A multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer and a method for regulating load thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a multi-section water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolytic tank and a method for adjusting the load of the same. The multi-section water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolytic tank comprises a left end plate (5) and a right end plate (9) located at two ends, and at least one middle anode plate (7) and at least one middle cathode plate (8) located between the two end plates. The middle anode plate (7) and the middle cathode plate (8) divide the electrolysis chamber into a plurality of electrolysis cell groups (24). The application controls the current and voltage flowing through the middle anode plate (7) to group control the load power and start-stop of the electrolysis cell groups (24), so as to realize the change of the load power of the multi-section water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolytic tank, and realize the hydrogen production of the remaining cell groups at the optimal load power in the case that the load power of part of the cell groups changes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water electrolysis for hydrogen production technology, specifically to a multi-stage water electrolysis electrolyzer and a method for adjusting its load. This invention is particularly applicable to water electrolysis electrolyzers powered by wind farms and photovoltaic power plants. When the power generation of a power plant is unstable, it effectively changes the load power of the water electrolysis electrolyzer to adapt to changes in the power plant's output, and maintains the electrolyzer at a high temperature and in a hot-start state, thereby shortening the restart response time after the small chamber unit is shut down. Background Technology

[0002] The production of green hydrogen through water electrolysis is of great significance for achieving dual-carbon goals and plays an important role in improving the resource utilization rate of wind and solar power plants and peak shaving of the power grid. However, the power generation of wind and solar power plants is unstable. When power generation decreases, the hydrogen production efficiency of water electrolysis electrolyzers is significantly affected, potentially leading to shutdowns and equipment damage. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a water electrolysis electrolyzer system with variable load power that can adapt to the unstable power generation of wind and solar power plants, addressing the problem of unstable production efficiency in electrolysis hydrogen production cells powered by wind and solar power plants.

[0003] Currently, common methods to address the problem of unstable production efficiency in water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzers caused by unstable power generation from wind farms and photovoltaic power plants include shutting down the electrolyzers in the system and adjusting the load of the power supply.

[0004] The method of shutting down the internal electrolyzers involves reducing the load power by shutting down the water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzers when the power generation decreases, and restarting the water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzers to restore the load power when the power generation recovers. The problems with this method are: 1. It reduces the number of electrolyzers in operation and their operating time, resulting in a significant impact on the equipment; 2. The start-up time of the electrolyzers at lower temperatures is much longer than at higher temperatures, and after the electrolyzers are shut down, their temperature drops, leading to a longer restart time.

[0005] The power supply-regulated load method utilizes the internal power supply of the electrolysis system to adjust the current intensity of the water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer to regulate the load power. The problem with this method is that while the electrolyzer has an optimal load power range for hydrogen production, traditional electrolyzers only have a single intermediate plate connected to the positive terminal of the power supply. This means that current regulation can only be applied to the entire electrolyzer, resulting in the entire electrolyzer not operating at its optimal load power during current adjustment. This method is detrimental to maintaining stable production efficiency and energy conversion rate of the water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer that can achieve hydrogen production without shutting down the electrolyzer in the hydrogen production system, with a short restart response time, and where a portion of the cell can be at the optimal load power for hydrogen production when the load power of the electrolyzer is adjusted.

[0007] To address the above problems, this invention is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a variable-load water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer that enables continuous operation of the electrolyzer within the hydrogen production system, features a short restart response time, and allows certain areas of the electrolyzer to operate at optimal load power during load power adjustment. This addresses the problem of unstable production efficiency in water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzers caused by unstable power generation from wind farms and photovoltaic power plants. In this multi-segment water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, each anode plate is connected to the positive terminal of an independent power source within the electrolysis system. By adjusting the current and voltage flowing through the anode plate, the power and on / off status of the adjacent left and right chamber groups are adjusted, thus achieving variations in the electrolyzer's power. All chamber groups share a single electrolyte circulation system, ensuring that all chamber groups maintain a consistently high temperature and hot-start state.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0010] The first aspect of the present invention provides a multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, which includes a left end plate 5 and a right end plate 9 located at both ends, and at least one middle anode plate 7 and at least one middle cathode plate 8 located between the two, wherein the middle anode plate 7 and the middle cathode plate 8 divide the electrolysis chamber into a plurality of electrolysis chamber groups 24.

[0011] Preferably, the left end plate 5 and the right end plate 9 are respectively welded with end power transmission plates 6, and the end power transmission plates 6 are connected to the negative terminal of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system;

[0012] Each of the intermediate cathode plates 8 is welded with an intermediate negative transmission plate 17, and the intermediate cathode plate 8 is connected to the negative terminal of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the intermediate negative transmission plate 17; each of the intermediate anode plates 7 is welded with an intermediate positive transmission plate 18, and the intermediate anode plate 7 is connected to the positive terminal of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the intermediate positive transmission plate 18.

[0013] Since each of the intermediate anode plates 7 is welded with a positive power transmission plate 18, the intermediate anode plate 7 is connected to the positive terminal of an independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the positive power transmission plate 18. By adjusting the current and voltage flowing through a certain intermediate anode plate 7, the load power and start / stop of the two electrolysis chamber groups 24 adjacent to that intermediate anode plate 7 can be adjusted, thereby realizing the change of the load power of the electrolysis cell.

[0014] Preferably, it further includes a left end pressure plate 4 and a right end pressure plate 10, wherein the left end pressure plate 4 is located on the side of the left end electrode plate 5 away from the electrolysis chamber, and the right end pressure plate 10 is located on the side of the right end electrode plate 9 away from the electrolysis chamber.

[0015] Preferably, it further includes a pull rod 1, a nut 2 and a disc spring assembly 3, wherein the left end pressure plate 4 and the right end pressure plate 10 are assembled and pressed together by the pull rod 1 to connect the left end electrode plate 5, the middle anode plate 7, the middle cathode plate 8, the right end electrode plate 9 and the plurality of electrolytic chamber assemblies 24.

[0016] Preferably, the pull rod 1 has a nut 2 and a disc spring assembly 3, and the disc spring assembly 3 is located between the nut 2 and the left end pressure plate 4, and between the nut 2 and the right end pressure plate 10, and the disc spring assembly 3 applies axial preload to the left end pressure plate 4 and the right end pressure plate 10.

[0017] Preferably, the multiple electrolysis chamber groups 24 share a common alkali circulation system including a hydrogen-side alkali outlet 19, an oxygen-side alkali outlet 20, an oxygen-side alkali inlet 21, and a hydrogen-side alkali inlet 22, so that the alkali in the multiple electrolysis chamber groups 24 is in a high-temperature and hot-start state. Therefore, even if some electrolysis chamber groups 24 are shut down, the overall alkali temperature will not decrease, thus shortening the restart response time.

[0018] Preferably, the small chamber flow channels 23 on the front and back sides of the middle anode plate 7 are opened on the oxygen-side alkali outlet 20 and the oxygen-side alkali inlet 21, providing channels for alkali to enter and exit the electrolysis chamber group 24.

[0019] Preferably, the flow channels 23 of the small chambers on the front and back sides of the intermediate cathode plate 8 are opened on the hydrogen-side alkaline solution outlet 19 and the hydrogen-side alkaline solution inlet 22, providing channels for alkaline solution to enter and exit the electrolysis chamber group 24.

[0020] The second aspect of the present invention provides a method for adjusting the load of a multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer as described in the first aspect of the present invention. Each of the intermediate anode plates 7 is welded with a positive transmission plate 18. The intermediate anode plates 7 are connected to the positive terminal of an independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the positive transmission plate 18. By adjusting the current and voltage flowing through a certain intermediate anode plate 7, the load power and start / stop of the two adjacent left and right electrolysis chamber groups 24 are adjusted, thereby realizing the change of the load power of the electrolyzer.

