Solid state high pressure oxygen generator and method of generating oxygen

A method for producing high pressure oxygen using an electrolysis cell having an anode, a cathode, a hygroscopic ion exchange membrane disposed therebetween, an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, consisting essentially of the steps of:

• a. introducing ambient or low pressure water to said cathode chamber, said cathode chamber having a porous sheet which has multiple pore sizes ranging from about 5 to about 20 microns and a thickness of from about 0.127 to about 0.635 millimeters and which contacts said cathode, allows for a simultaneous, dual-directional flow of hydrogen and water therethrough and which imparts structural integrity to said ion exchange membrane for pressures up to about 6,000 psi;
• b. wicking said water contained in said cathode chamber through said porous sheet to said cathode;
• c. osmotically transporting said water across said ion exchange membrane from said cathode to said anode;
• d. electrolyzing said transported water to hydrogen ions and oxygen wherein voltages between about 1.5 volts to about 3.0 volts are applied to said electrolysis cell;
• and
• e. retaining said oxygen within said anode chamber until said oxygen reaches a desired pressure level of from greater than 200 psi to about 6,000 psi, wherein as additional oxygen is produced, said retained oxygen pressure increase;
• whereby said water is osmotically transported across said ion exchange membrane against a pressure gradient formed by said increasing oxygen pressure;
• and wherein said cathode and said anode are conventional electrolysis catalysts consisting of supported and unsupported catalysts of noble metals and noble metal alloys selected from the group consisting of iridium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium and alloys thereof.