Dry Cathode Hydrogen Electrolyzer with Anion Exchange Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available electrolytic devices for hydrogen production face challenges in producing high-purity, pressurized hydrogen on an industrial scale due to material scarcity and high costs, as well as limitations in compatibility with intermittent renewable energy sources, leading to the need for additional energy for compression and separation steps.
Innovation Solution
An electrolytic device using an anion exchange membrane separates two half-cells, with the alkaline solution present only in the anodic half-cell, allowing for discontinuous operation and direct production of dry, pressurized hydrogen, utilizing a membrane-electrode assembly and electrocatalysts like Ni, Co, and Fe for efficient hydrogen production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a polymeric proton exchange membrane is used to separate hydrogen and oxygen, then high purity hydrogen can be produced, but the cost of materials increases significantly due to the need for platinum cathodes and Platinum-Iridium anodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the electrolyte from acidic (pH 0.5-1) to alkaline (pH 13-14), which allows the use of non-noble metal electrodes instead of expensive platinum-based materials while maintaining high hydrogen purity through the anion exchange membrane separation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive noble metal electrodes with cheaper non-noble metal electrodes (such as nickel, iron, cobalt) that can be easily replaced, significantly reducing material costs while maintaining effective hydrogen production
2Device complexity
If a porous septum is used to separate half-cells, then the device structure is simpler, but additional energy is required for compression and dehumidification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter distribution by using an anion exchange membrane that allows pressure differential operation, enabling direct production of pressurized hydrogen without additional compression energy while the membrane prevents water transport to the cathode side, eliminating dehumidification requirements
3Productivity
If alkaline solution is present in both half-cells, then the electrolysis reaction can proceed smoothly, but the produced hydrogen contains electrolytes and requires additional purification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the alkaline solution distribution by placing it only in the anodic half-cell while keeping the cathodic half-cell free of electrolyte solution, allowing the electrolysis reaction to proceed in the anode compartment while producing pure hydrogen at the cathode that requires no purification
Solution Approach 2:
The anion exchange membrane acts as an intermediary that allows OH- ion transport from the cathode to anode while preventing water and electrolyte transport to the cathode side, enabling the electrolysis reaction to occur in the anodic compartment while producing pure hydrogen in the cathodic compartment
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 device achieves high-purity, dry hydrogen production up to 100 bar pressure with reduced material costs and energy requirements, enabling operation with intermittent renewable energy sources and eliminating the need for compressors or dryers.
Implementation Method 1
an anion exchange membrane (AEM) whose surface in contact with the cathodic half-cell is a membrane-electrode assembly (2)... The OH- ions formed during the cathodic half-reaction migrate through the membrane towards the other half-cell
Implementation Method 2
The electrolysis of water is, among the methodologies used to produce hydrogen, the one that allows to obtain high purity gases... 2 H2O + 2 e- → H2 cathode
Implementation Method 3
electrocatalysts made of one or more metals selected from noble metals (such as but not only Re, Ru, Rh, Os, Ir, Pt, Pd-Au, Cu, Ag) or non-noble (such as Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Mo)
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
This invention relates to a device for the electrolytic production of hydrogen which can operate discontinuously or associated to strong power fluctuations and provide dry pressurized directly hydrogen, with high purity. The device for the electrolytic production of hydrogen from an alkaline aqueous solution, starting from dry cathode, comprises two half-cell, anodic and cathodic, separated by an anionic exchange membrane whose surface in contact with the cathodic half-cell is a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), and the alkaline solution is present only in the anodic half-cell