Electrode unit, electrolytic bath and electrolytic hydrogen production system

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an electrode unit, an electrolytic bath and an electrolytic hydrogen production system, the electrode unit comprises two electrode net assemblies, each electrode net assembly comprises two electrode nets, a supporting layer and a fixing piece, the supporting layer is arranged between the two electrode nets, and the fixing pieces fix the edges of the two electrode nets. The reaction active area of the electrode net assembly can be increased through the two electrode nets, so that the carrying capacity of a catalyst participating in hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution electrochemical reactions in a single electrolysis cell is increased, the current density of the electrolytic cell is further improved, and the hydrogen production capacity of the electrolytic cell under the same volume is improved. The two electrode nets are isolated through the supporting piece, the two electrode nets are prevented from making direct contact, enough space and channels are provided for electrolyte to flow between the two electrode nets, and it is guaranteed that the electrode liquid makes full contact with the surfaces of the two electrode nets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present disclosure belong to the technical field of electrolytic hydrogen production, and specifically relate to an electrode unit, an electrolytic cell, and an electrolytic hydrogen production system. Background Art

[0002] The electrode mesh in the electrolytic hydrogen production electrolyzer usually adopts a single-layer structure. The surface area of ​​the single-layer electrode mesh is relatively limited, which limits the catalyst loading of the electrode mesh, thereby limiting the reaction active area of ​​the electrode mesh, and further affecting the hydrogen production capacity of the electrolyzer. 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 an electrode unit, an electrolyzer, and an electrolysis hydrogen production system.

[0004] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electrode unit, which includes: two electrode mesh assemblies, each of which includes: two electrode meshes, a support layer and a fixing member, the support layer is arranged between the two electrode meshes, and the fixing member fixes the edges of the two electrode meshes.

[0005] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the electrode mesh assembly serves as a cathode, the surface of the electrode mesh is loaded with a first catalyst; when the electrode mesh assembly serves as an anode, the surface of the electrode mesh is loaded with a second catalyst.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the number of the fixing members is at least two, and at least two of the fixing members are evenly arranged along the circumference of the electrode mesh.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrode unit further includes: a diaphragm and two electrode plate panels, the diaphragm is arranged between the two electrode mesh assemblies, and a electrode plate panel is arranged on one side of each electrode mesh assembly facing away from each other.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a supporting component is provided on a side of the electrode panel facing the electrode mesh assembly.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, support components are provided on both sides of the electrode panel.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the support component is protruded from the surface of the electrode panel.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the supporting member is a corrugated plate.

[0012] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides an electrolytic cell, comprising an electrode unit according to any of the above embodiments.

[0013] A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a hydrogen production system by electrolysis, wherein the hydrogen production system by electrolysis comprises an electrolyzer according to any of the above embodiments.

[0014] The electrode unit, electrolyzer and electrolytic hydrogen production system of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrode unit includes two electrode mesh assemblies, each electrode mesh assembly includes two electrode meshes, that is, each electrode mesh assembly includes two electrode meshes, relative to one electrode mesh in the prior art, each electrode mesh assembly of the present embodiment includes two electrode meshes, and the two electrode meshes can increase the reactive area of ​​the electrode mesh assembly, thereby increasing the loading of the catalyst participating in the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution in a single electrolysis chamber, thereby increasing the current density of the electrolyzer, and improving the hydrogen production capacity of the electrolyzer under the same volume. The two electrode meshes are fixed by a fixing member to improve the connection firmness of the two electrode meshes. And a support member is provided between the two electrode meshes, and the two electrode meshes are isolated by the support member to prevent the two electrode meshes from direct contact, and provide sufficient space and channels for the electrolyte to flow between the two electrode meshes, so as to ensure that the electrode liquid is in full contact with the surfaces of the two electrode meshes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of an electrode unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings represent the following:

[0017] 10. Electrode unit; 1. Electrode mesh; 2. Support layer; 3. Fixing member; 4. Support component; 5. Plate panel; 6. Diaphragm; 7. Electrode mesh assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electrode unit 10, which includes: two electrode mesh assemblies 7, each electrode mesh assembly 7 includes: two electrode meshes 1, a support layer 2 and a fixing member 3, the support layer 2 is arranged between the two electrode meshes 1, and the fixing member 3 connects the edges of the two electrode meshes 1.

[0023] The electrode unit 10 of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes two electrode mesh assemblies 7, each electrode mesh assembly 7 includes two electrode meshes 1, that is, each electrode mesh assembly 7 includes two electrode meshes 1. Compared with one electrode mesh 1 in the prior art, each electrode mesh assembly 7 of the present embodiment includes two electrode meshes 1. The two electrode meshes 1 can increase the reactive area of ​​the electrode mesh assembly 7, thereby increasing the loading of the catalyst participating in the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution in a single electrolysis chamber, thereby increasing the current density of the electrolyzer, and improving the hydrogen production capacity of the electrolyzer under the same volume. The two electrode meshes 1 are fixed by a fixing member 3 to improve the connection firmness of the two electrode meshes 1. And a support is provided between the two electrode meshes 1, and the two electrode meshes 1 are isolated by the support to prevent the two electrode meshes 1 from direct contact, and provide sufficient space and channels for the electrolyte to flow between the two electrode meshes 1, so as to ensure that the electrode liquid is in full contact with the surfaces of the two electrode meshes 1.

[0024] Specifically, the electrode mesh 1 is a plane mesh structure, and the electrode mesh 1 is a nickel electrode mesh 1. The diameter of the nickel wire ranges from 150 microns to 300 microns, the thickness of the electrode mesh 1 ranges from 300 microns to 600 microns, the diameter of the electrode mesh 1 ranges from 1.4 meters to 2.0 meters, and the aperture of the electrode mesh 1 ranges from 40 meshes to 70 meshes.

[0025] The support layer 2 is a three-dimensional structure with certain mechanical elasticity, which forms a mesh corrugation in three dimensions. The support layer 2 is made of metal wires woven or stretched. The diameter of the support layer 2 ranges from 1.38 meters to 1.98 meters, and the thickness of the support layer 2 ranges from 0.8 meters to 1.6 meters.

[0026] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the electrode mesh assembly 7 is used as a cathode, the surface of the electrode mesh 1 is loaded with a first catalyst; specifically, the first catalyst may be a nickel-molybdenum catalyst, or the first catalyst may be a Raney nickel catalyst. When the electrode mesh assembly 7 is used as an anode, the surface of the electrode mesh 1 is loaded with a second catalyst. Specifically, the second catalyst may be a nickel-iron alloy catalyst.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the number of fixing members 3 is at least two, and at least two fixing members 3 are evenly arranged along the circumference of the electrode mesh 1 to ensure that the electrode mesh 1 is evenly stressed, and at the same time, the reliability of the connection between the two electrode meshes 1 is improved. In this embodiment, the number of fixing members 3 of each electrode mesh assembly 7 is two, and two fixing members 3 can ensure the reliability of the connection between the two electrode meshes 1. At the same time, the two electrode meshes 1 are concentric circle structures, and the two fixing members 3 are evenly arranged along the circumference of the electrode mesh 1, that is, the two fixing members 3 are symmetrically arranged about the center of the electrode mesh 1 to ensure that the electrode mesh 1 is evenly stressed. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, three, four, five, six or more fixing members 3 may also be provided, which are spaced and evenly arranged along the circumference of the electrode mesh 1. Specifically, the fixing member 3 is a clamp, and the clamp is closed after the external force is applied, thereby riveting the electrode meshes 1 on both sides of the support layer 2.

[0028] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrode unit 10 further includes: a diaphragm 6, which is disposed between two electrode mesh assemblies 7. The two electrode mesh assemblies 7 are separated by the diaphragm 6 to separate the cathode chamber and the anode chamber of the electrolytic cell. Specifically, the diaphragm 6 is an alkaline electrolysis hydrogen production diaphragm 6, and the material of the diaphragm 6 is a polyphenylene sulfide porous membrane.

[0029] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrode unit 10 further includes two electrode panels 5, and each electrode mesh assembly 7 is provided with an electrode panel 5 on one side away from each other, that is, each electrode mesh assembly 7 is provided with an electrode panel 5 on one side away from the diaphragm 6, that is, a group of electrode mesh assemblies 7 and an electrode panel 5 are respectively provided on both sides of the diaphragm 6, and the two groups of electrode mesh assemblies 7 are symmetrically arranged about the diaphragm 6, and the two electrode panels 5 are symmetrically arranged about the diaphragm 6. Specifically, the material of the electrode panel 5 is nickel.

[0030] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in an electrode unit 10, a support component 4 is provided on the side of the electrode panel 5 facing the electrode mesh assembly 7. The electrode mesh assembly 7 is supported by the support component 4, so that there is enough space between the electrode mesh assembly 7 and the electrode panel 5 for the electrolyte to flow through, ensuring that the electrolyte is in full contact with the catalyst on the surface of the electrode mesh assembly 7.

[0031] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, support components 4 are provided on both sides of the plate panel 5. In a plurality of continuous electrode units 10, one side of the plate panel 5 serves as the cathode of an electrode unit 10, and the other side of the plate panel 5 serves as the anode of an adjacent electrode unit 10, that is, in the continuous electrode unit 10, both sides of the middle plate panel 5 serve as parts of two electrode units 10, respectively. Therefore, support components 4 are provided on both sides of the plate panel 5 to ensure that there is enough space between the electrode mesh assemblies 7 on both sides of the plate panel 5 and the plate panel 5 for the electrolyte to flow through, so as to ensure that each electrode unit 10 fully reacts.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the support component 4 is convex from the surface of the electrode panel 5, and the convex structure prevents the surface of the electrode mesh assembly 7 from directly contacting the surface of the electrode panel 5. The convex shape extends in the direction of the electrode mesh assembly 7 so that there is sufficient space between the electrode mesh assembly 7 and the electrode panel 5 along the thickness direction of the electrode mesh assembly 7, thereby ensuring sufficient space for the electrode liquid to flow.

[0033] Specifically, the support component 4 can be a corrugated plate with a supporting function, and the surface material of the support component 4 is nickel. The support component 4 can also be a convex structure formed on the surface of the electrode panel 5.

[0034] In the processing steps of the electrode unit 10 of this embodiment, it is necessary to control the depth of the electrode plate frame, that is, the distance from the support component 4 to the diaphragm 6 is d, the initial thickness of the combined electrode mesh assembly 7 is h, and it is ensured that h is greater than d, and when the combined electrode mesh assembly 7 is squeezed by external force after the electrolysis chamber is assembled and the thickness becomes d, the internal elastic mesh 2 is still elastic, and the deformation is 50%-80% of the maximum deformation. In this way, the outer electrode mesh 1 inside the electrolysis chamber can be more closely attached to the diaphragm 6.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] The electrode mesh 1 is a nickel electrode mesh 1 with a catalyst loaded on the surface. The electrode mesh 1 is a flat mesh structure. The diameter of the nickel wire is 250 microns. The average thickness of the electrode mesh 1 is 500 microns. The diameter of the electrode mesh 1 is 1.6 meters and the aperture is 60 meshes.

[0037] The support layer 2 is a three-dimensional support layer 2 that extends in three dimensions and has mechanical elasticity. It has a mesh corrugated structure in three dimensions and is woven or stretched from metal wires. The plane diameter of the support layer 2 is 1.58 meters, and the thickness of the support layer 2 is 1 centimeter.

[0038] The fixing member 3 is a reinforcing clamp, which can rivet the electrode mesh 1 on both sides of the supporting layer 2 after applying external force to close it, and the reinforcing clamp fixes the multi-layer composite electrode mesh 1 with interlayer;

[0039] The surface material of the plate panel 5 is nickel. A support component 4 is provided on one side of the plate panel 5. The support component 4 is a corrugated plate with a supporting function, and its surface material is all nickel.

[0040] The diaphragm 6 is an alkaline electrolysis hydrogen production diaphragm 6, and its material is a polyphenylene sulfide porous membrane.

[0041] The processing and use method of the electrode unit 10 is as follows:

[0042] The surface of the electrode mesh 1 is loaded with a catalyst, the cathode uses a Raney nickel catalyst, the anode is a nickel-iron alloy catalyst, and after surface activation treatment and drying, two pieces of electrode mesh 1 are sandwiched between the support layer 2 so that the center points of each layer overlap in the vertical direction. The edges of each layer of electrode mesh 1 are welded to close and fix them, and completely wrap the elastic support layer 2. The edge fixing pieces 3 of the electrode mesh 1 on both sides of the support layer 2 increase the stability of the electrode unit 10 with the sandwich layer, and avoid cracking between the edge layers of the electrode unit 10, so as to form a combined electrode mesh assembly 7.

[0043] A support component 4 is placed on the surface of the electrode panel 5, the processed combined electrode mesh assembly 7 is laid flat on the surface of the support component 4, and the diaphragm 6 is covered on the side of the electrode mesh assembly 7 facing away from the electrode panel 5. On the other side of the diaphragm 6, the processed electrode mesh assembly 7, the support component 4 and the electrode panel 5 are placed in a mirror-symmetrical order, the centers of each layer are aligned, and after fastening, a basic electrolysis chamber can be formed.

[0044] During processing, the depth of the electrode plate frame is controlled, the distance from the side of the support component 4 close to the diaphragm 6 to the diaphragm 6 is 1.7 cm, the initial thickness of the combined electrode mesh assembly 7 is 2 cm, and when the combined electrode mesh assembly 7 is squeezed on both sides of the top and bottom after the electrolysis chamber is assembled, the thickness becomes 1.7 cm, and the internal support layer 2 is guaranteed to still have elasticity and the deformation is 80% of the maximum deformation. In this way, the outer electrode mesh 1 of the combined electrode mesh assembly 7 can be more closely attached to the diaphragm 6.

[0045] Example 2

[0046] The electrode mesh 1 is a nickel electrode mesh 1 with a catalyst loaded on the surface. The electrode mesh 1 is a flat mesh structure. The diameter of the nickel wire is 200 microns. The average thickness of the electrode mesh 1 is 400 microns. The diameter of the electrode mesh 1 is 1.8 meters and the aperture is 50 meshes.

[0047] The support layer 2 is a three-dimensional support layer 2 that extends in three directions and has mechanical elasticity. It has a mesh corrugated structure in three dimensions and is woven or stretched from metal wires. The plane diameter of the support layer 2 is 1.78 meters, and the thickness of the support layer 2 is 1.4 centimeters.

[0048] The fixing member 3 is a reinforcing clamp, which can rivet the electrode mesh 1 on both sides of the supporting layer 2 after applying external force to close it, and the reinforcing clamp fixes the multi-layer composite electrode mesh 1 with interlayer;

[0049] The surface material of the plate panel 5 is nickel. Support components 4 are arranged on both sides of the plate panel 5. The support components 4 are corrugated plates with supporting functions, and the surface material of the support components 4 is nickel.

[0050] The diaphragm 6 is an alkaline electrolysis hydrogen production diaphragm 6, and its material is a polyphenylene sulfide porous membrane.

[0051] The processing and use method of the electrode unit 10 is as follows:

[0052] The surface of the electrode mesh 1 is loaded with a catalyst, the cathode uses a nickel-molybdenum catalyst, the anode uses a nickel-iron alloy catalyst, and after surface activation treatment, it is dried. Two pieces of electrode mesh 1 are sandwiched between the support layer 2 so that the center points of each layer overlap in the vertical direction. The edges of each layer of electrode mesh 1 are welded to close and fix them, and completely wrap the elastic support layer 2. The edge fixing pieces 3 of the electrode mesh 1 on both sides of the support layer 2 increase the stability of the interlayered electrode unit 10 and avoid cracking between the edge layers of the electrode unit 10, forming a combined electrode mesh assembly 7.

[0053] The processed electrode mesh assembly 7 is laid flat on the surface of the electrode panel 5 with a nipple structure, and the diaphragm 6 is covered on the side of the electrode mesh assembly 7 away from the electrode panel 5. On the other side of the diaphragm 6, the processed electrode mesh assembly 7 and the electrode panel 5 with a nipple structure are placed in a mirror-symmetrical order, and the centers of each layer are aligned and fastened to form a basic electrolysis chamber.

[0054] During processing, the depth of the electrode plate frame is controlled, the distance from the side of the electrode panel 5 with a mastoid structure close to the diaphragm 6 to the diaphragm 6 is 1.7 cm, the initial thickness of the combined electrode mesh assembly 7 is 2 cm, and when the combined electrode mesh assembly 7 is squeezed on both sides of the top and bottom after the electrolysis chamber is assembled, and the thickness becomes 1.7 cm, it is ensured that the internal support layer 2 is still elastic and the deformation is 80% of the maximum deformation. In this way, the outer electrode mesh 1 of the combined electrode mesh assembly 7 can be more closely attached to the diaphragm 6.

[0055] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides an electrolytic cell, which includes an electrode unit 10 according to any of the above embodiments.

[0056] The electrolyzer of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes an electrode unit 10, and the electrode unit 10 includes two electrode mesh assemblies 7, each electrode mesh assembly 7 includes two electrode meshes 1, that is, each electrode mesh assembly 7 includes two electrode meshes 1. Relative to one electrode mesh 1 in the prior art, each electrode mesh assembly 7 of the present embodiment includes two electrode meshes 1. The two electrode meshes 1 can increase the reactive area of ​​the electrode mesh assembly 7, thereby increasing the loading of the catalyst participating in the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution in a single electrolysis chamber, thereby increasing the current density of the electrolyzer, and improving the hydrogen production capacity of the electrolyzer under the same volume. The two electrode meshes 1 are fixed by a fixing member 3 to improve the connection firmness of the two electrode meshes 1. And a support is provided between the two electrode meshes 1, and the two electrode meshes 1 are isolated by the support to prevent the two electrode meshes 1 from direct contact, and provide sufficient space and channels for the electrolyte to flow between the two electrode meshes 1, so as to ensure that the electrode liquid is in full contact with the surfaces of the two electrode meshes 1.

[0057] A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a hydrogen production system by electrolysis, wherein the hydrogen production system by electrolysis comprises an electrolyzer according to any of the above embodiments.

[0058] The electrolysis hydrogen production system of the embodiment of the present disclosure has the same technical effect as the electrolytic cell of the embodiment of the present disclosure, which will not be described in detail here.

[0059] 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. An electrode unit, characterized in that: The electrode unit comprises: two electrode mesh components, each of which comprises: two electrode meshes, a support layer and a fixing member, the support layer is arranged between the two electrode meshes, and the fixing member fixes the edges of the two electrode meshes.

2. The electrode unit according to claim 1, characterized in that When the electrode mesh assembly is used as a cathode, the surface of the electrode mesh is loaded with a first catalyst; when the electrode mesh assembly is used as an anode, the surface of the electrode mesh is loaded with a second catalyst.

3. The electrode unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The number of the fixing members is at least two, and at least two of the fixing members are evenly arranged along the circumference of the electrode mesh.

4. The electrode unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The electrode unit further comprises: a diaphragm and two electrode panels. The diaphragm is arranged between the two electrode mesh components. A electrode panel is arranged on one side of each electrode mesh component away from each other.

5. The electrode unit according to claim 4, characterized in that A supporting component is provided on one side of the electrode panel facing the electrode mesh assembly.

6. The electrode unit according to claim 4, characterized in that Support components are provided on both sides of the electrode panel.

7. The electrode unit according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The support component is convex from the surface of the electrode panel.

8. The electrode unit according to claim 7, characterized in that The supporting component is a corrugated plate.

9. An electrolytic cell, characterized in that: The electrolytic cell comprises the electrode unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A hydrogen production system by electrolysis, characterized in that: The hydrogen production system by electrolysis comprises the electrolyzer according to claim 9.

Images