Electrolytic Cell with Flow Channel Element for CO2 Electrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolytic cells for carbon dioxide electrolysis require high temperatures and are limited by carbon dioxide solubility, leading to inefficiencies and high operating costs, especially when increasing electricity demand exceeds available CO2 dissolution.
Innovation Solution
An electrolytic cell design featuring a cation exchange membrane with a cathode compartment including a gas diffusion electrode and a flow channel element, and an anode compartment with an anode mesh, optimized for minimal resistance and efficient electrolysis, using a catalyst layer with cobalt, silver, or iron, and a hydrophilic and hydrophobic layer configuration to enhance gas and liquid separation and reduce voltage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carbon dioxide is dissolved in electrolyte for electrolysis, then electrolysis can proceed, but the solubility of carbon dioxide limits the amount available for electrolysis when electricity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of carbon dioxide from dissolved gas to gas phase, and changes the electrolysis temperature from high (750-1300°C) to low temperature, enabling direct electrolysis of CO2 gas without solubility limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts carbon dioxide from the liquid electrolyte system and processes it directly in gas phase, removing the solubility constraint that limited the quantity of CO2 available for electrolysis
2Productivity
If solid oxide electrolytic cell is used for carbon dioxide electrolysis, then electrolysis can occur, but high temperature of 750°C to 1300°C is required which increases equipment cost and operating cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter from high temperature (750-1300°C) to low temperature, and changes the electrolyte from solid oxide to liquid electrolyte, enabling cost-effective low-temperature operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses liquid electrolyte and simpler cell components instead of expensive solid oxide materials and high-temperature equipment, reducing equipment cost and operating cost
3Productivity
If flow channel element with parallel flow channels is used, then mass transport efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel element is segmented into multiple parallel flow channels, dividing the gas distribution task across multiple pathways to improve mass transport efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
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 design achieves efficient electrolysis of carbon dioxide to syngas with reduced electricity consumption, improved Faradaic efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, suitable for large-scale industrial use while maintaining a low operating temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a cation exchange membrane, a cathode compartment, and an anode compartment. The cathode compartment includes a gas diffusion electrode and a flow channel element
Implementation Method 2
the gas diffusion electrode includes a catalyst layer, a hydrophilic layer, and a hydrophobic layer, the hydrophilic layer is between the catalyst layer and the hydrophobic layer, and the catalyst layer is in direct contact with the flow channel element
Implementation Method 3
the gas diffusion electrode includes a catalyst layer, a hydrophilic layer, and a hydrophobic layer, the hydrophilic layer is between the catalyst layer and the hydrophobic layer
Implementation Method 4
Electrolyzing carbon dioxide and converting it into syngas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas), formic acid, ethylene, ethanol, and so on
Data Source
AI summary
An electrolytic cell includes a cation exchange membrane, a cathode compartment, and an anode compartment. The cathode compartment includes a gas diffusion electrode and a flow channel element, in which the flow channel element is between the cation exchange membrane and the gas diffusion electrode, and has a plurality of flow channels arranged in parallel with each other. The anode compartment includes an anode mesh, in which the cation exchange membrane is between the anode mesh and the flow channel element. A distance between the anode mesh and the gas diffusion electrode is substantially equal to the sum of a first thickness of the cation exchange membrane and a second thickness of the flow channel element. The novel electrolytic cell can combine with a chloralkali electrolytic cell to deal with gaseous CO2 and produce products, e.g., synthesis gas, for other purposes.