Electrolysis Cell Membrane Protection Against Active Oxygen Species
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolysis devices face inefficiencies in carbon dioxide and nitrogen reduction processes due to hydrogen production as a side reaction, leading to decreased efficiency and membrane deterioration from active oxygen species.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a chemical species, such as metal oxides or hydroxides, to decompose, capture, or inactivate active oxygen species, combined with the use of anion exchange membranes to inhibit hydrogen production and enhance membrane stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional electrolysis devices are used for carbon dioxide or nitrogen reduction, then the reduction reaction can proceed, but hydrogen production occurs as a side reaction leading to decreased efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by introducing a chemical species that converts the harmful active oxygen species (which cause membrane deterioration) into beneficial effects. The chemical species captures or decomposes active oxygen species, preventing membrane damage while maintaining the desired reduction reaction efficiency and suppressing hydrogen side production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a chemical species as an intermediary between the active oxygen species and the membrane. This intermediary captures or decomposes the active oxygen species before they can damage the membrane, thereby protecting the system while maintaining reduction reaction efficiency.
2Productivity
If conventional electrolysis devices operate continuously, then production output is maintained, but active oxygen species cause membrane deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by pre-introducing a chemical species that acts as a protective buffer against active oxygen species. This chemical species is positioned in advance to capture or decompose active oxygen species before they can deteriorate the membrane, enabling continuous operation while maintaining membrane reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical species converts the harmful active oxygen species into harmless or beneficial substances, allowing continuous production output while protecting membrane stability from deterioration.
3Productivity
If reduction catalyst is used to promote carbon dioxide or nitrogen reduction, then reduction product production increases, but active oxygen species are generated that deteriorate the membrane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a chemical species as an intermediary that captures or decomposes active oxygen species generated during the reduction reaction. This allows the reduction catalyst to continue promoting high reduction product production while the chemical species mediates the harmful effects of active oxygen species on the membrane.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical species converts the harmful active oxygen species generated during efficient reduction reactions into beneficial or harmless substances, allowing high reduction product production without membrane deterioration.
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
Enhances electrolysis efficiency by reducing hydrogen production and preventing membrane deterioration, thereby maintaining high performance and durability of the electrolysis device.
Implementation Method 1
a chemical species between the anode flow path and the diaphragm, the chemical species being configured to decompose, capture, or inactivate an active oxygen species
Implementation Method 2
a cathode having a reduction catalyst that promotes a reduction reaction of reducing a reducible material to produce a reduction product
Implementation Method 3
a reduction catalyst that promotes a reduction reaction of reducing a reducible material to produce a reduction product
Implementation Method 4
an anode having an oxidation catalyst that promotes an oxidation reaction of oxidizing water to produce oxygen
Implementation Method 5
a diaphragm provided between the cathode and the anode
Implementation Method 6
an anode flow path facing on the anode and through which an electrolytic solution containing the water flows
Data Source
AI summary
An electrolysis cell includes: a cathode having a reduction catalyst that promotes a reduction reaction of reducing a reducible material to produce a reduction product, and the reducible material being carbon dioxide or nitrogen; an anode having an oxidation catalyst that promotes an oxidation reaction of oxidizing water to produce oxygen; a diaphragm provided between the cathode and the anode; a cathode flow path facing on the cathode and through which a gas of the reduction material flows; an anode flow path facing on the anode and through which an electrolytic solution containing the water flows; and a chemical species between the anode flow path and the diaphragm, the chemical species being configured to decompose, capture, or inactivate an active oxygen species.