Electrolyzer for hydrogen and oxygen production has a buffer zone containing a fluid providing the system with an operating pressure without need for an additional compressor

摘要

Electrolyzer for production of hydrogen and oxygen having a block (5) of cells (4) sealed to the housing (2), a lye circulator to provide anolyte and catholyte and O2 (29) and H2 (28) separation chambers coupled to block (5) is such that (a) chambers (28) and (29) are placed within block (5); (b) coupling elements (3) are provided to charge and discharge the electrolytic medium; and (c) the space not taken up by block (5) forms a buffer chamber (8) chargeable with a buffer fluid (9) whose operating pressure overlies the electrolysis system. An independent claim is also included for operating the electrolyzer by continuously adjusting the operating pressure of fluid (9) over the system during start-up and shut-down using safety and regulating devices.