Water Electrolysis Device Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water electrolysis methods and devices face challenges in reducing the admixture of hydrogen and oxygen, leading to increased complexity, cost, and decreased efficiency, particularly in space applications where dry oxygen is required and high pressure differences across the electrolytic membrane cause membrane damage.
Innovation Solution
A water electrolysis method and device that supplies temperature-controlled water only to the cathode side of a solid polymer membrane with a catalyst layer, controlling the pressure difference between both surfaces to 50 kPa or less, using a reinforced electrolytic membrane with organic or inorganic substances to prevent admixture and reduce membrane thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is supplied only to the anode side to prevent membrane drying, then membrane hydration is maintained, but oxygen becomes wet and unsuitable for respiration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the water supply function by location - water is supplied only to the anode side where oxygen is generated, while the cathode side operates without direct water supply. This segmentation allows the anode to provide both hydration to the membrane and generate dry oxygen, resolving the contradiction between maintaining membrane hydration and producing dry breathable oxygen.
2Manufacturing precision
If pressure difference across the electrolytic membrane is increased to improve oxygen purity, then oxygen purity increases, but membrane damage occurs and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressure parameter by maintaining pressure on both sides of the membrane rather than creating a large pressure difference. This parameter change allows oxygen to be delivered dry without exceeding membrane strength limits, preventing membrane damage while still achieving effective gas separation and high oxygen purity.
3Strength
If electrolytic membrane thickness is increased to prevent damage from pressure difference, then membrane strength increases, but power consumption increases and electrolysis efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressure parameter from high pressure difference to equal pressure on both sides, which allows the use of thinner membranes. This parameter change reduces the power necessary for electrolysis and improves electrolysis efficiency while maintaining sufficient membrane strength to prevent gas mixing.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If pressure difference is increased to deliver dry oxygen, then oxygen dryness is achieved, but hydrogen admixture to oxygen increases creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the pressure conditions by location - pressure is applied on both sides of the membrane rather than creating a unidirectional pressure gradient. This segmentation prevents the formation of large pressure differences that would drive hydrogen through the membrane into the oxygen stream, thereby reducing hydrogen admixture and safety hazards while still delivering dry oxygen.
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 effectively suppresses the admixture of hydrogen and oxygen, enhances electrolysis efficiency, simplifies the device structure, and maintains membrane integrity while reducing power consumption and operational temperature, allowing for efficient and safe gas generation in space environments.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane which is typically used as a solid polymer membrane has hydrogen ion conductivity, and the electrolysis is accompanied by a phenomenon of an electrochemical osmotic pressure being generated from an anode towards a cathode and thus moving water from the anode side to the cathode side
Implementation Method 2
electrolyzing water by creating a potential difference between both surfaces of the electrolytic membrane
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a water electrolysis method and a water electrolysis device in which mixing of the generated hydrogen and oxygen is greatly reduced and which have a high electrolysis efficiency, while being simplified in structure. In the water electrolysis method and water electrolysis device, water is electrolyzed by supplying water to the cathode side of an electrolytic membrane including a solid polymer membrane provided with a catalyst layer on a surface thereof and creating a potential difference between both surfaces of the electrolytic membrane. The temperature-controlled water is supplied only to the cathode side of the electrolytic membrane, while controlling the difference in pressure between both surfaces of the electrolytic membrane to 50 kPa or less.