Proton-Conductive Electrochemical Device with Integrated Reforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Proton-conductive electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells, are sensitive to impurities like CO2 and H2S present in hydrocarbon fuels, leading to reduced efficiency and service life, necessitating an external reforming step that increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a mixed-conduction layer between the negative electrode and proton-conductive electrolyte that acts as a protective barrier, allowing selective diffusion of protons and electrons while blocking contaminants, thereby eliminating the need for an external reformer and enhancing chemical stability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external reforming step is added to remove impurities, then the protection of the proton conductor is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reforming function with the fuel cell operation by enabling the fuel to undergo reforming reactions within the fuel cell stack itself. The steam generated from the electrochemical reactions provides the necessary steam for reforming hydrocarbon fuels, eliminating the need for separate external reforming equipment while protecting the proton conductor from impurities.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cell system serves itself by using the steam produced during electrochemical reactions to drive reforming reactions internally. The system generates its own steam through water production at the cathode, which then flows to the anode to facilitate reforming of hydrocarbon fuels, creating a self-sustaining process that protects the proton conductor without external intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an external reformer is integrated, then the contaminant filtration is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reforming function with the existing fuel cell components, using the steam generated during fuel cell operation to drive reforming reactions. This integration eliminates the need for separate reforming equipment, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining effective contaminant filtration through the electrochemical process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in temperature and steam concentration parameters within the fuel cell to enable reforming reactions. By controlling the steam-to-fuel ratio and temperature conditions within the fuel cell stack, the system achieves effective contaminant removal without requiring additional expensive reforming equipment.
3Reliability
If reforming is performed externally, then the proton conductor is protected from CO2 and H2S, but the system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell system performs self-service by generating the steam required for reforming through its own electrochemical reactions. The water produced at the cathode flows to the anode where it participates in reforming reactions, eliminating the need for external steam supply systems and maintaining high overall system efficiency while protecting the proton conductor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by integrating the reforming process with the fuel cell operation. The steam generated continuously during fuel cell operation continuously drives reforming reactions, maintaining a continuous supply of purified hydrogen to the electrochemical reactions without interruption or loss of 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 solution effectively filters harmful gases and contaminants, protecting the proton-conductive electrolyte and improving overall efficiency by ensuring only protons and electrons are transferred, thus extending the device's service life and simplifying the system architecture.
Implementation Method 1
a layer able to diffuse protons and electrons and forming a protective barrier to the contaminants for the proton-conductive electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
a proton-conductive electrolyte, in contact with the porous positive electrode and with the negative electrode
Implementation Method 3
a negative electrode able to oxidise a reducing species
Implementation Method 4
the oxidation of a reducing species on a negative electrode coupled with the reduction of an oxidising species on a positive electrode
Implementation Method 5
a positive electrode able to reduce an oxidising species
Implementation Method 6
the oxidation of a reducing species on a negative electrode coupled with the reduction of an oxidising species on a positive electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A proton-conductive electrochemical device and method for manufacturing the device. The device comprising a positive electrode able to reduce an oxidizing species, a negative electrode able to oxidize a reducing species, and a proton-conductive electrolyte, in contact with the positive and negative electrode. The device further comprises a layer able to diffuse protons and electrons, and forms a protective barrier against contaminants for the electrolyte. The layer is in contact with both the electrolyte and the negative electrode, and comprises a material of the type ABB′O3 or a material of the type ABO3, wherein A is an element chosen from group II of the periodic table, B is an element chosen from cerium and group IVB of the periodic table, B′ is an element chosen from lanthanides or group VIIIB of the periodic table, and the layer has a porosity of less than 10% by volume.