Hydrogen Generator

Abstract

A hydrogen generator ( 1 ) comprising a plurality of electrodes ( 15 ) arranged in a sequence. The sequence comprises a first an anode ( 17 ) or a cathode ( 19 ), which is followed in the sequence by an isolated member ( 21 ). The isolated member ( 21 ) is made of similar conductive material to the anode ( 17 ) and the cathode ( 19 ). The sequence continues, where the isolated member ( 21 ) is followed by an electrode ( 17, 19 ) that is of opposite polarity to the first electrode ( 17, 19 ) in the sequence. An isolated member ( 21 ) is located between each anode ( 17 ) and cathode ( 19 ) of the sequence. The sequence ends with an electrode ( 17, 19 ) of opposite polarity to the polarity of the first electrode ( 17, 19 ) in the sequence.

1 . A hydrogen generator comprising:
 a plurality of electrodes arranged in a sequence, wherein the sequence comprises one of a first positively chargeable electrode and a first negatively chargeable electrode, followed by an isolated member of similar conductive material to the one of a first positively chargeable electrode and a first negatively chargeable electrode,   wherein the isolated member is followed in the sequence by an electrode of opposite polarity to the first electrode,   and wherein an isolated member is located between each positively and negatively chargeable electrode of the sequence,   and wherein the sequence ends with an electrode of opposite polarity to that of the first electrode of the sequence.   
     
     
         2 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each electrode comprises a plurality of individual members joined electrically. 
     
     
         3 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each electrode and each isolating member comprises a plurality of plates. 
     
     
         4 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each electrode and isolating member comprises stainless steel. 
     
     
         5 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein each electrode and isolating member comprises 316L stainless steel. 
     
     
         6 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein each plate comprises a substantially circular disc. 
     
     
         7 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein each positively or negatively chargeable electrode comprises four plates. 
     
     
         8 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein each isolated member comprises three plates. 
     
     
         9 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sequence is arranged concentrically on a non-conductive shaft. 
     
     
         10 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the non-conductive shaft comprises nylon. 
     
     
         11 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising electrical connectors connectable to an external power source and operable to charge the positively and negatively chargeable electrodes. 
     
     
         12 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a housing to house the sequence of electrodes and isolated members, wherein the housing is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir operable to contain and feed fluid to the housing such that hydrogen can be generated. 
     
     
         13 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the fluid reservoir comprises an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is operable to feed fluid into the reservoir and the outlet is operable to exhaust the generated hydrogen to a combustion system. 
     
     
         14 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the reservoir comprises a vacuum pump at the outlet port, wherein the vacuum pump is operable to control the rate at which hydrogen is removed from the reservoir and the rate at which hydrogen is delivered to the combustion system. 
     
     
         15 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the reservoir comprises a float device operable to control the level of fluid contained in the reservoir and the amount of fluid received by the reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the fluid for hydrogen generation comprises water mixed with ten millilitres of sodium bicarbonate per liter of water. 
     
     
         17 . A hydrogen generator as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the fluid for hydrogen generation comprises water mixed with ten millilitres of sodium hydroxide per liter of water.