Electrolysis Cell Isolator Design for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolysis cells require numerous gaskets for sealing, which can lead to leakage and significant downtime due to gasket failure, complicating assembly and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The electrolysis cell design incorporates a single, circumferentially configured isolator made of multiple permanently joined isolation elements, eliminating the need for gaskets between the membrane and electrically isolating material, allowing for easy membrane replacement and reduced assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple gaskets are used to seal the anode and cathode spaces, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function into the isolator structure itself by making the isolator impermeable to gas, eliminating the need for separate gaskets. The isolator is designed as an integrated component that both electrically isolates and seals the chambers, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the gasket components and transfers it to the isolator structure. By removing the gaskets entirely and incorporating sealing capabilities into the isolator's inherent properties (impermeability), the design simplifies the system while maintaining the required sealing performance.
2Reliability
If multiple gaskets are used for sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gaskets from the system entirely, eliminating the need to replace them during maintenance. The sealing function is built into the isolator structure, which means there are no separate sealing components to fail or require replacement, thereby reducing maintenance downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator structure provides its own sealing function through its impermeable design, eliminating the need for separate gaskets that would require periodic replacement. The system becomes self-sufficient in terms of sealing, reducing maintenance requirements and downtime.
3Reliability
If gaskets are used between membrane and electrically isolating material, then sealing is achieved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical isolation function and sealing function into a single integrated isolator component. This eliminates the need for separate gaskets and reduces the number of assembly steps, as the isolator is installed as one piece that provides both functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the assembly of separate gasket components and integrates it directly into the isolator structure. This simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process by reducing the number of parts to be handled and assembled, while maintaining the required sealing performance.
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 design significantly reduces the risk of leakage, simplifies assembly, and facilitates maintenance by minimizing the number of gaskets, enabling closer placement of anode and membrane or cathode and membrane, thus enhancing efficiency and stack size optimization.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane arranged between the anode and the cathode
Implementation Method 2
The electrolysis cell is preferably configured to perform water electrolysis. Thereby, hydrogen and oxygen can be produced from a medium that comprises water.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
Electrolysis cell (1), comprising - an anode (2), - a cathode (3), - a membrane (4) arranged between the anode (2) and the cathode (3), - an isolator (5) that is attached to the anode (2), the membrane (4) and the cathode (3) such that an anode chamber (6) is formed between the anode (2), the membrane (4) and the isolator (5) and a cathode chamber (7) is formed between the cathode (3), the membrane (4) and the isolator (5), wherein the isolator (5) comprises multiple isolation elements (8,9,10), and wherein each of the isolation elements (8,9,10) is joined permanently to at least one of the other isolation elements (8,9,10).