Water electrolysis hydrogen production device

Abstract

The invention provides a device for producing hydrogen by electrolyzing water, which comprises an alkaline electrolytic bath provided with a first electrolytic cavity, a first hydrogen outlet and a first oxygen outlet, and the first hydrogen outlet and the first oxygen outlet are respectively communicated with the first electrolytic cavity; the PEM electrolytic tank is provided with a second electrolytic cavity, a second hydrogen outlet and a second oxygen outlet, and the second hydrogen outlet and the second oxygen outlet communicate with the second electrolytic cavity; the separation assembly is provided with a hydrogen separation inlet and a hydrogen separation outlet which are communicated with each other, and an oxygen separation inlet and an oxygen separation outlet which are communicated with each other, the first hydrogen outlet and the second hydrogen outlet are respectively communicated with the hydrogen separation inlet, and the first oxygen outlet and the second oxygen outlet are respectively communicated with the oxygen separation inlet. According to the technical scheme provided by the invention, the problem that an alkaline electrolysis system and a PEM electrolysis system are mutually independent in the prior art can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Hydrogen energy is a green, low-carbon and widely used secondary energy source. It can be widely used in various energy fields to achieve low carbonization in industries, construction, transportation and other fields. Hydrogen production by water electrolysis is currently the most environmentally friendly hydrogen production technology route. The current technical paths mainly include alkaline electrolyzers, PEM electrolyzers, solid oxide electrolyzers, anion exchange membrane electrolyzers and other water electrolysis hydrogen production technology forms.

[0003] Among them, the alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production technology uses alkaline solution as electrolyte, porous membrane as diaphragm, and operating temperature of 80℃~90℃, which is suitable for stable operation. When operating under new energy fluctuating load conditions, it will cause the purity of hydrogen and oxygen gas to be substandard, causing the control system to jump. PEM water electrolysis uses pure water as electrolyte, non-porous membrane as diaphragm, and operating temperature of 50℃~80℃. It can operate under new energy fluctuating load, and the load fluctuation range can reach 5%~150%, but its price is expensive, about 3~5 times that of alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production system.

[0004] In order to solve the problem of absorbing new energy electricity, the current industry practice is generally to configure two electrolysis systems at the same time when producing hydrogen on a new energy scale. However, currently these two electrolysis systems are separately and independently configured, and have poor operational flexibility. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides a water electrolysis hydrogen production device to solve the problem that an alkaline electrolysis system and a PEM electrolysis system are independent of each other in the related art.

[0006] The invention provides a device for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water. The device comprises: an alkaline electrolyzer, comprising a first electrolysis chamber, a first hydrogen outlet and a first oxygen outlet, wherein the first hydrogen outlet and the first oxygen outlet are respectively connected to the first electrolysis chamber; a PEM electrolyzer, comprising a second electrolysis chamber, a second hydrogen outlet and a second oxygen outlet, wherein the second hydrogen outlet and the second oxygen outlet are respectively connected to the second electrolysis chamber; and a separation component, comprising a hydrogen separation inlet and a hydrogen separation outlet connected to each other, and an oxygen separation inlet and an oxygen separation outlet connected to each other, wherein the first hydrogen outlet and the second hydrogen outlet are respectively connected to the hydrogen separation inlet, and the first oxygen outlet and the second oxygen outlet are respectively connected to the oxygen separation inlet.

[0007] Further, the separation component includes a hydrogen separator and a hydrogen scrubber that are connected to each other, the hydrogen scrubber is located downstream of the hydrogen separator, the hydrogen separation inlet includes a first separation inlet arranged in the hydrogen separator and a first washing inlet arranged in the hydrogen scrubber, the first hydrogen outlet is connected to the first separation inlet, the second hydrogen outlet is connected to the first washing inlet, and the hydrogen separation outlet is arranged in the hydrogen scrubber; the separation component includes an oxygen separator and an oxygen scrubber that are connected to each other, the oxygen scrubber is located downstream of the oxygen separator, the oxygen separation inlet includes a second separation inlet arranged in the oxygen separator and a second washing inlet arranged in the oxygen scrubber, the first oxygen outlet is connected to the second separation inlet, the second oxygen outlet is connected to the second washing inlet, and the oxygen separation outlet is arranged in the oxygen scrubber.

[0008] Furthermore, the hydrogen scrubber also has a first separation liquid outlet, the hydrogen separator also has a first separation liquid inlet, and the first separation liquid outlet and the first separation liquid inlet are connected; the oxygen scrubber also has a second separation liquid outlet, the oxygen separator also has a second separation liquid inlet, and the second separation liquid outlet and the second separation liquid inlet are connected.

[0009] Furthermore, the water electrolysis hydrogen production device also includes a filter, the filter has a filter inlet and a filter outlet, the filter outlet is connected to the first electrolysis chamber, the hydrogen separator also has a first circulation outlet connected to the first separation liquid inlet, the first circulation outlet is connected to the filter inlet; the oxygen separator also has a second circulation outlet connected to the second separation liquid inlet, the second circulation outlet is connected to the filter inlet.

[0010] Furthermore, the pressure of an alkaline electrolyzer is lower than that of a PEM electrolyzer.

[0011] Furthermore, the water electrolysis hydrogen production device also includes a hydrogen cooler, which is located downstream of the separation component and is connected to the hydrogen separation outlet.

[0012] Furthermore, the water electrolysis hydrogen production device also includes a hydrogen purifier, which is located downstream of the hydrogen cooler and is communicated with the hydrogen cooler.

[0013] Furthermore, the water electrolysis hydrogen production device also includes an oxygen cooler, which is located downstream of the separation component and is connected to the oxygen separation outlet.

[0014] Furthermore, the water electrolysis hydrogen production device also includes an oxygen purifier, which is located downstream of the oxygen cooler and is communicated with the oxygen cooler.

[0015] Furthermore, the water electrolysis hydrogen production device also includes a supplementary water tank connected to the PEM electrolyzer.

[0016] By applying the technical solution of the present invention, the device for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water includes an alkaline electrolyzer, a PEM electrolyzer and a separation component. The hydrogen produced by the reaction in the first electrolysis chamber of the alkaline electrolyzer enters the hydrogen separation inlet of the separation component through the first hydrogen outlet for separation, and the oxygen produced by the reaction in the first electrolysis chamber enters the oxygen separation inlet of the separation component through the first oxygen outlet for separation. The hydrogen produced by the reaction in the second electrolysis chamber of the PEM electrolyzer enters the hydrogen separation inlet of the separation component through the second hydrogen outlet for separation, and the oxygen produced by the reaction in the second electrolysis chamber enters the oxygen separation inlet of the separation component through the second oxygen outlet for separation. The device for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water has the advantages of high energy efficiency of hydrogen production by alkaline water electrolysis and the advantages of wide fluctuation range adaptability of hydrogen production by PEM water electrolysis. At the same time, the same set of separation components is used to improve the flexibility of operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The drawings constituting a part of the present application are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0019] The above drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0020] 10. Alkaline electrolytic cell;

[0021] 20. PEM electrolyzer;

[0022] 30. Separation assembly; 31. Hydrogen separator; 311. First separation inlet; 32. Hydrogen scrubber; 312. First scrubbing inlet; 33. Oxygen separator; 331. Second separation inlet; 34. Oxygen scrubber; 341. Second scrubbing inlet;

[0023] 40. Filter; 41. Refilling water tank;

[0024] 50. Hydrogen cooler; 51. Hydrogen purifier;

[0025] 60. Oxygen cooler; 61. Oxygen purifier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and is by no means intended to limit the present invention and its application or use. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a water electrolysis hydrogen production device, which includes an alkaline electrolyzer 10, a PEM electrolyzer 20, and a separation component 30. The alkaline electrolyzer 10 has a first electrolysis chamber, a first hydrogen outlet, and a first oxygen outlet, and the first hydrogen outlet and the first oxygen outlet are respectively connected to the first electrolysis chamber; the PEM electrolyzer 20 has a second electrolysis chamber, a second hydrogen outlet, and a second oxygen outlet, and the second hydrogen outlet and the second oxygen outlet are respectively connected to the second electrolysis chamber; the separation component 30 has a hydrogen separation inlet and a hydrogen separation outlet that are connected, and an oxygen separation inlet and an oxygen separation outlet that are connected, the first hydrogen outlet and the second hydrogen outlet are respectively connected to the hydrogen separation inlet, and the first oxygen outlet and the second oxygen outlet are respectively connected to the oxygen separation inlet.

[0028] By applying the technical solution of the present invention, the device for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water includes an alkaline electrolyzer 10, a PEM electrolyzer 20 and a separation assembly 30. The hydrogen produced by the reaction in the first electrolysis chamber of the alkaline electrolyzer 10 enters the hydrogen separation inlet of the separation assembly 30 through the first hydrogen outlet for separation, and the oxygen produced by the reaction in the first electrolysis chamber enters the oxygen separation inlet of the separation assembly 30 through the first oxygen outlet for separation. The hydrogen produced by the reaction in the second electrolysis chamber of the PEM electrolyzer 20 enters the hydrogen separation inlet of the separation assembly 30 through the second hydrogen outlet for separation, and the oxygen produced by the reaction in the second electrolysis chamber enters the oxygen separation inlet of the separation assembly 30 through the second oxygen outlet for separation. The device for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water has the advantages of high energy efficiency of hydrogen production by alkaline electrolysis of water and the advantages of wide fluctuation range of hydrogen production by PEM electrolysis of water. At the same time, the same set of separation assemblies 30 is used to improve the flexibility of operation.

[0029] The water electrolysis hydrogen production device of this embodiment can couple the alkaline water electrolysis system and the PEM water electrolysis system together, which not only improves the system energy efficiency, but also saves the primary investment and broadens the load fluctuation adaptability range of the new energy.

[0030] like Figure 1As shown, the separation assembly 30 includes a hydrogen separator 31 and a hydrogen scrubber 32 which are connected to each other. The hydrogen scrubber 32 is located downstream of the hydrogen separator 31. The hydrogen separation inlet includes a first separation inlet 311 provided in the hydrogen separator 31 and a first washing inlet 312 provided in the hydrogen scrubber 32. The first hydrogen outlet is connected to the first separation inlet 311, and the second hydrogen outlet is connected to the first washing inlet 312. The hydrogen separation outlet is provided in the hydrogen scrubber 32. The alkali liquid and hydrogen in the alkaline electrolytic cell 10 can be separated into gas and liquid by the hydrogen separator 31, and the residual alkali liquid can be further separated by the hydrogen scrubber 32 to further obtain pure hydrogen.

[0031] The hydrogen scrubber 32 can be used to separate the electrolyte and hydrogen in the PEM electrolyzer 20 into gas and liquid.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the separation assembly 30 includes an oxygen separator 33 and an oxygen scrubber 34 which are connected to each other. The oxygen scrubber 34 is located downstream of the oxygen separator 33. The oxygen separation inlet includes a second separation inlet 331 provided in the oxygen separator 33 and a second scrubbing inlet 341 provided in the oxygen scrubber 34. The first oxygen outlet is connected to the second separation inlet 331, and the second oxygen outlet is connected to the second scrubbing inlet 341. The oxygen separation outlet is provided in the oxygen scrubber 34. The alkali liquid and oxygen in the alkaline electrolytic cell 10 can be separated into gas and liquid by the oxygen separator 33, and the residual alkali liquid can be further separated by the oxygen scrubber 34 to further obtain pure oxygen.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the hydrogen scrubber 32 also has a first separation liquid outlet, and the hydrogen separator 31 also has a first separation liquid inlet, and the first separation liquid outlet is connected to the first separation liquid inlet. The electrolyte separated by the PEM electrolyzer 20 in the hydrogen scrubber 32 can be neutralized with the electrolyte separated by the alkaline electrolyzer 10 in the hydrogen separator 31.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the oxygen scrubber 34 also has a second separation liquid outlet, and the oxygen separator 33 also has a second separation liquid inlet, and the second separation liquid outlet is connected to the second separation liquid inlet. The electrolyte separated by the PEM electrolyzer 20 in the oxygen scrubber 34 can be neutralized with the electrolyte separated by the alkaline electrolyzer 10 in the oxygen separator 33.

