Bio-electrochemically assisted microbial reactor that generates hydrogen gas and methods of generating hydrogen gas
First Claim
1. A system for producing hydrogen, comprising:
- a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reaction chamber and an exterior of the reaction chamber;
an anode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber, wherein the anode is porous to a liquid containing an organic substrate for anodophilic bacteria and wherein the anode partitions the reaction chamber to define a first interior space and a second interior space;
a cathode at least partially contained within the second interior space of the reaction chamber, the cathode spaced apart at a distance in the range between 0.1-100 centimeters, inclusive, from the anode;
a conductive conduit for electrons in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode;
a power source for enhancing an electrical potential between the anode and cathode, the power source in electrical communication with the anode and cathode;
a first channel defining a passage from the exterior of the reaction chamber to the first interior space of the reaction chamber; and
a second channel defining a passage from the second interior space to the exterior of the reaction chamber, with the proviso that no separator is disposed between the anode and the cathode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and processes for producing hydrogen using bacteria are described. One detailed process for producing hydrogen uses a system for producing hydrogen as described herein, the system including a reactor. Anodophilic bacteria are disposed within the interior of the reactor and an organic material oxidizable by an oxidizing activity of the anodophilic bacteria is introduced and incubated under oxidizing reactions conditions such that electrons are produced and transferred to the anode. A power source is activated to increase a potential between the anode and the cathode, such that electrons and protons combine to produce hydrogen gas. One system for producing hydrogen includes a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reactor and an exterior of the reaction chamber. An anode is provided which is at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber and a cathode is also provided which is at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber. The cathode is spaced apart at a distance in the range between 0.1-100 centimeters, inclusive, from the anode. A conductive conduit for electrons is provided which is in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode and a power source for enhancing an electrical potential between the anode and cathode is included which is in electrical communication at least with the cathode. A first channel defining a passage from the exterior of the reaction chamber to the interior of the reaction chamber is also included.
49 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for producing hydrogen, comprising:
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a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reaction chamber and an exterior of the reaction chamber; an anode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber, wherein the anode is porous to a liquid containing an organic substrate for anodophilic bacteria and wherein the anode partitions the reaction chamber to define a first interior space and a second interior space; a cathode at least partially contained within the second interior space of the reaction chamber, the cathode spaced apart at a distance in the range between 0.1-100 centimeters, inclusive, from the anode; a conductive conduit for electrons in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode; a power source for enhancing an electrical potential between the anode and cathode, the power source in electrical communication with the anode and cathode; a first channel defining a passage from the exterior of the reaction chamber to the first interior space of the reaction chamber; and a second channel defining a passage from the second interior space to the exterior of the reaction chamber, with the proviso that no separator is disposed between the anode and the cathode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system for producing hydrogen, comprising:
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a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reaction chamber and an exterior of the reaction chamber; a plurality of anodophilic bacteria disposed in the reaction chamber; an anode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber; a cathode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber, the cathode having a surface disposed in the interior of the reaction chamber; an anion exchange material disposed in the interior of the reaction chamber and forming a barrier to movement of a gas between the anode and the cathode; a conductive conduit for electrons in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode; a power source for enhancing an electrical potential between the anode and cathode, the power source in electrical communication with the anode and cathode; and a first channel defining a passage from the exterior of the reaction chamber to the interior of the reaction chamber. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification