Flow channel sealing flow guide frame for PEM water electrolyzer

Abstract

The application discloses a flow channel sealing flow guide frame for a PEM water electrolysis tank and relates to the technical field of water electrolysis hydrogen production.The flow channel sealing flow guide frame comprises an anode sealing flow guide frame and a cathode sealing flow guide frame;the upper frame body of the anode sealing flow guide frame is alternately provided with a plurality of first hydrogen passing ports and water inlet ports;the lower frame body of the anode sealing flow guide frame is alternately provided with a plurality of water and oxygen outlet ports and second hydrogen passing ports;the upper frame body of the cathode sealing flow guide frame is alternately provided with a plurality of first hydrogen outlet ports and water passing ports;the lower frame body of the cathode sealing flow guide frame is alternately provided with a plurality of oxygen passing ports and second hydrogen outlet ports;the water inlet ports, the water and oxygen outlet ports and the first hydrogen outlet ports are all provided with a plurality of U-shaped flow guide grooves; a plurality of support bodies are equidistantly arranged between the flow guide grooves and the frame bodies of the anode sealing flow guide frame and between the flow guide grooves and the frame bodies of the cathode sealing flow guide frame, can bear greater pressure, make the structure more stable and improve the safety and stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of water electrolysis hydrogen production technology, specifically a flow channel sealing guide frame for a PEM water electrolyzer. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen is one of the most promising clean and sustainable energy sources. Among the many hydrogen production methods, PEM (proton exchange membrane) water electrolysis is considered the most promising technology for efficiently producing high-purity hydrogen using renewable energy, and it only emits oxygen as a byproduct with no carbon emissions.

[0003] Currently, the existing flow guide frame of PEM water electrolyzers is damaged when flow guide channels are added, significantly reducing its rigidity. Compared to ordinary electrolyzers, high-power electrolyzers require flow guide frames with better pressure resistance, sealing performance, and flow guiding capacity to improve electrolyzer performance.

[0004] Therefore, the present invention provides a flow channel sealing guide frame for a PEM water electrolyzer to solve the problems mentioned in the background art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flow channel sealing guide frame for a PEM water electrolyzer, so as to solve at least one aspect of the problems and defects mentioned in the background art.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a flow channel sealing guide frame for a PEM water electrolyzer is provided, comprising: an anode sealing guide frame and a cathode sealing guide frame; the upper frame of the anode sealing guide frame is alternately provided with a plurality of first hydrogen inlets and water inlets, and the lower frame of the anode sealing guide frame is alternately provided with a plurality of water outlets and oxygen outlets and a second hydrogen inlet; the upper frame of the cathode sealing guide frame is alternately provided with a plurality of first hydrogen outlets and water outlets, and the lower frame of the cathode sealing guide frame is alternately provided with a plurality of oxygen outlets and a second hydrogen outlet;

[0007] Multiple U-shaped guide channels are provided at the water inlet, water outlet, oxygen outlet, and first hydrogen outlet. The guide channels in the middle are evenly distributed, while the guide channels at the edges are distributed in an umbrella shape. Multiple supports are provided at equal intervals between the guide channels and the frame of the anode sealing guide frame, and multiple supports are provided at equal intervals between the guide channels and the frame of the cathode sealing guide frame.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the water inlet and the second hydrogen outlet are arranged opposite to each other, the first hydrogen outlet and the water outlet and oxygen outlet are arranged opposite to each other, the first hydrogen outlet and the oxygen outlet are arranged opposite to each other, and the water outlet and the second hydrogen outlet are arranged opposite to each other.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the anode sealing guide frame and the cathode sealing guide frame are two rectangular frames of the same size, and the corners of the rectangular frames are provided with rounded chamfers.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper frame of the anode sealing guide frame is provided with a first sealing water line groove and a second sealing water line groove on its outer edge; the upper frame of the cathode sealing guide frame is provided with a first sealing water line groove and a second sealing water line groove on its outer edge; the lower frame of the anode sealing guide frame is provided with multiple third sealing water line grooves on both its inner and outer edges; and the lower frame of the cathode sealing guide frame is provided with multiple third sealing water line grooves on both its inner and outer edges.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, both the anode sealing guide frame and the cathode sealing guide frame are made of PPSU (polyphenyl sulfone resin). The anode sealing guide frame has a hollow structure in the middle and rounded corners at both edges. The cathode sealing guide frame has a hollow structure in the middle and rounded corners at both edges. The diameter of the rounded corners should be between 1 and 3 mm.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the anode sealing guide frame and the cathode sealing guide frame are fitted together, a membrane electrode is provided between the anode sealing guide frame and the cathode sealing guide frame, a gasket is provided between the membrane electrode and the anode sealing guide frame, and a gasket is provided between the membrane electrode and the cathode sealing guide frame.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the water inlet, the first hydrogen outlet, the second hydrogen outlet, the water outlet and oxygen outlet, the first hydrogen outlet, the second hydrogen outlet, the oxygen outlet, and the water outlet all have multiple perforated structures.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, both the guide channel and the support body are provided with arc-shaped transition structures at their bends.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0016] 1. The first hydrogen inlet and water inlet, the water outlet and oxygen outlet and the second hydrogen inlet, the first hydrogen outlet and water outlet, the oxygen outlet and the second hydrogen outlet are all staggered, and a support is set at the guide channel, which can withstand greater pressure, making its structure more stable, reducing the force on the membrane electrode, and improving the safety and stability of the electrolyzer.

