Pt-Ru Catalyst Hydrogen Purifier for CO Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen purifiers face efficiency issues due to increased voltage from carbon monoxide presence, high internal resistance, and frequent regeneration needs, especially in fuel cell systems where carbon monoxide concentrations are high.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen purifier configuration using a proton conductive polymer electrolyte membrane with an anode and cathode catalyst layers containing Pt and Ru, and supplying oxygen to the anode, which reduces internal resistance and prevents carbon monoxide poisoning, allowing for efficient hydrogen purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional hydrogen purifiers are used to purify hydrogen from carbon monoxide-hydrogen mixed gas, then hydrogen purification is achieved, but the voltage increases due to carbon monoxide presence and internal resistance increases, reducing purification efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the catalyst layers by incorporating ruthenium (Ru) alongside platinum (Pt) in specific ratios. This parameter change in catalyst composition reduces the voltage increase caused by carbon monoxide presence and lowers internal resistance, thereby maintaining voltage stability while preserving hydrogen purification efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite catalyst materials consisting of Pt-Ru alloys in both the anode and cathode catalyst layers. This composite material approach creates a synergistic effect where Ru enhances CO tolerance and reduces internal resistance, while Pt maintains catalytic activity for hydrogen oxidation, resolving the contradiction between purification efficiency and voltage stability.
2Productivity
If conventional catalyst layers are used in the presence of carbon monoxide, then hydrogen purification proceeds, but carbon monoxide poisoning occurs and internal resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of carbon monoxide into a beneficial one by utilizing the oxygenate supply to the anode. The oxygenate reacts with carbon monoxide through oxidation, transforming CO from a poison that increases internal resistance into a reaction intermediate that can be converted to carbon dioxide, thereby protecting the catalyst from poisoning while maintaining purification productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the operational parameters by introducing oxygenate supply to the anode, which changes the chemical environment from CO-poisoning conditions to CO-oxidation conditions. This parameter change in gas composition and flow enables the system to tolerate higher CO concentrations without catalyst poisoning, maintaining high purification rates.
3Productivity
If conventional hydrogen purifier configurations are used, then hydrogen purification is achieved, but the setup is complex and regeneration is frequently required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of CO removal and hydrogen purification into a single integrated process by supplying oxygenate to the anode where CO oxidation occurs simultaneously with hydrogen oxidation. This merging eliminates the need for separate CO removal units and frequent regeneration operations, simplifying the overall configuration while maintaining high purification efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the fuel cell stack multi-functional by enabling it to perform both power generation and hydrogen purification with CO removal in a single system. The anode serves multiple functions: hydrogen oxidation, CO oxidation, and water management. This universal approach eliminates the need for dedicated purification equipment, reducing device complexity.
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 configuration enables high-efficiency hydrogen purification from carbon monoxide-hydrogen mixed gases with a simpler setup, stabilizing voltage and reducing internal resistance, thus improving overall purification efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a proton conductive polymer electrolyte membrane and electrodes on both sides of the membrane, hydrogen ions being passed through the membrane upon the application of electric current
Implementation Method 2
an anode including an anode catalyst layer disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane, a cathode including a cathode catalyst layer disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane
Implementation Method 3
the anode catalyst layer including Pt, the cathode catalyst layer including Pt and Ru
Data Source
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AI summary
A hydrogen purifier (100) includes an electrolyte membrane (22) including a proton conductive polymer, an anode (23) having an anode catalyst layer disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane (22), a cathode (24) having a cathode catalyst layer disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane (22), a separator which has a fluid channel and through which carbon monoxide, hydrogen and oxygen are supplied to the anode (23), and a power supply (21) that energizes the anode (23) and the cathode (24), the anode catalyst layer including Pt, the cathode catalyst layer including Pt and Ru.