Electrochemical Cell Membrane Assembly for Gas Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas bubbles clinging to the electrodes in electrochemical cells reduce the effective active area and cause mass transfer limitations, leading to increased cell resistance and lower hydrogen generation, necessitating an efficient method to remove these bubbles.
Innovation Solution
A gas management system with a membrane assembly comprising a first and second outer layer and a porous spacer layer forms a flow chamber, where liquid electrolyte is injected to flow through and remove gas bubbles, aided by a recirculation system or suction pump to enhance hydrogen production and reduce gas crossover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gas bubbles are allowed to accumulate on the electrode and membrane assembly, then the cell structure remains simple, but the effective active area of the electrode is reduced and mass transfer limitations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes gas bubbles from the electrochemical cell using a gas removal system that includes a gas permeable membrane and a vacuum source. The gas permeable membrane is positioned to contact the electrolyte and allows gas bubbles to pass through while preventing liquid electrolyte loss. The vacuum source creates negative pressure to actively draw gas bubbles out of the cell, separating the harmful gas phase from the liquid phase to maintain electrode effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gas permeable membrane as an intermediary component between the electrolyte and the gas bubbles. This membrane acts as a selective barrier that allows gas molecules to pass through while maintaining the liquid electrolyte level and preventing direct contact between gas bubbles and the electrode surface, thereby protecting the electrode's active area without requiring complex mechanical removal systems.
2Ease of operation
If gas bubbles are not removed from the membrane assembly, then the system operation is simple, but gas crossover between anodic and cathodic chambers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts gas bubbles from the membrane assembly using a gas permeable membrane positioned within the membrane structure and connected to a vacuum source. This active removal system continuously extracts accumulated gas bubbles from between the membrane and electrode, preventing gas crossover while maintaining simple system operation. The gas permeable membrane provides a dedicated pathway for gas removal without disrupting the overall cell structure or requiring complex operational procedures.
3Productivity
If liquid electrolyte is used to flush gas bubbles, then gas bubble removal is enhanced, but liquid electrolyte is lost from the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gas permeable membrane as an intermediary that enables gas bubble removal without requiring large volumes of liquid electrolyte. The membrane provides a selective interface where gas bubbles can pass through via diffusion or vacuum-assisted transport while the liquid electrolyte is retained by the membrane's liquid impermeability. This intermediary approach achieves efficient gas removal while minimizing electrolyte loss to evaporation or splashing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical flushing systems that use liquid electrolyte flow with a vacuum-based gas removal system. Instead of using liquid flow to physically push gas bubbles out (which causes electrolyte loss), the system uses a vacuum source to create negative pressure that actively draws gas bubbles through the gas permeable membrane, substituting mechanical liquid flow with a pressure-driven gas phase transport mechanism that conserves liquid electrolyte.
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 removes gas bubbles, increasing hydrogen generation, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing gas crossover between chambers, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of the electrochemical cell.
Implementation Method 1
The spacer layer is porous to allow for flow between the first outer layer and the second outer layer in the first direction
Implementation Method 2
A liquid electrolyte is injected into the flow chamber in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction through an inlet of the flow chamber to cause the liquid electrolyte to flow through the flow chamber and through the spacer layer to remove the gas bubbles
Implementation Method 3
The membrane assembly is configured to remove gas bubbles from the electrochemical cell to increase hydrogen generation of the electrochemical cell and to reduce gas crossover between the anodic chamber and the cathodic chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A gas management system includes an anodic chamber, a cathodic chamber, and a membrane assembly configured to remove bubbles from an electrochemical cell to increase hydrogen generation of the electrochemical cell. The membrane assembly includes a first outer layer arranged between the cathodic chamber and the anodic chamber, a second outer layer arranged between the first outer layer and the cathodic chamber, and a spacer layer arranged between the first outer layer and the second outer layer.