Micro-Galvanic Couple Humidity Control Without Liquid Water Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidity control methods, such as non-deliquescing desiccants and humectants, fail to precisely maintain constant humidity levels in enclosed environments due to their inability to adjust for water vapor gains or losses, and saturated solutions are messy, cumbersome, and limited in transportability.
Innovation Solution
A humidity control system comprising a solid phase particulate composite of a micro-galvanic couple and a deliquescent solid, where the micro-galvanic couple reacts with water vapor to remove it as metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas, maintaining relative humidity within a design range without liquid water contact, and optionally includes a pre-hydrated thickening additive for humidity regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If non-deliquescing desiccants are used for humidity control, then the system maintains simplicity and avoids liquid water, but the system cannot precisely maintain constant humidity levels due to inability to adjust for water vapor gains or losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static desiccant materials into dynamic systems by incorporating deliquescent salts that can change their moisture absorption characteristics based on environmental humidity levels. The system dynamically adjusts between solid and liquid phases to maintain precise humidity control while adapting to varying water vapor conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the desiccant material from permanently solid to conditionally liquid through deliquescence. By selecting salts with specific deliquescence relative humidity values, the system precisely controls humidity at target levels while maintaining the ability to adjust for water vapor fluctuations.
2Measurement precision
If saturated solutions are used for humidity control, then precise humidity levels can be maintained, but the system becomes messy, cumbersome, and limited in transportability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of deliquescent salts from solid to liquid when exposed to specific humidity levels. This allows the system to maintain precise humidity control through controlled liquid formation while remaining in a transportable solid state during storage and shipping, eliminating the messiness of pre-formed saturated solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-selecting salts with specific deliquescence relative humidity values that correspond to desired target humidity levels. This preliminary configuration enables automatic humidity control without requiring external intervention or adjustment during operation, simplifying operation while maintaining precision.
3Measurement precision
If deliquescent salts with specific deliquescence relative humidity values are used, then precise target humidity levels can be achieved, but the system may form liquid water which complicates the design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of liquid water formation into a beneficial control mechanism. By deliberately allowing controlled liquid formation through deliquescence at precise humidity thresholds, the system uses the liquid phase as a self-regulating feature rather than a problem to be managed, simplifying the overall design while achieving precise target humidity levels.
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 system effectively maintains relative humidity within a designated range for an extended period, even with sources or sinks of water vapor, without liquid water contact, and can release moisture when humidity drops, ensuring precise and stable humidity control.
Implementation Method 1
Water vapor is removed from the container by reacting the water vapor and the more reactive metal to form at least one metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas
Implementation Method 2
the deliquescent solid has a deliquescence relative humidity value, and the particulate micro-galvanic couple comprises particles of at least one less active conductor and particles of at least one more active metal
Data Source
AI summary
Electro-catalytic hydrogenation is achieved by reacting a reactant with said micro-galvanic couples into a metallic compound and hydrogen, whereby at least some to all of hydrogen hydrogenates the reactant into a hydrogenated product, wherein the particulate micro-galvanic couple includes particles of at least one less active conductor and particles of at least one more active metal conductively and fixedly bonded together, and wherein the particles of the at least one less active conductor and the particles of the at least one more active metal retain their natural properties when conductively and fixedly bonded together.