Hydrogen generation system

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for generating hydrogen gas in an aqueous solution based electrolytic or galvanic cell wherein the cathode is made from aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In a preferred arrangement the cell is a galvanic cell and cathode is made from aluminum or aluminum alloy and the anode is made from magnesium or magnesium alloy.

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         35 . An apparatus for generating hydrogen gas from water, comprising a container containing a water based electrolyte, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode positioned in spaced relationship in said electrolyte in said container to provide a cell, a controlling electric circuit electrically interconnecting said electrodes, an accumulator space for collecting hydrogen generated by said system and wherein said cathode is formed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy, wherein said cell is an electrolytic cell and said controlling electric circuit applies potential to said electrodes to define said anode and cathode. 
     
     
         36 . An apparatus for generating hydrogen gas as defined in  claim 35 , wherein both said anode and cathode electrodes are made from aluminum or aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         37 . An apparatus for generating hydrogen gas as defined in  claim 36 , wherein said controlling electric circuit further comprises means to selectively simultaneously change said cathode to an anode and said anode to a cathode and vice versa. 
     
     
         38 . An apparatus for generating hydrogen gas as defined in  claim 35 , wherein said electrolyte is sodium chloride aqueous solution. 
     
     
         39 . An apparatus for generating hydrogen gas as defined in  claim 36 , wherein said electrolyte is sodium chloride aqueous solution. 
     
     
         40 . An apparatus for generating hydrogen gas as defined in  claim 35 , wherein said electrodes are in the form of a sandwich with an electrical insulating layer there between. 
     
     
         41 . An apparatus for generating hydrogen gas as defined in  claim 40 , wherein said sandwich is rolled up to a substantially cylindrical shape. wherein said sandwich is rolled up to a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         42 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 35 , wherein the controlling electric circuit includes an on-off switch. 
     
     
         43 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 36 , including a power source connected in series with the anode and cathode. 
     
     
         44 . An apparatus for generating hydrogen gas from water, comprising a container containing a water based electrolyte, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode positioned in spaced relationship of up to 6 mm in said electrolyte in said container to provide a cell, a controlling electric circuit electrically interconnecting said electrodes, an accumulator space for collecting hydrogen generated by said system and wherein said cathode is formed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         45 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 44 , wherein the electrolyte is seawater. 
     
     
         46 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 44 , wherein the electrolyte is sodium chloride aqueous solution of a concentration of 0.5 to 2 M. 
     
     
         47 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 44 , wherein the cell is an electrolytic cell including a power source connected in series with the anode and cathode, supplying applied current in the range of 20 to 80 mA for an electrode surface area of 13 cm 2 . 
     
     
         48 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 44 , wherein the anode is formed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy containing 98-99%/w of aluminum. 
     
     
         49 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 44 , wherein the anode and cathode are formed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy containing 98-99%/w of aluminum. 
     
     
         50 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 44 , wherein the spaced relationship is in the range of 3 to 6 mm. 
     
     
         51 . A method for generating hydrogen gas from water, comprising immersing an anode electrode and a cathode electrode formed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy, positioned in spaced relationship in a water based electrolyte to provide a cell, providing a controlling flow of electric current between said electrodes and collecting hydrogen generated, wherein said cell is an electrolytic cell and said anode is formed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         52 . A method as defined in  claim 51 , wherein the electrolyte is sodium chloride aqueous solution of a concentration of 0.5-2 M. 
     
     
         53 . A method as defined in any one of  claim 52 , wherein the spaced relationship is up to 6 mm. 
     
     
         54 . A method as defined in any one of  claim 52 , wherein the anode is formed of stainless steel, platinum aluminum or an aluminum alloy containing 98-99%/w of aluminum. 
     
     
         55 . A method as defined in  claim 53 , including the step of supplying applied current in the range of 20 to 80 mA. 
     
     
         56 . A method as defined in  claim 55 , wherein the anode and the cathode are formed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy containing 98-99%/w of aluminum. 
     
     
         57 . A method as defined in  claim 52 , wherein the spaced relationship is 3 to 6 mm. 
     
     
         58 . A method as defined in  claim 51 , effected at a temperature of 20 to 60° C.