Water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cooling capacity recovery function and operation method

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an electrolytic water hydrogen production system with a cooling capacity recovery function and an operation method, the system comprises an electrolytic bath, a gas-liquid separator and an air cooling cooler which are sequentially connected end to end through a pipeline, and further comprises an oxygen buffer tank and a vortex cooling pipe, the gas-liquid separator, the oxygen buffer tank, the vortex cooling pipe and the air-cooled cooler are sequentially connected through a pipeline, and the vortex cooling pipe is used for separating out cold airflow of oxygen and conveying the cold airflow to the air-cooled cooler as a cooling medium. According to the system disclosed by the embodiment of the invention, the oxygen separated by the gas-liquid separator is recycled, the recycled pressurized oxygen is subjected to decompression expansion and vortex action to generate cold airflow of the oxygen, and the electrolyte is cooled through the cold airflow of the oxygen, so that the energy utilization rate of the system for producing hydrogen by electrolyzing water is improved, meanwhile, the use amount of external circulating water is reduced, and the system is energy-saving and environment-friendly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present disclosure belong to the technical field of electrolytic hydrogen production, and specifically relate to a water electrolysis hydrogen production system with a cold recovery function and an operation method. Background Art

[0002] Alkaline water electrolysis is the preferred technology for large-scale water electrolysis hydrogen production projects. Hydrogen, as the main product, can be applied to multiple fields such as transportation, chemical industry, metallurgy, and power generation; while oxygen, as a by-product of hydrogen, is directly vented in most projects due to its low utilization value and limited use scenarios, resulting in a waste of resources and energy. Summary of the invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present disclosure aim to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and provide a water electrolysis hydrogen production system with a cold recovery function and an operation method.

[0004] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a water electrolysis hydrogen production system with a cold energy recovery function, the water electrolysis hydrogen production system with a cold energy recovery function includes an electrolytic cell, a gas-liquid separator and an air-cooled cooler connected end to end in sequence through pipelines, an oxygen buffer tank and a vortex cooling tube, and the gas-liquid separator, oxygen buffer tank, vortex cooling tube and the air-cooled cooler connected in sequence through pipelines, the vortex cooling tube is used to separate the cold air flow of oxygen and transport the cold air flow as a cooling medium to the air-cooled cooler.

[0005] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function further includes a pressure switch valve, and the pressure switch valve is arranged on the pipeline between the oxygen buffer tank and the vortex cooling tube.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present disclosure,

[0007] Opening the pressure switch valve according to the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank being greater than or equal to a preset pressure value;

[0008] According to the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank being lower than the preset pressure value, the pressure switch valve is closed.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the vortex cooling tube has an air inlet, a hot air flow inlet and a cold air flow inlet, the air inlet is used to connect to the oxygen outlet of the gas-liquid separator, the cold air flow inlet is connected to the cold end inlet of the air-cooled cooler, and the hot air flow inlet is connected to the atmosphere.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a hot end outlet of the air-cooled cooler is connected to the atmosphere.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function also includes an alkali liquid cooler, and the alkali liquid cooler is connected between the gas-liquid separator and the air-cooled cooler.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the water electrolysis hydrogen production system with a cold recovery function further includes a circulation pump, which is connected between the alkali liquid cooler and the air-cooled cooler.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrolyzer is an alkaline electrolyzer or a PEM electrolyzer.

[0014] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for operating a system as described in any of the above embodiments, comprising the following steps:

[0015] (1) operating the electrolytic cell to produce hydrogen and oxygen respectively, and circulating the electrolyte;

[0016] (2) the gas-liquid separator separates the oxygen in the gas-liquid mixture and transports it to the oxygen buffer tank;

[0017] (3) controlling the oxygen in the oxygen buffer tank to enter the vortex cooling tube, and the vortex cooling tube separates the cold air flow of the oxygen;

[0018] (4) The cold air flow is delivered to the air-cooled cooler to cool the electrolyte flowing through the air-cooled cooler.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present disclosure,

[0020] Connecting the oxygen buffer tank with the vortex cooling pipe according to the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank being greater than or equal to a preset pressure value;

[0021] According to the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank being lower than the preset pressure value, the oxygen buffer tank is isolated from the vortex cooling tube.

[0022] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a water electrolysis hydrogen production system and operation method with a cold recovery function. The system includes an electrolyzer, a gas-liquid separator and an air-cooled cooler. Specifically, the electrolyzer, the gas-liquid separator and the air-cooled cooler are connected end to end through pipelines to form an electrolyte circulation. The hydrogen, oxygen and electrolyte produced by electrolysis in the electrolyzer all enter the gas-liquid separator. The gas-liquid separator transports the electrolyte to the air-cooled cooler for cooling to reduce the temperature of the electrolyte. The cooled electrolyte is then transported to the electrolyzer, thereby forming an electrolyte circulation. The system also includes an oxygen buffer tank and a vortex cooling tube. Along the flow direction of oxygen, the gas-liquid separator, the oxygen buffer tank, the vortex cooling tube and the air-cooled cooler are connected in sequence through pipelines. Specifically, the oxygen separated by the gas-liquid separator enters the oxygen buffer tank through the pipeline and accumulates in the oxygen buffer tank. When the oxygen in the oxygen buffer tank accumulates to a certain pressure, the oxygen in the oxygen buffer tank enters the vortex cooling tube. The vortex cooling tube divides the oxygen into a hot air flow and a cold air flow. The cold air flow enters the air-cooled cooler through the pipeline and acts as a cooling medium to cool the electrolyte. The system of this embodiment recovers the oxygen separated by the gas-liquid separator, and generates a cold air flow of oxygen by decompression expansion and vortex action on the recovered pressurized oxygen. The electrolyte is cooled by the cold air flow of oxygen, thereby improving the energy utilization rate of the water electrolysis hydrogen production system. At the same time, the use of external circulating water is reduced, which is energy-saving and environmentally friendly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a water electrolysis hydrogen production system with a cold recovery function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings represent the following:

[0025] 10. Water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function;

[0026] 1. Electrolyzer; 2. Gas-liquid separator; 3. Alkali solution cooler; 4. Circulation pump; 5. Air-cooled cooler; 6. Oxygen buffer tank; 7. Pressure switch valve; 8. Vortex cooling tube. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided in order to enable a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0028] It should be understood that the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific example embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "one", "an" and "said" as used herein may also be meant to include plural forms. The terms "include", "comprise", "contain", and "have" are inclusive, and therefore specify the existence of stated features, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, parts, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not interpreted as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the specific order described or illustrated, unless the execution order is clearly indicated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0029] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used in the text to describe multiple elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms can only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Unless the context clearly indicates, terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply order or sequence when used in the text. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teaching of the example embodiments.

[0030] For ease of description, spatial relative terms may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to another element or feature as shown in the figure, such as "inside", "outside", "inner side", "outer side", "below", "below", "above", "above", etc. Such spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is turned over, then the elements described as "below other elements or features" or "below other elements or features" will subsequently be oriented as "above other elements or features" or "above other elements or features". Therefore, the example term "below..." can include both upper and lower orientations. The device can be oriented otherwise (rotated 90 degrees or in other directions) and the spatial relative descriptors used in the text are interpreted accordingly.

[0031] like Figure 1As shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a water electrolysis hydrogen production system 10 with a cold recovery function, including an electrolyzer 1, a gas-liquid separator 2 and an air-cooled cooler 5 connected end to end in sequence through pipelines, an oxygen buffer tank 6 and a vortex cooling tube 8, and a gas-liquid separator 2, an oxygen buffer tank 6, a vortex cooling tube 8 and an air-cooled cooler 5 connected in sequence through pipelines. The vortex cooling tube 8 is used to separate the cold air flow of oxygen and transport the cold air flow as a cooling medium to the air-cooled cooler 5.

[0032] The water electrolysis hydrogen production system 10 with a cold recovery function of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes an electrolyzer 1, a gas-liquid separator 2 and an air-cooled cooler 5. Specifically, the electrolyzer 1, the gas-liquid separator 2 and the air-cooled cooler 5 are connected end to end through pipelines to form an electrolyte circulation. The hydrogen, oxygen and electrolyte produced by electrolysis in the electrolyzer 1 all enter the gas-liquid separator 2. The gas-liquid separator 2 transports the electrolyte to the air-cooled cooler 5 for cooling to reduce the temperature of the electrolyte, and then transports the cooled electrolyte to the electrolyzer 1, thereby forming an electrolyte circulation. The system also includes an oxygen buffer tank 6 and a vortex cooling tube 8. Along the flow direction of oxygen, the gas-liquid separator 2, the oxygen buffer tank 6, the vortex cooling tube 8 and the air-cooled cooler 5 are connected in sequence through pipelines. Specifically, the oxygen separated by the gas-liquid separator 2 enters the oxygen buffer tank 6 through the pipeline and accumulates in the oxygen buffer tank 6. When the oxygen in the oxygen buffer tank 6 accumulates to a certain pressure, the oxygen in the oxygen buffer tank 6 enters the vortex cooling tube 8. The vortex cooling tube 8 divides the oxygen into a hot air flow and a cold air flow. The cold air flow enters the air-cooled cooler 5 through the pipeline and acts as a cooling medium to cool the electrolyte. The system of this embodiment recovers the oxygen separated by the gas-liquid separator 2, and generates a cold air flow of oxygen by decompression expansion and vortex action of the recovered pressurized oxygen, and cools the electrolyte by the cold air flow of oxygen, thereby improving the energy utilization rate of the water electrolysis hydrogen production system, and at the same time, reducing the use of external circulating water, saving energy and protecting the environment.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the water electrolysis hydrogen production system 10 with a cold recovery function also includes a pressure switching valve 7, which is arranged on the pipeline between the oxygen buffer tank 6 and the vortex cooling tube 8. The pressure switching valve 7 is used to achieve communication and isolation between the oxygen buffer tank 6 and the vortex cooling tube 8 to ensure that the transported oxygen in the oxygen buffer tank 6 has sufficient pressure, thereby ensuring that the vortex cooling tube 8 can separate the cold air flow and the hot air flow.

[0034] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank 6 is greater than or equal to the preset pressure value, it means that the pressure in the oxygen buffer tank 6 has reached the pressure at which the vortex cooling tube 8 can operate normally. At this time, the pressure switch valve 7 is opened to connect the oxygen buffer tank 6 with the vortex cooling tube 8 to transport the oxygen in the oxygen buffer tank 6 to the vortex cooling tube 8. When the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank 6 is less than the preset pressure value, it means that the pressure in the oxygen buffer tank 6 has not reached the pressure at which the vortex cooling tube 8 can operate normally. At this time, the pressure switch valve 7 is kept closed to isolate the oxygen buffer tank 6 from the vortex cooling tube 8, so that the oxygen in the oxygen buffer tank 6 continues to accumulate until the oxygen pressure in the oxygen buffer tank 6 is greater than or equal to the preset pressure value, and then the pressure switch valve 7 is opened.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the vortex cooling tube 8 has an air inlet, a hot air inlet, and a cold air inlet. The air inlet is used to connect to the oxygen outlet of the gas-liquid separator 2, the cold air inlet is connected to the cold end inlet of the air-cooled cooler 5, and the hot air inlet is connected to the atmosphere. Specifically, the oxygen separated by the gas-liquid separator 2 is discharged through the oxygen outlet, and is transported to the air inlet of the vortex cooling tube 8 through a pipeline, and enters the interior of the vortex cooling tube 8 through the air inlet. The vortex cooling tube 8 generates a vortex with the high-speed airflow to separate the cold airflow and the hot airflow. The cold airflow is discharged from the vortex cooling tube 8 through the cold air inlet, and is transported to the cold end inlet of the air-cooled cooler 5 through a pipeline. The cold airflow flows through the air-cooled cooler 5, and the cold airflow absorbs the heat of the electrolyte to cool the electrolyte. After absorbing the heat, the cold airflow is discharged through the hot end outlet of the air-cooled cooler. The hot airflow separated by the vortex cooling tube 8 is discharged from the vortex cooling tube 8 through the hot air inlet and enters the atmosphere.

[0036] Furthermore, the hot end outlet of the air-cooled cooler 5 is connected to the atmosphere, that is, after the cold air flow of oxygen absorbs the heat of the electrolyte, it is discharged into the atmosphere through the hot end outlet of the air-cooled cooler 5.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrolytic water hydrogen production system 10 with a cold recovery function also includes an alkali liquid cooler 3, which is connected between the gas-liquid separator 2 and the air-cooled cooler 5. After the gas-liquid separator 2 separates the electrolyte, the electrolyte enters the alkali liquid cooler 3, and the alkali liquid cooler 3 cools the electrolyte once. The electrolyte after the first cooling enters the air-cooled cooler 5, and the air-cooled cooler 5 cools the electrolyte after the first cooling for a second time, so that the electrolyte after the second cooling meets the temperature requirements of electrolysis. Through the dual cooling effect of the alkali liquid cooler 3 and the air-cooled cooler 5, it is ensured that the electrolyte can reduce the electrolysis temperature requirements, thereby ensuring the hydrogen production efficiency of the electrolytic water hydrogen production system.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the water electrolysis hydrogen production system 10 with a cold recovery function also includes a circulation pump 4, which is connected between the alkali solution cooler 3 and the air-cooled air cooler. The circulation pump 4 increases the flow rate of the alkali solution in the electrolyte circulation loop, thereby improving the electrolysis efficiency.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrolytic cell 1 is an alkaline electrolytic cell or a PEM electrolytic cell. Alkaline electrolytic cells or PEM electrolytic cells have high electrolysis efficiency and a wide range of applications.

[0040] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for operating a system as in any of the above embodiments, comprising the following steps:

[0041] (1) operating the electrolytic cell 1 to produce hydrogen and oxygen respectively, and circulating the electrolyte;

[0042] (2) The gas-liquid separator 2 separates the oxygen in the gas-liquid mixture and transports it to the oxygen buffer tank 6;

[0043] (3) controlling the oxygen in the oxygen buffer tank 6 to enter the vortex cooling tube 8, and the vortex cooling tube 8 separates the cold air flow of the oxygen;

[0044] (4) The cold air flow is delivered to the air-cooled cooler 5 to cool the electrolyte flowing through the air-cooled cooler 5 .

[0045] Specifically, the electrolyzer 1 is operated to produce hydrogen, oxygen and electrolyte. The gas-liquid separator 2 separates the gas-liquid mixture into hydrogen, oxygen and electrolyte. The electrolyte flows through the air-cooled cooler 5 and returns to the electrolyzer 1. The oxygen enters the oxygen buffer tank 6 and accumulates in the oxygen buffer tank 6. When the pressure in the oxygen buffer tank 6 reaches a preset pressure value, the oxygen buffer tank 6 is controlled to be connected with the vortex cooling tube 8 so that oxygen with a certain pressure enters the vortex cooling tube 8. The vortex cooling tube 8 generates a vortex with the high-speed airflow to separate the cold airflow and the hot airflow. The cold airflow enters the cold end inlet of the air-cooled cooler 5 and enters the air-cooled cooler 5. The cold airflow absorbs the heat of the electrolyte flowing through the air-cooled cooler 5 to cool the electrolyte. The cold airflow after absorbing the heat is discharged through the hot end outlet of the air-cooled cooler 5.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the oxygen buffer tank 6 is connected to the vortex cooling tube 8 according to the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank 6 being greater than or equal to the preset pressure value; and the oxygen buffer tank 6 is isolated from the vortex cooling tube 8 according to the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank 6 being less than the preset pressure value. Specifically, when the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank 6 is greater than or equal to the preset pressure value, it means that the pressure in the oxygen buffer tank 6 has reached the pressure that can make the vortex cooling tube 8 operate normally. At this time, the pressure switch valve 7 is opened to connect the oxygen buffer tank 6 with the vortex cooling tube 8 to transport the oxygen in the oxygen buffer tank 6 to the vortex cooling tube 8. When the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank 6 is less than the preset pressure value, it means that the pressure in the oxygen buffer tank 6 has not reached the pressure that can make the vortex cooling tube 8 operate normally. At this time, the pressure switch valve 7 is kept closed, the oxygen buffer tank 6 is isolated from the vortex cooling tube 8, and the oxygen in the oxygen buffer tank 6 continues to accumulate until the oxygen pressure in the oxygen buffer tank 6 is greater than or equal to the preset pressure value, and then the pressure switch valve 7 is opened.

[0047] The operating method of the water electrolysis hydrogen production system 10 with a cold energy recovery function of the embodiment of the present disclosure recovers the oxygen separated by the gas-liquid separator 2, and the recovered pressurized oxygen is subjected to decompression expansion and vortex action to generate a cold air flow of oxygen, and the electrolyte is cooled by the cold air flow of oxygen, thereby improving the energy utilization rate of the water electrolysis hydrogen production system and reducing the use of external circulating water, thereby saving energy and protecting the environment.

[0048] It is to be understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments used to illustrate the principles of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For those of ordinary skill in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and substance of the present disclosure, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function, characterized in that: The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function includes an electrolytic cell, a gas-liquid separator and an air-cooled cooler connected end to end in sequence through pipelines, an oxygen buffer tank and a vortex cooling tube, and the gas-liquid separator, oxygen buffer tank, vortex cooling tube and the air-cooled cooler connected in sequence through pipelines. The vortex cooling tube is used to separate the cold air flow of oxygen and transport the cold air flow as a cooling medium to the air-cooled cooler.

2. The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function also includes a pressure switch valve, which is arranged on the pipeline between the oxygen buffer tank and the vortex cooling tube.

3. The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function according to claim 2, characterized in that: Opening the pressure switch valve according to the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank being greater than or equal to a preset pressure value; According to the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank being lower than the preset pressure value, the pressure switch valve is closed.

4. The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vortex cooling pipe has an air inlet, a hot air outlet and a cold air outlet, the air inlet is used to connect with the oxygen outlet of the gas-liquid separator, the cold air outlet is connected with the cold end inlet of the air-cooled cooler, and the hot air outlet is connected with the atmosphere.

5. The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The hot end outlet of the air-cooled cooler is communicated with the atmosphere.

6. The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function also includes an alkali liquid cooler, which is connected between the gas-liquid separator and the air-cooled cooler.

7. The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function according to claim 6, characterized in that: The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function also includes a circulation pump, which is connected between the alkali liquid cooler and the air-cooled cooler.

8. The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with cold recovery function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrolyzer is an alkaline electrolyzer or a PEM electrolyzer.

9. A method for operating a system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The steps include: (1) operating the electrolytic cell to produce hydrogen and oxygen respectively, and circulating the electrolyte; (2) the gas-liquid separator separates the oxygen in the gas-liquid mixture and transports it to the oxygen buffer tank; (3) controlling the oxygen in the oxygen buffer tank to enter the vortex cooling tube, and the vortex cooling tube separates the cold air flow of the oxygen; (4) The cold air flow is delivered to the air-cooled cooler to cool the electrolyte flowing through the air-cooled cooler.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that Connecting the oxygen buffer tank with the vortex cooling pipe according to the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank being greater than or equal to a preset pressure value; According to the pressure of the oxygen buffer tank being lower than the preset pressure value, the oxygen buffer tank is isolated from the vortex cooling tube.

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