Mobile Electrolyte Mixing for On-Site Electrolyzer Supply
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation and storage of electrolyte solutions for electrolyzers are costly and complex due to their corrosive nature, leading to maintenance issues and operational inefficiencies, especially for large quantities required by industrial plants.
Innovation Solution
A mobile, modular electrolyte solution production system that allows on-site production of electrolyte solutions, enabling flexible production and distribution to multiple sites, using a base-supported mixing device with temperature-controlled tanks and agitation systems to form electrolyte solutions from solid particulates or concentrated solutions, and a material handling device for efficient transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrolyte solution is transported by ship, rail or truck, then delivery to the facility is achieved, but transportation costs are high and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrolyte production function from the traditional centralized production model and implements it directly at the facility site through a mobile production system. This eliminates the need for complex transportation infrastructure while maintaining delivery capability, as the system produces electrolyte solution on-demand at the facility rather than requiring extensive transport networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile production system acts as an intermediary between the electrolyte source and the electrolyzer. Instead of transporting finished electrolyte solution through complex infrastructure, the system receives concentrated electrolyte material and produces the required solution on-site, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining productivity.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If large quantities of electrolyte solution are stored, then supply continuity is improved, but storage costs and corrosion risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static storage to dynamic production. Instead of storing large quantities of electrolyte solution which causes corrosion issues, the mobile production system continuously produces fresh solution on-demand. This dynamic approach maintains supply continuity while eliminating the harmful storage-related corrosion problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses concentrated electrolyte material as a stable, non-corrosive input that can be stored safely, and transforms it into the required electrolyte solution fresh at the point of use. This approach treats the electrolyte solution as a disposable product that is produced and consumed rather than stored, eliminating corrosion risks associated with long-term storage infrastructure.
3Quantity of substance
If corrosive electrolyte solution is stored for extended periods, then inventory availability is improved, but maintenance requirements and safety issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by receiving and storing concentrated electrolyte material in a safe, non-corrosive form before production. This concentrated material can be inventoried without the safety and maintenance issues associated with storing finished electrolyte solution. When needed, the system quickly transforms this pre-stored material into the required electrolyte solution, maintaining inventory availability while ensuring operational safety.
4Productivity
If fixed production facilities are built, then production capacity is ensured, but adaptability to different sites and quantities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrolyte production system into a modular, mobile unit that can be independently deployed at different facilities. This segmentation allows the system to maintain adequate production capacity for each site while providing full adaptability to different locations and quantity requirements. The mobile design enables the same production capacity to serve multiple sites sequentially rather than requiring fixed dedicated facilities at each location.
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 system reduces transportation and storage costs by allowing on-site production, improves safety through modular design, and enhances operational efficiency by sharing equipment among multiple sites, addressing the corrosive challenges of electrolyte solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing chamber to mix the electrolyte material with the liquid solvent to form an electrolyte solution
Implementation Method 2
The mixing chamber can be cooled or heated by a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a pump to circulate the electrolyte solution from the mixing chamber through conduits to one or more electrolyzers
Data Source
AI summary
A process and apparatus for electrolyte solution production can be provided so that a modular production can be provided. The modular electrolyte production can be provided so that the production system is mobile for being used in multiple different plants at different geographical locations that are remote from each other. Embodiments can be configured so that electrolyte production is made for a plant specific application that provides an electrolyte solution having a pre-selected concentration of at least one electrolyte for use in at least one electrolyzer of the plant. The production can be mobile so it can be provided at different sites to make the same type of solutions or different solutions specific to the needs of the plants it may support. Some embodiments can utilize an electrolyte material handling device that also modular and mobile. Other embodiments can be configured to utilize an on-site electrolyte material handling device.