A differential pressure regulating device for an electrolytic hydrogen production system and an electrolytic hydrogen production system

Abstract

The present application provides a differential pressure regulating device and an electrolytic hydrogen production system for an electrolytic hydrogen production system, including an oxygen-side separator, a hydrogen-side separator, and a pipeline connecting the oxygen-side separator and the hydrogen-side separator. An active component for regulating the differential pressure between the two sides of the oxygen-side separator and the hydrogen-side separator is arranged in the pipeline. The present application uses the differential pressure as a driving force to drive the active component to regulate the differential pressure between the hydrogen and oxygen sides, without the need for additional energy output, avoiding energy consumption and manpower, eliminating potential safety hazards caused by the differential pressure between the hydrogen and oxygen sides, having the characteristic of real-time regulation of the differential pressure between the hydrogen and oxygen sides, with high flexibility, no pollution, and no carbon emissions, providing safety guarantee for the development of the national hydrogen energy industry and also providing support for the realization of national carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of electrolytic hydrogen production, and particularly relates to a differential pressure regulating device for an electrolytic hydrogen production system and an electrolytic hydrogen production system. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the mainstream industrial water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment is an alkaline water electrolyzer. Under the application of direct current, water in the electrolyzer will be decomposed into 1 part of hydrogen and 1 / 2 part of oxygen at the cathode and anode respectively. The ideal water electrolysis hydrogen production process is that the electrolyzer is in a state filled with alkali solution, and the pressures on the hydrogen side and the oxygen side in the electrolyzer should be equal. However, in the actual water electrolysis production process, due to the fact that the amounts of hydrogen and oxygen produced by water decomposition satisfy a 2:1 relationship, there will be a differential pressure between the hydrogen and oxygen sides. Driven by the differential pressure, hydrogen and oxygen are likely to pass through the diaphragm and mix with each other, resulting in a decrease in gas purity and even causing malignant accidents such as explosions. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application aims to solve at least one of the technical problems in the related art to some extent.

[0004] To this end, the purpose of this application is to propose a differential pressure regulating device for an electrolytic hydrogen production system. This application uses the differential pressure as a driving force to drive the moving part to adjust the differential pressure between the hydrogen and oxygen sides, without the need for additional energy output, avoiding energy consumption and manpower, eliminating the safety hazards caused by the differential pressure between the hydrogen and oxygen sides, having the characteristic of real-time adjustment of the differential pressure between the hydrogen and oxygen sides, high flexibility, and no pollution and no carbon emissions, providing a safety guarantee for the development of the national hydrogen energy industry and also providing support for the realization of national carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

[0005] To achieve the above object, a differential pressure regulating device for an electrolytic hydrogen production system proposed by this application includes an oxygen side separator, a hydrogen side separator, and a pipeline connecting the oxygen side separator and the hydrogen side separator. A moving part for adjusting the differential pressure between the oxygen side separator and the hydrogen side separator is provided in the pipeline.

[0006] Further, when the moving part is a piston, the piston is movably arranged in the pipeline.

[0007] Further, it further includes a controller. A first proximity switch and a second proximity switch are respectively arranged on both sides of the piston in the pipeline, and the first proximity switch and the second proximity switch are respectively electrically connected to the controller.

[0008] Further, when the moving part is a gas film, the gas film is fixedly arranged at the 1 / 3 position in the pipeline close to the oxygen side separator.

[0009] Further, the gas film is at least a double-layer film structure.

[0010] An electrolytic hydrogen production system includes the differential pressure regulating device of the above-mentioned electrolytic hydrogen production system, and further includes an electrolytic cell. Both ends of the electrolytic cell are respectively connected to the hydrogen-side separator and the oxygen-side separator through pipelines.

[0011] Furthermore, a first return pipeline is provided between the hydrogen-side separator and the electrolytic cell. A hydrogen-side filter and a hydrogen-side cooler are sequentially arranged on the first return pipeline along the liquid flow direction.

[0012] Furthermore, a second return pipeline is provided between the oxygen-side separator and the electrolytic cell. An oxygen-side filter and an oxygen-side cooler are sequentially arranged on the second return pipeline along the liquid flow direction.

[0013] Furthermore, a hydrogen-side pump is also provided on the first return pipeline between the hydrogen-side cooler and the electrolytic cell.

[0014] Furthermore, an oxygen-side pump is also provided on the second return pipeline between the oxygen-side cooler and the electrolytic cell.

