Double gas pipeline electric heater for solid oxide electrolysis cell

Abstract

The present invention provides a dual-gas-path pipeline electric heater for a solid oxide electrolytic cell, comprising: a cylinder, a gas pipe and a heating assembly, wherein the cylinder is provided with a through hole, the gas pipe is provided in the through hole, the heating assembly is provided in the cylinder, an air cavity is provided between the gas pipe and the cylinder, the heating assembly performs contactless heating on the gas passing through the gas pipe, and the heating assembly heats the air passing through the air cavity. By providing the heating assembly, the dual-gas paths of the gas and the air can be heated simultaneously, so that one heater can heat the gas and the air of the solid oxide electrolytic cell simultaneously, so as to fully preheat the temperature of the stack, promote reaction balance, reduce system energy consumption, and thus achieve the purpose of increasing hydrogen production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of new energy, and in particular relates to a double-gas-path pipeline electric heater for a solid oxide electrolytic cell. Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen is a secondary energy source with high calorific value, and its use does not produce pollution and greenhouse gases. At present, the main production technology of hydrogen is natural gas reforming, which will produce CO2, and there are problems of environmental pollution and greenhouse effect. Hydrogen production by electrolysis of water is the reverse process of the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to produce water. If renewable wind, photovoltaic and waste heat are used, the hydrogen generated by the electrolysis of water by solid oxide electrolyzer (SOEC) is green hydrogen, which is not accompanied by any pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Compared with other low-temperature water electrolysis technologies, such as alkaline water electrolyzers and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers, SOEC is a high-temperature water electrolysis technology with higher conversion efficiency, even close to 100%.

[0003] Solid oxide electrolysis cells have a fully solid structure and a longer operating life. They do not require precious metal electrodes and have lower preparation costs. Solid oxide electrolysis cells generally operate at high temperatures of 600°C to 800°C and can be used to electrolyze water vapor to produce hydrogen, electrolyze carbon dioxide to produce carbon monoxide, and electrolyze water vapor / carbon dioxide to produce synthesis gas, etc., and have broad application prospects.

[0004] The operating temperature of the stack in the solid oxide electrolyzer is relatively high, and a preheating start-up process is required for the stack to rise from room temperature to the required operating temperature. Currently, there are two methods for heating and starting the stack of the solid oxide electrolyzer. One is to place the stack in an electric furnace for heating. This heating method mainly radiates heat to the outer surface of the battery through the heat radiated from the furnace, and then transfers the heat to the inside of the battery through heat conduction to reach the required temperature. Another method is to use hot gas heating, which is to install electric heaters on the air pipe and gas pipe in front of the solid oxide electrolyzer stack to preheat the air and gas, and introduce hot gas through the anode and cathode air flow channels in a reasonably controlled manner to heat the cold SOEC or battery stack to its operating temperature.

[0005] The inventors found the following shortcomings of the existing technology when implementing the technical solution of this application:

[0006] The solid oxide electrolytic cell is heated by an electric furnace. The heat during the preheating process mainly comes from the radiation heat from the electric furnace to the surface of the battery pack. The temperature rise inside the battery needs to go through a very long heat conduction process, which makes a large temperature gradient inside the battery. Therefore, there are problems of low heating efficiency and uneven heating of the battery stack. Secondly, gases that are not preheated or not fully preheated during the reaction may lower the temperature of the reaction area, thereby reducing the efficiency of the electrolysis reaction.

[0007] The solid oxide electrolysis cell uses electric heaters. Electric heaters are installed on the air pipe and gas pipe in front of the battery stack to preheat the air and gas respectively. There are technical problems: electric heating is required after the hydrogen and water vapor are mixed, which poses a safety hazard; the electric heater consumes a lot of electricity, which will cause energy waste; using electric heaters for heating increases the voltage of the entire system. Therefore, under the same electrolysis conditions, the higher the system energy consumption, the lower the hydrogen production efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0008] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a dual-gas-path pipeline electric heater for a solid oxide electrolytic cell, which at least partially solves the problem of low efficiency of hydrogen production existing in the prior art.

[0009] The present disclosure provides a dual-gas-path pipeline electric heater for a solid oxide electrolytic cell, comprising:

[0010] A cylinder, a gas pipe and a heating component, wherein the cylinder is provided with a through hole, the gas pipe is provided in the through hole, the heating component is provided in the cylinder, an air cavity is provided between the gas pipe and the cylinder, the heating component performs non-contact heating on the gas passing through the gas pipe, and the heating component heats the air passing through the air cavity.

