Electrolytic reaction system for generating gaseous hydrogen and oxygen

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrolytic reaction system ( 1 ) for generating gaseous hydrogen and oxygen, comprising a reaction chamber ( 2 ) for accommodating an electrolyte and an electrode arrangement ( 3 ) comprising a plurality of anodic and cathodic electrodes ( 5, 6 ). The electrode arrangement ( 3 ) comprises a plurality of plate-shaped electrodes ( 5, 6 ) fanned out in a star-shaped arrangement, and a virtual fanning axis ( 7 ) of the star-shaped electrode arrangement ( 3 ) lies at least approximately on a virtual, central cylinder or vertical axis ( 8 ) or is congruent with a virtual, central cylinder or vertical axis ( 8 ) of the reaction chamber ( 2 ). At least one electromagnetic coil ( 13 ) is disposed above and/or underneath the star-shaped electrode arrangement ( 3 ) in the axial direction of the virtual cylinder or vertical axis ( 8 ), the electromagnetic field of which acts on the electrolyte and on the electrode arrangement ( 3 ) when exposed to electrical energy. Based on another embodiment, the electrode arrangement ( 3 ) comprises at least two, preferably more than at least three, tubular electrodes disposed coaxially or approximately coaxially one inside the other. This results in an improved, in particular especially efficient, electrolytic reaction system ( 1 ).

1 . Electrolytic reaction system ( 1 ) for generating gaseous hydrogen and oxygen, comprising a reaction chamber ( 2 ) for accommodating an electrolyte and an electrode arrangement ( 3 ) comprising a plurality of anodic and cathodic electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ), wherein the electrode arrangement ( 3 ) is provided in the form of a plurality of plate-shaped electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ) fanned in a star-shaped arrangement, and a virtual fanning axis ( 7 ) of the star-shaped electrode arrangement ( 3 ) lies at least approximately on a virtual, central cylinder or vertical axis ( 8 ) or is congruent with a virtual, central cylinder or vertical axis ( 8 ) of the reaction chamber ( 2 ), and at least one electromagnetic coil ( 13 ) is disposed above and/or underneath the star-shaped electrode arrangement ( 3 ) in the direction of the virtual cylinder or vertical axis ( 8 ), the electromagnetic field of which acts on the electrolyte and on the electrode arrangement ( 3 ) when exposed to electrical energy. 
     
     
         2 . Electrolytic reaction system ( 1 ) for generating gaseous hydrogen and oxygen, comprising a reaction chamber ( 2 ) for accommodating an electrolyte and an electrode arrangement ( 3 ) comprising a plurality of anodic and cathodic electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ), wherein the electrode arrangement ( 3 ) is provided in the form of at least two, preferably more than at least three, tubular electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ) disposed coaxially or approximately coaxially one inside the other, and the wall surfaces of the mutually adjacent tubular electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ), which are cylindrical or comprise several prismatic surfaces oriented at an angle to one another are spaced at a distance apart from one another, and at least one electromagnetic coil ( 13 ) is disposed above and/or underneath the tubular electrode arrangement ( 3 ) in the axial direction of a virtual tube axis ( 56 ), the electromagnetic field of which acts on the electrolyte and on the electrode arrangement ( 3 ) when exposed to electrical energy. 
     
     
         3 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber ( 2 ) has an essentially hollow cylindrical or hollow prismatic body shape and its virtual cylinder or vertical axis ( 8 ), in particular a wall surface of the reaction chamber ( 2 ), is vertically or approximately vertically oriented. 
     
     
         4 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber ( 2 ) comprises an essentially hollow cylindrical or hollow prismatic holding container ( 4 ) in which the at least one star-shaped or tubular electrode arrangement ( 3 ) is disposed. 
     
     
         5 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 4 , wherein the holding container ( 4 ) for the electrolyte and for the at least one electrode arrangement ( 3 ) is of an open design at the top end portion and its wall or cylinder surface is spaced apart from internal faces of the reaction chamber ( 2 ). 
     
     
         6 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the virtual fanning axis ( 7 ) of the star-shaped electrode arrangement ( 3 ) or the virtual tube axis ( 56 ) of the tubular electrode arrangement ( 3 ) lies essentially on the virtual cylinder or vertical axis ( 8 ) or is congruent with the virtual cylinder or vertical axis ( 8 ) of the holding container ( 4 ) or reaction chamber ( 2 ). 
     
