Electrochemical pressurizer/purifier of hydrogen for operation at moderately elevated temperatures (including high-temperature electrochemical pump in a membrane generator of hydrogen)

Abstract

An generator of pure pressurized high pressure hydrogen comprising a molten hydroxide or eutectic mixture electrolyte pressurizing chamber bounded by a hydrogen-selective anode and a hydrogen-selective otherwise gas impermeable cathode respectively connected to a D.C. power supply, with the pressurizing chamber maintained at a temperature between the melting point of the electrolyte and about 600° C., wherein, upon passing D.C. current between the anode and cathode, pure hydrogen arriving on the electrolyte bounding with the anode substantially instantaneously reacts with hydroxyl ions from the electrolyte to form water and electrons and evolves pressurized pure hydrogen gas on the cathode, and with such substantially instantaneous reaction at the anode creating a suction effect which effectively pumps pure hydrogen permeating through said anode.