Aqueous Reactor

Abstract

A hydrogen generation cell is disclosed that includes an input electrode plate pair, an output electrode plate pair, an additional X-plate electrode disposed adjacent to the output electrode plate pair, and multiple intermediate electrode plates disposed between the input and output electrode plate pairs. A plasma torch is spaced from the input electrode plate pair and inductively coupled to the input electrode plate pair. By applying a pulsed DC voltage to the plasma torch and the X-plate while applying a lower pulsed DC voltage to the input and output electrode plate pairs, hydrogen gas is generated from an aqueous solution in which the cell is immersed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63,448,194, filed February 24, 2023, and entitled "Aqueous Reactor," the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. [Technical Field]

[0002] The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for producing hydrogen gas from aqueous solutions. [Background technology]

[0003] Conventionally, devices for generating hydrogen gas from aqueous solutions have been proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to an exemplary embodiment, a tank containing a liquid including water and an electrolyte is provided. A hydrogen generation cell is immersed in the liquid within the tank, the cell including an input electrode plate pair, an output electrode plate pair, an additional "X" plate electrode disposed adjacent to the output electrode plate pair, and a plurality of intermediate electrode plates disposed between the input and output electrode plate pairs. A plasma torch is spaced from and inductively coupled to the input electrode plate pair.

[0005] The drive circuit for the electrodes further includes an AC power supply connected to a transformer, with a first three-phase rectifier coupled to the transformer. A second three-phase rectifier is also coupled to the AC power supply. The second three-phase rectifier is configured to apply a pulsed DC voltage to the plasma torch and the X-plate electrode, while the transformer and the first three-phase rectifier are configured to apply a lower pulsed DC voltage to the input and output electrode plate pairs, resulting in the production of hydrogen gas.

[0006] According to another embodiment, a hydrogen generation cell includes an input electrode plate pair, an output electrode plate pair, an additional electrode plate disposed adjacent to the output electrode plate pair, and a plurality of intermediate electrode plates disposed between the input electrode plate pair and the output electrode plate pair, and a plasma torch spaced from and inductively coupled to the input electrode plate pair.

[0007] In various exemplary embodiments, the additional electrode plate may have a rectangular frame with an "X" shaped cross member formed therein, with each triangular region between the frame and the cross member being hollow and water permeable. In exemplary embodiments, such a structure facilitates low current operation. The additional electrode plate may be structured differently in other embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments may use a plasma torch that is a TIG plasma torch.

[0008] The present disclosure further contemplates a hydrogen gas generator comprising a plurality of serially arranged electrode plates, with a plasma torch spaced apart from at least a first of the plurality of electrode plates and inductively coupled to an input electrode plate pair. In one such embodiment, the plurality of electrode plates may include an input electrode plate pair, an output electrode plate pair, and a plurality of intermediate electrode plates disposed between the input and output electrode plate pairs.

[0009] Various embodiments may include an additional electrode plate that may be spaced apart from the output electrode plate pair on a side of the output electrode plate pair opposite that facing the set or sets of intermediate electrode plates. In such embodiments, the additional electrode may comprise a rectangular frame with an "X" shaped cross member formed therein, with each triangular region between the frame and the cross member being hollow and water permeable, although various embodiments may have different configurations.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of configuring an apparatus for producing hydrogen is provided, the method including stacking a plurality of electrode plates adjacent to one another in series and spaced apart from one another, and positioning a plasma torch spaced apart from a first of the electrode plates. As a result, in one embodiment, the torch is spaced 1 3 / 4 inches from the first electrode plate, although other embodiments may position the torch at other distances. Various embodiments of such a method may further include configuring the plurality of electrodes to include an input electrode plate pair, an output electrode plate pair, and a plurality of intermediate electrode plates positioned between the input and output electrode plate pairs.

[0011] Various embodiments may further include constructing an additional electrode plate and disposing the additional electrode plate adjacent to and spaced apart from the pair of output electrode plates. Such embodiments may further include constructing the additional electrode plate to include a rectangular frame with an "X" shaped cross member formed therein, the triangular region between the frame and the cross member being hollow and water permeable.

[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a circuit for powering a hydrogen-producing aqueous reactor, the circuit comprising: a transformer configured to connect to an AC power source; and a first three-phase rectifier coupled to an output of the transformer. The second three-phase rectifier is further configured to connect to the AC power source. In such an embodiment, the second three-phase rectifier may be configured to generate a first voltage of a first magnitude, and the transformer and the first three-phase rectifier may be configured to generate a second voltage of a second magnitude less than the first magnitude. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a hydrogen-producing aqueous reactor. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an electrical diagram of a circuit for supplying power to the reactor of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an interconnected plate structure according to an exemplary embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrode plate according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the three plates of FIG. 4 in an interconnected state. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a front view of two interconnected electrode plates. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a front view of an X-plate in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram of an exemplary voltage output of the first three-phase rectifier. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an electrical diagram illustrating an alternative transformer configuration according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a waveform diagram of an exemplary voltage output of a second three-phase rectifier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An exemplary embodiment of an aqueous reactor 11 is shown in Figure 1, and a circuit for powering the reactor 11 is shown in Figure 2. As shown, the circuit of Figure 2 includes an input AC power source 47, a transformer 49, and first and second three-phase rectifiers 51, 53. The output voltage of the first three-phase rectifier (nominally 50 volts DC) appears between the positive output terminal labeled "B" and the negative output terminal labeled "C." The output voltage of the second three-phase rectifier 53 appears between the negative output terminal labeled "A" and the positive output terminal 56.

[0015] The transformer 49 includes three primary windings L1, L2, and L3 that transfer power to respective secondary windings S1, S2, and S3 that are connected to the junctions between the cathodes and anodes of each diode pair 48, 53, and 54 of a three-phase rectifier 51.

[0016] The aqueous reactor 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes two horizontal arrays 13, 15 of parallel conductive electrode plates immersed in a liquid bath 14 contained in a vessel or tank 16. The first plate array 13 includes a pair of serially connected input plates 17, 19, a plate stack 21, and first and second serially connected output plates 23, 25. The second plate array 15 includes a pair of serially connected input plates 27, 29, a plate stack 30, and first and second serially connected output plates 31, 33. First and second "X" plates 35, 37 are positioned between the outermost output plates 25 and 31. In an exemplary embodiment, the tank 16 may have rectangular side walls and rectangular end walls 32, 34, and a closed and sealed top 22.

[0017] In the exemplary embodiment, the negative voltage at terminal A of three-phase rectifier 53 is inductively coupled to input plate pairs 19, 17 and 27, 29 by respective tungsten plasma torches 38, 39. In the exemplary embodiment, these torches 38, 39 are sealably attached to and extend through end walls 32, 34 of vessel 16. In the exemplary embodiment, torches 38, 39 may be 150 amp rated TIG plasma torches.

[0018] In the exemplary embodiment, the tip of each torch 38, 39 may be positioned 1 1 / 4 inches from its respective input plate 19, 29, although other distances may be used in other embodiments. In FIG. 1, the torches 38, 39 are shown extending through watertight seals in the end walls 32, 34 of the vessel 16 into the liquid bath 14. In other embodiments, such torches may be positioned entirely within the vessel 16 and the liquid bath 14.

[0019] 1, the top of X-plate 37 and the bottom of X-plate 35 are each electrically connected to a positive voltage terminal 56 of a second three-phase rectifier 53. Input plate pairs 17, 19; 27, 29 are connected to the negative output terminal "C" of the first three-phase rectifier 51, while output terminal pairs 23, 25; 31, 33 are connected to the positive output terminal "B" of the rectifier 51.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid bath 14 may include an aqueous solution containing 1% potassium hydroxide (KOH) to increase the conductivity to allow electron flow while maintaining a high impedance, e.g., 1 megaohm / inch. In other embodiments, electrolytes other than potassium hydroxide may be used.

[0021] In one embodiment, the tank 16 can hold 75 gallons of water under a pressure of 6 inches of mercury. The system can also operate at atmospheric pressure. In one embodiment, a vacuum pump is used to apply the pressure, and the vacuum pump also serves to draw the produced hydrogen gas from the tank 16. The electrical leads to the first and second three-phase rectifiers 51, 53 may pass through the top 22 of the tank 16 and are sealed to the top 16 to maintain a vacuum and watertight seal.

[0022] The AC power source 47 shown in FIG. 2 may include, for example, a gasoline, diesel, or solar generator providing a 350 amp, 200 volt, 60 Hz output signal. Power from the power source 47 is fed to a transformer 49, the secondary of which, as described above, is connected to a first three-phase rectifier 51, which in one embodiment may be MD, 5500 A, 1600 V. A second three-phase rectifier 53 may also be MD, 5500 A, 1600 V and is operative to generate a 260 volt pulsed DC waveform between its terminals 54, 56. In an exemplary embodiment, the first three-phase rectifier 51 is operative to generate a 50 volt pulsed DC waveform.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the negative terminal (torch) waveform and the positive terminal (X-plate) waveform each have a 60 percent duty cycle but are 180 degrees out of phase with each other. Each waveform has a frequency of 180 Hz so that 180 60% duty cycle pulses are generated per second. In other embodiments, other duty cycles may be used.

[0024] In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the arrays 13, 15 of parallel electrode plates shown in FIG. 1 may include 75 horizontally arranged adjacent parallel plates, each of which may include three groups 61, 63, 65 of 25 plates each. In the exemplary embodiment, the plates in a group, except for end plate pairs 17, 19; 23, 25, are formed as groups of three electrically connected plates, alternating with adjacent groups of three plates. Other than the end plate pairs, the plates in all groups are electrically isolated from each other, except for electrical connections 67, 69 between the end plate of one 25-plate group and the first plate of the next 25-plate group. The number and configuration of electrode plates in the electrode arrays 13, 15 may vary in different embodiments.

[0025] 1 and 3, the first leg 18 of the first three plate groups and the last leg 28 of the last three plate groups are disposed between two plates of end plate pairs 17 and 19; 23 and 25, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, the electrically coupled end plate pairs 17, 19; 23, 25 are nickel or titanium, and the remaining plates are stainless steel, although in other embodiments they may be formed from other suitable metals, such as titanium. The number of plates and their grouping may also vary in various embodiments.

[0026] An exemplary electrode plate 101 is shown in Figure 4. In an exemplary embodiment, plate 101 has a width W and a height H, which may each be 4 inches, and a thickness T of 0.125 inches. The gap between each adjacent plate in Figure 3 is also 0.125 inches in an exemplary embodiment. These dimensions may, of course, vary in various embodiments.

[0027] In the exemplary embodiment, each plate 101 is further drilled across its surface with, for example, ¼ inch diameter holes 107 spaced ¼ inch apart. Holes 109, for example, ⅜ inch diameter, are located at each corner of each plate 101 to accommodate nylon rods that pass through the holes 109 and hold the assembly together. In the exemplary embodiment, these rods, along with nylon spacers between each plate 101, hold the plate assembly together.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows three metal plates 101 connected together by 1 1 / 2 inch wide tabs 103, which allow the plates 101 to be bent and interconnected to form three parallel plate groups, as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 similarly shows two metal plates 101 interconnected by 1 / 2 inch wide tabs 105, which allow the two plates 101 to be bent to form, for example, input plate pair 17, 19 and output plate pair 23, 25. In some embodiments, these plates 17, 19, 23, 25 may be perforated in the same manner as the plates in FIG. 5.

[0029] 7 shows the structure of X-plates 35, 37, which in an exemplary embodiment may have the same overall dimensions and thickness as plate 101. As shown, the X-plate has a rectangular frame 71 with an "X"-shaped cross member 73 formed therein. The triangular region 111 between frame 71 and cross member 73 is therefore hollow and water permeable. The X-plate shape reduces the density and surface area of ​​the plate compared to a plate such as that shown in FIG. 5, thereby limiting the amount of current that can be drawn and thus facilitating low current operation.

[0030] During operation, the X-plates 35, 37 act as anodes, providing a bias for electrons to flow through the plate stacks 13, 15. At startup, the intense heat generated by the plasma torches 38, 39 decomposes water into hydrogen and oxygen at the torch locations. Application of the pulsed 50 volt DC output of the first three-phase rectifier 51 to the input and output plate pairs, e.g., 17, 19; 23, 25, provides an additional electric field that is periodically built up and then collapsed, resulting in plasma electrolysis and the production of hydrogen gas across the plates located between each torch 38, 39 and its respective X-plate 37, 35.

