US4233127A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process and apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen using solar energy
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-10-02
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Granted: 1980-11-11
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Expires: 1998-10-02
Abstract
Abstract This application relates to a method and apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen gas from water with solar energy. A solar reflector concentrates solar energy into a water-containing reaction chamber to raise the temperature to the dissociation temperature of water. Both the thermal and photolytic effects of the sun's rays are employed to dissociate water. The hydrogen and oxygen formed upon dissociation are drawn off and separated.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel E. Monahan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:38
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/04; C01B3/042; C01B3/045; B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/08; B01J19/12; B01J19/122; B01J19/127; B01J19/18; B01J19/20; C01B3/0005; C01B3/001; C01B3/0018; C01B3/0026; C01B3/0031; C01B3/0047; C01B3/0057; F; F24; F24S; F24S20/00; F24S20/20; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/18; B01J2219/182; B01J2219/19; B01J2219/194; B01J2219/1941; B01J2219/1942; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/32; Y02E60/36; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/10; Y02P20/129; Y02P20/133
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A process for generating hydrogen and oxygen, comprising (a) injecting water into a reaction chamber, (b) collecting rays of the sun and reflecting said rays into said chamber, (c) concentrating said rays at a point spaced from and within the walls of said chamber to raise the temperature therein to the dissociation temperature of water, (d) dissociating said water into a hydrogen component and an oxygen component, and (e) separating the dissociated hydrogen from the oxygen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A process for generating hydrogen and oxygen, comprising (a) injecting water into a reaction chamber, (b) collecting rays of the sun and reflecting said rays into said chamber, (c) concentrating said rays at a point spaced from and within the walls of said chamber to raise the temperature therein to the dissociation temperature of water, (d) dissociating said water into a hydrogen component and an oxygen component, and (e) separating the dissociated hydrogen from the oxygen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said water is injected into said reaction chamber as a spray.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 further comprising removing substantially all impurities from said water prior to injection into said reaction chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein said water is substantially chlorine-free.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the temperature of said reaction chamber is maintained at least about 4500° F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein dissociation is accomplished at least partly by wave form irradiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein both the infra-red wave lengths and the near ultra-violet wave lengths of the light spectrum are concentrated within said reaction chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 further comprising separating dissociated hydrogen from oxygen by diffusion of hydrogen through a hydrogen-permeable membrane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said dissociated hydrogen and oxygen is removed from said chamber as a gas mixture at high temperature prior to separating the gases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 further comprising separating dissociated oxygen from hydrogen by diffusion of oxygen through an oxygen-permeable membrane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 9 further comprising separating said hydrogen from said oxygen by compressing the dissociated gas mixture to the liquid state, followed by reverse distillation and collection of hydrogen and oxygen as cryogenic liquids.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process accordng to claim 9 wherein separation of said gases is accomplished by gravity separation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 1 furher comprising preheating said water prior to injecting it into said reaction chamber, whereby waste heat and rejected energy of recombination is utilized.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said rays are focused at a point within said chamber, said point being spaced from any structural element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 14 wherein said point is substantially central in said chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 1 characterized by defocusing said rays on a focusing lens in the wall of said chamber and focusing said rays at a point within said chamber and spaced from said wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen from water, comprising: (a) a refractory-lined, high temperature reaction chamber; (b) a solar collector for collecting the sun's rays; (c) means including a focusing lens for directing said rays through said lens into said chamber and concentrating said rays at a point therein; (d) means for injecting water into said chamber; (e) means for removing gases from said chamber; (f) gas separating means; and (g) means communicating with said gas removal means for feeding said gas to said separating means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen from water, comprising: (a) a refractory-lined, high temperature reaction chamber; (b) a solar collector for collecting the sun's rays; (c) means including a focusing lens for directing said rays through said lens into said chamber and concentrating said rays at a point therein; (d) means for injecting water into said chamber; (e) means for removing gases from said chamber; (f) gas separating means; and (g) means communicating with said gas removal means for feeding said gas to said separating means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said chamber includes a wall having a water-cooling jacket therein, and said focusing lens is positioned in the chamber wall.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said lens is seated in a water-cooled lens sleeve.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said chamber has a generally cylindrical configuration with said lens in the end wall of said chamber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus accordng to claim 18 further comprising means for preheating water provided to said injecting means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein a source of demineralized water is connected to said water-cooling jacket and said jacket communicateswith said injecting means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said solar collector is a multiplicity of heliostats positioned to direct solar rays into a reflector positioned to conduct the collected rays through said lens.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said heliostats are mounted on a circular track about said reflector and are movable on said track.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein at least one heliostat is mounted in each quadrant about said reflector.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said heliostats are mounted in successive rows, each row more distant from said reflector at a higher elevation than the previous row.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said chamber has a generally spherical configuration.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said gas separating means comprises a tank having a gas mixture inlet, a hydrogen permeable membrane dividing said tank into a first compartment containing said inlet and an oxygen outlet, and a second compartment containing a hydrogen outlet.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said membrane is tubular in configuration.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said chamber is lined with a reflective high temperature refractory.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
49 words
A high temperature reaction chamer for dissociating water into hydrogen and oxygen, said chamber having a heat resistant focusing lens in its outer wall, a water cooling jacket in its outer wall, means for introducing water to the interior of said chamber, and means for withdrawing dissociated gases therefrom.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
49 words
A high temperature reaction chamer for dissociating water into hydrogen and oxygen, said chamber having a heat resistant focusing lens in its outer wall, a water cooling jacket in its outer wall, means for introducing water to the interior of said chamber, and means for withdrawing dissociated gases therefrom.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said focusing lens is constructed of a material with a low absorption coefficient and a high transfer efficiency of the natural light spectrum including the ultraviolet and infra-red wave lengths.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said lens material is selected from the group comprising quartz and flurospar.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said water introducing means comprises at least one annular ring having a multiplicity of spray jets directed toward the center of the chamber.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said chamber is a cylinder with said focusing lens in its end wall, and said water introducng means is an elongated pipe with said chamber parallel with the axis of said cylinder, and having a multiplicity of orifices for directing water jets toward the axis of said cylinder.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said chamber includes a permeable membrane therein for separating the dissociated gases and said chamber has separate hydrogen and oxygen removal means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said permeable membrane is tubular.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said focusing lens is constructed of an inorganic material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-11 | 1984-05-12 | 1984-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-11 | 1988-05-12 | 1988-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-11 | 1992-05-12 | 1992-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |