Improved Hydrogenation of Drinking Water

Abstract

Systems and methods for improved hydrogenation of water include pre-cooling hydrogen prior to delivery of the hydrogen to a hydrogen water generator and using a manifold to integrate the hydrogen outputs of a plurality of hydrogen-containing storage vessels into a single fluid path prior to delivery of the hydrogen to the hydrogen water generator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Systems and methods for improved hydrogenation of water include precooling hydrogen prior to delivery of the hydrogen to a hydrogen water generator and using a manifold to integrate the hydrogen outputs of a plurality of hydrogen-containing storage vessels into a single fluid passage prior to delivery of the hydrogen to the hydrogen water generator.

Background Art

[0002] Oxidative stress refers to a state in which excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) burden the biological antioxidant capacity, leading to disruption of ROS homeostasis and cell damage. For normal physiological functions, it is important for cells to maintain a healthy level of ROS. Excessive ROS can cause oxidative damage to DNA and lipids, which can lead to cell death. Additionally, oxidative stress can trigger an inflammatory response that may further enhance oxidative stress. As a result, oxidative stress can act to cause chronic inflammation through pathological conditions that cause various diseases including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer.

[0003] Due to the role played by oxidative stress in the development of various chronic diseases, there is an increasing interest in evaluating the adjuvant effect of antioxidants in food for the prevention and alleviation of these diseases. The US Food and Drug Administration has declared that hydrogen (H2) gas is recognized as a food additive when used in drinking water or other beverages and is generally recognized as safe. Hydrogen has been shown to function as an antioxidant and selectively remove strong oxidants such as hydroxyl radicals.

[0004] Hydrogen-rich drinking water is commercially available and is generally referred to as "hydrogen water". Devices for increasing the hydrogen content of drinking water or other beverages are generally referred to as "hydrogen water generators". Small-scale hydrogen water generators for personal or household use typically generate hydrogen by electrolysis, which uses electricity to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen. Large-scale hydrogen water generators for commercial or industrial use typically receive hydrogen gas as an input and bubble the hydrogen gas through drinking water to produce hydrogen water. The hydrogen gas is typically received from a pressurized storage cylinder of a standard size, such as a high-pressure industrial cylinder of size 200 (length 51 inches or 129.5 cm and outer diameter 9 inches or 22.9 cm) or a high-pressure industrial cylinder of size 300 (length 55 inches or 139.7 cm and outer diameter 9.25 inches or 23.5 cm). A typical large-scale hydrogen water generator is capable of producing hydrogen water with an H2 content in the range of 0.7 ppm to 1.2 ppm, and the most efficient devices produce hydrogen water with an H2 content of approximately 1.6 ppm.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The inventors of the present disclosure understand that there is a need for improvements to current systems and methods for adding hydrogen to drinking water to increase the H2 content of the drinking water beyond 1.6 ppm, 1.8 ppm, or 2.0 ppm, to deliver a greater amount of hydrogen in a given volume of water. Certain preferred features of the present disclosure address these and other needs and provide other important advantages.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Systems and methods for improved hydrogenation of water include pre-cooling the hydrogen prior to delivery of the hydrogen to a hydrogen water generator and using a manifold to integrate the hydrogen outputs of a plurality of hydrogen-containing storage cylinders into a single fluid passage prior to delivery of the hydrogen to the hydrogen water generator.

[0007] In a first embodiment, the present invention is a method of providing hydrogen gas to a hydrogen water generator, the method comprising the steps of cooling hydrogen gas in a plurality of hydrogen containers, integrating the hydrogen gas from the plurality of hydrogen containers into a single fluid passage, and providing the cooled hydrogen gas to the hydrogen water generator via the single fluid passage. In some embodiments, the step of cooling comprises cooling the hydrogen gas to a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius or less, 55 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 50 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 10 degrees Celsius or less, 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 5 degrees Celsius or less, 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 35 degrees Fahrenheit or less, or 1 degree Celsius or less. In further embodiments, the step of cooling comprises exposing the plurality of hydrogen containers to a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius or less, 55 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 50 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 10 degrees Celsius or less, 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 5 degrees Celsius or less, 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 35 degrees Fahrenheit or less, or 1 degree Celsius or less for at least 12 hours or at least 24 hours. In certain embodiments, the step of integrating comprises using a manifold having a plurality of inlets each in fluid communication with a different storage container in the plurality of hydrogen storage containers and a single outlet in fluid communication with the hydrogen water generator via the single fluid passage to integrate the hydrogen gas from the plurality of hydrogen containers into the single fluid passage. In some embodiments, the cooling is performed prior to the integration.

[0008] In a second embodiment, the present invention is a method of generating hydrogen water, comprising the steps of cooling hydrogen gas in a plurality of hydrogen containers, integrating the hydrogen gas from the plurality of hydrogen containers into a single fluid passage, providing the cooled hydrogen gas to a hydrogen water generator via the single fluid passage, and generating hydrogen water using the hydrogen water generator, wherein the generated hydrogen water has a hydrogen content of at least 1.6 ppm, at least 1.8 ppm, or at least 2.0 ppm. In some embodiments, the cooling step comprises cooling the hydrogen gas to a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius or less, 55 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 50 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 10 degrees Celsius or less, 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 5 degrees Celsius or less, 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 35 degrees Fahrenheit or less, or 1 degree Celsius or less. In further embodiments, the cooling step comprises exposing the plurality of hydrogen containers to a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius or less, 55 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 50 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 10 degrees Celsius or less, 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 5 degrees Celsius or less, 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 35 degrees Fahrenheit or less, or 1 degree Celsius or less for at least 12 hours or at least 24 hours. In certain embodiments, the integrating step comprises integrating the hydrogen gas from the plurality of hydrogen containers into a single fluid passage using a manifold having a plurality of inlets each in fluid communication with a different storage container in the plurality of hydrogen storage containers and a single outlet in fluid communication with the hydrogen water generator via the single fluid passage. In further embodiments, the cooling is performed prior to the integration.

[0009] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are more fully described in the detailed description and drawings included herein. This summary is not intended to identify any key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Some or all of the features described may be present in corresponding independent or dependent claims, but should not be construed as limiting if not explicitly recited in a particular claim. Each embodiment described herein does not necessarily address every object described herein, and each embodiment does not necessarily include each feature described. Other forms, embodiments, objects, advantages, benefits, features, and aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the detailed description and drawings included herein. Further, various devices and methods described anywhere in this application, not just in this summary section, can be represented in numerous different combinations and subcombinations. All such useful novel inventive combinations and subcombinations are contemplated herein, and it is recognized that an explicit representation of each of these combinations is not necessary.

[0010] A better understanding of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Here, for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the principles of the present invention disclosed in this specification, one or more embodiments that may or may not be shown in the drawings are referred to, and specific words will be used to describe these embodiments. Nevertheless, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure thereby, and any changes and further improvements to the described or illustrated embodiments, as well as further applications of the principles of the present disclosure as illustrated herein, are understood to be considered by those skilled in the art related to the present disclosure as would be commonly contemplated. Although at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in great detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that some features or some combinations of features may not be shown for clarity.

[0013] Any reference to the "invention" in this document refers to a group of embodiments of the invention, and there is no single embodiment that includes features necessarily included in all embodiments unless otherwise stated. Further, although there may be references to the benefits or advantages provided by some embodiments, other embodiments may not include those same benefits or advantages, or may include different benefits or advantages. All benefits or advantages described herein are not to be construed as limitations to any of the claims.

[0014] Certain quantities (spatial dimensions, temperature, pressure, time, force, resistance, current, voltage, concentration, wavelength, frequency, heat transfer coefficient, dimensionless parameters, etc.) may be used explicitly or implicitly herein, and such specific quantities are presented merely as examples and are approximate values unless otherwise indicated. Considerations regarding specific compositions of substances are presented merely as examples, if any, and do not limit the applicability of other compositions of substances, such as other compositions of substances having similar properties, unless otherwise indicated. The term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range within 10% of the most accurate figure of the stated value, unless otherwise defined (e.g., “about 1” refers to the range from 0.9 to 1.1, and “about 1.1” refers to the range from 1.09 to 1.11). The modifying term “about” should also be considered as disclosing a range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the expression “from about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4”.

