Concentric Electrode Electrical Connector for Self-Cleaning Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrochemical devices face challenges in maintaining self-cleaning properties and reducing scaling and fouling due to turbulent flow and pressure drop issues, which require frequent maintenance and disrupt continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning electrochemical cell design with concentrically disposed electrodes and an electrical connector that allows fluid flow, minimizing heat generation and electrical resistance, and incorporating a separator with aqualined projections to maintain even current distribution and fluid velocity, reducing zones of reduced velocity and pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical connectors are used in electrochemical cells, then electrical connection is provided, but heat generation and electrical resistance increase, disrupting continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical connector from the conventional position outside the fluid channel and places it inside the fluid channel between electrodes. This repositioning allows the connector to be part of the fluid flow path, enabling continuous operation while minimizing heat generation through optimized electrical contact and fluid cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector serves as an intermediary element that simultaneously provides electrical connection between electrodes and maintains fluid flow. The connector's design with fluid-permeable structures allows it to mediate between electrical conduction requirements and fluid dynamics, reducing both heat generation and pressure drop.
2Reliability
If electrical connectors are positioned in fluid channels, then electrical connection is provided, but fluid flow velocity decreases creating zones of reduced velocity that promote scaling and fouling
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector is segmented into multiple sections with varying degrees of fluid permeability. This segmentation allows different portions of the connector to handle different aspects of fluid flow, maintaining overall velocity while providing stable electrical contact. The segmented design prevents large zones of reduced velocity that would promote scaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector incorporates dynamic fluid-permeable structures that adapt to flow conditions. These structures allow the connector to maintain electrical connection while dynamically adjusting fluid passage to minimize velocity reduction zones, preventing scaling and fouling through continuous motion or adjustable permeability.
3Power
If electrical connectors with low resistance are used, then power transmission is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing low-resistance electrical connection, maintaining fluid flow with minimal pressure drop, and preventing scaling through optimized geometry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving low resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector utilizes composite structures combining conductive materials with fluid-permeable properties. This composite approach achieves low electrical resistance while maintaining fluid flow capabilities, avoiding the need for complex assemblies of separate electrical and fluid management components.
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 design maintains self-cleaning properties, reduces scaling and fouling, and allows for continuous operation without acid washing, enhancing the efficiency and longevity of the electrochemical cell.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical connector may be dimensioned to generate less than about 25 W of heat when transmitting at least 100 W of power to the at least one of the plurality of electrodes
Implementation Method 2
a zone of reduced velocity having less than a predetermined length within the fluid channel downstream of the electrical connector
Data Source
AI summary
Self-cleaning electrochemical cells, systems including self-cleaning electrochemical cells, and methods of operating self-cleaning electrochemical cells are disclosed. The self-cleaning electrochemical cell can include a plurality of concentric electrodes disposed in a housing, a fluid channel defined between the concentric electrodes, and an electrical connector positioned at a distal end of a concentric electrode and electrically connected to the electrode. The electrical connectors may be configured to provide a substantially even current distribution to the concentric electrode and minimize a zone of reduced velocity occurring downstream from the electrical connector. The electrical connector may be configured to cause a temperature of an electrolyte solution to increase by less than about 0.5° C. while transmitting at least 100 W of power.