US 12,434,963 B2
Hydrogen gas producing apparatus using a photocatalyst
Taizo Masuda, Yokohama (JP); Ryota Tomizawa, Mishima (JP); Kenichi Okumura, Gotemba (JP); and Tatsuya Hasegawa, Ama (JP)
Assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Toyota (JP); and TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., Kiyosu (JP)
Filed by TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Toyota (JP); and TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., Aichi (JP)
Filed on Nov. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/988,820.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-210009 (JP), filed on Dec. 23, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0202837 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. C01B 3/04 (2006.01)
CPC C01B 3/042 (2013.01) [C01B 2203/0277 (2013.01); C01B 2203/1041 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hydrogen gas producing apparatus, comprising:
a container portion which receives water;
a photocatalyst body, dispersed or placed in the water in the container portion, which has a photocatalyst material, which, when it is irradiated with light, generates excited electrons and electron holes, causing a water decomposition reaction in which water is decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen thereby generating hydrogen gas;
a light source emitting light which is irradiated to the photocatalyst body and causes the water decomposition reaction; and
a housing carrying the light source;
wherein the housing is placed in the water in the container portion so that the water is warmed by waste heat of the light source discharged from the surface of the housing, and the surface of the housing in contact with the water is coated with a photocatalyst material.