Electrolysis apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is an electrolyzer which includes a plurality of partitions, each of which are hollowed out on either side thereof, a plurality of substrates, each of which is disposed in the hollow of a different one of said partitions and each of which is corrugated on one side thereof, with the corrugated side coated with an anodic material, a plurality of solid polymer electrolyte membranes, one side of each of which is disposed in contact with the anodic material of a different one of said substrates, and a plurality of cathode plates composed of porous cathodic material, each of which is disposed in the other hollow of a different one of the partitions and is positioned in contact with the other side of a different one of the membranes. The partitions, substrates, membranes and cathode plates are secured together in a series relationship with the corrugated side of each substrate being held in contact with one side of a membrane and each cathode plate being held in contact with the other side of a corresponding membrane. Channels are formed in the corrugated side of the substrates to convey water to the grooves formed by the corrugations, and a conduit is formed to extend through the partitions to deliver water to the channels. Other channels are formed in the substrates to receive water and electrolysis products from the grooves and to deliver the water and products to a second conduit formed in the partitions. A third conduit is formed in the partitions to receive electrolysis products at the interfaces of the membranes and cathode plates. A direct current source supplies current to the substrates and cathode plates to cause an electrolytic reaction when water is supplied to the grooves of the corrugated sides of the substrates.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.