AEM Electrolyser Dry Cathode Purge Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AEM electrolyser systems produce hydrogen with high moisture content, especially during start-up and switch-off, requiring an external dryer, which increases costs and time inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The proposed AEM electrolyser system reduces moisture in hydrogen production by maintaining a dry cathode condition through a purge valve that recirculates unreacted water-based solution, eliminating the need for external drying and allowing for re-circulation of the electrolyte solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water-based solution is supplied to both anode and cathode compartments, then the electrolysis process can proceed normally, but the produced hydrogen contains high moisture content requiring external drying
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the electrolyser into separate anodic and cathodic compartments with independent water supply. Water-based solution is supplied only to the anodic compartment, while the cathodic compartment operates with minimal water, producing dry hydrogen without requiring external drying equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different compartments are assigned different moisture conditions: the anodic compartment receives water-based solution for proper electrolysis operation, while the cathodic compartment maintains a dry environment to produce moisture-free hydrogen directly.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If external dryer is added to reduce hydrogen moisture, then hydrogen purity improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful moisture is eliminated at the source (cathode compartment) rather than removing it later with an external dryer. The system extracts the drying function from a separate equipment and integrates it into the electrolyser design itself through the dry cathode configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The cathode compartment is designed to self-produce dry hydrogen through its specific configuration (water-free or minimal water environment), eliminating the need for external drying equipment and reducing system complexity.
3Loss of substance
If water-based solution is recirculated from cathode to anode, then water utilization efficiency improves, but cathode moisture management becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback loop where water-based solution is recirculated from the cathode compartment back to the anode compartment. This feedback mechanism optimizes water utilization by reusing unreacted electrolyte while maintaining the dry cathode environment through controlled water removal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in the production of pressurized, purer, and drier hydrogen in a single step, reducing the need for separate dehumidification and compression processes, thereby saving time and costs while promoting environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
AEM electrolyser relies on the movement of hydroxide ions, OH-
Implementation Method 2
a gas/liquid separator (8) configured to separate the hydrogen gas (H2) from the water-based solution
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an AEM electrolyser system (1) for producing pure, dry and compressed hydrogen by water electrolysis process from a water-based solution, comprising: an AEM electrolyser (2) having an anodic half-cell (10), a cathodic half-cell (11) and an anionic exchange membrane AEM (12) in between the two half-cells (10, 11); supply means (3) for feeding the water-based solution (4) only in the anodic half-cell (10), comprising a solution tank (21) and a solution inlet (22); a purge valve (35), in direct communication with the cathodic half-cell (11) and configured to selectively deviate hydrogen gas towards the hydrogen storage chamber (6) and to discharge an unreacted water-based solution from the cathodic half-cell (11) into a collecting tank (41).