Alkaline Electrolyzer Feedwater Degassing for Ultra-Low Argon Purity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing high-purity hydrogen and oxygen are ineffective in isolating argon impurities, which are critical for semiconductor applications requiring extremely low impurity levels.
Innovation Solution
A device and method involving a desalination system, degasser, and alkaline electrolyzer with specific configurations to produce electrolyzer feed water with less than 10 ppb argon, followed by electrolysis to achieve high-purity hydrogen and oxygen with argon content below 5 ppb.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional adsorption and cryogenic rectification separation methods are used to purify hydrogen and oxygen, then most impurities can be removed, but argon impurities cannot be effectively isolated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by degassing the feed water before electrolysis to remove dissolved argon and other gases. The feed water is degassed at elevated temperatures (e.g., 80-100°C) and reduced pressure to achieve argon levels below 10 ppb in the feed water, which prevents argon from being present in the electrolysis products in significant amounts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the feed water by heating it to elevated temperatures and reducing pressure during the degassing process. These parameter changes (temperature increase, pressure decrease) reduce the solubility of gases in water, enabling effective removal of argon and other dissolved gases before electrolysis
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple purification steps including cooling, absorption and adsorption are applied to achieve high purity, then most impurities are removed, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By performing degassing of feed water before electrolysis, the patent removes argon and other gases in advance, which significantly reduces the burden on subsequent purification steps. This preliminary action simplifies the overall process by preventing argon from being generated in the electrolysis products
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes dissolved gases including argon from the feed water through the degassing unit before electrolysis. This extraction of harmful substances (dissolved gases) from the feed stream simplifies the composition of electrolysis products and reduces the need for complex downstream purification
3Productivity
If feed water contains dissolved gases including argon, then electrolysis can proceed, but argon impurities are present in the product gases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary degassing action to the feed water before electrolysis, removing dissolved argon and other gases through heating and pressure reduction. This preliminary removal ensures that the feed water entering the electrolyzer has argon content below 10 ppb, which directly prevents argon impurities in the electrolysis products
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature and pressure parameters of feed water during degassing to optimize gas removal while maintaining electrolysis efficiency. The feed water is heated to 80-100°C and subjected to reduced pressure to maximize gas solubility reduction, achieving effective argon removal without compromising electrolysis productivity
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 method significantly reduces argon impurity levels, simplifying further purification steps and enhancing energy efficiency by utilizing the electrolyzer's heat for degassing, thereby meeting semiconductor industry standards.
Implementation Method 1
a degasser for degassing desalinated water... The degasser is configured to produce water that has an argon content of less than 10 ppb by weight after being degassed
Implementation Method 2
an electrolyzer... The electrolyzer is an alkaline electrolyzer... electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen becomes a particularly suitable method
Implementation Method 3
enhancing energy efficiency by utilizing the electrolyzer's heat for degassing
Data Source
AI summary
A device for preparing high-purity hydrogen and/or high-purity oxygen by electrolysis of water, wherein the hydrogen and/or oxygen produced has an argon content of less than 5 ppb by weight. Including, in sequence, a desalination water treatment system, a desalination water storage tank, a degasser feed water pump, a desalinated and degassed water heat exchanger, a degasser for degassing desalinated water, an electrolyzer feed water pump, and an electrolyzer. The degasser is configured to produce water that has an argon content of less than 10 ppb by weight after being degassed. The electrolyzer is an alkaline electrolyzer, and includes an electrolytic cell, and anode lye separator, a cathode lye separator, and a lye cooler. The electrolyzer also includes a lye heat exchanger and a hot lye recirculation stream. Also involved is a method of preparing high-purity hydrogen and/or oxygen by using the device.