Ionic Vacancy Collision Heat Generation for Electrochemical Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current heat recovery systems in the electrolysis industry are unable to utilize the reaction heat generated by ionic vacancies in liquid solutions, limiting the collection of heat energy to Joule's heat and reaction heats from electrochemical reactions.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that facilitate collisions between ionic vacancies with opposite charges created at the anode and cathode during electrochemical reactions, utilizing the annihilation of these vacancies to produce heat through the collision mechanism, enhancing collision efficiency and increasing the number of vacancies through electrolyte concentration and electrode design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional heat recovery systems are used in electrolysis industry, then Joule's heat and reaction heats can be collected, but the reaction heat from ionic vacancies cannot be utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat energy recoveryVSAvoidutilization of ionic vacancy heat

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and utilizes the previously overlooked heat energy from ionic vacancies in the electrolyte solution, separating this specific heat source from the conventional heat recovery methods that only captured Joule's heat and reaction heats from electrode surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces ionic vacancies as an intermediary carrier of heat energy in the bulk electrolyte solution, which then transfers this energy to the electrode surfaces through diffusion and migration, enabling indirect heat recovery from the solution interior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If ionic vacancies are allowed to diffuse without enhancement, then natural mixing occurs, but collision efficiency between oppositely charged vacancies is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural diffusion processVSAvoidheat production efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies dynamic external magnetic fields to the electrolyte solution, causing ionic vacancies to move and collide more frequently through magnetically induced convection and enhanced diffusion, thereby increasing heat production efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses oscillating magnetic fields to induce vibrational motion in ionic vacancies, increasing their kinetic energy and collision frequency, which enhances the annihilation rate and heat generation without requiring mechanical agitation devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Quantity of substance

If electrolyte concentration is increased to enhance ionic vacancy generation, then more vacancies are created, but solution viscosity and resistance increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic vacancy concentrationVSAvoidelectrical resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the electrolyte concentration within a specific range that maximizes ionic vacancy generation while minimizing the increase in electrical resistance and viscosity, achieving the best balance between heat production and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Effectively utilizes the energy from ionic vacancies as a heat source, significantly increasing heat production beyond traditional methods, making it applicable to various electrochemical industries with simple and efficient processes.

Implementation Method 1

making collisions between an ionic vacancy with positive charge created at an anode and an ionic vacancy with negative charge created at a cathode... utilizing the annihilation of these vacancies to produce heat through the collision mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCollision and annihilation of ionic vacancies:

Implementation Method 2

ionic vacancies are created in liquid solutions... during an electron transfer in an electrochemical reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction:

Implementation Method 3

Joule's heat from the electricity consumption when charging and discharging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule's heat: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11692741B2Heat generation method and device using ionic vacancies generated by electrochemical reaction

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 NETECH

AI summary

The present invention provides: a heat generation method that makes the first use of the ionic vacancies that are a by-product of an electrochemical reaction and have conventionally been left unreacted; and a device for implementing the same. The present invention pertains to: a heat generation method characterized by comprising colliding, in an electrochemical reaction that proceeds in an electrolysis cell, ionic vacancies having a positive charge generated at an anode and ionic vacancies having a negative charge generated at a cathode; and a heat generation device characterized by being equipped with an electrolysis cell provided with an anode and a cathode and an electrolyte solution accommodated within the electrolysis cell, and by generating heat by colliding ionic vacancies of opposite signs generated by causing the electrochemical reaction to proceed in the electrolysis cell via the anode and the cathode.