Cleaning Device for CO2 Electrolyzer Contaminant Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

CO2 electrolyzers face challenges with incomplete CO conversion, leading to a mixture of CO and CO2 as products, which requires costly separation and can result in metal carbonyl formation and electrode degradation due to contaminants like oils and carbonyls, reducing selectivity and product specification compliance.

Innovation Solution

A facility with a cleaning device, such as an active guard bed, is introduced to separate and remove carbonyls and oils from the product flow, allowing for the return of CO2 and CO, thereby maintaining electrolysis cell performance and extending operational periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If CO2 electrolyzers operate with incomplete CO conversion, then CO and CO2 mixture is produced, but separation cost increases and metal carbonyl formation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO production rateVSAvoidseparation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes harmful contaminants (metal carbonyls and oils) from the product stream using a cleaning device positioned in the CO2 feed line. This allows the system to operate with incomplete conversion without incurring high separation costs, as the cleaning device selectively removes contaminants while allowing CO and CO2 to pass through for recycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device acts as an intermediary component between the electrolysis cell and the feed system. It mediates the conflict between productivity and separation cost by enabling continuous operation with contaminated streams while preventing carbonyl formation that would otherwise require expensive separation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If CO2 electrolyzers operate with incomplete CO conversion, then CO and CO2 mixture is produced, but electrode degradation occurs due to contaminants

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO production rateVSAvoidelectrode performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is positioned upstream in the CO2 feed line to remove contaminants before they reach the electrolysis cell. This preliminary cleaning action prevents electrode degradation and carbonyl formation on the cathode surface, maintaining electrode reliability and selectivity over extended operation periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device extracts harmful contaminants (oils and metal carbonyls) from the gas stream before they can contact and degrade the electrode surfaces. This selective removal preserves electrode integrity while allowing the system to maintain high productivity through continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If cleaning device is introduced to remove carbonyls and oils, then product purity is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct purityVSAvoidfacility structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device uses replaceable cleaning media (such as activated carbon or other adsorbents) that can be periodically regenerated or replaced. This approach maintains high product purity without requiring complex permanent separation systems, as the relatively simple cleaning device can be maintained through standard industrial procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If cleaning device removes carbonyls and oils, then selectivity is maintained, but operational period extends

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveselectivityVSAvoidoperational period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device performs preliminary removal of contaminants before they can affect electrode performance. This preliminary action maintains high selectivity for CO production over extended operational periods by preventing the accumulation of degrading contaminants on the electrode surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 cleaning device effectively reduces harmful contaminants, enabling long-term operation of CO2 electrolyzers by preventing carbonyl formation and maintaining product purity, thus ensuring sustained selectivity and compliance with product specifications.

Implementation Method 1

A facility with a cleaning device, such as an active guard bed, is introduced to separate and remove carbonyls and oils from the product flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

produce gaseous added-value products, such as carbon monoxide CO for example, by electrochemical reduction of CO2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reduction: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 3

The CO2 needed for the reaction usually originates from the gas phase, which then diffuses through a pore structure into the GDE

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS11105007B2Method for the electrochemical production of a gas product containing CO

Publication Date: 2021.08.31 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A device for the electrochemical production of a product containing CO, and a method for the electrochemical production of a product containing CO, in which a return of a material stream containing the educt and CO is carried out after the electrochemical production.