System and method for generating hydrogen using sulfur as a consumable fuel

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for utilizing sulfur as a consumable fuel in an electrochemical cell. The principal of the above described invention is that sulfur is oxidized or acts as an oxidizing agent to produce energy while avoiding the production of harmful gases and other byproducts, traditionally associated with the burning of sulfur.

1 . A system for generating hydrogen using sulfur as a consumable fuel comprising:
 At least one reactor into which can be placed sulfur and aluminum electrodes;   At least one reservoir for containing a liquid electrolyte from which liquid electrolyte can be transferred into the at least one reactor;   A drain connected to the reactor for transmitting the used electrolyte into a mixing tank;   A mixing tank into which the drain empties said mixing tank having an opening through which calcium hydroxide can be introduced into the used electrolyte;   Said mixing tank further possessing a mixer for mixing the calcium hydroxide with the used electrolyte; and   a second tank for settling out the calcium sulfate into which the mixing tank drains.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a tank for settling out the graphite. 
     
     
         3 . A process to use sulfur as a consumable fuel to produce hydrogen comprising:
 Immersing sulfur/aluminum electrodes in a liquid electrolyte;   Channeling the hydrogen and other generated gasses away from the reaction where they can be used a fuel;   Mixing the used electrolyte with the byproducts of the reaction with calcium hydroxide;   Allowing the powdered carbon, the aluminum hydroxide/aluminum oxide and the calcium sulfate to precipitate out; and   recycling the recovered electrolyte back into the reaction.   
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3  above wherein the electrolyte is potassium hydroxide. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 3  above wherein the aluminum hydroxide/aluminum oxide is reprocessed back into elemental aluminum. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 3  above wherein the calcium sulfate is discarded.