JPH01275788A - Method and apparatus for electrolysis of water by action of magnetic field - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry out the electrolysis of water with superior electrolytic current efficiency by making a magnetic field function between electrodes at the time of electrolyzing water to form hydrogen and oxygen. CONSTITUTION:An anode 5 and a cathode 6 made of platinum are attached to a pipe 1 made of acrylic resin, etc., and are connected by respective lead wires to the anode and cathode of a D.C. power source, and then, water containing, e.g., about 18% of electrolytic substance, such as NaOH, is circulated through the pipe 1 by means of a pump at a flow velocity of V upward or downward. At this time, by disposing magnets 7, 8 in the above water- electrolyzing apparatus and applying magnetic field, O2 and H2 gases formed at respective surfaces of the anode 3 and the cathode 4 and adhering to the above surfaces are rapidly desorbed from the electrode surfaces, respectively, by the action of Lorentz's force and separately recovered into collection cells separated by a diaphragm. By this method, the detachment of the bubbles of O2 and H2 from the electrode surfaces is improved and electrolytic reaction can be accelerated with superior current efficiency.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Objective σ'-1] The present invention relates to a method for generating hydrogen and oxygen by passing an electric current and decomposing water under the action of a magnetic field.

Add electrolytes such as Na011 and Koll to Bifu's standing limbs water to increase the electrical conductivity of the water.An electrode is placed in the solution, and a low voltage of several V is applied to remove oxygen from the anode side. , a method of generating hydrogen from the cathode side has been put into practical use.

II<゛・. In Japan, where electricity costs are high, it is currently cheaper to produce hydrogen from oil or natural gas than by electrolyzing water.

However, when fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas become economically unviable due to depletion of fossil fuels, what kind of fuel will cars around the world use to run? At that time, hydrogen is considered to be a promising alternative candidate. Therefore, it is important to find out how to efficiently produce hydrogen from sources other than fossil fuels.

On the other hand, as the world enters an era of high prices for fossil fuels, water electrolysis is once again attracting attention. In fact, extremely large-scale cutting-edge water electrolysis plants are being built one after another in countries where cheap electricity can be obtained from hydroelectric power generation, such as Egypt, India, Norway, and Canada. In this way, the sale of hydrogen through water electrolysis has become commercially viable.

By converting electrical energy into chemical energy called hydrogen, it becomes possible to store energy that was not possible with electricity, and it becomes a portable and useful form of energy.

Against this background, we must develop a more efficient water electrolysis method. In other words, conventional electrolysis methods have one problem in terms of efficiency.

In the conventional method, a particular problem is that the hydrogen and oxygen generated by electrolysis form many bubbles that cover the extreme surface, lowering the electric conductivity and hindering electrolysis in that area, reducing power efficiency. .

Therefore, we aim to provide a water electrolysis method and device that can increase efficiency by applying a magnetic field.

[(Lesing coil il+, ,,' -1 of -da) To explain with reference to FIG. 1, in FIG.
Or put electrolyte 2 such as Na011 in vibrator)l,
A magnetic field is applied by a magnet 7.8 when a voltage is applied via a conductor 5.6 connected to the electrode 3.4 to split the water.

FIG. 1(b) is a side sectional view of FIG. 1(a). 1st
Although the figure shows a case where a magnetic field is applied perpendicularly to the electrode plate surface, the direction in which the magnetic field is applied is not limited to this. Further, in FIG. 1, the partition wall for separating and collecting hydrogen and oxygen is omitted for simplicity, but the same effect can of course be obtained even if the partition wall is provided.

■ Electrolyte layer) The electrolytic flow of α, M, depends on the magnitude of mass transfer. There are three types of methods for the movement of substances: (1) convection, (2) electrophoresis, and (3) diffusion. When a magnetic field acts on these flows, a Lorentz force r acts.

If the charge of the substance is q, the velocity is V, and the magnetic flux density is B, then f = qVXB (1).

The Lorentz force due to the magnetic field in the electrolyte solution changes the mass transfer (e.g. F, Fujiwara and Y
.

Llmezawa: “Enl+ancement of
Polarographic Re-duction
Currents by a 5tatic Mag
netic Field"TaranLa, 1972
．． Vol, +9. pp, 497-503. Per
(see ga-mon Press) is known in the case where no bubbles are generated. A decrease in efficiency has been reported in this case. However, no research has been conducted on the case where electrolysis generates hydrogen or oxygen bubbles and the bubbles cover the electrode surface because the phenomenon becomes complicated. Therefore, we investigated the magnetic field effect on water electrolysis in such a case, and found experimentally that power efficiency increases depending on the conditions.

In the case of water electrolysis, the generation of bubbles on the back surface of the TL is unavoidable.
This becomes a large electrical resistance and reduces power efficiency.

However, when a magnetic field is applied, the above-mentioned l flow is subjected to a force according to equation (1), which particularly affects the diffusion current on the electrode surface, causing the bubbles to quickly peel off from the electrode surface. This reduces electrical resistance and improves voltage efficiency.

In the experimental example shown in Figure 1, acrylic resin (inner diameter 5 mm
Two platinum electrode plates (each 10 mm x 203.4 x 30 mm square) were adhered to the inner surface of a vibrator L so as to face each other. Circulate the solution by applying a flow rate from the bottom to the top with a pump. Even if the flow rate is not applied with a pump, the flow rate will naturally occur due to the rise of bubbles, but in order to control the upstream speed in the experiment and derive the flow rate dependence. A pump was used for 21 as shown in Figure 1.
Insert it between the stone magnet Fii7.8. FIG. 2 is a distribution diagram of magnetic flux density in the vertical direction. Platinum from this figure? Tfti
It can be said that there is almost no gradient of magnetic flux density in that part.

The current flowing through the solution through the two platinum electrodes is set to a certain constant current using a DC constant current power supply, and the voltage between the electrodes at that time is recorded on a recorder. When an electric current is applied, hydrogen and oxygen bubbles form on the platinum surface, separate, and rise. &! When a field is applied, the state of this bubble changes greatly. FIG. 3 shows an example of the state of bubbles. FIG. 3(a) shows the case where the flow velocity is 0.0137 m/s and the decomposition current is constant at 2A, and no magnetic field is applied, and FIG. 3(b) shows the case where a magnetic field perpendicular to this electrode is applied. Figure 3(c) shows that the flow velocity is O.
,OG? Figure 3(d) shows the case where a magnetic field is not applied, assuming that the resolved g flow is constant at 5A in m/s, and a magnetic field perpendicular to this electrode is applied. When a magnetic field is applied in this way, the space between the electrodes becomes filled with air bubbles all at once.

When measuring the electrical resistance of a solution bulk containing a large amount of bubbles several centimeters above the electrode using the alternating current method (using alternating current to avoid decomposition), it is found that the resistance value increases as the amount of bubbles increases. .

FIG. 4 shows the voltage changes recorded on the recorder when the decomposition current (2) was constant at 3A. There is a tendency for the voltage ripple to increase as the magnetic field becomes stronger. This is because the bubbles fluctuate due to the magnetic field. Furthermore, in FIG. 4, there is an effect that the voltage decreases as the magnetic field increases (since it is a constant current, the electric power decreases).

When a magnetic field is applied, the space between the electrodes is filled with bubbles as shown in Figure 3, and the resistance value of the bulk of the solution increases.However, the voltage decreases and current flows more easily due to the fact that the electrodes are filled with bubbles as shown in Figure 3. It is thought that the resistance was reduced by the magnetic field.

Figures 5 and 6 show flow velocity V = 0.022m/, respectively.
The rate of change in decomposition voltage when s and V = 0.007 m/s is shown using decomposition current as a parameter. The maximum decomposition voltage change rate (8%) is obtained when the decomposition current is large (0,067 m/s). Figures 7 and 8 show flow velocity V = 0.022 m/s and V = 0, respectively.
．． The 0 decomposition current, which shows the power efficiency change rate at 067 m/s using the decomposition current as a parameter, is large.
(5A) The maximum change (+7%) is obtained when the flow velocity is high (0,067 m/s).

In Figure 6, when the decomposition current is IA, the power efficiency (see Figure 8) increases even though the decomposition voltage increases slightly, because the current efficiency increases. (In fact, data has been obtained that shows that the time required to produce a certain amount of hydrogen and oxygen under constant current is shortened).

A flow velocity of approximately V = 0.022 m/s is generated naturally by the rise of bubbles without being applied by a pump. The flow velocity is ■=0
．． The results were investigated from about 0.022 m/s to about 0.11 m/s, and there was a tendency for the rate of change in power efficiency to increase as the flow velocity increased.

Although FIG. 1 shows a case where a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the electrode plate surface, it should be noted that the direction of the current and the direction of the magnetic field are not necessarily the same. The direction of the current is different from that of the magnetic field due to bending at the edge of the electrode, upward flow velocity, eddies, etc., and thus the Lorentz force is exerted. FIG. 11 shows this relationship.

In Figure 11(a), the flow velocity V due to the pump is given in the direction of the arrow, so the direction of mass transfer related to the current is v
It will be in the direction of l. Therefore, the Lorentz force f in the direction shown in the figure
works. FIG. 11(b) is a top sectional view of FIG. 11(a).

The direction of the Lorentz force f at the edge of the TrL pole is as shown in the figure. In the end, combining (a) and (b), the 11th
The force shown in diagram (C) will work. This collides with the upward flow velocity ■, creating a vortex or turbulent flow, causing the vortex to move around.

