AU5839299A

AU5839299A - Apparatus for electrolytic generation of gas

Info

Publication number: AU5839299A
Application number: AU58392/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dimko Toseski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-09-02
Filing date: 1999-08-31
Publication date: 2000-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-31
Also published as: AU745906B2

Description

WO 00/14303 PCT/AU99/00706 -1 APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC GENERATION OF GAS This invention relates to apparatus for the electrolytic generation of gas. In one preferred application the apparatus provides for the generation of hydrogen and oxygen. It will be 5 appreciated however, that the apparatus could be used in the generation of other gases. In Australian Patent Specification No. 487062 there is described an apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen which comprises a series of electrolytic cells comprised by pairs of electrodes, the cells being submerged in an electrolytic solution and operatively connected to 10 an electrical power source. Actuation of the power source causes an electric current to pass between the electrodes of the cells so as to produce oxygen and hydrogen which bubbles towards a collecting region above the cells from where the generated gases are transferred to a collecting chamber. 15 The above described arrangement has been found to be not particularly efficient and because the cells are completely immersed in the electrolytic solution and there is a tendency for them to overheat. Furthermore, the apparatus needs to be shut down if electrolytic solution in the system needs to be replenished. 20 It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the electrolytic production of gas which alleviates one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for the electrolytic production of gas, the apparatus including a gas generating device which includes a main body having 25 an internal chamber therein which serves as a receptacle which in use, is partially filled with an electrolytic solution with a space above the solution forming a gas accumulating zone. The device further includes at least one pair of spaced apart electrodes within the internal chamber which form at least one electrolytic cell. The device is operatively connectable to a power source which can cause an electric current to be passed across the or each cell. The 30 apparatus further includes a gas collecting device which includes a collecting vessel which WO 00/14303 PCT/AU99/00706 -2 is partially filled with electrolytic solution. There is further provided gas transfer means for the passage of gas produced in the or each cell from the gas accumulating zone to the collecting vessel and electrolytic solution transfer means for the passage of electrolytic solution from the vessel to the or each cell. 5 Preferably, there are provided a plurality of compartments within the internal chamber at least some of the compartments having associated therewith a pair of electrodes so as to form a plurality of electrolytic cells. In one preferred form, there are provided a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart upright partitions which form the compartments therebetween, 10 the partitions being arranged side by side and extending from a bottom wall section to a top wall section of the main body. Preferably, the partitions define the electrodes for each electrolytic cell and are electrically insulated from one another. In one preferred form, the partitions may project beyond the 15 internal chamber externally of the main body so as to define cooling fins. The collecting vessel is preferably disposed at one end of the main body of the gas generating device. Preferably, each partition is provided with a gas transfer port towards it upper end within the internal chamber and an electrolyte transfer port disposed towards the lower end 20 of the partition. There further is provided a gas transfer port and electrolyte transfer port in the side wall of the collecting vessel adjacent the end of the main body of the gas generating device. The collecting vessel may further include a gas discharge outlet and gas regulator means for 25 controlling discharge of the gas generator via the discharge outlet. The gas regulator may include a non-return valve which is adapted to open in response to gas pressure within the vessel and may include a filter for removing electrolytic vapour prior to the discharge of the gas through the discharge outlet and a flash back arrester. 30 The apparatus may further include a safety control device downstream of the discharge outlet WO 00/14303 PCT/AU99/00706 -3 which may comprise a gas filter, non-return valve, flash back arrester an/or thermal cut off valve which can stop gas flow in the case of back firing. The apparatus may further include an ignition device inside the vessel which is operatable in an emergency to implode the gas therein so that it reverts to its original state. An electric supply cut off may also be included 5 which is responsive to gas pressure within the system that can shut down the system in the event of too much gas being produced. Pump means may be provided for delivering electrolyte to the vessel which can therefore replenish the system. 10 The apparatus of the present invention has been found to be capable of producing higher volumes of gas at lower energy currents compared with the system described earlier. The system also has the advantage that electrolytic solution can be replenished without having to shut down the system. 15 A preferred embodiment of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to he accompanying drawing marked Figure 1, which is being a schematic side elevation of apparatus according to one form of the invention. 20 Referring to the drawing there is shown an apparatus for the generation of gas generally indicated at 10 which comprises a gas generating device 12 and a gas collecting device 40. The apparatus shown is used in the production of hydrogen and oxygen which are preferably produced in stoichiometric proportions for subsequent use in a variety of applications. 25 The gas generating device 12 comprises a main body 14 in the form of a generally box-shaped body having an internal chamber 15 therein which defines a receptacle for receiving an electrolytic solution 16 which partially fills the receptacle. The electrolytic solution may for example, be a mixture of potassium hydroxide and water. The ends of the main body 14 are closed by an end plate 13 and a wall section 44 of the gas collecting device 40. 30 WO 00/14303 PCT/AU99/00706 -4 The device 12 further includes a plurality of electrodes 20 in the form of parallel partitions 21 which are disposed generally upright within and separate the chamber 15 into a series of side by side compartments 24 so that adjacent electrodes and compartment define a series of electrolytic cells. The partitions 21 project beyond the external walls of the main body 14 5 so as to define a series of cooling fins 26. The partitions 21 are mounted together by means of insulated mounting bolts 27 and 28. Each of the compartments 24 is partially filled with electrolytic solution 16 and have a gas accumulating space 17 in the upper region thereof. The end plate 13 and the wall section 10 44 of collecting device 40 via mounting bolt 27 are operatively connected to an electric power source thereby enabling a potential difference to be produced across the cells. Each of the partitions 21 has a gas transfer port 31 in the upper region thereof and an electrolytic solution transfer port 32 in the lower region thereof. 15 The gas collecting device 40 comprises a gas collecting vessel 42 having an external wall 43 with a section 44 of that wall 43 closing an end of the main body 14 of the gas generating device 12. The wall section 44 includes a gas transfer port 45 and a electrolytic solution transfer port 48 therein providing communication between the vessel 42 and the chamber 15 20 of device 12. The vessel 42 is partially filled with electrolytic solution 16 and includes a gas collecting space 47 above the solution. The gas collecting device 40 further includes a gas regulator 50 for regulating the discharge of gas from the vessel 42 via gas discharge outlet 46. The gas regulator 50 includes a one 25 way valve 52 responsive to pressure of gas within the vessel 42, and a filter 53 and flash back arrester 54. The regulator 50 is in the form of a unit which is located within the vessel 42. Gas is arranged to enter the unit via inlet 55 and pass through valve 52, filter 53 and flash back arrester 54 and out through outlet 46. 30 The gas then passes under pre-set pressure to a safety device 60 which comprises a gas filter, WO 00/14303 PCT/AU99/00706 -5 non-return valve, flash back arrester and thermal cut-off valve which stops gas flow completely in case of any back firing. Gas emerging from device 60 can pass to its area of application. 5 The vessel 42 further includes a ignition device 57 which may be operated in case of emergency to implode the gas and revert it to its previous state. A further safety device 58 is provided downstream which safely controls the electrical supply to the device 12 according to the gas pressure that has been previously determined to be 10 stored in the cells and the vessel 42. A pumping system (not shown) returns the converted gas into water, in to the lower part of the vessel 42 via inlet 59 without having the need to switch-off the power to the device 14. Due to the unique properties of the gas created by the apparatus according to the invention, 15 the gas itself can be used in a wide variety of applications. By way of example only the gas can be used in welding and brazing applications (without shielding gas), underwater welding and cutting, waste disposal including (burning of all type of matter), graphite production, industrial and domestic heating, eradication of liquid waste, mineral extraction and separation, stopping pollution industry (smoke cleaning-chimney), treatment and reduction 20 of nuclear waste - radiation, coal to oil conversion, fuel cell operation, cheapest hydrogen production, airconditioning and cooling (industrial and domestic), glazing and kiln operation, MHD electrical power plant, minerals separation (mining industry), rocket fuel production, implosion techniques, powering atmospheric motors (automobiles, railways, ships), drying coal, coal to graphite (waste gas conversion), primary production (irrigation etc.), silica 25 conversion, drying of goods (tobacco and fruit), vacuum systems (vacuum motors), timber industry, liquid displacement (water pump desalination), inflating weather balloon's in remote areas, generation of cheap and clean energy. Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing 30 from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the electrolytic production of gas, the apparatus including a gas generating device which includes a main body having an internal chamber therein 5 which serves as a receptacle which in use, is partially filled with an electrolytic solution with a space above the solution forming a gas accumulating zone, the device further including at least one pair of spaced apart electrodes within the internal chamber which form at least one electrolytic cell, the device being operatively connectable to a power source which can cause an electric current to be passed across 10 the or each cell, the apparatus further including a gas collecting device which includes a collecting vessel which is partially filled with electrolytic solution, gas transfer means for the passage of gas produced in the or each cell from the gas accumulating zone to the collecting vessel and electrolytic solution transfer means for the passage of electrolytic solution from the vessel to the or each cell. 15

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the internal chamber includes a plurality of compartments, at least some of the compartments having associated therewith a pair of electrodes so as to form a plurality of electrolytic cells. 20

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 including a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart upright partitions which form the compartments therebetween, the partitions being arranged side by side and extending from a bottom wall section to a top wall section of the main body. 25

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the partitions define the electrodes for each electrolytic cell and are electrically insulated from one another.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the partitions may project beyond the internal chamber externally of the main body so as to define cooling fins. 30 WO 00/14303 PCT/AU99/00706 -7

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the collecting vessel is disposed at one end of the main body of the gas generating device, each partition being provided with a gas transfer port towards it upper end within the internal chamber and an electrolyte transfer port disposed towards the lower end of the 5 partition, and a gas transfer port and electrolyte transfer port in the side wall of the collecting vessel adjacent the end of the main body of the gas generating device.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the collecting vessel may further include a gas discharge outlet and gas regulator means for controlling discharge of the gas 10 generator via the discharge outlet, the gas regulator including a non-return valve which is adapted to open in response to gas pressure within the vessel and may include a filter for removing electrolytic vapour prior to the discharge of the gas through the discharge outlet and a flash back arrester. 15

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim further including a safety control device downstream of the discharge outlet which includes a gas filter, non-return valve, flash back arrester an/or thermal cut off valve which can stop gas flow in the case of back firing. 20

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 further including an ignition device inside the vessel which is operatable in an emergency to implode the gas therein so that it reverts to its original state.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 further including an electric supply cut off which is 25 responsive to gas pressure within the system that can shut down the system in the event of too much gas being produced.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim further including pump means for delivering electrolyte to the vessel which can therefore replenish the system. 30