Gas Patents (Class 204/258)
  • Patent number: 11575143
    Abstract: At a position between a fuel offgas inlet portion and a fuel gas inlet portion in a main body portion in the facing direction where a first end faces a second end, a fluid confluence joint is provided with at least either one of (i) at least one step formed over a whole circumference of an inner wall of the main body portion by reducing the passage sectional area on a fuel gas passage portion side to be smaller than the passage sectional area on a confluence passage portion side, and (ii) at least one partition wall formed over the whole circumference so as to project inwardly from the inner wall of the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanao Tomura, Yushi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11390541
    Abstract: A novel system for generating ozonated water, for example, for sterilization of medical equipment. The system comprises an ozone generating cell including a nafion membrane separating an anode, and a cathode enclosed within a cell housing. The cell housing has a cathode housing portion and an anode housing portion separated by the membrane. The housing also incorporates an integrated spectrophotometer including a bubble trap. The system includes a hydrogen water reservoir for receiving water from the cathode and an ozone water reservoir for receiving generated ozonated water from the anode. Control circuitry controls a set of pumps, and controls ozone generation in a closed loop using the spectrophotometer to provide a selected ozone concentration in the ozonated water from the anode. An output port coupled to the ozone water reservoir allows ozonated water to flow out of the system for external use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Northstar Medical Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dorian Lust
  • Patent number: 11225724
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrally combined electrical current carrier, circulation chamber and frame (CCF) formed as a single or double part (CCF) for use in unipolar electrochemical devices, such as a filter press electrolyser apparatus. The CCF is structured to define an internal circulation chamber for circulation of electrolyte, products, and reactants as well as apertures which form flow passageways when the filter press device is assembled. Affixed on opposed surfaces of the CCFs are electrically conductive planar electroactive structures which are in electrical contact with the CCF. The circulation chamber is formed by the depth of the CCF itself between opposing electroactive structures. Multiple CCFs are assembled and compressed together to form the filter press electrolyser apparatus. The flow passageway apertures within the assembled filter press electrolyser are aligned to form flow pathways, located above and below the circulation chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: KEY DH IP INC./IP STRATEGIQUES DH, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew T. B. Stuart, Raynald G. Lachance, Edward D. B. Stuart, Samantha E. L. Stuart, Jaideep S. Spal
  • Patent number: 11136677
    Abstract: Method for the gastight and liquid-tight installation of oxygen consuming electrodes in an electrolysis apparatus, and electrolysis apparatus for use in chloralkali electrolysis, in which particular regions are covered with an additional film having a composition comparable to the oxygen-consuming electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignees: Covestro Deutschland AG, Thyssenkrupp Uhde Chlorine Engineers (Italia) S.R.L.
    Inventors: Andreas Bulan, Michael Großholz, Randolf Kiefer, Peter Woltering
  • Patent number: 11101480
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides fuel cell units formed from a plurality of flow plate assemblies disposed in a stack configuration, with adjacent flow plate assemblies in the stack configuration disposed at an offset angle relative to each other. Fuel cell stacks can be formed from a plurality of the fuel cell units placed into a stack aligned with each other with no offset. The present disclosure also provides for methods of forming the fuel cell units, fuel cell stacks, and fuel cell systems containing the former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Scott Baird, Jonathan Cole
  • Patent number: 11092117
    Abstract: A system and method of providing HHO gas to an internal combustion engine in a vehicle involves providing a liquid electrolyte solution to at least one HHO generator including an HHO generating structure having a plurality of parallel plates suspended in a fluid compartment. Residual electrolyte solution is separated from the HHO gas output by the HHO generator, and a quantity of the HHO gas is stored in a pressure tank at a pressure level exceeding an ambient atmospheric pressure. The HHO gas is selectively delivered to an intake side of the internal combustion engine by a valve structure coupled to the pressure tank, which is controlled at least in part by a throttle signal of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: The Hydrogen Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Allen Watson, James Edward Lowe, Armand Rene Dauplaise
  • Patent number: 11035045
    Abstract: An organic hydride production apparatus that enables the reduction reaction at the cathode of an organic compound having an unsaturated bond to proceed at high current efficiency and at a low electric power consumption rate, and a method for producing an organic hydride that uses this production apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignees: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION YOKOHAMA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, DE NORA PERMELEC LTD.
    Inventors: Shigenori Mitsushima, Yasutomo Takakuwa, Yoshinori Nishiki, Akihiro Kato, Akiyoshi Manabe
  • Patent number: 11009865
    Abstract: A data collection system in an industrial environment includes a data collector coupled to a plurality of input channels, wherein at least one is connected to a vibration detection facility for detecting a noise pattern from a first industrial machine of a plurality of industrial machines; a data storage structured to store a plurality of noise patterns from the plurality of industrial machines in a library; a data acquisition circuit structured to interpret a plurality of detection values from the collected data; and a data analysis circuit structured to analyze the collected data to determine if the noise pattern from the first industrial machine matches a noise pattern of a second industrial machine stored in the library, wherein if it matches an alarm condition is set to indicate the first industrial machine is experiencing a condition characteristic of the machine performance category of the second industrial machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Strong Force IoT Portfolio 2016, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Howard Cella, Gerald William Duffy, Jr., Jeffrey P. McGuckin, Mehul Desai
  • Patent number: 10981811
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and method for remediating wastewater and human waste that is self-contained and that has no connection to a municipal wastewater system and no connection to an electrical grid. The domestic toilet and wastewater treatment system can be powered by a photovoltaic panel as a source of electricity. The system includes an electrochemical cell that allows a waste stream to be disinfected in a few hours to a condition where no viable bacterial colonies can be cultured. The system produces a liquid stream that is suitable for system flushing or for uses in which non-potable water is acceptable. The system can generate hydrogen as a product that can be used to generate power. The system can generate nitrate, urea, ammonia and phosphate for use as fertilizer. The disinfected residual organic solids are also completely disinfected for potential use as an organic soil amendment for agriculture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael R. Hoffman, Asghar Aryanfar, Kangwoo Cho, Clement A. Cid, Daejung Kwon, Yan Qu
  • Patent number: 10883181
    Abstract: Provided is a hydrogen generator which is provided with: an electrolytic cell; an anion exchange membrane which divides the electrolytic cell into a cathode chamber and an anode chamber; a cathode chamber water supply part which supplies water to the cathode chamber; an anode chamber water supply part which supplies water to the anode chamber; a cathode that is provided on the cathode chamber-side surface of the anion exchange membrane; an anode that is provided on the anode chamber-side surface of the anion exchange membrane; a cathode feeder that is arranged within the cathode chamber and feeds power to the cathode; an anode feeder that is arranged within the anode chamber and feeds power to the anode; and an active oxygen reduction material that is arranged within the anode chamber and reduces active oxygen generated within the anode chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ENVIRONMENTAL & CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takanami, Yusaku Nasu
  • Patent number: 10844494
    Abstract: Methods and systems for electrochemically producing at least one product are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems include a membraneless electrochemical flow-through reactor. A pair of porous electrodes configured at an angle to each other is disposed within the reactor in a channel of flowing electrolyte including a target reactant. As the electrolyte stream flows through the porous electrodes, a voltage is applied across the electrodes, resulting in the generation of a catholyte effluent stream and an anolyte effluent stream Gaseous and/or liquid products may then be separated from these streams. The membraneless electrochemical flow-through reactor is an easy to design and assemble apparatus for a variety of electrochemical processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Daniel Vincent Esposito, Glen Daniel O'Neil
  • Patent number: 10634098
    Abstract: A system and method of providing HHO gas to an internal combustion engine in a vehicle involves providing a liquid electrolyte solution to at least one HHO generator including an HHO generating structure having a plurality of parallel plates suspended in a fluid compartment. Residual electrolyte solution is separated from the HHO gas output by the HHO generator, and a quantity of the HHO gas is stored in a pressure tank at a pressure level exceeding an ambient atmospheric pressure. The HHO gas is electively delivered to an intake side of the internal combustion engine by a valve structure coupled to the pressure tank, which is controlled at least in part by a throttle signal of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Hydrogen Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Allen Watson, James Edward Lowe, Armand Rene Dauplaise
  • Patent number: 10480086
    Abstract: Multipurpose electrolytic device (EMPD) for forced or spontaneous electrolytic processes, which incorporates selective and unidirectional ion exchange membranes in order to separate between two or more compartments and allow electrical conductivity therebetween, with independent electrolytes for controlled electrolytic ion transformation, regardless of the chemical composition of the electrolyte containing the element of interest, with high faradaic efficiency and high energy performance. The invention also relates to a method. The device can be used for processes such as metal electrowinning (EW), metal electrorefining, electrooxidation (EOXI) and electroreduction (ERED) of ionic species. The device uses two independent, energetically suitable electrolytes, which allow controlled electrolytic ion transformation, with high faradaic efficiency and high energy performance, unlike current forced electrolysis methods, which operate with a common electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: PROTECH SPA
    Inventor: Jaime Roberto Simpson Alvarez
  • Patent number: 10180119
    Abstract: A system and method of providing HHO gas to an internal combustion engine in a vehicle involves providing a liquid electrolyte solution to at least one HHO generator including an HHO generating structure having a plurality of parallel plates suspended in a fluid compartment. Residual electrolyte solution is separated from the HHO gas output by the HHO generator, and a quantity of the HHO gas is stored in a pressure tank at a pressure level exceeding an ambient atmospheric pressure. The HHO gas is electively delivered to an intake side of the internal combustion engine by a valve structure coupled to the pressure tank, which is controlled at least in part by a throttle signal of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: THE HYDROGEN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Allen Watson, James Edward Lowe, Armand Rene Dauplaise
  • Patent number: 10175191
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor (10) has a housing (20), a working electrode (51), a counterelectrode (52) and a reference electrode (53). The housing (20) has an electrolyte reservoir (30), a gas inlet orifice (21) and at least one gas outlet orifice (22). The electrolyte reservoir (30) is filled with a liquid electrolyte (40). The gas sensor (10) has a counterelectrode carrier (26). The counterelectrode (52) is suspended on the counterelectrode carrier (26) in such a way that the counterelectrode (52) is suspended in the electrolyte reservoir (30) and the electrolyte (40) flows around the counterelectrode (52) on all sides. Preferably, the electrolyte includes (I) a solvent, e.g. water, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate or mixtures thereof; (ii) a conductive salt, especially an ionic liquid; and/or (iii) an organic mediator, for example substituted quinones, anthraquinones, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Andreas Nauber, Michael Sick, Gregor Steiner, Marie-Isabell Mattern-Frühwald, Frank Mett, Rigobert Chrzan, Sabrina Sommer
  • Patent number: 10087534
    Abstract: A hydrogen evolution cell which on passage of an electric current liberates an amount of hydrogen proportional to an amount of current flowing through, includes an electrochemically oxidizable anode, a hydrogen cathode, an electrolyte and a casing surrounding the same, wherein the hydrogen cathode is associated structure of at least one pocket defining a hollow space or defines a hollow space in the presence of hydrogen overpressure or wherein the cathode forms such a pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Varta Microbattery GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Krebs, Robert Hahn, Michael Schmalz
  • Patent number: 9847468
    Abstract: A lead frame comprises a substrate comprising copper and includes a layer of bright silver is plated onto the substrate. A layer of doped bright silver is thereafter plated over a top surface of the layer of bright silver for enhancing the performance of LED devices utilizing the lead frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ASM TECHNOLOGY SINGAPORE PTE LTD
    Inventors: Yu Lung Lam, Yiu Fai Kwan, Ching Man Tsui, Ho Ki Yeung
  • Publication number: 20150075997
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating low pressure hydrogen gas from fuel solutions (i.e., alcohols) without the use of an external power source or external heat source. The apparatus comprises (a) a first chamber for fuel storage having an aperture, (b) a second chamber for the temporary storage of hydrogen gas generated having an aperture, (c) a first electrochemical cell (Cell-1) and (d) a second electrochemical cell (Cell-2). Cell-2 is disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber so that its anode is in fluid communication with the first chamber and its cathode is in fluid communication with the second chamber. Cell-1 is disposed on the opposite side of the first chamber from Cell-2 so that the anode therein is in fluid communication with the first chamber, and the cathode therein is in fluid communication with an oxidizing agent. The first chamber is sandwiched between Cell-1 and Cell-2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: U.S. Army Research Laboratory ATTN: RDRL-LOC-I
    Inventors: Rongzhong Jiang, Dat Tien Tran, Deryn D. Chu
  • Patent number: 8961747
    Abstract: In a method of stopping an operation of a water electrolysis system, an on-off valve disposed in a pressure release line communicating with a cathode side of an electrolytic membrane is opened while an electrolytic current is applied between power feeders to electrolyze water for generating oxygen on an anode side of the electrolytic membrane and high pressure hydrogen having a higher pressure than a pressure of the oxygen on the cathode side. A value of the electrolytic current is reduced in a predetermined cycle or continuously. One of a specific resistance and conductivity of water to be supplied to the high pressure hydrogen producing apparatus is detected. The value of the electrolytic current is increased if the specific resistance is equal to or lower than a first predetermined value, or if the conductivity is equal to or higher than a second predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Kurashina, Nobuyuki Kawasaki, Hiroyuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8945356
    Abstract: A high-temperature module for electrolysis of water with improved operational safety, in which steam containing at most 1% hydrogen can be made to flow simultaneously in each cathode and in each anode, as a draining gas, of a stack of cells. The stack of cells is housed in a sealed case and a mechanism for clamping by compression of the stack is included. The risks of leaks likely to cause impairments of efficiency and breakages of all or part of a stack EHT electrolyzer are reduced, while a high level of efficiency is provided due to the fact that satisfactory electrical conduction is maintained by compression of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Patrick Le Gallo, Jean-Luc Sarro, Michel Planque, Magali Reytier
  • Patent number: 8894829
    Abstract: A water electrolysis apparatus is formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells. Each unit cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and an anode separator and a cathode separator which sandwich the membrane electrode assembly therebetween. The anode separator has a plurality of inlet joint channels in fluid communication with a water supply passage, and a plurality of outlet joint channels in fluid communication with a discharge passage. The water supply passage has an inner wall surface at which the inlet joint channels are open, and an outer wall surface which faces the inner wall surface, the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface jointly forming an opening of an oblong cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Haryu, Masanori Okabe, Koji Nakazawa, Kenji Taruya
  • Patent number: 8864963
    Abstract: The present invention provides a resin-wafer electrodeionization (RW-EDI) apparatus including cathode and anode electrodes separated by a plurality of porous solid ion exchange resin wafers, which when in use are filled with an aqueous fluid. The apparatus includes one or more wafers comprising a basic ion exchange medium, and preferably includes one or more wafers comprising an acidic ion exchange medium. The wafers are separated from one another by ion exchange membranes. The fluid within the acidic and/or basic ion exchange wafers preferably includes, or is in contact with, a carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme to facilitate conversion of bicarbonate ion to carbon dioxide within the acidic medium. A pH suitable for exchange of CO2 is electrochemically maintained within the basic and acidic ion exchange wafers by applying an electric potential across the cathode and anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: YuPo J. Lin, Seth W. Snyder, Michael C. Trachtenberg, Robert M. Cowan, Saurav Datta
  • Patent number: 8852409
    Abstract: A high purity ceramic oxygen generator incorporating a module utilizing a plurality of tubular ceramic membrane elements and configured to operate in: (i) a pressurizing mode to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing feed stream when an electric potential difference is applied to induce oxygen ion transport in an electrolyte thereof; and (ii) an idle mode when the electric potential difference is removed. The ceramic oxygen generator further includes one or more manifolds as well as one or more automatic purge valves located upstream of the oxygen receiving tank. The purge valve is opened for a pre-set duration upon initiation of the pressurization mode to purge any nitrogen or other contaminating gas that diffuses into the ceramic oxygen generator during idle mode thereby ensuring the desired purity level of oxygen is received by the oxygen receiving tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome T. Jankowiak, David F. Suggs, Sadashiv M. Swami, Lane A. Keser, Arthur C. Selover
  • Publication number: 20140183054
    Abstract: An efficient method and system for the electrochemical treatment of waste water comprising organic and/or inorganic pollutants is disclosed. The system comprises an electrolytic cell comprising a solid polymer, proton exchange membrane electrolyte operating without catholyte or other supporting electrolyte. The cell design and operating conditions chosen provide for significantly greater operating efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: AXINE WATER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Colleen Legzdins
