Regenerative Fuel Cell Anionic Membrane Cost Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Regenerative fuel cells face limitations due to the use of hazardous materials, poor efficiencies, system size, clogging, and high costs, particularly related to ion exchange membranes and the need for reversible electrochemical reactions suitable for both energy storage and power delivery modes.

Innovation Solution

A regenerative fuel cell design utilizing an anionic membrane to selectively pass anions, allowing the use of cheaper reagents and alkaline redox couples with a potential difference of at least 0.7V in highly alkaline conditions, replacing expensive transition metals and reducing material costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cation exchange membranes are used to separate half cells, then charge balance is provided through cation transport, but the cost of materials and equipment becomes prohibitively high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge balance mechanismVSAvoidcost of materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using anion exchange membranes instead of cation exchange membranes. This allows anions (OH-, Cl-, SO4 2-) to transport charge between half-cells rather than cations, fundamentally changing the charge balance mechanism while using cheaper, more readily available membrane materials that reduce overall system cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the pH parameter of the electrolyte from acidic to alkaline conditions. This parameter change enables the use of anion exchange membranes and allows redox couples to operate in alkaline media, expanding the range of available electrochemically active species while reducing material costs and improving safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If acidic electrolytes are used with cation exchange membranes, then abundant cations are available for charge balancing, but hazardous materials are used and safety concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge balancing capabilityVSAvoidhazardous materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter from acidic to alkaline conditions, transforming the electrolyte environment. This eliminates the need for hazardous acidic materials while maintaining charge balancing capability through anion transport, improving safety without sacrificing functional performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the traditionally harmful acidic environment into a beneficial alkaline environment. By inverting the pH condition and using anion exchange membranes, the system transforms potential hazards into safe operating conditions while maintaining electrochemical functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional redox couples are used in acidic media, then highly soluble species are available, but the system requires expensive materials and complex equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolubility of electrochemically active speciesVSAvoidcost of equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter to alkaline conditions, expanding the range of available redox couples. This allows the use of cheaper, more abundant materials such as iron-based, manganese-based, and calcium-based redox couples that operate efficiently in alkaline media, reducing both material and equipment costs while maintaining high solubility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, rare materials with cheaper, more abundant alternatives. By using alkaline electrolytes and anion exchange membranes, the system can employ inexpensive redox couples involving common elements, significantly reducing material costs and making the technology economically viable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 enhances the efficiency and reduces costs by enabling the use of cheaper reagents and alternative membranes, improving the operational capabilities of regenerative fuel cells for both energy storage and power delivery modes.

Implementation Method 1

an anionic membrane separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment, which membrane is capable of selectively passing anions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon Exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

In the power delivery phase, electrochemically active species are supplied to electrodes, where they react electrochemically to produce electrochemical power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox Reactions: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 3

In a storage phase, electrical power is used to regenerate the electrochemically active species, which may be stored

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reactions: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS9843064B2Regenerative fuel cells

Publication Date: 2017.12.12 IP2IPO INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a regenerative fuel cell comprising an anionic membrane capable of selectively passing anions, wherein the pH of the anolyte and/or catholyte is at least 10. The present invention also relates to a method of operating a regenerative fuel cell comprising an anionic membrane capable of selectively passing anions, wherein the pH of the anolyte and/or catholyte is at least 10.