Solar Reactor Technologies Inc.

Avinash K Gupta

Robert J Hanrahan

Robin Z Parker

Disclosed are an apparatus and method for the electrolytic, thermal, and photolytic production of hydrogen and oxygen. In the first step of the cycle a concentrated hydrohalic acid solution is electrolyzed to produce hydrogen, halogen, and dilute hydrohalic acid solution. In the second, or hydrogen halide formation and electrolyte reformation step, the halogen is reacted with steam in a gas phase thermal and photolytic process to reform the hydrogen halide and produce oxygen. An advantage of the novel reformation step is the ability to utilize a contaminated water feedstream for the production of the reusable hydrogen halide. The present invention also provides both an apparatus and method for the radiation-augmented electrolytic and thermal production of hydrogen and oxygen. Reduction of electrical and thermal energy requirements is achieved by using radiation to: (i) activate photo-sensitive metallic hexahalide ions, which reduces the electrolysis electrode potential; and (ii) energize a portion of the hydrogen halide formation reaction. By utilizing radiation-augmented electrolysis, the conventional halogen oxidation reaction is replaced by oxidation of a metallic hexahalide, which occurs at a lower overvoltage and smaller reversible cell potential. Radiant energy thus both replaces electrical energy for the production of hydrogen, and increases the efficiency of electrical energy storage.

Hydrogen generation and utility load leveling system and the method

Disclosed are both an apparatus and method for the radiation-augmented electrolytic production of alkali metal hydroxide, molecular halogen, and hydrogen. Reduction of electrical energy requirements is achieved by using radiation to activate photo-sensitive metallic hexahalide ions, which reduces the electrolysis electrode potential. By utilizing radiation-augmented electrolysis, the conventional halogen oxidation reaction is replaced by oxidation of a metallic hexahalide, which occurs at a lower overvoltage and smaller reversible cell potential. Radiant energy thus replaces electrical energy for the production of alkali metal hydroxide, molecular halogen, and hydrogen. Since the action of radiation on the oxidized form of the metallic hexahalide, in the presence of a concentrated halide ion, leads to the production of free halogen gas, the net products are not modified by use of the metallic hexahalide, but the energy requirement of the process is reduced.

Alkali metal hydroxide generation system and the method therefor

A closed loop power regeneration system combines chlorine and hydrogen to form hydrogen chloride at high temperatures and pressure. The high temperature, high pressure hydrogen chloride is used to drive a turbine after which the heat from the hydrogen chloride is extracted for use in a regeneration system. The hydrogen chloride is converted to hydrogen and chlorine in the regeneration system. In the regeneration system copper and cuprous chloride react with the hydrogen chloride at a temperature of at least about 200.degree. C. to generate cuprous chloride, cupric chloride and molecular hydrogen. In a second reactor containing cuprous chloride and cupric chloride the extracted thermal energy from the hydrogen chloride is utilized to generate copper, cuprous chloride and molecular chlorine. The molecular chlorine and hydrogen are recombined to form hydrogen chloride in the system. In an alternative embodiment, silver is used as a reagent rather than copper and cuprous chloride.

Growing community of inventors

Gainesville, FL, United States of America

Avinash K Gupta