Device for providing a gas component and vehicle comprising such a device

Abstract

A device for providing a gas component having an electrolysis unit having a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by a separating unit. The first chamber receives an electrolyte and provides a first gas component, and the second chamber provides a second gas component. A pressure inside the second chamber is greater than a pressure inside the first chamber. An electrolyte flow of the electrolyte only occurs in the first chamber and a passage of the electrolyte into the second chamber is prevented to keep the second gas component separate from the electrolyte. A phase separation unit separates the first gas component from the electrolyte to provide the first gas component. Also an aircraft or a spacecraft with such a device.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A device for providing a gas component, the device comprising:
 an electrolysis unit with a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber being separated from the second chamber by a separating unit,   wherein the first chamber is configured to receive an electrolyte and to provide a first gas component,   wherein the second chamber is configured to provide a second gas component,   wherein a pressure inside the second chamber is greater than a pressure inside the first chamber,   wherein an electrolyte flow of the electrolyte takes place only in the first chamber and the electrolyte is prevented from entering the second chamber so as to keep the second gas component that is provided separate from the electrolyte; and,   a phase separating unit which is configured to separate the first gas component from the electrolyte so as to provide the first gas component.   
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein, in an operating state of the electrolysis unit, as a result of a pressure difference between the first chamber and the second chamber, generated by the phase separating unit, the electrolyte is located only in the first chamber and the second chamber contains no electrolyte. 
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the device is configured to be operated at a pressure of at least 50 bar. 
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the separating unit comprises a membrane structure with pores; or
 wherein the separating unit has a membrane structure without pores and which is configured to allow transport of a liquid and to block transport of a gas component.   
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the phase separating unit has a membrane structure that is configured to separate the first gas component from the electrolyte so as to provide the first gas component, so that the first gas component is configured to be delivered to a storage unit or to a consumer. 
     
     
         17 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the device is configured to be operated under microgravity conditions, so that separation of the first gas component from the electrolyte in the phase separating unit, so as to provide the first gas component, is ensured in case a microgravity state occurs. 
     
     
         18 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 an electrolyte circuit and a delivery unit, the delivery unit configured to provide the electrolyte circuit with a reactant by using osmosis.   
     
     
         19 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the first gas component is hydrogen and the second gas component is oxygen. 
     
     
         20 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the electrolysis unit has a frame structure, and,
 wherein the phase separating unit is integrated into the frame structure of the electrolysis unit.   
     
     
         21 . The device as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a heat exchanger integrated into the electrolysis unit.   
     
     
         22 . A vehicle comprising:
 the device of  claim 12 .