High electric field electrolysis cell

Abstract

A High Electric Field Electrolysis (HEFE) cell is provided for electrolyzing water to transform it into Free Radical Solution (FRS) water for cleaning, deodorizing, and sterilizing. The HEFE cell is comprised of a pair of flat electrodes attached (or coated) onto a flat proton ion exchange membrane enclosed in a corresponding structure that accommodates the electrodes and the proton ion exchange membrane. The structure is comprised of at least one inlet channel for receiving purified water and two outlet channels for output of electrolyzed FRS water and hydrogen rich water. The HEFE cell further provides a mechanism for recycling of hydrogen rich water for re-use or electric power generation. The quantity and the quality of FRS water production is controlled with an external control circuit that automatically monitors and maintains appropriate parameter values for the production of FRS water.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The electrolysis cell for electrolyzing water, comprising:
 a first electrode and a second electrode, with each electrode comprising:
 a first layer of wires having a pattern of first protuberances and a second layer of wires having a pattern of second protuberances smaller than the first protuberances; 
 an ion exchange membrane in between and in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode; and 
 a structure having at least one water flow channel, with the electrodes supported on the structure. 
   
     
     
         10 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 9  with the structure further comprising an inlet channel for intake of water, a first outlet channel for output of hydrogen rich water, and a second outlet channel for output of free radical solution water. 
     
     
         11 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 9  with the membrane comprising a flat proton ion exchange membrane fixedly joined to the electrodes. 
     
     
         12 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 9  wherein the first protuberances project outwardly from the first electrode away from the membrane. 
     
     
         13 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 9  wherein the protuberances are formed by bends in the wires forming the electrodes. 
     
     
         14 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 9  further comprising a control circuit linked to the electrodes and the control circuit adjusts inlet water flow and/or electric power to the electrodes, or triggers a power shut-off signal to shut power off to the electrodes of the electrolysis cell based on information signals from a plurality of sensors that detect a variety of parameter values and output sensed signals based on deviation of normal parameter values from pre-programmed threshold levels. 
     
     
         15 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 9  further comprising an Oxidation Reduction Potential (OPR) sensor for measuring an OPR level for the Free Radical Solution water. 
     
     
         16 . An electrolysis cell, comprising:
 a structure having at least one inlet channel for intake of water, a first outlet channel for output of hydrogen rich water, and a second outlet channel for output of Free Radical Solution water;   the structure accommodating a flat proton ion exchange membrane, a first flat electrode and a second flat electrode, the flat proton ion exchange membrane having a first side and a second side, the first flat electrode coated on the first side of the flat proton ion exchange membrane and the second flat electrode coated on a second side of the flat proton ion exchange membrane;   application of power to the electrodes electrolyzes water flowing through the inlet channel, generating Free Radical Solution water output through the first outlet channel and hydrogen rich water output through the second outlet channel.   
     
     
         17 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 15  with first electrode comprising a first layer of wires having a pattern of first projections extending away from the membrane and a second layer of wires having a pattern of second projections smaller than the first projections, and extending towards the membrane. 
     
     
         18 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 15  with the structure substantially in the shape of a rectangular prism. 
     
     
         19 . An electrolysis cell, comprising:
 a first structure having at least one inlet channel for intake of water, a first outlet channel for output of hydrogen rich water, and a second outlet channel for output of Free Radical Solution water, the first structure accommodating a first flat proton ion exchange membrane placed in between two flat mesh electrodes, application of power to the electrodes electrolyzes water flowing through the inlet channel, generating Free Radical Solution water output through the first outlet channel and hydrogen rich water output through the second outlet channel; and   a second structure coupled to the first structure, the second structure having a first and a second inlet channels, the first inlet channel is coupled to the first outlet channel of the first structure for receiving the Free Radical Solution water, the second inlet channel is coupled to the second outlet channel of the first structure for receiving the hydrogen rich water, the second structure accommodating a second flat proton ion exchange membrane placed in between two flat mesh electrodes, application of power to the electrodes electrolyzes water flowing through the first and second inlet channels, enhancing the Free Radical Solution water outputted through a third outlet channel and hydrogen rich water outputted through a fourth outlet channel.   
     
     
         20 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 19  with electrodes in the first structure comprising a first layer of wires having a pattern of first projections extending away from the first membrane and a second layer of wires having a pattern of second projections smaller than the first projections, and extending towards the first membrane. 
     
     
         21 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 9  wherein each of the electrodes is placed between the ion exchange membrane and one of two commuting guides, each commuting guide comprising a first commuting channel and a second commuting channel fluidly connected by one of the two electrodes. 
     
     
         22 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 21  wherein the first commuting channel and the second commuting channel are parallel longitudinal channels. 
     
     
         23 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 9  with the structure comprising:
 a first commuting grid having a plurality of first water flow channels formed in a first side of the first commuting grid, and with the first electrode overlying the first water flow channels;   a second commuting grid having a plurality of second water flow channels formed in a first side of the second commuting grid, and with the second electrode overlying the second water flow channels; and   the second water flow channels in second commuting grid substantially aligned with the first water flow channels in the first commuting grid.   
     
     
         24 . The electrolysis cell of  claim 23  with the first water flow channels substantially parallel to each other.