How to Make Hydrogen Gas and Cupric Chloride Using an Electrolysis Cell

This patent describes an electrochemical cell that uses cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas and cupric chloride, separated by a special membrane.

What it covers

The patent describes an electrochemical cell designed to produce hydrogen gas and cupric chloride. It has two main sections: an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, separated by a cation exchange membrane (Claim 1). In the anode compartment, an anode sits in a solution called anolyte, which is cuprous chloride dissolved in hydrochloric acid (Claim 1). In the cathode compartment, a cathode with a special electrocatalyst (like platinum, Claim 14) is placed in a catholyte solution, which is just hydrochloric acid (Claim 1). When electricity is applied, the cell converts cuprous chloride into cupric chloride at the anode and produces hydrogen gas at the cathode (Claim 21). For example, this cell could be used to generate hydrogen for fuel while simultaneously regenerating a useful chemical.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover electrochemical cells that produce hydrogen without also producing cupric chloride from cuprous chloride (Claim 1).
• —Does not cover cells where the anolyte is not specifically cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid (Claim 1).
• —Does not cover cells that use an anion exchange membrane instead of a cation exchange membrane (Claim 1).
• —Does not cover hydrogen production methods that do not use an electrochemical cell with distinct anode and cathode compartments (Claim 1, 21).
• —Does not cover cells where the cathode does not include an electrocatalyst (Claim 1).

The clever bit

The novelty lies in the specific combination of an anolyte containing cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid with a cation exchange membrane and an electrocatalyst-equipped cathode to efficiently produce both hydrogen gas and cupric chloride. This specific chemical pathway and cell design offer a way to regenerate chemicals while also generating hydrogen.

Why it matters

This technology is important for processes that need hydrogen gas, especially if they can also utilize or recycle cupric chloride. Hydrogen is a clean fuel and a key industrial chemical. The ability to produce it efficiently from a specific chemical cycle, like the copper-chlorine cycle, is valuable for energy production and chemical manufacturing. AECL, the assignee, is known for nuclear technology, suggesting this could be part of a larger energy system, potentially for nuclear hydrogen production.

Real-world examples

• 1.Hydrogen production for industrial use
• 2.Chemical regeneration processes
• 3.Potential component in advanced nuclear hydrogen production cycles