Membrane Electrode Frame Assembly and PEM Electrolyzer Stack

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of PEM electrolysis technology, and discloses a membrane electrode frame assembly with relatively high reliability, comprising: an anode frame (200); a cathode frame (100) which is attached to the upper end surface of the anode frame (200), and an annular lip is provided at the inner edge of the anode frame (200) or the cathode frame (100); a proton exchange membrane (300) which is attached between the anode frame (200) and the cathode frame (100); a first sealing cushion layer (110) which is attached between the cathode frame (100) and the proton exchange membrane (300), and the inner edge of the first sealing cushion layer (110) extends into the cathode frame (100); a second sealing cushion layer (210) which is attached between the anode frame (200) and the proton exchange membrane (300), and the inner edge of the second sealing cushion layer (210) extends into the anode frame (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of PEM electrolysis, and more specifically, to a membrane electrode frame assembly and a PEM electrolyzer stack. Background Art

[0002] The stacked membrane electrode assembly is a component used to generate hydrogen and oxygen in an electrolyzer stack or a water electrolysis system. Generally, the membrane electrode assembly is composed of a perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer membrane that can pass hydrogen ions (protons), and an anode and a cathode respectively stacked on opposite sides of the proton exchange membrane.

[0003] Currently, the membrane electrode assembly electrolyzes the flowing water body to form hydrogen and oxygen. The continuously increasing hydrogen forms a large air pressure on the proton exchange membrane, that is, a large shear force is formed axially in the frame assembly. By setting a lip at the inner edge of the frame assembly to reduce the acting force of the shear force on the proton exchange membrane, to prevent the proton exchange membrane from being torn by the shear force. However, setting lips at the inner edges of the frame assembly will increase the difficulty in the mold design stage or production stage of the frame assembly and the manufacturing cost of the product.

[0004] Therefore, how to ensure the reliability of the proton exchange membrane and reduce the manufacturing cost of the frame assembly has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a membrane electrode frame assembly and a PEM electrolyzer stack with relatively high reliability, aiming at the defect of the above-mentioned prior art that setting lips at the inner edges of the frame assembly will increase the difficulty in the mold design stage or production stage of the frame assembly and the manufacturing cost of the product.

[0006] One of the technical solutions adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problems is to construct a membrane electrode frame assembly, comprising:

[0007] An anode frame;

[0008] A cathode frame, which is attached to the upper end surface of the anode frame, wherein,

[0009] An annular lip is provided at the inner edge of the anode frame or the cathode frame;

[0010] A proton exchange membrane, which is attached between the anode frame and the cathode frame;

[0011] A first sealing cushion layer, which is attached between the cathode frame and the proton exchange membrane, and the inner edge of the first sealing cushion layer extends into the cathode frame;

[0012] A second sealing cushion layer is adhesively disposed between the anode frame and the proton exchange membrane, and the inner edge of the second sealing cushion layer extends into the anode frame.

[0013] In some embodiments, the anode frame provided with a lip and the cathode frame not provided with a lip are stacked, or

[0014] the cathode frame provided with a lip and the anode frame not provided with a lip are stacked.

[0015] In some embodiments, the frame structure of the second sealing cushion layer is larger than the frame of the anode frame.

[0016] In some embodiments, the frame structure of the first sealing cushion layer is larger than the frame of the cathode frame.

[0017] In some embodiments, the frame structure of the second sealing cushion layer is larger than the frame structure of the first sealing cushion layer.

[0018] In some embodiments, annular ribs are respectively formed on the end faces of the anode frame and the cathode frame.

[0019] In some embodiments, a water flow field is formed on the anode frame,

[0020] and a gas flow field is formed on the cathode frame.

[0021] The flow channel directions of the water flow field and the gas flow field are the same.

[0022] In some embodiments, a titanium mesh and a felt are sequentially stacked within the anode frame,

[0023] and the felt abuts against one end face of the proton exchange membrane.

[0024] In some embodiments, a titanium mesh, a felt, and a carbon cloth are sequentially stacked within the cathode frame,

[0025] and the carbon cloth abuts against the other end face of the proton exchange membrane.

[0026] In a second aspect, another technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problems is: constructing a PEM electrolyzer stack, which includes the above-mentioned membrane electrode frame assembly.

[0027] In the membrane electrode frame assembly of the present invention, an anode frame and a cathode frame are included. Among them, an annular lip is provided on the inner edge of the anode frame or the cathode frame. The inner edge of the first sealing cushion layer extends into the cathode frame, and the inner edge of the second sealing cushion layer extends into the anode frame. Compared with the prior art, by providing an annular lip on the inner edge of the anode frame or the cathode frame, and then cooperating with the first sealing cushion layer and the second sealing cushion layer, by reducing the lip of the anode frame or the lip of the cathode frame, the difficulty in the mold design stage or the production stage of the frame and the manufacturing cost of the product are reduced, and the acting force of the shear force on the proton exchange membrane can also be ensured to remain unchanged. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 is the front view of an embodiment of the membrane electrode frame assembly provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 is the exploded view of an embodiment of the membrane electrode frame assembly provided by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 is the cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the membrane electrode frame assembly provided by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 is the perspective view of an embodiment of the frame provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 is the partial schematic view of an embodiment of the frame provided by the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0034] For a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of the present invention, the specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0035] As Figures 1 - 4 shown, in the first embodiment of the membrane electrode frame assembly of the present invention, the membrane electrode frame assembly 10 includes a cathode frame 100, an anode frame 200, a proton exchange membrane 300, a first sealing cushion layer 110, and a second sealing cushion layer 120.

[0036] Among them, the cathode frame 100 is formed into a square or circular structure and is provided as a hollow structure. A plurality of symmetrically arranged air outlet ports (not shown) are provided on one end face of the cathode frame 100.

[0037] The anode frame 200 is formed into a square or circular structure and is provided as a hollow structure. A plurality of symmetrically arranged water inlet / outlet ports (not shown) are provided on one end face of the anode frame 200.

[0038] Furthermore, the cathode frame 100 is fitted on the upper end face of the anode frame 200. Among them, an annular lip is provided on the inner edge of the anode frame 200 or an annular lip is provided on the inner edge of the cathode frame 100.

[0039] It can be understood that in the membrane electrode frame assembly 10 arranged in layers, an annular lip is provided only on the inner edge of the stacked cathode frame 100 or anode frame 200.

[0040] When the anode frame 200 is provided with an annular lip, the cathode frame 100 is not provided with a lip; when the cathode frame 100 is provided with an annular lip, the anode frame 200 is not provided with a lip.

[0041] Specifically, the proton exchange membrane 300 has the function of blocking and conducting protons.

[0042] Its manufacturing process is as follows: oxidatively polymerize a conductor polymer monomer containing heteroatoms in a carbon material, and sulfonate and graft it. The carbon material can also be further metallized and polymer-grafted. The carbon material can be carbon black, graphite, carbon nanotubes or fullerenes, etc.

[0043] The polymer is polyaniline, polypyrrole, etc., and its proton conductivity is 8.9×10-2 S / cm (measured using Nafion-sulfonated polyaniline).

[0044] Among them, the proton exchange membrane 300 is fitted between the anode frame 200 and the cathode frame 100. The hydrogen ions formed by electrolysis can pass through the proton exchange membrane 300 from one side of the anode and enter the cathode side.

[0045] Furthermore, the first sealing cushion layer 110 and the second sealing cushion layer 210 are formed into a square or circular structure and are provided as a hollow structure, both having a sealing function.

[0046] Specifically, as Figure 3 shown, the first sealing cushion layer 110 is fitted between the cathode frame 100 and the proton exchange membrane 300, and the inner edge of the first sealing cushion layer 110 extends into the cathode frame 100 to prevent the proton exchange membrane 300 from abutting against the inner edge of the cathode frame 100, thereby reducing the axial shear force in the cathode frame 100 acting on the proton exchange membrane 300.

