Polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device and electrolytic bath with same

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of water electrolysis equipment, and discloses a polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device and an electrolytic bath with the same. The polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device comprises: a pair of conductive polar plates, at least one surface of which is a plane; the number of the flat plate diffusion layers is one pair, the pair of flat plate diffusion layers is arranged between the pair of conductive polar plates, overflowing runners are arranged between the flat plate diffusion layers and the conductive polar plates, and the overflowing runners between the adjacent flat plate diffusion layers and the conductive polar plates are formed on the faces, facing the conductive polar plates, of the flat plate diffusion layers or the faces, facing the flat plate diffusion layers, of the conductive polar plates; and the membrane electrode is arranged between the pair of flat diffusion layers. One surface or two surfaces of the conductive polar plate are planes, so that the forming step of the conductive polar plate is simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the conductive polar plate can be reduced. And at least one surface of the conductive polar plate is a plane without an overflowing runner, so that the planeness of the conductive polar plate can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of water electrolysis equipment, and in particular to a polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device and an electrolytic cell having the same. Background Art

[0002] A polymer proton exchange membrane electrolyzer is a kind of electrolyzer composed of a polymer proton exchange membrane (PEM), electrodes, electrolyte and containers, and can be used in various water treatment, chemical reaction, electrolysis reaction and other processes. A PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device usually includes stacked bipolar plates and a diffusion layer arranged between the bipolar plates.

[0003] In a PEM electrolyzer, in order to transport water, hydrogen, oxygen and other flow media along the bipolar plates, flow channel structures are usually set on both sides of the two bipolar plates. In the prior art, the flow channel structure is usually etched on the bipolar plates using an etching process. However, due to the small aperture and thin thickness of the bipolar plates, the processing time for etching the flow channel structure on the bipolar plates is long, the production cost is high, and the flatness of the bipolar plates after etching is difficult to ensure. The consistency of the flow channel depth is poor, which affects the subsequent electrolysis efficiency of the PEM electrolyzer during hydrogen production. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device and an electrolyzer having the same, so as to solve the problem in the prior art that poor flow channel molding quality in PEM electrolyzers affects electrolysis efficiency.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device, comprising: a pair of conductive electrode plates, at least one side of the conductive electrode plates is flat; a pair of flat diffusion layers, the pair of flat diffusion layers are arranged between the pair of conductive electrode plates, and flow channels are arranged between the flat diffusion layers and the conductive electrode plates, and the flow channels between adjacent flat diffusion layers and the conductive electrode plates are formed on a side of the flat diffusion layer facing the conductive electrode plate or a side of the conductive electrode plate facing the flat diffusion layer; a membrane electrode is arranged between the pair of flat diffusion layers.

[0006] In the polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device, the conductive plates are arranged in pairs and are usually made of materials such as stainless steel and titanium alloy. The conductive plates arranged in pairs control the redox reaction in the electrolyte by manipulating parameters such as power, temperature, and flow rate; the flat diffusion layer is used to disperse the gas generated in the electrolyte into the entire electrolytic cell to ensure uniform gas distribution, thereby ensuring the smooth progress of the electrolysis reaction. The membrane electrode arranged between a pair of flat diffusion layers is a carrier produced by the electrolysis reaction. The membrane electrode is composed of a proton exchange membrane and anode and cathode catalysts. The membrane electrode is used to provide surface catalytic activity and catalyze electrochemical reactions in the electrolyte. By setting the conductive plate to have one side as a plane or both sides as planes, that is, only setting a flow channel on one side of the conductive plate or not setting a flow channel on the conductive plate, the forming steps of the conductive plate are simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the conductive plate can be reduced. At the same time, the flow channel features are all or partially formed on the flat diffusion layer. Since the flat diffusion layer is softer than the conductive plate material, it is easier to form a flow channel, which can reduce the overall manufacturing cost of the polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device. Moreover, by ensuring that at least one side of the conductive electrode plate is a plane without a flow channel, the flatness of the conductive electrode plate can be improved. At the same time, the flow channel is formed on a softer flat diffusion layer, and the depth of the flow channel is easier to control. The depth consistency of the flow channel can be improved, thereby improving the electrolysis efficiency of the polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device during hydrogen production.

[0007] In an optional embodiment, a flow channel is provided on one side of the flat diffusion layer facing the adjacent conductive electrode plate. By providing the flow channel on the flat diffusion layer, the flow path of the gas generated by electrolysis can be optimized and the electrolysis efficiency can be improved. At the same time, since the flat diffusion layer is made of a relatively soft material, the flow channel is easier to form on the flat diffusion layer, so it is easier to manufacture a precise flow channel structure, thereby increasing the amount of electrolyte and the electrolysis efficiency.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the side of the conductive electrode plate facing the flat diffusion layer is flat, and a flow channel is provided on the side of the conductive electrode plate facing away from the flat diffusion layer, so that the gas generated on the side of the conductive electrode plate facing away from the flat diffusion layer can flow away quickly through the flow channel, thereby reducing the gas concentration near the conductive electrode plate and ensuring the smooth progress of the electrolysis reaction on the side of the conductive electrode plate facing away from the flat diffusion layer.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, both sides of the conductive electrode plate facing and away from the flat diffusion layer are flat, which can reduce the difficulty of manufacturing the conductive electrode plate and the manufacturing cost of the electrolysis device, while ensuring the flatness of both sides of the conductive electrode plate and improving the electrolysis efficiency and electrolyte amount.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, both sides of the flat diffusion layer facing and away from the conductive electrode plate are planes, and a flow channel is provided on a side of the conductive electrode plate facing the flat diffusion layer.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the conductive electrode plate includes an anode plate and a cathode plate, the flat plate diffusion layer includes an anode diffusion layer and a cathode diffusion layer, and the anode plate, the anode diffusion layer, the membrane electrode, the cathode diffusion layer and the cathode plate are arranged in sequence.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the flow channel provided on the flat diffusion layer is formed by a pressing process, which can ensure that the shape, size and position of the flow channel meet higher precision requirements. The pressing process includes: placing the flat diffusion layer material to be formed on a mold with flow channel features for pressing, and after the flow channel shape is pressed out on the flat diffusion layer material to be formed, sintering and shaping. The flow channel is pre-formed and then sintered and shaped. Ensure that the shape and size of the flow channel are consistent with the flow channel features on the mold, thereby ensuring the molding accuracy and consistency of the flow channel. After sintering and shaping, the flat diffusion layer can have higher strength and hardness, so that it can withstand the immersion and high pressure and high temperature environment during the electrolysis process.

[0013] In an optional implementation, the pore size of the surface of the flat diffusion layer is 10-50 μm, and the porosity of the surface of the flat diffusion layer is 10%-80%.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the ridge width of the flow channel is 0.5-3 mm, the valley width of the flow channel is 0.5-3 mm, the depth of the flow channel is 0.2-2 mm, and the depth of the flow channel is not greater than the valley width of the flow channel.

[0015] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides an electrolytic cell having the polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device described in the present invention. Because the electrolytic cell includes the polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device, it has the same effect as the polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device, which will not be described in detail here. In the electrolytic cell, the polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis devices are arranged in sequence in multiple groups, and adjacent polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis devices can share one of the conductive electrode plates on the opposite side, or each group of polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis devices can be independently arranged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of a polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Explanation of the reference numerals: 1. anode plate; 2. anode diffusion layer; 3. membrane electrode; 4. cathode diffusion layer; 5. cathode plate; 6. sealing gasket; 7. flow channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] Combine the following Figure 1 and Figure 2 , describing an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, on the one hand, a polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device is provided, comprising a pair of conductive electrode plates, a pair of flat diffusion layers and a membrane electrode 3

[0023] In the polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device, each of the pair of conductive electrode plates has at least one plane, that is, the conductive electrode plate can have both sides that are flat surfaces without an external flow channel structure, or the flow channel 7 is formed only on one side of the conductive electrode plate. A pair of flat diffusion layers are arranged between the pair of conductive electrode plates, and a flow channel 7 is arranged between the flat diffusion layer and the conductive electrode plate. The flow channel 7 between the adjacent flat diffusion layer and the conductive electrode plate is formed on the side of the flat diffusion layer facing the conductive electrode plate or the side of the conductive electrode plate facing the flat diffusion layer. That is, on the flat diffusion layer, the flow channel 7 is arranged on the side facing the adjacent conductive electrode plate, or the two sides of the flat diffusion layer facing and away from the conductive electrode plate are set as flat surfaces. When the flow channel 7 is arranged on the side of the flat diffusion layer facing the adjacent conductive electrode plate, the side of the adjacent conductive electrode plate facing the flat diffusion layer is set as a plane; the two sides of the flat diffusion layer facing and away from the conductive electrode plate are set as flat surfaces, and the flow channel 7 is formed on the side of the adjacent conductive electrode plate facing the flat diffusion layer. The membrane electrode 3 is arranged between the pair of flat diffusion layers.

[0024] In the polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device, the conductive plates are arranged in pairs and are usually made of stainless steel, titanium alloy and other materials. The conductive plates arranged in pairs control the redox reaction in the electrolyte by manipulating parameters such as power, temperature, and flow rate; the flat diffusion layer is used to disperse the gas generated in the electrolyte into the entire electrolytic cell to ensure uniform gas distribution, thereby ensuring the smooth progress of the electrolysis reaction. The membrane electrode 3 arranged between a pair of flat diffusion layers is a carrier generated by the electrolysis reaction. The membrane electrode 3 is composed of a proton exchange membrane and anode and cathode catalysts. The membrane electrode 3 is used to provide surface catalytic activity and catalyze electrochemical reactions in the electrolyte. By setting the conductive plate to have one side as a plane or both sides as planes, that is, only setting the flow channel 7 on one side of the conductive plate or not setting the flow channel 7 on the conductive plate, the forming steps of the conductive plate are simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the conductive plate can be reduced. At the same time, the features of the flow channel 7 are formed entirely or partially on the flat diffusion layer. Since the flat diffusion layer is softer than the conductive electrode plate, it is easier to form the flow channel 7, which can reduce the overall manufacturing cost of the polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device. Moreover, by ensuring that at least one side of the conductive electrode plate is a plane without the flow channel 7, the flatness of the conductive electrode plate can be greatly improved. At the same time, the flow channel 7 is formed on the softer flat diffusion layer, and the depth of the flow channel 7 is easier to control, which can greatly improve the consistency of the depth of the flow channel 7, thereby improving the electrolysis efficiency of the polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device during hydrogen production.

[0025] In one embodiment, a flow channel 7 is formed on the flat diffusion layer on the side facing the adjacent conductive electrode plate. The flow channel 7 is used to optimize the flow path of the gas generated in the electrolysis reaction, so that the gas generated near the conductive electrode plate can quickly diffuse to a position away from the conductive electrode plate, thereby improving the electrolysis efficiency. Since the flat diffusion layer is less hard than the conductive electrode plate, the structure of the flow channel 7 with a precise structure formed on the flat diffusion layer becomes relatively simple, which can greatly reduce the manufacturing cost of the electrolysis device and help improve the overall quality and efficiency of the electrolysis process.

[0026] Specifically, the side of the conductive electrode plate facing the flat diffusion layer is a plane to ensure the flatness of the surface of the conductive electrode plate, and the side of the conductive electrode plate facing away from the flat diffusion layer is provided with an overflow channel 7, so that during the electrolysis process, the gas generated on the side of the conductive electrode plate facing away from the flat diffusion layer can be quickly and effectively discharged through these overflow channels 7, thereby reducing the gas concentration in this area. It is ensured that the side of the conductive electrode plate facing away from the flat diffusion layer can maintain an environment conducive to the continuous electrolysis reaction, thereby ensuring the smoothness and efficiency of the entire electrolysis process.

[0027] In some other embodiments, both sides of the conductive electrode plate facing and away from the flat diffusion layer are flat, which simplifies the manufacturing process of the conductive electrode plate and helps reduce the production cost of the entire electrolysis device. At the same time, by ensuring the high flatness of both sides of the conductive electrode plate, not only can the electrolysis efficiency be improved, but also the conductivity between the conductive electrode plate and the electrolyte can be enhanced, thereby improving the electrolysis performance of the entire device.

[0028] In some other embodiments, both sides of the flat diffusion layer facing and away from the conductive electrode plate are flat, ensuring that the positive and negative ions generated near the conductive electrode plate in the electrolyte can be quickly diffused into the electrolyte by the flat diffusion layer, thereby improving the uniformity of ions in the electrolyte. A flow channel 7 is provided on one side of the conductive electrode plate facing the flat diffusion layer, for quickly conducting out the gas generated near the conductive electrode plate.

[0029] In one embodiment, the conductive electrode plate includes an anode plate 1 and a cathode plate 5, the flat diffusion layer includes an anode diffusion layer 2 and a cathode diffusion layer 4, and the anode plate 1, the anode diffusion layer 2, the membrane electrode 3, the cathode diffusion layer 4 and the cathode plate 5 are arranged in parallel in sequence. The anode plate 1 is conductively connected to the positive electrode of the power supply, and the cathode plate 5 is conductively connected to the negative electrode of the power supply. The ends of the anode plate 1 and the cathode plate 5 are provided with sealing parts, and the thickness of the sealing parts is greater than the thickness of the middle body of the anode plate 1 and the cathode plate 5. The heights of the anode plate 1, the membrane electrode 3 and the cathode plate 5 are the same. A sealing gasket 6 is provided at the end of the membrane electrode 3, and the anode plate 1 and the cathode plate 5 are sealed at the end by the sealing gasket 6, so that an electrolysis chamber is formed between the anode plate 1 and the cathode plate 5, and the anode diffusion layer 2 and the cathode diffusion layer 4 are respectively arranged in the electrolysis chambers on both sides of the membrane electrode 3.

[0030] In this embodiment, the anode plate 1 is provided with a flow channel 7 on the side facing away from the anode diffusion layer 2, and the side of the anode plate 1 facing the cathode diffusion layer 4 is a flat plane. The anode diffusion layer 2 is provided with a flow channel 7 on the side facing the anode plate 1, and the side of the anode diffusion layer 2 facing the membrane electrode 3 is a flat plane. Both sides of the cathode diffusion layer 4 are set as flat planes. The cathode plate 5 is provided with a flow channel 7 on the side facing the cathode diffusion layer 4, and the side of the cathode plate 5 facing away from the cathode diffusion layer 4 is set as a flat plane.

[0031] In some other embodiments, both sides of the anode diffusion layer 2 and the cathode diffusion layer 4 are set to be flat planes, the side of the anode diffusion layer 2 facing the membrane electrode 3 and the side of the cathode diffusion layer 4 facing the membrane electrode 3 are both flat planes, and the side of the anode diffusion layer 2 facing the anode diffusion layer 2 and the side of the cathode diffusion layer 4 facing the cathode diffusion layer 4 are both provided with a flow channel 7.

[0032] In one embodiment, the flow channel 7 provided on the flat diffusion layer is formed by a pressing process, which can ensure that the shape, size and position of the flow channel 7 meet higher precision requirements. The pressing process includes: placing the flat diffusion layer material to be formed on a mold with the characteristics of the flow channel 7 for pressing, and after the shape of the flow channel 7 is pressed on the flat diffusion layer material to be formed, sintering and shaping. The flow channel 7 is preformed and then sintered and shaped. It is ensured that the shape and size of the flow channel 7 are consistent with the characteristics of the flow channel 7 on the mold, so as to achieve the molding accuracy and consistency of the flow channel 7. After sintering and shaping, the flat diffusion layer can have higher strength and hardness, so that it can withstand the immersion and high pressure and high temperature environment during the electrolysis process.

[0033] In one embodiment, in order to ensure the diffusion capacity of the flat diffusion layer for positive and negative ions, the pore size of the flat diffusion layer surface is 10-50 μm, and the porosity of the flat diffusion layer surface is 10%-80%.

[0034] In one embodiment, in order to prevent the flow channel 7 from being too wide, causing the gas to overflow from the flow channel 7 and form eddies in the electrolyte to affect the uniformity of the electrolyte, and at the same time avoid the flow channel 7 from being too narrow, causing the gas to pass through the flow channel 7 too slowly and cause gas accumulation, the ridge width of the flow channel 7 is 0.5 to 3 mm, the valley width of the flow channel 7 is 0.5 to 3 mm, the depth of the flow channel 7 is 0.2 to 2 mm, and the depth of the flow channel 7 is not greater than the valley width of the flow channel 7.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, on the other hand, an electrolyzer is also provided, which has the polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device described in the present invention. In the electrolyzer, multiple groups of polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis devices are arranged in sequence, and adjacent polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis devices can share one of the conductive plates on the opposite side, or each group of polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis devices is independently arranged. By setting the conductive plate so that one side is flat or both sides are flat, that is, only one side of the conductive plate is provided with a flow channel 7 or no flow channel 7 is provided on the conductive plate, the forming steps of the conductive plate are simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the conductive plate can be reduced. At the same time, the characteristics of the flow channel 7 are fully or partially formed on the flat diffusion layer. Since the flat diffusion layer is softer than the conductive plate material, it is easier to form the flow channel 7, which can greatly reduce the manufacturing cost of the electrolyzer including a large number of conductive plates. Moreover, by ensuring that at least one side of the conductive electrode plate is a plane without the flow channel 7, the flatness of the conductive electrode plate can be greatly improved. At the same time, the flow channel 7 is formed on the softer flat diffusion layer, and the depth of the flow channel 7 is easier to control, which can greatly improve the depth consistency of the flow channel 7, thereby improving the electrolysis efficiency of the electrolyzer during hydrogen production.

[0036] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations are all within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device, characterized in that: include: A pair of conductive electrode plates are provided, and at least one side of the conductive electrode plates is a plane; A pair of flat diffusion layers is provided, wherein the pair of flat diffusion layers is provided between a pair of conductive electrode plates, a flow passage (7) is provided between the flat diffusion layers and the conductive electrode plates, and the flow passage (7) between adjacent flat diffusion layers and the conductive electrode plates is formed on a side of the flat diffusion layer facing the conductive electrode plates or a side of the conductive electrode plates facing the flat diffusion layer; The membrane electrode (3) is arranged between a pair of the flat diffusion layers.

2. The polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow passage (7) is provided on one side of the flat diffusion layer facing the adjacent conductive electrode plate.

3. The polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The side of the conductive electrode plate facing the flat diffusion layer is a plane, and the side of the conductive electrode plate facing away from the flat diffusion layer is provided with an overflow channel (7).

4. The polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both sides of the conductive electrode plate facing and away from the flat diffusion layer are flat.

5. The polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both sides of the flat diffusion layer facing and away from the conductive electrode plate are planes, and the flow channel (7) is arranged on one side of the conductive electrode plate facing the flat diffusion layer.

6. The polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The conductive electrode plate comprises an anode plate (1) and a cathode plate (5), the flat plate diffusion layer comprises an anode diffusion layer (2) and a cathode diffusion layer (4), and the anode plate (1), the anode diffusion layer (2), the membrane electrode (3), the cathode diffusion layer (4) and the cathode plate (5) are arranged in sequence.

7. The polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The flow passage (7) provided on the flat diffusion layer is formed by a pressing process, wherein the pressing process comprises: placing the flat diffusion layer material to be formed on a mold with the flow passage (7) feature for pressing, and after the shape of the flow passage (7) is pressed on the flat diffusion layer material to be formed, sintering and shaping is performed.

8. The polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The pore size of the surface of the flat diffusion layer is 10-50 μm, and the porosity of the surface of the flat diffusion layer is 10%-80%.

9. The polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The ridge width of the flow passage (7) is 0.5 to 3 mm, the valley width of the flow passage (7) is 0.5 to 3 mm, the depth of the flow passage (7) is 0.2 to 2 mm, and the depth of the flow passage (7) is not greater than the valley width of the flow passage (7).

10. An electrolytic cell, characterized in that: A polymer proton exchange membrane electrolysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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