BIO-ELECTROCHEMICALLY ASSISTED MICROBIAL REACTOR THAT GENERATES HYDROGEN GAS AND METHODS OF GENERATING HYDROGEN GAS
First Claim
1. A system for producing hydrogen comprising:
- a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reaction chamber and an exterior of the reaction chamber;
an anode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber;
a cathode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber, the cathode spaced apart at a distance in the range between 0.1-100 centimeters, inclusive, from the anode;
a conductive conduit for electrons in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode;
an electricity producing microbial fuel cell in electrical communication with the anode and cathode to enhance an electrical potential between the anode and cathode; and
a first channel defining a passage from the exterior of the reaction chamber to the interior of the reaction chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and processes for producing hydrogen using bacteria are described. One detailed process for producing hydrogen uses a system for producing hydrogen as described herein, the system including a reactor. Anodophilic bacteria are disposed within the interior of the reactor and an organic material oxidizable by an oxidizing activity of the anodophilic bacteria is introduced and incubated under oxidizing reactions conditions such that electrons are produced and transferred to the anode. A power source is activated to increase a potential between the anode and the cathode, such that electrons and protons combine to produce hydrogen gas. In one system for producing hydrogen is provided which includes a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reactor and an exterior of the reaction chamber. An anode is provided which is at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber and a cathode is also provided which is at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber. The cathode is spaced apart at a distance in the range between 0.1-100 centimeters, inclusive, from the anode. A conductive conduit for electrons is provided which is in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode and a power source for enhancing an electrical potential between the anode and cathode is included which is in electrical communication at least with the cathode. A first channel defining a passage from the exterior of the reaction chamber to the interior of the reaction chamber is also included.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for producing hydrogen comprising:
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a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reaction chamber and an exterior of the reaction chamber; an anode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber; a cathode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber, the cathode spaced apart at a distance in the range between 0.1-100 centimeters, inclusive, from the anode; a conductive conduit for electrons in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode; an electricity producing microbial fuel cell in electrical communication with the anode and cathode to enhance an electrical potential between the anode and cathode; and a first channel defining a passage from the exterior of the reaction chamber to the interior of the reaction chamber.
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2. A system for producing hydrogen, comprising:
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a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reaction chamber and an exterior of the reaction chamber; an anode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber; a cathode assembly comprising;
a gas porous support for an electrically conductive cathode material, the gas porous support forming a cathode wall generally enclosing and defining an interior space, the cathode wall having an internal surface adjacent the interior space and an opposed external surface, the wall extending between a first end and a second end; and
an electrically conductive cathode material is disposed in contact with the cathode wall, the cathode assembly at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber;a conductive conduit for electrons in electrical communication with the anode and the electrically conductive cathode material; an electricity producing microbial fuel cell in electrical communication with the anode and the electrically conductive cathode material to enhance an electrical potential between the anode and the electrically conductive cathode material; and a first channel defining a passage from the exterior of the reaction chamber to the interior of the reaction chamber. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification