Electrolytic cell

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrolytic cell, which includes a cathode end plate, a cathode insulating layer, an electrolysis unit, an anode insulating layer, and an anode end plate arranged in sequence along the same direction. The electrolysis unit includes electrolytic chambers arranged in series; in the direction from the cathode insulating layer towards the anode insulating layer, the electrolytic chamber includes a cathode plate, a cathode sealing ring, a cathode gas diffusion layer, a diaphragm, an anode gas diffusion layer, an anode sealing ring, and an anode plate in sequence. The cathode plate and the anode plate at the series connection part between the electrolytic chambers form a bipolar plate; the cathode plate includes a cathode surface, the anode plate includes an anode surface, the bipolar plate includes a cathode surface and an anode surface, the cathode surface and the anode surface are provided with a recessed area and a frame area, the frame area surrounds the recessed area, the recessed area is respectively provided with two converging flow channels, a branch flow channel is arranged between the two converging flow channels, and both ends of the branch flow channel are communicated with the converging flow channels. This solution realizes the uniform diffusion of the electrolyte.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of hydrogen production equipment, and particularly relates to an electrolytic cell. Background Art

[0002] The electrolytic cell of a water electrolysis hydrogen production system is assembled in series by a plurality of electrolytic chambers. Each electrolytic chamber is composed of components such as electrode plates, sealing rings, diaphragms, etc. A reaction cavity is formed between the electrode plate and the sealing ring, and the electrolyte will enter the reaction cavity for reaction. However, due to unreasonable structural settings, the current electrolytic cell has problems such as uneven diffusion of the electrolyte. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic cell to solve the above problems.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose and other related purposes, the present invention provides an electrolytic cell, which includes a cathode end plate, a cathode insulating layer, an electrolysis unit, an anode insulating layer, and an anode end plate arranged in sequence along the same direction. The electrolysis unit includes electrolytic chambers arranged in series; from the cathode insulating layer towards the anode insulating layer, the electrolytic chamber includes a cathode plate, a cathode sealing ring, a cathode gas diffusion layer, a diaphragm, an anode gas diffusion layer, an anode sealing ring, and an anode plate arranged in sequence. The cathode plate and the anode plate at the series connection part between the electrolytic chambers form a bipolar plate; the cathode plate includes a cathode surface, the anode plate includes an anode surface, the bipolar plate includes a cathode surface and an anode surface. The cathode surface and the anode surface are provided with a concave area and a frame area. The frame area surrounds the concave area. The concave area is respectively provided with two confluence channels, and a branch channel is arranged between the two confluence channels. The two ends of the branch channel are communicated with the confluence channels.

[0005] Further, a cathode reaction cavity is formed between the cathode surface and the cathode gas diffusion layer, and an anode reaction cavity is formed between the anode surface and the anode gas diffusion layer.

[0006] Further, a first ventilation channel, a first liquid passage channel, a second ventilation channel, and a second liquid passage channel are opened through the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the electrode unit, the anode insulating layer, and the anode end plate. The first ventilation channel and the first liquid passage channel are communicated with the cathode reaction cavity, and the second ventilation channel and the second liquid passage channel are communicated with the anode reaction cavity.

[0007] Further, the cathode plate, the anode plate, and the bipolar plate are provided with first ventilation holes and first liquid through holes. The first ventilation holes are used to form the first ventilation channel, and the first liquid through holes are used to form the first liquid through channel. The first ventilation holes and the first liquid through holes are arranged in the concave area of the cathode surface. The first ventilation holes are communicated with one of the converging flow channels in the cathode surface, and the first liquid through holes are communicated with the other converging flow channel in the cathode surface.

[0008] Further, the cathode plate, the anode plate, and the bipolar plate are provided with second ventilation holes and second liquid through holes. The second ventilation holes are used to form the second ventilation channel, and the second liquid through holes are used to form the second liquid through channel. The second ventilation holes and the second liquid through holes are arranged in the concave area of the anode surface. The second ventilation holes are communicated with one of the converging flow channels in the anode surface, and the second liquid through holes are communicated with the other converging flow channel in the anode surface.

[0009] Further, the concave areas on the cathode surface and the anode surface are quadrilateral, and the corners of the concave area on the cathode surface are arranged in a dislocation manner with the corners of the concave area on the anode surface; the first ventilation holes and the first liquid through holes are arranged on the diagonals of the concave area on the cathode surface, and the second ventilation holes and the second liquid through holes are arranged on the diagonals of the concave area on the anode surface.

[0010] Further, the areas of the outer frame regions on the cathode plate and the anode plate are the same, and the edge contour shapes of the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the cathode plate, the anode plate, the anode insulating layer, and the anode end plate are matched.

[0011] Further, the area of the outer frame region on the bipolar plate is smaller than the area of the outer frame region on the cathode plate. The shapes of the cathode sealing ring and the anode sealing ring match the shape of the outer frame region on the bipolar plate. The shapes of the cathode gas diffusion layer and the anode gas diffusion layer match the shape of the concave area. The edge contour of the diaphragm matches the edge contour of the bipolar plate.

[0012] Further, mounting holes for fixing between layers are provided through the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the cathode plate, the anode plate, the anode insulating layer, and the anode end plate.

[0013] Further, there are multiple branch flow channels, and the multiple branch flow channels are arranged in parallel.

[0014] As described above, the electrolytic cell of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] In this solution, the electrolyte will enter from one converging flow channel and then be branched through the branch flow channels, realizing the uniform diffusion of the electrolyte. And the other converging flow channel is convenient for the entry and exit of gas. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is the front view of the electrolytic cell in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 It is Figure 1 The schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in

[0018] Figure 3 It is Figure 2 The enlarged view at position B in

[0019] Figure 4 This is the exploded view of the electrolytic cell in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is the schematic diagram of the cathode surface structure of the bipolar plate in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is the schematic diagram of the anode surface structure of the bipolar plate in the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings of the specification include: the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the electrolytic cell 3, the cathode plate 301, the cathode sealing ring 302, the cathode gas diffusion layer 303, the diaphragm 304, the anode gas diffusion layer 305, the anode sealing ring 306, the bipolar plate 307, the outer frame area 3071, the main flow channel 3072, the branch flow channel 3073, the first ventilation hole 3074, the second ventilation hole 3075, the first liquid passage hole 3076, the second liquid passage hole 3077, the anode plate 308, the anode insulating layer 4, the anode end plate 5, the first ventilation channel 6, the second ventilation channel 7, the first liquid passage channel 8, the second liquid passage channel 9, the cathode reaction chamber 10, the anode reaction chamber 11, and the mounting hole 12.

[0023] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation manners of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification.

[0024] The present invention provides an electrolytic cell, as Figures 1 to 6 shown.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the provided electrolytic cell includes a cathode end plate 1, a cathode insulating layer 2, an electrolysis unit, an anode insulating layer 4, and an anode end plate 5 arranged in sequence along the same direction. The electrolysis unit includes electrolytic chambers 3 arranged in series; in the direction from the cathode insulating layer 2 towards the anode insulating layer 4, the electrolytic chamber 3 includes a cathode plate 301, a cathode sealing ring 302, a cathode gas diffusion layer 303, a diaphragm 304, an anode gas diffusion layer 305, an anode sealing ring 306, and an anode plate 308 arranged in sequence. The cathode plate 301 and the anode plate 308 at the series connection part between the electrolytic chambers 3 are combined to form a bipolar plate 307; the cathode plate 301 includes a cathode surface, the anode plate 308 includes an anode surface, the bipolar plate 307 includes a cathode surface and an anode surface, and the cathode surface and the anode surface are provided with a concave region and a frame region 3071. The frame region 3071 surrounds the concave region, and two converging flow channels 3072 are respectively arranged in the concave region. A branch flow channel 3073 is arranged between the two converging flow channels 3072, and both ends of the branch flow channel 3073 are communicated with the converging flow channel 3072.

[0026] In this embodiment, the electrolyte will enter from one converging flow channel 3072, and then be shunted through the branch flow channel 3073, realizing the uniform diffusion of the electrolyte. The other converging flow channel 3072 facilitates the entry and exit of gas.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, a cathode reaction chamber 10 is formed between the cathode surface and the cathode gas diffusion layer 303, and an anode reaction chamber 11 is formed between the anode surface and the anode gas diffusion layer 305.

[0028] In this embodiment, the electrolytic cell can be applied to four major electrolyzed water technologies: alkaline (ALK), proton exchange membrane (PEM), anion exchange membrane (AEM), and solid oxide (SOEC). The materials of the diaphragm 304, etc. can also be replaced according to the requirements of different electrolyzed water technologies. According to the requirements of different electrolyzed water technologies, the electrolyte can be simultaneously introduced into the cathode reaction chamber 10 and the anode reaction chamber 11, or the electrolyte can be only introduced into the cathode reaction chamber 10, or the electrolyte can be only introduced into the anode reaction chamber 11.

[0029] It should also be noted that the number of the electrolytic chambers 3 can be increased or decreased according to requirements.

[0030] As Figures 1 to 4 shown, in this embodiment, two electrolytic chambers 3 are taken as an example.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, a first gas passage 6 and a first liquid passage 8 for communicating with the cathode reaction chamber 10 are formed through the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the electrode unit, the anode insulating layer 4, and the anode end plate 5. A second gas passage 7 and a second liquid passage 9 for communicating with the anode reaction chamber 11 are also formed through the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the electrode unit, the anode insulating layer 4, and the anode end plate 5.

[0032] Exemplarily, the first gas passage 6 and the second gas passage 7 are formed at the top position of the electrolytic cell to facilitate the entry and exit of reaction gases into and out of the cathode reaction chamber 10 or the anode reaction chamber 11. The first liquid passage 8 and the second liquid passage 9 are arranged at the bottom position of the electrolytic cell to facilitate the entry and exit of liquids into and out of the cathode reaction chamber 10 or the anode reaction chamber 11.

[0033] Exemplarily, the first gas passage 6, the second gas passage 7, the first liquid passage 8, and the second liquid passage 9 are formed in a dispersed manner to prevent the intermixing of liquids and gases in the cathode reaction chamber 10 and the anode reaction chamber 11.

[0034] It should also be noted that a sealing surface is formed between the cathode surface and the cathode sealing ring 302, and a sealing surface is formed between the anode surface and the anode sealing ring 306 to achieve the respective sealing of the first gas passage 6, the second gas passage 7, the first liquid passage 8, and the second liquid passage 9.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, first gas holes 3074 and first liquid holes 3076 are formed in the cathode plate 301, the anode plate 308, and the bipolar plate 307. The first gas holes 3074 are used to form the first gas passage 6, and the first liquid holes 3076 are used to form the first liquid passage 8. The first gas holes 3074 and the first liquid holes 3076 are formed in the recessed area of the cathode surface. The first gas holes 3074 communicate with one of the current collecting channels 3072 in the cathode surface, and the first liquid holes 3076 communicate with the other current collecting channel 3072 in the cathode surface.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first gas holes 3074 and the first liquid holes 3076 only communicate with the cathode reaction chamber 10 to facilitate the entry and exit of liquids and gases in the cathode reaction chamber 10.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, second gas holes 3075 and second liquid holes 3077 are formed in the cathode plate 301, the anode plate 308, and the bipolar plate 307. The second gas holes 3075 are used to form the second gas passage 7, and the second liquid holes 3077 are used to form the second liquid passage 9. The second gas holes 3075 and the second liquid holes 3077 are formed in the recessed area of the anode surface. The second gas holes 3075 communicate with one of the current collecting channels 3072 in the anode surface, and the second liquid holes 3077 communicate with the other current collecting channel 3072 in the anode surface.

[0038] In this embodiment, the second vent hole 3075 and the second liquid passage hole 3077 are only communicated with the anode reaction chamber 11 to facilitate the entry and exit of liquid and gas in the anode reaction chamber 11.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the recessed areas on the cathode surface and the anode surface are quadrilateral, and the corners of the recessed area on the cathode surface are arranged in a dislocation manner with respect to the corners of the recessed area on the anode surface; the first vent hole 3074 and the first liquid passage hole 3076 are arranged at the diagonals of the recessed area on the cathode surface, and the second vent hole 3075 and the second liquid passage hole 3077 are arranged at the diagonals of the recessed area on the anode surface.

[0040] In this embodiment, by arranging the corners of the recessed area in a dislocation manner and then arranging the first vent hole 3074, the second vent hole 3075, the first liquid passage hole 3076, and the second liquid passage hole 3077 at different corners of different recessed areas respectively, the independence of the cathode reaction chamber 10 and the anode reaction chamber 11 is achieved. And in this embodiment, the first vent hole 3074, the second vent hole 3075, the first liquid passage hole 3076, and the second liquid passage hole 3077 are opened in the corresponding recessed areas. Compared with opening them in the outer frame area 3071, there is no need to additionally set communication channels between the recessed areas and the holes, so as to facilitate the smooth entry and exit of gas and liquid.

[0041] It should also be noted that for the cathode surface, the first vent hole 3074 and the first liquid passage hole 3076 are opened at the corners of the recessed area, but for the anode surface, the first vent hole 3074 and the first liquid passage hole 3076 are opened in the outer frame area 3071. Similarly, for the anode surface, the second vent hole 3075 and the second liquid passage hole 3077 are opened at the corners of the recessed area, but for the cathode surface, the second vent hole 3075 and the second liquid passage hole 3077 are opened in the outer frame area 3071.

[0042] Exemplarily, the recessed area is a parallelogram, and the left and right sides of the parallelogram are parallel to the left and right sides of the bipolar plate, and the extension lines of the upper and lower sides of the parallelogram intersect with the edge lines of the upper and lower sides of the bipolar plate.

[0043] Exemplarily, the recessed area is a rhombus.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the areas of the outer frame areas 3071 on the cathode plate 301 and the anode plate 308 are the same, and the edge contour shapes of the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the cathode plate 301, the anode plate 308, the anode insulating layer 4, and the anode end plate 5 match.

[0045] Exemplarily, the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the cathode plate 301, the anode plate 308, the anode insulating layer 4, and the anode end plate 5 are square.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, the area of the outer frame region 3071 on the bipolar plate 307 is smaller than the area of the outer frame region 3071 on the cathode plate 301. The shapes of the cathode sealing ring 302 and the anode sealing ring 306 match the shape of the outer frame region 3071 on the bipolar plate 307. The shapes of the cathode gas diffusion layer 303 and the anode gas diffusion layer 305 match the shape of the recessed region. The edge profile of the diaphragm 304 matches the edge profile of the bipolar plate 307.

[0047] Exemplarily, the bipolar plate 307 is square, but the length and width of the bipolar plate 307 are both smaller than those of the cathode end plate 1, etc. That is to say, the bipolar plate 307 is reduced proportionally.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, mounting holes 12 for fixing between the layers are provided through the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the cathode plate 301, the anode plate 308, the anode insulating layer 4, and the anode end plate 5.

[0049] In this embodiment, since the shapes of the bipolar plate 307, the cathode sealing ring 302, the anode sealing ring 306, etc. are smaller than the shapes of the cathode plate 301, the anode plate 308, etc., there is not enough space to provide the mounting holes 12. Therefore, the mounting holes 12 are only provided on the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the cathode plate 301, the anode plate 308, the anode insulating layer 4, and the anode end plate 5. Then, the layers of plates are connected by screws passing through the mounting holes 12, so that the bipolar plate 307, the diaphragm 304, the cathode sealing ring 302, the anode sealing ring 306, etc. are pressed and fixed in the middle.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, multiple branch flow channels 3073 are provided, and the multiple branch flow channels 3073 are arranged in parallel.

[0051] Exemplarily, multiple ridges are provided in the recessed region, and the ridges are arranged in parallel. The branch flow channels 3073 are formed between the ridges.

[0052] It should also be noted that the more the branch flow channels 3073 are, the stronger the effect of uniformly diffusing the electrolyte is. The number of the branch flow channels 3073 can be set according to requirements.

[0053] The above embodiments merely illustrate the principles and effects of the present invention, rather than limiting the present invention. Any person familiar with this technology can modify or change the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or changes made by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field without departing from the spirit and technical idea disclosed by the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrolytic cell, characterized in that, it includes a cathode end plate, a cathode insulating layer, an electrolysis unit, an anode insulating layer and an anode end plate arranged in sequence along the same direction. The electrolysis unit includes electrolysis chambers arranged in series; from the cathode insulating layer towards the anode insulating layer, the electrolysis chamber includes a cathode plate, a cathode sealing ring, a cathode gas diffusion layer, a diaphragm, an anode gas diffusion layer, an anode sealing ring and an anode plate in sequence. The cathode plate and the anode plate at the series connection part between the electrolysis chambers form a bipolar plate; the cathode plate includes a cathode surface, the anode plate includes an anode surface, the bipolar plate includes a cathode surface and an anode surface. The cathode surface and the anode surface are provided with a concave area and a frame area, the frame area surrounds the concave area, and two confluence channels are respectively arranged in the concave area. A branch channel is arranged between the two confluence channels, and both ends of the branch channel are communicated with the confluence channels; wherein, first ventilation holes and first liquid through holes are formed on the cathode plate, the anode plate and the bipolar plate. The first ventilation holes and the first liquid through holes are formed in the concave area of the cathode surface. The first ventilation hole is communicated with one of the confluence channels in the cathode surface, and the first liquid through hole is communicated with the other confluence channel in the cathode surface; second ventilation holes and second liquid through holes are formed on the cathode plate, the anode plate and the bipolar plate. The second ventilation holes and the second liquid through holes are formed in the concave area of the anode surface. The second ventilation hole is communicated with one of the confluence channels in the anode surface, and the second liquid through hole is communicated with the other confluence channel in the anode surface; the concave areas on the cathode surface and the anode surface are rhombic, and the angles of the concave area on the cathode surface are arranged in a dislocation manner with the angles of the concave area on the anode surface; the first ventilation hole and the first liquid through hole are arranged on the diagonals of the concave area on the cathode surface, and the second ventilation hole and the second liquid through hole are arranged on the diagonals of the concave area on the anode surface.

2. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, a cathode reaction cavity is formed between the cathode surface and the cathode gas diffusion layer, and an anode reaction cavity is formed between the anode surface and the anode gas diffusion layer.

3. The electrolytic cell according to claim 2, characterized in that, a first ventilation channel, a first liquid through channel, a second ventilation channel and a second liquid through channel are formed through the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the electrode unit, the anode insulating layer and the anode end plate. The first ventilation channel and the first liquid through channel are communicated with the cathode reaction cavity, and the second ventilation channel and the second liquid through channel are communicated with the anode reaction cavity.

4. The electrolytic cell according to claim 3, characterized in that, the first ventilation hole is used to form the first ventilation channel, and the first liquid through hole is used to form the first liquid through channel.

5. The electrolytic cell according to claim 4, characterized in that, the second ventilation hole is used to form the second ventilation channel, and the second liquid through hole is used to form the second liquid through channel.

6. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The areas of the outer frame regions on the cathode plate and the anode plate are the same, and the edge contour shapes of the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the cathode plate, the anode plate, the anode insulating layer, and the anode end plate match each other.

7. The electrolytic cell according to claim 6, wherein, the area of the outer frame region on the bipolar plate is smaller than the area of the outer frame region on the cathode plate, the shapes of the cathode sealing ring and the anode sealing ring match the shape of the outer frame region on the bipolar plate, the shapes of the cathode gas diffusion layer and the anode gas diffusion layer match the shape of the recessed region, and the edge contour of the diaphragm matches the edge contour of the bipolar plate.

8. The electrolytic cell according to claim 7, wherein, mounting holes for fixing between the layers are formed through the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the cathode plate, the anode plate, the anode insulating layer, and the anode end plate.

9. The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein, a plurality of branch flow channels are provided, and the plurality of branch flow channels are arranged in parallel.

Images