Hydrogen-oxidant galvanic cell removes small amounts of hydrogen gas continually released from equipment, such as vented silver-zinc batteries, in enclosed compartments where air venting is not feasible. These cells are used in satellite compartments

Carson, W. N.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Hydrogen Electrode 
Hydrogen Electrode 
Pressure Retaining Grid 
Se pa ra
lxide Electrode Lead 
Cell Body 
air 
Electrode 
July 1966	 V .	 '-' (z	 Brief 66-10340 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U. S. space 
program and to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Device Removes Hydrogen Gas from Enclosed Spaces 
Resistor 
The problem: 
To design a device that will effectively remove 
small amounts of hydrogen gas continually released 
from equipment, such as vented silver-zinc batteries, 
in enclosed compartments where air venting is not 
feasible. Hydrogen accumulations may build up to 
levels sufficient to form explosive mixtures with the 
air in an enclosed compartment. Palladium black, 
which is one of the best absorbers of hydrogen at 
room temperature, would be expensive to use when
relatively large amounts of hydrogen must be removed 
over extended periods. 
The solution: 
A hydrogen-oxidant galvanic cell. 
How it's done: 
The hydrogen electrode contains a platinum and 
palladium catalyst, or other catalyst system suitable 
for use with hydrogen. The electrolyte, held in the 
separator, is initially a 31 percent solution of potas-
sium hydroxide in water, which is diluted during cell 
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000339 2020-03-11T17:40:06+00:00Z
operation by the water formed by oxidation of the 
hydrogen. The oxidant electrode consists of a porous, 
sintered copper oxide which has been superficially 
reduced to metallic copper to serve as the current 
collector. The reservoir behind the copper oxide elec-
trode serves to store the increased volume of elec-
trolyte resulting from operation of the cell. This 
reservoir is initially filled with oxygen to block migra-
tion of electrolyte into this region during installa-
tion of the cell. The oxygen slowly diffuses into the 
front part of the cell where it can react either with the 
metallic copper or at the inner surface of the hydrogen 
electrode. This oxygen is eventually reduced to water, 
and in effect serves as an additional oxidant for re-
moval of hydrogen. As the oxygen and hydrogen are 
consumed, the resulting increased volume of electro-
lyte passes through the porous copper oxide electrode 
to fill the reservoir. The cell is shorted by a resistor 
to dissipate the electrical energy produced. 
Primary removal of hydrogen by oxidation to water 
occurs in accordance with the following cell reaction: 
Cell: H2(Pt)/KOH/CuO(Cu)
Reaction: H2 + CuO - Cu + H20 
Notes: 
1. Several other oxidant electrodes may be used in the 
cell. A copper oxide electrode was chosen because 
of its commercial availability and its low density.
Although these cells were designed for use in a 
satellite compartment, they may have application 
in other places, such as in enclosures for process 
equipment using or generating hydrogen, enclos-
ures in which hydrogen tanks are stored, and in 
enclosures for emergency battery power supplies. 
The use of cells of this type in such applications 
would allow gastight enclosures to be used safely 
with a drastic reduction in ventilation require-
ments. For these applications, a rechargable elec-
trode, such as the silver or nickel electrode, may 
be more suitable than a copper oxide electrode. 
Inquiries concerning this invention may be di-
rected to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Goddard Space Flight Center 
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 
Reference: B66-10340 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commercial 
use of this invention may be made to NASA, Code 
GP, Washington, D.C. 20546.
Source: W. N. Carson

of General Electric Company
under contract to

Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSFC-495) 
Brief 66-10340	 Category 03


Device removes hydrogen gas from enclosed spaces

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