Electrochemical device for producing hydrogen

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrolytic device and apparatus comprising the same, where the electrolytic device includes a means for generating a first gas stream that is enriched with a first gas. In particular, the electrolytic device of the invention comprises a first tubular electrode and a second tubular electrode that is coaxially located within the first tubular electrode. The second tubular electrode comprises a plurality of orifices that is adapted to producing a first gas stream that is enriched with a first gas.

1 . An electrochemical device adapted for producing gas through electrolytic decomposition of a fluid, said device comprising:
 a first tubular electrode; and   a second tubular electrode located within the interior space of said first tubular electrode and arranged coaxially relative to said first tubular electrode,   
       wherein
 one of said first or said second tubular electrode is configured as a cathode and the other is configured as an anode; 
 the inner cross-sectional area of said first tubular electrode is greater than the outer cross-sectional area of said second tubular electrode; and 
 said second tubular electrode comprises a plurality of orifices along its length, wherein said plurality of orifices is adapted for producing a first gas stream that is enriched with a first gas within the inner space or the external space of said second tubular electrode. 
 
     
     
         2 . The electrochemical device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of orifices is adapted to produce the first gas stream that is enriched with said first gas within the inner space or exterior of said second tubular electrode. 
     
     
         3 . The electrochemical device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of orifices is adapted to produce said first gas stream within the inner space of said second tubular electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The electrochemical device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is adapted to produce said first gas stream within the exterior space of said second tubular electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The electrochemical device of  claim 1  further comprising a first gas outlet adapted to allow said first gas stream to be obtained through said first gas outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The electrochemical device of  claim 5 , wherein said first gas outlet is operative connected to the inner space of said second tubular electrode. 
     
     
         7 . The electrochemical device of  claim 5 , wherein said first gas outlet is operative connected to the external space of said second tubular electrode. 
     
     
         8 . The electrochemical device of  claim 1 , wherein said electrochemical device is further adapted to produce a second gas stream that is enriched with a second gas from the fluid. 
     
     
         9 . The electrochemical device of  claim 8 , wherein said electrochemical device further comprises a second gas outlet that is adapted to allow said second gas stream to be obtained through said second gas outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The electrochemical device of  claim 9 , wherein said device is adapted to produce said first or said second gas stream within the inner space of said second tubular electrode and to produce the other gas stream within the exterior space of said second tubular electrode. 
     
     
         11 . An electrochemical device for producing hydrogen from an aqueous electrolyte solution, said device comprising:
 a first tubular electrode; and   a second tubular electrode located within the interior space of said first tubular electrode and arranged coaxially relative to said first tubular electrode,   
       wherein
 one of said first or said second tubular electrode is configured as a cathode and the other is configured as an anode; 
 the inner cross-sectional area of said first tubular electrode is greater than the outer cross-sectional area of said second tubular electrode; and 
 said second tubular electrode comprises a plurality of orifices along its length, wherein said plurality of orifices is adapted for producing a hydrogen enriched gas stream within the inner space or the external space of said second tubular electrode. 
 
     
     
         12 . The electrochemical device of  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of orifices is adapted to produce a hydrogen gas enriched stream within the inner space of said second tubular electrode. 
     
     
         13 . The electrochemical device of  claim 12 , wherein said hydrogen enriched gas stream comprises at least 75% hydrogen. 
     
     
         14 . The electrochemical device of  claim 12 , wherein said device is further adapted to produce oxygen enriched gas stream within the exterior surface of said second tubular electrode. 
     
     
         15 . The electrochemical device of  claim 11 , wherein said device is adapted to produce said hydrogen enriched gas stream within the exterior space of said second tubular electrode. 
     
     
         16 . The electrochemical device of  claim 11  further comprising a gas outlet operatively connected to hydrogen enriched gas stream, wherein said gas outlet is adapted to allow hydrogen enriched gas stream to be obtained through said gas outlet. 
     
     
         17 . The electrochemical device of  claim 11 , wherein said second tubular electrode is a cathode. 
     
     
         18 . The electrochemical device of  claim 11  further comprising an electrolytic aqueous solution having a pH of about 11 or less. 
     
     
         19 . The electrochemical device of  claim 18 , wherein said electrolytic aqueous solution comprises about 7% or less of KOH. 
     
     
         20 . The electrochemical device of  claim 19 , wherein said electrolytic aqueous solution further comprises ascorbic acid; phosphoric acid; citric acid; acetic acid; sorbitol; potassium carbonate; propionic acid; sodium propionate; sucrose; lithium carbonate; lithium citrate; magnesium chloride; sodium teraborate; sodium acetate; sodium sulfate, or a combination thereof.