RCGI – USP advances in a new patent for monitoring hydrogen production in electrolyzes
The Project “Method for monitoring bubble flow in an electrolyzer from shadow image and optical flow measurements” was approved for the last stage of Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) and is now patent eligible. The project proposes an approach for real-time monitoring of bubble flow from a membrane-free electrolyzer based on the optical flow approach using shadow images (Figure 1). “Membraneless electrolyzers have economic advantages for the production of H2 from water electrolysis. Eliminating membranes or diaphragms from cell architecture reduces manufacturing costs and increases durability. In this equipment, H2 and O2 are generated simultaneously in each electrode due to an external electrical current. An electrolyte flow drags the gases to the outlet of the channel. High purity of the gaseous product requires that there is no crossing of the H2 plume with O2 or vice versa in the entire reactor. Based on this, monitoring bubble flow is essential for the