Anti-deflagration device of proton exchange membrane electrolytic cell

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of proton exchange membrane electrolyzers, and provides an anti-deflagration device of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer comprises a membrane electrode and runner plates, the runner plates are arranged on the two sides of the membrane electrode, sealing pieces are circumferentially arranged between the runner plates and the membrane electrode, the runner plates are provided with water inlets, and the water inlets are communicated with the runner plates. A plurality of rib plates extending along the water flow direction are arranged at the water inlet, the plurality of rib plates are arranged at intervals to form a plurality of water inlet channels, the anti-deflagration device comprises a rib bridge, and the rib bridge is arranged on the top walls of the plurality of rib plates and extends to two side walls of the water inlet along the direction forming a certain included angle with the extending direction of the rib plates. The arrangement of the rib bridge can prevent the water inlet channel from being blocked in the expansion or deformation process of the sealing element, and prevents the normal work of the proton exchange membrane electrolytic cell from being influenced by further rising of the operating temperature of the electrolytic cell caused by water shortage in the electrolytic cell due to blockage of the water inlet channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of proton exchange membrane electrolyzers, and in particular relates to an anti-explosion device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer. Background Art

[0002] At present, the safety of proton exchange membrane electrolyzers is crucial during their operation, especially in the process of electrolyzing water to generate hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen and oxygen are highly flammable. When the two are mixed within a certain concentration range, it is very easy to cause a deflagration accident, which will not only cause equipment damage, but also endanger the safety of operators. Therefore, ensuring the strict separation of hydrogen and oxygen and real-time monitoring of gas concentrations are key measures to prevent deflagration. Most of the existing explosion-proof technologies focus on monitoring hydrogen leakage and hydrogen concentration in oxygen. However, with further research on the gas behavior during the operation of proton exchange membrane electrolyzers, we found that relying solely on the monitoring of hydrogen concentration is far from enough under certain unexpected conditions. In addition to hydrogen and oxygen, a certain amount of ozone will be generated during the electrolysis process. Ozone, as a strong oxidant, is not only highly corrosive to equipment, but also increases the risk of deflagration when ozone decomposes or mixes with hydrogen. Deflagration releases a lot of heat and the local temperature rises.

[0003] Under the normal working pressure of the electrolyzer, the auto-ignition temperature of Ti in oxygen will be significantly reduced from 1200°C to 100°C. If the Ti bipolar plate of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer breaks under the stress of friction or scratching, the integrity of the oxide film will be damaged. In the high-pressure oxygen environment of the anode, the fresh titanium surface will react with oxygen and release heat. If the reaction rate is high enough and the heat release rate is faster than the conduction rate, the temperature of the reaction zone may exceed the melting point. At the same time, the accumulation of heat may damage the proton exchange membrane and cause perforation. Once a deflagration occurs, it is very likely to cause the flow channel structure and proton exchange membrane in the flow field to be broken down, thereby destroying the separation and transmission path of the gas, resulting in a large amount of mixing of hydrogen and oxygen, thereby forming a greater risk of deflagration and even causing the failure of the entire system. Deflagration will not only damage the proton exchange membrane, but also cause the shell of the electrolyzer to rupture, endangering the safety of equipment and operators.

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention designs an anti-explosion device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides an anti-explosion device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, aiming to solve the problem of deflagration caused by unexpected operating conditions in the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer and excessive ozone concentration.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: an explosion-proof device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer comprising a membrane electrode and a flow channel plate, the flow channel plate being arranged on both sides of the membrane electrode, the sealing member being circumferentially arranged between the flow channel plate and the membrane electrode, the flow channel plate being provided with a water inlet, the water inlet being provided with ribs extending along the direction of water flow, the number of the ribs being multiple, the multiple ribs being arranged at intervals to form multiple water inlet channels, the explosion-proof device comprising a rib bridge, the rib bridge being arranged on the top walls of the multiple ribs, and extending to the two side walls of the water inlet along a direction forming a certain angle with the extending direction of the ribs.

[0007] On the basis of the above technical solution, the flow channel plate is provided with a gas-liquid outlet, and a rib extending along the water flow direction is provided at the gas-liquid outlet. There are multiple ribs, and multiple ribs are arranged at intervals to form multiple water outlet channels. A rib bridge is provided on the top wall of the multiple ribs, and the rib bridge extends to the two side walls of the gas-liquid outlet in a direction perpendicular to the ribs.

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, the height range of the rib bridge is 0.5-1.0 mm.

[0009] Based on the above technical solution, there are multiple rib bridges, and the multiple rib bridges are arranged at intervals along the water flow direction.

[0010] On the basis of the above technical solution, the explosion-proof device further comprises an ozone detector and an ozone reducer, wherein the ozone detector and the ozone reducer are arranged at the gas-liquid outlet and are used to detect the ozone concentration and reduce the ozone.

[0011] On the basis of the above technical solution, the explosion-proof device also includes an alarm, which is connected to the ozone detector and is used to issue an alarm when the ozone concentration exceeds a preset value.

[0012] On the basis of the above technical solution, the explosion-proof device also includes a controller, which is connected to the alarm and the ozone reducer and is used to control the ozone reducer to reduce ozone according to the alarm reminder of the alarm.

[0013] On the basis of the above technical solution, the explosion-proof device also includes a single-chip voltage patroller for detecting the voltage condition of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

[0014] Based on the above technical solution, there are multiple proton exchange membrane electrolyzers, which are arranged in series in sequence. The single-chip voltage patroller includes multiple detection modules, and the multiple detection modules are arranged corresponding to the multiple proton exchange membrane electrolyzers.

[0015] Based on the above technical solution, the explosion-proof device also includes an online fluoride ion detector for detecting the fluoride ion content in the flow channel plate and at the gas-liquid outlet.

[0016] Compared with the related art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention can prevent the operating temperature of the proton electrolyzer from continuing to rise by arranging a rib bridge above the water inlet channel. On the one hand, when the operating temperature of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer is too high, the seal will expand due to heat. The arrangement of the rib bridge can prevent the water inlet channel from being blocked during the expansion of the seal, and prevent the water inlet channel from being blocked, resulting in water shortage in the electrolyzer and further increase in the operating temperature of the electrolyzer. On the other hand, the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer is often fixed as a whole by bolts. Excessive tightening pressure during the fixing process may cause deformation of the seal. The arrangement of the rib bridge can prevent the water inlet channel from being blocked during the deformation of the seal, and avoid affecting the normal operation of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer. In addition, avoiding the operating condition of water shortage can avoid the generation of ozone to a certain extent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the prior art descriptions are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only one embodiment of the present invention, and for ordinary technicians in this field, other implementation drawings can be derived from the provided drawings without creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an anti-explosion device of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer provided by the present invention; Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of another explosion-proof device of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer provided by the present invention; Figure 3 The present invention is a schematic structural diagram of another explosion-proof device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer provided by the present invention.

[0019] In the figure: 1. proton exchange membrane electrolyzer; 11. flow channel plate; 111. water inlet; 112. rib plate; 113. rib bridge; 114. water inlet channel; 2. single-chip voltage patroller; 3. ozone detector; 4. online fluoride ion detector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples: Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0021] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0022] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0023] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an explosion-proof device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, wherein the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 1 comprises a membrane electrode and a flow channel plate 11, wherein the flow channel plate 11 is arranged on both sides of the membrane electrode, wherein the seal is circumferentially arranged between the flow channel plate 11 and the membrane electrode, wherein the flow channel plate 11 is provided with a water inlet 111, wherein the water inlet 111 is provided with a rib 112 extending along the water flow direction, wherein the number of the ribs 112 is multiple, and the multiple ribs 112 are arranged at intervals to form multiple water inlet channels 114, wherein the explosion-proof device comprises a rib bridge 113, wherein the rib bridge 113 is arranged on the top wall of the multiple ribs 112, and extends to the two side walls of the water inlet 111 along a direction forming a certain angle with the extending direction of the ribs 112.

