Ion Exchange Membrane for Reverse Electrodialysis Power Density

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Reverse electrodialysis systems face challenges in commercialization due to the high cost and high electrical resistance of conventional ion exchange membranes, limiting power density and stability in energy production.

Innovation Solution

Development of cation and anion exchange membranes with improved ion conductivity, water resistance, and heat resistance, utilizing a porous polymer substrate and polymer electrolyte formed through crosslinking polymerization with specific monomers and crosslinking agents, reducing inner stack resistance and enhancing power production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If conventional ion exchange membranes are used in reverse electrodialysis systems, then the system structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the electrical resistance is high and power density is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower densityVSAvoidelectrical resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining a porous polymer substrate with a polymer electrolyte layer containing ion-conductive polymer chains. This composite structure achieves both low electrical resistance and high power density while maintaining mechanical stability, resolving the contradiction between power output and electrical resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a porous polymer substrate with controlled pore structure to accommodate the polymer electrolyte. The porous structure provides high surface area for ion exchange while maintaining low electrical resistance, thereby improving power density without compromising electrical conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Power

If ion exchange membranes with higher ion conductivity are used to improve power density, then power production increases, but the cost of the membranes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower productionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the membrane by incorporating specific polymer electrolytes with optimized ion-conductive groups. This allows achieving high ion conductivity and power production while using cost-effective polymer materials and manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality enhancement by concentrating ion-conductive polymer chains specifically in the membrane regions where ion transport is most critical. This localized optimization achieves high power production while minimizing the amount of expensive ion-conductive material required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If conventional membranes are used to keep the system cost-effective, then manufacturing is easier, but water resistance and heat resistance are insufficient for stable operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable operationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite membrane structure where the porous polymer substrate provides mechanical strength and chemical stability (water and heat resistance), while the polymer electrolyte layer provides ion conductivity. This composite approach achieves stable operation without significantly complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses commercially available porous polymer substrates and polymer electrolyte components that can be obtained through standard chemical synthesis processes. This approach maintains ease of manufacture while achieving the required water and heat resistance for stable long-term operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 new membranes significantly improve power density and enable stable operation of reverse electrodialysis devices by minimizing membrane resistance and maintaining high conductivity, water resistance, and heat resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a polymer electrolyte incorporated into pores of the porous polymer substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

performing crosslinking polymerization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP2857441B1Ion exchange membrane used in reverse electrodialysis device and reverse electrodialysis device including this membrane

Publication Date: 2020.10.07 TORAY ADVANCED MATERIALS KOREA INC

Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B

AI summary

This invention relates to an ion exchange membrane for a reverse electrodialysis (RED) device, a manufacturing method thereof and a reverse electrodialysis device including the ion exchange membrane, wherein the ion exchange membrane includes a porous polymer substrate; and a polymer electrolyte incorporated into pores of the porous polymer substrate. According to this invention, cation and anion exchange membranes for a reverse electrodialysis device have superior ion conductivity and thus can minimize membrane resistance, thereby remarkably improving maximum power density of the reverse electrodialysis device, and also have high water resistance and heat resistance, making it possible to stably operate the reverse electrodialysis device.