PEM Hydrogen Compression With Passive Membrane Humidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical gas compressors for hydrogen fueling stations are costly, unreliable, and produce contaminants, while existing electrochemical compressors face challenges in maintaining proper humidification of proton exchange membranes, especially at high pressures, leading to inefficient hydrogen compression.
Innovation Solution
A polymer electrolyte membrane-based electrochemical hydrogen compressor system with a water management device that maintains humidification by delivering water passively to the membrane, using a non-conductive, liquid-permeable and gas-impermeable structure to manage water effectively, ensuring stable operation from ambient to high pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical gas compressors are used for hydrogen compression, then hydrogen compression capability is achieved, but high capital cost, high maintenance costs, and poor reliability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical compressors with an electrochemical compression system consisting of electrochemical cells that use electrical energy to drive hydrogen ion transport across a membrane, eliminating mechanical moving parts and associated reliability issues
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochemical system uses the hydrogen fuel itself as the working fluid that is compressed, with the compression process integrated into the fuel cell operation, reducing the need for separate mechanical compression equipment
2Temperature
If mechanical gas compressors are used for hydrogen compression, then hydrogen compression capability is achieved, but significant noise and heat production occur
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochemical system replaces mechanical compression with electrochemical reactions, eliminating the noise and heat generation associated with mechanical compressors and their moving parts
3Reliability
If mechanical gas compressors are used for hydrogen compression, then hydrogen compression capability is achieved, but compressed hydrogen contains pump oil and other contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochemical compression process uses a membrane and electrical fields to compress hydrogen, eliminating mechanical seals and lubricants that would contaminate the hydrogen, ensuring clean fuel for the fuel cell
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a selective membrane as an intermediary that allows hydrogen ions to pass through while blocking contaminants, ensuring clean compressed hydrogen reaches the fuel cell
4Reliability
If electrochemical compressors are used for hydrogen compression, then reduced contamination and maintenance are achieved, but proper humidification of proton exchange membranes becomes difficult at high pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a water management membrane as an intermediary component that specifically addresses humidification needs by transporting water to the proton exchange membrane, solving the high-pressure humidification problem
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the water management function from the main electrochemical compression process by using a separate water management membrane, allowing independent optimization of humidification at high pressures
5Productivity
If electrochemical compressors are used for hydrogen compression, then reduced maintenance and contamination are achieved, but efficient compression to very high pressures requires advanced water management
Solution Approach 1:
The water management membrane acts as an intermediary that simplifies water delivery to the membrane, enabling efficient compression to very high pressures without complex external water management systems
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 achieves efficient and reliable hydrogen compression up to 2000 bar with reduced maintenance and contamination, maintaining membrane performance and enabling rapid refueling of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a water management device for use in delivering water to the anode or the cathode, the water management device being non-conductive to electricity, permeable to liquids, and substantially impermeable to gases
Implementation Method 2
a first electrochemical cell comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane... an anode coupled to a first face of the polymer electrolyte membrane... a cathode coupled to a second face of the polymer electrolyte membrane
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for electrochemically compressing hydrogen. In one embodiment, the system includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that includes a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), an anode, and a cathode. First and second gas diffusion media are positioned adjacent the cathode and anode, respectively. A humidifying membrane is positioned next to the second gas diffusion medium on a side opposite the anode. A water supply is connected to the humidifying membrane, and a hydrogen gas supply is connected to the second gas diffusion medium. A hydrogen gas collector including a back pressure regulator is connected to the first gas diffusion medium. Separators, positioned on opposite sides of the MEA, are connected to a power source. In use, hydrogen is electrochemically pumped across the MEA and collected in the hydrogen gas collector. The PEM is kept properly humidified by the humidifying membrane, which releases water into the second gas diffusion medium.