Electrolysis: processes – compositions used therein – and methods – Electrolytic synthesis – Preparing nonmetal element
Patent
1998-09-21
2000-04-18
Mayekar, Kishor
Electrolysis: processes, compositions used therein, and methods
Electrolytic synthesis
Preparing nonmetal element
204252, 204274, 204277, C25B 102
Patent
active
060511257
ABSTRACT:
An efficient method of producing hydrogen by high temperature steam electrolysis that will lower the electricity consumption to an estimated 65 percent lower than has been achievable with previous steam electrolyzer systems. This is accomplished with a natural gas-assisted steam electrolyzer, which significantly reduces the electricity consumption. Since this natural gas-assisted steam electrolyzer replaces one unit of electrical energy by one unit of energy content in natural gas at one-quarter the cost, the hydrogen production cost will be significantly reduced. Also, it is possible to vary the ratio between the electricity and the natural gas supplied to the system in response to fluctuations in relative prices for these two energy sources. In one approach an appropriate catalyst on the anode side of the electrolyzer will promote the partial oxidation of natural gas to CO and hydrogen, called Syn-Gas, and the CO can also be shifted to CO.sub.2 to give additional hydrogen. In another approach the natural gas is used in the anode side of the electrolyzer to burn out the oxygen resulting from electrolysis, thus reducing or eliminating the potential difference across the electrolyzer membrane.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3446674 (1969-05-01), Giner
patent: 3755131 (1973-08-01), Shalit
patent: 5312843 (1994-05-01), Yamauchi et al.
Glass Robert S.
Pham Ai-Quoc
Wallman P. Henrik
Carnahan L. E.
Mayekar Kishor
The Regents of the University of California
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