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention include pre-cooling hydrogen before delivery of the hydrogen to a hydrogen water generator and using a manifold 10 to integrate the hydrogen outputs of a plurality of hydrogen-containing storage cylinders 12 into a single fluid passage before delivery of the hydrogen to the hydrogen water generator. The present invention is not an electrolytic hydrogen water generator and is intended for use with a hydrogen water generator that requires hydrogen gas.

[0016] In some embodiments, a plurality of hydrogen-containing storage vessels, such as storage cylinders 12, are cooled to below ambient temperature. In some embodiments, the plurality of hydrogen-containing storage cylinders 12 are at least 2, at least 4, at least 6, at least 8, at least 10, at least 12, or at least 16 hydrogen-containing storage cylinders 12. In a particular embodiment, twelve hydrogen-containing storage cylinders 12 are cooled to below ambient temperature. In some embodiments, the cylinder 12 and the hydrogen stored in the cylinder 12 are cooled to a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius or less, 55 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 50 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 10 degrees Celsius or less, 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 5 degrees Celsius or less, 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 35 degrees Fahrenheit or less, or 1 degree Celsius or less. In a particular embodiment, the cylinder 12 is exposed to a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius or less, 55 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 50 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 10 degrees Celsius or less, 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 5 degrees Celsius or less, 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 35 degrees Fahrenheit or less, or 1 degree Celsius or less for at least 12 hours, at least 18 hours, at least 24 hours, about 24 hours, or a period of more than 24 hours in order to lower the temperature of the hydrogen stored within the storage cylinder 12. Next, the cooled hydrogen gas is directed as an input to a hydrogen water generator (not shown) for the production of hydrogen water.

[0017] In some embodiments, the plurality of hydrogen-containing storage cylinders 12 are positioned within an upper-open cylindrical storage container 14 and are then cooled by at least partially filling the storage container with ice 16 or other cooling substances in order to expose the storage cylinders to a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius or less, 55 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 50 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 10 degrees Celsius or less, 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 5 degrees Celsius or less, 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less, 35 degrees Fahrenheit or less, or 1 degree Celsius or less. In other embodiments, other cooling methods as are technically known may be used.

[0018] In some embodiments, each hydrogen-containing storage cylinder 12 includes a cylindrical body 18 having a length, an outer diameter, and an interior for storing hydrogen gas, and an outlet 20 attached to the body that provides controllable fluid communication with the interior. The outlet 20 of each of the plurality of storage cylinders 12 is connected to the manifold 10 via a fluid transfer line 21 such as a tube, pipe, hose, or other means of fluid communication commonly known in the art. In one embodiment, the fluid transfer line is an optionally flexible 3 / 8-inch diameter tube. The manifold 10 includes a plurality of inlets 22 each connected to the outlet 20 of a different storage cylinder 12 via a fluid transfer line 21, and a single outlet 24 configured for fluid communication with an input line of a hydrogen water generator (not shown), and the connection between the outlet 24 and the input line of the hydrogen water generator forms a single fluid passage between the manifold 10 and the hydrogen water generator.

[0019] As most readily seen in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, a plurality of storage cylinders 12 are positioned within a frame 26 that supports and orients the cylinders 12. In the depicted embodiment, the manifold 10 is attached to the frame 26. By positioning the cylinders 12 within the frame 26, a user can easily insert all of the cylinders 12 into the storage container 14 or remove all of the cylinders 12 from the storage container using an overhead crane, forklift, hoist, or other means commonly known in the art.

