Cathode Porous Body Segmentation for CO2 Reduction Flooding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical reaction devices face inefficiencies in gas and liquid separation, leading to flooding phenomena and reduced reaction efficiency due to inadequate drainage and gas supply, particularly in the cathode part where carbon dioxide reduction occurs.
Innovation Solution
The electrochemical reaction device incorporates a cathode part with a conductive surface, a porous body having distinct hydrophilic and hydrophobic porous portions, and separate flow paths for water and carbon dioxide, facilitating efficient discharge of water and vapor while allowing carbon dioxide to flow in and products to exit, thereby enhancing reaction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional electrochemical reaction device uses a single porous structure for both liquid drainage and gas supply, then the structure is simple, but flooding occurs and reaction efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous body is divided into distinct first porous portions for liquid drainage and second porous portions for gas supply. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, preventing flooding while maintaining efficient CO2 supply to the cathode, thereby resolving the contradiction between reaction efficiency and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the porous body are assigned different properties: hydrophilic first porous portions for water drainage and hydrophobic second porous portions for CO2 gas supply. This local differentiation enables simultaneous optimization of liquid removal and gas delivery without requiring complex external structures.
2Productivity
If the contact area between conductive surface and porous body is reduced to facilitate drainage, then flooding is prevented, but electrical resistance increases and reaction efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cathode structure segments the porous body into first porous portions contacting the conductive surface for electrical conduction and second porous portions for gas supply. This allows maintaining large contact area for low electrical resistance while directing liquid drainage to dedicated pathways, preventing the trade-off between conductivity and flooding prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The first porous portions act as intermediary structures that simultaneously provide electrical conduction pathways and liquid drainage routes. By serving dual functions, they enable large contact area for conductivity while facilitating efficient water removal, resolving the contradiction between electrical resistance and reaction efficiency.
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 design improves the efficiency of the reduction reaction by ensuring effective drainage and maintaining a large contact area between the conductive surface and the porous body, reducing electrical resistance and preventing flooding, thus enhancing the production of carbon compounds and hydrogen.
Implementation Method 1
a contact angle between an inner wall of the second porous portion and water being higher than a contact angle between an inner wall of the first porous portion and water
Implementation Method 2
a contact angle between an inner wall of the second porous portion and water being higher than a contact angle between an inner wall of the first porous portion and water
Implementation Method 3
a reduction catalyst supported on the second surface to reduce carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 4
an electrochemical reaction device, which includes a cathode for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) from, for example, a power plant and a waste treatment plant, and an anode for oxidizing water (H2O)
Data Source
AI summary
A cathode part of an electrochemical reaction device comprises a conductor, a porous body, a reduction catalyst, an electrolytic solution flow path, a first flow path, and a second flow path. The conductor has a conductive surface. The porous body includes a first surface, a second surface, a first porous portion, and a second porous portion. The first surface is in contact with the conductive surface. A contact angle between an inner wall of the second porous portion and water is higher than a contact angle between an inner wall of the first porous portion and the water. The reduction catalyst is supported on the second surface to reduce carbon dioxide. The electrolytic solution flow path faces the reduction catalyst. The first flow path faces the first porous portion. The second flow path faces the second porous portion.