Electrolytic Combustible Gas-Producing Apparatus

Abstract

It consists of a compact apparatus, easy to install, which allows the optimal dissipation of the heat produced during the electrochemical reaction, composed of a first tank (1) wherethrough water (9) enters and a second tank (2) wherethrough the hydrogen gas (7) and oxygen gas (8) resulting from the electrolysis exit mixed with the water (9), and which includes pipes (3) independent of each other, without superficial continuity therebetween, connecting both tanks (1, 2), the outer surface of which is in direct contact with the air or through the intermediation of dissipating flaps (10) to facilitate the dissipation of the heat generated during the electrolysis.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention belongs to the field of apparatus aimed at producing combustible gases by means of the electrolysis process.

The object of the invention consist of the development of a compact apparatus, easy to install, which by means of a design solution allows optimal dissipation of the heat produced during an electrochemical reaction, eliminating the need to increase the size of the unit and allowing an increase in intensities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrolysis apparatus are known to be used in several and varied applications, specifically those used, for example, in the electrolysis of water as a clean technology for the production of hydrogen gas that is subsequently used as fuel.

In the electrolysis process, water is dissociated in the cathode with the formation of hydrogen molecules and oxygen ions which are transported through the electrolyte, forming oxygen molecules on the surface of the anode with electron detachment. In order for these electrons to be transported from the anode to the cathode, to produce the electrolytic reaction, electrical energy must be applied.

The electrochemical reaction produced inside the unit gives off heat, reaching excessive temperatures in some units.

Most known systems are closed and the gas-producing units are submerged in water in closed tanks, due to which the high temperatures reached represent a problem that requires reducing the intensities or building larger and more expensive systems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The electrolytic combustible gas-producing apparatus that constitutes the object of this invention satisfactorily solves the previously expounded problems.

This gas-producing apparatus is configured by separate tanks, which consist of a first tank wherethrough water enters and a second tank wherethrough hydrogen gas and oxygen gas resulting from the electrolysis exit, mixed with the circulating water, and by at least one outer pipe that connects both tanks, slightly penetrating both by its extremities and which is connected to a first electrical terminal and by an inner core connected to a second electrical terminal of opposing polarity to that of the first terminal.

The apparatus basically stands out because the outer surface of the pipe is in contact with the air or with the intermediation of flaps that facilitate dissipation of the heat generated during the electrolysis and therefore cooling of the apparatus.

As described above, the core is disposed inside each pipe and may consist of one or more internal pipes, rods or strips that end in both tanks by their extremities.

In order to maximise cooling, the apparatus may include an electric fan or similar that will facilitate heat extraction.

The apparatus thus configured therefore consists of an open system that works in continuous mode and has an optimal working temperature which does not require lowering the intensity, as opposed to the case of the two currently known closed systems. The same working intensity to that used in conventional systems leads to higher productions using this apparatus.

The degree of cooling obtained as a consequence of this configuration determines that the size of the unit is smaller to that of other units, the configuration of which does not allow suitable cooling, thereby achieving a reduction in the space occupied.

In accordance with this apparatus structure, the number, size, shape and location of the pipes may be modified, in addition to the shape of the tanks in order to obtain different designs having the suitable volume for the space where it will disposed, thereby allowing easy installation.

The apparatus functions in the following manner: water is continuously introduced into the first tank; next, said water is directed through the pipes at the same time that the terminals are subjected to a current, whereupon the electrochemical reaction that gives rise to the formation of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas takes place. The gas is transported towards the second tank dissolved in the water, wherefrom it exits for the subsequent use thereof as fuel. The heat generated during the electrochemical reaction is dissipated in an optimal manner through the pipes in contact with the air.

The apparatus is thus constantly fed with water which exits in the form of gas, thereby preventing the water from stagnating, therefore favouring the continuous production of gas.

The applications of this apparatus are multiple, highlighting its use for feeding hydrogen batteries, for example, for combustion engines, . . . , without ruling out other uses in industry, housing and others.

