Decoupled Electrolysis for Pressurized Hydrogen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing pressurized hydrogen through electrolysis are limited by the inability to exceed 80 bar pressure, requiring complex and costly processes to manage oxygen and hydrogen separation, and face challenges in industrialization, economy, and safety.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical process involving decoupled steps of electrolysis and electrochemical conversion using a redox pair in an acidic or basic aqueous solution, with increased G/L interface through methods like forced circulation, heating, and ultrasound to enhance hydrogen diffusion and supersaturation, allowing for the production of highly pressurized hydrogen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If conventional electrolysis is used to produce hydrogen, then hydrogen can be produced cleanly, but the pressure cannot exceed 80 bar
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the hydrogen production process into two separate cells: Cell 1 performs electrolysis to produce hydrogen and oxygen, while Cell 2 uses the oxygen from Cell 1 to generate additional hydrogen through a chemical reaction with a metal hydride. This segmentation allows each cell to be optimized for its specific function and enables hydrogen pressure to exceed 80 bar without increasing overall process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary substance (metal hydride or peroxide) that acts as a mediator between the electrolysis process and the final hydrogen production. The intermediary enables the conversion of oxygen into additional hydrogen while facilitating pressure buildup beyond conventional limits, resolving the contradiction between high pressure and process simplicity
2Stress or pressure
If mechanical compressors are used to pressurize hydrogen, then high pressure hydrogen can be obtained, but the operation becomes expensive and requires numerous maintenance operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical compression system with an electrochemical system. Instead of using mechanical compressors to pressurize hydrogen, the process uses electrochemical reactions in two cells to directly generate pressurized hydrogen. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive mechanical compression equipment and reduces maintenance requirements while achieving the same pressure goals
3Stress or pressure
If complex fluidics are managed to produce high pressure hydrogen, then hydrogen pressure can be increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the electrolysis process with the hydrogen generation process in an integrated two-cell system. Cell 1 performs electrolysis and Cell 2 simultaneously generates hydrogen from the oxygen produced in Cell 1, combining multiple functions into a unified system. This merging approach achieves high pressure hydrogen production while simplifying fluid management compared to separate, complex fluidic systems
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 process effectively increases hydrogen pressure beyond 80 bar, simplifies the production process, enhances safety, and reduces costs while maintaining environmental sustainability, enabling efficient and reliable production of pressurized hydrogen.
Implementation Method 1
the electrolyte comprises at least one redox pair (A/B) forming at least one intermediate vector enabling the decoupling of steps I and C°
Implementation Method 2
the interface between the undissolved gas phase G and the liquid phase L—hereinafter referred to as the G/L interface—is increased at least during step C°, so as to accelerate the diffusion, from the liquid phase to the gas phase, of the dissolved hydrogen
Implementation Method 3
heating, and ultrasound to enhance hydrogen diffusion and supersaturation
Implementation Method 4
enhance hydrogen diffusion and supersaturation
Implementation Method 5
at least one step of electrolysis of a preferably aqueous electrolyte, this electrolysis step producing gaseous oxygen in a chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochemical process implements, in a decoupled manner, a first step of electrolysis of an electrolyte to produce gaseous oxygen in a chamber and a second step of electrochemical conversion of H+ ions into gaseous hydrogen in a chamber which contains a liquid phase and a gas phase not dissolved in the liquid phase. Gaseous hydrogen produced in the conversion step is partly present in the gaseous headspace of chamber and as bubbles in the electrolyte, and partly dissolved in the electrolyte which is saturated with hydrogen. The electrolyte has at least one redox pair (A/B) forming at least one intermediate vector enabling the decoupling of the first and second steps. The interface between the gas and liquid phases is increased during the second step to accelerate the diffusion, from liquid phase to gas phase, of the dissolved hydrogen able to supersaturate the electrolyte. Pressurized gaseous hydrogen is then collected.