  • Patent number: 8715470
    Abstract: Anode and cathode separator plates are suitable for use in ion pumps for converting an input stream such as reformate into a pressurized and purified hydrogen-rich gas stream. The plates may include a single cathode outlet opening forming a portion of cathode output gas manifold, an anode inlet opening forming a portion of an inlet gas stream manifold and being sized larger than inlet cathode outlet opening, the distance of the anode inlet opening to an edge of the plate being less than the distance of the cathode outlet opening from an edge of the plate, and the size of the fluid flow channel of the anode separator plate being smaller than the size of the fluid flow channel of the cathode separator plate. Methods for forming the plates and infrastructure systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Arne W. Ballantine, David C. Kirchhoff, James F. McElroy, Michael P. Gordon
  • Patent number: 8709220
    Abstract: Each unit cell of a water electrolysis apparatus includes a pair of an anode separator and a cathode separator and a membrane electrode assembly interposed between the pair of separators. The anode separator has a first flow field to which water is supplied, and the cathode separator has a second flow field for producing high-pressure hydrogen through electrolysis of the water. A second seal groove for receiving a second seal member is disposed annularly around the second flow field. A pressure-releasing chamber is disposed outwardly of the second seal groove, is capable of communicating with the second seal groove and communicates with the outside through a depressurizing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Nakazawa, Masanori Okabe, Eiji Haryu, Kenji Taruya, Koichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8702914
    Abstract: An oxygen generator having a honeycomb body composed of an oxygen ion conducting material is disclosed. The honeycomb body includes one or more air channels, each of which is composed of a plurality of the first channels and the first connecting holes therebetween to form a tortuous air flow path for lengthening the detention time of air, and oxygen collection channels, each of which is composed of a plurality of the second channels and the second connecting holes therebetween for oxygen passage. The first and second channels, which extend laterally through across the body and parallel to each other, are all sealed with glass members at both the front face and back face of the body. The source gas is provided and exhausted from one side face of the body to the other side face via a plurality of air inlets and air outlets, respectively, which laterally intersect the first channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: National Taipei University of Technology
    Inventors: Sea-Fue Wang, Anthony Lee
  • Publication number: 20140093810
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell comprising an anode and a cathode compartments, separated by a membrane, having corresponding electrodes; said anode and cathode compartments each having an external wall, flanged areas designed like frames in the contact area of the compartments, and a gas diffusion electrode comprising a liquid-permeable carrier coated with a catalyst material; said gas diffusion electrode featuring an area not coated with catalyst at its bottom edge, said area, at the bottom end of the electrochemical cell, protruding between the flanged areas of the external wall of the cathode compartment and the flanged areas of the external wall of the anode compartment in the contact area of the compartments; a porous material arranged parallel between the gas diffusion electrode and the membrane, and devices for the supply and discharge of gas and electrolyte, with a gas space separated from an electrolyte space by appropriate means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: UHDENORA, S.P.A.
    Inventors: Peter Woltering, Randolf Kiefer, Rainer Weber, Andreas Bulan
  • Publication number: 20140093811
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell comprising an anode and a cathode compartment separated by a membrane, housing corresponding electrodes. The anode and the cathode compartments having external walls with frame-type flanged areas in the contact area of both compartments. The flanged areas having mounting bores marking an inner area and an outer area of the electrochemical cell a, gas-diffusion electrode resting on a support system, a porous material resting on the gas-diffusion electrode, and devices for the inlet and outlet of gas and electrolyte. At least one circumferential gasket frame is in the contact area of both compartments, between the frame-type flanged areas of the external walls of both compartments, said gasket resting on the membrane, with the porous material and the gas-diffusion electrode resting on the frame-type cathodic flanged area and the circumferential gasket frame overlapping in this area with the porous material and the gas-diffusion electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Uhdenora, S.P.A.
    Inventors: Randolf Kiefer, Peter Woltering, Rainer Weber, Andreas Bulan, Michael Grossholz
  • Patent number: 8679305
    Abstract: A high-pressure hydrogen producing apparatus includes a cell device and a piston member. The piston member is to apply a pressing force to the cell device from an end of the piston member in a stacking direction in which unit cells are stacked. The piston member is provided with a first hydrogen passage, at least one second hydrogen passage, and a hydrogen lead-out passage. The first hydrogen passage and the second hydrogen passage are spaced at substantially equal angular intervals on a virtual circle centered on a center of an end face of the piston member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Nakazawa, Hiroyuki Ishikawa, Yuji Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 8669499
    Abstract: A domestic apparatus, such as a cooking appliance, uses hydrogen and, optionally electrical heating, to cook food. The cooking appliance may have a cooking surface (e.g. a grilling surface) so as to result in an indoor barbeque, which may be used with no venting or reduced venting requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8658008
    Abstract: A high-pressure hydrogen producing apparatus includes a first cell device and a second cell device. The first cell device includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode electrode catalyst layer and an anode current collector provided on a first surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode electrode catalyst layer and a cathode current collector provided on a second surface of the electrolyte membrane. The second cell device includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode current collector provided on a first surface of the electrolyte membrane of the second cell device, and a cathode current collector provided on a second surface of the electrolyte membrane of the second cell device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Takeuchi, Kenji Taruya
  • Patent number: 8641887
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a gas decomposition apparatus and a gas decomposition method in which no safety problems occur in spite of the application of a relatively high voltage between an anode and a cathode for the purpose of decomposing odorous gases of many types. [Solution] A catalytic electrode layer 6 that contains a catalyst and is porous; a counter electrode layer 7 that forms a pair with the catalytic electrode; and an electrolyte layer 15 that is sandwiched between the catalytic electrode and the counter electrode and has ion conductivity are included. The catalyst is held by the catalytic electrode in the form of being carried by a carrier containing a conductive material or the catalyst is directly carried by the catalytic electrode. A conductive material in the catalytic electrode, the conductive material being in contact with the catalyst, is not a noncovalent carbon material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Majima, Shinji Inazawa, Koji Nitta, Masahiro Yamakawa, Takayasu Sugihara, Yasuhiro Takeda, Yoshihiro Akahane, Takahiro Imai
  • Publication number: 20140001033
    Abstract: A hydrogen fuel system for an internal combustion engine comprises a water reservoir and a fuel cell formed from a plurality of fuel cell stacks in fluid communication with the water reservoir. Each fuel cell stack includes at least one gasket disposed between two components of the fuel cell stack, the gasket including: a through hole formed therein for passage of hydrogen or oxygen through the gasket; and a plurality of channels formed in the gasket adjacent the through hole, each of the plurality of channels extending from an edge of the through hole to an edge of the gasket, the channels being sized and shaped to allow passage of hydrogen or oxygen to or from the through hole to or from the edge of the gasket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Arthur Jeffs, Heber Barlow
  • Publication number: 20130330648
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flat tubular solid-oxide fuel cell and to a water electrolysis apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flat tubular solid-oxide fuel cell and to a water electrolysis apparatus, wherein the flat tubular solid-oxide fuel cell comprises: a cell stack including a plurality of flat tubular unit cells; and first manifolds which are made of ceramic materials, and each of which has a first reaction gas inlet/outlet portion for the entry/exit of a first reaction gas to/from the cell stack and a first insertion portion for the insertion of either of the two ends of the cell stack, wherein the first manifolds are arranged at both ends of the cell stack, respectively, to thereby simplify the structure of the fuel cell and minimize the number of sealing portions in order to reduce the loss of reaction gas or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Sun-Dong Kim, In-Sub Han, Doo-Won Seo, Ji-Haeng Yu, Se-Young Kim, Sang-Kuk Woo
  • Publication number: 20130292257
    Abstract: The present disclosure is a method and system for production of carboxylic based chemicals, including carboxylic acids and salts. A method for producing at oxalic acid may include receiving an anolyte feed at an anolyte region of an electrochemical cell including an anode and receiving a catholyte feed including carbon dioxide and an alkali metal hydroxide at a catholyte region of the electrochemical cell including a cathode. Method may include applying an electrical potential between the anode and cathode sufficient to reduce the carbon dioxide to at least one reduction product and converting the at least one reduction product and the alkali metal hydroxide to an alkali metal oxalate via a thermal reactor. The method may further include receiving the alkali metal oxalate at an electrochemical acidification electrolyzer and converting the alkali metal oxalate to oxalic acid at the electrochemical acidification electrolyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Jerry J. Kaczur
