Apparatus and method for the generation of gaseous hydrogen

Description

Description accompanying the patent application for industrial invention entitled: Apparatus and method for the generation of gaseous hydrogen On behalf of: Tecnoseal Foundry Srl, represented by its lawyer representative Mr. Filippo Soffici, with registered office in Via della Moscova 3 CAP 20121 Milan (MI), PI 01473780532 represented by Eng. Mario Emmi of Studio Brevetti Turini srl, Viale Matteotti 25, CAP 50121 Florence (FI), registered in the Register of Patent Consultants under no. 1298 B. Designated Inventor: Filippo Soffici Scope of the invention

[001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for the electrochemical generation of hydrogen gas.

[002] In particular, said apparatus for the generation electrochemistry of hydrogen gas finds advantageous application using, as a starting reagent, a aqueous solution comprising at least one electrolyte.

[003] For illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, with electrolyte means any chemical species that, in aqueous solution, generates ionic species.

[004] The present invention also relates to a method for the electrochemical generation of hydrogen gaseous.

[005] In particular, said method for the generation electrochemistry of hydrogen gas finds advantageous application using, as a starting reagent, a aqueous solution comprising at least one electrolyte. Brief notes on the prior art

[006] As is known, in recent years, the development technology aimed at generating gaseous hydrogen has been widely pursued by a large number of entities public and private in all industrial countries, since hydrogen is generally considered by the literature science as a useful means for ecological transition of industrial societies.

[007] An example of application of hydrogen gas for the ecological transition is in the form of fuel future, due to its abundant presence in nature in the form of water. Furthermore, the combustion of such fuel would foresee a zero or almost zero impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions (especially carbon dioxide) carbon dioxide), as combustion in the presence of oxygen generates water vapor.

[008] For this reason, it is constant to design and construction of systems for the generation of hydrogen gaseous.

[009] For example, processes for the generation are known of hydrogen which can mainly use three sources: (1) fossil fuels, (2) biomass, and (3) water.

[010] The current conventional modes of production of hydrogen from fossil fuels involves the use of example of natural gas, petroleum or methanol.

[011] The current conventional modes of production of hydrogen from water occurs for example through water electrolysis.

[012] Among the three ways of generating hydrogen gaseous, the steam reforming of natural gas into hydrogen It is widely used in industrial production of hydrogen, which has the lowest production cost of hydrogen, and this method has the advantages of a simple production process and high yield of hydrogen, but it has a significant level of emissions CO2.

[013] Hydrogen from petroleum is obtained from product of oil cracking, but it is a process more expensive than natural gas reforming.

[014] Hydrogen from methanol is produced by steam reforming of methanol, which is more expensive of hydrogen gas itself (so, it is a process uneconomical).

[015] Hydrogen production from biomass consists of mainly in the use of biomass for the production of energy or in the fermentation of biomass to produce hydrogen. This production process does not allow for achieve the high productivity required at the level industrial.

[016] In addition, the preparation of hydrogen by electrolysis of water. Passing a direct current through a cell electrolytic filled with electrolyte, water molecules can be made to react electrochemically on electrodes and decomposed to form hydrogen and oxygen.

[017] Although the process is simple and the purity of the hydrogen produced is high, the process of electrolysis consumes a large amount of electricity and has hence a high production cost.

[018] To overcome the high production cost, they are processes for the generation of hydrogen have been developed gaseous through the electrolysis of water in which the current required for the process is obtained by capturing solar radiation using photoelectrodes. Such photoelectrochemical processes are still in the development phase, however laboratory research and may only be used for the preparation of limited quantities of hydrogen.

[019] Such hydrogen generation processes They therefore present several drawbacks.

[020] A first drawback is represented by the fact that some of these processes are uneconomical in consideration of the market value of gaseous hydrogen.

[021] A second drawback is represented by the fact that some of these processes have a reduced hydrogen productivity, meaning productivity amount of hydrogen gas generated per unit of time.

[022] A third drawback is represented by the fact that some of these processes have a high impact environmental, mainly due to significant emissions of CO2. Summary of the invention

[023] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the electrochemical generation of hydrogen gas, preferably from a solution aqueous comprising at least one electrolyte, which allows for ensure a significant level of cost-effectiveness, a high productivity and have a reduced environmental impact.

[024] Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to to provide a method for the electrochemical generation of hydrogen gas, preferably from a solution aqueous comprising at least one electrolyte, which allows for ensure a significant level of cost-effectiveness, a high productivity and have a reduced environmental impact.

