Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
  • C25B1/01—Products
  • C25B1/02—Hydrogen or oxygen
  • C25B1/04—Hydrogen or oxygen by electrolysis of water
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
  • C25B9/17—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof
  • C25B9/19—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof with diaphragms
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
  • C25B9/70—Assemblies comprising two or more cells
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
  • C25B9/70—Assemblies comprising two or more cells
  • C25B9/73—Assemblies comprising two or more cells of the filter-press type
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
  • Y02E60/36—Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis

Definitions

• This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing and separating combustible gasses. More particularly, this invention relates to an electrolysis cell and method in which hydrogen gas and oxygen gas produced through the electrolysis of an aqueous electrolytic solution are separated upon production.
• An electrolysis cell uses electricity to convert water to hydrogen and oxygen in gas phase.
• a known electrolysis cell includes a proton exchange membrane in order to separate the hydrogen and oxygen gases produced through the electrolysis process.
• the electrolysis cell further includes an anode positioned along a first face of the proton exchange membrane and a cathode positioned along a second opposite face of the proton exchange membrane.
• a known proton exchange membrane is a semi-permeable membrane generally made from ionomers and designed to conduct protons while being impermeable to gases, such as oxygen and hydrogen.
• the essential function of the proton exchange membrane, when incorporated into the electrolysis cell, is to separate reactants and to transport protons.
• Proton exchange membranes can be made from either pure polymer membranes or from composite membranes where other materials are embedded in a polymer matrix.
• a first disadvantage of the known proton exchange membrane is the high cost of the membrane, since it requires that a noble-metal catalyst (typically platinum) be used to separate the hydrogen's electrons and protons.
• the platinum catalyst is also extremely sensitive to carbon monoxide poisoning, making it necessary to employ an additional reactor to reduce carbon monoxide in the fuel gas if the hydrogen is derived from an alcohol or hydrocarbon fuel. This again adds to the cost of using the known proton exchange membrane.
• a method for separating combustible fluid produced from an electrolytic solution during a process of electrolysis including the steps of: providing an electrolytic solution; providing an electrolysing apparatus having first and second spaced apart foraminous members, defining a first chamber between them, having at least one inlet, and both foraminous members being located between first and second electrodes so that a first combustible fluid collection chamber, having a first combustible fluid outlet, is defined between the first foraminous member and the first electrode and a second combustible fluid collection chamber, having a second combustible fluid outlet is defined between the second foraminous member and the second electrode; - passing the solution into the first chamber via an inlet, so that the solution passes simultaneously through both foraminous members into the first and second combustible fluid collection chambers; and applying a voltage across the electrodes to electrolyse the solution in the first and second combustible fluid collection chambers, so that a first combust
• the first and second electrodes may be a first outer electrode and a second outer electrode and the method may include the step of providing a plurality of intermediate floating electrodes.
• the first foraminous member and the second foraminous member defining the first chamber and having at least one inlet may together be a set of foraminous members, and the method may include the step of providing a plurality of sets of foraminous members arranged in a back-to-back configuration with one intermediate floating electrode disposed between adjacent sets of foraminous members.
• the electrolysing apparatus may define at least one inlet passage in fluid flow communication with all of the inlets and the method may include the step of passing the solution into the first chambers of all of the sets of foraminous members via the inlet passage.
• the electrolysing apparatus may define at least one first combustible fluid outlet passage in fluid flow communication with all of the first combustible fluid outlets and a second combustible fluid outlet passage in fluid flow communication with all of the second combustible fluid outlets, the arrangement being such that the first combustible fluid formed in the first combustible fluid collection chamber passes out of the apparatus via the first combustible fluid outlet passage and the second combustible fluid formed in the second combustible fluid collection chamber passes out of the apparatus via the second combustible fluid outlet passage.
• an electrolysing apparatus in which combustible fluid produced from an electrolytic solution during a process of electrolysis is separated comprising: first and second spaced apart electrodes; first and second spaced apart foraminous members located between the first and second electrodes; a first chamber defined between the first and second foraminous members; a first combustible fluid collection chamber defined between the first foraminous member and the first electrode; a second combustible fluid collection chamber defined between the second foraminous member and the second electrode; - at least one inlet into the first chamber for the electrolytic solution; a first combustible fluid outlet from the first combustible fluid collection chamber; and a second combustible fluid outlet from the second combustible fluid collection chamber, the arrangement being such that the electrolytic solution passes into the first chamber via the inlet and passes simultaneously through both foraminous members into the first and second combustible fluid collection chambers respectively where electrolysis takes place; and such that a first combust
• the first electrode may be a first outer electrode and the second electrode may be a second outer electrode, and the apparatus may include a plurality of intermediate floating electrodes.
• the first foraminous member and the second foraminous member defining the first chamber and having the at least one inlet may be a set of foraminous members and the apparatus may include a plurality of sets of foraminous members connected to one another in a back-to-back configuration with one intermediate floating electrode positioned between adjacent sets of foraminous members.