     
         7 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode arrangement ( 3 ) is completely submersed in the electrolyte and the at least one electromagnetic coil ( 13 ) is likewise submersed below a regular or minimum liquid level ( 14 ) for the electrolyte or is at least predominantly submersed in the electrolyte. 
     
     
         8 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic field of the at least one electromagnetic coil ( 13 ) causes the anodic and cathodic electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ) to mechanically vibrate so as to assist the process of detaching gas bubbles which occur or are adhered to the anodic and cathodic electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ). 
     
     
         9 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electromagnetic coil ( 13 ) is essentially annular as seen in plan view and its central or mid-point ( 15 ) lies on or close to the virtual fanning axis ( 7 ) or the virtual tube axis ( 8 ) of the electrode arrangement ( 3 ). 
     
     
         10 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 9 , wherein the electromagnetic coil ( 13 ) is torus-shaped and at least one coil winding ( 18 ) has preferably at least two, in particular four, part-windings ( 19 ,  19 ′,  19 ″,  19 ′″) wound around the circumference of a coil body ( 17 ) distributed respectively at a distance apart from one another. 
     
     
         11 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 10 , wherein three coil windings ( 18 ,  18 ′,  18 ′″) are provided, wound one on top of the other offset from the coil axis by 45° respectively. 
     
     
         12 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein a first electrical energy source ( 21 ) is provided for supplying the anodic and cathodic electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ) with a pulsating energy supply. 
     
     
         13 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein another electrical energy source ( 22 ) is provided for supplying the at least one electromagnetic coil ( 13 ) with a pulsating energy supply. 
     
     
         14 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein an energy frequency of a first energy source ( 21 ) supplying energy to the anodic and cathodic electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ) and an energy frequency of a second energy source ( 22 ) supplying energy to the at least one electromagnetic coil ( 13 ) are selected so that the electrolytic system operates close to or at its resonance frequency at least some of the time. 
     
     
         15 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one inlet orifice ( 23 ) is provided in the bottom portion of the reaction chamber ( 2 ) or a holding container ( 4 ) accommodating the electrolyte for feeding in and/or topping up the electrolyte. 
     
     
         16 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one means ( 24 ) for creating turbulence in the electrolyte, in particular for generating a flow, for example a turbulent or swirling flow, in the electrolyte, is provided in the reaction chamber ( 2 ) or in a holding container ( 4 ) accommodating the electrolyte. 
     
     
         17 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 16 , wherein the means ( 24 ) for creating turbulence is provided in the form of at least one intake and/or outlet nozzle ( 25 ), preferably in the form of a plurality of intake and/or outlet nozzles ( 25 ) for the electrolyte leading into the reaction chamber ( 2 ) or into the holding container ( 4 ) for the electrolyte. 
     
     
         18 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 16 , wherein the means ( 24 ) for creating turbulence in the electrolyte is provided in the form of at least one agitator. 
     
     
         19 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one overflow edge ( 27 ) is provided n the reaction chamber ( 2 ) for limiting or fixing a maximum liquid level ( 28 ) of the electrolyte. 
     
     
         20 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one overflow edge ( 27 ) for the electrolyte is formed by a top boundary edge ( 29 ) of a container ( 4 ), in particular a hollow cylindrical electrolyte container ( 30 ) with a vertically oriented cylinder axis ( 31 ). 
     
     
         21 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 19 , wherein at least one outlet orifice ( 36 ) is provided in the base portion of the reaction chamber ( 2 ) for draining electrolyte or electrolyte foam flowing over the overflow edge ( 27 ) out of the reaction chamber ( 2 ). 
     
     
         22 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 19 , comprising a return line into the holding container ( 4 ), in particular into the hollow cylindrical electrolyte container ( 30 ) ( 37 ), for electrolyte that has flowed over the overflow edge ( 27 ). 
     
     
         23 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 19 , further comprising the provision of a collection portion ( 35 ) for electrolyte flowing over the overflow edge ( 27 ) inside the reaction chamber ( 2 ) or inside a return line ( 37 ) for the electrolyte leading into the reaction chamber ( 2 ) to form a gas closure, in particular a siphon-type gas barrier for the hydrogen and oxygen generated. 
     
     
         24 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a continuous or discontinuous intake ( 45 ) and discharge ( 46 ) of the electrolyte, in particular a time-based gradual replacement of the electrolyte containing water or comprising water in the reaction chamber ( 2 ) or in a holding container ( 4 ) accommodating the electrolyte. 
     
