Double-sealed electrolysis unit and high-pressure electrolytic cell

Abstract

The present invention relates to a double-seal electrolysis unit and a high-pressure electrolytic cell formed by the double-seal electrolysis unit, belonging to the technical field of pressure electrolytic cells. The electrolysis unit is composed of a pair of electrode plates, an annular seal abutting the side surfaces of the electrode plates, and an electrolytic diaphragm sandwiched between the opposite sides of the pair of electrode plates, which are pressed against each other. The annular seal is divided into an inner ring seal and an outer ring seal. The inner ring seal is provided on both the front and back sides of the electrode plates, and an outer ring seal is provided between the opposite sides of the pair of electrode plates. A convex ring is formed on the outer side of the inner ring seal. The convex ring of the inner ring seal abuts one side of the electrolytic diaphragm to form a first wire seal and abuts the other side of the electrolytic diaphragm to form a second wire seal. The outer ring seal forms a radial limit relative to the electrode plates. Thus, the plane seal between the electrolytic diaphragm and the electrode plates is converted into a wire seal. The high-pressure electrolytic cell formed by the electrolysis unit can realize high-pressure hydrogenation to oxygen production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolysis unit structure for a high-pressure electrolytic cell and a high-pressure electrolytic cell formed by the electrolysis unit structure, belonging to the technical field of pressure electrolytic cells. Background Art

[0002] Chinese patent publication number CN219032404U discloses an electrolytic cell for producing high-pressure hydrogen and oxygen. Figure 1 As shown. The electrolytic cell comprises an electrolytic unit assembly consisting of three regular polygonal planar components: electrode plates, sealing gaskets, and diaphragms, which are in close contact with each other. Each electrolytic unit assembly is, in sequence, composed of a first sealing gasket 103, an anode plate 104, a first sealing gasket 103, a diaphragm 105, a second sealing gasket 106, a cathode plate 107, a second sealing gasket 106, and a diaphragm 105 stacked and tightly attached. Because the electrode plates, sealing gaskets, and diaphragms of the electrolytic unit assembly are all in close contact with each other, a flat seal is formed between the electrode plates, sealing gaskets, and diaphragms after compression. However, in subsequent experiments to manufacture electrolytic cells, the inventors of the aforementioned patent discovered that when the electrolytic reaction continuously generates gases (hydrogen and oxygen) within the electrolytic cell and gradually builds up high pressure, gas and liquid leakage occurs between the electrode plates, sealing gaskets, and diaphragms, i.e., the seal fails. To this end, the inventors of the aforementioned patent conducted in-depth research on the component sealing structure of the electrolytic cell electrolytic unit assembly and made further improvements thereto. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the electrolytic unit structure of the above-mentioned existing electrolytic cell to meet the needs of high-pressure electrolysis sealing, and to form a reliably sealed electrolytic cell to achieve high-pressure extraction of hydrogen and oxygen.

[0004] The present invention proposes a technical solution to solve the above technical problems. The first is: a double-seal electrolysis unit, which consists of a pair of electrode plates, an annular seal abutting the side of the electrode plate and an electrolytic diaphragm sandwiched between the opposite sides of the pair of electrode plates and pressed against each other. One of the pair of electrode plates is connected to the positive pole of the power supply as an anode electrode and the other is connected to the negative pole of the power supply as a cathode electrode. The middle part of the positive and negative sides of the electrode plate has an electrolysis area participating in the electrolysis reaction and a liquid inlet hole, two liquid outlet holes and a plurality of small through holes are formed in the area. The electrolytic diaphragm is provided with membrane openings corresponding to the liquid inlet hole and the liquid outlet holes respectively; the annular seal is divided into an inner ring seal and an outer ring seal, the outer peripheral edge of the inner ring seal coincides with the inner peripheral edge of the outer ring seal, and on the positive and negative sides of the electrode plate The inner ring sealing gasket is provided on both side surfaces, and an outer ring sealing gasket is provided between the two opposite side surfaces of a pair of electrode plates; the electrolytic diaphragm covers the electrolysis area and is clamped between the two opposite inner ring sealing gaskets, and a convex ring is formed on the empty side surface of the inner ring sealing gasket facing outward, and the two convex rings of the two inner ring sealing gaskets on the opposite side surfaces of the two electrode plates constituting the negative electrode plate and the positive electrode plate respectively have different circle diameters; the convex ring of the inner ring sealing gasket on one electrode plate of a pair of electrode plates is in contact with one side surface of the electrolytic diaphragm to form a first circle wire seal, and the convex ring of the inner ring sealing gasket on the other electrode plate is in contact with the other side surface of the electrolytic diaphragm to form a second circle wire seal; the first circle wire seal and the second circle wire seal are staggered from each other on the circumference; the outer ring sealing gasket forms a radial limit relative to the electrode plate.

[0005] The second technical solution proposed by the present invention to solve the above technical problems is: a high-pressure electrolytic cell, which is composed of multiple double-sealed gasket electrolysis units of the above technical solution one stacked and pressed together, the liquid inlet hole and its corresponding membrane opening are used for the electrolyte to enter and fill the electrolysis area on the front and back sides of the electrode plate, and the two liquid outlet holes and their corresponding membrane openings are used to respectively discharge the gas and liquid after the electrolysis reaction on the cathode side and the anode side.

[0006] The inventors of this patent application conducted an in-depth study of the component sealing structure of the electrolytic unit group of the above-mentioned existing electrolytic cell and found that: 1. A planar seal is formed between the electrode plates, sealing gaskets and diaphragms after compression. Due to the reasons of processing precision, it is difficult to achieve a high degree of precision in the flatness of the sealing surfaces of the electrode plates, sealing gaskets and diaphragms. When gas and liquid are gradually generated in the electrolytic reaction area to form high pressure, a large pressure difference is formed with the outside world. Under the action of this large pressure difference, the seal between the electrode plates, sealing gaskets and diaphragms may easily fail; 2. Since a planar seal is formed between the electrode plates, sealing gaskets and diaphragms, although they are constrained in the axial direction after compression, there is no effective constraint in the radial direction. Therefore, under the action of the high-pressure gas and liquid generated in the electrolytic reaction area, it is easy to produce a small movement on the plane, thereby causing the seal between the electrode plates, sealing gaskets and diaphragms to fail easily.

[0007] The present invention provides the following beneficial effects: Due to the design of dual inner and outer sealing gaskets positioned between the sides of a pair of electrode plates, when the pair of electrode plates, forming the cathode and anode electrodes, are positioned relative to each other with the electrolytic diaphragm sandwiched between them, the two opposing inner ring sealing gaskets on the opposing sides of the pair of electrode plates form two staggered wire seals (a first wire seal and a second wire seal) with the sides of the electrolytic diaphragm. Consequently, the present invention transforms the conventional planar seal between the sealing gasket and the electrolytic diaphragm and electrode plates into a two-circle wire seal, significantly improving sealing performance. Furthermore, due to the radial restraint formed between the outer ring sealing gasket and the electrode plates, the outer ring sealing gasket and the inner ring sealing gasket are securely restrained radially between the pair of electrode plates, preventing radial movement and leakage that can occur when conventional sealing gaskets are used to seal the surfaces of the electrolytic diaphragm and electrode plates. This allows the present invention to withstand significant pressure differences between the electrolytic reaction area and the outside world without leakage. As for the pressure difference between the membrane openings corresponding to the liquid inlet and liquid outlet ports on the inner ring of the electrolytic diaphragm, the sealed outer ring of the electrolytic diaphragm ensures that the gas-liquid pressure difference within the inner ring of the electrolytic diaphragm gradually self-balances and disappears. When such an electrolysis unit is used to form a high-pressure electrolyzer, the high-pressure electrolyzer and its electrolysis unit can reach the required high pressure after continuous electrolysis without worrying about leakage, thereby realizing leak-free high-pressure hydrogen production, that is, producing high-pressure hydrogen and oxygen.

[0008] Furthermore, the surface of the outer ring sealing gasket in contact with the electrode plate is provided with textures, so that when friction is formed on the surface of the outer ring sealing gasket in contact with the electrode plate, radial limitation is formed between the outer ring sealing gasket and the side surface of the electrode plate.

[0009] Furthermore, the surface of the outer ring sealing gasket in contact with the electrode plate is respectively formed with protrusions and grooves nested with each other, so that the outer ring sealing gasket forms a radial limit relative to the electrode plate.

[0010] Furthermore, a baffle is provided on the outer peripheral side of the outer ring sealing gasket, and the baffle is fixedly connected to the electrode plate, so that the outer ring sealing gasket is radially limited relative to the electrode plate.

[0011] Furthermore, the fixed connection is bolt connection or welding.

[0012] Furthermore, the protruding ring is an O-ring or has a cross section in other shapes.

[0013] Furthermore, the convex ring is a rubber strip adhered to the outer hollow side surface of the inner ring sealing gasket.

[0014] Furthermore, the raised ring is a circle of plating on the outer side of the inner ring seal.

[0015] Furthermore, the convex ring is a convex ring made integrally with the inner ring sealing gasket. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The double-seal electrolytic unit and high-pressure electrolytic cell of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 The present invention is a structural schematic diagram of an electrolytic unit sealing assembly of an existing electrolytic cell for producing high-pressure hydrogen and oxygen.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the double-seal electrolysis unit of Example 1.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of an electrode plate and inner sealing gasket decomposed in FIG.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of another electrode plate and inner sealing gasket decomposed in FIG.

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Top view of .

[0022] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of the part circled at the winning bid A.

[0023] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the double-seal electrolysis unit of Example 2.

[0024] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 An enlarged view of the part within the circle at the winning bid B.

[0025] Figure 9 yes Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of an electrode plate and inner sealing gasket decomposed in FIG.

[0026] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 Bottom view of .

[0027] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the double-seal electrolysis unit structure in Example 3.

[0028] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 An enlarged view of the part within the circle at the winning bid C.

[0029] Figure 13 Schematic diagram of the explosion structure of a high-voltage electrolytic cell in Example 4. Implementation Method Example 1

[0030] This embodiment provides a double-seal electrolysis unit, such as Figure 2As shown, it is composed of a pair of electrode plates 1, an annular sealing gasket abutting against the side of the electrode plate 1, and an electrolytic diaphragm 10 sandwiched between the opposite sides of the pair of electrode plates 1, which are pressed against each other. When one electrode plate in the pair of electrode plates 1 is connected to the positive pole of the power supply, it acts as an anode electrode, and when the other electrode plate is connected to the negative pole of the power supply, it acts as a cathode electrode. Figure 5 As shown, the middle portion of the front and back sides of the electrode plate 1 has an electrolysis region 100 for participating in the electrolysis reaction. This region is provided with a liquid inlet 2, two liquid and gas outlet holes 3-1 and 3-2, and a plurality of small through-holes 4. The electrolytic diaphragm 10 has membrane openings corresponding to the liquid inlet 2 and the liquid and gas outlet holes 3-1 and 3-2, respectively.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the sealing gasket is divided into an inner ring sealing gasket 6 and an outer ring sealing gasket 7. The outer peripheral edge (outer ring edge) of the inner ring sealing gasket 6 matches the inner peripheral edge (inner ring edge) of the outer ring sealing gasket 7. The inner ring sealing gasket 6 is provided on both the front and back sides of the electrode plate 1, and a single outer ring sealing gasket 7 is provided between the two opposing side surfaces of a pair of electrode plates 1. In this embodiment, the thickness of the inner ring sealing gasket 6 is substantially half that of the outer ring sealing gasket 7. The electrolytic diaphragm 10 covers the electrolysis area 100 and is sandwiched between the two opposing inner ring sealing gaskets 6.

[0032] like Figure 3 、 4 As shown in FIG5 , a convex ring 8 is formed on the outer side of the inner ring seal 6. In this embodiment, the convex ring 8 is an O-ring embedded in the outer side of the inner ring seal 6. Figure 4 As shown, the diameters of the two protruding rings 8 of the two inner ring sealing gaskets 6 on the opposite sides of a pair of electrode plates 1 respectively constituting the negative electrode plate and the positive electrode plate are different. At this time, a common outer ring sealing gasket 7 is provided (filled) between the opposite sides of the pair of electrode plates 1.

[0033] like Figure 6 As shown, the raised ring 8 of the inner ring seal 6 on one electrode plate 1 of a pair of electrode plates 1 abuts against one side of the electrolytic diaphragm 10 to form a first wire seal 5-1, while the raised ring 8 of the inner ring seal 6 on the other electrode plate 1 abuts against the other side of the electrolytic diaphragm 10 to form a second wire seal 5-2. The first wire seal 5-1 and the second wire seal 5-2 are staggered around the circumference. The surface of the outer ring seal 7 that contacts the electrode plate 1 is textured. Therefore, when the outer ring seal 7 contacts the electrode plate 1, the contact surface generates a large friction force, causing the outer ring seal 7 and the electrode plate 1 to be limited in the radial direction (from the inside to the outside of the side of the electrode plate 1). Example 2

[0034] This embodiment provides a second double-seal electrolysis unit, such as Figure 7 、 Figure 8 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, it is a variation on the double-seal gasket electrolysis unit structure of Example 1. In addition to being the same as Example 1, the difference is that: a protrusion 9 is provided on the side of the electrode plate 1, and a groove 11 is provided on the outer ring seal 7 for the protrusion 9 to be embedded in. Of course, the reverse can also be done, that is, a protrusion 9 is provided on the outer ring seal 7, and a groove 11 is provided on the side of the electrode plate 1 for the protrusion 9 to be embedded in. In this way, the surface of the outer ring seal 7 in contact with the electrode plate 1 is respectively provided with a protrusion 9 and a groove 11 that are nested with each other. Figure 10 As shown, the protrusions 9 and grooves 11 are arranged in a staggered array of three circles (three groups) along the circumference of the outer ring sealing gasket 7 and the electrode plate 1. Of course, a single circle, half a circle, or other arrangement can also be used. Thus, when the outer ring sealing gasket 7 contacts the electrode plate 1, the protrusions 9 and grooves 11 on their contacting surfaces nest with each other, forming a radial limit between the outer ring sealing gasket 7 and the electrode plate 1 (from the inside outward of the side of the electrode plate 1). Example 3

[0035] This embodiment provides a third type of double-seal electrolysis unit, such as Figure 11 and 12 The structure shown is a variation of the dual-seal electrolysis unit of Example 1. While identical to Example 1, the difference is that a retaining plate 12 is provided on the outer circumference of the outer ring seal 7. The retaining plate 12 is fixedly connected to the electrode plate 1 via bolts 13. Of course, bolts 13 can also be removed, and the retaining plate 12 can be directly welded to the electrode plate 1. This creates a radial limit between the outer ring seal 7 and the electrode plate 1 (from the inside outward). Example 4

[0036] This embodiment provides a high-voltage electrolytic cell, such as Figure 13 As shown, it is composed of multiple double-sealed gasket electrolysis units of Example 1 stacked and pressed together, the liquid inlet hole 2 of the electrode plate 1 and the corresponding second opening 20 on the electrolysis diaphragm 10 are used for the electrolyte to enter and fill the electrolysis area 100 on the front and back sides of the electrode plate, and the two liquid outlet holes 3-1, 3-2 and the corresponding second openings 10-1, 10-2 on the electrolysis diaphragm 10 are used to respectively discharge the gas and liquid after the electrolysis reaction on the cathode side and the anode side.

[0037] Obviously, in addition to the high-pressure electrolytic cell of this embodiment formed by stacking and pressing multiple double-sealed gasket electrolytic units of Example 1, a high-pressure electrolytic cell can also be formed by stacking and pressing multiple double-sealed gasket electrolytic units of Example 2 or Example 3.

[0038] The following changes can also be made to the raised ring 8 in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3:

[0039] 1) The raised rings 8 are adhesive strips adhered to the outer side of the inner ring seal 6;

[0040] 2) The raised ring 8 is a coating formed on the outer side of the inner ring seal 6, such as a ceramic coating;

[0041] 3) The raised ring 8 is integrally formed with the inner ring sealing gasket 6 , that is, the raised ring 8 is a part of the same material as the inner ring sealing gasket 6 .

[0042] 4) The cross-sectional shape of the bead 8 may be any reasonable shape other than the O-shape, such as a triangle, a trapezoid, a quadrilateral or a prism.

[0043] 5) The number of the bead rings 8 used for sealing is not limited and can be 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, etc.

[0044] While the electrode plate 1 in the above embodiment is circular, this does not necessarily mean that this is the only possible shape for the electrode plate. The electrode plate 1 can also be in other shapes, such as square, diamond, elliptical, or polygonal. Similarly, the sealing gaskets (inner ring sealing gasket 6 and outer ring sealing gasket 7) can be circular, square, or other ring-shaped.

[0045] In addition, other prior arts of the electrolysis unit and electrolysis cell involved in the above embodiments can be found in the Chinese patents or similar public documents mentioned in the background art, which will not be described in detail in the present invention.

[0046] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. All equivalent replacements or equivalent changes of the concepts and technical solutions according to the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A double-seal electrolysis cell, comprising a pair of electrode plates, an annular seal resting against the sides of the electrode plates, and an electrolytic diaphragm sandwiched between opposing sides of the pair of electrode plates, the electrode plates acting as a positive electrode when connected to the positive pole of a power source and as a negative electrode when connected to the negative pole of a power source. The electrode plates have an electrolysis region in the middle of the positive and negative sides thereof, wherein the region has a liquid inlet, two liquid outlet holes, and a plurality of small through-holes. The electrolytic diaphragm is provided with membrane openings corresponding to the liquid inlet and liquid outlet holes, respectively. Characterized in that: The annular sealing gasket is divided into an inner ring sealing gasket and an outer ring sealing gasket, the outer peripheral edge of the inner ring sealing gasket is consistent with the inner peripheral edge of the outer ring sealing gasket, the inner ring sealing gasket is provided on both the front and back sides of the electrode plate, and an outer ring sealing gasket is provided between the two opposite side surfaces of a pair of electrode plates; the electrolytic diaphragm covers the electrolysis area and is clamped between the two opposite inner ring sealing gaskets; a convex ring is formed on the empty side facing outward of the inner ring sealing gasket, and the two convex rings of the two inner ring sealing gaskets on the opposite side surfaces of the two electrode plates of the negative electrode plate and the positive electrode plate respectively have different circle diameters; the convex ring of the inner ring sealing gasket on one electrode plate of a pair of electrode plates is in contact with one side of the electrolytic diaphragm to form a first circle wire seal, and the convex ring of the inner ring sealing gasket on the other electrode plate is in contact with the other side of the electrolytic diaphragm to form a second circle wire seal; the first circle wire seal and the second circle wire seal are staggered from each other on the circumference; the outer ring sealing gasket forms a radial limit relative to the electrode plate.

2. The double-seal electrolytic unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the outer ring sealing gasket in contact with the electrode plate is provided with textures, so that when friction is generated between the surface of the outer ring sealing gasket in contact with the electrode plate, a limit is formed between the outer ring sealing gasket and the side surface of the electrode plate.

3. The double-seal electrolytic unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the outer ring sealing gasket in contact with the electrode plate is respectively provided with protrusions and grooves nested with each other, so that the outer ring sealing gasket forms a radial limit relative to the electrode plate.

4. The double-seal electrolytic unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: A baffle is provided on the outer circumference of the outer ring sealing gasket, and the baffle is fixedly connected to the electrode plate, so that the outer ring sealing gasket is radially limited relative to the electrode plate.

5. The double-seal electrolytic unit according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fixed connection is bolt connection or welding.

6. A high-voltage electrolyzer, characterized in that: The electrolysis unit is composed of multiple electrolysis units according to any one of claims 1 to 5 stacked and pressed together, wherein the liquid inlet hole and its corresponding first opening and second opening are used for the electrolyte to enter and fill the electrolysis area on the front and back sides of the electrode plate, and the two liquid outlet holes and their corresponding membrane openings are used to respectively discharge the gas and liquid after the electrolysis reaction on the cathode side and the anode side.

7. The double-seal electrolytic unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protruding ring is an O-ring or has other cross-section shapes.

8. The double-seal electrolytic unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The convex ring is a rubber strip adhered to the outer hollow side surface of the inner ring sealing gasket.

9. The double-seal electrolytic unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The raised ring is a circle of plating formed on the outer hollow side of the inner ring seal.

10. The double-seal electrolytic unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The convex ring is a convex ring made integrally with the inner ring sealing gasket.

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