Hydrogen production mechanism by electrolysis of magnetically treated liquid

Abstract

To solve some problems which a hydrogen energy has, one of the energy systems different from conventional ones toward a green society, including that a hydrogen production by fossil-fuel modification discharges CO2 in the process of production, that a hydrogen production using a by-product hydrogen limits the hydrogen volume of the by-product, and that a hydrogen production by water electrolysis raises a cost of hydrogen production because of using an electric power for the hydrogen production.SOLUTION: A hydrogen production mechanism comprises a magnetically treated liquid supply unit and an electrolysis unit. The mechanism using a magnetically treated liquid can effectively increase the volume of hydrogen production by electrolysis of the liquid at low cost.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of a liquid.

Background Art

[0002] These days, we have entered an era of decarbonization, and new energy systems different from the conventional ones have been devised. Among them is hydrogen energy, and hydrogen stations and the like are becoming more widespread in society.

[0003] As a method for producing hydrogen, there is fossil fuel reforming. This method has already been widely put into practical use, especially in oil refineries and the like. However, there is a problem of emitting CO2 in the production process. Also, as another method for producing hydrogen, there is by-product hydrogen, but there is a problem that the amount of by-product hydrogen is limited.

[0004] Furthermore, as another method for producing hydrogen, there is hydrogen production by water electrolysis. However, since electricity is used for hydrogen production, there is a problem that the production cost of hydrogen becomes high.

[0005] Also, a solution has begun to be provided to increase the amount of hydrogen produced by applying a magnetic field by a superconducting magnet in the area of electrolysis of an aqueous solution. However, when using a superconducting magnet, there is a problem that the equipment cost becomes high.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Patent Document 7

Patent Document 8

Patent Document 9

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the above Patent Document 1, a control method of a water electrolysis device is described, but the effect of hydrogen production depending on the state of the solution to be electrolyzed is not mentioned.

[0008] The present invention provides a method for improving the hydrogen production efficiency in a liquid electrolysis device by using a magnetically treated liquid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The present invention has a magnetically treated liquid supply unit and an electrolysis unit. By supplying the magnetically treated liquid from the magnetically treated liquid supply unit to the electrolysis unit in a certain amount within a certain time, it becomes possible to produce hydrogen more effectively than a liquid that has not been magnetically treated.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for improving the hydrogen production efficiency in an electrolysis unit by using a magnetically treated liquid.

[0011] For the above object, the present invention has a magnetically treated liquid supply unit and an electrolysis unit. By supplying the magnetically treated liquid from the magnetically treated liquid supply unit to the electrolysis unit in a certain amount within a certain time, it becomes possible to produce hydrogen more effectively than a liquid that has not been magnetically treated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. Also, the drawings are for the purpose of understanding, and the actual dimensional ratios do not necessarily match the actual ones.

[0015] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram in one embodiment of the present invention. Magnetically treated liquid is supplied from the magnetically treated liquid supply unit to the electrolysis unit, where it is electrolyzed to produce hydrogen.

[0016] First, the magnetically treated liquid will be described. In this evaluation, 100 cc of water at 20°C without magnetic treatment is used as a solvent, and 20 g of sodium chloride is used as a solute to produce an aqueous sodium chloride solution.

[0017] On the other hand, magnetically treated water is prepared. The means of magnetic treatment of this water will be described with examples.

[0018] Figure 8 shows a neodymium magnet used for magnetic treatment of the liquid in this case. The physical dimensions are 50 mm and 10 mm respectively from the long side, and the thickness is 3 mm, and it is made of N40 material.

[0019] As shown in Figure 9, four of these neodymium magnets are arranged in the direction of attracting each other by magnetic force in the direction of the surface composed of the 10 mm side and the 3 mm side, and the four neodymium magnets are adsorbed by magnetic force.

[0020] Furthermore, a plastic spacer for preventing adsorption between magnets as shown in Figure 10 is prepared. The physical dimensions of this plastic spacer are 40 mm and 5 mm respectively from the long side, and the thickness is 1 mm.

[0021] Next, two plastic spacers in Figure 10 are installed on the surfaces of the four adsorbed neodymium magnets in Figure 9. At this time, the long sides of the two plastic spacers and the long sides of each of the four neodymium magnets are in a right-angle orientation. Furthermore, the two plastic spacers are installed at both ends of the four neodymium magnets, and the state of being mounted in a cross shape is shown in Figure 11.