     
         25 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one passage orifice ( 47 ), in particular a plurality of passage orifices ( 47 ) disposed in distributed arrangement is provided in the base or wall portion of the reaction chamber ( 2 ), in particular a holding container ( 4 ) for the electrolyte, as a means of blowing ambient air ( 48 ) and/or gaseous nitrogen into the reaction chamber ( 2 ), in particular into a holding container ( 4 ) for the electrolyte. 
     
     
         26 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one means ( 50 ) for generating negative pressure in the reaction chamber ( 2 ) that is below the atmospheric ambient pressure. 
     
     
         27 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein negative pressure is generated in the reaction chamber ( 2 ) by establishing a flow connection ( 52 ) between the reaction chamber ( 2 ), in particular its gas chamber ( 26 ), to a fuel intake line ( 53 ), in particular the intake system, of an internal combustion engine ( 51 ), in particular a petrol, gas or diesel engine. 
     
     
         28 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 2 , wherein the virtual tube axis ( 56 ) of the tubular electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ) is vertically oriented. 
     
     
         29 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 2 , wherein the distal end portions of the tubular electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ) are of an open design in each case. 
     
     
         30 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one at least approximately hollow cylindrical or prismatic gap ( 57 ,  58 ) is provided between the wall or cylinder surfaces of the tubular electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ), by means of which the process of releasing gas bubbles from the electrolyte which occur or adhere to the anodic and cathodic electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ) to a gas chamber ( 26 ) lying above the electrolyte is assisted. 
     
     
         31 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 2 , wherein a distance ( 54 ,  55 ) or a gap dimension between the tubular or hollow prismatic, mutually nested electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ) of an outer pair of electrodes  5 ,  6  increases or become larger in size than an electrode ( 5 ,  6 ) or a pair of electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ) of this tubular electrode arrangement ( 3 ) disposed further inwards; in particular closer to a central tube axis ( 56 ). 
     
     
         32 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 2 , wherein a stiffness, in particular a wall thickness, of the tubular or hollow prismatic electrodes ( 5 ,  6 ) is dimensioned so that the electromagnetic field of the at least one coil ( 13 ) causes mechanical vibrations to be induced. 
     
     
         33 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one plate-shaped electrode ( 5 ,  6 ) or at least one tubular or hollow prismatic electrode ( 5 ,  6 ) of the electrode arrangement ( 3 ) has at least one slot ( 61 ,  62 ) or another mechanical weakening or reduction in stiffness so as to induce more intense vibrations under the influence of the electromagnetic field of the at least one electromagnetic coil ( 13 ). 
     
     
         34 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electromagnetic coil ( 13 ) is essentially torus-shaped or annular and comprises a plurality of part-windings ( 19 ,  19 ′,  19 ″,  19 ′″) electrically connected in series, which extend respectively across a circumferential angle ( 63 ) of between 20° and 50°, in particular between 25° and 45°, preferably across approximately 30° of the ring circumference ( 64 ) of the coil ( 13 ). 
     
     
         35 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 34 , wherein consecutive part-windings ( 19 ,  19 ′,  19 ″,  19 ′″) connected in series in the circumferential direction of the annular coil ( 13 ) subtend an angle( 65 ) of between 10° and 30°, in particular between 15° and 25°, preferably approximately 20°. 
     
     
         36 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 34 , wherein a number of the consecutive part-windings ( 19 ,  19 ′,  19 ″,  19 ′″) connected in series is selected so that approximately three complete circumferential turns are formed across approximately 1080°. 
     
     
         37 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 34 , wherein the circumferential angle ( 63 ) of the part-windings ( 19 ,  19 ′,  19 ″,  19 ′″) and the angle( 65 ) between the part-windings ( 19 ,  19 ′,  19 ″,  19 ′″) is selected so that after more than one complete circumferential turn, an offset angle ( 66 ) is formed between part-windings ( 19 ,  19 ′,  19 ″,  19 ′″) wound one on top of the other. 
     
     
         38 . Electrolytic reaction system according to  claim 34 , wherein the individual part-windings ( 19 ,  19 ′,  19 ″,  19 ′″) are wound in a single-layered arrangement and part-windings ( 19 ,  19 ′,  19 ″,  19 ′″) formed after one complete circumferential turn are wound on top of part-windings ( 19 ,  19 ′,  19 ″,  19 ′″) lying underneath or lying inwards essentially without any air gap.