On demand hydrogen production unit and method for the on demand production of hydrogen

Abstract

The invention discloses an on demand hydrogen production unit and a method for the production of hydrogen from water by electrolysis. A container, defining a first portion for holding a plurality of parallel and plate like anodes and a second portion for holding a plurality of parallel and plate like cathodes. A cover is provided with an outlet and an attached duct for oxygen, wherein the duct for oxygen leads to the environment. The cover for the second portion is provided with an outlet and an attached duct for hydrogen, wherein the duct for hydrogen leads to an energy user or an internal combustion engine. An inlet to the container provides water from a reservoir, so that the level of water is maintained at a constant level within the container.

1 . On demand hydrogen production unit, wherein hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water with the demand hydrogen production unit comprising:
 a container, defining a first portion for holding a plurality of parallel and plate like anodes and a second portion for holding a plurality of parallel and plate like cathodes;   a cover for the first portion with an outlet and an attached duct for oxygen, wherein the duct for oxygen leads to the environment;   a cover for the second portion with an outlet and an attached duct for hydrogen, wherein the duct for hydrogen leads to an energy user; and   an inlet to the container for providing water from a reservoir, so that the level of water is maintained at a constant level within the container.   
     
     
         2 . The on demand hydrogen production unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion of the container is of cuboidal design. 
     
     
         3 . The on demand hydrogen production unit according to  claim 2 , wherein a dividing wall between the first portion and the second portion of the container is designed such that there is a water communication between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         4 . The on demand hydrogen production unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of parallel and plate like anodes and cathodes has an essentially rectangular shape. 
     
     
         5 . The on demand hydrogen production unit according to  claim 4 , wherein all the parallel and plate like anodes are connected in an electrical conductive way and all the parallel and plate like cathodes are connected in an electrical conductive way. 
     
     
         6 . The on demand hydrogen production unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are tubes of a circular or elliptical cross-section and a fluid, communication is provided between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         7 . The on demand hydrogen production unit according to  claim 6 , wherein the fluid communication between the first portion and the second portion is made of an U-shaped tube. 
     
     
         8 . The on demand hydrogen production unit according to  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of parallel and plate like anodes and cathodes are tubes with circular or elliptical cross-section and wherein the surfaces of the circular or elliptical tubes are parallel. 
     
     
         9 . The on demand hydrogen production unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate like anodes and the cathodes are made from electrically conductive material which is surface treated in order to provide a smooth and clean surface for the plates so that gas bubbles produced during the electrolysis do not stick to the surface of the plates. 
     
     
         10 . The on demand hydrogen production unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the plates are made from steel, stainless steel, aluminum, palladium or titanium. 
     
     
         11 . The on demand hydrogen production unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the energy user is an internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         12 . A method for the production of hydrogen from water by electrolysis with an on demand hydrogen production unit comprising the steps of:
 using a portion of the power of an energy user to produce hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis from water;   guiding the hydrogen to the energy user and the oxygen to the environment;   providing a water reservoir for refilling the electrolysis device in order to keep the water level in the electrolysis device at a constant level; and   adjusting the production rate of hydrogen gas by the electrolysis device to the required power of the energy user.   
     
     
         13 . Method according to  claim 12 , wherein the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis device is delivered to the energy user and not delivered to a storage device for hydrogen. 
     
     
         14 . Method according to  claim 12 , wherein the production of hydrogen by the electrolysis device stops if no hydrogen is required by the energy user. 
     
     
         15 . Method according to  claim 12 , wherein the hydrogen gas produced by the electrolysis device is delivered to the water reservoir and from the water reservoir to the energy user. 
     
     
         16 . Method according to  claim 15 , wherein the energy user is an internal combustion engine and the energy for the electrolysis process of water is provided by the electric generator of the internal combustion engine.