Novel Method and Molten Salt Electrolytic Cell for Implementing a Hydrogen Fuel, Sustainable, Closed Clean Energy Cycle on a Large Scale

Abstract

We describe an economical, novel method for implementing a hydrogen fuel clean energy cycle based on the chemical reaction between salinated (sea) or desalinated (fresh) water (H2O) and sodium (Na) metal that produces hydrogen (H2) fuel and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) byproduct. The sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is reprocessed in a solar powered electrolytic Na metal production plant that can result in excess production of chlorine (Cl2) from sodium chloride (NaCl) in sea salt mixed with NaOH, used to effect freezing point lowering of seawater reactant for hydrogen generation at reduced temperatures. The novel method and molten salt electrolytic cell enable natural separation of NaCl from NaOH, thereby limiting excess Cl2 production. The recovered NaCl can be used to produce concentrated brine solution from seawater for hydrogen generation in cold climates, or can be converted to sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) via the Solvay process for electrolytic production of Na metal without Cl2 generation.