Electrolyzer apparatus and method of making it

• US 8,888,968 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2014
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GTA, Inc.
• Original Assignee: GTA, Inc.
• Inventors: Greenbaum, Elias Stanley
• Primary Examiner(s): Ripa, Bryan D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Brian W
• Application Number:
  US14/178,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20140202878A1
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• Field of Search: 204/252, 204/295, 205628-639, 205252-266, 205/282
• US Class Current: 204/282
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46104 Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46115 Electrolytic cell with membranes or diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/04 by electrolysis of water
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 11/02 characterised by shape or form
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 13/00 Diaphragms; Spacing elements
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 13/02 characterised by shape or form
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/00 Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/19 with diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/73 of the filter-press type
• 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: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4911 including sealing

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.

Claims

1. A method for making a diaphragm electrode array using a continuous length of an electrically-conductive wire and a diaphragm, the diaphragm having opposing and substantially planar surfaces, an opposing set of perimeter edges, and being made of a material that passes ions and impedes the passage of gas through the opposing surfaces, the method comprising in the order recited:

progressively winding the wire repeatedly around the diaphragm and its opposing set of perimeter edges so as to create substantially straight wire segments spaced-apart from one another across the opposing surfaces of the diaphragm, each substantially-straight wire segment abutting a surface of the diaphragm and having opposing ends that each cross over a perimeter edge of the diaphragm;

after the progressive winding, affixing each end of each wire segment to the surface of the diaphragm that it abuts at a perimeter edge of the diaphragm; and

trimming each end of the wire that crosses over a perimeter edge of the diaphragm,

whereby a diaphragm electrode array for use in an electrolyzer apparatus is made.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising mounting the diaphragm on a wire-applying machine before the winding and using the wire-applying machine to perform the winding.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the affixing is performed by sandwiching the diaphragm with the substantially straight abutting wire segments between two hemi-enclosures and by fastening the two hemi-enclosures together.

4. A method for making a diaphragm electrode array using two continuous lengths of an electrically-conductive wire and a diaphragm, the diaphragm having opposing and substantially planar surfaces, an opposing set of perimeter edges, and made of a material that passes ions and impedes the passage of gas through the opposing surfaces, the method comprising:

progressively winding one of the wires in a serpentine pattern that includes substantially-straight wire segments spaced across one surface of the diaphragm, each wire segment abutting one surface of the diaphragm and having opposing ends that each constitute part of a loop that extends beyond a perimeter edge of the diaphragm;

progressively winding the other wire in a serpentine pattern that includes substantially-straight wire segments spaced across the other surface of the diaphragm, each wire segment abutting the other surface of the diaphragm and having opposing ends that each constitute part of a loop that extends beyond a perimeter edge of the diaphragm;

after the progressive windings, affixing each end of each wire segment to the surface of the diaphragm that it abuts at a perimeter edge of the diaphragm,

whereby a diaphragm electrode array for use in an electrolyzer apparatus is made.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising mounting the diaphragm on a wire-applying machine before the windings and using the wire-applying machine to perform the windings.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the affixing is performed by sandwiching the diaphragm with the substantially-straight abutting wire segments between two hemi-enclosures and by fastening the two hemi-enclosures together.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein each progressive winding includes looping each loop around a guide post.

8. The method of claim 4 further comprising trimming each loop of the wire at a perimeter edge.