Method and Device for Electrolysis

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This patent describes a novel method and device for electrolysis, specifically designed for efficient hydrogen production. The system uses a two-step process where electrolysis is performed at low pressure using a special additive (redox mediator) in the catholyte. This additive is first reduced during electrolysis and then oxidized in the presence of water and a catalyst (such as platinum), resulting in the production of hydrogen gas at high pressure. This approach enables hydrogen to be generated at high pressures without the need for energy-intensive mechanical compression and reduces efficiency losses due to gas cross-permeation in traditional high-pressure electrolyzers.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Hydrogen production and storage for fuel cell vehicles and transportation.
• Industrial generation of compressed hydrogen for chemical manufacturing or refineries.
• Renewable energy storage by converting surplus electricity to hydrogen efficiently.
• Decentralized or distributed hydrogen generation stations for urban energy networks.
• Integration into hydrogen refueling stations to provide high-pressure hydrogen directly.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables hydrogen production at high pressures directly from the electrolysis process, reducing or eliminating the need for mechanical compressors.
• Improves operational efficiency by minimizing gas cross-permeation between cell compartments.
• Simplifies the design and construction of electrolysis cells, potentially reducing costs and complexity.
• Allows for flexible operation at low pressure, improving safety and equipment longevity.
• Supports continuous or batch-mode hydrogen output, adaptable to different industrial demands.
• Reduces overall energy consumption associated with high-pressure mechanical gas compression.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for electrolysis, wherein an anolyte is brought into contact with an anode (2) and a catholyte is brought into contact with a cathode (3), wherein the anolyte contains hydroxide ions and the catholyte contains an additive, wherein an electrical voltage is applied between the anode (2) and the cathode (3) such that the hydroxide ions in the anolyte are oxidised on the anode (2) and the additive in the catholyte is reduced on the cathode (3), and wherein H2O and the reduced additive are brought into contact with a catalyst (4) such that the reduced additive is oxidised and hydrogen is formed from the H2O. The additive means that the electrolysis can be carried out under low pressure and hydrogen can still be obtained at high pressure. This simplifies the design of the electrolysis cell and prevents efficiency-reducing gas cross-permeation.