U.S. patent application number 12/781872 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-24 for device for increasing the rate of electrolysis in electrolyzer.
Invention is credited to Siang Yong Chia, Sze Huen Chong.
Application Number | 20110284370 12/781872 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44971556 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110284370 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chong; Sze Huen ; et
al. |
November 24, 2011 |
Device for increasing the rate of electrolysis in electrolyzer
Abstract
A device electrically connected to one terminal of a DC source
and immersed in electrolyte of an electrolytic vessel for
increasing the rate of electrolysis includes a first half and a
second half releasably secured to the first half to form a space
therein; a plurality of surface apertures formed on the first and
second halves; and a threaded hole disposed in the first half and
threadedly secured to a pipe conveying electrolyte to be
electrolyzed.
Inventors: |
Chong; Sze Huen; (Singapore,
SG) ; Chia; Siang Yong; (Singapore, SG) |
Family ID: |
44971556 |
Appl. No.: |
12/781872 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
204/242 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C25B 1/04 20130101; Y02E
60/36 20130101; C25B 9/00 20130101; Y02E 60/366 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
204/242 |
International
Class: |
C25D 17/00 20060101
C25D017/00 |
Claims
1. A device electrically connected to one terminal of a direct
current (DC) source and immersed in electrolyte of an electrolytic
vessel for increasing the rate of electrolysis comprising: a first
half and a second half releasably secured to the first half to form
a space therein; a plurality of surface apertures formed on the
first and second halves; and a threaded hole disposed in the first
half and adapted to threadedly secure to a pipe conveying
electrolyte to be electrolyzed.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second halves are
formed of metal.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second halves
together are shaped as a sphere.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The invention relates to electrolysis and more particularly
to an atomizer like device for increasing the rate of electrolysis
in an electrolyzer.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] In chemistry and manufacturing, electrolysis is a method of
using an electric current to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous
chemical reaction. Electrolysis is commercially highly important as
a stage in the separation of elements from naturally-occurring
sources such as ores using an electrolytic cell.
[0005] Electrolysis is the passage of an electric current through
an ionic substance that is either molten or dissolved in a suitable
solvent, resulting in chemical reactions at the electrodes and
separation of materials.
[0006] A typical electrolyzer comprises a vessel, a pipe for
supplying water to the vessel, a pipe for removing water from the
vessel, a diaphragm for dividing the vessel into an anode chamber
having an anode, and a cathode chamber having a cathode, and
electrolyte containing ionic materials to be separated filled in
the chambers. In an electrolysis process, direct current is
supplied to the anode and cathode to create mobile ions in the
electrolyte. The mobile ions are the carriers of electrical current
in the electrolyte.
[0007] Each electrode attracts ions that are of the opposite
charge. Positively-charged ions (cations) move towards the negative
cathode, whereas negatively-charged ions (anions) move towards the
positive anode. At the electrodes, electrons are absorbed or
released by the atoms and ions. Those atoms that gain or lose
electrons to become charged ions pass into the electrolyte. Those
ions that gain or lose electrons to become uncharged atoms separate
from the electrolyte. The formation of uncharged atoms from ions is
called discharging.
[0008] However, removing the reactants and products including water
needs time, i.e., temporary stop of the electrolysis. Hence, yield
of the typical electrolyzer is low. Thus, the need for improvement
still exists.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a
device electrically connected to one terminal of a DC source and
immersed in electrolyte of an electrolytic vessel for increasing
the rate of electrolysis comprising a first half and a second half
releasably secured to the first half to form a space therein; a
plurality of surface apertures formed on the first and second
halves; and a threaded hole disposed in the first half and
threadedly secured to a pipe conveying electrolyte to be
electrolyzed.
[0010] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for increasing the
rate of electrolysis in an electrolyzer according to the
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device in FIG. 1;
and
[0014] FIG. 4 is the electrolyzer incorporating the device and
other components for electrolysis.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, an electrolyzer in accordance
with the invention comprises the following components as discussed
in detail below.
[0016] A spherical device 10 comprises a first half 11 including an
externally threaded section 110, and a second half 12 including an
internally threaded section 120 threadedly secured to the
externally threaded section 110 to form an internal space in the
device 10. A plurality of apertures 14 are formed on surfaces of
the first and second halves 11, 12 to communicate with inside of
the device 10. A threaded hole 13 is provided through a center of
the first half 11. Preferably, the device 10 is made of metal. A
first inlet pipe 21 having a threaded end which is secured to the
threaded hole 13 to fasten the first inlet pipe 21 and the device
10 together.
[0017] An electrolytic vessel 2 of hollow parallelepiped comprises
a plate shaped cathode 24 on an inner surface of either side, two
parallel ion permeable diaphragms 23 for dividing an internal space
of the vessel 2 into a central first reaction chamber 28 and two
side second reaction chambers 27, two second inlet pipes 22 each
passing one end wall of the vessel 2 to communicate with the second
reaction chamber 27, and three outlet pipes 26 passing the other
end wall of the vessel 2 to communicate with the first and second
reaction chambers 28 and 27 respectively.
[0018] A direct current (DC) source 25 has a negative terminal
electrically connected to each of the cathodes 24 and a positive
terminal electrically connected to the device 10 (i.e., anode).
[0019] In electrolysis, pure water flows into the second reaction
chambers 27 via the second inlet pipes 22, pressurized electrolyte
to be electrolyzed flows into the device 10 via the first inlet
pipe 21, and DC is supplied from the DC source 25 to the cathodes
24 and the device 10 immersed in the electrolyte. Fine liquid
particles thus leave the apertures 14 (i.e., leave the device 10)
into the first reaction chamber 28. Mobile ions are created in the
first reaction chamber 28 filled with electrolyte. The mobile ions
are the carriers of electrical current in the electrolyte. Cations
move towards the cathodes 24 through the ion permeable diaphragms
23 and the second reaction chambers 27 filled with water, whereas
anions move towards the device 10 (i.e., anode). Also, remaining
substances of the electrolyte and water after the chemical reaction
leave the vessel 2 through the outlet pipes 26. It is envisaged by
the invention that the electrolysis conducted in the vessel 2 can
be hastened, i.e., yield increase, by providing an atomizer-like
device 10 for generating fine liquid particles.
[0020] While the invention has been described in terms of preferred
embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims.
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