Methods and systems for automated optimization of cox electrolysis reactor

Abstract

Methods and systems related to the field of carbon capture and utilization are disclosed. A disclosed method for controlling an electrolysis system with a plurality of electrolysis cells includes several steps. The electrolysis system converts a fluidic flow containing CO, into at least one chemical. The method includes monitoring, using at least one sensor, a plurality of electrolysis cells. The method also includes identifying, via the monitoring, a degrading cell in the plurality of electrolysis cells. The method also includes modifying, upon the identifying of the degrading cell and while continuing to operate at least one other cell in the plurality of electrolysis cells, an operational state of the plurality of electrolysis cells.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . An electrolysis system comprising:
 a stack of electrolysis cells, wherein a cell of the stack of electrolysis cells includes a plate;   a first stack casing located on a first end of the stack of electrolysis cells; and   at least one locking mechanism to move, under a degree of compression, the plate and the first stack casing away from a second end of the stack of electrolysis cells.   
     
     
         24 . The electrolysis system of  claim 23 , wherein the plate is a first plate of the cell and the electrolysis system further comprises:
 a second plate of the cell; and   a second locking mechanism to fix the second plate relative to the second end of the stack of electrolysis cells under the degree of compression when the first plate moves away from the second end of the stack of electrolysis cells.   
     
     
         25 . The electrolysis system of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the first stack casing is an endplate of the stack of electrolysis cells.   
     
     
         26 . The electrolysis system of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a laterally accessible interface on the plate;   a removable connector, of the at least one locking mechanism, configured to mate with the laterally accessible interface; and   an actuator, of the at least one locking mechanism, connected to the removable connector to impart the degree of compression.   
     
     
         27 . The electrolysis system of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the laterally accessible interface is a socket in the plate; and   the removable connector is a paddle.   
     
     
         28 . The electrolysis system of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the first stack casing includes a first indentation and a second indentation; and   the removable connector is configured to be inserted into both the first indentation and the second indentation when being mated to the laterally accessible interface.   
     
     
         29 . The electrolysis system of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a pressure sensor connected to the stack of electrolysis cells; and   a control loop for the at least one locking mechanism which uses data from the pressure sensor as at least part of a feedback signal of the control loop.   
     
     
         30 . The electrolysis system of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one locking mechanism further comprises:
 an actuator; and   a threaded post that extends through the first stack casing;   wherein the actuator rotates the threaded post to impart the degree of compression.   
     
     
         31 . A method for controlling an electrolysis system with a stack of electrolysis cells, wherein the stack of electrolysis cells includes a plate, and wherein the stack of electrolysis cells includes a first stack casing located on a first end of the stack of electrolysis cells, the method comprising:
 monitoring, using at least one sensor, the stack of electrolysis cells;   identifying, via the monitoring, a degrading cell in the stack of electrolysis cells;   locking at least one locking mechanism;   moving away the plate and the first stack casing from a second end of the stack of electrolysis cells, under a degree of compression from the at least one locking mechanism; and   replacing the degrading cell while maintaining the degree of compression.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 continuing to operate at least one other cell in the stack of electrolysis cells while replacing the degrading cell.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein:
 the at least one other cell in the stack of electrolysis cells is kept under the degree of compression while replacing the degrading cell; and   the degrading cell is between the plate and the second end of the stack of electrolysis cells.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the identifying of the degrading cell comprises one of:
 comparing a cell resistance of the degrading cell with a reference value; and   predicting an evolution of the cell resistance of the degrading cell based on a plurality of past measures of said cell resistance and of operational parameters of the stack of electrolysis cells.   
     
     
         35 . An electrolysis system comprising:
 a stack of electrolysis cells, wherein a cell of the stack of electrolysis cells includes a plate;   a first stack casing located on a first end of the stack of electrolysis cells;   a sensor to detect a degrading cell in the stack of electrolysis cells; and   a mechanism to maintain at least one other cell in the stack of electrolysis cells while replacing the degrading cell.   
     
     
         36 . The electrolysis system of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the mechanism is at least one locking mechanism to move under a degree of compression, the plate and the first stack casing away from a second end of the stack of electrolysis cells.   
     
     
         37 . The electrolysis system of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 at least one locking mechanism to move.   
     
     
         38 . The electrolysis system of  claim 36 , wherein the plate is a first plate of the cell and the electrolysis system further comprises:
 a second plate of the cell; and   a second locking mechanism to fix the second plate relative to the second end of the stack of electrolysis cells under the degree of compression when the first plate moves away from the second end of the stack of electrolysis cells.   
     
     
         39 . The electrolysis system of  claim 36 , wherein:
 the first stack casing is an endplate of the stack of electrolysis cells.   
     
     
         40 . The electrolysis system of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 a laterally accessible interface on the plate;   a removable connector, of the at least one locking mechanism, configured to mate with the laterally accessible interface; and   an actuator, of the at least one locking mechanism, connected to the removable connector to impart the degree of compression.   
     
     
         41 . The electrolysis system of  claim 40 , wherein:
 the laterally accessible interface is a socket in the plate; and   the removable connector is a paddle.   
     
     
         42 . The electrolysis system of  claim 41 , wherein:
 the first stack casing includes a first indentation and a second indentation; and   the removable connector is configured to be inserted into both the first indentation and the second indentation when being mated to the laterally accessible interface.   
     
     
         43 . The electrolysis system of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 a pressure sensor connected to the stack of electrolysis cells; and   a control loop for the at least one locking mechanism which uses data from the pressure sensor as at least part of a feedback signal of the control loop.   
     
     
         44 . The electrolysis system of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one locking mechanism further comprises:
 an actuator; and   a threaded post that extends through the first stack casing;   wherein the actuator rotates the threaded post to impart the degree of compression.