Apparatus and method for generating hydrogen from water

Abstract

Described herein is an apparatus is capable of generating hydrogen and oxygen gases from water containing little or no electrolyte. The apparatus includes a container and at least one electrolysis assembly comprising one or more permanent magnets which are covered with at least one pair of porous conductive electrodes separated by a non conductive insulator. The assembly is connected to the leads of a direct current power supply. After the container is filled with water to cover the electrodes, application of voltage from the power supply results in the generation of hydrogen and oxygen gases. This apparatus and method provides a means of producing and distributing hydrogen on-site, simply and inexpensively, since it uses very little energy and liquefaction, transportation, and delivery costs can be avoided.

1 . An apparatus for performing electrolysis of water, comprising: a container containing
 water;   an electrode assembly comprising upper and lower substantially planar electrodes having an insulator therebetween; and   a permanent magnet having an upper and lower surface and oriented substantially parallel to the lower electrode;   wherein the lower electrode lies within 0.1 inches of the upper surface of the magnet.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the angle formed between the upper surface of the upper electrode and the surface of the water is less than about 30 degrees. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is less than about 5 degrees. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a gas handling unit comprising a gas separator operable to separate hydrogen gas. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the gas separator includes a membrane that selectively permits or excludes the passage of hydrogen gas 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the gas handling further comprises means to remove water and/or water vapor from the gas. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the magnet is less than about 0.06 inch from the lower electrode. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the lower electrode rests directly upon the magnet. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode assembly meets the magnet at an angle of about 0° to about 5°. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet comprises a rare earth element. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the magnet comprises Neodymium Iron Boron or Samarium Cobalt. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the magnet has a pull of about 100-350 pounds. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the magnet has a residual induction or flux density of about 10,000 to 14,000 gauss 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the magnet has a residual induction or flux density of about 11,500 to 12,500 gauss. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes comprise a corrosion resistant conductive metal or alloy 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the electrodes comprise palladium, platinum, and/or gold. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes include a plurality of openings, holes or pores. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the electrodes comprise a wire mesh. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the wire mesh has a mesh size of about 16 mesh to about 48 mesh. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the insulator comprises one or more dielectric or non-conductive materials selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, silicon dioxide, glass, quartz, porcelain, ceramic, and plastic. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are connected to a power supply providing about 50V to 150V direct current at about 1 amp to about 5 amps. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water level is 0.1 to 1 inch above the upper surface of the upper electrode. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water used comprises purified water, distilled water, tap water, and/or reclaimed water. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature of the water is about 15° C. to 50° C. 
   
   
       25 . An apparatus for performing electrolysis of water, comprising
 a container containing an electrolysis assembly immersed in water, wherein   the electrolysis assembly comprises a stack comprising an upper electrode having upper and lower surfaces, a lower electrode having upper and lower surfaces, an insulator between the upper surface of the lower electrode and the lower surface of the upper electrode, and a permanent magnet below and substantially parallel to the lower surface of the lower electrode, and   the angle formed between the surface of the water and the surface of the upper electrode is less than 90 degrees.   
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the angle formed between the upper surface of the upper electrode and the surface of the water is less than about 30 degrees. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the angle is less than about 5 degrees. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising a gas handling unit comprising a gas separator operable to separate hydrogen gas. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the gas separator includes a membrane that selectively permits or excludes the passage of hydrogen gas 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the gas handling further comprises means to remove water and/or water vapor from the gas. 
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the magnet is less than 0.25 inches from the lower electrode. 
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the magnet is less than about 0.06 inch from the lower electrode. 
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein at least a portion of the lower electrode rests directly upon the magnet. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the electrode assembly meets the magnet at an angle of about 0° to about 5°. 
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the magnet comprises a rare earth element. 
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the magnet comprises Neodymium Iron Boron or Samarium Cobalt. 
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the magnet has a pull of about 100-350 pounds. 
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the magnet has a residual induction or flux density of about 10,000 to 14,000 gauss 
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the magnet has a residual induction or flux density of about 11,500 to 12,500 gauss. 
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the electrodes comprise a corrosion resistant conductive metal or alloy. 
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the electrodes comprise palladium, platinum, and/or gold. 
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the electrodes include a plurality of openings, holes or pores. 
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the electrodes comprise a wire mesh. 
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the wire mesh has a mesh size of about 16 mesh to about 48 mesh. 
   
   
       45 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the insulator comprises one or more dielectric or non-conductive materials selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, silicon dioxide, glass, quartz, porcelain, ceramic, and plastic. 
   
   
       46 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the electrodes are connected to a power supply providing about 50V to 150V direct current at about 1 amp to about 5 amps. 
   
   
       47 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the water level is 0.1 to 1 inch above the upper surface of the upper electrode. 
   
   
       48 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the water used comprises purified water, distilled water, tap water, and/or reclaimed water. 
   
   
       49 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the temperature of the water is about 15° C. to 50° C.