Apparatus and method for gas capture during electrolysis
First Claim
1. An electrolytic cell comprising:
- a containment vessel configured for pressurization;
a first electrode;
a second electrode;
a source of electrical current in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode;
an electrolyte in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode;
a first gas, wherein the first gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode;
a second gas, wherein the second gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the second electrode;
a separator wherein the separator comprises the first electrode;
a first gas collection vessel; and
a second gas collection vessel,wherein the separator includes a first inclined surface to direct flow of the electrolyte and the first gas due to a difference between density of the electrolyte and combined density of the electrolyte and the first gas such that the gas substantially flows in a direction distal the second electrode and towards the first gas collection vessel, and wherein the separator includes an second inclined surface to direct flow of the electrolyte and the second gas due to a difference between density of the electrolyte and combined density of the electrolyte and the second gas such that the gas substantially flows in a direction distal the first electrode and towards the second gas collection vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment of the present invention an electrolytic cell is provided comprising: a containment vessel configured for pressurization; a first electrode; a second electrode; a source of electrical current in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; an electrolyte in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; a first gas, wherein the first gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; a second gas, wherein the second gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the second electrode; a separator; a first gas collection vessel; and a second gas collection vessel, wherein the separator includes a first inclined surface to direct flow of the electrolyte and the first gas due to a difference between density of the electrolyte and combined density of the electrolyte and the first gas such that the gas substantially flows in a direction distal the second electrode and towards the first gas collection vessel, and wherein the separator includes an second inclined surface to direct flow of the electrolyte and the second gas due to a difference between density of the electrolyte and combined density of the electrolyte and the second gas such that the gas substantially flows in a direction distal the first electrode and towards the second gas collection vessel.
78 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An electrolytic cell comprising:
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a containment vessel configured for pressurization; a first electrode; a second electrode; a source of electrical current in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; an electrolyte in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; a first gas, wherein the first gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; a second gas, wherein the second gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the second electrode; a separator wherein the separator comprises the first electrode; a first gas collection vessel; and a second gas collection vessel, wherein the separator includes a first inclined surface to direct flow of the electrolyte and the first gas due to a difference between density of the electrolyte and combined density of the electrolyte and the first gas such that the gas substantially flows in a direction distal the second electrode and towards the first gas collection vessel, and wherein the separator includes an second inclined surface to direct flow of the electrolyte and the second gas due to a difference between density of the electrolyte and combined density of the electrolyte and the second gas such that the gas substantially flows in a direction distal the first electrode and towards the second gas collection vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An electrolytic cell comprising:
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a containment vessel configured for pressurization; a first electrode; a second electrode; a source of electrical current in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; an electrolyte in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; a first gas, wherein the first gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; a separator wherein the separator comprises the first electrode; and a first gas collection vessel, wherein the separator includes an inclined surface to direct flow of the electrolyte and the first gas due to a difference between density of the electrolyte and combined density of the electrolyte and the first gas such that the gas substantially flows in a direction distal the second electrode and towards the first gas collection vessel. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of improving the efficiency of an electrolytic cell comprising:
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providing an electrolytic cell; performing electrolysis in the electrolytic cell wherein a first gas and a second gas is produced in the electrolytic cell during the electrolysis; separating the first gas and the second gas with a separator wherein the separator comprises an electrode; providing a first gas collection vessel distinct from the electrolytic cell and in fluid communication with the electrolytic cell; capturing the first gas in the first gas collection vessel prior to substantial expansion of the first gas; expanding the first gas; capturing work generated from the expansion of the first gas; providing a second gas collection vessel distinct from the electrolytic cell and in fluid communication with the electrolytic cell; capturing the second gas in the second gas collection vessel prior to substantial expansion of the second gas; expanding the second gas; and capturing work generated from the expansion of the second gas. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of improving the efficiency of an electrolytic cell comprising:
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providing an electrolytic cell; performing electrolysis in the electrolytic cell wherein a gas is produced in the electrolytic cell during the electrolysis; separating the first gas and the second gas with a separator wherein the separator comprises an electrode; providing a gas collection vessel distinct from the electrolytic cell and in fluid communication with the electrolytic cell; capturing the gas in the gas collection vessel prior to substantial expansion of the gas; expanding the gas; and capturing work generated from the expansion of the gas. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification