Electrochemical generation of carbon dioxide and hydrogen from organic acids
OwnerHenri J. R. Magetinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device as described for the generation of high purity carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) by electrochemical decomposition of aqueous solutions of liquid and solid organic acids. A d.c. power source is used to apply a preselected current to an electrochemical cell, consisting of an ion permeable membrane and two electrodes. The generation rate of CO2 and H2 is continuous and proportional to the applied current; it can be stopped instantaneously by interrupting the current. Small Battery operated generators can produce propellant CO2 and H2 to deliver fluids from containers. Other uses include the creation of anaerobic environments in incubation chambers.
Claims41
Carbon dioxide generation apparatus comprising:
- a primary container having a top end, surrounding side walls having an interior surface, and a bottom end;
- means for closing said top end of said primary container;
- an electrochemical cell module having structure for decomposing an organic acid, said electrochemical cell module having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral side edge;
- said electrochemical cell module being located in said primary container at a position spaced downwardly from said top and of said primary container;
- means sealing said peripheral side edge of said electrochemical cell module against said interior surface of said surrounding side walls of said primary container thereby forming an upper chamber in said primary container between said top surface of said electrochemical cell module and said means for closing said top end of said primary container;
- said electrochemical cell module having a cathode and an anode;
- a d.c. electrical power supply;
- and
- a primary electrical circuit connecting said anode and cathode to said d.c. electrical power supply to provide energy for generating carbon dioxide from an organic acid that would be placed in said upper chamber.
Hydrogen generation apparatus comprising:
- a primary container having a top end, surrounding side walls having an interior surface, and a bottom end;
- means for closing said bottom end of said primary container;
- an electrochemical cell module having structure for decomposing an organic acid, said electrochemical cell module having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral side edge;
- said electrochemical cell module being located in said primary container at a position spaced upwardly from said bottom end of said primary container;
- means sealing said peripheral side edge of said electrochemical cell module against said interior surface of said surrounding side walls of said primary container thereby forming a lower chamber in said primary container between said bottom surface of said electrochemical cell module and said means for closing said bottom end of said primary container;
- an upper chamber is formed in said primary container above said top surface of said electrochemical cell module;
- said electrochemical cell module having a cathode and an anode;
- a d.c. electrical power supply;
- and
- a primary electrical circuit connecting said anode and cathode to said d.c. electrical power supply to provide energy for generating hydrogen from an organic acid that would be placed in said upper chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.