[0021] The specific adjustment method is as follows: When the power generation of the external power station supplying power to the electrolysis system decreases, the current and voltage flowing through each anode plate 7 are reduced respectively, so that the load power of the left and right small chamber groups adjacent to each anode plate 7 is reduced; the reduction of the current and voltage flowing through the corresponding anode plate 7 is independently controlled by the independent power supply in the electrolysis system, thereby independently controlling the reduction of the load power and start-up and shutdown of the left and right small chamber groups adjacent to each anode plate 7 to adapt to the reduction of the power generation of the external power station; when the power generation of the external power station supplying power to the electrolysis system returns to normal, the current and voltage flowing through the corresponding anode plate 7 are restored to normal by the independent power supply in the electrolysis system, thereby restoring the load power of the left and right small chamber groups adjacent to each anode plate 7 to normal.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. The present invention has multiple intermediate anode plates 7 and multiple intermediate cathode plates 8 between the left end electrode plate 5 and the right end electrode plate 9. The intermediate anode plates 7 and the intermediate cathode plates 8 divide the electrolysis chamber into multiple electrolysis chamber groups 24. By controlling the current and voltage flowing through the intermediate anode plates 7, the load power and start-up / shutdown of the electrolysis chamber groups 24 are controlled in groups, thereby realizing the variation of the load power of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, and ensuring that while the load power of some chamber groups changes, the remaining chamber groups produce hydrogen at the optimal load power.

[0024] 2. In this invention, multiple electrolysis chamber groups 24 share a common alkali circulation system consisting of a hydrogen-side alkali outlet 19, an oxygen-side alkali outlet 20, an oxygen-side alkali inlet 21, and a hydrogen-side alkali inlet 22. This keeps the alkali in the multiple electrolysis chamber groups 24 in a high-temperature and hot-start state. As a result, even if some electrolysis chamber groups 24 are shut down, the overall alkali temperature will not decrease, thus shortening the restart response time. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a front view of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a top view of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a left view of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a front view of the middle anode plate of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a rear view of the middle anode plate of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a front view of the middle cathode plate of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a rear view of the middle cathode plate of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention.

[0033] The labels in the diagram are as follows: 1. Pull rod, 2. Nut, 3. Disc spring assembly, 4. Left end pressure plate, 5. Left end electrode plate, 6. End transmission plate, 7. Middle anode plate, 8. Middle cathode plate, 9. Right end electrode plate, 10. Right end pressure plate, 11. Left first chamber group, 12. Right first chamber group, 13. Left second chamber group, 14. Right second chamber group, 15. Left third chamber group, 16. Right third chamber group, 17. Middle negative transmission plate, 18. Middle positive transmission plate, 19. Hydrogen side alkali outlet, 20. Oxygen side alkali outlet, 21. Oxygen side alkali inlet, 22. Hydrogen side alkali inlet, 23. Chamber flow channel, 24. Electrolysis chamber group. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the embodiments.

[0035] Those skilled in the art will understand that the following embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Where specific techniques or conditions are not specified in the embodiments, they are performed in accordance with the techniques or conditions described in the literature in the field or according to the product instructions. Materials or equipment whose manufacturers are not specified are all conventional products that can be obtained by purchase.

[0036] Those skilled in the art will understand that, unless specifically stated otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” used herein may also include the plural forms. It should be further understood that the term “comprising” as used in this specification means the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. It should be understood that when we say an element is “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or there may be an intermediate element. Furthermore, the term “connected” as used herein can include wireless connections.

[0037] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more. The terms "inner," "upper," "lower," etc., indicate the orientation or state relationship based on the orientation or state relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and 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 of the invention.

[0038] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "equipped with" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in general dictionaries should be understood to have the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the prior art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless defined as herein.

[0040] like Figures 1-4As shown, the present invention discloses a multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, the main structure of which includes a pull rod 1, a nut 2, a disc spring assembly 3, a left end pressure plate 4, a left end electrode plate 5, a left end power transmission plate 6, a middle anode plate 7, a middle cathode plate 8, a right end electrode plate 9, a right end pressure plate 10, a left first chamber assembly 11, a right first chamber assembly 12, a left second chamber assembly 13, a right second chamber assembly 14, a left third chamber assembly 15, a right third chamber assembly 16, a middle negative power transmission plate 17, and a middle... 18. Positive transmission plate, 19. Hydrogen-side alkaline solution outlet, 20. Oxygen-side alkaline solution outlet, 21. Oxygen-side alkaline solution inlet, 22. Hydrogen-side alkaline solution inlet, 23. Small chamber flow channel, 24. Electrolysis chamber group; 4. Left end pressure plate 4 and right end pressure plate 10 are connected by pull rod 1 to the left end electrode plate 5, left first chamber group 11, middle anode plate 7, right first chamber group 12, middle cathode plate 8, left second chamber group 13, middle anode plate 7, right second chamber group 14, middle cathode plate 8, left third chamber group 14. The chamber group 15, the middle anode plate 7, the right three small chamber group 16, and the right end pressure plate 10 are assembled and pressed together in series from left to right; several nuts 2 and disc spring groups 3 are provided at both ends of the pull rod 1, and axial preload is applied to the left end pressure plate 4 and the right end pressure plate 10 by the pull rod 1, nuts 2 and disc spring groups 3; the left end electrode plate 5 and the right end electrode plate 9 are respectively welded with end power transmission plates 6, and the end power transmission plates 6 are connected to the negative terminal of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system; the middle cathode plate 8 is welded with a middle negative power transmission plate 17, and each middle cathode plate 8 is connected to the negative terminal of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the middle negative power transmission plate 17; the middle anode plate 7 is welded with a middle positive power transmission plate 18, and each middle anode plate 7 is connected to the positive terminal of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the middle positive power transmission plate 18; by adjusting the current and voltage flowing through each middle anode plate 7, the load power and start / stop of the adjacent left and right small chamber groups are adjusted to realize the change of the load power of the electrolytic cell.

[0041] Among them, the left first small chamber group 11, the right first small chamber group 12, the left second small chamber group 13, the right second small chamber group 14, the left third small chamber group 15, and the right third small chamber group 16 all belong to the electrolytic small chamber group 24. When the number of anode plates 7 and cathode plates 8 continues to increase, there will also be left fourth small chamber group, right fourth small chamber group, left fifth small chamber group, right fifth small chamber group, etc.

[0042] like Figures 1-4As shown, in the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, a positive current transmission plate 18 is welded to the middle anode plate 7. Each middle anode plate 7 is connected to the positive terminal of an independent power supply within the electrolysis system via the positive current transmission plate 18. The current and voltage flowing through each middle anode plate 7 can be independently controlled by the independent power supply within the electrolysis system. When the power output of the external power station supplying power to the electrolysis system decreases, the current and voltage flowing through each middle anode plate 7 are reduced, thereby reducing the load power of the left and right small chamber groups adjacent to each middle anode plate 7. The independent power supply controls the reduction in current and voltage flowing through the corresponding middle anode plate 7, thereby independently controlling the reduction in load power and start-up / shutdown of the left and right small chamber groups adjacent to each middle anode plate 7 to adapt to the reduction in power generation of the external power station. When the power generation of the external power station supplying power to the electrolysis system returns to normal, the independent power supply in the electrolysis system controls the current and voltage flowing through the corresponding middle anode plate 7 to return to normal, thereby restoring the load power of the left and right small chamber groups adjacent to each middle anode plate 7 to normal.

[0043] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer is grouped by the central anode plate 7. By controlling the current and voltage flowing through the central anode plate 7, the load power and start / stop of the left first chamber group 11, right first chamber group 12, left second chamber group 13, right second chamber group 14, left third chamber group 15, and right third chamber group 16 are controlled in groups. This allows for changes in the load power of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, and ensures that while the load power of some chamber groups changes, the remaining chamber groups produce hydrogen at the optimal load power.

[0044] like Figures 3-4 As shown, in the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, the left first chamber group 11, right first chamber group 12, left second chamber group 13, right second chamber group 14, left third chamber group 15, and right third chamber group 16 share an alkali circulation system consisting of a hydrogen-side alkali outlet 19, an oxygen-side alkali outlet 20, an oxygen-side alkali inlet 21, and a hydrogen-side alkali inlet 22. This keeps the left first chamber group 11, right first chamber group 12, left second chamber group 13, right second chamber group 14, left third chamber group 15, and right third chamber group 16 in a high-temperature and hot-start state, thereby shortening the restart response time after the chamber group is shut down.

[0045] like Figures 5-6 As shown, in the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, the small chamber flow channels 23 on the front and back sides of the anode plate 7 are opened on the oxygen-side alkali outlet 20 and the oxygen-side alkali inlet 21, providing channels for alkali to enter and exit the electrolysis chamber group 24.

[0046] like Figures 7-8As shown, in the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, the small chamber flow channels 23 on the front and back of the central cathode plate 8 are opened on the hydrogen-side alkaline solution outlet 19 and the hydrogen-side alkaline solution inlet 22, providing channels for alkaline solution to enter and exit the electrolysis chamber group 24.

Claims

1. A multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen generation electrolyzer characterized by, It includes the left end plate (5) and the right end plate (9) at both ends, and at least one middle anode plate (7) and at least one middle cathode plate (8) between them, the middle anode plate (7) and the middle cathode plate (8) divide the electrolysis chamber into a plurality of electrolysis cell groups (24); each of the middle cathode plate (8) is welded with a middle negative power transmission plate (17), and the middle cathode plate (8) is connected to the negative pole of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the middle negative power transmission plate (17); each of the middle anode plate (7) is welded with a middle positive power transmission plate (18), and the middle anode plate (7) is connected to the positive pole of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the middle positive power transmission plate (18); It also includes a pull rod (1), a nut (2), a disc spring group (3), a left end pressing plate (4) and a right end pressing plate (10), the left end pressing plate (4) and the right end pressing plate (10) are assembled and pressed by the pull rod (1) to connect the left end plate (5), the middle anode plate (7), the middle cathode plate (8), the right end plate (9) and a plurality of electrolysis cell groups (24); the pull rod (1) has a nut (2) and a disc spring group (3), and the disc spring group (3) is located between the nut (2) and the left end pressing plate (4), and between the nut (2) and the right end pressing plate (10), and the disc spring group (3) applies an axial pre-tightening force to the left end pressing plate (4) and the right end pressing plate (10); a plurality of electrolysis cell groups (24) share a set of alkali liquor circulation system including hydrogen side alkali liquor outlet (19), oxygen side alkali liquor outlet (20), oxygen side alkali liquor inlet (21), hydrogen side alkali liquor inlet (22).

2. The multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen evolution electrolyzer of claim 1, wherein, The left end plate (5) and the right end plate (9) are respectively welded with an end power transmission plate (6), and the end power transmission plate (6) is connected to the negative pole of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system.

3. The multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen evolution electrolyzer of claim 1, wherein, The left end pressing plate (4) is located on the side of the left end plate (5) away from the electrolysis chamber, and the right end pressing plate (10) is located on the side of the right end plate (9) away from the electrolysis chamber.

4. The multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen generation electrolyzer of claim 1, wherein, The cell flow channel (23) on the front and back of the middle anode plate (7) is opened on the oxygen side alkali liquor outlet (20) and the oxygen side alkali liquor inlet (21), providing a passage for the alkali liquor to enter and exit the electrolysis cell group (24).

5. The multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen generation electrolyzer of claim 1, wherein, The cell flow channel (23) on the front and back of the middle cathode plate (8) is opened on the hydrogen side alkali liquor outlet (19) and the hydrogen side alkali liquor inlet (22), providing a passage for the alkali liquor to enter and exit the electrolysis cell group (24).

6. A method of load adjustment for a multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen generation electrolyzer according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, By adjusting the current and voltage flowing through a certain middle anode plate (7), the load power and start-stop of the left and right two electrolysis cell groups (24) adjacent to the middle anode plate (7) are adjusted, so that the change of the load power of the electrolytic cell is realized.

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