CO2 Electrolyzer Cathode Flow Path Plate Hydrophilic Region

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carbon dioxide electrolytic devices experience degradation in cell performance over time, leading to decreased production of carbon compounds and increased cell voltage, due to issues such as uneven ion distribution, excess water, and precipitation of electrolytes.

Innovation Solution

The carbon dioxide electrolytic device incorporates a hydrophilic region on the surface of the cathode flow path plate, which enhances water mobility and uniformity, along with a refresh operation that involves supplying a rinse solution and gas to remove impurities and restore the catalyst and ion-exchange membrane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a conventional carbon dioxide electrolytic device is used for long-term operation, then continuous production of carbon compounds is achieved, but cell performance degrades due to uneven ion distribution, excess water, and electrolyte precipitation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation timeVSAvoidcell performance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a refresh operation that periodically supplies rinse solution and gas to the cathode flow path before severe degradation occurs. This preventive maintenance approach removes accumulated impurities, excess water, and electrolyte precipitates, restoring uniform ion distribution and maintaining cell performance stability during continuous long-term operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action through scheduled refresh operations during continuous electrolysis. The system periodically interrupts the electrolysis process to supply rinse solution and gas to the cathode flow path, creating cyclic refresh intervals that prevent performance degradation while maintaining overall continuous production capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If electrolysis is carried out for a long time to increase production, then more carbon compounds are produced, but cell voltage increases and production amount decreases due to performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon compound production amountVSAvoidcell voltage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by monitoring cell voltage and production amount during electrolysis, and using this information to trigger refresh operations when performance degradation is detected. This feedback mechanism ensures that productivity is maintained by preventing voltage increases that would reduce carbon compound production efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the cathode flow path is operated continuously without maintenance, then electrolysis proceeds without interruption, but the flow path becomes blocked due to salt precipitation and impurity accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous electrolysis timeVSAvoidflow path通畅性

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements discarding and recovering by removing accumulated impurities, excess water, and electrolyte precipitates from the cathode flow path through periodic refresh operations. The rinse solution flushes away blocked materials, and the gas helps evaporate excess water, thereby recovering flow path通畅性 and maintaining continuous electrolysis capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 hydrophilic region improves the uniformity of humidity and reduces salt precipitation, while the refresh operation effectively removes impurities and restores the cell performance, extending the time before the cathode flow path is blocked and maintaining high Faradaic efficiency and low cell voltage.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrophilic region provided on a surface of the cathode flow path plate in contact with the cathode and having a contact angle to water of less than 45 degrees

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

having a contact angle to water of less than 45 degrees

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 3

a cathode configured to reduce carbon dioxide to produce a carbon compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 4

an anode configured to oxidize water to produce oxygen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical oxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 5

a separator provided between the anode and the cathode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS12241170B2Carbon dioxide electrolytic device

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

A carbon dioxide electrolytic device includes an electrolysis cell including: an anode configured to oxidize water to produce oxygen; a cathode configured to reduce carbon dioxide to produce carbon compound; a cathode flow path plate having a surface provided in contact with the cathode and a cathode flow path provided on the surface and facing to the cathode; and a separator provided between the anode and the cathode. The surface has a hydrophilic region provided on the cathode and having a contact angle to water of less than 45 degrees.