# 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. - **Patent:** US 8636880 - **Original title:** Electrolysis cell for the conversion of cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid to cupric chloride and hydrogen gas - **Owner:** Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd AECL - **Granted:** 2014 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 3 - **Field:** energy, chemical_manufacturing, materials, semiconductors ## What it does 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 does NOT 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Hydrogen production for industrial use 2. Chemical regeneration processes 3. Potential component in advanced nuclear hydrogen production cycles ## 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. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How to Make Hydrogen Gas and Cupric Chloride Using an Electrolysis Cell cover? 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. ### Who owns patent US 8636880? Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd AECL owns this patent, granted in 2014. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on August 26, 2029, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 8636880 cited by? This patent has been cited by 3 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? 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. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover electrochemical cells that produce hydrogen without also producing cupric chloride from cuprous chloride (Claim 1). **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8636880/electrolysis-cell-for-the-conversion-of-cuprous-chloride-in-hydrochloric-acid-to **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US8636880 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Making Caustic Soda with Less Salt Using a Special Electrolysis Cell](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9181624/method-of-electrolysis-employing-two-chamber-ion-exchange-membrane-electrolytic-) — This patent describes a method to make purer caustic soda and chlorine gas using a two-chamber electrolysis cell with a gas diffusion electrode by carefully controlling pressure differences. - [Making Chemicals from Carbon Dioxide and Steam Using Electricity](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20110132770/process-for-producing-compounds-of-the-cxhyoz-type-by-reduction-of-carbon-dioxid) — This patent describes a process that uses electricity to split steam and then reacts the resulting hydrogen with carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide to create various carbon-based compounds, like fuels or plastics. - [Boosting Fuel Cell Power for Vehicles Using Oxygen Injection](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5346778/electrochemical-load-management-system-for-transportation-applications) — A system that boosts a vehicle's fuel cell power by injecting pure oxygen into the air supply when the engine needs extra energy. - [Capturing Carbon Dioxide While Making Electricity with Hydrogen and Solar](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12327854/apparatuses-and-methods-for-carbon-dioxide-capturing-and-electrical-energy-produ) — This patent describes an integrated system that captures carbon dioxide from the air or industrial exhaust while simultaneously generating clean electricity using a hydrogen gas turbine powered by solar-generated hydrogen and oxygen, all without burning fossil fuels. - [Improving Lithium Battery Life with a Built-in Lithium Source](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10593988/electrochemical-cell-for-lithium-based-batteries) — This patent describes a method for building rechargeable lithium-based batteries with a special extra lithium source electrode inside that helps the main battery parts work better and last longer by giving them an initial charge of lithium ions.