Electrochemical booster device

Abstract

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrochemical booster device that can prevent liquids such as water from accumulating inside the piston. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an electrochemical booster device, which has a storage chamber and a discharge channel. The storage chamber accommodates an elastomer, which uses elastic force to push the electrochemical cell, and a part of the high-pressure gas that has been pressurized by the aforementioned electrochemical cell flows into the storage chamber. The electrochemical cell uses electricity to move the supply gas supplied to the anode side to the opposite side of the partition wall, that is, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, that is, the cathode side, and pressurize it. The discharge channel discharges the liquid in the aforementioned storage chamber to the outside of the aforementioned storage chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electrochemical voltage boosting device. Background Art

[0002] As a method of increasing the pressure of a gas such as hydrogen, in addition to a mechanical compressor, there is also a method of using electrochemistry to move hydrogen through a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and thereby compress it. The battery cell uses electricity to convert hydrogen supplied to the anode side electrode into hydrogen ions. The hydrogen ions move in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and bond with electrons at the cathode side electrode to form hydrogen. In other words, hydrogen is transferred to the other side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane using electricity. If the side after the movement is directly connected to, for example, a storage tank, the gas has nowhere to go and is compressed to form a high pressure. In order to increase the processing capacity of the gas movement, that is, the pressure increase rate, multiple battery cells are stacked.

[0003] In the method of using such a battery cell, since the battery will expand due to the pressure of its own boost, a pushing force is applied in the stacking direction to prevent the above expansion, thereby obtaining stable electrolysis performance. Generally, the battery must be clamped in a more powerful manner than the high pressure state generated by itself. However, a piston structure is known that transmits the pressure generated by itself in a device for differential pressure water electrolysis in the pushing direction of the battery cell. The piston uses the elastic force of a coil spring and the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen generated by the battery cell to push the battery cell. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to produce high-pressure gas, it is not necessary to stack under high load such as squeezing the battery cell at a higher high pressure, thereby suppressing damage to various components.

[0004] [Prior Technical Literature]

[0005] (Patent Document)

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-113497 Summary of the invention

[0007] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, as shown in Patent Document 1, the piston has a flow channel or space for high-pressure gas to flow, and is provided with a coil spring that generates elastic force, but there is a problem that water accumulates in the recesses and the like in the space that accommodates the coil spring inside the piston. This water accumulates in the recesses and the like, for example, due to the condensation of moisture contained in the high-pressure gas to form liquid water. This accumulated water has the problem of corroding the coil spring and the like. When an elastomer such as a coil spring is corroded, the elastic force of the elastomer decreases, and an uneven load is applied to the battery cell, which may reduce the reaction efficiency of the battery cell. The reduced reaction efficiency of the battery cell means reduced product performance.

[0009] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an electrochemical boosting device that can prevent liquids such as water from accumulating inside a piston.

[0010] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0011] The electrochemical booster device of the embodiment includes a storage chamber and a discharge channel. The storage chamber stores an elastic body, the elastic body uses elastic force to push the electrochemical cell, and a part of the high-pressure gas that is pressurized by the electrochemical cell flows into the storage chamber. The electrochemical cell uses electricity to move the supply gas supplied to the anode side to the opposite side of the partition wall, that is, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, that is, the cathode side, and pressurizes it. The discharge channel discharges the liquid in the storage chamber to the outside of the storage chamber.

[0012] (Effects of the Invention)

[0013] The present invention can prevent water from accumulating inside the piston. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a side view showing an example of the appearance of the electrochemical hydrogen pressure boosting device according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 An axial cross-sectional view of an example of a battery cell in FIG.

[0016] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 An axial cross-sectional view of an example of a piston portion in FIG.

[0017] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 A diagram showing an example of the bottom surface of the recessed portion for the spring.

[0018] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 2 A diagram showing an example of a wall surface of a high-pressure hydrogen flow channel.

[0019] Figure 6 Is to stack multiple Figure 1 A plan view showing the center portion of a battery cell being extracted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, the electrochemical hydrogen boosting device of the embodiment will be described using the accompanying drawings. In addition, the proportions of the various parts of the various drawings used in the description of the following embodiments are sometimes appropriately changed. In addition, for the purpose of explanation, the composition of the various drawings used in the description of the following embodiments is sometimes omitted. In addition, in the various drawings and this specification, the same symbols represent the same elements.

[0021] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of the appearance of the electrochemical hydrogen pressure boosting device 100 according to the embodiment.

[0022] The electrochemical hydrogen boosting device 100 is a device for boosting the pressure of hydrogen. The electrochemical hydrogen boosting device 100 includes, for example, a plurality of battery cells 110, a piston portion 120, a top plate 130a, a bottom plate 130b, a tie rod 140, a high-pressure hydrogen outlet 150, two end plates 160, and two insulating plates 170. The electrochemical hydrogen boosting device 100 is an example of an electrochemical boosting device.

[0023] Figure 1 The battery unit 110, piston part 120, top plate 130a, and bottom plate 130b are shown as cylindrical in shape, but may also be other shapes such as prisms. The bottom plate 130b, multiple battery units 110, piston part 120, and top plate 130a are stacked in this order.

[0024] The battery cell 110 is a cell that uses electrochemistry to move hydrogen to the opposite side of the electrolytic membrane. The hydrogen moved by the battery cell 110 is, for example, pressurized to a high pressure of about 1 MPa to 90 MPa. In addition, the battery cell 110 also adopts a similar structure in a fluid manufacturing device and a high-pressure device using water electrolysis. In addition, the battery cell 110 is described in detail later. The battery cell 110 is an example of an electrochemical cell.

[0025] The piston part 120 pushes the battery cell 110. The piston part 120 is, for example, cylindrical. The piston part 120 will be described in detail later.

[0026] The top plate 130a and the bottom plate 130b are cylindrical components, and are configured to sandwich the battery cell 110 and the piston portion 120 between the top plate 130a and the bottom plate 130b. In the description of this embodiment, the top plate 130a side is set as the upper side of the electrochemical hydrogen boosting device 100. And the bottom plate 130b side is set as the lower side of the electrochemical hydrogen boosting device 100.

[0027] The tie rods 140 clamp and fasten the bottom plate 130 b , the plurality of battery cells 110 , the piston portion 120 , and the top plate 130 a , thereby holding them.

[0028] The high-pressure hydrogen gas outlet 150 is a pipe for outlet the hydrogen gas pressurized by the electrochemical hydrogen gas pressure boosting device 100 to a hydrogen gas tank or the like outside the electrochemical hydrogen gas pressure boosting device 100 .

[0029] The electrochemical hydrogen pressure boosting device 100 includes two end plates 160 , namely an end plate 160 a and an end plate 160 b .

[0030] The end plates 160a and 160b sandwich a plurality of battery cells 110 from the top and bottom. In addition, the end plates 160 have connection terminals connected to the external power source P. An insulating plate 170 is arranged on the surface of the end plate 160 opposite to the sandwiching surface of the battery cell 110, thereby preventing leakage to the outside. The insulating plate 170 may be in the form of a coating or a film as long as it has insulating properties.

[0031] The electrochemical hydrogen pressure boosting device 100 includes two insulating plates 170 , namely an insulating plate 170 a and an insulating plate 170 b .

[0032] The insulating plate 170a and the insulating plate 170b are arranged so that the plurality of battery cells 110 and the two end plates 160 are sandwiched between the insulating plate 170a and the insulating plate 170b from the upper and lower directions. The insulating plate 170 prevents leakage of the end plates 160 to the outside by being arranged in contact with the end plates 160. The insulating plate 170 is, for example, a circular plate having insulating properties. Alternatively, the insulating plate 170 may be a film or coating having insulating properties.

[0033] use Figure 2 The battery unit 110 will be further described. Figure 2 FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view showing an example of a battery cell 110 .

[0034] The battery cell 110, for example, includes an electrolyte membrane 111, a cathode side diaphragm 112a, an anode side diaphragm 112b, a cathode side power supply 113a, an anode side power supply 113b, a cathode side catalyst 114a, an anode catalyst 114b, a normal-pressure hydrogen supply channel 115, a normal-pressure hydrogen flow channel 116, a normal-pressure hydrogen exhaust channel 117, a high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channel 118, a high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 119, and a mark 1110.

[0035] The electrolyte membrane 111 is, for example, a cation exchange solid polymer electrolyte membrane of perfluorosulfonic acid. The electrolyte membrane 111 is, for example, a circular membrane.

[0036] The cathode side separator 112a and the anode side separator 112b are stacked in a manner sandwiching the electrolyte membrane 111. The cathode side separator 112a and the anode side separator 112b are composed of, for example, a carbon component or the like. Alternatively, the cathode side separator 112a and the anode side separator 112b may be a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, a titanium plate, an aluminum plate, a plated steel plate, or a metal plate on which a surface treatment for corrosion prevention is performed on the metal surface. The shape of the cathode side separator 112a and the anode side separator 112b is, for example, cylindrical.

[0037] The cathode-side separator 112a is, for example, stacked on the upper side of the electrolyte membrane 111. The anode-side separator 112b is stacked on the lower side of the electrolyte membrane 111 on the side opposite to the cathode side.

