Patent Application
20240018670
The present application relates to systems for producing an electrolysis gas, as well as a system for extracting hydrogen from the electrolysis gas and storing and delivering the hydrogen.
Embodiments of the present invention are particularly adapted for the generation of electrolysis gas and subsequently hydrogen for use in hydrogen fuel cells and other products. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable in broader contexts and other applications.
Presently, systems that can be used for generating electrolysis gasses tend to be bulky and use expensive materials to fabricate electrolysis cell plates. Furthermore, due to the process of electrolysis, the plates tend to erode over time necessitating their replacement and reducing reliability. Given that the electrolysis cell plates are typically made out of expensive materials such as stainless steel or titanium among others, the cost of assembling electrolysis cells is typically high. This adds a significant amount to the operational costs of such a system.
Further issues arise in the fabrication of electrolysis cell arrangements, which at present tend to be tedious and time consuming. For instance, it can take multiple weeks to construct conventional electrolysis cell arrangements due to the large number of components required to be individually assembled. As such, the inventor has identified that an efficient method of constructing electrolysis cell arrangements is desirable.
It is desirable to have systems for generating electrolysis gasses which are reliable, resulting in a lengthy operational life and may be made from inexpensive materials.
Furthermore, current systems for storing and delivering hydrogen require the hydrogen to be maintained under a very high pressure such as 10,000 PSI (˜69,000 KPa). Storing materials at such high pressures can be dangerous as they have a risk of explosion.
Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrolysis cell apparatus comprising:
In one embodiment, the plurality of electrolysis cell plates are divided into cell plate sections between the first end and the second end, the cell plate sections being electrically connected in series.
In one embodiment, the cell plate sections proximal to the intermediate enclosure section comprise a different number of electrolysis cell plates compared to the cell plate sections proximal to either of the first end or the second end of the enclosure.
In one embodiment, each cell plate section is spaced by an interconnecting spacer made of a dielectric material designed to house and locate the cell plate enclosure.
In one embodiment, a longitudinal compressional force is applied to the plurality of electrolysis cell plates to provide a snug fit between conducting spacer elements and the plurality of electrolysis cell plates forming at least one electrolysis region.
In one embodiment, the plurality of electrolysis cell plates are shaped to define a uniform gap between the cell plate enclosure and outer edges of the electrolysis cell plates.
In one embodiment, each electrolysis region includes a pair of enclosure elements, providing an upper channel and a lower channel extending along the length of each electrolysis region.
In one embodiment, the electrolysis cell apparatus includes one or more electrolyte injection devices which include a plurality of openings adapted to inject an electrolytic fluid within the lower channels of each electrolysis region.
In one embodiment, the one or more electrolyte injection devices is comprised of a dielectric material.
In one embodiment, the dielectric material includes polypropylene.
In one embodiment, the dielectric material includes PTFE.
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a gap between the outer enclosure and the cell plate enclosure.
In one embodiment, there is provided a system for generating an electrolysis gas, the system comprising the electrolysis cell.
In one embodiment, the system further includes at least one electrical power source operatively connected to the at least one electrolysis region and adapted to alternate its electrical polarity.
In one embodiment, a compound is included within the electrolyte to promote the formation of a hydride on the electrolysis cell plates and/or electrolysis enclosures in use.
In one embodiment, the electrolyte includes 15% wt potassium hydroxide.
In one embodiment, the electrolyte includes 15% wt sodium hydroxide.
In one embodiment, the electrolyte includes protium water.
In one embodiment, including a plurality of electrolysis regions and wherein the electrolysis regions are electrically connected in series, disposed along the length of the electrolysis cell apparatus.
In one embodiment, each of the electrolysis regions include an upper channel disposed for permitting a flow of electrolysis gas generated by each electrolysis region to a gas outlet.
In one embodiment, the electrolysis regions include a lower channel for accommodating an electrolytic fluid device to be housed along a lower region of the outer enclosure to an inlet.
In one embodiment, the electrolysis cell unit enclosure elements include a lower channel for permitting electrolytic fluid to flow along the lower region of the outer enclosure to an outlet.
In one embodiment, there is provided a gas produced by the system for generating an electrolysis gas.
In one embodiment, the gas comprises molecular oxygen.
In one embodiment, the gas comprises molecular hydrogen.
In one embodiment, the gas comprises a mixture of molecular oxygen and molecular hydrogen.
In one embodiment, the generated electrolysis gas comprises a Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide and Water Vapour mixture, this gas composition is henceforth referred to as Hydroxy Gas.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for assembling an electrolysis region, the method comprising the following steps:
In one embodiment, an electrolysis cell apparatus is constructed by performing the method of the second aspect.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for generating and storing hydrogen gas, the system including:
Preferably, the electrolysis gas includes hydroxy gas.
In some embodiments, the electrolysis system is the system for generating an electrolysis gas according to the third aspect.
In some embodiments, the hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage module as a hydride.
In some embodiments, the hydrogen storage compound includes Titanium carbide (TIC) powder.
In other embodiments, the hydrogen storage compound includes TiCH2.
In some embodiments, the one or more storage canisters are adapted to selectively distribute hydrogen to one or more hydrogen fuel cells to generate electric energy.
Preferably, the one or more hydrogen fuel cells are configured to be used in a vehicle.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating and storing hydrogen gas, the method including the steps:
Preferably, the hydrogen is stored in a hydrogen storage module as a hydride.
In some embodiments, the hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage module as a hydride.
In some embodiments, the hydrogen storage compound includes Titanium carbide (TIC) powder.
In other embodiments, the hydrogen storage compound includes TiCH2.
In some embodiments, the hydrogen storage module stored the hydrogen in the hydrogen storage compound at a pressure less than 690 KPa.
In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable hydrogen storage canister including:
In some embodiments, the hydrogen storage compound includes Titanium carbide (TIC) powder.
In other embodiments, the hydrogen storage compound includes TiCH2.
In some embodiments, the canister includes a heating element configured to selectively heat a temperature of the storage chamber to release hydrogen gas from the hydrogen storage compound.
In some embodiments, the heating element includes an electrically controlled heating device.
In some embodiments, the heating element includes or is connected to a system for feeding excess heat from an electrolysis system and/or a fuel cell system to the canister.
In some embodiments, wherein the storage chamber has a pressure of less than 690 KPa. In some embodiments, the storage chamber has a pressure of less than 345 KPa.
In some embodiments, the storage chamber has a temperature of less than 100 degrees Celsius.
In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel cell configured to receive hydrogen from the canister according to the seventh aspect to produce electrical energy.
Example embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
It should be noted in the following description that like reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.
Embodiments of the invention described herein are adapted for producing hydroxy gas. This hydroxy gas is suitable for use in various applications such as combustion and pyrolysis. By way of example, hydroxy gas produced from the present invention may be used in a combustion and pyrolysis system as described in PCT/AU2020/050663, entitled AN APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PYROLYSING AND COMBUSTING A MATERIAL to Spiro Spiros (“Spiros”). The contents of Spiros are herein incorporated by way of cross-reference. When injected into the tungsten reaction tubes of the Spiros system, the hydroxy gas produced by the present invention can be heated to a sufficient degree that gases of atomic oxygen (single oxygen atoms) and atomic hydrogen (single hydrogen atoms) is produced for high temperature pyrolysis.
Electrolysis Cell Apparatus
An electrolysis cell apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by 2000 in
The outer enclosure 100 has three reference points, a first end 100A, a second end 100B and an intermediate enclosure section 100M located between the first and second end. In the embodiment shown, the number of electrolysis cell plates 80 proximal to the intermediate enclosure section 100M are less than the number of electrolysis cell plates 80 proximal to the first end 100A and the second end 100B. The inventor has found through experimental analysis, less cell activity occurs proximal to the intermediate enclosure section 100M compared to either the first end 100A or the second end 100B, allowing for less electrolysis cell plates to be used proximal to the intermediate section 100M as compared to either of the first end and the second end.
As was previously mentioned, the electrolysis tube 1500 is further comprised of a plurality of electrolysis cell plates 80 which are housed within the outer enclosure 100.
As best shown in
With reference to
As best shown in
As is exemplified in
With reference to
In the system in accordance with the invention, the electrolysis cell plates 80 may be fabricated from a variety of materials such as stainless steel, titanium, nickel, graphite based materials, mild steel or other carbon steel alloys. In use, the electrolysis cell plates 80 are at least partially immersed in the electrolyte solution providing a means for electrolysis to occur.
The use of multiple cells (i.e. 12 in this embodiment) provides a means for keeping the overall operational voltage of the electrolysis tube 1500 within the proximity of 18-28 Volts being preferable for effective operation. In particular, the arrangement of cell plates into separate cells 10A-10L allows for optimizing the voltage across each cell to maintain current flow.
The different cells 10A-10L may comprise a different number of electrolysis cell plates. For example, as illustrated in
In addition to the outer enclosure 100, the electrolysis tube 1500, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, also includes at least one electrolysis cell plate enclosure 8000 as is shown in
Each of the 12 cells 10-10L include a like cell plate enclosure 8000. This cell plate enclosure 8000 acts to concentrate electrolyte ions in close proximity to the plurality of electrolysis cell plates 80 in use, allowing each of the plurality of electrolysis cell plates 80 to maintain their voltage in operation. Furthermore, the cell plate enclosure 8000 is adapted to prevent ionic migration from cell to cell, thus maintaining individual cell voltage.
The cell plate enclosure 8000 allows for a compact cell structure avoiding the need to have discrete cells connected together in separate units.
In the embodiment shown in
As can be seen in the cross-sectional view of
With reference to
In the embodiment shown in the Figures, each of the electrolysis cell plates 80 are disk-shaped with the cell plate enclosure elements 55A, 55B having a substantially semi-circular cross section to encircle the disk-shaped electrolysis cell plates 80. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art, that the shape of the cell plate enclosure elements 55A, 55B will be largely dictated by the shape of the electrolysis cell plates 80.
Within each of the cells 10A-10L, the cell plates 80 form electrolysis regions in which electrolysis of an electrolytic fluid occurs. The electrolysis regions are confined to within the cells 10A-10L defined by the cell plate enclosure elements 55a and 55B and termination plates 260 and 280.
As is exemplified in
With reference to
Although two injection tubes are illustrated, in other embodiments, a single injection tube or three or more injection tubes may be used.
The injection tubes 351 may be fabricated from a variety of non-metallic materials, it is envisaged that it would be fabricated from a polymer such as polypropylene or PTFE (TEFLON®). Polymers are selected for ease of manufacturing and to minimise costs. Furthermore, polymers such as PTFE may be easily moulded or cut into an appropriate shape aiding in the ease of manufacture.
As is shown in
The gas outlet 102 may take a number of gas tight fittings allowing for the connection to piping within the system exemplified in
With reference to
This is achieved by having every second electrolysis cell plate 80 electrically insulated from adjacent electrolysis cell plates 80. As will be described in more detail below and with reference to
In operation, the electrolysis tube 1500 is powered using a AC to DC power supply 1560 as is shown in
With the voltage applied to the electrolysis cell plates 80 and the electrolysis tube 1500 at least partially filled with electrolyte, the electrolysis process occurs. In the electrolysis process the voltages applied to the electrolysis cell plates 80 creates an electric field between adjacent plates (due to the different polarity) between the adjacent electrolysis cell plates 80, causing currents to flow through the electrolyte and initiating the process of electrolysis. Through the process of electrolysis, electrolysis gasses such as hydroxy gas (HHO) are created due to the electrolysis reaction and the gasses then rise to the top of the electrolysis tube 1500 where they are captured and extracted at the gas outlets 102.
During the electrolysis process, the injection tubes 351 are supplied with pressurized electrolyte which is upwardly sprayed onto the electrolysis cell plates 80. This is typically achieved at pressures of around 70 KPa as was previously discussed.
With reference to
System Overview
An embodiment of a system for generating an electrolysis gas is generally indicated by 2000 in
In the system for generating the electrolysis gas 2000, there is included at least one electrical input power source 240, which may be a 240 V or 110 V power supply or similar which in the embodiment shown feeds an AC to DC power supply 1560, the output of which is fed into a DC polarity oscillator 505. The DC polarity oscillator 505 is adapted to change the voltage polarity at predetermined time intervals. The output of the DC polarity oscillator 505 is then fed into an electronic control module 506 which among other things controls the voltage input to the electrolysis tube (shown as 1500 in
As previously mentioned, the voltage input into the electrolysis tube 1500 is adapted to change polarity with the combination of the DC polarity oscillator 505 and the electronic control 506. The electronic control 506 feeds the alternating voltage to the electrolysis cell plates 80 resulting in a periodic change in polarity which results in minimising cathodic erosion on the electrolysis cell plates 80.
The system for generating the electrolysis gas 2000 is designed to use a specific electrolyte solution which the inventor has found to reduce erosion of the electrolysis cell plates 80. Preferably, the electrolyte solution includes 15% wt potassium hydroxide with trace amounts of sodium.
In other embodiments, the system may utilise an electrolyte solution including 15% wt potassium hydroxide with trace amounts of sodium.
The use of the aforementioned solutions have been observed by the inventor to at least reduce the electrolysis cell plate 80 erosion, in combination with the alternation of plate electrical polarity as was previously discussed, increasing the life of the electrolysis cell plates 80. The combination of the aforementioned electrolytes has been shown to form a hydride on the electrolysis cell plates 80 further reducing electrolysis cell plate 80 erosion.
As can be seen in
A liquid level sensor 512 is used to monitor the electrolyte level where if the electrolyte levels drop, the magnetic drive pump is used to increase the level of electrolyte in the system thus maintaining the electrolyte levels in relation to the electrolysis cell plates 80.
The filtered water is pumped into hydroxy liquid tower 501 which is required to maintain the electrolyte level in the system 2000. The hydroxy liquid tower 501 is adapted to ensure that the electrolysis cell plates 80 are partially immersed to maintain their efficiency.
The hydroxy liquid tower 501 further includes gas condensation baffles 511 which are required to condensate any vapour that may be present within the hydroxy gas. Situated at the top of the hydroxy liquid tower 501 is an electronic pressure relief valve 514 which is adapted to release any pressure which may build up within the system.
A cock valve 513 is situated between the hydroxy liquid tower 501 and a hydroxy gas tower scrubber 502 and is adapted to terminate gas flow from the hydroxy gas tower scrubber 502 to the hydroxy liquid tower 501. The hydroxy gas tower scrubber 502 is required to condense (scrub) the hydroxy gas to remove any liquid from the hydroxy gas via gas condensation baffles 511, thereby removing any condensation from the hydroxy gas.
The output of the hydroxy gas tower scrubber 502 is then passed into an electronic back flash arrestor and gas purifier 503. The electronic back flash arrestor and gas purifier 503 quenches the burning of the hydroxy flame output at the output nozzle 504. It also aids in purifying the output hydroxy gases.
The inventor has noted that when the gas output nozzle 504 releases the gas, and when detonated in the atmosphere, it produces an exothermic reaction and expands rapidly. In contrast, if the gas is detonated in a closed container, it expands and contracts at the same time at around 0.06 second, causing a net implosion.
Method of Cell Manufacture and Assembly
With reference to
With reference to
As can be seen in
Slide the second electrolysis cell plate onto the support rod such that the insulating collar engages the first conducting spacer element and first electrolysis cell plate.
With reference to
It is envisaged that the conducting spacer elements 291 and 292 may be press fit into the plurality of apertures in each electrolysis cell plate 80. In this case to ensure a tight fit, the internal diameter of the plurality of apertures would be approximately equal to the external diameter of the conducting spacer elements 291. In some embodiments, a longitudinal compressional force is applied to the electrolysis cell plates of a cell during the above process to provide a snug fit between conducting spacer elements.
With reference to
Support member 293 includes screw threads at respective opposing ends and a nut 294 is provided for each end of the support member 293 to securely attach the conducting spacer elements 291 and 292 together.
Each of the conducting spacer elements 291 and 292 are adapted to allow for the insertion of the support member through each of the conducting spacer elements 291 and 292. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved by an aperture longitudinally through each of the conducting spacer elements 291 and 292 with a diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the support member 293 to allow for insertion of the support member 293 into each of the conducting spacer element 291 and 292.
Hydrogen Generation and Storage
Referring now to
Central to system 1300 is an electrolysis gas generation module 1302 for generating an electrolysis gas such as hydroxy gas. Module 1302 preferably comprises electrolysis gas generation system 2000 as described above that is configured to generate hydroxy gas, which can subsequently be converted to hydrogen. Module 1302 may be powered by a green energy source such as a solar energy module 1304 or Module 1302 may be powered by blue energy source such electricity from an AC power grid 1306 supplied to an AC to DC power supply 1308. By way of example, electricity from an AC power grid 1306 may provide a 240 Volt AC supply that is directed to multiple hydroxy gas generation modules 1302, each consuming 3.6 kWh. This power is delivered via an AC to DC power supply 1308, which rectifies an AC signal to a DC signal and subsequently to a DC polarity oscillator 505 for powering module 1302. Module 1302 may be powered by one or both of solar energy module 1304 and AC grid 1306. Furthermore, these power sources may be used to power other modules and elements of system 1300 described below.
The AC to DC power supply 1308 may rectify a 240 Volt or 110 Volt AC power signal to a DC signal around 18-28 Volts and 115 Amps. In other embodiments, AC to DC power supply 1308 may be configured to output other signals having higher or lower combinations of amps and voltages.
Solar energy module 1304 may represent or include commercially available photovoltaic systems that are configured to generate DC power from sunlight. By way of example, solar energy module 1304 may be a typical rooftop solar module installed on residential and commercial properties or large-scale industrial sites like solar farms. Solar energy module 1304 generates green electrical energy that may be transformed or converted into an appropriate power signal for direct operation of electrolysis gas generator modules 1302.
As described above, module 1302 is configured to perform electrolysis to generate an electrolysis gas such as hydroxy gas as an output. This hydroxy gas is transmitted to a hydrogen separation module 1310. Module 1310 preferably performs separation of H2 and O2 using a separation membrane such as a metallic membrane (e.g. palladium or palladium-silver alloys) and a pump to pass the gas through the membrane in a conventional manner known in the art. Separation module 1310 receives the hydroxy gas from module 1302 which has hydroxy gas and other gases mixed therein, as specified by industry accepted gas measuring instruments. In some embodiments, hydroxy gas generator module 1302 produces an output that has the following composition: 66.3% Hydrogen, 31.5% Oxygen, other gases and around 1.59% vapour. The separated oxygen may be vented to the atmosphere or separately contained and sold as a by-product.
Module 1310 outputs pure, clean hydrogen gas (H2) at a temperature preferably in the range of 30 degrees Celsius and 100 degrees Celsius and a pressure preferably in the range of 0 PSI to 30 PSI (0 KPa to ˜207 KPa). more generally, the pressure of the hydrogen gas output from module 1310 may be lower than 690 KPa. The output hydrogen gas is pumped, via a pump (not shown) and conduit (also not shown), to a hydrogen storage module 1312. This hydrogen storage module 1312 includes one or more dedicated storage canisters 1314 and the separated hydrogen gas from module 1310 is pumped into these storage canisters 1314 using standardised safety standards in storing hydrogen. The hydrogen gas is preferably pumped into storage module 1312 at an input temperature preferably in the range of 30 degrees Celsius and 100 degrees Celsius and an input pressure preferably in the range of 0 PSI to 30 PSI (0 KPa to ˜207 KPa). However, in some embodiments, the hydrogen gas is pumped into storage module 1312 at a pressure up to and including 690 KPa.
As shown in
Storage module 1312 may also include processing elements that facilitate the filling and distribution of hydrogen gas to the storage canisters 1314. In some embodiments, the storage canisters 1314 are maintained in a rack or mount to form a one or two dimensional array of canisters 1314 within module 1312. These canisters 1314 containing H2 stored in the hydrogen storage compound, can be moved out of this array safely and placed into cars, trucks, buses, motorbikes, harvesters, tractors or other larger vehicles used in aviation or shipping, to utilise the generated green fuel within the canister which also contains the nominated hydrogen storage compounds. The canisters 1314 within module 1312 may also remain stationary and provide a safe chemical hydrogen storage system for small scale applications like households, or large scale applications like factories or farms, or transportation vehicles by safely filling fuel cells from the hydrogen canisters.
Although not shown, storage module 1312 includes a system of gas delivery conduits, valves and regulators for selectively delivering the hydrogen gas to the canisters 1314. In some embodiments, storage module 1312 operates in a similar manner to that of an LPG) storage system.
The canisters 1314 are capable of storing hydrogen at pressures significantly lower than the current accepted 10,000 PSI (˜69,000 KPa) used in the automobile industry. In some embodiments, the canister design supports an internal temperature of less than or equal to around 100 degrees Celsius to facilitate and maintain the hydrogen bonding with the hydrogen storage compound. However other designs with other chemicals used as the hydrogen storage compound may have a variation on temperature and pressure. The input pressure of the canisters 1314 may be less than or equal to around 690 KPa and around 50 degrees Celsius. The output pressure for the canisters 1314 may be around 30 PSI (˜207 KPa) and around 95 degrees Celsius. However, pressures higher than these may be implemented in certain embodiments.
In some embodiments, hydrogen gas may be pumped from the canisters 1314 via a pump 1326 and compressed by a compressor to a pressure of around 2000 PSI (˜13,790 KPa). This compressed hydrogen gas can be input to a botanical extractor container 1328 containing a botanical compound such as hemp. The mixing of the hydrogen gas with the botanical compound produces by-products such as oils, perfumes and the like which are suitable for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Referring to
Canisters 1314 include an inlet port 1408 for selectively allowing ingress of hydrogen gas to the storage chamber 1404. The hydrogen gas is input to canister 1314 in a controlled manner using gas regulators and/or valves. Canisters 1314 also include an outlet port 1410 for selectively allowing egress of hydrogen gas from the storage chamber in a controlled manner. In some embodiments, inlet port 1408 and outlet port 1410 share the same aperture and ingress and egress of hydrogen gas is controlled by a valve and regulator assembly. Preferably, inlet port 1408 and outlet port 1410 are formed of stainless steel to withstand exposure to hydrogen gas.
To release hydrogen gas from the hydrogen storage compound, the temperature of the internal storage chamber 1404 is raised to 100 degrees Celsius or more. To achieve this, in some embodiments, canisters 1314 also include a heating element 1412 configured to selectively heat a temperature of the storage chamber 1404 to release hydrogen gas from the hydrogen storage compound 1406. By way of example, this heating element 1412 may include an electrothermal jacket that can be wrapped around protective housing 1402 of canisters 1314. In some embodiments, this electrothermal jacket includes an electrically controllable heating device. In other embodiments, heating element 1412 includes or is connected to a heating system that redirects excess heat from a fuel cell system described below or an electrolysis system described above to protective housing 1402. By way of example, heat may be piped from the fuel cell system or electrolysis system using one or more conduits to a thermally conductive jacket disposed around protective housing 1402 to heat the canister.
