Pressure ring sealing structure of hydrogen production device

Abstract

The invention relates to a compression ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device. The compression ring sealing structure comprises a first polar plate, a second polar plate, a supporting plate, a sealing assembly and a gas diffusion layer, an annular groove is formed in the supporting plate, the sealing assembly comprises a sealing gasket, an ion exchange membrane and a sealing ring, a smooth second plane of the sealing ring is connected to the ion exchange membrane and the sealing gasket in a pressing mode, so that the sealing gasket elastically deforms in the annular groove and is connected with the supporting plate in a pressing mode, and isolation and sealing of the electrolysis cavity are achieved. The ion exchange membrane is pressed and fixed in the annular groove of the supporting plate through the sealing ring and the sealing gasket, so that the inactive area of the ion exchange membrane is reduced, the utilization rate of the ion exchange membrane is increased, the air tightness of an electrolysis cavity is enhanced, the ion exchange membrane cannot be easily damaged when the electrolysis bath is disassembled, and the service life of the electrolysis bath is prolonged. And the assembly and later maintenance of the electrolytic cell are facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of electrolytic hydrogen production, and more specifically to a compression ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device. Background Art

[0002] The electrolyzer consists of a tank body, an anode and a cathode, and most of them use a diaphragm to separate the anode chamber from the cathode chamber. During the hydrogen production process, water molecules undergo electrolysis in the electrolyzer and decompose into hydrogen ions and oxygen ions. Since the ion exchange membrane in the electrolyzer only allows protons (H+) to pass through and blocks the passage of hydroxide ions (OH-), the generated hydrogen ions will move to the cathode, while the oxygen ions will move to the anode, and eventually be reduced to hydrogen at the cathode and oxidized to oxygen at the anode.

[0003] In the electrolyzer, in order to prevent the mixing of the products of the cathode and anode and avoid possible harmful reactions, the cathode and anode chambers are basically separated by a diaphragm. The diaphragm needs to have a certain porosity to allow ions to pass through but not molecules or bubbles. The gas diffusion layer also has a certain porosity for water permeability and air permeability. The gas diffusion layer is directly pressed on the diaphragm. Because the strength of the gas diffusion layer is relatively low, it is easy to cause deformation, resulting in poor sealing of the electrolysis chamber. When pressurized, hydrogen will leak to the oxygen side, and the diaphragm is easily damaged during the later maintenance of the electrolyzer. The utilization rate of the diaphragm is not high, resulting in increased diaphragm costs. Summary of the invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that the utilization rate of the diaphragm is not high and the electrolysis chamber is not tightly sealed, resulting in gas leakage. In view of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, a compression ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device is provided.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is:

[0006] A pressure ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device is constructed, wherein the structure comprises a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, a support plate, a sealing assembly and a gas diffusion layer; an annular groove is provided in the support plate, a placement through hole penetrating the support plate is provided in the annular groove, and a radius of the placement through hole is smaller than a radius of an inner circle of the annular groove;

[0007] The sealing assembly comprises a sealing gasket, an ion exchange membrane and a sealing ring, wherein the ion exchange membrane is arranged between the sealing ring and the sealing gasket, and the sealing gasket, the ion exchange membrane and the sealing ring are sequentially stacked and placed in the annular groove;

[0008] The sealing ring comprises a first plane for allowing electrolyte to flow and a second plane for crimping the ion exchange membrane; the first plane is provided with a plurality of electrolyte flow channels that transversely penetrate the first plane, the electrolyte flow channels are arc-shaped and evenly distributed on the first plane;

[0009] The gas diffusion layer comprises an oxygen diffusion layer and a hydrogen diffusion layer, and the oxygen diffusion layer and the hydrogen diffusion layer are respectively arranged on both sides of the support plate;

[0010] The first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are respectively arranged on a side of the oxygen diffusion layer and the hydrogen diffusion layer away from the support plate.

[0011] Furthermore, a sealing groove is provided in the annular groove in a plane parallel to the support plate, and the sealing groove includes a first sealing groove and a second sealing groove, and the first sealing groove and the second sealing groove are arranged in the annular groove at intervals.

[0012] Furthermore, the sealing gasket includes a first sealing gasket and a second sealing gasket, and the first sealing gasket and the second sealing gasket are arranged in the annular groove at intervals.

[0013] Furthermore, the second plane is a smooth plane for pressing the sealing gasket to fix the ion exchange membrane.

[0014] Furthermore, the edge of the annular groove of the support plate, the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are respectively provided with two first through holes, and the first through holes are symmetrically arranged for the circulation of oxygen and water.

[0015] Furthermore, a first flow channel is provided between the first through hole and the annular groove, and a gap for electrolyte circulation is also provided at one end of the first flow channel abutting against the annular groove.

[0016] Furthermore, the first electrode plate, the second electrode plate and the support plate are respectively provided with second through holes on planes away from the annular groove, and the second through holes are used for the circulation of hydrogen.

[0017] Furthermore, a second flow channel for the circulation of hydrogen is provided between the second through hole of the support plate and the placement through hole.

[0018] Furthermore, the support plate, the sealing ring and the sealing gasket are integrally formed.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: a sealing ring and a sealing gasket are arranged between the oxygen diffusion layer and the hydrogen diffusion layer in the electrolytic cell to crimp and fix the ion exchange membrane in the annular groove of the support plate, thereby enhancing the air tightness of the electrolytic chamber, reducing the inactive area of ​​the ion exchange membrane, and improving the utilization rate of the ion exchange membrane. The ion exchange membrane will not be easily damaged when the electrolytic cell is disassembled, and it is more conducive to the assembly and later maintenance of the electrolytic cell. The support plate is provided with flow channels for water flow and air flow, and the flow channels for water flow and air flow constitute a guide channel, so that the support plate constitutes an integrated frame guide plate, which is more conducive to the assembly of the electrolytic cell. The support plate is also provided with an annular groove for placing a sealing component. The setting of the sealing component enhances the air tightness of the electrolytic cell and prevents the oxygen in the electrolytic chamber and the hydrogen in the electrolytic chamber from leaking each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is an exploded view of the overall structure of a compression ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 It is an exploded view of a sealing component of a pressure ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a right side view of a sealing ring of a pressure ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a front view of a sealing ring of a pressure ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a front view of a sealing gasket of a pressure ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 It is a main body diagram of a support plate of a pressure ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 It is a rear view of a support plate of a compression ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate of a compression ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 9 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the overall structure of a compression ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig.10 It is a front view of the overall structure of a compression ring sealing structure of a hydrogen production device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 AA section view.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals: first electrode plate 1, second electrode plate 2, support plate 3, annular groove 31, sealing groove 311, first sealing groove 3111, second sealing groove 3112, gap 312, placement through hole 32, sealing assembly 4, sealing gasket 41, first sealing gasket 411, second sealing gasket 412, ion exchange membrane 42, sealing ring 43, first plane 431, second plane 432, electrolyte flow channel 433, gas diffusion layer 5, oxygen diffusion layer 51, hydrogen diffusion layer 52, first through hole 6, first flow channel 61, second through hole 7, second flow channel 71. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0033] Please refer to the attached Figure 1-Figure 11 , comprising a first electrode plate 1, a second electrode plate 2, a support plate 3, a sealing assembly 4 and a gas diffusion layer 5; an annular groove 31 is provided in the support plate 3, a placement through hole 32 penetrating the support plate 3 is provided in the annular groove 31, and a radius of the placement through hole 32 is smaller than a radius of an inner circle of the annular groove 31;

[0034] The sealing assembly 4 includes a sealing gasket 41, an ion exchange membrane 42 and a sealing ring 43. The ion exchange membrane 42 is arranged between the sealing ring 43 and the sealing gasket 41. The sealing gasket 41, the ion exchange membrane 42 and the sealing ring 43 are stacked in sequence and placed in the annular groove 31.

[0035] The sealing ring 43 includes a first plane 431 for allowing electrolyte to flow and a second plane 432 for crimping the ion exchange membrane 42; the first plane 431 is provided with a plurality of electrolyte flow channels 433 that transversely penetrate the first plane 431, and the electrolyte flow channels 433 are semi-arc-shaped and evenly distributed on the first plane 431;

[0036] The gas diffusion layer 5 includes an oxygen diffusion layer 51 and a hydrogen diffusion layer 52, and the oxygen diffusion layer 51 and the hydrogen diffusion layer 52 are respectively arranged on both sides of the support plate 3;

[0037] The first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are respectively disposed on a side of the oxygen diffusion layer 51 and the hydrogen diffusion layer 52 away from the support plate 3 .

[0038] In this embodiment, the gas diffusion layer 5 includes an oxygen diffusion layer 51 and a hydrogen diffusion layer 52, and the oxygen diffusion layer 51 and the hydrogen diffusion layer 52 are respectively arranged on both sides of the support plate 3, and the oxygen diffusion layer 51 and the sealing ring 43 are located on the same side; an annular groove 31 is provided in the support plate 3, and the sealing assembly 4 includes a sealing gasket 41, an ion exchange membrane 42 and a sealing ring 43, and the sealing assembly 4 is arranged between the oxygen diffusion layer 51 and the support plate 3, and the sealing gasket 41, the ion exchange membrane 42 and the sealing ring 43 are sequentially placed in the annular groove 31; the sealing ring 43 includes a first plane 431 for allowing the electrolyte to circulate and a second plane 432 for crimping the ion exchange membrane 42, wherein the first plane 431 is provided with an electrolyte flow channel 433 that passes through the sealing ring, and the electrolyte flow channel 433 is semi-arc-shaped and evenly distributed on the first plane 431, and the second plane 432 is a smooth plane, which is used to crimp the ion exchange membrane 42 and the sealing gasket 41, and the ion exchange membrane 42 is crimped and fixed In the annular groove 31 of the support plate 3; the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are respectively arranged on the side of the oxygen diffusion layer 51 and the hydrogen diffusion layer 52 away from the support plate 3; during assembly, the side of the support plate 3 provided with the annular groove 31 is sequentially placed with a sealing gasket 41, an ion exchange membrane 42, a sealing ring 43, an oxygen diffusion layer 51 and the first electrode 1 from the inside to the outside, and the other side of the support plate 3 is sequentially placed with a hydrogen diffusion layer 52 and a second electrode plate 2 from the inside to the outside, and the first electrode 1, the oxygen diffusion layer 51, the sealing ring 43, the ion exchange membrane 42, the sealing gasket 41, the support plate 3, the hydrogen diffusion layer 52 and the second electrode plate 2 are stacked and fastened by tightening and fixing the external end plate with a screw to realize the stacking and fastening arrangement between the first electrode 1, the oxygen diffusion layer 51, the sealing ring 43, the ion exchange membrane 42, the sealing gasket 41, the support plate 3, the hydrogen diffusion layer 52 and the second electrode plate 2, wherein the smooth second plane 432 of the sealing ring 43 of the sealing assembly 4 is pressed against the ion exchange membrane 42 and the sealing gasket 41, so that the sealing gasket 41 is elastically deformed in the annular groove 31 provided on the support plate 3 and is pressed against the support plate 3 to realize the isolation and sealing of the electrolysis chamber. The ion exchange membrane 42 is crimped and fixed in the annular groove 31 of the support plate 3 by using a sealing ring 43 and a sealing gasket 41, thereby enhancing the air tightness of the electrolytic chamber, reducing the inactive area of ​​the ion exchange membrane 42, and improving the utilization rate of the ion exchange membrane 42. The ion exchange membrane 42 will not be easily damaged when the electrolytic cell is disassembled, and it is more conducive to the assembly and subsequent maintenance of the electrolytic cell, reducing the subsequent maintenance cost of the electrolytic cell.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 6 A sealing groove 311 is also provided in the annular groove 31 in parallel with the plane of the support plate 3. The sealing groove 311 includes a first sealing groove 3111 and a second sealing groove 3112. The first sealing groove 3111 and the second sealing groove 3112 are arranged in the annular groove at intervals.

[0040] In the specific implementation: a sealing groove 311 is provided in the annular groove 31 parallel to the plane of the support plate 3, and the sealing groove 311 includes a first sealing groove 3111 and a second sealing groove 3112, wherein the first sealing groove 3111 and the second sealing groove 3112 are arranged at intervals, and a sealing gasket 41 is placed in the first sealing groove 3111 and the second sealing groove 3112, and an ion exchange membrane 42 is placed between the sealing ring 43 and the sealing gasket 41, and the smooth second plane 432 of the sealing ring 43 is pressed on the ion exchange membrane 42 and the sealing gasket 41, so that the sealing gasket 41 is deformed in the sealing groove 311 to form a sealing area with the inner wall of the sealing groove 311, and the electrolytic chamber is isolated into two closed cavities. The sealing assembly 4 composed of the sealing gasket 41, the ion exchange membrane 42 and the sealing ring 43 is more conducive to the assembly of the electrolytic cell, and reduces the area of ​​the ion exchange membrane 42 used for sealing, improves the utilization rate of the ion exchange membrane 42, and reduces the cost of the ion exchange membrane 42.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The sealing gasket 41 includes a first sealing gasket 411 and a second sealing gasket 412 , and the first sealing gasket 411 and the second sealing gasket 412 are arranged in the annular groove 31 at intervals.

[0042] In specific implementation: the material of the sealing gasket 41 is non-metallic material, and can be made of rubber materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene and rubber that are resistant to chemical corrosion, high temperature resistance, low temperature resistance, non-stickiness and electrical insulation. The sealing gasket 41 is placed in the sealing groove 311. The sealing gasket 41 is deformed under the crimping of the sealing ring 43 and is squeezed against the inner wall of the sealing groove 311 to achieve isolation of the electrolysis chamber. The first sealing gasket 411 and the second sealing gasket 412 are arranged at intervals, which enhances the sealing of the electrolysis chamber, and the number of sealing gaskets 41 and the sealing groove 311 can be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 2-Figure 4 The second plane 432 is a smooth plane, which is used for pressing the sealing gasket 41 to fix the ion exchange membrane 42.

[0044] In specific implementation: the sealing ring 43 includes a first plane 431 for electrolyte circulation and a second plane 432 for crimping the ion exchange membrane 42. Among them, the first plane 431 is provided with a plurality of electrolyte flow channels 433 that transversely penetrate the first plane 431 of the sealing ring 43, and the electrolyte flow channels 433 are semi-arc-shaped and evenly distributed on the first plane 431, which is more conducive to the circulation of the electrolyte; the second plane 432 is a smooth plane, which is used to crimp the sealing pad 41 to fix the ion exchange membrane 42, so that the ion exchange membrane 42 will not be easily damaged during the later maintenance of the electrolytic cell, thereby improving the utilization rate of the ion exchange membrane 42 and reducing the maintenance cost of the electrolytic cell.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 8 The edge of the annular groove 31 of the support plate 3, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are also respectively provided with two first through holes 6, and the first through holes 6 are respectively symmetrically arranged for the circulation of oxygen and water.

[0046] In specific implementation: two first through holes 6 are provided at the edge of the annular groove 31 of the support plate 3, and the first through holes 6 are symmetrically arranged, and the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are also provided with first through holes 6, which correspond one to one with the first through holes 6 of the support plate 3. The first through holes 6 are mainly used for the circulation of oxygen and water.

[0047] Please refer to Figure 6 A first flow channel 61 is provided between the first through hole 6 and the annular groove 31 , and a gap 312 for electrolyte circulation is also provided at one end of the first flow channel 61 abutting against the annular groove 31 .

[0048] In specific implementation: a first flow channel 61 is provided between the first through hole 6 on the support plate 3 and the annular groove 31, and a gap 312 is provided at one end where the first flow channel 61 abuts against the annular groove 31, and the gaps 312 are symmetrically distributed, which is more conducive to the circulation of the electrolyte.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 7-Figure 8 The first electrode plate 1 , the second electrode plate 2 and the support plate 3 are respectively provided with second through holes 7 on planes away from the annular groove 31 , and the second through holes 7 are used for the circulation of hydrogen.

[0050] In specific implementation, the second through hole 7 is used for the circulation of hydrogen. The second through hole 7 is arranged on the plane of the support plate 3 away from the annular groove 31. The second through holes 7 of the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 correspond to the second through holes 7 on the support plate 3 one by one, which is convenient for the circulation of hydrogen.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 7 A second flow channel 71 for the circulation of hydrogen is provided between the second through hole 7 on the support plate 3 and the placement through hole 32 .

[0052] In the specific implementation: a second flow channel 71 is provided between the second through hole 7 on the support plate 3 and the placement through hole 32, and the second flow channel 71 is "U"-shaped. During assembly, one end of the "U"-shaped opening of the second flow channel 71 contacts the hydrogen diffusion layer 52 in the placement through hole 32, which is more conducive to the flow of hydrogen.

[0053] Please refer to Figure 3-Figure 7 The support plate 3, the sealing ring 43 and the sealing gasket 41 are integrally formed.

[0054] In specific implementation: an annular groove 31 is provided on the support plate 3 for placing the sealing component 4, so that the electrolysis chambers of the cathode and the anode are isolated and sealed from each other, so that hydrogen and oxygen will not leak from each other; the support plate 3 is also provided with a first flow channel 61 and a second flow channel 71 for water flow and air flow, and the first flow channel 61 and the second flow channel 71 constitute a guide channel, so that the support plate 3 constitutes an integrated frame guide plate to achieve the circulation of gas and liquid and the isolation and sealing effect of the electrolysis chamber; the support plate 3, the sealing ring 43 and the sealing gasket 41 are all integrally formed, and the support plate 3 and the sealing ring 43 are made of the same material.

[0055] It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "include", "comprises" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, device, article or method including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also includes other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, device, article or method. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "includes a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, device, article or method including the element.

[0056] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application, and does not limit the patent scope of the present application. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the present application specification and drawings, or directly or indirectly used in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A pressure ring sealing structure for a hydrogen production device, characterized in that: It comprises a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, a support plate, a sealing assembly and a gas diffusion layer; an annular groove is provided in the support plate, a placement through hole is provided in the annular groove and penetrates the support plate, and the radius of the placement through hole is smaller than the radius of the inner circle of the annular groove; The sealing assembly comprises a sealing gasket, an ion exchange membrane and a sealing ring, wherein the ion exchange membrane is arranged between the sealing ring and the sealing gasket, and the sealing gasket, the ion exchange membrane and the sealing ring are sequentially stacked and placed in the annular groove; The sealing ring comprises a first plane for allowing electrolyte to flow and a second plane for crimping the ion exchange membrane; the first plane is provided with a plurality of electrolyte flow channels that transversely penetrate the first plane, the electrolyte flow channels are arc-shaped and evenly distributed on the first plane; The gas diffusion layer comprises an oxygen diffusion layer and a hydrogen diffusion layer, and the oxygen diffusion layer and the hydrogen diffusion layer are respectively arranged on both sides of the support plate; The first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are respectively arranged on a side of the oxygen diffusion layer and the hydrogen diffusion layer away from the support plate.

2. The compression ring sealing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing groove is also provided in the annular groove parallel to the plane of the support plate. The sealing groove includes a first sealing groove and a second sealing groove. The first sealing groove and the second sealing groove are arranged in the annular groove at intervals.

3. The compression ring sealing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing gasket includes a first sealing gasket and a second sealing gasket, and the first sealing gasket and the second sealing gasket are arranged in the annular groove at intervals.

4. The compression ring sealing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second plane is a smooth plane and is used for pressing the sealing gasket to fix the ion exchange membrane.

5. The compression ring sealing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The edge of the annular groove, the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are also respectively provided with two first through holes, and the first through holes are respectively symmetrically arranged for the circulation of oxygen and water.

6. The compression ring sealing structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: A first flow channel is provided between the first through hole and the annular groove, and a gap for electrolyte circulation is also provided at one end of the first flow channel abutting against the annular groove.

7. The compression ring sealing structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The planes of the first electrode plate, the second electrode plate and the support plate away from the annular groove are respectively provided with second through holes, and the second through holes are used for the circulation of hydrogen.

8. The compression ring sealing structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: A second flow channel for the circulation of hydrogen is provided between the second through hole of the support plate and the placement through hole.

9. The compression ring sealing structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The support plate, the sealing ring and the sealing gasket are integrally formed.

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