Double-Membrane Hydrogen Purification for Low-Complexity High Purity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for purifying hydrogen gas are inefficient, costly, and complex, failing to achieve the high purity required by industries like the semiconductor sector, due to limitations in membrane thickness, gas compression, and multiple pump configurations.
Innovation Solution
A dual membrane electrode assembly (DMEA) system that uses two MEAs in series, with each MEA comprising an anode, electrolyte, and cathode, to enhance hydrogen purity by sequential oxidation and reduction processes, minimizing impurity diffusion and eliminating the need for external gas handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple individual electrochemical hydrogen pumps are used in series to increase hydrogen purity, then hydrogen gas purity is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electrochemical pump functions into a single integrated cell stack where multiple membranes are stacked together. The gas stream passes sequentially through multiple membranes within the same physical device, achieving the purification effect of multiple pumps without requiring multiple separate pump units, housings, and control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a nested structure where multiple membrane layers are stacked within a single cell assembly. Each membrane performs a stage of purification, with the output of one membrane feeding into the next membrane in sequence, creating a nested purification pathway that achieves high purity without external complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If membrane thickness is increased to decrease impurity diffusion, then hydrogen purity is improved, but hydrogen recovery rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the thick membrane requirement into multiple thin membrane stages. Instead of using one thick membrane that would block hydrogen passage, the system uses several thin membranes in sequence, each removing a portion of impurities while allowing hydrogen to pass through. This segmented approach achieves the impurity blocking effect of a thick membrane without sacrificing hydrogen recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple membrane stages operate continuously in series, with each stage contributing to impurity removal while maintaining hydrogen flux. The continuous sequential processing through multiple thin membranes ensures that hydrogen recovery is maintained throughout the entire purification pathway, unlike a single thick membrane that would create a bottleneck.
3Manufacturing precision
If palladium membranes are used to achieve high hydrogen purity, then hydrogen gas purity is improved, but cost and pressure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive palladium membranes with more economical polymer electrolyte membranes that can be manufactured at lower cost. While these membranes may have shorter operational lifetimes than palladium, their lower cost and reduced pressure requirements make them economically viable for achieving the same purification goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters from high-pressure requirements to lower pressure operation. By using electrochemical pumping mechanisms with polymer membranes, the system achieves high purity hydrogen without requiring the compressed gas inputs and high pressure tolerances that characterize palladium-based 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 DMEA system achieves hydrogen purity up to 100,000 times lower impurity content, reducing impurities to levels as low as 1 ppm, while maintaining or increasing hydrogen content and pressure, thus meeting industry standards with reduced complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
the anode containing a catalyst adapted to oxidize the hydrogen gas to produce hydrogen ions and electrons
Implementation Method 2
an electrolyte positioned and adapted to receive and transfer the hydrogen ions produced by the anode
Implementation Method 3
the cathode containing a catalyst adapted to reduce the hydrogen ions transferred by the electrolyte to produce a gas stream having a higher hydrogen gas content
Data Source
AI summary
Hydrogen gas purifier electrochemical cells, systems for purifying hydrogen gas, and methods for purifying hydrogen gas are provided. The cells, systems, and methods employ double membrane electrode (DMEA) electrochemical cells that enhance purification while avoiding the complexity and cost of conventional cells. The purity of the hydrogen gas produced by the cells, systems, and methods can be enhanced by removing at least some intermediate gas impurities from the cells. The purity of the hydrogen gas produced by the cells, systems, and methods can also be enhanced be introducing hydrogen gas to the cells to replenish any lost hydrogen. Water electrolyzing electrochemical cells and methods of electrolyzing water to produce hydrogen gas are also disclosed.