• the electrolysing apparatus may include a gasket positioned in the peripheral region between the two foraminous members forming the set of foraminous members.
• the gasket may be a first gasket and the electrolysing apparatus may include a plurality of second gaskets, each positioned in the peripheral region between adjacent sets of foraminous members, surrounding the outer periphery of the intermediate floating electrode.
• Each foraminous member may be provided with spacing means projecting from both faces thereof to space the foraminous member from the adjacent foraminous member and electrode.
• the first and second outer electrodes may each be provided with a connector for connecting to a power supply to supply a voltage over the electrolysing apparatus to electrolyse the electrolytic solution.
• the electrodes and foraminous members may all be disc shaped, so that the apparatus is cylindrical in shape.
• the apparatus may include circulating means, such as a pump, to circulate the solution through the apparatus and to force the solution into the first chamber.
• circulating means such as a pump
• the inlets of the foraminous members may be aligned to define an inlet passage, so that electrolytic solution is passed into all of the first chambers of the apparatus via the inlet passage.
• the first combustible fluid outlets may be aligned to define a first combustible fluid outlet passage, so that first combustible fluid produced in all of the first combustible fluid collection chambers passes out of the apparatus via the first combustible fluid outlet passage.
• the second combustible fluid outlets may be aligned to define a second combustible fluid outlet passage, so that second combustible fluid produced in all of the second combustible fluid collection chambers passes out of the apparatus via the second combustible fluid outlet passage.
• the apparatus may include a first combustible fluid collection container connected to the first combustible fluid outlet passage and a second combustible fluid collection container connected to the second combustible fluid outlet passage.
• the first and second combustible fluid collection containers may each have a second electrolytic solution outlet located towards the operatively bottom end of each container and a first combustible gas and second combustible gas outlet located towards the operatively top end of the first and second combustible fluid collection containers respectively, the arrangement being such that electrolytic solution may pass out of the first and second combustible fluid outlets from the first and second combustible fluid collection chambers, together with the respective gases, into the first and second combustible fluid collection containers respectively, whereafter first and second combustible gasses are passed out of the containers via the first and second combustible gas outlets and the electrolytic solution is passed out of the containers via the second electrolytic solution outlets and may be circulated back to the inlets via the circulating means.
• figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of part of an electrolysis apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention
• figure 2 is a perspective view of the electrolysis apparatus of figure 1
• figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the apparatus of figure 2 along line IH-III.
• an electrolysing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10.
• the electrolysing apparatus 10 is adapted to produce and separate combustible fluid, particularly combustible fluid containing predominately oxygen and hydrogen, formed during the electrolysis of an electrolytic solution disposed in the apparatus 10.
• the apparatus 10 comprises a first outer electrode 12, being an anode, and a second outer electrode 14, being a cathode.
• the first and second outer electrodes 12 and 14 are arranged generally parallel to one another and are spaced from one another.
• the apparatus 10 further includes two spaced apart foraminous members, a first foraminous member 16 and a second foraminous member 18.
• the two foraminous members 16 and 18 are also arranged generally parallel to one another, are spaced from one another, and are both located between the two end electrodes 12 and 14.
• a first chamber 20 is disposed between the first and second foraminous members 16 and 18.
• a first combustible fluid collection chamber, being an oxygen collection chamber 22 is disposed between the first foraminous member 16 and the first electrode 12 and a second combustible fluid collection chamber, being a hydrogen collection chamber 24 is disposed between the second foraminous member 18 and the second electrode 14.
• the first chamber 20 has two inlets 26 for allowing electrolytic solution to pass into the first chamber 20.
• the oxygen and hydrogen collection chambers 22 and 24 are each provided with a combustible fluid outlet.
• the oxygen collection chamber 22 is provided with an oxygen outlet 28 and a hydrogen collection chamber 24 is provided with a hydrogen outlet 30.
• the first and second foraminous members 16 and 18 defining the first chamber 20 forms a set of foraminous members.
• the apparatus 10 includes a plurality of sets of foraminous members arranged and connected to one another in a back-to-back arrangement.
• Figures 2 and 3 shows the apparatus 10 including 4 sets of foraminous members between the first and second outer electrodes 12 and 14.
• the apparatus includes a plurality of intermediate floating electrodes 42, positioned between adjacent sets of foraminous members.
• the electrolysing apparatus 10 further includes a plurality of first gaskets 32 and a plurality of second gaskets 34.
• the first gasket 32 is positioned in the peripheral region and between the first and second foraminous members 16 and 18 to seal the two members 16 and 18 to one another and the second gasket 34 is positioned in the peripheral region between adjacent sets of foraminous members, surrounding the intermediate electrode 42.
