Atmospheric Water Capture Coupled to Electrolysis Without Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen generation systems face inefficiencies due to the need for heating and cooling systems in electrolysers, increased costs from water purification processes, and challenges in extracting water from atmospheric air efficiently, particularly under varying weather and climatic conditions.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a water maker with an electrolyser that provides water for electrolysis, heat to maintain electrolyte temperature, and air cooling, eliminating the need for intermediate purification and enhancing hydrogen production efficiency by minimizing shutdown/restart cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water purification/conditioning apparatus is integrated with electrolyser, then water quality for electrolysis is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the water purification/conditioning apparatus from the system entirely. The atmospheric water generation unit produces water that is fed directly to the electrolyser without any intermediate purification steps, thereby eliminating the complexity and maintenance requirements of purification systems while maintaining sufficient water quality for electrolysis.
2Temperature
If heating and cooling systems are added to electrolyser, then operational temperature control is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the waste heat naturally generated by the electrolyser during operation to maintain the electrolyte at optimal temperature. This self-heating approach eliminates the need for external heating systems. The water condensation process also provides cooling effects when needed, creating a self-regulating thermal management system.
3Quantity of substance
If atmospheric water extraction is performed under varying weather conditions, then water source availability is improved, but extraction efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs temperature swing adsorption, changing the temperature parameter to control water vapor adsorption and desorption cycles. During daytime, higher temperatures promote water vapor release from the desiccant material, while nighttime cooling enables re-adsorption of water vapor from the atmosphere, allowing efficient water extraction across varying environmental conditions.
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 integration increases hydrogen production efficiency by 5-20% and reduces costs by eliminating water purification steps, while efficiently utilizing renewable energy sources like solar power.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigeration system may provide one or more closed-loop circuits for a refrigerant medium... A condenser may then remove the superheated condition from the refrigerant vapor and then condense the refrigerant to a saturated liquid state
Implementation Method 2
an electrolyser for the production of hydrogen... integration with an alkaline or PEM electrolyser
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is an integrated water capture and electrolysis system for enhancing the efficiency of hydrogen production from water by an electrolyser, the method comprising operatively associating an atmospheric water capture apparatus with the electrolyser such that heat utilisation is relatively maximised and current density is relatively minimised. In an embodiment, the atmospheric water capture apparatus produces water, at least some of which is used for cooling a solar cell prior to injection into the electrolyser.