[0038] The cathode power supply 113a and the anode power supply 113b are composed of, for example, a sintered body (porous conductor) of spherical atomized titanium powder. The cathode power supply 113a and the anode power supply 113b are provided with a smooth surface portion etched after, for example, grinding, and the porosity is set to 10% to 46%, more preferably, to be set within the range of 20% to 40%. The shape of the cathode power supply 113a and the anode power supply 113b is, for example, an annular shape (hollow cylindrical shape).

[0039] The cathode-side power supply 113 a is provided between the cathode-side separator 112 a and the electrolyte membrane 111 .

[0040] The anode-side power supply 113 b is provided between the anode-side separator 112 b and the electrolyte membrane 111 .

[0041] The cathode side catalyst 114a is provided on the surface of the electrolyte membrane 111 between the cathode side power supply 113a and the electrolyte membrane 111. The cathode side catalyst 114a is, for example, a platinum catalyst.

[0042] The anode-side catalyst 114b is provided on the surface of the electrolyte membrane 111 between the anode-side power supply 113b and the electrolyte membrane 111. The anode-side catalyst 114b is, for example, a platinum-based catalyst or a ruthenium-based catalyst.

[0043] The cathode-side catalyst 114a and the anode-side catalyst 114b have, for example, a ring shape.

[0044] The normal pressure hydrogen supply channel 115 is a hole that penetrates the electrolyte membrane 111, the cathode side diaphragm 112a, and the anode side diaphragm 112b. The normal pressure hydrogen supply channel 115 is a flow channel for supplying normal pressure hydrogen gas before high pressure to the battery cell 110. In addition, the normal pressure hydrogen gas is humidified by, for example, a humidifier and passes through the normal pressure hydrogen supply channel 115 together with water vapor. Since it is preferred that the electrolyte membrane 111 is wet, the humidifier is used to humidify the electrolyte membrane 111.

[0045] The atmospheric pressure hydrogen flow passage 116 is in communication with the atmospheric pressure hydrogen supply passage 115. The atmospheric pressure hydrogen flow passage 116 supplies atmospheric pressure hydrogen along the anode side power supply body 113b.

[0046] The normal pressure hydrogen gas flowing in the normal pressure hydrogen flow channel 116 is converted into hydrogen ions and electrons by electricity in the anode side catalyst 114b. The hydrogen ions generated by the reaction move to the cathode side catalyst 114a side via the electrolyte membrane 111, and bond with the electrons to form hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas moves along the high pressure hydrogen flow channel in the cathode side power supply body 113a.

[0047] The atmospheric pressure hydrogen gas discharge channel 117 is a hole that penetrates the electrolyte membrane 111, the cathode side diaphragm 112a, and the anode side diaphragm 112b. The atmospheric pressure hydrogen gas discharge channel 117 is a flow channel for discharging the unreacted portion of the atmospheric pressure hydrogen gas supplied as described above that has not been converted into hydrogen ions. For example, the unreacted atmospheric pressure hydrogen gas is supplied to the battery cell 110 by bypassing the system again through circulation.

[0048] The high-pressure hydrogen gas discharge passage 118 is a passage for discharging the high-pressure hydrogen gas generated as described above to the high-pressure hydrogen gas flow passage 119 .

[0049] The high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 119 is a hole that penetrates the electrolyte membrane 111, the cathode side diaphragm 112a, and the anode side diaphragm 112b. The high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 119 is a flow channel for transporting the hydrogen gas that has been pressurized by the battery cell 110 to the piston part 120 and the high-pressure hydrogen gas outlet 150. In addition, the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 119 has a liquid guide groove 1191 and a liquid guide groove 1192 formed on the wall surface. The liquid guide groove 1191 and the liquid guide groove 1192 will be described later.

[0050] The mark 1110 is a mark used to align the phases (positions) of the multiple battery cells 110. The phase alignment of the multiple battery cells 110 means that the liquid guide grooves 1191 of the multiple battery cells 110 are connected without misalignment. If the phase of more than one battery cell 110 is misaligned, that is, it becomes a position rotated from the phase-aligned position, the liquid guide grooves 1191 are misaligned between the battery cells 110 and the battery cells 110, or are not connected. The mark 1110 can be a flat mark or a three-dimensional mark such as a protrusion. Figure 2 Two marks, mark 1110a and mark 1110b, are drawn in the figure. Mark 1110a is a protrusion-shaped mark. Mark 1110b is a hole-shaped mark. When two battery cells 110 are stacked, the mark 1110a of the lower battery cell 110 is embedded with the mark 1110b of the upper battery cell 110, so that the phases of the two battery cells 110 are aligned. In addition, the mark 1110 can also be used to make the extension directions of the multiple high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channels 118 different. When the phases are aligned, the multiple high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channels 118 are formed to extend in the appropriate direction.

[0051] use Figure 3 The piston portion 120 will be further described. Figure 3 FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view showing an example of the piston portion 120 .

[0052] The piston part 120 includes, for example, a fixed part 121, a movable part 122, a coil spring 123, a spring shaft 124, a ring part 125, and a sealing part 126. In addition, the piston part 120 may also include an insulating layer such as an insulating material or an insulating coating on the end plate 160a side of the movable part 122 instead of the insulating plate 170a. Alternatively, in order to further improve the insulation, the piston part 120 may include an insulating layer such as an insulating material or an insulating coating even if it has the insulating plate 170a.

[0053] The fixed component 121 is located between the top plate 130a and the movable component 122. The fixed component 121 is fixed relative to the top plate 130a. The lower bottom surface of the fixed component 121 is in contact with the upper surface of the coil spring 123. There is a gap between the fixed component 121 and the movable component 122. The fixed component 121 includes, for example, a recess 1211 and a high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1212.

[0054] The recess 1211 is a cylindrical hole. The fixed part 121 has a plurality of recesses 1211 arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. That is, the axes of the recesses 1211 of the movable part 122 are arranged side by side on the same circumference at the same angle intervals. For example, the fixed part 121 has four recesses 1211. Therefore, the interval between the axes of the recesses 1211 is 90 degrees. In addition, the number of recesses 1211 can also be other than four.

[0055] The high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1212 is a hole for allowing the high-pressure hydrogen generated by the battery cell 110 to pass through. The high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1212 is in communication with the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1222 and the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 131 .

[0056] The movable component 122 is located between the fixed component 121 and the insulating plate 170a. The lower bottom surface of the fixed component 121 and the upper bottom surface of the movable component 122 are opposite to each other. The movable component 122 can move in the up and down direction. The movable component 122 includes, for example, a spring recess 1221, a high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1222, a drainage channel 1223, and a drainage groove 1224. In addition, the movable component 122 is an example of a second component.

[0057] The spring recess 1221 is a cylindrical hole for embedding the coil spring 123. The number of the spring recesses 1221 is the same as the number of the recesses 1211. Therefore, here, the number of the spring recesses 1221 is 4. The axis of each spring recess 1221 coincides with the axis of the opposite recess 1211. Each spring recess 1221 is connected to the opposite recess 1211. The recesses 1211 and the spring recesses 1221 that are opposite to each other form a hydrogen chamber. A portion of the hydrogen flows into the hydrogen chamber from the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1212 and the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1222. A portion of the hydrogen that flows into the hydrogen chamber contains moisture. If the moisture condenses due to a drop in temperature or a drop in pressure inside the hydrogen chamber, liquid water is formed. In addition, since there is a gap between the fixed component 121 and the movable component 122, all the recessed parts 1211, the spring recessed parts 1221, the high-pressure hydrogen flow passages 1212, and the high-pressure hydrogen flow passages 1222 are connected via the gap. Therefore, the pressure of the hydrogen in the hydrogen chamber forms a pressure that is substantially the same as that of the high-pressure hydrogen flow passages 1212 and the high-pressure hydrogen flow passages 1222, and therefore, the coil spring 123 is used to apply a force in a direction of pushing to separate the fixed component 121 and the movable component 122. In addition, the spring recessed parts 1221 are an example of a housing chamber for housing the coil spring 123.

[0058] The high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1222 is a cylindrical hole for passing the high-pressure hydrogen generated by the battery cell 110 . The high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1222 is in communication with the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1212 and the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 171 .

[0059] The drain channel 1223 is, for example, a hole connected to the spring recess 1221 and the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1222. For example, there is one drain channel 1223 for one spring recess 1221. Water inside the hydrogen chamber, such as water generated in the hydrogen chamber, is discharged to the outside of the hydrogen chamber through the drain channel 1223. Water entering the drain channel 1223 is discharged to the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1222 through the drain channel 1223. The water discharged into the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1222 further flows into the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 119 through the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 171 and the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 161. In addition, the drain channel 1223 is an example of a drain channel that discharges water in the spring recess 1221 to the outside of the spring recess 1221.

[0060] The drain groove 1224 is a groove formed at the bottom of the spring recess 1221. The drain groove 1224 is connected to the drain channel 1223. The drain groove 1224 is a groove for making it easy for water in the spring recess 1221 to flow into the drain channel 1223. The water entering the drain groove 1224 flows toward the drain channel 1223. The drain groove 1224 is an example of a drain groove.

[0061] return Figure 3 Description.

[0062] The coil spring 123 is a coil spring in a state of being clamped between the bottom surface of the spring recess 1221 of the movable part 122 and the lower bottom surface of the fixed part 121. The coil spring 123 uses elastic force to push the bottom surface of the spring recess 1221 and the lower bottom surface of the fixed part 121. Therefore, the coil spring 123 exerts elastic force in the direction of pushing to separate the fixed part 121 and the movable part 122. Since the fixed part 121 is fixed, the coil spring 123 presses down the movable part 122 by elastic force. In addition, Figure 3 The coil spring 123 shown is a coil spring with a hole in the center. The coil spring 123 is prevented from moving in the horizontal direction by the side surface of the spring recess 1221 and the spring shaft 124.

[0063] The piston portion 120 presses down the movable member 122 by the elastic force of the coil spring 123 and the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen chamber.

[0064] The spring shaft 124 is fixed to the center of the bottom of each spring recess 1221. The piston part 120 has one spring shaft 124 for each spring recess 1221. The spring shaft 124 is, for example, a hollow cylindrical member for passing through a hole opened in the center of the coil spring 123. That is, the coil spring 123 is already embedded in the spring shaft 124. In addition, Figure 3 The spring shaft 124 shown is hollow, but it does not have to be hollow. The spring shaft 124 is an example of a hollow rod-shaped shaft portion for fitting into a hole opened in the spiral spring 123.

[0065] The spring shaft 124 is preferably provided with one or more drainage holes 1241 penetrating the side surface. The drainage hole 1241 is a hole for discharging water located inside (hollow portion) of the spring shaft 124 to the outside of the spring shaft 124. In addition, the drainage hole 1241 is preferably provided in a manner connected to the bottom of the spring recess 1221. The drainage hole 1241 is connected to the bottom of the spring recess 1221, thereby making it easy for water to be discharged to the outside of the spring shaft 124. The drainage hole 1241 is an example of a drainage hole.

[0066] The ring member 125 is an annular member provided to surround the fixed member 121 and the movable member 122 .

[0067] The piston part 120 includes two sealing members, for example, a sealing member 126a and a sealing member 126b. The sealing member 126a is, for example, an O-ring provided in a manner surrounding the fixed member 121. The sealing member 126b is, for example, an O-ring provided in a manner surrounding the movable member 122. The sealing member 126 performs sealing to prevent hydrogen gas that has passed through the gap between the movable member 122 and the movable member 122 from leaking out of the sealing member 126.

[0068] In addition, the top plate 130a is Figure 3 The high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 131 is shown. The high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 131 is a hole for the hydrogen gas pressurized by the battery cell 110 to pass through. The high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 131 is connected to the high-pressure hydrogen outlet 150 and the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1212.

[0069] The end plate 160 a has a high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 161 . The high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 161 is a cylindrical hole for the high-pressure hydrogen generated by the battery cell 110 to pass through. The high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 161 is in communication with the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 171 and the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 119 .

[0070] The insulating plate 170a has a high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 171. The high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 171 is a cylindrical hole for the high-pressure hydrogen generated by the battery cell 110 to pass through. The high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 171 communicates with the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 1222 and the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 161.

[0071] use Figure 4 The drainage channel 1223 and the drainage groove 1224 are further described. Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing an example of the bottom surface of the spring recess 1221. Figure 4 The illustrated spiral springs 123 only show the bottom surface of the lowermost spiral spring 123 (hereinafter referred to as “spring bottom surface”). The spring bottom surface is in contact with the bottom surface of the spring recess 1221 .

[0072] Figure 4 The drainage channel 1223 shown shows the inlet portion of the drainage channel 1223. The inlet of the drainage channel 1223 is formed to straddle the bottom surface of the spring. This allows water on the inner side (one side) and water on the outer side (the other side) of the bottom surface of the spring in the spring recess 1221 to flow into the drainage channel 1223. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of drainage channels on one spring recess 1221.

[0073] In addition, the inlet of the drainage channel 1223 can be as follows Figure 3 As shown, it is formed to span the side and bottom of the spring recess 1221, and it can also be formed as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, it is formed on the bottom surface of the spring recess 1221. Alternatively, the inlet of the discharge channel 1223 can also be formed on the side surface of the spring recess 1221.

[0074] In addition, for example Figure 4As shown, the drainage groove 1224 is a groove formed in a cross shape on the bottom surface of the spring recess 1221. Among them, the shape of the drainage groove 1224 can also be other shapes except the cross shape. The drainage groove 1224 is formed, for example, to cross the bottom surface of the spring. In this way, the water inside the bottom surface of the spring in the recess 1221 and the water outside the bottom surface of the spring can easily flow into the drainage groove 1224. In addition, the drainage groove 1224 is formed, for example, to cross the bottom of the side of the spring shaft 124. In this way, the water inside the spring shaft 124 and the water outside the bottom surface of the spring can easily flow into the drainage groove 1224. In addition, due to the drainage groove 1224, even if the entrance of the drainage channel 1223 is formed without crossing the bottom surface of the spring, the water inside the bottom surface of the spring in the recess 1221 and the water outside the bottom surface of the spring can flow into the drainage channel 1223 through the drainage groove 1224.

[0075] use Figure 5 The liquid guide groove 1191 and the liquid guide groove 1192 are described. Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing an example of the wall surface of the high-pressure hydrogen flow passage 119. Figure 5 FIG. 4 shows a battery cell 110 having three layers of high-pressure hydrogen flow channels 119 .

[0076] The liquid guide grooves 1191 and 1192 are grooves formed on the wall surface of the high-pressure hydrogen flow channel 119 as described above.

[0077] The liquid guide groove 1191 is a groove connected from the battery cell 110 of the lowest layer to the battery cell of the highest layer. In addition, the liquid guide groove 1191 may also be a groove connected to the end plate 160a, the insulating plate 170a, and the piston part 120. In addition, the lowermost part of the liquid guide groove 1191 is connected to, for example, a discharge channel for discharging water to the outside of the electrochemical hydrogen boosting device 100. The liquid guide groove 1191 is a groove for guiding the flow direction of water discharged from the discharge channel 1223. Part or all of the water discharged from the discharge channel 1223 flows down along the liquid guide groove 1191.

[0078] The liquid guide groove 1192 is a groove formed to connect the liquid guide groove 1191 and the outlet of the high-pressure hydrogen discharge channel 118 (hereinafter referred to as the "discharge channel outlet"). A portion of the water flowing in the liquid guide groove 1191 flows to the liquid guide groove 1192. The water flowing into the liquid guide groove 1192 enters the high-pressure hydrogen discharge channel 118 from the discharge channel outlet, and flows to the electrolyte membrane 111 to humidify the electrolyte membrane 111. According to the above, the high-pressure hydrogen discharge channel 118 is an example of a supply channel for supplying water to the electrolyte membrane 111. In addition, the discharge channel outlet is an example of an inlet of the supply channel for water to enter the high-pressure hydrogen discharge channel 118.

[0079] Figure 5The battery unit 110 is shown with three layers of liquid guide grooves 1192, including liquid guide grooves 1192a to 1192c. If the liquid guide grooves 1192a to 1192c are arranged in the order of proximity to the piston portion 120, the order is liquid guide groove 1192a, liquid guide groove 1192b, and liquid guide groove 1192c.

[0080] If the liquid guiding groove 1192a, the liquid guiding groove 1192b, and the liquid guiding groove 1192c are compared, the angles of the grooves formed are different. For example, the liquid guiding groove 1192a is horizontal, and in contrast, the liquid guiding grooves 1192b and 1192c are tilted downward toward the outlet of the discharge channel. If the tilt angle relative to the horizontal plane when tilting downward toward the outlet of the discharge channel is set to positive, the tilt angles of the liquid guiding grooves 1192b and 1192c are larger than that of the liquid guiding groove 1192a. Among them, the tilt angle of the liquid guiding groove 1192 is less than 90 degrees. In addition, the tilt angle of the liquid guiding groove 1192a is 0 degrees. The larger the tilt angle, the easier it is for water to flow from the liquid guiding groove 1191 to the liquid guiding groove 1192. A portion of the amount of water flowing in the liquid guiding groove 1191 flows in the liquid guiding groove 1192 and decreases as it moves away from the piston part 120. Therefore, by increasing the inclination angle of the liquid guide groove 1192 away from the piston part 120, the amount of water flowing in each liquid guide groove 1192 can be equalized. In addition, there can also be a liquid guide groove 1192 with a negative inclination angle. Among them, the inclination angle of the liquid guide groove 1192 is greater than -90 degrees.

[0081] In addition, of the two liquid guide grooves 1192 with different inclination angles, the one far from the piston part 120 is an example of the first groove, and the one close to the piston part 120 is an example of the second groove. In addition, the inlet connected to the first groove is an example of the first inlet. And, the inlet connected to the second groove is an example of the second inlet.

[0082] In addition, if the liquid conducting groove 1192b and the liquid conducting groove 1192c are compared, the width of the liquid conducting groove 1192 is different. Therefore, the cross-sectional area is also different in the liquid conducting groove 1192b and the liquid conducting groove 1192c. The larger the width of the liquid conducting groove 1192c, the easier it is for water to flow from the liquid conducting groove 1191 to the liquid conducting groove 1192. Therefore, by increasing the width of the liquid conducting groove 1192 away from the piston part 120, the amount of water flowing in each liquid conducting groove 1192 can be equalized. As a result, the electrolyte membrane 111 in each battery cell 110 is uniformly wetted. In addition, as a result, each battery cell 110 forms an equal reaction efficiency, and the hydrogen gas pressure can be stably increased.

[0083] In addition, of the two liquid guide grooves 1192 with different cross-sectional areas, the one far from the piston part 120 is an example of the third groove, and the one close to the piston part 120 is an example of the fourth groove. In addition, the inlet connected to the third groove is an example of the third inlet. Moreover, the inlet connected to the fourth groove is an example of the fourth inlet.

[0084] The liquid guide groove 1191 and the liquid guide groove 1192 are one example of a guide groove for guiding water to the supply channel.

[0085] In addition, if Figure 6 As shown, the high-pressure hydrogen discharge passages 118 may also extend in different directions.

[0086] Figure 6 1 is a plan view showing a center portion of a plurality of stacked battery cells 110 extracted and drawn. Figure 6 The range of the central portion shown in is the high-pressure hydrogen flow passage 119 and the wall portion of the high-pressure hydrogen flow passage 119. Figure 6 For example, the diagram shows a stacked state of eight battery cells 110. Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , hidden lines (dashed lines) are used to indicate the high-pressure hydrogen gas discharge passage 118 that is not visible inside.

[0087] Figure 6 Eight high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channels 118 are shown, namely, high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channels 118-1 to 118-8. Among the high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channels 118-1 to 118-8, for example, the high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channel 118-1 is closest to the piston portion 120, and is away from the piston portion 120 in the order of the high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channel 118-1, the high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channel 118-2, the high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channel 118-3..., and the high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channel 118-8 is farthest from the piston portion 120. The direction in which water flows into each of the high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channels 118-1 to 118-8, that is, the direction in which the high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channels 118 extend from the exhaust channel outlet toward the electrolyte membrane 111, are oriented in different directions in the horizontal direction. For example, if the direction in which the high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channel 118-1 extends is set to the 12 o'clock direction, the direction in which the high-pressure hydrogen exhaust channel 118-3 extends is, for example, the 3 o'clock direction. That is, Figure 6 The high-pressure hydrogen gas discharge passages 118 - 1 to 118 - 8 are extended in directions that are offset from each other by 45 degrees.

[0088] Furthermore, the electrochemical hydrogen boosting device 100 may also include high-pressure hydrogen exhaust passages 118 extending in the same direction. In addition, the angle between the high-pressure hydrogen exhaust passages 118 is not limited to 45 degrees, and may be other angles.

[0089] Any two of the high-pressure hydrogen discharge channels 118-1 to 118-8 are examples of the first supply channel and the second supply channel. In addition, the direction in which the high-pressure hydrogen discharge channel 118 as the first supply channel extends toward the electrolyte membrane 111 is an example of the first direction. Moreover, the direction in which the high-pressure hydrogen discharge channel 118 as the second supply channel extends toward the electrolyte membrane 111 is an example of the second direction.

[0090] The electrochemical hydrogen pressure boosting device 100 of the embodiment is provided with a drain passage 1223 for discharging water in the spring recess 1221. Thus, the electrochemical hydrogen pressure boosting device 100 of the embodiment can prevent water from accumulating in the spring recess 1221 in the piston part 120. In addition, since water does not accumulate, the coil spring 123 and the like can also be prevented from being corroded.

[0091] In addition, the electrochemical hydrogen boosting device 100 of the embodiment is provided with a liquid guide groove 1191 and a liquid guide groove 1192 to guide the water discharged from the spring recess 1221 to the high-pressure hydrogen discharge channel 118 connected to the electrolyte membrane 111. Thus, the water easily flows into the electrolyte membrane 111. Therefore, the electrochemical hydrogen boosting device 100 of the embodiment can use the water to humidify the electrolyte membrane 111. Thus, the battery cell 110 forms an environment suitable for the electrode reaction, and the hydrogen pressure can be stably increased.

[0092] The above-mentioned embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0093] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where water is discharged from the spring recess is described. However, liquids other than water may be discharged from the spring recess.

[0094] The piston portion of the embodiment may include other elastic bodies such as other springs that exert elastic force, instead of the disc spring 123 .

