Electrochemical Oxygen Compression via Anion Exchange Membrane

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for compressing and purifying oxygen, such as mechanical compressors, face issues with high energy requirements, contamination, maintenance needs, and environmental impact, making them undesirable for many applications.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical cell system using a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with an anion exchange membrane (AEM) that compresses and purifies oxygen through an electrochemical process, eliminating the need for moving parts and reducing energy consumption, while maintaining the oxygen in a moist state to ensure membrane hydration and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If mechanical compressors are used to compress oxygen, then oxygen can be stored under pressure, but high energy requirements and contamination by oils/lubricants occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen pressureVSAvoidcompression energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical compression systems with an electrochemical compression cell that uses electrical energy to drive ion transport across a membrane. The electrochemical cell compresses oxygen by moving O2- ions from the cathode to the anode through an anion exchange membrane, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts, oils, and lubricants while reducing energy consumption and contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrochemical compression cell utilizes ionic flow through the membrane to achieve compression. The transport of hydroxide ions (OH-) and oxygen ions (O2-) through the anion exchange membrane creates pressure differential that compresses oxygen from cathodic to anodic side, replacing mechanical pneumatic compression with electrochemically-driven ionic flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Stress or pressure

If mechanical compressors are used to compress oxygen, then oxygen can be stored under pressure, but contamination by oils/lubricants occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen pressureVSAvoidoxygen contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical compression systems with an electrochemical compression cell that uses electrical energy to drive ion transport across a membrane. The electrochemical cell compresses oxygen by moving O2- ions from the cathode to the anode through an anion exchange membrane, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts, oils, and lubricants while reducing energy consumption and contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stress or pressure

If mechanical compressors are used to compress oxygen, then oxygen can be stored under pressure, but regular maintenance is required due to moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen pressureVSAvoidmaintenance requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical compression systems with an electrochemical compression cell that uses electrical energy to drive ion transport across a membrane. The electrochemical cell compresses oxygen by moving O2- ions from the cathode to the anode through an anion exchange membrane, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts, oils, and lubricants while reducing energy consumption and contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Stress or pressure

If mechanical compressors are used to compress oxygen, then oxygen can be stored under pressure, but they are loud and undesirable in many locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen pressureVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical compression systems with an electrochemical compression cell that uses electrical energy to drive ion transport across a membrane. The electrochemical cell compresses oxygen by moving O2- ions from the cathode to the anode through an anion exchange membrane, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts, oils, and lubricants while reducing energy consumption and contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 electrochemical cell system effectively compresses oxygen to high pressures with lower energy requirements and minimal contamination, providing a sustainable and efficient method for oxygen purification and compression, suitable for various industrial and storage applications.

Implementation Method 1

at least one anion exchange membrane (AEM) therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

an electrochemical cell system using a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with an anion exchange membrane (AEM) that compresses and purifies oxygen through an electrochemical process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical compression:

Implementation Method 3

The electrochemical cell system effectively compresses oxygen to high pressures with lower energy requirements and minimal contamination, providing a sustainable and efficient method for oxygen purification and compression

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical separation:

Data Source

PatentUS20240100476A1Electrochemical cell and method of processing a gaseous stream containing oxygen

Publication Date: 2024.03.28 ENAPTER SRL

AI summary

An electrochemical cell, or stack thereof, wherein each cell of the stack comprises at least: a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the MEA comprising at least: a cathode, an anode, and an anion exchange membrane therebetween, an inlet to the cathodic half-cell for the introduction of oxygen at a first pressure, and an outlet from the anodic half-cell for the transfer of oxygen at a second pressure, and means to provide a required power to the cell. In one embodiment, the purification and compression of oxygen occurs by utilisation of the following reaction pathway: AEM Cathode O2+4e−+2H2O→4OH−; AEM Anode 4OH−→O2+4e−+2H2O.