Electro-synthesizer Unit for High-Concentration Acid Base Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolyzer systems face challenges in maintaining a high pH difference (0 to 14) while achieving high concentrations of acid and base, leading to low energy efficiency and high capital costs.
Innovation Solution
The electro-synthesizer unit is a flow unit comprising three compartments with specific pH ranges and electrolyte solutions, using cation and anion exchange membranes to manage electrolyte flows and generate hydrogen gas and hydroxide in one compartment, and hydrogen ions in another, allowing for the production of high-concentration acid and base solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) method is employed to maintain high pH difference (0 to 14), then acid/base concentrations can reach up to 3 mol/L, but energy efficiency decreases and capital cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyzer is divided into three distinct compartments (anode compartment, middle compartment, cathode compartment) separated by ion-exchange membranes. This segmentation allows independent pH control in each compartment, enabling high acid and base concentrations to be produced simultaneously while maintaining a stable pH gradient, thereby improving energy efficiency compared to BMED methods
Solution Approach 2:
Different pH conditions are maintained in different spatial locations within the electrolyzer. The anode compartment maintains low pH (acidic conditions), the cathode compartment maintains high pH (basic conditions), and the middle compartment serves as a buffer zone. This local quality differentiation enables high concentration production without the energy penalties associated with maintaining extreme pH differences throughout the entire system
2Quantity of substance
If bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) method is employed to maintain high pH difference (0 to 14), then acid/base concentrations can reach up to 3 mol/L, but capital cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyzer uses conventional ion-exchange membranes (cation-exchange membrane and anion-exchange membrane) instead of expensive bipolar membranes required by BMED technology. The three-compartment structure achieves the same functional outcome of producing high-concentration acid and base while using more cost-effective membrane materials, thereby reducing capital costs
Solution Approach 2:
The middle compartment acts as an intermediary zone between the acid-producing anode compartment and the base-producing cathode compartment. This intermediate space allows for buffer solution circulation that maintains the pH gradient without requiring the complex bipolar membrane structures, thus reducing manufacturing costs while achieving high concentration production
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 configuration enables the production of acid and base solutions with concentrations up to 3 mol/L, improving energy efficiency and reducing capital costs compared to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
the cathode is configured to generate a hydrogen gas and a hydroxide
Implementation Method 2
the anode is configured to oxidate the hydrogen gas to generate hydrogen ions
Implementation Method 3
the third compartment is separated from the first compartment with one or more cation exchange membranes
Implementation Method 4
the third compartment is separated from the second compartment with one or more anion exchange membranes
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an electro-synthesizer unit comprising a first compartment comprising a cathode and a first electrolyte, a second compartment comprising an anode and a second electrolyte and a third compartment comprising a third electrolyte. The unit is configured to produce acid and base solution at desired concentrations. Also disclosed are methods of using the electro-synthesizer unit and producing the acid and base solution at desired concentrations.