[025] According to the present invention, there is realized an apparatus 1 for the electrochemical generation of hydrogen gaseous, as defined in claim 1.

[026] In particular, said apparatus for the generation electrochemistry of hydrogen gas finds advantageous application using, as a starting reagent, a aqueous solution comprising at least one electrolyte.

[027] For illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, with electrolyte means any chemical species that, in aqueous solution, generates ionic species.

[028] Preferably, said apparatus 1 comprises at least an anode 2.

[029] Preferably, said anode 2 is arranged, in use, in said aqueous solution.

[030] Preferably, said apparatus 1 comprises at least a cathode 3 electrically connected to said anode 2 for form an electrochemical cell.

[031] Preferably, said electrochemical cell It consists of a galvanic cell.

[032] Preferably, said cathode 3 is arranged, in use, in said aqueous solution.

[033] Preferably, said anode 2 is made of a material comprising magnesium metal.

[034] This solution solves all the above technical problems.

[035] In particular, the presence of said anode 2 made of a material comprising magnesium metal allows us to guarantee a significant level of cost-effectiveness, high productivity and reduced environmental impact.

[036] According to the present invention, there is provided also a method for the electrochemical generation of hydrogen gaseous, as defined in claim 1.

[037] In particular, said method for the generation electrochemistry of hydrogen gas finds advantageous application using, as a starting reagent, a aqueous solution comprising at least one electrolyte.

[038] For illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, with electrolyte means any chemical species that, in aqueous solution, generates ionic species.

[039] Preferably, said method comprises a step to immerse at least one anode 2 in said aqueous solution.

[040] Preferably, said method comprises a step to immerse at least one cathode 3, electrically connected to said anode 2 to form an electrochemical cell, in said aqueous solution.

[041] Preferably, said electrochemical cell It consists of a galvanic cell.

[042] Preferably, said anode 2 is made of a material comprising magnesium metal.

[043] This solution solves all the above technical problems.

[044] In particular, the presence of said anode 2 made of a material comprising magnesium metal allows us to guarantee a significant level of cost-effectiveness, high productivity and reduced environmental impact. Brief description of the drawings

[045] For a better understanding of this invention an embodiment is now described preferred, by way of example and not limited to, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[046] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a apparatus for the generation of gaseous hydrogen, according to a embodiment of invention;

[047] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a apparatus for the generation of gaseous hydrogen, according to a embodiment of the invention.

[048] Figures 3 to 6 show a solution preferred invention with the cathode in the form of a container containing the aqueous solution and the anode connected to a wall of said container. Description of some preferred embodiments

[049] Referring to figure 1 and figure 2, the apparatus 1 for the electrochemical generation of hydrogen gaseous, finds advantageous application using, as starting reagent, an aqueous solution comprising at least one electrolyte.

[050] For illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, with electrolyte means any chemical species that, in aqueous solution, generates ionic species.

[051] Preferably, said apparatus 1 comprises at least an anode 2.

[052] Preferably, said anode 2 is arranged, in use, in said aqueous solution.

[053] Preferably, said apparatus 1 comprises at least a cathode 3 electrically connected to said anode 2 for form an electrochemical cell.

[054] Preferably, said electrochemical cell It consists of a galvanic cell.

[055] Preferably, said cathode 3 is arranged, in use, in said aqueous solution.

[056] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in figure 1, said anode 2 and said cathode 3 are connected electrically by simple contact (for example by deposition of one material on another or by incorporation of one material into another) between the respective surfaces.

[057] According to an alternative form of implementation illustrated in figure 2, said anode 2 and said cathode 3 are electrically connected by means of an electrical conductor of any known type (for example, a metal wire).

[058] Preferably, said anode 2 is made of a material comprising magnesium metal.

[059] According to an alternative form of implementation, said device 1 involves the use of a metal container containing said electrolyte solution as cathode 3, provided it is made of a material with potential electrochemically less electronegative than the anode 2. The contact between anode 2 and cathode 3 must be made through an electrical conductor, the electrical conductor does not it must necessarily be a cable but it could be also used a pin (e.g. one or more pins), provided that it is made of conductive material. The above is for the purpose of form an electrochemical cell, in said solution watery.

[060] These characteristics derive from the tests experiments carried out by the Applicant, in which the Applicant has tried different alternative solutions, for identify the solution that best guarantees a significant level of cost-effectiveness, high productivity and that had a reduced environmental impact.

