Permeable Separator Electrolytic Cell for Stray Current Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolytic cells face challenges with high space requirements, production costs, stray currents, and reduced efficiency due to complex pipeline configurations and undesired electrolyte flow, leading to corrosion and secondary reactions.
Innovation Solution
An electrolytic cell design with a permeable separator and electrolyte inlet/outlet configuration in specific half-cells, allowing electrolyte to flow through the separator and applying a positive pressure differential to enhance electrolyte passage, reducing stray currents and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrolyte inlets and outlets are provided in both half-cells, then electrolyte circulation is ensured, but device complexity and space requirements increase due to pipelines, reservoirs, and pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrolyte circulation function into the separator itself by making it permeable to electrolyte. The separator simultaneously performs gas separation and electrolyte transport functions, eliminating the need for separate pipelines, reservoirs, and pumps that would otherwise be required for electrolyte circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electrolyte circulation function from the external pipeline system and relocates it to the separator component. This extraction eliminates the complex external infrastructure while maintaining the essential circulation function through the permeable separator structure.
2Ease of operation
If electrolyte inlets and outlets are provided in both half-cells, then electrolyte supply is ensured, but production costs increase due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (gas separation, electrolyte circulation, electrolyte supply) into a single permeable separator component. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as a gas barrier, an electrolyte transport medium, and an electrolyte distribution system. This universality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If electrolyte flow rate is increased to reduce stray currents, then electrical resistance increases, but space requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a permeable separator with controlled porosity to manage electrolyte flow. The porous structure provides sufficient flow paths for electrolyte circulation while maintaining appropriate electrical resistance to minimize stray currents, all within a compact form factor that does not require additional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the physical parameters of the separator (permeability, thickness, pore size) to achieve the desired balance between electrolyte flow rate and electrical resistance. By adjusting these parameters, the system reduces stray currents without requiring increased space or additional components.
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 significantly reduces stray currents, enhances efficiency, and increases the service life of the electrolytic cell while minimizing space and production costs, with improved product purity and reduced corrosion.
Implementation Method 1
a separator which is permeable to an electrolyte present in the half-cells during operation
Implementation Method 2
applying to the first half-cells, during the electrolysis process, a positive pressure compared to the second half-cell in order to promote the passage of the electrolyte through the separator
Implementation Method 3
an electrolytic cell is suitable for carrying out water electrolysis
Data Source
AI summary
An electrolytic cell may include a cathode half-cell having a cathode, an anode half-cell having an anode, and a separator that separates the two half-cells from one another and that is permeable to electrolyte present in the half-cells during operation. At least one inlet for electrolyte is provided in a first half-cell of the two half-cells, and at least one outlet for electrolyte and no inlet for electrolyte are provided in the second half-cell such that electrolyte supplied via the at least one inlet is dischargeable via the at least one outlet after passing through the separator. A method can also be utilized to operate such an electrolytic cell. And an electrolyzer may include multiple of such electrolytic cells.