Filter Press Washing for Electrode Catalyst Cake Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing electrode catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells are inefficient due to the time-consuming and labor-intensive process of washing and filtration, which often results in catalyst adherence to centrifugal separator walls and prolonged processing times, and lack specific details on filter press dechlorination processes.

Innovation Solution

An electrode catalyst production system and method utilizing a filter press device for washing device that includes a filter press device that includes a plate closing step, injection step, normal washing step, reverse washing step, plate opening step, and cake peeling step, and cake peeling step, and filter cloth washing step, and filter cloth washing step, and filter cloth washing step, which automate the washing process and reduce adherence, allowing for efficient removal of impurities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a centrifugal separator is used to wash electrode catalyst precursor, then washing and filtration can be performed, but the electrode catalyst precursor adheres to the inner wall due to centrifugal force requiring manual scratching and the process takes 2-4 days

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing efficiencyVSAvoidwashing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the centrifugal separator (mechanical system using centrifugal force) with a filter press system that uses pressure differential for filtration. This substitution eliminates the adhesion problem caused by centrifugal force and enables automated cake removal, reducing washing time from 2-4 days to a much shorter duration while maintaining effective impurity removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter press system enables automated cake removal where the filtered cake is automatically discharged without requiring manual scratching by operators. The system performs the removal function itself through automated mechanisms, eliminating the labor-intensive manual intervention previously required and improving overall process efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If washing and filtration by water is repeated to eliminate chlorine component, then low chlorine content can be achieved, but the process requires 2-4 days with one centrifuge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechlorine content controlVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the centrifugal separation system with a filter press system that achieves superior filtration efficiency. The filter press creates a more effective filtering action that removes impurities including chlorine more efficiently, achieving the same or better purification quality in significantly reduced time, thus improving both manufacturing precision and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If filter press is used for dechlorination, then washing time can be reduced, but specific configuration and operational details are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing timeVSAvoidprocess specification completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides comprehensive preliminary specifications for the filter press system including plate configuration, filtration cycle steps, pressure parameters, and operational procedures. By establishing these detailed specifications in advance, the system achieves both reduced washing time and complete process documentation, eliminating the gap between time efficiency and specification completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 significantly reduces the time and effort required to produce electrode catalysts with low impurity content by automating the washing process, particularly reducing chlorine content, and improving production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a washing device for washing the electrode catalyst precursor by filter press

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

an executor for executing an injection step for injecting a liquid containing the electrode catalyst precursor into the filter chamber from a stock liquid supply tube so as to filtrate the liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-driven filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4085983B1Electrode-catalyst manufacturing system and manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 N E CHEMCAT
  • EP4085983B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4085983B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4085983B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided are an electrode catalyst production system and production method capable of omitting the operation for an operator to scratch off an electrode catalyst precursor, and shortening a washing time of the electrode catalyst precursor. The invention is configured as follows. An electrode catalyst production system 10 has an electrode catalyst precursor production device 12, a washing device 13 and a drying device 14. The washing device 13 includes executors for executing a plate closing step S21 and an injection step S22 in the beginning, and then executing a normal washing step S23 and a reverse washing step S24 before executing a plate opening step S25 and a cake peeling step S26. The normal washing step S23 is a step for supplying a washing water 43 from a stock liquid supply tube 114 to a filter chamber 112, allowing the washing water 43 to pass through an electrode catalyst precursor-containing cake 40, and then discharging the washing water 43 from filtrate discharge outlets 115, 115'. The reverse washing step S24 is a step for supplying the washing water 43 from the filtrate discharge outlet(s) 115 to the filter chamber 112, allowing the washing water 43 to pass through the electrode catalyst precursor-containing cake 40, and then discharging the washing water 43 from the filtrate discharge outlet(s) 115' which are different from the filtrate discharge outlet(s) 115 from which the washing water 43 is supplied. The thickness of the electrode catalyst precursor-containing cake at the time of the injection step S22 is adjusted to that of a range that has been previously and experimentally determined.