[0022] Furthermore, four adsorbed neodymium magnets in the same state as in Figure 9 are prepared.

[0023] Place the four newly prepared neodymium magnets adsorbed on the two surfaces of the plastic spacers in Fig. 11 in the Z-axis direction where the adsorption is strongest with respect to the four neodymium magnets adsorbed on the lower part. Also, mount them such that the long sides of the four lower neodymium magnets are parallel to the long sides of the four upper neodymium magnets. At this time, the two plastic spacers will be located at both ends of the four lower neodymium magnets and the four upper neodymium magnets. Fig. 12 shows an example of mounting the eight neodymium magnets used for liquid magnetic treatment in this state.

[0024] Furthermore, a state diagram of mounting 16 neodymium magnets is shown in Fig. 13 by the same method as described so far. In the state of mounting these 16 neodymium magnets, six plastic spacers are used, and there are three pairs of plastic spacers that are paired at the same height position in the Z direction. There are a total of three spaces 11 between these three pairs of plastic spacers and the neodymium magnets.

[0025] Here, liquid magnetization treatment is carried out. Here, water will be used as an example for the explanation.

[0026] Consider the three spaces 11 between these plastic spacers so that the water flow rate is uniform, pass 100 cc of water at 20°C through it over 60 seconds, and collect the water. Then, for the collected water, again consider the three spaces 11 between the plastic spacers so that the water flow rate is uniform, pass 100 cc of water at 20°C through it over 60 seconds, and collect it again. By repeating this same method a total of 10 times, magnetic treatment of water is carried out to obtain magnetically treated water. Also, by increasing the magnetic force of this neodymium magnet or by methods such as increasing the amount of neodymium magnets, it is also possible to relax the conditions for water passage.

[0027] Using 100 cc of the magnetically treated water generated here as a solvent and 20 g of sodium chloride as a solute under the condition of 20°C, an aqueous sodium chloride solution using the magnetically treated water is generated.

[0028] This aqueous sodium chloride solution is stored as a magnetically treated liquid in the magnetically treated liquid supply section of Fig. 1, and from here, the magnetically treated liquid can be supplied to the electrolysis section of Fig. 1 to perform electrolysis in the electrolysis section.

[0029] There are two types of liquids produced under the above conditions. First, an aqueous sodium chloride solution made with water that has not been magnetically treated, and second, an aqueous sodium chloride solution made with magnetically treated water were used to perform electrolysis, and the amounts of hydrogen produced were compared.

[0030] In the electrolysis, a platinum electrode was used as the electrode, and a voltage of 6 V was applied.

[0031] As a result, the amount of hydrogen produced by electrolysis using an aqueous sodium chloride solution made with magnetically treated water was found by experiment to produce 7.5% - 10% more hydrogen than the amount of hydrogen produced by electrolysis using an aqueous sodium chloride solution made with water that has not been magnetically treated, in an environment of 20°C.

[0032] In addition, in another experimental method, multiple neodymium magnets were installed in the electrolysis section, and electrolysis was performed using an aqueous solution that has not been magnetically treated. No obvious superiority was seen in the amount of hydrogen produced by electrolysis when the neodymium magnets were installed in the electrolysis section compared to when they were not installed. However, in this experiment, although the experiment was evaluated with the neodymium magnets installed, there remains the possibility that the amount of hydrogen produced can be increased by applying a stronger magnetic field.

[0033] Also, solutions such as installing a very expensive superconducting magnet in the electrolysis section to increase the amount of hydrogen produced are also seen at the paper level, but introducing a superconducting magnet has major problems such as requiring a lot of electricity consumption for magnetic force generation and the cost becoming enormous. Therefore, the hydrogen production mechanism that uses a commercially available level magnet to magnetically treat a solution at low cost, as described in the present invention so far, can increase the amount of hydrogen produced and also has great cost advantages.

[0034] Next, FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment having a connecting portion of the present invention.

[0035] There is a connecting portion between the magnetic treatment liquid supply portion and the electrolysis portion. The connecting portion is configured by a rubber tube or the like, and further, an adjustment mechanism such as an adjustment valve can be provided in the connecting portion.

[0036] With this connecting portion, it becomes possible to smoothly supply the magnetic treatment liquid from the magnetic treatment liquid supply portion to the electrolysis portion. Furthermore, the supply amount of the magnetic treatment liquid from the magnetic treatment liquid supply portion to the electrolysis portion can be adjusted by an adjustment valve or the like provided in the connecting portion.

[0037] In addition, although this connecting portion is installed between the magnetic treatment liquid supply portion and the electrolysis portion in this case, it can be applied to the connection portion where the liquid is supplied in other cases of the present invention case.

[0038] Also, FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment having a magnetic treatment portion of the present invention.

[0039] In the magnetic treatment portion, the liquid is magnetically treated, and the magnetically treated magnetic treatment liquid is supplied to the magnetic treatment liquid supply portion. Furthermore, it becomes possible to supply the magnetic treatment liquid from this magnetic treatment liquid supply portion to the electrolysis portion.

[0040] Next, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment having a liquid supply portion of the present invention.

[0041] Liquid is supplied from the liquid supply portion to the magnetic treatment liquid supply portion, and further, it becomes possible to supply the magnetic treatment liquid from this magnetic treatment liquid supply portion to the electrolysis portion. In this case, it is also possible to provide a magnetic treatment portion in the magnetic treatment liquid supply portion, or it is also possible to provide a magnetic treatment portion in the liquid supply portion.

[0042] Furthermore, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment having a heating portion of the present invention.

[0043] Supply the magnetically treated liquid from the magnetically treated liquid supply section to the heating section. In the heating section, heat the magnetically treated liquid, and supply the heated magnetically treated liquid from the heating section to the electrolysis section to perform electrolysis and produce hydrogen.

[0044] Under the above conditions, an example of generating an aqueous sodium chloride solution using magnetically treated water at 30°C and an aqueous sodium chloride solution using magnetically treated liquid at 40°C and experimentally evaluating the hydrogen production amount will be described.

[0045] As a method for generating the aqueous sodium chloride solution, 100 cc of magnetically treated water was used as a solvent, and 20 g of sodium chloride was used as a solute to generate an aqueous sodium chloride solution using magnetically treated water.

[0046] In addition, in the electrolysis, a platinum electrode was used as the electrode, and a voltage of 6 V was applied.

[0047] As a result, compared with the amount of hydrogen produced by electrolysis using 100 cc of an aqueous sodium chloride solution with magnetically treated water at room temperature of 20°C, it was confirmed that the amount of hydrogen produced by electrolysis using 100 cc of an aqueous sodium chloride solution with magnetically treated water at 30°C could be produced about 50% more.

[0048] In addition, compared with the amount of hydrogen produced by electrolysis using 100 cc of an aqueous sodium chloride solution with magnetically treated water at room temperature of 20°C, it was confirmed that the amount of hydrogen produced by electrolysis using 100 cc of an aqueous sodium chloride solution with magnetically treated water at 40°C could be produced about 80% more.

[0049] From the above, by heating the solution, it becomes possible to increase the hydrogen production amount by electrolysis. Also, in this case, in order to raise the temperature from 20°C to 30°C or 40°C, a heating mechanism is employed, but depending on the situation, it is possible to incorporate not only heating but also a temperature adjustment mechanism such as cooling.

[0050] Further, the heating unit can be provided in the electrolysis unit or in the magnetically treated liquid supply unit.

[0051] Furthermore, regarding the heating temperature, although the experimental results at 30°C and 40°C are shown, heating to other temperatures is also possible in terms of the mechanism.

[0052] Next, FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment having a solute supply unit of the present invention.

[0053] As an example, magnetically treated water is supplied from the magnetically treated liquid supply unit to the solute supply unit. In this solute supply unit, as an example of the solute, sodium hydroxide or the like is supplied, and an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution subjected to magnetic treatment is generated in the solute supply unit. This magnetically treated aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is supplied from the solute supply unit to the electrolysis unit, and the aqueous sodium hydroxide solution can be electrolyzed in the electrolysis unit to produce hydrogen.

[0054] Next, FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment having a solution stirring unit of the present invention.

