Alkaline Electrolysis Separator with Dissolvable Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current separators for alkaline water electrolysis face a trade-off between mechanical qualities and ionic conductivity, with porous supports reducing efficiency while providing necessary mechanical strength.
Innovation Solution
A separator design where a temporary porous support is removed by an alkaline electrolyte solution, allowing for increased ionic conductivity and maintaining mechanical strength, especially in a zero-gap configuration to prevent fatigue and cracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a porous support is used to reinforce the separator, then mechanical strength is improved, but ionic conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the porous support from the separator structure, extracting the element that causes the contradiction. The separator is designed without any supporting structure, allowing the electrolyte to directly wet the entire separator surface, thereby maximizing ionic conductivity while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength through the separator material itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the separator material to achieve both mechanical strength and high ionic conductivity. By optimizing the separator's porosity, hydrophilicity, and material composition, the separator can function independently without requiring a porous support structure.
2Reliability
If a porous support is removed to increase ionic conductivity, then ionic conductivity is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the separator's physical and chemical parameters, including increasing porosity to 30-70%, enhancing hydrophilicity through surface treatment, and selecting materials with appropriate mechanical properties to maintain strength without support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining different polymer materials or coatings that provide both mechanical strength and high ionic conductivity, allowing the separator to perform multiple functions simultaneously without external support.
3Reliability
If the separator is made thinner to improve ion transport, then ionic conductivity is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the separator thickness parameter to achieve the optimal balance between ion transport and mechanical strength. By carefully controlling thickness within specific ranges and combining it with optimized porosity and material selection, the separator maintains sufficient strength even at reduced thickness.
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 enhances ionic conductivity and mechanical strength, preventing fatigue and cracking, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of the electrolysis process without adversely affecting electro-catalytic properties.
Implementation Method 1
The porous support is substantially removed by an alkaline solution, more preferably by an electrolyte of an alkaline electrolyser
Implementation Method 2
The porous support is capable of being substantially removed from the separator
Implementation Method 3
the separator should also be a highly ionic conductor for transportation of hydroxyl ions from the cathode to the anode
Implementation Method 4
Alkaline water electrolysis is an important manufacturing process wherein electricity may be converted into hydrogen
Data Source
AI summary
A separator for alkaline electrolysis comprising a support (10) and a porous layer (20) provided on the support, characterized in that the support is capable of being substantially removed from the separator. The support is preferably removed by the electrolyte of an alkaline electrolyser.