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Notes regarding the effects on liquids and gases arising from the application of magnets
Ecoflow – Scientific Analysis
Nigel Broderick – founder of ECOFLOW plc.
Petrol, diesel, fuel oil, gas (methane & LPG)
The subject of fuel consumption and more importantly
fuel saving can always be seen as subjective.
However, the following notes are intended to be
objective in content and should be used as such for
guidance.
It must be considered when investigating results
of any combustion process that the nearer the fuel
to air ratio is to the Stoichiometric point the
lesser the change in the combustion process will be.
To take an example, a boiler running at 60%
efficiency leaves considerable room for improvement
whereas it is difficult to quantity the improvement
of a boiler running at 92% efficiency. The same can
be said in vehicle engines. The engine in a new
vehicle will be running at maximum efficiency but of
course over a period of time wear and tear will
leave its mark, resulting in a reduction when
compared to the initial parameters.
Account must be taken of any human input e.g. from
the driver. Fuel saving can only be a result of
increased efficiency and a driver can easily
transfer this greater efficiency to greater
performance, resulting in a very similar fuel
consumption to that obtained before fitting any
device.
Test to be completed on a vehicle engine should
therefore only be conducted on a chassis
dynamometer. Tests to be completed on heating
apparatus work should account not only for fuel used
but also degree days and apparatus work loads. When
Ecoflow first came to the market there was, needless to
say, considerable scepticism. This is now
disappearing as laboratory test from various
countries around the world are supporting the theory
of Ecoflow and the claims for the product.
To ascertain the chemical processes involved when
hydrocarbon fuel is combusted I refer to the
textbook “Engineering Thermodynamics by D.B.
Spalding and B.H Cole, third Edition. The primary
processes involved can be summarized to first order
effects as follows:
“What the exhaust gases actually consist of is hard
to determine and involves the Second Law (of
Thermodynamics) considerations, An approximate rule
however is to assume that, first, all the carbon is
burned to monoxide CO and that thereafter any
remaining oxygen is equally shared between this gas,
oxidising to CO2 and the hydrogen oxidising to H20.
The exhaust gases then comprise CO2, CO, H2O, H2 and
N2 if the fuel is a hydrocarbon.”
This process as described above is for burning fuel
in air at relatively low temperatures: at these
temperatures, a process of disassociation occurs, in
which other molecules and atoms become ionised
sufficiently for them to form compounds, thus
producing the nitrous oxides (NO and NO2) and new
forms of hydrocarbons. These effects are still
second order effects. |
We should first examine the effects
that a strong magnetic field can produce in
materials. This can be grouped into 3 basic classes
of magnetic interaction:
1. Ferromagnetism
2. Paramagnetism
3. Diamagnetism
It is the science of diamagnetism that is used in
chemical process induced by Ecoflow. If a field is
introduced perpendicular to the circular motion of
an electron around the nucleus there will be an
electro-motive force acting on the electron causing
it to precess. With an accelerated spin the
electronic behaviour of the atom is altered,
regardless of the radius of the electron’s orbit,
its stability is reduced and thus the iron’s
affinity for other stable electrons is increased.
 It has been shown experimentally that organic
molecular crystals (including hydrocarbons) are
susceptible to diamagnetism and that the effects can
last for some time after the field has been removed.
To understand this more fully we need to consider
one of the more recent discoveries, that of using
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Electron Spin
Resonance (ESR) spectrometers. The use of these
instruments allows a compound to be examined by
placing it in a strong magnetic field, while a small
radio transmitter is used to create an alternating
electric field in a transverse direction. The effect
of the magnetic field is to distort the electron
orbits along the magnetic plain while the electronic
field causes the atomic nuclei (protons and
neutrons) to alternately flip from one direction of
spin to another. This change in spin creates energy
which can be detected by the spectrometer.
It is not however the frequencies of resonance which
is of significance here but the distortion produced
by the magnetic field that holds the answer as to
why Ecoflow affects the organic hydrocarbons. One
group of molecules in particular have been found to
exhibit peculiar characteristics. These are the
aromatic cyclic compounds such as Benzene, Toluene
and n-Octane, all of which are found in abundance in
fuel oil. These molecules have been shown to be
planar (they are flat) and comprise a ring of carbon
atoms joined together with hydrogen atoms attached
to the outside of the ring.
Let us examine the first of these, Benzene, which
has the formula C6H6. When a strong magnetic field
is passed through a Benzene molecule, the electrons
are drawn to the carbon atoms in the ring; and a
very substantial electric current flows in the ring,
due to the electrons circulating between the
carbons. This in turn (by Lenz’s law) induces an
electric force which opposes the forces attracting
the hydrogen atoms to the carbon, thus weakening
these bonds considerably. Due to normal thermal
action and agitation, molecules collide and these
hydrogen atoms can now be easily broken away from
the main molecule, without their electron which is
circulating round the ring and thus producing free
hyrdrogen radicals (H+). If this process continues,
then carbon atoms are also released.
In time, these radicals will rejoin the hydrocarbons
after the field has been removed, as the fuel
progresses toward the area of combustion. Even so,
there is not much energy around to propel these
radicals toward the larger molecules with sufficient
force to bring them into close contact, i.e.
sufficient to overcome the repelling forces of the
other hydrogen atoms left on the molecule. This
means that recombination occurs at a comparatively
slow rate compared to the dissociation process
caused by the magnetic field. Thus the fuel may
enter the combustion chamber with an increased
number of hydrogen radicals left over from the
magnetisation process.
 This also explains why vibration and turbulence play
such an important in the success of Ecoflow, in that
collisions are more likely to occur in turbulent
flow than static flow, In the case of gas, where the
molecules are further apart, then more turbulence
would be required to bring about collisions and
therefore dissociation, or some compression of the
gas would be required. Ecoflow combats this by using
Central Reverse Polarity, a pole sequence designed
by Ecoflow plc.
These diamagnetic effects on the chemical process
during combustion would alter the basic process in
that the extra free hydrogen radicals would tend to
combine most easily with the free oxygen radicals to
form water (H20), more readily than say oxidising to
CO2 and even more so than N2 oxidising to NO2. Thus
the amount of oxygen that would have been used to
create those oxides is mopped up by the extra
hydrogen, increasing water output but decreasing the
output of oxides of carbon (mainly CO2) and
nitrogen. Since there is less energy absorbed in
creating these oxides, as they have higher valency,
then the burn is more efficient. This effect is
demonstrated in the data from the Warren Spring
Laboratory of Ecoflow.
Extra hydrogen ions will be “looking for a home to
go to” and therefore on occasions will latch on to
pure carbon which has encrusted in the combustion
area. A more efficient burn implies a higher
operating temperature, which in turn will cause some
of that carbon to dissociate and combine readily
with the hydrogen. In time this will remove the
carbon deposits and allow better heat conduction as
intended by the engine or equipment manufacturers.
The manufacturers of Ecoflow, Ecoflow plc, are
recognized as leading world manufacturers of
hydro-magnetic equipment but realize much research
is still to be completed in this comparatively new
science.
For those seeking further information, the
publication “Magnetism and Optics of Molecular
Crystals” by LW. Rohkder and R.W. Munn is highly
recommended.
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Hard Water
Hard water and limescale affect 60% of British
households costing hundreds of pounds per home in
reduced energy efficiency. Although £billions have
been spent ensuring our drinking water complies with
EC standards, little has been done about hard water.
The problems associated with hard water are the
result of our natural water supply filtering through
sedimentary rock (particularly limestone and chalk)
and the water absorbing additional minerals. These
minerals form chemical compounds known as complexes
which form layers of scale in plumbing and
appliances.
Government research shows that just 6mm of limescale
(an average of 4 years accumulation) reduces energy
efficiency by 40%. For the average household that
means nearly £200 per annum extra in fuel costs. Add
to that extra cleaning products, chemicals to soften
the water, reduced appliance life, increased
maintenance and the true cost of hard water is
revealed.
The western worlds answer to the problem has always
been to treat hard water with chemicals whereas the
eastern world has adopted a more sympathetic
approach by treating a natural problem with the
natural power of magnetism.
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Traditional Water
Softeners
Traditional Water Softeners are designed to remove
the complexes that cause hardness. Water passes
through the softener which contains resin beads that
attract the complexes and are cleaned with
chemicals.
Households fitted with a water softener must leave
at least one tap connected to the rising main to
provide safe drinking and cooking water. There is a
growing concern by environmentalists over this type
of softener as the used chemicals become yet another
‘waste’ product disposed of into the ecosystem.
The installation costs are likely to be in the
region of £1000 and annual costs will amount to
around £30-50 for salt and £5 for electricity.
Installations must comply with local bylaws so the
local water company should be informed of an
installation. |
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Which type of system works the
best?
The answer to this will depend on the actual
composition of the water (and the objectives of the
user).
