Sulfur dioxide depolarized electrolysis and electrolyzer therefore

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sulfur dioxide depolarized electrolyzers primarily utilize sulfuric acid cyclically, limiting the simultaneous production and utilization of hydrogen and sulfuric acid as valuable commodities, and face challenges such as high electrical requirements, sulfur dioxide crossover, and inefficient control over sulfuric acid concentration and catalytic overpotential.

Innovation Solution

A sulfur dioxide depolarized electrolyzer system that concurrently produces sulfuric acid and hydrogen, operates at lower electrical potential, reduces sulfur dioxide crossover, and enhances control over sulfuric acid concentration and catalytic overpotential through catalyst loading, anolyte distribution, and operation modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sulfuric acid is utilized cyclically in existing electrolyzers, then the system can maintain operation, but the simultaneous production and utilization of hydrogen and sulfuric acid as valuable commodities is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous production of hydrogen and sulfuric acidVSAvoidutilization of sulfuric acid

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the electrolyzer to enable simultaneous production of hydrogen and sulfuric acid as valuable commodities. By adjusting the electrochemical reaction conditions and product separation mechanisms, the system transforms from cyclic sulfuric acid utilization to concurrent production of both hydrogen and sulfuric acid, maximizing the value output of the electrolysis process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional electrolysis is used, then hydrogen can be produced, but high electrical requirements are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen productionVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes to reduce electrical energy consumption while maintaining hydrogen production efficiency. By optimizing the electrochemical reaction conditions, electrode materials, and operating parameters such as temperature and pressure, the system achieves lower electrical requirements compared to conventional electrolysis methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If sulfur dioxide depolarized electrolysis is implemented, then lower electrical potential is achieved, but sulfur dioxide crossover remains a challenge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical potentialVSAvoidsulfur dioxide crossover control

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary mechanisms to control sulfur dioxide crossover while maintaining low electrical potential operation. By using intermediate substances or structural elements at the membrane interface, the system prevents direct crossover of sulfur dioxide while allowing the beneficial low-energy electrochemical reactions to proceed, thus resolving the reliability issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If existing electrolyzer designs are used, then basic operation is achieved, but inefficient control over sulfuric acid concentration and catalytic overpotential occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidsulfuric acid concentration control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control mechanisms to efficiently manage sulfuric acid concentration and catalytic overpotential. By continuously monitoring these parameters and adjusting operating conditions in response, the system achieves precise control over product concentration and reaction efficiency, transforming the inefficient control of existing designs into a precisely managed process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 efficient coproduction of sulfuric acid and hydrogen at lower energy consumption, reduces environmental impact, minimizes crossover, and improves cell lifetime and efficiency by leveraging controlled anolyte and catholyte distribution and operation modes.

Implementation Method 1

electrochemically oxidizing sulfur dioxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical oxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

electrochemically reducing water (e.g., protons) to hydrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reduction: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS20250283237A1Sulfur dioxide depolarized electrolysis and electrolyzer therefore

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 PEREGRINE HYDROGEN INC

AI summary

A method can include: processing precursors, electrochemically oxidizing an anolyte and reducing a catholyte in an electrolyzer, and cooperatively using the oxidized anolyte and reduced catholyte in a downstream process. The electrolyzer can include an anode, a cathode, and a separator. The anode can include an anolyte, an electrode, an anolyte reaction region. The cathode can include a catholyte, an electrode, a catholyte reaction region.