A composite pole frame and electrolytic cell

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of hydrogen production by water electrolysis, and discloses a composite pole frame and an electrolytic cell. The composite pole frame comprises a metal base body and an insulating layer, and the insulating layer is coated on the metal base body; the composite pole frame is provided with an electrolysis hole, a first feeding hole, a second feeding hole, a first discharging hole and a second discharging hole, one side of the insulating layer is provided with a first pressure-resistant groove and a flow channel, the flow channel is provided with a boss, and the top surface of the boss is flush with the surface of the insulating layer. Compared with the manufacturing process of a traditional pole frame, the design of the metal base body plus the insulating layer simplifies the complexity of machining and improves the production and manufacturing efficiency; meanwhile, the composite pole frame is also provided with a pressure-resistant structure, so that the damage of high temperature and high pressure to the pole frame itself is reduced. The electrolytic cell assembled by using the composite pole frame reduces assembled parts, and the sealing effect of the electrolytic cell is better compared with that of a traditional structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of hydrogen production by water electrolysis, and more particularly to a composite electrode frame and an electrolyzer. Background Technology

[0002] To reduce carbon dioxide emissions and achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, hydrogen energy plays a crucial role in energy, transportation, chemical, and metallurgical industries. Utilizing hydrogen energy enables large-scale, efficient absorption of renewable energy and facilitates energy redistribution in time and space. The application of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector. Using green hydrogen as a chemical raw material and replacing coke in metallurgy can accelerate industrial decarbonization. Currently, hydrogen production primarily relies on fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal, resulting in significant carbon dioxide emissions and environmental damage. Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and nuclear power, along with water electrolysis for hydrogen production, offer significant advantages such as low carbon dioxide emissions and high efficiency, and are poised for substantial future development. Water electrolysis is a core technology for renewable energy-based hydrogen production, and its technological improvements are of paramount importance.

[0003] The key equipment for hydrogen production through water electrolysis is the electrolyzer, which generally consists of end pressure plates, current collectors, multiple small electrolysis chambers, and fasteners. Each electrolysis chamber typically includes components such as bipolar plates, anode frames, anode gaskets, anode diffusion layers, anodes, diaphragms, cathodes, cathode diffusion layers, cathode gaskets, and cathode frames. The electrode frames are the core component of the electrolyzer and have a significant impact on hydrogen production efficiency.

[0004] However, the commonly used pole frames are mainly made of metal materials, which have problems such as being easily corroded, having a complex manufacturing process, being prone to severe deformation during production that affects sealing, and having a high density, making the pole frames heavy and difficult to install in actual work. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide an electrolytic cell that addresses the technical problem of the difficulty in processing electrolytic electrode frames.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a composite pole frame, characterized in that the composite pole frame comprises a metal substrate and an insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer covers the metal substrate;

[0007] The composite electrode frame is provided with an electrolysis hole, a first feed hole, a second feed hole, a first discharge hole, and a second discharge hole. The electrolysis hole is located at the center of the composite electrode frame and penetrates the composite electrode frame. The first feed hole, the second feed hole, the first discharge hole, and the second discharge hole are arranged around the electrolysis hole.

[0008] The insulating layer has a first pressure-resistant groove and a flow channel on one side. The first pressure-resistant groove is located between the first feed hole and the second discharge hole, and / or the first pressure-resistant groove is located between the second feed hole and the first discharge hole. The flow channel is located between the electrolysis hole and the first feed hole, and / or the flow channel is located between the electrolysis hole and the first discharge hole. The flow channel has a boss, and the top surface of the boss is flush with the surface of the insulating layer.

[0009] Optionally, the first feed hole and the first discharge hole are centrally symmetrically distributed, and the second feed hole and the second discharge hole are centrally symmetrically distributed.

[0010] Optionally, a second pressure-resistant groove is further provided on one side of the insulating layer, the second pressure-resistant groove being disposed between the first discharge hole and the second discharge hole, and / or the second pressure-resistant groove being disposed between the first feed hole and the second feed hole.

[0011] Optionally, the metal substrate has through holes, and the insulating layer forms reinforcing ribs within the through holes.

[0012] Optionally, the through hole is located within the range corresponding to the first pressure-resistant groove.

[0013] Optionally, the side of the composite electrode frame with the first pressure-resistant groove is defined as the front side, and the other side is the back side. A membrane groove surrounding the electrolytic hole is provided on the back side of the composite electrode frame, and the membrane groove is connected to the electrolytic hole.

[0014] Optionally, a sealing water line is provided at the edge of the insulating layer on the front side of the composite pole frame.

[0015] Optionally, the bosses are arranged in a linear array within the flow channel.

[0016] The present invention also provides an electrolytic cell comprising at least one electrolytic chamber, the electrolytic chamber comprising an anode, a cathode, an anode diffusion layer, a cathode diffusion layer, a diaphragm, two bipolar plates, and two composite electrode frames, the reverse sides of the two composite electrode frames being bonded to each other, the two bipolar plates being tightly bonded to the front sides of the composite electrode frames, the edge portion of the diaphragm being pressed into the membrane groove of the two composite electrode frames, the anode and the cathode being tightly bonded to the two sides of the middle portion of the diaphragm, the anode diffusion layer being located within the electrolytic hole and tightly bonded to the anode, and the cathode diffusion layer being located within the electrolytic hole and tightly bonded to the cathode.

[0017] Optionally, the membrane may include a proton exchange membrane, a porous membrane, and an anion exchange membrane.

[0018] In the technical solution provided by this invention, the composite electrode frame used in the electrolytic cell is the electrolytic cell electrode described in this invention. The composite electrode frame adopts a metal substrate plus an insulating layer, which simplifies the complexity of machining, improves manufacturing efficiency, and extends the service life of the electrode frame. The design of the first pressure-resistant groove and boss on the composite electrode frame enhances the pressure resistance of the composite electrode frame and extends its service life. Compared with the prior art, the electrolytic cell using this composite electrode frame reduces components such as cathode sealing gaskets and anode sealing gaskets, thus reducing the sealing surface, lowering the sealing difficulty, and increasing the pressure resistance of the electrolytic cell. Furthermore, it simplifies the overall design of the electrolytic cell, reduces assembly steps, and lowers assembly difficulty. This can improve the fault tolerance rate of the electrolytic cell during operation and facilitate subsequent maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a front structural schematic diagram of an electrolytic composite electrode frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the reverse structure of an electrolytic composite electrode frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the AA cross-sectional structure;

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the BB cross-sectional structure;

[0023] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the CC cross-sectional structure;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrolytic cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of an electrolysis chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a partial cross-sectional structural diagram of the electrolysis chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] In the diagram: 1. Composite electrode frame; 2. Bipolar plate; 3. Anode diffusion layer; 4. Anode; 5. Diaphragm; 6. Cathode; 7. Cathode diffusion layer; 8. Electrolytic cell; 9. Electrolytic chamber; 101. Metal substrate; 102. Insulating layer; 103. Through hole; 104. Front side of electrode frame; 105. Back side of electrode frame; 106. Reinforcing rib; 107. First feed hole; 108. Second feed hole; 109. First discharge hole; 110. Second discharge hole; 111. Electrolytic hole; 112. Flow channel; 114. Sealing water line; 115. First pressure-resistant groove; 116. Membrane tank; 117. Anode chamber; 118. Cathode chamber; 119. Boss; 120. Second pressure-resistant groove. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more detailed description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. In the description of the present invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating relative importance or implying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, unless otherwise stated, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature; "a plurality of" means two or more. The term "comprising" and any variations thereof mean a non-exclusive inclusion, where one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, units, components, and / or combinations thereof may be present or added. All technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0029] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0030] Please see Figures 1 to 5 This embodiment provides a composite pole frame 1, which includes a metal substrate 101 and an insulating layer 102, with the insulating layer 102 covering the metal substrate 101. The composite pole frame can be circular or polygonal in shape. The metal substrate 101 can be made of 316L stainless steel, and the insulating layer can be made of EPDM rubber. Metal pole frames themselves suffer from cavitation and are difficult to process. The design of using a metal substrate 1 and an insulating layer 102 reduces the processing difficulty of the pole frame and also reduces its weight.

[0031] Furthermore, the composite electrode frame 1 is provided with an electrolysis hole 111, a first feed hole 107, a second feed hole 108, a first discharge hole 109, and a second discharge hole 110. The electrolysis hole 111 is located at the center of the composite electrode frame 1 and penetrates the composite electrode frame 1. The first feed hole 107, the second feed hole 108, the first discharge hole 109, and the second discharge hole 110 are arranged around the electrolysis hole 111.

[0032] Furthermore, a first pressure-resistant groove 115 and a flow channel 112 are provided on one side of the insulating layer 102. The first pressure-resistant groove 115 is disposed between the first feed hole 107 and the second discharge hole 110, and / or the first pressure-resistant groove 115 is disposed between the second feed hole 108 and the first discharge hole 109. When the composite pole frame 1 is subjected to high pressure, it will deform. The first pressure-resistant groove 115 provides a buffer area for deformation, so that the composite pole frame 1 can withstand more pressure. The flow channel 112 is disposed between the electrolysis hole 111 and the first feed hole 107, and / or the flow channel 112 is disposed between the electrolysis hole 111 and the first discharge hole 109. The flow channel 112 connects the first feed hole 107 and the electrolysis hole 111, allowing liquid to enter the electrolysis hole 111 through the first feed hole 107. The flow channel 112 connects the first discharge hole 109 and the electrolysis hole 111, allowing the electrolyzed water product in the electrolysis hole 111 to be produced from the first discharge hole 109.

[0033] Furthermore, a boss 119 is provided on the flow channel 112, and the top surface of the boss 119 is flush with the surface of the insulating layer 102. The boss 119 contacts the bipolar plate 2 during the assembly of the electrolytic cell, while the flow channel 112 does not contact the bipolar plate 2. The flow channel 112 has a hollow structure and weak high-pressure resistance. The boss 119 is provided to share the pressure from the outside while feeding from the outside, reduce the deformation on both sides of the flow channel 112, and ensure the sealing between the flow channel 112 and the bipolar plate 2.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first feed hole 107 and the first discharge hole 109 are centrally symmetrically distributed, and the second feed hole 108 and the second discharge hole 110 are centrally symmetrically distributed. When assembling the electrolytic cell, two composite electrode frames 1 are required to be connected back-to-back. The first feed hole 107 of one composite electrode frame 1 and the second feed hole 108 of the other composite electrode frame 1 are aligned and connected; the first discharge hole 109 of one composite electrode frame 1 and the second discharge hole 110 of the other composite electrode frame 1 are aligned and connected.

[0035] In one embodiment, a second pressure-resistant groove 120 is further provided on one side of the insulating layer 102. The second pressure-resistant groove 120 is disposed between the first discharge hole 110 and the second discharge hole 111, and / or the second pressure-resistant groove 120 is disposed between the first feed hole 108 and the second feed hole 109.

[0036] In this embodiment, a through hole 103 is provided on the metal substrate 101, and a reinforcing rib 106 is formed in the through hole 103 within the insulating layer 102. The insulating layers covering both sides of the metal substrate 101 are connected together through the through hole 103. The insulating layer within the through hole 103 forms the reinforcing rib 106, which increases the bonding force between the insulating layer 102 and the metal substrate 101, reduces the displacement and deformation of the insulating layer surface, and enables the electrolytic cell to meet the requirements of high-pressure operation.

[0037] Furthermore, the through hole 103 is located within the area corresponding to the first pressure-resistant groove 115. The first pressure-resistant groove 115 provides a deformation area for the composite pole frame 1 under high pressure. Therefore, the insulation layer 102 is subjected to the greatest deformation here, making it easy to detach from the metal substrate 101. Therefore, a through hole 103 is provided in the pressure-resistant groove area, and the metal substrate 101 and the insulation layer 102 are more firmly connected by the reinforcing rib 106.

