Design of Carbon Dioxide Reduction Electrolysis Stacks and Trial Production of Electrolytic Cell Prototype

Abstract

Currently, the electrolytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) is a highly regarded and dynamic research field worldwide. The investigation and application of high-efficiency catalysts and ion-exchange membranes have emerged as prominent and sought-after research directions. This paper, in particular, centers on the design, trial production, and testing of carbon dioxide reduction electrolysis stacks. To optimize the stack performance, different plate materials were evaluated for their mechanical strength and corrosion resistance, resulting in the selection of aluminum alloy and 316L stainless steel. Furthermore, the choice of ionic membrane and carbon paper was based on Faraday efficiency and stability data, leading to the selection of DuPont Nafion anionic membrane and YLS carbon paper. Through the trial production of small electrolytic cells, the overall current density, Faraday efficiency, and durability of the chosen cell assemblies were validated. Subsequently, a KW-grade electrolysis stack was successfully manufactured, tested, and fine-tuned, achieving an impressive electrocatalytic current density of approximately 200 mA/cm2 and an impressive stability of around 400 hours.