An electrochemical system for production of hydrogen gas using permanent magnet and working thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cost effective, efficient, ecofriendly system for producing hydrogen by the electrolysis of mineral water in the presence of a magnetic field using an assembly of vertical stainless steel supported graphite electrodes such that the magnetic field is perpendicular to the assembly of electrodes The system comprises of three interconnected units, namely the magnetic electrolyser fitted with a plurality of neodymium magnets, a pneumatically operated pump and a pressure swing absorption unit.

Description

[0001] TITLE OF THE INVENTION

[0002] AN ELECTROCHEMICAL SYSTEM FOR PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN GAS USING PERMANENT MAGNET AND WORKING THEREOF

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004]

[0001] The present invention relates to electrochemical chemistry. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for the efficient production of hydrogen by the electrolysis of mineral water in the presence of a magnetic field.

[0005] BACKGROUND ART

[0006]

[0002] The principle of hydrogen production under magnets in an electrochemical cell is based on the following:

[0007] Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects: When a magnetic field is applied to an electrochemical cell, it can induce MHD effects that alter the behavior of ions and electrons in the electrolyte.

[0008] Electrochemical reactions: The application of a magnetic field can also influence the electrochemical reactions occurring at the electrodes, potentially enhancing the efficiency of hydrogen production.

[0009]

[0003] In water electrolysis, the direction of magnetism will determine the direction of Lorentz force, the convection of electrolytic solution, the direction of the bubbles motion, and then affect the efficiency of water electrolysis. Furthermore, ferromagnetism electrodes are more affected by magnetism, and multiply the Lorentz effect. It reduces the polarization and over-potential during electrolysis, and thus increases the effectiveness of hydrogen production. With the magnetic field at room temperature, electrode spacing of 2 mm and a voltage of 4 V, nickel electrodes (ferromagnetism material) can promote current density by 14.6%, and platinum electrodes (paramagnetism material) can promote current density by 10%. The promotion of current density is not significant for graphite electrodes (diamagnetism material).

[0010]

[0004] According to literature an external magnetic field can reduce energy consumption and increase hydrogen production efficiency in water electrolysis. Gas bubbles that evolve from the surface of a horizontal electrode detach faster than the bubbles from a vertical electrode. The locomotion of the bubbles is facilitated if the horizontal electrode faces a magnet, which induces the revolution of bubbles between the electrodes. However, the magnetic field does not increase the current density effectively if the electrodes are more than 5 cm apart. A paramagnetic (platinum) electrode has a more significant effect on bubble locomotion than a diamagnetic (graphite) material and is able to increase the efficiency of electrolysis more effectively when a perpendicular magnetic field is applied.

[0011]

[0005] The energy efficiency of water electrolysis was considerably improved under a high magnetic field. This was proved by measuring the cell voltage, the IR- drop, and the electrode potentials for the electrolysis which was galvanostatically operated in alkaline (4.46 and KOH) and acidic solutions. A large reduction in the cell voltage was achieved in a magnetic field, especially at a high current density. The decrease of the IR-drop, which was measured by the current interrupter method, depended on the concentration of electrolyte solutions. In a magnetic field, the oxygen overpotential was reduced more than the hydrogen overpotential.

[0012]

[0006] However, the existing prior art knowledge is not adequate to produce the hydrogen with high purity and at industrial scale. Moreover, for mass production the sustainability, environment friendly, cost efficiency and scale-up feasibility of the technology are the foremost criteria.

[0013]

[0007] Foremost challenges associated with hydrogen production under magnets in an electrochemical cell, including: i. Electrode material selection: Selecting electrode materials that are compatible with the magnetic field and electrolyte. ii. Scalability: Scaling up the electrochemical cell design to achieve commercially viable hydrogen production rates.

[0014]

[0008] In the lieu of technical advancement and to overcome the above stated problems, we are disclosing a self-sustainable, environment friendly and highly efficient carbon-based electrochemical system for hydrogen production. This system is unique in terms of its electrode’s material, electrolyte solution and functioning. Owing to this, the system is more efficient to producing pure hydrogen compared to the prior art. The novelty resides in the construction and mode of action of cell. The said is more energy efficient, cost effective and environment friendly. The said electrochemical system is unique in terms of its simplicity, expandability, multiple utility etc.

