Concave Gas Vent for Electrochemical Cell Mist Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electrochemical cells with liquid ionically conductive media, the evolution of gases can lead to increased pressure and the formation of harmful mists or aerosols, which can damage the cell and its surroundings, and existing solutions like vents and pressure relief valves are inadequate in effectively managing these issues.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical cell system with a gas vent featuring a filter body that separates gas from mist, absorbs the ionically conductive liquid, and allows gas to escape while returning the liquid to the main electrolyte volume, utilizing a concave-shaped filter with a gas permeable and liquid absorbent material to prevent liquid loss and maintain efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a gas vent is used to disperse gases from the electrochemical cell, then gas pressure is relieved, but liquid electrolyte is lost through the vent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas pressureVSAvoidliquid electrolyte

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The gas vent is divided into distinct functional zones: a hydrophobic membrane layer for gas separation, a collection chamber for liquid mist, and a drainage pathway. This segmentation allows independent optimization of gas relief and liquid retention functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A hydrophobic membrane acts as an intermediary that selectively permits gas molecules to pass through while blocking liquid electrolyte droplets. The membrane mediates between the need for gas pressure relief and the need to prevent electrolyte loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stress or pressure

If a pressure relief valve is used to open when pressure exceeds threshold, then gas pressure is controlled, but liquid electrolyte can still escape through the valve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas pressure controlVSAvoidliquid electrolyte

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief valve incorporates a hydrophobic coating on its internal surfaces, creating a local property difference. This local hydrophobic quality allows the valve to relieve gas pressure while preventing liquid electrolyte from adhering to and escaping through the valve surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If gases are vented directly without mist separation, then gas dispersal is simple, but harmful mists and aerosols are released into the environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventing system simplicityVSAvoidharmful mists and aerosols

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful liquid component is extracted from the gas-mist mixture through gravitational settling in the collection chamber and hydrophobic membrane filtration. This separation removes the harmful aerosol-forming liquid droplets while allowing clean gas to be vented.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The collection chamber, which initially might seem to add complexity, actually converts the harmful dispersed mist into a recoverable liquid form. The liquid that would otherwise be harmful aerosol is collected and returned to the electrolyte reservoir, turning a environmental hazard into a resource recovery opportunity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Effectively captures and recycles the liquid portion of the mist back into the electrolyte while dispersing gases, reducing the risk of damage from mists and aerosols and maintaining the integrity of the cell environment.

Implementation Method 1

The body portion contains pores so as to permit permeation of the gas therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

The body portion is formed in a concave shape with an apex positioned towards the top of the cell in its upright orientation, and with body surfaces extending downwardly from said apex so as to drain absorbed ionically conductive medium back into the interior chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9269998B2Concave gas vent for electrochemical cell

Publication Date: 2016.02.23 FORM ENERGY INC

AI summary

The invention provides an electrochemical cell system comprising: a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode for absorbing and reducing a gaseous oxidant, and an interior cell chamber configured to contain a volume of ionically conductive liquid therein. The ionically conductive liquid conducts ions between the fuel and oxidant electrodes. The oxidant electrode separates the ionically conductive liquid from the gaseous oxidant. A gas vent is configured to separate gas in the cell from a mist comprising the ionically conductive liquid and is positioned generally above the volume of ionically conductive liquid. The gas vent comprises a filter body portion comprised of at least one layer so as to absorb a portion of the ionically conductive liquid. The body portion is formed in a concave shape with an apex positioned towards the top of the cell in its upright orientation, and with body surfaces extending downwardly from said apex so as to drain absorbed ionically conductive medium back into the interior chamber. The body portion contains pores so as to permit permeation of the gas therethrough.