Visual flow field testing system and method for electrolytic cell

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of fluid control, and discloses a visual flow field test system and method for an electrolytic bath, and the system comprises a fluid input module which is provided with a high-pressure pump on a pipeline from a water path inlet to a heater; a gas flow meter and a needle valve B are sequentially arranged on a pipeline connected with the air pressure regulating module, and a flow meter is arranged on a pipeline from the water path inlet to the heater; the flow field is internally provided with a modified flow field composition module, and a display device is additionally arranged; according to the air pressure adjusting module, a decompression filtering steam-water separation sleeve is connected with double air cylinders, and a valve is arranged on a pipeline; in the color developing agent module, a color developing agent external interface and a color developing agent pump are connected with a flow field pipeline; the output module is provided with a liquid outlet valve, a liquid outlet and a waste liquid outlet and used for fluid recovery and waste liquid treatment in the system. The visual flow field testing system provided by the invention is simple in structure, convenient to operate and high in real-time performance, and is suitable for a plurality of fields such as industrial fluid management and laboratory research.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of gas-liquid two-phase flow fluid control, and in particular to an electrolytic cell visual flow field testing system and method, which can monitor, dynamically control and visually display the internal flow field of an electrolytic cell in real time. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing attention paid to clean energy and sustainable development around the world, the development and utilization of hydrogen energy as an efficient and clean energy carrier is receiving unprecedented attention. In the hydrogen energy industry chain, the performance of the hydrogen electrolyzer, as the core equipment for hydrogen production by water electrolysis, is directly related to the efficiency and cost of hydrogen production. However, the complex fluid dynamics inside the hydrogen electrolyzer, including gas-liquid two-phase flow, bubble behavior, current density distribution, etc., have an important influence on the electrolysis efficiency, electrode stability and cell life. Therefore, in-depth research and visualization testing of the flow field inside the hydrogen electrolyzer are of great significance for optimizing the electrolyzer design, improving hydrogen production efficiency and extending the life of the equipment.

[0003] Traditionally, the evaluation of the flow field inside a hydrogen electrolyzer mainly relies on two methods: experimental measurement and numerical simulation. In terms of experimental measurement, due to the harsh environment inside the electrolyzer (such as high temperature, high pressure, and strong corrosion), direct measurement is difficult and costly, and it is difficult to obtain comprehensive flow field information. In terms of numerical simulation, although the fluid dynamics behavior inside the electrolyzer can be simulated by computer software, the accuracy and reliability of the model are often limited by computing resources and boundary condition settings, and it is difficult to directly verify the accuracy of the simulation results.

[0004] With the rapid development of industrial electrolysis technology, the size of electrolytic cells has continued to increase. The uneven distribution of fluids inside the electrolytic cell has become one of the key issues affecting electrolysis performance. Uneven fluid distribution can lead to reduced local electrolysis reaction efficiency, increased energy consumption, and may even cause local electrode loss and equipment damage. Traditional electrolytic cell fluid control systems usually use simple flow regulation methods, but it is difficult to monitor and accurately control the actual distribution of fluids in the electrolytic cell in real time.

[0005] The existing technology lacks effective flow field visualization methods, which makes fluid distribution optimization mainly rely on empirical design and offline simulation, which cannot meet the needs of large-scale electrolytic cells for high precision and real-time monitoring. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a system that can monitor, dynamically control and visualize the flow field inside the electrolytic cell in real time to improve the electrolysis efficiency and ensure the long-term stable operation of the equipment.

[0006] In recent years, with the development of visualization technology, especially the continuous progress of optical measurement technology and image processing technology, new possibilities have been provided for the visualization test of the flow field inside the hydrogen electrolyzer. Visualization technology can intuitively display the fluid dynamics behavior inside the electrolyzer, helping researchers to deeply understand the physical and chemical mechanisms in the electrolysis process, thereby guiding the optimization design of the electrolyzer.

[0007] However, there are still many challenges in applying visualization technology to the testing of the flow field inside the hydrogen electrolyzer. First, the high temperature, high pressure and highly corrosive environment inside the electrolyzer place extremely high demands on the materials and performance of the visualization test equipment. Secondly, due to the complex interaction between the bubbles and the electrolyte generated during the electrolysis process, high-precision and high-sensitivity measurement technology is required to capture these subtle fluid dynamic behaviors. Finally, how to effectively process and analyze the large amount of data obtained from the visualization test and extract useful information for the design and optimization of the electrolyzer is also an important issue currently faced.

[0008] Therefore, developing a visualization test system for the flow field inside a hydrogen electrolyzer can not only overcome the limitations of traditional test methods, but also provide strong technical support for the optimal design and operation of hydrogen electrolyzers. Such a system should have high reliability, high precision and high sensitivity, be able to adapt to the harsh working environment inside the electrolyzer, and be able to display the fluid dynamics behavior inside the electrolyzer in real time and intuitively, providing researchers with valuable experimental data and intuitive visualization information. Summary of the invention

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a visual flow field testing system and method for an electrolytic cell, which can monitor and regulate the flow field state of the fluid through high-precision fluid control and real-time state display, thereby improving the operating efficiency and reliability of the system.

[0010] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electrolytic cell visual flow field testing system, comprising: Fluid input module: A high-pressure pump is provided on the pipeline from the water inlet to the heater; Fluid control module: A gas flow meter and a needle valve B are provided in sequence on the pipeline connected to the gas pressure regulating module, and a flow meter is provided on the pipeline from the water inlet to the heater; Flow field display module: The flow field is equipped with a modified flow field component module and an additional display device; Air pressure regulating module: The pressure reducing filter and steam-water separation set is connected to the double cylinder, and a valve is provided on the pipeline; Color developer module: color developer external interface, color developer pump and flow field pipeline connection; Output module: equipped with liquid outlet valve, liquid outlet and waste liquid outlet, used for fluid recovery and waste liquid treatment in the system; Furthermore, the electrolytic cell visualization flow field testing system also includes a system flip module, in which the visualization surface of the display device controls the angle of the flow field by rotating.

[0011] Furthermore, the display device includes a display screen, a camera, and a monitoring system.

[0012] Furthermore, a pressure reducing valve is provided on the pressure reducing filter and steam-water separation kit, and there is at least one pressure reducing filter and steam-water separation kit.

[0013] Optionally, the flow field component module includes a cathode conductive end plate, a transparent material, a cathode flow field, a cathode sealing gasket, a cathode current collector, an anode flow field assembly and an anode conductive end plate in sequence, which are stacked and tightened.

[0014] Furthermore, the cathode current collector is formed by welding the cathode diffusion layer and the metal plate.

[0015] Furthermore, the anode flow field assembly is a combined structure of a membrane electrode, an anode diffusion layer, and an anode sealing gasket.

[0016] A method for testing the visualized flow field of an electrolytic cell. After the high-pressure pump is started, the liquid passes through a flow meter and a heater, and enters a flow field module after the temperature and pressure are adjusted. The state of the liquid or gas in the flow field is collected by a sensor and transmitted to a display device. The needle valve A and the needle valve B or the pressure relief valve A and the pressure relief valve B are adjusted according to the real-time data. The linkage between the fluid and the gas is realized through the air pressure regulating module, and the unused liquid or gas is discharged through the waste liquid outlet.

[0017] Furthermore, the high-pressure pump realizes constant-pressure liquid supply or constant-flow liquid supply.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the present invention compared with the prior art are: 1. High-precision fluid control: Through the needle valve and air pressure regulation module, the fluid flow, pressure and temperature can be accurately controlled.

[0019] 2. Real-time visualization: The flow field display module provides an intuitive fluid status monitoring interface, which is convenient for operators to make adjustments.

[0020] 3. Multi-channel collaboration: supports multi-channel linkage control of fluids and gases to meet the use requirements under complex working conditions.

[0021] 4. Efficient waste liquid treatment: The system is equipped with a waste liquid outlet to simplify the waste liquid discharge process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the system structure of the present invention; Figure 2It is a schematic diagram of the system flip module; Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the flow field module structure.

[0024] In the figure: 1, water inlet; 2, high-pressure pump; 3, pressure relief valve A; 4, flow meter; 5, heater; 6, flow field; 7, needle valve A; 8, liquid outlet valve; 9, waste liquid outlet; 10, liquid outlet; 11, gas flow meter; 12, needle valve B; 13, pressure relief valve B; 14, silencer; 15, color developer pump; 16, color developer external interface; 17, gas source; 18, vacuum filtration and steam-water separation kit; 19, valve A; 20, valve B; 21, double cylinder A; 22, double cylinder B; 23, flow field component module; 24, display device; 25, cathode conductive end plate; 26, transparent material; 27, cathode flow field; 28, cathode sealing gasket; 29, cathode current collector; 30, anode flow field assembly; 31, anode conductive end plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention is described in detail below by specific examples, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited. Unless otherwise specified, the experimental methods used in the present invention are all conventional methods, and the experimental equipment, materials, reagents, etc. used can be obtained from commercial channels.

