Deep water generation of compressed hydrogen

Abstract

A hydrogen generation vessel within which a reduction plate generates hydrogen by electrolysis of sea water. The hydrogen generation vessel operates at deep ocean levels to provide unexpected advantages. The operating depth is not limited because the hydrogen generation vessel includes openings at or near the bottom, and no pressure differential exists across the vessel walls. Pressure inside and outside are the same, and are determined by the depth at which the hydrogen generation vessel is positioned. Electrolysis, collection, and storage (temporary) take place in the same container. Since the hydrogen pressure is the same as the water pressure at the same depth, the hydrogen is pumped by simply opening a valve.

1 . A hydrogen generation vessel that is used to generate hydrogen gas from flowing conductive water at a pressure greater than one atmosphere and to collect said hydrogen gas comprising:
 a hollow container
 that includes a reduction plate which
 is disposed inside said hollow container, and 
 produces hydrogen by electrolysis of said flowing conductive water; 
 
 that includes one or more openings at predetermined locations in the lower 50% of said hollow container's volume
 such that water inside said hollow container and water outside said hollow container are in fluid contact, and 
 pressure inside said hollow container and pressure outside said hollow container are equalized; 
 
 a conductive wire that attaches to said reduction plate; 
 a means for holding at least 80% of said hollow container's volume beneath the surface of said flowing conductive water. 
   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where said conductive wire is further attached to a negative terminal of an electrical generator. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus in  claim 2  where said electrical generator is joined to an apparatus that captures kinetic energy from said flowing conductive water. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus in  claim 3  where said apparatus includes rotating disks and current catchers that are moveably attached to said rotating disks. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus in  claim 4  where said current catchers are held open by restraints when said current catchers move in the same direction as said flowing conductive water. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus in  claim 5  where said current catchers are not held open by restraints when said current catchers move in the opposite direction as said flowing conductive water. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where said flowing conductive water comprises an ocean current. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where any portion of said hollow container is located more than 5 meters below the surface of said flowing conductive water. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where said means for holding includes any one selected from anchors, cables attached to the ocean floor or heavy objects thereon, spacing beams, and said hollow container's weight. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus in  claim 1  where said hydrogen generation vessel further includes a valve which can be opened to transport pressurized said hydrogen gas from said hydrogen generation vessel through piping. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus in  claim 10  where said piping includes twists, turns, rough surfaces, screens, or packing material that remove entrained water from said hydrogen. 
   
   
       12 . A method of generating and collecting hydrogen at a pressure of more than one atmosphere comprising:
 placing a hydrogen generating vessel below the surface of flowing conductive water,
 such that at least 80% of said hydrogen generating vessel is beneath the surface of said flowing conductive water; 
   including a reduction plate inside said hydrogen generating vessel that produces said hydrogen by electrolysis of said flowing conductive water;   connecting said reduction plate to the negative output of an electrical generator;   capturing kinetic energy from said flowing conductive water;   converting said kinetic energy into rotational energy; and   turning said electrical generator with said rotational energy.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  where said capturing and said converting are accomplished with rotating disks. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising current catchers that are moveably attached to said rotating disks. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  where said current catchers are open when moving in the same direction as said flowing conductive water and said kinetic energy is being captured. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  where said current catchers are folded when moving in the opposite direction as said flowing conductive water and said kinetic energy is not being captured. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  where any portion of a hollow container, which defines the volume of said hydrogen generating vessel, is located more than five meters below the surface of said flowing conductive water. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12  where said hydrogen generating vessel is held beneath said surface of said flowing conductive water with any one selected from anchors, cables attached to the ocean floor or heavy objects thereon, spacing beams, and inherent structural weight. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12  where said flowing conductive water comprises an ocean current. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12  where said hydrogen generation vessel includes a hollow container with one or more openings at predetermined locations in the lower 50% of said hollow container's volume such that
 water inside said hollow container and water outside said hollow container are in fluid contact, and   pressure inside said hollow container and pressure outside said hollow container are equalized.