Electrochemical Hydrogen Looping for Ocean Carbon Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carbon capture methods from oceans are inefficient due to low current densities in electrochemical cells, leading to high capital expenditures and impracticality, especially when attempting to acidify large volumes of oceanwater for carbon dioxide removal.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electrochemical hydrogen looping systems that generate acid and base streams through reversible hydrogen reactions, using gas diffusion electrodes and physical separators to achieve high current densities and minimize ion crossover, allowing for efficient carbon capture without the need for expensive ion-exchange membranes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional electrochemical cells are used for ocean carbon capture, then carbon dioxide removal can be achieved, but current densities remain low leading to high capital expenditures and impracticality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the expensive ion-exchange membranes from the electrochemical cell structure. Instead of using membranes to separate compartments, the invention employs simple physical barriers such as porous plates or direct compartment separation, dramatically reducing device complexity and capital expenditure while maintaining effective current densities for carbon capture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by achieving high current densities (practically useful current densities) through optimized electrode configurations and electrolyte compositions. This parameter change enables practical carbon capture rates without requiring complex or expensive cell structures
2Reliability
If ion-exchange membranes are used to separate compartments, then ion crossover is minimized, but capital expenditures increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, durable ion-exchange membranes with cheaper physical barrier materials such as porous plates, filter papers, or simple partitions. These inexpensive barriers provide sufficient ion separation for the application without the high capital cost of membrane-based systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces physical barrier intermediaries (porous plates, separator materials) that mediate between the anode and cathode compartments. These intermediaries provide mechanical separation and sufficient ion selectivity without requiring sophisticated membrane technologies
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
These systems achieve current densities up to 500 mA/cm2, reducing capital expenditures and enabling efficient carbon capture by producing concentrated acid and base streams directly from oceanwater, thus enhancing the efficiency of ocean carbon capture processes.
Implementation Method 1
the cathode is configured to catalyze a hydrogen evolution reaction and produce hydrogen gas and a basic stream with a pH less than or equal to 13 and greater than or equal to 7
Implementation Method 2
the anode is configured to catalyze a hydrogen oxidation reaction and produce an acidic stream with a pH greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 7
Implementation Method 3
the catholyte and the anolyte are separated by a separator
Implementation Method 4
the cathode and the anode each comprises a gas diffusion electrode that separates a gas phase and a liquid phase
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for electrochemical hydrogen looping cells are described. Generating a pH swing can expedite carbon dioxide capture from oceanwater. Many embodiments implement electrochemical hydrogen looping cells that simultaneously produce acid via anodic hydrogen oxidation and base via cathodic hydrogen evolution to generate a pH change.