[0038] In this embodiment, the side of the composite electrode frame 1 with the pressure-resistant groove is defined as the front side, and the other side is the back side. A membrane groove 116 surrounding the electrolytic hole 111 is provided on the back side of the composite electrode frame 1, and the membrane groove 116 is connected to the electrolytic hole 111.

[0039] Furthermore, a sealing water line 114 is provided at the outer edge of the insulating layer 102 on the front side of the composite electrode frame 1. The sealing water line 114, formed after compression above and below the steps of the insulating layer 102, serves to prevent liquid from leaking out from the gap between the bipolar plate 2 and the composite electrode frame 1.

[0040] Furthermore, the protrusions 119 are arranged in a linear array within the flow channel 112. The presence of multiple protrusions 119 within the flow channel 112 effectively reduces deformation on both sides of the flow channel 112. Simultaneously, the number of protrusions 119 controls the rate at which liquid enters or exits the electrolysis orifice 111, preventing excessive pressure within the electrolysis orifice 111 due to the electrolysis rate failing to keep pace with the feed rate during liquid electrolysis.

[0041] Please see Figures 6 to 8 The electrolytic cell includes at least one electrolysis chamber 9, which includes an anode 4, a cathode 6, an anode diffusion layer 3, a cathode diffusion layer, a diaphragm 5, two bipolar plates 2, and two composite electrode frames 1. The reverse sides of the two composite electrode frames 1 are attached to each other, and the two bipolar plates 2 are tightly attached to the front side of the composite electrode frames 1. The edge portion of the diaphragm 5 is pressed into the membrane groove 116 of the two composite electrode frames 1. The anode 4 and cathode 6 are respectively tightly attached to the two sides of the middle portion of the diaphragm 5. The anode diffusion layer 3 is located in the electrolysis hole 111 and tightly attached to the anode 4, and the cathode diffusion layer is located in the electrolysis hole 111 and tightly attached to the cathode 6. Compared with the prior art, this design reduces components such as cathode gaskets and anode gaskets, simplifies the components of the electrolytic cell, reduces the sealing surface, and improves the sealing performance.

[0042] Furthermore, the composite electrode frame 1, bipolar plate 2, electrolytic hole 111 and diaphragm 5 form an electrode chamber. The electrode chamber containing the anode 4 and the anode diffusion layer 3 is the anode chamber 117, and the electrode chamber containing the cathode 6 and the cathode diffusion layer 7 is the cathode chamber 118. The solution undergoes an electrolytic reaction in the electrode chamber.

[0043] Furthermore, the first material inlet 107 of the composite electrode frame 1 in the anode chamber 117 is connected to the second material inlet 108 in the cathode chamber 118, forming the main channel of the anode electrolyte in the electrolytic cell, and then distributed to the anode chamber 117 through the flow channel 112; so that the first material outlet 109 on the composite electrode frame 1 in the anode chamber 117 is connected to the second material outlet 110 in the cathode chamber, forming the main channel of the anode gas-liquid products in the electrolytic cell, and the gas-liquid products under the anode 4 electrolysis are collected into the main channel through the flow channel 112.

[0044] Furthermore, the internal structure of the cathode chamber 118 is similar to that described above. The first material inlet 107 of the composite electrode frame 1 in the cathode chamber 118 is connected to the second material inlet 108 of the anode chamber, forming the main channel of the cathode electrolyte in the electrolytic cell, which is then distributed to the cathode chamber 118 through the flow channel 112; the first material outlet 109 on the composite electrode frame 1 in the cathode chamber 118 is connected to the second material outlet 110 of the anode chamber, forming the main channel of the cathode gas-liquid products in the electrolytic cell, which are collected into the main channel through the outlet flow channel 112.

