Abstract:
A system for producing pressurized gas(es) from polar molecular liquids without the need to compress the gas(es) through outside mechanical forces or through the use of electrical energy or otherwise. The system incorporates an electrolysis cell positioned at depth (greater than 16 feet) within the liquid. The electrolysis cell includes a bell shaped enclosure defining a gas generating assembly that is positioned at depth within a fluid such as water. The gas generating assembly includes first and second electrodes positioned in spaced relationship and a bell shaped collection vessel arranged above the electrodes. At least one collection vessel includes at least one gas port configured to connect to gas conduits to carry the pressurized gas(es) to the point of use or storage. At least one electrical conductor extends from a power source to at least one of two electrodes positioned within the gas generating assembly. At least one gas collection and storage tank is preferably positioned at the surface to receive and store the produced pressurized gas. Positioning the gas generating assembly at depth immerses the electrodes within the polar molecular fluid, and operation of the electrical power supply establishes an electrical potential between the electrodes resulting in an electrolytic breakdown of the polar molecular fluid into its constituent components. The gas thus collected at the surface may be stored or used immediately in a number of different applications.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to systems for producing one or more gases from a liquid compound by way of electrolysis. The present invention relates more specifically to a system for generating pressurized gases from polar molecular liquids. The system anticipates its preferred use in conjunction with liquid water, although other polar molecular liquids may be used to produce other gases based upon the same principles. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Electrolysis involving water is the decomposition of water ( ) into oxygen gas ( ) and hydrogen gas ( ) as the result of the establishment of an electric potential that results in the flow of an electric current through the water. The principle behind electrolysis involves reactions that occur on two electrodes placed within the water. In the basic arrangement, an electrical power source is connected to the two electrodes, or two plates (typically made from some inert metal, such as platinum or stainless steel) which are placed in the water. Hydrogen gas ( ) bubbles will appear at the cathode (the negatively charged electrode where electrons enter the water) and oxygen gas ( ) bubbles will appear at the anode (the positively charged electrode). The amount of hydrogen gas generated is typically twice that of the amount of oxygen gas and both are proportional to the total electrical charge conducted by the solution. 
         [0005]    Electrolysis of pure water requires excess energy to overcome various activation barriers. Without the excess energy, the electrolysis of pure water occurs very slowly or not at all. This is in part due to the limited self-ionization of water. Pure water has an electrical conductivity of about one millionth of that of sea water. Many electrolytic cells may also lack the requisite electrocatalyst. The efficiency of electrolysis is increased through the natural presence or the addition of an electrolyte (such as salt, an acid, or a base) and the use of an electrocatalyst. The present invention takes advantage of the greater concentration of naturally occurring electrolytes in deeper water. 
         [0006]    In water, at the negatively charged cathode, a reduction reaction takes place with electrons from the cathode being given to hydrogen cations to form hydrogen gas. At the positively charged anode, an oxidation reaction occurs generating oxygen gas and giving electrons to the anode to complete the circuit. The overall reaction involves the decomposition of water into oxygen and hydrogen according to the following equation [=+]. The number of hydrogen molecules produced is therefore (on average) twice the number of oxygen molecules. Assuming equal temperature and pressure for both gases, the produced hydrogen gas therefore has twice the volume of the produced oxygen gas. The number of electrons pushed through the water is twice the number of generated hydrogen molecules and four times the number of generated oxygen molecules. 
         [0007]    It would be desirable to utilize the above described principle of electrolysis to generate one or more gases from a liquid and to do so in a manner that produces the gases at an elevated pressure. It would be desirable if the ability to produce gases at an elevated pressure did not require the addition of significant amounts of energy to compress the gases once they have been produced. It would be useful to have a system that generated pressurized gas or gases in a manner that allowed for the storage of the gas or gases, or the immediate use of the gas or gases to release energy associated with either the pressure (through mechanical means) or with the chemical compounds (through chemical reaction means). 