The apparatus may be composed of stainless steel, aluminium, titanium or a combination of both, in carbon fibre, plastic or any other suitable material.

The gas-producing apparatus may be housed within a conventional facility that includes an independent main tank. In this case, the main tank is connected to the entrance of the first tank of the apparatus to which it supplies water by means of a sleeve, with the possible intermediation of a pump that forces the water to circulate towards the apparatus. Another sleeve connected to the exit of the second tank of the apparatus returns the gases produced therein to the main tank, where they are mixed with the water to favour the removal of impurities produced during electrolysis, whereupon the clean gas finally exits the main tank.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to complement this description and with the object of helping to better understand the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings, in accordance with a preferred example of practical embodiment thereof, has been included as an integral part of said description, wherein the following has been represented in an illustrative and non-limiting manner:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the electrolytic combustible gas-producing apparatus having a single pipe with dissipating flaps.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the electrolytic combustible gas-producing apparatus having several pipes wherein the core included in each pipe is another pipe of smaller diameter.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of the apparatus having several pipes, wherein the core is formed of several strips.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Based on the figures, a series of possible embodiments of the electrolytic combustible gas-producing apparatus that is the object of this invention is described below in detail.

In accordance with that represented in FIG. 1, the combustible gas-producing apparatus comprises a first tank (1) wherethrough water enters (9) and a second tank (2) wherethrough hydrogen gas (7) and oxygen gas (8) resulting from the electrolysis exits mixed with circulating water (9), in addition to comprising a pipe (3) that communicates both tanks (1, 2), slightly penetrating said tanks (1, 2) by its extremities, which is connected to a first electrical terminal (4), and having a core (5) disposed inside the outer pipe (3) which ends in both tanks (1, 2) by its extremities, consisting of a pipe (5) that is connected to a second electrical terminal (6) of opposing polarity to that of the first terminal (4).

As we can observe in this FIG. 1, the pipe (3) is in contact with the air with the intermediation of dissipating flaps (10) that facilitate the dissipation of the heat generated during electrolysis.

In FIG. 2, we can observe a second embodiment with the same structure to that represented in FIG. 1, wherein three independent pipes (3) are now disposed, without superficial continuity therebetween, wherein the corresponding cores (5) consisting of pipes (5) are disposed, wherein the pipes (5) are connected to the second terminal (6).

In FIG. 3, we can observe another embodiment wherein, as opposed to that represented in FIG. 2, the core (5′) inside of the pipes (3) consists of a group of strips (5′).

In any of the apparatus represented in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is envisaged that the pipes (3) will be separated and with their outer surface in direct contact with the air, so as to maximise dissipation of the heat generated in the electrolysis and therefore cooling of the apparatus. In FIG. 1 we can observe that the direct contact with the air is established by means of the flaps (10) surrounding the outer surface of the pipe (3).

Claims

1-3. (canceled)

4. An electrolytic combustible gas-producing apparatus, characterised by comprising:

a first tank wherethrough a continuous flow of water enters and a second tank wherethrough a continuous flow of water mixed with hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, resulting from the electrolysis, exits,

at least one pipe that communicates the first tank and the second tank, slightly penetrating said first and second tanks by its extremities, and which is connected to an electrical terminal, and

at least one core disposed inside the pipe which ends in both the first and second tanks by its extremities and which is connected to a second electrical terminal of opposing polarity to that of the first terminal,

wherein an outer surface of the pipe is in direct contact with the air or through an intermediation of dissipating flaps to facilitate dissipation of heat generated during electrolysis.

5. The electrolytic combustible gas-producing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of pipes are connected to the first tank and to the second tank.

6. The electrolytic combustible gas-producing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the core comprises one or more pipes or rods or strips.

7. The electrolytic combustible gas-producing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the core comprises one or more pipes or rods or strips.

8. The electrolytic combustible gas-producing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a fan oriented towards the at least one pipe.

9. The electrolytic combustible gas-producing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a fan oriented towards the plurality of pipes.