[0026] The system realizes the coordinated control of fluid and gas flow fields by integrating a high-pressure pump 2, a flow meter 4, a heater 5, a flow field 6, a pressure regulating valve and a multi-channel pneumatic valve, combined with a real-time display and data feedback mechanism of a display device 24. Example 1

[0027] As attached Figure 1 As shown, the connection and functional layout of each module in the system are shown. The system structure is as follows: (1) Fluid input module It includes a water inlet 1, a high-pressure pump 2 and a flow meter 4, and is responsible for introducing external liquid and generating fluid pressure through the high-pressure pump 2.

[0028] (2) Fluid control module ① Flow control: In order to solve the problem of limited coverage of the operating curve of the high-pressure pump 2, the structure of the needle valve B12 is added, and the needle valve B12 and the flow meter 4 are used for flow control. After the needle valve B12 is adjusted, the system accurately adjusts the liquid operation according to the set constant pressure or constant current.

[0029] ② Temperature control: The integrated heater 5 is used to adjust the fluid temperature to meet different process requirements.

[0030] The setting of multiple one-way valves can realize the liquid flow direction control of the system and prevent the reverse backflow of the fluid in the system.

[0031] (3) Flow field display module The flow field 6 is provided with a modified flow field component module 23 and an additional display device 24; the display device 24 is such as a display screen or a monitoring system, including a screen or a camera, which cooperates with the gas flow meter 11 and the liquid flow meter to display the velocity, pressure, temperature and other parameters of the fluid in different pipelines in real time.

[0032] (4) Air pressure regulation module Using a 4 MPa gas source, gas pressure regulation is achieved through a vacuum filtration gas-water separation kit 18. After a first-stage decompression, the gas enters the flow field and provides gas to the flow field 6 to achieve gas-liquid two-phase flow.

[0033] (5) Color developer module The color developer pump 15 pumps a colored liquid solvent that is soluble in the test liquid in the flow field 6 to display the distribution of the fluid in the flow field 6 . Whether the distribution of the liquid is uniform can be checked based on the color of the flow field 6 .

[0034] (6) Output module A liquid outlet valve 8, a liquid outlet 10 and a waste liquid outlet 9 are provided for recovering the fluid in the system and treating the waste liquid.

[0035] (7) System flip module The visualization surface of the display device 24 realizes the angle control between the horizontal and vertical directions of the flow field under the feedback of the angle sensor, see Figure 2 . Example 2

[0036] Here’s how it works: (1) System startup After the high-pressure pump 2 is started (the high-pressure pump 2 can achieve constant pressure liquid supply or constant flow liquid supply based on the pressure and feedback from the flow meter 4), the liquid adjusts the pressure of the high-pressure pump 2 through the feedback from the flow meter 4, adjusts the temperature through the heater 5, and then enters the flow field 6.

[0037] (2) Flow field control and display The state of liquid or gas in the flow field 6 is collected by sensors and transmitted to the display device 24. The operator can adjust the needle valve A7, needle valve B12 or the pressure relief valve A3, pressure relief valve B13 according to the real-time data.

[0038] (3) Multi-channel switching The linkage between fluid and gas is achieved through the air pressure regulation module to ensure the stability and accuracy during multi-channel switching.

[0039] (4) Waste liquid treatment Unused liquid or gas is discharged through the waste liquid outlet 9 to ensure the pressure balance inside the system. Example 3

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the flow field component module 23 includes a cathode conductive end plate 25, a transparent material 26, a cathode flow field 27, a cathode sealing gasket 28, a cathode current collector 29, an anode flow field assembly 30 and an anode conductive end plate 31. The cathode current collector 29 is welded by a cathode diffusion layer and a metal plate. The anode flow field assembly 30 includes a membrane electrode, an anode diffusion layer, and an anode sealing gasket. Among them: The cathode conductive end plate 25 is fixed to the cathode end of the electrolytic cell by bolts, and is used to fix the entire device and serve as a cathode electrode.

[0041] The transparent material 26 is installed between the cathode conductive end plate 25 and other components to provide a transparent visualization window for directly observing the flow field and reaction conditions inside the electrolytic cell.

[0042] The cathode flow field 27 is designed to optimize the electrolyte flow path on the cathode side to ensure a uniform electrolysis reaction.

[0043] The cathode sealing gasket 28 is arranged between the cathode flow field 27 and other components to ensure the tight connection between the components, ensure the sealing of the electrolytic cell, and prevent the leakage of the electrolyte.

[0044] The cathode current collector 29 is used to ensure uniform distribution of the electrolyte and current conduction.

[0045] The anode flow field assembly 30 is located between the cathode current collector 29 and the anode conductive end plate 31 to achieve ion exchange and electrolytic reaction on the anode side and flow field distribution on the anode side.

[0046] The anode conductive end plate 31 is fixed to the anode end of the electrolytic cell by bolts, providing support for the overall structure and serving as an anode electrode.

[0047] The present invention provides a visualized flow field testing system with simple structure, convenient operation and strong real-time performance, which is suitable for multiple fields such as industrial fluid management and laboratory research.

[0048] The above-described embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, but not all feasible embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, any obvious changes made thereto without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention should be considered to be included in the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrolytic cell visual flow field testing system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a fluid input module, a fluid control module, a flow field display module, an air pressure regulating module, a color developer module and an output module. A high-pressure pump (2) is provided on a pipeline from a water inlet (1) of the fluid input module to a heater (5); a gas flow meter (11) and a needle valve B (12) are provided in sequence on a pipeline connecting the fluid control module and the air pressure regulating module, and a flow meter (4) is provided on a pipeline from the water inlet (1) to the heater (5); a modified flow field component module (23) is provided in a flow field (6) in the flow field display module, and a display device (24) is additionally provided; the air pressure regulating module comprises a decompression filter steam-water separation set (18), the decompression filter steam-water separation set (18) is connected to a double cylinder, and a valve is provided on the pipeline; a color developer external interface (16) and a color developer pump (15) in the color developer module are connected to a flow field (6) pipeline; the output module is provided with a liquid outlet valve (8), a liquid outlet (10) and a waste liquid outlet (9), and is used for recovering fluid in the system and treating waste liquid.

2. The electrolytic cell visual flow field testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrolytic cell visual flow field testing system also includes a system flip module, wherein the visual surface of the display device (24) controls the angle of the flow field (6) by rotating.

3. The electrolytic cell visual flow field testing system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The display device (24) comprises a display screen, a camera, and a monitoring system.

4. The electrolytic cell visual flow field testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pressure reducing valve is provided on the pressure reducing filter steam-water separation kit (18), and there is at least one pressure reducing filter steam-water separation kit (18).

5. The electrolytic cell visual flow field testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow field component module (23) includes, in sequence, a cathode conductive end plate (25), a transparent material (26), a cathode flow field (27), a cathode sealing gasket (28), a cathode current collector (29), an anode flow field assembly (30), and an anode conductive end plate (31); the cathode conductive end plate (25), the transparent material (26), the cathode flow field (27), the cathode sealing gasket (28), the cathode current collector (29), the anode flow field assembly (30), and the anode conductive end plate (31) are stacked and tightened.

6. The electrolytic cell visual flow field testing system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cathode current collector (29) is formed by welding a cathode diffusion layer and a metal plate.

7. The electrolytic cell visual flow field testing system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The anode flow field assembly (30) is a combined structure of a membrane electrode, an anode diffusion layer, and an anode sealing gasket.

8. The method of the electrolytic cell visual flow field testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the high-pressure pump (2) is started, the liquid enters the flow field module after the temperature and pressure are adjusted through the flow meter (4) and the heater (5). The flow field state of the liquid or gas or gas-liquid two-phase fluid in the flow field (6) is collected by the sensor and transmitted to the display device (24). The needle valve A (7), needle valve B (12) or pressure relief valve A (3), pressure relief valve B (13) are adjusted according to the real-time data. The fusion between the fluid and the gas is achieved through the gas pressure regulating module to form a gas-liquid two-phase flow. The unused liquid or gas is discharged through the waste liquid outlet (9).

9. The method of the electrolytic cell visual flow field testing system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The high-pressure pump (2) realizes constant-pressure liquid supply or constant-flow liquid supply.

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