Patent · US Expired

Electrolyzer pressure equalization system

US7097748B2 · kind B2 · utility

22Cited by
23References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 23, 2003
Grant dateAug 29, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 26, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P20/133
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An energy storage system has a first pressurized tank for carrying water and hydrogen gas and a second pressurized tank for carrying water and oxygen gas. A first output line connects to the pressurized tank for carrying hydrogen gas from the tank. A second output line connects to the second pressurized tank for carrying oxygen gas from the second tank. The energy storage system has a differential-pressure relief valve connected to the output lines to maintain the gases within a defined pressure differential. A water line connects to both pressurized tanks for maintaining relative water levels in the tanks. An electrolyzer is maintained under pressure and receives water from at least one of the pressurized tanks and creates hydrogen gas and oxygen gas for storage in the pressurized tanks. An accumulator connects to the output lines and having a movable diaphragm that separates the gases and moves to adjust volume to equalize pressure. A regeneration system having the energy storage system and a fuel cell for generating electrical energy is connected to the output lines. A catalyst hood overlies the electrolyzer. In a preferred embodiment of the regeneration system, both the electro…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.