A pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of hydrogen and oxygen fuel cells, and in particular to a pressure-balanced hydrogen and oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments. It comprises a rigid shell, an internal flexible membrane and a plurality of proton exchange membrane units. The rigid shell is provided with an oxygen inlet and an oxygen outlet, the internal flexible membrane is arranged inside the rigid shell, and the internal flexible membrane is provided with a hydrogen inlet and a hydrogen outlet, the space formed by the interior of the rigid shell and the exterior of the internal flexible membrane is an oxygen flow channel, the interior of the internal flexible membrane is used as a hydrogen flow channel, and a plurality of proton exchange membrane units are installed on the internal flexible membrane. The present invention can withstand the pressure of the underwater environment, and can operate independently and stably without relying on external air, and has a small size and light weight.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells, and in particular to a pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments. Background Art

[0002] With the growth of the global economy, developing green energy, achieving sustainable development, and improving the living environment have become important issues related to human survival. Fuel cells, as an efficient and clean electrochemical power generation device, have received widespread attention at home and abroad in recent years. Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells are a new type of energy conversion technology that can directly convert the chemical energy stored in fuel into electrical energy. They have high energy conversion efficiency and quiet operation. Hydrogen energy is a renewable green energy source. The calorific value of hydrogen is the highest among all fuels. Hydrogen energy cells are valued for their many advantages. At present, the main method of hydrogen production is chemical hydrogen production, which produces hydrogen from fossil fuels such as petroleum and natural gas.

[0003] The current fuel cell stacks are designed for use in atmospheric environments and cannot be directly applied to underwater environments. When used in underwater environments, additional pressure-resistant containers are required, which increases the overall volume and weight of the system. Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments, which can withstand the pressure of the underwater environment and operate independently and stably without relying on external air.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives and other related objectives, the present invention provides a pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments, comprising:

[0006] A rigid shell having an oxygen inlet and an oxygen outlet disposed thereon;

[0007] An internal flexible membrane, which is arranged inside the rigid shell, and the internal flexible membrane is provided with a hydrogen inlet and a hydrogen outlet;

[0008] The space formed by the interior of the rigid shell and the exterior of the internal flexible membrane is an oxygen flow channel;

[0009] The interior of the inner flexible membrane serves as a hydrogen flow channel;

[0010] A plurality of proton exchange membrane units are mounted on the inner flexible membrane.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the interior of the inner flexible film is a closed space.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the proton exchange membrane unit comprises:

[0013] a proton exchange membrane mounted on the inner flexible membrane;

[0014] A gas diffusion layer, which is distributed on the upper and lower sides of the proton exchange membrane, and the gas diffusion layer is used to adjust the partial pressure of the gas reaching the surface of the proton exchange membrane;

[0015] A catalyst layer, which is distributed together with the gas diffusion layer on the upper and lower sides of the proton exchange membrane, and the catalyst layer is used to promote the reaction on the surface of the proton exchange membrane;

[0016] A positive electrode lead, one end of which is mounted on the proton exchange membrane, and the other end of which passes through the rigid shell;

[0017] A negative electrode lead has one end mounted on the proton exchange membrane and the other end of the negative electrode lead passes through the rigid shell.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell further comprises:

[0019] an oxygen circulation pump, one end of which is connected to the oxygen outlet through an oxygen pipeline, and the other end of which is connected to the oxygen inlet through the oxygen pipeline;

[0020] The oxygen cylinder has an output end connected to the oxygen inlet through the oxygen pipeline.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell further comprises:

[0022] A water storage device, one end of which is connected to the oxygen outlet through an oxygen pipeline;

[0023] An oxygen circulation pump, one end of which is connected to the other end of the water storage device through the oxygen pipeline, and the other end of the oxygen circulation pump is connected to the oxygen inlet through the oxygen pipeline;

[0024] The oxygen cylinder has an output end connected to the oxygen inlet through the oxygen pipeline.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell further comprises:

[0026] A hydrogen circulation pump, one end of which is connected to the hydrogen outlet through a hydrogen pipeline, and the other end of the hydrogen circulation pump is connected to the hydrogen inlet through the hydrogen pipeline;

[0027] A hydrogen cylinder, the output end of which is connected to the hydrogen inlet through the hydrogen pipeline.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the proton exchange membrane units are connected in parallel.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead serve as the positive and negative electrodes of the pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell, and are used to output electrical energy to the outside.

