A method for generating hydrogen gas from water, and a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract

A method and apparatus for producing hydrogen gas by decomposing a medium stream containing sodium ions or other metal ions in an aqueous solution. The ion decomposition effect in a magnetic field is enhanced by the arrangement of a controllable electric field (E) generated between electrodes (9, 10) at a voltage source (13). The electric field (E) extends within the magnetic field (2), and the direction of the force coincides with the direction of the force that the magnetic field (2) imposes on the ions in the medium stream. The voltage source (13) is connected in series with the electrodes (9, 10).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing hydrogen ions by decomposing water with sodium ions or other metal ions in an aqueous solution, and a device for carrying out this method. [Background technology]

[0002] The production of hydrogen is becoming increasingly important in many fields. It can be noted that hydrogen gas can be primarily used in process industries, such as in the production of steel without the use of fossil fuels. The transportation of heavy goods that are difficult to electrify presents another area of ​​great potential. A third area is the use of hydrogen gas to mitigate peaks and troughs in power systems. In process industries, hydrogen can be used, among other things, as a substitute for fossil fuels. For example, in steel production, large quantities of coal or natural gas are currently used, which chemically react with iron ore. The challenge has been to find a production method that does not use fossil fuels. Hydrogen is thus being considered as a solution.

[0003] Hydrogen gas can be produced, for example, by electrolysis using renewable electricity. Renewable electricity is produced by decomposing water by reforming or gasifying fossil fuels (natural gas, coal) or biomass (solid biofuels, organic waste, biogas). However, these methods are expensive to implement, partly due to the high investment costs of the facilities, and partly due to high operating costs in the form of high energy consumption, large labor input, and high maintenance costs.

[0004] A method and device for deionizing a liquid or gaseous medium guided to flow through a magnetic field positioned essentially perpendicular to the flow direction has been previously known in Swedish patent literature, Swedish Patent Application Publication No. 405687, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and Appendix Figure 1 is obtained therefrom. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Swedish Patent Application Publication No. 405687 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing hydrogen gas from water economically and energy-efficiently, as well as a device for carrying out this method. This will realize the following advantages over previously known methods: lower cost of hydrogen production equipment, substantially reduced maintenance requirements, substantially reduced management needs, and other manual work, as well as lower energy consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by a method of the type described in the above summary, in which a medium consisting of metal ions in an aqueous solution is guided to flow through a magnetic field positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the medium flows. Negatively and positively charged ions are positioned such that they are opposite each other at the periphery of the medium flow. The portion of the medium containing high concentrations of positively and negatively charged ions is separated into a separate medium flow adjacent to the outlet of the medium that flows out of the magnetic field. The method further: • Connecting the negative electrode of the voltage source to a first electrode positioned to be in contact with the medium flow in a magnetic field. • Connecting the positive electrode of the voltage source to a second electrode positioned to contact the flowing medium within a magnetic field. The first and second electrodes and the voltage source generate an electric field force perpendicular to the direction of the medium flow through the magnetic field, where the first electrode is positioned on the side of the medium flow where positively charged ions move under the influence of the magnetic field, and the second electrode is positioned on the side of the medium flow where negatively charged ions move under the influence of the magnetic field, thereby the direction of the electric field force coincides with the direction of the force that the magnetic field imposes on the ions in the medium flow within the magnetic field, thereby promoting the separation of negative and positive ions. Includes.

[0008] It should be noted here that the magnetic field itself does not exert a force on the ions. Rather, it is due to the interaction between the ions' charge, their velocity, and the magnetic field that produces the force acting on them.

[0009] In one embodiment, the electric field force generated by the first and second electrodes extends downstream of the magnetic field by positioning the extensions of the electrodes at a specific distance within the separated medium flow, as observed in the direction of the medium flow.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the strength of the resulting electric field force is controllable.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the separated media stream is returned to a common media container or media tank connected upstream of the magnetic field, via separate tanks for separating hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, respectively, for fresh supply / recirculation.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment, the separated media streams are returned to their respective pipelines connected upstream of the magnetic field, via separate tanks for separating hydrogen and oxygen gases, respectively, for fresh supply / recirculation.

[0013] The object of the present invention is also realized by a device for generating hydrogen gas by decomposing a medium stream containing sodium ions or other metal ions in an aqueous solution, and this device is: · Tubular means for moving a media stream through a magnetic field formed by magnetic means, wherein the magnetic field has a substantially perpendicular spread with respect to the direction of the media stream passing through this magnetic field. · A pump that is efficient for moving a media stream through a magnetic field. · First and second outlet means arranged adjacent to the outlet of the media flowing out of the magnetic field for decomposing the media stream into separate media streams each with positive and negative ion concentrations. Comprising · The first and second outlet means are arranged to guide the separated media streams to first and second separate tanks for separating hydrogen gas and oxygen gas respectively. · The first electrode is arranged to contact the media stream within the magnetic field and is connected to the negative electrode of the voltage source. · The second electrode is arranged to contact the media stream within the magnetic field and is connected to the positive electrode of the voltage source. The first electrode is arranged on the side of the media stream where positively charged ions are moved by the influence of the magnetic field, and the second electrode is arranged on the opposite side of the media stream where negatively charged ions are moved by the influence of the magnetic field. Including An electric field force is generated by the electrodes and the voltage source, and the direction of the force is consistent with the direction of the force exerted by the magnetic means on the ions in the media stream within the magnetic field, thereby promoting the separation of negative and positive ions.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the voltage source is composed of a battery or a rectifier and can be arranged for the output of a controllable DC voltage.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first electrode extends out of the magnetic field and shows an extension portion that proceeds along the inside of the first outlet means. Similarly, the second electrode extends out of the magnetic field and shows an extension portion that proceeds along the inside of the second outlet means.

[0016] In one embodiment, an extension of the first electrode forms an electrode gate, which is oriented transversely to the medium flow in the first outlet means, through which the medium flows. Similarly, an extension of the second electrode forms an electrode gate, which is oriented transversely to the medium flow in the second outlet means, through which the medium flows.

[0017] In the embodiment described above, the voltage source is connected in series with the electrode gate.

[0018] In one embodiment of the device, a separate tank is fluidly connected to a common medium container or tank, where water can be refilled to replace hydrogen and oxygen gases generated in the device. This medium container or tank is connected to the tubular member described above, and in the device, a fresh medium flow is supplied / circulated.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment, a separate tank may be fluidly connected to the tubular member upstream of the magnetic means, via its respective pipeline, through a suitable connection for refilling with water.

[0020] A method according to the present invention for decomposing water with sodium ions or other metal ions in an aqueous solution to produce hydrogen gas from water, along with an apparatus for carrying out this method, will be described in further detail below with reference to the attached schematic diagrams of exemplary embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This figure shows a device known from Swedish Patent Application Publication No. 405687 for deionizing a medium flow. [Figure 2] This figure shows a device for generating hydrogen gas according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. [Figure 3] This is a detailed exploded view of the device shown in Figure 2, seen from above. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Reference numeral 1 in the figure indicates a magnetic means positioned to generate a magnetic field 2. The magnetic field 2 is directed perpendicular to the pipeline 3, which is made of a non-magnetic material. Thus, the force of the magnetic field 2 traverses the pipeline 3 perpendicular to the flow direction S of the gas or liquid medium supplied through the pipeline 3, particularly water with decomposed metal ions such as sodium hydroxide ions. Adjacent to the point where the pipeline 3 exits the magnetic field 2, the pipeline 3 transitions to two outlet means 5 and 6. The two outlet means 5 and 6 are positioned at connection points to the pipeline 3 in a common parallel relationship. In terms of flow, reference numeral 3 can further indicate a medium flow. This medium flow is forced through the magnetic field 2, while similarly, reference numerals 5 and 6 can also indicate separate medium flows passing through the outlet means.

[0023] In this regard, it can be noted that, in appropriate and self-known ways, a third outlet means 4 (see Figure 1) may be positioned to eliminate the central medium flow.

[0024] Deionization means 7 and 8 are arranged in each of the outlet means 5 and 6, respectively. These deionization means 7 and 8 may have a grid or lattice shape in a manner equivalent to that of known devices.

[0025] The magnetic means 1 may consist of magnets shaped in different ways, for example, C or E shape, or magnets shaped in such a way that a pipeline 3 with a rectangular cross-section is positioned through the gap between them. To facilitate understanding of the present invention, the magnets 1 described herein are assumed to be positioned such that magnetic north is at the top of the gap and magnetic south is at the bottom of the gap. This creates a magnetic field 2 with a field direction perpendicular to the medium flow 3 and perpendicular to the plane of the figures in Figures 2 and 3.

[0026] Under the influence of a magnetic field of 2, negative and positive ions (OH in aqueous solution) - and Na +The decomposition of ) occurs in the medium flowing through pipeline 3. As shown in Figure 3, positive ions move laterally with respect to the flow direction S, while negative ions move laterally in the other direction.

[0027] The force F acting on an ion in a magnetic field depends on the ion's charge q, its velocity v perpendicular to the magnetic field, and the magnetic flux density B, according to the formula F = q × v × B. This results in the separation of the medium flow, and positive ions (Na) + These (etc.) are collected in the medium flow at the upper outlet device 5 in Figures 2 and 3, while negative ions (OH) are collected. - These (etc.) are collected in the media flow at the lower outlet means 6 in Figures 2 and 3. Note that Figures 2 and 3 show the device as viewed from above, and that the outlet means 5 and 6 are actually positioned side by side, so that outlet means 5 constitutes an outlet that leads to the left side of the media flow as seen in the flow direction S, while outlet means 6 constitutes an outlet that leads to the right side of the media flow.

[0028] The deionizing means 7 and 8, located at outlet means 5 and 6, remove ions (OH) contained in the medium stream via oxidation-reduction, respectively. - and Na + This makes it possible to utilize the sub-components (O2 and H2, respectively) present in each of the two.

[0029] According to the shown embodiment of the device according to the present invention, the deionization means 7 and 8 are electrically connected to electrodes 9 and 10, respectively. Electrodes 9 and 10 are positioned opposite each other in the pipeline 3 within the magnetic field 2. Outward, electrodes 9 and 10 extend to the vertical boundary line of the pipeline 3. Preferably, electrodes 9 and 10 extend in and through the magnetic field 2 from an upstream point in the magnetic field 2 to a downstream point in the magnetic field 2.

[0030] Thus, promoting the decomposition of positive and negative ions is achieved through a combination of two attracting electrode polarities, which in the medium flow 3 results in a more efficient separation of the positively and negatively charged ions respectively, and furthermore cancels out and eliminates the electric fields in opposite directions generated by the separation of ions within the magnetic field 2.

[0031] An example of how hydrogen gas and oxygen gas are generated will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the ionized medium is, for example, Na + OH - , which is an alkaline earth metal hydroxide. The ion solution is guided to flow through the device in the pipeline 3 extending through the magnetic field 2. This separates the ions in the manner described above, whereby the concentration of Na + increases on one side of the pipeline 3, while the concentration of OH - increases on the opposite side. In other words, the positively charged excess Na + ions occur at the upper outlet means 5, while the negatively charged excess OH - ions occur at the lower outlet means 6.

[0032] When a conductor 11, which can also be identified as an extension of the electrode 9, is connected between the electrode 9 associated with the deionization means 7, and a conductor 12, which can also be identified as an extension of the electrode 10, is connected between the electrode 10 associated with the deionization means 8, an electric field E occurs in the pipeline 3 perpendicular to the direction of movement of the medium flow within the magnetic field 2. Here, it should be made clear that the force direction of the generated voltage field E coincides with the force direction exerted by the magnet 1 on the ions within the magnetic field 2.

[0033] This results in an efficient and strong generation of electrons between the electrodes 10 and 9, and a boosting effect generated by the magnetic field 2 and the above electrodes.

[0034] To facilitate the movement of electrons from electrode 10 to electrode 9, according to the present invention, an external voltage source 13 is introduced. It is directly or indirectly connected to electrodes 9 and 10 in a magnetic field by conductors 14 and 15.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the conductors 14 and 15 may be connected in series with the deionization means 7 and 8. Thus, the deionization means 7 and 8 are electrically connected in series with electrodes 9 and 10 in the magnetic field 2 via their respective conductors / electrodes 11 and 12.

[0036] The voltage source 13 is considered here as an electron generator and can act as an electron pump. The positive electrode of the electron pump attracts electrons from electrode 10 (or electrodes 8, 10, and 12 as appropriate) and negatively charged ions (OH - It indirectly attracts electrons from positively charged ions (Na). The negative electrode of the electron pump is connected to electrode 9 (or electrodes 7, 9, and 11 as appropriate), and electrons flow there from the negative electrode. These electrons attract positively charged ions (Na). + They react with ions. Therefore, these electrons do not necessarily need to pass through the aqueous solution, but they pass through the electron pump, facilitating the movement of electrons from electrode 10 to electrode 9.

[0037] Electrode 9, conductor / electrode 11, and deionization means 7 are considered to be electrically continuous electrodes, and they extend the electric field E into the outlet means 5 by a specific distance. Similarly, electrode 10, conductor / electrode 12, and deionization means 8 are considered to be electrically continuous electrodes, and they extend the electric field E into the outlet means 6 by a specific distance.

[0038] In this embodiment of the device, the deionization means 7 and 8 may be considered as extensions of electrodes 9 and 10, which are in the form of electrode gates 7 and 8, respectively, through their design which is preferably a grid or lattice. The electrode gates 7 and 8 are oriented to cross the flow direction in the outlet means 5 and 6, thereby allowing the medium flows 5 and 6 to flow through.

[0039] The external voltage source 13 may consist of one or more batteries or rectifiers. It may be configured to create a potential of varying intensity between electrodes 9 and 10, between conductors / electrodes 11 and 12 as needed, and between deionization means / electrodes 7 and 8. This creates a controllable electric field, which increases ion separation in pipeline 3, thereby generating hydrogen gas more efficiently.

[0040] The voltage between electrodes 9 and 10, and / or between electrodes 11 and 12, and optionally between deionization means 7 and 8, can be controllably set within a DC voltage range of 0 to 300 volts. In carrying out the present invention, it can be assumed that the potential is typically adjusted within a narrow range, for example, 80 to 120 volts.

[0041] The deionization means / electrodes 7 and 8 can thus be connected to electrodes 9 and 10 positioned in a magnetic field via electrodes 11 and 12 that are fully or partially positioned along the periphery of their respective outlets 5 and 6 as extensions of their respective electrodes 9 and 10.

[0042] The deionization means / electrodes 7 and 8 can also be connected to electrodes 9 and 10, which are placed in a magnetic field via a conductor, as an alternative.

[0043] Using the method described, the medium containing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in an aqueous solution is converted to a rate of 4.60983 × 10¹⁶ H₂ and O₂ per second. 19 By breaking it down into individual electrons, OH produces 1 kg of H2 per hour. - It is necessary to move the Na from electrode 10 (preferably electrodes 8, 10, and 12), where it is oxidized to O2 and H2O, to electrode 9 (preferably electrodes 7, 9, and 11). + It is reduced to Na, which reacts with water to form 2H2 + 4OH - It forms (see below for further details).

[0044] Tests have shown that 1 kg of H2 was produced from 8.94 kg of water with significantly better energy consumption compared to conventional electrolysis methods: more specifically, hydrogen production according to the present invention requires the minimum energy per 1 kg of H2 compared to several times the energy required to produce the same amount of hydrogen gas by conventional electrolysis.

[0045] During the energy conversion of hydrogen gas, 1 kg of hydrogen reacts with oxygen to form 8.94 kg of water again.

[0046] Hydrogen gas has an energy density of approximately 120 MJ / kg, which is nearly three times that of diesel or petroleum. In terms of energy form, hydrogen is equivalent to 33.6 kWh of electrical energy per kg. For comparison, diesel has an energy density of approximately 12-14 kWh per kg.

[0047] From a medium container or tank 16, which can also serve as a pipeline for circulating the medium, the aqueous ion solution is passed through the device by a circulation pump 17, and new medium is added to the medium container to replenish the water that has been decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen gases. The circulation pump 17 is preferably located in connection with pipeline 3, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0048] The generated hydrogen gas is separated via outlet means 5 into a separate tank 18 for hydrogen gas. The generated oxygen gas is separated via outlet means 6 into a separate tank 19 for oxygen gas. From the separate tanks 18 and 19, the aqueous ion solution is returned to the medium container 16 for fresh supply via circulation pumps 17, passing through pipeline 3, magnetic field 2, electrodes 9(11) and 10(12), and their respective deionization means / electrode gates 7 and 8.

[0049] Calculations and tests show that only a thin layer of aqueous ion solution that passes through the magnetic field and is close to the electrode is affected.

[0050] The amount of water and energy required to produce 9.67 kg of hydrogen gas per hour can be calculated as follows: The amounts are 86.4 kg of water, 3.92 kWh for the circulation pump 17, 1.47 kWh for the magnet 1, and 1.70 kWh for the electronic pump 13.

[0051] In the deionization means / electrode 7, and near electrode 9, and as necessary, high concentrations of Na + In the electrode 11 of the outlet means 5, Na + One electron is absorbed in each reaction with water according to the following:

[0052] [ka]

[0053] In the deionization means / electrode 8, and near electrode 10, and as necessary, high concentrations of OH - In the electrode 12 of the exit means 6, OH - One electron is released for each electron according to the following:

[0054] JPEG2026517498000003.jpg971

[0055] At the electrodes, the hydrogen gas and oxygen gas generated in this manner are used and separated into separate tanks 18 and 19, respectively.

