Separator Plate Internal Channels for Product Removal Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical systems, such as electrolyzers, face efficiency issues due to uneven distribution of reactants and accumulation of reaction products, which impede the electrochemical reaction by diluting reactants and making them inaccessible, particularly on the anode side where oxygen production increases gas content, affecting the local efficiency and viscosity of the water-oxygen mixture.
Innovation Solution
A separator plate design with a two-layer structure featuring complementary channel-web structures, where the number of openings for fluid connection is unevenly distributed along the channel length, with more openings in the second half to counteract the increasing concentration of reaction products, allowing for targeted removal of these products and maintaining reactant concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single-layer separator plate with uniform channel structure is used, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing is simple, but the efficiency of electrochemical reaction is reduced due to uneven supply of reactants and accumulation of reaction products
Solution Approach 1:
The separator plate is divided into multiple layers (first layer and second layer), each with specific channel-web structures. The first layer has a first channel-web structure on its outer side and a complementarily-shaped second channel-web structure on its inner side, while the second layer has corresponding structures that align to form internal channels. This segmentation allows different regions of the separator plate to have different functions for reactant distribution and product removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The openings connecting internal channels to the first channel-web structure are unevenly distributed along the channel length, with fewer openings in the first half and more openings in the second half. This non-uniform distribution creates local quality variations that address the accumulation of reaction products in different regions, ensuring efficient reactant supply and product removal throughout the electrochemical cell.
2Productivity
If the number of openings is uniformly distributed along the channel length, then the manufacturing precision is easier to maintain, but the reaction products accumulate in downstream regions reducing local efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution of openings along the channel length is intentionally made asymmetric and non-uniform. The first half of the channel length has a different number of openings compared to the second half, creating an asymmetric pattern that specifically addresses the accumulation of reaction products in downstream regions while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Productivity
If the active region is increased to improve reactant distribution, then the efficiency improves, but the installation space and device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-layer two-dimensional channel structure to a multi-layer three-dimensional structure with internal channels. By adding the dimension of depth (internal channels within the separator plate thickness), the system achieves improved reactant distribution and product removal without increasing the planar active region area, thus maintaining compact installation space.
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 proposed separator plate design enhances the efficiency of electrochemical systems by ensuring sufficient reactant concentration and effective removal of reaction products, thereby improving the electrochemical reaction without increasing the active region or installation space.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of openings per internal channel, wherein the openings each define a fluid connection between a respective internal channel and the first channel-web structure on the first outer side
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a separator plate for an electrochemical system, comprising a first layer having a first outer side and a first inner side, and a second layer having a second outer side and a second inner side. A first channel-web structure having a plurality of channels and webs separating the channels is formed on the first outer side. The first channel-web structure forms a complementarily-shaped second channel-web structure on the first inner side. The second inner side faces the complementarily-shaped second channel-web structure and defines therewith a plurality of internal channels. A plurality of openings per internal channel each define a fluid connection between a respective internal channel and the first channel-web structure on the first outer side. The number of openings within a first half of a total channel length of a respective internal channel is less than within a second half of the total channel length.