Although illustrated as a generally cylindrical canister, it will be appreciated that canisters 1314 may be formed in a number of other shapes and sizes depending on the location and applications of use (e.g., whether they are used for stationary or mobile applications, or small or large scale applications).
The hydrogen stored in canisters 1314 of module 1312 support the generation of electrical energy via fuel cells by utilising the stored hydrogen that is contained in canisters 1314. Canisters 1314 may be connectable with one or more fuel cells of an energy converter module 1316 via connection through outlet port 1410, as shown in
Electricity generated by the energy conversion module 1316 may be passed to an energy storage module 1320. Energy storage module 1320 includes one or more DC batteries for storing electrical energy and optionally an inverter for converting the stored DC energy into AC power. The AC power may be supplied back into the grid and/or used to power AC power loads 1318.
The canisters 1314 of storage module 1312 may be removed and used for mobile applications 1322 such as in cars, trucks, buses, aviation vehicles, and shipping. In some embodiments, storage module 1312 itself is mobile and may be transported on vehicles carrying multiple canisters 1314. This provides a safe storage of hydrogen fuel to operate fuel cells powering the vehicles such as cars. In some embodiments, a new fuel cell design may be used which is adapted to receive or connect with one or more canisters 1314. In other embodiments, the vehicle or fuel cell may provide for retrofitting one or more canisters 1314 to the vehicle for use with the fuel cell(s).
A control module 1324 is provided for automating, controlling and monitoring the entire system 1300 according to one or more decision tables, artificial intelligence or rule-based engines. Control module 1324 includes one or more processors with associated memory and controls inputs and outputs, flow rates, temperatures and pressures and makes real time decisions on flows from all modules of system 1300 with established fall-back positions, to secure efficiency and safety and the integrity of the overall system 1300. Although not shown, a series of sensors may be disposed around system 1300 and the data from these sensors are fed to control module 1324 as inputs for performing control and monitoring. Control module 1324 may be responsible for controlling the source of heat to heating element 1412 described above. By way of example, control module 1324 may control when to heat canisters 1314 using an electric heating device or when to heat canisters 1314 using heat circulated from an electrolysis system or fuel cell system. Module 1324 may also provide remote monitoring and shutdown processes and maintenance engineering redundancy, for all modules and regular software updates.
The above described system 1300 for generating and storing hydrogen provides a safe, environmentally friendly and cost effective way of generating, storing and transporting hydrogen for use as a fuel in fuel cells or the like. Through the use of suitable hydrogen storage compounds within storage canisters, the hydrogen can be stored safely at pressures below 690 KPa and at temperatures below 100 degrees Celsius. The hydrogen storage canisters 1314 are able to be safely transported and used in portable applications such as vehicles. The low pressure and temperature storage means they pose a significantly lower safety risk in terms of combustibility and explosions than conventional hydrogen storage systems, which store hydrogen at or around 10,000 PSI (˜69,000 KPa).
System 1300 can be installed and run on a residential property that is powered by one or both of a conventional solar energy module 1304 installed on the property or by electricity from an AC power grid 1306. The hydrogen generated in system 1300 can be stored in canisters 1314 and transported for use in applications like cars.
Component List
Interpretation
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “some embodiments” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in some embodiments” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.
As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.
In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.
It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, various features of the disclosure are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, Fig., or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this disclosure.
Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the disclosure, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.
In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.
Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limited to direct connections only. The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical, electrical or optical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.
Embodiments described herein are intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described and explained in terms of particular exemplary embodiments, one skiled in the art will realise that additional embodiments can be readily envisioned that are within the scope of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020904466 | Dec 2020 | AU | national |
| 2021901808 | Jun 2021 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2021/051422 | 11/29/2021 | WO |
