The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 18, 1982
Filed:
Nov. 21, 1980
Dagmar Boltersdorf, Kreuzau, DE;
Robert Junginger, Julich, DE;
Bernd D Struck, Langerwehe, DE;
Herbert Neumeister, Julich, DE;
Kernforschungsanlage Julich GmbH, Julich, DE;
Abstract
The production of hydrogen by electrolysis in a cell, in which the anode electrolyte contains sulfur dioxide as well as sulfuric acid and an intermediate chamber separated from the anode and cathode chambers by cation-exchanger membranes is provided through which an electrolyte flows in order to prevent sulfur dioxide from reaching the cathode chamber is greatly improved by using as the anode side membrane a cation-exchanger in which a polyvinyl chloride skeleton is combined with a polymer of styrol and divinyl benzol to which sulfonic acid groups have been attached, such a membrane having a very low resistivity, thus reducing the necessary electrolysis voltage. Such a membrane also loses conductivity with increasing sulfuric acid concentration at a lower rate than membranes previously used in such an electrolysis process and permits a higher sulfuric acid concentration in the anode electrolyte. The improvement on the anode side makes possible the operation of the cathode at low sulfuric acid electrolyte concentration, below 20 or even 10% by weight. Through-flow electrodes of porous graphite encased except on the membrane side by impermeable graphite further improve the operation of the process, especially if they fill the electrolyte chamber right up to the membrane.