Cylindrical Capacitor Electrolyzer Using Pulsed Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrolysis systems for hydrogen and oxygen production suffer from low energy efficiency due to inefficient use of electrical energy, with existing methods failing to maximize electrical efficiency and often requiring high energy input and costly purification processes.
Innovation Solution
An electrolysis method and system that utilizes a pulsating current with optimized amplitude, frequency, and pulse width to operate the electrolytic cell in transient regimes, leveraging capacitive, inductive, and resistive features to minimize energy consumption and maximize electrical efficiency, by modeling the electrolytic cell as a capacitor and applying direct current pulses to enhance electrochemical reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional electrolysis systems use continuous DC current, then steady state operation is achieved, but energy efficiency is low and high energy input is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed current instead of continuous DC current to operate the electrolytic cell. The system uses controlled current pulses with specific amplitude, frequency, and duty cycle to exploit transient regime effects, capacitive charging/discharging cycles, and inductive resonance to reduce energy consumption and improve electrical efficiency in hydrogen and oxygen production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters by modeling the electrolytic cell as an RLC circuit and adjusting current pulse characteristics (amplitude, frequency, duty cycle) to maximize electrical efficiency. The system optimizes parameters such as pulse width, frequency, and amplitude to achieve resonance conditions and improve energy utilization during transient regimes
2Productivity
If high current amplitude is used to increase production rate, then productivity improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic current pulses with optimized duty cycle and frequency to achieve high productivity during the active pulse periods while allowing energy recovery during off periods through capacitive discharge and inductive effects, thereby increasing production rate without proportionally increasing average energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic current pulse control with adjustable amplitude, frequency, and duty cycle to optimize the balance between productivity and energy consumption. The system adapts operating parameters in real-time to exploit transient regime effects and resonance conditions for maximum efficiency at various production rates
3Reliability
If conventional electrolysis operates in steady state, then stable operation is achieved, but transient regime benefits are not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between transient pulse phases and steady-state recovery phases, utilizing the beneficial transient regime effects (capacitive charging, inductive voltage spikes, resonance) during current pulses while maintaining overall operational stability through controlled periodic cycling and proper parameter selection
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 approach significantly reduces energy consumption and increases electrical efficiency, making the process more cost-effective and suitable for industrial-scale implementation, while allowing for separate production of hydrogen and oxygen with improved purity.
Implementation Method 1
modeling the electrolytic cell as a capacitor and applying direct current pulses
Implementation Method 2
leveraging capacitive, inductive, and resistive features to minimize energy consumption
Implementation Method 3
electrolysis system and method for a high electrical energy transformation rate
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrolysis system to conduct oxidation and reduction reactions, comprising one or more electrolytic cells, with each one of them being formed by at least a pair of electrodes and an electrolyte provided between said electrodes, wherein the assembly of said one or more electrolytic cells defines an electrolyzer; and an energy source that supplies an electrical signal to the electrolyzer; wherein said electrolytic cell is built in the form of a capacitor of cylindrical plates, wherein said cylindrical plates are defined by the electrodes of the electrolytic cell formed by tubes arranged in a substantially concentric way within each other, thus defining a central electrode, an outer electrode and a space between electrodes, wherein the central electrode corresponds to the anode of the capacitor, the outer electrode to the cathode of the capacitor and the electrolyte to the dielectric means of the capacitor; wherein the electrical signal received by the electrolytic cell or cells that form the electrolyzer correspond to a direct current pulse, wherein said pulse is configured for each electrolyzer's electrolytic cell to operate: In a charge transient regime of each cell during the current pulse; and In a discharge transient regime of each cell during the time between current pulses; wherein said charge and discharge transient regimes are defined by the construction of each electrolytic cell in the form of a cylindrical plates capacitor. In addition, the invention also relates to associated method and uses.