A non-destructive testing device and method for water electrolyzers

Abstract

This invention provides a non-destructive testing device and method for a water electrolyzer, comprising: an endoscopic observation device and a communicating vessel positioning device. The endoscopic observation device includes an integrated objective lens, a steering lens, a beam guide, and an eyepiece, which are connected sequentially. The communicating vessel positioning device is a transparent pipe with an S-shaped cross-sectional axis. This invention mainly utilizes the integrated objective lens, the rotating lens, the beam guide, the eyepiece, and the transparent pipe to transmit the image inside the water electrolyzer to the external eyepiece, thereby accurately and quickly locating the parts where sealing failure or missing parts are caused by assembly processes, achieving the effect of non-destructive testing of the water electrolyzer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hydrogen production fuel cell technology via water electrolysis, and more particularly to a non-destructive testing device and method for a water electrolyzer. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, water electrolysis for hydrogen production and fuel cells still utilize a "filter press" structure. Inside the filter press electrolyzer, the components, from bottom to top, are "bipolar plate - electrode - bipolar plate." The bipolar plate consists of small structures including a graphite flow field, a cover plate, and sealing rings. Currently, the cover plate is typically connected to the bipolar plate by welding or bonding. The sealing rings are mostly made of silicone rubber, fluororubber, or nitrile rubber, and their connection to the bipolar plate is usually adhesive. During fuel cell stack assembly, if the bipolar plate's flatness is insufficient or the assembly force is unevenly applied, it can easily cause misalignment between components within the bipolar plate, sealing ring detachment, and other problems, preventing the water electrolyzer from meeting design requirements.

[0003] Due to the structural characteristics of water electrolyzers, it is virtually impossible to inspect for defects within each cavity from the outside. If a major problem occurs, the entire electrolyzer must be disassembled. After disassembly, the internal structure of the electrolyzer changes due to the loss of pre-assembly forces, further complicating the problem identification process. Taking the cross-contamination rate between the hydrogen and oxygen cavities of a water electrolyzer as an example, traditional methods using soap bubble flow meters can only detect the overall cross-contamination. When the cross-contamination exceeds the standard value, the electrolyzer is no longer usable. During maintenance, it is impossible to determine which part failed, causing the excessive cross-contamination, necessitating a re-inspection of each part, and sometimes even reassembly. Furthermore, for high-power water electrolyzers, each component is extremely heavy, and assembling or disassembling it consumes significant resources in terms of materials, capital, and manpower.

[0004] Therefore, when an electrolyzer malfunctions, accurately and quickly locating the defect location through non-destructive (without damaging the pre-assembled stack) testing has become one of the important methods for reducing costs and increasing efficiency in water electrolyzer equipment.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to design a non-destructive testing device and testing method for water electrolysis cells. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems with existing water electrolyzer testing methods, which require disassembly and reassembly, failing to accurately pinpoint the problem and consuming significant manpower, material resources, and financial investment, this invention provides a non-destructive testing device and method for water electrolyzers. This invention primarily utilizes an integrated objective lens, image-rotating lens, beam guide, eyepiece, and transparent tubing to transmit the image inside the water electrolyzer to an external eyepiece. This allows for accurate and rapid location of issues such as sealing failures and missing parts caused by assembly process defects, achieving non-destructive testing of the water electrolyzer.

[0007] The technical means employed in this invention are as follows:

[0008] A non-destructive testing device for a water electrolysis cell, characterized in that it comprises: an endoscopic observation device and a communicating vessel positioning device, wherein the endoscopic observation device comprises an integrated objective lens, a steering lens, a beam guide, and an eyepiece, the integrated objective lens, the steering lens, the beam guide, and the eyepiece being connected in sequence; the communicating vessel positioning device is a transparent pipe, the cross-sectional axis of the transparent pipe being S-shaped.

[0009] Furthermore, the endoscopic observation device can withstand a water pressure of 3-8 bar.

[0010] Furthermore, the detection angle of the endoscopic observation device is 55°-115°.

[0011] Furthermore, the eyepiece can rotate 360°.

[0012] Furthermore, the material of the transparent conduit has a light transmittance of greater than 70%.

[0013] This invention also provides a testing method for a non-destructive testing device used in a water electrolysis cell, characterized in that...

[0014] There are two operating methods, and the following steps can be used to target internal collusion leaks:

[0015] Step S1: Fill the oxygen chamber or the chamber to be tested in the electrolytic cell with electrolyte.

[0016] Step S2: Insert the transparent pipe into the water electrolysis cell to be tested;

[0017] Step S3: Insert the endoscopic observation device into the oxygen chamber or the chamber to be tested in the water electrolysis cell through the transparent tube;

[0018] Step S4: Introduce gas at a sufficient pressure into the hydrogen chamber or other non-detection chamber;

[0019] Step S5: Observe the position of the internal bubble point through the eyepiece, and then draw the liquid level of the oxygen chamber or the liquid level of the chamber to be tested to the position of the bubble point;

[0020] Step S6: Determine the specific location of the problem by observing the liquid level in the endoscope and the transparent tubing;

[0021] The problem of protruding adhesive lines can be addressed through the following steps:

[0022] Step S1: Insert the transparent pipe into the water electrolysis cell to be tested;

[0023] Step S2: Insert the endoscopic observation device into the oxygen chamber or the chamber to be tested in the water electrolysis cell through the transparent tube;

[0024] Step S3: Inject electrolyte into the oxygen chamber or the chamber to be tested in the electrolytic cell until it reaches the defect;

[0025] Step S4: Determine the specific location of the problem by observing the liquid level in the endoscope and the transparent tubing.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0027] The non-destructive testing device for water electrolyzers provided by this invention transmits the image inside the water electrolyzer to an external eyepiece by integrating an objective lens, an image-rotating lens, a beam guide, an eyepiece, and a transparent tube. Simultaneously, the corresponding electrolyte is injected into the internal cavity of the electrolyzer to be tested. Combined with an S-shaped connector, the internal height of the electrolyte can be accurately reflected in the external visible tube, thereby accurately and quickly locating the parts with problems such as sealing failure and missing parts caused by assembly process, achieving the effect of non-destructive testing of water electrolyzers.

[0028] The detection method provided by this invention, compared with traditional detection methods, in the detection of series leaks in electrolytic cells, first injects liquid into the oxygen chamber or the chamber to be tested, and then introduces gas into the hydrogen chamber or the non-detection chamber. It applies the principle that the leak point below the liquid surface will generate visible bubbles when gas is introduced, and makes the originally invisible problem defects visible by combining liquid and gas. It has the characteristics of simple method and accurate results, thereby achieving the purpose of rapid non-destructive testing.

[0029] Based on the above reasons, this invention can be widely promoted in fields such as water electrolysis hydrogen production fuel cell technology. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of a non-destructive testing device and testing method for a water electrolysis cell according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a front view of a water electrolyzer, which is the basis of the present invention for a non-destructive testing device and testing method for a water electrolyzer.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a top view of a water electrolyzer, which is the basis of the present invention for a non-destructive testing device and testing method for a water electrolyzer.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of a non-destructive testing device and testing method for a water electrolysis cell according to the present invention.

[0035] In the diagram: 1. Objective lens; 2. Eyepiece; 3. Transparent tube; 4. Beam guide; 5. Hydrogen outlet I; 6. Oxygen return water inlet; 7. Raw material inlet; 8. Hydrogen outlet II. Detailed Implementation

[0036] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present invention or its application or use. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of exemplary embodiments according to the invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0039] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps described in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0040] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" is generally based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. The directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0041] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "over," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation besides the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, a device described as "above" or "above" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0042] Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention.

[0043] like Figure 1-4As shown, this invention provides a non-destructive testing device for a water electrolyzer, comprising: an endoscopic observation device and a communicating vessel positioning device. The endoscopic observation device includes an integrated objective lens 1, a steering lens, a beam guide 4, and an eyepiece 2, which are sequentially connected. The communicating vessel positioning device is a transparent tube 3 with an S-shaped cross-sectional axis. The endoscopic observation device can withstand a water pressure of 3-8 bar. The endoscopic observation device is resistant to corrosion from pure water and alkaline liquids and does not contain copper, zinc, or other ionic components that contaminate the electrolyzer. The endoscopic observation device has a detection angle of 55°-115°. The eyepiece 2 can rotate 360°. The transparent tube 3 has a light transmittance greater than 70%.

[0044] This invention also provides a detection method for a non-destructive testing device used in a water electrolysis cell, characterized by including operational steps for both visually visible defects and visually invisible defects:

[0045] For defects that cannot be directly observed, such as internal collusion leaks, the following steps can be taken:

[0046] Step S1: Fill the oxygen chamber or the chamber to be tested in the electrolytic cell with electrolyte.

[0047] Step S2: Insert the transparent pipe into the water electrolysis cell to be tested;

[0048] Step S3: Insert the endoscopic observation device into the oxygen chamber or the chamber to be tested in the water electrolysis cell through the transparent tube;

[0049] Step S4: Introduce gas at a sufficient pressure into the hydrogen chamber or other non-detection chamber;

[0050] Step S5: Observe the position of the internal bubble point through the eyepiece, and then pump the liquid level in the oxygen chamber to the position of the bubble point;

[0051] Step S6: Determine the specific location of the problem by observing the liquid level in the endoscope and the transparent tubing.

[0052] For visually visible issues such as protruding adhesive lines, the following steps can be taken:

[0053] Step S1: Insert the transparent pipe into the water electrolysis cell to be tested;

[0054] Step S2: Insert the endoscopic observation device into the oxygen chamber or the chamber to be tested in the water electrolysis cell through the transparent tube;

[0055] Step S3: Inject electrolyte into the oxygen chamber or the chamber to be tested in the electrolytic cell until it reaches the defect;

[0056] Step S4: Determine the specific location of the problem by observing the liquid level in the endoscope and the transparent tubing.

[0057] Example 1

[0058] Non-destructive testing to identify internal communication leaks:

[0059] Taking a kilowatt-level pure water electrolysis device as an example, its external dimensions are 500mm × 800mm, with a total of 110 electrodes. It is designed with one raw material inlet (7), one oxygen return inlet (6), hydrogen outlet I (5), and hydrogen outlet II (8). Figure 2-3 As shown, the raw material inlet 7 and the oxygen return inlet 6 are connected. The hydrogen cavity and the water cavity should theoretically be completely isolated to ensure the purity of the produced hydrogen. Internal crosstalk rate is a crucial indicator of the isolation performance between the two cavities. When this rate is too high, it will severely affect the purity of the produced gas and may even pose a danger. Traditional methods, after obtaining this value, cannot pinpoint the location of the leak.

[0060] The solution proposed in this technical solution can quickly resolve this problem. In fuel cell stacks with excessive internal crosstalk, add an appropriate amount of pure water to the oxygen return port 6 and the raw material inlet port 7, and insert the detection end of the detection device into one of them. Figure 3 As shown, one hydrogen outlet is sealed, and nitrogen gas at 0.5 kPa is introduced into the other hydrogen outlet. At this time, an underwater camera is used to observe the bubbles emerging in pure water. The liquid level is lowered to the position where the bubbles emerge. Due to the principle of communicating vessels, the liquid level in the external observation tube will be the same as the internal liquid level, thus determining the location of the seal failure.

[0061] Example 2

[0062] Non-destructive testing of protruding defects in the internal sealing adhesive lines of the electrolytic cell:

[0063] Taking a kilowatt-level pure water electrolysis device as an example, its external dimensions are 500mm × 800mm, with a total of 110 electrodes. It is designed with one raw material inlet (7), one oxygen return inlet (6), hydrogen outlet I (5), and hydrogen outlet II (8). Figure 2-3 As shown, the raw material inlet 7 and the oxygen return outlet 6 are connected. The hydrogen cavity and the water cavity should theoretically be completely isolated. Usually, the sealing method used in the electrolytic cell is rubber sealing line sealing. If the rubber line is misaligned during the assembly process, it will lead to the stack being unqualified.

[0064] After assembling the fuel cell stack, the objective lens is inserted into the hydrogen cavity and the oxygen cavity in sequence. By rotating the objective lens, the position where the adhesive lines are misaligned is found. Then, pure water is injected into the cavity, and the injection position coincides with the position where the adhesive lines are misaligned. The position where the internal adhesive lines are misaligned can be determined by observation from the outside.

[0065] After adopting the above-mentioned solution, this invention enables accurate and rapid location of problems such as sealing failure and missing parts caused by the assembly process while maintaining the pre-assembly force of the water electrolyzer. This allows for non-destructive (without damaging the pre-assembly force of the fuel cell stack) testing of the water electrolyzer, thus providing the possibility for precise repair of the water electrolyzer.

[0066] The difference between this technical solution's maintenance method and traditional methods lies in the fact that traditional methods typically only evaluate the overall performance of a water electrolyzer based on parameters such as external morphology, high-pressure leakage rate, and internal continuity rate. When the overall performance does not meet requirements, it is impossible to analyze individual sections based on the overall performance indicators, thus requiring disassembly of the water electrolyzer for further analysis. The method provided in this technical solution, through the integration of objective lens 1, image-rotating lens, beam guide 4, eyepiece 2, and transparent tubing 3, transmits the image inside the water electrolyzer to the external eyepiece 2. From the external eyepiece 2, the installation status of each bipolar plate and its components can be observed in real time, clearly and intuitively identifying problems such as missing components, misaligned sealing lines, and foreign objects trapped between bipolar plates. This provides necessary parameter support for accurate repair of the water electrolyzer, thereby improving assembly efficiency. By maintaining the internal and external liquid levels at the same position through interconnected tubing, the precise location of the objective lens inside the electrolyzer can be determined, achieving accurate positioning.

[0067] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A non-destructive testing method for a water electrolysis cell, characterized in that, The non-destructive testing device used in the detection method includes an endoscopic observation device and a communicating vessel positioning device. The endoscopic observation device includes an integrated objective lens, a steering lens, a beam guide, and an eyepiece, which are connected in sequence. The communicating vessel positioning device is a transparent tube with an S-shaped cross-sectional axis. The transparent tube is made of a material with a light transmittance greater than 70%. The detection method includes two operating methods, and can be carried out through the following steps to target internal collusion leakage points: Step S1: Fill the oxygen chamber or the chamber to be tested in the electrolytic cell with electrolyte. Step S2: Insert the transparent pipe into the water electrolysis cell to be tested; Step S3: Insert the endoscopic observation device into the oxygen chamber or the chamber to be tested in the water electrolysis cell through the transparent tube; Step S4: Introduce gas at a sufficient pressure into the hydrogen chamber or other non-detection chamber; Step S5: Observe the position of the internal bubble point through the eyepiece, and then draw the liquid level of the oxygen chamber or the liquid level of the chamber to be tested to the position of the bubble point; Step S6: Determine the specific location of the problem by observing the liquid level in the endoscope and the transparent tubing; The problem of protruding adhesive lines can be addressed through the following steps: Step S1: Insert the transparent pipe into the water electrolysis cell to be tested; Step S2: Insert the endoscopic observation device into the oxygen chamber or the chamber to be tested in the water electrolysis cell through the transparent tube; Step S3: Inject electrolyte into the oxygen chamber or the chamber to be tested in the electrolytic cell until it reaches the defect; Step S4: Determine the specific location of the problem by observing the liquid level in the endoscope and the transparent tubing.

2. The non-destructive testing method for a water electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The endoscopic observation device can withstand a water pressure of 3-8 bar.

3. The non-destructive testing method for a water electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection angle of the endoscopic observation device is 55°-115°.

4. The non-destructive testing method for a water electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The eyepiece can rotate 360°.

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