Caviation assisted sonochemical hydrogen production system

Abstract

A method and apparatus of producing hydrogen is disclosed comprising applying an electrical current to flow through an aqueous solution. Cavitation is generated within the aqueous solution, where the cavitation lowers an amount of energy required to break chemical bonds of said aqueous solution.

1 . A method of producing hydrogen comprising:
 applying an electrical current to flow through a solution containing hydrogen; and   generating cavitation within the solution, where the cavitation lowers an amount of energy required to break chemical bonds of the solution.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein generating cavitation within the solution further comprises causing acoustic energy to pass through the solution, the acoustic energy producing cavitation within the solution. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating cavitation is performed using any electromagnetic means. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating cavitation is performed using a transducer. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating cavitation is performed using a propeller system. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, the step of generating cavitation is performed using compressed gas. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating cavitation is performed by radiation. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the solution contains an effective amount of noble gas to be completely dissolved in the solution. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the solution comprises a solvent and a solute and the solute further comprises at least one of an iodide salt or iodate salt. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the solution comprises a solvent and a solute and the solution contains an effective amount of noble gas to be completely dissolved in the solution and the solute further comprises at least one of an iodide salt or iodate salt. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for producing hydrogen comprising:
 a container;   a solution containing hydrogen contained within the container;   a first electrically conductive piece, where said first electrically conductive piece is in contact with the solution;   a second electrically conductive piece, where said second electrically conductive piece is in contact with the solution;   a power supply having a negative output and a positive output, where the negative output is connected to the first electrically conductive piece and the positive output is connected to the second electrically conductive piece thereby causing an electric current to flow through the solution between the first electrically conductive piece and second electrically conductive piece;   means for causing cavitation in the solution; and   means for capturing hydrogen formed around the negative electrical piece.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the means for causing cavitation in the solution comprises a transducer capable of transmitting acoustic energy waves through the solution. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the means for causing cavitation in the solution comprises a propeller system. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the means for causing cavitation in the solution comprises a compressed gas injector system capable of injecting compressed air bubbles into the solution. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the solution contains an effective amount of noble gas to be completely dissolved in the solution. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the solution comprises a solvent and a solute and the solute further comprises at least one of an iodide salt or iodate salt. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the solution comprises a solvent and a solute and the solvent contains an effective amount of noble gas to be completely dissolved in the solution and the solute further comprises at least one of an iodide salt or iodate salt. 
   
   
       18 . An apparatus for producing hydrogen comprising:
 a container;   a solution containing hydrogen contained within the container;   a first electrically conductive piece, where said first electrically conductive piece is adjacent to the solution;   a second electrically conductive piece, where said second electrically conductive piece is adjacent to the solution;   a power supply having a negative output and positive output, where the negative output is connected to the first electrically conductive piece and the positive output is connected to the second electrically conductive piece thereby causing an electric current to flow through the solution between the first electrically conductive piece and second electrically conductive piece;   a cavitation generator using at least one of a transducer, a propeller system, a compressed air injector system; a laser, or a beam of ionizing radiation, and   a hydrogen capturing device using at least one of a tube, a membrane filter, diffusive evaporation, differential pressure, or channeling solution flow.