WO2022175932A2 - Générateur d'hydrogène - Google Patents

Générateur d'hydrogène Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022175932A2
WO2022175932A2 PCT/IB2022/056822 IB2022056822W WO2022175932A2 WO 2022175932 A2 WO2022175932 A2 WO 2022175932A2 IB 2022056822 W IB2022056822 W IB 2022056822W WO 2022175932 A2 WO2022175932 A2 WO 2022175932A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electrodes
hydrogen
pair
water
oxygen
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2022/056822
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2022175932A3 (fr
Inventor
Neil DRYSDALE
Miljan DOJIN
Original Assignee
Hydrogen Engergy & Power Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hydrogen Engergy & Power Ltd filed Critical Hydrogen Engergy & Power Ltd
Publication of WO2022175932A2 publication Critical patent/WO2022175932A2/fr
Publication of WO2022175932A3 publication Critical patent/WO2022175932A3/fr

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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
    • C25B11/00—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for
    • C25B11/02—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for characterised by shape or form
    • 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
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C25B15/08—Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
    • 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
    • C25B9/60—Constructional parts of 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
    • 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
    • C25B9/77—Assemblies comprising two or more cells of the filter-press type having diaphragms
    • 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 hydrogen generator and, in particular, a device for the production of hydrogen by electrolysis of water.
  • Hydrogen gas is an increasingly important fuel, because when burned with oxygen, it provides carbon-free combustion products. It is therefore one of the few environmentally friendly fuels, as the world deals with climate change. Hydrogen has applications in fuel cells, heating boilers, steam boilers, combined heat and power (CHP) boilers, gas furnaces, and internal combustion engines.
  • CHP combined heat and power
  • the present invention tackles these dual problems.
  • the electrolytic performance is enhanced by increasing the available surface area of electrodes, yet generating pure hydrogen and oxygen by separating the gases direct from the electrodes.
  • the device of the present invention increases the surface area of the electrodes, while retaining structural integrity, by providing a plurality of electrodes, resulting in a greater potential for electrolytic splitting of water, together with channels to separate the hydrogen and oxygen direct from the electrodes.
  • the present invention provides a device for the electrolysis of water, which device comprises a plurality of electrodes, the electrodes being arranged in pairs, each pair of electrodes comprising an anode and a cathode, and each pair of electrodes having gas-tight insulation from other pairs of electrodes, each pair of electrodes also having a means to supply water thereto, wherein the device contains a first set of collection channels arranged to direct and collect the hydrogen produced in the electrolytic reaction, and a second set of collection channels arranged to direct and collect the oxygen produced in the electrolytic reaction.
  • the device may be constructed as a domestic unit for use in a home, or as a larger industrial unit.
  • the number of anode/cathode pairs in the device of may be varied accordingly.
  • the device comprises at least three pairs of electrodes, typically at least five pairs of electrodes.
  • the device may contain from 6 to 50 pairs of electrodes, for example from 7 to 40 pairs, such as from 7 to 10 pairs, or from 10 to 30 pairs of electrodes.
  • Each electrode contains a terminal to which to apply a direct current voltage across the pair of anode and cathode.
  • a membrane to allow the conduction of ions between the anode and cathode and to separate the released oxygen and hydrogen.
  • a membrane may be a proton electrolyte membrane (PEM) or an anion exchange membrane (AEM).
  • the anode and the cathode present in the device of this invention may be formed of any suitable conductive material, such as platinum, gold, silver, nickel, titanium, stainless steel, copper or aluminium.
  • the electrodes may be in the form of planar sheets of conductive material. Alternatively, the electrodes may have a zigzag profile.
  • the present invention provides a device for the electrolysis of water, which device comprises a plurality of electrodes having a zigzag profile, the electrodes being arranged in pairs, each pair of electrodes comprising an anode and a cathode, and each pair of electrodes having gas-tight insulation from other pairs of electrodes, each pair of electrodes also having a means to supply water thereto, the device also containing a first set of collection channels arranged to direct and collect the hydrogen produced in the electrolytic reaction, and a second set of collection channels arranged to direct and collect the oxygen produced in the electrolytic reaction.
  • the zigzag profile of the electrodes significantly increases the available surface area thereof.
  • the term zigzag profile used herein means a profile that alternatively changes direction throughout all or part of its length.
  • the angles of direction change are substantially equal to each other and may suitably be from 15° to 90°, especially from 15° to 45°, preferably from 20° to 35°, for example from 25° to 30°.
  • each pair of electrodes has a gas- tight insulation from other pairs of electrodes, so that the evolved hydrogen and oxygen is prevented from mixing, thus enabling the gases to be collected separately.
  • the insulation between the pairs of electrodes is formed of a non-conductive material, such as nylon or an inert polymer for example acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
  • ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
  • the insulation material may be coated in a resin material to improve the insulation.
  • each pair of electrodes is enclosed within a casing of the insulation material. The casings may then be stacked adjacent each other, with the electrical terminals of the anode and cathode protruding.
  • Water for the electrolysis reaction is supplied to each electrode.
  • Each pair of electrodes has a means to supply water thereto.
  • the water supply means comprises a plurality of holes in each electrode, connected to a conduit supplying water.
  • the holes may be located at the edges of the vertical sides of the electrodes. In that way, the water is contained within each casing around the pairs of electrodes.
  • the water is conveniently stored an a water tank above the electrodes and fed into the conduits under gravity.
  • the level of the water in the water tank may be maintained by a valve control system, such as a simple float and ball valve, together with a pump which is activated when necessary to add further water.
  • a valve control system such as a simple float and ball valve
  • the hydrogen and oxygen gases, evolved during the electrolysis reaction are prevented from dissolving in the water, by means of a valve, such as a mechanical valve.
  • the water Before entering the water supply conduits, the water is preferably purified and cleaned, by means of filters, including for example a charcoal filter.
  • the water may optionally be supplemented with electrolytes.
  • the electrolyte may be an aqueous solution of an inorganic salt, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, lithium chloride, ammonium sulphate, sodium sulphate, or an organic salt such as an alkylamine salt.
  • An alkaline solution may also be employed, including sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in solution.
  • simple tap water may be used.
  • a key feature of the device of this invention is the isolation of substantially pure hydrogen and oxygen produced in the electrolytic reaction, by means of a set of collection channels for each gas.
  • the collection channels are secured to the top of each electrode so that evolved hydrogen is directed into a first set of channels and evolved oxygen is directed into a second set of channels, in such a way that the oxygen and hydrogen do not mix.
  • the channels lead to two separate collection containers to store the gases.
  • the ends of the collection channels adjacent the electrodes preferably terminate in a hood, to capture the evolving gas.
  • the channels are gas-tight, for example by coating with a resin material.
  • each casing that contains a pair of electrodes in a stack of casings is positioned at 180° from the adjacent casing in the stack.
  • each hood can cover the anodes of two adjacent casings; and a second hood can cover the cathodes of two adjacent casings.
  • the base of each casing for the electrodes is suitably removable, so that after an electrolysis cycle is complete, the particles that fall off the electrodes during the electrolysis reaction may be removed. This is conveniently achieved by means of a rotating cylinder situated below the electrodes. The upper part of the cylinder forms the base of the casings.
  • the cylinder At the end of a cycle, the cylinder is moved, to remove the debris, and is rotated to re-seal the casing. It is also advantageous to reverse the polarity at the end of a cycle to allow any accumulated slurry flakes to fall off the plates.
  • the water in the device can then be used to wash most of the flakes that remain on the plates. The water is then filtered and pumped back up to the water tank; and the electrolysis process re-starts.
  • Both the hydrogen and the oxygen collected in the device of this invention may be used immediately, or stored for future use. Whenever hydrogen is used as a fuel, it needs a source of oxygen, so that the collection and storage of oxygen produced in this device is an aid to the use of hydrogen as a fuel.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of electrodes of the device of this invention
  • Fig. 2 shows the top view of the electrode pair of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a casing into which one pair of electrodes fits
  • Fig. 4 shows a stack of seven casings, each containing one pair of electrodes
  • Fig. 5 is a completed device of this invention, incorporating the stack of casings of Fig. 4;
  • Fig. 6 shows the inside view of the water supply and gas collection channel element of the device depicted in Fig. 5;
  • Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one edge of the element shown in Fig.
  • Fig. 8 shows the element of Fig. 6 fitting on top of the stack of casings containing pairs of electrodes of Fig. 4;
  • Fig. 9 shows the water supply conduits and the gas collection channels within the element of Fig. 6.
  • each electrode, 1 and 2 each having a zigzag profile, are aligned with each other and attached to an anion exchange membrane (AEM), 3, running between them.
  • AEM anion exchange membrane
  • Each electrode, 1 and 2 contains a terminal, 4 and 5, respectively, which protrude laterally from the ends of the electrodes.
  • Fig. 3 shows a casing, 6, comprising side walls, 7, and integral end walls, 8, made of a non-conductive material.
  • the pair of electrodes of Fig. 1 fits into the inside of the casing, 6.
  • each casing holds a pair of electrodes, 1 and 2, with terminals, 4 and 5, protruding laterally.
  • a plurality of holes, 9, which provide a means to supply water to the electrodes.
  • Fig. 5 depicts the assembled device of this embodiment of the invention, having a water storage tank, 10, a water supply and gas collection channel element, 11, an electrolysis section, 12, and a drainage sump,
  • the electrolysis section, 12, comprises the stack of casings and electrodes shown in Fig. 4.
  • the interior of the water supply and gas collection channel element, 11, is shown in Fig. 6.
  • Water from the water storage tank, 10, enters the central portion, 14, and flows into cavities, 15, which are connected via conduits to supply water to the electrodes.
  • gas collection channels also contain the gas collection channels, although not visible in Fig.6.
  • the gas collection channels terminate in gas exit ports, 17.
  • the ports may be rectangular or round.
  • Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one of the outer edges 16 of the element 11, showing some of the gas collection channels.
  • Gas evolved from the electrolysis reaction, either hydrogen or oxygen is directed via angled hoods, 18A, into gas collection channels, 19, and thence to gas exit ports, 17A.
  • the set of channels depicted in Fig. 7 are arranged to collect only one gas, either hydrogen or oxygen, by being positioned over the relevant electrodes.
  • the alternate hoods, 18B extend to the other side of the element, 11, collect the other gas via a second set of channels which terminate at exit port, 17B.
  • Fig. 8 depicts the angled hoods, 18, positioned over the stacked casings containing electrodes of Fig. 4.
  • Each hood 18 is secured in gas-tight manner to the membrane 3, to prevent mixing of hydrogen and oxygen.
  • each casing each casing that contains a pair of electrodes in a stack of casings is positioned at 180° from the adjacent casing in the stack.
  • the casing 6A has the anode, 20A, on the left hand side of the casing and the cathode, 20C, on the right hand side of the casing.
  • the adjacent casing, 6B has the cathode, 21C, on the left hand side of the casing and the anode 21A on the right hand side of the casing.
  • the hood 18A is positioned over the right half of casing 6A (a cathode) and the left part of casing 6B (also a cathode).
  • the hood 18A collects only hydrogen evolved from the cathodes.
  • Oxygen flows into the alternate hoods 18B and is collected through corresponding channels on the other side of element, 11.
  • Fig.9 shows the flow of both the water supply conduits and the gas collection channels, within the element 11.
  • Water from the water storage tank flows in the direction of the dotted lines, 22, into the cavities, 15, and thence into the holes 9, which are situated on the upper edges of the casings, 6, to supply water to the electrodes.
  • hydrogen is directed through hoods 18A (in Fig. 8), through the exit port, 17A and into channels in the direction shown by the dotted lines 23, to be collected in a hydrogen storage tank (not shown).
  • oxygen is directed through hoods 18B (in Fig. 8), though exit port, 17B, and into channels in the direction shown by the dotted lines 24, to be collected in a oxygen storage tank (not shown).
  • the electrolysis of water is carried out using multiple electrodes having a maximized surface area.
  • the process achieves an improved performance compared to known methods, and is able to produce substantially pure hydrogen and substantially pure oxygen, which are separately collected and stored for use as fuel materials.

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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)
  • Electrodes For Compound Or Non-Metal Manufacture (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif d'électrolyse de l'eau, lequel dispositif comprend une pluralité d'électrodes disposées en paires ayant une isolation étanche aux gaz vis-à-vis d'autres paires d'électrodes, le dispositif contenant des canaux de collecte agencés pour diriger et collecter séparément l'hydrogène et l'oxygène produits dans la réaction électrolytique. Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, les électrodes ont un profil en zigzag.
PCT/IB2022/056822 2021-11-19 2022-07-23 Générateur d'hydrogène WO2022175932A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2116756.4 2021-11-19
GB2116756.4A GB2604213A (en) 2021-11-19 2021-11-19 Hydrogen generator

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2022175932A2 true WO2022175932A2 (fr) 2022-08-25
WO2022175932A3 WO2022175932A3 (fr) 2023-02-16

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Country Status (2)

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GB (1) GB2604213A (fr)
WO (1) WO2022175932A2 (fr)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2911381B2 (ja) * 1995-03-01 1999-06-23 神鋼パンテツク株式会社 水素・酸素発生装置
NL1005081C2 (nl) * 1997-01-24 1998-07-27 Zilvold Tieleman Hydro Technie Inrichting voor het uitvoeren van een elektrolyse, een hierin toepasbaar celelement, werkwijze voor het uitvoeren van een elektrolyse in een dergelijke inrichting, werkwijze voor het bereiden van chloordioxide, reactor voor het uitvoeren van een dergelijke werkwijze en een installatie voor het bereiden van chloordioxide.
DE102009004031A1 (de) * 2009-01-08 2010-07-15 Bayer Technology Services Gmbh Strukturierte Gasdiffusionselektrode für Elektrolysezellen
WO2011020172A1 (fr) * 2009-08-19 2011-02-24 Next Hydrogen Corporation Conception modulaire de cellule d'électrolyseur d'eau à membrane échangeuse de protons
JP7386246B2 (ja) * 2018-08-20 2023-11-24 タレスナノ ゼットアールティー． 気体水素を高圧および高純度で発生させるためのモジュール式電解槽ユニット

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
WILEY: "Alkaline Water Electrolysis at 25 A cm-2 with a Microfibrous Flow-through Electrode", ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS, vol. 10, 2020

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Publication number Publication date
WO2022175932A3 (fr) 2023-02-16
GB2604213A (en) 2022-08-31
GB202116756D0 (en) 2022-01-05

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