Double-Membrane Hydrogen Purifier Cells for High-Purity Electrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for purifying hydrogen gas to high purity levels are inefficient, costly, and complex, often requiring multiple electrochemical pumps, thick membranes, and significant energy consumption, while achieving the required purity for applications like the semiconductor industry remains challenging.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen gas purifier system utilizing a combination of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) with a unique configuration that includes a first and second MEA, where the second gas stream from the first cathode is directly introduced to the second anode without external handling, enhancing hydrogen purity through multiple oxidation and reduction cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple individual electrochemical hydrogen pumps are used in series to increase hydrogen gas purity, then hydrogen gas purity is improved, but system complexity and costs 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 flows sequentially through multiple membranes within the same physical unit, achieving the purification effect of multiple pumps without requiring multiple separate pump systems, housings, and control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention nests multiple membrane layers within a single cell stack structure. Each membrane is positioned in sequence within the same housing, with gas flowing through channels that pass through multiple membranes one after another. This nested arrangement allows multiple purification stages to be contained within a single integrated unit.
2Manufacturing precision
If membrane thickness is increased to decrease impurity diffusion, then hydrogen gas purity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single thick membrane, the invention divides the total membrane thickness into multiple thinner membrane segments stacked in sequence. The gas stream passes through each thin membrane one after another, achieving the cumulative impurity rejection of a thick membrane while maintaining the low energy consumption characteristics of thin membranes at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies multiple partial purification stages through stacked membranes. Each thin membrane provides a portion of the total purification effect, and the cumulative effect of multiple partial actions achieves the desired high purity without requiring any single membrane to be excessively thick and energy-intensive.
3Manufacturing precision
If a single thick membrane is used to purify hydrogen gas, then impurity diffusion is decreased, but system complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the purification function into multiple thin membrane layers that can be manufactured and assembled using standard, well-established membrane fabrication techniques. This approach avoids the manufacturing challenges associated with producing single thick membranes while achieving equivalent or superior purification performance.
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 system achieves hydrogen gas purity up to 100 times lower impurity content, with impurity levels as low as 100 ppm or less, meeting the demands of high-purity hydrogen applications by reducing system complexity and costs.
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 and a lower non-hydrogen gas content than the first gas stream
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.