Anionic Electrochemical Compressor for Noiseless CO₂ Refrigeration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Carbon dioxide compressors face challenges with high pressure and high compression ratios, requiring expensive stainless steel materials and complex mechanical designs, which are noisy and prone to malfunction, while existing electrochemical compression methods are inefficient.

Innovation Solution

Anion electrochemical compressors utilizing novel anionic membranes with a pH swing absorption-desorption system, where a hydroxide/hydronium gradient is imposed by an electric field to efficiently compress carbon dioxide, eliminating the need for mechanical parts and reducing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical compressors are used for carbon dioxide compression, then compression function is achieved, but noise and mechanical malfunction increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor reliabilityVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical compression system with an electrochemical compression system. Instead of using moving mechanical parts to compress carbon dioxide, the invention uses electrochemical reactions at electrodes to drive the compression process, thereby eliminating noise and mechanical wear while maintaining compression functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If mechanical compressors operate at high compression ratios, then compression efficiency is improved, but mechanical wear and malfunction increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention substitutes mechanical compression with electrochemical compression. The electrochemical cell uses electrical energy to drive compression reactions without mechanical moving parts, allowing high compression ratios to be achieved without the associated mechanical wear and reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If stainless steel materials are used to withstand carbon dioxide degradation, then material durability is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial durabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing the mechanical compression system with an electrochemical system, the patent eliminates the need for expensive stainless steel materials that are required to withstand high-pressure carbon dioxide. The electrochemical cell can operate at lower pressures, allowing the use of less expensive materials while maintaining system durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If existing electrochemical compression methods are used, then mechanical complexity is reduced, but compression efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical complexityVSAvoidcompression efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the electrochemical compression parameters including electrode configuration, electrolyte composition, and operating voltage to significantly improve compression efficiency while maintaining the simplicity of the electrochemical system. These parameter optimizations allow the system to achieve both low mechanical complexity and high compression efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a noiseless, efficient, and scalable method for carbon dioxide compression, expanding market adoption and reducing energy use, while lowering costs and mechanical complexity.

Implementation Method 1

Anion electrochemical compressors utilizing novel anionic membranes with a pH swing absorption-desorption system, where a hydroxide/hydronium gradient is imposed by an electric field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon Exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

a hydroxide/hydronium gradient is imposed by an electric field to efficiently compress carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 3

pH swing absorption-desorption system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

pH swing absorption-desorption system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentUS11339996B2Anionic electrochemical compressor and refrigeration system employing same

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 USA FORTESCUE IP INC

AI summary

An electrochemical compressor utilizes an anion conducting layer disposed between an anode and a cathode for transporting a working fluid. The working fluid may include carbon dioxide that is dissolved in water and is partially converted to carbonic acid that is equilibrium with bicarbonate anion. An electrical potential across the anode and cathode creates a pH gradient that drives the bicarbonate anion across the anion conducting layer to the cathode, wherein it is reformed into carbon dioxide. Therefore, carbon dioxide is pumped across the anion conducting layer. The compressor may be part of a refrigeration system that pumps the working fluid in a closed loop through a condenser and an evaporator.