Electrolytic cell with gasket and high pressure electrolyzer
By forming two staggered line seals with an electrolytic diaphragm between the electrode plates and enhancing the sealing performance through a radial limiting structure, the problem of sealing failure in high-pressure electrolytic cells was solved, enabling the production of hydrogen and oxygen without leakage under high pressure.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 大连迪创氢能源科技有限公司
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
The planar seal between the electrode plates, gaskets, and diaphragms in existing high-pressure electrolytic cells is prone to failure under high pressure, leading to gas-liquid leakage.
A sealing gasket with an electrolytic diaphragm sandwiched between a pair of electrode plates was designed. The sealing gasket and the electrolytic diaphragm form two staggered line seals, and radial limiting is achieved through structures such as convex rings, textures, annular grooves, and baffles to enhance the sealing performance.
The sealing performance of the electrolysis unit has been improved, enabling the production of high-pressure hydrogen and oxygen without leakage under high pressure.
Smart Images
Figure CN117070973B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to an electrode plate structure for a high-voltage electrolytic cell, an electrolysis unit structure formed by the electrode plate, and a high-voltage electrolytic cell formed by the electrolysis unit structure, belonging to the technical field of pressure electrolytic cells. Background Technology
[0002] Chinese patent CN219032404U discloses an electrolytic cell for producing high-pressure hydrogen and oxygen, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the electrolytic cell is composed of three types of planar components: an electrode plate, a sealing gasket, and a diaphragm, all of which are flat and attached together. Each electrolytic cell is formed by stacking and tightly bonding the first sealing gasket 103, the anode plate 104, the second sealing gasket 106, the cathode plate 107, the second sealing gasket 106, and the diaphragm 105 together. Because the electrode plate, sealing gasket, and diaphragm of the electrolytic cell are all flat and attached to each other, a planar seal is formed between them after compression. However, the inventors of the aforementioned patent discovered in subsequent experiments during the fabrication of the electrolytic cell that as the electrolytic reaction continuously generates gases (hydrogen and oxygen) and gradually builds up high pressure, gas-liquid leakage occurs between the electrode plate, sealing gasket, and diaphragm, resulting in seal failure. Therefore, the inventors of the aforementioned patent conducted in-depth research on the component sealing structure of the electrolytic cell's electrolytic cell assembly and made further improvements. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the electrode plate and its composition structure of the electrolytic cell disclosed in the above patent, so as to meet the needs of high-pressure electrolysis sealing, and to form a reliable sealed electrolysis unit and electrolytic cell to achieve high-pressure extraction of hydrogen and oxygen.
[0004] The present invention proposes the following technical solution to solve the above-mentioned technical problems: An electrolysis unit with a sealing gasket, comprising a pair of electrode plates, sealing gaskets abutting the front and back sides of the electrode plates, and an electrolytic diaphragm sandwiched between the opposite sides of the pair of electrode plates. One of the electrode plates is connected to the positive terminal of a power supply as the anode, and the other is connected to the negative terminal as the cathode. The electrode plates have an electrolysis region in the middle of their front and back sides, in which a liquid inlet, two liquid outlet gas inlets, and multiple small through holes are formed. The electrolytic diaphragm covers the electrolysis region and is sandwiched between the two opposing sealing gaskets. The electrolytic diaphragm has membrane openings corresponding to the liquid inlet and liquid outlet, respectively; a raised ring is formed on the outward-facing side of the sealing gasket, and the diameters of the two raised rings of the two sealing gaskets on opposite sides of the pair of electrode plates are different; the raised ring of the sealing gasket on one electrode plate abuts against one side of the electrolytic diaphragm to form a first ring seal, and the raised ring of the sealing gasket on the other electrode plate abuts against the other side of the electrolytic diaphragm to form a second ring seal; the first ring seal and the second ring seal are staggered from each other circumferentially; the 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-mentioned technical problems is: a high-voltage electrolytic cell, which is formed by stacking and pressing together multiple electrolytic units of the above-mentioned technical solution two. The liquid inlet hole and its corresponding membrane opening are used for the electrolyte to enter and fill the electrolytic areas on both sides of the electrode plate. The two liquid outlet gas holes and their corresponding membrane openings are used to export the gas and liquid after electrolysis reaction on the cathode side and the anode side respectively.
