Method and apparatus for producing hydrogen and oxygen gas

Abstract

This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen gas by electrolysis of water. The process involves forming an electrolyte including alkaline ions and the water and generating plasma between electrodes immersed in the electrolyte by applying an electrical potential between the electrodes. The plasma ionises the electrolyte, thereby generating hydrogen and oxygen gas. The process further involves controlling the process by relocating the generated plasma between two or more further electrodes.

1 . An apparatus for producing hydrogen gas from electrolyte, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a cell defining a volume for containing an electrolyte, the cell comprising an electrically conductive material;   (b) an electrolyte reservoir and a conduit linking the reservoir to the cell to supply the electrolyte to the volume;   (c) at least one gas collection vessel and at least one off-gas line linking the at least one gas collection vessel to the cell to convey gas away from the cell;   (d) one or more cathodes positioned within the cell for immersion within electrolyte contained within the cell and for generating plasma;   (e) two or more further electrodes positioned within the cell for immersion within the electrolyte and for generating electrical field within the cell to relocate plasma generated at the or each cathode away from the or each cathode, each further electrode being electrically isolated from the cathode.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the two or more further electrodes define a planar surface area for spatially distributing plasma between the surface area and the cell. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the two or more further electrodes include an array of apertures for increasing the surface area of the electrode to enhance spatial distribution of plasma. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the cell comprises an anode for forming plasma in conjunction with the cathode and the cathode is electrically isolated from the cell. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes an electrolyte flow member for reducing the effect of turbulence caused by gas bubbles moving around the further electrodes. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the electrolyte flow member defines a first channel within the cell for enabling gas bubbles to rise through electrolyte when contained within the cell and a second channel that enables relatively quiescent electrolyte to flow into the first channel, thereby assisting to displace gas bubbles from the further electrodes. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the electrolyte flow member is formed as a sleeve for location within the cell volume between the further electrodes and adjacent cell wall, the sleeve is open at each end and defines a volume between the ends that comprises the first channel and defines the second channel between the sleeve and the adjacent cell wall such that electrolyte is able to flow from the second channel around an end of the sleeve and into the first channel. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the sleeve is formed from electrically conductive material and, in situ within the cell, is electrically connected to the cell.