[061] In particular, the presence of said anode 2 made of a material comprising magnesium metal allows us to guarantee a significant level of cost-effectiveness, high productivity and reduced environmental impact.

[062] In detail, in this description, with the The term cathode refers to the electrode on which the reduction reaction, while the term anode refers to the electrode on which the oxidation reaction takes place.

[063] In a galvanic cell, or a preferred form of electrochemical cell according to the present invention, the electrode made of the most highly elastic material electronegative will give up electrons and therefore will constitute the anode.

[064] According to a preferred form of embodiment of the present invention, the galvanic cell comprises at least one electrode made of a material containing magnesium metallic and at least one electrode made with a any material, preferably metallic, less electronegative with respect to the material it is made of material comprising magnesium metal.

[065] In this way, the electrode made in a material comprising metallic magnesium acts as an anode 2 while the electrode made of any material preferably metallic less electronegative than the material of which the material comprising is made magnesium metal acts as cathode 3. In detail, since magnesium metal is more electronegative than the other chemical species (e.g. metal), it gives up electrons and then acts as anode 2 while the other electrode (made of different material) acts as cathode 3.

[066] The oxidation reaction that occurs in correspondence of the anode 2 generates magnesium ions, as per following equation: - 2+ Mg – 2e → Mg while the reduction reaction that occurs at of the cathode 3 generates hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions, according to the following equation: - - 2H O + 2e → H + 2OH 2 2

[067] The total hydrolysis reaction by said electrochemical cell (preferably galvanic) is reported from the following equation: Mg + 2H O → Mg(OH) + H 2 2 2

[068] In particular, said anode 2 as described is a sacrificial anode, since the metallic magnesium of which it is constituted is consumed by its oxidation, generating magnesium ions which combine with the ions hydroxide generated by the water reduction reaction which occurs at the cathode. This combination generates hydroxide magnesium as a co-product of hydrogen.

[069] The Applicant observed that by means of such electrochemical cell it is possible to generate high quantities (for example but not limited to more than 900 litres) of hydrogen gas using a material comprising magnesium metal in quantities of 1kg in weight. This highlights for this electrochemical cell an important cost-effectiveness (due to the fact that magnesium metal has a cost content), a high productivity of gaseous hydrogen and a reduced environmental impact (since, in particular, it does not there are emissions of greenhouse gases or harmful gases).

[070] According to a further aspect of the invention, as illustrated in figure 1, said anode 2 and said cathode 3 are configured according to a single body 4 whose matrix includes called anode 2 and called cathode 3.

[071] In other words, as already mentioned, said anode 2 and said cathode 3 can be electrically connected by simple contact between their respective surfaces since they constitute a single body 4.

[072] Said single body 4 is made for example by deposition of the material comprising magnesium metal on the other (or vice versa) or by incorporation of the material comprising magnesium metal in the other (or vice versa), so that the single body matrix 4 comprises said anode 2 and said cathode 3.

[073] According to this configuration, on the surface of the single body 4 the said anodic reactions take place and cathodic in correspondence with areas of the body matrix only 4 in which it is present at least punctually, respectively, the material comprising magnesium metallic and the other less electronegative material than to the material comprising magnesium metal.

[074] In detail, magnesium metal and the other less electronegative material constitute distinct phases within the single body matrix 4.

[075] Due to the different corrosion potentials electrochemistry of these phases, a cell is actually generated galvanic between the interfaces of the phases of said matrix. During the hydrolysis reaction, the surface of the phase magnesium acts as an anode and loses electrons to form magnesium ions, while the surface of the other phase less electronegative material acts as a cathode and the molecules of water acquire electrons releasing hydrogen gas.

[076] The hydrolysis reaction by said single body 4 is generally initiated preferentially by said interfaces and gradually spreads into the body matrix unique 4.

[077] This configuration allows to obtain a limited space requirement of the apparatus 1 and makes it even more simple.

[078] According to a further aspect of the invention, said material comprising magnesium metal for said anode 2 consists of a metal alloy including magnesium.

[079] According to a preferred embodiment, called metal alloy includes magnesium.

[080] Even more preferably, said metal alloy includes magnesium and at least one additional metal.

[081] This metal is for example selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, silicon, manganese, tin, copper.

