Electrode assembly for electrochemical cells

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode assembly for electrochemical cells comprising a plurality of electrodes stacked in a configuration; wherein each electrode is positioned on top of another electrode, the electrodes having different porosities and creating local turbulence to enhance electrolyte efficiency, said assembly may include two, three, four, or five electrodes, with the pore size of the pores of the first electrode being larger than the pore size of the second electrode to cause turbulent flow over the surfaces of the plurality of electrodes.

Description

•  The present invention provides the electrode assembly for electrochemical cells that removes the bubbles on electrodes. 10     • The present invention provides the electrode assembly for electrochemical cells that have a prolonged lifespan. • The present invention provides an electrode assembly for electrochemical cells that is cost-effective. • The present invention provides the electrode assembly for 15         electrochemical cells that increases the hydrogen production rate.

Claims

CLAIM,1. An electrode assembly for electrochemical cells comprising a plurality of electrodes stacked in a configuration;wherein each electrode is positioned on top of another electrode, the electrodes having different porosities and creating local turbulence to enhance electrolyte efficiency,said assembly may include two, three, four, or five electrodes, with the pore size of the pores of the first electrode being larger than the pore size of the second electrode to cause turbulent flow over the surfaces of the plurality of electrodes.

2. The electrode assembly for electrochemical cells as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pore size in one or more electrodes may range from 2mm to 0.1pm.

3. The electrode assembly for electrochemical cells as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes is in a stacked configuration such that smaller pores near the electrolyte interface increase the surface interfacial area for the electrochemical reaction and the pore size of successive electrodes is configured in the stack to increase, thereby creating local turbulence within the cell compartment to enhance electrolyte efficiency.

4. The electrode assembly for electrochemical cells as claimed in claim 1, wherein- three electrodes, with the first and second electrodes being made of 1mm pore diameter stainless steel backing plates,- a nickel electrode, in the form of nickel foam or nickel mesh, with a pore diameter of less than 1mm,- predefined misalignment of the first and second electrodes to reduce pore volume , distort pore shape and misalign the pores, creating local flow path deflection and causing the liquid to experience local flow velocity reductions, thus generating turbulence for faster gas bubble removal and increasing productivity and hydrogen production rate.

5. The electrode assembly for electrochemical cells as claimed in claim 1, wherein the configuration of pores in each electrode of the plurality of electrodes with independent variation from a few millimeters to the submicron scale to enhance gas bubble removal and mass transfer of reactants to the electrode surfaces.

6. The electrode assembly for electrochemical cells as claimed in claim 1, wherein pores of adjacent electrodes are configured to be out of alignment with one another.

7. The electrode assembly for electrochemical cells as claimed in claims 1 and 6, wherein two electrodes with relatively larger pores are positioned in an out-of-alignment configuration and a fine electrode with smaller pores, wherein the electrodes are made from the same or different conductive materials.

8. The electrode assembly for electrochemical cells as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more electrodes have catalytic properties, and wherein the catalyst may be incorporated in a manner including metal oxides, mixed metal oxides, precious metal oxides, zeolites, and transition metal-based materials.

9. The electrode assembly for electrochemical cells as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cells comprise an electrolyte that separates the electrodes and utilizes a porous or non-porous polymeric membrane.

10. The electrode assembly for electrochemical cells as claimed in claim 5      1, wherein said electrode assembly may be used in low-temperatureelectrochemical cells.

11. The electrode assembly for electrochemical cells as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrolyte for low-temperature electrochemical cells, comprising a porous membrane consisting of a porous polymer10 membrane such as Nafion, an anion exchange membrane such as sustanion, or an alkaline electrolysis membrane such as zircon, or a porous ceramic membrane such as doped titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, or zeolites.15

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