Certainly a magnetic conditioner is healthier for
the body and the environment. Magnetic conditioners
are usually only 1/10th of the price of a softener
and the better products offer a money back
guarantee, so it is always worth trying a magnetic
conditioner first as they will generally provide a
good result.
 Any existing hard scale will be slowly dissolved and
the plumbing kept free of further build up although
sometimes a soft, almost power like residue replaces
the scale. This is easily brushed away from kettles,
etc. A chemical softener will in most cases remove
the hardness from the water but may not remove the
existing scale. |
Is magnetically treated water
safe to drink?
 Yes.
Unlike water softeners magnetic conditioners do not
remove any of the natural minerals contained in the
water that are so essential to our health. People in
the Far East (especially Japan) and more recently
many people in America are drinking magnetically
treated water as they believe it helps the digestive
system and allows the waste toxins to be removed
more efficiently through the kidneys.
In addition to this belief the American Heart
Federation claims that fatal heart attacks and
strokes are more common where water is either
naturally soft or has been treated with water
softeners to remove calcium and magnesium. They also
indicate that chemically softened water may cause an
elevated sodium level, which has been linked to a
variety of health problems, including high blood
pressure, water retention, and gall bladder disease.
Magnetically conditioned water does not have an
increased sodium level. Tests conducted in
California have indicated that dental plaque is
reduced considerably when magnetically treated water
is used for cleaning teeth. |
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What is ‘Magnetic Water
Conditioning’?
 Conditioning
water through a strong, focused, magnetic field is a
form of magnetically induced ionisation known as
Magnetohydrodynamics.
Without the magnetic field chemical complexes
contained within the water break down leaving the
minerals free to attract and bond to adjacent
surfaces. However, when the complexes are broken
down in the magnetic field they take on a charge and
act as crystalline centres that allow them to remain
in suspension instead of forming crusts on surfaces. |
Does a Magnetic Conditioned
soften the water?
No, the essential natural minerals are still in the
water but are held in suspension. It is because of
this that most people say the conditioned water
‘feels’ softer. Less detergent and soap is needed
and often the film on the water surface is reduced. |
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Are there different types of
Magnetic Conditioners?
Yes. Some require a constant electricity supply from
the mains while others user static magnet
technology (these do not require an electricity
supply).
The mains powered type of conditioner uses a wire
coiled around one of the water pipes to create an
electro-magnetic field that is sufficiently powerful
to condition the water. This required a power point
being available. The running costs are only about £5
a year, but the downside is the growing concern of
introducing more electro-magnetic waves into the
home or work place. The products are usually
supplied with a performance guarantee not exceeding
5 years.
 The
static magnet types of conditioner do not
produce eletro-magnetic waves and do not have any
running costs. The better quality ranges of these
products are usually provided with more extensive
guarantees than mains powered conditioners.
There are two basic designs of static magnet
conditioners available, these are:
- An inline fitting – these are usually installed in
the line of the pipe when it is constructed (they
can be cut in afterwards).
- A “retro-fit” unit that ties or clamps onto the
outside of the pipe. These have the advantage of
being able to be fitted at any time, without the use
of specialist tools or skilled labour.
The downside of the static magnet type of
conditioner is that some products do not generate
sufficient magnetic power to condition the water and
do not provide sufficient ‘contact time’.
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H2flow
The H2flow is manufactured by Ecoflow Ltd., Europe’s
leading manufacturer of products using
magnetohydrodynamics as a natural solution to common
problems.
The H2flow is a “static magnet” type of water
conditioner using the latest technology in
super-grade ceramic magnet material made exclusively
for Ecoflow Ltd. It uses no power and will never
need recharging nor cost a penny to run or maintain.
The H2flow can be fitted in minutes without special
knowledge or tools; it is simply strapped onto the
water pipe using the nylon ties provided.
The powerful magnetic field is focused directly
towards the water and provides sufficient contact
time to condition the whole water supply of the
average household, although in some areas where the
water is particularly hard a second unit may be
required.
The H2flow uses no salts, chemicals or power (the
sodium level of the water is not increased and the
natural minerals are retained.
Within just a few weeks of fitting an H2flow, water
feels fresher and cleaner. The slippery feeling when
showering is reduced and hair has more lustre;
indeed H2flow is often used specifically for this
reason when shampooing the coats of show animals.
The consumption of washing power and soaps is
usually reduced, while swimming pools and spas stay
clean and crystal clear with smaller quantities of
chlorines and purifiers.
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