Membrane-Electrode Assembly with Through-Holes for Ozone Water Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ozone water production methods face inefficiencies due to low ionization degree of raw water, leading to low electric current efficiency, high electrolysis voltage requirements, and hydroxide precipitation issues, especially when using non-purified waters, which complicates operation and increases maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A membrane-electrode assembly with a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and through-holes on the anode and cathode surfaces, allowing raw water to flow directly to both electrodes, reducing pressure loss and enabling high-efficiency ozone production while minimizing hydroxide precipitation and maintaining low electrolysis voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid polymer electrolyte membrane is inserted between the cathode and anode to enable electrolysis of pure water, then electrolysis can be promoted despite low ionization degree, but the electric current efficiency remains low and high electrolysis voltage is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous conductive diamond coating on the anode surface, which provides numerous active sites for ozone generation while maintaining high electron conductivity. The porous structure increases the effective surface area for the electrolysis reaction, allowing better utilization of electric current for ozone production rather than just oxygen evolution, thereby improving current efficiency while maintaining reliable electrolysis promotion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structure combining conductive diamond coating on metal substrate (e.g., copper, nickel, or stainless steel). This composite provides both the electrical conductivity of metals and the catalytic activity for ozone generation of diamond. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane combined with this composite electrode creates a synergistic system that improves both reliability of electrolysis and electric current efficiency.
2Productivity
If lead oxide anode or conductive diamond anode with high overvoltage is used to suppress oxygen generation, then ozone formation is enhanced, but high electrolysis voltage is required and power efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the diamond coating thickness (0.1-10 μm) and porosity parameters to achieve the right balance between ozone generation activity and electrical conductivity. By controlling these parameters, the system achieves high ozone formation rates without requiring excessive overvoltage, thereby improving power efficiency while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive diamond coating is applied selectively on the anode surface where ozone generation is needed, while the metal substrate provides bulk electrical conductivity. This local quality differentiation allows the system to achieve high ozone formation rates at specific locations without requiring high voltage across the entire electrode, thus improving power efficiency.
3Reliability
If anode and cathode are physically separated by solid polymer electrolyte membrane, then electrolysis can be conducted, but hydroxide precipitation occurs on cathode surface and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful hydroxide precipitation into a beneficial effect by allowing it to form a protective layer on the cathode that actually enhances ozone generation. The precipitation products serve as additional active sites for the electrolysis reaction, transforming the maintenance burden into a performance enhancement, thereby reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining electrolysis function.
4Productivity
If through-holes are provided on anode and cathode surfaces allowing raw water direct flow, then pressure loss is reduced and ozone production efficiency is enhanced, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode surfaces by creating arrays of through-holes, dividing the continuous surface into multiple flow channels. This segmentation allows raw water to access active sites throughout the electrode thickness, enhancing ozone production efficiency while the modular hole pattern keeps manufacturing relatively simple through standard drilling or laser techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive diamond coating itself has a porous structure that is integrated with the through-holes in the electrodes and membrane. This hierarchical porosity system enhances mass transport and ozone generation without requiring complex external structures, as the porous material itself performs multiple functions including flow distribution and catalytic activity.
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 solution enhances ozone water production efficiency, prolongs equipment life, reduces maintenance costs, and allows for a compact, portable design suitable for various applications, including wastewater treatment and drinking water disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
a solid polymer electrolyte membrane is inserted between the cathode and the anode as a moving path for hydrogen ions
Implementation Method 2
the electrochemical process by water electrolysis... Ozone is formed by the reaction formula, as below. Ozone formation reaction (anode) : 3H 2 O=O 3 +6H +
Implementation Method 3
electrolysis is performed at a high potential using lead oxide anode or conductive diamond anode with a high overvoltage to suppress oxygen generation
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
This invention is to provide a membrane-electrode assembly, an electrolytic cell using the same, a method and an apparatus for producing ozone water, a method for disinfection and a method for wastewater or waste fluid treatment, by using which electrolysis reaction products or decomposition products obtained at the anode are produced at a high efficiency; channel pressure drop is minimized; and the apparatus is designed in compact size without sacrificing the production capacity. This invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a cation exchange membrane, an anode and a cathode tightly adhered to the respective surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, with a plurality of through-holes with 0.1 mm or more in diameter over the entire surfaces of the anode, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the cathode, passing through these elements; an electrolytic cell using the membrane-electrode assembly; a method and an apparatus for producing ozone water; a method for disinfection; and a method for wastewater or waste fluid treatment.