Water electrolysis system and method

Abstract

A water electrolysis system includes: a container; a plurality of microbatteries located inside the container; the microbattery takes the central axis of the container as the center; the first bracket is positioned on the first side of the microbattery; the second bracket is positioned on the second side of the microbattery; the plurality of magnets are mounted on the first bracket and the second bracket, and the magnets are parallel to the microbatteries; and a liquid inside the container. The first and second brackets are adapted to be connected to a motor. The first and second brackets rotate during the electrolysis process. The magnet on the first bracket generates a first magnetic field, and the magnet on the second bracket generates a second magnetic field; and the first and second magnetic fields have opposite polarities.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a method for producing hydrogen, and more particularly, to a method for producing hydrogen by using water electrolysis. Background Art

[0002] Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to separate the elements of a compound. The electrolysis of water was discovered more than a hundred years ago and involves splitting water molecules (H2O) into oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2) gases by a continuous electric current delivered by a power source connected by water electrodes. Electrons are released by anions in the anode and electrons are captured by cations in the cathode.

[0003] Water is composed of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. Each hydrogen atom is covalently bonded to an oxygen atom via a pair of bonding electrons. Oxygen also has two pairs of non-bonding electrons. Therefore, there are four pairs of electrons around the oxygen atom: two pairs that form part of the covalent bond with the hydrogen atoms, and two pairs that are not shared on the other side. Unlike hydrogen, oxygen is an electronegative or "electrophilic" atom.

[0004] Furthermore, water is a "polar" molecule; that is, it has an irregular distribution of electron density. For this reason, water has a partial negative charge near the oxygen atoms and a partial positive charge near the hydrogen atoms.

[0005] These atoms are bonded to each other by forces called chemical bonds. These bonds have a certain energy associated with them, called the "bond energy", of a certain value. If the water molecules are combined with an electrolyte and a certain amount of electrical energy is applied in a continuous electric current, which is greater than the energy of the bonds linking its atoms, the water molecules will break and by doing so will separate the molecules into oxygen and hydrogen.

[0006] Specifically, the process is carried out by an electrical energy source connected to two electrodes made of platinum or stainless steel, representing the positive and negative electrodes. These electrodes are placed in contact with water. The contact of water with the applied electric current causes the molecules to decompose.

[0007] During the electrolysis process, the cathode in the water is negatively charged and a reduction reaction occurs where electrons (e-) from the cathode are donated to hydrogen cations to form hydrogen gas.

[0008] Cathode half reaction:

[0009] Cathode: 2[2H + (ac) +2e - →H 2(g) ]

[0010] In the positively charged anode, oxidation causes a reaction that causes oxygen gas to be produced and supplied to the anode electrode to complete the circuit:

[0011] Anode half reaction:

[0012] Anode: 2H2O (l) →O 2(g) +4H + (ac) +4e -

[0013] If we balance the two half reactions we get:

[0014] Anode: 2H2O (l) →O 2(g) +4H + (ac) +4e -

[0015] Cathode: 2[2H + (ac) +2e - →H 2(g) ]

[0016] ---------------------

[0017] 2H2O (l) →2H 2(g) +O 2(g)

[0018] The gas obtained by this water electrolysis process has different applications. Hydrogen (H) is a fuel with great potential for use in the energy industry. The main benefit of hydrogen as a fuel is that it does not produce greenhouse gases like other known (and more widely used) gases, such as oil or natural gas.

[0019] Unfortunately, despite being one of the most abundant elements on Earth, hydrogen is not easy to obtain because it does not occur in isolation in nature.

[0020] Hydrogen is usually obtained directly from water by electrolysis.

[0021] There are two main technologies available on the market, alkaline electrolyzers and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. Alkaline electrolyzers are cheaper in terms of investment (they usually use nickel catalysts), but they are less efficient. On the other hand, PEM electrolyzers are much more expensive (they usually use platinum group metal catalysts), but they are more efficient and can be operated at higher current densities, and therefore, if the hydrogen production is large enough, may be cheaper.

[0022] Unfortunately, current technology is not very efficient. The energy cost of producing hydrogen by known methods is high compared to the amount of hydrogen obtained.

[0023] There is a need to produce hydrogen in a more cost-effective manner. Summary of the invention

[0024] A water electrolysis system includes: a container; a plurality of microbatteries located inside the container; the microbatteries are centered on a central axis of the container; a first bracket located on a first side of the microbatteries; a second bracket located on a second side of the microbatteries; a plurality of magnets mounted on the first and second brackets, the magnets being placed parallel to the microbatteries; and a liquid inside the container. The first and second brackets are adapted to be connected to a motor. The first and second brackets rotate during an electrolysis process. The magnets on the first bracket generate a first magnetic field, and the magnets on the second bracket generate a second magnetic field; and the first and second magnetic fields have opposite polarities. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 The voltage (tension) generated by the electromotive force according to the Faraday principle is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 shows the current moving between the plates of an electrolytic cell;

[0027] Figure 3 shows the current moving between the plates of an electrolytic cell when a magnetic field is applied;

[0028] Figure 4 shows the current moving between the plates of an electrolytic cell according to the invention when rotation is applied to the magnetic field of FIG. 32 ;

[0029] Figure 5 A system according to the invention is shown, showing a 36 volt electrolytic cell;

[0030] Figure 6 A system according to the invention is shown, showing a 12 volt electrolytic cell;

[0031] Figure 7a shows the results of experiments conducted on a 36 volt battery; and

[0032] Figure 7b Results of experiments performed on a 12 volt battery are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] A water electrolysis system includes: a container; a plurality of microbatteries located inside the container; the microbatteries are centered on a central axis of the container; a first bracket located on a first side of the microbatteries; a second bracket located on a second side of the microbatteries; a plurality of magnets mounted on the first and second brackets, the magnets being placed parallel to the microbatteries; and a liquid inside the container. The first and second brackets are adapted to be connected to a motor. The first and second brackets rotate during an electrolysis process. The magnets on the first bracket generate a first magnetic field, and the magnets on the second bracket generate a second magnetic field; and the first and second magnetic fields have opposite polarities.

[0034] The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

[0035] performing a water electrolysis process; and

[0036] During the water electrolysis process a magnetic field is applied, which is generated by a magnet or an electromagnet.

[0037] The magnetic field should be kept at the smallest possible distance from the electrolysis process, and this distance will depend on the size of the cell.

[0038] Adding a magnetic field to the electrolysis process results in higher efficiencies in the electrolysis process through the induction of electric currents obtained by the influence of the magnetic field generated during the electrolysis process.

[0039] The desired effect is to increase the intensity of the current applied to the electrolysis without increasing consumption, thereby achieving greater efficiency in the process.

[0040] The proposed solution is based on the effect of a magnetic field on the process of water electrolysis. To understand the desired effect, it can be observed that if a magnetic field is placed in water, thus forming an example of an electrode (cathode or anode), the gas obtained when an electric current is applied has a circular motion pattern.

[0041] During electrolysis, a flow of electric current is created from one electrode to the other. All current flow creates a magnetic field. This magnetic field is in motion because it is created by the flow of electric current as it passes from one electrode to the other.

[0042] What this method achieves is to induce and influence these small magnetic fields with another larger magnetic field, thereby increasing their strength. By increasing the strength of these small magnetic fields, electric current is thereby generated. These fields are closed current loops, in which the resistance tends to zero. This increase in strength is proportionally converted into an increase in current, which is directly applied to the electrolysis process, achieving better efficiency results. This induced magnetic field in a circular motion surrounding the field generated by the flow of current from the electrolysis itself will enhance the effect, thereby achieving higher efficiency in the electrolysis process.

[0043] To make this method understandable, a preferred embodiment of this method will be described. All of these are merely illustrative examples, but are not limited to only these illustrative examples, and the components of these examples can be selected in various equivalents without departing from the principles established in this document.

[0044] The components of this preferred implementation mode are:

[0045] The preferred example consists of three 36V electrolytic microbatteries in a water container (four 12V electrolytic batteries may also be present). On its side, there are eight magnets (four on each side) with opposite polarity held by two vertical supports. The vertical supports are connected at the bottom to an external shaft connected to a turntable.

[0046] To properly perform the electrolysis process of water, electrolytes are added. Electrolytes improve the conduction of electric current through water. The electrolyte of water must be between approximately 1.5% and 3%. The electrolyte to be used will depend on the purity of the water and the distance between the electrodes.

[0047] When an electric current is applied to the microbattery (from an external energy source), the current enters through the anode and moves through the water combined with the electrolyte, across the neutral plates until it is received by the cathode. In this process, the input current breaks apart the water molecules through a process originally described as the electrolysis of water.

[0048] This movement creates a magnetic field through the flow of electric current through the water combined with the electrolyte. Figure 2 The current moving between the plates is plotted. Figure 3 The magnetic field generated by and moving with the current is plotted.

[0049] During the electrolysis process—when an electric current moves through water bound to an electrolyte and breaks apart hydrogen molecules—the applied magnetic field created by the magnets added to the system acts on and influences the small magnetic field ( Figure 3 ), the magnets are arranged with opposite polarities and rotate around the microbattery via a central axis and a bracket.

[0050] This action results in an increase in the strength of the small magnetic field generated by the current, which translates into an increase in the strength of the current, according to Michael Faraday's Law of Induction, Foucault's Currents and Lenz's Law.

[0051] The increase in the intensity of the electric current in the microbattery has the effect that, in the case of electrolysis, more H2O molecules present in the system are decomposed. Thus, a greater amount of hydrogen (H2) is obtained without increasing consumption from the source.

[0052] To demonstrate this efficiency, define the production per unit of consumption obtained after the application of the method (called "Es") and the production per unit of consumption under normal operation before the introduction of the method (called "Ei"). Use the symbol and use "ef%" to express the efficiency:

[0053] ef%=Es / Ei.*100

[0054] The efficiency achieved in the case of applying this method varies depending on the state of the generated magnetic field.In the "Implementation Examples" section, the results obtained from this preferred implementation example on 36V and 12V batteries can be evaluated.

[0055] Before explaining the method, Michael Faraday's law of induction, Foucault current, and Lenz's law must be explained.

[0056] It is known that an electric current can be generated using a magnetic field; this current will be referred to as an "induced current".

[0057] The discovery of electromagnetic induction is attributed to Michael Faraday and is based on Oersted's discovery that a magnetic field is generated around a wire through which an electric current flows; therefore, the wire is magnetic. Faraday discovered the opposite, that when a variable magnetic field moves or changes through a conductor, it produces a potential difference (voltage) at the ends of the conductor, and if the circuit is closed, such as by connecting the wire to a lamp, an electric current will flow through this circuit; that is, the circuit must be closed or the ends of the wire must be connected, regardless of whether there is resistance. In essence, he discovered how to use magnetic fields and motion to generate electricity or produce electric current (induced current).

[0058] The voltage generated by this is called electromotive force (hereinafter referred to as EMF).

[0059] Faraday also demonstrated that the faster a conductor moves through the magnetic field lines of a magnet, the greater the induced current in the circuit.

[0060] The magnetic field lines are called magnetic flux, so the greater the magnetic flux through which a conductor passes, the greater the induced voltage will be. On the other hand, an electrical phenomenon was discovered by French physicist Léon Foucault in 1851. The phenomenon occurs when a conductor passes through a variable magnetic field, or vice versa. This relative motion induces a flow of electrons, or induced current, within the conductor. Foucault's circular current creates an electromagnet whose magnetic field is opposite to the effect of the applied magnetic field (Lenz's law). The stronger the applied magnetic field, or the greater the conductivity of the conductor, or the greater the speed relative to the motion, the greater the Foucault current and the resulting opposing field will be.

[0061] Therefore, we can say that the EMF is equal to the change in magnetic flux with respect to time multiplied by the number of turns the conductor has.

[0062]

[0063] In this invention the conductor of the current is a solid metal plate, not a coil, but the solid metal plate can be viewed as thousands of concentric coils occupying the entire area of ​​the material, one inside the other, and so the laws apply in the same way.

[0064] As mentioned previously, two polarized metal plates (one positive [1] and the other negative [2]) are connected by a conductor (water + electrolyte) through which the current flows. This conductor can be represented as thousands of imaginary wires that connect the two plates and through which the current flows ( Figure 2 ).

[0065] When current flows through these imaginary wires, a circular magnetic field is generated around the current path, which is also formed in the metal plate ( Figure 3 and Figure 4 ). On the other hand, the permanent magnetic field produced by the magnets crosses the variable field produced by the current path at different angles. The magnetic flux is equal to the magnetic field times the surface area through which the magnetic field passes times the cosine of the angle of incidence.

[0066] So we know that this change in angle of incidence creates eddy currents that are induced in these variable fields. In addition, the magnet with the permanent magnetic field rotates around the system, causing the angle of incidence to change rapidly with respect to time between fields. This change is proportional to the speed of rotation of the magnet, greatly increasing the amount of eddy currents in the variable field, and now also in the metal plate, which is affected by the angular changes in the permanent magnetic field of the magnet and the changing proximity and distance of the rotating magnet. All of this causes eddy currents to be induced in the metal plate as well in the variable magnetic field, further increasing the induced currents.

[0067] As we mentioned earlier, the metal plate can be viewed as thousands of concentric coils; each of these coils is closed, and therefore they are a short circuit, or equivalently, their resistance is very low.

[0068] According to Ohm's law, current is directly related to resistance and voltage, and in this case the size of the EMF of the eddy currents is less important. The fact that the resistance is so small increases the current, so the Foucault current tends to be high, which favors induction.

[0069] Implementation Example

[0070] The tests were conducted with conventional wet cell batteries. The tests were conducted on batteries constructed to operate at 36V input directly from the mains ( Figure 5) and then in another battery ( Figure 6 ) is carried out in

[0071] 36 volt battery

[0072] The battery, operating at 36 volts, was housed in a tubular acrylic container receiver 12 that was 33 centimeters long and had an inner diameter of 94 millimeters.

[0073] The upper cover 14 has an outlet 16 for the resultant gas (synthesis gas).

[0074] Inside there are three micro batteries 18 centered around a central axis 19 which also supports two magnetic field supports 20a, 20b (generated in this case by magnets) attached to an external electric motor 23 via a lower cover 21. The receiver 12 is full of water + electrolyte.

[0075] The three microbatteries 18 are 36 V. Each of the microbatteries 18 comprises an anode 14, a cathode 16 and a neutral plate 17 placed between them, and the distance between the electrodes is between 1 and 8 mm, preferably about 2 mm. The electrodes are circular, with a diameter between 30 and 45 mm, preferably 43 mm.

[0076] These microbatteries 18 are located between two magnetic field supports 20a, 20b, each of which contains four magnets 20, each magnet 20 generating a magnetic field by means of a grade-n38 neodymium magnet. Each magnet 20 has a diameter between 15 and 30 mm, preferably 25 mm, and a thickness between 2 and 4 mm, preferably 3 mm. The magnets 20 are placed parallel to the microbatteries 18, with a distance between them of 30 and 50 mm, preferably 45 mm. The magnetic fields generated by the magnets 20 have opposite polarities.

[0077] When the electrolysis process is performed, the field supports 20a, 20b rotate in the same direction using an external shaft attached to the electric motor 23.

[0078] The electrolyte content in 2 liters of water must be between approximately 1.5% and 3%.

[0079] The electrolyte to be used will depend on the purity of the water and the distance between the electrodes. In this particular case, electrolyte was added to the water until sufficient resistance was created to enable the cell to consume approximately 1.2 amperes and produce 0.4 liters of resulting gas per minute. This results in approximately 1.5% electrolyte in water. Tap water was used because one of the objects of the invention is to obtain results in undistilled water.

[0080] Tests at 36 volts :

[0081] Twenty trials were conducted, wherein the consumption and output ratios were recorded in three consecutive phases in each trial.

[0082] Once consumption and output were stable and maintained for three minutes, the consumption and output were recorded at each stage (excluding the possibility of performance loss or gain exceeding one minute, based on the records of tests carried out on changes in efficiency within 30 minutes after output stabilization. These were carried out in advance, where once output and consumption were stable, no changes were recorded in any of the 20 tests carried out).

[0083] Recorded in three stages :

[0084] The first phase was considered as index, where the cell was operated under conventional conditions without the application of a magnetic field.