[0011] Optionally, the heating assembly includes a ceramic cake, a heating wire, a metal support, a ceramic support, an electrical connection assembly and an electrical interface ceramic tube;

[0012] The ceramic cake, heating wire and metal support constitute a heating chamber; the central circular hole of the ceramic cake is fixed with the gas pipe; the supporting metal part supports and fixes two adjacent ceramic cakes, the heating wire is arranged in the circular hole of the ceramic cake, an electrical connection component is installed on the ceramic cake, the heating wire is electrically connected to the electrical connection component, and the electrical connection component is electrically connected to the electrical interface of the ceramic tube.

[0013] Optionally, the cylinder comprises a ferrule joint, an outer shell and a cylinder flange, and the ferrule joint and the cylinder flange are respectively arranged at two ends of the outer shell.

[0014] Optionally, the gas pipe includes a pipeline, a ceramic cake support ring and a gas flange, and a gas inlet and a gas outlet are respectively arranged at both ends of the pipeline, and a gas temperature measuring port is arranged on the side of the gas outlet.

[0015] Optionally, one end of the air cavity is sealed by a pipe and a ferrule joint, and the other end of the air cavity is sealed by a gas flange and a cylinder flange.

[0016] Optionally, the pipeline and the ferrule joint are sealed with a ferrule, and the gas flange and the cylinder flange are sealed with a seal.

[0017] Optionally, the sealing element is made of high temperature resistant elastic material.

[0018] Optionally, the ceramic cake, ceramic support and electrical interface ceramic tube are made of alumina, and the central circular holes of the ceramic cake are evenly arranged.

[0019] Optionally, honeycomb-shaped ventilation holes are evenly arranged on the surface of the metal support, and the honeycomb-shaped ventilation holes are used to promote heat exchange between the surface of the gas pipe and the heating chamber.

[0020] Optionally, the heating assembly is assembled with the gas pipe as the center.

[0021] Optionally, a multi-stage heating chamber is provided in the cylinder.

[0022] The dual-gas-path pipeline electric heater for a solid oxide electrolysis cell provided by the present invention can heat both the gas and air paths at the same time by arranging a heating component, so that one heater can heat both the gas and air of the solid oxide electrolysis cell at the same time, so as to fully preheat the temperature of the cell stack, promote reaction balance, reduce system energy consumption, and thus achieve the purpose of increasing hydrogen production efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent through a more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals generally represent like components throughout the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the double-gas-path pipeline electric heater for the solid oxide electrolytic cell disclosed in this embodiment;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the double-gas-path pipeline electric heater for the solid oxide electrolytic cell disclosed in this embodiment;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cylinder structure disclosed in this embodiment;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the gas pipe structure disclosed in this embodiment;

[0028] Among them: 1-gas pipe, 2-cylinder, 3-ceramic support, 4-electrical connection assembly, 5-heating wire, 6-ceramic cake, 7-metal support, 8-electrical interface ceramic tube, 9-seal, 10-ferrule joint, 11-housing, 12-cylinder flange, 13-steel pipe, 14-ceramic cake support ring, 15-gas flange. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] It should be clear that the following embodiments of the present disclosure are described by specific specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present disclosure from the contents disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments. The present disclosure 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 disclosure. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other in the absence of conflict. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0031] It should be noted that various aspects of the embodiments within the scope of the appended claims are described below. It should be apparent that the aspects described herein may be embodied in a wide variety of forms, and any specific structure and / or function described herein is merely illustrative. Based on the present disclosure, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that an aspect described herein may be implemented independently of any other aspect, and two or more of these aspects may be combined in various ways. For example, any number of aspects described herein may be used to implement the device and / or practice the method. In addition, other structures and / or functionalities other than one or more of the aspects described herein may be used to implement this device and / or practice this method.

[0032] It should also be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic illustrations of the basic concept of the present disclosure. The illustrations only show components related to the present disclosure 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.

[0033] Additionally, in the following description, specific details are provided to facilitate a thorough understanding of the examples. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the aspects described may be practiced without these specific details.

[0034] For ease of understanding, Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment discloses a double-gas-path pipeline electric heater for a solid oxide electrolytic cell, comprising:

[0035] A cylinder, a gas pipe and a heating component, wherein the cylinder is provided with a through hole, the gas pipe is provided in the through hole, the heating component is provided in the cylinder, an air cavity is provided between the gas pipe and the cylinder, the heating component performs non-contact heating on the gas passing through the gas pipe, and the heating component heats the air passing through the air cavity.

