Electrochemical Hydrogen Pump Cathode Gas Diffusion Layer Water Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The efficiency of electrochemical hydrogen pumps during hydrogen pressurizing operations is not fully optimized, leading to issues such as flooding of the anode and increased diffusion resistance due to the transfer of water back from the cathode to the anode under high hydrogen gas pressure.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a water-repellent carbon fiber layer in the cathode gas diffusion layer, which suppresses the transfer of water back to the anode and maintains contact resistance between the cathode catalyst layer and the cathode gas diffusion layer, thereby improving the efficiency of hydrogen pressurization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If water-repellent treatment is applied to cathode gas diffusion layer, then water transfer back to anode is suppressed and anode flooding is reduced, but contact resistance between cathode catalyst layer and cathode gas diffusion layer may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanode floodingVSAvoidcontact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cathode gas diffusion layer is designed with non-uniform water repellency: the region adjacent to the cathode catalyst layer maintains hydrophilicity to ensure good contact and low contact resistance, while the outer region has enhanced water repellency to prevent water backflow to the anode. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between preventing flooding and maintaining electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If fastening force is increased to improve layer contact, then contact resistance decreases, but water transfer back to anode increases due to compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact resistanceVSAvoidwater transfer back to anode

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The water repellent treatment is applied selectively to specific regions of the cathode gas diffusion layer, creating zones with different water interaction properties. The region near the catalyst layer remains hydrophilic to accommodate compression without increasing water backflow, while other regions have water-repellent properties to prevent flooding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If hydrogen pressurization efficiency is improved by increasing voltage, then hydrogen production rate increases, but water transfer back to anode increases due to higher cathode pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen pressurization efficiencyVSAvoidwater transfer back to anode

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of high cathode pressure (which drives water back to anode) into a beneficial effect by using the pressure gradient to drive water toward the water-repellent regions of the cathode gas diffusion layer, where it is blocked from returning to the anode. The water-repellent treatment transforms the high-pressure condition from a harmful factor into a mechanism for water management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 water-repellent carbon fiber layer effectively reduces the occurrence of anode flooding and maintains low resistance in the cathode gas diffusion layer, enhancing the overall efficiency of the hydrogen pressurizing operation by preventing water transfer back to the anode and ensuring consistent contact between layers.

Implementation Method 1

The cathode gas diffusion layer includes a water-repellent carbon fiber layer in a main surface of the cathode gas diffusion layer that is on a side of the cathode catalyst layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

The electrochemical hydrogen pump transfers, to the cathode catalyst layer, hydrogen in a hydrogen-containing gas that has been supplied to the anode catalyst layer and pressurizes the hydrogen when the voltage applier applies a voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS11577196B2Electrochemical hydrogen pump

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An electrochemical hydrogen pump includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, an anode gas diffusion layer, a cathode gas diffusion layer, an anode separator, a cathode separator, a first end plate and a second end plate that are disposed on the respective ends of at least one hydrogen pump unit in which the electrolyte membrane, the catalyst layers, the gas diffusion layers, and the separators are stacked on each other, a fastener that fastens the end plates and at least one hydrogen pump unit, and a voltage applier. The electrochemical hydrogen pump transfers hydrogen from the anode catalyst layer to the cathode catalyst layer and pressurizes hydrogen when the voltage applier applies the voltage. The cathode gas diffusion layer includes a water-repellent carbon fiber layer in a main surface thereof that is on a side of the cathode catalyst layer, and is compressed by the fastener.