[0030] As described above, the pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environment of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0031] The pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environment of the present invention comprises a rigid shell, an internal flexible membrane, and a proton exchange membrane unit. The present invention can withstand the pressure of underwater environment and operate independently and stably without relying on external air, and has small size and light weight.

[0032] The pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments of the present invention can be applied to underwater environments without the need for additional pressure-resistant containers to accommodate the fuel cell stack, and the present invention can dynamically adapt to changes in reaction gas pressure differences caused by gas consumption or internal and external temperature changes.

[0033] The channels for hydrogen and oxygen in the pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments of the present invention are both free spaces, which can significantly reduce the resistance during gas flow and reduce the difference in reaction gas concentration at different positions of the flexible membrane, thereby improving the consistency of the output of the proton exchange membrane unit.

[0034] Compared with the independent operation mode, the pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environment of the present invention can replenish the reaction gas in time to maintain the gas partial pressure during the reaction process. At the same time, the reaction product water can also be discharged through the combined action of airflow and gravity and collected in the water storage device outside the fuel cell stack, so that the fuel cell stack can maintain stable and continuous operation for a longer period of time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 A structural schematic diagram of a pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a proton exchange membrane unit of a pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of a pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments provided in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of a pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments provided in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Component number description

[0040] 1 Rigid shell

[0041] 2 Inner flexible membrane

[0042] 3 Proton exchange membrane unit

[0043] 11 Oxygen inlet

[0044] 12 Oxygen outlet

[0045] 13 Water storage equipment

[0046] 14 Oxygen circulation pump

[0047] 15 Oxygen Pipeline

[0048] 21 Hydrogen outlet

[0049] 22 Hydrogen inlet

[0050] 23 Hydrogen circulation pump

[0051] 24 Hydrogen pipeline

[0052] 31 Positive electrode lead

[0053] 32 Negative electrode lead DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention by specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0055] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only used to illustrate the basic concept of the present invention in a schematic manner, and thus the illustrations only show components related to the present invention rather than being drawn according to the number, shape and size of components in actual implementation. In actual implementation, the type, quantity and proportion of each component may be changed arbitrarily, and the component layout may also be more complicated.

[0056] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1A structural principle diagram of a pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments provided for one embodiment of the present application. The present invention provides a pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments, including but not limited to a rigid shell 1, an internal flexible membrane 2, and a plurality of proton exchange membrane units. The rigid shell 1 is provided with an oxygen inlet 11 and an oxygen outlet 12, the internal flexible membrane 2 is arranged inside the rigid shell 1, and the internal flexible membrane 2 is provided with a hydrogen inlet 22 and a hydrogen outlet 21, the space formed by the interior of the rigid shell 1 and the exterior of the internal flexible membrane 2 is an oxygen flow channel, the interior of the internal flexible membrane 2 is used as a hydrogen flow channel, a plurality of proton exchange membrane units are installed on the internal flexible membrane 2, and the upper and lower surfaces of the proton exchange membrane units extend out of the surface of the internal flexible membrane 2.

[0057] Specifically, the external rigid shell 1 supports and protects the entire stack. When the pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell of the present invention is used in an underwater environment, the rigid shell 1 can withstand the external environmental pressure and the internal reaction gas pressure. The interior of the internal flexible membrane 2 is a closed space.

[0058] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2 A structural schematic diagram of a proton exchange membrane unit of a pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for an underwater environment provided in an embodiment of the present application. The proton exchange membrane unit includes but is not limited to a proton exchange membrane 3, a gas diffusion layer, a catalyst layer, a positive electrode lead 31, and a negative electrode lead 32. The proton exchange membrane 3 is mounted on the internal flexible membrane 2, the gas diffusion layer is distributed on the upper and lower sides of the proton exchange membrane 3, the gas diffusion layer is used to adjust the partial pressure of the gas reaching the surface of the proton exchange membrane 3, the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer are distributed on the upper and lower sides of the proton exchange membrane 3, the catalyst layer is used to promote the reaction on the surface of the proton exchange membrane 3, one end of the positive electrode lead 31 is mounted on the proton exchange membrane 3, and the other end of the positive electrode lead 31 passes through the rigid shell 1, one end of the negative electrode lead 32 is mounted on the proton exchange membrane 3, and the other end of the negative electrode lead 32 passes through the rigid shell 1. Specifically, the internal flexible membrane 2 and the proton exchange membrane 3 may be, but are not limited to, elliptical in shape.

[0059] Specifically, a plurality of the proton exchange membrane units are connected in parallel. The positive electrode lead 31 and the negative electrode lead 32 serve as the positive and negative electrodes of the pressure-balanced hydrogen and oxygen fuel cell, and are used to output electrical energy to the outside.

[0060] The pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments of the present invention is a stack structure in the form of a nested structure consisting of a rigid shell 1 and an internal flexible membrane 2, which can adapt to any installation space constraints and external contour surfaces. The rigid shell 1 itself becomes a protective barrier in contact with the external environment, enhancing the applicability to underwater environments. Compared with the traditional stacked stack structure, the channels for hydrogen and oxygen are both free spaces, which can significantly reduce the resistance during gas flow, and reduce the difference in reaction gas concentration at different positions of the internal flexible membrane 2, thereby improving the consistency of the output of the proton exchange membrane unit.

[0061] Compared with the traditional stacked fuel cell structure, the channels for hydrogen and oxygen are both free spaces, which can significantly reduce the resistance during gas flow and reduce the difference in reaction gas concentration at different positions of the internal flexible membrane 2, thereby improving the consistency of the proton exchange membrane unit output.

[0062] Specifically, when the pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environment of the present invention operates independently, hydrogen and oxygen are filled in appropriate proportions in advance, and the battery will continue to output electrical energy to the outside until the reaction gas partial pressure is lower than the lower limit. During the operation of the battery, the internal flexible membrane 2 will adapt to the gas consumption or internal and external temperature changes through its own large deformation to ensure that the pressure balance of the inner and outer surfaces of the proton exchange membrane unit is consistent, so as to avoid damage to the proton exchange membrane unit itself or damage to the sealing of the mounting joint surface on the internal flexible membrane 2. The water generated during the reaction flows from the internal flexible membrane 2 to the lowest point of the rigid shell 1 by gravity.

[0063] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 A structural principle diagram of a pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for an underwater environment provided for another embodiment of the present application. The pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell also includes a hydrogen cylinder 4, an oxygen cylinder 5, an oxygen circulation pump 14, and a hydrogen circulation pump 23. One end of the oxygen circulation pump 14 is connected to the oxygen outlet 12 through an oxygen pipeline 15, and the other end of the oxygen circulation pump 14 is connected to the oxygen inlet 11 through the oxygen pipeline 15, and the output end of the oxygen cylinder 5 is connected to the oxygen inlet 11 through the oxygen pipeline 15. One end of the hydrogen circulation pump 23 is connected to the hydrogen outlet 21 through a hydrogen pipeline 24, and the other end of the hydrogen circulation pump 23 is connected to the hydrogen inlet 22 through the hydrogen pipeline 24, and the output end of the hydrogen cylinder 4 is connected to the hydrogen inlet 22 through the hydrogen pipeline 24.

[0064] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4A structural principle diagram of a pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for an underwater environment provided for another embodiment of the present application. The pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell also includes a hydrogen cylinder 4, an oxygen cylinder 5, an oxygen circulation pump 14, a hydrogen circulation pump 23, and a water storage device 13. One end of the water storage device 13 is connected to the oxygen outlet 12 through an oxygen pipeline 15, one end of the oxygen circulation pump 14 is connected to the other end of the water storage device 13 through the oxygen pipeline 15, the other end of the oxygen circulation pump 14 is connected to the oxygen inlet 11 through the oxygen pipeline 15, and the output end of the oxygen cylinder 5 is connected to the oxygen inlet 11 through the oxygen pipeline 15. One end of the hydrogen circulation pump 23 is connected to the hydrogen outlet 21 through a hydrogen pipeline 24, the other end of the hydrogen circulation pump 23 is connected to the hydrogen inlet 22 through the hydrogen pipeline 24, and the output end of the hydrogen cylinder 4 is connected to the hydrogen inlet 22 through the hydrogen pipeline 24.

