Abstract:
The invention is a new and improved method of generating an electric current in an Electrolytic Fuel Cell. An electric current is produced by the rupture of hydrogen bonds to oxygen atoms of water molecules by hydrolyzation of alkaline metals from the surface of a tape passing through a turbulent moving stream of a diffuse mixture of air and water. The electrons produced by the chemical reaction of dissociation are subsequently attracted to the finned surfaces of an ionic capacitor which is connected in series with an electrolytic capacitor which delivers the current to the load.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
     
         
         Ref. 1 U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,007 Hydrogen Generator 
         Ref. 2 U.S. Pat. No. 6,831,825 Fuel Cell Ionic Capacitor 
         Ref. 3 U.S. Pat. No. 7,288,335 Alkaline Electrode Tape 
         Ref. 4 U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/055,093 filed Dec. 26, 2007 Potassium Electric Generator and Chemical Synthesizer 
         Ref. 5 U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,378 Coal Flue Gas Scrubber 
         Ref. 6 U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/286,888 filed Oct. 3, 2008 Polar Ordinate Chamber 
       
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Free electrons are generated by the reaction of an alkaline metal, or alkaline earth metal, with water molecules during hydrolyzation. In previous electrolytic fuel cell designs as described in Ref. 1 and Ref. 4 the hydrolyzation of alkaline metals is carried out in the liquid state of the cell aqueous electrolyte. In the invention presented the hydrolyzation of the alkaline metal fuel is hydrolyzed in a turbulent air and water diffusion mist that is sprayed into a hydrolyzation chamber. The turbulent spray of air and water is hereinafter called a “diffusion stream” and the electrolytic fuel cell that employs this type of hydroxylation is termed an “electrolytic diffusion fuel cell”. 
     The turbulent flow of the air and water of the said diffusion stream is directed toward an exposed alkaline metal that has been placed on the surface of the fuel carrier tape of an alkaline electrode tape described in Ref. 3. In the design of electrolytic fuel tapes the alkaline metal carrier tape is the negative pole, or cathode pole of the cell. 
     During the operation of the fuel cell of the present invention the turbulent flow of the air and water of the said diffusion stream is directed toward an exposed alkaline metal that has been placed on the surface of a carrier tape of an alkaline electrode described in Ref. 3. The alkaline metal electrode is passed in front of the diffusion stream in a hydrolyzation chamber and the exposed alkaline metal hydrolyzed in a chemical reaction which ruptures the hydrogen bonds to the oxygen atom of the water molecules of the diffusion stream releasing electrons (e − ) and protons (H + ) into the gaseous stream of the diffusion stream. The released electrons are carried by electrical conduction in the gaseous stream into the inlet of an ionic capacitor described in Ref. 2. The electrons in the said gaseous stream possess a negative charge and are therefore by difference of static electrical potential attracted to the positively charged finned surfaces of an ionic capacitor. The electrons captured on the finned surfaces of the said ionic capacitor pass through an electrical conductor and are transferred to an electrolytic capacitor and are subsequently transferred to a load circuit which in the present design is a battery charging circuit for mobile charging. 
     Electricity is stored in an alkaline metal by the process of electrolysis. The amount of electricity stored in alkaline metals is termed its electrochemical equivalence when the metal is reduced to its purest elemental state. By the First Law of Thermodynamics the relative processes of electrolysis and hydrolysis are completely reversible processes. The amount of electricity released from a reduced alkaline metal during hydrolysis is equal to its electrochemical equivalence. To date only sodium produced from sodium chloride (NaCl) has attained a strong commercial importance as a reducing agent. In commercial production of sodium it is most generally produced from sodium chloride (NaCl) in a Downs cell. Sodium Chloride (NaCl) is cheaper as a raw material than sodium hydroxide (NaOH) feed stock produced in a Castner cell. Sodium Chloride (NaCl) has a melting point of. 1,481° F. as compared to 604° F. for NaOH. Because of the high melting point of NaCl it is expected that initial pool supply will be produced from Downs cell operation and recycled sodium will be produced from sodium hydroxide by the Castner cell process. 
     The Electrolytic Diffusion Fuel Cell is initially proposed as a mobile source for recharging batteries in an electrical powered vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. Vehicle battery capacity is specified as its fully charged capacity given in amp-hrs such that it is readily compared in terms of specific power in delivered torque and in specific energy for vehicle range, with the electrochemical equivalence of electrolysis of alkaline metals. The electrochemical storage capacity of the reactive alkaline metals and metal complexes proposed in the present invention are given in amp-hrs per pound in the table below. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 ELECTROCHEMICAL STORAGE CAPACITY 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Active metal system 
                 Amp-hrs/lb 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Sodium (Na) 
                 528.71 
               
               
                   
                 NaCa nodular 
                 567.73 
               
               
                   
                 NaCaMg comples 
                 711.79 
               
               
                   
                 Lithium 
                 1,751.99 
               
               
                   
                 Calcium 
                 606.74 
               
               
                   
                 Potassium 
                 311.00 
               
               
                   
                 Magnesium 
                 999.90 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The major problem experienced in the design of electrolytic fuel cells is the method of delivery of very small discrete quantities of alkaline metal fuels for hydrolyzation in the cell cathode reaction chamber. At higher delivery rates the kinetic and exothermic reaction of Group I metal fuels, Na and k, require blending with Group II metals, Ca and Mg to moderate the highly kinetic and exothermic reactions. 
     Two additional problems encountered in the design of electrolytic fuel cell systems is the static loss of stray electrons to surrounding cell conducting surfaces, and the disposal of spent electrolyte. The said static losses can be reduced by designing the contiguous surfaces near the hydration reaction zone from non-conducting insulative material in close contact with the metal strakes of the capacitor tuyere of Ref. 4 and by installing a conducting positively charged grid at the hydration reaction zone inlet to prevent upstream gaseous conduction. Spent electrolyte is used directly in coal scrubber systems of Ref. 5 to strengthen the hydrogen bond (H—H) between water spray molecules for increased retention strength of the capture medium. The gaseous component exiting the capacitor tuyere of Ref. 4 is rich in protons (H + ) which may be passed through a polar ordinate chamber of Ref. 6 to increase the molecular weight of the water vapor component making moderating confinement of low reactive fuel rods accessible and more attractive cost-wise which will greatly alleviate the disposal process of enriched uranium spent rods from nuclear generating plants. 
     Excessive mechanical design of the (EDFC) Electrolytic Diffusion Fuel Cell is presented to demonstrate working practicality and logical means and does not constitute novelty. This excess mechanism is necessary to describe the logical manner of hydration of alkaline metals and alkaline earth metals in a diffusion of an air and water stream which constitutes the novelty of the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An electrolytic diffusion fuel cell (EDFC) is presented as an assembly of previously patented matter. The novelty of the invention is not in the assembly itself, but instead, the novelty to be claimed by the system presented is in the manner in which the water component of an air/water diffusion stream is brought into contact with the reacting alkaline metal for hydrolyzation. The novelty of the diffusion fuel cell is the processing environment of hydrolyzation that extends beyond the novelty of Cross Ref. 1 in which hydrolyzation occurs in a liquid electrolyte. 
     It is an object of the invention to produce electricity by chemically reacting alkaline metals in an air/water diffusion stream to produce electrons and absorb them in an ionic capacitor circuit. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to produce a gaseous by-product of the said diffusion stream ionic spent electrolyte rich in gaseous protonic hydrogen for further downstream processing to increase the weight of water molecules. 
     And still it is another object of the invention to produce spent moderating calcium electrolyte for the synthesis of calcium cyanamide from coal fired furnace flue gases. 
     It is another object of the invention to use spent electrolyte solution to increase the hydrogen (H—H) bond of flue gas scrubber water to increase the strength of capture grid of CO 2  used in the production of di-carboxylic acids as base reagent for organic synthesis of higher carbon chains. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Drawings of an interconnecting assembly comprising new and useful improvements of an electrolytic fuel cell which employs the novel process of air and water diffusion for the hydrolyzation of alkaline metals are presented. 
         FIG. 1   a  is a drawing of the four components forming the composite alkaline tape of the cell cathode electrode. 
         FIG. 1   b  shown in cross-section shows the method of hermetic sealing the four structural components of  FIG. 1   a  into a single tape structure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the method of packaging the cathode electrode of  FIG. 1   b  into an accordion fold magazine which has been inserted into a dispensing spool mechanism. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a drawing of the horizontal extracting mechanism used to extract the splined drive axels of the spool drive mechanism. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a frontal view of the chain link arrangement of the horizontal extraction mechanism. 
         FIG. 4   a  is a side view of the air/water diffusion system in cross-section. 
         FIG. 4   b  is a top plan view of the air/water diffusion system of  FIG. 4   a.    
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the total diffusion cell circuit showing the capacitor tuyere of Ref. 4 in cross-section. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1   a  illustrates the positional order of the four structural components comprising a cathode alkaline electrode tape as described in Ref. 3. Alkaline metal fuel  1  is deposited on carrier insulation tape  2 . Directly above carrier insulation tape  2  is positioned perforated tape  3  which has a plurality of rows of small perforations  4  running along its full length. Positioned above the perforated tape  3  is stripper tape  5 . 
       FIG. 1   b  is a cross-section of the assembled four structural elements, alkaline metal  1 , carrier insulation tape  2 , perforated tape  3 , and stripper tape  5  brought together as a single composite tape. Carrier tape  1  edges are fused to both edges of perforated tape  3  at fusion point  6  such that they cannot be separated. Stripper tape  5  edges are adhered to both top edge surfaces of perforated tape  3  with an elastic adhesive at adhesive point  7  hermetically sealing alkaline metal fuel within the composite assembly. All of the said tapes have aluminized or metalized surface such that electrical continuity is uniform throughout the electrode. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 . The cell is energized by pulling stripper tape  5  at right angles to perforated tape  3  at the contacting juncture of paired rollers  11  causing the rupture of adhesive bonding point  7  in tension. Removal of the stripper tape  5  exposes metal  1  to diffuse mixtures of air and water diffusion mist which is now contiguous to and in contact to said metal fuel  1  through perforations  4  while passing under bottom roller  13  when magazine cartridge case  10  is inserted into spool dispensing mechanism  8 . Expended stripper tape  5  are rolled on stripper tape dispensing spool  12  and expended perforated tape  3  and carrier insulation tape  2  is rolled on carrier dispensing spool  16 . During exposure of metal fuel  1  in front diffusion rectangular opening  15  the back metalized surfaces of carrier tape  2  are in rubbing contact with two continuity plates  14  carrying the returning load current from upper terminal  21  to continuity plates  14  terminals  22 . The ends of splined shafts  17  which turn stripper tape dispensing spool  12 , carrier dispensing spool  16  and bottom roller  13  are shown as being extended into each of the said roller and spool axial mating splined housings. Carrier dispensing spool  16  is equipped with a spring loaded slip clutch  19  to compensate for variations in rotational velocity which occurs as a resulting difference in tape thickness between expended stripper tape  5  and the combined fused thickness of perforated tape  3  and carrier insulation tape  2  which will effect a difference in the radial velocity of each of the expended tape diameters when rolled on each of the said dispensing spools. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 3   b  which illustrates the motor driven roller chain assembled mechanism  23  which coordinates the rotation of the three splined shafts  17  of the spool dispensing mechanism  8  previously shown in  FIG. 2  and provides a means of extracting the three splined shafts  17  from hydrolyzation chamber  20 . The said motor driven chain mechanism  23  comprising an electric motor  24  and reduction gear box  25  mounted on a drive frame  26  shown in cross section. Said drive frame  26  is slidably mounted on a linear bearing rack  27 . Said linear bearing rack  27  fixedly mounted on cell frame  28  shown in cross-hatched section also holding the hydrolyzation chamber  20  shown in cross-hatch section showing the spline shafts  17  inserted through seals  29  into said hydrolyzation chamber  20 . Spline shafts  17  are retracted from hydrolyzation chamber  20  when drive frame  26  is pulled back by hydraulic or pneumatic actuation cylinder  30  to its retracted position. The inlet passage  31  to hydrolyzation chamber  20  is a narrow rectangle with rounded ends as shown in  FIG. 3   b . The outlet passage from hydrolyzation chamber  20  is a flanged circular opening  32  shown in  FIG. 3   a.    
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  showing the component elements of the three major assemblies comprising the air/water diffusion stream system used in the hydration process of metal fuel  1  through perforations  4  of perforated tape  3  passing in front of inlet  31  of  FIG. 3   b  into square diffusion opening  15  of hydrolyzation chamber  20  shown in  FIG. 2 . The three major assemblies comprising the air/water diffusion stream system shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are centrifugal air blower  33  driven by motor  41 , venture water aspirator  34  circuit, and nozzle extension  35 . Mounted on top of the said centrifugal fan air blower  33  is hose fitting  38  used for bleeding a small portion of air pressure into spool dispensing mechanism  8  cavity of  FIG. 2  to retard upward moisture encroachment from hydrolyzation chamber  20 . Venturi water aspirator  34  is comprised of venturi throat section with a water manifold  37  and an inlet water fitting  38  to said water manifold. Water is aspirated into air stream of centrifugal fan air blower  33  through venturi orifices  39 . Down stream of venturi orifices  39  is nozzle extension  35 . At its attaching point to said venturi said nozzle extension  35  is circular but at its exit it is rectangular with rounded surfaces such that it interfaces and fits exactly into inlet  31  of hydrolyzation chamber  20  shown in  FIG. 3   b . The pressure ratio of inlet to outlet across the venturi throat should be as near 1.8 as possible this requirement is a design factor limiting the amount of air that can be passed through air hose fitting  38 . The inlet to outlet expansion ratio of nozzle extension  35  is about 2, providing additional diffusion stream velocity. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5  which is the assembly drawing of the Electrolytic Diffusion Fuel Cell. To avoid double patenting only the singular novel feature pertinent is presented as the manner of hydrolyzation of the alkaline metal fuel of alkaline tape  9  by the air/water diffusion stream generated by the mechanism present in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  and is considered a new and improved method of electrolytic fuel cell operation. 
     Shown in  FIG. 5 , cartridge case  10  encasing alkaline fuel tape  9  is inserted into hydrolyzation chamber  20 . The diffusion blower circuit comprising centrifugal fan air blower  33 , venturi water aspirator  34  and nozzle extension  35  are shown mounted on cell frame  28  with the said nozzle extension  35  exit in communication with hydrolyzation chamber inlet  31 . Water line inlet  42  delivers water to venturi water manifold  37 . Hydrolyzation of a sodium (Na) fuel (Na+H 2 O→H + +e − +NaOH) produces electrons (e − ) which are carried into the interior of capacitor tuyere  43  and deposited on capacitor tuyere strake fins. Said capacitor strakes placed in communication with toroidal electrolytic capacitors  45  by screws  46 . Capacitor flow from said toroidal capacitors  45  is carried to load  47  through load line  48  and returns to upper continuity terminal  21  completing the cell electric circuit. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Numbered Elements 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                  1. 
                 Metal fuel 
                 25.  
                 Reduction gear box 
               
               
                   
                  2.  
                 Carrier insulation tape 
                 26. 
                 Drive frame 
               
               
                   
                  3.  
                 Perforated tape 
                 27.  
                 Linear bearing rack 
               
               
                   
                  4.  
                 Perforations 
                 28.  
                 Cell frame 
               
               
                   
                  5.  
                 Stripper tape 
                 29.  
                 Seals 
               
               
                   
                  6.  
                 Fusion point 
                 30.  
                 Actuation cylinder 
               
               
                   
                  7.  
                 Adhesive point 
                 31.  
                 Inlet 
               
               
                   
                  8.  
                 Spool dispensing mechanism 
                 32. 
                 Outlet 
               
               
                   
                  9.  
                 Alkaline fuel tape 
                 33.  
                 Centrifugal fan air blower 
               
               
                   
                 10.  
                 Magazine cartridge case 
                 34.  
                 Venturi water aspirator 
               
               
                   
                 11.  
                 Paired separating rollers 
                 35.  
                 Nozzle extension 
               
               
                   
                 12.  
                 Stripper tape dispensing spool 
                 36. 
                 Hose fitting 
               
               
                   
                 13.  
                 Bottom roller 
                 37. 
                 Water manifold 
               
               
                   
                 14.  
                 Continuity plates 
                 38.  
                 Water hose fitting 
               
               
                   
                 15.  
                 Diffusion opening 
                 39.  
                 Venturi orifices 
               
               
                   
                 16.  
                 Carrier dispensing spool 
                 40. 
                   
               
               
                   
                 17.  
                 Splined shafts 
                 41. 
                 Motor 
               
               
                   
                 18. 
                   
                 42.  
                 Water line inlet 
               
               
                   
                 19.  
                 Spool slip clutch 
                 43.  
                 Capacitor tuyere 
               
               
                   
                 20.  
                 Hydrolyzation chamber 
                 44. 
                 Strakes 
               
               
                   
                 21.  
                 Upper continuity terminal 
                 45. 
                 Toroidal capacitor 
               
               
                   
                 22.  
                 Continuity plate terminals 
                 46.  
                 Screws 
               
               
                   
                 23.  
                 Motor chain mechanism 
                 47.  
                 Load 
               
               
                   
                 24.  
                 Motor 
                 48.  
                 Load line