HYDROGEN GENERATION

Abstract

A hydrogen generator includes at least two electrolytic cells, each comprising a membrane electrode assembly incorporating a solid polymer electrolyte. The membrane electrode of a first cell is exposed to water and the hydrogen produced in this cell contacts the cathode surfaces of the successive electrolytic cells, wherein any water entrained in or carried over with the hydrogen produced in the first cell is the only significant feedstock for the successive electrolytic cells.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application draws priority from the following U.K. Patent Applications: (i) GB 1013368.4 filed on 9 Aug. 2010 and (ii) GB 1019831.5 filed on 23 Nov. 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns the electrolysis of water to form hydrogen.

BACKGROUND AND RELATED ART

Hydrogen is used in large quantities in oil refining, for example in the breaking down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones in the process known as hydrocracking. It is also used in manufacture of ammonia by the Haber process. Such hydrogen is usually sourced from the reaction of a fossil fuel, typically coal or methane, with water.

Hydrogen is also required as a chemical intermediate in various synthetic processes. In semiconductor manufacture it is occasionally required in an ultrapure state. It is used as a specialist fuel source, for example in the operation of flame ionisation detectors. Hydrogen is also widely recognised as a clean alternative to fossil fuels. The sole product of its combustion in air is water, and water is a readily available source of hydrogen.

A few per cent of the hydrogen used worldwide is produced by water electrolysis. The process requires the application of a positive electric potential to one electrode, known as an anode, relative to another electrode, known as the cathode, in between which is either an acid or alkaline electrolyte. This applied potential is known hereinafter for convenience as the cell potential. In acid electrolyte, the electrode reactions are:

H₂O=>2H⁺+½ O₂+2e at the anode, and

2H⁺+2e=>H₂ at the cathode.

The minimum cell potential required to electrolyse the water is 1.229 V. A cell operating at this potential is said to have a cell efficiency of 100%, and since the hydrogen is produced at the rate of one molecule per two electrons passed through the cell, this corresponds to producing hydrogen at a rate of 33 kW.hr per kilogram hydrogen. Any inefficiency in hydrogen production is manifest as waste heat.

Cell efficiencies of at least 80% have been reported for alkaline water electrolysis which is commonly used for large scale hydrogen production. However, according to the present art, alkaline electrolytes are typically liquids, which afford a particular risk of gas migration between the anode and cathode, and often carry a hazard associated with their being highly caustic.

Efficiencies of at least 60% can be achieved by acid electrolysis using proton conducting polymer electrolytes in sheet form, such as perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer known under the trade name Nafion 114 of Dupont Chemicals. The electrolyte contains an open network of channels and inverted micelles though which water is freely transported and along whose walls protons readily move under an electric field. There exists substantial art in supporting on or just within both polymer electrolyte faces a layer of particles of a metal or metal oxide catalyst often mixed with graphite to form what is referred to hereinafter as a membrane electrode assembly. In contact with suitable electric contacts and subjected to a sufficient electric potential, the surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly are caused to be electrically conductive and conducive to the production and evolution of oxygen and hydrogen at an anode and cathode respectively formed thereby. Typically, the anode contains as one surface ingredient iridium oxide, and the cathode contains as one surface ingredient platinum. Water, removed from the electrolyte by electrolysis and evaporation into the produced hydrogen and oxygen, can be simply replaced by contact of liquid water with the electrolyte. Under electrolysis, liquid water is deposited at the cathode side, despite the consumption of water at the anode, in a process known as electro-osmosis.

A particular advantage of the use of a membrane electrolyte assembly in electrolysis of water is in the physical separation of produced hydrogen and oxygen. Any admixture of the two gases in the vicinity of the cathode or anode substantially reduces the cell efficiency, because hydrogen at an anode is more readily oxidised to protons than water to oxygen, and oxygen at a cathode is more readily reduced to water than protons to hydrogen. Moreover, mixtures of pure hydrogen and oxygen, particularly in the ratio of 2:1 in which they are formed by electrolysis, can be explosive. This is a particular concern where it is intended to use the hydrogen in an explosive atmosphere, such as in its being a source for a flame to operate a flame ionisation detector in the detection of gases which may cause an explosion.

