Anionic electrochemical compressor and refrigeration system employing same
AssigneeFfi Ionix IP, Inc.
InventorBamdad Bahar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrochemical compressor utilizes an anion conducting layer disposed between an anode and a cathode for transporting a working fluid. The working fluid may include carbon dioxide that is dissolved in water and is partially converted to carbonic acid that is equilibrium with bicarbonate anion. An electrical potential across the anode and cathode creates a pH gradient that drives the bicarbonate anion across the anion conducting layer to the cathode, wherein it is reformed into carbon dioxide. Therefore, carbon dioxide is pumped across the anion conducting layer. The compressor may be part of a refrigeration system that pumps the working fluid in a closed loop through a condenser and an evaporator.
Claims17
A membrane electrode assembly comprising:
- a) an anode;
- b) a cathode;
- and
- c) an anisotropic anion conducting layer between and in contact with the anode and cathode and comprising an anion conducting polymer;
- wherein the anion conducting polymer comprises a backbone selected from the group consisting of:
- poly(arylene), poly(phenylene) and poly(styrene);
- and
- wherein the anisotropic anion conducting layer has a concentration gradient of the functional groups from the anode to the cathode of at least 1.5:1.
The membrane electrode assembly of claim, 1 wherein the anion conducting layer has a thickness between 5 and 50 microns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.