Magnetic field enhanced water electrolysis hydrogen production method and system based on Halbach array
By using a Halbach array in a square electrolyzer to construct a magnetic field with high field strength and high uniformity, the problems of bubble accumulation and low mass transfer efficiency were solved, and a highly efficient water electrolysis hydrogen production process was realized.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHONGQING UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
AI Technical Summary
Square electrolytic cells are prone to bubble accumulation when their pressure-bearing capacity is insufficient, which affects the mass transfer process and electrolysis efficiency. Traditional magnetic field technology has a large number of magnets, weak magnetic field strength and uneven distribution, making it difficult to be effectively applied in industrial-grade electrolytic cells.
A high-intensity and highly uniform magnetic field is constructed using a Halbach array. By embedding a Halbach magnet array in the pole frames of the bipolar plates and end plates, the Lorentz force is generated using magnetohydrodynamic effects to strip bubbles and increase the reaction rate.
It effectively solves the problem of bubble accumulation, improves mass transfer efficiency and electrolysis efficiency, is suitable for industrial-grade electrolytic cells, reduces the weight of electrolytic cells, and enhances corrosion resistance.
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Figure CN122081979A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the field of water electrolysis for hydrogen production technology, and relates to a magnetic field-enhanced water electrolysis method and system based on a Halbach array. It involves the design of a square atmospheric pressure electrolyzer, and more particularly to an electrolyzer assembly coupled with a magnetic field, including end plates and bipolar plates with coupled magnetic fields. Background Technology
[0002] Hydrogen production through water electrolysis is a key technology in the renewable energy field, with alkaline water electrolysis being the current mainstream method. This technology uses a stacked thin-plate structure to construct the electrolyzer, offering advantages in compactness and high design efficiency. In the alkaline electrolyzer, end plates and bipolar plates are the core components, primarily in square and circular structural forms. The square electrolyzer, as a mature and widely used structure, exhibits advantages in alkaline water electrolysis, including a large planar sealed contact area and good space utilization.
[0003] However, square electrolyzers also have significant drawbacks. Their square structure easily leads to stress concentration, resulting in a substantial decrease in pressure-bearing capacity. This insufficient pressure bearing capacity makes it difficult for bubbles to detach from the electrode surface, hindering the mass transfer process inside the electrolyzer and thus limiting the improvement of electrolysis efficiency. To overcome the bubble accumulation problem, traditional magnetic field-assisted hydrogen production technology constructs a magnetic field by arranging multiple magnets with the same magnetic pole orientation. The Lorentz force generated by the interaction between the magnetic field and the electrolysis current drives the electrolyte, forming shear force to promote bubble removal. While this method can increase reaction sites and improve electrolysis efficiency, it has limitations such as requiring a large number of magnets, weak magnetic field strength, and uneven magnetic field distribution. These shortcomings make traditional magnetic field technology difficult to apply effectively in industrial-grade electrolyzers.
[0004] Therefore, in order to address the above problems, this invention proposes a magnetic field-enhanced water electrolysis hydrogen production method based on Halbach array, which aims to improve mass transfer efficiency and solve the bottleneck of bubble accumulation by optimizing the magnetic field configuration. Summary of the Invention
[0005] In view of this, the purpose of this invention is to provide a magnetic field-enhanced electrolysis method and system for hydrogen production from water based on a Halbach array. Addressing the problem of bubble accumulation caused by the low pressure resistance of square electrolyzers, this invention utilizes a Halbach magnet array to construct a high-intensity, highly uniform magnetic field within the pole frames of the bipolar plates and end plates, thereby enhancing bubble desorption capacity and increasing the rates of oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions. Furthermore, the unidirectional magnetic field constructed by the Halbach magnet array further improves the mass transfer efficiency through magnetohydrodynamics.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A magnetic field-enhanced water electrolysis method for hydrogen production based on a Halbach array, the method comprising the following steps: The alkaline solution is injected into the electrolytic cell from the cathode inlet and the anode inlet of the anode end plate, respectively. The alkaline solution undergoes hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions in an electrolysis chamber composed of an anode plate frame, a cathode plate frame, a bipolar plate frame, a graphite liner for the anode plate, a graphite liner for the cathode plate, a graphite liner for the bipolar plate, nickel foam for the anode plate, nickel foam for the first bipolar plate cathode, nickel foam for the second bipolar plate anode, and nickel foam for the cathode plate, generating hydrogen bubbles and oxygen bubbles. A high-intensity and uniformly distributed unidirectional magnetic field is constructed by pre-setting the anode Halbach magnet array, cathode Halbach magnet array, and bipolar plate Halbach magnet array within the anode end plate frame, the cathode end plate frame, and the bipolar plate frame. The unidirectional magnetic field interacts with the electrolysis current to generate Lorentz force, inducing the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect. The shear force generated by the MHD effect is used to peel off the hydrogen bubbles and oxygen bubbles attached to the electrode surface. After being stripped, the hydrogen bubbles and oxygen bubbles flow with the alkaline solution into the cathode alkaline solution channel and the anode alkaline solution channel at the top of the electrolytic cell, respectively, and are discharged through the cathode outlet and the anode outlet of the cathode end plate.
[0007] Furthermore, the anode Halbach magnet array, the cathode Halbach magnet array, and the bipolar Halbach magnet array are all composed of unit permanent magnets made of neodymium iron boron material. The magnetization directions of the unit permanent magnets are different, and the direction of the magnetic field is vertically downward.
[0008] Furthermore, the alkaline solution is distributed into the electrolysis chamber through an alkaline solution manifold and a flow channel column, and the geometric dimensions of the anode end plate frame and the anode end plate graphite liner satisfy the following constraint relationship:
[0009] Wherein, xd2 is the length of the conductive slot in the center of the anode end plate frame, xd7 is the width of the graphite liner of the anode end plate, yd2 is the height of the conductive slot in the center of the anode end plate frame, yd7 is the height of the graphite liner of the anode end plate, Zd1 is the depth of the conductive slot in the center of the anode end plate frame, Zd6 is the thickness of the flow channel column of the graphite liner of the anode end plate, Zd5 is the thickness of the small chamber plane of the graphite liner of the anode end plate, Zd3 is the depth of the manifold of the anode end plate frame, rd3 is the diameter of the central hole of the anode end plate frame, and rd8 is the diameter of the conductive rod of the graphite liner of the anode end plate.
[0010] Furthermore, the stacked structure of the electrolytic cell includes an anode electrolytic end plate, a cathode electrolytic end plate, and at least one electrolytic bipolar plate. The anode electrolytic end plate, the cathode electrolytic end plate, and the electrolytic bipolar plate are stacked and fixed layer by layer through a first gasket, a second gasket, a first diaphragm, and a second diaphragm.
[0011] Furthermore, the direction of the Lorentz force generated by the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect is orthogonal to the direction of the electrolytic current.
[0012] A magnetic field-enhanced water electrolysis hydrogen production system based on a Halbach array is disclosed. The system includes an anode electrolysis end plate, a cathode electrolysis end plate, and at least one electrolysis bipolar plate. The anode electrolysis end plate is composed of an anode end plate frame, an anode Halbach magnet array, an anode end plate graphite liner, and an anode end plate foamed nickel. The cathode electrolysis end plate is composed of a cathode end plate frame, a cathode Halbach magnet array, a cathode end plate graphite liner, and a cathode end plate foamed nickel. The electrolysis bipolar plate is composed of a bipolar plate frame, a bipolar plate Halbach magnet array, a bipolar plate graphite liner, a first bipolar plate cathode foamed nickel, and a second bipolar plate anode foamed nickel. The anode electrolysis end plate, the cathode electrolysis end plate, and the electrolysis bipolar plate are stacked and fixed layer by layer through a first gasket, a second gasket, a first diaphragm, and a second diaphragm.
[0013] Furthermore, the anode end plate frame, the cathode end plate frame, and the bipolar plate frame are all made of glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin. The anode Halbach magnet array is embedded in the anode end plate back magnet slot on the back of the anode end plate frame, the cathode Halbach magnet array is embedded in the cathode end plate back magnet slot on the back of the cathode end plate frame, and the bipolar plate Halbach magnet array is embedded in the bipolar plate magnet hole on the side of the bipolar plate frame.
[0014] Furthermore, the number of magnet slots on the back of the anode end plate and the number of magnet slots on the back of the cathode end plate are both 16 and arranged in a ring. Each of the four sides of the bipolar plate frame is provided with 5 bipolar plate magnet holes.
[0015] Furthermore, both the anode end plate graphite liner and the cathode end plate graphite liner include a graphite liner chamber plane, flow channel columns, and conductive rods. The flow channel columns are uniformly distributed on the graphite liner chamber plane for distributing the alkali solution, and the geometric dimensions of the bipolar plate graphite liner satisfy the following constraints:
[0016] Wherein, xs2 is the width of the central void of the bipolar plate frame, xs4 is the width of the anode surface of the bipolar plate graphite liner, ys2 is the height of the central void of the bipolar plate frame, ys5 is the height of the anode surface of the bipolar plate graphite liner, xs5 is the width of the cathode surface of the bipolar plate graphite liner, ys3 is the width of the stop of the bipolar plate frame, zs6 is the thickness of the cathode surface of the bipolar plate graphite liner, zs3 is the thickness of the stop of the bipolar plate frame, zs8 is the depth of the manifold of the bipolar plate frame, and zs1 is the depth of the manifold of the anode surface of the bipolar plate frame.
[0017] Furthermore, the anode Halbach magnet array, the cathode Halbach magnet array, and the bipolar plate Halbach magnet array are all composed of unit permanent magnets made of neodymium iron boron material. The magnetization directions of the unit permanent magnets are different to form a single-direction magnetic field, and the direction of the magnetic field is vertically downward and orthogonal to the direction of the electrolytic current in the electrolysis chamber.
[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: Firstly, regarding magnetic field optimization, the Halbach magnet array designed in this invention can construct a high-intensity and uniformly distributed unidirectional magnetic field with a relatively small number of magnets. This magnetic field configuration generates Lorentz force through magnetohydrodynamic effects, effectively accelerating the detachment of bubbles on the electrode surface, reducing bubble accumulation, thereby increasing reaction sites and improving electrolysis efficiency. Compared with traditional magnetic field technologies, this invention solves the problems of weak magnetic field strength and uneven distribution, making it more suitable for industrial-grade electrolytic cell applications.
[0019] Secondly, regarding structural materials, this invention uses non-metallic materials such as glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin pole frames and graphite liners to replace traditional metal components. This design significantly reduces the overall weight of the electrolytic cell and enhances corrosion resistance, while ensuring mechanical strength and the reliability of electrochemical functions. The non-metallic structure also facilitates coupling with the Halbach magnet array, further optimizing magnetic field integration and mass transfer processes.
[0020] Overall, this invention, through dual innovations in magnetic field and structure, effectively improves the bottlenecks of difficult bubble detachment and low mass transfer efficiency under high current density, providing a more efficient, durable and practical solution for water electrolysis hydrogen production technology.
[0021] Other advantages, objectives, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following examination, or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention can be realized and obtained through the following description. Attached Figure Description
[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 It is a Halbach magnetic array-enhanced non-metallic alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer; Figure 2 It is a positive end plate pole frame structure; Figure 2 (a) is the front side of the anode plate frame. Figure 2 (b) is the back side of the anode plate frame. Figure 2 (c) is a frontal perspective view of the anode plate frame. Figure 2 (d) is a three-dimensional view of the back of the anode plate frame; Figure 3 It is a cathode end plate pole frame structure; Figure 3 (a) is the front side of the cathode end plate frame. Figure 3 (b) is the back side of the cathode end plate frame. Figure 3 (c) is a frontal perspective view of the cathode end plate frame. Figure 3 (d) is a three-dimensional view of the back of the cathode end plate frame; Figure 4 It has a graphite-lined structure; Figure 4 (a) is the front of the graphite liner. Figure 4 (b) is the back of the graphite liner. Figure 4 (c) is a three-dimensional view of the graphite lining; Figure 5 It is a non-metallic bipolar plate frame structure; Figure 5 (a) is the anode surface of the bipolar plate frame. Figure 5 (b) is the cathode surface of the bipolar plate frame. Figure 5 (c) is the three-dimensional integral of the bipolar plate frame; Figure 6 It is a bipolar plate graphite liner structure; Figure 6 (a) is a plan view of the anode surface of the bipolar plate with graphite liner. Figure 6 (b) is the graphite-lined cathode surface of the bipolar plate. Figure 6 (c) is a three-dimensional view of the graphite-lined cathode surface of the bipolar plate; Figure 7 It is a permanent magnet array; Figure 7 (a) is the plane of the permanent magnet array. Figure 7 (b) shows the magnetic field distribution of the magnet array. Figure 7 (c) is a three-dimensional diagram of the permanent magnet array.
[0023] Reference numerals: 1-Anode Halbach magnet array; 2-Anode end plate frame; 3-Anode end plate graphite liner; 4-Anode end plate nickel foam; 5-First diaphragm; 6-First gasket; 7-First bipolar plate cathode nickel foam; 8-Bipolar plate Halbach magnet array; 9-Bipolar plate frame; 10-Bipolar plate graphite liner; 11-Second bipolar plate anode nickel foam; 12-Second diaphragm; 13-Second gasket; 14-Cathode end plate nickel foam; 15-Cathode end plate graphite liner; 16-Cathode end plate frame; 17-Cathode Halbach magnet array; 18-Anode end plate sealing line; 19-Anode end plate bottom alkali inlet; 20- Bottom alkaline manifold of anode plate; 21- Bolt hole of anode plate; 22- Conductive slot in the center of anode plate; 23- Cathode alkaline channel hole at the bottom of anode plate; 24- Top alkaline manifold of anode plate; 25- Top alkaline outlet of anode plate; 26- Center hole of anode plate; 27- Magnet slot on the back of anode plate; 28- Cathode inlet of anode plate; 29- Anode inlet of anode plate; 30- Sealing line of cathode plate; 31- Bottom alkaline inlet of cathode plate; 32- Bottom alkaline manifold of cathode plate; 33- Bolt hole of cathode plate; 34- Conductive slot in the center of cathode plate; 35- Cathode alkaline channel hole at the bottom of cathode plate; 36- 37-Alkali solution manifold at the top of the cathode end plate; 38-Alkali solution outlet at the top of the cathode end plate; 39-Center hole of the cathode end plate; 40-Cathode outlet of the cathode end plate; 41-Anode outlet of the cathode end plate; 42-Graphite liner chamber plane; 43-Flow channel column; 44-Conductive rod; 45-Sealing line of the bipolar plate anode surface; 46-Alkali solution inlet of the bipolar plate anode surface; 47-Bottom manifold of the bipolar plate anode surface; 48-Stop of the bipolar plate anode surface; 49-Bottom cathode alkali solution channel hole of the bipolar plate anode surface; 50-Top cathode alkali solution channel hole of the bipolar plate anode surface; 51-Top manifold of the bipolar plate anode surface; 52-Alkali solution outlet of the bipolar plate anode surface. 53 - Bipolar plate center space; 54 - Bipolar plate bolt hole; 55 - Bipolar plate cathode surface sealing line; 56 - Bipolar plate cathode surface alkaline inlet; 57 - Bipolar plate cathode surface bottom manifold; 58 - Bipolar plate cathode surface stop; 59 - Bipolar plate cathode surface bottom anode alkaline channel hole; 60 - Bipolar plate cathode surface top anode alkaline channel hole; 61 - Bipolar plate cathode surface top manifold; 62 - Bipolar plate cathode surface alkaline outlet; 63 - Bipolar plate magnet hole; 64 - Bipolar plate graphite lining anode surface; 65 - Bipolar plate graphite lining anode surface flow channel column; 66 - Bipolar plate graphite lining cathode surface; 67 - Bipolar plate cathode surface flow channel column; 68 - Unit permanent magnet. Detailed Implementation
[0024] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.
[0025] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are schematic diagrams, not actual pictures. They should not be construed as limiting the invention. To better illustrate the embodiments of the invention, some parts in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual product dimensions. It is understandable to those skilled in the art that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings.
[0026] In the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0027] This invention differs from traditional methods that use magnets with the same magnetic pole orientation to construct non-uniform weak magnetic fields. It aims to utilize a Halbach array to construct a uniform strong magnetic field, thereby improving mass transfer efficiency and overcoming the efficiency bottleneck caused by bubble accumulation under high current density.
[0028] The electrolytic cell constructed in this invention comprises an anode end plate frame 2, a cathode end plate frame 16, an anode Halbach magnet array 1, a cathode Halbach magnet array 17, an anode end plate nickel foam 4, a cathode end plate nickel foam 14, a first bipolar plate cathode nickel foam 7, a second bipolar plate anode nickel foam 11, a first gasket 6, a second gasket 13, a first diaphragm 5, a second diaphragm 12, a bipolar plate frame 9, and a bipolar plate graphite liner 10. The two-chamber electrolytic cell assembly is as follows... Figure 1As shown. The Halbach magnetic array-enhanced non-metallic alkaline electrolytic cell constructed in this invention comprises several key components, wherein the anode end plate frame 2, the anode Halbach magnet array 1, the anode end plate graphite liner 3, and the anode end plate foamed nickel 4 together constitute the anode electrolytic end plate; the cathode end plate frame 16, the cathode Halbach magnet array 17, the cathode end plate graphite liner 15, and the cathode end plate foamed nickel 14 together constitute the cathode electrolytic end plate. The bipolar plate frame 9, the bipolar plate Halbach magnet array 8, the bipolar plate graphite liner 10, the first bipolar plate cathode foamed nickel 7, and the second bipolar plate anode foamed nickel 11 together constitute the electrolytic bipolar plate. Figure 1 The constructed two-chamber non-metallic electrolytic cell is composed of an anode electrolytic end plate, a cathode electrolytic end plate, an electrolytic bipolar plate, and a first gasket 6, a first diaphragm 5, a second gasket 13, and a second diaphragm 12 stacked layer by layer.
[0029] 1.1 Non-metallic end plate (1) Non-metallic pole frame The electrolytic end plate is formed by sequentially stacking non-metallic end plate frames (including anode end plate frame 2 and cathode end plate frame 16), end plate Halbach permanent magnet arrays (including anode Halbach magnet array 1 and cathode Halbach magnet array 17), end plate graphite liners (including anode end plate graphite liners 3 and cathode end plate graphite liners 15), and foamed nickel electrodes (including anode end plate foamed nickel 4 and cathode end plate foamed nickel 14). The non-metallic end plate frame material is glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin, which has strong corrosion resistance and excellent compressive strength. As an end plate frame, it can withstand the pre-tightening force brought by the bolt compression of the electrolytic cell and can adapt to the electrochemical reaction environment of alkaline water electrolysis to produce hydrogen. The end plate frames are divided into anode end plate frame 2 and cathode end plate frame 16 according to their functions, and their structures are as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown.
[0030] The structure of the anode plate frame 2 is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, where Figure 2 (a) Showing the front, Figure 2 (b) Show the back side, Figure 2 (c) is a frontal perspective view of the anode plate frame. Figure 2 (d) is a three-dimensional view of the back of the anode plate frame.
[0031] The structure of the cathode end plate frame 16 is as follows Figure 3 As shown, where Figure 3 (a) Showing the front, Figure 3 (b) Show the back. Figure 3 (c) is a frontal perspective view of the cathode end plate frame. Figure 3 (d) is a three-dimensional view of the back of the cathode end plate frame.
[0032] The non-metallic end plate frame is a square with four equal sides. The central conductive slot (central conductive slot 22 of the anode end plate or central conductive slot 34 of the cathode end plate) is the space reserved for the electrolysis chamber. There are three channels around the conductive slot, each with a diameter of rd2. These three channels are, respectively, the alkaline inlet 19 at the bottom of the anode end plate, the cathode alkaline channel hole 23 at the bottom of the anode end plate, and the alkaline outlet 25 at the top of the anode end plate (for anode end plate frame 2), or the alkaline inlet 31 at the bottom of the cathode end plate, the cathode alkaline channel hole 35 at the bottom of the cathode end plate, and the alkaline outlet 37 at the top of the cathode end plate (for cathode end plate frame 16). Among them, hole 19 is connected to the central conductive slot 22 through the alkaline manifold 20 at the bottom of the anode end plate, while hole 25 is connected to the central conductive slot 22 (anode end plate frame 2) through the alkaline manifold 24 at the top of the anode end plate. Although the bottom alkaline manifold 20 and top alkaline manifold 24 of the anode end plate are connected to the central conductive slot 22, their depths are less than the depth of the central conductive slot 22. The depths of the bottom alkaline manifold 20 and top alkaline manifold 24 of the anode end plate are Zd3. The central conductive slot has a certain depth and does not penetrate the electrode frame; its depth is Zd1, its length is xd2, and its height is yd2. A hole with a diameter of rd3 (center hole 26 of the anode end plate or center hole 38 of the cathode end plate) is located in the center of the central conductive slot for current introduction. The thickness of the anode end plate electrode frame 2 is Zd2. Eight bolt holes 21 are located around the end plate electrode frame 2 for bolt installation. Near the bolt holes 21 is the sealing line 18 (anode end plate sealing line 18). The sealing line 18 consists of multiple annular grooves with a width of 2 and a depth of 2. The sealing line 18 and the bolt holes 21 together ensure that the electrolyte in the electrolysis chamber does not leak. The back of the anode plate frame 2 has 16 magnet holes 27 (magnetic slots 27 on the back of the anode plate), arranged in a ring. The width of the magnet hole 27 is xd3, the height is yd3, and the depth is Zd4. The cathode plate frame 16 has the same structure as the anode plate frame 2, except that the two holes on the back of the anode plate frame 2 are liquid inlets (i.e., cathode liquid inlet 28 and anode liquid inlet 29), which are the connecting holes between the external alkali solution pipe and the electrolytic cell. These inlets are located at the lower part of the back of the anode plate. The two holes on the back of the cathode plate frame 16 are alkali solution outlets (i.e., cathode liquid outlet 40 and anode liquid outlet 41), which are the outlets from which the electrolytic cell discharges the alkali solution mixed with hydrogen and oxygen. These outlets are located at the upper part of the back of the cathode plate.
[0033] (2) Graphite lining of end plate The endplate graphite liners are made of graphite material and include the anode endplate graphite liner 3 and the cathode endplate graphite liner 15. Graphite is a non-metallic material with high electrical conductivity and strong corrosion resistance. As a conductive component in the endplate assembly, its main function is to conduct electrons and construct the flow channel structure. The anode endplate graphite liner 3 and the cathode endplate graphite liner 15 have the same structure, as shown in the figure. Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 (a) is the front of the graphite liner. Figure 4 (b) is the back of the graphite liner. Figure 4 (c) is a three-dimensional view of the graphite lining.
[0034] The structure of the graphite liner is as follows Figure 4 As shown, its flow channel column and conductive rod are displayed.
[0035] The front of the graphite liner consists of 49 flow channel pillars 43, which can evenly distribute the incoming alkali solution within the plane 42 of the graphite liner chamber. Conductive rods 44, with a diameter of rd8 and a thickness of Zd7, are used to conduct external current. The flow channel pillars 43 have a diameter of rd7 and a thickness of Zd6. The end plate frames (anode end plate frame 2 or cathode end plate frame 16) and the graphite liner (anode end plate graphite liner 3 or cathode end plate graphite liner 15) can be assembled to form an electrolytic end plate with electrochemical functionality. The geometric dimensions of these two components satisfy the following constraints:
[0036] Wherein, xd2 is the length of the conductive slot in the center of the end plate pole frame, xd7 is the width of the graphite liner, yd2 is the height of the conductive slot in the center of the end plate pole frame, yd7 is the height of the graphite liner, Zd1 is the depth of the conductive slot in the center of the end plate pole frame, Zd6 is the thickness of the graphite liner flow channel column, Zd5 is the thickness of the graphite liner chamber plane, Zd3 is the depth of the manifold in the end plate pole frame, rd3 is the diameter of the central hole in the end plate pole frame, and rd8 is the diameter of the conductive rod in the graphite liner.
[0037] 1.2 Non-metallic bipolar plate (1) Bipolar plate frame Unlike end plates, the non-metallic bipolar plate has an anode electrolysis half-cell on its front and a cathode half-cell on its back. It consists of a non-metallic bipolar plate frame 9, a bipolar plate graphite liner 10, and a bipolar plate Halbach permanent magnet array 8. The bipolar plate structure is as follows: Figure 5 As shown.
[0038] The structure of the bipolar plate frame 9 is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, where Figure 5 (a) Showing the anode side, Figure 5 (b) Showing the cathode surface, Figure 5 (c) is the three-dimensional whole of the bipolar plate frame.
[0039] The non-metallic bipolar plate frame 9 is made of glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin, with its anode and cathode surfaces integrated into the same structure. It has sealing grooves on both the front and back sides, designated as sealing line 45 for the anode surface and 55 for the cathode surface. The design of the sealing grooves is consistent with the end plate. A stepped stop design exists in the square space in the center of the anode surface bipolar plate, i.e., the bipolar plate central space 53, including a stop 48 for the anode surface and a stop 58 for the cathode surface, for bonding with the bipolar plate graphite liner 10. The non-metallic bipolar plate frame 9 has bipolar plate magnet holes 63 on its four sides, with five magnet holes on each side. The depth of each magnet hole is xs3, the height is ys4, and the thickness is zs5. The outermost periphery of the bipolar plate frame 9 has eight bolt holes 54. The bolt holes located at the four corners of the bipolar plate are 1 / 4 circle, while the other four holes are semicircles, with a radius of 1 / 2rs2. For the anode surface of the bipolar plate frame 9, there are four holes around the central cavity 53. The alkaline inlet 46 and outlet 52 of the bipolar plate anode surface are connected to the central cavity 53 via the bottom manifold 47 and top manifold 51, respectively. The depth of manifolds 47 and 51 is Zs1. The four holes have the same diameter, rs1. The central cavity 53 is square, with a width of xs2 and a height of ys2. The width of the stop 48 on the bipolar plate anode surface is ys3, and its thickness is Zs3. For the cathode surface of the bipolar plate frame 9, the alkaline inlet 56 and outlet 62 of the bipolar plate cathode surface are connected to the central cavity 53.
