Osmotic Electrolyte Feed for Low-Energy Electrolysis Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolysis systems for producing hydrogen and oxygen are energy-inefficient, with high electricity costs and require significant water consumption, limiting the economic viability of large-scale renewable hydrogen production.
Innovation Solution
A supplying system utilizing an osmosis unit with a semi-permeable membrane to create a water flux that drives a movable actuator, eliminating the need for electrical pumping and optimizing electrolyte circulation in electrolysis units, while reducing saline concentration in brine rejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrical pumping systems are used to circulate electrolyte solution, then sufficient electrolyte flow velocity can be achieved to feed the electrolyzer, but electrical energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical pumping system with an osmotic pump system that uses osmotic pressure difference to drive electrolyte circulation. The osmotic unit comprises a semi-permeable membrane separating a first chamber (with low-salted solution) and a second chamber (with high-salted solution), where water flux through the membrane generates mechanical force to move the actuator and create electrolyte flow without electrical energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The osmotic pump system is self-driven by the osmotic pressure difference between the two chambers. The system automatically generates the necessary flow velocity through the natural osmotic process, eliminating the need for external electrical power input for pumping operations.
2Productivity
If large quantities of water are pumped through electrolyzers for hydrogen production, then production scale increases, but water consumption and pumping energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical pumping systems with an osmotic pump system that uses osmotic pressure to drive water and electrolyte circulation through the electrolyzer. This eliminates the need for high-energy electrical pumps while maintaining the water flow rates necessary for large-scale hydrogen production.
3Ease of operation
If conventional pumping systems are used, then electrolyte circulation is achieved, but system complexity and energy infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical pumping infrastructure with a simpler osmotic pump system consisting of chambers, a semi-permeable membrane, and an actuator. The system eliminates motors, control electronics, and power transmission components while achieving reliable electrolyte circulation through passive osmotic pressure-driven mechanics.
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
Enhances energy efficiency by eliminating the need for electrical pumping and reduces saline concentration in brine, thereby lowering production costs and improving the economic viability of large-scale hydrogen production.
Implementation Method 1
an osmosis unit comprising a first chamber fluidly coupled to a first source of a low-salted solution, a second chamber fluidly coupled to a second source of a high-salted solution and a semi-permeable membrane separating the first and second chambers, the osmosis unit being configured to move the actuator by an osmosis phenomenon between the first and the second chambers
Implementation Method 2
The osmosis unit generates a water flux that can be transformed in mechanical force to create an electrolyte flow with a sufficient velocity to feed the electrolyzer
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a supplying system (14) for feeding an electrolysis unit (12) with an electrolyte feed stream, comprising - an electrolyte reservoir (30) configured to contain an electrolyte solution, - a circulation unit (32) for circulating an electrolyte solution stored in the electrolyte reservoir (30) to an electrolyte recovery outlet (36), The circulation unit (32) comprises: - a movable actuator (42) configured to create a displacement of the electrolyte solution in the electrolyte reservoir (30), and - an osmosis unit (40) comprising a first chamber (44) fluidly coupled to a first source of a low-salted solution, a second chamber (46) fluidly coupled to a second source of a high-salted solution and a semi-permeable membrane (48) separating the first and second chambers (44, 46). The osmosis unit (40) is configured to move the actuator (42) by an osmosis phenomenon between the first and the second chambers (44, 46).