WO2014083509A2

WO2014083509A2 - Electrolysis gas generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014083509A2
Application number: PCT/IB2013/060437
Authority: WO
Inventors: Detlef Beier
Original assignee: Datech Asia Limited
Priority date: 2012-11-27
Filing date: 2013-11-27
Publication date: 2014-06-05
Also published as: HK1210507A1; WO2014083509A3; CN104870693A

Abstract

A gas generating apparatus comprising an electrolysis chamber for generating gas by electrolysis of electrolyte and an electrolyte tank to supply electrolyte to the electrolysis chamber, wherein the electrolyte tank defines a reservoir to hold a volume of electrolyte, an electrolyte outlet on the reservoir to supply the electrolyte from the reservoir to the electrolysis chamber, and a gas inlet on the reservoir; wherein the gas inlet defines an aperture in the reservoir such that gas generated by electrolysis in the electrolysis chamber will enter the electrolyte tank through the volume of electrolyte in the reservoir for subsequent collection; and wherein a gas baffle device is provided in the reservoir to resist movement of gas coming out of from the gas inlet to the electrolyte outlet.

Description

ELECTROLYSIS GAS GENERATING APPARATUS

FIELD

[001 ] The present disclosure relates to gas generating apparatus, and more particularly to electrolysis gas generating apparatus comprising an electrolysis chamber to generate gas by electrolysis of an aqueous electrolyte. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to gas generating apparatus for generating hydrogen for use in internal combustion engines and/or oxygen for useful applications.

BACKGROUND

[002] Many useful gases are generated by electrolysis using electrolysis gas generating apparatus comprising an electrolysis chamber. Hydrogen and oxygen are common examples of useful gases that can be obtained through electrolysis of water in the form of a conductive aqueous solution. Due to the increasing awareness of the usefulness of hydrogen as a clean energy source, electrolysis gas generating apparatus have gained attention as an important device for generating hydrogen cost effectively. [003] US 4,442,801 , published in 1984, discloses an internal combustion engine provided with a fuel supplementation system in which water is broken down by electrolysis into hydrogen and oxygen which are then added to the fuel delivery system.

[004] US 7,789,047, published in 2010, discloses an internal combustion engine that uses hydrogen generated by electrolysis as a supplement to liquid hydrocarbon fuel. [005] US 2010/0230278 discloses a hydrogen generating electrolysis system that comprises a water tank for supplying water into an electrolysis chamber and the oxygen generated is introduced into the water tank together with moisture accompanying the oxygen generated.

[006] While generation of useful gases such as hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis is known to be very cost effective, direct application of electrolysis gas generating apparatus in applications such as automotive is still very limited due to safety concerns since hydrogen can be explosive when mixed with oxygen. [007] It would be desirable if improved electrolysis gas generating apparatus can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[008] The present disclosure will be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which :-

Figure 1 is a schematic front perspective view showing an example gas generating apparatus according to the present disclosure,

Figure 2 is a schematic front perspective view depicting the gas generating apparatus of Figure 1 in example operation and including an optional layer of bubble liking material,

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view depicting another example gas generating apparatus in example operation according to the present disclosure,

Figure 3A is a schematic perspective view depicting the gas generating apparatus of Figure 3 with the electrolysis chamber partially detached, Figure 3B is a schematic perspective view depicting the gas generating apparatus of Figure 3A in example operation,

Figure 3C is a schematic perspective view depicting the gas generating apparatus of Figure 3B in operation while including an optional layer of bubble liking material, Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view depicting an electrolyte tank according to the present disclosure in example operation,

Figure 4A is a schematic perspective view of the electrolyte tank of Figure 4 including a layer of bubble liking material, and

Figure 5 is a home heating system employing an example application of the gas generating apparatus of the present invention. DESCRIPTION

[009] An electrolysis gas generating apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises an electrolyte tank and an electrolysis chamber. The electrolysis chamber comprises a air-tight housing which defines a reservoir of electrolyte and in which an electrode plate group assembly is received and immersed in the reservoir of electrolyte. Contact terminals for connecting the electrode plate group assembly to a direct current source to facilitate electrolysis are provided on outside of the rigid housing. The electrolyte tank and an electrolysis chamber can be integrally formed or mounted on a common housing or separately mounted during operation. [0010] In some embodiments, the electrolysis chamber comprises an electrode plate group which is to generate hydrogen as the first gas and oxygen as the second gas by electrolysis of aqueous electrolyte inside the electrolysis chamber.

[001 1] In some embodiments, the electrolysis chamber is mounted underneath said electrolyte tank. [0012] The electrode plate group assembly comprises a positive electrode plate group, a separator plate group (not shown) and a negative electrode plate group (not shown). The positive and negative electrode plate groups are connected respectively to a positive power terminal and a negative power terminal. The positive and negative power terminals are for connecting to a direct current (DC) power source to facilitate electrolysis operations in the electrolysis chamber.

[0013] A gas generating apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises an electrolysis chamber to generate gas by electrolysis of electrolyte in the electrolysis chamber, an electrolyte tank defining a reservoir of electrolyte to supply electrolyte to the electrolysis chamber, and a first gas collection chamber to collect a first gas generated by the electrolysis chamber. The apparatus is arranged such that the first gas generated in said electrolysis chamber is to pass through the reservoir of electrolyte in the electrolyte tank before entering said first gas collection chamber. The electrolyte permeable first gas bubble baffle arrangement is provided in said reservoir against movement of bubbles of the first gas generated in said electrolysis chamber back into said electrolysis chamber. The gas bubble baffle arrangement or first gas baffle arrangement is arranged to permit flow of electrolyte across the reservoir of electrolyte (or 'electrolyte reservoir' in short) and across the gas bubble baffle arrangement, for example, when the electrolyte level is above a prescribed minimum operation level.

[0014] In some embodiments, a first gas inlet aperture through which the first gas generated in the electrolysis chamber enters the reservoir and an electrolyte outlet aperture through which the electrolyte flows out of the reservoir and into said electrolysis chamber are defined on said electrolyte tank, and wherein said first gas bubble baffle arrangement forms an electrolyte permeable gas bubble baffle in said reservoir between said first gas inlet aperture and said electrolyte outlet aperture.

[0015] In some embodiments, the gas outlets are formed near the top of the electrolysis chamber and the electrolyte outlet is formed near the bottom of the electrolysis chamber. It is desirable that the gas outlets are formed above, and preferably well above, the electrolyte inlet so that the incoming electrolyte would not get mixed or splashed by with the outgoing gas bubbles while entering the electrolyte reservoir.

[0016] Such an arrangement is advantageous since replenishing of electrolyte at bottom of the electrolysis chamber will help to drive gases out of the electrolysis chamber and the moving of gases out of the electrolysis chamber from its top portion in turn helps to draw in replenishing electrolyte. Therefore, it is preferred that the electrolyte inlet is formed closer to the bottom of the electrolyte reservoir. More preferably, the electrolyte inlet is to enter the electrolysis chamber at a location below the electrode plate group. [0017] The electrolyte tank is for supplying electrolyte to the electrolysis chamber and comprises a rigid housing which defines an electrolyte reservoir. The electrolyte reservoir is for holding a volume of electrolyte and level markers are provided on the electrolyte tank to assist users to determine whether the electrolyte level inside the reservoir is in order. The level markers may comprise a maximum level marker and/or a minimum level marker, and can be visible or sensible.

[0018] In some embodiments, the marker comprises a first marker line showing the maximum electrolyte level and a second marker line showing the minimum electrolyte level. The first marker line is above the second marker line.

[0019] In some embodiments, gas inlets and the electrolyte outlet are formed on the electrolyte tank to form a compact or portable electrolysis gas generating apparatus. In such embodiments, the electrolyte outlet and the gas inlets are arranged on the bottom of the electrolyte tank such that gases generated by the electrolysis chamber will enter the gas collection chamber after passing through a reservoir of electrolyte. In some embodiments, a corresponding gas collection chamber or corresponding gas collection chambers are defined in the space of the air-tight housing above the reservoir to collect gas upon exiting from the reservoir. Such an arrangement is advantageous as the reservoir of electrolyte will provide a fire shield or fire isolation between the electrolysis chamber and the gas collection chamber.

[0020] In some embodiments, an electrolyte outlet aperture is formed on the bottom of the electrolyte tank so that electrolyte can flow into the electrolysis chamber through the electrolyte outlet aperture. Such a flow of electrolyte will induce or generate a moving current of electrolyte, such as a swirling or turbulent current inside the reservoir. In embodiments where the gas generating apparatus are compact, the gas outlets may be proximal to the electrolyte inlet and the electrolyte current may draw the generated gases back in the electrolysis chamber and results in mixing of gases inside the electrolysis chamber. The mixing of gas during the gas generation process is undesirable since the mixed gas can be explosive and the resulting gas may not be suitable for applications where high gas purity is required.

[0021] To mitigate the gas mixing problem, there is provided a gas generating apparatus comprising an electrolysis chamber to generate gas by electrolysis of electrolyte in the electrolysis chamber, an electrolyte tank defining a reservoir of electrolyte to supply electrolyte to the electrolysis chamber, and a first gas collection chamber to collect a first gas generated by the electrolysis chamber. The apparatus is arranged such that the first gas generated in said electrolysis chamber is to pass through the reservoir of electrolyte in the electrolyte tank before entering said first gas collection chamber. The electrolyte permeable first gas bubble baffle arrangement is provided in said reservoir against movement of bubbles of the first gas generated in said electrolysis chamber back into said electrolysis chamber.

