Concept of Hydrogen Redox Electric Power and Hydrogen Energy Generators

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to review the hydrogen redox electric power and hydrogen generation systems (HREG). It offers considerable conceptual advantage such that it functions with zero energy input, zero matter input, and zero emission without violating the laws of thermodynamics. Its application ranges from the large-scale central station power generation down to the small-scale onboard power generation system for electric vehicles with infinite cruising range. The hydrogen redox hydrogen generator also works with zero power input. To attain a highly positive energy balance, the advantage was taken of the electrostatic energy that appears in the water electrolysis when a constant static voltage is applied across parallel electrodes. A feature and an essential part of these generators are then the electrostatic-to-chemical energy conversion in the water electrolysis. The method proposed here for supplying energy to the electrolytic cell, which has been termed electrostatic-induction potential-superposed electrolysis (ESI-PSE), theoretically reduces the power requirement for water electrolysis down to 17% of the total energy required. If the ESI-PSE electrolyzer, which delivers pure stoichiometric H2-O2 fuel for a fuel cell, is combined with a fuel cell to form an energy cycle, then this may lead to the concepts of hydrogen redox electric power and hydrogen energy generators. According to the calculations using the data of operational conditions for the commercial electrolyzers and fuel cells, more than 70% of the power delivered from the fuel cell can be extracted outside the cycle as net power output. Because of the simplicity, effectiveness, cleanliness, and self-exciting, these novel generators may offer a potential route for its practical application to the electricity and hydrogen production systems of the future. In addition, attempts were made to examine the possibilities of the onboard HREG system for an infinite cruising range of regular passenger cars.