[0015] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0016]

[0009] The present invention deals with a system for the efficient production of hydrogen by the electrolysis of mineral water (pH 6-8) in the presence of a magnetic field using an assembly of vertical stainless steel supported graphite electrodes(diamagnetic) such that the magnetic field is perpendicular to the assembly of electrodes. The system comprises of three interconnected units, namely the magnetic electrolyser fitted with a plurality of neodymium magnets, a two piston pneumatically operated pump and a pressure swing absorption unit. The pressure swing adsorption unit is provided with a purity sensor and a flow meter. The purity sensor determines the purity of hydrogen produced and the flow meter determines the volume of hydrogen produced in unit time. The assembly of electrodes comprises of two or more sets of three electrode half-cell, each electrode at a distance of 2mm from each other. Each set of three electrodes is placed inside the magnetic electrolyser such that they are separated by a plurality of neodymium magnets placed in the electrolyte inside the magnetic eletrolyser. A set of magnets are attached on the two parallel walls of the magnetic electrolyser such that the magnetic field produced is perpendicular to the electrodes placed vertically.

[0017]

[0010] The three-electrode system consists of a working electrode, counter electrode, and reference electrode. The reference electrode’s role is to act as a reference in measuring and controlling the working electrode potential, without passing any current. The reference electrode has a constant electrochemical potential at low current density. Additionally, since the reference electrode passes negligible current, the internal resistance drop (iR) between the reference and working electrode is often very small. Thus, with the three-electrode system, the reference potential is much more stable, and there is compensation for iR drop across the solution. During three-electrode experiments, charge flow (current) primarily occurs between the working electrode and the counter electrode while the potential of the working electrode is measured with respect to the reference electrode This translates into superior control over working electrode potential. A three-electrode system avoids current leakage and potential drop, hence gives a reliable volta-metric signature.

[0018] [OH] A current of 10 Amperes at 15 Volts (150 W) is supplied to the magnetic electrolyser containing mineral water as electrolyte. The mixture of gases thus formed, hydrogen and oxygen are then sucked by a double piston Pneumatic Pump(11.6Nm3 / h) from the magnetic Electrolyze. The double piston pneumatic pump, by sucking the gases increases the efficiency of the electrolytic process. The mixture of gases is subsequently fed to a pressure swing adsorption unit working at 3 Bar containing zeolite which effectively adsorbs oxygen and allows high purity hydrogen to be collected. Highly volatile components with low polarity, such as hydrogen, are practically non-adsorbable as opposed to oxygen molecule. Consequently, oxygen is adsorbed from a hydrogen containing stream and high purity hydrogen is collected.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0020]

[0012] The present invention will become more understandable from the description given herein and the accompanying drawings below. These are given by way of illustration only and therefore not limited to present invention and wherein:

[0021]

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates the electrochemical system to produce hydrogen (100)

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates the construction of the magnetic electrolyser

[0022] BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0023]

[0015] The following presents a simplified description of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This description is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify the key / critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention in a simplified form.

[0016] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well- known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0024]

[0017] Features that are described and / or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and / or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

[0025]

[0018] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0026]

[0019] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0027]

[0020] By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

[0028]

[0021] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises / comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

[0029]

[0022] It should be emphasized that the term “eco-friendly” when used in this specification is taken to specify the materials that are earth-friendly or not harmful to the environment.

[0023] It should be emphasized that the term “onsite generation” when used in this specification is taken to specify the production of energy at the point of use i.e. the site where it is to be consumed.

[0030]

[0024] It should be emphasized that the term “catalyst” when used in this specification is taken to specify any substance that increases the rate of a reaction without itself being consumed.

[0031]

[0025] It should be emphasized that the term “electrostatic deposition” when used in this specification is taken to specify a process to deposit thin and / or thick layers of a coating onto various substrates.

[0032]

[0026] It should be emphasized that the term “magnetic electrolyser” when used in this specification is taken to specify an electrolytic cell fitted with a plurality of neodymium magnets such that a set of 3-4 magnets are fixed on only two of the parallel walls and 3-4 magnets are fitted inside the electrolyser such that the direction of magnetic field is perpendicular to the electrodes.

[0033]

[0027] Disclosing a system to produce hydrogen by the electrolysis of mineral water under the influence of magnetic field and further connecting the outlet of gases, mixture of oxygen and hydrogen, in the ratio 1 :2, from the magnetic electrolyser to a pump which sucks in the gases and delivers to a pressure swing adsorption system containing zeolite where the gases are separated to obtain pure hydrogen and oxygen.

[0034]

[0028] The magnetic electrolyser is provided with plurality of sets of vertically placed electrodes, each set comprising of three electrodes separated by a suitable distance. The magnetic electrolyser is provided with a plurality of magnets which are placed so that the magnetic field is perpendicular to the length of the electrodes.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment the suitable distance between two electrode is 2cm.

[0035]

[0030] In a preferred embodiment the pump is two-piston pneumatic pump.

[0036]

[0031] Embodiments

[0037] Referring to the figures, and more particularly to Figure 1 providing, the system (100) comprising of a magnetic electrolyser (102), a double piston pneumatic pump (106), a Pressure Swing Adsorption unit (116,118) and a stand (120). The electrolyser is fitted with three neodynium magnets of strength 5 Tesla each (104) on each of the two parallel outer walls of the magnetic electrolyser. Three neodymium magnets (201) are placed inside the electrolyser between the two sets of electrodes such that the magnetic field generated by the magnets is perpendicular to the length of the vertical electrodes. The electrodes are stainless steel supported graphite electrodes. The magnetic electrolyser is connected to a double piston pneumatic pump (106) by a pipe (108) provided with a valve (110), The double piston pneumatic pump (106) sucks in the mixture of the two gases, hydrogen and oxygen, and feeds the mixture to a Pressure Swing Adsorption Unit (116) where the two gases are separated and hydrogen is collected.

[0038]

[0032] Referring to the figures, and more particularly to Figure 2, illustrating the magnetic electrolyser (102) comprising of one set of three electrodes (202) separated from the other set of three electrodes (204) by three neodymium magnets of strength 5 Tesla each (206) placed inside the electrolyser (102)

[0039]

[0033] In an embodiment of the system, multiple sets of three electrodes are placed next to each other in the same electrolyser, each set being separated from the other by three neodymium magnets placed vertically along the length of the electrodes.

[0040]

[0034] In an embodiment of the system, a flow metre present as a part of Pressure Swing Adsorption unit connected to the systemis used to measure the volume of hydrogen produced. 5 litres / minute hydrogen is collected at 150 W, which when scaled to 4500 W can produce 31itres / second of hydrogen.

[0041]

[0035] Table 1 volume of hydrogen produced per minute at 140 volts and 90 amperes

[0042]

[0036] WORKING OF THE DEVICE A method of producing hydrogen fuel with the electrochemical system as involves following steps;

[0043] (i) current is supplied to the magnetic electrolyser containing mineral water as electrolyte;

[0044] (ii) hydrogen and oxygen are produced at cathode and anode respectively, which is sucked by a double piston pneumatic pump through a pipe provided with a valve;

[0045] (iii) further this mixture of gases is the passed to pressure swing adsorption unit,

[0046] (iv) where from the mixture of gases, oxygen gas is adsorbed on the surface of zeolite that is present in pressure swing adsorption unit;

[0047] (v) and remaining hydrogen gas is separate out.

[0048] Embodiment:

[0049]

[0037] A current of lOAmperes at 15 Volts is supplied to the magnetic electrolyser containing mineral water (pH 7±0.5) as the electrolyte. A mixture of gases, containing hydrogen and oxygen are produced which is sucked in by a double piston pneumatic pump through a pipe provided with a valve. The double piston pneumatic pump sucks the mixture of gases at flow rate of 11.6 Nm3 / hour. The mixture of gases is the supplied to Pressure Swing Adsorption Unit working at a pressure of 3 bar where the oxygen is adsorbed on the surface of zeolite and hydrogen is collected at 5 litre / minute.

[0050]

[0038] The processes described above is described as a sequence of steps, this was done solely for the sake of illustration. Accordingly, it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of the steps may be rearranged, or some steps may be performed simultaneously.

