Abstract:
A hydrogen isotope fuel cell for converting electric power into heat. The cell includes a non-conductive housing formed of spaced, preferably glass outer plates sealed along common perimeters thereof to define a closed interior volume or chamber. At least two catalytic plates are held spaced apart in the interior volume, preferably separated by a dielectric plate. The catalytic plates are preferably formed of very thin palladium plate material. A gas passage in gas communication with the interior volume is connectable to a source of pressurized hydrogen (H 2 ) or deuterium (D 2 ) gas deliverable into said interior volume. A high voltage a.c. electric power source is connectable through a high voltage step-up transformer between each of the catalytic plates whereby, when a.c. electric current flows through the catalytic plates and across the dielectric plate, the interior volume, being filled with hydrogen or deuterium gas, heat is produced within the interior volume for external use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not applicable  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable  
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC  
       [0003]     Not applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     This invention relates generally to energy conversion units producing heat from electrical current and more particularly to an electrolytic cell utilizing a gaseous hydrogen isotope electrolyte within a sealed chamber filled with catalytic palladium and/or nickel mesh electrodes to produce heat by passing an electric current therebetween.  
         [0006]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0007]     The utility of converting electric current into heat for external use is obvious and well known. Common electrolytic cells utilizing a water-based electrolyte wherein an electric current passes through the liquid electrolyte flowing through or held within the electrolytic cell to produce the chemical breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen and the production of heat as a byproduct is also well known.  
         [0008]     The present invention provides a form of electrolytic cell utilizing a gaseous electrolyte in the form of hydrogen or deuterium gas and spaced catalytic palladium and/or nickel plates. The catalytic plates are chambered within a sealed interior volume of a non-conductive housing and held spaced apart preferably by a dielectric plate. By passing very high voltage a.c. electrical current through the chamber containing the catalytic plates and hydrogen or deuterium gas, heat is produced for external use.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     This invention is directed to a hydrogen isotope fuel cell for converting electric power into heat. The cell includes a non-conductive housing formed of spaced, preferably glass outer plates sealed along common perimeters thereof to define a closed interior volume or chamber. At least two catalytic plates are held spaced apart in the interior volume, preferably separated by a dielectric plate. The catalytic plates are preferably formed of very thin palladium plate material. A gas passage in gas communication with the interior volume is connectable to a source of pressurized hydrogen (H 2 ) or deuterium (D 2 ) gas deliverable into said interior volume. A high voltage a.c. electric power source is connectable through a high voltage step-up transformer between each of the catalytic plates whereby, when a.c. electric current flows through the catalytic plates and across the dielectric plate, the interior volume, being filled with hydrogen or deuterium gas, heat is produced within the interior volume for external use.  
         [0010]     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a heat producing gaseous electrolyte-based electrolytic cell.  
         [0011]     It is yet another object of this invention is to produce a hydrogen or deuterium gas electrolyte activated electrolytic cell for producing heat for external use.  
         [0012]     Still another object of this invention is to provide a hydrogen isotope fuel cell for converting high voltage, low current electrical energy into heat energy.  
         [0013]     In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation simplified view of a preferred embodiment of an electrolytic hydrogen isotope fuel cell in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top plan or edge view of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a broken section view in the direction of arrows  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation simplified view of another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a broken section view similar to  FIG. 3  showing an alternate embodiment thereof. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     Referring now to FIGS.  1  to  3 , an electrolytic hydrogen isotope fuel cell in accordance with the present invention is there shown generally at numeral  10 . This cell  10  includes a non-conductive cylindrical housing formed of preferably transparent flat glass outer plates  22  and  24 . This housing  12  is formed of vitreous lab-quality plate glass having a thickness of ⅛″, a width of 4⅛″ and a length of 4⅛″, producing a total chamber or interior volume of 3.19″ 3 .  
         [0020]     Positioned within the interior volume  38 / 40  are two spaced apart flat catalytic plates  12  and  14 . Each of these catalytic plates  12  and  14  have a size of 1⅜″ by 3″ and have a thickness of 1/64″ and are formed of substantially 99% pure jewelry grade palladium. These catalytic plates  12  and  14  are spaced centrally between and against the outer non-conductive plates  22  and  24  and are held spaced apart by thin 3/64″ thick glass non-conductive spacers  46  and a dielectric plate  20 . This dielectric plate  20  is formed of VICOR transparent glass for higher heat resistive properties having the dimensions of 1/16″ thick by 3″ by 4⅛″ and is positioned centrally between the outer plates  22  and  24 .  
