US4340580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of producing hydrogen
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-04-16
•
Granted: 1982-07-20
•
Expires: 2001-04-16
Abstract
Abstract Hydrogen is produced by placing a magnesium electrode and another electrode in an electrolyte solution, applying a direct or an alternating current voltage between said electrodes for activating said magnesium electrode until the surface of the magnesium electrode turns blackish in color; then discontinuing said voltage and then generating hydrogen by placing the activated magnesium electrode in sea water or an aqueous solution of a neutral salt.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiro Suzuki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:34
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/06; C01B3/08; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for producing hydrogen by the reaction between magnesium and water, which comprises the steps of: immersing a magnesium electrode and a second electrode in an aqueous electrolyte solution, and applying a direct or an alternating current voltage between said electrodes for activating the magnesium electrode until the surface of the magnesium electrode turns blackish in color and is thereby activated so that the magnesium electrode will rapidly react with water over an extended period of time to generate a large volume of hydrogen; and then immersing the activated magnesium electrode in sea water or an aqueous neutral salt solution, without applying a voltage thereto, and thereby generating hydrogen.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for producing hydrogen by the reaction between magnesium and water, which comprises the steps of: immersing a magnesium electrode and a second electrode in an aqueous electrolyte solution, and applying a direct or an alternating current voltage between said electrodes for activating the magnesium electrode until the surface of the magnesium electrode turns blackish in color and is thereby activated so that the magnesium electrode will rapidly react with water over an extended period of time to generate a large volume of hydrogen; and then immersing the activated magnesium electrode in sea water or an aqueous neutral salt solution, without applying a voltage thereto, and thereby generating hydrogen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said neutral salt is selected from the group consisting of NaCl, KCl, Na 2 SO 4 , K 2 SO 4 , NaNO 3 and KNO 3 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which said second electrode comprises nickel, platinum or iron.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which said second electrode comprises copper or carbon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which said voltage is direct current voltage, said magnesium electrode is connected as the anode and said second electrode is connected as the cathode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2389181A
Cited
US2728720A
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US3030282A
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US3347757A
Cited
US4072514A
Cited
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Cited
US4264362A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-07-19 | 1986-01-18 | 1986-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-19 | 1990-01-18 | 1990-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-19 | 1994-01-18 | 1994-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |