Membraneless Electrochemical Cell with Non-Parallel Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable power sources, such as proton exchange membrane fuel cells, face inefficiencies due to fuel and oxidizer mixing issues, oxidizer crossover, and limitations in geometry and electrolyte capacity, leading to reduced power efficiency and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical cell design that eliminates the proton exchange membrane, utilizing a permeable electrode body to collect and oxidize solid fuel, with a separate cathode for oxidizer reduction, and a flow generator to manage electrolyte and oxidized fuel ion transport through return channels, enhancing power generation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a proton exchange membrane is used in portable fuel cells, then the cell can maintain structural integrity and control ion transport, but the cell size increases and efficiency decreases due to sensitivity to temperature and humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the proton exchange membrane from the fuel cell system entirely, replacing it with a membraneless design where the electrolyte flows freely between electrodes. This extraction eliminates the membrane's volume and its associated sensitivity issues while maintaining ion transport control through the flowing electrolyte system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using a flowing electrolyte system instead of a static membrane-based system. This allows the cell to operate without the temperature and humidity constraints that plague membrane-based fuel cells, effectively changing the operational envelope parameters.
2Device complexity
If laminar flow channels are used to deliver fuel and oxidizer, then the cell architecture is simplified, but fuel and oxidizer mix downstream causing significant fuel waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fuel and oxidizer delivery paths by using separate flow channels that do not mix. The electrolyte containing dissolved fuel flows through one set of channels while oxidizer flows through separate channels, preventing downstream mixing and fuel waste while maintaining simplified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the electrolyte as an intermediary medium that carries dissolved fuel to the anode through a flowing system. This intermediary transport mechanism prevents direct mixing of fuel and oxidizer while maintaining efficient fuel delivery to the reaction sites.
3Ease of operation
If oxidizer is delivered through electrolyte flow, then the cell can operate with controlled reactant delivery, but the low solubility of oxidizer in electrolyte requires high flow rates increasing work requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using a flowing electrolyte system where the electrolyte itself serves as the transport medium for dissolved fuel. This hydraulic approach allows controlled reactant delivery through flow management while the system is designed to minimize energy requirements through passive flow paths and gravity-assisted circulation where possible.
4Reliability
If selective electrodes are used for fuel oxidation and oxidizer reduction, then the cell can achieve specific electrochemical reactions, but the reaction activity rates are lower than non-selective electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using non-selective electrodes with specific surface treatments or catalysts at localized active sites. The bulk electrode material remains non-selective for high activity, while localized regions provide the necessary selectivity for specific electrochemical reactions, combining the benefits of both approaches.
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 design improves power efficiency by minimizing fuel waste, reducing mixed potentials, and allowing for a more flexible cell geometry, resulting in a more viable and efficient portable power source.
Implementation Method 1
a permeable electrode body provided along a flow path for receiving a flow comprising at least the electrolyte, the permeable electrode body being configured to permit the electrolyte to flow therethrough, the permeable electrode body being configured to collect the solid fuel thereon when the solid fuel is present in the electrolyte flowing therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a first electrode for oxidizing the fuel to generate electrons for conduction by the first electrode
Implementation Method 3
a second electrode for receiving electrons and reducing an oxidizer
Implementation Method 4
a flow generator configured to generate the flow comprising at least the electrolyte through the permeable electrode body and towards the second electrode across the gap to transport at least the electrolyte and the oxidized fuel ions away from the permeable electrode body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell with a gap between an anode and a cathode for transport flow of an electrolyte containing charge carrying ions from a solid fuel and an oxidizer.