Water itself is also known as a catalyst for hydrogen ignition and therefore it is desirable to dry hydrogen from the cathode before admixing it with oxygen. Moreover, downstream of a hydrogen generator it is often convenient for the means of conveyance of hydrogen to be restricted, such as to assure its pressure is controlled during mixing with other gases. The means of conveyance of hydrogen, by way of example, a capillary, may also be restrictive, but engaged downstream of the hydrogen generator with a view to minimising the volume of hydrogen contained within the means of conveyance, such as to ensure a rapid response of a flow of hydrogen delivered remote from the water electrolyser to a change in the electrolyser cell current which regulates hydrogen production. These restrictions are all liable to blockage by water condensate, particularly in view of hydrogen exiting the cell being warm and therefore prospectively being inclined to condensation. For similar reasons, it may be desirable to dry electrochemically produced oxygen, particularly if the oxygen is to be premixed with hydrogen before its combustion in a flame ionisation detector, as can be desirable in testing gases where the oxygen content of the test gas is low, such as in testing smoke stack gas.

Water-free hydrogen may be desirable in other applications too, for example in its use as a feedstock for ultrapure hydrogen purification through a palladium membrane that may be degraded by the presence of water.

Conventionally, the hydrogen stream is dried using a desiccant such as silica gel.

WO 01/19728, The Robert Gordon University, describes the use of a cellulose acetate membrane to separate hydrogen from entrained water.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,096,178, Amirov et al. describe the use of a Peltier in removal of water from electrolytically produced hydrogen for use in a flame ionisation detector. Whilst very effective, a Peltier requires considerable electrical power and therefore is a distinct disadvantage in a portable and battery operated tool. Further, the condensed water trapped by any means needs to be removed and is liable to migrate where it is not wanted when the Peltier cooler is turned off.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention enable electrochemically produced hydrogen to be dried not only more efficiently, but also so as to eliminate the need for condensate removal. Embodiments of the present invention confer an increased efficiency on a hydrogen electrolyser, and afford a diagnostic for monitoring the dryness of hydrogen produced by the water generator.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hydrogen generator which includes a cascade of at least two electrolytic cells, each comprising a membrane electrode assembly incorporating a solid polymer electrolyte polarized so as to generate hydrogen from water at a cathode and oxygen at an anode, in which the membrane electrode of a first cell is at least partially exposed on one or both sides to a supply of liquid water and the hydrogen produced in this cell contacts the cathode surfaces of the or each successive electrolytic cell, wherein any water entrained in or carried over with the hydrogen produced in the first cell is the only significant feedstock for the or each successive electrolytic cell.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating dry hydrogen by electrolysis of water in a cascade of at least two electrolytic cells, each cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly incorporating a solid polymer electrolyte polarized so as to generate hydrogen from water at a cathode and oxygen at an anode, in which the membrane electrode of a first cell is at least partially exposed on one or both sides to a supply of liquid water and the hydrogen produced in this cell contacts the cathode surfaces of the or each successive electrolytic cell, wherein any water entrained in or carried over with the hydrogen produced in the first cell is the only significant feedstock for the or each successive electrolytic cell.

In one aspect, the invention provides a device to generate dry hydrogen which includes at least two water electrolyzing cells, each comprising a membrane electrode assembly incorporating a solid polymer electrolyte, polarized so as to generate hydrogen at a cathode and oxygen at an anode, in which the first cell membrane is at least partially exposed on one or both sides to a supply of liquid water, the hydrogen produced in this cell being caused by wall members to flow over the cathode surfaces of one or more successive water electrolyzing cells deprived of water except as is carried over in the produced hydrogen stream from one cell to the next, so as to cause hydrogen exiting the final such cell to be sufficiently dry for some subsequent use.

In some embodiments, the first and second cells share a common chamber enclosing the respective electrodes. Electrode surfaces of the same polarity face each other. In order to reduce the quantity of water being carried from the first to the second cell, the common chamber incorporates a semi-porous membrane between the respective cathodes.

Alternatively, a space abutting the cathode of the first cell may incorporate a semi-porous membrane adjacent to said cathode and communicating with a space abutting the cathode of the second cell. In a particularly advantageous configuration, the inner enclosure is essentially tubular.

In order to reduce the amount of water entrained in the hydrogen exiting the first cell, a space adjacent to the cathode of the first cell may contain loose, porous, hydrophobic material, for example in the form of powder, regular or irregular particles, flakes, spheres or pellets.

In some embodiments, the semi-porous membrane is hydrophobic. A particularly advantageous hydrophobic material for the semi-porous membrane or the loose pellets is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

In some embodiments, electrical contact is made with the membrane electrode assembly by means of at least one electrically conducting mesh which overlies the electrode surfaces in electrical contact therewith. In particular, a relatively fine mesh directly overlies the electrode surfaces and a second, relatively coarse mesh overlies the fine mesh. Relatively fine or relatively coarse refers to the pitch of the respective meshes relative to each other. Means are provided to urge the relatively stiff coarse mesh against the fine mesh, resulting in the fine mesh making intimate contact with the membrane electrode assembly, in order to disperse a relatively uniform force between the mesh and the membrane electrode assembly.

Additionally, the invention provides a device to generate dry oxygen, wherein the oxygen generated at the anode of a wetted cell is similarly caused to flow over increasingly dry anode surfaces.

Hereinafter for convenience the water-wetted electrolysis cell is referred to as the primary cell, the evolved gas being introduced into a secondary cell, and from thence to a tertiary cell, and so on.

In every embodiment of the invention, it is necessary for there to be some region of confinement of water in the primary cell in contact with its membrane electrode assembly. It is usually convenient for this contact to be made at the cathode. It is frequently an advantage to confine such water with a material such as porous PTFE which allows for the facile passage of gas, but prevents passage of water droplets from one location to another.

It may be convenient for all cells provided according to the present invention to be electrically operated so as to deliver a controllable total operating current by which means the flow of hydrogen produced may also be controlled. By way of example, a fairly precise flow of hydrogen may be required for the stable maintenance of a hydrogen flame. That flow of hydrogen may need to be adjusted to ensure flame stability during different times of the flame's use, such as whenever it is ignited or when it is operating in particular ambient conditions of heat cold and such like. It is also frequently convenient for the cells to be caused to operate at the same cell potentials. It is typically deleterious for cells to be driven at cell potentials exceeding 3 V.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hydrogen generator as described above in which all the cells are operated at substantially the same cell potentials, which generator includes means for measuring the ratio of respective currents passing through the first and second cells. The cell potentials and the ratio of the respective currents passing through the first and second cells indicate the humidity of the hydrogen produced in the second cell and is also diagnostic of operation of the hydrogen generator.

It should be noted that the invention relies upon a particular quality of acid polymer electrolytes in becoming increasingly water adsorbing as they become increasingly dry. The invention encompasses the drying of hydrogen from a state of complete humidification to hydrogen that may exit the hydrogen generator either partially dried or extremely dry.

An alternative configuration of the hydrogen generator comprises an elongated membrane electrode assembly with the hydrogen passing along the cathode surface. Entrained water can be adsorbed as the hydrogen contacts the length of the electrode assembly. As indicated above, the hygroscopic properties of the acid polymer electrolyte can result in a concentration gradient of adsorbed water along the length of the electrode assembly. In effect, this configuration is functionally equivalent to a cascade of discrete electrolytic cells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by reference to the Figures wherein:—

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of an embodiment of one aspect of the invention in which hydrogen is dried by a two cell configuration sharing a common gaseous chamber;

FIG. 1 a shows an enlarged view of a membrane electrode assembly;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic of an embodiment of another aspect of the invention in which hydrogen is dried by a two cell configuration in tandem; and

FIG. 3 shows a schematic of an embodiment of a further aspect of the invention in which hydrogen is dried by a two cell configuration sharing a common gaseous chamber and the first cell is associated with a tubular membrane

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, a primary cell comprising membrane electrode assembly and supporting current collecting members, 1, in contact with water 2 is depicted in detail in FIG. 1a. The membrane electrode assembly comprises a solid polymer electrolyte 2a, and integral anodic coating 2b conducive to oxygen generation, and integral cathodic coating 2c conducive to hydrogen generation. Overlaying 2b and 2c are fine electrically conducting meshes 3 and 4 respectively. Overlaying meshes 3 and 4 are more robust and rigid electrically conducting screens 5 and 6, to which are welded non-corrosive contact wires annotated ‘+’ and ‘−’ in FIG. 1a, corresponding, for example, to leads 7 and 8 respectively in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, meshes 3 and 4 and screens 5 and 6 are substantially made of titanium.

Turning to FIG. 1, the whole assembly 1 is held in place by virtue of o-rings 9, which provide a gas tight seal between the membrane electrode assembly and cell support members, and by o-ring 10, which imparts a force upon rigid support screens 5 and 6, by which means electrical resistances between all members of the assembly shown in FIG. 1a are kept low.

Electrical polarization of the assembly applied to leads 7 and 8 as shown by the plus and minus signs in FIGS. 1 and 1a causes hydrogen to be evolved in the watery gaseous enclosure 11 and oxygen in the gaseous enclosure 12. A presence of water 2 is maintained in enclosure 11 by means of a water entry port 13. A semi-porous membrane, 14, is held in place by o-rings such as 15. The membrane pore size is sufficient so as to enable hydrogen passage but insufficient to enable substantial water passage though the porous membrane. Hydrogen passing though the membrane 14 enters secondary cell gaseous chamber 16, where it is dried by contact with the cathodic side of the secondary electrolysis cell 17 which is of similar construction to primary cell 1, noting that the hydrogen generating, cathodic side of the cell 17 faces cathodic side of cell 1, the electrical lead 18 is positively polarized relative to the secondary cell electrical lead 19, and the components of cell 17 are as shown in FIG. 1a but oppositely oriented. Dried hydrogen exits enclosure 16 at gas exit port 20. Further ports 21 and 22 enable venting of oxygen from oxygen enclosures 12 and 23 respectively. The whole assembly is held in place by nuts such as 24 and threaded sections such as 25.