FIG. 9 is a diagram in which a magnetic field is applied in a direction parallel to the surface of the electrode, and (IJ) is a side sectional view of (a). Figure 10 shows the changes in the bubbles due to the magnetic field in this case.

(a) is when there is no magnetic field, and (b) is when a magnetic field is applied. Both are decomposition Tri flow 5A, flow rate 0.056m/
This is the case for s.

The Lorentz force f in this case is shown in FIG. FIG. 12(a) is a side cross-sectional view, and since the flow velocity is flowing in the direction (i.e., upward), the current direction Vi is obliquely upward as shown in the figure. Therefore, the force f is directed diagonally upward. FIG. 12(b) is a plan view of FIG. 12(a). All of the force f will work downward. Therefore, if (a) and (b) are combined, the result will be as shown in FIG. 12 (c) and (cl). Since this flow collides with the flow velocity V, turbulent flow and vortex flow occur.

The above-mentioned magnetohydrodynamic effect changes the surface current (which results in a state change such as bubble separation, detachment movement, etc.), which ultimately affects the efficiency. As shown in Figure 2, since this is carried out in the absence of a magnetic gradient, the state of the hydrogen and oxygen bubbles changes due to the force of repulsion or attraction due to the gradient magnetic field on hydrogen in the diamagnetic material and oxygen in the paramagnetic material. It turns out that this is not the case. As shown in Figure 3(d), both hydrogen and oxygen move downwards from the electrode (even if a magnetic field is applied after installing a partition wall in the middle of the container to prevent the hydrogen and oxygen from colliding) 7
This can also be said from the fact that both the C bubbles move downward.

The above is an experimental result in a place where there is no magnetic gradient, but almost the same results are obtained even if the experiment is conducted in a place where a magnetic gradient exists.

Therefore, there is no need to be particular about the uniformity of the magnetic field. Further, although the experiment was shown using platinum as the electrode, it goes without saying that other types of electrodes may be used.

[Effects] The method and device for electrolyzing water using a magnetic field of the present invention have the following effects:
It has the following effects.

(1) By applying a magnetic field, efficiency can be improved by several percent.

(2) In the era of room-temperature superconductivity, it will be possible to obtain a strong magnetic field without consuming electricity, making it possible to use that magnetic field to efficiently split water.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a diagram explaining the water splitting method of the present invention, Figure 2 is a diagram showing the distribution of magnetic flux density in the Z direction (vertical direction), Figure 3 is a diagram showing changes in the state of bubbles due to the magnetic field, and Figure 4 is a diagram showing the distribution of magnetic flux density in the Z direction (vertical direction). The figure shows the voltage change under constant current, Figures 5 and 6 show the dependence of the voltage change rate on magnetic flux density under constant current, and Figures 7 and 8
The figure shows the dependence of power efficiency on magnetic flux density, Figure 9 is a diagram explaining the water splitting method, and Figure 1O is a diagram showing the dependence of power efficiency on magnetic flux density.
Figure 11 is a diagram showing the state of oxygen bubbles, and Figure 12 is a diagram showing the changes that the current and bubbles undergo due to the magnetohydrodynamic effect when a magnetic field is acting perpendicular to the electrode surface.
The figure shows the changes that current and bubbles undergo due to the magnetohydrodynamic effect when a magnetic field is applied in a direction parallel to the electrode surface. l... Container (or vibrator), 2... Electrolyte solution,
3... Electrode, 4... Electrode, 5... Conductor, 6...
Conductive wire, 7... Magnet, 8... Magnet, 9... Container (or vibe), lO... Container (or vibe), 12
...Electrolyte solution, 13...Conducting wire, I4...Electrode,
15... Bubbles, 16... Bubbles, 17... Container (or vibrator), 18... Electrolytic consumption) α, 19... Electrode,
20... Container (or vibrator), 21... Magnet, 2
2... Conductor wire, 23... Bubbles. Patent applicant: Ishii Sangyo Co., Ltd. Representative: Ryohei Ishii Figure 1 (a) ¥! J1 figure (b)! ! 2 Figure Z (mm) Figure 3 Figure 3 [5i1 Figure 4 Time (sec) Figure 5 Figure 6 Rate of change in decomposition voltage ('/,) Figure 7 Rate of change in power efficiency (@mm) Figure 8 Electric power efficiency ('/,) Figure 9 (a) (b) Figure 10 B, 0 Gauss B = 104
00Gauss1=5A
(= 5Av = 0.056 m/s
v = 0.056m/5(a)
(b) Figure 11 (a) (b) (C)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (1) A water electrolysis method having a structure in which a magnetic field is applied between electrodes during water electrolysis. (2) A method for electrolyzing water according to claim 1, in which water is caused to flow from bottom to top. (3) A water electrolyzer having a structure that applies a magnetic field between electrodes during water electrolysis. (4) The water electrolyzer according to claim 3, in which water flows from the bottom to the top.