SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESSES
First Claim
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1. A system for controlling an electrochemical process, comprising:
- a power source;
a power amplifier coupled to the power source and configured to provide an electromotive force (emf) signal;
an electrochemical solution;
a plurality of electrodes positioned within the electrochemical solution for applying the emf signal to the electrochemical solution, wherein a voltage potential across the electrodes causes ions to flow in the electrochemical solution, and wherein the electrochemical solution forms a Nernst diffusion layer along a boundary while the ions are flowing in the electrochemical solution; and
a control element configured to control the power amplifier such that the emf signal exhibits a predetermined frequency, amplitude, and duty cycle for reducing a thickness of the Nernst diffusion layer such that an operational parameter of the system is set to a predetermined value, the control element further configured to control the power amplifier such that the emf signal is repetitively applied to the electrochemical solution via the electrodes at least until the operational parameter is set to the predetermined value, and wherein the operational parameter is selected from at least one of the group including;
a thickness of the Nernst diffusion layer, a limiting current density, a power density, an overpotential voltage, an ionic resistance, an exchange current density, a surface concentration, a surface conductivity, and a surface morphology.
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Abstract
A system is disclosed for controlling an electrochemical process. The system has a power source that is coupled to a power amplifier. The power amplifier is configured to provide an electromotive force (emf) signal, and a plurality of electrodes apply the emf signal to an electrochemical solution. A control element is configured to control the power amplifier such that the emf signal exhibits a predetermined frequency, amplitude, and duty cycle for reducing a thickness of the Nernst diffusion layer such that an operational parameter is set to a predetermined value.
7 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for controlling an electrochemical process, comprising:
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a power source; a power amplifier coupled to the power source and configured to provide an electromotive force (emf) signal; an electrochemical solution; a plurality of electrodes positioned within the electrochemical solution for applying the emf signal to the electrochemical solution, wherein a voltage potential across the electrodes causes ions to flow in the electrochemical solution, and wherein the electrochemical solution forms a Nernst diffusion layer along a boundary while the ions are flowing in the electrochemical solution; and a control element configured to control the power amplifier such that the emf signal exhibits a predetermined frequency, amplitude, and duty cycle for reducing a thickness of the Nernst diffusion layer such that an operational parameter of the system is set to a predetermined value, the control element further configured to control the power amplifier such that the emf signal is repetitively applied to the electrochemical solution via the electrodes at least until the operational parameter is set to the predetermined value, and wherein the operational parameter is selected from at least one of the group including;
a thickness of the Nernst diffusion layer, a limiting current density, a power density, an overpotential voltage, an ionic resistance, an exchange current density, a surface concentration, a surface conductivity, and a surface morphology. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling an electrochemical system, comprising:
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determining a desired value for an operational parameter of the system; generating an electromotive force (emf) signal; providing a voltage potential across a plurality of electrodes positioned within the electrochemical solution thereby causing ions to flow in the electrochemical solution, wherein the electrochemical solution forms a Nernst diffusion layer along a boundary while the ions are flowing in the electrochemical solution; determining, based on the desired value, a frequency, an amplitude, and a duty cycle for the emf signal to be applied to the electrochemical solution for reducing the Nernst diffusion layer such that the operational parameter is set to the desired value; and repetitively applying the emf signal to the electrochemical solution via the electrodes until the operational parameter exhibits the desired value, wherein the operational parameter is selected from at least one of the group including;
a thickness of the Nernst diffusion layer, a limiting current density, a power density, an overpotential voltage, an ionic resistance, an exchange current density, a surface concentration, a surface conductivity, and a surface morphology. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification