Multipurpose generator for producing gaseous oxygen and hydrogen, water and electricity

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multipurpose generator for producing gaseous oxygen and hydrogen, water and electricity, comprising a spherical reactor with two external branches of operatively connected components, namely a warm air flow branch and a cold air flow branch. The warm air flow branch contains: a water inlet connected to a vaporiser associated with a water vapour fan device having a non-return valve that channels said flow to a water vapour intake pipe connected to a diffuser. The cold air flow branch comprises: a cold air mass inlet connected to a cold air circulation intake pipe associated with a cooler in turn coupled to a cold air fan having a non-return valve that channels said flow to a pipe connected to a fluid inlet diffuser distributing the cold air mass to the reactor. The invention also comprises two radially opposite electrical connectors.

Description

[0001] MULTI-PURPOSE GENERATOR FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN GAS, WATER AND ELECTRICITY TITLE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0002] This invention relates to a "Multipurpose generator for producing hydrogen and oxygen gas, water, and electricity," representing a disruptive technology applicable to the energy industry and other sectors. KNOWN BACKGROUND AND IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS

[0003] Hydrogen is, in principle, the panacea of ​​alternative fuels: it can be stored in gaseous or liquid form and distributed via pipelines, potentially replacing natural gas, and it doesn't emit greenhouse gases when burned. So how is it possible that it hasn't already become the leading alternative on our path to a sustainable energy model?

[0004] The problem lies in the cost and difficulty of production.

[0005] To begin with, despite being one of the most abundant elements on Earth, hydrogen is not easy to obtain, as it is not found in isolation in nature, but is generated from other substances that contain it, including water, coal and natural gas.

[0006] The ideal way to produce it would be to obtain it directly from water—a substance present in 70% of the planet—which would require a process called electrolysis. This involves the decomposition of water molecules (H2O) into oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2). However, this is generally an expensive process that requires a lot of electricity—which in most cases does not come from renewable sources—to power the electrolyzers.

[0007] The difficulty in obtaining 100% clean hydrogen has led producers to classify the resulting product based on its sustainable value.

[0008] Thus, gray hydrogen, the most widely used today - for example, in the chemical industry or in large oil refineries - is the least environmentally friendly, since its generation still requires fossil fuels.

[0009] Alternatively, 'blue or low-carbon hydrogen' still requires fossil fuels, but emits less carbon, as it is removed using a method called 'capture and storage'.

[0010] The most environmentally friendly option is 'green hydrogen', produced from renewable energy, a 100% sustainable alternative that, however, is the least common on the market.

[0011] Hydrogen production via proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis is considered a promising solution due to its generation of ultrapure hydrogen, high current densities, high efficiency, fast response, and small size. However, its application is limited by the significant dissolution of electrocatalysts observed at the anode during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).

[0012] To date, the highest-performing electrocatalysts are based on noble metals such as platinum, ruthenium, and iridium. However, these are expensive and limited in supply, and ruthenium and iridium oxides also tend to decompose over time. Therefore, if PEM technology is expected to drive the transition to a sustainable society, we must first address the degradation of electrocatalysts.

[0013] The decomposition of noble metals, a phenomenon known as 'metal dissolution', reduces the efficiency of hydrogen production. This is a problem that must be solved to fully utilize PEM technology.

[0014] For example, we can cite a system for obtaining green hydrogen from seawater, which integrates water purification technology into a seawater electrolyzer that uses electric current to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water molecules.

[0015] Green hydrogen is a clean and sustainable energy source produced through water electrolysis, a process that uses electricity from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, to split water (H2O) into oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2). Because this hydrogen does not emit greenhouse gases during its production, storage, or use, it is considered "green" and is key to the transition to a decarbonized economy.

[0016] Green Hydrogen Production Process

[0017] 1. Water Electrolysis: This is the primary method for producing green hydrogen. It uses an electrolyzer, a device that applies an electric current to water to split it into oxygen and hydrogen. There are several types of electrolyzers, the most common being proton exchange membrane (PEM), alkaline, and solid oxide electrolyzers.

[0018] 2. Renewable Energy Sources: For the hydrogen produced to be truly green, the electricity used in electrolysis must come from renewable sources. Solar and wind power plants are the most commonly used, but hydroelectric power and biomass can also be employed.

[0019] 3. Storage and Distribution: Once produced, hydrogen can be stored in gaseous or liquid form. Its large-scale distribution is one of the main challenges, as it requires specialized infrastructure, such as pipelines, storage tanks, and refueling stations.

[0020] It is important to note that hydrogen production can be carried out using different technologies and processes, such as steam reforming, water electrolysis, biomass gasification, among others.

[0021] The inventor also knows of a new technique that allows the generation of pure hydrogen without electrolysis, with aluminum hydroxide as the only byproduct. This innovative technique has been patented by Phillips Export Company, where the energy needed to drive the process comes from the heat released by the exothermic reaction of converting water and aluminum into hydrogen and Al₂O₃. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] Figure 1 illustrates a green hydrogen generation plant using renewable energy.

[0023] Figure 2 illustrates the multipurpose generator of the invention. According to Figure 2, the components are:

[0024] R: Reactor.

[0025] GO: Graphene painted surface (GO).

[0026] FcaF: Cold air current flow.

[0027] FcaC: Hot air stream flow.

[0028] L¡: Induction line.

[0029] Ga: Water droplets.

[0030] 1. Water intake.

[0031] 2. Vaporizer.

[0032] 3. Forced vaporized water device.

[0033] 4. Non-return valve.

[0034] 5. Vaporized water intake duct.

[0035] 6. Diffuser.

[0036] 7. Cold air mass intake.

[0037] 8. Cold air circulation intake duct.

[0038] 9. Cooler.

[0039] 10. Cold air blower.

[0040] 1. Non-return valve.

[0041] 12. Reactor inlet duct (R).

[0042] 13. Diffuser.

[0043] 14. Electrical input connector (-).

[0044] 15. Connect to electrical output (+).

[0045] 16. Non-return valve for the passage of pure gaseous H2.

[0046] 17. Non-return valve for gaseous O2 passage.

[0047] 18. Reactor support legs (R).

[0048] 19. Potable water (H2O) storage tank or reservoir.

[0049] 20. Electronic control panel.

[0050] 21. Temperature sensor.

[0051] 22. Humidity sensor. Water inlet: Point where water enters the system. Vaporizer: Device that converts water into vapor. Forced vaporization device: Where the vapor is forced through the system. Non-return valve: Device that allows flow in only one direction, preventing the backflow of vapor or liquid. Vaporized water inlet duct: Channel through which the vapor is introduced into the next stage of the system. Diffuser: Component that distributes the vapor or air evenly. Cold air intake: Point where cold air is introduced into the system. Cold air circulation inlet duct: Channel through which the cold air is directed into the system. Chiller: Device that reduces the temperature of the air or vapor passing through it. Forced air fan: Device that forces cold air into the system. Non-return valve: Prevents air or vapor from flowing back in the opposite direction.Reactor inlet duct (R): Channel through which cold air, hot air, or steam enters the reactor. Diffuser: Similar to number 6, it distributes the air or steam within the reactor. Electrical input connector (-): Connection point for the negative electrical current input. Electrical output connector (+): Connection point for the positive electrical current output. This generator includes a spherical reactor (R) for producing hydrogen and other components and is specifically designed to carry out chemical reactions that generate hydrogen as the main product.

[0052] The spherical design of the reactor (R) favors a more uniform distribution of gas and particles in the reactor.

[0053] The inlets to said reactor (R) are two branches of operationally linked components: a hot air stream flow branch (FcaC) and a cold air stream flow branch (FcaF). Branch (FcaC) includes: a water inlet (1), a vaporizer (2), a forced vapor water device (3), a check valve (4), and a vaporized water inlet duct (5) connected to a diffuser (6). Branch (FcaF) includes: a cold air mass inlet (7), a cold air circulation inlet duct (8), a cooler (9), a cold air force fan (10), a check valve (11), and a duct (12) connected to a diffuser (13) for the cold air mass fluid inlet to the reactor (R).

