Solid state high pressure oxygen generator and method of generating oxygen
US5350496A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 1992 |
| Grant date | Sep 27, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/36
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The production of high pressure oxygen comprises the use of an electrolysis cell having an anode, a cathode, an ion exchange membrane disposed therebetween, an anode chamber, a cathode chamber and a means for regulating pressure. The cathode chamber has a porous sheet which contacts the cathode and imparts structural integrity to the ion exchange membrane. Low or ambient pressure water enters the cathode chamber, wicks through the porous sheet, contacts the cathode, and osmotically transports across the ion exchange membrane from the cathode to the anode. At the anode, water electrolysis produces hydrogen ions and oxygen. The means for regulating pressure retains the oxygen within the anode chamber until the oxygen has attained the desire high pressure. Upon attaining the desired high pressure, the oxygen is removed from the anode chamber at a rate commensurate with the production of additional oxygen. As the oxygen pressure increases within the anode chamber and as the oxygen is removed from the anode chamber, the water continues to osmotically transport across the ion exchange membrane against the pressure gradient formed by the increasing oxygen pressure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.