System and Method of Hydrogen and Oxygen Production

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus and method for producing hydrogen and oxygen gas from an aqueous liquid utilizing a direct current power source. The apparatus utilizes an outer reaction chamber having a plurality of cathodes therein and an inner reaction chamber having an anode disposed therein. A direct current power source capable of supplying a pulsed output waveform is connected between the plurality of cathodes and the anode, thereby initiating a electrolytic reaction at the cathodes and anode and further, creating a pyrolitic reaction proximate the anode for enhanced liberation of hydrogen gas.

1 . An apparatus for producing hydrogen and oxygen gas from an aqueous liquid utilizing a direct current power source comprising: 
 an outer chamber containing said aqueous liquid;    an inner chamber disposed within said outer chamber and in fluid communication therewith;    a plurality of cathodes positioned in said outer chamber at a plurality of points;    a single anode positioned within said inner chamber; and    wherein said direct current power source is electrically connected between said plurality of cathodes and said anode thereby initiating an electrolytic reaction within said inner chamber causing hydrogen gas and oxygen gas production.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of cathodes are substantially equidistant from said anode.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an outlet port in said inner chamber whereby the hydrogen produced therein may be vented.    
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said inner and outer chambers are substantially cylindrical.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the cylindrical inner chamber comprises an open end in fluid communication with said outer chamber and wherein said anode is positioned proximate the open end such that hydrogen gas produced proximate said anode rises through said cylindrical inner chamber and exits through the outlet port therein.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said inner and outer chambers are substantially spherical.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising an outlet port in said outer chamber whereby oxygen produced therein may be vented.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a condenser in fluid communication with an upper portion of said inner chamber for removing residual moisture from the hydrogen gas produced therein.    
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising: 
 a condenser in fluid communication with an upper portion of said outer chamber for removing residual moisture from the oxygen gas produced therein.    
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said direct current power source supplies a pulsed direct current output to said apparatus.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said pulsed direct current output comprises a square wave output.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said pulsed direct current output comprises a saw tooth wave output.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said pulsed direct current output is half-wave rectified alternating current.  
   
   
       14 . A method for producing hydrogen from an aqueous liquid utilizing a direct current power source comprising the steps of: 
 providing an outer chamber for containing said aqueous liquid;    providing an inner chamber disposed within said outer chamber and in fluid communication therewith;    providing a plurality of cathodes disposed at a plurality of points within said outer chamber;    providing an anode disposed within said inner chamber; and    connecting said direct current power source between said anode and said plurality of cathodes whereby direct current flows from said cathodes to said anode, thereby initiating a reaction proximate said anode, a product of which is hydrogen.    
   
   
       15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said direct current power source supplies a pulsed direct current output to said apparatus.  
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said pulsed direct current output comprises a square wave output.  
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said pulsed direct current output comprises a saw tooth wave output.  
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said pulsed direct current output is half-wave rectified alternating current.  
   
   
       19 . A method for producing hydrogen from an aqueous liquid as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said reaction proximate said anode is an electrolytic reaction.  
   
   
       20 . A method for producing hydrogen from an aqueous liquid as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said reaction proximate said anode further comprises a pyrolitic reaction.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus for producing hydrogen gas and oxygen gas from an aqueous liquid utilizing a high voltage electrical discharge power source comprising: 
 an outer chamber containing said aqueous liquid;    an inner chamber disposed within said outer chamber and in fluid communication therewith;    a plurality of Tesla coils positioned in said outer chamber at a plurality of points;    a single ground terminal positioned within said inner chamber; and    wherein said power source is electrically connected to said plurality of Tesla coils thereby initiating a periodic electrical discharge from said coils to said ground terminal causing an electrolytic reaction within said inner chamber that liberates hydrogen gas and oxygen gas from said aqueous liquid.    
   
   
       22 . An apparatus for producing hydrogen and oxygen from an aqueous liquid as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said outer chamber and said inner chamber are cylindrical.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus for producing hydrogen and oxygen from an aqueous liquid as claimed in  claim 22  wherein said outer chamber and said inner chamber are spherical.