Degasser, a cylindrical container made of plastic thick enough to withstand operating pressures of electrolysis module, removes accumulated gases from water cavities without loss of electrolyte

Schubert, F. H.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Sebtember 1972	 B72-10246 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Ames Research Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Water Cavity Degasser for Electrolysis Cells 
Gases dissolved in the static water-feed system for 
a water electrolysis module tend to accumulate within 
the water cavities of the module. For long-term 
operation of an electrolysis module, it is necessary to 
To Atmosphere 
V1	 To 02 Cavities 
Water I 
Cavity I	 V3Degasser I
' I Water V2	 Electrolysis 
To H 2 0 Feed /	 Module 
remove accumulated gases from the water cavities 
wjthout loss of electrolyte while the module is operat-
ing under pressure. 
The water cavity degasser shown in the diagram 
is simply a cylindrical container made of plastic thick 
enough to withstand the operating pressures of the 
electrolysis module. The, internal volume of the con-
tainer is about 150 ml; it has three tubing connections 
as indicated in the diagram. 
The water cavity degasser is connected to a water 
electrolysis module; during operation, the cavity de-
gasser accepts a mixture of electrolyte and accumu-
lated gases, separates the gas from the electrolyte, 
and returns the electrolyte to the module. The opera-
tion of the degasser depends on the natural separation
of a gas from a liquid in a gravitational field. 
When the electrolysis module is in operation, the 
module oxygen pressure is higher than the feed-water 
cavity pressure which, in turn, is higher than atmos-
pheric pressure. The following procedure can be used 
for degassing: Open Vi and then open V2 to allow a 
mixture of accumulated gases and electrolyte to flow 
into the degasser. The gases will rise to the surface 
of the electrolyte and escape to the atmosphere. Con-
tinue bleeding through V2 until the degasser is com-
pletely full of liquid. Now, close Vi and V2, and pres-
surize the degasser by opening VS. Open V2, and 
allow the electrolyte to flow back into the electrolysis 
module. When the liquid level reaches the bottom of 
the degasser, close V2 and VS. Finally, open Vi to 
depressurize the degasser and then close Vi. 
Notes: 
1. The degassing procedure can eaily be automated 
and performed at predetermined time intervals. 
2. The degasser is applicable to other electrochemical 
devices which use liquid electrolytes. 
S. No additional documentation is available. Specific 
questions, however, may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Ames Research Center 
Moffett Field, California 94085 
Reference: B72-10246 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: Franz H. Schubert 
TRW, Inc./Mechanical Products Division 
under contract to 
Ames Research Center 
(ARC-10244) 
Category OS 
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=19720000246 2020-03-17T03:28:00+00:00Z


Water cavity degasser for electrolysis cells

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