Water Electrolysis Recombiner Liquid Phase Hydrogen Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
In water electrolysis systems, the recombination reaction in the gas phase leads to condensed water hindering hydrogen and oxygen supply to the recombination catalyst, reducing the efficiency of hydrogen concentration suppression in oxygen.
Innovation Solution
A water electrolysis system with a recombiner disposed between the water electrolysis cell and the gas-liquid separator, equipped with a recombination catalyst, such as platinum or its alloy, to react hydrogen and oxygen in the water phase, maintaining high recombination reaction efficiency by ensuring continuous water contact with the catalyst.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the recombination reaction is carried out in the gas phase, then hydrogen and oxygen can be reacted to suppress hydrogen concentration increase, but condensed water forms on the catalyst surface hindering continuous supply of reactants and reducing recombination efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the phase parameter of the recombination reaction from gas phase to liquid phase by conducting the reaction in water. This parameter change prevents water condensation on the catalyst surface, maintaining continuous contact between reactants and catalyst, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
Water serves as an intermediary medium that facilitates the recombination reaction. By conducting the reaction in water, the system uses water as both the reaction medium and the substance that prevents catalyst deactivation, allowing continuous operation without water condensation issues
2Reliability
If a recombination catalyst is used to react hydrogen and oxygen, then hydrogen concentration in oxygen can be reduced, but water produced from the reaction condenses on the catalyst surface and hinders reactant supply
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the reaction environment from gas phase to liquid phase by conducting recombination in water. This parameter change fundamentally alters the condensation behavior, preventing water from condensing on the catalyst surface and maintaining hydrogen safety without the harmful side effect
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful water condensation into a beneficial liquid-phase reaction environment. Water, which would normally be a harmful condensate, becomes the reaction medium that enables continuous efficient recombination while preventing catalyst deactivation
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
Effectively suppresses the increase in hydrogen concentration in oxygen due to hydrogen crossover, maintaining high recombination reaction efficiency by ensuring continuous water contact with the recombination catalyst.
Implementation Method 1
a recombination catalyst that reacts hydrogen and oxygen
Implementation Method 2
a so-called hydrogen cross over occurs in which hydrogen generated in a cathode catalyst layer (hydrogen electrode catalyst layer) permeates an electrolyte membrane and moves to an anode catalyst layer (oxygen electrode catalyst layer)
Implementation Method 3
a water supply channel configured to connect the water electrolysis cell and the water supply device and configured such that the water supplied from the water supply device to the oxygen electrode of the water electrolysis cell flows
Implementation Method 4
a gas-liquid separator configured to separate the water and a gaseous component discharged from the oxygen electrode of the water electrolysis cell
Implementation Method 5
PEM type water electrolysis (PEM: Polymer Electrolyte Membrane)
Data Source
AI summary
A water electrolysis system including: a water electrolysis cell; a water supply device that supplies water to an oxygen electrode of the water electrolysis cell; a water supply channel that connects the water electrolysis cell and the water supply device and through which the water supplied from the water supply device to the oxygen electrode flows; a gas-liquid separator that separates the water and a gaseous component discharged from the oxygen electrode; a water discharge channel that connects the water electrolysis cell and the gas-liquid separator and through which the water and a gaseous component discharged from the oxygen electrode flow; and a recombiner disposed between the water electrolysis cell and the gas-liquid separator in the water discharge channel. The recombiner includes a recombination catalyst that reacts hydrogen and oxygen, and the water electrolysis cell and the recombiner are electrically insulated from each other.