[0006] After in-depth research into the component sealing structure of the existing electrolytic cell unit assembly, the inventors of this patent application discovered the following: 1. The seal formed between the compressed electrode plate, gasket, and diaphragm is planar. Due to manufacturing precision limitations, it is difficult to achieve a high degree of flatness in the sealing surfaces of the electrode plate, gasket, and diaphragm. When the electrolytic reaction zone gradually generates gas and liquid to form high pressure, a large pressure difference is created with the outside environment. Under this large pressure difference, the seal between the electrode plate, gasket, and diaphragm is prone to failure. 2. Because the seal formed between the electrode plate, gasket, and diaphragm is planar, although it is constrained by axial force after compression, there is no effective constraint in the radial direction. Therefore, under the force of high-pressure gas and liquid generated in the electrolytic reaction zone, small movements are easily generated on the plane, which leads to the easy failure of the seal between the electrode plate, gasket, and diaphragm.
[0007] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: Because a sealing gasket is designed and installed between the sides of a pair of electrode plates, when the electrode plates constituting the cathode and anode are in close contact with each other and an electrolytic diaphragm is sandwiched in between, the two sealing gaskets on the opposite sides of the electrode plates form two staggered line seals with the two sides of the electrolytic diaphragm (the first line seal and the second line seal). Therefore, this invention transforms the existing planar seal between the sealing gasket and the electrolytic diaphragm and the electrode plates into a two-line seal, greatly improving the sealing performance and enabling it to withstand a large pressure difference between the electrolytic reaction area and the outside without leakage. Regarding the pressure difference between the membrane openings corresponding to the liquid inlet and liquid outlet of the inner ring of the electrolytic diaphragm, since the seal of the outer ring of the electrolytic diaphragm is guaranteed, the gas-liquid pressure difference in the inner ring of the electrolytic diaphragm will gradually self-balance and disappear. When such an electrolytic unit is used to construct a high-pressure electrolytic cell, the high-pressure electrolytic cell and its electrolytic unit can reach the required high pressure after continuous electrolysis without worrying about leakage, thereby achieving leak-free high-pressure hydrogen-to-oxygen production, i.e., producing high-pressure hydrogen and oxygen.
[0008] Furthermore, annular grooves are formed around the edges of the electrolysis area on both sides of the electrode plate, and all or part of the sealing gasket is filled into the annular grooves to form a radial limit between the sealing gasket and the side of the electrode plate.
[0009] Furthermore, the surface of the sealing gasket that contacts the electrode plate is textured, so that when friction is generated between the surface of the sealing gasket and the electrode plate, a radial limit is formed between the sealing gasket and the side of the electrode plate.
[0010] Furthermore, the surfaces of the sealing gasket that contact the electrode plate are respectively provided with nested protrusions and grooves, so as to form a radial limit between the sealing gasket and the side of the electrode plate.
[0011] Furthermore, a baffle is provided on the outer periphery of the sealing gasket, and the baffle is fixedly connected to the electrode plate to form a radial limit between the sealing gasket and the side of the electrode plate.
[0012] Through the above improvements, the radial outward sliding of the sealing gasket can be restricted, preventing leakage of the inner ring sealing gasket due to radial movement on the side of the electrode plate.
[0013] Furthermore, the fixed connection is a bolted connection, welding, key-keyway connection, or pin-pin hole connection.
[0014] Furthermore, the convex ring is an O-ring or has a cross-section of other shapes.
[0015] Furthermore, the raised ring is an adhesive strip that is glued to the outward-facing hollow side of the sealing gasket.
[0016] Furthermore, the raised ring is a plating layer formed on the outward-facing empty side of the sealing gasket. Attached Figure Description
[0017] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, further illustrates an electrolysis unit with a sealing gasket and a high-voltage electrolysis cell according to the present invention.
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing assembly of an electrolysis unit in an existing electrolyzer for producing high-pressure hydrogen and oxygen.
[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the electrolysis unit structure in Example 1.
[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Sectional view along the AA direction.
[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of the area within the circle at point B.
[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the electrolysis unit structure in Example 2.
[0023] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Cross-sectional view along the CC direction.
[0024] Figure 7 This is a magnified view of the area within the circle marked D in Figure 5.
[0025] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a modified local structure of an electrolysis unit.
[0026] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the electrolysis unit structure in Example 3.
[0027] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A magnified view of the area within the circle at point E.
[0028] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the electrolysis unit structure in Example 3.
[0029] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 Central FF section view.
[0030] Figure 13 yes Figure 11 A magnified view of the area within the circle at point G.
[0031] Figure 14 An exploded view of the structure of a high-voltage electrolytic cell in Example 4. Implementation Example 1
[0032] This embodiment provides an electrolysis unit with a sealing gasket, such as Figure 2 As shown, the device consists of a pair of electrode plates 1, sealing gaskets 6 abutting the front and back sides of the electrode plates 1, and an electrolytic diaphragm 10 sandwiched between the opposite sides of the pair of electrode plates 1. The electrolytic diaphragm 10 is also sandwiched between two opposing sealing gaskets 6. To clearly illustrate the positional relationship between the electrode plates 1, the sealing gaskets 6, and the electrolytic diaphragm 10, Figure 2 The proportions are not accurate; for example, the thickness of the sealing gasket 6 appears too large. When one electrode plate 1 of the pair is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply, it acts as the anode; when the other electrode plate 1 is connected to the negative terminal, it acts as the cathode. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the electrode plate 1 has an electrolysis region 100 in the middle of its front and back sides, which participates in the electrolysis reaction. Within this region, there is an inlet hole 2, two outlet gas holes 3-1 and 3-2, and multiple small through holes 4. An electrolytic diaphragm 10 is attached to the opposite sides of the pair of electrode plates 1, covering the electrolysis region 100 and sandwiched between two opposing sealing gaskets 6. The electrolytic diaphragm 10 has membrane openings corresponding to the inlet hole 2 and the outlet gas holes 3-1 and 3-2, respectively.
[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, a raised ring 8 is formed on the outward-facing side of the sealing gasket 6. The two raised rings 8 on the two opposite sides of the two sealing gaskets 6 of the pair of electrode plates 1, which respectively constitute the negative electrode plate and the positive electrode plate, have different ring diameters. The raised ring 8 of the sealing gasket 6 on one electrode plate 1 abuts against one side of the electrolytic diaphragm 10 to form a first ring seal 5-1, and the raised ring 8 of the sealing gasket 6 on the other electrode plate 1 abuts against the other side of the electrolytic diaphragm 10 to form a second ring seal 5-2. The first ring seal 5-1 and the second ring seal 5-2 are staggered from each other circumferentially.
[0034] The surface of the sealing gasket 6 that contacts the electrode plate 1 has textured patterns. When friction is generated between the surfaces of the sealing gasket 6 and the electrode plate 1, radial restraint is formed between the sealing gasket 6 and the side of the electrode plate 1. Example 2
[0035] This embodiment provides an electrolysis unit with a sealing gasket, such as Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, this is an improvement on the electrolysis unit of Embodiment 1. The difference is that, apart from being the same as in Embodiment 1, annular grooves 7 are provided around the edges of the electrolysis region 100 on both the front and back sides of the electrode plate 1. The sealing gasket 6 is completely filled into the annular grooves 7, so that the sealing gasket 6 and the side of the electrode plate 1 are radially limited.
[0036] Of course, only a portion of the sealing gasket 6 can be filled into the annular groove 7, creating a radial constraint between the sealing gasket 6 and the side of the electrode plate 1, such as... Figure 8 As shown. Example 3
[0037] This embodiment provides an electrolysis unit with a sealing gasket, such as Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, this is an improvement on the electrolysis unit of Example 1. The difference, besides being the same as in Example 1, is that the surfaces of the sealing gasket 6 that contact the electrode plate 1 are respectively provided with nested protrusions 9 and grooves 11. This creates radial restraint between the sealing gasket 6 and the side surface of the electrode plate 1. Example 4
[0038] This embodiment provides an electrolysis unit with a sealing gasket, such as Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, this is an improvement on the electrolysis unit of Embodiment 1. The difference, besides being the same as Embodiment 1, is that a baffle 12 is provided on the outer periphery of the sealing gasket 6, and the baffle 12 is fixedly connected to the electrode plate 1; the fixed connection is achieved by bolts 13. Of course, the bolt connection can also be replaced by welding. This creates a radial constraint between the sealing gasket 6 and the side of the electrode plate 1.