         [0021]     The outer surfaces of the dielectric plate  20  are also spaced evenly between the inner surfaces of the outer plates  22  and  24  by four non-conductive spacers  26  positioned in close proximity to each of the four corners of the dielectric plate  20 . These spacers  26  are formed of uncured, flowable silicone to help to hold the entire assembly together as a unit as shown.  
         [0022]     Each of the conductive plates  12  and  14  have integrally formed elongated contact strips  16  and  18 , respectively, which extend laterally beyond one side perimeter of the corresponding outer non-conductive plate  22  or  24  as shown. These contact strips  16  and  18  are formed as a unit with each of the corresponding catalytic plates  12  and  14 , respectively, and are connected to the output side  44   b  of a voltage step-up transformer  44 . The input side  44   a  of this step-up transformer  44  receives a.c. voltage from a suitable variable power source in the range of up to about 200 V a.c. This step-up transformer  44  is a luminous tube-type transformer originally manufactured by Magnetek/Jefferson Electric, catalog No. 721-121400 rated at 120 V/60 hz/360 va and having an actual voltage step-up of approximately 33 to 34:1 transformer output voltage into the cell were measured using a Fluke 87 III multimeter and a Fluke 80K-40HV probe measuring true RMS voltage so that, for example, at the steady the steady input V a.c. of in the range of 100-150 volts into the input side  44   a , the output side  44   b  would provide voltage to the contact strip  16  and  18  of in the range of 6800 to 10200 v.a.c. This voltage to the cell is sufficient to produce a blue-colored glow or corona around the edges of the catalytic plates.  
         [0023]     To achieve an air gap between the dielectric plate  20  and each of the catalytic plates  12  and  14  which are positioned against the inner surface of the corresponding outer plates  22  and  24 , respectively, glass non-conductive spacers  46 , each approximately ¼″ square and having a thickness of approximately 3/64″ are adhered in spaced apart fashion between these two members and forming a portion of the interior volume  38 / 40 .  
         [0024]     The interior volume  38 / 40  is sealed by applying a layer of “superblue” high temperature silicone gasket maker shown at  42  which is applied along all of the perimeter edges of the cell  10  as seen in  FIG. 3 . Care is taken in applying the silicone  42  to completely seal each of the contact strips  16  and  18  as they exit from between the outer plates  22  and  24 , as well as the inlet and outlet tubes  34  and  36 , respectively. By this arrangement, the entire interior volume  38 / 40  and the catalytic plates  12  and  14  positioned therewithin astride of the dielectric plate  20  are completely sealed from atmospheric conditions except as provided from the inlet and outlet tubes  34  and  36  through the corresponding valves V in the direction of the corresponding arrows.  
         [0025]     To monitor the operating temperature of the cell  10 , thermocouples  28  and  30  are epoxied onto a central area of the outer surfaces of each of the outer plates  22  and  24  and held in place by a blob of cured epoxy  32 . An appropriate reading device of temperature through these thermocouples  28  and  30  is provided (not shown).  
         [0026]     The interior volume  38 / 40  is first held at atmospheric pressure at ambient temperature during the calibration or uncharged operation of each cell  10  wherein input a.c. voltage and current into the transformer  44 , along with outside surface temperatures at thermocouples  28  and  30  are taken. Thereafter, the air is evacuated by forcing a quantity of either deuterium gas or hydrogen gas into an inlet tube  34 , the air exiting through an outlet tube  36 , each of which is in fluid communication with the interior volume  38 / 40 . When the interior volume  38 / 40  is fully filled or charged with either deuterium or hydrogen gas provided from a separate supply tank (not shown), the valves V are each closed to seal off any further fluid flow through either of the inlet or outlet tubes  34  or  36 , respectively.  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an alternate embodiment of the invention is there shown generally at numeral  50 . This embodiment includes the catalytic cell  10  as previously described, coupled to a second catalytic cell shown generally at numeral  70 . This secondary cell  70  generally functions as a deuteride collector and includes conductive (preferably brass) end members  54  and  56  fitted into each end of a non-conductive tubular housing  52  and are sealably engaged against the inside diameter of the tubular housing  52  by elastomeric O-rings  64 . A conductive brass adaptor  68  is fitted into threaded engagement with a mating aperture in the outer end of end member  56 . This adaptor  68  has a longitudinally extending aperture therethrough into which the elongated conductive contact strip  16  longitudinally extends into a bed of closely packed catalytic particles  34  positioned between the proximal end faces  58  and  60  of each of the end members  54  and  56 . Details of the composition of these catalytic particles  34  and the method of compressing them are discussed herebelow.  