[0015] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be given in part in the following description, become apparent in part from the following description, or be learned through the practice of the present application. Description of the Drawings

[0016] The above-mentioned and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and easy to understand from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, where:

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a differential pressure regulating device of an electrolytic hydrogen production system proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an electrolytic hydrogen production system proposed in another embodiment of the present application. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0019] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below. The examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements with the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below by referring to the drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application, and should not be construed as a limitation to the present application. On the contrary, the embodiments of the present application include all changes, modifications, and equivalents falling within the spirit and connotation of the appended claims.

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a differential pressure regulating device of an electrolytic hydrogen production system proposed in an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] See Figure 1, A differential pressure regulating device for an electrolytic hydrogen production system, comprising an oxygen-side separator 1, a hydrogen-side separator 2, and a pipeline 3 connecting the oxygen-side separator 1 and the hydrogen-side separator 2. An actuator 4 for regulating the differential pressure between the two sides of the oxygen-side separator 1 and the hydrogen-side separator 2 is provided in the pipeline 3. In this embodiment, the oxygen-side separator 1 and the hydrogen-side separator 2 are connected through the pipeline 3. Due to the different gas production amounts of the oxygen-side separator 1 and the hydrogen-side separator 2, a pressure difference will be generated on both sides of the actuator 4 in the pipeline 3. The pressure is absorbed by the deformation or movement of the actuator 4 to rebalance the pressure on both sides of the actuator. Specifically, the oxygen-side separator 1, the hydrogen-side separator 2, and the pipeline 3 can be integrally formed, with good airtightness, and can respond quickly when a pressure difference occurs. The gas-phase parts of the hydrogen-side separator 2 and the oxygen-side separator 1 are physically separated by the actuator 4. When there is a pressure difference between the hydrogen and oxygen sides, the actuator will move or deform towards the low-pressure side under the drive of the pressure difference until the pressures on the hydrogen and oxygen sides are equal.

[0022] When the actuator 4 is a piston, the piston is movably arranged in the pipeline 3. It can be understood that when the piston is installed in the pipeline 3, it has good airtightness, so that the pressure difference on both sides of the piston can be quickly reacted. When the pressures of the hydrogen-side separator 2 and the oxygen-side separator 1 are not equal, the piston moves towards the low-pressure side under the drive of the pressure difference and stops moving after the pressures on both sides are equal, completing the regulation of the pressure difference.

[0023] A differential pressure regulating device for an electrolytic hydrogen production system further comprises a controller. A first proximity switch and a second proximity switch are respectively arranged on both sides of the piston in the pipeline 3, and the first proximity switch and the second proximity switch are respectively electrically connected to the controller. Specifically, the first proximity switch and the second proximity switch are respectively arranged at the left and right ends of the pipeline. When the piston moves to the left or right end of the pipeline and is about to lose its regulating function, the first proximity switch or the second proximity switch sends a signal to the controller, which can inform the staff of the pressure control situation in the electrolytic hydrogen production system, facilitating the staff to react in time and avoiding potential safety hazards. In other embodiments, a pressure relief pipeline is also included, which is respectively connected to the oxygen-side separator 1 and the hydrogen-side separator 2, and a valve is arranged on the pressure relief pipeline, which can be remotely controlled by the controller to open and close. In this way, when the proximity switch senses the piston, it means that the pressure in the electrolytic hydrogen production system is too high and exceeds the regulating range of the piston. At this time, the valve is opened to export the pressure in the electrolytic hydrogen production system.

[0024] When the movable member 4 is an air film, the air film is fixedly arranged at the 1 / 3 position in the pipeline 3 close to the oxygen side separator 1. Since the gas production of the oxygen side separator 1 is less than that of the hydrogen side separator 2, the air film is arranged close to the oxygen side separator 1 in the pipeline, and a part of the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen side separator 2 can be stored in the pipeline, so that the device of the present application has a greater pressure difference adjustment ability. When a pressure difference is generated on both sides of the air film, driven by the pressure difference, the air film deforms and bulges towards the low-pressure side, so that the pressures on both sides are restored to balance again. The advantage of this structure compared with the piston is that the airtightness is guaranteed.

[0025] The air film is at least a double-layer film structure. Since the air film is made of a high-deformation material, the double-layer film setting can better ensure safety and avoid accidental rupture of the air film.

[0026] As Figure 2 shown, an electrolytic hydrogen production system includes the pressure difference adjustment device of the above-mentioned electrolytic hydrogen production system, and also includes an electrolytic cell 5. Both ends of the electrolytic cell 5 are connected to the hydrogen side separator 2 and the oxygen side separator 1 respectively through pipelines. The electrolytic cell 5 is filled with electrolyte and electrolyzed, and the produced hydrogen and oxygen flow to the hydrogen side separator 2 and the oxygen side separator 1 respectively to separate the oxygen and hydrogen in a gas-liquid manner.

