Separatorless Dual Gas Diffusion Electrolysis Cell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 electrolysis systems face challenges due to the reaction of CO2 with the electrolyte medium, forming 'adducts' and requiring additional gas feed components, which complicates mass transfer and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an electrolysis cell with both electrodes as gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) that eliminate the need for separators like membranes, allowing the electrodes to manage product gas separation and ion conduction, thereby reducing ionic conduction resistance and avoiding gas bubble insulation issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If separators (membranes/diaphragms) are used to separate product gases, then gas separation is achieved, but ionic conduction resistance increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes separators (membranes and diaphragms) from the electrolysis cell, extracting the harmful element that caused both gas mixing and ionic conduction resistance. The gas separation function is then achieved through the electrode configuration itself, eliminating the need for additional separator components.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes in the patent serve multiple functions: they conduct electricity, facilitate electrochemical reactions, and simultaneously separate product gases through their spatial arrangement and porous structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate separator components.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If separators are installed in the electrolysis cell, then product gas separation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes separators from the cell structure, eliminating the complexity associated with installing and maintaining membrane or diaphragm components. Gas separation is achieved through the electrode design and operational configuration instead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the gas separation function with the electrode structure and operational mode. The porous electrodes and their arrangement inherently separate gases through diffusion and flow patterns, merging what would traditionally require separate components into the electrode system itself.
3Quantity of substance
If CO2 reacts with electrolyte medium, then mass transfer occurs, but adduct formation complicates the reaction pathway and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous gas diffusion electrodes that allow direct contact between CO2 gas and the electrocatalyst surface. This porous structure facilitates mass transfer of CO2 to the reaction sites while maintaining efficient electrochemical conversion, avoiding the need for CO2 to dissolve and form adducts in the bulk electrolyte.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional solution-based mass transfer mechanism (CO2 dissolving in electrolyte to form adducts) with a direct gas-phase diffusion mechanism through porous electrodes. This substitution eliminates the complex chemical intermediate steps involving adduct formation.
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 approach enhances the efficiency of the electrolysis process by eliminating the need for separators, improving current flow and product gas separation, and simplifying the system architecture, leading to more effective CO2 conversion and product gas generation.
Implementation Method 1
gas diffusion electrode
Implementation Method 2
ionic conduction resistance
Implementation Method 3
electrochemical reduction of the CO2
Data Source
AI summary
An electrolysis cell, includes a cathode space with a cathode, an anode space with an anode, and a salt bridge space, which is arranged between the cathode and the anode, wherein the cathode space and the salt bridge space are delimited from one another by the cathode and the salt bridge space and the anode space are delimited from one another by the anode, and the cathode and the anode are formed as a gas diffusion electrode. An electrolysis plant has a corresponding electrolysis cell and a method for carries out electrochemical reactions with the electrolysis cell or electrolysis plant.