Mirror Hydrogen Production System

Technical Field of the Invention:

This invention aims to provide a solution for safe hydrogen production through a novel process. This process is powered by an artificial light source, which plays a crucial role in the electrolysis of water and the subsequent production of hydrogen. The process is further enhanced by the integration with direct hydrogen storage, enabling rapid and affordable free flow low carbon hydrogen transport.

Introduction and Background

The global energy source shift is now addressing several exigent concerns. These include the underutilisation of the hydrogen economy, the necessity of both quantitative and qualitative ultimate energy sources for the energy transition, and the immediacy of enacting legislation to achieve net neutrality, a state where the energy produced and consumed is balanced. Other important considerations are the quest for alternative energy sources to attain global neutrality and implementing a hydrogen economy in industries and countries according to their carbon footprint.

The rising hydrogen economy is gaining popularity with hydrogen storage and adsorption technologies due to the essential worldwide energy transition dilemma. Hydrogen electrolysis is a process of splitting water (H₂O) into its elements, hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂), using an electric current.

The core of the process is an electrolyser, a device with two electrodes separated by an electrolyte. Electricity supplied to pass through the electrolyser breaks down the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen gases. This is how this sustainable concept generates carbon-free hydrogen that can become the bedrock of a decarbonised economy. In addition, there is enormous potential for hydrogen electrolysis as we head toward clean energy. Its scalable, efficient, and easy deployment with renewables makes it essential for green energy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The engineering drawing figures elucidated represent an integrated artificial light-mirror hydrogen production-storage system with the principle of maximum safety and highly efficient hydrogen transport capacity through a novel, affordable, low-carbon hydrogen system.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

1. In contrast with the conventional electrolysis process, the HyVis Mirror Integrated System contains a spherical electrode casing (3) that works on the principle of concave-convex fundamentals for concentrating light on the artificial light cathode named a “Mirror Cathode” (4) for efficient cationic reactions than photocathode.

2. The mirror cathodes have a novel design for maximum active sites for ionic transfer to the anodes. These are made up of p-type semiconductors.

3. The membrane differentiating and maximising the cationic transfer for industrial electrolysis comprises CEMs (Cation Exchange Membranes) (12). This helps with maximal affordability in contrast with conventional nafion membranes for industrialisation.

4. The anode` (5) comprises a hollow star-like cylinder structure made of Carbon-Boron Nitride Nanotubes Composites (CBNNTCs), giving maximal optimal technology for producing hydrogen from the water (7) coming through the pump (8) via groundwater.

5. The primary fundamental process defined is the design of the artificial torch panel (1) rather than solar panels to make an affordable system. Once the artificial torch panel is angled at the mirror (2), all the light is reflected to the mirror cathode; this becomes more affordable than solar panels and makes it more efficient than the solar production process.
6. The hydrogen produced in the novel electrolyser goes directly into the novel hydrogen storage system, directly attached to the electrolyser unit. This helps smooth and stable hydrogen storage, limiting all the risk elements that can cause malfunctions.

7. The storage tanks (6) are attached directly to the hydrogen fuel cells through valves and multi-flow controllers, which directly convert to industrial/military hydrogen energy applications of low carbon hydrogen production.

8. The cuboidal pipes (10) transporting hydrogen from the storage systems to the fuel cells (9) consist of a novel inner metal hydride layer (11) for smooth transportation of hydrogen energy for rapid industrial applications.

Claims

1. The Artificial Light Integrated Hydrogen Production- Storage System comprised of

Wherein the hydrogen produced in the electrolyser and stored in the vessel has ultra stability due to the maximum surface area structurally possible compared to the conventional hydrogen integrated system, and there is a minimum risk for production and storage due to integrated structure with maximal safety processes and direct production-storage-fuel cell integration.

2. The Artificial Light Integrated Hydrogen Production System (ALIHPS) is a state-of-the-art setup from design to the processes. It is an entirely novel and one-of-its-kind structure.

3. The integrated system, as defined in Claim 1 and Claim 2, further comprises a novel artificial light based on the torch panel reflections angled at a mirror for direct light applications at the “mirror cathode”. It is an advancement over solar hydrogen production as it is flexible in places with no sunlight throughout all seasons.

4. Based on the integrated system defined in Claim 1 and Claim 2, the spherical casing comprises the convex lens, which concentrates all the light at the mirror cathodes for rapid electrolysis reactions at the cathode compared to the solar hydrogen production.

5. Based on the integrated system defined in Claim 1 and Claim 2, the electrode design of the mirror cathode and anode is based on the fundamental of increased surface area for the maximal surface area; the designs of electrodes constructed are entirely novel.

6. As the integrated system has been constructed for industrial applications, it is not feasible to use a nafion membrane for commercialisation due to its affordable parameters. Hence, the system consists of cation exchange membranes instead of nafion membranes.

7. Based on the integrated system defined in Claim 1 and Claim 2, the electrolyser is directly connected to dual frustum hydrogen storage systems, allowing rapid, safe and efficient hydrogen storage. This integration also helps increase the upstage volumetric and gravimetric capacities of hydrogen.

8. Based on the integrated system defined in Claim 1, Claim 2 and Claim 7, as the storage is directly connected to the hydrogen fuel cell, no external electricity is required to operate artificial torch panels. This makes the system a state-of-the-art “net-negative carbon emission system” overall.

9. The integration system can also increase the performance of the hydrogen production rate by rotating both electrodes at a constant rpm. Such modifications can also be performed based on the industrial requirement.