Shared Flow Path Layout for Reversible Water Electrolysis Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water electrolysis and electricity generating systems are bulky and costly due to separate configurations for water and oxygen-containing gas supply paths, which limits their scalability and manufacturing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A water electrolysis and electricity generating system with a shared supply flow path that serves both water and oxygen-containing gas supply functions, incorporating a gas-liquid separator that uses oxygen-containing gas as a diluting gas, allowing for a more compact design and reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate configurations for water and oxygen-containing gas supply paths are used, then the system can reliably supply different fluids to the cell member, but the system becomes bulky and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supply flow path is designed to serve dual functions: supplying water to the cell member during water electrolysis mode and supplying oxygen-containing gas during electricity generating mode. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate supply paths for different fluids, reducing system complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable fluid supply through mode-specific operation
2Ease of operation
If separate configurations for water and oxygen-containing gas supply paths are used, then the system can maintain proper fluid flow control, but the system size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supply flow path is designed to serve dual functions: supplying water to the cell member during water electrolysis mode and supplying oxygen-containing gas during electricity generating mode. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate supply paths for different fluids, reducing system complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable fluid supply through mode-specific operation
3Device complexity
If a compact configuration with shared supply paths is used, then the system size and manufacturing cost are reduced, but the system must efficiently switch between different fluid supply modes
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic mode switching capability that allows the supply flow path to adapt its function based on operational requirements. During water electrolysis mode, the path supplies water; during electricity generating mode, it supplies oxygen-containing gas. This dynamic adaptability is achieved through control mechanisms that switch the supply source and composition based on the desired operational mode, enabling a compact configuration to perform multiple functions
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 system achieves a more compact configuration and lower manufacturing costs by sharing supply paths and using oxygen-containing gas for dilution, enabling efficient operation in both water electrolysis and electricity generating modes.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-liquid separator that separates into a gas and a liquid the gas-containing water that is guided from the lead-out flow path
Implementation Method 2
the water supplied to the first electrode is electrolyzed to thereby generate product hydrogen gas at the second electrode
Implementation Method 3
electricity is generated by an electrochemical reaction that takes place between the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the first electrode and the hydrogen gas supplied to the second electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A water electrolysis and electricity generating system is equipped with a water introduction flow path, an oxygen-containing gas flow path, an oxygen-containing gas introduction flow path, a first gas-liquid separator, and a dilution flow path. The oxygen-containing gas introduction flow path introduces the oxygen-containing gas that flows through the oxygen-containing gas flow path into the first supply flow path. The first gas-liquid separator separates into a gas and a liquid the gas-containing water that is guided from the first lead-out flow path connected to the first outlet port member. The dilution flow path guides the oxygen-containing gas that flows through the oxygen-containing gas flow path to the first gas-liquid separator as a diluting gas.