How GEET Works
The technology Paul Pantone gave to the world
Overview: What is GEET?
GEET stands for Global Environmental Energy Technology. It is a fuel processing system invented by Paul Pantone in the early 1980s that uses exhaust heat to reform incoming fuel before combustion. Think of it as a miniature refinery attached to your engine.
The Simple Explanation
Your car's exhaust is extremely hot — energy that's normally wasted. GEET captures this heat and uses it to transform fuel into a more combustible form. The result: cleaner exhaust and better fuel efficiency.
Paul Pantone received US Patent #5,794,601 on August 18, 1998, for a "Fuel Pretreater Apparatus and Method." The patent describes an "endothermic reactor" that processes fuel using waste exhaust heat, breaking down hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more easily combustible components.
Core Claims
- Multi-fuel capability: Gasoline, diesel, crude oil, waste oils, alcohols, and mixtures containing up to 80% water
- Emissions reduction: 90% or greater reduction in harmful exhaust gases
- Fuel efficiency: Improvements ranging from 20% to 800% depending on configuration
- Engine performance: Smoother operation across extended RPM ranges
"In simple terms, the GEET Fuel Processor can be described as a new type of carburetor with a miniature refinery built in." — US Patent #5,794,601
System Overview
[GEET System Diagram]
Exhaust → Bubbler → Reactor → Engine Intake
Diagram showing complete GEET fuel processing flow
The Three Core Components
The GEET system consists of three primary components working together: the Bubbler (volatilization chamber), the Reactor (endothermic heat exchanger), and the Control System (valves and connections).
1. The Bubbler (Volatilization Chamber)
The bubbler is where liquid fuel is converted into vapor. Hot exhaust gases pass through a liquid fuel-water mixture, heating and vaporizing it. This is similar to how a hookah works, but with much higher temperatures.
Bubbler Components
- Container: Typically a Mason jar or metal can (~5 liters capacity)
- Bubble plate: Allows hot exhaust to pass through the liquid
- Steel wool/scrub pads: Increases surface area for heat transfer
- Air inlet valve: Controls the air-fuel mixture ratio
- Inlet/outlet lines: Usually 1/2" copper tubing
The bubbler serves multiple functions: it vaporizes the fuel, mixes it with water vapor (which participates in reforming reactions), and pre-heats the mixture before it enters the reactor.
2. The Reactor (Endothermic Heat Exchanger)
The reactor is the heart of the GEET system — where the claimed "plasma" or molecular breakdown occurs. It's essentially a tube-within-a-tube heat exchanger with a central rod.
Reactor Cross-Section
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ OUTER TUBE (Exhaust Flow →) │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ INNER TUBE (← Fuel Vapor) │ │
│ │ ┌───────────────────┐ │ │
│ │ │ REACTOR ROD │ │ │
│ │ └───────────────────┘ │ │
│ │ ↑ ~1mm gap │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
Countercurrent flow: exhaust and fuel vapor move in opposite directions
Standard Dimensions (Small Engine)
- Outer tube: ~300mm length, 26mm ID
- Inner tube: ~430mm length, 15mm ID
- Reactor rod: ~300mm length, 12-13mm dia
- Annular gap: ~0.035-0.04" (~1mm)
Large Engine (350 cu.in. V-8)
- Inner tube: ~0.5" inside diameter
- Reactor rod: 10-12" length
- Gap: Proportionally larger
- Materials: Steel, stainless, brass, ceramic
The narrow gap between the rod and inner tube wall is critical. As fuel vapor passes through this restricted space, it experiences high temperatures (up to 900°F) under vacuum conditions. This environment is claimed to cause molecular breakdown of heavy hydrocarbons into lighter, more volatile components.
3. Control System (Valves and Connections)
The control system manages airflow, mixture ratios, and back-pressure. Proper tuning is critical for successful operation.
- Throttle/mixture control: Adjusts the ratio of air to fuel vapor entering the engine
- Back-pressure valve: Optional; helps maintain optimal pressure in the reactor
- Air intake regulator: Controls fresh air entering the bubbler
- Manifold connection: Delivers processed fuel vapor to the engine intake
How GEET Operates
The Flow Process
Understanding the flow of materials through the GEET system is essential. Here's the step-by-step process:
- 1 Exhaust exits engine: Hot exhaust gases (600-900°F) leave the engine's exhaust manifold
- 2 Exhaust enters reactor outer tube: Hot gases flow through the outer chamber, transferring heat to the inner tube
- 3 Exhaust bubbles through fuel: Some exhaust is diverted to bubble through the liquid fuel-water mixture in the bubbler
- 4 Fuel vaporizes: The fuel-water mixture is heated and vaporized by the hot exhaust
- 5 Vapor enters reactor inner tube: Fuel vapor is drawn into the inner tube by engine vacuum
- 6 Countercurrent heat exchange: Vapor flows opposite to exhaust, maximizing heat transfer
- 7 Molecular breakdown: In the narrow gap around the rod, high heat and vacuum cause molecular reformation
- 8 Reformed fuel enters engine: The processed vapor is drawn into the intake manifold
Critical Operating Requirements
Orientation Matters
According to Pantone, the reactor must be aligned with Earth's magnetic field — hot end (exhaust side) pointed towards magnetic North. The steel rod becomes magnetized during operation and must maintain consistent orientation. While this claim is controversial, many builders report better results when following this guideline.
Startup Procedure
The engine must run on conventional fuel for approximately 30 minutes to generate sufficient thermal energy in the reactor. Only then can alternative fuels be introduced. Cold-starting on GEET alone is not possible.
Rod Length Tuning
Rod length must be tuned to the specific fuel being used. Longer rods for heavier fuels (longer hydrocarbon chains), shorter rods for lighter fluids and gases. This affects residence time in the reaction zone.
Operating Conditions
| Parameter | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central rod temperature | Below 150°C (302°F) | Below Curie temperature for magnetic effects |
| Inner tube surface | ~200°C (392°F) | Optimal for catalytic reactions |
| Reactor zone | 315-480°C (600-900°F) | Peak reformation temperature |
| Operating pressure | Negative (vacuum) | Created by engine intake |
Proposed Scientific Mechanisms
Multiple scientific mechanisms have been proposed to explain GEET's operation. The patent itself acknowledges uncertainty: "Currently, it is not known precisely what happens to the volatilized alternate fuel in this high temperature environment."
Here are the leading theories, presented with their evidence levels:
1. Steam Reforming (Most Likely)
Steam reforming is a well-understood industrial process for producing hydrogen. The GEET reactor may function similarly, using exhaust heat to drive endothermic reactions between hydrocarbons and water vapor.
Key Reactions:
Steam Methane Reforming:
CH4 + H2O → CO + 3H2 (endothermic, ~206 kJ/mol)
Water-Gas Shift:
CO + H2O → CO2 + H2 (exothermic)
Iron-catalyzed hydrogen production:
Fe + H2O → FeO + H2
Industrial steam reforming typically operates at 815-925°C (1500-1700°F), higher than GEET's operating temperatures. However, the steel surfaces in the reactor may act as catalysts, potentially enabling reactions at lower temperatures.
2. Pyrolysis / Fuel Cracking
Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of organic materials at elevated temperatures (350-800°C) in the absence of oxygen. The GEET reactor's vacuum environment and high temperatures could enable thermal cracking of heavy hydrocarbons into lighter, more volatile components.
- Long-chain hydrocarbons break into shorter chains
- Lighter molecules combust more completely
- Explains multi-fuel capability — heavy crude is cracked into lighter fractions
- Well-established in petroleum refining
3. Ranque-Hilsch Vortex Effect
The Ranque-Hilsch effect causes temperature separation in a spinning gas — the outer portion becomes hotter while the core becomes cooler. Some researchers suggest the narrow annular gap in the reactor induces spiral flow, creating:
- Hotter gas at the outer surface (where catalytic reactions occur)
- Cooler gas around the central rod
- Optimized thermal gradients for different chemical reactions
4. Critical Ionization Velocity (CIV)
CIV is the relative velocity between a neutral gas and plasma at which the neutral gas begins to ionize. Proponents claim the narrow reactor gap accelerates fuel vapor to speeds that cause ionization.
Scientific caveat: Critical ionization velocity for hydrogen is 50.9 km/s — far beyond what's achievable in the reactor. Laboratory demonstrations have succeeded, but space experiments have largely failed to confirm CIV. This mechanism is unlikely to be the primary effect.
5. Electromagnetic / "Plasma" Effects
Pantone described the reactor as a "Self-Induced Multiple Plasma Field Generator." Proponents claim the steel rod becomes magnetized by the opposing flows, creating conditions for "magnecule" formation — magnetically polarized molecular clusters.
"No plasma was created, and I do believe that word usage was strictly just for the sales pitch of Paul Pantone. Thermodynamics are the true driving forces behind this concept." — Engineering student who built a working GEET device
The "plasma" terminology remains controversial. The phenomenon may be better described as fuel reforming rather than true plasma generation, which typically requires temperatures exceeding 5,000°C.
Mechanism Summary
| Mechanism | Confidence | Scientific Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Reforming | High | Established industrial process, well-documented chemistry |
| Pyrolysis | High | Fundamental thermochemistry, used in petroleum refining |
| Vortex Effect | Moderate | Real phenomenon, unclear if occurring in reactor |
| CIV Ionization | Low | Requires velocities far beyond reactor capability |
| Plasma/EM Effects | Uncertain | Disputed; may be marketing terminology |
Documented Results and Evidence
The following results have been documented through various tests and replications. We present them with appropriate evidence levels — not all claims are equally supported.
Emissions Reduction
ENSAIS Engineering Study (2001)
Christophe Martz conducted an 8-month study at ENSAIS (now INSA Strasbourg), supported by ANVAR (French innovation agency). Key finding:
90% reduction in some pollutants
Observed after just seconds of operation
Pantone Test Results (1994 Crude Oil Demo)
- CO: 0.01% at 2,400 RPM
- CO2: Zero
- O2 in exhaust: 20.4%
- Hydrocarbons: 24 ppm
Note: Self-reported, not independently verified
Vitry-sur-Orne Municipal Fleet (2007)
- Pollution reduction: 70-80%
- Fuel savings: 20-30%
- Applied to municipal vehicles
- French government documentation
Official municipal testing
Fuel Efficiency
| Source | Claimed Improvement | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|
| Various user reports | 20% to 800% | Anecdotal; wide variance suggests variable success |
| Vitry-sur-Orne fleet | 20-30% | Municipal documentation |
| Simple pre-heat version | 5-30% | Consistently replicated by many builders |
Multi-Fuel Operation
The following fuels have reportedly been used successfully in GEET-equipped engines:
Standard Fuels
- Gasoline
- Diesel
- Kerosene
- Alcohols
Alternative Fuels
- Crude oil
- Recycled motor oil
- Paint thinners
- Waste vegetable oil
Unconventional (Claimed)
- 80% water mixtures
- Battery acid/saltwater
- Coffee, tea (anecdotal)
Evidence Caveat
The most extraordinary claims (running on 80% water, coffee, etc.) have not been independently verified by credentialed laboratories. The simple version of GEET (exhaust heat recovery) is consistently replicable; the full "plasma" system has produced mixed results among builders.
Academic Studies
Brazilian University Study (2018)
Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 10, No. 7
Institution: Universitaria, Cascavel, Parana, Brazil
Tested a small generator with GEET pyrolytic reactor. Engine reached nominal voltage (115VAC) with water-gasoline mixture. Conclusion: "The experiment is promising, but requires more work and more investigations for correct evaluation of the phenomena observed."
Different Versions and Variants
GEET has evolved through multiple versions, from Pantone's original full system to simplified variants that trade some performance for easier construction.
Original GEET (Full System)
Paul Pantone's complete system as described in his patent and commercial offerings. Claimed 7x efficiency improvement when properly tuned. Most difficult to replicate successfully.
Small Engine Plans (Free Internet Version)
Released by Pantone for public distribution. Suitable for engines under 20HP. Components:
Bill of Materials:
- 16-7/16" black iron pipe (threaded both ends) — reactor tube
- 12" x 1/2" steel rod — reactor core
- 1" x 1/2" x 1/2" reducing tees (2)
- Copper washers — seals
- Ball valves and brass fittings
- 1-gallon container — bubbler
- 1/2" copper tubing
PMC / Gillier-Pantone (French Variant)
French adaptation known as "Processeur Multi-Carburants" (Multi-Fuel Processor). Developed extensively in France, part of French college curriculum. Thousands of vehicles modified. Simpler construction in some variations.
Simplified Pre-Heat Version
Most Reliably Replicable
Pre-heats incoming fuel with exhaust heat without the full plasma effects. Reported 5-30% mileage improvement. Successfully replicated by tens of thousands of builders. Does not achieve the more extraordinary claims but provides consistent, measurable benefits.
Key Construction Improvements
Builders have identified several improvements over the original plans:
- Smooth inner pipe: Standard pipe nipples have inner weld ridges that block swirl motion; DOM (drawn over mandrel) steel pipe recommended
- Reduced gap: 1/32" gap rather than 1/16" between rod and tube
- Heated bubbler: Metal bubbler inside another container with exhaust heating
- Threaded rods: Some builders report success with threaded reactor rods
- Alternative materials: Stainless steel, glass, and ceramic rods tested
How GEET Differs from Conventional Systems
| Feature | Carburetor | Fuel Injection | GEET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel state | Atomized liquid | Atomized liquid | Reformed vapor |
| Heat recovery | None | None | Exhaust heat |
| Fuel processing | None | None | Molecular breakdown |
| Multi-fuel | Single fuel | Single fuel | Multiple fuels claimed |
| Water tolerance | None | None | Up to 80% claimed |
| Control | Mechanical | Electronic (ECU) | Manual tuning |
Ready to Build Your Own?
Paul Pantone released free plans "for everyone on the planet." The technology cannot be suppressed if everyone builds it.
"According to my present knowledge it should not work and I would not believe it had I not seen it with my own eyes." — Dr. Andreas Kurt Richter, Physicist (1995)