Process for hydrogen production

#The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing hydrogen by an improved electrolytic process; to electrolytic cells (electrolyzers) adapted to such a process and to devices comprising such electrolytic cells. The invention further relates to new uses of aqueous hydrazine; particularly as an electrolyte.

#Hydrogen, particularly hydrogen gas and hydrogen containing gases, are well known and are considered a key element in today's industry and the upcoming hydrogen economy. The efficient manufacturing of hydrogen is of paramount importance.

#Current industrial processes for hydrogen manufacturing are based on processing of hydrocarbons, such as natural gas, by cracking or steam reforming. These methods inherently involve CO2 emissions, which are of course disadvantageous.

#Thus, it is an object of the present invention is to mitigate at least some of these drawbacks of the state of the art. In particular, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a processes to efficiently obtain hydrogen and avoiding CO2 emissions.

#These objectives are achieved by an electrolytic process for the manufacture of hydrogen, particularly for the manufacture of hydrogen from water using aqueous hydraziine. The objectives are further achieved by electrolytic cells (electrolyzers) that include a housing: a cathode, the cathode material being selected from titanium and its alloys or plated with titanium and its alloys; an anode, the anode material being selected from titanium and its alloys or plated with titanium and its alloys; an electrolytic composition, the electrolytic composition including water, 0.5-50 wt. % hydrazine, 0-10 wt. % alkali hydroxide and has a pH between 7.5-13; and optionally a diaphragm. The objective are further achieved by an internal combustion engine additive composition, the additive composition including water and 0.5-50 wt. % hydrazine and having a pH of 7.5-13, whereby said composition is first subjected to an electrolytic process and the thus resulting gaseous products are fed to an internal combustion engine. Further aspects of the invention are disclosed in the specification and independent claims, preferred embodiments are disclosed in the specification and the dependent claims.

#The present invention will be described in more detail below. It is understood that the various embodiments, preferences and ranges as provided/disclosed in this specification may be combined at will. Further, depending of the specific embodiment, selected definitions, embodiments or ranges may not apply.