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A new method for producing gaseous hydrogen: general principles
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International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 28 (2003) 249 – 250
Short Communication
www.elsevier.com/locate/ijhydene
A new method for producing gaseous hydrogen: general principles Presently, gaseous hydrogen is mainly produced by the water electrolysis. However, this method demands the consumption of large amounts of the electric energy and is not pro.table. The author o0ers a new method for producing gaseous hydrogen which is called a “water dissociation method”. This method is based on electrolytic dissociation of water with subsequent reduction of the hydrogen ions by the electrons which are released during disintergration of the hydroxyl ions in the plus electric .eld set up by the hydrogen ions. The external process electrical loop is not required when producing gaseous hydrogen by the water dissociation method which considerably reduces the speci.c rates of electric energy consumption. Besides, the method has several advantages such as abandonment of the electrolyte. All this provides for production of hydrogen whose prime cost is close to or even below the prime cost of the petroleum-based fuel. The electrolysis is the secondary event in the process of transmission of the direct electric current across the circuit including the load in the form of an electrolytic conductor, i.e., ions. The ionic composition determines the character of the electrolysis. If water is regarded as an electrolytic conductor, then its ability to conduct electric current is based on the electrolytic dissociation of the water molecules: H2 O → H+ + OH−
(1)
which takes place even without the impact of the external factors. The water electrolysis carried out by transmission of the electric current across the load-containing water primordially supposes that large amounts of electric energy should be consumed in view of low conductance of the load. Addition of the electrolyte somewhat reduces the rates of consumption of the electric energy, but gives rise to a technological problem associated with the electrolyte circulation. For hydrogen production, a large quantity of electricity equivalent to the amount of hydrogen which is being released should be transmitted across the load. In view of relatively low conductance of the load, this results in a
considerable loss of the electric energy for heating the medium, even after the electrolyte is added. It seems that at the present time, all reserves for saving the electric energy in the main process, (i.e., in the electrolysis used for hydrogen production), have been exhausted. The progress in this .eld can be achieved very slowly and its e;ciency will steadily decline. Presently, at least 50 kWh of the electric energy should be consumed for the production of 1 kg of hydrogen which makes the use of the hydrogen fuel unpro.table. Nevertheless, even in these conditions the attempts are made at changing over to the hydrogen fuel in view of the unfavorable ecological situation created by the exhaust gases. Meanwhile, the problem of production of economically pro.table hydrogen can be solved, if we depart from the conventional ?ow diagram which is used for hydrogen production by water electrolysis. Primarily, the main task should be formulated. This task is as follows: to provide for hydrogen production from water at the minimum specic rates of consumption of the electric energy. This task does not connect the .nal target with the process of water electrolysis which makes it possible to search for problem solution proceeding from other starting conditions which, in our opinion, are available. The author means the use of two factors: 1. Electrolytic dissociation of water. 2. Disintegration of OH− ions in the plus electric .eld. In the .rst case, the intensity of the process is determined by the intensity of the negative electric .eld. In the second case, the intensity of the process depends on the intensity of the positive electric .eld. The new conditions provide for: 1. Territorial separation of the hydrogen oxidation and reduction stages. Oxidation (i.e., water dissociation) is left on the cathode, while reduction is transferred to the anode. To this end, the cathode should be electrically insulated which will preclude interaction of the H+ ions with the cathode electrons. The cathode function consists in hydrogen oxidation to H+ ions by the negative electric .eld.
0360-3199/02/$ 22.00 ? 2002 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 3 6 0 - 3 1 9 9 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 0 2 5 - 3
250
V. Lipovetsky / International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 28 (2003) 249 – 250
2. The intensity of the water dissociation process should be maximised by increasing the negative electric .eld on the cathode, and by the e0ects of magnetic and electromagnetic factors. 3. Separation of the H+ ions from the OH− ions. In the cathode zone, the water ions should be separated by the static or dynamic .eld of the cathode. 4. Forced dynamics of water with the separated ions which results in the H+ and OH− ions are transferred into the anode zone wherein the H+ ions set up their positive electric .eld. 5. The H+ ions are reduced by the electrons which are released during disintegration of the OH− ions in the positive electric .eld of the anode in conformity with the summary reaction: 4OH− → 2H2 O + O2 + 4e− :
(2)
The electrons ?ow into the H+ zone through a separating diaphragm which adequately conducts the electric current, thereby reducing the H+ ions to H. Simultaneously, in the anode zone, the oxygen ions are oxidized to O. The electrically insulted anode is installed in the anode zone to a0ect the anodic processes. The magnitude of its electric parametres can be adjusted. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms and then molecules are carried away by the water for gas separation accomplished by existing methods. The energetic basis of the method consists of the water molecules possessing the maximum kinetic energy being primarily subjected to dissociation, which is the main process. This results in water temperature drops during the process
of dissociation, which decreases the rate of dissociation. To keep constant the rate of dissociation, the water should be heated. Heat energy is used as the main energy in the basic process of the new method. The new method is ecologically clean and according to the invention it is called: a method for producing gaseous hydrogen by water dissociation. The advantages of the new method are: 1. The main kind of the energy which is being used—heat energy. 2. No external process electric loop is required. 3. The use of the electrolyte is obviated. All this should reduce the speci.c rate of consumption of the energy, and primarily of the electric energy, which will materially cut down the prime cost of hydrogen being produced. The use of the solar energy in the capacity of a heat source will ever more reduce the prime cost of the hydrogen. Notes: 1. The author has developed several versions of the process ?ow diagrams and plant construction. 2. The method has not been experimentally tested. Vladimir Lipovetsky 12 Gaidar St., No. 53, 95026 Simferepol, Crimea, Ukraine Tel.: +1-416-821-8322; fax: +1-416-492-2247. E-mail address: [email protected].
