Patent Application
20200024756
The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for producing hydrogen. In particular, the present disclosure describes embodiments which utilize one or more vortex reactors configured to generate vortical fluid flows to provide effective electrolysis of water into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.
Electrolytic separation of water into hydrogen and oxygen is well known. Typically, a DC electrical power source is connected to two electrodes, or two plates, which are placed in the water. Hydrogen gas (H2) forms at the negatively charged cathode where electrons (e) enter the water and reduce hydrogen to form hydrogen gas. Oxygen gas (O2) forms at the positively charged anode, which receives electrons (e) from the water by oxidizing oxygen to form oxygen gas. Assuming ideal faradaic efficiency, the amount of hydrogen generated is twice the amount of oxygen, and both are proportional to the total electrical charge conducted by the solution. However, in many cells competing side reactions occur, resulting in different products and less than ideal faradaic efficiency.
The present disclosure relates to the production of hydrogen gas through the electrolysis of water using a vortex reactor. Embodiments described herein beneficially utilize vortical flow to achieve a rotating mass of electrolytic fluid through which a direct current is passed. The electrolysis of water molecules will occur at the interface between the fluid and the anode and the interface between the fluid and the cathode. With a suitable electrolyte, hydrogen will appear at the cathode and oxygen will appear at the anode. Centripetal and centrifugal as well as magnetic forces and unique geometrical arrangements are exploited to facilitate the rapid separation and collection of the two separate gas streams within a single reactor.
In one embodiment, a vortex reactor includes a reactor body having a first end and a second end. One or more inlet ports are disposed at or near the first end and are configured to direct an electrolytic fluid into the reactor body so that the fluid moves away from the first end and toward the second end of the reactor. The inlet ports can be tangentially oriented with respect to an inner surface of the reactor body so that the fluid directed into the reactor body follows a vortical path as the fluid moves toward the second end. The reactor also includes an anode disposed at or near the first end, and a tubular cathode disposed within the reactor body between the first and second ends. The cathode is disposed so that the vortical path of the fluid contacts an inner surface of the cathode as the fluid moves toward the second end. When power is supplied to the anode and cathode, the operating reactor causes hydrogen gas to form at the cathode and oxygen gas to form at the anode. The vortical path of the moving fluid functions to shear the forming gases to enable effective collection of the gases.
In some embodiments, the anode is configured as a disk or ring disposed at the first end of the reactor. In other embodiments, the anode has a tubular shape extending from the first end of the reactor upwards toward the tubular cathode. In some embodiments, the tubular anode and the tubular cathode may join together to form a contiguous tube structure within the reactor (but with the tubular anode and cathode being electrically insulated from each other, except for the water surrounding them). The vortical path of the moving reactor fluid contacts the inner surface of the combined anode/cathode structure to shear the generated bubbles.
In certain embodiments, magnetic fields are utilized to influence bubble size and bubble size distribution, preferably by minimizing both. One or more magnetic elements are disposed so as to apply the Lorentz force in a manner that increases bubble detachment activity at both the cathode-fluid interface and the anode-fluid interface. Beneficially, embodiments enable rapid bubble detachment from electrode surfaces. The more rapidly gas bubbles detach from the surface of the electrodes, the greater the net surface area available for current to pass and thus the greater the current density. This greater current density enhances the electrolysis of the water. Removal of gas bubbles from the electrodes also reduces resistance between the electrodes and water, increasing efficiency of hydrolysis.
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. Embodiments of the disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The present disclosure relates to the production of hydrogen gas through the electrolysis of water using a vortex reactor. Embodiments described herein beneficially utilize vortical flow to achieve a rotating mass of electrolytic fluid through which a direct current is passed. The electrolysis of water molecules will occur at the interface between the fluid and the anode and the interface between the fluid and the cathode. With a suitable electrolyte, hydrogen will appear at the cathode and oxygen will appear at the anode. Centripetal and centrifugal as well as magnetic forces and unique geometrical arrangements are exploited to facilitate the rapid separation and collection of the two separate gas streams within a single reactor.