[0095] In the above-mentioned embodiment, a device for boosting the pressure of hydrogen is described. However, the electrochemical boosting device of the embodiment may also be a device for boosting the pressure of other gases or other fluids other than hydrogen, instead of boosting the pressure of hydrogen. In this case, the battery cell is configured to correspond to the fluid being manufactured.

[0096] The electrochemical booster of the embodiment may be a device that produces hydrogen and boosts the pressure by using water electrolysis. In this case, the electrochemical booster supplies water to the battery cell. And the battery cell generates hydrogen by using water electrolysis.

[0097] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they are shown as examples and do not limit the scope of the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in various forms within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0098] Reference numerals

[0099] 100 Electrochemical hydrogen booster

[0100] 110 Battery Cells

[0101] 111 Electrolyte membrane

[0102] 112a Cathode side diaphragm

[0103] 112b Anode side diaphragm

[0104] 113a Cathode side power supply

[0105] 113b Anode side power supply

[0106] 114a Cathode side catalyst

[0107] 114b Anode side catalyst

[0108] 115 Normal pressure hydrogen supply channel

[0109] 116 Atmospheric pressure hydrogen flow channel

[0110] 117 Atmospheric pressure hydrogen discharge channel

[0111] 118 High-pressure hydrogen discharge channel

[0112] 119,131,161,171,1212,1222 High-pressure hydrogen flow channel

[0113] 120 Piston

[0114] 121 Fixed parts

[0115] 122 Moving Parts

[0116] 123 Coil Spring

[0117] 124 Spring shaft

[0118] 125 Ring parts

[0119] 126a,126b Sealing parts

[0120] 130a Top plate

[0121] 130b Base Plate

[0122] 140 Tie rod

[0123] 150 High-pressure hydrogen outlet

[0124] 160a,160b End plate

[0125] 170a,170b Insulation board

[0126] 1110a,1110b Marking

[0127] 1191,1192,1192a,1192b,1192c Fluid guide groove

[0128] 1211 concave part

[0129] 1221 Spring recess

[0130] 1223 Drainage channel

[0131] 1224 drain tank

[0132] 1241 drain hole

[0133] P Power

Claims

1. An electrochemical booster device comprising: A plurality of electrochemical cells, wherein the supply gas supplied to the anode side is moved to the opposite side of the partition wall, i.e., the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, i.e., the cathode side, by using electricity to increase the pressure of the supply gas to a high pressure of 1 MPa to 90 MPa. a receiving chamber for receiving an elastic body, wherein the elastic body pushes the plurality of electrochemical cells by elastic force, and a part of the high-pressure gas increased in pressure by the plurality of electrochemical cells flows into the receiving chamber; and The discharge channel discharges the liquid in the aforementioned receiving chamber to the outside of the aforementioned receiving chamber, The inlet of the discharge channel is connected to one side and the other side of the bottom surface clamping the elastic body.

2. The electrochemical voltage boosting device according to claim 1, further comprising a guide groove for guiding the liquid discharged from the discharge channel to the supply channel to supply the liquid to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane in the electrochemical cell.

3. The electrochemical voltage boosting device according to claim 2, wherein the guide groove includes a groove extending obliquely downward toward the inlet of the supply channel.

4. The electrochemical voltage boosting device according to claim 3, wherein the guide groove comprises: The aforementioned slot; and, another groove, closer to the aforementioned receiving chamber than the aforementioned groove, When the inclination angle of the groove extending obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal plane is set to be positive, the inclination angle of the aforementioned groove is larger than the inclination angle of the aforementioned other groove.

5. The electrochemical voltage boosting device according to claim 3, wherein the guide groove comprises: The aforementioned slot; and, another slot, closer to the aforementioned receiving chamber than the aforementioned slot; The cross-sectional area of ​​the aforementioned groove is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the aforementioned another groove.

6. The electrochemical booster device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first supply channel for supplying the liquid discharged from the discharge channel to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane in the electrochemical cell and extending in a first direction toward the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and The second supply channel supplies the liquid discharged from the discharge channel to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane in the electrochemical cell, and extends toward the solid polymer electrolyte membrane in a second direction different from the first direction.

7. The electrochemical boost device of claim 2, further comprising a marker for aligning the phases of the plurality of electrochemical cells.

8. The electrochemical booster device according to claim 1, further comprising a hollow rod-shaped shaft portion for fitting into the hole formed in the elastic body. The shaft portion is provided with a discharge hole penetrating the inner side and the outer side of the shaft portion.

9. The electrochemical voltage boosting device according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge groove formed at the bottom of the containing chamber and connected to the discharge passage.

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