APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ISOLATING HYDROGEN FROM WATER
A water splitting includes a centrifuge situated in the protective chamber and rotatable within the protective chamber such that constituents inside the centrifuge separate according to their molecular mass; an inlet fluidly connected to the centrifuge and configured to provide water to the centrifuge; and an outlet fluidly connected to the centrifuge and configured to remove hydrogen isolated from the water from the centrifuge. A method of isolating hydrogen from water in a reactor is also disclosed.
1 . A water splitting reactor, comprising:
a protective chamber;
a centrifuge situated in the protective chamber and rotatable within the protective chamber such that constituents inside the centrifuge separate according to their molecular mass;
an inlet fluidly connected to the centrifuge and configured to provide water to the centrifuge; and
an outlet fluidly connected to the centrifuge and configured to remove hydrogen isolated from the water from the centrifuge.
2 . The water splitting reactor of claim 1 , wherein the outlet extends into the approximate radial center of the centrifuge.
3 . The water splitting reactor of claim 1 , wherein the centrifuge and protective chamber comprise materials capable of withstanding at least about 2200 degrees C.
4 . The water splitting reactor of claim 1 , wherein the centrifuge and protective chamber comprise materials capable of withstanding at least about 3000 degrees C.
5 . The water splitting reactor of claim 1 , wherein the centrifuge and protective chamber comprise materials capable of withstanding at least about 4000 degrees C.
6 . The water splitting reactor of claim 3 , wherein the materials include a refractory metal or refractory metal alloy.
7 . The water splitting reactor of claim 6 , wherein the materials include tungsten or a tungsten alloy.
8 . The water splitting reactor of claim 1 , wherein the centrifuge comprises an outer shell, an inner shell situated in the outer shell, and a void in the inner shell, wherein the inlet and outlet are fluidly connected with the void.
9 . The water splitting reactor of claim 8 , wherein the inner shell and outer shell comprise different materials.
10 . The water splitting reactor of claim 8 , wherein the inner shell is integral with the inlet and the outlet.
11 . The water splitting reactor of claim 1 , further comprising a pumping system configured to apply vacuum within the protective chamber.
12 . The water splitting reactor of claim 1 , further comprising a pumping system configured to provide pressurized inert gas to the protective chamber.
13 . The water splitting reactor of claim 1 , wherein the outlet includes an oxygen release line.
14 . The water splitting reactor of claim 1 , wherein the outlet is concentrically inside the inlet.
15 . A method of isolating hydrogen from water in a reactor, comprising:
charging a centrifuge with water, the centrifuge situated in a protective chamber;
heating the centrifuge to a temperature of at least about 2200 degrees C. such that the water splits to hydrogen and oxygen;
rotating the centrifuge within the protective chamber such that the hydrogen and oxygen separate within the centrifuge according to their molecular mass; and
drawing off at least some of the hydrogen from the approximate radial center of the centrifuge via an outlet.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the heating is to a temperature of at least about 3000 degrees C.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the heating is to a temperature of at least about 4000 degrees C.
18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising preheating the water prior to charging the centrifuge.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the heating is performed by at least one of: directing a laser at the centrifuge or directing heat produced by a solar field at the centrifuge.
20 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising moving the reactor from a first location to a second location.