[0055] As an example, a magnetically treated aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is supplied from the magnetically treated liquid supply unit to the solution stirring unit. In this solution stirring unit, as an example, stirring is performed by propeller-type automatic stirring to equalize the concentration and temperature of the solution. Then, the magnetically treated and stirred aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is supplied from the solution stirring unit to the electrolysis unit, and the aqueous sodium hydroxide solution can be electrolyzed in the electrolysis unit to produce hydrogen.

[0056] Also, it is possible to include a solution stirring unit in the solute supply unit shown in FIG. 6. In this case, it is possible to uniformly generate the solution by supplying the solute while performing stirring simultaneously or with a time shift.

[0057] Furthermore, a configuration including a solute supply unit and a solution stirring unit in the magnetically treated liquid supply unit is also applicable.

[0058] As described above, in the hydrogen production mechanism by electrolysis of the magnetically treated liquid of the present invention, by the mechanism using the magnetically treated liquid, it is possible to effectively increase the amount of hydrogen produced by electrolysis of the liquid at low cost, and there is also an advantage that CO2 is not emitted even in the production process. It is a technology that can contribute to the development of a green energy society and a hydrogen society for the future.

Industrial Applicability

[0059] In the hydrogen production mechanism by electrolysis of the magnetically treated liquid of the present invention, by the mechanism using the magnetically treated liquid, it is possible to effectively increase the amount of hydrogen produced by electrolysis of the liquid at low cost, and there is also an advantage that CO2 is not emitted even in the production process. It is a technology that can contribute to the development of a green energy society and a hydrogen society for the future.

Explanation of Signs

[0060] 1 ··· Magnetically Treated Liquid Supply Section 2 ··· Electrolysis Section 3 ··· Connection Section 4 ··· Magnetic Treatment Section 5 ··· Liquid Supply Section 6 ··· Heating Section 7 ··· Solute Supply Section 8 ··· Solution Stirring Section 9 ··· Neodymium Magnet 10 ··· Plastic Spacer 11 ··· Three Spaces

Claims

1. A hydrogen production apparatus for generating hydrogen by electrolyzing a liquid, comprising: a magnetically treated liquid supply unit including a magnetic treatment unit for magnetically treating the liquid; an electrolysis unit connected to the magnetically treated liquid supply unit and having an electrolysis unit for electrolyzing the magnetically treated liquid; the magnetic treatment unit having an upper magnet and a lower magnet disposed opposite to each other in a first direction, and a first spacer disposed between the upper magnet and the lower magnet for providing a space for the liquid to pass through; the upper magnet having a plate-shaped first magnet extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction directly adsorbed in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, extending in the third direction, and formed in a planar shape; the lower magnet having a plate-shaped second magnet extending in the second direction directly adsorbed in the third direction, extending in the third direction, and formed in a planar shape; by laminating the upper magnet, the lower magnet, and the first spacer in a cross-shaped manner, the space for the liquid to pass through is formed by a space surrounded by the lower surface of the upper magnet, the inner surface of the first spacer, and the upper surface of the lower magnet; A hydrogen production apparatus, characterized in that in the space, between the upper magnet and the lower magnet, the liquid passing through the space is magnetically treated by generating an adsorption force by a magnet in the first direction.

2. A hydrogen production method for generating hydrogen by passing a liquid through a space provided in a magnetic treatment unit for magnetic treatment and electrolyzing the magnetically treated liquid, comprising: the magnetic treatment unit having a plate-shaped upper magnet and a lower magnet disposed opposite to each other in a first direction, and a first spacer disposed between the upper magnet and the lower magnet for providing a space for the liquid to pass through; the upper magnet having a plate-shaped first magnet extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction directly adsorbed in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, extending in the third direction, and formed in a planar shape; the lower magnet having a plate-shaped second magnet extending in the second direction directly adsorbed in the third direction, extending in the third direction, and formed in a planar shape; by laminating the upper magnet, the lower magnet, and the first spacer in a cross-shaped manner, the space for the liquid to pass through is formed by a space surrounded by the lower surface of the upper magnet, the inner surface of the first spacer, and the upper surface of the lower magnet; A hydrogen production method, characterized in that in the space, between the upper magnet and the lower magnet, the liquid passing through the space is magnetically treated by generating an attractive force by the magnet in the first direction.

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