[0031] The cells of Figures 1-7 are high impedance / low current and scalable to achieve various outputs of hydrogen gas. In this regard, embodiments may be configured to produce hydrogen at rates of 30 kilograms per hour or greater.

[0032] The second exemplary embodiment employs the same electrode plate configuration as shown in Figures 1 and 3, except that the electrode plates are 22 inches wide by 24 inches high. The plates may again have a thickness T of 0.125 inches, and each plate in each array 13, 15 is equally spaced such that the distance from one plate to the next is 0.125 inches. Again, these dimensions may vary in different embodiments.

[0033] In this second embodiment, the voltage from first three-phase rectifier 51 applied between the input plate pairs and the output plate pairs is a positive (+) pulsed DC voltage and a negative (-) pulsed DC voltage, as shown in Figure 8. In the exemplary embodiment, the voltage waveform shown in Figure 8 has a 50% duty cycle at 180 Hz and an amplitude range of 50 volts, although in various embodiments the amplitude range may be 50 to 70 volts. In the exemplary second embodiment, the input voltage range to the system from power supply 47 may be 208 to 220 volts at 50 amps.

[0034] 9, an alternative configuration for the secondary side of the transformer 49 may also be used, in which the center tap of each of the secondary coils S1, S2, S3 is connected to the junction of a respective diode pair in the three-phase rectifier 51. In this embodiment, the voltage across each coil is 120 volts, so that the center taps each provide 60 volts to the diode arrays of the first three-phase rectifier 51.

[0035] Also in the second exemplary embodiment, the voltage from the second three-phase rectifier 53 applied between the plasma torch and the X-plate is a positive (+) and negative (-) pulsed DC voltage, as shown schematically in Figure 10. In the exemplary embodiment, this waveform has a 50% duty cycle at 180 Hz and an amplitude range of 260 volts, although in various embodiments the amplitude range may be 260-290 volts. The duty cycles of the two waveforms shown in Figures 8 and 10 may be different in other embodiments.

[0036] In such an embodiment, the current to the plasma torches 38, 39 may range from 3 to 5 amps. In one embodiment, an input power of 15 kilowatts may produce 30 kilograms of hydrogen (H2).

[0037] The sealed reaction vessel or "tank" 16 used in the second embodiment may contain 120 gallons of 1% potassium hydroxide in deionized water at a temperature of 120-160 degrees and under a pressure of 6 inches of mercury. In the second embodiment, the tank 16 may be constructed of polypropylene with a 14-gauge stainless steel frame constructed around the outside of the tank and may be 50 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 48 inches high.

[0038] In a second exemplary embodiment, the plate arrays, e.g., 13, 15, may be positioned 2 inches above the bottom of tank 16, and the top of the array may be located 1 inch below the water level when the tank is filled to 120 gallons. In various embodiments, a constant water flow system may be employed to maintain the water level in the tank as hydrogen is produced.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the oxygen in the output of the system may be separated from the hydrogen gas using a centrifugal process, producing 99% pure hydrogen, which may be further purified using, for example, a carbon nanotube membrane.

[0040] In various embodiments, hydrogen production can be further enhanced by employing mesh plates that are pressed coarsely on one side, where hydrogen gas is generated, and finer or less coarse on the other side. Nickel plates, in particular, can be formed in this manner. Additionally, ultrasonic energy can be applied to vibrate the electrode plates and "break" the hydrogen molecules from the plates. Higher frequencies, up to 10 MHz, can be used for this purpose.

[0041] In a third embodiment, the plate array may be connected in series, with only one plasma torch 38 being used while the second plasma torch 39 is not. In such a case, the output voltage of the three-phase rectifier 53 is applied to the torch 38 and the two X-plates 35, 37, as in the first two embodiments. Terminal B of the first three-phase rectifier 51 is disconnected from the end plate pairs 23, 25; 31, 33 and instead connected to the input plate pair 27, 29. Terminal C of the three-phase rectifier 51 is disconnected from the output plate pair 27, 29. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a voltage of 120 volts across each secondary transformer coil S1, S2, S3 is applied to the three-phase rectifier 51. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various adaptations and modifications of the exemplary embodiment described above can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus comprising: Tank and a hydrogen generation cell immersible in the liquid in the tank, the cell including an input electrode plate pair, an output electrode plate pair, an additional electrode plate disposed adjacent to the output electrode plate pair, and a plurality of intermediate electrode plates disposed between the input electrode plate pair and the output electrode plate pair; a plasma torch spaced apart from and inductively coupled to the input electrode plate pair; a drive circuit including a transformer configured to be coupled to an output of an AC power source, a first three-phase rectifier coupled to the output of the transformer, and a second three-phase rectifier configured to be coupled to the AC power source, the second three-phase rectifier configured to apply a first voltage to the plasma torch and the additional electrode plate, and the transformer and the first three-phase rectifier configured to apply a second voltage to the input electrode plate pair and the output electrode plate pair; An apparatus comprising:

2. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the additional electrode plate has a rectangular frame with an "X" shaped cross member formed therein, and a plurality of triangular regions between the frame and the cross member are hollow and water permeable.

3. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first voltage is a positive and negative pulsed DC voltage having a first amplitude range, and the second voltage is a positive and negative pulsed DC voltage having a second amplitude range less than the first amplitude range.

4. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first voltage has an amplitude range of 260 volts and the second voltage has an amplitude range of 50 volts.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plasma torch is a TIG plasma torch.

6. 1. A hydrogen generation apparatus comprising: a pair of input electrode plates; a pair of output electrode plates; an additional electrode plate disposed adjacent to the pair of output electrode plates; a plurality of intermediate electrode plates disposed between the pair of input and output electrode plates; and a plasma torch spaced apart from the pair of input electrode plates and inductively coupled to the pair of input electrode plates.

7. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the additional electrode plate has a rectangular frame with an "X" shaped cross member formed therein, and each triangular area between the frame and the cross member is hollow and water permeable.

8. 8. The apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein the plasma torch is a TIG plasma torch.

9. A hydrogen gas generator comprising: a plurality of serially arranged electrode plates; a plasma torch spaced from and inductively coupled to at least a first one of the electrode plates; An apparatus comprising:

10. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of electrode plates includes an input electrode plate pair, an output electrode plate pair, and a plurality of intermediate electrode plates disposed between the input electrode plate pair and the output electrode plate pair.

11. 11. The apparatus of claim 9 or 10, wherein the plurality of serially arranged electrode plates and the plasma torch spaced apart from and inductively coupled to at least a first electrode plate of the plurality of serially arranged electrode plates comprise part of a water-immersible hydrogen generation cell.

12. 12. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an additional electrode plate arranged adjacent to and spaced apart from the output electrode plate pair on a side of the output electrode plate pair opposite the side facing the intermediate electrode plate.

13. 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the additional electrode comprises a rectangular frame with an "X" shaped cross member formed therein, the triangular area between the frame and the cross member being hollow and water permeable.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the plasma torch is a TIG plasma torch.

15. 1. A method of constructing an apparatus for generating hydrogen, comprising: disposing a plurality of electrode plates adjacent to each other in series and spaced apart from each other; positioning a plasma torch a selected distance from a first electrode plate of the plurality of electrode plates; A method comprising:

16. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising configuring the plurality of electrode plates to include an input electrode plate pair, an output electrode plate pair, and a plurality of intermediate electrode plates disposed between the input electrode plate pair and the output electrode plate pair.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising constructing an additional electrode plate and positioning the additional electrode plate adjacent to and spaced apart from the pair of output electrode plates.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, comprising configuring the additional electrode plate to have a rectangular frame with "X" shaped cross members formed therein, wherein a plurality of triangular regions between the frame and the cross members are hollow and water permeable.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising using a TIG plasma torch as the plasma torch.

20. 1. An apparatus for powering a hydrogen-producing aqueous reactor, comprising: a transformer configured to be connected to an AC power source; a first three-phase rectifier coupled to the transformer; a second three-phase rectifier configured to connect to the AC power source; Equipped with the second three-phase rectifier is configured to generate a first voltage having a first amplitude range; The apparatus, wherein the transformer and the first three-phase rectifier are configured to generate a second voltage having a second amplitude range that is less than the first amplitude range.

21. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first voltage is a positive and negative pulsed DC voltage and the second voltage is a positive and negative pulsed DC voltage.

22. 22. The apparatus of claim 20 or 21, wherein the first voltage has an amplitude range of 260 volts and the second voltage has an amplitude range of 50 volts.

23. 23. The circuit according to claim 20, wherein the duty ratio of the first voltage is 50%.

24. 24. The circuit according to claim 20, wherein the duty ratio of the second voltage is 50%.

25. 25. The circuit of any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the second voltage is applied between an input plate and an output plate of the hydrogen-producing aqueous reactor.

26. 26. The circuit of any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the output terminals of the second three-phase rectifier are connected to a plasma torch that comprises part of the hydrogen-producing aqueous reactor.

27. A hydrogen generation device, comprising: first and second horizontal arrays of parallel electrode plates; the first plate array includes a pair of series-connected input plates, a plate stack, and first and second series-connected output plates; the second plate array includes a pair of series-connected input plates, a plate stack, and first and second series-connected output plates; the first and second horizontal arrays; first and second plasma torches, the first torch inductively coupled to an input plate of the first plate array and the second torch inductively coupled to an input plate of the second plate array; An apparatus comprising:

28. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising first and second additional plates disposed between the outermost output plates of the first array and the outermost output plates of the second array.

29. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein each of the first and second additional electrode plates comprises a rectangular frame with an "X" shaped cross member formed therein, each triangular region between the frame and the cross member being hollow and water permeable.

30. 30. The apparatus of any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein each of the first and second arrays of parallel electrode plates comprises 75 horizontally arranged adjacent parallel plates.

31. 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the 75 horizontally arranged adjacent parallel plates in each of the first and second arrays include three groups of 25 plates each, the three groups being electrically isolated from one another except for an electrical connection between an end plate of a first group and a first plate of a second group, and an electrical connection between an end plate of the second group and a first plate of a third group.

32. 32. Apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein each of the plasma torches is a TIG plasma torch.

33. 33. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of electrode plates is perforated across its plate surface.

34. 34. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-8, 10-14, 16-19, and 27-33, wherein each of the electrode plates in the input electrode plate pair and the output electrode plate pair comprises nickel mesh that is coarsely pressed on one side and less coarsely pressed on an opposite side.

35. 20. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8 and 16 to 19, wherein the plurality of intermediate electrode plates comprises 75 horizontally arranged adjacent parallel plates.

36. 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the 75 horizontally arranged adjacent parallel plates in each of the first and second arrays comprise three groups of 25 plates each, the three groups being electrically isolated from one another except for an electrical connection between an end plate of the first group and a first plate of the second group, and an electrical connection between an end plate of the second group and a first plate of the third group.

37. 15. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the plurality of serially arranged electrode plates comprises 75 horizontally arranged adjacent parallel plates.

38. 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the 75 horizontally arranged adjacent parallel plates in each of the first and second arrays comprise three groups of 25 plates each, the three groups being electrically isolated from one another except for an electrical connection between an end plate of the first group and a first plate of the second group, and an electrical connection between an end plate of the second group and a first plate of the third group.

39. 1. An apparatus for powering a hydrogen-producing aqueous reactor, comprising: An AC power source; a circuit coupled to the AC power source and configured to generate a first voltage having a first amplitude range and a second voltage having a second amplitude range less than the first amplitude range; An apparatus comprising:

40. 40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the first voltage is a positive and negative pulsed DC voltage and the second voltage is a positive and negative pulsed DC voltage.

41. 41. Apparatus according to claim 39 or 40, wherein the first voltage has an amplitude range of 260 volts and the second voltage has an amplitude range of 50 volts.

42. 42. The circuit according to claim 39, wherein the duty ratio of the first voltage is 50%.

43. 43. The circuit according to claim 39, wherein the duty ratio of the second voltage is 50%.

44. 44. The circuit of any one of claims 39 to 43, wherein the second voltage is applied between an input plate and an output plate of the hydrogen-producing aqueous reactor.

45. 45. The circuit of any one of claims 39 to 44, wherein the output terminals of the second three-phase rectifier are connected to a plasma torch that comprises part of the hydrogen-producing aqueous reactor.

46. 20. The method of any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the selected distance is 1 3 / 4 inches.

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