CO2 Electrolyzer Refresh Mechanism for Voltage Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon dioxide electrolytic devices face performance deterioration over time, leading to reduced CO production and increased cell voltage, necessitating a solution to maintain stable operation and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The carbon dioxide electrolytic device incorporates a configuration with a cathode and anode, separated by an ion exchange membrane, where the anode solution flow path is designed to prevent oxygen gas accumulation, and a refresh operation is performed by applying a rinse solution and gas to remove impurities and excess water, thereby maintaining cell performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If carbon dioxide electrolysis is performed for a long period of time using a conventional electrolytic device, then CO production continues, but cell performance deteriorates leading to reduced CO production and increased cell voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic refresh operations where the electrolytic solution is replaced and gas flow conditions are adjusted at regular intervals during CO2 electrolysis. This periodic maintenance prevents performance deterioration by removing accumulated impurities and restoring optimal reaction conditions, thereby maintaining reliable CO production over extended operation durations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the electrolytic solution after use and replaces it with fresh solution to remove accumulated impurities that cause performance degradation. This discarding approach restores cell performance without requiring complex recovery systems, enabling long-term stable operation through simple periodic replacement of the electrolyte.
2Productivity
If oxygen gas accumulates in the anode solution flow path, then the electrolysis reaction continues, but cell voltage increases and performance efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts oxygen gas from the anode solution flow path by introducing a gas flow that carries the accumulated oxygen away from the reaction zone. This removal of oxygen prevents voltage increases and maintains energy efficiency, allowing continuous CO production without performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses gas flow (pneumatic action) through the anode solution flow path to remove accumulated oxygen gas. The introduced gas creates flow that carries oxygen away from the anode surface, reducing resistance and maintaining low cell voltage for efficient CO production.
3Productivity
If impurities and excess water accumulate in the electrolysis cell, then the electrolysis process continues, but production efficiency of CO is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent discards the electrolytic solution containing accumulated impurities and excess water, and replaces it with fresh solution. This simple discarding approach removes substances that reduce CO production efficiency without requiring complex separation or purification systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the composition parameter of the electrolytic solution by replacing it with fresh solution having optimal composition. This parameter change restores the ideal chemical environment for CO2 reduction, maximizing CO production efficiency by eliminating impurity effects.
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 configuration and refresh operation method effectively prevent oxygen gas accumulation, reduce cell voltage variations, and maintain the production efficiency of CO, ensuring long-term stability and performance of the electrolysis cell.
Implementation Method 1
a cathode to reduce carbon dioxide and thus produce carbon monoxide
Implementation Method 2
an anode to oxidize water or hydroxide ions and thus produce oxygen
Implementation Method 3
an ion exchange membrane separating the anode and the cathode
Data Source
AI summary
A carbon dioxide electrolytic device comprises: an electrolysis cell including a cathode, an anode, a carbon dioxide source to supply carbon dioxide to the cathode, a solution source to supply an electrolytic solution, and a separator separating the anode and the cathode; a power controller connected to the anode and the cathode; a refresh material source including a gas source to supply a gaseous substance, and a solution source to supply a rinse solution; and a controller to control the carbon dioxide source, the solution source, the power controller, and the refresh material source in accordance with request criteria of a performance of the cell and thus stop the supply of the carbon dioxide and the electrolytic solution, and apply the voltage therebetween while supplying the rinse solution thereto.