         [0008]    Efforts to produce usable gases through electrolysis, especially at elevated pressures, have generally met with little success. Most such systems require the use of complex and expensive equipment to pressurize the gas once it is produced. This process of compressing the gas once produced is energy intensive and generally makes the production of gases from the electrolysis of a liquid highly impractical. It would be desirable to have a system that made the production of pressurized gases from electrolysis a practical alternative to other known means for producing such gases. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention therefore provides systems for generating and producing pressurized gases from polar molecular liquids without the need to compress the gases through the addition of outside mechanical force driven through the use of electrical energy or otherwise. The system of the present invention incorporates an electrolysis cell positioned at depth (16 feet or greater). The electrolysis cell includes a bell shaped enclosure defining a gas generating assembly that is positioned at depth within the polar molecular fluid, such as water. The gas generating assembly includes first and second electrodes positioned in spaced relationship and the bell shaped collection vessel arranged above the electrodes. The collection vessel or vessels include at least one gas port configured on an upward oriented closed end of the vessel from which may extend one or more gas conduits to carry the generated pressurized gas to the surface. At least one electrical conductor extends from a power source (a voltage potential source) at the surface down to the electrodes positioned within the gas generating assembly. Positioned at the surface are the necessary structural assemblies for deploying, supporting, and retracting a gas conduit bundle assembly and the attached gas generating assembly. In the preferred embodiment, at least one gas collection and storage tank is positioned at the surface to receive and store the produced pressurized gas. Positioning the gas generating assembly at depth immerses the electrodes within the polar molecular fluid, and operation of the electrical power supply effects an electrical potential between the electrodes resulting in an electrolytic breakdown of the polar molecular fluid into its constituent components. The gas components generated at a pressure above atmospheric pressure (dependent upon the depth) are then conducted up toward the surface and used below the water surface (bubbler, water pump) or brought to the surface and collected in one or more gas collection and storage tanks. The pressurized gas thus collected at the surface may be stored and used in a number of different applications at a later date or may be immediately used. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of the electrode bell pressurized gas generator apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of the overall system for generating pressurized gas of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a partially schematic elevational view of a first implementation (first preferred embodiment) of the overall system of the pressurized gas generating system of the present invention (open water). 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a partially schematic side plan view of the surface level components of the pressurized gas generating system of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a detailed cross sectional view of the gas collection hose bundle of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    Reference is made first to  FIG. 1  for a detailed description of a partially schematic cross-sectional diagram of the basic apparatus of the present invention. The diagram shown in  FIG. 1  is intended to describe the functionality of the system as well as its basic geometry and structure. Deep water electrolysis system  10  comprises a long outer tube  12  concentrically surrounding a long inner tube  14 . At the upper end of the electrolysis system  10 , outer tube  12  and inner tube  14  are terminated and partially closed by way of cap  16 . At the opposite end of outer tube  12  and inner tube  14  is positioned collection bell  18 . In a preferred embodiment, each of these components might be constructed of stainless steel pipe, PVC pipe, aluminum pipe, or the like. 
         [0016]    Positioned within collection bell  18  are two dome-shaped wire mesh electrodes  20  and  22 . Electrode  20  comprises a dome-shaped screen having a central aperture  24  positioned at the peak of the dome. Electrode  22  comprises a dome-shaped screen smaller in diameter than electrode  20  and forming a complete dome or pyramid-shaped shell. Each of electrodes  20  and  22  includes a conductive ring  26  and  28  respectively, to which are electrically attached conductive wires  30  and  32 . These conductive wires  30  and  32  extend to the surface to a DC power source (not shown) oriented in the manner indicated in the figure. This configuration preferably establishes electrode  20  as the cathode (negatively charged electrode) on which are formed hydrogen molecules. Electrode  22  is thereby established as the anode (positive electrode) on which are formed the oxygen molecules. 
         [0017]    As oxygen molecules are formed on the anode (electrode  22 ) the bubbles of oxygen gas collect below the screen (as far from the opposing electrode as possible) and migrate to the dome of the screen electrode where they pass through the screen, through central aperture  24  of electrode  20 , and are collected at the opening of inner tube  14 . Oxygen gas bubbles  36  then pass up through inner tube  14  to a point where the gas collects inside inner tube  14  at volume  40 . Oxygen gases may then be controllably conducted through valve  44  to the surface where the oxygen gas may be stored. 
         [0018]    In a similar manner, hydrogen gas is generated on the cathode (negative electrode  20 ) where the bubbles pass over the screen of the electrode and are collected on the inside surface of bell  18  where they pass up into the circumferential structure of outer tube  12 . Hydrogen gas  38  then bubbles up through outer tube  12  into the enclosed volume  42 . Hydrogen gases then may be drawn out of the system through valve  46  as shown. 
         [0019]    Because the electrolysis in the present system occurs at great depths in salt water (in the example shown), the efficiency of the reaction is higher than that as might occur at the surface. The gases thus generated also maintain the higher pressure established at depth in the salt water and will therefore arrive at the surface in either a greater volume or under higher pressure. 
         [0020]    Reference is next made to  FIG. 2  which is a schematic block diagram of the overall system of the present invention designed to generate pressurized gas for storage and use. The diagram in  FIG. 2  is intended to represent the functional connections between the various components in the system and not the specific geometry or even arrangement of these components. 
