Segmented Solid Electrolyte Dividing Wall for Fracture Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrolysis cells using solid-state electrolytes face issues with mechanical stress due to temperature fluctuations, leading to ceramic fracture, and are not stable in acidic conditions, which limits their industrial application.
Innovation Solution
An electrolysis cell design featuring a dividing wall composed of multiple alkali metal cation-conducting solid-state ceramics separated by a separating element, allowing for thermal expansion and providing enhanced mechanical stability and protection from acidic environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-piece solid-state electrolyte ceramic is used in the dividing wall, then the structure is simple and continuous ion conduction is maintained, but the ceramic is prone to fracture under thermal stress and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The dividing wall is segmented into multiple separate ceramic elements (at least two alkali metal cation-conducting solid-state ceramics) instead of using a single continuous piece. These segmented ceramics are arranged in parallel and separated by a separating element, allowing each segment to independently accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, thereby reducing stress concentration and preventing fracture while maintaining continuous ion conduction pathways.
2Temperature
If solid-state electrolyte ceramics are used, then high-temperature stability is achieved, but the ceramics are brittle and fracture under thermal expansion and shrinkage
Solution Approach 1:
The ceramic electrolyte is divided into multiple separate elements that can independently expand and contract with temperature changes. This segmentation prevents the buildup of thermal stresses that would otherwise cause fracture in a continuous ceramic structure, while still maintaining the high-temperature stability required for electrolysis operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A separating element is introduced between the ceramic elements to act as a mediator. This separating element accommodates the dimensional changes of the ceramics during thermal cycling, providing a buffer that prevents direct stress transmission between ceramic pieces, thereby protecting the brittle ceramics from fracture while allowing thermal expansion and shrinkage.
3Productivity
If the dividing wall uses a continuous ceramic structure, then ion conduction is efficient, but the structure lacks flexibility to react to temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous ceramic structure is replaced with multiple discrete ceramic elements arranged in parallel. This segmentation maintains efficient ion conduction through the collective surface area of multiple pieces while providing the flexibility needed for each piece to independently respond to temperature fluctuations through differential expansion and contraction.
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 design increases the long-term stability of the electrolysis cell by reducing the risk of ceramic fracture and preventing acidic corrosion, thereby improving the integrity and efficiency of the alkali metal alkoxide production process.
Implementation Method 1
at least two alkali metal cation-conducting solid-state electrolyte ceramics (18, 19)
Implementation Method 2
The charge is balanced in that alkali metal ions migrate from the middle chamber into the cathode chamber via the ceramic that is selective therefor
Implementation Method 3
there will inevitably be fluctuations in temperature in the cell, which result in expansion or shrinkage of the solid-state electrolyte ceramic
Implementation Method 4
these ceramics are brittle, this can lead to fracture of the ceramic... During the heating and cooling, there are expansion and shrinkage phases
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates, in a first aspect, to an electrolysis cell E comprising a dividing wall W suitable for use in an electrolysis cell E. The dividing wall W encompasses at least two alkali metal cation-conducting solid-state electrolyte ceramics FA and FB separated from one another by at least one separating element T. Compared to the cases according to the prior art in which the dividing wall W encompasses the solid-state electrolyte in one piece, this arrangement is more flexible and the individual ceramics have more degrees of freedom available in order to react to fluctuations in temperature, for example by shrinkage or expansion. This increases stability with respect to mechanical stresses in the ceramic.The electrolysis cell E encompasses a cathode chamber KK divided by the dividing wall W from the adjacent chamber, which is a middle chamber KM of the electrolysis cell E.In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a process for producing an alkali metal alkoxide solution in the electrolysis cell E according to the first aspect of the invention.