  provides more water molecules to dissociate, congregate charges, recombine and condense, release energy, and redissociate. Reactor product flow stream  56  has an increased flow rate, just as reactant flow stream II  54 , due to the increase of water for disassociation. Reactor product flow stream  56  then exits reactor tube  11  as reactor output stream  36 , both having the same composition of dissociated water containing mostly monatomic hydrogen and monatomic oxygen. It is preferred that reactor output stream  36  be sent to a flash back arrestor (not shown) before any secondary uses. The flash back arrestor decreases the amount of liquid water and water vapor dissolved in the gaseous mixture, quench cools the products, and prevents flashback, which would end the reaction cycle. 
         [0051]    Just as described above with  FIG. 3 , reactor output stream  36  of  FIG. 5   a  can be split into reactor product stream  37  and reactor recycle stream  38 , both having the same composition of dissociated water containing mostly monatomic hydrogen and monatomic oxygen. However, as shown in  FIG. 5   a , the setup can be changed slightly because of the addition of steam through first and second steam inlet tubes  41  and  42 , respectively. The temperatures achieved in reactor tube  11  are sufficient to maintain the cyclic reaction and drawing of steam flow stream I  53  and steam flow stream II  55 , thereby providing new reactants in the form of steam. This addition of steam to reactor tube  11  through steam inlet tubes  41  and  42  theoretically allows for the flow rates of reactor recycle stream  38  and reactor input stream I  34  to both be set to zero while maintaining the cyclic reaction within reactor tube  11 . Thus, the only input to reactor tube  11  may be that steam as introduced through steam inlet tubes  41  and  42 . However, it has been demonstrated that steam may be produced and used in the reaction cycle and that the reactor products can obtain secondary uses. The maintenance of the cyclic reaction results in the continued generation of a gaseous mixture of dissociated water through reactor product stream  37  and generation of heat to be transferred to the heat exchanger fluid flowing through heat exchanger body  19  about baffles  26  and  27 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 5   b  discloses and highlights another novel feature of the present invention. Heat exchanger flow  57  is set up in classic counter-current design through heat exchanger body  19  about baffles  27  and  26 , respectively. Heat exchanger input stream  39  enters heat exchanger body  19  through back heat exchanger flow tube  25 . When arranged as in  FIG. 5   b , heat exchanger input stream  39  is liquid water. Upon entrance to heat exchanger body  19 , input stream  39  becomes heat exchanger flow  57 . Heat exchanger flow  57 , initially liquid water, flows through heat exchanger body  19  about outer surface  13  of reactor tube  11  around baffles  27  and  26 , respectively. Heat exchanger flow  57  absorbs heat generated by the cyclic reaction within reactor tube  11  and effects a phase transition to become water vapor and is such upon exiting front heat exchanger flow tube  24 . Upon exit, heat exchanger flow  57  becomes heat exchanger output stream  40  and is now water vapor. Heat exchanger output stream  40  contains sufficient steam to supply both heat exchanger product stream  47  and heat exchanger recycle stream I  48 . Heat exchanger product stream  47  can be used for any of the well-known uses for steam, such as operating a turbine. Heat exchanger recycle stream I  48  provides the steam used as input to reactor tube  11 , through first and second steam inlet tubes  41  and  42 , respectively, to result in the increased production of hydrogen, oxygen, and heat as discussed above. Steam input stream I  51  is drawn from heat exchanger recycle stream I  48  by the decrease in pressure associated with the cyclic reaction about target material  58 . Heat exchanger recycle stream II  50  will have a decreased volume equal to that drawn by steam input stream I  51 . Steam input stream II  49 , which supplies steam to the cyclic reaction about target material  59 , draws its necessary steam from heat exchanger recycle stream II  50 . Currently, steam pressure must be low such that too much steam is not forced into reactor tube  11  so as to drive down the reactor temperature thereby ceasing the reaction. 
         [0053]    The above disclosure results in the possibility to run hydrogen, oxygen, and heat generating device  10 , after supplying and igniting an initial quantity of gaseous mixture of dissociated water, with reactor input stream I  34  and reactor recycle stream  38 &#39;s flow rates both being set equal to zero, and only operate on input of steam to reactor tube  11 . In this configuration, dissociated water will be produced and drawn off in reactor product stream  37  through only the supplying of liquid water in heat exchanger input stream  39 . Also, enough steam is produced in heat exchanger body  19  to draw off product steam through heat exchanger product stream  47  while supplying the necessary steam through heat exchanger recycle stream I  48 . 