[0039] The convex ring 8 in embodiments one to four above can also be modified as follows:
[0040] 1) The raised ring 8 is an adhesive strip that is glued to the outward-facing hollow side of the sealing gasket 6;
[0041] 2) The raised ring 8 is a ring of plating formed on the outward-facing empty side of the sealing gasket 6, such as a ceramic plating, etc.
[0042] 3) The raised ring 8 is a raised ring strip integrally made with the sealing gasket 6, that is, the raised ring 8 is part of the same material as the sealing gasket 6.
[0043] 4) The cross-sectional shape of the convex ring can be any reasonable shape other than O-shape, such as triangle, quadrilateral, etc.
[0044] 5) The number of convex rings 8 used as seals can be increased to form a third, fourth or more rings of line seal. Example 5
[0045] This embodiment provides a high-voltage electrolytic cell, such as Figure 14As shown, the structure is formed by stacking and pressing together multiple electrolysis units according to Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, Embodiment 3, or Embodiment 4. The liquid inlet 2 and its corresponding second opening 20 on the electrolysis diaphragm 10 are used for the electrolyte to enter and fill the electrolysis areas 100 on both sides of the electrode plate. The two liquid outlet vents 3-1 and 3-2 and their corresponding membrane openings 10-1 and 10-2 on the electrolysis diaphragm 10 are used to export the gas and liquid after the electrolysis reaction on the cathode side and the anode side, respectively.
[0046] In addition, other prior art of the electrolysis unit and electrolytic cell involved in the above embodiments can be found in the Chinese patents or similar publications mentioned in the background art, and will not be repeated here.
[0047] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. All equivalent substitutions or modifications made to the concept and technical solutions of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. An electrolytic unit with a sealing gasket, comprising a pair of electrode plates, sealing gaskets abutting the front and back sides of the electrode plates, and an electrolytic diaphragm sandwiched between the opposite sides of the pair of electrode plates. One of the electrode plates is connected to the positive terminal of a power supply as the anode, and the other is connected to the negative terminal as the cathode. The front and back sides of the electrode plates have an electrolytic region in the middle for participating in the electrolytic reaction, and an inlet hole, two outlet holes, and multiple small through holes are formed in this region. The electrolytic diaphragm covers the electrolytic region and is sandwiched between two opposing sealing gaskets. The electrolytic diaphragm has membrane openings corresponding to the inlet hole and the outlet holes, respectively. A raised ring is formed on the outward-facing side of the gasket. The two raised rings of the two gaskets on opposite sides of the pair of electrode plates have different diameters. The raised ring of the gasket on one electrode plate abuts against one side of the electrolytic diaphragm to form a first ring seal, and the raised ring of the gasket on the other electrode plate abuts against the other side of the electrolytic diaphragm to form a second ring seal. The first and second ring seals are staggered from each other circumferentially. The gasket forms a radial limit relative to the electrode plate. The raised ring is an adhesive strip glued to the outward-facing empty side of the gasket, or the raised ring is a raised ring strip integrally formed with the gasket.
2. The electrolysis unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: Annular grooves are formed around the edges of the electrolysis area on both sides of the electrode plate. All or part of the sealing gasket is filled into the annular grooves to form a radial limit between the sealing gasket and the side of the electrode plate.
3. The electrolysis unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the sealing gasket that contacts the electrode plate has textured patterns. When friction is generated between the surface of the sealing gasket and the electrode plate, radial restraint is formed between the sealing gasket and the side of the electrode plate.
4. The electrolysis unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surfaces of the sealing gasket that contact the electrode plate are respectively provided with nested protrusions and grooves to form radial restraint between the sealing gasket and the side of the electrode plate.
5. The electrolysis unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: A baffle is provided on the outer periphery of the sealing gasket, and the baffle is fixedly connected to the electrode plate to form a radial limit between the sealing gasket and the side of the electrode plate.
6. The electrolysis unit according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fixed connection is a bolted connection, welding, key-keyway connection, or pin-pin hole connection.
7. A high-voltage electrolytic cell, characterized in that: It is formed by stacking and pressing together multiple electrolysis units as described in any one of claims 1-5. The liquid inlet and its corresponding membrane opening are used for the electrolyte to enter and fill the electrolysis areas on both sides of the electrode plate. The two liquid outlet and their corresponding membrane openings are used to export the gas and liquid after electrolysis reaction on the cathode side and the anode side, respectively.