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 28 (2003) 249 – 250
Short Communication
www.elsevier.com/locate/ijhydene
A new method for producing gaseous hydrogen: general principles Presently, gaseous hydrogen is mainly produced by the water electrolysis. However, this method demands the consumption of large amounts of the electric energy and is not pro.table. The author o0ers a new method for producing gaseous hydrogen which is called a “water dissociation method”. This method is based on electrolytic dissociation of water with subsequent reduction of the hydrogen ions by the electrons which are released during disintergration of the hydroxyl ions in the plus electric .eld set up by the hydrogen ions. The external process electrical loop is not required when producing gaseous hydrogen by the water dissociation method which considerably reduces the speci.c rates of electric energy consumption. Besides, the method has several advantages such as abandonment of the electrolyte. All this provides for production of hydrogen whose prime cost is close to or even below the prime cost of the petroleum-based fuel. The electrolysis is the secondary event in the process of transmission of the direct electric current across the circuit including the load in the form of an electrolytic conductor, i.e., ions. The ionic composition determines the character of the electrolysis. If water is regarded as an electrolytic conductor, then its ability to conduct electric current is based on the electrolytic dissociation of the water molecules: H2 O → H+ + OH−
(1)
which takes place even without the impact of the external factors. The water electrolysis carried out by transmission of the electric current across the load-containing water primordially supposes that large amounts of electric energy should be consumed in view of low conductance of the load. Addition of the electrolyte somewhat reduces the rates of consumption of the electric energy, but gives rise to a technological problem associated with the electrolyte circulation. For hydrogen production, a large quantity of electricity equivalent to the amount of hydrogen which is being released should be transmitted across the load. In view of relatively low conductance of the load, this results in a
considerable loss of the electric energy for heating the medium, even after the electrolyte is added. It seems that at the present time, all reserves for saving the electric energy in the main process, (i.e., in the electrolysis used for hydrogen production), have been exhausted. The progress in this .eld can be achieved very slowly and its e;ciency will steadily decline. Presently, at least 50 kWh of the electric energy should be consumed for the production of 1 kg of hydrogen which makes the use of the hydrogen fuel unpro.table. Nevertheless, even in these conditions the attempts are made at changing over to the hydrogen fuel in view of the unfavorable ecological situation created by the exhaust gases. Meanwhile, the problem of production of economically pro.table hydrogen can be solved, if we depart from the conventional ?ow diagram which is used for hydrogen production by water electrolysis. Primarily, the main task should be formulated. This task is as follows: to provide for hydrogen production from water at the minimum specic rates of consumption of the electric energy. This task does not connect the .nal target with the process of water electrolysis which makes it possible to search for problem solution proceeding from other starting conditions which, in our opinion, are available. The author means the use of two factors: 1. Electrolytic dissociation of water. 2. Disintegration of OH− ions in the plus electric .eld. In the .rst case, the intensity of the process is determined by the intensity of the negative electric .eld. In the second case, the intensity of the process depends on the intensity of the positive electric .eld. The new conditions provide for: 1. Territorial separation of the hydrogen oxidation and reduction stages. Oxidation (i.e., water dissociation) is left on the cathode, while reduction is transferred to the anode. To this end, the cathode should be electrically insulated which will preclude interaction of the H+ ions with the cathode electrons. The cathode function consists in hydrogen oxidation to H+ ions by the negative electric .eld.
0360-3199/02/$ 22.00 ? 2002 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 3 6 0 - 3 1 9 9 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 0 2 5 - 3
250
V. Lipovetsky / International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 28 (2003) 249 – 250
2. The intensity of the water dissociation process should be maximised by increasing the negative electric .eld on the cathode, and by the e0ects of magnetic and electromagnetic factors. 3. Separation of the H+ ions from the OH− ions. In the cathode zone, the water ions should be separated by the static or dynamic .eld of the cathode. 4. Forced dynamics of water with the separated ions which results in the H+ and OH− ions are transferred into the anode zone wherein the H+ ions set up their positive electric .eld. 5. The H+ ions are reduced by the electrons which are released during disintegration of the OH− ions in the positive electric .eld of the anode in conformity with the summary reaction: 4OH− → 2H2 O + O2 + 4e− :
(2)
The electrons ?ow into the H+ zone through a separating diaphragm which adequately conducts the electric current, thereby reducing the H+ ions to H. Simultaneously, in the anode zone, the oxygen ions are oxidized to O. The electrically insulted anode is installed in the anode zone to a0ect the anodic processes. The magnitude of its electric parametres can be adjusted. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms and then molecules are carried away by the water for gas separation accomplished by existing methods. The energetic basis of the method consists of the water molecules possessing the maximum kinetic energy being primarily subjected to dissociation, which is the main process. This results in water temperature drops during the process
of dissociation, which decreases the rate of dissociation. To keep constant the rate of dissociation, the water should be heated. Heat energy is used as the main energy in the basic process of the new method. The new method is ecologically clean and according to the invention it is called: a method for producing gaseous hydrogen by water dissociation. The advantages of the new method are: 1. The main kind of the energy which is being used—heat energy. 2. No external process electric loop is required. 3. The use of the electrolyte is obviated. All this should reduce the speci.c rate of consumption of the energy, and primarily of the electric energy, which will materially cut down the prime cost of hydrogen being produced. The use of the solar energy in the capacity of a heat source will ever more reduce the prime cost of the hydrogen. Notes: 1. The author has developed several versions of the process ?ow diagrams and plant construction. 2. The method has not been experimentally tested. Vladimir Lipovetsky 12 Gaidar St., No. 53, 95026 Simferepol, Crimea, Ukraine Tel.: +1-416-821-8322; fax: +1-416-492-2247. E-mail address: [email protected].