Magnetic fields (e.g., generated by permanent magnets) are utilized in some embodiments to influence bubble size and bubble size distribution, preferably by minimizing both. One or more magnetic elements are disposed so as to apply the Lorentz force in a manner that increases bubble detachment activity at both the cathode-fluid interface and the anode-fluid interface. Beneficially, embodiments enable rapid bubble detachment from electrode surfaces. The more rapidly gas bubbles detach from the surface of the electrodes, the greater the net surface area available for current to pass and thus the greater the current density. This greater current density enhances the electrolysis of the water. Removal of gas bubbles from the electrodes also reduces resistance between the electrodes and water, increasing efficiency of hydrolysis.
Although preferred vortex reactor embodiments for generating hydrogen gas through electrolysis are described herein, other exemplary vortex reactor configurations which may be utilized to effectively generate hydrogen gas are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/170,298, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.
Further, while the illustrated embodiments are described with particular anode and cathode positions, it will be understood that the anode/cathode positions may be switched or rearranged as desired according to particular application needs. For example, the relative positions of the anode and cathode may be swapped in certain embodiments such that the cathode is positioned below the anode.
As illustrated, inlet ports 102 are oriented so as to receive the reactor fluid mixture at an angle that is tangential or substantially tangential to an inner surface of the reactor body 108. The orientation of the inlet ports 102 causes the incoming fluid to form a vortex as it advances into reactor body 108. The generated vortex causes the fluid mixture to be subjected to centripetal and/or centrifugal forces along the trajectory of the vortex. Additionally, or alternatively, reactor 100 can include a pump, turbine and/or impeller assembly, or other fluid movement means configured to form and/or strengthen the vortex.
The illustrated embodiment includes two inlet ports 102 disposed at the first end 104. Other embodiments may include one inlet port or may include more than two inlet ports. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 104 and the associated inlet ports 102 are disposed at the bottom of a vertically oriented reactor body 108, and the vortex that results from reactor operation therefore rises vertically toward the second end 106. In other embodiments, one or more inlet ports may be disposed on an upper end of a vertically oriented reactor body, allowing for a downflow vortex during operation of the reactor. In yet other embodiments, a reactor body may be oriented horizontally, or diagonally, and one or more inlet ports can be configured to provide a horizontally or diagonally moving vortex. The orientation of the reactor 100 with respect to gravity may therefore be configured according to preferences and/or particular application needs.
In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more inlet ports 102 are configured to deliver fluid at an angle that is tangential to the inner surface of the reactor body 108. The illustrated inlet ports 102 are angled to be substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the reactor 100 (i.e., are not angled upwards toward second end 106 or downwards toward the first end 102). In other embodiments, one or more of the inlet ports 102 are configured to deliver fluid at an upward angle or downward angle (e.g., at an angle opening toward second end 106 or toward first end 102). The angle at which an inlet port is directed can be adjusted to provide one or more desired features to fluid flow within the reactor 100. For example, relatively higher inlet angles can generate a vortex that has a lower angular velocity and which rises to the second end 106 in less relative time. On the other hand, relatively lower inlet angles can generate a vortex that has a higher angular velocity and which rises toward the second end 106 in more relative time. Such angles can advantageously alter the fluid dynamics within the reactor to provide desired pressures, mixing effects, and/or other fluid flow dynamics.
In embodiments where a plurality of inlet ports 102 are included, the tangentially arranged inlet ports 102 may be configured so that at least one inlet port is asymmetrically aligned with at least one other inlet port to provide beneficial mixing of inflowing reactor fluid in at least the initial inflow region of the reactor 100. Such asymmetrical alignment provides a more turbulent initial flow, allowing advantageous mixing and/or fluid dispersion to occur in at least the initial inflow region (e.g., region near the inlet ports 102) of the reactor 100. Subsequently, as the reactor fluid mixture continues to flow toward the outlet 114 at the second end 106, the fluid will self-organize into a relatively more structured vortical flow beneficial for shearing generated gas bubbles at electrode interfaces, as explained in more detail below.
