Claims
- 1. A method of operating an electrochemical cell system, comprising:
flowing supply water to an anode electrode of an electrolysis cell; applying a first current density to the electrolysis cell; electrolyzing the supply water at the anode electrode wherein hydrogen ions and a first portion water migrate to a cathode electrode of the electrolysis cell; collecting the first portion of water in a chamber in fluid communication with the cathode electrode; monitoring a first portion water level in the chamber; when the first portion water level attains a first selected level, decreasing the supply water flow to the anode electrode a sufficient amount to draw the first portion water from the chamber to the anode electrode; and electrolyzing the first portion water.
- 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising increasing the supply water flow to the anode electrode when the first portion water level decreases to a second selected level.
- 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising decreasing a current density applied to the electrolysis cell when the first portion water level attains the first selected level.
- 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising decreasing the current density until a hydraulic flux plus a back diffusion are greater than or equal to an electro-osmotic flux plus water electrolysis.
- 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising decreasing a current density applied to the electrolysis cell when the first portion water level attains the first selected level.
- 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising decreasing the current density until a hydraulic flux plus a back diffusion are greater than or equal to an electro-osmotic flux plus water electrolysis.
- 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising ceasing the supply water flow when the first portion water level attains the first selected level.
- 8. The method of claim 1, wherein flowing the supply water to the anode electrode is solely with gravity water feed.
- 9. An electrolysis system, comprising:
an electrolysis cell comprising a fluid accumulation chamber disposed in fluid communication with a cathode side of the electrolysis cell; a gravity feed water source disposed in fluid communication with an anode side of the electrochemical cell; a control valve disposed upstream of the electrolysis cell and downstream of the water source; and a level sensing unit disposed in the fluid accumulation chamber, wherein the level sensing unit is in operable communication with a power source and the control valve, and wherein the power source is in operable communication with the electrolysis cell.
- 10. The electrolysis system of claim 9, wherein all pumps and compressors are disposed downstream of the electrolysis cell.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This non-provisional application claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/379,448 filed May 10, 2002, and Provisional Patent Application No. 60/319,549, filed Sep. 13, 2002, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Provisional Applications (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60379448 |
May 2002 |
US |
|
60319549 |
Sep 2002 |
US |