Novel electrochemical method for producing hydrogen, and device for implementing same

Abstract

An electrolysis device including a bioanode and a cathode catalyst, a method for implementing the same, and the use thereof for producing hydrogen.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An electrolysis device comprising:
 a cathode immersed in an electrolytic solution comprising at least one weak acid and the pH of which is comprised between 4 and 9;   an anode immersed in an electrolytic solution capable of forming an electrochemically active biofilm at the surface of the anode, and comprising at least one biodegradable organic compound capable of being oxidized at the anode,   such that the cathode is or comprises a material selected from conducting polymers, either oxidized forms or not of Fe, Cr, Ni or Mo, and their different alloys, notably stainless steel, notably 304L, 316L, 254 SMO steels.   
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein said electrolytic solution in which the cathode is immersed and said electrolytic solution in which the anode is immersed, are identical. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein said electrolytic solution in which the cathode is immersed, comprises at least one weak acid with a pH comprised between 7 and 8.5. 
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein said electrolytic solution in which the anode is immersed, comprises one or several micro-organisms or consortia of micro-organisms stemming from natural media, known to form electrochemically active biofilms at the surface of the anode. 
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein said micro-organism(s) is/are sown in said electrolyte solution. 
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein said sowing is achieved by adding one or more inocula selected from muds of water effluents, marine sediments, biofilms, composts or pure micro-organism cultures. 
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein the electrolytic solution in which the anode is immersed, contains marine sediments or contains a saline concentration, similar to that of seawater. 
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein said weak acid is selected from one or more acids from the group comprising orthophosphoric acid, hydrogenphosphate, dihydrogenphosphate, lactic acid, gluconic acid and/or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein the concentration of the weak acid is comprised between 0.1 mole per liter and the solubility of said acid in the electrolytic solution in which the cathode is immersed. 
     
     
         28 . The device according to  claim 19 , such that said electrolytic solution in which the cathode is immersed and said electrolytic solution in which the anode is immersed, are distinct and separated by a separator element between the anodic and cathodic compartments allowing migration of the ions between said compartments. 
     
     
         29 . The device according to  claim 28  selected from a proton exchange membrane (PEM), a cationic membrane, a ceramic, an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane, an anion exchange membrane (AEM), a bipolar membrane or further a simple polymeric separator (gas). 
     
     
         30 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein said biodegradable organic compound capable of being oxidized is a natural or synthetic organic compound or derived from biomass. 
     
     
         31 . The device according to  claim 30 , wherein the organic compound capable of being oxidized is selected from the group comprising acetic acid or an acetate. 
     
     
         32 . The device according to  claim 19 , comprising a means or means for collecting the hydrogen formed. 
     
     
         33 . The device according to  claim 19 , such that the material of the anode is selected from carbon, graphite, stainless steel, nickel, platinum, DSA (dimensionally stable anode). 
     
     
         34 . An electrochemical method for the synthesis of hydrogen comprising the application of a device according to  claim 19 , wherein the anode and the cathode are connected to two opposite terminals of a current or potential source. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein either one or both of the electrodes are biased beforehand. 
     
     
         36 . An installation comprising a device according to  claim 19 .