Channel-Type Flow-Electrode Structure for Electrochemical Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical systems for power storage and water treatment, such as capacitive deionization (CDI), face challenges with high equipment costs and reduced efficiency due to increased electrode surface area, irregular electrical field distribution, and limited contact between active materials and electrolytes, leading to increased operational costs and volume.
Innovation Solution
A channel-type flow-electrode structure is developed, featuring a liquid-permeable wall or ion-exchangeable membrane as a scaffold, with ion-exchangeable current collectors and porous current collectors to facilitate the flow of electrode active materials, allowing for high-density arrangement of flow-electrode units and reducing manufacturing costs and installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the surface area of electrodes is increased to extend capacity, then the capacity is improved, but the equipment cost increases and the electrical field distribution becomes irregular
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where flow-electrode units are arranged in a lattice configuration with outer and inner units. The outer flow-electrode unit contains multiple channels that surround inner flow-electrode units, creating a nested arrangement. This allows multiple electrode units to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, effectively increasing the total electrode capacity without proportionally increasing the external dimensions or equipment complexity of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional planar electrode arrangements to a three-dimensional lattice structure with channels extending in multiple directions. The channels are arranged to provide electrolyte flow paths in vertical and horizontal dimensions, transforming the two-dimensional electrode surface area concept into a three-dimensional electrochemical reaction volume, thereby increasing capacity without linearly increasing equipment footprint or complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional flow-electrode structures are stacked to increase capacity, then the capacity is improved, but the volume and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places inner flow-electrode units within the channel structure of outer flow-electrode units, allowing multiple functional units to occupy the same spatial envelope. This nested arrangement increases the effective electrode capacity within a fixed apparatus volume, avoiding the need to stack units sequentially which would linearly increase the overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple flow-electrode units into a single integrated lattice structure where channels and walls are shared between adjacent units. Instead of stacking discrete units with separate components, the design merges them into a unified structure where electrolyte channels serve multiple electrode units simultaneously, reducing the total number of components and apparatus volume.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple unit cells are stacked to extend capacity, then the capacity is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to increased number of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electrode units into a single lattice structure where channels, walls, and support elements are shared components serving multiple functions. This consolidation reduces the total number of discrete parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining or increasing the overall electrode capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs channels and structural walls to serve multiple purposes simultaneously: they provide electrolyte flow paths, separate adjacent electrode units, provide structural support, and facilitate mechanical assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated components for each function, simplifying the overall structure and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
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 channel-type flow-electrode structure enhances charge-discharge efficiency and capacity while minimizing costs and space requirements, suitable for large-scale applications in electricity generation, energy storage, and desalination, by allowing continuous electrolyte supply through the liquid-permeable wall and efficient ion movement.
Implementation Method 1
a channel-type liquid-permeable wall confining the structure of the electrode unit as a scaffold
Implementation Method 2
an ion-exchangeable current collector passing a positive ion or a negative ion and having electrical conductivity
Implementation Method 3
a porous current collector applied to an inner surface of the channel-type liquid-permeable wall
Implementation Method 4
an electrode active material-containing fluid introduced from a channel inlet and discharged to a channel outlet flows
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell having a channel-type flow-electrode unit.The channel-type flow-electrode structure according to the present invention, which has at least two channel-type flow-electrode units, can significantly reduce manufacturing costs and installation space by reducing the number of parts while extending the electrode capacity to be suitable for large-scale plants for electricity generation, energy storage, desalination, etc. In addition, the channel-type flow-electrode structure can be applied not only to a capacitive flow-electrode device and/or a redox flow battery device, but also to all of the devices for electricity generation, energy storage, and desalination while moving ions or protons.