Electrode Assembly Restoration Using Composite Current Bars

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode assemblies for electrochemical processes face inefficiencies in restoring electrochemical activity, leading to high energy consumption and costly replacement of electrode substrates due to the lack of a demountable design and effective restoration methods.

Innovation Solution

An electrode assembly with a current distribution bar having a core covered by an outer layer, allowing for easy removal and restoration of the electrode substrate without detaching it from the current distribution bar, facilitated by a tapered design for press fitting and recessed holes, enabling cleaning and recoating at room temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electrode substrate is removed and replaced with a new one to restore electrochemical activity, then the electrochemical effectiveness is improved, but the cost and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrochemical effectivenessVSAvoidrestoration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode assembly is divided into separable components: the current distribution bar with recessed hole and the electrode substrate. This allows the substrate to be independently removed and replaced without replacing the entire assembly, enabling efficient restoration of electrochemical activity while preserving the valuable current distribution bar structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding the entire electrode assembly when the substrate loses effectiveness, the invention allows recovery and reuse of the current distribution bar structure while only replacing the consumable electrode substrate. This significantly reduces restoration costs and time by preserving the reusable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If the electrode substrate is removed and replaced with a new one to restore electrochemical activity, then the electrochemical effectiveness is improved, but the material cost increases due to loss of valuable substrate material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrochemical effectivenessVSAvoidelectrode substrate material

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of repair

If the current distribution bar is made demountable with a recessed hole design, then the ease of restoration is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestoration easeVSAvoidassembly structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If the core of the current distribution bar is exposed, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the corrosion resistance deteriorates due to chemical reactivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidcorrosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The current distribution bar is constructed as a composite structure with an inner core material (e.g., copper or aluminum for electrical conductivity) completely covered by an outer layer material (e.g., titanium or valve metal for corrosion resistance). This composite design provides both electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance, with the outer layer protecting the reactive core from the electrolyte environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3976860B1Electrode assembly for electrochemical processes and method of restoring the same

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 PERMASCAND

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AI summary

The invention relates to an electrode assembly (10) for an electrochemical process comprising a current supply element (1) comprising at least one recessed hole (4); at least one current distribution bar (2) comprising a first end portion (5) and a second end portion (6), the first end portion being releasably arranged at the at least one recessed hole; and an electrode substrate (3) arranged at the at least one current distribution bar. The current distribution bar comprises a core (7) and an outer layer (8), the core being completely covered by the outer layer. The invention also relates to a method of restoring the electrode substrate of the electrode assembly without removing the electrode substrate from the at least one current distribution bar.