[0035] like Figure 1As shown, the electrolytic water hydrogen production device also includes a filter 40, the filter 40 has a filter inlet and a filter outlet, the filter outlet is connected to the first electrolysis chamber, the hydrogen separator 31 also has a first circulation outlet connected to the first separation liquid inlet, the first circulation outlet is connected to the filter inlet, and the oxygen separator 33 also has a second circulation outlet connected to the second separation liquid inlet, and the second circulation outlet is connected to the filter inlet. By leading the alkaline electrolyte and the neutralized electrolyte in the hydrogen separator 31 and the oxygen separator 33 to the filter 40, the electrolyte can be filtered and introduced into the alkaline electrolytic cell 10 for recycling.

[0036] The pressure of the alkaline electrolytic cell 10 is lower than that of the PEM electrolytic cell 20. The above configuration can prevent the electrolyte in the PEM electrolytic cell 20 from entering the alkaline electrolytic cell 10, thereby preventing the electrolyte in the alkaline electrolytic cell 10 and the electrolyte in the PEM electrolytic cell 20 from forming acid-base neutralization.

[0037] In this embodiment, the electrolyte in the PEM electrolyzer 20 is acidic.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the water electrolysis hydrogen production device further includes a hydrogen cooler 50, which is located downstream of the separation component 30 and is connected to the hydrogen separation outlet. The hydrogen cooler 50 can be used to cool the hydrogen.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the water electrolysis hydrogen production device further includes a hydrogen purifier 51, which is located downstream of the hydrogen cooler 50 and is communicated with the hydrogen cooler 50. The hydrogen purifier 51 can be used to purify hydrogen.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the water electrolysis hydrogen production device further includes an oxygen cooler 60, which is located downstream of the separation component 30 and is connected to the oxygen separation outlet. The oxygen cooler 60 can be used to cool oxygen.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the water electrolysis hydrogen production device further includes an oxygen purifier 61, which is located downstream of the oxygen cooler 60 and is in communication with the oxygen cooler 60. The oxygen purifier 61 can be used to purify oxygen.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the water electrolysis hydrogen production device further includes a supplementary water tank 41 connected to the PEM electrolyzer 20. The supplementary water tank 41 can be used to supplement water into the PEM electrolyzer 20 so that the PEM electrolyzer 20 can work continuously.

[0043] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0044] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions and numerical values ​​of the parts and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention. Meanwhile, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the sizes of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to the actual proportional relationship. The technology, method and equipment known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but in appropriate cases, the technology, method and equipment should be considered as a part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed here, any specific value should be interpreted as being merely exemplary, rather than as a limitation. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters represent similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once a certain item is defined in an accompanying drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0045] In the description of the present invention, it is necessary to understand that the directions or positional relationships indicated by directional words such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "lateral, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal" and "top, bottom" are usually based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific direction or be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. The directional words "inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contours of each component itself.

[0046] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used here to describe the spatial positional relationship between a device or feature and other devices or features as shown in the figure. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figure. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below other devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used here are interpreted accordingly.