         [0054]    Efficiency of the reaction is determined by the amount of available surface area on which the reaction may take place. The most simple and least efficient configuration of target material is an elongated rectangular prism. Another configuration, and more efficient, is the elongated cylindrical target material of  FIG. 2 . However, more efficient and more preferable target material designs will now be described. Referring to  FIG. 8 , a more efficient U-shaped configuration is illustrated. The target material is an elongated ‘U’ with square corners. Front surface  201  of U-shaped target material  200  is a generally vertical, flat ‘U’ shape such that the vertical thickness varies throughout the width of U-shaped target material  200  and that outer heights  202  and  203  are of greater vertical span than center height  204  of U-shaped target material  200 . Horizontal wall edges  205 ,  206 ,  207 , and  208  are all generally parallel and horizontal. Outer horizontal wall edges  206  and  207  are generally horizontal and parallel with bottom horizontal wall edge  205  and are vertically separated from bottom wall edge  205  by a distance defined by outer heights of  202  and  203 , respectively; central horizontal wall edge  208  is also horizontal and parallel with edge  205  and vertically separated from bottom wall edge  205  by a distance defined by center height  204 , which is less than outer heights  202  and  203 . Also, center height  204  is bound on the left by outer height  202  and bound on the right by outer height  203  so as to be located centrally between both outer heights  202  and  203 . Front surface  201  is also bound by outer vertical edges  209  and  210  and inner vertical edges  211  and  212 . Outer left vertical edge  209  extends vertically from bottom horizontal wall edge  205  to horizontal wall edge  206  along the distance of outer height  202 . Outer right vertical edge  210  extends vertically from bottom horizontal wall edge  205  to horizontal wall edge  207  along the distance of outer height  203 . Inner vertical edge  211  extends vertically between central horizontal wall edge  208  and horizontal wall edge  206 , and extends vertically the distance equal to the difference between the outer vertical height  202  and center height  204 . Inner vertical edge  212  extends vertically between central horizontal wall edge  208  and horizontal wall edge  207 , and extends vertically the distance equal to the difference between the outer height  203  and center height  204 . In summation and starting from the upper most right corner, outer vertical edge  210  extends vertically down for a distance equal to outer height  203  to bottom horizontal edge  205 . Bottom horizontal edge  205  extends horizontally a distance equal to the combined lengths to horizontal edges  207 ,  208 , and  206 , respectively, to outer vertical edge  209 . Outer vertical edge  209  then extends vertically upward the distance equal to outer height  202  to horizontal edge  206 . Horizontal edge  206  extends inwardly to inner vertical edge  211 . Inner vertical edge  211  extends vertically downward a distance equal to the difference between outer height  202  and center height  204  to horizontal edge  208 . Horizontal edge  208  extends to inner vertical edge  212 , which extends vertically and upwardly a distance equal to the difference in outer height  203  and center height  204  to horizontal edge  207 . Horizontal edge extends horizontally outwardly to return to the uppermost right corner of front surface  201 . 
         [0055]    Continuing in  FIG. 8 , the general ‘U’ shape of front surface  201  is extended as if extruded through, along length  213 , into three dimensions, creating outer vertical surfaces  214  and  215 , horizontal bottom surface  216 , horizontal top surfaces  217 ,  218 , and  219 , inner vertical surfaces  220  and  221 , and back surface  222 . All horizontal surfaces  216 ,  217 ,  218 , and  219  are generally parallel, while horizontal top surfaces  217  and  218  are coplanar; and all vertical surfaces  214 ,  215 ,  220 , and  221  are also generally parallel. Horizontal, flat surface  218  connects to and contacts vertical, flat surface  215  along corner  223 , from which vertical surface  215  extends vertically downward to corner  224  and horizontal bottom surface  216 . Horizontal bottom surface  216  extends horizontally to corner  225 , at which horizontal bottom surface  216  contacts and connects to vertical, flat surface  214 . Vertical surface  214  extends vertically and upwardly from corner  225  to corner  226 , where it contacts and connects to horizontal flat surface  217 . Horizontal flat surface  217  extends inwardly and horizontally to corner  227 , where it contacts and connects to vertical, flat surface  220 . Vertical flat surface  220  extends vertically and downwardly to corner  228 , where it contacts and connects to horizontal, flat top surface  219 . Horizontal top surface  219  extends generally horizontally from corner  228  to corner  229 , where horizontal top surface  219  connects to and contacts vertical wall  221 . Generally vertical surface  221  extends vertically and upwardly from corner  229  to corner  230  where it connects to and contacts generally flat horizontal top surface  218 , which then extends horizontally to corner  223 . Generally vertical back surface  222  has the same general shape as vertical front surface  201  as all corners,  223 ,  224 ,  225 ,  226 ,  227 ,  228 ,  229 , and  230  extend in a parallel manner so as to allow the flat surface walls  214 ,  215 ,  216 ,  217 ,  218 ,  219 ,  220 , and  221  to bound generally flat, vertical back surface  222  in the same shape as front surface  201 . 
         [0056]    W-shaped target material configuration is illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 9   a . Generally flat, vertical front surface  271  and generally flat, vertical back surface  272  are both of a general ‘W’ shape and connected by and through generally flat surfaces  273  through  283 . The shape of W-shaped target material  270  is intended to increase the surface area with which the plasma-like ignited gaseous mixture may react. Specifically, the shape of front surface  271  is bound many edges  284  through  294 . Outer vertical edges  284  and  286  are coplanar with and parallel to inner vertical edges  288  and  293 . Bottom horizontal edge  285  is coplanar with and parallel to inner horizontal edges  289  and  292  and upper horizontal edges  287  and  294 . Inner edges  290  and  291  are neither horizontal nor vertical and define the inner peak of the general ‘W’ shape of front surface  271 . The general shape of front surface  271  is such that the vertical extensions of horizontal edges  287  and  294  above bottom horizontal edge  285 , which are equal, are greater than the vertical extensions of inner horizontal edges  289  and  292  above bottom horizontal edge  285 , which are also equal. The extensions of edges  290  and  291  above bottom horizontal edge  285  increase from initial vertical extensions equal to those of inner horizontal edges  289  and  292  to reach a greatest vertical extension above horizontal edge  285  where edges  290  and  291  meet at point  295 , the top, center of front surface  271 . However, the vertical extension of point  295  above bottom edge  285  is less than the vertical extensions of edges  287  and  294  above bottom horizontal edge  285 . 
         [0057]    Remaining in  FIG. 9 , edge  291  bounds front surface  271  and extends from point  295  outwardly and downwardly to inner horizontal edge  292 , which then continues to extend outwardly but horizontally to inner vertical edge  293 . Inner vertical edge  293  extends upwardly and vertically from inner horizontal edge  292  to upper horizontal edge  294 . Upper horizontal edge  294  extends horizontally and outwardly to outer vertical edge  284 , which extends vertically and downwardly to bottom horizontal edge  285 . Bottom horizontal edge  285  then extends inwardly and horizontally, past the center point of front surface  271 , to outer vertical edge  286 . Outer vertical edge  286  then extends vertically and upwardly from bottom horizontal edge  285  to upper horizontal edge  287 , which then extends horizontally and inwardly to inner vertical edge  288 . Inner vertical edge  288  extends vertically and downwardly from upper horizontal edge  287  to inner horizontal edge  289 , which then extends horizontally and inwardly to edge  290 . Edge  290  extends from inner horizontal edge  289  upwardly and inwardly to contact inner edge  291  at point  295 . Thus, the “W” shape of front surface  271  and W-shaped target material configuration  270  is defined. 
         [0058]    The general shape of W-shaped target material configuration  270  is the shape of front surface  271  as if it were extruded through from two to three dimensions a distance defined by the separation between front surface  271  and back surface  272 . Such extension creates surfaces to connect front surface  271  and back surface  272 , which has a generally similar shape as front surface  271 . Generally vertical outer surface  273  extends vertically and downwardly from corner  296  to corner  297 , where it contacts and connects with generally flat and horizontal bottom surface  274 . Bottom surface  274  extends horizontally and inwardly from corner  297  to corner  298  where it contacts and connects to generally vertical outer surface  275 . Outer Surface  275  extends vertically and upwardly from bottom surface  274  and corner  298  to corner  299 , where it contacts and connects to upper horizontal surface  276 . Upper horizontal surface  276  extends inwardly and horizontally to corner  300 , where it meets generally vertical and flat inner surface  277 . Inner surface  277  extends vertically and downwardly from corner  300  to corner  301 , where it contacts and connects to inner horizontal surface  278 . Inner horizontal surface  278  extends inwardly and horizontally to corner  302  where it contacts and connects to inner point surface  279 . Inner point surface  279  extends both inwardly and upwardly from horizontal inner surface  278  to corner  303 , where it meets inner point surface  280 . Inner point surface  280  extends outwardly and downwardly from corner  303  to corner  304  where it contacts and connects to inner horizontal surface  281 . Inner horizontal surface  281  then extends outwardly and horizontally from corner  304  to corner  305 , where it contacts and connects to generally vertical and flat inner surface  282 . Inner surface  282  extends vertically and upwardly from corner  305  to corner  306 , where it contacts and connects to upper horizontal surface  283 . Upper horizontal surface  283  extends outward from corner  306  to corner  296 , where it contacts and connects to vertical outer surface  273 . 
         [0059]    As shown specifically in  FIG. 9   a , the shape of back surface  272  is bound by many edges  307  through  317  and has the same generally shape as that of front surface  271 . Outer vertical edges  272  and  309  are coplanar with and parallel to inner vertical edges  311  and  316 . Bottom horizontal edge  308  is coplanar with and parallel to inner horizontal edges  312  and  315  and upper horizontal edges  310  and  317 . Inner edges  313  and  314  are neither horizontal nor vertical and define the inner peak of the general ‘W’ shape of back surface  272 . The general shape of back surface  272  is such that the vertical extensions of horizontal edges  310  and  317  above bottom horizontal edge  308 , which are equal, are greater than the vertical extensions of inner horizontal edges  312  and  315  above bottom horizontal edge  308 , which are also equal. The extensions of edges  313  and  314  above bottom horizontal edge  308  increase from initial vertical extensions equal to those of inner horizontal edges  312  and  315  to reach a greatest vertical extension above horizontal edge  308  where edges  313  and  314  meet at point  318 , the top, center of back surface  272 . However, the vertical extension of point  318  above bottom edge  308  is less than the vertical extensions of edges  310  and  317  above bottom horizontal edge  308 . 
         [0060]    Remaining in  FIG. 9   a , edge  314  bounds back surface  272  and extends from point  318  outwardly and downwardly to inner horizontal edge  315 , which then continues to extend outwardly but horizontally to inner vertical edge  316 . Inner vertical edge  316  extends upwardly and vertically from inner horizontally edge  315  to upper horizontal edge  317 . Upper horizontal edge  317  extends horizontally and outwardly to outer vertical edge  307 , which extends vertically and downwardly to bottom horizontal edge  308 . Bottom horizontal edge  308  then extends inwardly and horizontally, past the center point of back surface  272 , to outer vertical edge  309 . Outer vertical edge  309  then extends vertically and upwardly from bottom horizontal edge  308  to upper horizontal edge  310 , which then extends horizontally and inwardly to inner vertical edge  311 . Inner vertical edge  311  extends vertically and downwardly from upper horizontal edge  310  to inner horizontal edge  312 , which then extends horizontally and inwardly to edge  313 . Edge  313  extends from inner horizontal edge  312  upwardly and inwardly to contact inner edge  314  at point  318 . 
         [0061]    The most preferred and the expectedly most efficient embodiment of the target material is the star configuration, as shown in  FIG. 10 . Star-configuration target material  231  is generally an elongated cylinder with a star-shaped hole extending centrally through and down the length of the cylinder. The configuration as shown exhibits a star containing six points. The elongated star-shaped passageway and the elongated cylindrical material are concentric. Also, star-configuration target material  231  has both generally flat and vertical front and back surfaces,  232  and  233 , respectively. Both front surface  232  and back surface  233  are generally circular and bounded by and connected to outer cylinder surface  234  at corners  235  and  236 , respectively. Moreover, both front surface  232  and back surface  233  are perpendicular to the central axis of the elongated cylinder such that star-configuration target material  231  is generally an elongated, right cylinder. Outer cylinder surface  234  connects front surface  232  to back surface  233  so as to make one continuous outer surface  234  with corners  235  and  236 . The elongated cylinder is solid but for the star-shape passageway, through which the excited plasma-like gaseous mixture is directed, as defined by inner surfaces  237 ,  238 ,  239 ,  240 ,  241 ,  242 ,  243 ,  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247 , and  248 . Each inner surface  237  through  248  is in itself an elongated rectangle connected to each neighboring rectangle along the long edges so as to form an elongated star shape. Each of the short edges contacts either front surface  232  or back surface  233  so as to produce a star-shaped hole in each. More specifically, the star-shaped hole in front surface  232  is bounded by front short edge  237   a  of inner surface  237  extending from inner point  260  to outer point  249 ; and front short edge  238   a  of inner surface  238  extending from outer point  249  inwardly to inner point  250 . From inner point  