Dual Gas Flow Device Cooling Channels for High-Pressure Electrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure electrolysis systems face efficiency losses due to increased electrical resistivity and heat development, which complicates gas compression and cooling within the electrolyser.
Innovation Solution
A dual gas flow device with a stacked configuration of cooling plates and electrode plates, featuring cooling channels and heat fins, allows for efficient cooling fluid circulation and pressure-independent flow paths, reducing energy requirements and minimizing blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas compression is performed during electrolysis at high pressure, then productivity is improved, but electrical resistivity increases causing loss of energy
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyser system is segmented into multiple independent electrolytic cells arranged in series, each operating at a lower pressure differential. This segmentation allows the total pressure requirement to be achieved through cumulative effect while reducing the electrical resistivity burden on any single cell, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single high-pressure electrolysis approach to a multi-cell series configuration, adding the dimension of cellular arrangement. This dimensional change enables the system to achieve high outlet pressure through the cumulative effect of multiple cells rather than forcing a single cell to operate at excessively high pressure, thus reducing electrical resistivity losses.
2Stress or pressure
If high pressure is applied in the electrolyser, then gas compression is achieved, but heat development increases reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the high-pressure system into multiple electrolytic cells, the heat generation in each individual cell is reduced compared to a single high-pressure cell. The segmentation distributes the thermal load across multiple units, making heat management more effective while maintaining the overall high pressure output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooling plate structures as intermediary elements between electrolytic cells. These cooling plates act as thermal mediators, absorbing and dissipating heat generated during electrolysis, thereby controlling temperature rise while allowing the system to operate at high pressure.
3Temperature
If cooling channels are provided in electrode plates, then heat removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are merged with the electrode plate structure itself, combining two functional elements (electrode and cooling system) into a single integrated component. This merging improves heat removal efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the cooling function is embedded within the existing electrode framework rather than adding separate cooling apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode plates serve dual functions: electrical conduction for electrolysis and heat dissipation through integrated cooling channels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling components, thereby improving temperature control while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple cooling plates are stacked, then cooling surface area is increased, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple standardized cooling plate units that can be manufactured with consistent precision. By creating modular, repeatable components, the cumulative cooling surface area increases while the manufacturing precision requirement for each individual unit remains manageable and consistent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs standardized geometric parameters and tolerances for the stacked cooling plates, allowing for scalable assembly. By defining consistent dimensional parameters and alignment features, the system achieves increased total cooling surface area through stacking while keeping manufacturing precision requirements within practical limits.
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
Enhances cooling efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes the risk of blockages by providing multiple flow paths and a larger cooling surface, thus maintaining system performance under high-pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
each cooling channel of the electrode plate being aligned with the corresponding cooling channel of the other electrode plates in the stack
Implementation Method 2
enabling cooling fluid to flow through all of the cooling channels
Implementation Method 3
Electrolysis of water is a process in which water molecules are decomposed, forming hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. This process occurs as a result of an electric current flowing between two electrodes submerged in water.
Implementation Method 4
Due to the high pressure in the electrolyser, there will be additional heat development inside the electrolyser. The electrical resistivity is thus increased, resulting in a loss of efficiency of the electrolyser.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual gas flow device including: a first cooling plate structure, a second cooling plate structure, a plurality of electrode plates, wherein the first cooling plate structure, the second cooling plate structure and the plurality of electrode plates are arranged in a stacked configuration, wherein the first cooling plate structure forms a first end of the stack and the second cooling plate structure forms a second end of the stack, wherein the plurality of electrode plates are arranged between the first cooling plate structure and the second cooling plate structure, wherein each electrode plate includes a plurality of cooling channels extending through the electrode plate, distributed along a peripheral portion of the electrode plate, each cooling channel being aligned with the corresponding cooling channel of the other electrode plates in the stack, wherein each of the first cooling plate structure and the second cooling plate structure is provided with a plurality of connecting channels, each connecting channel being configured to connect adjacent pairs of cooling channels of the electrode plates, whereby the first cooling plate structure forms a return path for cooling fluid at the first end of the stack and the second cooling plate structure forms a return path for cooling fluid at the second end of the stack enabling cooling fluid to flow through all of the cooling channels.