The illustrated vortex reactor 100 also includes a bleed opening 110 disposed at or near second end 106. In other embodiments, bleed opening 110 can be disposed at or near first end 104 (e.g., in downflow configurations). In the illustrated embodiment, bleed opening 110 is configured to bleed off air or other gases and/or liquids that may be present in reactor body 108 prior to advancing a reactor fluid mixture into the reactor 100. Bleed opening 110 may be formed as a hole, slit, valve, or other suitable controllable fluid passageway. In some embodiments, the bleed opening 110 is configured as a valve, such as a one-way valve allowing the passage of fluid out of the reactor but not into the reactor. In some embodiments, the bleed opening 110 is configured as a valve allowing the passage of air or other gas out of the reactor but preventing the passage of liquid out of the reactor.
The illustrated reactor 100 includes a vortex outlet 114 disposed at the second end 106. In some embodiments, the vortex outlet 114 can extend from second end 106 a distance into reactor body 108 (e.g., as a pipe or conduit extending into reactor body 108). In the illustrated embodiment, the vortex outlet 114 is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of reactor 100, though other embodiments may include an off-center vortex outlet 114.
Preferably, the reactor 100 omits internal baffles and/or other obstructing structures, allowing fluid flow through the reactor to self-organize into a vortex. The illustrated reactor 100 also includes a set of wall ports 130. One or more of such wall ports 130 may be utilized as outlet ports for conducting a portion of the fluid mixture out of the reactor. Alternatively, one or more of such wall ports 130 may be utilized for introducing solids, fluids, or mixtures into the reactor at one or more desired locations along the vortical fluid path within the reactor body 108.
The anode-influencing magnetic component 250 is, in this embodiment, a disk shaped axially magnetized permanent magnet (such as NeFeB Neodymium Iron Boron) mounted under the anode 242. Additionally, other magnets (not shown) might be arranged around the outer surface of the reactor so as to provide additional influence on the anode 242. The anode 242 is preferably made of a non-magnetic (i.e., substantially magnetically transparent) material such as graphite, aluminum, or copper. Thus, the magnetic influence from the magnetic component 250 will pass through the anode 242 and affect the process at the boundary between reactor fluid and the anode 242. Alternately, the anode 242 itself could be magnetic and be made of a conductive material.
The cathode 244 and anode 242 may be made of similar materials. In some embodiments, a sacrificial anode such as one coated with and/or including molybdenum may be included. The fluid directed into the reactor through inlets 202 may include sodium bicarbonate or potassium hydroxide or some other electrolyte. In some embodiments, the reactor fluid inherently contains sufficient ionic content to function as a sufficient electrolyte (e.g., certain wastewaters).
As illustrated, the fluid electrolyte enters the reactor from the tangentially arranged inlet ports 202 at the first end 204. The mass of fluid rises in the reactor until it gets to the top of the cathode 244 (which is shaped as an overflow weir) where the fluid mass spills over to the external side of the weir to then exit the reactor via the outlet ports 230 disposed in the outer reactor wall. A power supply 252 supplies power to the reactor 200. The cathode 244 is connected to the negative terminal and the anode 242 is connected to the positive terminal.
During operation, hydrogen gas will be produced at the surface boundary layer between the electrolyte and the cathode 244. Gas bubbles will be sheared away from the cathode surface by the passing vortical motion of the fluid. Hydrogen bubble detachment will also be enhanced by the presence of the magnetic field since Lorentz forces will help to quickly remove the bubbles from the cathode surface soon after they start forming.
As described herein, one or more magnetic components are arranged to enhance the ability of the passing vortical fluid to shear forming gas bubbles at electrode interfaces by beneficially imparting the Lorentz force. The Lorentz force in the context of hydrolysis is described in the literature, including in: M.-Y. Lin et al., “Effect of Lorrentz force on hydrogen production,” and Koza et al., “Hydrogen evolution under the influence of a magnetic field,” which are incorporated herein by this reference.
As a description of the Lorentz force as it is exploited in the present invention, particles carrying charge will be part of the rotating mass of the fluid and as these charged particles move past any given point of the cathode surface, the particles cross the magnetic field at almost a right angle. Since the fluid is a rotating mass that is advancing in the reactor, any given particle would be tracing a helical path and therefore would intersect axially oriented magnetic field lines at something slightly offset from exactly 90 degrees depending on the rate of ascent of the fluid in the reactor. Although one of skill in the art will understand that there are no real “lines” of magnetic force, the term is used herein as a useful abstraction for visualizing the orientation of the magnetic field.
In preferred embodiments, the magnetic element is configured such that magnetic field lines are substantially parallel to the axis of the reactor. In this manner, through action of the Lorentz force, the charged particles being forced through the magnetic field will have a force imposed upon them that is perpendicular to both the direction of motion of the particle and the magnetic field lines. The fluid flow direction and magnetic element positioning may then be configured such that the resulting Lorentz force is directed radially inwards. In alternative embodiments, the magnetic element may be altered to provide a magnetic field that is normal to the axis of the reactor. Some embodiments may include an array of magnets arranged to provide an alternating magnetic field.
The cathode-influencing magnetic element 240 is positioned so that the north and south poles of the magnet impart a Lorentz force directed radially inward. According to the Right-Hand Rule, the direction of the Lorentz force will be perpendicular to both the direction of the magnetic field and the direction of conventional current flow. The radially inward directed Lorentz force in addition to centrifugal and centripetal forces will assist in detaching smaller bubbles from the surface of the porous element.
Once the hydrogen bubbles are in the electrolyte solution, they will move rapidly to the axis of rotation where they will coalesce and rise as a column of gas to the gas cavity at the second end 206 and exit the system via the hydrogen exit pipe 248 which in the illustration is shown exiting laterally from the second end 206. A suitable demister could be installed above the fluid level in order to minimize the amount of water carryover with the hydrogen gas.
Oxygen gas will be produced at the surface interface between the electrolyte and the anode 242. Gas bubbles will be sheared away from the anode surface by the passing fluid in motion. Once the bubbles of oxygen are in the electrolyte solution, centrifugal and centripetal forces will move them rapidly radially inward to the axis where they will rise to the guide cone 254 which is attached to the vertical exit pipe 246 disposed at the second end 206. The liquid level of the electrolyte inside the guide cone 254 and exit pipe 246 can be maintained at a desired level by a suitable control system. For example, some embodiments may be configured to control the backpressure of the oxygen to thereby control the liquid height within the guide cone 254 and exit pipe 246.
In operation, an electrolytic fluid enters the reactor from the tangentially arranged inlets 302 at the first end of the reactor. The mass of fluid rises in the reactor until it gets to the overflow weir (the top edge of the cathode 344) where the fluid mass spills over into the space between the outer surface of the cathode 344 and the inner surface of the magnetic element 340. The fluid then exits the reactor via the outlet ports 330 disposed in the outer reactor wall.
Hydrogen gas will be produced at the surface boundary layer between the electrolyte and the cathode 344. Gas bubbles will be sheared away from the cathode surface by the passing fluid in motion. Hydrogen bubble detachment will also be enhanced by the presence of the magnetic field, since Lorentz forces directed radially inwards will help to quickly remove the bubbles from the cathode surface soon after they start forming.
Once the hydrogen bubbles are in the electrolyte solution, they will move rapidly to the axis of rotation where they will coalesce and rise as a column of gas to the gas cavity at the second end 306 and exit the system via the exit pipe 348 which in the illustration is shown exiting laterally at the second end 306 of the reactor. A suitable demister could be installed above the fluid level in order to minimize the amount of water carryover with the hydrogen gas. Oxygen gas will be produced at the surface interface between the electrolyte and the anode 342. Gas bubbles will be sheared away from the anode surface by the passing fluid in motion and collected in the exit pipe 346.
The magnetic element 340 and direction of flow of the electrolyte are configured such that the resulting Lorentz force exerted on charged particles will be directed radially inward toward the axis. Due to the geometry of the reactor 300, the Lorentz force will be substantially the same at any point on the surface of both the cathode 344 and the anode 342.
The cathode 344 and/or anode 342 may be formed as an integral piece of material or as a series of stacked rings. The inner surfaces of the cathode 344 and/or anode 342 may also be textured so as to increase the surface area for gas bubble nucleation sites. For example, grooves, divots, pores, or the like may be formed in the inner surface of the electrode(s). Additionally, or alternatively, in embodiments utilizing a series of stacked rings, the rings may have varying inner diameters to provide greater surface area for gas bubble nucleation sites. These same surface features and/or structural components may also be utilized in the embodiment of
The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2017/057583 | 12/1/2017 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62429000 | Dec 2016 | US |
