Process for production of hydrogen from anaerobically decomposed organic materials

Abstract

A process for the production of hydrogen from anaerobically decomposed organic materials by applying an electric potential to the anaerobically decomposed organic materials, including landfill materials and sewage, to form hydrogen, and for decreasing the time required to treat these anaerobically decomposed organic materials. The organic materials decompose to volatile acids such as acetic acid, which may be hydrolyzed by electric current to form hydrogen. The process may be continuously run in sewage digestion tanks with the continuous feed of sewage, at landfill sites, or at any site having a supply of anaerobically decomposed or decomposable organic materials.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A process for producing hydrogen from anaerobically digested organic materials comprising the steps of:
 placing said materials in a reaction zone; and applying an electric potential across said materials; thereby producing hydrogen and carbon dioxide whereby said electric potential is applied occasionally after periods without application of said electric potential.   
     
     
         24 . A process as in  claim 23  in which said occasional application of said electric potential is timed to occur at a frequency and for a period to maximize the quantity of hydrogen produced per the amount of electricity consumed. 
     
     
         25 . A process as in  claim 23  wherein a portion of said hydrogen is used by an energy conversion means to supply said electric potential. 
     
     
         26 . A process as in  claim 23  in which said occasional application of said electric potential is timed to occur at a frequency and for a period to maximize the quantity of hydrogen produced per the amount of electricity consumed and wherein a portion of said hydrogen is used by an energy conversion means to supply said electric potential. 
     
     
         27 . A process as in  claim 23  in which said electric potential is applied across electrodes. 
     
     
         28 . A process as in  claim 23  in which said electric potential is applied across multiple electrodes. 
     
     
         29 . A process for producing hydrogen from anaerobically digested organic materials comprising the steps of:
 placing said materials in a reaction zone; and applying an electric potential across said materials; thereby producing hydrogen and carbon dioxide whereby said electric potential is applied occasionally after periods without application of said electric potential whereby the amount of time required to reduce the amount of said organic materials is substantially reduced compared to the time required without application of said electric potential.   
     
     
         30 . A process for conversion of biomass wastes into useful energy comprising the steps of: application of intermittent voltage for purposes selected from the group including depression of microorganismal activity that produces methane, enhancement of microorganismal activity that produces hydrogen, and creation of an atmosphere within said biomass wastes that is maintained rich in hydrogen. 
     
     
         31 . The process of  claim 30  in which said voltage is generated by means selected from the group including: an hydrogen fuel cell, an engine using hydrogen for fuel, a combination of a fuel cell and an engine both using hydrogen fuel, and a thermoelectric generator. 
     
     
         32 . The process of  claim 30  in which an inoculum means selected from the group including human sewage, medium from mature anaerobic digestion of organic materials within an occasionally applied voltage, and medium from anaerobic digestion that is conducted in the presence of increased concentrations of hydrogen wherein said inoculum is added to substantially organic materials selected from the group including manure, crop wastes, and garbage for purposes of increasing the efficiency of conversion of chemical potential energy in organic materials to hydrogen.