PEM Cell Oxygen Pressure De-ionizing Water System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for deionizing feed water in polymeric-membrane PEM cells are limited, as they either rely on sachets of de-ionizing resin that only contact surrounding water or require complex systems with pumps and closed circuits to force water through de-ionizing cartridges.
Innovation Solution
A method where pressurized oxygen generated by the PEM cell is used to force feed water through a de-ionizing material, eliminating the need for mechanical pumps and simplifying the system by using the oxygen pressure to push water cyclically through de-ionizing means, such as a conduit containing de-ionizing material, within a compact apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sachets filled with de-ionizing resin are placed in the water container, then the system remains simple, but the de-ionizing action is limited because the sachets only contact surrounding water
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pneumatic pressure from accumulated oxygen gas to force water through the de-ionizing resin cartridge. The oxygen produced by the PEM cell is accumulated in a container, creating pressure that pushes water through the resin, enabling forced conduction and significantly improving de-ionization efficiency without adding mechanical pumps.
2Productivity
If a pump and closed circuit are used to force water through a cartridge filled with resins, then the de-ionizing action is improved, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own byproduct (oxygen gas from the PEM cell reaction) to drive the water circulation and de-ionization process. The oxygen accumulated in the container creates the necessary pressure to force water through the resin cartridge, eliminating the need for external pumps and complex closed-circuit systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the oxygen produced by the PEM cell, the invention recovers and accumulates it in a container. This recovered oxygen is then utilized to pressurize and force water through the de-ionizing resin, converting a waste product into a useful driving force for the water circulation system.
3Productivity
If de-ionizing resin is used in direct contact with water, then de-ionization occurs, but only a limited amount of water can be processed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs pneumatic pressure from accumulated oxygen to force a large volume of water through the de-ionizing resin cartridge. This pressure-driven forced conduction enables significantly increased water processing capacity compared to passive diffusion or natural contact methods.
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 approach ensures effective deionization of a significant amount of water without mechanical pumps, reducing system complexity and maintaining compactness, while allowing for efficient water management and de-ionization cycles.
Implementation Method 1
Water is brought to the PEM cell, where it separates into pure hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) according to the reaction 2H2O → 2H2 + O2
Implementation Method 2
a pressurized buildup of oxygen generated by the PEM cell is obtained, and with such pressure, a force is generated to push the feed water through a de-ionizing material or means
Implementation Method 3
the water that arrives to the PEM cell must be as pure as possible, to do this it must be de-ionized to capture the free ions
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is described for feeding a PEM cell (12) of an apparatus (10) to produce hydrogen by separating water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen molecules. For this purpose, a pressure buildup of oxygen generated by the PEM cell is created and a force is generated with such pressure to push the feed water through a de-ionizing material or means.