250 , front short edge  239   a  of inner surface  239  extends outwardly to outer point  251 ; and front edge  240   a  of inner surface  240  extends inwardly from outer point  251  to inner point  252 . From inner point  252 , front short edge  241   a  of inner surface  241  extends outwardly to outer point  253 ; and front edge  242   a  of inner surface  242  extends inwardly from outer point  253  to inner point  254 . From inner point  254 , front short edge  243   a  of inner surface  243  extends outwardly to outer point  255 ; and front edge  244   a  of inner surface  244  extends inwardly from outer point  255  to inner point  256 . From inner point  256 , front short edge  245   a  of inner surface  245  extends outwardly to outer point  257 ; and front edge  246   a  of inner surface  246  extends inwardly from outer point  257  to inner point  258 . From inner point  258 , front short edge  247   a  of inner surface  247  extends outwardly to outer point  259 ; and front edge  248   a  of inner surface  248  extends inwardly from outer point  259  to inner point  260 . All outer points,  249 ,  251 ,  253 ,  255 ,  257 , and  259 , are closer to corner  235  than they are to the center of surface  232 , and each angle at each point is equal to each other angle at each other outer point. Also, all inner points,  250 ,  252 ,  254 ,  256 ,  258 , and  260 , are closer to the center of surface  232  than they are to corner  235  and each angle at each inner corner is equal to each other angel at each other inner corner. Throughout the length of the cylinder, inner surface  237  extends outwardly toward outer surface  234  to contact inner surface  238  at outer point  249 . Inner surface  238  then extends inwardly toward the center of the elongated cylinder to contact inner surface  239  at inner point  250 . Inner surface  239  then extends outwardly to contact inner surface  240  at outer point  251 . Inner surface  240  extends inwardly to contact inner surface  241  at inner point  252 . Inner surface  241  then extends outwardly to contact inner surface  242  at outer point  253 . Inner surface  242  then extends inwardly to contact inner surface  243  at inner point  254 . Inner surface  243  then extends outwardly to contact inner surface  244  at outer point  255 . Inner surface  244  then extends inwardly to contact inner surface  245  at inner point  256 . Inner surface  245  then extends outwardly to contact inner surface  246  at outer point  257 . Inner surface  246  then extends inwardly to contact inner surface  247  at inner point  258 . Inner surface  247  then extends outwardly to contact inner surface  248  at outer point  259 . Inner surface  248  then extends inwardly to contact inner surface  237  at inner point  260 . At all inner points and outer points,  249  through  260 , inner surfaces  237  through  248  contact both of their two neighbors, one neighbor along each long side of the elongated inner surfaces  237  through  248 , so as to form the star-shaped passageway through which the excited gaseous mixture is directed. 
         [0062]    Continuing in  FIG. 10 , the star-shaped hole in back surface  233  is bounded by all the back short edges,  237   b  through  249   b , of inner surfaces  237  through  249 , and more specifically, back short edge  237   b  of inner surface  237  extending from inner point  260  to outer point  249 ; and back short edge  238   b  of inner surface  238  extending from outer point  249  inwardly to inner point  250 . From inner point  250 , back short edge  239   b  of inner surface  239  extends outwardly to outer point  251 ; and back edge  240   b  of inner surface  240  extends inwardly from outer point  251  to inner point  252 . From inner point  252 , back short edge  241   b  of inner surface  241  extends outwardly to outer point  253 ; and back edge  242   b  of inner surface  242  extends inwardly from outer point  253  to inner point  254 . From inner point  254 , back short edge  243   b  of inner surface  243  extends outwardly to outer point  255 ; and back edge  244   b  of inner surface  244  extends inwardly from outer point  255  to inner point  256 . From inner point  256 , back short edge  245   b  of inner surface  245  extends outwardly to outer point  257 ; and back edge  246   b  of inner surface  246  extends inwardly from outer point  257  to inner point  258 . From inner point  258 , back short edge  247   b  of inner surface  247  extends outwardly to outer point  259 ; and back edge  248   b  of inner surface  248  extends inwardly from outer point  259  to inner point  260 . 
