Plasma-assisted engines run more efficiently, cleaner

Voltage applied to the atomized fuel stream prior to combustion generates a plasma in the fuel that breaks down the long chains of hydrocarbons into smaller molecules, allowing a more complete burn.
 

LOS ALAMOS, N.M., USA -- Gasoline, diesel, and turbine engines could soon burn cleaner or be more fuel efficient through the application of Plasma Assisted Combustion, a technology originated and developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and now poised to enter the marketplace.

Los Alamos scientist Louis Rosocha and his team have been working on the technology for about four years, with the goal of making fuel-efficient or cleaner burning engines through more complete combustion.

The technology consists of an electronic device that can be attached to an existing fuel injector that applies electrical voltage to the atomized fuel stream prior to combustion - generating a plasma in the fuel. This effect essentially breaks down the long chains of hydrocarbons in the fuel into smaller parts - allowing the fuel to be burned more completely, resulting in more miles per gallon, or reducing harmful emissions.

"The research was really driven by market needs," said Rosocha. "In 2004, regulations were announced about air pollutants by all vehicles. In the future, air pollutants by vehicles, on- and off-road, are supposed to be more highly regulated. We knew that this was going to create a great opportunity to develop a technology that would supply the demand for cleaner burning vehicles. So, we decided to see if we could do something about it."

With fuel prices at all-time highs, the need for better fuel efficiency is also market driven, but the technology is limited. "The technology does produce cleaner emissions, and can lead to better fuel efficiency, but probably not at the same time," said Rosocha. "Maybe if Mother Nature was super-kind you might get both."

PerriQuest founder and CEO, Nicholas V. Perricone said that his company, which routinely works with the U.S. Government on defense technologies, is dedicated to turning the plasma combustion technology into a commercial product that will improve turbine and internal combustion engines.

The Laboratory has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with PerriQuest Defense Research Enterprises, LLC to advance the technology for commercial refinement and implementation. PerriQuest, based in Meriden, CT, Los Alamos, and Idaho National Laboratory are collaborating on the research and development of Plasma Assisted Combustion, under a licensing agreement with Los Alamos, for turbine and internal combustion engine applications.


About

PerriQuest is dedicated to the creation, development and timely deployment of advanced, cost-effective biological, chemical and electronic technologies that will protect and defend the American public and our military forces from existing and emerging global threats. PerriQuest is focused on aerospace applications, as well as on specific technologies for the military to enhance their war fighting capabilities and effectiveness.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. The Laboratory is operated by a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, BWX Technologies, and Washington Group International for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and global security concerns.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

More information about plasma combustion and its many applications and developments may be found on Igor Matveev's website: PlasmaCombustion.com.  They are sponsoring an international conference on the subject on Sept. 19-21 in Washington, D.C.

SOURCES:

• LANL Press Release; Aug. 29, 2006

• Phone interview with Igor Matveev, President of Applied Plasma Technoloties, Aug. 31, 2006.

Feedback

In Paul Pantone's Shadow

Dear Sterling,

Do you realize the importance of the Los Alamos article on plasma combustion?

This is further validation of GEET technology. Paul has maintained for years that the electrical forces inherent in a GEET device ripped the hydrocarbon chains apart. The presence of the electrical force implies existence of a corresponding magnetic force which is very strong in a GEET device… strong enough to wipe out your credit cards’ magnetic strips.

I refer you to our 1996 article in Exotic Research Report http://www.teslatech.info/ttstore/report/articles/v1n2art/geet.htm

Los Alamos is following in the footsteps of the MIT Plasmatron folks who are also GEET wannabes. Both the Plasmatron and Plasma Combustion rely on external generation of electrical forces. Paul leapfrogged them by allowing natural physical forces generate its own electrical field. Anyone familiar with electrical physics should realize that air rushing over a surface generates an electrical charge. In fact, the latest issue of ExtraOrdinary Technology briefly mentions Alvin Mark’s power fence based on that physical fact! GEET amplifies the fact by increasing “wind speed” in fuel intake via the Bernouli effect (the rod inserted in the middle of the tube!).

We encourage everyone to experiment with GEET on their own. By building the small engine GEET from the FREE plans on our site, they will learn the truth about the physics behind Paul’s work.

Steve Elswick < steve {at} teslatech.info >
Publisher/Editor - ExtraOrdinary Technology
520-463-1994 - http://www.teslatech.info