Thermally Compressed Electrolysis Electrode Laminate for Easy Renewal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolyzers face challenges in renewing electrodes due to complex and inefficient processes, leading to poor electrolytic performance and membrane damage, especially in commercially available sizes, with issues like delamination and gas generation.
Innovation Solution
Development of electrodes with reduced mass and force per unit area, laminates with improved bonding to membranes, and electrolyzers with optimized ventilation resistance, allowing for easier handling and maintenance, and integration methods that prevent membrane damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the membrane and electrode are integrated via thermal compression, then the structure can be produced at a laboratory level relatively easily, but it is not easily produced so as to be adapted to an electrolytic cell in an actual commercially-available size and electrolytic performance and durability are extremely poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bonding parameters by specifying precise thermal compression conditions (temperature of 50°C to 100°C, pressure of 0.1 MPa to 10 MPa, time of 1 minute to 24 hours) to achieve reliable bonding in large-scale electrolytic cells while maintaining ease of production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prevents delamination by pre-establishing strong bonding between the membrane and electrode through controlled thermal compression before electrolysis begins, cushioning against the harmful effects of gas generation and operational stress that would otherwise cause complete delamination over time
2Ease of manufacture
If the membrane and electrode are integrated via thermal compression, then the structure can be produced at a laboratory level relatively easily, but chlorine gas and hydrogen gas are generated on the electrode interfacing the membrane and complete delamination occurs when used for a long period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prevents delamination by pre-establishing strong bonding between the membrane and electrode through controlled thermal compression before electrolysis begins, cushioning against the harmful effects of gas generation and operational stress that would otherwise cause complete delamination over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes bonding parameters (temperature 50°C to 100°C, pressure 0.1 MPa to 10 MPa, time 1 minute to 24 hours) to create a bond strong enough to withstand gas generation during long-term operation
3Strength
If the anode and cathode are fixed to the electrolytic cell by welding and folding, then the electrode is securely attached, but there is a problem of occurrence of an extremely complicated work on renewing the electrode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode assembly by making the electrode detachable from the electrolytic cell through thermal compression bonding rather than permanent welding, allowing the electrode to be renewed independently without removing and reconstructuring the entire cell
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bonding method from permanent welding to controllable thermal compression bonding, which provides sufficient attachment strength during operation but allows for easy detachment and renewal by controlling temperature and pressure parameters
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
Facilitates easier transport and handling of electrodes, simplifies renewal processes, maintains or enhances electrolytic performance, and prevents membrane damage, while ensuring efficient operation and improved work efficiency during electrode renewal.
Implementation Method 1
the structure formed by integrating a membrane and an electrode via thermal compression described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrode for electrolysis, a laminate, a wound body, an electrolyzer, a method for producing an electrolyzer, a method for renewing an electrode, a method for renewing a laminate, and a method for producing a wound body. An electrode for electrolysis according to one aspect of the present invention has a mass per unit area of 48 mg/cm2 or less and a force applied per unit mass-unit area of 0.08 N/mg·cm2 or more.