EP1891252A2

EP1891252A2 - Device for carrying out a method for producing one or more gases

Info

Publication number: EP1891252A2
Application number: EP06753418A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franz Roiner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-30
Filing date: 2006-04-25
Publication date: 2008-02-27
Also published as: WO2006128527A3; WO2006128527A2; DE102005024619A1; DE102005024619B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for carrying out a method for producing one or more gases during which a liquid is electrolytically treated. An ion exchanger is provided in the liquid to which the gas to be produced clings. The device comprises a reservoir with a positive electrode and a negative electrode. In order to improve the efficiency, the positive electrode and/or the negative electrode have a structure with an enlarged surface.

Description

Apparatus for carrying out a method for producing one or more gases

The invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out a method for producing one or more gases, in which a liquid is treated electrolytically, wherein in the liquid an ion exchanger is present, to which the gas to be produced adheres. The device comprises a container having a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

Such an apparatus for carrying out such a method is described in the earlier priority, not prepublished German patent application 103 59 509.0. Preferably, the gas to be produced adheres to the ion exchanger in ionic bonding. It is advantageous if the ion exchanger present in the liquid hydrogen, preferably in ionic bonding, adheres. Preferably, the gas to be produced is hydrogen. The gases to be produced can be hydrogen and oxygen. It is possible to produce hydrogen and oxygen separately. However, it is also possible to produce hydrogen and oxygen in a mixture (oxyhydrogen). Particularly advantageous is the native production of oxyhydrogen gas. The oxyhydrogen gas can be produced in the correct (stoichiometric) mixing ratio. It can be used in this form, especially for power generation.

The liquid containing the gas or a gas to be produced is preferably water. The ion exchanger is preferably an ion exchange resin. In front- Preferably, the ion exchanger is an acidic, especially a strongly acidic ion exchanger. The ion exchanger can be gelatinous.

It is advantageous if the ion exchanger has or consists of a matrix, anchor groups and ions to be exchanged. The matrix may in particular be a crosslinked plastic, in particular crosslinked polystyrene. The anchor groups are preferably sulfonic acid groups (SO ₃ ). The ions to be exchanged are preferably hydrogen ions (H). In particular, the ion exchanger may have the general chemical formula R - SO ₃ - H.

A further advantageous development is characterized in that the ion exchanger, in particular the ion exchanger base material, contains catalytically active substances. The catalytically active substances may in particular be conductive materials, in particular electrically conductive films. The catalytically active substances can be added to the substance or the ion exchanger or the ion exchanger base material.

According to a further advantageous development, the ion exchanger or the ion exchanger base material contains catalytically active and / or gas-yielding enzymes. As such enzymes are preferably used organic acids, especially tartaric acid. The enzymes may be added to the substance or the ion exchanger or the ion exchange resin or the ion exchange base material.

The device according to the German patent application 103 59 509.0, which is also suitable for the present invention comprises a container with a liquid containing the gas to be produced and an ion exchanger, and a positive electrode and a negative electrode, which can be connected to a power source or are connected. Preferably, an electrode is tubular. In the liquid containing the gas to be produced and an ion exchanger, in particular within the tubular electrode, a filling material may be present. be his. This material is preferably cotton wool. An acid is preferably present in the filler. This material is preferably wetted with an acid. The acid is preferably hydrochloric acid.

It is known from US Pat. No. 5,879,522, JP 2002-322584 A, DE 100 16 591 C2 and US 2001/0050234 A, to use overvoltage in the application of the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen by application of gemstone powder and / or precious metals or by inserting membranes with substances stored therein or to bring about the separation of emerging oxyhydrogen gas in hydrogen and oxygen through membranes.

Furthermore, the use of potassium hydroxide to improve the conductivity is known.

The object of the invention is to propose a device of the type specified, which makes it possible to improve the efficiency in carrying out the above-mentioned method, in particular according to German Patent Application 103 59 509.0.

According to the invention, this object is solved by the features of claim 1. The positive electrode and / or the negative electrode has a structure with an increased surface area. As a result, the efficiency can be increased.

The increased surface area can be created by altering the surface structures of the positive and / or negative electrodes or other current-carrying elements, for example, by roughening, tip arrangements, applying corners and edges, attaching channels or other channel arrangements, concave or convex surfaces, framing, interlacing - or round and / or square surfaces. An advantageous development is characterized in that a plurality of positive electrodes and / or a plurality of negative electrodes are present, which are connected in series. In certain applications, it may be advantageous to switch a plurality of positive electrodes and / or a plurality of negative electrodes instead or additionally in parallel.

It is advantageous if the anode has a tip.

According to a further advantageous development, the cathode has a depression. This is particularly advantageous if the anode has a tip. In this case, a pinch of the anode can be approximated to a well of the cathode without any contact taking place.

In certain cases, the reverse arrangement may be advantageous in which the cathode has a tip and / or the anode has a recess which may be approximated to each other.

According to a further advantageous development, the binding of the gas or gases to be produced to the ion exchanger is reduced. There is thus a binding influence of the liquid, in particular water, added, the gas to be produced containing ion exchanger. It is advantageous if, in the ion exchanger, a bond of the gas to be produced or the gases to be produced, especially of hydrogen (H) or of hydrogen and oxygen (OH), which is predominantly present in ionic bonding, is loosened to a matrix of the ion exchanger. The ionic bond can be loosened to approach or reach van der Waals bonding.

This binding influence can be effected by comminution, atomization or similar measures, whereby these measures can be carried out into the microstructural range. In a specific embodiment, this binding influence takes place by liquefaction or gasification of the ion exchangers to be introduced or already introduced. As a result, the binding of H ⁺ or OH ^" ions to a matrix of the ion exchanger can approach zero This type of binding influence is particularly effective when it takes place during an ongoing production process of oxyhydrogen or hydrogen from water.

The binding influence can be effected by an appropriate choice of the anode and / or cathode or other current-conducting elements, by a corresponding configuration of the surface or surface structure of the anode and / or cathode or the current-conducting elements, by a corresponding dimensioning of the distance between the anode and cathode or ., Current-conducting elements, by a corresponding temperature control and / or by a variation of the amount of current supplied and by the nature of the circuit arrangements (series connection, parallel connection).

A further advantageous development is characterized in that the container has a plurality of chambers in which cation exchangers and / or anion exchangers are present. In the container, a plurality of chambers may be present. The sequence of cation exchangers and / or anion exchangers present in the chambers can be repeated.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. In the drawing shows

1 shows the device described in German Patent Application 103 59 509.0 for the production of oxyhydrogen gas in a schematic view,

2 shows a device with several devices connected in series according to FIG. 1, FIG. Fig. 3 shows different surface designs of devices according to FIGS. 1 and 2 and

Fig. 4 shows a device with a plurality of chambers in which cation exchangers and / or anion exchangers are present.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 comprises a container 1, which is designed rotationally symmetrical about the center axis 2 and which consists of a tubular housing 3, which is closed by an upper lid 4 and a lower lid 5. The entire device is preferably designed longer than shown.

On the inner wall of the housing 3, an annular outer electrode 6 is provided. Inside the housing 3 is a tubular inner electrode 7. The container 1 is filled to the water level 8 with water 9.

Between the electrodes 6 and 7, an ion exchanger 10 is present, which is present in gel form up to the height 11.

The outer electrode 6 is connected via a switch 12 to the positive pole of a current source 13, for example a 12V car battery. The negative pole of the current source 13 is connected to the inner electrode 7. However, the polarity can also be reversed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the water level 8 is above the height 1 1 of the gel ion exchanger 10 and above the open-topped tube of the inner electrode 7. However, the electrode 7 may also be formed closed. Another possibility is that the electrode 7 projects beyond the water level 8. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the height 11 of the gel ion exchanger 10 is just below the upper end of the outer electrode 6. However, the device may also be configured such that this height 11 is above the upper end of the electrode 6. The inner electrode 7 may be closed at the bottom or open. It can also be at its lower end be sealingly connected to the lower lid 5.

