Liquid Retaining Member for Corrosion-Free Electrolyzer Shutdown

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas diffusion electrode equipped ion exchange membrane electrolyzers face corrosion issues during shutdown due to the transfer of alkali metal chloride aqueous solution from the anode chamber to the cathode chamber, which affects the cathode chamber's material integrity and catalyst degradation.

Innovation Solution

A liquid retaining member, such as a carbon fiber fabric, is used to separate the ion exchange membrane and the cathode chamber inner space, preventing the anolyte from reaching the cathode chamber wall and maintaining electrolyzer performance by retaining the anolyte within the liquid retaining member during shutdown.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the electrolyzer is stopped, then energy consumption is reduced, but the cathode chamber becomes susceptible to corrosion from transferred anolyte

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcorrosion of cathode chamber

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A liquid retaining member (intermediary component) is introduced between the ion exchange membrane and the cathode chamber inner space. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact between the transferred anolyte and the cathode chamber wall, thereby eliminating the corrosion problem while allowing the electrolyzer to be stopped without energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cathode chamber is segmented into two distinct spaces: a cathode gas chamber where oxygen reduction occurs, and a cathode chamber inner space that is isolated from the ion exchange membrane by the liquid retaining member. This segmentation prevents the anolyte transferred through the membrane from reaching the cathode chamber wall, solving the corrosion issue during shutdown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a liquid retaining member is introduced to prevent corrosion, then cathode chamber protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid retaining member is made of a porous material that allows it to retain liquid (anolyte) within its structure while still permitting gas diffusion to reach the gas diffusion electrode. This porous structure provides effective corrosion protection without requiring complex sealing mechanisms or additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid retaining member functions as a flexible barrier that conforms to the cathode chamber geometry. This thin-film-like structure provides effective separation and protection while maintaining a simple overall device design, avoiding the need for rigid complex structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This configuration effectively prevents corrosion of the cathode chamber components, ensuring the electrolyzer's performance is maintained for a longer period by isolating the anolyte from the cathode chamber, thus protecting the materials from acidic to neutral pH environments.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid retaining member, such as a carbon fiber fabric, is used to separate the ion exchange membrane and the cathode chamber inner space, preventing the anolyte from reaching the cathode chamber wall and maintaining electrolyzer performance by retaining the anolyte within the liquid retaining member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

an ion exchange membrane, and a cathode chamber in which a gas diffusion electrode is disposed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 3

an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to a cathode chamber, whereby at the gas diffusion electrode, the oxygen is reduced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas diffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS8940139B2Gas diffusion electrode equipped ion exchange membrane electrolyzer

Publication Date: 2015.01.27 TOAGOSEI CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a gas diffusion electrode equipped ion exchange membrane electrolyzer including an anode, an ion exchange membrane, and a cathode chamber in which a gas diffusion electrode is disposed, wherein the ion exchange membrane and a cathode chamber inner space in which the gas diffusion electrode is disposed are separated by a liquid retaining member, the outer periphery of the liquid retaining member is held in a void formed in a gasket or a cathode chamber frame constituting the cathode chamber, or the outer periphery and the end face of the outer periphery of the liquid retaining member are sealed, or the outer periphery of the liquid retaining member is joined to and integrated with the gasket.