  • Patent number: 8551304
    Abstract: An Alkaline Electrolyzer Cell Configuration (AECC) has a hydrogen half cell; an oxygen half cell; a GSM (Gas Separation Membrane); two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens; an outer hydrogen half cell spacer screen; a hydrogen electrode; two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens; an outer oxygen half cell spacer screen; and an oxygen electrode. The hydrogen half cell includes the hydrogen electrode which is located between said two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens and said outer hydrogen half cell spacer screen. The oxygen half cell includes the oxygen electrode which is located between said two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens and said outer oxygen half cell spacer screen. The GSM is provided between said two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens of the hydrogen half cell and said two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens of the oxygen half cell to from the electrolyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: William R Richards, Alan L Volker
  • Patent number: 8506787
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having two or more diffusion bonded layers, which demonstrates a high degree of ruggedness, reliability, efficiency and attitude insensitiveness, is provided. The novel cell structure simplifies construction and operation of these cells. Also provided is a method for passive water removal from these cells. The inventive cell, as well as stacks made using these cells, is suitable for use in applications such as commercial space power systems, long endurance aircraft, undersea power systems, remote backup power systems, and regenerative fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Callahan, James F. McElroy, Alfred Meyer, William F. Smith
  • Patent number: 8500971
    Abstract: An electrolyser including a stack of a plurality of elementary electrolysis cells, each cell including a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte provided between the cathode and the anode. An interconnection plate is interposed between each anode of an elementary cell and a cathode of a following elementary cell, the interconnection plate being in electric contact with the anode and the cathode. A pneumatic fluid is to be brought into contact with the cathodes, and the electrolyser further includes a mechanism ensuring circulation of the pneumatic fluid in the electrolyser for heating it up before contacting the same with the cathodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Patrick Le Gallo, Pierre Baurens
  • Patent number: 8465629
    Abstract: A membrane for use with an electrochemical apparatus is provided. The electrochemical apparatus may include a fuel cell or electrolyzer, for example, an electrolyzer adapted to produce hydrogen. The membrane comprises a fabric made from a synthetic fiber such as nylon where the nylon, in an exemplary embodiment, is woven into ripstop nylon fabric. The electrochemical apparatus is constructed with frames comprising high-density polyethylene (HDPE) which provide support and structure to the membranes as well as to internal electrodes. A method of making an electrochemical apparatus, such as an electrolyzer, containing a membrane comprising ripstop nylon is also disclosed, as is a method for producing hydrogen gas with an electrolyzer containing a membrane comprising ripstop nylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher M. McWhinney, David C. Erbaugh
  • Publication number: 20130112550
    Abstract: Among other things, a device for use in electrolyzing water is described. The device comprises an electrolysis unit that includes a chamber, an ion exchange structure in the chamber, a cathode, an anode, a high pressure chamber, and a reservoir. The chamber is separated by the ion exchange structure into a first compartment and a second compartment. The cathode is in the first compartment and the anode in the second compartment. The reservoir is disposed in the high pressure chamber for storing water to be supplied to the chamber of the electrolysis unit. In some implementations, the ion exchange structure is a proton exchange membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: ENCITE LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Marsh, Donald Merrill Parker
  • Patent number: 8425740
    Abstract: The present invention provides an excellent durable cathode for hydrogen generation, which has a low hydrogen overvoltage and reduced dropping-off of a catalyst layer against the reverse current generated when an electrolyzer is stopped, and a method for producing the same. The present invention provides a cathode for hydrogen generation having a conductive base material and a catalyst layer formed on the conductive base material, wherein the catalyst layer includes crystalline iridium oxide, platinum and iridium-platinum alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Takeaki Sasaki, Akiyasu Funakawa, Tadashi Matsushita, Toshinori Hachiya
  • Patent number: 8419910
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a balance-of-plant system and apparatus suited for regulating the operation of an electrolyzer cell stack. Specifically, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system and apparatus is operable to regulate the respective pressures of at least two reaction products relative to one another. Various examples are provided to demonstrate how the respective pressures of two reaction products can be regulated in relation to one another in a pressure following configuration, thereby regulating the pressure differential across an electrolyte layer according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention. Some of the examples provided also include design simplifications and alternatives that may reduce production costs of electrochemical cells configured according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale, David Frank, Nathaniel Ian Joos