[0022] the present disclosure has also disclosed an electrolyte tank for supplying electrolyte to an electrolysis chamber of an electrolysis gas generating apparatus, wherein the electrolyte tank comprises a housing defining an electrolyte reservoir, a first gas baffle arrangement to divide the electrolyte reservoir into a first reservoir portion and an electrolyte supply portion and to define a gas collection chamber above the first reservoir portion, a first gas inlet for a first gas generated by said electrolysis chamber to enter the first gas collection chamber after passing through said first reservoir portion, and an electrolyte outlet for supplying electrolyte to said electrolysis chamber; and wherein the first gas baffle arrangement is to block movement of gas bubbles or micro- bubbles coming in from said electrolysis chamber through said first gas inlet to move from said first reservoir portion to said electrolyte supply portion of said electrolyte reservoir while permitting the electrolyte to move between said first reservoir portion and said electrolyte supply portion of said electrolyte reservoir. [0023] In some embodiments, the first gas baffle arrangement comprises a first gas blocking plate extending upwardly from inside the electrolyte reservoir at a location between the first gas inlet and the electrolyte outlet to define a boundary of the first gas collection chamber, and wherein the first gas blocking plate is to block movement of gas from said first gas collection chamber to the space above said electrolyte supply portion of said electrolyte reservoir.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first gas baffle arrangement comprises a gas bubble blocking member which extends upwardly from the bottom of the electrolyte reservoir at a location between the first gas inlet and the electrolyte outlet to block against movement of gas bubbles and/or micro-bubbles from said first reservoir portion into said electrolyte supply portion of said electrolyte reservoir.

[0025] In some embodiments, the second gas blocking member comprises a block or layer of an electrolyte permeable or porous material which blocks through passage or gas bubbles or micro-bubbles; and/or wherein the second gas blocking member comprises a gas blocking plate which extends upwardly from the bottom of the electrolyte reservoir to block against movement of electrolyte below a predetermined level between the said first reservoir portion and said electrolyte supply portion of said electrolyte reservoir; and/or wherein the second gas blocking member is located between said first gas inlet and said first gas blocking plate.

[0026] There is also disclosed an electrolysis gas generating apparatus comprising an electrolysis chamber and an electrolyte tank described herein. [0027] An example gas generating apparatus 10 depicted in Figures 1 & 2 comprises an electrolysis chamber 1 10 and an electrolyte tank 120. The electrolysis chamber 1 10 and the electrolyte tank 120 are connected by a network of conduits comprising a first gas delivery pipe 1 12, a second gas delivery pipe 1 14 and an electrolyte delivery pipe 1 16. The first gas delivery pipe 1 12 is for delivery of hydrogen as a first gas generated in the electrolysis chamber 1 10, the second gas delivery pipe 1 14 is for delivery of oxygen as a second gas generated in the electrolysis chamber 1 10, and the electrolyte delivery pipe 1 16 is for delivery of electrolyte from the electrolyte tank 120 to the electrolysis chamber 1 10. [0028] The electrolysis chamber 1 10 comprises a rigid gas-tight housing in which an electrode plate group comprising positive electrode plates, negative electrode plates and separator plates is housed. The electroplate group is arranged such that a first gas generated by electrolysis at a first electrode plate group comprising electrode plates of a first polarity will be collected and delivered at a first gas outlet, and a second gas generated by electrolysis at a second electrode plate group comprising electrode plates of a second polarity opposite to the first polarity will be collected and delivered at a second gas outlet. Electrolyte inlets are provided on the rigid gas-tight housing to receive electrolyte to facilitate gas generating electrolysis operation.

[0029] The rigid gas-tight housing of the electrolysis chamber 1 10 defines an electrolyte reservoir inside the housing which is to fully immerse the effective operating areas of the electrode plates in electrolyte during gas generating electrolysis operation of the electrolysis chamber. The gas outlets are located above the maximum level of the electrolyte reservoir and the electrolyte inlets are located near the bottom of the rigid housing to feed electrolyte to fill up the electrolyte reservoir. The number of electrode plates in the electrode plate group and the corresponding effective area would determine the volume rate of gas generation of the electrolysis chamber. Contact terminals to obtain power supply to facilitate gas generating electrolysis operation are formed on a side of the rigid gas-tight housing that is opposite to the gas outlets.

[0030] The electrolyte tank 120 comprises a rigid housing 150. The rigid housing defines an electrolyte reservoir and a plurality of discrete gas collection chambers. An electrolyte outlet 122, a first gas inlet 124, and a second gas inlet 126 are formed on the rigid housing of the electrolyte tank 120. The electrolyte reservoir is divided into three reservoir portions, namely a first reservoir portion in conjunction with the first gas inlet 124, a second reservoir portion in conjunction with the second gas outlet 126, and a third reservoir portion in conjunction with the electrolyte outlet 126. A first gas collection chamber for collecting a first gas received through the first gas inlet is formed by the rigid housing and defined by the space above the first reservoir portion. A second gas collection chamber for collecting a second gas received through the second gas inlet is formed by the rigid housing and defined by the space above the second reservoir portion. The rigid housing is arranged such that the first gas collection chamber and the second gas collection chambers are isolated from each other to avoid gas communication between them, thereby preventing or mitigating mixing whist the first and/or the second gas are inside the rigid housing.

