Method for generating hydrogen and oxygen from a liquid feed stream comprising water, and device therefor

A device for the generation of hydrogen and oxygen from a liquid feed stream comprising water, the device comprising:

• an electrochemical cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte compartment configured to contain an aqueous electrolyte solution, wherein the electrolyte compartment is in fluid contact with both the anode and the cathode, and wherein the electrochemical cell is configured to pass an electric current through the electrolyte compartment to generate hydrogen and oxygen from water in the aqueous electrolyte solution and to obtain a concentrated electrolyte solution;
• and
• an osmosis unit comprising a forward osmosis membrane, a first compartment fluidly connected to the electrolyte compartment in an endless loop, and a second compartment comprising a feed inlet and a feed outlet;
• wherein the first compartment is in contact with a first side of the forward osmosis membrane and configured to pass the concentrated electrolyte solution at the first side of the forward osmosis membrane,
• wherein the second compartment is in contact with a second side of the forward osmosis membrane and configured to pass a liquid feed stream at the second side of the forward osmosis membrane;
• and
• wherein the forward osmosis membrane is configured to permeate water therethrough from the second side to the first side due to a difference in osmotic pressure between the liquid feed stream and the concentrated electrolyte solution to regenerate the aqueous electrolyte solution.

A method for the generation of hydrogen and oxygen from a liquid feed stream comprising water, the method comprising:

• feeding an aqueous electrolyte solution to an electrolyte compartment of an electrochemical cell further comprising an anode and a cathode, wherein the electrolyte compartment is in fluid contact with both the anode and the cathode,
• passing an electric current through the aqueous electrolyte solution in the electrolyte compartment to generate hydrogen and oxygen from water in the aqueous electrolyte solution and to obtain a concentrated electrolyte solution,
• separating hydrogen and oxygen from the concentrated electrolyte solution;
• and
• feeding the concentrated electrolyte solution from the electrolyte compartment to a first side of a forward osmosis membrane,
• wherein the concentrated electrolyte solution is brought into contact with the first side of the forward osmosis membrane, and
• bringing the liquid feed stream comprising water into contact with a second side of the forward osmosis membrane, wherein water permeates through the forward osmosis membrane from the second side to the first side due to a difference in osmotic pressure between the liquid feed stream and the concentrated electrolyte solution and, regenerates the aqueous electrolyte solution.