[0056] The embodiments shown are intended to illustrate, in general terms, embodiments of the methods and devices according to the present invention and may be modified within the scope of the spirit of the invention as expressed in the following "Claims".

[0057] Any known type of magnet, including both permanent magnets and electromagnets, can be used as the magnetic means 1. Since the use of permanent magnets inevitably comes with obvious advantages, energy consumption is further reduced when implementing the method according to the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for producing hydrogen gas by decomposing a medium stream (3) containing sodium ions or other metal ions in an aqueous solution, wherein the medium stream (3) is moved to flow through a magnetic field (2) generated basically perpendicular to the direction of the medium stream (S), negatively and positively charged ions are encouraged to be positioned opposite each other at the periphery of the medium stream (3), a portion of the medium containing high concentrations of positively and negatively charged ions is separated into separate medium streams (5, 6) adjacent to the medium stream (3) exiting the magnetic field (2), and the method is as follows: The negative electrode of the voltage source (13) is connected to the first electrode (9) which is positioned to be in contact with the medium flow within the magnetic field (2). The positive electrode of the voltage source (13) is connected to a second electrode (10) that is positioned to be in contact with the medium flow within the magnetic field (2). The electrodes (9, 10) and the voltage source (13) generate an electric field (E) force perpendicular to the flow direction (S) of the medium flowing through the magnetic field (2). Here, the first electrode (9) is positioned on the side of the medium flow (3) where positively charged ions move under the influence of the magnetic field (2), and the second electrode (10) is positioned on the opposite side of the medium flow where negatively charged ions move under the influence of the magnetic field (2). As a result, the direction of the electric field (E) force coincides with the direction of the force imposed by the magnetic field on the ions in the medium flow, thereby promoting the separation of negative and positive ions. Methods that include...

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electric field (E) extends downstream of the magnetic field (2) as seen in the flow direction (S) of the medium flow by arranging the extensions (11, 12) of the electrodes (9, 10) within the separated medium flow (5, 6) for a specific distance.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the field strength of the magnetic field (E) is controllably arranged.

4. The method according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the separated media streams (5, 6) are returned to a common media container (16) connected upstream of the magnetic field, via separate tanks (18, 19) for separating hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, respectively, for fresh supply / circulation.

5. A device for generating hydrogen gas by decomposing a medium stream containing sodium ions or other metal ions in an aqueous solution, wherein the device is A tubular means (3) for moving the media flow through a magnetic field (2) formed by a magnetic means (1), wherein the tubular means (3) extends substantially perpendicular to the direction (S) of the media flow through the magnetic field (2), A pump (17) acts to move the aforementioned medium flow through the magnetic field. First and second outlet means (5, 6) for decomposing the media flow into separate media flows, each having positive and negative ion concentrations, the first and second outlet means (5, 6) are arranged adjacent to the outlet of the media flow exiting the magnetic field (2), Equipped with, The first and second outlet means (5, 6) are arranged to guide the separated media streams to the first and second separate tanks (18, 19) and separate the hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, respectively. Here the device is The first electrode (9) is positioned to be in contact with the medium flow within the magnetic field (2) and is connected to the negative electrode of the voltage source (13), and The second electrode (10) is positioned in contact with the medium flow within the magnetic field (2) and connected to the positive electrode of the voltage source (13), the first electrode (9) is positioned on the side of the medium flow (3) where positively charged ions move under the influence of the magnetic field (2), and the second electrode (10) is positioned on the opposite side of the medium flow where negatively charged ions move under the influence of the magnetic field (2), thereby causing the electrodes (9, 10) and the voltage source (13) to generate an electric field (E) force, the direction of which coincides with the direction of the force imposed by the magnetic means (1) on the ions in the medium flow within the magnetic field (2). A device characterized by the following.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the voltage source (13) comprises a battery or a rectifier and is arranged for the output of a controllable DC voltage.

7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first electrode (9) has an extension (11) that extends out of the magnetic field and runs along the inside of the first exit means (5), and the second electrode (10) similarly has an extension (12) that extends out of the magnetic field and runs along the inside of the second exit means (6).

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the extension (11) of the first electrode (9) has an electrode gate (7), the electrode gate (7) is oriented transversely to the medium flow in the first outlet means (5), and the medium flows through it, and the extension (12) of the second electrode (19) has an electrode gate (8), the electrode gate (8) is oriented transversely to the medium flow in the second outlet means (6), and the medium flows through it.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the voltage source (13) is connected in series with the electrode gates (7) and (8).

10. The device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the separate tanks (18, 19) are fluidly connected to a common medium container (16) connected to the tubular member (3).

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