         [0028]     A d.c. voltage source is applied during operation of cell  70  between each of the conductive end members  54  and  56  with polarity as shown. The chamber which contains the catalytic particles  62  may be completely closed to atmosphere during operation of the cell  70  or may be opened to atmosphere.  
         [0029]     A thermocouple  72  may be placed directly against the outer surface of the non-conductive housing  52  and in close proximity to the center of the catalytic particles  62 . A temperature readout is provided which will read the surface temperature of the housing  52 . A layer of insulation  66 , although now not preferred, may be wrapped around the housing  52 . This insulation  66  is held in place by at least one wrap of non-conductive tape such as duct tape and is provided for more accurate and consistent temperature readings.  
       Conductive Particles  
       [0030]     The catalytic particles  62  are preferably formed from palladium crystals or palladium black as pure particle forms of palladium. Mixed uniformly with the palladium particles is either a powder form of diatomaceous earth or powdered ceramic material which increases electrical resistance.  
         [0000]     Pd/DE Mixture  
         [0031]     In preparing the palladium/diatomaceous earth (DE) form of the catalytic particles 2.5 grams of DE were placed in a clean crucible and heated to 8000 c. A solution of Pd, Cl 2 /Acetone was mixed and stirred with the DE to form a paste which was dried in a Bell jar over CaCl 2 . This process of applying heat and stirring continued until a dry red-colored brick was obtained. The dried brick was then screened to dry powder having a uniform size of approximately 0.25 mm. Heat was then applied at 700° C. for approximately 24 hours. Thereafter, the mixture was placed in a hydrogen atmosphere furnace for approximately four hours at 320° C. The resultant particles were flushed with N 2  after cooling, after which the mixture was weighed. The above process was repeated until a weight of 12 grams was achieved. The mixture was then ground and screened through a 0.25 mm mesh screen.  
         [0000]     Pd Black/Ceramic Mixture  
         [0032]     Palladium black powder and a ceramic powder were mixed together with distilled water to make a paste. Mixing continues to eliminate all stratification of the two substances. Utilizing a vacuum pump and a suction device, the paste was suctioned until it formed a fine black powder. This process took approximately three hours depending on the capacity of the vacuum pump. This powder is describable as being delatency, i.e. one which, under stress, produces a mixture appearing as a solid; when the stress is relieved, it has a slight appearance of that of a liquid.  
       Chamber Loading  
       [0033]     Approximately 1 cc of one of the above-described catalytic particle mixture was loaded into the chamber formed between the proximate opposing faces  58  and  60  of each of the conductive end members  54  and  56  within the cylindrical housing  52 . The catalytic particles  62  were placed within the chamber in several stages or layers totaling more than one and preferably five to ten layers. A small quantity (approximately ⅕ of the total of the catalytic particles) was placed into the chamber with the cylindrical housing  52  in an upright orientation and only one of the end members  54  or  56  in place. The conductive particles were tamped with a 1 kg load for approximately 2-5 minutes after each layer of the conductive particles were placed within the chamber. The total length of the chamber was approximately 10 mm.  
         [0000]     Diatomaceous Earth—Boron—Palladium Mixture  
         [0034]     A mixture of 1.9 grams of diatomaceous earth in a form as previously described, in combination with 0.1 grams of elemental boron in granulated form is added to the diatomaceous earth before the addition of 6.8 grams of palladium chloride. The boron powder is added to facilitate operation of the cell and should have a particle size in the range of that previously described with respect to the diatomaceous earth.  
         [0035]     Referring lastly to  FIG. 5 , an alternate embodiment to that shown at numeral  10  in FIGS.  1  to  3 , is there shown generally at numeral  80 . This embodiment  70  is generally similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  except that one of the conductive plates  12  in  FIG. 1  has been replaced with a nickel mesh conductive plate  82  having an outwardly extending contact strip or tab  86 . This conductive plate  82  has the same overall size and elongated contact strip  76  as previously described. However, this nickel mesh catalytic plate  82  is formed of nickel mesh having a thickness of 0.005″ and a strand diameter of 0.007″ and is available from the Exmet Corporation of Naugatuck, Connecticut under their product #5N17-5\0. The same interior volume portions  38  and  84  are provided as previously described.  
       Testing Results  
       [0036]     The calibration or the uncharged testing of the embodiment  10  of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  to  3  is shown in Table I herebelow. The columns reflect the a.c. voltage (Vac) and current (lac) applied into the inlet side  44   a  of transformer  44 . The wattage input (VXI) is also shown along with the average temperature on the outer surface of the cell average between thermocouples  30  and  32 .  
                                                                                           TABLE I                                   Vac   Iac   V × I   T avg ° C.                                    Pd—Pd Uncharged                26.62   1.257   —   —           22.84   .803   18.34   30.25           24.31   .928   22.56   30.95           25.50   1.085   27.67   32.05           26.55   1.248   33.16   33.60            Deuterium - Charged                25.63   1.139   29.19   56.25           25.64   1.135   29.10   73.30           25.64   1.135   29.10   80.30           25.66   1.134   29.10   85.85           26.13   1.166   30.47   80.35           26.02   1.161   —   —           25.98   1.159   30.11   88.1           25.97   1.157   30.05   89.85                      
 
         [0037]     This cell  10  tested in Table I was initially tested in the uncharged condition wherein the cell was filled with air or nitrogen at atmospheric pressure. Thereafter, the cell and the interior volume defined at  38  and  40  was filled with deuterium at atmospheric pressure and sealed closed y values  34  and  36  of  FIG. 1 . Note that a significant higher cell operating temperature is achieved when charged with deuterium.  
         [0038]     A second cell was also tested of the construction shown and described with respect to FIGS.  1  to  3 , the uncharged and deuterium charged testing results shown in Table II. Additional columns of data reflect the RMS power input to the cell separate from the straight calculation of watts in Vxl and both temperature readings taken from thermocouples  30  and  32  are shown along with the average of those readings. Again, note substantially higher cell operating temperatures achieved when charged with deuterium.  
                                                                                                               TABLE II                       Vac   Iac   V × I   Watts   T 1  ° C.   T 2  ° C.   T avg ° C.                                Uncharged            99.1   .268   26.6   14.0   42.2   42.3   42.15       106.7   .302   32.2   16.0   45.9   46.1   45.00       113.1   .343   38.8   18.0   48.8   49.0   48.90       119.5   .390   46.5   20.0   50.8   51.0   50.90       127.2   .475   60.4   23.0   54.9   55.1   55.00            Deuterium-Charged            126.5   .463   58.6   23.0   59.1   59.2   59.15       126.3   .459   58.0   23.0   61.7   61.9   61.80       139.7   .761   106.3   30.0   80.0   80.3   80.15       139.3   .752   104.8   30.0   82.7   83.0   82.85       138.6   .741   102.7   30.0   87.7   88.0   87.85       137.7   .718   99.0   30.0   91.9   92.2   91.05       136.0   .665   90.4   30.0   99.6   100.0   99.80       129.3   .530   68.5   30.0   111.8   112.6   112.20                  
 
         [0039]     The embodiment  80  of the invention shown in  FIG. 5  utilizing the there-above described nickel mesh and flat palladium plate catalytic members  12  and  82  combination was tested both in the uncharged or atmospheric condition and, thereafter, charged with deuterium at atmospheric pressure in sealed fashion to produce the results shown in the later portion of Table III.  
                                                                                                                       TABLE III                                   Vac   Iac   V × I   T avg ° C.                                    Pd—Ni Mesh Uncharged                85.7   0.20   17.14   36.0           106.8   0.30   32.04   42.3           122.9   0.40   49.16   47.0           131.2   0.50   65.6   50.2           136.6   0.60   81.96   53.0            Deuterium - Charged                136.6   0.60   81.96   61.1           136.6   0.60   81.96   62.1           136.6   0.60   81.96   68.0           136.6   0.60   81.96   70.3           136.6   0.60   81.96   71.9           136.6   0.60   81.96   73.1           136.6   0.60   81.96   76.1           136.6   0.60   81.96   76.5           136.6   0.60   81.96            16 hour soak after adding more D 2                  136.6   0.60   81.96   67.8           136.6   0.60   81.96   68.2           144.1   0.80   115.3   82.2                      
 
         [0040]     Here again, higher operating temperatures were achieved when the cell was charged with deuterium. Because hydrogen has very similar properties to those of deuterium, cell performance charged with hydrogen gas is presumed to be similar in increased operating temperatures as well.  
         [0041]     While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.