[0036] Optionally, the heating assembly includes a ceramic cake, a heating wire, a metal support, a ceramic support, an electrical connection assembly and an electrical interface ceramic tube;

[0037] The ceramic cake, heating wire and metal support constitute a heating chamber; the central circular hole of the ceramic cake is fixed with the gas pipe; the supporting metal part supports and fixes two adjacent ceramic cakes, the heating wire is arranged in the circular hole of the ceramic cake, an electrical connection component is installed on the ceramic cake, the heating wire is electrically connected to the electrical connection component, and the electrical connection component is electrically connected to the electrical interface of the ceramic tube.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the heating assembly includes: a ceramic cake 6, a heating wire 5, a metal support 7, a ceramic support 3, an electrical connection assembly 4 and an electrical interface ceramic tube 8. The ceramic cake, the heating wire and the metal support constitute three heating chambers. The central circular hole of the ceramic cake 6 is fixed with the gas pipe, the supporting metal part 7 supports and fixes two adjacent ceramic cakes and maintains a certain distance, the heating wire 7 is passed through the circular holes evenly arranged in the ceramic cake, and the electrical connection assembly 4 is installed at the upper and lower ends, and then connected to the external power supply through the ceramic tube 8.

[0039] The cylinder comprises a ferrule joint, an outer shell and a cylinder flange, wherein the ferrule joint and the cylinder flange are respectively arranged at two ends of the outer shell.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the cylinder 2 is composed of a ferrule joint 10, a shell 11, and a cylinder flange 12. An air inlet, an air outlet, and an electrical interface are arranged on the cylinder 11, and an air temperature measuring port is arranged at the upper end of the air outlet.

[0041] Optionally, the gas pipe includes a pipeline, a ceramic cake support ring and a gas flange, and a gas inlet and a gas outlet are respectively arranged at both ends of the pipeline, and a gas temperature measuring port is arranged on the side of the gas outlet.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the gas pipe 1 is composed of a steel pipe 13, a ceramic cake support ring 14, and a gas flange 15. The upper end is a gas inlet, the lower end is a gas outlet, and a gas temperature measuring port is set on the side of the gas outlet. The gas (water vapor and hydrogen mixture) in the gas pipe 1 enters from the upper end of the steel pipe and is discharged from the lower end. The steel pipe is made of stainless steel 310S. This structure has excellent air tightness. After processing and assembly, the gas does not contact the heating component during operation, ensuring the safety of the electric heater.

[0043] Optionally, one end of the air cavity is sealed by a pipe and a ferrule joint, and the other end of the air cavity is sealed by a gas flange and a cylinder flange.

[0044] Optionally, the pipeline and the ferrule joint are sealed with a ferrule, and the gas flange and the cylinder flange are sealed with a seal.

[0045] There is an air cavity between the gas pipe 1 and the cylinder 2. The upper end is sealed by a ferrule between the steel pipe 13 and the ferrule joint 10, and the lower end is sealed by the gas flange 15 and the cylinder flange 11 with a seal 9 in combination with a bolt and nut assembly. The sealing of the air cavity is ensured by the above method.

[0046] Optionally, the sealing element is made of high temperature resistant elastic material.

[0047] The seal 9 is made of a unique high temperature resistant elastic material and has good high temperature sealing performance, while balancing the component gap caused by thermal deformation during the heating process of the heater.

[0048] Optionally, the ceramic cake, ceramic support and electrical interface ceramic tube are made of alumina, and the central circular holes of the ceramic cake are evenly arranged.

[0049] The ceramic cake 6, ceramic support 3 and electrical interface ceramic tube 8 in the heating assembly are made of alumina material and can withstand temperatures up to 1200°C. The heating wire 5 is inserted into the evenly arranged circular holes of the ceramic cake 6, and then supported and fixed by the supporting metal parts 7 to ensure uniform spacing between the heating wires and avoid short circuits. The heating wire directly heats the air medium, and the heating cavity is the air cavity, which has higher heating efficiency. The circular hole that fixes the heating wire is also an air hole for air circulation, which simplifies the space and reduces air pressure loss.

[0050] Optionally, honeycomb vents are evenly arranged on the surface of the metal support, and the honeycomb vents are used to promote heat exchange between the surface of the gas pipe and the heating chamber. A multi-stage heating chamber is arranged in the cylinder. In this embodiment, a three-stage heating chamber is arranged.

[0051] The metal support 7 is made of stainless steel 310S, and honeycomb vents are evenly arranged on the surface to promote heat exchange between the gas pipe surface and the heating chamber. The metal support 7 is used as a support to form a three-stage heating chamber in the embodiment. The air passes through the three-stage heating chamber in sequence from the air inlet of the heater, which is more evenly and fully heated than the traditional pipeline heater, and the heating efficiency is higher.

[0052] Optionally, the heating assembly is assembled around the gas pipe. The heating assembly is assembled around the gas pipe, with a stable structure and clear layers, to avoid changes in the spacing of the heating wires due to thermal deformation. The gas pipe and the cylinder are sealed by a ferrule and a flange to ensure that the heater has good sealing. The heating assembly, gas pipe and cylinder are simple to match and easy to assemble and maintain.