[0054] In the central zone of the reactor (R), cross-flows of dry and cold air (high- and low-pressure air, and humidity) occur, along with electromagnetic induction of magnetic flux lines (magnetohydrodynamics, MHD) between two radially opposing electrical connectors (14, 15) within the reactor sphere. This instability generates induced currents (eddy currents) in the water vapor, creating an endothermic electrolysis effect under certain conditions (electrical potential, temperature). This leads to the dissociation of water molecules if sufficient energy is applied to break the H-O bonds (reducing oxygen and hydrogen gas). This means that the upper part of the layer would be bombarded with significantly more charge-carrying water molecules than the lower part, creating a charge imbalance, similar to that of a cloud, as the upper part becomes more charged relative to the lower part.This defines a battery, one that works as long as there is moisture in the air.

[0055] And since humidity is always present, this GENERATOR works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, rain or shine, at night and whether the wind blows or not, which solves one of the main problems of technologies such as wind or solar, which only work under certain conditions.

[0056] According to a practical test, the following results were obtained:

[0057] With an 80-gram hot humid air flow inlet, 60 grams of cold air flow, and a 7000-volt (+) electrical connector, you get 70 grams / se of H2, approximately 250 kg / h of H2.

[0058] EXAMPLE WITH ANOTHER TECHNOLOGY

[0059] The production process is carried out with a 20 MW polymer electrolysis system with the electrical power supply capacity to generate 360 ​​kg / hour of hydrogen.

[0060] 360 kg / hour of hydrogen > 100% (20MW)

[0061] 250 kg / hour of hydrogen >.. ... .... 250 kg / hour .100 % : (69.5%)

[0062] 360 kg / hour

[0063] Free from electrolyzers and renewable energy, but with a power supply. 7000 volt. Water (H2O) in potable condition (is produced or recovered by recombining hydrogen with oxygen in a storage tank or reservoir (19) through the passage of valve means (16,17).

[0064] Therefore, what is described and exemplified is included within the scope of protection of this patent application, which is established, in essence, by the text of the claims clauses that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Multipurpose generator for producing hydrogen and gaseous oxygen, water and electricity, characterized in that it comprises a spherical reactor (R) with two external branches of operatively linked components, a hot air stream flow branch (FcaC) and a cold air stream flow branch (FcaF); said branch (FcaC) contains: a water intake (1) linked to a vaporizer (2) associated with a forced vaporized water device (3) with a non-return valve (4) directing said flow to a vaporized water intake duct (5) linked to a diffuser (6) and the branch (FcaF) includes: a cold air mass intake (7) linked to a cold air circulation intake duct (8) associated with a cooler (9) coupled in turn to a cold air forcer (10) with a non-return valve (11) directing said flow to a duct (12) linked to a diffuser (13) for the inlet of cold air mass fluid to the reactor (R);and inside said reactor (R) there are two radially facing electrical connectors (14,15); and in turn it contains at least one storage tank (19) of water (H2O) through the passage of valve means (16,17) and independent pipe branches to recombine hydrogen H2 and oxygen O2.; 2. Multipurpose generator for producing hydrogen and gaseous oxygen, water and electricity, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical connectors are surrounded with a graphene (GO) painted surface.

3. Multipurpose generator for producing hydrogen and gaseous oxygen, water and electricity, according to claim 1, characterized in that water (H2O) contained in said at least one storage tank or reservoir (19) is potable water.

4. Multipurpose generator for producing hydrogen and gaseous oxygen, water and electricity, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an electronic control panel (20).

5. Multipurpose generator for producing hydrogen and gaseous oxygen, water and electricity, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises temperature (21) and humidity (22) sensors.

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