[0017] 2. By setting multiple guide channels as flow channels with equal spacing in the middle and umbrella-shaped distribution at the edges, the water flow velocity is reduced, the impact force is reduced, and the water can be evenly distributed throughout the working area, so that the hydrogen and oxygen output is smooth and concentrated.

[0018] 3. Compared with the traditional rectangular guide channel, the U-shaped guide channel has a circular arc structure at the bottom, which can reduce the viscous resistance at the bottom of the guide channel and facilitate flow. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a top view of the anode flow guiding structure frame;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a bottom view of the cathode current guiding structure frame;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the anode flow guiding structure frame;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a top view of the cathode current guiding structure frame;

[0024] Figure 5 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the flow guide channel;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an enlarged cross-section of the U-shaped guide channel;

[0026] Figure 7 Figures showing pressure changes along the flow direction for U-shaped and conventional guide channels;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a PEM water electrolyzer.

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Anode sealing guide frame; 2. Cathode sealing guide frame; 3. First sealing water line groove; 4. Second sealing water line groove; 5. Fourth sealing water line groove; 6. Guide groove; 7. Support body; 8. Third sealing water line groove; 9. Rounded chamfer; 11. Water inlet; 12. First hydrogen outlet; 13. Second hydrogen outlet; 14. Water and oxygen outlet; 21. First hydrogen outlet; 22. Water outlet; 23. Oxygen outlet; 24. Second hydrogen outlet; 100. Electrolyzer body; 200. Sealing guide frame; 300. Heat dissipation end plate. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention to a flow channel sealing guide frame for a PEM water electrolyzer.

[0030] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0031] like Figure 8 As shown, the present invention relates to a PEM water electrolyzer, which includes an electrolyzer body 100, and sealing guide frames 200 are provided at both ends of the electrolyzer body 100. A heat dissipation end plate 300 is installed on the side of the sealing guide frame 200 away from the electrolyzer body 100.

[0032] According to an overall technical concept of the present invention, such as Figure 1-4 As shown, according to one aspect of the present invention, a flow channel sealing guide frame for a PEM water electrolyzer is provided, comprising an anode sealing guide frame 1 and a cathode sealing guide frame 2;

[0033] The upper frame of the anode sealing guide frame 1 is alternately provided with multiple first hydrogen inlets 12 and water inlets 11, and the lower frame of the anode sealing guide frame 1 is alternately provided with multiple water outlets 14 and oxygen outlets 13 and second hydrogen inlets 13; the upper frame of the cathode sealing guide frame 2 is alternately provided with multiple first hydrogen outlets 21 and water inlets 22, and the lower frame of the cathode sealing guide frame 2 is alternately provided with multiple oxygen outlets 23 and second hydrogen outlets 24.

[0034] By staggering the arrangement of the first hydrogen outlet 12 and water inlet 11, the water outlet and oxygen outlet 14 and the second hydrogen outlet 13, the first hydrogen outlet 21 and water outlet 22, the oxygen outlet 23 and the second hydrogen outlet 24, the anode sealing guide frame 1 and the cathode sealing guide frame 2 are divided into multiple equidistant intervals, so that the force is uniform and the stability is improved.

[0035] like Figure 6 As shown, multiple U-shaped guide channels 6 are provided at the water inlet 11, the water outlet and oxygen outlet 14, and the first hydrogen outlet 21. Compared with the traditional rectangular guide channel 6, the U-shaped guide channel 6 has a circular arc structure at the bottom, which can reduce the viscous resistance at the bottom of the guide channel 6 and facilitate the flow.

[0036] The guide channels 6 located in the middle are evenly distributed, and the guide channels 6 located at the edges are distributed in an umbrella shape, which can effectively reduce the water flow velocity and reduce the impact force. At the same time, it can make the water evenly distributed throughout the entire working area, so that the hydrogen and oxygen output is smooth and concentrated.

[0037] Multiple supports 7 are equidistantly arranged between the flow guide 6 and the frame of the anode sealing flow guide 1, and between the flow guide 6 and the frame of the cathode sealing flow guide 2, making the frame structure of the anode sealing flow guide 1 and the cathode sealing flow guide 2 more stable and improving safety performance.

[0038] Furthermore, the inlet 11 and the second hydrogen outlet 13 are arranged opposite to each other, the first hydrogen outlet 12 and the outlet water and oxygen outlet 14 are arranged opposite to each other, the first hydrogen outlet 21 and the oxygen outlet 23 are arranged opposite to each other, and the water outlet 22 and the second hydrogen outlet 24 are arranged opposite to each other. This divides the guide frame into multiple single series small chambers, and the relative arrangement design can ensure that the water and gas paths are unobstructed.

[0039] like Figure 3-4 As shown, the anode sealing guide frame 1 and the cathode sealing guide frame 2 are two rectangular frames of the same size. The corners of the rectangular frames are provided with rounded chamfers 9, and the diameter of the rounded chamfers 9 should be between 1 and 3 mm.

[0040] like Figure 5 As shown, a first sealing water line groove 3 and a second sealing water line groove 4 are provided on the outer edge of the upper frame of the anode sealing guide frame 1, and a first sealing water line groove 3 and a second sealing water line groove 4 are correspondingly provided on the outer edge of the upper frame of the cathode sealing guide frame 2, so as to achieve the sealing of the overall structure when the two are in contact.

[0041] A fourth sealing water line groove 5 is provided on the outer edge of the water inlet 11, the water outlet and oxygen outlet 14, and the first hydrogen outlet 21 to ensure the sealing of the water inlet 11 and the first hydrogen outlet 21. Multiple third sealing water line grooves 8 are provided on the inner and outer edges of the lower frame of the anode sealing guide frame 1, and multiple third sealing water line grooves 8 are correspondingly provided on the inner and outer edges of the lower frame of the cathode sealing guide frame 2 to ensure the sealing between the sealing guide frame and the end plate.

[0042] Specifically, both the anode sealing guide frame 1 and the cathode sealing guide frame 2 are made of PPSU (polyphenyl sulfone resin). The anode sealing guide frame 1 has a hollow structure in the middle and rounded corners 9 at both edges and corners. The cathode sealing guide frame 2 has a hollow structure in the middle and rounded corners 9 at both edges and corners. These are used to place porous titanium and diffusion layers to improve electrolysis efficiency.

[0043] The upper frames of the anode sealing guide frame 1 and the cathode sealing guide frame 2 are attached together. Gaskets are laid on the upper frames of the anode sealing guide frame 1 and the cathode sealing guide frame 2, and a membrane electrode is placed between the two gaskets.

[0044] During use, the water pump supplies water to the anode sealing guide frame 1, and the water enters the anode sealing guide frame 1 through the inlet 11. At the anode, the water is decomposed into oxygen (O2) and protons (H2O). + ) and electrons (e - Oxygen and water leave from the water outlet and oxygen outlet 14; protons enter the cathode through the membrane electrode, and two protons and electrons recombine at the cathode to produce hydrogen (H2), which leaves from the first hydrogen outlet 21 and the second hydrogen outlet 24.

[0045] The inlet 11, the first hydrogen outlet 12, the second hydrogen outlet 13, the water outlet and oxygen outlet 14, the first hydrogen outlet 21, the second hydrogen outlet 24, the oxygen outlet 23, and the water outlet 22 all have multiple pore structures, forming a multi-pore, multi-channel structure to ensure unobstructed gas and water passages.

[0046] Both the guide channel 6 and the support body 7 have arc-shaped transition structures at their bends, which makes the inlet smooth. The local loss coefficient of a smooth inlet is much smaller than that of an abrupt inlet, thereby reducing resistance, preventing fluid separation from the wall, avoiding the generation of vortices, saving resources, and reducing material consumption.

[0047] The flow channel sealing guide frame for the PEM water electrolyzer of this invention was compared with the traditional rectangular structure sealing guide frame (the size parameters are shown in Table 1). Keeping the mass flow rates of water and hydrogen constant, the flow of water and hydrogen in the flow channel was numerically analyzed using CFD software, and the flow field intensity of the two was compared (pressure changes are shown in Table 2).

[0048] Table 1. Dimensional parameters of the sealed flow guide frame.

[0049]

[0050] Table 2 Pressure variations along the flow direction in guide channels with different cross-sectional shapes

[0051]

[0052] As shown in Table 1, Table 2 and Figure 7 As shown, under the same boundary conditions, when a U-shaped flow channel 6 is used, the pressure drop in the flow field is appropriate for an electrolyzer with a large active area, meeting the operational requirements. Firstly, compared to a rectangular flow channel 6, the U-shaped flow channel 6 has a smaller cross-sectional area, resulting in a higher fluid velocity and a larger pressure drop, which is beneficial for gas discharge and improves the performance of the electrolyzer. Secondly, the rounded bottom design of the U-shaped flow channel 6 reduces the viscous resistance at the bottom of the channel, facilitating smooth and concentrated hydrogen and oxygen output. Furthermore, the U-shaped cross-section increases the area of ​​the ridge, thus improving the stability of the flow channel 6 and the structural strength of the electrolyzer.

[0053] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow channel sealing guide frame for a PEM water electrolysis cell, characterized in that, include: Anode sealing guide frame (1) and cathode sealing guide frame (2); The upper frame of the anode sealing guide frame (1) is alternately provided with multiple first hydrogen inlets (12) and water inlets (11), and the lower frame of the anode sealing guide frame (1) is alternately provided with multiple water outlets and oxygen outlets (14) and second hydrogen inlets (13). The upper frame of the cathode sealing guide frame (2) is alternately provided with multiple first hydrogen outlets (21) and water outlets (22), and the lower frame of the cathode sealing guide frame (2) is alternately provided with multiple oxygen outlets (23) and second hydrogen outlets (24). Multiple U-shaped guide channels (6) are provided at the water inlet (11), water outlet and oxygen outlet (14), and the first hydrogen outlet (21). The guide channels (6) in the middle are evenly distributed, and the guide channels (6) at the edge are distributed in an umbrella shape. Multiple supports (7) are evenly distributed between the guide channels (6) and the frame of the anode sealing guide frame (1). Multiple supports (7) are evenly distributed between the guide channels (6) and the frame of the cathode sealing guide frame (2). Arc-shaped transition structures are provided at the bends of the guide channels (6) and the supports (7). The water inlet (11), the first hydrogen outlet (12), the second hydrogen outlet (13), the water outlet and oxygen outlet (14), the first hydrogen outlet (21), the second hydrogen outlet (24), the oxygen outlet (23), and the water outlet (22) all have multiple pore structures.

2. The flow channel sealing guide frame for a PEM water electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet (11) and the second hydrogen outlet (13) are arranged opposite to each other, the first hydrogen outlet (12) and the outlet water and oxygen outlet (14) are arranged opposite to each other, the first hydrogen outlet (21) and the oxygen outlet (23) are arranged opposite to each other, and the inlet (22) and the second hydrogen outlet (24) are arranged opposite to each other.

3. The flow channel sealing guide frame for a PEM water electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anode sealing guide frame (1) and the cathode sealing guide frame (2) are two rectangular frames of the same size, and the corners of the rectangular frames are provided with rounded chamfers (9).

4. The flow channel sealing guide frame for a PEM water electrolysis cell according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper frame of the anode sealing guide frame (1) is provided with a first sealing water line groove (3) and a second sealing water line groove (4) on its outer edge. The upper frame of the cathode sealing guide frame (2) is provided with a first sealing water line groove (3) and a second sealing water line groove (4) on its outer edge. The lower frame of the anode sealing guide frame (1) is provided with multiple third sealing water line grooves (8) on its inner and outer edges. The lower frame of the cathode sealing guide frame (2) is provided with multiple third sealing water line grooves (8) on its inner and outer edges.

5. The flow channel sealing guide frame for a PEM water electrolysis cell according to claim 3, characterized in that, Both the anode sealing guide frame (1) and the cathode sealing guide frame (2) are made of PPSU material. The anode sealing guide frame (1) has a hollow structure in the middle and rounded corners (9) at the edges and corners. The cathode sealing guide frame (2) has a hollow structure in the middle and rounded corners (9) at the edges and corners.

6. The flow channel sealing guide frame for a PEM water electrolysis cell according to claim 5, characterized in that, The anode sealing guide frame (1) and the cathode sealing guide frame (2) are fitted together. A membrane electrode is provided between the anode sealing guide frame (1) and the cathode sealing guide frame (2). A gasket is provided between the membrane electrode and the anode sealing guide frame (1), and a gasket is provided between the membrane electrode and the cathode sealing guide frame (2).

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