Apparatus for Generating Water Electrolytic Gas

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas, wherein an electrolyte inlet is formed in the bottom of an electrolytic cell for generation of a water electrolytic gas, and an outlet is formed in the top thereof for the extraction of a mixture of an electrolyte and a generated gas. In the electrolytic cell, an anode and a cathode are provided, and an alkali electrolyte spinning and passing portion are arranged between these electrodes. With this arrangement, water electrolysis is performed, and a mixture of the electrolyte and a water electrolytic gas is extracted from the upper end of the electrolytic cell and transferred to a water electrolytic gas/electrolyte separation cell. A gas-liquid separation process extracts only the water electrolytic gas to the exterior, while the electrolyte is returned to the electrolytic cell by an electrolyte circulation device, to continue the performance of the electrolytic reaction.

1 . A water electrolytic gas generation apparatus, for generating a water electrolytic gas, comprising:
 an electrolytic cell, for generation of a water electrolytic gas, including
 an electrolyte inlet formed in a bottom wall, 
 an outlet, formed in a top wall to extract a mixture of an electrolyte and a generated gas, 
 an anode plate, internally arranged near the bottom wall, 
 a cathode plate, internally arranged near a top wall, and 
 an electrolyte spinning and passing portion, for spinning and passing an alkali electrolyte in a direction leading from the anode plate to the cathode plate; 
   a separation cell, for an electrolyte/water electrolytic gas, in which gas-liquid separation is performed for the mixture that has been extracted from the outlet in the upper end of the electrolytic cell and the mixture that includes the electrolyte and a water electrolytic gas, and as a result, gas components comprising the water electrolytic gas are separated from the electrolyte, so that only the gas components are externally extracted, while an electrolyte component is retained, internally; and   an electrolyte circulation unit, for circulating, toward the electrolytic cell, the electrolyte that has been retained in the separation cell.   
   
   
       2 . The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the electrolyte spinning and passing portion, which is located between the anode plate and the cathode plate in the electrolytic cell is formed of a predetermined number of metal plates  14 - 1  to  14 - n,  in each of which two to six electrolyte passage openings are formed along the outer circumference, with point symmetry from the center; and   wherein the metal plates are arranged by sequentially displacing the electrolyte passage openings at a predetermined angle, so that the electrolyte is passed through the metal plates, while spinning is being performed.   
   
   
       3 . The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein adjustment of a spinning state and a passing state for the electrolyte is enabled by setting an arrangement interval for the predetermined number of metal plates  14 - 1  to  14 - n,  which form the electrolyte spinning and passing portion, and the number of electrolyte passage openings and the displacement angle, between the adjacent metal plates, for positioning the electrolyte passage openings. 
   
   
       4 . The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the individual predetermined number of metal plates  14 - 1  to  14 - n  are not electrically connected to the anode plate or the cathode plate, or to another portion or each other; and wherein a group consisting of the metal plates is securely supported by a plastic cylindrical insulating member. 
   
   
       5 . The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electrolyte forced cooling unit, for forcibly cooling the electrolyte that remains in the separation cell,   wherein it is possible to adjust, within a predetermined range, a temperature and an amount of the electrolyte that is to be forcibly circulated, by the electrolyte circulation unit, in the electrolytic cell.   
   
   
       6 . The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the electrolyte forced cooling unit separately includes an electrolyte circulation pump, for circulating the electrolyte that remains in the separation cell, and for cooling the electrolyte to a predetermined temperature. 
   
   
       7 . The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the electrolyte circulation unit forcibly circulates, to the electrolytic cell, the residual electrolyte, in the separation cell, that has been cooled to a predetermined temperature by the electrolyte forced cooling unit. 
   
   
       8 . The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a temperature of 5° C. to 30° C. is appropriate for the electrolyte that is to be forcibly circulated to the electrolytic cell. 
   
   
       9 . The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a discharge portion, formed of a porous material, is projected from a bottom of the separation cell, so that the mixture that includes the electrolyte and the electrolytic gas can be introduced from the electrolytic cell and injected into the separation cell.