Electrolysis Device With Membrane Preventing Electrode Short-Circuit

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current water electrolysis technologies fail to consistently produce hydrogen-enriched water with a low oxidation reduction potential and adequate sterilization capabilities, and are prone to inefficiencies and short-circuiting due to the close proximity of electrodes, which limits their effectiveness in purifying drinking water.

Innovation Solution

A water electrolysis device featuring a water-permeable membrane between the cathode and anode, allowing for controlled distance and preventing short-circuiting, which enhances hydrogen production and oxidation factor generation, while maintaining low oxidation reduction potential and effective sterilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the distance between cathode and anode is reduced to improve electrolysis efficiency, then hydrogen production increases, but electrode short-circuiting occurs due to surface peeling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolysis efficiencyVSAvoidelectrode stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A water-permeable membrane is introduced as an intermediary component between the cathode and anode. The membrane allows water molecules to pass through while maintaining a stable separation distance, preventing direct contact and short-circuiting between electrodes during electrolysis operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a thin water-permeable membrane to separate the electrodes. This thin film structure maintains close proximity for efficient electrolysis while preventing electrode contact and short-circuiting, solving the contradiction between efficiency and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If physical filtering membranes are used to purify water, then hazardous substances are blocked, but the membranes are easily polluted by bacteria or blocked by organic substances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater purification capabilityVSAvoidmembrane maintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical physical filtration with electrochemical treatment. Through electrolysis, harmful substances in water are degraded and removed through oxidation reactions at the anode, eliminating the need for physical filtering membranes that require frequent maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrolysis process generates strong oxidation factors at the anode that effectively sterilize bacteria and degrade various pollutants in water, providing superior purification capability without the maintenance issues of physical membranes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Reliability

If absorption materials are used to remove pollutants, then hazardous substances are blocked, but the materials are easily saturated and lose efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollutant removal capabilityVSAvoidabsorption material service life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces absorption-based removal with electrochemical degradation. The electrolysis process continuously breaks down pollutants into harmless substances, allowing the system to operate indefinitely without saturation, unlike absorption materials that lose efficiency over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The device effectively produces hydrogen-enriched water with improved sterilization and purification capabilities, reducing power consumption and preventing electrode short-circuiting, thus providing safer and healthier drinking water.

Implementation Method 1

a water-permeable membrane is arranged between the coupled cathode and anode, and the water-permeable membrane covers the anode, the range of the distance δ between the water-permeable membrane and the cathode being 0≤δ≤10 mm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

Electro-chemical water treatment is a special process of water electrolysis, which can generate hydrogen-enriched beneficial and healthy water with a low oxidation reduction potential

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 3

can also generate strong oxidation factors through anode reaction, etc. to sterilize bacteria and degrade various pollutants in the water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS10294128B2Device for preparing drinking water by electrolysis

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 DALIAN SHUANGDI INNOVATIVE TECH RES INST

AI summary

A device prepares drinking water by electrolysis, belonging to the technical field of equipment for electrolysis of water. The device includes a water container, at least one pair of a cathode and an anode arranged within the water container, and an electrolysis power source used for supplying electricity to the cathode and the anode; a water-permeable membrane is arranged between the coupled cathode and anode, and the water-permeable membrane covers the anode, the range of the distance δ between the water-permeable membrane and the cathode being 0≤δ≤10 mm. The device, when electrolyzing water, can prepare water which has a low oxidation reduction potential, is rich in hydrogen and has a certain sterilization capability and is suitable for drinking.