When the switch 12 is closed, an electrolytic reaction takes place in the container 1 in which negatively charged electrons and ions are attracted by the positive external electrode 6. Positive ions migrate to the negative inner electrode 7. In this way, in the space 14 between the water level 8 and the upper lid 4 oxyhydrogen gas, which is a native production of oxyhydrogen gas. This reaction is considerably accelerated by the ion exchanger 10. The oxyhydrogen gas is in the stoichiometric ratio. It can be removed from the space 14 (not shown in the drawing). This can be discontinuous (batch operation) or continuous. It is also possible, by a corresponding embodiment of the container 1 to collect the resulting hydrogen and the resulting oxygen separately and dissipate.

The ion exchanger 10 is a strongly acid, gel-type ion exchanger with sulfonic acid groups as anchor groups. The ion exchanger has the general chemical formula R - SO ₃ - H, where R denotes a matrix, in particular a crosslinked polystyrene matrix, SO ₃ denotes a sulphonic acid anchor group and H denotes hydrogen.

Preferably, the ion exchanger 10 is kept in motion. This is preferably done so that the ion exchanger 10 does not decrease. The ion exchanger can be kept in motion by a fluidized bed process. When the ion exchanger is kept in motion, gas formation and electron flow are improved.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the ion exchanger is held in suspension in the liquid. This is preferably carried out in that the ion exchanger or the ion exchanger base material are prepared in such a way that they remain in suspension in the liquid, ie in the water 9. The process can be carried out continuously. For this purpose, the ion exchanger 10 can be continuously supplied and discharged (not shown in the drawing). The discharged ion exchanger can be regenerated and fed again.

The method can also be carried out in several stages.

The forming gas can be sucked out of the space 14. For this purpose, it is possible to generate a vacuum in this space 14. In this way, it can also be achieved that the upward-stripping gas entrains the ion exchanger 10 and in this way effects thorough mixing and distribution of the ion exchanger 10.

The pressure and temperature can be adjusted so that the process works with optimum efficiency.

The electrodes 6, 7 are roughened, so have a structure with an enlarged surface.

In Fig. 2, an embodiment is shown in which four containers I, II, III, IV are connected in series, so that the electrodes have an enlarged surface. The containers I - IV are designed substantially like that of FIG. 1. The positive pole of the current source 13 is connected to the outer electrodes, the negative pole is connected to the inner electrodes. The series connection increases the contacts between the current-carrying elements and the introduced ion exchange material. In the annular spaces between the inner electrodes and the outer electrodes are water and lonentauschermaterial, wherein the ion exchanger to be attached to the gas to be produced. At the upper ends of the container there is a water inlet and a gas outlet respectively. With the device of Fig. 2, four series of experiments were carried out. In the first series of experiments only the container I was connected to the power source 13. In the second series of experiments, the containers I and II were connected in series to the current source 13. In the third series of experiments, the containers I, II and IM were connected in series to the current source 13. In the fourth series of experiments, all containers I to IV were connected in series to the current source 13. It was a power source delivering 10 amperes of current at a voltage of 12 volts. The following values resulted:

The efficiency, based on hydrogen, improves from 0.22 to 1.29 in series connection of four containers. The efficiency, based on oxyhydrogen gas, improves from 0.42 to 2.52.

The current flow is when using only one container 10 amps at 12 volts, ie 120 W, whereby a strong heat generation is generated. In the series connection of the container I and Il results in a power of 80 W, whereby the heat generation is reduced. In the series connection of three containers The power is 40 W, which only has a slight heat development. In the parallel connection of four containers, the power is only 20 W ₁ so that no more heat is detected.

In Fig. 3 various embodiments of containers are shown in which various structures with increased surface area are present.

In the embodiment A, the inner electrode is connected to plate electrodes which are parallel to each other and spaced apart and which extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The outer electrodes are provided in the intermediate spaces with corresponding annular plates.

In the embodiment B, the plates have a triangular cross section with the apex of the triangle of the plates connected to the inner electrode facing outward and the tips of the triangle facing inwardly of the annular plates connected to the outer electrode.

Embodiment C corresponds in part to Embodiment A, but the plates connected to the inner electrode and the plates connected to the outer electrode are each at the same level.

The embodiment D is a modification of the embodiment B, wherein the plates have rounded cross sections.

In four series of measurements, containers of embodiment A were connected in series in various forms, with the following measured values:

In a series connection of one or more containers of embodiment D with ion exchanger introduced in water, which was subjected to a structural change, namely by grinding down to the microstructural range, the following measured values were obtained:

In a series connection of one or more containers according to embodiment B with an ion exchanger introduced in water, which was subjected to a structural change by liquefaction, the following measured values were obtained:

An increase in the amount of electricity (input) leads in all examples to a further improvement in the efficiencies, with other containers can be followed.

The embodiment E shows a parallel connection, in which both hydrogen-containing substances and OH-containing substances can be used in water (ie both cation exchanger and anion exchanger).

Fig. 4 shows a container 15, which is divided into a plurality of chambers 16, 17, 18 .... At its top, the container 15 has an inlet port 21 for the water filling and a gas discharge line 22, which may be connected to a vacuum pump. Furthermore, located in the upper region of the container 15, a sieve assembly 23. The gas-permeable sieve assembly 23 prevents discharge of substances when they have solid character. The polarity of the electrodes can be changed by Umpolungsvorrichtungen.

In the first chamber 16 is water and a cation exchanger. In the second chamber 17 is water and a cation exchanger and an anion exchanger. In the third chamber 18 is water and an anion exchanger. In the fourth chamber 19 is water and an anion exchanger and a cation exchanger. But the chamber 20 is repeated this arrangement. Accordingly, located in the chamber 20 as in the chamber 16 water and a cation exchanger. The right adjoining the chamber 20 chamber is filled as the chamber 17, and so on. In the container 15 is a plurality of these groups of four.

In this case, each of the first chamber of a group of four, so the chamber 16, the chamber 20, etc. connected to the negative terminal of a power source. The respective second and third chambers (chambers 17, 18, etc.) are connected to the positive pole, and the respective fourth chamber (19, etc.) are connected to the negative pole.

The invention makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the electrolysis for the production of oxyhydrogen gas or hydrogen without expensive internals, without a complex membrane technology and without the use of alkalis. The spaces between cathodes and anodes can be arranged differently depending on the surface design and depending on the arrangement. They can be in the millimeter range to centimeter range. The added substances, in particular the ion exchangers, can also have all conceivable forms and designs. As a result, the distances between the electrodes can be influenced. It is advantageous to gel, to liquefy or to gasify the ion exchanger, which can take place before the addition of the ion exchanger and / or during the ongoing electrolysis. The larger the surfaces of the electrodes and the added substances, and the more contact-intensive the contact between electrodes and ion exchangers is, the greater the efficiency. Both the electrodes and the ion exchangers remain as independent elements. Exact spacing arrangements, ie an exact design and a precisely maintained distance of anode and cathode, in which the ion exchangers are located, cause a flow of current over the entire surface of the electrodes.

Claims

claims

1. A device for carrying out a method for producing one or more gases, in which a liquid is treated electrolytically, wherein in the liquid an ion exchanger is present, to which the gas to be produced adheres,

the device comprising a container having a positive electrode and a negative electrode,

characterized,

the positive electrode and / or the negative electrode have a structure with increased surface area.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of positive electrodes and / or a plurality of negative electrodes are provided, which are connected in series.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the anode has a tip.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cathode has a recess. - 2 -

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the binding of the gas or gases to be produced is reduced to the ion exchanger.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container has a plurality of chambers in which cation exchangers and / or anion exchangers are present.