Solar battery module for optical electrolysis device and optical electrolysis device

• US 6,198,037 B1
• Filed: 09/17/1999
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sphelar Power Corporation (Dexerials Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Josuke Nakata
• Inventors: Nakata, Josuke
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAPMAN, MARK A
• Application Number:
  US09/381,350
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 136/246, 136/248, 136/250, 205/923
• US Class Current: 136/246
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/55 Photoelectrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02008 for solar cells or solar cell modules
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/035281 Shape of the body
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/048 Encapsulation of modules
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0504 specially adapted for series or parallel connection of solar cells in a module
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 205/923 Solar collector or absorber

Abstract

Partition member 34 is provided, which partitions the interior of glass container 31 into reduction reaction chamber 32 and oxidation reaction chamber 33 and which is made of a polymer electrolyte that conducts hydrogen ions; solar battery modules 35 are mounted on this partition member 34, for example in a matrix arrangement of five rows and three columns; a solar battery module 35 has a photocell array (photoelectromotive force: 2.0-2.4 V) consisting of four spherical solar battery elements (photoelectromotive force: 0.5-0.6 V) connected in series, anode 46, and cathode 48; solar battery modules 35 are mounted on partition member 34 so that anode 46 is in contact with the electrolyte of oxidation reaction chamber 33 and cathode 48 is in contact with the electrolyte of reduction reaction chamber 32; sunlight is shined on solar battery modules 35, and the photoelectromotive force electrolyzes the water and produces hydrogen gas from cathode 48 and oxygen gas from anode 46.

Claims

1. A solar battery module for a photoelectrolytic device comprising:

a cylindrical holding member into which light can be introduced;

said cylindrical holding member has a first end and a second end;

a plurality of solar battery elements contained within said cylindrical holding member;

at least some of said plurality of solar battery elements are connected with each other;

a first electrolysis electrode;

said first electrolysis electrode is electrically connected to a first outer solar battery element and said first end with a first seal;

said first seal is liquid-tight;

a second electrolysis electrode;

said second electrolysis electrode is electrically connected to an opposite second outer solar battery element and said second end with a second seal;

said second seal is liquid-tight; and

said cylindrical holding member holding said plurality of solar battery elements in a cylindrical array which can be illuminated from any radial direction.

2. A solar battery module for a photoelectrolytic device according to claim 1, wherein;

said solar battery elements are substantially spherical.

3. A solar battery module for a photoelectrolytic device according to claim 1, wherein;

said solar battery elements are p-type semiconductors.

4. A solar battery module for a photoelectrolytic device according to claim 1, wherein;

said solar battery elements are n-type semiconductors.

5. A solar battery module for a photoelectrolytic device according to claim 1 wherein;

said solar battery elements are polycrystal semiconductors.

6. A solar battery module for a photoelectrolytic device according to claim 1, wherein;

said solar battery elements include a pn junction.

7. A solar battery module for a photoelectrolytic device according to claim 1, wherein;

said solar battery module is immersed in an electrolyte.

8. A solar battery module for a photoelectrolytic device according to claim 1, wherein;

a number of said solar battery elements is set according to a desired output voltage and a electrolysis voltage needed for an electrolyte.

9. A solar battery module for a photoelectrolytic device according to claim 1, wherein;

at least one of said first electrolysis electrode and second electrolysis electrode is coated with a catalytic metal coating to promote electrolysis.

10. A solar battery module for a photoelectrolytic device according to claim 1, wherein;

at least one of said first electrolysis electrode and second electrolysis electrode has a pointy tip to reduce overvoltage and to promote electrolysis.

11. A solar battery module for a photoelectrolytic device according to claim 1, wherein;

said solar battery module has a relay conductor interposed between at least one of said solar battery element.

12. A photoelectrolytic device comprising:

a container into which light can be introduced;

at least one partition member;

said at least one partition member partitioning said container into at least two distinct fluid isolated areas;

a plurality of solar battery modules piercingly attached to said at least one partition member;

said at least one partition member has a first surface and a second surface;

an electrolyte substantially filling said container;

each of said plurality of solar battery modules has an anode end and a cathode end;

said cathode end is exposed to said electrolyte between said container and said first surface;

said anode end is exposed to said electrolyte between said container and said second surface;

a first means for circulating said electrolyte between said container and said first surface to replenish said electrolyte as said electrolyte is electrolyzed;

a second means for circulating said electrolyte between said container and said second surface to replenish said electrolyte as said electrolyte is electrolyzed;

a first collecting means for collecting electrolysis products created at said anode end; and

a second collecting means for collecting electrolysis products created at said cathode end.

13. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 12, wherein;

each said solar battery module comprises;

a solar battery module for a photoelectrolytic device comprising;

a cylindrical holding member into which light can be introduced;

said cylindrical holding member has a first end and a second end;

a plurality of solar battery elements contained within said cylindrical holding member;

at least some of said plurality of solar battery elements are connected with each other;

a first electrolysis electrode;

said first electrolysis electrode is electrically connected to a first outer solar battery element and said first end with a first seal;

said first seal is liquid-tight;

a second electrolysis electrode;

said second electrolysis electrode is electrically connected to an opposite second outer solar battery element and said second end with a second seal;

said second seal is liquid-tight; and

said cylindrical holding member holding said plurality of solar battery elements in a cylindrical array which can be illuminated from any radial direction.

14. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said solar battery elements are substantially spherical.

15. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said solar battery elements are p-type semiconductors.

16. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said solar battery elements are n-type semiconductors.

17. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said solar battery elements include a pn junction.

18. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said solar battery modules are immersed in an electrolyte.

19. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

a number of said solar battery elements is set according to a desired output voltage and an electrolysis voltage needed for an electrolyte.

20. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

at least one of said first electrolysis electrode and second electrolysis electrode is coated with a catalytic metal coating to promote electrolysis.

21. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

at least one of said first electrolysis electrode and second electrolysis electrode has a pointy tip to reduce overvoltage and to promote electrolysis.

22. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said container permits light to enter from at least from above.

23. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said partition member is made of a polymer electrolyte.

24. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said polymer electrolyte is a hydrogen ion conductor.

25. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said container is glass.

26. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said at least one partition member is substantially circular;

said plurality of said solar battery modules are radially attached to said at least one partition member.

27. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said at least one partition member is a hydrogen ion-conducting polymer electrolyte.

28. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said at least one partition member is a positive ion-conducting polymer electrolyte.

29. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said at least one partition member is a negative ion-conducting polymer electrolyte.

30. A photoelectrolytic device according to claim 13, wherein;

said at least one partition members are removable.