Bypass electrolysis system and method

Abstract

A bypass electrolyzer system provides a system for separating oxygen and hydrogen from water, whereby electrodes are respectively disposed in first and second housings spaced apart by at least one membrane supported by at least one membrane holder. At least one bypass line connects the first and second housings so that during operation, hydrogen can pass to through the bypass line to the oxygen side and then back through the membrane to assist in equalizing pressure across the membrane during operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bypass electrolysis system comprising:
 a first housing comprising a first liquid inlet, a first internal volume, at least one first electrode disposed within the first internal volume, and a first gas outlet capable of directing a first gas out of the first housing during operation;   a second housing comprising a second liquid inlet, a second internal volume, at least one second electrode disposed within the second internal volume, and a second gas outlet capable of directing a second gas out of the second housing during operation;   a membrane holder that physically connects and electrically separates the first housing and the second housing;   at least one membrane disposed within the membrane holder and separating the first internal volume from the second internal volume, wherein the membrane is capable of allowing hydrogen to pass therethrough while restricting the flow of a liquid therethrough; and   at least one conduit that extends from a first position proximate the top of the second housing to a second position on the first housing, wherein the first internal volume and the second internal volume are in fluid communication through the at least one conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one conduit comprises a check valve capable of permitting gas flow from the second housing to the first housing while preventing flow from the first housing to the second housing. 
     
     
         3 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one conduit comprises a port capable of releasing gas from the conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is an anode and wherein the first gas comprises oxygen. 
     
     
         5 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is a cathode and wherein the second gas comprises hydrogen. 
     
     
         6 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes is horizontally oriented. 
     
     
         7 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first portion of a liquid disposed within the first internal volume and a second portion of the liquid disposed within the second internal volume. 
     
     
         8 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 7 , wherein the liquid comprises water. 
     
     
         9 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 7 , wherein the liquid comprises an ionic fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 1 , comprising first and second membranes both disposed within the membrane holder and separating the first internal volume from the second internal volume. 
     
     
         11 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 10 , wherein the membrane holder comprises a center support disposed between the first and second membranes. 
     
     
         12 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 1 , comprising at least two membranes and at least two membrane holders between the first and second housings. 
     
     
         13 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 1 , comprising more than one conduit capable of allowing gas to flow from the second internal volume into the first internal volume. 
     
     
         14 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 1 , further comprising a catalyst selected from the group of potassium hydroxide, platinum, and cobalt, wherein the catalyst is located in at least one of the first and second housings. 
     
     
         15 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane holder comprises perforated holding plates connected thereto. 
     
     
         16 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 11 , further comprising first and second holding plates threadedly connected into the membrane holder and contacting the at least one membrane. 
     
     
         17 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second housings comprises a heat exchanger capable of removing heat during operation. 
     
     
         18 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 4 , further comprising multiple anodes in the first housing. 
     
     
         19 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 5 , further comprising multiple cathodes in the second housing. 
     
     
         20 . The bypass electrolysis system of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is sized to allow oxygen to flow through, but not water.