Electrode arrangement for an electrical separator

Abstract

The presented invention relates to an electrode arrangement (100) for an electrical separator (300), wherein the electrode arrangement (100) comprises: an electrode (101), wherein the electrode (101) forms a plurality of recordings (105) on a first side (103), and wherein the electrode (101) forms a plurality of inflow areas (109) on a second side (107) opposite the first side (103) for the inflow of a mixture of substances.

Description

[0001] The invention presented relates to an electrode arrangement for an electrical separator, a manufacturing method for producing an electrode arrangement for an electrical separator and an electrical separator according to the attached claims. State of the art

[0002] Electrical separators, such as electric swing adsorption (ESA) separators, are used to separate substances, such as carbon dioxide, from a mixture of substances, such as atmospheric air or exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, a process known as carbon capture.

[0003] Systems are known in which a PAQ-CNT electrode (poly-anthraquinone-functionalized carbon nanotubes) is exposed to carbon dioxide and bound in the material by converting electrons.

[0004] A counter electrode, a PVFc electrode (polyvinyl ferrocene-functionalized carbon nanotubes), provides electrons from a ferrocene molecule. Charge equalization between the electrodes occurs via the ion mobility of an ionic liquid with which both electrodes are impregnated.

[0005] A porous separator located between the electrodes electrically isolates them. Ions from the ionic liquid, however, can pass through the separator, thus enabling charge equalization.

[0006] To bind carbon dioxide, the flow of electrons and ions must be driven by applying a voltage. The release of carbon dioxide occurs by reversing the polarity of the voltage at the cell. Consequently, all processes then proceed in reverse. A portion of the electrical energy is recovered in this process. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] Within the scope of the presented invention, an electrode arrangement for an electrical separator, a manufacturing process for producing an electrode arrangement for an electrical separator, and an electrical separator are presented. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the electrode arrangement according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the manufacturing process and the separator according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention is always, or can always be, mutually referenced.

[0008] The invention presented here serves in particular to provide a means for the rapid separation of a large quantity of substance, especially carbon dioxide, from a mixture of substances, in particular atmospheric air or exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine.

[0009] Thus, according to a first aspect of the presented invention, an electrode arrangement for an electrical separator is presented.

[0010] The presented electrode arrangement comprises an electrode, wherein the electrode on a first side comprises or forms a plurality of receptacles, and wherein the electrode on a second side opposite the first side comprises or forms a plurality of inflow areas for the inflow of a mixture of substances.

[0011] In the context of the presented invention, a "receiver" is understood to be a space for receiving a material or an object. For example, a "receiver" could be a bag.

[0012] The receptacles provided according to the invention can, for example, be formed as a meandering structure by folding the electrode. Accordingly, the receptacles are formed or shaped by the electrode itself.

[0013] The presented electrode arrangement is based on a spatially specially arranged, in particular folded, electrode. This electrode is designed such that it forms a multitude of receptacles on one side and a multitude of inflow regions on a second side opposite the first. To this end, the electrode forms spatial structures that partially enclose a space, particularly on three sides. This space can be used as a receptacle for receiving objects or as an inflow region for the inflow of a specific mixture.

[0014] The numerous inflow areas of the electrode arrangement provide a particularly large surface area on which a mixture of substances flowing into the inflow areas interacts with the electrode.

[0015] The large number of electrode arrangement mounts provides a particularly large volume for accommodating electrical and / or mechanical components.

[0016] The spatial structure of the presented electrode arrangement creates areas in which an inflowing mixture can spread along a vertical axis of the electrode, for example, by gas diffusion. Diffusion of the mixture into, for example, an ionic liquid arranged in the respective plates results in a particularly large surface flux of deposited substance, such as carbon dioxide.

[0017] It may be planned that the intakes and the inflow areas run parallel to each other, at least in some sections.

[0018] A partially parallel arrangement of the inlet and outlet areas results in a particularly large transfer surface between the ionic liquid located in the respective inlet areas and the substance mixture flowing into the respective outlet areas. This allows the electrode thickness to be kept very thin, thus minimizing the diffusion time of a quantity of the substance mixture through the electrode arrangement.

[0019] It may further be provided that the electrode arrangement includes a number of storage reservoirs for storing ionic liquid, wherein in at least a part of the number of recordings a respective storage reservoir of the number of storage reservoirs is arranged.

[0020] Storage devices for storing ionic liquid in the presented electrode arrangement consist of a structure capable of holding an ionic liquid in order to provide a superstoichiometric number of ions for charge balancing.

[0021] Storage systems for storing ionic liquid in the presented electrode arrangement can include a flowable support, such as a nonwoven fabric, and / or a support structure for mechanically supporting the electrode arrangement. For example, a storage system can consist of a fiber mat, optionally reinforced with a rigid, elongated core. This core can have openings through which the liquid can flow.

[0022] It may also be provided that the electrode itself comprises ionic liquid and that in at least part of the recordings a solid support element is arranged for the mechanical support of the electrode arrangement.

[0023] A support element can, for example, consist of steel and / or solid carbon and mechanically protect or support the electrode arrangement against deformation. A support element can be arranged exclusively in a receptacle or form the core of a storage device and be arranged together with the storage device and ionic liquid in a receptacle.

[0024] In the event that the support element is arranged exclusively in the respective mounts, it is provided that the electrode itself contains or is soaked with ionic liquid.

[0025] It may also be provided that at least part of the recordings has a volume that corresponds to a volume of at least part of the inflow areas.

[0026] Due to corresponding volumes of the recordings and the inflow areas, the electrode arrangement can be easily manufactured by providing the same structure multiple times.

[0027] It may also be provided that the electrode consists of a folded textile, in particular a nonwoven fabric.

[0028] A nonwoven fabric is highly permeable and can store ionic liquid. Furthermore, a nonwoven fabric, which, for example, consists of a multitude of fibers, especially carbon fibers, can be easily deformed to form the spatial structure with inlets and inflow areas provided for in the invention.

[0029] A polymer coating applied to a nonwoven fabric gives it high inherent stiffness and allows it to retain its shape after deformation, for example by folding.

[0030] It can still be provided that the nonwoven fabric is between 25 µm and 410 µm thick.

[0031] Due to the spatial structure provided according to the invention with inlets and inflow areas, in particular in combination with a number of support structures, a nonwoven fabric forming the electrode can be designed to be particularly thin, so that the diffusion time of a mixture of materials through the electrode arrangement is minimized.

[0032] It may also be provided that each inlet and / or inlet area is between 150 µm and 1000 µm wide.

[0033] The inlets and / or inlets can extend over the entire width or only a part of the width of the electrode provided according to the invention.

[0034] It may also be provided that the thickness of the electrode corresponds to the width of a respective inlet and / or the width of a respective inflow area.

[0035] By using an electrode thickness that corresponds to the width of a given recording and / or the width of a given inflow area, the presented electrode arrangement can be provided particularly easily by folding flat electrodes.

[0036] It may also be provided that the electrode arrangement is between 100 µm and 5000 µm high.

[0037] In particular, a particularly tall electrode array necessitates especially voluminous inlets or inflow areas and a correspondingly high throughput of the mixture. Heights between 100 µm and 5000 µm have proven particularly advantageous in tests.

[0038] It may also be provided that the electrode arrangement continues to include a separator and a counter electrode, each running parallel to the electrode on a side of the electrode providing the recordings.

[0039] A complete electrochemical reaction for the deposition of a substance, such as carbon dioxide, can take place at the presented electrode arrangement using a separator and a counter electrode.

[0040] It may also be provided that the electrode has a structured surface.

[0041] A structured surface, for example one with a spatial pattern on at least one side of the electrode, can maximize the reactive area of ​​the electrode array. This surface can feature microstructures smaller than the recordings or inflow areas. For example, the microstructures can be between 20 µm and 180 µm high.

[0042] According to a second aspect, the presented invention relates to a manufacturing process for producing an electrode arrangement for an electrical separator.

[0043] The presented manufacturing process includes providing one possible embodiment of the presented electrode arrangement.

[0044] It may be provided that the electrode of the electrode assembly is supplied by a method from the following list of methods: - Pushing a flat electrode together to a predetermined point, - Deformation of a flat electrode by means of a negative mold and / or - Passing a flat electrode through two counter-rotating structure rollers, wherein, following the provision of the electrode, a support structure and / or a storage medium for ionic liquid is introduced into at least some of the recesses formed by the electrode.

[0045] The presented electrode can be produced by shaping or by primary forming of a respective starting material.

[0046] According to a third aspect, the presented invention relates to a separator for separating a substance from a mixture of substances, wherein the separator comprises a possible embodiment of the presented electrode arrangement.

[0047] It may be provided that the separator is a gas-liquid-solid separator and is selected from the following list of separators: carbon dioxide separator, water demineralizer, water purifier, acid separator, sulfur dioxide separator.

[0048] Advantages described in detail with respect to the electrode arrangement for an electrical separator according to the first aspect of the invention apply equally to the manufacturing process for producing an electrode arrangement for an electrical separator according to the second aspect of the invention and to the separator for separating a substance from a mixture of substances according to the third aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0049] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0050] They each show schematically: Fig. 1 a possible embodiment of the presented electrode arrangement, Fig. 2 another possible embodiment of the presented electrode arrangement, Fig. 3 a possible design of the presented manufacturing process and Fig. 4. A possible design of the presented separator, and Fig. 5 another possible embodiment of the presented electrode arrangement.

[0051] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an electrode arrangement 100 for an electrical separator.

[0052] The electrode arrangement 100 comprises an electrode 101, wherein the electrode 101 comprises a plurality of receptacles 105 on a first side 103, and wherein the electrode 101 comprises a plurality of inflow areas 109 on a second side 107 opposite the first side 103 for the inflow of a mixture of substances, such as air or exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine.

[0053] In each of the recordings 105, storage units 111 for storing ionic liquid are arranged.

[0054] In Fig. 2 is electrode 101 according to Fig. 1 is shown in combination with a separator 113 and a counter electrode 115. Accordingly, the electrode arrangement 100 forms according to Fig. 2 a complete electrochemical cell for an electrical separator for separating, for example, carbon dioxide from a gas flowing horizontally and falling vertically into the inlet areas 109, as indicated by arrows 117.

[0055] In Fig. 3 is a manufacturing process 200 for the production of, for example, the electrode arrangement 100 according to Fig. 1 shown.

[0056] Manufacturing process 200 comprises a manufacturing step 202 in which a flat electrode is spatially reshaped. For this purpose, the electrode can be folded, pressed and / or embossed, for example.

[0057] Optionally, the manufacturing process 200 includes an insertion step 203 in which respective storage devices for storing ionic liquid and / or respective support structures for mechanically supporting the electrode are inserted into receptacles of the electrode.

[0058] In Fig. Figure 4 shows an electrical separator 300. The separator 300 comprises a cell stack 301 in which a plurality of electrode arrangements 100 are arranged according to Fig. 2 are arranged.

[0059] In Fig. Figure 5 shows an electrode arrangement 100 which was produced by forming or by primary forming of a respective starting material, so that lamellae 110 are formed which run parallel.

Claims

[1] Electrode arrangement (100) for an electrical separator (300), wherein the electrode arrangement (100) comprises: an electrode (101), wherein the electrode (101) forms a plurality of recordings (105) on a first side (103), and wherein the electrode (101) forms a plurality of inflow areas (109) on a second side (107) opposite the first side (103) for the inflow of a mixture of substances. [2] Electrode arrangement (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the recordings (105) and the inflow areas (109) run parallel to each other at least in some areas. [3] Electrode arrangement (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the electrode arrangement (100) includes a number of storage units (111) for storing ionic liquid, wherein in at least a part of the number of recordings (105) a respective storage device (111) of the number of storage devices (111) is arranged. [4] Electrode arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the electrode (101) itself comprises ionic liquid and that in at least part of the receptacles (105) a solid support element is arranged for the mechanical support of the electrode arrangement (100). [5] Electrode arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least part of the recordings (105) has a volume that corresponds to a volume of at least part of the inflow areas (109). [6] Electrode arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the electrode (101) consists of a folded textile, in particular a nonwoven fabric. [7] Electrode arrangement (100) according to claim 6, characterized by , the fleece is between 25 µm and 410 µm thick. [8] Electrode arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that each inlet (105) and / or inlet area (109) is between 150 µm and 1000 µm wide. [9] Electrode arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the thickness of the electrode (101) corresponds to the width of a respective inlet (105) and / or the width of a respective inlet area (109). [10] Electrode arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the electrode arrangement (100) is between 100 µm and 5000 µm high. [11] Electrode arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the electrode arrangement (100) further comprises a separator (113) and a counter electrode (115), each running parallel to the electrode (101) on a side of the electrode (101) providing the recordings (105). [12] Electrode arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the electrode (101) has a structured surface. [13] Manufacturing process (200) for manufacturing an electrode arrangement (100) for an electrical separator, the manufacturing process (200) comprising: - Providing (201) an electrode arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12. [14] Manufacturing process (200) according to claim 13, characterized by , that the electrode (101) of the electrode arrangement (100) is provided by a method from the following list of methods: - Pushing a flat electrode together to a predetermined point, - Deformation of a flat electrode by means of a negative mold, - Passing a flat electrode through two oppositely rotating structure rollers, wherein, following the provision (201) of the electrode (101), a support structure and / or a storage device (111) for storing ionic liquid is introduced into at least some of the recesses (105) formed by the electrode (101). [15] Separator (300) for separating a substance from a mixture of substances, wherein the separator (300) comprises an electrode arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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