• the foraminous members 16 and 18 are made of polypropylene so that they are inert, non-conductive and non-reactive. Each foraminous member 16 and 18 includes a centre portion 16.1 and 18.1 respectively, each defining approximately 200 holes therein and an outer boundary 16,2 and 18,2 respectively, each defining the inlets 26 and outlets 28 and 30. Each hole defined by the centre portion 16,1 and 18.1 of the foraminous members 16 and 18 has a diameter of approximately from 0.1 mm to 3 mm, particularly approximately 1 mm. Each foraminous member 16 and 18 is further provided with spacing means 36 on their faces to space the foraminous members 16 and 18 from each other and from the adjacent electrode 12, 14 or 42.
• the first and second electrodes 12 and 14 are made of a conductive material, such as stainless steel, and both include a connector 38 on their respective outer faces, for connecting to a power supply (not shown).
• the powers supply thus supplies a voltage of between 1 V and 6 V, preferably 3
• the intermediate electrodes 42 are also made of a conductive material, such as stainless steel.
• the first and second electrodes 12 and 14 and the first and second foraminous members 16 and 18 are all disc shaped, so that the apparatus 10 is cylindrical in shape.
• the apparatus 10 has a diameter of approximately 250 mm with the diameter of the first and second foraminous members 16 and 18 being approximately 250 mm.
• the first and second foraminous members 16 and 18 are located approximately 4 mm apart from one another, with the first electrode 12 located at a distance of approximately 2 mm from the first foraminous member 16.
• the second electrode 14 is located approximately 2 mm from the second foraminous member 18,
• Corresponding inlets 26 of the foraminous members of the apparatus 10 are aligned to define inlet passages 44, so that electrolytic solution is passed into all of the first chambers of the apparatus 10 via the inlet passages 44.
• the oxygen outlets 28 are also aligned to define an oxygen outlet passage 46, so that oxygen produced in all of the oxygen collection chambers 22 passes out via the oxygen outlet passage 46.
• the hydrogen outlets 30 are also aligned to define a hydrogen outlet passage 48, so that hydrogen produced in all of the hydrogen collection chambers 24 passes out via the hydrogen outlet passage 48.
• the apparatus 10 further includes a circulating means, such as a pump (not shown) to circulate the solution through the apparatus 10.
• a circulating means such as a pump (not shown) to circulate the solution through the apparatus 10.
• the electrolytic solution flowing into the first chamber 20 via the inlets 26 is pressurised by being pumped into the apparatus 10 by the pump, so that the solution is forced through the holes in the foraminous members 16 and 18 into the hydrogen and oxygen collection chambers 22 and 24.
• the arrangement is such that electrolytic solution flows into the first chamber 20 via the inlets 26, through the holes of both foraminous members 16 and 18 into the oxygen and hydrogen collection chambers 22 and 24 respectively, where electrolytic separation takes place.
• the oxygen passes out of the oxygen collection chamber 22 via the oxygen outlet 28 and the hydrogen passes out of the hydrogen collection chamber 24 via the hydrogen outlet 30,
• the apparatus 10 further includes a hydrogen collection container (not shown) connected to the hydrogen outlet passage 48 and an oxygen collection container (also not shown) connected to the oxygen outlet passage 46.
• the oxygen and hydrogen collection containers each have a second electrolytic solution outlet located towards the operatively bottom end of the containers and oxygen and hydrogen gas outlets located towards the operatively top end of each of the oxygen and hydrogen collection containers, respectively.
• Electrolytic solution passes out of the oxygen and hydrogen outlets 28 and 30 from the oxygen and hydrogen collection chambers 22 and 24, together with the respective gases, into the oxygen and hydrogen collection containers via the outlet passages 46 and 48.
• the arrangement is such that hydrogen and oxygen gasses passing into the respective containers are passed out of the containers via the oxygen and hydrogen gas outlets and the electrolytic solution passes out of the containers via the second electrolytic solution outlets.
• the second electrolytic solution outlets are connected to the inlet passages 44 and the solution is circulated back to the apparatus 10 by means of the pump.
• the hydrogen ions and electrons migrate back through the first and second foraminous members 16 and 18 to the second electrode (cathode) 14 where it recombines to form hydrogen.
• the amount of holes in the foraminous member may vary and they could have different sizes.
• the size of the cell and the apparatus, as well as the spacing between the foraminous members and electrodes could also vary.
• the apparatus 10 could further include any number of sets of foraminous members and intermediate floating electrodes 42, depending on the voltage supplied over the apparatus 40.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Electrochemistry (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Metallurgy (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
• Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)

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• 2009
  • 2009-12-09 CN CN2009801551329A patent/CN102292470A/zh active Pending
  • 2009-12-09 CA CA2746435A patent/CA2746435A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2009-12-09 JP JP2011540306A patent/JP2012511634A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-12-09 US US13/133,816 patent/US20120012468A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2009-12-09 BR BRPI0922858A patent/BRPI0922858A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2009-12-09 EP EP09795558A patent/EP2379781A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-12-09 WO PCT/IB2009/055591 patent/WO2010067310A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-12-09 RU RU2011128302/07A patent/RU2011128302A/ru not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2009-12-09 AU AU2009325880A patent/AU2009325880A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2011
  • 2011-06-07 ZA ZA2011/04217A patent/ZA201104217B/en unknown

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