Electrochemical Cell Gas Diffusion Layer Mass Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electrochemical cells with membrane electrode assemblies face challenges in utilizing gas-phase reactants due to low solubility in liquids, limiting current densities and product extraction efficiency, especially when operating in liquid environments.
Innovation Solution
The electrochemical cell design incorporates a liquid solution in direct contact with the electrodes to facilitate gas delivery through convection, using a gas disperser to enhance mass transport of gaseous reactants and improve product extraction, with a gas diffusion layer and catalyst-coated membranes to minimize decomposition and optimize reactant utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas-phase reactants are used in membrane electrode assembly, then product separation is improved, but reactant availability and current density are limited due to low solubility in liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a porous substrate as an intermediary component between the gas-phase reactant and the liquid environment. This substrate provides a structured interface that enhances gas-liquid contact area while maintaining the membrane electrode assembly configuration, thereby improving reactant availability without compromising product separation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials for the substrate where the membrane electrode assembly is in direct contact. The porous structure increases the surface area for gas dissolution and mass transport, enabling higher current densities by improving reactant availability at the electrode while maintaining effective product separation through the ion exchange membrane
2Productivity
If gas is delivered through liquid to membrane electrode assembly, then mass transport is improved, but product extraction becomes challenging due to diffusion limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The porous substrate enables enhanced mass transport of gases through its interconnected pore structure, facilitating rapid delivery of reactants to the membrane electrode assembly. Simultaneously, the porous structure allows efficient extraction of liquid products by providing multiple exit pathways, reducing extraction time and preventing product accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional planar gas-liquid interfaces to a three-dimensional porous structure. This dimensional change creates extensive internal surface area for both reactant delivery and product extraction, enabling simultaneous improvement in mass transport rates and extraction efficiency by utilizing vertical and radial transport pathways
3Adaptability or versatility
If membrane electrode assembly is used, then scalability is improved, but product extraction is difficult due to catalyst particle decomposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the catalyst layer from the traditional membrane electrode assembly configuration and places it on a separate porous substrate. This separation allows liquid products to be quickly removed from the catalyst surface through the porous structure, minimizing residence time and preventing decomposition by catalyst particles while maintaining the scalability benefits of the membrane electrode assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The porous substrate serves as an intermediary between the membrane electrode assembly and the liquid environment. It provides a stable support for the catalyst while enabling rapid product extraction through its porous structure, thereby protecting products from decomposition by catalyst particles and maintaining system reliability during scalable operation
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
This approach enables higher current densities and efficient extraction of products, overcoming limitations of gas solubility and diffusion, allowing for effective on-site synthesis of chemicals like hydrogen peroxide with improved safety and logistics by generating them at the point of use.
Implementation Method 1
The gas is delivered to the electrochemical cell by convection through the liquid solution and the gas diffusion layer
Implementation Method 2
the gas is delivered to the electrochemical cell by convection through the liquid solution and the gas diffusion layer
Implementation Method 3
An oxidation reaction takes place at the anode, while charged species are transported through the electrolyte and a reduction reaction happens at the cathode
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention is directed to an electrochemical cell for production of chemicals from a gas-phase reactant in a liquid environment. The electrochemical cell has a membrane electrode assembly configuration and is comprised of an anode, an ion exchange membrane and a cathode. The membrane electrode assembly is in direct contact with a liquid solution to facilitate extraction and handling of the produced chemicals, and the gas reactant is delivered through the liquid to the membrane electrode assembly. The present invention relates to a process and electrochemical cell for use in the synthesis of chemicals. The present invention relates to the electrocatalysts used and their incorporation into a membrane electrode assembly, MEA. The present invention also relates to the electrodes used in a membrane electrode assembly, in particular the gas diffusion layer, and a method for transport of gas-phase reactants into a liquid-immersed membrane electrode assembly.