Apparatus for the electrolytic production of hydrogen

Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus for the electrolytic production of hydrogen comprising: —a first chamber (26) filled with water; —a lower part (23); —an upper part (28); —a gas production unit (1) located within the lower part (23) and including an electrolytic cell and a hydrogen nozzle (4); —an electric generator (12) located within the upper part (28); —a first driving mechanism (5-9) located within the first chamber (26); —a hydrogen outlet (18) located in the top part of the first chamber (26); the first chamber (26) being located between the lower and upper parts (23,28) and communicating with the gas unit (1) via the hydrogen nozzle (4), in such a way that hydrogen bubbles may be generated within the water of the first chamber (26) and be directed in an upwards direction due to the buoyancy force acting on the bubbles; the first driving mechanism (5-9) being adapted to be actuated by ascending bubbles; the generator (12) being adapted to be actuated by the first driving mechanism (5-9); and the electrolytic cell being connected to the electric generator (12). The invention also concerns a method for the production of hydrogen comprising the following steps: —generating hydrogen in water via electrolysis, —actuating an upwardly oriented driving mechanism with hydrogen bubbles generated during said electrolysis, —converting the mechanical energy of the driving mechanism into an electrical energy, —using said electrical energy for said electrolysis.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.