Gas/liquid phase separator for electrolysis cell

Details Gas/liquid phase separator for electrolysis cell Gas/liquid phase separator for electrolysis cell

2001-07-18

2004-03-30

Nguyen, Nam (Department: 1753)

Chemistry: electrical and wave energy

Apparatus

Electrolytic

C204S278000, C137S397000, C137S411000, C137S423000, C096S158000, C096S165000, C096S168000, C096S189000, C096S219000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06712944

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
This disclosure relates to electrochemical cell systems, and in particular to gas/liquid phase separators for electrolysis cell systems.
Electrochemical cells are energy conversion devices, usually classified as either electrolysis cells or fuel cells. Proton exchange membrane electrolysis cells can function as hydrogen generators by electrolytically decomposing water to produce hydrogen and oxygen gases. Referring to
FIG. 1
, a section of an anode feed electrolysis cell of the prior art is shown generally at
10
and is hereinafter referred to as “cell
10
.” Reactant water
12
is fed into cell
10
at an oxygen electrode (anode)
14
to form oxygen gas
16
, electrons, and hydrogen ions (protons)
15
. The chemical reaction is facilitated by the positive terminal of a power source
18
connected to anode
14
and the negative terminal of power source
18
connected to a hydrogen electrode (cathode)
20
. Oxygen gas
16
and a first portion
22
of the water are discharged from cell
10
, while protons
15
and a second portion
24
of the water migrate across a proton exchange membrane
26
to cathode
20
. At cathode
20
, hydrogen gas
28
is removed, generally through a gas delivery line. The removed hydrogen gas
28
is usable in a myriad of different applications. Second portion
24
of water is also removed from cathode
20
.
An electrolysis cell system may include a number of individual cells arranged in a stack with reactant water
12
being directed through the cells via input and output conduits formed within the stack structure. The cells within the stack are sequentially arranged, and each one includes a membrane electrode assembly defined by a proton exchange membrane disposed between a cathode and an anode. The cathode, anode, or both may be gas diffusion electrodes that facilitate gas diffusion to the proton exchange membrane. Each membrane electrode assembly is in fluid communication with flow fields adjacent to the membrane electrode assembly, defined by structures configured to facilitate fluid movement and membrane hydration within each individual cell.
The second portion
24
of water discharged from the cathode side of cell
10
, which is entrained with hydrogen gas, is fed to a phase separation unit to separate the hydrogen gas from the water, thereby increasing the hydrogen gas yield and the overall efficiency of cell
10
in general. Phase separation units utilized in current hydrogen generation and fuel cell systems employ trap designs within pressure vessels. High-pressure trap designs incorporate pivoting float offsets to accomplish proper lift by using a lever and fulcrum configuration. In order to be properly operational, such systems generally require excessive space within the system enclosures.
SUMMARY
A gas/liquid phase separator for an electrolysis cell is disclosed. The gas/liquid separator includes a vessel and a float in operable communication with each other. The vessel includes a fluid inlet and first and second fluid outlets. A fluid stream comprising gas and liquid is received in the vessel through the fluid inlet, and at least a portion of the gas exits the vessel through the second fluid outlet. The float is configured to interface with the first fluid outlet and to either maintain or prevent fluid communication across the first fluid outlet when the float is in at least partial contact with the first fluid outlet.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3868321 (1975-02-01), Gough
patent: 3966437 (1976-06-01), DeWolf et al.
patent: 4722744 (1988-02-01), Stoll
patent: 5035346 (1991-07-01), Kalman
patent: 5037518 (1991-08-01), Young et al.
patent: 5172714 (1992-12-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 5200278 (1993-04-01), Watkins et al.
patent: 5362368 (1994-11-01), Lynn et al.
patent: 5381956 (1995-01-01), Robinson et al.
patent: 5398716 (1995-03-01), Hsu
patent: 5981096 (1999-11-01), Hornburg et al.
patent: 6063515 (2000-05-01), Epp et al.
patent: 6402799 (2002-06-01), Kokubo et al.
patent: 0 339 187 (1989-11-01), None
patent: 817 703 (1937-09-01), None
patent: 59209628 (1984-11-01), None
PCT International Search Report; International Application No. PCT/US 01/22497; International filing date Jul. 18, 2001; Date of Mailing: Jun. 18, 2002.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Gas/liquid phase separator for electrolysis cell does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Gas/liquid phase separator for electrolysis cell, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gas/liquid phase separator for electrolysis cell will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3291429