Electrolyzer Stack Disassembly for Membrane Electrode Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in efficiently disassembling and recycling electrolyzer stacks due to strong bonding between components, which hinders the recovery of precious metals like platinum and iridium, and perfluorosulfonic acids, necessitating a method to loosen these bonds for effective recycling and remanufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a solvent to loosen the bond between membrane electrode assemblies and bipolar plates, followed by acid leaching and hydrothermal digestion to separate and purify precious metals, enabling the recycling of electrolyzer components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrolyzer components are strongly bonded together during operation, then the structural integrity and reliability are improved, but the ease of disassembly and recycling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by treating the bonded components with a chemical solution before disassembly. The solution is applied to the interface between the membrane electrode assembly and bipolar plates to weaken the bond in advance, making subsequent separation easier without damaging valuable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a chemical solution as an intermediary substance to facilitate the separation of bonded components. The solution acts as a mediator that penetrates the bond interface, reduces adhesion strength, and enables clean separation of the membrane electrode assembly from the bipolar plates.
2Productivity
If the membrane electrode assembly is compacted with bipolar plates during operation, then the productivity and energy efficiency are improved, but the difficulty of separating components for recycling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical separation methods with chemical treatment. Instead of using force to separate the compacted components, a chemical solution is applied to selectively weaken the bond at the interface, allowing separation without mechanical stress that could damage the membrane or catalyst layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the bond interface by applying a solution that alters the adhesion properties. The solution modifies the chemical environment at the interface between the membrane electrode assembly and bipolar plates, reducing bond strength while maintaining the integrity of individual components.
3Loss of substance
If precious group metals and perfluorosulfonic acids are recovered through chemical processing, then the loss of valuable substances is reduced, but the generation of harmful chemical waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by selectively extracting precious group metals and perfluorosulfonic acids from the spent membrane electrode assembly using chemical processing. The valuable substances are recovered and reused, while the remaining waste stream is minimized and prepared for environmentally sound disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful aspect of chemical bonding into a benefit by using controlled chemical treatment to break the bonds and recover valuable materials. The same chemical reactivity that creates strong bonds during operation is harnessed in reverse to facilitate separation and recovery of precious metals and perfluorosulfonic acids.
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
This approach allows for the efficient disassembly and recycling of electrolyzer components, recovering valuable metals and reducing environmental impact by minimizing chemical release, thus supporting the sustainable production of new electrolyzers.
Implementation Method 1
A solvent is used to loosen the bond between a membrane electrode assembly and bipolar plates
Implementation Method 2
acid leaching the membrane electrode assembly to obtain a first precious metal
Implementation Method 3
dispersing the membrane electrode assembly to obtain a second precious metal
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method of electrolyzer recycling, including inserting an electrolyzer in a solution to loosen a bond between a first plate and a membrane electrode assembly and a second plate and the membrane electrode assembly of the electrolyzer, separating the membrane electrode assembly from the first plate and the second plate, acid leaching the membrane electrode assembly to obtain a first precious metal, and dispersing the membrane electrode assembly to obtain a second precious metal.