[0047] In addition, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to limit components is only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. If not otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hydrogen production device by electrolysis of water, characterized in that: The water electrolysis hydrogen production device comprises: An alkaline electrolytic cell (10) comprising a first electrolytic chamber, a first hydrogen outlet and a first oxygen outlet, wherein the first hydrogen outlet and the first oxygen outlet are respectively connected to the first electrolytic chamber; A PEM electrolyzer (20) having a second electrolysis chamber, a second hydrogen outlet, and a second oxygen outlet, wherein the second hydrogen outlet and the second oxygen outlet are respectively connected to the second electrolysis chamber; A separation component (30) comprises a hydrogen separation inlet and a hydrogen separation outlet connected to each other, and an oxygen separation inlet and an oxygen separation outlet connected to each other, wherein the first hydrogen outlet and the second hydrogen outlet are respectively connected to the hydrogen separation inlet, and the first oxygen outlet and the second oxygen outlet are respectively connected to the oxygen separation inlet.

2. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separation assembly (30) comprises a hydrogen separator (31) and a hydrogen scrubber (32) which are connected to each other, the hydrogen scrubber (32) being located downstream of the hydrogen separator (31), the hydrogen separation inlet comprising a first separation inlet (311) arranged in the hydrogen separator (31) and a first scrubbing inlet (312) arranged in the hydrogen scrubber (32), the first hydrogen outlet being connected to the first separation inlet (311), the second hydrogen outlet being connected to the first scrubbing inlet (312), and the hydrogen separation outlet being arranged in the hydrogen scrubber (32); The separation component (30) comprises an oxygen separator (33) and an oxygen scrubber (34) which are connected to each other. The oxygen scrubber (34) is located downstream of the oxygen separator (33). The oxygen separation inlet comprises a second separation inlet (331) arranged in the oxygen separator (33) and a second scrubbing inlet (341) arranged in the oxygen scrubber (34). The first oxygen outlet is connected to the second separation inlet (331), and the second oxygen outlet is connected to the second scrubbing inlet (341). The oxygen separation outlet is arranged in the oxygen scrubber (34).

3. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The hydrogen scrubber (32) further has a first separation liquid outlet, and the hydrogen separator (31) further has a first separation liquid inlet, and the first separation liquid outlet and the first separation liquid inlet are connected; The oxygen scrubber (34) further comprises a second separation liquid outlet, and the oxygen separator (33) further comprises a second separation liquid inlet, wherein the second separation liquid outlet and the second separation liquid inlet are in communication.

4. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The water electrolysis hydrogen production device further comprises a filter (40), wherein the filter (40) has a filter inlet and a filter outlet, wherein the filter outlet is in communication with the first electrolysis chamber. The hydrogen separator (31) further comprises a first circulation outlet connected to the first separation liquid inlet, and the first circulation outlet is connected to the filtering inlet; The oxygen separator (33) further comprises a second circulation outlet communicating with the second separation liquid inlet, and the second circulation outlet is communicated with the filtering inlet.

5. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure of the alkaline electrolytic cell (10) is lower than the pressure of the PEM electrolytic cell (20).

6. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water electrolysis hydrogen production device further comprises a hydrogen cooler (50), wherein the hydrogen cooler (50) is located downstream of the separation component (30), and the hydrogen cooler (50) is communicated with the hydrogen separation outlet.

7. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The water electrolysis hydrogen production device further comprises a hydrogen purifier (51), wherein the hydrogen purifier (51) is located downstream of the hydrogen cooler (50), and the hydrogen purifier (51) is communicated with the hydrogen cooler (50).

8. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water electrolysis hydrogen production device further comprises an oxygen cooler (60), wherein the oxygen cooler (60) is located downstream of the separation component (30), and the oxygen cooler (60) is communicated with the oxygen separation outlet.

9. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The water electrolysis hydrogen production device further comprises an oxygen purifier (61), wherein the oxygen purifier (61) is located downstream of the oxygen cooler (60), and the oxygen purifier (61) is communicated with the oxygen cooler (60).

10. The water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water electrolysis hydrogen production device also includes a supplementary water tank (41) connected to the PEM electrolyzer (20).

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