[0040] (2) Bipolar plate liner The bipolar graphite liner 10 is composed of a cathode surface and an anode surface, with different dimensions for the anode and cathode surfaces. The anode surface 64 of the bipolar graphite liner has a width of xs4, a height of ys5, and a thickness of Zs7. The cathode surface 66 of the bipolar graphite liner has a width of xs5, a height of ys5, and a thickness of Zs6. The anode surface 64 and cathode surface 66 each have 49 flow channel pillars 65 and 67, respectively. The structure of the bipolar liner is as follows... Figure 6 As shown.
[0041] The structure of the bipolar plate graphite liner 10 is as follows: Figure 6 As shown, where Figure 6 (a) Showing the anode side, Figure 6 (b) Showing the cathode surface, Figure 6 (c) is a three-dimensional view of the graphite-lined cathode surface of the bipolar plate.
[0042] The geometric dimensions of the bipolar plate graphite liner 10 satisfy the following constraints:
[0043] Wherein, xs2 is the width of the central void 53 of the bipolar plate frame 9, xs4 is the width of the graphite inner lining anode surface 64 of the bipolar plate, ys2 is the height of the central void 53 of the bipolar plate frame 9, ys5 is the height of the graphite inner lining anode surface 64 of the bipolar plate, xs5 is the width of the graphite inner lining cathode surface 66 of the bipolar plate, ys3 is the width of the stop 48 of the bipolar plate anode surface of the bipolar plate frame 9, zs6 is the thickness of the graphite inner lining cathode surface 66 of the bipolar plate, zs3 is the thickness of the stop 48 of the bipolar plate anode surface of the bipolar plate frame 9, zs8 is the depth of the manifold 47 of the bipolar plate frame 9, and zs1 is the depth of the manifold 47 of the anode surface of the bipolar plate frame 9.
[0044] 1.3 Permanent magnet Both the bipolar plates and end plates contain permanent magnet arrays of the same specifications, including an anode Halbach magnet array 1, a bipolar plate Halbach magnet array 8, and a cathode Halbach magnet array 17. The permanent magnets are unit permanent magnets 68 made of neodymium iron boron material, and each unit permanent magnet 68 has a different magnetization direction to form a uniform magnetic field in a single direction. Its structure and magnetization direction are as follows... Figure 7 As shown, where Figure 7 (a) is the plane of the permanent magnet array. Figure 7 (b) shows the magnetic field distribution of the magnet array. Figure 7 (c) is a three-dimensional diagram of the permanent magnet array.
[0045] The geometric dimensions of the permanent magnet array satisfy the following constraints:
[0046] Wherein, xs2 is the width of the central void 53 of the bipolar plate frame 9, xs4 is the width of the graphite-lined anode surface 64 of the bipolar plate, ys2 is the height of the central void 53 of the bipolar plate frame 9, ys5 is the height of the graphite-lined anode surface 64 of the bipolar plate, xs5 is the width of the graphite-lined cathode surface 66 of the bipolar plate frame 9, ys3 is the width of the stop 48 of the bipolar plate anode surface of the bipolar plate frame 9, xs3 is the depth of the bipolar plate magnet hole 63, xs8 and ys7 are the dimensional parameters of the unit permanent magnet 68, zs6 is the thickness of the graphite-lined cathode surface 66 of the bipolar plate, zs3 is the thickness of the stop 48 of the bipolar plate anode surface of the bipolar plate frame 9, zs5 is the thickness of the unit permanent magnet 68, zs9 is the depth of the relevant structure, zs8 is the depth of the manifold 47 of the bipolar plate frame 9, and zs1 is the depth of the manifold 47 of the anode surface of the bipolar plate frame 9.
[0047] Alkaline electrolytic cells typically have only two end plates, while bipolar plates can be added depending on specific requirements. This invention uses an alkaline electrolytic cell consisting of two end plates and one bipolar plate as an example, and its specific implementation process is as follows: Alkali solution enters the electrolytic cell through the cathode inlet 28 and the anode inlet 29 of the anode plate, respectively. The alkali solution entering the electrolytic cell through the anode inlet 29 passes through the alkali inlet 19 at the bottom of the anode plate and the alkali manifold 20 at the bottom of the anode plate, reaching the plane 42 of the graphite liner chamber of the anode plate. The alkali solution is evenly distributed throughout the anode chamber by the flow channel column 43. Subsequently, the alkali solution saturates the nickel foam 4 of the anode plate, at which point the OH- ions in the alkali solution of the anode chamber... - and OH moving through the first diaphragm 5 - Oxygen is consumed and generated. The vertically downward magnetic field generated by the Halbach magnet array 1 in the anode end plate frame 2, together with the electrolytic current, produces a Lorentz force in the anode chamber. The magnetohydrodynamic effect formed by this Lorentz force rapidly strips away bubbles from the electrode surface. Oxygen enters the alkali solution and, along with the alkali solution, passes through the alkali solution manifold 24 at the top of the anode end plate and enters the alkali solution outlet 25 at the top of the anode end plate, eventually flowing into the anode alkali solution channel at the top of the electrolytic cell.
