Method and apparatus for producing gas

Abstract

This invention relates to an electrolysis method and electrolysis apparatus ( 10 ) for producing oxygenated and hydrogenated fluid. The apparatus ( 10 ) comprises first and second outer end members ( 12 and 14 ), both being of polyethylene and at least two spaced apart permeable electrodes ( 16 and 18 ). The permeable electrode ( 16 and 18 ) are each of a foraminous or perforated material, such as nickel foam sheet material. The two permeable electrodes ( 16 and 18 ) are arranged generally parallel to one another and are relatively closely spaced from one another. An inlet chamber ( 20 ) is therefore defined between the first and second permeable electrodes ( 16 and 18 ). A first oxygenated fluid collection chamber ( 22 ) is disposed between the first permeable electrode ( 16 ) and the first end member ( 12 ) and a second hydrogenated fluid collection chamber ( 24 ) is disposed between the second permeable electrode ( 18 ) and the second end member ( 14 ).

1 . A method for producing combustible fluid from an electrolytic solution during a process of electrolysis comprising providing an electrolytic solution; providing an electrolysing apparatus having first and second spaced apart permeable electrodes, defining a chamber between them, having at least one inlet; passing the solution into the chamber via the inlet; and applying a voltage to the apparatus across the electrodes to electrolyse the solution in the chamber so that a first combustible fluid forms on the first electrode and a second combustible fluid forms on the second electrode, and passing the first combustible fluid out of the chamber via the first electrode and the second combustible fluid out of the chamber via the second electrode. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the combustible fluid is hydrogenated and oxygenated. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the permeable electrodes are each perforated or foraminous. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein each permeable electrode is of a mesh or foam material. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein each permeable electrode is made of a 316 stainless steel or nickel foam material. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second electrodes are provided in relative close proximity to one another and are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein the first and second permeable electrodes have a correct and predetermined ratio of open to closed area (also known as the PPI (pores per square inch)), which is influenced by the size of the inlet and the pressure of the solution being provided to the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . A method according  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of sets of permeable electrodes having a similar configuration and the first and second permeable electrodes are one set of permeable electrodes, and the method comprises passing the solution by more than one set. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the electrolysing apparatus defines at least one inlet passage in fluid flow communication with all of the inlets and the method includes the step of passing the solution into the chambers of all of the sets of permeable electrodes via the inlet passage. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the first combustible fluid outlet passage is in fluid flow communication with all of the first combustible fluid outlets of all of the sets of permeable electrodes and the second combustible fluid outlet passage is in fluid flow communication with all of the second combustible fluid outlets of all of the sets of permeable electrodes, the arrangement being such that the first combustible fluid formed on the first electrode passes out of the apparatus via the first combustible fluid outlet passage and the second combustible fluid formed on the second electrode passes out of the apparatus via the second combustible fluid outlet passage. 
     
     
         11 . An electrolysing apparatus in which combustible fluid is produced from an electrolytic solution in a process of electrolysis comprising: first and second spaced apart permeable electrodes defining an inlet chamber between them; at least one inlet into the inlet chamber for passing the electrolytic solution into said inlet chamber; a first combustible fluid chamber on a first side of the set of electrodes and a second combustible fluid chamber on a second side of the set of electrodes; and a first combustible fluid outlet from the first combustible fluid chamber and a second combustible fluid outlet from the second combustible fluid chamber, the arrangement being such that the electrolytic solution passes into the inlet chamber via the inlet where electrolysis takes place; and such that a first combustible fluid forms on the first electrode; and such that a second combustible fluid forms on the second electrode; and further such that the first combustible fluid passes through the first electrode into the first combustible fluid chamber; and such that the second combustible fluid passes through the second electrode into the second combustible fluid chamber; and such that the first combustible fluid passes out the first combustible fluid chamber via the first combustible fluid outlet; and the second combustible fluid passes out the second combustible fluid chamber via the second combustible fluid outlet. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the permeable electrodes are each perforated or foraminous. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein each permeable electrode is further of a meshed or foam material. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein each permeable electrode is made of a 316 stainless steel or nickel foam material. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the first and second electrodes are provided in relative close proximity to one another and are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according  claim 11  wherein the first and second electrodes each include at least one connector tab for connecting to a power supply to supply a voltage over the electrolysing apparatus to electrolyse the electrolytic solution. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the first and second electrodes incorporate a solid outer ring for the purpose of fluid sealing, attachment of the connection tab, and distribution of current around the electrode. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the first and second permeable electrodes have a correct and predetermined ratio of open to closed area (also known as the PPI (pores per square inch)), which is influenced by the size of the inlet and the pressure of the solution being provided to the apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  which includes a gasket positioned in the peripheral region between the two electrodes, forming a set of electrodes. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein the gasket is a first gasket and the electrolysing apparatus includes a plurality of second gaskets, each positioned in the peripheral region between adjacent sets of electrodes. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  which includes first and second outer end members, each being of polyethylene. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  which is cylindrical or multi-agonal in shape. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  which includes circulating means, such as a pump, to circulate the solution through the apparatus and to force the solution into the first chamber. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein the first combustible fluid outlets are aligned to define a first combustible fluid outlet passage, so that first combustible fluid produced in all of the first combustible fluid chambers passes out of the apparatus via the first combustible fluid outlet passage. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein the second combustible fluid outlets are aligned to define a second combustible fluid outlet passage, so that second combustible fluid produced in all of the second combustible fluid chambers passes out of the apparatus via the second combustible fluid outlet passage. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus according to  claim 26  which includes a first combustible fluid collection container connected to the first combustible fluid outlet passage and a second combustible fluid collection container connected to the second combustible fluid outlet passage. 
     
     
         28 - 29 . (canceled)