[0051]

[0039] Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the system and method described herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0040] Many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read therefore going description. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the description above contains many specifications; these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the personally preferred embodiments of this invention.

[0052]

[0041] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0053] 1. The invention is used to produce the pure hydrogen gas, which is further used as fuel in many industrial operations.

[0054] 2. The invention uses graphite (diamagnetic)electrodes to achieve similar efficiency as of platinum / nickel electrodes. This is due to the 3-electrode system used in the magnetic electrolyser which prevents a voltage drop

[0055] 3. The invention uses a magnetic electrolyser to increase the efficiency of electrolysis of water this increases the water breakdown into it’ s elementary form

[0056] 4. The invention employs a double piston pneumatic pump to suck out the mixture of gases to prevent the buildup of gas bubbles near the electrodes.

[0057] 5. The invention employs a pressure swing adsorption unit which enables the separation of gases to yield 99% pure hydrogen.

[0058] 6. The rate of production of hydrogen is very high compared to the existing technology.

[0059] 7. The disclosed system and method are more energy efficient, cost effective and environment friendly.

[0060] 8. The said method and device are unique in terms of its simplicity, expandability, multiple utility etc.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An electrochemical system for production of hydrogen gas comprising of a magnetic electrolyser (102), a pump (106) and a pressure swing adsorption unit (116,118), wherein the magnetic electrolyser comprises of(i) two or more sets of three electrodes (202) each made of stainless- steel supported graphite which is diamagnetic in nature;(ii) a plurality of neodymium magnets on the two outer walls of the magnetic electrolyser (104);(iii) neodymium magnets placed between two sets of three stainless steel supported graphite electrodes inside the magnetic electrolyser (206) such that the magnetic field is perpendicular to the electrodes.

2. The electrochemical system for production of hydrogen gas, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump (106) is double piston pneumatic pump.

3. The electrochemical system for production of hydrogen gas, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic electrolyser is connected to the double piston pneumatic pump (106) by a pipe (108) provided with a valve (110).

4. The electrochemical system for production of hydrogen gas, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the double piston pneumatic pump is connected to the pressure swing adsorption unit, working at a pressure of 3-4 bar.

5. The electrochemical system for production of hydrogen gas, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow rate of the double piston pneumatic pump is 11 - 12Nm3 / h.

6. The electrochemical system for production of hydrogen gas, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure swing adsorption unit contains zeolite.

7. The electrochemical system for production of hydrogen gas, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure swing adsorption unit further comprises of a pressure swing adsorption equipment, flow meter and a purity of sensors.

8. The electrochemical system for production of hydrogen gas, as claimed in claim 1, produces hydrogen with 2-0% impurities.

9. The electrochemical system for production of hydrogen gas, as claimed in claim 1, produces 99% pure hydrogen.

10. The electrochemical system for production of hydrogen gas, as claimed in claim 1, produces 99-100% pure hydrogen.

11. A method of producing hydrogen fuel with the electrochemical system as claimed in claim 1, involves;(vi) current is supplied to the magnetic electrolyser containing mineral water as the electrolyte;(vii) a mixture of gases, containing hydrogen and oxygen are produced which is sucked in by a double piston;(viii) pneumatic pump through a pipe provided with a valve;(ix) the double piston pneumatic pump sucks the mixture of gases;(x) the mixture of gases is the supplied to pressure swing adsorption unit where the oxygen is adsorbed on the surface of zeolite and hydrogen gas is produced.

12. The method of producing hydrogen fuel with the electrochemical system as claimed in claim 10, wherein;(xi) a current of 10 Amperes at 15 Volts is supplied to the magnetic electrolyser containing mineral water as the electrolyte;(xii) a mixture of gases, containing hydrogen and oxygen are produced which is sucked in by a double piston;(xiii) pneumatic pump through a pipe provided with a valve.(xiv) the double piston pneumatic pump sucks the mixture of gases at flow rate of 11.6 Nm3 / hour;(xv) the mixture of gases is the supplied to pressure swing adsorption Unit working at a pressure of 3 bar where the oxygen is adsorbed on the surface of zeolite and hydrogen is collected at 51itre / minute.

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