[0024] By adopting the explosion-proof device of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, a rib bridge 113 is arranged above the water inlet channel 114 to prevent the operating temperature of the proton electrolyzer from continuing to rise. On the one hand, when the operating temperature of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 1 is too high, the seal will expand due to heat. The arrangement of the rib bridge 113 can prevent the water inlet channel 114 from being blocked during the expansion of the seal, and prevent the water inlet channel 114 from being blocked, resulting in water shortage in the electrolyzer and further increase in the operating temperature of the electrolyzer. On the other hand, the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 1 is often fixed as a whole by bolts. Excessive tightening pressure during the fixing process may cause deformation of the seal. The arrangement of the rib bridge 113 can prevent the water inlet channel 114 from being blocked during the deformation of the seal, and avoid affecting the normal operation of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 1. In addition, avoiding the operating condition of water shortage can avoid the generation of ozone to a certain extent.

[0025] Specifically, the rib bridge 113 may be disposed obliquely relative to the extending direction of the rib plate 112 , or may be disposed perpendicularly relative to the extending direction of the rib plate 112 .

[0026] On the basis of the above technical solution, the flow channel plate 11 is provided with a gas-liquid outlet, and a rib 112 extending along the water flow direction is provided at the gas-liquid outlet. The number of the ribs 112 is multiple, and the multiple ribs 112 are arranged at intervals to form multiple water outlet channels. A rib bridge 113 is provided on the top wall of the multiple ribs 112, and the rib bridge 113 extends to the two side walls of the gas-liquid outlet in a direction perpendicular to the ribs 112.

[0027] By arranging a rib bridge 113 above the water outlet channel, the normal operation of the proton exchange membrane can be further ensured. On the one hand, when the operating temperature of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 1 is too high, the seal will expand due to heat. The arrangement of the rib bridge 113 can prevent the water outlet channel from being blocked during the expansion of the seal, and prevent the water in the flow channel plate 11 from being unable to flow out of the electrolyzer. On the other hand, the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 1 is often fixed as a whole by bolts. Excessive tightening pressure during the fixing process may cause deformation of the seal. The arrangement of the rib bridge 113 can prevent the water outlet channel from being blocked during the deformation of the seal, and avoid affecting the normal operation of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 1.

[0028] Based on the above technical solution, the height range of the rib bridge 113 is 0.5-1.0 mm.

[0029] When the height of the rib bridge 113 is too small, the rib bridge 113 cannot prevent the seal from blocking the water inlet and outlet channels, and may be deformed under the pressure of the seal. When the height of the rib bridge 113 is too high, the sealing effect of the seal may be affected. Therefore, setting the height of the rib bridge 113 within a suitable range can ensure the sealing effect of the seal while preventing the seal from blocking the water inlet or outlet channels when it expands or deforms.

[0030] Based on the above technical solution, there are multiple rib bridges 113, and the multiple rib bridges 113 are arranged at intervals along the water flow direction.

[0031] On the basis of the above technical solution, the explosion-proof device further comprises an ozone detector 3 and an ozone reducer. The ozone detector 3 and the ozone reducer are arranged at the gas-liquid outlet for detecting the ozone concentration and reducing the ozone.

[0032] The ozone detector 3 can monitor the generation and concentration of ozone in real time to avoid ozone accumulation leading to excessive concentration. The ozone reducer can reduce excessive ozone concentration to avoid the risk of increased deflagration caused by excessive ozone concentration.

[0033] On the basis of the above technical solution, the explosion-proof device also includes an alarm, which is connected to the ozone detector and is used to issue an alarm when the ozone concentration exceeds a preset value.

[0034] On the basis of the above technical solution, the explosion-proof device also includes a controller, which is connected to the alarm and the ozone reducer and is used to control the ozone reducer to reduce ozone according to the alarm reminder of the alarm.

[0035] The setting of the alarm can transmit a signal to the controller in time when the ozone detector 3 detects that the ozone concentration is too high, and the controller controls the ozone reducer to reduce the ozone in time.