[0053] The up, down, left, and right in this embodiment are described based on the directions in the drawings.

[0054] The basic principles of the present disclosure are described above in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, it should be noted that the advantages, strengths, effects, etc. mentioned in the present disclosure are only examples and not limitations, and it cannot be considered that these advantages, strengths, effects, etc. are required by each embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, the specific details disclosed above are only for the purpose of illustration and ease of understanding, and are not limitations. The above details do not limit the present disclosure to the necessity of adopting the above specific details to be implemented.

[0055] In the present disclosure, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply that there is any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. The block diagrams of the devices, devices, equipment, and systems involved in the present disclosure are only illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that they must be connected, arranged, and configured in the manner shown in the block diagram. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these devices, devices, equipment, and systems can be connected, arranged, and configured in any manner. Words such as "including", "comprising", "having", etc. are open words, referring to "including but not limited to", and can be used interchangeably with them. The words "or" and "and" used here refer to the words "and / or" and can be used interchangeably with them, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The words "such as" used here refer to the phrase "such as but not limited to", and can be used interchangeably with them.

[0056] Additionally, as used herein, "or" used in a list of items beginning with "at least one" indicates a separate list, so that, for example, a list of "at least one of A, B, or C" means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, the word "exemplary" does not mean that the example described is preferred or better than other examples.

[0057] It should also be noted that in the system and method of the present disclosure, each component or each step can be decomposed and / or recombined. Such decomposition and / or recombination should be regarded as equivalent solutions of the present disclosure.

[0058] Various changes, substitutions, and modifications of the techniques described herein may be made without departing from the teachings defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the scope of the claims of the present disclosure is not limited to the specific aspects of the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of events, means, methods, and actions described above. Currently existing or later to be developed processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of events, means, methods, or actions that perform substantially the same functions or achieve substantially the same results as the corresponding aspects described herein may be utilized. Thus, the appended claims include such processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of events, means, methods, or actions within their scope.

[0059] The above description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but rather to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0060] The above description has been given for the purpose of illustration and description. In addition, this description is not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure to the forms disclosed herein. Although multiple example aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those skilled in the art will recognize certain variations, modifications, changes, additions and sub-combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A double-gas-path pipeline electric heater for a solid oxide electrolytic cell, characterized in that: include: A cylinder, a gas pipe and a heating component, wherein the cylinder is provided with a through hole, the gas pipe is provided in the through hole, the heating component is provided in the cylinder, an air cavity is provided between the gas pipe and the cylinder, the heating component performs non-contact heating on the gas passing through the gas pipe, and the heating component heats the air passing through the air cavity; The heating assembly comprises a ceramic cake, a heating wire, a metal support, a ceramic support, an electrical connection assembly and an electrical interface ceramic tube; The ceramic cake, the heating wire and the metal support constitute a heating chamber; the central circular hole of the ceramic cake is fixed with the gas pipe; the supporting metal piece supports and fixes two adjacent ceramic cakes, the heating wire is arranged in the circular hole of the ceramic cake, an electrical connection component is installed on the ceramic cake, the heating wire is electrically connected to the electrical connection component, and the electrical connection component is electrically connected to the electrical interface of the ceramic tube; A multi-stage heating chamber is arranged in the cylinder, and the heating assembly is assembled with the gas pipe as the center; Honeycomb-shaped air vents are evenly arranged on the surface of the metal support, and the honeycomb-shaped air vents are used to promote heat exchange between the surface of the gas pipe and the heating chamber.

2. The double-gas-path pipeline electric heater for solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylinder comprises a ferrule joint, an outer shell and a cylinder flange. The ferrule joint and the cylinder flange are respectively arranged at two ends of the outer shell.

3. The double-gas-path pipeline electric heater for solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gas pipe comprises a pipeline, a ceramic cake support ring and a gas flange. A gas inlet and a gas outlet are respectively arranged at both ends of the pipeline, and a gas temperature measuring port is arranged on the side of the gas outlet.

4. The double-gas-path pipeline electric heater for solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 3, characterized in that: One end of the air cavity is sealed by a pipeline and a ferrule joint, and the other end of the air cavity is sealed by a gas flange and a cylinder flange.

5. The double-gas-path pipeline electric heater for solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pipeline and the ferrule joint are sealed with a ferrule, and the gas flange and the cylinder flange are sealed with a sealing member.

6. The double-gas-path pipeline electric heater for solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sealing element is made of high temperature resistant elastic material.

7. The double-gas-path pipeline electric heater for solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ceramic cake, the ceramic support piece and the electrical interface ceramic tube are made of alumina, and the central circular holes of the ceramic cake are evenly arranged.

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