[0065] Specifically, when the pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environment of the present invention is operated by supplying reaction gas externally, the reaction gas flows into the stack from the air inlet and flows out of the stack from the outlet. Compared with the independent operation mode, the reaction gas can be replenished in time to maintain the gas partial pressure during the reaction process, and the reaction product water can also be discharged and collected in the water storage device 13 outside the stack through the combined action of airflow and gravity, so that the stack can maintain stable and continuous operation for a longer time.

[0066] In summary, the pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments of the present invention includes a rigid shell, an internal flexible membrane, and a proton exchange membrane unit. The present invention can withstand the pressure of the underwater environment and operate independently and stably without relying on external air, and has a small size and light weight.

[0067] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone familiar with the art may modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed by the present invention shall still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments, characterized in that: include: A rigid shell (1) having an oxygen inlet (11) and an oxygen outlet (12) disposed thereon; An internal flexible membrane (2) is arranged inside the rigid shell (1), and a hydrogen inlet (22) and a hydrogen outlet (21) are arranged on the internal flexible membrane (2); The space formed by the interior of the rigid shell (1) and the exterior of the internal flexible membrane (2) is an oxygen flow channel; The interior of the internal flexible membrane (2) serves as a hydrogen flow channel; A plurality of proton exchange membrane units mounted on the inner flexible membrane (2); The proton exchange membrane unit comprises: A proton exchange membrane (3) mounted on the inner flexible membrane (2); A gas diffusion layer, which is distributed on the upper and lower sides of the proton exchange membrane (3), and the gas diffusion layer is used to adjust the partial pressure of the gas reaching the surface of the proton exchange membrane (3); A catalyst layer, which is distributed together with the gas diffusion layer on the upper and lower sides of the proton exchange membrane (3), and the catalyst layer is used to promote the reaction on the surface of the proton exchange membrane (3); A positive electrode lead (31), one end of which is mounted on the proton exchange membrane (3), and the other end of which passes through the rigid shell (1); A negative electrode lead (32), one end of which is mounted on the proton exchange membrane (3), and the other end of which passes through the rigid shell (1); The pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell further comprises: an oxygen circulation pump (14), one end of which is connected to the oxygen outlet (12) via an oxygen pipeline (15), and the other end of which is connected to the oxygen inlet (11) via the oxygen pipeline (15); An oxygen cylinder (5), the output end of which is connected to the oxygen inlet (11) via the oxygen pipeline (15); The pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell further comprises: A hydrogen circulation pump (23), one end of which is connected to the hydrogen outlet (21) via a hydrogen pipeline (24), and the other end of the hydrogen circulation pump (23) is connected to the hydrogen inlet (22) via the hydrogen pipeline (24); A hydrogen cylinder (4) has an output end connected to the hydrogen inlet (22) via the hydrogen pipeline (24).

2. A pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interior of the inner flexible film (2) is a closed space.

3. The pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell further comprises: A water storage device (13), one end of which is connected to the oxygen outlet (12) via an oxygen pipeline (15); an oxygen circulation pump (14), one end of which is connected to the other end of the water storage device (13) through the oxygen pipeline (15), and the other end of the oxygen circulation pump (14) is connected to the oxygen inlet (11) through the oxygen pipeline (15); The oxygen cylinder (5) has an output end connected to the oxygen inlet (11) via the oxygen pipeline (15).

4. A pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environments according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of the proton exchange membrane units are connected in parallel.

5. The pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell suitable for underwater environment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positive electrode lead (31) and the negative electrode lead (32) serve as the positive and negative electrodes of the pressure-balanced hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell and are used to output electrical energy to the outside.

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