US 11,717,788 B2
Environment control system utilizing an electrochemical cell
Bamdad Bahar, Georgetown, DE (US); Kryiacos Zachary, Frankford, DE (US); and Jacob Zerby, Harrington, DE (US)
Assigned to FFI Ionix IP, Inc., Harrington, DE (US)
Filed by Xergy Inc., Harrington, DE (US)
Filed on Sep. 4, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/560,959.
Application 16/560,959 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/800,398, filed on Nov. 1, 2017, granted, now 10,890,344.
Application 15/800,398 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2016/063699, filed on Nov. 23, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/765,540, filed on Sep. 4, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/416,072, filed on Nov. 1, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/385,175, filed on Sep. 8, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/373,329, filed on Aug. 10, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/353,545, filed on Jun. 22, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/300,074, filed on Feb. 26, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/258,945, filed on Nov. 23, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2020/0001230 A1, Jan. 2, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01D 53/30 (2006.01); B01D 53/26 (2006.01); B01D 46/00 (2006.01); B01D 53/04 (2006.01); F24F 3/14 (2006.01); B01D 53/32 (2006.01); C25B 15/02 (2021.01); C25B 9/23 (2021.01); C25B 1/04 (2021.01)
CPC B01D 53/30 (2013.01) [B01D 46/0036 (2013.01); B01D 53/0446 (2013.01); B01D 53/268 (2013.01); B01D 53/326 (2013.01); C25B 1/04 (2013.01); C25B 9/23 (2021.01); C25B 15/02 (2013.01); F24F 3/14 (2013.01); B01D 2253/102 (2013.01); B01D 2253/106 (2013.01); B01D 2253/108 (2013.01); B01D 2253/112 (2013.01); B01D 2253/1122 (2013.01); B01D 2253/1124 (2013.01); B01D 2257/708 (2013.01); B01D 2259/4508 (2013.01); B01D 2279/50 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An environment control system that is coupled with an enclosure and comprises:
a) an oxygen control electrolyzer cell,
wherein the oxygen control electrolyzer cell comprises:
i) an ion exchange medium;
ii) an anode;
iii) a cathode;
iv) a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) air moving device that produces a flow of process air onto the anode of the oxygen control electrolyzer cell;
wherein the anode and cathode are configured on opposing sides of the ion exchange medium;
wherein the oxygen control electrolyzer cell is in fluid communication with said enclosure; and wherein a power source is coupled with the anode and cathode to provide an electrical potential across the anode and the cathode to initiate electrolysis of water, wherein water is reacted to form reactants on the anode and the cathode to control the humidity level of the enclosure;
b) a humidification control device; and
c) a controller that is coupled with the power source and the oxygen control electrolyzer cell to control electrical potential across the anode and the cathode;
wherein an oxygen concentration within the enclosure is controlled by the oxygen control electrolyzer and a humidity level is controlled within the enclosure by the humidification control device;
d) an oxygen control chamber; and
e) a humidity control chamber;
wherein the humidification control device is in fluid communication with the humidity control chamber;
f) a separator configured between the oxygen control chamber and the humidity control chamber for transporting moisture between said oxygen and humidity control chambers;
wherein the separator is substantially air impermeable;
wherein the oxygen control electrolyzer cell controls the oxygen concentration within the oxygen control chamber; and
wherein the humidification control device controls the humidity level in the humidity control chamber,
wherein the oxygen control electrolyzer cell is an oxygen depletion electrolyzer cell having the cathode of the oxygen control electrolyzer cell in fluid communication with the enclosure; and
wherein the humidification control device is a dehumidification device that reduces the humidity level of the humidity control chamber;
wherein the humidity level of the oxygen control chamber is reduced by moisture transfer through the separator to the humidity control chamber; and
wherein the dehumidification device comprises a dehumidification electrolyzer cell;
wherein the dehumidification electrolyzer cell comprises:
i) an ionomer;
ii) an anode;
iii) a cathode;
wherein the anode and cathode of the dehumidification electrolyzer cell are configured on opposing sides of the ionomer and wherein said anode of the dehumidification electrolyzer cell is in fluid communication with the humidity control chamber;
wherein a power source is coupled with the anode and cathode of the dehumidification electrolyzer cell to provide an electrical potential across the anode and the cathode of the dehumidification electrolyzer cell to initiate electrolysis of water, wherein water is reacted to form oxygen and protons on said anode of the dehumidification electrolyzer cell and said protons react with oxygen at said cathode of the dehumidification electrolyzer cell to form water;
g) an air moving device that produces a flow of process air onto one of said anode or cathode of the oxygen control electrolyzer cell; and
h) a filter configured between the air moving device and the oxygen control electrolyzer cell.