[0020] A typical hydrogen water generator input line includes means for limiting the maximum pressure of the incoming hydrogen gas (typically measured in pounds per square inch, or psi). Thus, connecting a plurality of hydrogen-containing cylinders 12 via a manifold 10 and directing the hydrogen gas output of the plurality of cylinders 12 to the input line via a single outlet 24 is not considered to increase the pressure of the hydrogen gas received by the hydrogen water generator. However, the inventor has unexpectedly found that this configuration, combined with cooling the hydrogen gas in the storage cylinder 12, has resulted in an increase in the hydrogen content in the resulting hydrogen water produced by the hydrogen water generator that receives hydrogen gas from this system, as indicated in Table 1.

[0021]

Table 1

[0022] The disclosed example contemplates a plurality of hydrogen-containing storage cylinders 12 connected via a manifold 10 to a single outlet 24, but in other embodiments, the system may or may not be cylindrical in shape and may comprise a single hydrogen storage tank with an internal volume at least 2 times, at least 4 times, at least 6 times, at least 8 times, at least 10 times, at least 12 times, or at least 16 times that of a standard size 200 high-pressure industrial cylinder or a size 300 high-pressure industrial cylinder.

[0023] Examples, one or more representative embodiments, and specific forms of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, but these are to be construed as illustrative and not as restrictive or limiting. The description of specific features in one embodiment does not mean that those specific features are necessarily limited to that one embodiment. Some or all of the features of one embodiment can be used in combination with some or all of the features of other embodiments, whether or not they are explicitly described as such, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. One or more exemplary embodiments have been illustrated and described, and it is desired that all changes and improvements falling within the spirit of the present disclosure be protected.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0024] 10 Manifold 12 Hydrogen-containing storage cylinder 14 Upper-open cylindrical storage container 16 Ice 18 Cylindrical body 20 Outlet 21 Fluid transfer line 22 Inlet 24 Outlet 26 Frame

Claims

1. A method for providing hydrogen gas to a hydrogen water generator, comprising: cooling hydrogen gas in a plurality of hydrogen containers; integrating the hydrogen gas from the plurality of hydrogen containers into a single fluid passage; and providing the cooled hydrogen gas to the hydrogen water generator through the single fluid passage. A method comprising the above steps.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cooling step includes cooling the hydrogen gas to a temperature of 55°F or less.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the cooling step includes cooling the hydrogen gas to a temperature of 45°F or less.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cooling step includes exposing the plurality of hydrogen containers to a temperature of 55°F or less for at least 12 hours.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the cooling step includes exposing the plurality of hydrogen containers to a temperature of 45°F or less for at least 12 hours.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the cooling step includes exposing the plurality of hydrogen containers to a temperature of 55°F or less for at least 24 hours.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the integrating step includes using a manifold having a plurality of inlets each in fluid communication with a different storage container in the plurality of hydrogen storage containers and a single outlet in fluid communication with the hydrogen water generator through a single fluid passage to integrate the hydrogen gas from the plurality of hydrogen containers into the single fluid passage.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cooling is performed before the integrating.

9. A method for generating hydrogen water, comprising: cooling hydrogen gas in a plurality of hydrogen containers; integrating the hydrogen gas from the plurality of hydrogen containers into a single fluid passage; providing the cooled hydrogen gas to a hydrogen water generator through the single fluid passage; and generating hydrogen water using the hydrogen water generator. The method includes the above steps, wherein the generated hydrogen water has a hydrogen content of at least 1.6 ppm.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the generated hydrogen water has a hydrogen content of at least 2.0 ppm.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the cooling step includes cooling the hydrogen gas to a temperature of 55°F or less.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the cooling step comprises cooling the hydrogen gas to a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. **Claim 13** The method of claim 12, wherein the cooling step comprises cooling the hydrogen gas to a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit or less. **Claim 14** The method of claim 9, wherein the integrating step comprises integrating the hydrogen gas from the plurality of hydrogen containers into the single fluid passage using a manifold having a plurality of inlets each in fluid communication with a different storage container in the plurality of hydrogen storage containers and a single outlet in fluid communication with the hydrogen water generator via a single fluid passage. **Claim 15** The method of claim 9, wherein the cooling is performed prior to the integrating.

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