Elastic Member Electrolytic Cell for Membrane Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrolytic cells face challenges in minimizing damage to ion-exchange membranes and reducing electrolytic voltage, especially in large cells with rigid electrodes, where maintaining a close electrode interval without excessive pressure is difficult, leading to increased energy consumption and operational costs.
Innovation Solution
An electrolytic cell design featuring an elastic member with a specific structure, including spring-like bodies and support parts, is used to adjust the electrode interval and distribute pressure evenly, reducing membrane damage and electrolytic voltage by allowing for flexible electrode placement and uniform surface pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid members are used to bond electrodes to electrode chambers, then structural stability is improved, but electrode interval control deteriorates and excessive pressure is applied to the ion-exchange membrane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the bonding member from rigid to elastic, allowing it to deform elastically under compression. This enables the electrode interval to be precisely controlled while accommodating variations in electrode positioning without applying excessive pressure to the ion-exchange membrane, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and electrode interval control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic characteristics by using elastic members that can adjust their compression level based on operational conditions. The elastic bonding members can dynamically adapt to electrode position variations and membrane pressure requirements, providing both structural stability and precise interval control that rigid members cannot achieve.
2Productivity
If electrode surface area is increased to several square meters, then electrolysis capacity is improved, but electrode positioning accuracy deteriorates causing membrane damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bonding system into multiple elastic members distributed across the large electrode surface. Each elastic member independently supports a portion of the electrode, allowing for localized positioning adjustments without affecting the entire electrode assembly. This segmentation enables large electrode areas while maintaining positioning accuracy and preventing membrane damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the bonding members to accommodate positioning variations in large electrodes. The elastic deformation capability allows electrodes with large surface areas to be positioned accurately without transmitting excessive forces to the ion-exchange membrane, thus maintaining positioning precision despite the scale increase.
3Use of energy by moving object
If electrode interval is decreased to reduce electrolytic cell voltage, then energy consumption is reduced, but risk of membrane damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs elastic members that act as cushioning elements between the electrodes and the ion-exchange membrane. These elastic members are pre-configured to provide controlled compression, allowing the electrode interval to be decreased for lower energy consumption while the elastic cushioning prevents excessive pressure from damaging the membrane, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and membrane protection.
4Adaptability or versatility
If flexible electrode is used to adjust electrode interval, then electrode interval flexibility is improved, but electrode structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical properties of the bonding members to elastic characteristics, enabling them to provide both flexibility and stability. The elastic members allow the electrode interval to be adjusted while maintaining sufficient structural support, combining the adaptability of flexible systems with the stability of rigid structures, thus resolving the contradiction between interval flexibility and structural stability.
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 elastic member effectively minimizes membrane and electrode damage while reducing electrolytic voltage and operational costs by allowing for precise adjustment of electrode spacing and uniform pressure distribution, enhancing the efficiency of the electrolytic process.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolytic cell has been proposed in which a flexible electrode is used for at least one of the anode and the cathode so that the interval between the electrodes is adjustable
Implementation Method 2
The elastic member has a structure including a support member disposed on an electrolytic partition wall and a plurality of pairs of comb-like flat spring-like bodies extending in an inclined manner from the support member
Data Source
AI summary
An electrolytic cell that prevents, or at least minimizes, damage to a membrane and reduces electrolytic voltage may include an elastic member attached to an electrolytic partition wall within an anode chamber and/or a cathode chamber. The elastic member comprises a spring retaining part and a bonding part that is bonded to the electrolytic partition wall, parallel first support parts extending from the bonding part away from the electrolytic partition wall, a second support part connecting the first support parts, and two parallel spring rows. Each spring row may include first flat spring-like bodies, which originate from the first support part and extend toward the opposite direction of the electrolytic partition wall, and second flat spring-like bodies, which originate from the second support part and extend toward the opposite direction of the electrolytic partition wall.