US 8,465,629 B2 · Membrane for electrochemical apparatus

Abstract

A membrane for use with an electrochemical apparatus is provided. The electrochemical apparatus may include a fuel cell or electrolyzer, for example, an electrolyzer adapted to produce hydrogen. The membrane comprises a fabric made from a synthetic fiber such as nylon where the nylon, in an exemplary embodiment, is woven into ripstop nylon fabric. The electrochemical apparatus is constructed with frames comprising high-density polyethylene (HDPE) which provide support and structure to the membranes as well as to internal electrodes. A method of making an electrochemical apparatus, such as an electrolyzer, containing a membrane comprising ripstop nylon is also disclosed, as is a method for producing hydrogen gas with an electrolyzer containing a membrane comprising ripstop nylon.

An apparatus, comprising:

a first compression plate, the first compression plate having a first side and a second side;
a first insulator plate, a first side of the first insulator plate facing and abutting the second side of the first compression plate;
a first electrode, a first side of the first electrode facing and abutting a second side of the first insulator plate;
a first end frame, the first end frame defining an aperture, and comprising;
a first side, the first side facing and abutting a second side of the first electrode;
a second side;
a liquid inlet forming a hole between the first side and the second side;
a channel formed on the first side between the aperture and the liquid inlet;
a gas outlet forming a hole between the first side and the second side;
and
a channel formed on the first side between the aperture and the gas outlet;
at least one membrane-electrode assembly, a membrane side of the membrane-electrode assembly facing and abutting the second side of the first end frame, the at least one membrane-electrode assembly comprising:
a membrane assembly, the membrane assembly comprising:
a ripstop nylon membrane;
a gasket affixed to a border of a first side of the membrane;
and
a gasket affixed to a border of a second side of the membrane, the first electrode, the first end frame, and the membrane assembly defining a first end frame chamber, the first end frame chamber substantially void of solid material;
a first interior frame, the first interior frame defining an aperture, and comprising:
a first side, the first side facing and abutting a second side of the membrane assembly;
a second side;
a liquid inlet forming a hole between the first side and the second side;
a channel formed on the second side between the aperture and the liquid inlet;
a gas outlet forming a hole between the first side and the second side;
and
a channel formed on the second side between the aperture and the gas outlet;
an interior electrode, a first side of the interior electrode facing and abutting the second side of the first interior frame, the membrane assembly, the first interior frame, and the interior electrode defining a first interior frame chamber, the first interior frame chamber substantially void of solid material;
and
a second interior frame, the second interior frame defining an aperture, and comprising:
a first side, the first side facing and abutting a second side of the electrode;
a second side;
a liquid inlet forming a hole between the first side and the second side;
a channel formed on the first side between the aperture and the liquid inlet;
a gas outlet forming a hole between the first side and the second side;
and
a channel formed on the first side between the aperture and the gas outlet;
a further membrane assembly, the further membrane assembly comprising:
a ripstop nylon membrane;
a gasket affixed to a border of a first side of the further membrane;
and
a gasket affixed to a border of a second side of the further membrane, a first side of the further membrane facing and abutting the second side of the second interior frame, the interior electrode, the second interior frame, and the further membrane assembly defining a second interior frame chamber, the second interior frame chamber substantially void of solid material;
a second end frame, the second end frame defining an aperture, and comprising:
a first side, the first side facing and abutting a second side of the further membrane;
a second side;
a liquid inlet forming a hole between the first side and the second side;
a channel formed on the second side between the aperture and the liquid inlet;
a gas outlet forming a hole between the first side and the second side;
and
a channel formed on the second side between the aperture and the gas outlet;
a further electrode, a first side of the further electrode facing and abutting the second side of the second end frame, the further membrane assembly, the second end frame, and the further electrode defining a second end frame chamber, the second end frame chamber substantially void of solid material;
a second insulator plate, a first side of the second insulator plate facing and abutting a second side of the further electrode;
and
a second compression plate, a first side of the second compression plate facing and abutting a second side of the second insulator plate.

49 more elements

Membrane for electrochemical apparatus

Life of this patent

Membrane for electrochemical apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24