Membraneless electrolyzers for renewable energy

This technology is a membrane-free electrochemical platform that uses packed-bed membraneless electrolyzers (PBMEs) for the efficient, low-cost production of hydrogen peroxide and renewable ethanol.

Unmet Need: Efficient and sustainable electrochemical production

Current industrial electrochemical processes for producing hydrogen peroxide and ethanol can be costly, energy-intensive, and associated with substantial environmental impacts. Conventional electrolyzers often rely on membranes that are susceptible to fouling and degradation, increasing maintenance costs and limiting system durability. There is a need for more efficient, durable, and cost-effective electrochemical technologies that support sustainable production of hydrogen peroxide and renewable fuels at an industrial scale.

The Technology: Membrane-free electrolysis for efficient, durable chemical production

The technology is a membrane-free electrochemical platform that uses packed-bed membraneless electrolyzers (PBMEs) to perform electrochemical reactions without conventional membranes. The membrane-free configuration allows better control of the reaction environment, including pH and reactant utilization, while avoiding membrane fouling and degradation. This platform can be applied to electrochemically mediated hydrogen peroxide production and low-temperature CO₂ conversion to ethanol, with the potential to improve efficiency, durability, and cost compared with conventional systems.

Applications:

• Renewable ethanol and hydrogen peroxide production
• Water treatment
• Pulp and paper processing (bleaching)
• Sodium percarbonate production
• Chemical manufacturing

Advantages:

• Eliminates membrane fouling and degradation
• Reduces capital and operating costs
• Improves renewable energy production efficiency
• Enables more durable reactor designs
• Reduces environmental footprint

Lead Inventor:

Daniel Esposito, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Related Publications:

• Pang X, Davis JT, Harvey AD III, Esposito DV. “Framework for evaluating the performance limits of membraneless electrolyzers.” Energy Environ. Sci.* 2020 Sept 15;13(10): 3663-3678.

• O’Neil GD, Christian CD, Brown DE, Esposito DV. “Hydrogen Production with a Simple and Scalable Membraneless Electrolyzer.” J. Electrochem. Soc. 2016 Apr; 163(11): F3012-F3019.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU25012

• Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu