US 12,000,056 B2
Tandem electrolysis cell
Ahmad D. Hammad, Dhahran (SA); and Bandar A. Fadhel, Dhahran (SA)
Assigned to Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Jul. 20, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/933,790.
Claims priority of application No. 20200100345 (GR), filed on Jun. 18, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0395903 A1, Dec. 23, 2021
Int. Cl. C25B 1/46 (2006.01); B01D 53/26 (2006.01); C25B 9/23 (2021.01); C25B 9/65 (2021.01); C25B 15/02 (2021.01); C25B 15/08 (2006.01); E03B 3/28 (2006.01); H02S 40/38 (2014.01); H02S 40/42 (2014.01)
CPC C25B 1/46 (2013.01) [B01D 53/265 (2013.01); C25B 9/23 (2021.01); C25B 9/65 (2021.01); C25B 15/02 (2013.01); C25B 15/08 (2013.01); E03B 3/28 (2013.01); H02S 40/38 (2014.12); H02S 40/425 (2014.12)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tandem electrolysis cell, comprising:
a common enclosure comprising two chambers, wherein a first chamber is separated from a second chamber by a cation selective membrane;
a common anode disposed in the first chamber, wherein the common anode is operated continuously;
a first cathode (cathode A) disposed in the first chamber, wherein the first cathode and the common anode are configured to electrolyze a saline solution to hydrogen and oxygen, during a first stage of operation;
a second cathode (cathode B) disposed in the second chamber, wherein the second cathode and the common anode are configured to electrolyze a brine solution in the first chamber to form chlorine and water in the second chamber to form hydrogen and hydroxide ions, during a second stage of operation;
a controller to open valves, during the first stage of operation, and close valves, during the second stage of operation on:
a saline inlet port on the first chamber;
an alkali inlet port on the first chamber;
a first hydrogen outlet port proximate to cathode A on the first chamber; and
an oxygen outlet port proximate to the common anode on the first chamber, the oxygen outlet port being attached to the first chamber; and
the controller to open valves, during the second stage of operation, and close valves, during the first stage of operation on:
a water inlet port on the second chamber;
an alkali outlet port on the second chamber;
a second hydrogen outlet port on the second chamber; and
a chlorine outlet port proximate to the common anode on the first chamber, the chlorine outlet port being attached to the first chamber,
wherein the common anode is positioned between cathode A and cathode B, and between the oxygen outlet port and the chlorine outlet port.
 
13. A system for electrolyzing seawater, comprising:
a tandem electrolysis cell, comprising:
a common enclosure comprising two chambers, wherein a first chamber is separated from a second chamber by a cation selective membrane;
a common anode disposed in the first chamber, wherein the common anode is operated continuously;
a first cathode (cathode A) disposed in the first chamber, wherein the first cathode and the common anode are configured to electrolyze a saline solution to hydrogen and oxygen in a first electrolysis reaction;
a second cathode (cathode B) disposed in the second chamber, wherein the second cathode and the common anode are configured to electrolyze a brine solution in the first chamber to form chlorine and water in the second chamber to form hydrogen and hydroxide ions in a second electrolysis reaction, wherein the common anode is positioned between cathode A and cathode B;
a controller to open valves, during the first electrolysis reaction, and close valves, during the second electrolysis on:
a saline inlet port on the first chamber;
an alkali inlet port on the first chamber;
a first hydrogen outlet port proximate to cathode A on the first chamber; and
an oxygen outlet port proximate to the common anode on the first chamber, the oxygen outlet port attached to in the first chamber; and
the controller to open valves, during the second electrolysis reaction, and close valves, during the first electrolysis reaction on:
a water inlet port on the second chamber;
an alkali outlet port on the second chamber;
a second hydrogen outlet port on the second chamber; and
a chlorine outlet port proximate to the common anode on the first chamber, the chlorine outlet port attached to the first chamber,
wherein the common anode is positioned between the oxygen outlet port and the chlorine outlet port; and
an atmospheric water producer, wherein the atmospheric water producer comprises:
a solar panel to generate electricity;
a battery to store the electricity, wherein the battery powers the tandem electrolysis cell;
a cooling system powered by the battery, wherein the cooling system harvests atmospheric moisture; and
a water storage tank to collect the harvested atmospheric moisture, wherein the water storage tank provides the water to the second chamber.