Redox Device Residual Gas Purification for Closed Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Regenerative fuel cell systems face hazards due to accumulation of hydrogen-oxygen gas mixtures, as existing flushing processes are not applicable, and there is a need for a method to prevent harmful gas accumulation without opening the system.
Innovation Solution
A redox device with a residual gas purification unit that removes impurities from residual gases in the rest mode, utilizing a catalyst unit with platinum metal and a condensate precipitator for continuous gas circulation, ensuring safe operation without inert flushing gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flushing process is used to remove harmful gases, then gas accumulation hazards are avoided, but the system cannot operate in closed mode and requires opening
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful residual gases (hydrogen and oxygen) into beneficial water through catalytic recombination. The catalyst unit promotes the reaction 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O, transforming the dangerous gas mixture into harmless liquid water, thus eliminating the need for flushing while maintaining closed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a catalyst unit as an intermediary substance to facilitate the conversion of harmful gases into water. The catalyst (platinum or platinum-like metal) mediates the recombination reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, enabling the purification process without requiring system opening or external flushing agents
2Reliability
If inert flushing gases are used to prevent gas accumulation, then safety is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-purification by using its own residual gases as reactants. The hydrogen and oxygen already present in the system are recombined into water through the catalyst unit, eliminating the need for external inert gases or complex flushing infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding residual gases through flushing or replacing them with inert gases, the invention recovers them by converting back into water. This circular approach eliminates waste and removes the need for additional safety systems
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system is opened for flushing, then gas hazards are removed, but operational continuity is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst unit operates continuously to purify residual gases during both operation and rest modes. This continuous action ensures gas hazards are eliminated without interrupting the system's closed operation or requiring shutdown for flushing
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 solution prevents hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture hazards, enabling long-term closed operation with high operational safety and reduced costs by purifying residual gases, thus avoiding the need for inert flushing gases and ensuring efficient redox reactions.
Implementation Method 1
The redox device comprises at least one catalyst unit which promotes a reaction of oxygen gas and hydrogen gas into water
Implementation Method 2
The redox device comprises at least one condensate precipitator which separates water vapor from a stream of gas
Implementation Method 3
a redox reaction in which the first gas is oxidized and the second gas is reduced and these are converted, in a reaction with output of energy in the form of electric power
Implementation Method 4
with at least one electrolyte arranged at least between the two electrodes and/or with at least one electrolyte-filled or ion-conducting membrane arranged between the two electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A redox device, in particular a hydrogen-oxygen redox device, has at least one redox unit, in particular a hydrogen-oxygen redox unit, which is intended for carrying out at least one redox reaction with consumption and/or production of a first gas, in particular hydrogen gas, and/or of a second gas, in particular oxygen gas. The redox device includes at least one residual gas purification unit which frees at least one residual gas in the redox unit of at least one gas impurity at least in at least one rest mode of the redox unit.