Electrolyzing System with Immersed Cells and Ion-Permeable Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available water electrolyzing systems face issues such as high salt levels in acidic solutions leading to scale buildup, complex structures that impede ion flow, and inconsistent electric fields, reducing efficiency and shelf life of acidic electrolyzed water.
Innovation Solution
An electrolyzing system with an open brine bath and immersed electrolyzer cells, using ion-permeable membranes on either side of solid electrode plates to facilitate free ion flow and minimize salt in the acidic output, ensuring uniform electric fields and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a three chamber structure with rigid guide plates is used, then salt in acidic output is minimized, but ion flow is impeded and system efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the rigid guide plates and intermediate chamber structure from the electrolyzing system. By extracting these obstructive components, the system allows free ion flow between chambers while maintaining separation of acidic and alkaline outputs, thus resolving the contradiction between minimizing salt content and maintaining system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses separate electrolyzing chambers for acidic and alkaline production with ion-exchange membranes for separation. This segmented approach allows independent optimization of each chamber's ion flow paths, minimizing salt contamination in acidic output while maintaining high efficiency through unobstructed ion movement.
2Ease of operation
If electrode plates with openings are used, then ion passage is enabled, but electric field consistency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs ion-exchange membranes as porous materials that selectively allow ion passage while maintaining continuous electrode surfaces. This resolves the contradiction by enabling ion transport through the membranes without creating openings in the electrodes, thereby preserving electric field consistency.
3Device complexity
If a single ion membrane is used, then system complexity is reduced, but salt levels in acidic solution increase leading to scale buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the electrolyzing system into separate acidic and alkaline chambers with dedicated ion-exchange membranes for each. This segmentation allows independent control of ion flow to each chamber, effectively preventing salt accumulation in the acidic solution while maintaining relatively simple membrane structures.
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 system effectively reduces salt in acidic electrolyzed water, extends its shelf life, and enhances operational efficiency by allowing free fluid flow and uniform electric fields, improving the production of acidic and alkaline electrolyzed water.
Implementation Method 1
An anion exchange membrane separates the anode chamber and the intermediate chamber and a cation exchange membrane separates the cathode chamber and the intermediate chamber
Implementation Method 2
a positive electrode plate... a negative electrode plate... permit ions to pass into the other chambers
Implementation Method 3
Systems are known that electrolyze water containing alkali salts to produce acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrolyzing system for electrolyzing a brine solution of water and an alkali salt to produce acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water is provided. The system includes an internal chamber for receiving the brine solution and two electrolyzer cells immersed in a brine bath. Each electrolyzer cell includes an electrode, at least one ion permeable membrane supported relative to the electrode to define a space communicating between a fresh water supply and a chemical outlet into which brine enters only through the membrane. One of the electrodes is coupled to a positive charging electrical supply and the other to a negative charging electrical supply.