Design and Stress Analysis of Extraterrestrial ... - The Black Vault

why fuel elements with a solid electrolyte in
the form of a ionexchange
membrane have a considerable advantage.
5 )Fig. 2.72. Structural
diagram of a hydrogenoxygen
element.
The ion-exchange membrane is an acid electrolyte in a quasisolid
state. Its properties, just as the properties of the
electrolyte, include the fact that the hydrogen ions can move from
one side of the membrane to the other and the neutral atoms cannot.
Each side of the membrane is covered with a layer of platinum grid,
which is the electrode of the fuel element and its catalyst. Current
density i = 0.3-0.5 A/cm2 at U = 0.7 V. Membrane thickness can reach
0.8 mm, including the electrodes.
As seen from the drawing, the ion-exchange membrane 2 Is
covered with a platinum grid 3, which passes to the electrodes.
The water which is in the oxygen chamber does not wet or penetrate
through the electrolyte since it admits only positive hydrogen ions.
The membrane consists of a porous ceramic, mixed with a
polymer, into vfnich sulfuric acid is
introduced.
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