Process and apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen using solar energy
OwnerDaniel E. Monahaninventor
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Abstract
This application relates to a method and apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen gas from water with solar energy. A solar reflector concentrates solar energy into a water-containing reaction chamber to raise the temperature to the dissociation temperature of water. Both the thermal and photolytic effects of the sun's rays are employed to dissociate water. The hydrogen and oxygen formed upon dissociation are drawn off and separated.
Claims38
A process for generating hydrogen and oxygen, comprising
- (a) injecting water into a reaction chamber,
- (b) collecting rays of the sun and reflecting said rays into said chamber,
- (c) concentrating said rays at a point spaced from and within the walls of said chamber to raise the temperature therein to the dissociation temperature of water,
- (d) dissociating said water into a hydrogen component and an oxygen component, and
- (e) separating the dissociated hydrogen from the oxygen.
Apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen from water, comprising:
- (a) a refractory-lined, high temperature reaction chamber;
- (b) a solar collector for collecting the sun's rays;
- (c) means including a focusing lens for directing said rays through said lens into said chamber and concentrating said rays at a point therein;
- (d) means for injecting water into said chamber;
- (e) means for removing gases from said chamber;
- (f) gas separating means;
- and
- (g) means communicating with said gas removal means for feeding said gas to said separating means.
A high temperature reaction chamer for dissociating water into hydrogen and oxygen, said chamber having a heat resistant focusing lens in its outer wall, a water cooling jacket in its outer wall, means for introducing water to the interior of said chamber, and means for withdrawing dissociated gases therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.