Method and system for electrochemical hydrogen generation

Abstract

An apparatus, a system and a method for electrochemical generation of hydrogen are disclosed. The apparatus may include a cathode, a polymer electrolyte membrane surrounding the cathode and a housing surrounding the polymer electrolyte membrane. The housing may include an anode electrically connected to the cathode. The system for electrochemical generation of hydrogen may include a water purifier in fluid communication with a hydrogen generating unit, an electrolyte source in fluid communication with the hydrogen generation unit and a power source electrically connected to the hydrogen generating unit. The method may include passing water and electrolyte into the hydrogen generation unit and applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode to generate hydrogen gas.

1 . An electrochemical cell for generation of hydrogen, comprising:
 a cathode;   a polymer electrolyte membrane surrounding the cathode; and   a housing surrounding the polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the housing comprises an anode, and wherein the anode is electrically connected to the cathode.   
     
     
         2 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , comprising an anode compartment positioned between an anode side of the polymer electrolyte membrane and the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 2  further comprising an inlet port in fluid communication with the anode compartment and configured to allow water flow into the anode compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode and the polymer electrolyte membrane surrounding the cathode comprises a plurality of rod-shaped cathode-electrolyte membrane structures arranged in a radial configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 4 , wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane comprises a first seal on a first end and a second seal on a second end. 
     
     
         6 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to contain an electrolyte, and wherein the electrolyte comprises hydroxide ions. 
     
     
         7 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 6 , wherein the electrolyte further comprises aqueous halide salt. 
     
     
         8 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode comprises a first metal. 
     
     
         9 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 8 , wherein the first metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel and nickel alloys of Pt, Pd, Cr, Mo, Fe, Ta, Ru, Rh, W, Os, Ir, Zn, Co, Ti or Zr. 
     
     
         10 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the anode comprises a second metal. 
     
     
         11 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 10 , wherein the second metal is selected from the group consisting of austenitic stainless steels, duplex stainless steels, nickel and nickel alloys of Pt, Pd, Cr, Mo, Fe, Ta, Ru, Rh, W, Os, Ir, Zn, Co, Ti or Zr. 
     
     
         12 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane is selected from the group consisting of a perfluorinated ionomer and a copolymer of ethylene and a vinyl monomer containing an acid group or salts thereof 
     
     
         13 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 12 , wherein the perfluorinated ionomer is selected from the group consisting of perfluorosulfonic acid/tetrafluoroethylene copolymers and perfluorocarboxylic acid/tetrafluoroethylene copolymer. 
     
     
         14 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane comprises an anionic exchange membrane. 
     
     
         15 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of cathode-polymer electrolyte membrane structures positioned within the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode is porous, wherein the cathode comprises a cathode tube, and wherein the electrochemical cell further includes a cathode compartment including an interior space of the cathode tube. 
     
     
         17 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode is non-porous and wherein the electrochemical cell further comprises a cathode compartment located between the cathode and the polymer electrolyte membrane. 
     
     
         18 . A system for generation of hydrogen, comprising:
 a water purifier in fluid communication with an electrochemical cell of  claim 1 ;   an electrolyte source in fluid communication with the electrochemical cell; and   a power source electrically connected with the electrochemical cell.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the electrochemical cell further comprises an electrolyte circulation system configured to introduce, circulate and/or flush electrolyte solution from the electrochemical cell. 
     
     
         20 . A method of generating hydrogen, comprising:
 introducing water and hydroxide ions into the electrochemical cell of  claim 1 ;   applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode; and   collecting hydrogen gas.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the collected water saturated hydrogen gas has a purity greater than approximately 99.999 mol%. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the collected water saturated hydrogen gas has a purity has a purity greater than approximately 99.9999 mol%. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the cathode and the polymer electrolyte membrane surrounding the cathode comprises one or more rod-shaped cathode-electrolyte membrane structures arranged in a radial configuration, wherein the hydrogen gas is collected at a pressure of from about 30 psig to about 60 psig, and wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane comprises a first seal on a first end and a second seal on a second end. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the cathode and the polymer electrolyte membrane surrounding the cathode comprises one or more rod-shaped cathode-electrolyte membrane structures arranged in a radial configuration, wherein the hydrogen gas is collected at a pressure of from about 200 psig to about 500 psig, and wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane comprises a first seal on a first end and a second seal on a second end. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the cathode and the polymer electrolyte membrane surrounding the cathode comprises one or more rod-shaped cathode-electrolyte membrane structures arranged in a radial configuration, wherein the hydrogen gas is collected at a pressure of from about 1000 psig to about 3000 psig, and wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane comprises a first seal on a first end and a second seal on a second end.