High Concentration Bleach Generator Using Hydrogen Selective Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable bleach generators face inefficiencies due to hydrogen gas buildup, reduced electrical power use, and low bleach concentration, limiting their effectiveness in disinfecting water.
Innovation Solution
A high concentration bleach generator apparatus with a housing, brine and anionic/cationic chambers, a hydrogen selective membrane, and an electrical power source, allowing safe venting of hydrogen and optimizing electrical power use to produce higher bleach concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional electrolytic bleach generators are used, then bleach is produced for water disinfection, but hydrogen gas builds up reducing efficiency and creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful hydrogen gas from the electrolysis chamber through a selective membrane that allows hydrogen to pass through while retaining the bleach solution. This removal of the harmful byproduct prevents pressure buildup and safety hazards while maintaining efficient bleach production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful hydrogen gas byproduct into a beneficial feature by using the hydrogen permeation through the selective membrane as a driving force for continuous electrolysis. The hydrogen removal prevents polarization effects that would otherwise reduce efficiency, thereby turning a harmful accumulation into a mechanism that sustains productive operation.
2Reliability
If traditional bleach generators are used, then water disinfection is provided, but large amounts of electrical power are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous electrolysis by continuously removing hydrogen gas through the selective membrane. This prevents the buildup of hydrogen that would otherwise cause polarization and stop the electrolysis reaction, allowing the system to maintain continuous useful action with optimized power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using a selective membrane that operates at specific hydrogen permeation rates, allowing the system to achieve efficient bleach production at lower electrical power levels compared to traditional generators that must operate at high power to overcome hydrogen buildup resistance.
3Productivity
If traditional electrolytic processes are used, then bleach is generated, but only low concentration solutions of less than 2 weight percent are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts hydrogen gas selectively through the membrane while retaining the bleach solution in the electrolysis chamber. This selective removal prevents dilution and allows accumulation of high concentration bleach (up to 7.3 weight percent) while maintaining continuous production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the concentration parameter by controlling the electrolysis conditions and hydrogen removal rate to achieve high bleach concentration. The selective membrane enables the system to operate at parameters that produce concentrated bleach rather than dilute solutions, directly addressing the quantity of substance requirement.
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 effectively generates a higher concentration bleach solution (up to 7.3 weight percent) while safely venting hydrogen, improving efficiency and safety, and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrogen selective membrane is in contact with at least the cationic chamber and an outside of the housing
Implementation Method 2
an anionic exchange membrane separating the anionic chamber from the brine chamber
Implementation Method 3
a cationic exchange membrane separating the cationic chamber from the brine chamber
Implementation Method 4
Portable bleach generators convert salt dissolved in water to chlorine bleach through an electrolytic process. Application of electrical potential to anode and cathode electrodes causes dissolved salt to convert into sodium hydroxide (NaOH), chlorine gas (Cl2) and hydrogen gas (H2).
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a high concentration bleach generator apparatus and a system and method for its use. The apparatus includes a housing containing brine, anionic and cationic chambers. Electrodes in the anionic and cationic chambers separate salt from brine into hydrogen gas, chlorine gas and an alkali and alkaline hydroxide mass. The hydrogen gas vents through a hydrogen selective membrane. A pump conveys the chlorine gas to the cationic chamber, where it combines with the alkali and alkaline hydroxide mass to form a bleach solution. Users can draw off the bleach and use it to disinfect water. The system also provides a system housing, a larger brine reservoir and a data processor allowing a user to select a desired bleach concentration for production.