[0045] Furthermore, the anode 4 can be coated with iridium dioxide, and the cathode 6 can be coated with platinum-carbon. Depending on the requirements for electrolyzing acidic or alkaline solutions, the diaphragm 5 can also be a proton exchange membrane, a porous membrane, or an anion exchange membrane, allowing electrolytic particles of a specific diameter or charge to flow through the diaphragm 5 to the designated electrode chamber.

[0046] In this embodiment, liquid enters the electrolysis chamber 9 through the first material inlet 107 in the anode chamber 117 and the first material inlet 107 in the cathode chamber 118, respectively. Under electrolysis, an electrochemical reaction occurs at the anode 5, generating hydrogen gas, protons, and electrons. Electrons travel through the external circuit to the cathode chamber 118, and protons pass through the proton exchange membrane into the cathode chamber 118. At the cathode 6, protons combine with electrons to generate hydrogen gas. In the anode chamber 117, the generated oxygen and unreacted pure water exit the electrolysis chamber 9 through the flow channel 112 to the first material outlet 109. In the cathode chamber 118, pure water and generated hydrogen gas exit the electrolysis chamber 9 through the flow channel 112 to the first material outlet 109.

[0047] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Under the concept of the present invention, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of different aspects of the present invention as described above. For the sake of brevity, they are not provided in detail. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A composite pole frame, characterized in that, The composite pole frame includes a metal substrate and an insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer covers the metal substrate; The composite electrode frame is provided with an electrolysis hole, a first feed hole, a second feed hole, a first discharge hole, and a second discharge hole. The electrolysis hole is located at the center of the composite electrode frame and penetrates the composite electrode frame. The first feed hole, the second feed hole, the first discharge hole, and the second discharge hole are arranged around the electrolysis hole. The insulating layer has a first pressure-resistant groove and a flow channel on one side. The first pressure-resistant groove is disposed between the first feed hole and the second discharge hole, and / or the first pressure-resistant groove is disposed between the second feed hole and the first discharge hole. The flow channel is disposed between the electrolysis hole and the first feed hole, and / or the flow channel is disposed between the electrolysis hole and the first discharge hole. The flow channel has a boss, and the top surface of the boss is flush with the surface of the insulating layer. The metal substrate has through holes located within the range corresponding to the first pressure-resistant groove, and the insulating layer forms reinforcing ribs within the through holes.

2. The composite pole frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first feed hole and the first discharge hole are centrally symmetrically distributed, and the second feed hole and the second discharge hole are centrally symmetrically distributed.

3. The composite pole frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insulating layer is further provided with a second pressure-resistant groove on one side, the second pressure-resistant groove being disposed between the first discharge hole and the second discharge hole, and / or the second pressure-resistant groove being disposed between the first feed hole and the second feed hole.

4. The composite pole frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side of the composite electrode frame with the first pressure-resistant groove is defined as the front side, and the other side is the back side. A membrane groove is provided on the back side of the composite electrode frame, surrounding the electrolytic hole, and the membrane groove is connected to the electrolytic hole.

5. The composite pole frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sealing water line is provided on the outer edge of the insulating layer on the front side of the composite pole frame.

6. The composite pole frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protrusions are arranged in a linear array within the flow channel.

7. An electrolytic cell, characterized in that, The electrolytic cell includes at least one electrolytic chamber, which includes an anode, a cathode, an anode diffusion layer, a cathode diffusion layer, a diaphragm, two bipolar plates, and two composite electrode frames as described in any one of claims 1-6. The reverse sides of the two composite electrode frames are attached to each other, and the two bipolar plates are tightly attached to the front side of the composite electrode frames. The edge portion of the diaphragm is pressed into the membrane groove of the two composite electrode frames. The anode and the cathode are respectively tightly attached to the two sides of the middle portion of the diaphragm. The anode diffusion layer is located in the electrolytic hole and tightly attached to the anode, and the cathode diffusion layer is located in the electrolytic hole and tightly attached to the cathode.

8. The electrolytic cell according to claim 7, characterized in that, The membrane includes one or more of proton exchange membranes, porous membranes, and anion exchange membranes.

Images