Apparatus and method for controlling nucleation during electrolysis

• US 8,172,990 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2010
• Issued: 05/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Green Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: McAlister, Roy E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilkins, III, Harry D
• Application Number:
  US12/707,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20100213050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 204/266
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46171 Cylindrical or tubular shaped
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 11/02 characterised by shape or form
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 11/03 perforated or foraminous
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 13/02 characterised by shape or form
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/19 with diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 43/08 Plants characterised by the engines using gaseous fuel generated in the plant from solid fuel, e.g. wood
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/33 using wind energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1059 Splitting sheet lamina in plane intermediate of faces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24322 Composite web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/26 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified physical dimension

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention an electrolytic cell is provided comprising: a containment vessel; 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 gas, wherein the gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; and a separator; wherein the first electrode is configured to control the location of nucleation of the gas by substantially separating the location of electron transfer and nucleation.

Claims

1. An electrolytic cell comprising:

a containment vessel;

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 gas, wherein the gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; and

a separator configured to permit liquid flow from one side of the separator to a second side of the separator;

wherein the separator comprises the first electrode and the first electrode comprises a first conductive material proximal to the source of electrical current and a dielectric material distal to the source of electrical current to control the location of nucleation of the gas by substantially separating the location of electron transfer and nucleation.

2. The electrolytic cell of claim 1 wherein first electrode further comprises a second conductive material proximal to the dielectric material and distal to the source of electrical current.

3. The electrolytic cell of claim 2 wherein the dielectric material comprises filaments.

4. The electrolytic cell of claim 3 wherein the dielectric material comprises a doped semiconductor.

5. The electrolytic cell of claim 3 wherein the dielectric material comprises carbon, silicon, carbon or boron nitride, or carbide.

6. The electrolytic cell of claim 2 wherein the separator further comprises a microorganism, and wherein the separator substantially retains the microorganism in a desired location.

7. An electrolytic cell comprising:

a containment vessel;

a first electrode wherein the first electrode comprises a topographical treatment to provide increased surface area wherein the topographical treatment comprises a topographical enhancement wherein the topographical enhancement comprises carbon, silicon, carbon or boron nitride, or carbide;

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 gas, wherein the gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; and

a separator;

wherein the first electrode is configured to control the location of nucleation of the gas by substantially separating the location of electron transfer and nucleation.

8. The electrolytic cell of claim 7 wherein the topographical treatment comprises sandblasting, knurling, or electroplating with a catalytic nucleation agent.

9. The electrolytic cell of claim 7 wherein the topographical enhancement comprises filaments.

10. The electrolytic cell of claim 7 wherein the topographical enhancement comprises a metal.

11. The electrolytic cell of claim 7 wherein the topographical enhancement comprises a doped semiconductor.

12. The electrolytic cell of claim 7 wherein the separator comprises the first electrode and the first electrode comprises a first conductive material proximal to the source of electrical current and a dielectric material distal to the source of electrical current.

13. The electrolytic cell of claim 12 wherein the first electrode further comprises a second conductive material proximal to the dielectric material and distal to the source of electrical current.

14. The electrolytic cell of claim 7 wherein the separator comprises the first electrode.

15. The electrolytic cell of claim 14 wherein the separator further comprises a microorganism, and wherein the separator substantially retains the microorganism in a desired location.

16. An electrolytic cell comprising:

a containment vessel;

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 gas, wherein the gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; and

a separator configured to permit liquid flow therethrough;

wherein the first electrode comprises a topographical enhancement to control the location of nucleation of the gas by substantially separating the location of electron transfer and nucleation.

17. The electrolytic cell of claim 16 wherein the topographical enhancement increases the surface area of the first electrode.

18. The electrolytic cell of claim 17 wherein the topographical enhancement comprises filaments.

19. The electrolytic cell of claim 18 wherein the topographical enhancement comprises a metal.

20. The electrolytic cell of claim 18 wherein the topographical enhancement comprises a doped semiconductor.

21. The electrolytic cell of claim 18 wherein the topographical enhancement comprises carbon, silicon, carbon or boron nitride, or carbide.

22. The electrolytic cell of claim 16 wherein the separator comprises the first electrode and the topographical enhancement comprises a first conductive material proximal to the source of electrical current and a dielectric material distal to the source of electrical current.

23. The electrolytic cell of claim 22 wherein the topographical enhancement further comprises a second conductive material proximal to the dielectric material and distal to the source of electrical current.

24. The electrolytic cell of claim 16 wherein the separator comprises the first electrode.

25. The electrolytic cell of claim 24 wherein the separator further comprises a microorganism, and wherein the separator substantially retains the microorganism in a desired location.