[0048] The alkaline solution entering the electrolytic cell from the cathode inlet 28 of the anode end plate passes through the cathode alkaline solution channel hole 23 at the bottom of the anode end plate, enters the alkaline solution inlet 56 on the cathode surface of the bipolar plate, and then enters the graphite-lined cathode surface 66 of the bipolar plate through the bottom manifold 57. The cathode alkaline solution is evenly distributed in the cathode chamber of the bipolar plate by the flow channel column 67. The alkaline solution saturates the nickel foam 7 of the first bipolar plate cathode, and the hydrogen evolution reaction occurs. The generated hydrogen bubbles are subjected to a Lorentz force in the cathode chamber by the vertically downward magnetic field generated by the Halbach magnet array 8 of the bipolar plate and the electrolytic current. The magnetohydrodynamic effect formed by this Lorentz force rapidly strips the bubbles from the electrode surface. Hydrogen gas enters the alkaline solution and, along with the alkaline solution, passes through the top manifold 61 and the alkaline solution outlet 62 on the cathode surface of the bipolar plate, entering the top cathode alkaline solution channel. The reaction in the first electrolytic chamber is completed.
[0049] A portion of the alkaline solution entering the electrolytic cell from the anode inlet 29 of the anode plate passes through the bottom anode alkaline solution channel 59 of the bipolar plate cathode surface, the alkaline solution inlet 46 of the bipolar plate anode surface, and the bottom manifold 47 of the bipolar plate anode surface into the bipolar plate graphite liner anode surface plan view 64. The alkaline solution is evenly distributed into the entire anode chamber by the flow channel column 65. Subsequently, the alkaline solution saturates the second bipolar plate anode foam nickel 11, at which point the OH- ions in the alkaline solution in the anode chamber... - and OH moving through the second diaphragm 12 - Oxygen is consumed and generated. The vertically downward magnetic field generated by the Halbach magnet array 8 in the bipolar plate frame 9, together with the electrolytic current, produces a Lorentz force in the anode chamber. The magnetohydrodynamic effect of this Lorentz force rapidly strips away bubbles from the electrode surface. Oxygen enters the alkali solution and, along with the alkali solution, passes through the manifold 51 at the top of the bipolar plate anode surface into the alkali solution outlet 52 at the bipolar plate anode surface, and then flows into the anode alkali solution channel at the top of the electrolytic cell.
[0050] A portion of the alkaline solution entering the electrolytic cell from the cathode inlet 28 of the anode plate passes through the cathode alkaline solution channel hole 49 at the bottom of the bipolar plate anode side, the alkaline solution inlet 31 at the bottom of the cathode plate, and the alkaline solution manifold 32 at the bottom of the cathode plate, entering the graphite liner chamber plane 42 of the cathode plate. The cathode alkaline solution is evenly distributed in the cathode chamber by the flow channel column 43. The alkaline solution saturates the nickel foam 14 of the cathode plate, and the hydrogen evolution reaction occurs. The generated hydrogen bubbles are subjected to a Lorentz force in the cathode chamber by the vertically downward magnetic field generated by the cathode Halbach magnet array 17 and the electrolytic current. The magnetohydrodynamic effect formed by this Lorentz force rapidly strips the bubbles from the electrode surface. Hydrogen gas enters the alkaline solution and, along with the alkaline solution, passes through the alkaline solution manifold 36 at the top of the cathode plate and the alkaline solution outlet 37 at the top of the cathode plate, entering the top cathode alkaline solution channel. The reaction in the second electrolytic chamber is completed.
[0051] Oxygen and alkali entering the alkaline solution channel at the top of the electrolytic cell converge and flow out of the electrolytic cell through the anode outlet 41 of the cathode end plate. Meanwhile, hydrogen and alkali entering the alkaline solution channel at the top of the electrolytic cell converge and flow out of the electrolytic cell through the cathode outlet 40 of the cathode end plate.
[0052] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. A magnetic field-enhanced water electrolysis method for hydrogen production based on a Halbach array, characterized in that: The method includes the following steps: The alkaline solution is injected into the electrolytic cell from the cathode inlet and the anode inlet of the anode end plate, respectively. The alkaline solution undergoes hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions in an electrolysis chamber composed of an anode plate frame, a cathode plate frame, a bipolar plate frame, a graphite liner for the anode plate, a graphite liner for the cathode plate, a graphite liner for the bipolar plate, nickel foam for the anode plate, nickel foam for the first bipolar plate cathode, nickel foam for the second bipolar plate anode, and nickel foam for the cathode plate, generating hydrogen bubbles and oxygen bubbles. A high-intensity and uniformly distributed unidirectional magnetic field is constructed by pre-setting the anode Halbach magnet array, cathode Halbach magnet array, and bipolar plate Halbach magnet array within the anode end plate frame, the cathode end plate frame, and the bipolar plate frame. The unidirectional magnetic field interacts with the electrolysis current to generate Lorentz force, inducing the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect. The shear force generated by the MHD effect is used to peel off the hydrogen bubbles and oxygen bubbles attached to the electrode surface. After being stripped, the hydrogen bubbles and oxygen bubbles flow with the alkaline solution into the cathode alkaline solution channel and the anode alkaline solution channel at the top of the electrolytic cell, respectively, and are discharged through the cathode outlet and the anode outlet of the cathode end plate.
2. The method for producing hydrogen by magnetic field-enhanced electrolysis of water based on a Halbach array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anode Halbach magnet array, cathode Halbach magnet array, and bipolar Halbach magnet array are all composed of unit permanent magnets made of neodymium iron boron material. The magnetization directions of the unit permanent magnets are different, and the direction of the magnetic field is vertically downward.
3. The method for producing hydrogen by magnetic field-enhanced electrolysis of water based on a Halbach array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The alkaline solution is distributed into the electrolysis chamber through an alkaline solution manifold and a flow channel column, and the geometric dimensions of the anode end plate frame and the anode end plate graphite liner satisfy the following constraint relationship: Wherein, xd2 is the length of the conductive slot in the center of the anode end plate frame, xd7 is the width of the graphite liner of the anode end plate, yd2 is the height of the conductive slot in the center of the anode end plate frame, yd7 is the height of the graphite liner of the anode end plate, Zd1 is the depth of the conductive slot in the center of the anode end plate frame, Zd6 is the thickness of the flow channel column of the graphite liner of the anode end plate, Zd5 is the thickness of the small chamber plane of the graphite liner of the anode end plate, Zd3 is the depth of the manifold of the anode end plate frame, rd3 is the diameter of the central hole of the anode end plate frame, and rd8 is the diameter of the conductive rod of the graphite liner of the anode end plate.
4. The method for producing hydrogen by magnetic field-enhanced electrolysis of water based on a Halbach array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stacked structure of the electrolytic cell includes an anode electrolytic end plate, a cathode electrolytic end plate, and at least one electrolytic bipolar plate. The anode electrolytic end plate, the cathode electrolytic end plate, and the electrolytic bipolar plate are stacked and fixed layer by layer through a first gasket, a second gasket, a first diaphragm, and a second diaphragm.
5. The method for producing hydrogen by magnetic field-enhanced electrolysis of water based on a Halbach array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The direction of the Lorentz force generated by the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect is orthogonal to the direction of the electrolytic current.
6. A magnetic field-enhanced water electrolysis hydrogen production system based on a Halbach array, characterized in that: The system includes an anode electrolytic end plate, a cathode electrolytic end plate, and at least one electrolytic bipolar plate. The anode electrolytic end plate is composed of an anode end plate frame, an anode Halbach magnet array, an anode end plate graphite liner, and an anode end plate foamed nickel. The cathode electrolytic end plate is composed of a cathode end plate frame, a cathode Halbach magnet array, a cathode end plate graphite liner, and a cathode end plate foamed nickel. The electrolytic bipolar plate is composed of a bipolar plate frame, a bipolar plate Halbach magnet array, a bipolar plate graphite liner, a first bipolar plate cathode foamed nickel, and a second bipolar plate anode foamed nickel. The anode electrolytic end plate, the cathode electrolytic end plate, and the electrolytic bipolar plate are stacked and fixed layer by layer through a first gasket, a second gasket, a first diaphragm, and a second diaphragm.
7. The magnetic field-enhanced water electrolysis hydrogen production system based on a Halbach array according to claim 6, characterized in that: The anode end plate frame, the cathode end plate frame, and the bipolar plate frame are all made of glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin. The anode Halbach magnet array is embedded in the anode end plate back magnet slot on the back of the anode end plate frame. The cathode Halbach magnet array is embedded in the cathode end plate back magnet slot on the back of the cathode end plate frame. The bipolar plate Halbach magnet array is embedded in the bipolar plate magnet hole on the side of the bipolar plate frame.
8. The magnetic field-enhanced water electrolysis hydrogen production system based on a Halbach array according to claim 6, characterized in that: The number of magnet slots on the back of the anode plate and the number of magnet slots on the back of the cathode plate are both 16 and arranged in a ring. Each of the four sides of the bipolar plate frame is provided with 5 bipolar plate magnet holes.
9. The magnetic field-enhanced water electrolysis hydrogen production system based on a Halbach array according to claim 6, characterized in that: Both the anode and cathode graphite liners include a graphite liner chamber plane, flow channel columns, and conductive rods. The flow channel columns are uniformly distributed on the graphite liner chamber plane for distributing the alkali solution, and the geometric dimensions of the bipolar graphite liner satisfy the following constraints: Wherein, xs2 is the width of the central void of the bipolar plate frame, xs4 is the width of the anode surface of the bipolar plate graphite liner, ys2 is the height of the central void of the bipolar plate frame, ys5 is the height of the anode surface of the bipolar plate graphite liner, xs5 is the width of the cathode surface of the bipolar plate graphite liner, ys3 is the width of the stop of the bipolar plate frame, zs6 is the thickness of the cathode surface of the bipolar plate graphite liner, zs3 is the thickness of the stop of the bipolar plate frame, zs8 is the depth of the manifold of the bipolar plate frame, and zs1 is the depth of the manifold of the anode surface of the bipolar plate frame.
10. The magnetic field-enhanced water electrolysis hydrogen production system based on a Halbach array according to claim 6, characterized in that: The anode Halbach magnet array, the cathode Halbach magnet array, and the bipolar plate Halbach magnet array are all composed of unit permanent magnets made of neodymium iron boron material. The unit permanent magnets are magnetized in different directions to form a single-direction magnetic field, and the direction of the magnetic field is vertically downward and orthogonal to the direction of the electrolytic current in the electrolysis chamber.