[0031] The first gas collection chamber is defined between the first reservoir portion and the space of the rigid housing above the first reservoir portion. The first gas collection chamber is made gas tight but permits entry of the first gas by passing through electrolyte in the first reservoir portion when received through the first gas inlet 124 and exit of the first gas by leaving through a first gas outlet formed on portion of the rigid housing that defines the first gas collection chamber.

[0032] The second gas collection chamber is defined between the second reservoir portion and the space of the rigid housing above the second reservoir portion. The second gas collection chamber is made gas tight but permits entry of the second gas by passing through electrolyte in the second reservoir portion when received through the second gas inlet 126 and exit of the second gas by leaving through a second gas outlet formed on portion of the rigid housing that defines the second gas collection chamber.

[0033] In order to separate or isolate the first and second gas collection chambers from each other to prevent, or at least mitigate, gas communication there-between, a gas blocking arrangement to prevent gas communication between the gas collection chambers is defined in the rigid housing. The gas blocking arrangement is to permit flow of electrolyte within the reservoir but without gas exchange between the adjacent gas collection chambers. For example, the gas blocking arrangement is arranged to permit flow of electrolyte without gas communication, or more exactly gas bubbles communication there-between within the reservoir between the first and the second reservoir portion, and/or between the first reservoir portion and the third reservoir portion, and/or between the second reservoir portion and the third reservoir portion. Although gas communication isolation between adjacent reservoir portions would have provided adequate gas isolation, gas communication isolation between all of the adjacent reservoir portions would provide added isolation without loss of generality. [0034] in some embodiments, the gas blocking arrangement comprises a first gas blocking plate 136 which is non-permeable to gas and which extends vertically upwardly from below the top surface of the reservoir of electrolyte and extends all the way until reaching the ceiling of the rigid housing to define a sealed space between the reservoir and the rigid housing, and which sealed space defines a gas collection chamber above the reservoir. The portion of the first gas blocking plate 136 which is below the top surface of the reservoir of electrolyte is made porous or electrolyte permeable to permit lateral flow of electrolyte inside the reservoir across the first gas blocking plate. The porosity or permeability can be facilitated by forming an aperture or apertures on the gas non-permeable first gas blocking plate to permit through passage of electrolyte. The aperture or apertures are preferably formed on, near or very close to the bottom of the reservoir to take into account of possible drop of electrolyte level below the minimum reservoir level allowed.

[0035] In order to block or prevent gas bubbles received from a gas inlet from flowing through the aperture or apertures of the first gas blocking plate to an adjacent reservoir portion or adjacent reservoir portions, a second gas blocking plate 134 which is non- permeable to gas is formed between the gas inlet and the first gas blocking plate associated with that gas inlet. The second gas blocking plate extends vertically upwardly from the bottom of the reservoir and stops at a level which is elevated above the reservoir to permit through passes of electrolyte above that elevated level into an adjacent reservoir portion but does not permit such through flow below that elevated level. The elevated level of the second gas blocking plate is below the minimum operation level of the electrolyte reservoir to permit through lateral passage of electrolyte between adjacent reservoir portions during normal gas generating electrolysis operation.

[0036] In order to further prevent movement of residual gas bubbles emerging from the gas inlet which have successfully bypass the second gas blocking plate, for example, gas bubbles which move laterally at above the elevated level, an optional gas bubble blocking layer is placed between the first and the second gas blocking plates. This gas bubble blocking layer comprises a porous material which is permeable to electrolyte but not permeable to gas bubbles emerging from the gas inlet. Materials which are suitable to form the gas bubble blocking layer include, for example, porous or honeycomb materials such as sponge, cotton, woven fabrics, or synthetic porous materials made of polyester, polyamide or Nylon which demonstrate affinity to or are alluring to gas bubbles.

[0037] In the example apparatus of Figures 1 and 2, the first gas blocking plate 136 extends vertically upwards from the bottom of the reservoir at a location between the first gas inlet 124 and the electrolyte outlet 122 to form the first gas collection chamber and the first reservoir portion. An aperture which permits through passage of electrolyte between the first reservoir portion and the third reservoir portion is formed at the bottom of the first gas blocking plate 136. The second gas blocking plate 134 extends vertically upwards from the bottom of the reservoir at a location between the first gas inlet 124 and the first gas blocking plate 136. The second gas blocking plate 134 extends upwardly until reaching an elevated level below the minimum working level of the electrolyte reservoir. This second gas blocking plate prevents movement of electrolyte below the elevated level from the first reservoir portion to the third reservoir portion which is above the electrolyte outlet. An optional gas bubble blocking layer is placed inside a compartment defined by the first and second gas blocking plates. [0038] The first and second gas blocking plates 136, 134 and the optional gas bubble blocking layer collectively define a gas baffle arrangement or a gas bubble baffle arrangement to provide a gas tight gas collection chamber. This gas baffle arrangement or a gas bubble baffle arrangement cooperates with the reservoir and the rigid housing to prevent movement of gas out of the gas collection chamber into an adjacent chamber, and to prevent movement of gas bubbles through its associated reservoir portion into an adjacent reservoir portion while permitting electrolyte to flow between adjacent reservoir portions.

[0039] A second set of gas baffle arrangement is formed in the rigid housing at a location between the second gas inlet 126 and the electrolyte outlet 122 to define the second gas collection chamber. This second gas baffle arrangement is arranged such that the first gas blocking plate is formed between the electrolyte outlet 122 and the second gas inlet 126 and the second blocking plate is formed between the first gas blocking plate and the second gas inlet 126. As the arrangement of the second set of gas baffle arrangement to define the second gas collection chamber, the second reservoir portions, and etc. are according to the same principle, the description herein in relation to the arrangement of the gas baffle arrangement, the second gas collection chamber, the second reservoir portions, and etc. is incorporated mutatis mutandis herein without loss of generality.

[0040] In addition to the various advantages, the gas baffle blocking arrangement (aka the gas bubble blocking arrangement) is further advantageous in that it facilitates a more effective, or even maximised, use of the volume of the rigid housing as an electrolyte reservoir.

[0041] A first gas outlet, an electrolyte inlet and a second gas outlet are formed on a top lid of the rigid housing. The first gas outlet 142 is in gas communication with the first gas collection chamber to facilitate delivery of the first gas, the second gas outlet 144 is in gas communication with the second gas collection chamber to facilitate delivery of the second gas, and electrolyte inlets 146 are formed on the top lid at a location above the third or electrolyte supply reservoir portion. The top lid is attached to the rigid housing with a gas sealing gasket to maintain gas tightness.

[0042] The rigid housing of the electrolyte tank 120 is formed of hard plastics and has a substantially rectangular cross-section as depicted in Figures 1 and 2. The electrolyte tank 120 is partitioned into three reservoir portions, namely, the first gas collection chamber and the second gas collection chamber on lateral ends of the rigid housing and the third reservoir portion in the middle. The rigid housing is transparent so that markers corresponding to the maximum and minimum operation levels of the electrolyte reservoir can be seen and compared with the actual electrolyte level inside the electrolyte. The surface of the electrolyte across the entire electrolyte reservoir is levelled or uniformed across the three reservoir portions when the electrolyte level is above a predetermined operational minimum. On the other hand, when the electrolyte level falls below the predetermined operational minimum, the electrolyte levels across the various reservoir portions will be different and are determined by the levels of elevation of the second gas blocking plate associated with that reservoir portion. [0043] The example electrolyte tank 120 of Figures 1 and 2 has approximate base dimensions of about 6cm x 21 cm and an approximate height of 14cm. The maximum electrolyte level is defined at about 9cm above the base or bottom of the reservoir, thereby defining an electrolyte reservoir having an electrolyte storing capacity of about 1 litre, or more exactly 1.134 litres. It will be noted that electrolysis of 1 litre of water will produce 55.55 moles of hydrogen and 22.775 moles of oxygen, which is about 1 ,350 litres of hydrogen and about 680 litres of oxygen at room temperature.

[0044] In the example arrangement of Figures 1 and 2, the first gas inlet 124 of the electrolyte tank 120 is connected to the hydrogen outlet of the electrolysis chamber 1 10 via the hydrogen delivery duct 1 12, the second gas inlet 126 of the electrolyte tank is connected to the oxygen outlet of the electrolysis chamber 1 10 via the oxygen delivery duct 1 12, and electrolyte to facilitate electrolysis operation is delivered from the electrolyte outlet 122 via the electrolyte delivery duct 1 14. The first gas inlet 124, the second gas inlet 126 and the electrolyte outlet 122 are formed on the rigid housing of the electrolyte tank, for example at the bottom, such that the first gas inlet is in communication with the first reservoir portion, the second gas inlet is in communication with the second reservoir portion, and the electrolyte outlet is in communication with the third reservoir portion.

[0045] During normal electrolysis gas generating operation, aqueous electrolyte will be supplied by the electrolyte tank 120 to the electrolysis chamber 1 10. A direct current is supplied to the electrolysis chamber 1 10 to cause electrolysis of the aqueous electrolyte inside the electrolysis chamber 1 10 by operation of the electrode plate group. Hydrogen and oxygen gases generated as products of the electrolysis will be delivered out of the sealed electrolysis chamber 1 10 along the gas delivery ducts due to increase of pressure inside the electrolysis chamber. The removal of gases from the electrolysis chamber 1 10 will lower the pressure inside the electrolysis chamber 1 10 and bring about replenishment of electrolyte into the electrolysis chamber. As a result, hydrogen and oxygen generated by the electrolysis chamber 1 10 will be continuously delivered to the individual gas collection chambers which are integrally formed with the electrolyte tank 120.

