Infrared-Assisted Hydrogen Generation via Ceramic Emitter

Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydrogen generation methods for commercial purposes, such as hydrogen cars and fuel cells, face inefficiencies due to high voltage requirements and associated costs, which offset the benefits of using hydrogen as fuel.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an IR-emitting ceramic that emits infrared wavelengths between 3-20 micrometers to excite the liquid used in hydrogen generators, reducing energy consumption and cost by lowering the activation energy required for hydrogen production through molecular vibrational excitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional electrolysis process is used for hydrogen generation, then hydrogen can be produced, but high voltage and energy consumption are required which offset the benefits of using hydrogen as fuel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen production efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using infrared radiation to pre-excite the vibrational states of water molecules before electrolysis occurs. This pre-excitation reduces the activation energy barrier, allowing the electrolysis reaction to proceed more efficiently with lower voltage input. The infrared excitation is applied in advance to prepare the molecular structure for easier bond breaking during electrolysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of molecular vibrational energy by introducing infrared radiation at specific wavelengths (3-20 micrometers) that match the vibrational modes of water molecules. This parameter change in vibrational energy state directly reduces the electrical voltage needed for electrolysis, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining hydrogen production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional electrolysis process is used for hydrogen generation, then hydrogen can be produced, but the cost of the process nearly offsets the gain from using hydrogen as fuel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen production efficiencyVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using infrared radiation to pre-excite the vibrational states of water molecules before electrolysis occurs. This pre-excitation reduces the activation energy barrier, allowing the electrolysis reaction to proceed more efficiently with lower voltage input. The infrared excitation is applied in advance to prepare the molecular structure for easier bond breaking during electrolysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of molecular vibrational energy by introducing infrared radiation at specific wavelengths (3-20 micrometers) that match the vibrational modes of water molecules. This parameter change in vibrational energy state directly reduces the electrical voltage needed for electrolysis, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining hydrogen production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances hydrogen production efficiency by reducing the Gibbs free energy needed for the reaction, thereby lowering the electrical energy input and operational costs, making hydrogen generation more efficient and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

a ceramic that emits infrared at wavelengths covering at least a portion of 3-20 micrometers range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

When a photon is absorbed by a molecule, it ceases to exist and its energy is transferred to the molecule in one of vibrational, rotational, electronic, and translational forms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular vibrational excitation: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

the chemical bonds in molecules can be photoexcited with infrared shorter than 20 μm in wavelengths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoexcitation: Photodissociation

Data Source

PatentUS9180424B2Infrared assisted hydrogen generation

Publication Date: 2015.11.10 ALDI FAR IR PRODUCTS INC

AI summary

This invention relates to a system and a method for achieving efficient production of hydrogen in a hydrogen generator, comprising at least a hydrogen generator, a liquid in said hydrogen generator to produce hydrogen from, and a ceramic that emits infrared at wavelengths covering at least a portion of 3-20 micrometers range so that said liquid can be excited with infrared at said wavelengths before or during the production of hydrogen for improved hydrogen production efficiency. The use of infrared-excited electrolyte solution in a hydrogen generator helps reduce the energy consumption, lower operating voltage, and thus reduce the cost of the production of hydrogen.