[0027] A first return pipeline 6 is further arranged between the hydrogen side separator 2 and the electrolytic cell 5. A hydrogen side filter 7 and a hydrogen side cooler 8 are sequentially arranged on the first return pipeline 6 along the liquid flow direction. Through the first return pipeline 6, the electrolyte separated in the hydrogen side separator 2 flows back into the electrolytic cell 5, and is sequentially filtered and cooled by the hydrogen side filter and the hydrogen side cooler to ensure the quality of the returned electrolyte.

[0028] A second return pipeline 9 is further arranged between the oxygen side separator 1 and the electrolytic cell 5. An oxygen side filter 10 and an oxygen side cooler 11 are sequentially arranged on the second return pipeline 9 along the liquid flow direction. Through the second return pipeline 9, the electrolyte separated in the oxygen side separator 1 flows back into the electrolytic cell, and is sequentially filtered and cooled by the oxygen side filter and the oxygen side cooler to ensure the quality of the returned electrolyte.

[0029] A hydrogen side pump 12 is further arranged on the first return pipeline 6 between the hydrogen side cooler 2 and the electrolytic cell 5. An oxygen side pump 13 is further arranged on the second return pipeline 9 between the oxygen side cooler 1 and the electrolytic cell 5. By setting the hydrogen side pump and the oxygen side pump, the efficiency of the electrolyte in the hydrogen side separator and the oxygen side separator flowing back into the electrolytic cell 5 is improved, so that the electrolyte in the electrolytic cell is sufficient and the electrolysis efficiency is guaranteed.

[0030] It should be noted that in the description of the present application, the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. In addition, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more than two.

[0031] Any process or method description shown in a flowchart or described in other ways herein can be understood to represent a module, segment, or portion of code including one or more executable instructions for implementing a specific logical function or process. Moreover, the scope of the preferred embodiments of the present application includes additional implementations, where the functions can be executed in a substantially simultaneous manner or in a reverse order according to the involved functions, rather than in the order shown or discussed. This should be understood by those skilled in the technical field to which the embodiments of the present application pertain.

[0032] In the description of this specification, the description referring to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0033] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A differential pressure regulating device for an electrolytic hydrogen production system, characterized in that, It includes an oxygen-side separator, a hydrogen-side separator, and a pipeline connecting the oxygen-side separator and the hydrogen-side separator. An active component for adjusting the pressure difference between the two sides of the oxygen-side separator and the hydrogen-side separator is arranged in the pipeline, and the active component is a piston or a gas film; When the active component is a piston, the piston is movably arranged in the pipeline; Alternatively, when the active component is a gas film, the gas film is fixedly arranged at the 1 / 3 position in the pipeline close to the oxygen-side separator; It further includes a controller. A first proximity switch and a second proximity switch are respectively arranged on both sides of the piston in the pipeline, and the first proximity switch and the second proximity switch are respectively electrically connected to the controller; It further includes a pressure relief pipeline. The pressure relief pipeline is respectively connected to the oxygen-side separator and the hydrogen-side separator, and a valve is arranged on the pressure relief pipeline, and the controller can control the opening and closing of the valve.

2. The differential pressure regulating device of the electrolytic hydrogen production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas film is at least a double-layer film structure.

3. An electrolytic hydrogen production system includes the pressure difference adjustment device of the electrolytic hydrogen production system according to any one of the above claims 1-2, and further includes an electrolytic cell. Both ends of the electrolytic cell are respectively connected to the hydrogen-side separator and the oxygen-side separator through pipelines.

4. The electrolytic hydrogen production system according to claim 3, wherein, A first return pipeline is further arranged between the hydrogen-side separator and the electrolytic cell, and a hydrogen-side filter and a hydrogen-side cooler are sequentially arranged on the first return pipeline along the liquid flow direction.

5. The electrolytic hydrogen production system according to claim 3, wherein A second return pipeline is further arranged between the oxygen-side separator and the electrolytic cell, and the oxygen-side filter and an oxygen-side cooler are sequentially arranged on the second return pipeline along the liquid flow direction.

6. The electrolytic hydrogen production system according to claim 5, wherein A hydrogen-side pump is further arranged on the first return pipeline between the hydrogen-side cooler and the electrolytic cell.

7. The electrolytic hydrogen production system according to claim 6, wherein, An oxygen-side pump is further arranged on the second return pipeline between the oxygen-side cooler and the electrolytic cell.

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