Abstract: A method of operating an electrochemical cell including introducing an aqueous solution into the electrochemical cell, applying a current across an anode and a cathode to produce a product, monitoring the voltage, dissolved hydrogen, or a condition of the aqueous solution, and applying the current in a pulsed waveform responsive to one of the measured parameters is disclosed. An electrochemical system including an electrochemical cell including an anode and a cathode, a source of an aqueous solution having an outlet fluidly connectable to the electrochemical cell, a sensor for measuring a parameter, and a controller configured to cause the anode and the cathode to apply the current in a pulsed waveform responsive to the parameter measurement is disclosed. Methods of suppressing accumulation of hydrogen gas within the electrochemical cell are also disclosed. Methods of facilitating operation of an electrochemical cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) liquid treatment apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include a conduit having an inlet to receive liquid to be treated and an outlet to discharge treated fluid, the conduit defining a plurality of liquid flow paths between the inlet and the outlet. The apparatus may further include an UV light emitting diode (LED) module array to illuminate the liquid, wherein the UV LED module array comprises a plurality of UV LED modules arranged on a curved surface of an array holder, such the UV LED module array is configured to generate a customized spatial light flux distribution within the conduit that matches the liquid flow paths so as to obtain a desired UV dose distribution.

Abstract: An inventive, new system that measures gas composition and pressure in the headspace of an aqueous electrolyte battery is described. The system includes a microcontroller that can use the composition and pressure information to connect a third electrode to either the anode(s) or the cathode(s) in order to balance the state of charge between the two. Results have shown that such a system can control the gas pressure inside a sealed flooded aqueous electrolyte battery to remain below 20 kPa (3 psi) and greatly extend the useable life of the battery.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The electrochemical cell further includes a first seal defining a high pressure zone, wherein the first seal is located between the bipolar plates and configured to contain a first fluid within the high pressure zone. Further, the electrochemical cell includes a second seal defining an intermediate pressure zone, wherein the second seal is located between the bipolar plates and configured to contain a second fluid within the intermediate pressure zone. The first seal is configured to leak the first fluid into the intermediate pressure zone when the first seal unseats.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of reacting reaction components. The method comprises electro-chemically reacting reaction components on opposite sides of at least one membrane with at least one catalyst encompassing a respective volume. In another embodiment, the method includes conducting electrolysis, such as electrolysis of water. The apparatus includes at least one membrane with first and second sides encompassing a respective volume. The apparatus further includes at least one catalyst coupled to the first and second sides to electro-chemically react reaction components on the first and second sides in gaseous communication with the at least one catalyst, and a cover coupled to the at least one membrane to separate flow paths on the first and second sides.

Abstract: A pumpless, fanless electrolyte-circulation system comprises an electrolyzer core that generates hydrogen and oxygen gases and includes a water electrolyzer having a plurality of electrolytic serial clusters connected substantially in parallel with each other and assembled into respective sealed reaction cells. Each of the electrolytic serial clusters includes a plurality of electrolytic cells. An electrolyte container includes a plurality of electrolytes in form of a concentration and is substantially separated from and connected to the electrolyzer core with a supply tube and return tube. A frame is substantially resistant to the concentration and separates a plurality of electrodes. Releasing of the gases brings the electrolytes in the electrolyzer core out of the electrolyzer core through the supply tube into the electrolyte container. The return tube allows each of the electrolytes to enter the electrolyzer core such that the electrolyte is forced to circulate by a releasing force of the gases.

Abstract: An electrically passive device and method for in-situ acoustic emission, and/or releasing, sampling and/or measuring of a fluid or various material(s) is provided. The device may provide a robust timing mechanism to release, sample and/or perform measurements on a predefined schedule, and, in various embodiments, emits an acoustic signal sequence(s) that may be used for triangulation of the device position within, for example, a hydrocarbon reservoir or a living body.

Abstract: It is a task of the present invention to provide an electrolytic apparatus for producing fluorine or nitrogen trifluoride by electrolyzing a hydrogen fluoride-containing molten salt, the electrolytic apparatus being advantageous in that the electrolysis can be performed without the occurrence of the anode effect even at a high current density and without the occurrence of an anodic dissolution. In the present invention, this task has been accomplished by an electrolytic apparatus for producing fluorine or nitrogen trifluoride by electrolyzing a hydrogen fluoride-containing molten salt at an applied current density of from 1 to 1,000 A/dm2, the electrolytic apparatus using a conductive diamond-coated electrode as an anode.

Abstract: This procedure allows for the splitting of the water molecule into its basic components of two hydrogen gas ions, one oxygen gas ion, and two free electrons. Polarized electrodes are placed in a water bath then subjected to pulsed voltage fields at sub resonant frequencies which results in the fission process of the water molecule. The Hydrogen gas and Oxygen gas (Hydroxy) can provide fuel to a combustion process where only clean water is exhausted. The Hydrogen and Oxygen may also be separated and feed a fuel cell that generates clean electricity. The free electrons can be extracted and provide additional electrical power.

Abstract: It is a task of the present invention to provide an electrolytic apparatus for producing fluorine or nitrogen trifluoride by electrolyzing a hydrogen fluoride-containing molten salt, the electrolytic apparatus being advantageous in that the electrolysis can be performed without the occurrence of the anode effect even at a high current density and without the occurrence of an anodic dissolution. In the present invention, this task has been accomplished by an electrolytic apparatus for producing fluorine or nitrogen trifluoride by electrolyzing a hydrogen fluoride-containing molten salt at an applied current density of from 1 to 1,000 A/dm2, the electrolytic apparatus using a conductive diamond-coated electrode as an anode.

Abstract: A fluorine gas generator for generating highly pure fluorine gas in a stable and safe manner by electrolyzing an electrolytic bath 2 comprising hydrogen fluoride in the form of a molten mixed gas is provided which comprises an electrolytic cell 1 divided, by a partition wall 16, into an anode chamber 3 in which an anode is disposed and a cathode chamber 4 in which a cathode is disposed, pressure maintenance means for maintaining the anode chamber 3 and cathode chamber 4 at atmospheric pressure, and liquid level sensing means 5, 6 capable of sensing the levels of the electrolytic bath 2 in the anode chamber 3 and in the cathode chamber 4, respectively, at three or more level stages.

Abstract: An electrochemical system having a plurality of discrete electrochemical cell stacks is described. The system includes a water-oxygen management system fluidly coupled to the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks and a hydrogen management system fluidly coupled to the plurality of electrochemical cells. A means for ventilating the system and a control system for monitoring and operating said electrochemical system, said control system including a means for detecting abnormal operating conditions and a means for degrading the performance of said electrochemical system in response to said abnormal condition.

Abstract: A solar electrolysis power co-generation system includes a solar electrolysis source and a control unit. The solar electrolysis source includes a solar panel, an electrolysis unit, a hermetically sealed compressor, a hydrogen tank, and a hydrogen-powered fuel cell and produces, compresses, and stores hydrogen gas that is used to fuel the fuel cell. The control unit includes an inverter, a microprocessor, and a modem. The control unit connects the solar electrolysis power source with a power grid and with an individual consumer having an electrical load. The power co-generation system utilizes the electrolysis of water and solar energy to power a fuel cell. The energy produced with the fuel cell may be provided to an existing power gird as well as to an individual consumer. Further a method for decentralized power co-generation includes the step of providing a plurality of solar electrolysis power co-generation systems.

Abstract: A system, device, and method include a cell-powered first electronic device powered using electrical potential imposed across an electrolytic cell. The potential is voltage-boosted to accomplish this task. If the electrical potential imposed the cell is insufficient, the device can also be battery-powered. In any event, this device is in communication with one or more sensors in the electrolytic cell, as well as a second electronic device, and the first and second electronic devices wirelessly communicate. More specifically, the first electronic device wireless transmits data signals to the second electronic device, which receives the same. The first and second electronic devices are physically remote from one another, and they communicating over a private or public network, preferably using spread spectrum technology.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating hydrogen by dissociating an electrolyte solution includes: an electrolyte bath, in which an outlet is formed, and which contains the electrolyte solution; an anode coupled to the electrolyte bath that generates electrons; a cathode coupled to the electrolyte bath that receives the electrons from the anode to generate hydrogen; a filter, which covers the outlet to filter out foreign substances carried in the hydrogen; a pressure sensor coupled inside the electrolyte bath that senses the pressure inside the electrolyte bath and generates an output signal corresponding to the pressure; and a control unit, electrically connected with the anode and the cathode, which controls the flow of electricity between the anode and the cathode in response to the output signal. Using the apparatus, safety hazards caused by increases in the pressure inside the electrolyte bath can be prevented.

Abstract: A solar electrolysis power source includes a solar panel, an electrolysis unit, a hermetically sealed compressor, a hydrogen tank, and a fuel cell. By utilizing the electrolysis of water powered by solar energy, the solar electrolysis power source enables a safe, environmentally benign, and cost-effective method of power generation. Furthermore, by combining the production, the compression, the storage of hydrogen, as well as the delivery of the hydrogen to the fuel cell in one hermetically sealed unit currently existing problems with the production, storage delivery, and refueling of hydrogen can be eliminated. The solar electrolysis power source uses hydrogen gas that is hermetically sealed from production to use.

Abstract: A water separation apparatus is provided to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water that includes a reaction chamber containing a plurality of spaced apart conductive plates, a positive electrical terminal electrically connected to one of the conductive plates, and a negative electrical terminal electrically connected to another of the conductive plates. A mixture of water and a catalyst is placed in the chamber and in contact with the plates. A non-conductive adjuster plate is provided to separate the chamber into a front chamber and a rear chamber, and may include at least one fluid passageway. A portion of the plates are disposed in the front chamber and a portion of the plates are disposed in the rear chamber. The adjuster plate may include a moveable member adapted to adjust the cross-sectional area of fluid passageway and thus the cross-sectional area of fluid communication between the front and rear chambers.

Abstract: A method of operating an integrated hydrogen production and processing system is provided. The method includes operating an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen from water and utilizing heat generated from the electrolyzer to increase a temperature of an electrolyte in a first mode of operation. The method also includes heating the electrolyte in a second mode of operation by extracting heat from a hydrogen compressor to increase or maintain the temperature of the electrolyte during periods when electrolysis is not performed in the electrolyzer or during startup of the electrolyzer.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a molten salt electrolyzer in which an electrolytic bath in a solid form as contained in the electrolyzer is melted to automatically attain a state allowing electrolysis, which apparatus comprises detecting means for detecting the changes in state of the electrolyzer by means of detectors fitted to the electrolyzer, and adjusting means for adjusting, after using the detecting means, the liquid electrolytic bath levels to a state allowing electrolysis.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method suited for controlling the operation of an electrolyzer cell module. Specifically, some embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method that incorporates a call to an alarm recovery sequence into a safety system suited for use with an electrolyzer cell module, which is able to suspend the normal operations and initiate an alarm recovery sequence upon detecting that a corresponding alarm threshold has been violated. The safety system and method is then able to restart the normal operations if it is determined that the alarm recovery sequence was successful, meaning that the process and operating parameters that violated the particular alarm threshold have been brought back to within a safe operating range.

Abstract: A method of processing photographic material includes the steps of processing the photographic material in a processing solution, monitoring the concentration of a process-retarding by-product of the processing in the processing solution during operation of the method, reducing the concentration of the by-product in the processing solution by a first method and as the by-product concentration in the processing solution exceeds a predetermined level, activating simultaneous operation of a second method for a period of time to thereby ensure that the photographic material is always adequately processed. The invention enables rapid processing of film whilst maintaining low replenishment rates and low fixer solution temperature such that inadequately fixed film is avoided.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful hydrogen generator for supplying hydrogen and/or oxygen to an internal combustion engine, the generator comprising a housing, a base unit secured within the housing, the base unit having integral therewith first mounting means for an electrolytic cell, second mounting means for a replaceable liquid reservoir, and a conduit between the first and second mounting means, an electrolytic cell mounted in the first mounting means, the cell having a liquid inlet and a gas outlet, and having connectors for electrical connection to an external source of energy, and a controller unit connected to the cell and comprising a central processing unit and a series of sensors for sensing pressure, temperature and liquid level in the cell, the controller controlling operation of the cell responsive to sensor output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for electrochemically generating one or more gases under high pressure, comprising: a container (1, 6) comprising one or more chambers (7, 8) for filling with electrolyte; a first (2, 10) and a second (2, 11) electrode over which a voltage difference can be applied in order to bring about an electrochemical generation in the container (1, 6); wherein the content of a chamber (7, 8) is in the order of magnitude of a few millilitres or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treating water by means of an electric field. An Anode and a cathode are arranged in a treatment chamber. The cathode has a plurality of parallel pins. Seed crystals are deposited on these pins. There are means for separating these seed crystals from the pins. The apparatus is to be of simple design and is to have high efficiency with regard to the formation of seed crystals. The cathode is to be kept free from lime depositions. To this end, the seed crystals are separated or stripped from the pins by means of a perforated disc. The pins extend through the holes of this perforated disc. The perforated disc is guided over the pins. The perforated disc can be moved by water pressure or by an electric motor. The electric motor has as second function the actuation of a safety valve controlled by a monitoring device.

Abstract: An innovative application for the purification of potable water for at source use, specifically focusing on disinfection of water using an electrolytic process. The process uses the discharge of electrical energy between electrodes to create reactive species in water, which then react with pathogens to provide the disinfected water. The invention includes a novel and unique controller system to assure that the reaction process and reactor will function reliably to produce treated water. The controller may respond to flow or pressure conditions, reactor status, treatment effectiveness, or other parameters monitored by various sensing devices. Specific examples of the application are for use in beverage dispensing machines, ice-making machines, tap water purification for domestic and commercial potable water use, water dispenser machines that use tap water, and similar uses for potable water.

Abstract: A plating system is composed of a transfer device for performing transfer of a wafer, a plating unit and a washing/drying unit provided around the transfer device. Each unit is structured to be detachable from the plating system. The plating unit is divided into a wafer transfer section and a plating section by a separator, and atmosphere of each section is independently set.

Abstract: A simple hydrogen generator system for maintaining zero PSI across the proton exchange membrane while generating ultra pure hydrogen gas at high pressure from water. The system includes a proton exchange membrane across which an electrolysis reaction is induced, thereby producing hydrogen gas on a first side of the proton exchange membrane and oxygen gas on a second side of the proton exchange membrane. The current source used to induce the electrolysis reaction is computer controlled so as to maintain a near constant pressure of hydrogen, even as hydrogen is drawn from the assembly. By minimizing the pressure differential across the proton exchange membrane, a more durable and efficient hydrogen generator is produced.