In FIG. 2, a different construction is shown which illustrates a similar aspect of the invention using components of largely the same principles as in FIG. 1 but with the two cells in tandem. The representation also shows inlet and outlet secondary oxygen enclosure ports 22a and 22b respectively enabling gas exiting primary oxygen enclosure 12 through port 21 to be dried. (For clarity, the connection between ports 21 and 22a has been omitted.)

In FIG. 3, a construction provided by the invention is shown schematically in which oxygen generated at the primary and secondary cells 1 and 17 enters a common chamber 26, exiting at gas port 27. The hydrogen generated in enclosure 11 is separated from water 2 also present in the enclosure by diffusion through the walls of a tube 28 made from a hydrophobic material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) supplied by Zeus or Gortex.

Tube 28 is closed at one end and connected to a hydrogen exit 30 at the other. This moist hydrogen is then conveyed via gas entry port 31 to enclosure 32 also containing hydrogen generated at the secondary cell 17. The combined hydrogen, now substantially dry due to the consumption of water by cell 17, exits enclosure 32 at port 33.

When a bubble of gas is formed in the enclosure 11, the pressure is increased therein. It is an advantage to ameliorate this pressure increase as it is prone to oppose the supply of water to the chamber, and to force water through the semi-porous membrane material. In view of their tendency to coalesce bubbles of gas, beads 29 of expanded PTFE (ePTFE) or a similarly hydrophobic semi-porous material may be used to reduce this increase of pressure caused by bubble formation, as shown in FIG. 3. In addition, the presence of beads on which gas bubbles have coalesced provides contiguous gas paths between the hydrogen-forming electrode surface and the semi-porous membrane through which hydrogen moves, which also leads to a decrease in the pressure increase caused in the hydrogen enclosure 11. A typical pellet size might be 2 mm, approximately spherical.

The invention will now be described by way of how it may be operated. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a supply of de-ionised water, which could by way of example be a collapsible bag under constraint, admits water into watery gaseous chamber 11 via port 13. In FIGS. 1 and 2, displaced hydrogen exits through semi-porous membrane 14 into gaseous enclosure 16 and then exits through gas port 20. In FIG. 3, displaced hydrogen exits through the walls of tube 28 and port 30.

Electrical circuitry, not illustrated, causes a current of I₁ amps to flow through the cell from lead 8 to lead 7. Typically, a flow through the primary cell is around 1 A per square centimeter, achieved by applying a typical maximum voltage to lead 7 of +3 V relative to lead 8. The primary cell provides a flow of hydrogen F₁, which is typically the major fraction of hydrogen demanded by a device engaging the invention. The primary cell provided by the invention is sized accordingly.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, moist hydrogen generated in enclosure 11 is caused by pressure differential induced by its generation to move through the membrane 14 into enclosure 16 where it is exposed to the cathode of secondary cell 17. In FIG. 3, displaced hydrogen exits through the walls of tube 28 and port 30, which is connected by a means of conveyance, such as a PTFE tubing, to gas entry port 31 into enclosure 32 where it is exposed to the cathode of secondary cell 17.

Electric circuitry, not shown, causes an electric potential, typically not exceeding +3 V, to be applied to lead 18 relative to lead 19. This causes a flow of current, I₂, arising from the electrolysis of water which has at least in part been adsorbed from the hydrogen gas stream by the electrolytic membrane in the secondary cell. The current I₂ is typically some 2-10% of the current I₁ generated in the primary cell. The exact ratio of currents I₂:I₁ provides a useful diagnostic indication of the humidity of hydrogen presented to the secondary cell. If, for example, the hydrogen flowing from the secondary cell enclosure becomes wet due to a breach in the membrane between the primary and secondary cells, then I₂:I₁ will be higher than when, for example, the gas presented to the second cell is merely moist. Correspondingly, if flow of hydrogen to the secondary cell is blocked, I₂:I₁ will decrease. It should be noted that during typical operation all the current I₂ moving through the secondary cell will generate a flow of hydrogen F₂ in addition to the flow of hydrogen F₁ generated in the primary gas stream. Therefore, the electrical and electronic circuitry may be contrived to deliver a constant current supply to the several cells engaged according to the invention, as that total current will determine the total flow of hydrogen F_total generated by the invention.

