Zero-Gap Electrolytic Generator for Ozone Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of scaling up ozone production using electrolytic generators due to the expensive fabrication of electrodes with conductive diamond or other catalytic materials, as well as the challenges of handling large, brittle electrodes and the need for cost-effective solutions that maintain the benefits of electrolytic products.
Innovation Solution
A zero-gap electrolytic generator design with a first and second electrode, a polymer-electrolyte membrane, and a direct fluid connection between them, allowing for alternating polarity operation and reducing the complexity and cost of ozone production by using the same catalytic material for both electrodes, such as conductive diamond, and integrating multiple stacks connected via internal or external passages to enhance efficiency and reduce material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conductive diamond or other catalytic materials are used for electrodes, then ozone production efficiency is improved, but fabrication cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the anode and cathode into a single integrated electrode structure where both electrodes are made of the same conductive diamond material. This eliminates the need for separate catalytic materials at each electrode, reducing fabrication complexity and cost while maintaining ozone production efficiency through the unified electrode design that enables alternating polarity operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive diamond electrode serves multiple functions: it acts as both anode and cathode material, provides catalytic activity for ozone generation, and enables polarity reversal for limescale removal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for different specialized materials, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining high productivity.
2Productivity
If large electrodes are used for scaling up ozone production, then ozone generation capacity increases, but handling difficulty and material cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode system into multiple smaller conductive diamond electrodes arranged in series, with each electrode serving as both anode and cathode in alternating polarity cycles. This segmentation allows for easier handling of individual electrodes while maintaining high overall ozone generation capacity through the series configuration of multiple electrode stacks.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate anodic and cathodic flows are used, then product purity is improved, but system complexity and material cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the anodic and cathodic fluid flows into a single common flow path that passes sequentially through both electrodes. The fluid flows from the anode side through the membrane to the cathode side, allowing both electrodes to process the same fluid stream. This reduces system complexity and material requirements while maintaining product purity through the zero-gap membrane separation.
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 design enables continuous ozone production while minimizing material costs and complexity, allowing for efficient and economical scaling of ozone generation without significant adverse reactions between anodic and cathodic products, thus providing a practical and cost-effective solution for electrolytic product generation.
Implementation Method 1
During electrolysis, protons generated at the anode migrate through the proton-exchange membrane until reaching the cathode
Implementation Method 2
These water electrolyzers comprise two electrodes comprising an anode and a cathode. The electrodes are comprised of catalytic materials suitable for water electrolysis when an electrical current is applied to the electrodes
Implementation Method 3
Anode catalytic materials with high overpotential for water electrolysis promote the formation of oxidants with high oxidation potential, for instance, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, oxygen radicals
Implementation Method 4
the anodic product typically may include high-oxidation potential oxidants such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, oxygen radicals
Implementation Method 5
Polarity reversal is a convenient way to remove limescale from the cathode
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the principals of the present invention, an electrolytic generator and method of electrolytic generation are provided. An electrolytic stack includes of a first electrode, a second electrode, and a polymer-electrolyte membrane placed between the first and second electrodes. A first fluid passage provides fluid passage over the first electrode while a second fluid passage provides fluid passage over the second electrode. A third fluid passage provides fluid connection between the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage such that the fluid flows from the first fluid passage to the second fluid passage via the third fluid passage. An electronic current is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode when a voltage bias is applied to the electrodes.