         [0021]    The entire system is preferably operated and controlled by data acquisition and control systems  50  which include various microprocessors, displays, and other analog and digital controllers that operate the electrical and gas flow components of the system. Data acquisition and control systems  50  are connected to the various other components within the system through electrical conductors and gas flow conduits. The vertically oriented components of the system are generally supported and maintained in position by support structure  52 . Below, or in conjunction with support structure  52 , are the necessary lifting and lowering mechanisms  58 . These various support structures are generally positioned at or near the surface of the water, or at a position of approximately one atmospheric pressure. 
         [0022]    Also included at or near the surface are gas conditioning systems  62  described in more detail below, as well as the gas storage tanks, here indicated as gas tanks  54  and gas tanks  56 . Finally at the surface, power supply  60  is preferably positioned to direct the necessary voltage potential down to the electrolysis cell. It is possible, however, that the power supply necessary to generate the electrical potential across the electrodes in the electrolytical cell could also be positioned at depth. In general, however, it is more efficient and easier to simply direct electrical conductors down with the gas conduits to provide the necessary voltage potential across the electrodes. 
         [0023]    The balance of the system shown in  FIG. 2  is supported below the surface of the liquid (water) in a vertical column generally as indicated in an environment in excess of one atmosphere. The lifting/lowering mechanism  58  supports one or more gas conduits  66  as well as additional intermediate components that facilitate the transport of the pressurized gas to the surface. These intermediate components are generally identified as pressurized gas surge tank  64 , whose function is described in more detail below, as well as further gas conditioning systems  65 . 
         [0024]    The gas conduits  66  extend to the surface from a pressurized gas column  68  which is positioned above, and in association with, the electrode bell enclosure  70 . Electrode bell enclosure  70  incorporates the two electrodes necessary to carry out the electrolytic reaction of the liquid compound. Power supply  60  is therefore electrically connected to electrode bell enclosure  70  as shown. A further optional component, inlet filtration system  72  may be positioned below electrode bell enclosure  70  so as to mediate the intrusion of debris and other material that might jeopardize the efficiency of the operation of the electrolytic cell. 
         [0025]    Reference is next made to  FIG. 3  for a broader view of a first implementation of the system of the present invention as might be made in conjunction with operation of the system in open water (an ocean, for example) at some significant depth.  FIG. 3  is a partially schematic elevational view of a first implementation (first preferred embodiment) of the overall system of the pressurized gas generating components of the present invention. In this view, watercraft  80  is shown positioned at the surface of the water wherein the support collection and storage components of the system would be retained. Also positioned on watercraft  80  is deployment/take-up reel  82 . Extending from deployment/take-up reel  82  is one or more variations on a combination gas tube, wireline bundle, and support cable  84 . Positioned at an intermediate spot along combination gas tube and wireline bundle  84  is pressurized gas surge tank  86 . The function of this surge tank is also described in more detail below. The electrolysis gas generator  90  is positioned at the terminal of combination gas tube and wireline bundle  84  and may be held in place by one or more deployment anchors/weights  92 . 
         [0026]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that operation of the system of the present invention involves the balancing of pressures between the gas generating assembly at depth and the surface level assemblies. To achieve the transport of a quantity of pressurized gas(es) to the surface there must be a flow of the gas(es), at least initially from a volume at higher pressure (at depth) to a volume at lower pressure (at the surface). In the initial phases of the process it may be necessary to establish a buffer or surge tank (such as surge tanks  86  in  FIGS. 3 and 64  in  FIG. 2 ) to help prevent the movement of liquid with the flow of gas up the gas conduits. Other methods for regulating the rate at which the gases are generated could also contribute to the mitigation of entrained fluids within the gas flows, especially on startup when the pressure differentials between the gas generating assembly at depth and the surface are greatest. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is not intended to be drawn to scale, and the actual depth at which the electrolysis gas generator  90  would be positioned would more typically be on the order of 160′ to 320′ to over 5,000′. Operation of the system at such depths achieves the desired gas pressurization and yet does not incur material costs that exceed the benefits associated with collecting and storing the pressurized gases. It is preferable that electrolysis gas generator  90  not be positioned in close proximity to the ocean or lake bottom so as to avoid the induction of silt and debris into the system. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the “depth” referred to in the present invention is primarily a pressure differential established by a quantity of atmosphere and a quantity of water positioned above the gas generator assembly. This differential “depth” is determined by the distance between the gas generator assembly and the point of use and/or storage. 
         [0028]    Reference is next made to  FIG. 4  which is a partially schematic side plan view of the surface level components of the gas generating system of the present invention. In this view, various components are shown schematically placed and positioned around the movable gas collection hose bundle  128  that extends up from the gas generating cell described and shown above. The surface components are shown to include an array of surface level control and collection assemblies  100 . Centrally located among these components is control and data display instrumentation  102  which is connected to various other components within the system through control and data signal wires  136 . Also positioned at the surface is electric power supply  104  which, in the preferred embodiment, may simply be a rechargeable DC battery. Various alternate arrangements of the power supply system may include the use of an electrical ground located at depth. 
