Stack-Type Electrolyzer With Magnetic Transport Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrolyzers face challenges in achieving high hydrogen and oxygen production rates with long-term efficiency at high current densities, while also being cost-effective and requiring low maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A stack-type electrolyzer design featuring cells with a porous transport layer made of electric conductive porous materials, including magnets, and catalysts with positive magnetic susceptibility, which enhances electrocatalytic reactions by creating a static magnetic field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional electrolyzer designs are used, then manufacturing and maintenance costs are reduced, but hydrogen and oxygen production rates are limited and long-term efficiency at high current densities deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen and oxygen production rateVSAvoidlong-term efficiency at high current densities

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces magnets with specific magnetic properties (hard, semi-hard, or soft magnets) into the electrolyzer system, changing the magnetic field parameters to enhance electrocatalytic reactions. This parameter change enables higher current densities while maintaining long-term efficiency, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite structures combining porous conductive materials (metallic meshes or foams) with magnetic materials and catalysts having positive magnetic susceptibility. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect that improves both production rate and operational stability, addressing the contradiction between productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If high current densities are applied to increase production rate, then hydrogen and oxygen production increases, but degradation accelerates and long-term efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen and oxygen production rateVSAvoidlong-term efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous transport layers made of conductive porous materials with magnetic properties that are designed to be replaceable and cost-effective. These components can operate at high current densities for extended periods and are easily replaced when degraded, allowing continuous high productivity while managing long-term efficiency through systematic component replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If conventional electrolyzer designs are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but hydrogen and oxygen production rates are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen and oxygen production rateVSAvoidelectrolyzer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components: the porous transport layer simultaneously serves as a structural support, a magnetic field generator (when incorporating magnets), and a catalyst carrier. This merging of functions increases production rate while limiting the increase in device complexity, as the additional magnetic and catalytic functions are integrated into existing structural elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 electrolyzer achieves higher hydrogen and oxygen production rates and stability, with reduced maintenance needs, and operates effectively at high temperatures and pressures.

Implementation Method 1

The magnets which make up of the first arrangement acting in combination with the porous transport layer, which also comprises one or more hard and/or semi-hard and/or soft magnets, enhance the electrocatalytic reactions occurring in the electrolyzer cells, since each one of said elements contributes to generate a static magnetic field which improves the efficiency and stability to the electrocatalysts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

electrolyzers, are devices arranged for obtaining hydrogen and oxygen from the electro-catalytic breakdown of a water-based electrolyte

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrocatalytic breakdown: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP4516964A1Stack-type electrolyzer for obtaining hydrogen and oxygen from the electrocatalytic breakdown of a water-based electrolyte

Publication Date: 2025.03.05 MAGNETOCAT SL

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AI summary

The invention relates to a stack-type electrolyzer for obtaining hydrogen and oxygen, provided with lateral closure caps (2) and cells (3), each cell (3) comprising: a current collector anode plate (5a) and cathode plate (5b); one porous transport layer (7,8) comprising a conductive porous material that is a hard magnet, a semi-hard magnet or a soft magnet, a first catalysts for the anode plate (5a) and a second catalysts for the cathode (5b) plate; and a first arrangement of magnets (6), that are hard or semi-hard, attached to the current collector anode plate (5a), and/or to the current collector cathode plate (5b).