Multi-cell single voltage electrolysis apparatus and method of using same

Abstract

A method and apparatus for achieving high output efficiency from an electrolysis system (100) using a plurality of electrolysis cells all located within a single electrolysis tank (101) is provided. Each individual electrolysis cell includes a membrane (105-107), a plurality of metal members comprised of at least a first and second metal member (117 / 118; 125 / 126) and at least a third and fourth metal member (121 / 122; 129 / 130), and a plurality of high voltage electrodes comprised of at least an anode (119; 127) and a cathode (123; 131). Within each cell, the high voltage anode is interposed between the first and second metal members and the high voltage cathode is interposed between the third and fourth metal members. The high voltage applied to the high voltage electrodes is pulsed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]Under 35 U.S.C. 119, the present application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date and the right of priority to Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 2,590,421, filed May 30, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for any and all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to electrolysis systems and, more particularly, to a high efficiency electrolysis system and methods of using same.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Fossil fuels, in particular oil, coal and natural gas, represent the primary sources of energy in today's world. Unfortunately in a world of rapidly increasing energy needs, dependence on any energy source of finite size and limited regional availability has dire consequences for the world's economy. In particular, as a country's need for energy increases, so does its vulnerability to disruption in the supply of that energy. Additionally, as fossil fuels are...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention provides a method and apparatus for achieving high output efficiency from an electrolysis system using a plurality of electrolysis cells all located within a single electrolysis tank. Each individual electrolysis cell includes a membrane which separates the portion of the electrolysis tank containing that electrolysis cell into two regions. Additionally, each electrolysis cell includes a plurality of metal members and a plurality of high voltage electrodes. The plurality of metal members includes at least a first and second metal member containe

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately in a world of rapidly increasing energy needs, dependence on any energy source of finite size and limited regional availability has dire consequences for the world's economy.

In particular, as a country's need for energy increases, so does its vulnerability to disruption in the supply of that energy.

Additionally, as fossil fuels are the largest single source of carbon dioxide emissions, a greenhouse gas, continued reliance on such fuels can be expected to lead to continued global warming.

This process is well developed, but due to its reliance on fossil fuels and the release of carbon dioxide during production, it does not alleviate the need for fossil fuels nor does it lower the environmental impact of its use over that of traditional fossil fuels.

Although lowering the electrical consumption of the process is desirable, this process has proven difficult to implement due to the tendency of the hydrogen and oxygen to recombine at the technique's high operating temperatures.

Although a variety of alternatives to fossil fuels in addition to hydrogen and geothermal sources have been devised, to date none of them have proven acceptable for a variety of reasons ranging from cost to environmental impact to availability.

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