         [0063]    Remaining in  FIG. 10 , the star-configuration target material  231  is illustrated in tube configuration, the length of which may be short or extend the entire length of a reactor tube. However, if any tube configuration target material passes over a steam inlet tube to a reactor, there must be a hole in the target material through which the steam may access the interior of the tube and the ignited stream of gaseous dissociated water, where the reaction is taking place. In  FIG. 10 , such hole is defined by outer edge  261 , inner surface  262 , and inner edge  263 . Outer edge  261  defines an orifice or aperture in outer surface  234  so as to allow steam to pass from a steam inlet tube through target material  231 , past outer edge  261  in outer surface  234 , bound by inner surface  262 , past inner edge  263 , and into the center of star configuration target material  231 , where the reaction is taking place. In this configuration and as shown, outer edge  261  is a generally circular edge in outer surface  234 . Inner surface  262  forms generally an elongated, right cylinder through target material  231  and contacts and connects to outer surface  234  at and about outer edge  261 . Inner surface  262  extends through star configuration target material  231  and contacts and connects to inner surfaces  248 ,  237 ,  238 , and  239  at inner edge  263  so as to complete the aperture through target material  231  and allow for the incoming steam to have access to the ignited gaseous stream of dissociated water. 
         [0064]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , hydrogen, oxygen, and heat generating device  100  is another embodiment of the presently disclosed invention containing three reactor tubes, which can be arranged in series or parallel configuration, enclosed in a single heat exchanger body. The reactor tubes are arranged in this manner so as to increase the production of hydrogen, oxygen, and heat. Reactor tube I  101  with inner surface  102 , outer surface  103 , front surface edge  104 , and back surface edge  105  is centrally located in heat exchanger body  123 . Reactor tube I  101  extends through heat exchanger body  123 , and more specifically, outer surface  103  of reactor tube I  101  connects to and extends through front heat exchanger cap  126  at edge  320 . Reactor tube I  101  also extends through baffles  130  and  131  and outer surface  103  of reactor tube I  101  connects and extends through baffles  130  and  131  through edges  322  and  323  respectively. Reactor tube I  101  extends through back heat exchanger cap  127  and outer edge  103  of reactor tube I  101  connects to and extends through edge  321 . Reactor tube I  101  also contains left and right ignition tubes  106  and  107 , respectively, to provide access for an ignition device to the flowing mixture of dissociated water, connected to reactor tube I  101  about edges  324  and  325 , respectively. Again, the stream is directed at target material  108 , which provides the surface for the cyclic reaction and draws steam through first steam inlet tube  132 , through the entrance to reactor tube I  101  as defined by inner surface  102  and bound by front edge  104  of reactor tube I  101 . It should be noted that, with respect to all reactor tubes, the target material can be presented in a U-shape, W-shape, tube, or six-pointed star configurations, or any other that provides a sufficient surface to maintain the cyclic reaction of disassociation of steam, charge congregation, recombination, energy release, and redisassociation. First steam inlet stream  132  extends through and connects to hole  134  in heat exchanger body  123 , through the heat exchanger fluid into reactor tube I  101  through hole  136  in reactor tube  101 . The reaction takes places as described above with regard to hydrogen, oxygen, and heat generating device  10 .  FIG. 6  depicts a block configuration of target material in which two generic blocks are provided, target materials  108  and  157 . Target material  157  is located so as to accept steam from second steam inlet tube  133 , which extends through and connects to hole  135  in heat exchanger body  123 , through the heat exchanger fluid, into reactor  101  about hole  137 . Again, the above-disclosed reaction takes place about target material  157 , producing more gaseous mixture of dissociated water to exit reactor tube  101  through an exit defined by inner surface  102  and bound by back surface edge  105  of reactor tube  101 . 
         [0065]    Reactor tube II  109  is defined by inner surface  110 , outer surface  111 , front edge surface  112 , and back edge surface  113 . A gaseous mixture of dissociated water enters reactor tube II  109  through an entry defined by inner surface  110  and bound by front edge surface  112 . Reactor tube II  109  extends through heat exchanger body  123  located generally above the position of reactor tube I  101 , and more specifically, outer surface  111  of reactor tube II  109  connects to and extends through front heat exchanger cap  126  at edge  326 . Reactor tube II  109  also extends through baffles  130  and  131  and outer surface  111  of reactor tube II  109  connects and extends through baffles  130  and  131  through edges  328  and  329 , respectively. Reactor tube II  109  extends through back heat exchanger cap  127  and outer edge  1111  of reactor tube II  109  connects to and extends through edge  327 . Reactor tube II  109  also contains left and right ignition tubes  114  and  115 , respectively, to provide access for an ignition device to the flowing mixture of dissociated water, connected to reactor tube II  109  about edges  330  and  331 , respectively.  FIG. 6  does not show steam inlet tubes provided to reactor  11 , but one skilled in the art would readily see that steam could be provided to increase hydrogen, oxygen, and heat production. A gaseous mixture of dissociated water exits reactor tube II  109  through an exit defined by inner surface  111  and bound by back edge surface  113 . 
         [0066]    Hydrogen, oxygen, and heat generating apparatus  100  also contains reactor tube III  116 , located directly below reactor tube I  101 , which is defined by inner surface  117 , outer surface  118 , front edge surface  119 , and back edge surface  120 . A gaseous mixture of dissociated water enters reactor tube III  116  through an entry defined by inner surface  117  and bound by front edge surface  119 . Reactor tube III  116  extends through heat exchanger body  123 , and more specifically, outer surface  118  of reactor tube III  116  connects to and extends through front heat exchanger cap  126  at edge  332 . Reactor tube III  116  also extends through baffles  130  and  131  and outer surface  118  of reactor tube III  116  connects and extends through baffles  130  and  131  through edges  334  and  335 , respectively. Reactor tube III  116  extends through back heat exchanger cap  127  and outer edge  118  of reactor tube III  109  connects to and extends through edge  333 . Reactor tube III  116  also contains left and right ignition tubes  121  and  122 , respectively, to provide access for an ignition device to the flowing mixture of dissociated water, connected to reactor tube III  116  about edges  336  and  337 , respectively. The gaseous mixture of dissociated water is ignited by an arc or laser, which extends across the stream through left and right ignition tubes  121  and  122 , respectively. The ignited stream of dissociated water is directed at target material  159 , at which the cyclic reaction takes place as disclosed above.  FIG. 6  does not show steam inlet tubes provided to reactor III, but one skilled in the art would readily see that steam could also be provided to reactor tube  116  in order to increase hydrogen, oxygen, and heat production. A gaseous mixture of dissociated water exits reactor tube III  116  through an exit defined by inner surface  118  and bound by back edge surface  120 . 
         [0067]    Reactor tube I  101 , reactor tube II  109 , and reactor tube  116  are contained within generally elongated rectangular prism heat exchanger body  123 , with inner surface  124 , outer surface  125 , front heat exchanger cap  126 , and back heat exchanger cap  127 . Heat exchanger body  123  also contains elongated cylindrical front heat exchanger flow tube  128 , located on top of heat exchanger body  123  and nearest the entrances to the reactor tubes, connected to outer surface  125  at edge  338  and about hole  339 , and elongated cylindrical back heat exchanger flow tube  129 , located on bottom of heat exchanger body  123  and nearest the exits of the reactor tubes, connected to outer surface  125  at edge  340  and about hole  341 . Heat exchanger body  123  also contains baffles  130  and  131 , connected to inner surface  124  of heat exchanger body  123  at connections  342  and  343 , respectively. Connection  342  extends about the about the top portions of inner surface  124  so that fluid flow may be directed down over reactor tube II  109 , reactor tube I  101 , and reactor tube  116 , respectively in that order, and flow back up on the other side of baffle  130 . Connection  343  extends about the bottom portions of inner surface  124  so as to direct fluid flow up over reactor tube III  116 , reactor tube I  101 , and reactor tube II  109 , and back down again on the other side of baffle  131 . The fluid flowing through heat exchanger body  123  can be run concurrently or counter-currently with respect to the flow within the reactor tubes. In a counter-current arrangement, heat exchanger fluid would enter heat exchanger body  123  through back heat exchanger flow tube  129 , flow about outer surfaces  103 ,  111 , and  118  of reactor tubes I  101 , II  109 , and III  116 . The heat exchanger fluid would flow about the reactor tubes around baffles  131  and  130 , respectively, all the while absorbing heat from the reactor tubes, until the heat exchanger fluid exits heat exchanger body  123  through front heat exchanger flow tube  128 . Again, the heat exchanger fluid can be any chemical reactants or water transforming from liquid to vapor. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  disclose and illustrate one stream configuration of hydrogen, oxygen, and heat generating device  100 , in which reactor tube I  101  is arranged in series with both reactor tubes II  109  and III  116 , which are arranged in parallel configuration. One skilled in the art would readily realize multiple similar configurations such as a complete series arrangement in which reactor tube I  101  produces reactants for reactor tube II  109  that then produces reactants for reactor tube III  116 . Reactor tube I input stream  138  enters reactor tube I and is ignited to produce reactant flow stream I  139 . Reactant flow stream I  139  is combined with steam from steam input stream I  155  to react as disclosed above about a target material not shown for ease of flow understanding. The steam from steam input stream I  155  immediately dissociates in reactor tube I  101  and participates in the cyclic reaction, in conjunction with reactant flow stream I  139 , about a target material to produce reactant stream II  140 . Reactant stream II  140  then combines with steam, which immediately dissociates, from steam input stream  154  and reacts about the surface of target material, not shown, to produce reactor tube I product flow stream  141 . Reactor tube I product flow stream  141  then exits reactor tube  101  to become reactor tube I product stream  142 , which, after having been passed through a flashback arrestor (not shown), has the same composition and flow rate as reactor tube I product flow stream  141 . In the presented configuration, reactor tube I product stream  142  is split between reactor tube II recycle input stream  143  and reactor tube III input stream  146 , all having the same composition of dissociated water, which contains mostly monatomic hydrogen and monatomic oxygen. 
         [0069]    Reactor tube II recycle input stream  143  then enters reactor tube II  109  and is ignited by an arc or laser to become reactor tube II flow stream  144 . Reactor tube II flow stream  144  then reacts in the manner disclosed above about the surface of a target material not shown for ease of flow understanding. Reactor tube II flow stream  144  then exits reactor tube  109  as reactor tube II product stream  145 , having the same composition of dissociated water as reactor tube II flow stream  144 . In the illustrated configuration, reactor tube II product stream is drawn off as product for use in well-known hydrogen-oxygen separation processes. 
         [0070]    Reactor tube III recycle input stream  146  then enters reactor tube III  116  and is ignited by an arc or laser to become reactor tube I flow stream  147 . Reactor tube III flow stream  147  then reacts in the manner disclosed above about the surface of a target material not shown for ease of flow understanding. Reactor tube III flow stream  147  then exits reactor tube  116  as reactor tube III product stream  148 , having the same composition of dissociated water as reactor tube III flow stream  148 . In the illustrated configuration, reactor tube III product stream is also drawn off as product for use in well-known hydrogen-oxygen separation processes. 
         [0071]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 7   b , which shows the heat exchange production of steam for use in reactor tube I  101 , Heat exchanger input stream  149  enters heat exchanger body  123  through back heat exchanger flow tube  129 . In this configuration, heat exchanger input stream  149  is composed of liquid water. Heat exchanger flow  156  travels about the outer surfaces  103 ,  111 , and  118  of reactor tubes I  101 , II  109 , and III  116 . Heat is transferred from the reactor tubes to heat exchanger flow  156  to accomplish, as here, the phase transition of water to steam; but in other configurations, the heat transfer could drive the thermodynamics of a chemical reaction to increase production of products. Heat exchanger flow  156  continues in counter-current flow around baffles  131  and  131 , respectively, and exits heat exchanger body  123  through front heat exchanger flow tube  128  to become heat exchanger output stream  150 . Here, heat exchanger output stream  150  is composed of water vapor. Heat exchanger output stream  150  can be drawn off as product in heat exchanger product stream  151  or can supply any of the reactor tubes with steam to drive the cyclic reaction about target material. In this configuration, steam is drawn off as product in heat exchanger product stream  151  as well as used to supply reactor tube I  101 . Heat exchanger recycle stream I  152  supplies to reactor tube I  101 , through first steam inlet tube  132 , the flow of which is indicated in  FIG. 7   b  as steam input stream I  155 . Heat exchanger recycle stream II  153 , which is the same as heat exchanger recycle stream I  152  but for decreases associated with steam input stream I  155 , provides reactor tube I  101  with steam through second steam inlet tube  133 , the flow of which is indicated in  FIG. 7   b  by steam input stream II  154 . Because of the steam input to reactor tube I  101 , reactor tube I input stream  138 &#39;s flow rate may be decreased as the amount of steam provided is increased 
         [0072]    Given the above disclosure for hydrogen, oxygen, and heat production, it is expected that those skilled in the art would readily recognize various configurations and uses for the disclosed invention without exceeding the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 2