Electrokinetic Hydrogen Co-generation from Water Microjets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for hydrogen production are costly and inefficient, particularly in achieving widespread hydrogen economy due to high costs and limited production rates, with existing electrokinetic methods struggling to generate sufficient hydrogen gas and electrical power effectively.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a hydrostatic pressure source to drive liquid water through a metal orifice, creating a charged liquid microjet that generates hydrogen gas and electrical power through electrokinetic charge separation, with the apparatus comprising a fluid source, pressure application, and a metal target for hydrogen production and power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If steam reformation of natural gas or coal gasification is used for hydrogen production, then production cost is reduced, but hydrogen production quantity is insufficient and fossil fuel is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameters of hydrogen production by using electrokinetic effects instead of thermal processes. Liquid water is forced through micro-orifices at high pressure to create charged microjets, fundamentally altering the production mechanism from thermal chemistry to electrokinetic separation, enabling both low cost and high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces thermal/chemical processes with electrokinetic and mechanical processes. Instead of using heat for steam reformation, the system uses high-pressure liquid flow through micro-orifices to generate charged microjets that produce hydrogen through electrokinetic charge separation, eliminating fossil fuel consumption while maintaining cost-effectiveness
2Productivity
If electrochemical production of hydrogen is used, then hydrogen production is achieved, but production cost is very high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the production mechanism from electrochemical to electrokinetic. Instead of using electrolysis cells with expensive membranes and catalysts, the system uses high-pressure liquid flow through simple micro-orifices to generate charged microjets, dramatically reducing equipment cost while maintaining high hydrogen production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex electrochemical cell components with simple, inexpensive micro-orifice structures. The micro-orifices can be made from common materials and do not require expensive membranes, catalysts, or complex electrical infrastructure, making hydrogen production cost-effective
3Productivity
If existing electrokinetic methods are used for hydrogen generation, then some hydrogen production is achieved, but efficiency is low and electrical power generation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the liquid flow into discrete charged microjets through micro-orifices. This segmentation creates numerous individual charged streams that collide with the target, multiplying the electrokinetic effect and significantly increasing both hydrogen generation rate and electrical power output compared to bulk liquid flow
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional surface contact to three-dimensional microjet penetration. The charged microjets penetrate into the target material, creating deeper and more numerous interaction points for charge separation, thereby enhancing both hydrogen production and electrical power generation efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach achieves higher efficiencies in co-generating hydrogen gas and electrical power, with efficiencies up to 10.7% for hydrogen production and potential doubling to over 21% by harnessing both upstream and downstream currents, surpassing previous electrokinetic methods.
Implementation Method 1
electrokinetic charge separation can be effected in a flowing liquid where some of the constituents of the liquid dissociate, forming positive and negative ions
Implementation Method 2
charged liquid microjets, which jets upon collision with a target acting as a source of electrons results in the production of hydrogen gas
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for producing both a gas and electrical power from a flowing liquid, the method comprising: a) providing a source liquid containing ions that when neutralized form a gas; b) providing a velocity to the source liquid relative to a solid material to form a charged liquid microjet, which subsequently breaks up into a droplet spay, the solid material forming a liquid-solid interface; and c) supplying electrons to the charged liquid by contacting a spray stream of the charged liquid with an electron source. In one embodiment, where the liquid is water, hydrogen gas is formed and a streaming current is generated.The apparatus comprises a source of pressurized liquid, a microjet nozzle, a conduit for delivering said liquid to said microjet nozzle, and a conductive metal target sufficiently spaced from said nozzle such that the jet stream produced by said microjet is discontinuous at said target. In one arrangement, with the metal nozzle and target electrically connected to ground, both hydrogen gas and a streaming current are generated at the target as it is impinged by the streaming, liquid spray microjet.