[0046] The generated gases will be injected as streams of bubbles and/or micro-bubbles into the electrolyte reservoir at high velocities due to a higher pressure inside the electrolysis chamber 1 10. The high velocities of the bubble streams will cause swirling or turbulence of the electrolyte in the vicinity of the gas inlet. Once the bubble or micro- bubble streams enter the electrolyte reservoir, the speed of the bubbles will decease due to resistance of the electrolyte inside the electrolyte reservoir and the bubble or micro- bubble will also move sideways or spread laterally while moving upwards towards the gas collection chamber for collection as depicted by the arrows in the schematic diagrams of Figure 2 and 3.

[0047] At the same time, delivery of electrolyte out of the electrolyte tank 120 and through the electrolyte outlet 122 would induce suction currents and bring about swirling or turbulence of the electrolyte in the vicinity of the electrolyte outlet 122.

[0048] The swirling or turbulence of electrolyte in the vicinity of the electrolyte outlet 122 coupled with the lateral tree-like spreading of gas bubbles or micro-bubbles in the vicinity of the gas inlet would increase the tendency of undesirable movement of such gas bubbles or micro-bubbles to the electrolyte outlet 122 and the even more undesirable entry of such bubbles or micro-bubbles into the electrolysis chamber 1 10.

[0049] It will be appreciated that such undesirable movements of bubbles or micro- bubbles from the gas inlet to the electrolyte outlet would become more noticeable as the size of the electrolyte tank is made more compact such that the separation distance between the gas inlet and electrolyte outlet is decreased. The gas baffle arrangement (aka gas bubble baffle arrangement) operates to provide an effective baffle or block against such undesirable movements of gas bubbles or micro-bubbles.

[0050] In some example embodiments, the electrolysis gas generating apparatus may comprise an electrolysis chamber and an electrolyte tank which are mounted on a common housing such that the electrolysis gas generating apparatus forms a single unit. As depicted in Figures 3, 3A, 3B & 3C, the electrolysis gas generating apparatus 20 comprises an electrolyte tank and an electrolysis chamber which are mounted on a common housing to form an integrated apparatus. The construction and operation of the electrolyte tank is substantially similar to that of Figure 1 and the description above is incorporated by way of reference with the numerals of the same or equivalents added by 100. [0051] In the example electrolyte tanks of Figures 1 , 2 and 3, the separation distance between the first gas inlet 124 and the electrolyte outlet 122 is about 6 cm, the separation distance between the second gas inlet 126 and the electrolyte outlet 122 is about 3.2 cm, the elevated level of the second gas blocking plate is about 10 cm and the separation between the first and second gas blocking plates are about 1.5 cm.

[0052] The present disclosure also discloses an electrolyte tank as a stand-alone unit as depicted in Figures 4 and 4A. In the example of Figure 4, the electrolyte tank 120 is identical to that of Figure 1 and 3 but detached from the electrolysis chamber. In the example of Figure 4A, the electrolyte tank 120 is identical to that of Figure 2 and 3C but detached from the electrolysis chamber. The description herein on electrolyte tanks of Figures 1 , 2, 3, and 4 are incorporated herein as a stand-alone device.

[0053] Gas products of the gas generating apparatus may be utilised in many different ways. For example, the hydrogen generated may be used as a fuel or supplemental fuel for automotive, ships or other vehicles after removal of moisture. For example, the oxygen generated may be used for medical applications or for providing breathing air inside vehicles or buildings.

[0054] In the above examples, the gas collection chambers are integrally formed with the electrolyte tank as a single unit such that a single housing can define both electrolyte reservoir and gas collection chambers. This integration is advantageous in providing a more compact gas generating apparatus while at the same time the electrolyte contained inside the electrolyte reservoir can serve as a fire isolator or fire separator for enhanced safety. Such a safety aspect is of particular importance in automotive operations.

[0055] In the above examples, a first gas collection chamber and a second gas collection chamber are formed on the electrolyte tank. In some embodiments, the electrolyte tank may include a single gas collection chamber and the electrolyte reservoir and without a second gas collection chamber. For such embodiments, the description herein with reference to the second gas collection chamber may be omitted where appropriate without loss of generality. [0056] In some embodiments, for example, in examples where only a single gas is to be collected, an apparatus with a single gas collection chamber and an electrolyte reservoir would be adequate. In such embodiments, the uncollected gas may be discharged into the atmosphere or collected by another as collection apparatus.

[0057] In some embodiments, the first gas inlet may be connected to an oxygen source of an electrolysis gas generating apparatus. [0058] In some examples, the second gas inlet may be connected to a hydrogen source of an electrolysis gas generating apparatus.

[0059] While the gas generating apparatus have been explained with reference to a hydrogen and oxygen generating apparatus, it should be understood by persons skilled in the art the apparatus is for illustration only and shall not be construed as a limiting example. For example, the apparatus can be used to generate hydrogen only with the oxygen not collected, or to generate oxygen only with the hydrogen released into the atmosphere.

[0060] In the above example, the gas baffle arrangement comprises the components of a first gas baffle plate, a second gas baffle plate and a layer of gas liking materials for bubble adsorption. However, it should be appreciated that a gas baffle device may comprise any of the components or any combination of the gas baffling components to achieve the benefits or advantages without loss of generality.

[0061] Moreover, while the gas inlets are disposed on the bottom of the electrolyte reservoir of the electrolyte tank, it would be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the gas inlets can be on elevated levels, for example, on sides of the electrolyte tank without loss of generality.

[0062] Furthermore, while he electrolyte tank has been described with reference to a gas generating apparatus comprising an electrolysis chamber, it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that the electrolyte tank, including the top cover which cooperate with the electrolyte tank to define the gas collection chambers, can be used with gas generating apparatus of non-electrolysis types. For example, the electrolyte tank can be used with gas generating apparatus which generates gas by oxidation of metal or other gas generation methods.

[0063] The heating system depicted in Figure 5 illustrates an application example of a gas generating apparatus of the present disclosure in addition to its application as a fuel gas supplier to power an internal combustion engine. The heating system 500 comprises a gas burning boiler 510 which is arranged to heat water by means of a heating unit 520. The heated water will be circulated around a closed hot water pipe loop in the heating system in a direction as depicted by the arrow 530. A water tank 540 is provided to feed water into the system 500 and a pump 550 is to drive circulation of the heated water. The heated water upon passing through radiators 540 will provide heating for domestic or commercial use. A solar panel 570 is to provide operation power to the heating system 500 while a DC power supply is to provide backup operating power when the solar panel does not produce sufficient power to operate the heating system.

Claims

A gas generating apparatus comprising an electrolysis chamber to generate gas by electrolysis of electrolyte in the electrolysis chamber, an electrolyte tank defining a reservoir of electrolyte to supply electrolyte to the electrolysis chamber, and a first gas collection chamber to collect a first gas generated by the electrolysis chamber; wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the first gas generated in said electrolysis chamber is to pass through the reservoir of electrolyte in the electrolyte tank before entering said first gas collection chamber; and wherein an electrolyte permeable first gas bubble baffle arrangement is provided in said reservoir against movement of bubbles of the first gas generated in said electrolysis chamber back into said electrolysis chamber.

A gas generating apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein a first gas inlet aperture through which the first gas generated in the electrolysis chamber enters the reservoir and an electrolyte outlet aperture through which the electrolyte flows out of the reservoir and into said electrolysis chamber are defined on said electrolyte tank, and wherein said first gas bubble baffle arrangement forms an electrolyte permeable gas bubble baffle in said reservoir between said first gas inlet aperture and said electrolyte outlet aperture.

A gas generating apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein suction current is generated inside said reservoir due to flow of electrolyte from the reservoir into the electrolysis chamber during gas generating electrolysis operation and the portion of the reservoir through which the first gas moves from the first gas outlet aperture to the first gas collection chamber is within a range of suction influence of the suction current absent said first gas bubble baffle arrangement.

A gas generating apparatus according to any preceding Claims and comprising a second gas collection chamber which is to collect a second gas generated by the electrolysis chamber, wherein the second gas is different to the first gas and the second gas collection chamber is separated from said first gas collection chamber; wherein an electrolyte permeable second gas bubble baffle arrangement is provided in said reservoir against movement of bubbles of the second gas generated by the electrolysis chamber back into said electrolysis chamber and/or movement of the second gas across the reservoir into said first gas collection chamber.

A gas generating apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein said second gas bubble baffle arrangement forms an electrolyte permeable gas bubble baffle in said reservoir between said second gas inlet aperture and said electrolyte outlet aperture.

A gas generating apparatus according to any of preceding Claims, wherein a curtain of electrolyte against through movement of gas bubbles generated by the electrolysis chamber is defined in the reservoir between the first gas inlet aperture and the second gas inlet aperture, between the first gas inlet aperture and the electrolyte outlet aperture, and/or between the second gas inlet aperture and the electrolyte outlet aperture.

A gas generating apparatus according to any of preceding Claims, wherein the reservoir of the electrolyte tank is partitioned into a first reservoir portion and an electrolyte supply portion by an electrolyte permeable first gas bubble baffle arrangement; wherein the first reservoir portion connects the first gas inlet aperture and the first gas collection chamber to facilitate movement of bubbles of the first gas from the first gas inlet aperture to the first gas collection chamber and the electrolyte supply portion is in connection with the electrolyte outlet aperture; and wherein the electrolyte permeable first gas bubble baffle arrangement connects the first reservoir portion and the electrolyte supply portion in electrolyte communication while preventing passage of bubbles of the first gas from said first reservoir portion to the electrolyte supply portion.

A gas generating apparatus according to any of preceding Claims, wherein the reservoir of the electrolyte tank is partitioned into a second reservoir portion by an electrolyte permeable second gas bubble baffle arrangement; wherein the second reservoir portion connects the second gas inlet aperture and the second gas collection chamber to facilitate movement of bubbles of the second gas from the second gas inlet aperture to the second gas collection chamber; and wherein the electrolyte permeable second gas bubble baffle arrangement connects the second reservoir portion and the first reservoir portion in electrolyte communication while preventing passage of bubbles of the second gas from said second reservoir portion to said first reservoir portion or to said electrolyte supply portion.

9. A gas generating apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the electrolyte supply portion is intermediate the first reservoir portion and the second reservoir portion.

10. A gas generating apparatus according to any of preceding Claims, wherein each electrolyte permeable gas bubble baffle arrangement comprises a first electrolyte barrier plate that is more proximal to a corresponding gas inlet and a second electrolyte barrier plate that is more distal from said corresponding gas inlet but more proximal to the electrolyte outlet aperture, each one of said first and second electrolyte barrier plates being non-permeable to electrolyte; wherein the first electrolyte barrier plate defines an upper barrier level below which flow of electrolyte inside the reservoir is blocked and the second electrolyte barrier plate defines a lower barrier level after which flow of electrolyte inside the reservoir is blocked; and wherein the upper barrier level is elevated above the lower barrier level.

1 1 . A gas generating apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the electrolyte outlet aperture is located between the second barrier plates of adjacent electrolyte permeable gas bubble baffle arrangement.

12. A gas generating apparatus according to any of preceding Claims, wherein each electrolyte permeable gas bubble baffle arrangement comprises a layer of electrolyte permeable foamed or porous material that is non-permeable to gas bubbles, and/or wherein the foamed or porous material is gas bubble liking or alluring to form a gas bubble adsorption surface inside the reservoir.

13. A gas generating apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the layer of electrolyte permeable foamed or porous material is between the first and the second electrolyte barrier plates.

14. A gas generating apparatus according to any preceding Claims, wherein the first gas inlet, the first gas collection chamber, and the electrolyte outlet are formed on a common housing which defines the electrolytic tank; and/or wherein the second gas inlet and the second gas collection chamber are also formed on the common rigid housing.

A gas generating apparatus according to any preceding Claims, wherein the first gas inlet, the second gas inlet and the electrolyte outlet are formed on the portion of the common rigid housing defining the bottom or the reservoir and projecting downwards as protruding nozzles from bottom of said rigid common housing; and/or wherein the first gas collection chamber is formed in the upper portion of the rigid common housing vertically above the first gas inlet and the second gas collection chamber is formed in the upper portion of the rigid common housing vertically above the second gas inlet; and/or wherein the first gas collection chamber is formed on one lateral side of the rigid common housing, the second gas collection chamber is formed on another lateral side of the rigid common housing, and the portion of the reservoir vertically above said electrolyte outlet is between the first gas collection chamber and the second gas collection chamber. 16. An electrolyte tank for supplying electrolyte to an electrolysis chamber of an electrolysis gas generating apparatus, wherein the electrolyte tank comprises a housing defining an electrolyte reservoir, a first gas baffle arrangement to divide the electrolyte reservoir into a first reservoir portion and an electrolyte supply portion and to define a gas collection chamber above the first reservoir portion, a first gas inlet for a first gas generated by said electrolysis chamber to enter the first gas collection chamber after passing through said first reservoir portion, and an electrolyte outlet for supplying electrolyte to said electrolysis chamber; and wherein the first gas baffle arrangement is to block movement of gas bubbles or micro-bubbles coming in from said electrolysis chamber through said first gas inlet to move from said first reservoir portion to said electrolyte supply portion of said electrolyte reservoir while permitting the electrolyte to move between said first reservoir portion and said electrolyte supply portion of said electrolyte reservoir.

An electrolyte tank according to Claim 16, wherein the first gas baffle arrangement comprises a first gas blocking plate extending upwardly from inside the electrolyte reservoir at a location between the first gas inlet and the electrolyte outlet to define a boundary of the first gas collection chamber, and wherein the first gas blocking plate is to block movement of gas from said first gas collection chamber to the space above said electrolyte supply portion of said electrolyte reservoir.

An electrolyte tank according to Claims 16 or 17, wherein the first gas baffle arrangement comprises a gas bubble blocking member which extends upwardly from the bottom of the electrolyte reservoir at a location between the first gas inlet and the electrolyte outlet to block against movement of gas bubbles and/or micro-bubbles from said first reservoir portion into said electrolyte supply portion of said electrolyte reservoir. 19. An electrolyte tank according to Claim 18, wherein the second gas blocking member comprises a block or layer of an electrolyte permeable or porous material which blocks through passage or gas bubbles or micro-bubbles; and/or wherein the second gas blocking member comprises a gas blocking plate which extends upwardly from the bottom of the electrolyte reservoir to block against movement of electrolyte below a predetermined level between the said first reservoir portion and said electrolyte supply portion of said electrolyte reservoir; and/or wherein the second gas blocking member is located between said first gas inlet and said first gas blocking plate.

An electrolysis gas generating apparatus comprising an electrolysis chamber and an electrolyte tank according to any of Claims 15-19.