[0036] Based on the above technical solution, combined with Figure 3 As shown, the explosion-proof device further includes a single-chip voltage patroller 2 for detecting the voltage condition of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 1 .

[0037] Based on the above technical solution, there are multiple proton exchange membrane electrolyzers 1, and the multiple proton exchange membrane electrolyzers 1 are arranged in series in sequence. The single-chip voltage patroller 2 includes multiple detection modules, and the multiple detection modules are arranged corresponding to the multiple proton exchange membrane electrolyzers 1.

[0038] Specifically, the multiple detection modules of the single-chip voltage patroller 2 can be connected in parallel or in series to monitor the voltage of multiple proton exchange membrane electrolyzers 1, and timely detect the voltage changes of each proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 1 during operation, so as to avoid the failure of a single electrolyzer and thus affect the normal operation of the entire electrolyzer system.

[0039] On the basis of the above technical solution, the explosion-proof device also includes an online fluorine ion detector 4 for detecting the fluorine ion content in the flow channel plate and at the gas-liquid outlet. The setting of the online fluorine ion detector 4 can monitor the fluorine ion content in the flow channel plate of the electrolyzer and in the water flow flowing out of the gas-liquid outlet in real time, so as to avoid excessive loss of fluorine ions, which may cause the proton exchange membrane to become thinner and cause perforation during the electrolysis process. When the online fluorine ion detector detects that the fluorine ion content in the water flow reaches a certain value, it indicates that the fluorine ion loss is too much, and a prompt signal is generated in time to prompt the staff to replace the membrane electrode.

[0040] The present invention is described above by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and any changes or modifications made based on the present invention belong to the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. An anti-explosion device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, characterized in that: The proton exchange membrane electrolyzer includes a membrane electrode, a flow channel plate and a seal, wherein the flow channel plate is arranged on both sides of the membrane electrode, and the seal is circumferentially arranged between the flow channel plate and the membrane electrode, the flow channel plate is provided with a water inlet, and the water inlet is provided with a rib extending along the water flow direction, and the number of the ribs is multiple, and the multiple ribs are arranged at intervals to form a multiple water inlet channels, and the explosion-proof device includes a rib bridge, which is arranged on the top walls of the multiple ribs and extends to the two side walls of the water inlet in a direction that forms a certain angle with the extension direction of the ribs.

2. The explosion-proof device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow channel plate is provided with a gas-liquid outlet, and a rib extending along the water flow direction is provided at the gas-liquid outlet. There are multiple ribs, and the multiple ribs are arranged at intervals to form multiple water outlet channels. A rib bridge is provided on the top wall of the multiple ribs, and the rib bridge extends to the two side walls of the gas-liquid outlet in a direction perpendicular to the ribs.

3. The explosion-proof device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height of the rib bridge is in the range of 0.5-1.0 mm.

4. The explosion-proof device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple rib bridges, and the multiple rib bridges are arranged at intervals along the water flow direction.

5. The explosion-proof device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anti-explosion device also includes an ozone detector and an ozone reducer, which are arranged at the gas-liquid outlet and are used to detect ozone concentration and reduce ozone.

6. The explosion-proof device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes an alarm, which is connected to the ozone detector and is used to give an alarm when the ozone concentration exceeds a preset value.

7. The explosion-proof device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer according to claim 6, characterized in that: The device also includes a controller, which is connected to the alarm and the ozone reducer and is used to control the ozone reducer to reduce ozone according to the alarm reminder of the alarm.

8. The explosion-proof device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: It also includes a single-chip voltage patrol device for detecting the voltage condition of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

9. The explosion-proof device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer according to claim 8, characterized in that: There are multiple proton exchange membrane electrolyzers, which are sequentially arranged in series. The single-chip voltage patroller includes multiple detection modules, which are arranged corresponding to the multiple proton exchange membrane electrolyzers.

10. The explosion-proof device for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: It also includes an online fluoride ion detector for detecting the fluoride ion content in the flow channel plate and at the gas-liquid outlet.

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