Electrochemical Oxygen Pump for Fuel Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel deoxygenation systems are bulky and energy-intensive due to the need for vacuum pumps and strip gases, adding weight and complexity to fuel delivery systems, which limits the cooling capacity of fuels by allowing coke formation and autooxidative reactions.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical device with an oxygen permeable membrane and porous support structure generates an oxygen partial pressure differential by converting oxygen to water, reducing the need for additional structural support and energy sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a vacuum pump is used to create a vacuum proximate the permeable membrane, then the oxygen partial pressure differential is generated, but the system becomes bulky and requires substantial energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen removal efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the vacuum pump and strip gas storage from the system by using an electrochemical device that consumes oxygen directly at the membrane surface through electrochemical reduction, eliminating the need for mechanical vacuum generation and external gas storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical vacuum pump system with an electrochemical device that uses electrical energy to drive oxygen consumption at the membrane surface, substituting mechanical vacuum generation with electrochemical oxygen removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If a stored supply of strip gas is used to generate oxygen partial pressure differential, then oxygen removal is achieved, but weight and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen removal efficiencyVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the strip gas storage system entirely by using an electrochemical device that consumes oxygen in situ at the membrane surface, eliminating the need for stored non-oxygen containing gas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrochemical device serves the dual function of generating the oxygen partial pressure differential and consuming oxygen directly at the membrane interface, making the system self-sufficient without external gas storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If a vacuum pump is used to create oxygen partial pressure differential, then oxygen is removed from fuel, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedissolved oxygen removalVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the energy-intensive mechanical vacuum pump with an electrochemical device that consumes oxygen through electrochemical reduction, using electrical energy more efficiently at the molecular level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the energy input method from mechanical work (vacuum pump) to electrical energy (electrochemical device), altering the energy parameter to achieve oxygen removal with different energy characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If excessive support structure is used for the permeable membrane, then membrane stability is maintained, but system weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane stabilityVSAvoidsupport structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the excessive support structure by using an electrochemical device that consumes oxygen at the membrane surface, maintaining stable oxygen partial pressure differential without requiring bulky mechanical support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution efficiently removes dissolved oxygen from fuel streams, increasing the usable heat absorption capacity and reducing coke formation, while minimizing system weight and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

consuming molecular oxygen by electrochemical combination with hydrogen ions to form water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical combination: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

The hydrogen ions and electrons are generated through a water electrolysis reaction occurring on the second electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater electrolysis: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 3

oxygen molecules in the fuel dissolve into the membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

then diffuse across it and are removed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP1908506B1Electrochemical oxygen pump for fuel stabilization unit

Publication Date: 2014.04.23 UNITED TECH CORP

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AI summary

A fuel stabilization unit (16) includes an electrochemical device (30) for promoting the formation of water utilizing oxygen from a fuel stream (38) for generating an oxygen partial pressure differential across an oxygen permeable membrane (28).