Devices and methods for membrane-free production of acids and bases from saltwater
This technology is a scalable membrane-free electrolysis system that uses electrodes to convert saline or salt solutions into valuable chemical products, including acids, bases, and gases such as hydrogen, oxygen, and chlorine.
Unmet Need: Durable, cost-effective, electrolysis platform for producing acids, bases, and gases from saltwater
Current electrolysis systems rely on membranes to separate products and prevent gas crossover, but these membranes are expensive, fragile, and prone to degradation in harsh or saline environments. As a result, existing systems for generating acids, bases, hydrogen, and oxygen from seawater are limited in terms of durability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. These limitations hinder the development of sustainable electrochemical processes for carbon capture, wastewater treatment, and chemical manufacturing. A more robust and economical approach to saltwater electrolysis is necessary to facilitate the widespread adoption of clean and circular chemical production technologies.
The Technology: Membrane-free electrolyzer for sustainable chemical and gas production
This technology uses a porous electrode electrolysis system to convert saline or brine solutions into acidic and alkaline streams while simultaneously producing hydrogen and oxygen gases. Unlike conventional electrolyzers that rely on costly, failure-prone membranes to separate reaction products, this design employs a controlled flow architecture and electrode geometry that naturally segregate the gas and liquid phases. The result is a simpler, more durable, and cost-effective method for generating valuable chemical and gaseous products from seawater.
Applications:
- Carbon capture and utilization
- Mineral extraction from seawater and brines
- Industrial wastewater treatment
- Hydrogen production
- Acid and base generation at chemical processing plants
- Research tool for studying electrochemical process optimization
- Water sterilization and disinfection
Advantages:
- Enhanced durability compared to existing techniques
- Cost-effective
- Sustainable design
- Adaptable to different platforms and suitable for integration in many commercial workflows
- Can be applied to many different processes within an organization (manufacturing, carbon capture, wastewater treatment)
Lead Inventor:
Patent Information:
Patent Pending (WO/2020/198350)
Related Publications:
Tech Ventures Reference:
IR CU19247, CU16055, CU18265, CU20290
Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu