In this video, Aaron Salter at 1:13 said: "...my system uses sludge from electrolysis..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAFQdYYXyls17:36
"...You found a way... to use this sludge...
- Yes,... this is the holy grail of electrolysis."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M0W7P7-AdQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m388OgdmlOEhttps://patents.google.com/patent/US9863309B2/en?oq=US9863309From Patent US9863309:
The engine system traps sludge generated during hydrolysis in a filter. The sludge is released from the filter by agitation, resulting in a gas containing the sludge which is then used during combustion to improve fuel efficiency.
What Aaron Salter suggested about combustible gas from the sludge in the cell matches some known, though less frequently discussed, phenomena in electrolysis systems:
What can happen:
Sludge buildup in electrolyzers:
Electrolysis of water, especially with salt or other electrolytes, often results in mineral deposits or "sludge" inside the cell - various metal oxides, scale, or chemical residues.
Gas trapped in sludge:
Some porous sludges can trap hydrogen bubbles or slowly release small amounts of hydrogen, especially under partial vacuum conditions such as those created by a pump or engine inlet.
Residual hydrogen storage:
If enough hydrogen is trapped or slowly released from this sludge, it can provide a short-term supply of combustible gas after power to the electrolyzer is turned off, potentially powering a short-distance engine.
"Free" hydrogen from sludge reactions:
Some claims suggest that chemical reactions in sludge can release hydrogen even without direct electrolysis, but this is less scientifically documented and requires caution.
Aaron Salter Jr.'s observation is a clear, real-world insight into how onboard electrolyzers can behave in unexpected ways. It highlights that hydrogen generation systems can have "hidden" gas reserves, perhaps explaining why his vehicle was able to travel several miles even after the power was turned off.
Aaron Salter Jr. lived in Buffalo, New York, so let's look at the typical characteristics of the water he might use in his electrolyzer, especially factors that might affect sludge formation and behavior.
Buffalo's drinking water source is primarily Lake Erie and local groundwater, with the water treated by the Buffalo Water Authority. Water quality reports provide an indication of common minerals and impurities:
Major ions/minerals (typical ranges in mg/L):
Calcium (Ca²⁺): 20–40
Magnesium (Mg²⁺): 5–10
Sodium (Na⁺): 10–30
Potassium (K⁺): <5
Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻): 100–150
Chloride (Cl⁻): 10–30
Sulfate (SO₄²⁻): 10–30
Nitrate (NO₃⁻): <10 (varies with season and location)
Total dissolved solids (TDS): ~100–250 mg/L (relatively soft to moderately hard water)
Metals and impurities:
Iron (Fe): generally low, but some local sources may increase it
Manganese (Mn): trace levels
Silicon (SiO₂): usually present in small amounts
Possibly residual chlorine from disinfection treatment.
Effects of sludge formation in the cell
Calcium and magnesium carbonates:
These can precipitate as scale or sludge, especially under alkaline electrolysis conditions, forming deposits of CaCO₃ and Mg(OH)₂.
Chloride and sulfate ions:
Can contribute to the formation of corrosion products or complex sludge chemistry, potentially creating metal chlorides and sulfates in the deposits.
Trace metals (Fe, Mn):
Even small amounts can accumulate on the electrodes, forming oxide or hydroxide layers that trap gases.
Other possible impurities:
If Aaron used tap water without pre-treatment, residual disinfectants or organic matter could have affected the chemistry of the sludge.
Hypothesis 1: How impurities may contribute to hydrogen accumulation/release
Porous mineral deposits (carbonate and metal oxide sludge) act like a sponge, allowing hydrogen bubbles formed during electrolysis to be trapped and slowly released after power is turned off.
Some compounds, such as metal hydrides, may form temporarily on the electrodes or in the sludge, slowly releasing hydrogen chemically.
These deposits may also alter local pH and conductivity, affecting electrolysis efficiency and byproduct formation.
Aaron Salter likely used tap water from the Buffalo area, which is:
Moderately soft with calcium, magnesium, bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates.
Contains trace metals and dissolved minerals that contribute to the formation of a mixed mineral sludge in its electrolyzer.
It is possible that nanostructured particles with zeolite-like properties can form in the sludge inside a high-power electrolyzer under certain conditions, although direct formation of true zeolites is less common.
Here's why and how:
Zeolites are aluminosilicate minerals with a highly ordered porous structure, often formed hydrothermally in natural or synthetic environments. Their defining feature is a crystalline framework with micropores that can trap gases or ions.
In electrolyzers:
Electrolysis involves strong electric fields, high pH (alkaline conditions), heat, and the continuous splitting of water.
Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, silicon, and aluminum (if present in the electrodes or impurities) can precipitate and reorganize under these conditions.
Complex oxides, hydroxides, and possibly hydrated aluminosilicates can form amorphous or nanostructured porous particles somewhat analogous to zeolites, but usually less ordered.
Nanostructuring and porosity:
Electrochemical environments can create nano- and microscale deposits and sediments with high surface area and porosity.
They can trap gases (e.g., hydrogen bubbles), acting as molecular sieves or sponges.
Even if not ideal zeolites, such materials can have similar adsorption/desorption properties, facilitating the storage and slow release of hydrogen gas.
Aluminum/Silicon Sources:
Aluminum may come from electrode materials, gaskets, or contaminants.
Silicon dioxide may be present in water impurities or glass components.
If present, these elements may promote the formation of aluminosilicate phases.
Supporting Evidence:
Studies in alkaline water electrolysis systems show the formation of layered double hydroxides, oxide nanocrystals, and other complex nanostructures on the electrodes and within the slurry.
Some studies are investigating engineered zeolite coatings or zeolite-derived materials as cell components
(Stanley Meyer coating on tubes)
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Author
Topic: Aaron Salter (Read 5681 times)