  • Publication number: 20130043123
    Abstract: A device for high temperature electrolysis of water, including: at least one elementary electrolysis cell including a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte intermediate between the cathode and the anode; a first device forming an electrical and fluid interconnector including a metallic part delimited by at least one plane, the metallic part including an internal chamber and plural holes distributed on the surface, approximately perpendicular to the plane and opening up on the plane and in the chamber, the plane of the first interconnector being in mechanical contact with a plane of the cathode. The device can achieve a uniform current density in each electrolysis cell and can increase steam usage ratio in each electrolysis cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Magali Reytier, Pierre Baurens
  • Patent number: 8317986
    Abstract: An electrolyser for generating hydrogen including a plurality of elementary electrolysis cells including a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte provided between the cathode and the anode. An interconnection plate is interposed between the anode of an elementary cell and a cathode of a following elementary cell, in electric contact with the anode and the cathode, and includes a cathodic compartment, an anodic compartment for circulation of fluid to the cathode and the anode respectively, and a chamber for collecting a gas generated at the cathode, separated from the cathodic compartment and the anodic compartment by first and second walls respectively, the first wall at least having a thickness allowing diffusion of the gas through the first wall from the cathodic compartment to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Patrick Le Gallo
  • Patent number: 8308918
    Abstract: There is provided a hydrogen generator. The hydrogen generator including: an electrolytic bath having an inner space of a predetermined size; a cover hermetically covering an open top of the electrolytic bath and having at least one hydrogen outlet; a flexible pocket disposed in the electrolytic bath and filled with an electrolyte of a predetermined amount; an electrode part fixed to the cover, and immersed in the electrolyte filled in the flexible pocket to electrolyze the electrolyte upon application of power; and a power supply supplying current to the electrode part. In the hydrogen generator, the electrode part and the electrolyte maintains a substantially constant contact area there between, thereby allowing hydrogen to be generated constantly and stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hyoung Gil, Chang Ryul Jung, Jae Hyuk Jang
  • Patent number: 8282811
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for generating hydrogen gas at pressures high enough to fill a hydrogen storage cylinder for stationary and transportation applications. The hydrogen output of an electrochemical hydrogen gas generating device, a hydrogen-producing reactor, or a diluted hydrogen stream is integrated with an electrochemical hydrogen compressor operating in a high-differential-pressure mode. The compressor brings the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen generating device to the high pressure required to fill the storage cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John A. Kosek, José Giner, Anthony B. LaConti
  • Publication number: 20120237846
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for converting chemical energy into electrical energy and/or electrical energy into chemical energy with a housing (2, 3, 3a), which is open towards at least one side (6) and in which a pressure chamber (4) is formed, and with at least one electrochemically active cell (5) for energy conversion, which extends from the open side (6) of the housing (2, 3, 3a) into the housing (2, 3, 3a), wherein the open side (6) is closed by a plate (7, 31), which holds and/or supplies power to the cell (5). A sealing element (8, 9) is arranged between the housing (2, 3, 3a) and the plate (7, 31), closes the open side (6) of the housing (2, 3, 3a) in a fluid-tight and/or gas-tight manner so as to form the pressure chamber (4) and is formed at least partially from an elastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Brodmann, Martin Greda, Cristian Mutascu, Jeffrey Roth
  • Publication number: 20120234265
    Abstract: Improved electrolysis systems for production of Brown's gas. The produced Brown's gas is made available for co-combustion with hydrocarbon fuel in an internal combustion engine to improve the fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Duanne Y. Ball
  • Publication number: 20120217156
    Abstract: A high-pressure hydrogen producing apparatus includes a cell device and a piston member. The piston member is to apply a pressing force to the cell device from an end of the piston member in a stacking direction in which unit cells are stacked. The piston member is provided with a first hydrogen passage, at least one second hydrogen passage, and a hydrogen lead-out passage. The first hydrogen passage and the second hydrogen passage are spaced at substantially equal angular intervals on a virtual circle centered on a center of an end face of the piston member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Nakazawa, Hiroyuki Ishikawa, Yuji Yamakawa