Electrolyzer apparatus and method of making it
First Claim
1. An apparatus for the electrolytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen gases, the apparatus comprising:
- a first hemi-enclosure;
a second hemi-enclosure that is separable from and not integral with the first hemi-enclosure;
a diaphragm electrode array positioned between the first hemi-enclosure and the second hemi-enclosure comprising;
a diaphragm, that passes ions and impedes the passage of gases, comprising a first side and a second opposed side;
a first plurality of electrodes in the vicinity of the first side of the diaphragm;
a second plurality of electrodes in the vicinity of the second opposed side of the diaphragm;
a fastener, for leak-tight fastening of the first hemi-enclosure, the diaphragm electrode array, and the second hemi-enclosure, whereby a leak-tight enclosure is formed;
contacts, for electrically contacting the first and second pluralities of electrodes; and
pathways, configured to separately remove hydrogen and oxygen gases from the enclosure, the pathways including;
a first headspace comprising a barrier associated with the first hemi-enclosure that is impermeable to ions, gases, and water;
a first pipe communicatively-coupled to the first headspace that receives gas generated within the first headspace and routes that received gas;
outside of the first hemi-enclosure and the first headspace;
then back inside of the first hemi-enclosure;
then through a substantial portion of fluid contained within the first hemi-enclosure; and
then back outside of the first hemi-enclosure through a bottom portion of the first hemi-enclosure;
a second headspace comprising a barrier associated with the second hemi-enclosure that is impermeable to ions, gases, and water;
a second pipe communicatively-coupled to the second headspace that receives gas generated within the second headspace and routes that received gas;
outside of the second hemi-enclosure and the second headspace;
then back inside of the second hemi-enclosure;
then through a substantial portion of fluid contained within the second hemi-enclosure; and
then back outside of the second hemi-enclosure through a bottom portion of the second hemi-enclosure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for the electrolytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen gases is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: (i) a first hemi-enclosure; (ii) a second hemi-enclosure; (iii) a diaphragm electrode array positioned between the first hemi-enclosure and the second hemi-enclosure comprising: (a) a diaphragm, that passes ions and impedes the passage of gases, comprising a first side and a second opposed side; (b) a first plurality of electrodes in a first vicinity of the first side of the diaphragm; and (c) a second plurality of electrodes in a second vicinity of the second opposed side of the diaphragm; (iv) a fastener, for leak-tight fastening of the first hemi-enclosure, the diaphragm electrode array, and the second hemi-enclosure, whereby a leak-tight enclosure is formed; (v) contacts, for electrically powering the first and second pluralities of electrodes, and; (vi) pathways, configured to remove hydrogen and oxygen gases from the enclosure.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus for the electrolytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen gases, the apparatus comprising:
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a first hemi-enclosure; a second hemi-enclosure that is separable from and not integral with the first hemi-enclosure; a diaphragm electrode array positioned between the first hemi-enclosure and the second hemi-enclosure comprising; a diaphragm, that passes ions and impedes the passage of gases, comprising a first side and a second opposed side; a first plurality of electrodes in the vicinity of the first side of the diaphragm; a second plurality of electrodes in the vicinity of the second opposed side of the diaphragm; a fastener, for leak-tight fastening of the first hemi-enclosure, the diaphragm electrode array, and the second hemi-enclosure, whereby a leak-tight enclosure is formed; contacts, for electrically contacting the first and second pluralities of electrodes; and pathways, configured to separately remove hydrogen and oxygen gases from the enclosure, the pathways including; a first headspace comprising a barrier associated with the first hemi-enclosure that is impermeable to ions, gases, and water; a first pipe communicatively-coupled to the first headspace that receives gas generated within the first headspace and routes that received gas; outside of the first hemi-enclosure and the first headspace; then back inside of the first hemi-enclosure; then through a substantial portion of fluid contained within the first hemi-enclosure; and then back outside of the first hemi-enclosure through a bottom portion of the first hemi-enclosure; a second headspace comprising a barrier associated with the second hemi-enclosure that is impermeable to ions, gases, and water; a second pipe communicatively-coupled to the second headspace that receives gas generated within the second headspace and routes that received gas; outside of the second hemi-enclosure and the second headspace; then back inside of the second hemi-enclosure; then through a substantial portion of fluid contained within the second hemi-enclosure; and then back outside of the second hemi-enclosure through a bottom portion of the second hemi-enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11)
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8. An electrolysis apparatus for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen gases using electrolysis, the electrolysis apparatus comprising:
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a first hemi-enclosure; a second hemi-enclosure that is separable from and not integral with the first hemi-enclosure; a diaphragm electrode array positioned between the first hemi-enclosure and the second hemi-enclosure comprising; a diaphragm, that passes ions and impedes the passage of gases, comprising a first side and a second opposed side; a first plurality of wire electrodes in the vicinity of the first side of the diaphragm, wherein the wires emerge from the apparatus in a first interface defined by abutting edges of the first hemi-enclosure and the first side of the diaphragm to form a first plurality of electrical wire contacts that are external to the apparatus; a second plurality of wire electrodes in the vicinity of the second opposed side of the diaphragm, wherein the wires emerge from the apparatus in a second interface defined by abutting edges of the second hemi-enclosure and the second side of the diaphragm to form a second plurality of electrical wire contacts that are external to the apparatus; a fastener that fastens the first hemi-enclosure, the diaphragm electrode array and the second hemi-enclosure together so as to form a leak-tight enclosure; a first pipe configured to remove the hydrogen gas from the enclosure, but not the oxygen gas; and a second pipe configured to remove the oxygen gas from the enclosure, but not the hydrogen gas. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 12)
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Specification