Technology Outline (Process Description)

We have designed an unprecedented fuel cell concept exhibiting cathodic hydrogen exhalation capability of anodically inhaled hydrogen, driven by the neutralization energy on decoupling the direct acid–base chemistry. This neutralisation energy can be harvested by reversible H2 redox couple. By coupling a half cell with H2 as the electron donor in an alkaline pH and hydronium ion as the electron acceptor in an acidic pH, we demonstrate a H2 producing H2/ hydronium ion fuel cell with the net cell reaction being the acid base neutralization reaction. Coupling of neutralization energy and reversible H2 redox can be used to spontaneously desalinate saline water while generating electric power by inserting a middle compartment which contains saline water. The desalination chemistry is distinctly different from the desalination in metal ion batteries and flow batteries because the electron donor consumed in the anodic half-cell is regenerated in the cathodic half-cell with the net result being spontaneous water desalination without a net redox reaction and without any water contamination by the discharge products.