[0085] The first stage was followed by the second stage, in which the magnetic field explained previously was applied statically. In this case, when the reduction of the cell output in the second stage was noticed due to the lack of electrolyte when the induced current was enhanced, we added the electrolyte required for stable output again at 0.4 l / min and recorded the values ​​under these conditions at the same output.

[0086] and the third and final stage after the previous one. Rotation is applied to the magnetic field added in stage 2. The number of revolutions of this rotation is applied more and more until the optimal efficiency of the battery utilized is achieved. The power consumption of the motor that produces the rotation is not taken into account, since only the consumption generated by the electrolysis is considered.

[0087] result

[0088] Phase 1 : The battery is operated without a magnetic field placed inside the battery.

[0089] Once the cell output stabilized, the cell showed results of consuming 1.2 amps at 35.8 volts (consuming 42.96 watts) for an output of 0.4 liters per minute.

[0090] 110 watts per liter / minute rate.

[0091] In the second stage : The magnetic field is placed inside the battery in a static state.

[0092] Once stabilized, the cell showed a consumption result of 0.82 amps at 35.7 volts for an output of 0.4 liters per minute (consuming 29.35 watts).

[0093] 73.39 Watts per liter / minute rate.

[0094] An efficiency of 146.34% was achieved.

[0095] Phase 3 : Rotation of the support applied to maintain the magnetic field. Rotational state. The best performance was obtained at a rotational speed of 648 revolutions per minute.

[0096] Once the battery stabilized, it showed a consumption result of 0.35 amps at 35.8 volts for an output of 0.4 liters per minute (consuming 12.53 watts).

[0097] 31.32 Watts per liter / minute rate.

[0098] An efficiency of 351.42% was achieved.

[0099] 12 volt battery ( Figure 6 )

[0100] The battery 30 operating at 12 volts is housed in a tubular acrylic container receiver 32 that is between 33 and 40 centimeters long, preferably 33 centimeters long, and has an inner diameter of between 92 and 100 millimeters, preferably 94 millimeters.

[0101] The upper cover 34 has an outlet 36 for the resulting gas.

[0102] Inside there are four microbatteries 38 centered around a central axis 40 which also supports two magnetic field supports 42a, 42b (in this case generated by magnets 44) attached to an external electric motor 46 via a lower cover 48. The container is filled with water+electrolyte.

[0103] The four microbatteries 38 are 12 V. Each comprises an anode 50, a cathode 52 and four neutral plates 54 placed between them. The distance between the electrodes 38 is between 1 and 8 mm, preferably 2 mm. The electrodes 38 are circular, with a diameter between 30 and 45 mm, preferably 43 mm.

[0104] The microbattery 38 is located between two magnetic field supports 42a, 42b, each of which contains four magnets 44. Each magnet 44 generates a magnetic field by means of a n38 grade neodymium magnet, has a diameter between 15 and 30 mm, preferably 25 mm, and has a thickness between 2 and 4 mm, preferably 3 mm, and they are placed parallel to the microbattery, with a distance between them of between 30 and 50 mm, preferably 45 mm. The magnetic fields generated by the magnets have opposite polarities.

[0105] The field supports 42a, 42b have the ability to rotate when the electrolysis process occurs using an external shaft attached to an electric motor 46. The field supports 42a, 42b rotate in the same direction.

[0106] The electrolyte in the water must be between about 1.5 and 3%. The electrolyte to be used will depend on the purity of the water and the distance between the electrodes 38. In this particular case, electrolyte was added to the water until sufficient resistance was created to enable the cell to consume 2.4 amps and produce 0.4 liters of resulting gas per minute. This results in about 1.5% electrolyte in the water. Tap water was used (since the goal of the test was to obtain results in undistilled water).

[0107] Tests at 12 volts :

[0108] Twenty trials were conducted, in which consumption and output ratios were recorded in three consecutive phases in each trial.

[0109] Consumption and output were recorded for each phase once they stabilized and were maintained for three minutes, following the same concept performed in the previous test.

[0110] Recording in three stages .

[0111] The first phase was considered as control, where the cell was operated under conventional conditions without applying a magnetic field.

[0112] The first stage is followed by the second stage, and in this stage the magnetic field explained previously is applied statically. We can also see the reduction in the resulting output when increasing the induced current, but in this case no electrolyte is added that is necessary to equalize the output of the first stage. Instead a direct recording is made, making it possible to compare the ratio between the consumed watts and the output in the different productions, as well as the efficiency achieved in this stage.

[0113] and the third and final stage after the previous one. Rotation is applied to the magnetic field added in stage 2. The number of revolutions of this rotation is applied more and more until the optimal efficiency of the battery utilized is achieved. The power consumption of the motor that produces the rotation is not taken into account, since only the consumption generated by the electrolysis is considered.

[0114] result

[0115] Phase 1 : The battery operates normally in the absence of a magnetic field.

[0116] Once the output of the cell stabilized, the cell showed results of consuming 2.4 amps at 12.3 volts, consuming 29.52 watts, for an output of 0.4 liters per minute.

[0117] 73.8 watts per liter / minute rate.

[0118] In the second stage : The magnetic field is placed inside the battery in a static state.

[0119] Once stabilized, the battery showed results of 0.86 amps at 12.3 volts, consuming 10.57 watts, for an output of 0.3 liters per minute.

[0120] 35.26 Watts per liter / minute rate.

[0121] An efficiency of 209.3% was achieved.

[0122] Phase 3 : Rotation is applied to the bracket that maintains the magnetic field.

[0123] Spinning mode. Optimum performance is achieved at 708 rpm.

[0124] Once stabilized, the battery showed results of 0.77 amps at 12.3 volts, consuming 9.47 watts. for an output of 0.4 liters per minute.

[0125] 23.67 watts per liter / minute rate.

[0126] An efficiency of 311.68% was achieved.

[0127] Conclusions on the results obtained .

[0128] In these two experiments Phase 1 , we can see the logical results for conventional batteries of 36 volts and 12 volts, which are tailored to the concept of microbatteries of the dimensions used. For the case of 36 volts, an average result of 110 watts per liter per minute of net gas production by electrolysis is shown. And for the case of 12 volts, an average result of 73.8 watts per liter per minute of net gas production by electrolysis is shown.

[0129] In the second stage, when a magnetic field is applied, produced by two columns of magnets with opposite poles. In the battery, we can see that the amperage consumed is significantly reduced relative to the output, while the voltage does not change.

[0130] A consumption of 36 Watts per liter / minute was achieved for the 36 Volt battery, an efficiency of 145% was achieved, and a consumption of 35.26 Watts per liter / minute was achieved for the 12 Volt battery, an efficiency of 209.3%.

[0131] In the third stage , when rotation is applied to the magnetic field, further increasing the induced current. We can see that for each cell the maximum efficiency is achieved at a specified rotation.

[0132] Getting 31.32 watts per liter of consumption in a 36V battery, an efficiency of 351.4% was achieved.

[0133] At 12V, a consumption of 23.67 watts per liter / minute was obtained, achieving an efficiency of 311.68%.

[0134] We can also see that in the 12V battery, as the output decreases in the second stage, no electrolyte is added to reach the base output of the first stage. Using the effect achieved by the rotating magnetic field, the output returns to the base output that was stable in the first stage, 0.3 L / min restored to 0.4 L / min, but with an efficiency of over 300% relative to consumption.

Claims

1. A water electrolysis system, comprising: container; A plurality of microbatteries are located inside the container; the microbatteries are centered on the central axis of the container; a first bracket, located at a first side of the microbattery; a second bracket, located on a second side of the microbattery; A plurality of magnets, mounted on the first bracket and the second bracket, the magnets being placed parallel to the microbattery; a liquid inside the container; wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are adapted to be connected to a motor, wherein the first support and the second support rotate during the electrolysis process; wherein the magnet on the first bracket generates a first magnetic field, and the magnet on the second bracket generates a second magnetic field; and The first magnetic field and the second magnetic field have opposite polarities.

2. The water electrolysis system according to claim 1, wherein the microbattery is a 12V battery.

3. The water electrolysis system according to claim 1, wherein the microbattery is a 36V battery.

4. The water electrolysis system of claim 1, wherein the microbatteries are spaced apart at a distance of 45 mm.

5. A method for producing hydrogen, comprising the following steps: Obtaining the water electrolysis system according to claim 1; Performing a water electrolysis process; While the first support and the second support are rotating, a magnetic field is applied to the water electrolysis process.

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