F_total=0.127 I_total

when flow is measured in mL/s at 1 bar and 20 degC and current in amps.

Exactly a flow of F_total/2 of oxygen is concurrently generated by the several cells provided according to the present invention.

Thus the invention not only provides for the drying of an electrolytically generated hydrogen stream, but for the complete removal of the water, for its gainful use as feedstock to deliver more hydrogen, and for a diagnostic of correct or normal operation of the gas generator. In such respects the present invention provides for dry hydrogen generation which is reliable, requires no waste water disposal, which is electrically efficient, and which can be monitored.

Use of a tubular membrane, as exemplified by FIG. 3, has the further advantage that the hydrogen generator may be less orientation-dependent than existing electrolytic cells.

In the foregoing specification, the concepts have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of invention.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or all the claims.

It is to be appreciated that certain features of the invention which are, for clarity, described above and below in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any subcombination. Further, references to values stated in ranges include each and every value within that range.

Claims

1. A hydrogen generator which includes a cascade of at least two electrolytic cells, each comprising a membrane electrode assembly incorporating a solid polymer electrolyte polarized so as to generate hydrogen from water at a cathode and oxygen at an anode, in which the membrane electrode of a first cell is at least partially exposed on one or both sides to a supply of liquid water and the hydrogen produced in this cell contacts the cathode surfaces of the or each successive electrolytic cell, wherein any water entrained in or carried over with the hydrogen produced in the first cell is the only significant feedstock for the or each successive electrolytic cell.

2. A hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second cells share a common chamber enclosing the respective electrodes and electrode surfaces of the same polarity face each other.

3. A hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 2 wherein the common chamber incorporates a semi-porous membrane between the respective cathodes.

4. A hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 3 wherein the semi-porous membrane is hydrophobic.

5. A hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 4 wherein the semi-porous membrane is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

6. A hydrogen generator which includes a cascade of at least two electrolytic cells, each comprising a membrane electrode assembly incorporating a solid polymer electrolyte polarized so as to generate hydrogen from water at a cathode and oxygen at an anode, in which the membrane electrode of a first cell is at least partially exposed on one or both sides to a supply of liquid water and the hydrogen produced in this cell contacts the cathode surfaces of the or each successive electrolytic cell, wherein any water entrained in or carried over with the hydrogen produced in the first cell is the only significant feedstock for the or each successive electrolytic cell; and wherein a space abutting the cathode of the first cell incorporates a semi-porous inner enclosure adjacent to said cathode and communicating with a space abutting the cathode of the second cell.

7. A hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 6 wherein the inner enclosure is essentially tubular.

8. A hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 6 wherein the semi-porous inner enclosure is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

9. A hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 1 wherein a space adjacent to the cathode of the first cell contains loose, porous, hydrophobic material.

10. A hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solid electrolyte is a proton conducting polymer.

11. A hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 10 wherein the electrolyte is a perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer.

12. A hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 1 wherein oxygen produced in the first cell contacts the anode surfaces of the or each successive electrolytic cell.

13. A hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 1 in which all the cells are operated at substantially the same cell potential, which generator includes a comparator for measuring the ratio of respective currents passing through the first and second cells.

14. A method of generating dry hydrogen by electrolysis of water in a cascade of at least two electrolytic cells, each cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly incorporating a solid polymer electrolyte polarized so as to generate hydrogen from water at a cathode and oxygen at an anode, in which the membrane electrode of a first cell is at least partially exposed on one or both sides to a supply of liquid water and the hydrogen produced in this cell contacts the cathode surfaces of the or each successive electrolytic cell, wherein any water entrained in or carried over with the hydrogen produced in the first cell is the only significant feedstock for the or each successive electrolytic cell.

15. A method of operating a hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first and second cells share a common chamber enclosing the respective electrodes and electrode surfaces of the same polarity face each other.

16. A method of operating a hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 14 wherein a space abutting the cathode of the first cell incorporates a semi-porous inner enclosure adjacent to said cathode and communicating with a space abutting the cathode of the second cell.

17. A method of operating a hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 16 wherein the inner enclosure is essentially tubular.

18. A method of operating a hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 14 wherein a space adjacent to the cathode of the first cell contains loose, porous, hydrophobic material.

19. A method of operating a hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 14 wherein the ratio of the respective currents passing through the first and second cells indicates the humidity of the hydrogen produced in the second cell.

20. A method of operating a hydrogen generator as claimed in claim 14 wherein the ratio of the respective currents passing through the first and second cells is a diagnostic of operation of the hydrogen generator.