Modular electrolysis device

Abstract

Disclosed is a modular apparatus for the electrical decomposition of water. It includes a number of modular electrolysis cells contained in a main housing unit that may further contain a refill mechanism and safety devices.

1 . A device for the electrolysis of water comprising:
 a plurality of electrodes for applying electrical current for the electrical decomposition of water wherein
 said electrodes are configured for at least partial submersion in an aqueous electrolyte solution, and said electrodes are also configured to receive a low voltage electrical current, for use in the generation of oxygen and hydrogen gas from the electrical decomposition of water; 
   an external power source for supplying direct current electrical energy to said electrodes;   a plurality of contact terminals for connecting said plurality of electrodes to said external power source;   a plurality of electrode housing cells mounted in a side-by-side array for housing said electrodes with said aqueous electrolyte solution, wherein said aqueous electrolyte solution contained in each of said electrode housing cells is isolated from said aqueous electrolyte solution contained in all other of said electrode housing cells;   at least one refill port in each of said electrode housing cell, for the addition of water to said electrode housing cell to replace water depleted by electrolysis;   at least one exhaust port located on each of said electrode housing cells for the release of generated oxygen and hydrogen from the electrical decomposition of water; and   distribution means for directing said generated gases to a point of use.   
     
     
         2 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 1 , wherein each of said electrodes are generally planar in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 1 , wherein in the current density between said electrodes is between 0.12 amps/square inch and 0.3 amps/square inch. 
     
     
         4 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are spaced no fewer than 0.125 inches apart to increase conductance by reducing distance and decrease resistance due to bubble interlocking. 
     
     
         5 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 1 , which further comprises at least one refill assembly comprising at least one level sensor, at least one refill reservoir, at least one valve controller, and at least one valve, in which said valve is opened to permit refill when said level sensor detects at least one predetermined activation level. 
     
     
         6 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 5 , wherein said refill assembly further comprises at least one pump. 
     
     
         7 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 1 , which further comprises a refill assembly comprising at least one refill reservoir, at least one timed controller, and at least one valve, in which said valve is opened to permit said electrode housing cell to refill when said timed controller reaches at least one predetermined timed interval. 
     
     
         8 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 1 , wherein said refill port is further comprised of at least one mechanical control unit for controlling said refill port. 
     
     
         9 . A device for the electrolysis of water comprising:
 a plurality of electrodes for applying electrical current for the electrical decomposition of water wherein
 said electrodes are configured for at least partial submersion in an aqueous electrolyte solution, and said electrodes are also configured to receive a low voltage electrical current for use in the generation of oxygen and hydrogen gas from the electrical decomposition of water; 
   an external power source for supplying direct current electrical energy to said electrodes;   a plurality of contact terminals for connecting said plurality of electrodes to said external power source;   a plurality of modular electrode housing cells mounted in a side-by-side array for housing said electrodes with said aqueous electrolyte solution, wherein
 each modular electrode housing cell is isolated from said aqueous-electrolyte solution contained in all other electrode housing cells, and 
 each modular electrode housing cell has at least one atmospheric isolation mechanism for isolating said modular electrode housing cell from atmospheric carbon dioxide; 
   at least one refill port in each modular electrode housing cell, for the addition of water to said modular electrode housing cell to replace water depleted by the electrical decomposition of water;   at least one exhaust port located on each said modular electrode housing cell for the release of generated oxygen and hydrogen from the electrical decomposition of water;   distribution means for directing said generated gases to a point of use; and   a main housing unit for containing said device in a single unit.   
     
     
         10 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 9 , wherein said atmospheric isolation mechanism comprises at least one lid, wherein said lid when positively attached to said modular electrode housing, forms an airtight seal on said modular electrode housing. 
     
     
         11 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 10 , wherein said atmospheric isolation mechanism further comprises said lid having at least one gasket comprising an electrolyte-corrosion-resistant material around the periphery of said lid. 
     
     
         12 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of electrodes are spaced no fewer than 0.125 inches apart to increase conductance by reducing distance and decrease resistance due to bubble interlocking. 
     
     
         13 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 9 , wherein the current density between said electrodes is between 0.12 amps/square inch and 0.3 amps/square inch. 
     
     
         14 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one refill assembly comprising at least one level sensor, at least one refill reservoir, at least one valve controller, and at least one valve, in which said valve is opened to permit refill when said level sensor senses water level at least one predetermined activation level. 
     
     
         15 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 14 , wherein said refill assembly further includes at least one pump. 
     
     
         16 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 9 , wherein said refill port further comprises at least one mechanical control unit for controlling said refill port. 
     
     
         17 . A device for the electrolysis of water comprised of:
 a plurality of electrodes for applying electrical current for the electrical decomposition of water wherein
 said electrodes are configured for at least partial submersion in an aqueous electrolyte solution, and said electrodes are also configured to receive a low voltage electrical current for use in the generation of oxygen and hydrogen gas from the electrical decomposition of water; 
   an external power source for supplying direct current electrical energy to said electrodes;   a plurality of contact terminals for connecting said plurality of electrodes to said external power source;   a plurality of modular electrode housing cells mounted in a side-by-side array for housing said electrodes with said aqueous electrolyte solution, wherein
 each modular electrode housing cell is isolated from said aqueous-electrolyte solution contained in all other electrode housing cells, and 
 each modular electrode housing cell has at least one atmospheric isolation mechanism; 
   at least one refill port in each modular electrode housing cell, for the addition of water to said modular electrode housing cell to replace water depleted by electrolysis;   at least one exhaust port located on each said modular electrode housing cell for the release of generated oxygen and hydrogen from said electrical decomposition of water;   distribution means for directing said generated gases to a point of use;   at least one safety device for increasing the safety of the electrical decomposition of water; and   a main housing unit for containing said device a single unit.   
     
     
         18 . A device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one safety device is comprised of at least one dry flashback arrester. 
     
     
         19 . A device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one safety device is comprised of at least one wet flashback arrester. 
     
     
         20 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of electrodes are spaced no fewer than 0.125 inches apart to increase conductance by reducing distance and decrease resistance due to bubble interlocking. 
     
     
         21 . The device for the electrolysis of  claim 17 , wherein in the current density between said electrodes is between 0.12 amps/square inch and 0.3 amps/square inch. 
     
     
         22 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one refill assembly comprising at least one level sensor, at least one refill reservoir, at least one valve controller, and at least one valve, in which said valve is opened to permit refill when said level sensor senses water level at least one predetermined activation level. 
     
     
         23 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 22 , wherein said refill assembly further includes at least one pump. 
     
     
         24 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 17 , wherein said atmospheric isolation mechanism comprises
 said modular electrode housing further comprising at least one lid, wherein said lid when positively attached to said modular electrode housing, forms an airtight seal on said modular electrode housing.   
     
     
         25 . The device for the electrolysis of water of  claim 24 , wherein said atmospheric isolation mechanism further comprises said lid having at least one gasket comprising an electrolyte-corrosion-resistant material contiguously spaced the periphery of said lid.