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Apparatus for generating hydrogen by the electrolysis of water comprising an electrolytic cell having a cathode and an anode separated by a solid electrolyte, an electrical power supply connected to the cell for applying a voltage across the cathode and anode, a water reservoir connected to the cell

Apparatus for generating hydrogen by the electrolysis of water comprising an electrolytic cell having a cathode and an anode separated by a solid electrolyte, an electrical power supply connected to the cell for applying a voltage across the cathode and anode, a water reservoir connected to the cell for supplying water to the anode side, a hydrogen-water separator connected to the cell for receiving hydrogen and water from the cathode side and separating the hydrogen from the water, and a water return line connecting the hydrogen-water separator to the water reservoir for returning water to the water reservoir whereby the water is recycled to the anode side. A float valve in the upper region of the hydrogen-water separator closes the hydrogen outlet in response to an increase in the water level in the separator to the level of the hydrogen outlet, to prevent water from entering the hydrogen outlet in the event of a malfunction. A pressure relief valve in the hydrogen-water separator discharges hydrogen from the separator to the atmosphere in response to an increase in the gas pressure in the separator beyond a predetermined level. A sensor in the water reservoir producing an electrical signal in response to a drop in the water level in the reservoir to a predetermined level, or in response to a predetermined change in the electrical conductivity of the water, and control circuitry responds to the electrical signal for interrupting the supply of electrical power to the cell.

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Apparatus for generating hydrogen by the electrolytic dissociation of water, said apparatus comprising: an electrolytic cell having a cathode and an anode separated by a solid-electrolyte whereby the cathode is on one side of the solid electrolyte and the anode is on the other side of the solid elec

Apparatus for generating hydrogen by the electrolytic dissociation of water, said apparatus comprising: an electrolytic cell having a cathode and an anode separated by a solid-electrolyte whereby the cathode is on one side of the solid electrolyte and the anode is on the other side of the solid electrolyte, an electrical power supply connected to said electrolytic cell for applying a voltage across said cathode and anode and thereby supplying electrical power to said cell, a water reservoir connected to said electrolytic cell for supplying water to said electrolytic cell on the same side of the solid electrolyte on which said anode is located, a hydrogen-water separator connected to said electrolytic cell for receiving hydrogen and water from said electrolytic cell on the same side of the solid electrolyte on which said cathode is located, and separating the hydrogen from the water, sensing means in said water reservoir for producing an electrical signal in response to a predetermined change in the electrical conductivity of the water in said reservoir, and electrical control means responsive to the electrical signal from said sensing means for automatically interrupting the supply of electrical power to said electrolytic cell.