[0047] The second sealing cushion layer 210 is fitted between the anode frame 200 and the proton exchange membrane 300, and the inner edge of the second sealing cushion layer 210 extends into the anode frame 200.

[0048] Among them, as Figure 3As shown, the inner edge of the anode frame 200 is provided with an annular lip 201, which can provide an axial supporting force to the side where the proton exchange membrane 300 contacts the inner edge of the anode frame 200, thereby improving the reliability of the proton exchange membrane 300 during the operation of the membrane electrode frame assembly 10.

[0049] Furthermore, the first sealing cushion layer 110, the second sealing cushion layer 210 and the lip 201 can reduce the axial shear force acting on the proton exchange membrane 300, thereby improving the stability of the proton exchange membrane 300 during the operation of the membrane electrode frame assembly 10.

[0050] Using this technical solution, by providing an annular lip at the inner edge of the anode frame 200 or the cathode frame 100, and then cooperating with the first sealing cushion layer 110 and the second sealing cushion layer 120, by reducing the lip of the anode frame 200 or the lip of the cathode frame 100, the difficulty in the die design stage or the production stage of the frame and the manufacturing cost of the product can be reduced, and the shear force acting on the proton exchange membrane 300 can also be reduced, or the shear force remains unchanged.

[0051] In some embodiments, in order to optimize the structure of the membrane electrode frame assembly 10, the anode frame 200 provided with the lip 201 can be stacked with the cathode frame 100 without a lip (not shown), or the cathode frame 100 provided with a lip (not shown) can be stacked with the anode frame 200 without a lip.

[0052] It can be understood that when selecting the cathode frame 100 and the anode frame 200 for stacking, in the PEM electrolyzer stack, all the anode frames 200 are provided with the lip 201, and the cathode frames 100 are not provided with lips; or all the anode frames 200 are not provided with the lip 201, and the cathode frames 100 are provided with lips (not shown). By reducing the lips on the anode frame 200 or the cathode frame 100, the manufacturing cost of the membrane electrode frame assembly 10 is reduced without reducing the reliability of the product.

[0053] In some embodiments, in order to improve the reliability of the proton exchange membrane 300 during the operation in the membrane electrode frame assembly 10, as Figure 3 shown, the frame structure of the second sealing cushion layer 210 can be larger than that of the anode frame 200. Specifically, the inner edge of the second sealing cushion layer 210 extends into the hollow structure of the anode frame 200, and the second sealing cushion layer 210 is larger than the lip 201 of the anode frame 200.

[0054] Furthermore, the frame structure of the first sealing cushion layer 110 is larger than the frame of the cathode frame 100. Specifically, the inner edge of the first sealing cushion layer 110 extends into the hollow structure of the cathode frame 100.

[0055] Among them, the frame structure of the second sealing cushion layer 210 is larger than the frame of the frame structure of the first sealing cushion layer 110.

[0056] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, in order to improve the sealing performance of the membrane electrode frame assembly 10, annular ribs (corresponding to 200a and 200b) can be formed on the end faces of the anode frame 200 and the cathode frame 100 respectively.

[0057] Among them, the ribs (corresponding to 200a and 200b) include a first rib 200a and a second rib 200b. The first rib 200a is provided on the inner end face of the anode frame 200, and the second rib 200b is provided on the outer end face of the anode frame 200.

[0058] When the anode frame 200 and the cathode frame 100 are stacked and fitted, the ribs (corresponding to 200a and 200b) on the anode frame 200 and the ribs (not shown) on the cathode frame 100 respectively squeeze the first sealing cushion layer 110 and the second sealing cushion layer 210, thereby improving the sealing performance of the proton exchange membrane 300.

[0059] Among them, a plurality of positioning holes 202 are provided on the anode frame 200, and ribs (corresponding to 202a) are provided on the outer edges of the positioning holes 202.

[0060] It should be noted that the rib structure on the end face of the cathode frame 100 is the same as the ribs (corresponding to 200a and 200b) on the end face of the anode frame 200.

[0061] In some embodiments, in order to improve the convenience of setting the water body / gas flow channels, such as Figure 1 As shown, a water body flow field (corresponding to H 2 O) is formed on the anode frame 200, and a gas flow field (corresponding to H 2 ) is formed on the cathode frame 100. Among them, the water inlet (not shown) and the water outlet (not shown) of the water body flow field (corresponding to H 2 O) are provided on the left and right opposite sides of the anode frame 200.

[0062] The gas outlet (not shown) of the gas flow field (corresponding to H 2 ) is provided on the left and right opposite sides of the cathode frame 100, so that the flow direction of the water body flow field (corresponding to H 2 O) is the same as or the same as the flow direction of the gas flow field (corresponding to H 2 ).

[0063] In some embodiments, in order to improve the stability of the proton exchange membrane 300 working in the membrane electrode frame assembly 10, such as Figure 3As shown, a titanium mesh 400e and a felt cloth 400d can be sequentially stacked within the anode frame 200, wherein the felt cloth 400d abuts against one end face of the proton exchange membrane 300.

[0064] Further, a titanium mesh 400a, a felt cloth 400b, and a carbon cloth 400c are sequentially stacked within the cathode frame 100, wherein the carbon cloth 400c abuts against the other end face of the proton exchange membrane 300.

[0065] In a second aspect, another technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problems is: constructing a PEM electrolyzer stack, which includes the above-mentioned membrane electrode frame assembly 10, and multiple groups of stacked membrane electrode frame assemblies 10 constitute the electrolysis module of the PEM electrolyzer stack.

[0066] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments. The above specific embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the inspiration of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art can also make many forms without departing from the purpose of the present invention and the scope protected by the claims. All of these are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A membrane electrode frame assembly, characterized in that, it comprises: an anode frame; a cathode frame, which is adhesively disposed on the upper end face of the anode frame, wherein, an annular lip is provided on the inner edge of the anode frame or the cathode frame; a proton exchange membrane, which is adhesively disposed between the anode frame and the cathode frame; a first sealing cushion layer, which is adhesively disposed between the cathode frame and the proton exchange membrane, and the inner edge of the first sealing cushion layer extends into the cathode frame; a second sealing cushion layer, which is adhesively disposed between the anode frame and the proton exchange membrane, and the inner edge of the second sealing cushion layer extends into the anode frame; the anode frame provided with the lip and the cathode frame not provided with the lip are stacked, or the cathode frame provided with the lip and the anode frame not provided with the lip are stacked; the annular lip provided on the inner edge of the anode frame provides an axial supporting force to the side where the proton exchange membrane contacts the inner edge of the anode frame; the inner edge of the second sealing cushion layer extends into the hollow structure of the anode frame, the second sealing cushion layer is larger than the lip of the anode frame.

2. The membrane electrode frame assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, the frame structure of the second sealing cushion layer is larger than the frame of the anode frame.

3. The membrane electrode frame assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, the frame structure of the first sealing cushion layer is larger than the frame of the cathode frame.

4. The membrane electrode frame assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, the frame structure of the second sealing cushion layer is larger than the frame structure of the first sealing cushion layer.

5. The membrane electrode frame assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, annular ribs are respectively formed on the end faces of the anode frame and the cathode frame.

6. The membrane electrode frame assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, a water flow field is formed on the anode frame, a gas flow field is formed on the cathode frame, the flow channel directions of the water flow field and the gas flow field are the same.

7. The membrane electrode frame assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, a titanium mesh and a felt are sequentially stacked in the anode frame, the felt abuts against one end face of the proton exchange membrane.

8. The membrane electrode frame assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, a titanium mesh, a felt and a carbon cloth are sequentially stacked in the cathode frame, the carbon cloth abuts against the other end face of the proton exchange membrane.

9. A PEM electrolyzer stack, characterized in that, it includes the membrane electrode frame assembly according to any one of claims 1-8.

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