US 2026/0201572 A1 · HYDROGEN PRODUCTION BY ELECTROCHEMICAL CONVERSION OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE

Abstract

A reactor is configured to electrochemically convert hydrogen sulfide to produce hydrogen. The reactor includes a first shell, a second shell, a hydrogen-permeable electrode, and a check valve. The first shell defines a first chamber. The first shell defines a first inlet for water, a second inlet for hydrogen sulfide, and a first outlet for hydrogen sulfide. The second shell defines a second chamber isolated from the first chamber. The second chamber stores hydrogen molecules. The hydrogen-permeable electrode is at least partially disposed within the first chamber. The hydrogen-permeable electrode is permeable to hydrogen atoms originating from the hydrogen sulfide. The check valve allows flow of hydrogen molecules, formed from the hydrogen atoms that have permeated into the hydrogen-permeable electrode, into the second chamber while preventing flow of hydrogen molecules back out from the second chamber through the check valve.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A reactor comprising:

a first shell defining a first chamber, wherein the first shell defines a first inlet configured to receive water, a second inlet configured to receive hydrogen sulfide, and a first outlet configured to discharge hydrogen sulfide;
a second shell defining a second chamber isolated from the first chamber, wherein the second chamber is configured to store hydrogen molecules;
a hydrogen-permeable electrode at least partially disposed within the first chamber, wherein the hydrogen-permeable electrode is permeable to hydrogen atoms originating from the hydrogen sulfide within the first chamber;
and
a check valve coupled to the hydrogen-permeable electrode and in fluid communication with the second chamber, wherein the hydrogen-permeable electrode is in fluid communication with the second chamber via the check valve which is configured to allow flow of hydrogen molecules, formed from the hydrogen atoms that have permeated into the hydrogen-permeable electrode, into the second chamber, wherein the check valve is configured to prevent flow of hydrogen molecules back out from the second chamber through the check valve.

2 more elements

A method for electrochemical conversion of hydrogen sulfide to produce hydrogen, the method comprising:

exposing a hydrogen-permeable electrode to water and hydrogen sulfide within a first chamber of a reactor, wherein the hydrogen-permeable electrode comprises iron, wherein the iron of the hydrogen-permeable electrode undergoes a spontaneous corrosion reaction in response to exposure to the water and the hydrogen sulfide to produce iron sulfide and hydrogen atoms, wherein the reactor comprises a second chamber isolated from the first chamber;
allowing, by the hydrogen-permeable electrode, the hydrogen atoms to diffuse into an inner bore of the hydrogen-permeable electrode, where the hydrogen atoms combine to form hydrogen molecules;
allowing, by a check valve coupled to the hydrogen-permeable electrode, the hydrogen molecules to flow from the inner bore of the hydrogen-permeable electrode through the check valve to a second chamber of the reactor;
preventing, by the check valve, hydrogen molecules from flowing back out from the second chamber through the check valve;
and
flowing the hydrogen molecules out of the second chamber via an outlet different from the check valve.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hydrogen production by electrochemical conversion of hydrogen sulfide

Life of this patent

Hydrogen production by electrochemical conversion of hydrogen sulfide

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19