Outer Header Bipolar Electrolyzer Gas-Liquid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alkaline water electrolysis systems face challenges in achieving efficient gas-liquid separation and reducing the thickness of the electrolytic cell, leading to stagnation of electrolyte flow and accumulation of gas near discharge ports.
Innovation Solution
The outer header type bipolar element design incorporates multiple discharge ports at different vertical positions between the anode and cathode, allowing for efficient separation of gas and electrolyte, reducing the thickness of the electrolytic cell, and enhancing circulation and temperature management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single discharge port is used for both gas and electrolyte discharge, then the device structure is simple, but gas-liquid separation is poor and electrolyte flow stagnates
Solution Approach 1:
The single discharge port is segmented into multiple discharge ports positioned at different vertical locations. The higher positioned discharge port discharges gas-rich electrolyte while the lower positioned discharge port discharges liquid-rich electrolyte, achieving effective gas-liquid separation without excessive structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge ports are arranged in the vertical dimension rather than horizontal arrangement. This vertical positioning strategy allows gas and liquid to be separated based on their density differences, with gas rising to the higher discharge port and liquid remaining at the lower discharge port
2Volume of moving object
If the electrolytic cell thickness is reduced for compactness, then the device size is smaller, but gas accumulates near discharge ports and electrolyte circulation is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge function is segmented into multiple ports at different vertical positions within the thin electrolytic cell. This segmentation allows the cell to maintain reduced thickness while ensuring proper electrolyte circulation and gas discharge through the vertically distributed ports
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple discharge ports act as intermediaries that facilitate the circulation of electrolyte and discharge of gas in the compact thin-cell structure. The vertical arrangement of ports ensures that even in a thin cell, there is sufficient vertical distance for gas-liquid separation and maintained circulation efficiency
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 effectively separates gas and liquid, preventing stagnation and temperature increases, while enabling a more compact and efficient electrolytic cell operation.
Implementation Method 1
the gas-rich electrolyte is discharged from the higher positioned discharge part and the liquid-rich electrolyte from the lower one
Data Source
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AI summary
An objective of the present disclosure is to provide an outer header type bipolar element for alkaline water electrolysis that can simultaneously achieve gas-liquid separation and reduction of the thickness of the entire electrolytic cell. The outer header type bipolar element for alkaline water electrolysis of the present disclosure includes electrodes including an anode and a cathode, a partition wall that separates the cathode and the anode, and a discharge port that discharges an electrolyte containing gas generated at the electrode, and the bipolar element has a plurality of the discharge ports in a region sandwiched between the anode or the cathode and the partition wall.