Membrane-less electrolyzer with porous walls for high throughput and pure hydrogen production

Abstract

The present disclosure concerns a membrane-less electrolyzer comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, a first fluidic channel configured to receive an electrolyte, a second fluidic channel configured to receive the electrolyte from the first fluidic channel, a third fluidic channel configured to receive the electrolyte from the first fluidic channel. The first fluidic channel being in fluidic communication with the second and third fluidic channels. The first fluidic channel is connected to the second and third fluidic channels via a plurality of inclined fluidic canals extending from the first fluidic channel to each of the second and third fluidic channels.

1 - 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A Membrane-less electrolyzer comprising:
 at least a first electrode and at least a second electrode;   a first fluidic channel configured to receive an electrolyte;   a second fluidic channel configured to receive the electrolyte from the first fluidic channel;   a third fluidic channel configured to receive the electrolyte from the first fluidic channel;   
       the first fluidic channel being in fluidic communication with the second and third fluidic channels; 
       wherein the first fluidic channel is connected to each of the second and third fluidic channels via a plurality of inclined fluidic canals extending from the first fluidic channel to each of the second and third fluidic channels. 
     
     
         51 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the inclined fluidic canals are inclined with respect to each of the first, second and third fluidic channels. 
     
     
         52 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the first fluidic channel comprises a plurality of stacked Y-shaped sections, each Y-shaped section comprising a plurality of the inclined fluidic canals extending from the first fluidic channel to each of the second and third fluidic channels. 
     
     
         53 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the inclined fluidic canals are inclined in a direction non-perpendicular to an electrolyte flow direction through the first fluidic channel. 
     
     
         54 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the first fluidic channel is interconnected to the second and third fluidic channels via the plurality of inclined fluidic canals suspended between the first fluidic channel and the second and third fluidic channels. 
     
     
         55 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the first fluidic channel includes a first porous wall located opposite the second fluidic channel and a second porous wall located opposite the third fluidic channel, and wherein a portion of the first porous wall located opposite the second fluidic channel and a portion of the second porous wall located opposite the third fluidic channel are inclined at an angle with respect to a central axis of the membrane-less electrolyzer to distribute the electrolyte equally in the fluidic canals, or the first porous wall and the second porous wall are inclined at an angle with respect to said central axis to distribute the electrolyte equally in the fluidic canals. 
     
     
         56 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 55 , wherein the at least one partition extends between the first fluidic channel and the second or third fluidic channel. 
     
     
         57 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the first, second and third fluidic channels each include at least one wall defining a plurality of apertures or pores, and each inclined fluidic canal extends between an aperture or pore of the first fluidic channel and an aperture or pore of the second or third fluidic channel. 
     
     
         58 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the second fluidic channel includes the first electrode and the third fluidic channel includes the second electrode. 
     
     
         59 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the second and the third fluidic channels include electrodes on outer walls of the second and the third fluidic channels. 
     
     
         60 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 57 , wherein the first electrode is located on the at least one wall of the second fluidic channel and the second electrode is located on the at least one wall of the third fluidic channel. 
     
     
         61 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the first and second electrodes include a plurality of apertures or pores extending through the first and second electrodes and communicating with the plurality of apertures or pores defined by the at least one wall of the second and third fluidic channels. 
     
     
         62 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the plurality of apertures or pores extending through the first and second electrodes define openings larger in width or diameter than the opening defined by the pores or apertures of the first or second fluidic channels. 
     
     
         63 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein an internal width or diameter of the first fluidic channel is tapered. 
     
     
         64 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the apertures or pores extending through the first and second electrodes are tapered or curved inwards at the aperture or pore extremity. 
     
     
         65 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the first fluidic channel includes an output section consisting of or comprising a plurality of inclined fluidic canals and a V-shaped abutment. 
     
     
         66 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the first fluidic channel is configured to distribute the electrolyte to the second and third fluidic channels, and the second and third fluidic channels are configured to generate products via electrolysis for output. 
     
     
         67 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , further comprising an inlet for providing the electrolyte into the first fluidic channel, and a first and second outlet for accessing products generated by electrolysis, and
 further comprising inlets for providing the electrolyte into the second and third fluidic channels for removing bubbles faster from the second and third fluidic channels through the outlets.   
     
     
         68 . Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the second fluidic channel and the third fluidic channel comprise first and second side walls and a floor (FL) extending between the first and second side walls,
 the first and second side walls include the first and second electrodes.   
     
     
         69 . The Membrane-less electrolyzer according to  claim 50 , wherein the plurality of inclined fluidic canals are distributed or spaced apart along a direction of extension of the first fluidic channel to provide the electrolyte to each of the second and third fluidic channels in a distributed manner along a direction of extension of the second and third fluidic channels.