[082] Even more preferably, said metal alloy consists of the metal alloy commercially called AZ63HP, which includes magnesium, aluminum and silicon.

[083] According to a further aspect of the invention, said anode 2 and / or said cathode 3 are connected electrically via a 5-configured electrical circuit to impart a direct or alternating current to said anode 2 and said cathode 3 increasing the generation of hydrogen gaseous per unit of time.

[084] In other words, as previously described and as illustrated in figure 2, said anode 2 and said cathode 3 can be electrically connected by means of a electrical conductor.

[085] Said electrical conductor may be part of a electrical circuit 5 configured to impart a current continuous or alternating to said anode 2 and said cathode 3. Such imparted current causes an increase in the speed of the reactions at anode 2 and cathode 3, which results in a increase in hydrogen gas generation per unit of time.

[086] This solution was configured by the Applicant to further increase productivity of gaseous hydrogen, economically and with a reduced environmental impact.

[087] According to a further aspect of the invention, said electrical circuit 5 impresses said direct current or alternating with said anode 2 and said cathode 3 by means of a voltage for example in the range 1 V – 10 V.

[088] This solution was configured by the Applicant to increase hydrogen productivity gaseous in a completely economical way, since for the voltage included in this range the energy cost is completely negligible compared to the majority productivity of gaseous hydrogen produced (i.e., the greater amount of hydrogen gas produced per unit of time has an economic value greater than the cost energy used to obtain it). In other words, for voltages above or below the range identified by the Applicant, the hydrogen productivity gaseous does not increase or in any case the ratio productivity / energy cost is lower than that ratio for voltages within that range.

[089] According to a further aspect of the invention, said apparatus 1 comprises a device 6 configured to store the hydrogen gas generated by electrochemistry.

[090] In detail, said device 6 comprises means collection for the gaseous hydrogen generated in correspondence of the electrochemical cell and means of storage / warehousing (e.g., a vessel / container or a tank) of gaseous hydrogen harvest. Such means of collection and such means of storage / warehousing are fully known by the state of the art for the collection and storage / warehousing of gas in general, but their advantageous application to this electrochemical cell allows for the management of appropriate and when necessary the gaseous hydrogen generated (i.e., the product of interest generated by the cell electrochemistry), maximizing productivity as it avoid any inefficiencies due to gas leaks hydrogen.

[091] According to a preferred embodiment, said device 6 further comprises conveying means (e.g. example, a compressor) of gaseous hydrogen, arranged between said means of collection and said means of storage / warehousing.

[092] Said conveying means are configured for conveying said gaseous hydrogen from said collection means to said means of storage / warehousing.

[093] Such means of conveyance are well known from the state of the art for gas conveyance in general, but their advantageous application to the said electrochemical cell allows to convey in a manner appropriate and when necessary the gaseous hydrogen generated (i.e., the product of interest generated by the cell electrochemistry), maximizing productivity as it avoid any inefficiencies due to gas leaks hydrogen.

[094] According to a further aspect of the invention, said aqueous solution comprising at least one electrolyte consists of an aqueous solution comprising chloride sodium.

[095] Preferably, said aqueous solution comprising sodium chloride may include other salts such as to increase the conductivity of the electrolyte.

[096] In particular, the use of a solution sodium chloride aqueous solution, i.e. salt water, such as starting solution for the generation of gaseous hydrogen electrochemically, it allows to further contain the costs involved in the production of hydrogen, as well as achieve a reduced environmental impact for the said apparatus 1, since water and salt are abundant components in nature and have a low cost.

[097] According to a preferred embodiment, called aqueous solution of sodium chloride consists of water sea.

[098] In particular, the use of sea water as starting solution for the generation of gaseous hydrogen electrochemically, it allows to further contain the costs involved in the production of hydrogen, as well as achieve a reduced environmental impact for the said apparatus 1, since sea water is abundant in nature and has a low or no cost.

[099] According to a further aspect of the invention, said aqueous solution comprising sodium chloride can have a concentration of sodium chloride, for example preferably in the range 25 g / l – 40 g / l.

[0100] This range of concentrations of said aqueous solution in sodium chloride has been identified by the Applicant as the optimal interval for the generation of gaseous hydrogen. In particular, for higher or lower concentrations, said apparatus 1 so as described it does not have a higher productivity than gaseous hydrogen or in any case there is no preference in terms of cost-effectiveness.

[0101] According to a further aspect of the invention, said anode 2 has size and / or shape configured to generate a desired amount of hydrogen gas per unit time.

[0102] These characteristics derive from the tests experiments carried out by the Applicant, in which the Applicant has tried different alternative solutions, for identify the solution that best guarantees high productivity.

[0103] In detail, several can be used shapes and dimensions. From the tests carried out by the Applicant, it was highlighted as a parallelepiped shape in which the anode thickness 2 has a minimum ratio of 1 / 10 compared to the length, it ensures a productivity optimal in the generation of gaseous hydrogen.

[0104] However, the operation also occurs with forms and / or different relationships.

[0105] According to a further aspect of the invention, the method for the electrochemical generation of hydrogen gaseous, finds advantageous application using, as starting reagent, an aqueous solution comprising at least one electrolyte.

[0106] For illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, with electrolyte means any chemical species that, in aqueous solution, generates ionic species.

[0107] Preferably, said method comprises a step to immerse at least one anode 2 in said aqueous solution.

[0108] Preferably, said method comprises a step to immerse at least one cathode 3, electrically connected to said anode 2 to form an electrochemical cell, in said aqueous solution.

[0109] According to an alternative embodiment, said method involves the use of a metal container containing said electrolyte solution as cathode 3, provided it is made of a material with potential electrochemically less electronegative than the anode 2. The contact between anode 2 and cathode 3 must be made through an electrical conductor, the electrical conductor does not it must necessarily be a cable but it could be a pin can also be used, provided it is made of conductive material. The above in order to form an electrochemical cell, in said aqueous solution.

[0110] Preferably, said electrochemical cell It consists of a galvanic cell.

[0111] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in figure 1, said anode 2 and said cathode 3 are connected electrically by simple contact (for example by deposition of one material on another or by incorporation of one material into another) between the respective surfaces.

[0112] According to an alternative form of implementation illustrated in figure 2, said anode 2 and said cathode 3 are electrically connected by means of an electrical conductor of any known type (for example, a metal wire).

[0113] Preferably, said anode 2 is made of a material comprising magnesium metal.

[0114] These characteristics derive from the tests experiments carried out by the Applicant, in which the Applicant has tried different alternative solutions, for identify the solution that best guarantees a significant level of cost-effectiveness, high productivity and that had a reduced environmental impact.

[0115] In particular, the presence of said anode 2 made of a material comprising magnesium metal allows us to guarantee a significant level of cost-effectiveness, high productivity and reduced environmental impact.

[0116] In detail, in this description, with the The term cathode refers to the electrode on which the reduction reaction, while the term anode refers to the electrode on which the oxidation reaction takes place.

[0117] In a galvanic cell, i.e. a preferred form of electrochemical cell according to the present invention, the electrode made of the most highly elastic material electronegative will give up electrons and therefore will constitute the anode.

[0118] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the galvanic cell comprises at least one electrode made of a material containing magnesium metallic and at least one electrode made with a any material, preferably metallic, less electronegative with respect to the material it is made of material comprising magnesium metal.

[0119] In this way, the electrode made in a material comprising metallic magnesium acts as an anode 2 while the electrode made of any material preferably metallic less electronegative than the material of which the material comprising is made magnesium metal acts as cathode 3. In detail, since magnesium metal is more electronegative than the other chemical species (e.g. metal), it gives up electrons and then acts as anode 2 while the other electrode (made of different material) acts as cathode 3.

[0120] The oxidation reaction that occurs in correspondence of the anode 2 generates magnesium ions, as per following equation: - 2+ Mg – 2e → Mg while the reduction reaction that occurs at of the cathode 3 generates hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions, according to the following equation: - - 2H O + 2e → H + 2OH 2 2

[0121] The total hydrolysis reaction by said electrochemical cell (preferably galvanic) is reported from the following equation: Mg + 2H O → Mg(OH) + H 2 2 2

[0122] In particular, said anode 2 as described is a sacrificial anode, since the metallic magnesium of which it is constituted is consumed by its oxidation, generating magnesium ions which combine with the ions hydroxide generated by the water reduction reaction which occurs at the cathode. This combination generates hydroxide magnesium as a co-product of hydrogen.

[0123] The Applicant observed that by means of such electrochemical cell can generate more than 900 liters of gaseous hydrogen using a material comprising magnesium metal in quantities of 1kg in weight. This highlights for this electrochemical cell an important cost-effectiveness (due to the fact that magnesium metal has a cost content), a high productivity of gaseous hydrogen and a reduced environmental impact (since, in particular, it does not there are emissions of greenhouse gases or harmful gases).

[0124] According to a further aspect of the invention, This method involves a phase of electrically connecting called anode 2 and called cathode 3 through an electrical circuit 5 and a phase of impressing a direct or alternating current to said anode 2 and said cathode 3, increasing the generation of hydrogen gas per unit time.

[0125] In other words, as previously described and as illustrated in figure 2, said anode 2 and said cathode 3 can be electrically connected by means of a electrical conductor.

[0126] Said electrical conductor may be part of a electrical circuit 5 configured for said printing phase a direct or alternating current to said anode 2 and said cathode 3. This imparted current causes an increase in the reaction rates at anode 2 and cathode 3, which leads to an increase in the generation of hydrogen gas per unit of time.

[0127] This solution was configured by the Applicant to further increase productivity of gaseous hydrogen, economically and with a reduced environmental impact.

[0128] According to a further aspect of the invention, the phase of imparting said direct or alternating current to said anode 2 and said cathode 3 through the electrical circuit 5 occurs through a voltage preferably included in the range 1 V – 10 V.

[0129] This solution was configured by the Applicant to increase hydrogen productivity gaseous in a completely economical way, since for the voltage included in this range the energy cost is completely negligible compared to the majority productivity of gaseous hydrogen produced (i.e., the greater amount of hydrogen gas produced per unit of time has an economic value greater than the cost energy used to obtain it). In other words, for voltages above or below the range identified by the Applicant, the hydrogen productivity gaseous does not increase or in any case the ratio productivity / energy cost is lower than that ratio for voltages within that range.

[0130] According to a further aspect of the invention, This method includes a step of storing the hydrogen gaseous generated electrochemically.

[0131] In detail, this phase of storing includes a sub-phase of collecting hydrogen gas generated at the electrochemical cell and a sub-phase of storing / storing gaseous hydrogen harvest. This subphase of harvesting and this subphase of to store / warehousing are fully known by the state of the art for the collection and storage / warehousing of gas in general, but their advantageous application to said generation method using said electrochemical cell allows you to manage it appropriately and when necessary the generated hydrogen gas (i.e., the product of interest generated by the electrochemical cell), maximizing productivity by avoiding any potential inefficiencies due to hydrogen gas leaks.

[0132] According to a preferred embodiment, said method comprises a substep of conveying the hydrogen gaseous, said conveying phase occurring subsequently to the said sub-phase of collecting and previously to the said sub-phase of storing / storing.

[0133] This sub-phase of conveying is well known. from the state of the art for gas conveyance in general, but its advantageous application to the said method of generation by means of the said electrochemical cell allows to convey appropriately and when necessary the generated hydrogen gas (i.e., the product of interest generated by the electrochemical cell), maximizing productivity by avoiding any potential inefficiencies due to hydrogen gas leaks.

[0134] Apparatus 1 for the electrochemical generation of hydrogen gas and the related method as described indicated above allow you to achieve the above goals statements, such as ensuring an important level of cost-effectiveness, high productivity and low environmental impact environmental.

[0135] Finally, it is clear that the apparatus 1 for the electrochemical generation of hydrogen gas and related method, described and illustrated here, can be make changes and variations without having to leave from the scope of the present invention, as defined in the attached claims. PREFERRED CONFIGURATION OF THE INVENTION:

[0136] With reference to figures 3 to 6 it is indicated a preferred configuration of the invention.

[0137] This therefore comprises a container 10 ad example with a box-shaped, cubic or any other shape shape and size.

[0138] It is made of metal material or comprises metallic material in order to function as a cathode.

[0139] Preferably, as described above for other embodiments, such metallic material is appropriately selected on the basis of potential electrochemical, in relation to the electrochemical potential of metallic magnesium, so that container 10 can act as a cathode and generate a galvanic cell (together to the anode comprising magnesium metal).

[0140] It is therefore preferably made of steel, for example example stainless steel.

[0141] Container 10 can be opened at the top to allow access to its containment volume intended to contain the liquid, i.e. the aqueous solution comprising at least one electrolyte, as already discussed in precedence.

[0142] As previously indicated, the solution aqueous can preferably be obtained with water sea.

[0143] In all cases, the percentage of sodium chloride It is included in a preferred range from 20g / l to 40g / l, preferably from 25g / l to 40g / l.

[0144] Inside the container 10 is applied in wall the anode which, in accordance with the invention and as described, includes magnesium metal.

[0145] Preferably, the anode 20 can be made at least 90% magnesium metal and therefore could be entirely made of magnesium metal, without prejudice to that, as previously described, minimal percentages of additives (already described and obviously valid for this configuration) may be present.

[0146] For example, the AZ91D alloy could be used, which is well known in itself and represents a magnesium alloy generally used for die casting. This alloy, high purity, features an excellent combination of mechanical properties, corrosion resistance.

[0147] Alternatively, for example, it would be possible to use the magnesium alloy is coded AZ63HP.

[0148] Continuing in the structural description of this configuration, the anode 20 can have any conformation.

[0149] However, the same Applicant has experimentally found which is particularly the configuration in which the anode 20 has a shape is advantageous of a parallelepiped plate whose thickness is very less than its length.

[0150] In particular, a beneficial relationship that experimentally it has given excellent results in production of hydrogen is a ratio of 1 / 10, that is, the thickness is approximately 1 / 10 of the plate length.

[0151] As shown in figure 4, the anode is connected to the wall of the container 10 forming the cathode via pins 21 (for example two pins 21) that are inserted into the wall and which are inserted into the appropriate slots 22 obtained in the anode body, then block the end of these pins in the slot through a nut 23 and plate 24.

[0152] Behind the plate 20 can be applied an additional plate 25, for example in material plastic, whose function is to protect the cathode for avoid direct contact with the anode.

[0153] The two pins 21 serve to close the circuit for which thus generates the galvanic cell that produces hydrogen as already described, when the cathode that acts from container is filled with aqueous solution comprising at least one electrolyte.

[0154] According to a further preferred configuration of invention, it would be possible to make a connection of the anode to a booster 50 which is nothing more than a power supply.

[0155] The power supply can for example typically be of the AC-DC type, preferably DC, with voltage included between 1-10V, for example to produce current from 0 to 3A.

[0156] The circuit, through the cables 51, is therefore closed on the booster which, by supplying current, is able to accelerate the process and therefore, in short, to allow a notable increased hydrogen production.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus (1) for the electrochemical generation of hydrogen gas, starting from an aqueous solution comprising at least one electrolyte, comprising: at least one anode (2) disposed, in use, in said aqueous solution; at least one cathode (3) electrically connected to said anode (2) to form an electrochemical cell, said cathode (3) being disposed, in use, in said aqueous solution; Characterised in that said anode (2) is made of a material comprising at least 90% metallic magnesium.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said anode is a metal alloy comprising said magnesium and at least one further metal for example selected from the group consisting of: aluminium, silicon, manganese, tin, copper.

3. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said anode (2) and said cathode (3) are electrically connected via an electrical circuit (50, 51) configured to impart a direct or alternating current to said anode (2) and said cathode (3) increasing the generation of gaseous hydrogen per unit of time.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said electrical circuit (50, 51) comprises an electrical power supply (50) connected to the anode via a pair of electrical cables (51) and is configured to be able to impress, in use, said direct or alternating current to said anode (2) and said cathode (3) by means of a voltage in the range 1 V - 10 V.

5. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said apparatus comprises a device (6) configured to store electrochemically generated hydrogen gas.

6. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said aqueous solution comprising at least one electrolyte consists of an aqueous solution comprising sodium chloride.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said aqueous solution comprising sodium chloride has a sodium chloride concentration in the range of 25 g / l - 40 g / l.

8. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said anode (2) has a parallelepiped plate shape in which the thickness is less than the length, preferably according to a thickness ratio of approximately 1 / 10 of the length.

9. Apparatus, according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: the cathode is in the form of a container (10) generally box-shaped in metal forming a containment volume to contain the aqueous solution, for example the container can be made of steel, such as stainless steel; - said anode (20) is in the form of a plate applicable to the wall of the container inside its containment volume, for example through a pair of metal pins (21) which are inserted into the relative slot (22) obtained in the anode and passing through the wall of the container.

10. A method for the electrochemical generation of hydrogen gas, starting from an aqueous solution comprising at least one electrolyte, comprising the following steps: immersing at least one anode (2) in said aqueous solution; immersing at least one cathode (3), electrically connected to said anode (2) to form an electrochemical cell, in said aqueous solution, wherein said anode (2) is made of a material comprising at least 90% metallic magnesium; Preferably the method being carried out with an apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 9.