# US 12,595,577 B2 · System and method for the electrochemical conversion of a gaseous compound > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,595,577 B2 - Document ID: US12595577B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/769,023 - Filed: 2020-12-03 - Published: 2024-04-04 - Granted: 2026-04-07 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-03 - Assignees: Universiteit Antwerpen - Applicants: Universiteit Antwerpen - Inventors: Bert De Mot; Tom Breugelmans - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12595577B2 ## CPC - C25B 9/23: comprising ion-exchange membranes in or on which electrode material is embedded - C25B 13/02: characterised by shape or form - C25B 3/03: Acyclic or carbocyclic hydrocarbons - C25B 3/07: Oxygen containing compounds - C25B 3/26: of carbon dioxide - C25B 9/05: Pressure cells - C25B 9/65: Means for supplying current; Electrode connections; Electric inter-cell connections - C25B 9/75: having bipolar electrodes - C25B 9/77: having diaphragms - C25B 15/083: {Separating products} - C25B: ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR (anodic or cathodic protection C23F13/00; single-crystal growth C30B) ## Abstract A system and method with improved water management for the electrochemical conversion of a gaseous compound, in particular CO2, in a zero-gap electrolyzer comprises the direct injection of a liquid, such as water, in the gaseous feed comprising the gaseous compound (CO2) and providing the gas/liquid mixture to the membrane electrode assembly of the zero-gap electrolyser via an interdigitated flow channel. This way, the gas and the liquid are forced through the porous electrode structures, thus ensuring that both the liquid and the gaseous compound (CO2) are in close contact with the electrode, resulting in an improved hydration of the electrode and an efficient conversion of the gaseous compound (CO2). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system (100) for the electrochemical conversion of a gaseous compound comprising (a) a zero-gap electrolyzer (110) comprising an energy source (103), a membrane electrode assembly (111) and a flow plate comprising an assembly of fluid distribution channels (104) operably connected to a surface of the membrane electrode assembly (111); wherein said membrane electrode assembly (111) comprises a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer and a polymer membrane interposed between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer; and wherein the assembly of fluid distribution channels comprises one or more fluid delivery channels in fluid connection with one or more fluid removal channels via a permeable matrix; (b) a first conduit (101) adapted for providing a gaseous compound to the one or more fluid delivery channels; and (c) a second conduit (102) for introducing a liquid towards said first conduit (101); and (d) an injecting means (105) configured for introducing said liquid from the second conduit (102) into the first conduit (101) thereby generating a gas/liquid mixture in the first conduit, which gas/liquid mixture is provided through the one or more fluid delivery channels to the surface of the membrane electrode assembly (111) and which gas/liquid mixture is subsequently forced through the permeable matrix of the membrane electrode assembly, thereby hydrating the membrane electrode assembly and removing and/or preventing the formation of any salts from the surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the flow plate comprising the assembly of fluid distribution channels (104) comprises an interdigitated flow channel (504). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the injecting means (105) is a spray nozzle, a T-piece connector or a Y-piece connector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a gas/liquid separator (108) connected to an outlet of the one or more fluid removal channels. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the membrane electrode assembly (111), is adapted for the electrolytic reduction of carbon dioxide. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a back-pressure regulator (109) at the cathode outlet, at the anode outlet or at the cathode outlet and the anode outlet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system (100) according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of electrolyzers or membrane electrode assemblies and associated flow plates. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the cathode catalyst layer of the membrane electrode assembly (111) is adapted for the electrolytic reduction of carbon dioxide. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the permeable matrix is as a porous electrode structure or a membrane of the membrane electrode assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system (100) according to claim 1; wherein the flow plate comprising the assembly of fluid distribution channels (104) is a cathode flow plate comprising an interdigitated flow channel (504). ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system (100) according to claim 1, comprising a stack of electrolyzers or a stack of membrane electrode assemblies and associated flow plates. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the injection means is driven by an injection pump linked to the second conduit, and wherein the injection pump controls a minimum liquid flow rate according to the equation Fwinj=S−Fw,co2in+Fw,co2out−Fwdrag+Fwdiff+rW, with Fwinj is the amount of liquid that is injected; S is the minimum amount of liquid required for solubilizing salts; Fwdrag is the amount of liquid dragged through the membrane to the cathode due to electro-osmosis; Fwdiff is the amount of liquid transported from the cathode due to back-diffusion; rW is the amount of liquid consumed in the electrochemical reactions; Fw,co2in and Fw,co2uit are the amounts of liquid in gaseous form present in the gas entering and leaving the cell, respectively.