Method and apparatus for electolysis-assisted generation of hydrogen

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for electrolysis-based generation of hydrogen and oxygen to enhance combustion. A hydrogen generating apparatus comprises an electrolysis cell, the electrolysis cell electrically connected to a power source, an outlet for directing effluent gases from the electrolysis cell, and a scrubber for using a scrubbing medium to remove contaminants from the effluent gas flow. In another option, a first mesh electrode may be situated within the electrolysis cell and electrically connected to a power source, a second mesh electrode may be situated within the electrolysis cell and electrically connected to the power source, and a membrane may be situated between the first mesh electrode and the second mesh electrode which may be immersed within the aqueous solution.

1 . A hydrogen generating apparatus, comprising:
 an electrolysis cell, the electrolysis cell electrically connected to a power source;   an outlet for directing effluent gas flow from the electrolysis cell;   an aqueous solution stored within the electrolysis cell; and a scrubber for using a scrubbing medium to remove contaminants from the effluent gas flow.   
   
   
       2 . The hydrogen generating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the scrubber comprises a scrubbing nozzle for creating intimate contact between a flow of the scrubbing medium and a flow of the effluent gas. 
   
   
       3 . The hydrogen generating apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the flow of the scrubbing medium is sprayed into the flow of the effluent gas. 
   
   
       4 . The hydrogen generating apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the direction of flow of the scrubbing medium is cross-current to the direction of flow of the effluent gas. 
   
   
       5 . The hydrogen generating apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the direction of flow of the scrubbing medium is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the effluent gas. 
   
   
       6 . The hydrogen generating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing medium is a flow of the aqueous solution. 
   
   
       7 . The hydrogen generating apparatus of  claim 2 , comprising more than one flow of scrubbing medium. 
   
   
       8 . The hydrogen generating apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrolyte recycle conduit for delivering the scrubbing medium to the electrolysis cell. 
   
   
       9 . A method for generating hydrogen, comprising:
 delivering electricity to an electrolysis cell, the electrolysis cell electrically connected to a power source;   generating hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of an aqueous solution contained within the electrolysis cell;   directing effluent gas flow from the electrolysis cell;   scrubbing contaminants from the effluent gas flow with a scrubbing medium; and   introducing the effluent gas flow into an internal combustion engine.   
   
   
       10 . The method for generating hydrogen of  claim 9 , further comprising directing generated oxygen from the electrolysis cell and introducing the generated oxygen into an internal combustion engine. 
   
   
       11 . The method for generating hydrogen of  claim 9 , further comprising creating intimate contact between a flow of the scrubbing medium and a flow of the effluent gas. 
   
   
       12 . The method for generating hydrogen of  claim 11 , further comprising spraying the scrubbing medium into the flow of the effluent gas. 
   
   
       13 . The method for generating hydrogen of  claim 11 , wherein the direction of flow of the scrubbing medium is cross-current to the direction of flow of the effluent gas. 
   
   
       14 . The method for generating hydrogen of  claim 11 , wherein the scrubbing is performed with more than one flow of the scrubbing medium. 
   
   
       15 . The method for generating hydrogen of  claim 9 , wherein the scrubbing medium is a flow of the aqueous solution. 
   
   
       16 . The method for generating hydrogen of  claim 9 , wherein the electrolysis cell has a predetermined refill level wherein the aqueous solution at the predetermined refill level enables the electrolysis cell to operate for a minimum operating period. 
   
   
       17 . A hydrogen generating apparatus, comprising:
 an electrolysis cell;   an aqueous solution stored within the electrolysis cell;   a first mesh electrode situated within the electrolysis cell and electrically connected to a power source;   a second mesh electrode situated within the electrolysis cell and electrically connected to the power source;   a membrane situated between the first mesh electrode and the second mesh electrode and immersed within the aqueous solution;   an inlet for refilling aqueous solution into the electrolysis cell; and   an outlet for directing effluent gases from the electrolysis cell to the engine.   
   
   
       18 . The hydrogen generating apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first membrane is coated on one side with a substance in the group consisting of nickel, platinum, titanium, and alloys thereof. 
   
   
       19 . The hydrogen generating apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the electrolysis cell has a predetermined refill level wherein the aqueous solution at the predetermined refill level enables the electrolysis cell to operate for a minimum operating period.