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US 11,447,878 B2Granted
Hydrogen generating cell
OwnerJames Bartkowiakinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydrogen generating fuel cell includes an anode and a cathode separated by a channel configured to hold liquid water or water vapor. At least one of the anode and the cathode are porous. The hydrogen generating fuel cell includes a power source electrically connected to the anode and the cathode and an ultraviolet radiation source positioned to emit ultraviolet radiation from the anode to the cathode, the cathode to the anode, or both directions. A hydrogen generating system and a method of generating hydrogen are also disclosed.
Claims21
A hydrogen generating cell system comprising:
- an anode and a cathode separated by a channel comprising liquid water or water vapor, wherein at least one of the anode and the cathode are porous;
- a power source electrically connected to the anode and the cathode;
- an ultraviolet radiation source positioned to emit ultraviolet radiation from the anode to the cathode, the cathode to the anode, or both directions and through the channel comprising the liquid water or water vapor, wherein the ultraviolet radiation source emits ultraviolet radiation that directly ionizes the liquid water or the water vapor in the channel into hydrogen ions and oxygen ions;
- a membrane associated with the cathode and configured between the anode and the cathode to allow hydrogen gas generated by the emitted ultraviolet radiation to pass therethrough while preventing the liquid water or the water vapor from passing therethrough;
- and
- a gas chamber suitable for the collection of hydrogen gas positioned adjacent to and in fluid communication with the cathode and comprising hydrogen gas generated by the emitted ultraviolet radiation,
- wherein the cathode induces the migration of the hydrogen ions to generate hydrogen gas, and
- wherein the anode induces the migration of the oxygen ions to generate oxygen gas.
5 more elements
A hydrogen generating system comprising:
- a hydrogen generating cell comprising:
- an anode and a cathode separated by a channel comprising liquid water or water vapor, wherein at least one of the anode and the cathode are porous;
- a power source electrically connected to the anode and the cathode;
- an ultraviolet radiation source positioned to emit ultraviolet radiation from the anode to the cathode, the cathode to the anode, or both directions and through the channel comprising the liquid water or water vapor, wherein the ultraviolet radiation source emits ultraviolet radiation that directly ionizes the liquid water or the water vapor in the channel into hydrogen ions and oxygen ions;
- a membrane associated with the cathode and configured between the anode and the cathode to allow hydrogen gas generated by the emitted ultraviolet radiation to pass therethrough while preventing the liquid water or the water vapor from passing therethrough;
- and
- a gas chamber suitable for the collection of hydrogen gas positioned adjacent to and in fluid communication with the cathode and comprising the hydrogen gas generated by the emitted ultraviolet radiation,
- wherein the cathode induces the migration of the hydrogen ions to generate hydrogen gas, and
- wherein the anode induces the migration of the oxygen ions to generate oxygen gas.
6 more elements
A method of generating hydrogen comprising:
- providing a hydrogen generating cell comprising:
- an anode and a cathode separated by a channel comprising liquid water or water vapor, wherein at least one of the anode and the cathode are porous;
- a power source electrically connected to the anode and the cathode;
- an ultraviolet radiation source positioned to emit ultraviolet radiation from the anode to the cathode, the cathode to the anode, or both directions and through the channel comprising the liquid water or water vapor, wherein the ultraviolet radiation source emits ultraviolet radiation that directly ionizes the liquid water or the water vapor in the channel into hydrogen ions and oxygen ions;
- a membrane associated with the cathode and configured between the anode and the cathode to allow hydrogen gas generated by the emitted ultraviolet radiation to pass therethrough while preventing the liquid water or the water vapor from passing therethrough;
- and
- a gas chamber suitable for the collection of hydrogen gas positioned adjacent to and in fluid communication with the cathode comprising the hydrogen gas generated by the emitted ultraviolet radiation,
- wherein the cathode induces the migration of the hydrogen ions to generate hydrogen gas, and
- wherein the anode induces the migration of the oxygen ions to generate oxygen gas;
- and
- emitting the ultraviolet radiation from the anode to the cathode, the cathode to the anode, or both directions and through the channel comprising the liquid water or water vapor to directly ionize the liquid water or the water vapor in the channel into hydrogen ions and oxygen ions.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.