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.

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.

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.