Reduction of ice adhesion to land surfaces by electrolysis
First Claim
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1. A system for deicing a surface of a solid object, comprising:
- a first electrode contiguous with the surface;
a second electrode, separated from the first electrode by an interelectrode distance, wherein the first and second electrodes cover the surface;
an interelectrode space between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
a power source connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the power source is selected from the group consisting of a DC power source and a low-frequency AC power source.
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Abstract
A first electrode layer and a second electrode layer cover the surface of an object. The electrode layers are separated by a relatively large interelectrode distance, usually not exceeding 10 mm. Conductive ice or liquid water fills the interelectrode space between the electrodes, providing electrical connection of the electrodes. A DC or a low-frequency AC voltage is applied across the electrodes. The applied voltage causes electrolysis of water molecules at the electrodes, resulting in generation of hydrogen and oxygen gas bubbles. Optionally, a DC power supply generates sparks that ignite a mixture of the hydrogen and oxygen gases.
25 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for deicing a surface of a solid object, comprising:
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a first electrode contiguous with the surface;
a second electrode, separated from the first electrode by an interelectrode distance, wherein the first and second electrodes cover the surface;
an interelectrode space between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
a power source connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the power source is selected from the group consisting of a DC power source and a low-frequency AC power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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5. A system as claimed in 1, wherein the power source is capable of providing a current density in water at the electrodes in a range of from 0.1 to 10 mA/cm2.
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18. A method for deicing a surface of a solid object, comprising steps of:
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providing a first electrode contiguous with the surface;
providing a second electrode, separated from the first electrode by an interelectrode distance, wherein the first and second electrodes cover the surface and define an interelectrode space between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
applying a voltage differential between the first electrode and the second electrode to generate an electric current in water in the interelectrode space, wherein voltage is selected from the group consisting of a DC voltage and low-frequency AC voltage. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification