Water electrolysis hydrogen production device

Abstract

The present application discloses a device for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water, comprising an anode part, an electrolysis part and a cathode part, wherein the electrolysis part is used for generating an electrolysis reaction, and the anode part and the cathode part are respectively arranged on both sides of the electrolysis part; at least one of the anode part and the cathode part comprises a flow field layer, the flow field layer contacts the electrolysis part through a fluid diffusion layer, the flow field layer has a plurality of flow channels, the plurality of flow channels are arranged in an array, and the extension direction of the flow channels is at an angle to the vertical direction of the electrolysis part. In this scheme, the flow field layer provided with a plurality of inclined flow channels forms an independent three-dimensional water-gas channel, so that the reaction water has a three-dimensional ordered flow field in the device, which can ensure a small pressure drop under a large water flow rate, and can provide additional convection capacity on the surface of the electrolysis part, reduce the mass transfer impedance, accelerate the water-gas exchange at the reaction interface, and improve the hydrogen production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of hydrogen production by electrolysis of water, and in particular to a hydrogen production device by electrolysis of water. Background Art

[0002] At present, there are many types of flow channels in the design of the anode and cathode flow fields of the bipolar plates of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, such as parallel straight flow channels, zigzag flow channels, wavy flow channels, lattice flow channels, etc. The flow fields corresponding to these types of flow channels can achieve lower flow resistance and meet the requirements of water transmission under high current density. However, at more than 2A / cm 2 Under high current density, as the amount of gas at the reaction interface increases, these types of flow fields cannot fully and timely transfer the reaction water to the reaction interface, resulting in an increase in mass transfer impedance. They are not ideal flow field types, and the efficiency of hydrogen production by water electrolysis is low. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides a water electrolysis hydrogen production device to improve the efficiency of water electrolysis hydrogen production.

[0004] The present application provides a water electrolysis hydrogen production device, comprising an anode part, an electrolysis part and a cathode part, wherein the electrolysis part is used for electrolysis reaction, and the anode part and the cathode part are respectively arranged on both sides of the electrolysis part. At least one of the anode part and the cathode part comprises a flow field layer, wherein the flow field layer contacts the electrolysis part through a fluid diffusion layer, and the flow field layer has a plurality of flow channels, wherein the plurality of flow channels are arranged in an array, and the extension direction of the flow channels forms an angle with the vertical direction of the electrolysis part.

[0005] In a specific possible implementation manner, the angle between the extension direction of the flow channel and the vertical direction of the electrolysis part is α, wherein 10°≤α≤90°.

[0006] In a specific possible implementation, the flow field layer includes a plurality of arch structures, the axial direction of the arch structures forms an angle with the vertical direction of the electrolysis part. The plurality of arch structures are arranged in the length direction of the flow field layer to form a plurality of arch structure groups, and each of the arch structure groups includes a plurality of arch structures arranged in the width direction of the flow field layer; in the length direction of the flow field layer, the arch structures of adjacent arch structure groups are staggered.

[0007] In a specific possible implementation manner, the angle between the axial direction of the arched structure and the vertical direction of the electrolysis part is β, wherein 10°≤β≤90°.

[0008] In a specific embodiment, in two adjacent arch structures of one arch structure group, one end of one arch structure is connected to one end of another arch structure through a transition structure. In two adjacent arch structure groups in the length direction of the flow field layer, the middle part of the arch structure of one arch structure group is connected to the transition structure of another arch structure group.

[0009] In a specific possible implementation manner, in the width direction of the flow field layer, the arched structures of one arched structure group, the arched structures of another adjacent arched structure group, and the projection of the fluid diffusion layer form a triangle.

[0010] In a specific embodiment, the flow field layer has a plurality of first contact surfaces on the side facing the fluid diffusion layer, and the flow field layer contacts the fluid diffusion layer through the plurality of first contact surfaces. Each of the first contact surfaces is connected to an end surface where an outlet of the flow channel is located.

[0011] In a specific possible implementation scheme, the first contact surface includes a first arcuate edge and a second arcuate edge, the radius of the first arcuate edge is greater than the radius of the second arcuate edge, the axial direction of the first arcuate edge is parallel to the axial direction of the second arcuate edge, and the two ends of the first arcuate edge are connected to the two ends of the second arcuate edge respectively.

[0012] In a specific embodiment, at least one of the anode portion and the cathode portion comprises a support layer, the support layer has a plurality of through holes, and the plurality of through holes are arranged in an array. The flow field layer contacts the fluid diffusion layer through the support layer.

[0013] In a specific embodiment, the water electrolysis hydrogen production device further comprises a separator, the separator is arranged on the side of the anode portion facing away from the cathode portion, and / or the separator is arranged on the side of the cathode portion facing away from the anode portion. The separator is in contact with the side of the flow field layer facing away from the fluid diffusion layer.

[0014] In a specific embodiment, the flow field layer has a plurality of second contact surfaces on a side facing the partition, and the flow field layer contacts the partition through the plurality of second contact surfaces. Each of the second contact surfaces is connected to an end face where an inlet of the flow channel is located.

[0015] In a specific feasible implementation manner, the second contact surface includes a third arcuate edge and a fourth arcuate edge, the radius of the third arcuate edge is greater than the radius of the fourth arcuate edge, the axial direction of the third arcuate edge is parallel to the axial direction of the fourth arcuate edge, and the two ends of the third arcuate edge are respectively connected to the two ends of the fourth arcuate edge.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are:

[0017] The water electrolysis hydrogen production device provided in the present application is provided with a flow field layer with multiple inclined flow channels to form an independent three-dimensional water-gas channel, so that the reaction water has a three-dimensional ordered flow field in the device, which can ensure a small pressure drop under a large water flow rate, and can provide additional convection capacity on the surface of the electrolysis part, reduce mass transfer impedance, accelerate water-gas exchange at the reaction interface, and improve hydrogen production efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a water electrolysis hydrogen production device provided in the present application is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the flow field layer of the water electrolysis hydrogen production device provided in the present application is shown;

[0020] Figure 3 A partial structural schematic diagram of a water electrolysis hydrogen production device provided in the present application is shown;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the structure of the arched structure of the water electrolysis hydrogen production device provided in the present application is shown;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the water electrolysis hydrogen production device provided in the present application is shown;

[0023] Figure 6 An exploded view of the water electrolysis hydrogen production device provided in the present application is shown.

[0024] Reference numerals:

[0025] 1-anode part; 2-electrolysis part; 3-cathode part; 4-separator; 11-flow field layer; 12-fluid diffusion layer; 13-support layer; 111-flow channel; 112-arch structure; 113-first contact surface; 1131-first arcuate edge; 1132-second arcuate edge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the example implementation can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the implementations set forth herein. The same reference numerals in the figures represent the same or similar structures, and thus their repeated description will be omitted. The words expressing position and direction described in the embodiments of the present application are all described with reference to the accompanying drawings as examples, but changes may be made as needed, and the changes made are all included in the scope of protection of the present application. The drawings of the embodiments of the present application are only used to illustrate the relative position relationship and do not represent the true proportion.

[0027] The following description sets forth specific details to facilitate understanding of the present application, but the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in a variety of other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar generalizations without violating the connotation of the embodiments of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited to the specific implementation methods disclosed below.

[0028] First refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 The cross-sectional structure diagram of the water electrolysis hydrogen production device provided in the present application is shown. Figure 1 As shown, the electrolysis water hydrogen production device provided in the embodiment of the present application may include an anode part 1, an electrolysis part 2 and a cathode part 3. The electrolysis part 2 is used for electrolysis reaction. For example, the electrolysis part 2 may adopt a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). When the electrolysis reaction is carried out, the reaction water produces oxygen on the surface of the electrolysis part 2 facing the anode side, and produces hydrogen on the surface of the electrolysis part 2 facing the cathode side. The anode part 1 and the cathode part 3 are respectively arranged on both sides of the electrolysis part 2.

[0029] Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the structure of the flow field layer of the water electrolysis hydrogen production device provided in this application is shown. Figure 2 As shown, at least one of the anode part 1 and the cathode part 3 includes a flow field layer 11, that is, the anode part 1 includes the flow field layer 11, or the cathode part 3 includes the flow field layer 11, or the anode part 1 and the cathode part 3 respectively include the flow field layer 11. The flow field layer 11 can be in contact with the electrolysis part 2 through the fluid diffusion layer 12, and the flow field layer 11 can have a plurality of flow channels 111, and the plurality of flow channels 111 are arranged in an array, and the extension direction of the flow channel 111 is at an angle to the vertical direction of the electrolysis part 2. The extension direction of the flow channel 111 is actually the flow direction of the reaction water when it flows through the flow field layer 11, and the direction is at an angle to the vertical direction of the electrolysis part 2, that is, the direction is inclined to the vertical direction of the electrolysis part 2.

[0030] Reference Figure 2 The angle between the extension direction x of the flow channel 111 and the vertical direction y of the electrolysis part 2 is α, wherein 10°≤α≤90°. For example, α can be 10°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, etc.

[0031] The device for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water (hereinafter referred to as "this device") provided in the embodiment of the present application, in actual application, is provided with a flow field layer 11 having multiple inclined flow channels 111 to form an independent three-dimensional water-gas channel, so that the reaction water has a three-dimensional ordered flow field in the device, which can ensure a small pressure drop at a large water flow rate, and can provide additional convection capacity on the surface (reaction interface) of the electrolysis part 2, reduce the mass transfer impedance, accelerate the water-gas exchange at the reaction interface, and improve the hydrogen production efficiency.

[0032] In actual configuration, the shapes and sizes of the flow field layer 11, the fluid diffusion layer 12 and the electrolysis part 2 can be similar. The multiple flow channels 111 of the flow field layer 11 are arranged in an array. Specifically, the multiple flow channels 111 cover the entire flow field layer 11 along the length and width of the flow field layer 11, which can ensure the consistency of the reaction of the reaction water in each area of ​​the electrolysis part 2.

[0033] In a specific implementation, the fluid diffusion layer 12 is a porous structure. Specifically, the fluid diffusion layer 12 can be formed by sintering powder or fiber. While supporting the electrolysis part 2, it will not cause damage to the electrolysis part 2, and can allow the bubbles on the surface of the electrolysis part 2 to be smoothly removed in a smaller state (smaller bubbles).

[0034] As a possible implementation, the flow field layer 11 may include a plurality of arch structures 112, and the axial direction of the arch structure 112 forms an angle with the vertical direction of the electrolysis part 2. The arch structure 112 can be regarded as a sheet structure bent into an arc, and the axial direction of the arc is the axial direction of the arch structure 112. Figure 2 , the angle between the axial direction x of the arch structure 112 and the vertical direction y of the electrolysis part 2 is β, wherein 10°≤β≤90°. For example, β can be 10°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, etc. The arch structure 112 has a unique arc-shaped surface, and the reaction water flowing through the arch structure 112 can improve the convection capacity of the reaction water and the gas at the reaction interface, reduce the mass transfer impedance, and accelerate the water-gas exchange.

[0035] In a specific implementation, a plurality of arch structures 112 are arranged in the length direction of the flow field layer 11 to form a plurality of arch structure groups, and each arch structure group includes a plurality of arch structures 112 arranged in the width direction of the flow field layer 11; in the length direction of the flow field layer 11, the arch structures 112 of adjacent arch structure groups are staggered. In two adjacent arch structure groups, one arch structure 112 of one arch structure group and two adjacent arch structures 112 of another arch structure group together form a flow channel 111, and the extension direction of the flow channel 111 forms an angle with the vertical direction of the electrolysis part 2.

[0036] In a specific implementation, in two adjacent arch structures 112 in one arch structure group, one end of one arch structure 112 is connected to one end of another arch structure 112 through a transition structure. In two adjacent arch structure groups in the length direction of the flow field layer 11, the middle part of the arch structure 112 in one arch structure group is connected to the transition structure of another arch structure group, so that the three arch structures 112 together constitute a flow channel 111. In actual processing, each arch structure 112 can be formed by shearing and stretching on a plate, or in other words, a plurality of arch structures 112 can be formed by shearing and stretching on a plate.

[0037] Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the partial structure of the water electrolysis hydrogen production device provided in the present application is shown. Figure 3 As shown, in the width direction of the flow field layer 11, the arched structure 112 of one arched structure group, the arched structure 112 of another adjacent arched structure group and the projection of the fluid diffusion layer 12 form a triangle A, so that there are multiple triangular spaces between the flow field layer 11 and the fluid diffusion layer 12. The reaction water can reduce the reaction heat while undergoing the electrolysis reaction, that is, the reaction water can play a role in convective heat transfer; the reaction water flows through the multiple triangular spaces between the flow field layer 11 and the fluid diffusion layer 12, and the advection (laminar flow) becomes turbulent flow, which can achieve a more significant heat transfer effect.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the side of the flow field layer 11 facing the fluid diffusion layer 12 may have a plurality of first contact surfaces 113, and the flow field layer 11 contacts the fluid diffusion layer 12 through the plurality of first contact surfaces 113, and each first contact surface 113 is connected to the end surface where the outlet of a flow channel 111 is located. Specifically, the first contact surface 113 may be located in the middle part of the arch structure 112. The provision of the first contact surface 113 makes the contact surface between the flow field layer 11 and the fluid diffusion layer 12 a plane, and the contact between the flow field layer 11 and the fluid diffusion layer 12 is more stable, and both are not easily damaged.

[0039] Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the structure of the arched structure of the water electrolysis hydrogen production device provided in the present application is shown. Figure 4 As shown, in a specific implementation, the first contact surface 113 may include a first arcuate edge 1131 and a second arcuate edge 1132, the radius of the first arcuate edge 1131 is greater than the radius of the second arcuate edge 1132, the axial direction a of the first arcuate edge 1131 and the axial direction b of the second arcuate edge 1132 are parallel, and the two ends of the first arcuate edge 1131 and the two ends of the second arcuate edge 1132 are respectively connected, thereby forming a first contact surface 113 similar to a half-moon shape.

[0040] In a possible embodiment, at least one of the anode portion 1 and the cathode portion 3 includes a support layer 13, and the support layer 13 has a plurality of through holes, and the plurality of through holes are arranged in an array, and the support layer 13 may have a relatively large opening density. The support layer 13 may support the fluid diffusion layer 12, and prevent the fluid diffusion layer 12 from being broken when the fluid diffusion layer 12 is subjected to force during press-fitting; and the support layer 13 is provided with a plurality of through holes, which does not hinder water-gas exchange, and may also buffer the high-flow reaction water, and reduce the scouring of the reaction water on the fluid diffusion layer 12.

[0041] During specific implementation, the flow field layer 11 contacts the fluid diffusion layer 12 through the support layer 13. In the vertical direction of the electrolysis unit 2, the flow field layer 11, the support layer 13, the fluid diffusion layer 12 and the electrolysis unit 2 are stacked in sequence, and the two sides of the support layer 13 are in contact with the flow field layer 11 and the fluid diffusion layer 12 respectively, and the side of the fluid diffusion layer 12 away from the support layer 13 is in contact with the electrolysis unit 2. The flow field layer 11, the support layer 13 and the fluid diffusion layer 12 are all conductive. Exemplarily, the flow field layer 11, the support layer 13 and the fluid diffusion layer 12 can be made of metal materials such as titanium. The first contact surface 113 of the flow field layer 11 is both a support contact surface and a conductive contact surface. Adjacent layers can be assembled in one piece by a combined process of sintering and welding.

[0042] Figure 5 The three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the water electrolysis hydrogen production device provided in the present application is shown. Figure 6 The exploded diagram of the water electrolysis hydrogen production device provided in the present application is shown. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in a possible embodiment, the device may further include a separator 4, and the separator 4 is provided on the side of the anode part 1 facing away from the cathode part 3, and / or, the separator 4 is provided on the side of the cathode part 3 facing away from the anode part 1. The anode part 1, the electrolysis part 2 and the cathode part 3 constitute an electrolysis unit. For an electrolysis unit, the separator 4 may be provided on one side, or on both sides. Specifically, the separator 4 contacts the side of the flow field layer 11 facing away from the fluid diffusion layer 12.

[0043] In practical applications, the separator 4 can be a plate-like structure made of metal. When the device includes multiple electrolytic units, the multiple electrolytic units can be connected in series through the separator 4. Specifically, the separator 4 is arranged between two adjacent electrolytic units, that is, the two sides of the separator 4 are respectively the anode part 1 of one electrolytic unit and the cathode part 3 of another electrolytic unit. The separator 4 can be provided with holes at both ends in the length direction for fluid (including reaction water and gas) to pass through. In addition, the separator 4 can play a supporting role, including supporting flow field layer 11, supporting layer 13, fluid diffusion layer 12 and electrolytic unit 2.

[0044] In a specific implementation, the side of the flow field layer 11 facing the partition 4 may have a plurality of second contact surfaces, and the flow field layer 11 contacts the partition 4 through the plurality of second contact surfaces, and each second contact surface is connected to the end surface where the entrance of a flow channel 111 is located. Specifically, the second contact surface may be located on the transition structure. The arrangement of the second contact surface makes the contact surface between the flow field layer 11 and the partition 4 a plane, and the contact between the flow field layer 11 and the partition 4 is more stable, and both are not easily damaged.

[0045] In a specific implementation, similar to the first contact surface 113, the second contact surface may include a third arcuate edge and a fourth arcuate edge, the radius of the third arcuate edge is greater than the radius of the fourth arcuate edge, the axial direction of the third arcuate edge is parallel to the axial direction of the fourth arcuate edge, and the two ends of the third arcuate edge are respectively connected to the two ends of the fourth arcuate edge, thereby forming a second contact surface similar to a half-moon shape.

[0046] The above are only specific implementation methods of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited to the above embodiments. Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope and spirit of the present application. If these changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies, the intention of the present application also includes these changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A hydrogen production device by electrolysis of water, characterized in that: It comprises an anode part, an electrolysis part and a cathode part, wherein the electrolysis part is used for electrolysis reaction, and the anode part and the cathode part are respectively arranged on both sides of the electrolysis part; At least one of the anode part and the cathode part comprises a flow field layer, the flow field layer contacts the electrolysis part through a fluid diffusion layer, the flow field layer has a plurality of flow channels, the plurality of flow channels are arranged in an array, and the extension direction of the flow channels forms an angle with the vertical direction of the electrolysis part; The flow field layer includes a plurality of arch structures, and the axial direction of the arch structure forms an angle with the vertical direction of the electrolysis part; the plurality of arch structures are arranged in the length direction of the flow field layer to form a plurality of arch structure groups, and each of the arch structure groups includes a plurality of arch structures arranged in the width direction of the flow field layer; in the length direction of the flow field layer, the arch structures of adjacent arch structure groups are staggered; in two adjacent arch structure groups, one arch structure of one arch structure group and two adjacent arch structures of the other arch structure group together constitute a flow channel.

2. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The included angle between the extending direction of the flow channel and the vertical direction of the electrolysis part is α, wherein 10°≤α≤90°.

3. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The angle between the axial direction of the arch structure and the vertical direction of the electrolysis part is β, wherein 10°≤β≤90°.

4. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In two adjacent arch structures of one arch structure group, one end of one arch structure is connected to one end of another arch structure through a transition structure; In two adjacent arch structure groups in the length direction of the flow field layer, the middle portion of the arch structure of one arch structure group is connected to the transition structure of the other arch structure group.

5. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that: In the width direction of the flow field layer, the arched structures of one arched structure group, the arched structures of another adjacent arched structure group and the projection of the fluid diffusion layer form a triangle.

6. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow field layer has a plurality of first contact surfaces on a side facing the fluid diffusion layer, and the flow field layer contacts the fluid diffusion layer through the plurality of first contact surfaces; Each of the first contact surfaces is connected to an end surface where an outlet of the flow channel is located.

7. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first contact surface includes a first arcuate edge and a second arcuate edge, the radius of the first arcuate edge is greater than the radius of the second arcuate edge, the axial direction of the first arcuate edge is parallel to the axial direction of the second arcuate edge, and the two ends of the first arcuate edge are connected to the two ends of the second arcuate edge respectively.

8. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one of the anode portion and the cathode portion comprises a support layer, the support layer has a plurality of through holes, and the plurality of through holes are arranged in an array; The flow field layer contacts the fluid diffusion layer through the support layer.

9. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a separator, wherein the separator is disposed on a side of the anode portion facing away from the cathode portion, and / or the separator is disposed on a side of the cathode portion facing away from the anode portion; The partition is in contact with a side of the flow field layer facing away from the fluid diffusion layer.

10. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The flow field layer has a plurality of second contact surfaces on one side facing the partition, and the flow field layer contacts the partition through the plurality of second contact surfaces; Each of the second contact surfaces is connected to an end surface where an inlet of the flow channel is located.

11. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The second contact surface includes a third arcuate edge and a fourth arcuate edge, the radius of the third arcuate edge is greater than the radius of the fourth arcuate edge, the axial direction of the third arcuate edge is parallel to the axial direction of the fourth arcuate edge, and the two ends of the third arcuate edge are respectively connected to the two ends of the fourth arcuate edge.

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