Method and apparatus for dissociating water

Abstract

A method and apparatus for dissociating water. A reaction chamber contains an anode and a cathode submerged in an aqueous hydroxide electrolyte. The temperature of the aqueous hydroxide electrolyte in the reaction chamber is elevated to least 280° C. The pressure of the aqueous hydroxide electrolyte in the reaction chamber is likewise elevated to least 2 atmospheres. An electrical voltage is applied across the anode and cathode using an electrical power supply and oxygen and hydrogen are formed from the water contained in the aqueous hydroxide electrolyte.

1 ) A method for electrolyzing water and aqueous solutions comprising the steps of:
 providing a reaction chamber;   providing an anode, a cathode, and an aqueous hydroxide electrolyte positioned between the anode and the cathode in the reaction chamber;   elevating the temperature of the aqueous hydroxide electrolyte in the reaction chamber to least 280° C.;   elevating the pressure of the aqueous hydroxide electrolyte in the reaction chamber to least 2 atmospheres;   providing a electrical voltage across the anode and cathode.   
   
   
       2 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein dissociated water [in the form of hydrogen and oxygen gases] in the aqueous hydroxide electrolyte is removed from the reaction chamber and is replenished with steam. 
   
   
       3 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the hydroxide electrolyte is provided as an alkaline hydroxide, an alkaline earth hydroxide, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       4 ) The method of  claim 3  wherein the alkaline hydroxide is provided as LiOH, KOH, NaOH, CsOH, RbOH, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       5 ) The method of  claim 3  wherein the alkaline earth hydroxide is provided as Ba(OH) 2 , Sr(OH) 2 , Mg(OH) 2 , Ca(OH) 2 , and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       6 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the anode and cathode are formed of nickel, Nickel 400 (66.5% Ni, 31.5% Cu, 1.2% Fe, 1.1% Mn), lithiated nickel, cobalt-plated nickel and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       7 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the anode and cathode are coated with a noble metal. 
   
   
       8 ) The method of  claim 7  wherein the noble metal is selected as palladium, platinum, gold, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       9 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein a separator plate is interposed between the anode and cathode to keep hydrogen and oxygen formed at the anode and cathode separated from one and another. 
   
   
       10 ) The method of  claim 9  wherein the separator plate is provided as having a fluid pathway to allow transfer of hydroxide ions from the anode to the cathode. 
   
   
       11 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein multiple anodes and cathodes are provided as submerged in the aqueous hydroxide electrolyte. 
   
   
       12 ) The method of  claim 11  wherein a plurality of separator plates are interposed between the multiple anodes and cathodes to keep hydrogen and oxygen formed at the anodes and cathodes separated from one and another. 
   
   
       13 ) The method of  claim 12  wherein the separator plates are provided as having fluid pathways to allow transfer of hydroxide ions from the anode to the cathode. 
   
   
       14 ) An apparatus for dissociating water comprising:
 a reaction chamber, the interior of said reaction chamber maintained at a temperature of least 280° C. and a pressure at least 2 atmospheres;   an anode, a cathode, and an aqueous hydroxide electrolyte positioned between the anode and the cathode in the reaction chamber;   a means for providing an electrical voltage across the anode and cathode.   
   
   
       15 ) The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the means for providing an electrical voltage is a power supply capable of providing a direct current. 
   
   
       16 ) The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the reaction chamber is formed of nickel, titanium, zirconium, molybdenum, chromium, platinum, gold, palladium, copper, cobalt, silicon, alloys containing any of the forgoing, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       17 ) The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the hydroxide electrolyte is an alkaline hydroxide, an alkaline earth hydroxide, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       18 ) The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the alkaline hydroxide is LiOH, KOH, NaOH, CsOH, RbOH, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       19 ) The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the alkaline earth hydroxide is Ba(OH) 2 , Sr(OH) 2 , Mg(OH) 2 , Ca(OH) 2 , and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       20 ) The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein at least one of the anode and cathode are formed of nickel, Nickel 400 (66.5% Ni, 31.5% Cu, 1.2% Fe, 1.1% Mn), lithiated nickel, cobalt-plated nickel and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       21 ) The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein at least one of the anode and cathode are coated with a noble metal. 
   
   
       22 ) The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the noble metal is selected as palladium, platinum, gold, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       23 ) The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein a separator plate is interposed between the anode and cathode to keep hydrogen and oxygen formed at the anode and cathode separated from one and another. 
   
   
       24 ) The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the separator plate is provided as having a fluid pathway to allow transfer of hydroxide ions from the anode to the cathode. 
   
   
       25 ) The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein multiple anodes and cathodes are submerged in the aqueous hydroxide electrolyte. 
   
   
       26 ) The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein a plurality of separator plates are interposed between the multiple anodes and cathodes to keep hydrogen and oxygen formed at the anodes and cathodes separated from one and another. 
   
   
       27 ) The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the separator plates have fluid pathways to allow transfer of hydroxide ions from the anode to the cathode.