         [0029]    Also included at the surface level are active first gas collection tank  106  and active second gas collection tank  108 . In addition to these active gas collection tanks, there are preferably reserve first gas storage tank(s)  110  and reserve second gas storage tank(s)  112 . Various tank valve and pressure gauge assemblies  114  are positioned on each of these tanks. In addition, a first gas flow dryer (entrained fluid removal) device  116  is associated with active first gas collection tank  106  and a second gas flow dryer (entrained fluid removal)  120  is associated with active second gas collection tank  108 . There is also a gas venting valve  118  associated with each side of the gas collection and storage system shown. 
         [0030]    Extending from a collection manifold centrally positioned within the assembly of components at the surface is fixed gas collection hose bundle  122 . This length of multi conduit hose extends from the central manifold to a non-rotating axial position on hose bundle reel support and drive  126 . The reel support and drive  126  holds gas collection hose bundle  124  which is used to deploy and alternately to retract moveable gas collection hose bundle  128 . 
         [0031]    Also positioned and utilized at the surface are grounded support platforms  130  and  132 . As indicated, the necessary control and data signal wires  136  extend from control and data display instrumentation  102  down into movable gas collection hose bundle  128  in a manner described in more detail below. Also incorporated into hose bundle  128  are electrical power supply wires  134  (shown as  30  and  32  in  FIG. 1 ). Variations on the actual structure of the hose bundle are anticipated. 
         [0032]    Additional and optional components represented by  138  and  140 , may be positioned at or near the water surface and may include bubble distribution systems, a combustion chamber with ancillary fuel supply, rapid compression or decompression chambers, or the like. These components may be connected through conduits  137  and  139  to active first gas collection tank  106  and active second gas collection tank  108  in a manner that allows for the immediate use of each or both the collected gases for purposes such as generating energy from combustion or otherwise operating systems that benefit from the pressurized condition of the gases, such as therapeutic uses of oxygen gases in pressure chambers or bubbling waters. Rapid decompression of the pressurized gases may be used in thermal exchange systems as well. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the gas collection hose bundle of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention shown generally as  128  in  FIG. 4  and as  84  in  FIG. 3 . A wide variety of different configurations for this hose bundle are anticipated and the components shown in  FIG. 5  are intended to be inclusive of such components even though a more practical implementation may omit one or more of the components shown. Gas collection hose bundle  128  primarily incorporates first gas conduit lumen  150  and second gas conduit lumen  152 . In some applications of the present system, it may only be necessary to utilize a single gas conduit lumen collecting only one gas, and venting the other, or collecting both gases for immediate use when there is no concern for reverse electrolysis occurring. In the preferred embodiment, however, one where two gases are being generated and utilized separately at the surface, gas collection hose bundle  128  should incorporate at least two gas conduit lumens. 
         [0034]    Also incorporated into hose bundle  128  is integrated support cable  154  which, in the preferred embodiment, may simply be a bundled wire cable that extends the length of hose bundle  128  and is utilized to relieve any weight forces on the gas conduit lumens. Further included in hose bundle  128  are electrical power supply wires  134   a  and  134   b . In the preferred embodiment, these represent the DC positive and negative conductors that establish the electrical potential between the two electrodes associated with the electrolysis cell positioned at depth. Once again, however, an alternate embodiment wherein the ground electrical potential may be established at depth, a single conductor may provide the necessary positive potential (with respect to a negative ground) to one of the two electrodes while the remaining electrode is connected to ground. 
         [0035]    Finally contained within the preferred embodiment of gas collection hose bundle  128  are control and data signal wire bundle  136 . In the preferred embodiment, this would be a coaxial signal cable that would allow for the multiplexing of data and/or the transmission of signal control data from the surface to the gas generating cell located at depth. Various mechanisms that might be incorporated into the electrolysis cell collection enclosure may be directed and controlled by way of this signal cable. In a like manner, various sensors that might be positioned at depth may direct signal data up to the surface for use in the control and data display instrumentation described above. 
         [0036]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiments, this description has been provided by way of explanation only, and is not intended to be construed as a limitation of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize modifications in the present invention that might accommodate specific “liquid at depth” environments. Such modifications as to structure, method, and even the specific arrangement of components, where such modifications are coincidental to the environment or the specific type of liquid compound being utilized, do not necessarily depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. Although the invention has been described in conjunction with what is essentially an “open water” environment, the principles involved may be just as easily applied to a “confined well” environment, where the depth is achieved by lowing the gas generating assembly to depth within a drilled well or the like. The same surface structural components may be utilized and the same basic “downhole” components would be utilized. In a like manner, the same hose bundle structures and geometries may be used.