Anion Conducting Polymer Oxygen Pump for Selective Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical pumps primarily use proton exchange membranes to move gases, excluding carbon dioxide and ammonia, while anion exchange membranes offer a viable route for transporting oxygen, but there is a need for a more efficient and precise method to selectively pump oxygen using an anion conducting layer.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical oxygen pump system utilizing an anion exchange membrane with an anion conducting polymer layer, comprising specific materials like platinum, silver, or iridium, and functional groups such as quaternary ammonium, integrated with electrodes and a gas diffusion layer to passively transport water and efficiently move oxygen molecules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If anion exchange membranes are used to transport oxygen, then oxygen pumping efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for specific anion conducting polymers and functional groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite membrane structures combining anion exchange membranes with specific anion conducting polymers (containing quaternary ammonium, imidazolium, pyridinium, or piperidine functional groups) to achieve efficient oxygen transport. This composite approach enables high oxygen pumping efficiency while managing the complexity through material science integration rather than mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes operational parameters including applying voltage potentials greater than 0.1V to drive oxygen pumping through the anion exchange membrane. By controlling electrical parameters and membrane thickness (10-50 microns), the system achieves high productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If anion conducting polymers with specific functional groups are used, then selectivity for oxygen transport is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific functional groups (quaternary ammonium, imidazolium, pyridinium, or piperidine) at localized positions within the membrane structure to create regions of high oxygen ion conductivity. This local functionalization achieves high selectivity without requiring entire membrane structures to be manufactured with extreme precision
Solution Approach 2:
The anion exchange membrane utilizes a porous structure with controlled porosity to facilitate oxygen transport while maintaining selectivity. The porous architecture provides pathways for oxygen ions while the functional groups ensure selective transport, balancing manufacturing feasibility with performance requirements
3Productivity
If ultra-thin anion conducting layers are used to passively transport water, then water transport efficiency is improved, but membrane strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite membrane structures where ultra-thin anion conducting polymer layers (10-50 microns) are integrated with mechanically robust support structures. This composite design enables the thin functional layer to provide high water transport efficiency while the support structure maintains overall membrane strength and structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes thin film anion conducting layers that are flexible yet sufficiently strong when properly supported. These thin films enable passive water transport across the membrane while maintaining the mechanical strength needed for practical application through appropriate support structures
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
The system effectively and selectively pumps oxygen, offering high precision and efficiency, suitable for applications such as oxygen flow meters or filters, and can be used in conjunction with other methods like distillation or pressure swing absorption to remove oxygen from air.
Implementation Method 1
AEMs conduct hydroxide ions across
Implementation Method 2
use direct current (DC) to control the movement of gaseous molecules across an ion conducting membrane by ionize the gas
Implementation Method 3
electrodes are nodes for current to enter and exit the cell
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochemical oxygen pump moves or pumps oxygen molecules with a unique anion conducting layer comprising an anion conducting polymer. These pumps can either be used as high precision oxygen flow meters or as oxygen filters. The system can be plumbed to have air as the inlet and the pump will selectively pump oxygen out, offering another way to remove oxygen from the air, along with distillation or pressure swing absorption.