Electrolytic cell and electrolysis bath

By employing a flow-guided structure that combines flow-channel plates and a flow-channel frame in the electrolytic cell, the problem of mass transfer resistance caused by oxygen bubble blockage is solved, improving electrolysis efficiency and stability while reducing voltage loss and cost.

CN119465198BActive Publication Date: 2025-10-24GUANGDONG CAVORO HYDROGEN TECH CO LTD
View PDF 2 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
CN202411707657.1
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-11-26
Publication Date
2025-10-24
Estimated Expiration
2044-11-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Under high current density, the mass transfer resistance of the diffusion layer on the anode side of the electrolytic cell increases due to blockage by oxygen bubbles, reducing electrolysis efficiency. Furthermore, the inability to expel oxygen in a timely manner affects heat dissipation, posing a safety hazard.

Method used

An electrolysis chamber is designed, which adopts a flow-guiding structure that combines flow-channel electrode plates and flow-channel frame to increase the flow field space between the flow port and the cavity. Oxygen is discharged in time through the flow-guiding structure, reducing mass transfer resistance and enhancing heat transfer.

Benefits of technology

It increases the influent and effluent water flow rate of the electrolyzer, reduces the influent and effluent water pressure, lowers voltage loss, enhances the electrolysis reaction efficiency and the operational stability of the electrolyzer, and reduces costs.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN119465198B_ABST
    Figure CN119465198B_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The application provides an electrolysis cell and an electrolysis tank, the electrolysis tank comprising at least one electrolysis cell, the electrolysis cell comprising an electrode plate assembly and a flow passage, a flow guide structure and a cavity arranged on the electrode plate assembly, the flow passage and the cavity being communicated through the flow guide structure, the electrode plate assembly comprising an electrode plate and a frame connected with each other, and the flow guide structure being arranged on a part of the frame and another part of the electrode plate, so that the space of the flow field between the flow passage and the cavity is increased. Through the improvement of the flow field design between the flow passage and the cavity, the electrolysis cell structure formed by the combination of the flow channel type electrode plate and the flow channel type frame and the flow guide structure can increase the water inflow and outflow of the electrolysis tank, reduce the water inflow and outflow pressure, thereby strengthening the mass transfer, discharging the oxygen generated in the electrolysis water process in time, reducing the mass transfer resistance, thereby reducing the voltage loss, and the flow guide structure can also strengthen the heat transfer, take away the heat, improve the operation stability of the electrolysis tank and the overall performance of the electrolysis tank.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electrolytic hydrogen production, and particularly relates to an electrolysis cell and an electrolysis tank. BACKGROUND

[0002] New energy as a key research and development field has been widely concerned, and hydrogen energy as a non-polluting and renewable energy has become one of the future energies. Compared with the material pollution caused by the storage of electric energy, hydrogen energy can store its chemical energy in the form of hydrogen gas, and has the advantages of non-pollution and green environmental protection. An electrolysis tank is a device for converting electric energy into chemical energy. When the electrolysis tank is powered, water can be electrolyzed into hydrogen and oxygen, and electric energy can be converted into chemical energy. Therefore, through the electrolysis tank, part of the surplus and difficult-to-store electric energy can be used to prepare hydrogen storage, thereby avoiding energy waste. As a kind of sustainable clean energy technology with great development prospect, the proton exchange membrane electrolysis tank technology has made great progress in technology maturity and commercialization in the past few decades. However, the real application of the proton exchange membrane electrolysis tank, the improvement of the performance of the electrolysis tank, the reduction of the cost of the electrolysis tank and the long-term stable operation of the electrolysis tank still need to be further explored and optimized.

[0003] During the working process of the electrolysis tank, pure water needs to be continuously input as the "raw material" for electrolysis of the electrolysis tank, and the electrolysis tank needs to be powered, so the electrolysis tank is a complex workbench integrating "electricity, water, gas and heat". In order to improve the energy conversion efficiency and performance optimization of the electrolysis tank, the design of the electrolysis tank is an extremely important link. Under high current density, a large amount of water is electrolyzed to produce oxygen, hydrogen ions and electrons at the anode side catalytic layer. The hydrogen ions move to the cathode through the proton exchange membrane, and the electrons reach the cathode through the external circuit. The hydrogen ions and the electrons combine to generate hydrogen gas at the cathode side. A large amount of oxygen will gradually accumulate in the diffusion layer of the anode side of the electrolysis tank. The pores of the diffusion layer are blocked by oxygen bubbles, and the unreacted water cannot pass through the diffusion layer to reach the catalytic layer to continuously react, which increases the mass transfer resistance inside the electrolysis tank, and further reduces the electrolysis efficiency. Due to the increase of the mass transfer resistance, the flow rate of the water flow field decreases, and the thermal conductivity of oxygen is much smaller than that of water. If the generated oxygen is not discharged in time, it will affect the heat dissipation of the electrolysis tank, causing local overheating of the electrolysis tank, and even causing the proton exchange membrane to rupture, which exists a safety hazard. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, the present application provides an electrolysis cell and an electrolysis tank which can effectively solve the above problems.

[0005] The present application provides an electrolysis cell, which comprises a polar plate assembly, a flow passage, a flow guide structure and a cavity. The flow passage and the cavity are communicated through the flow guide structure. The polar plate assembly comprises a polar plate and a frame connected with each other. The flow guide structure is partially arranged on the frame and partially arranged on the polar plate.

[0006] In an embodiment, the flow guide structure comprises a first slot arranged on the polar plate and a second slot arranged on the frame, the first slot and the second slot being in communication, and the flow passage and the cavity being in communication through the first slot and the second slot.

[0007] In an embodiment, the flow guide structure comprises a plurality of flow guide portions and a plurality of flow guide channels formed by the plurality of flow guide portions, one end of the flow guide portion being connected to the first slot and the other end being connected to the second slot, and the flow guide channels being in communication with the flow passage and the cavity.

[0008] In an embodiment, the flow guide portion comprises a first part and a second part, the first part being detachably or integrally connected to the bottom wall of the first slot, the second part being detachably or integrally connected to the bottom wall of the second slot, and the first part and the second part being in abutment.

[0009] In an embodiment, one end of the flow guide portion is detachably or integrally connected to the bottom wall of the first slot and the other end is in abutment with the bottom wall of the second slot; or, one end of the flow guide portion is detachably or integrally connected to the bottom wall of the second slot and the other end is in abutment with the bottom wall of the first slot.

[0010] In an embodiment, the flow passage comprises a water inlet and a water outlet, the water inlet and the water outlet being arranged on opposite sides of the polar plate assembly, the water inlet comprising a first water inlet portion arranged on the polar plate and a second water inlet portion arranged on the frame in correspondence, and the water outlet comprising a first water outlet portion arranged on the polar plate and a second water outlet portion arranged on the frame in correspondence.

[0011] In an embodiment, the cavity comprises a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion in correspondence and in communication, the first cavity portion being arranged on the polar plate close to one side of the frame, and the second cavity portion being a hollow cavity of the frame; at least one flow guide field is arranged in the first cavity portion, the flow guide field comprising a first flow guide array formed by a plurality of flow guide ribs and / or a second flow guide array formed by a plurality of bosses.

[0012] In an embodiment, the electrolysis cell comprises an anode diffusion layer and an anode frame sealing layer, the anode frame sealing layer being arranged between the polar plate and the frame, and the anode diffusion layer being arranged in the second cavity portion, and the thickness of the anode diffusion layer being the sum of the thicknesses of the frame and the anode frame sealing layer.

[0013] In an embodiment, the polar plate is an anode plate, and the flow guide structure is arranged on the anode surface of the anode plate; or, the polar plate is a bipolar plate, and the flow guide structure is arranged on one or both of the polar surfaces of the bipolar plate.

[0014] The present application also provides an electrolytic cell, comprising the electrolysis chamber as described above.

[0015] In summary, the present application provides an electrolysis chamber and an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell comprising at least one electrolysis chamber, the electrolysis chamber comprising a plate assembly and a flow port, a flow guide structure, and a cavity provided on the plate assembly, the flow port and the cavity being connected through the flow guide structure, the plate assembly comprising connected plates and a frame, a portion of the flow guide structure being provided on the frame and the other portion being provided on the plate, thereby increasing the flow field space between the flow port and the cavity. The present application improves the flow field design between the flow port and the cavity, adopts an electrolysis chamber structure with a flow guide structure formed by combining a flow channel plate and a flow channel frame to increase the water inlet and outlet of the electrolytic cell, reduces the water inlet and outlet pressure, thereby enhancing mass transfer, timely discharging the oxygen generated during the electrolysis of water, reducing mass transfer resistance, and thus reducing voltage loss. At the same time, the provision of a flow guide structure can also enhance heat transfer, take away heat, improve electrolysis reaction and conversion efficiency, and enhance the operating stability of the electrolytic cell and the overall performance of the electrolytic cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a three-dimensional electrolysis chamber in one embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the exploded electrolysis chamber.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of the electrode plate assembly of the electrolysis chamber in another embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A perspective schematic diagram of the plates of the middle plate assembly in one embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged schematic diagram of part A.

[0021] Figure 6 for Figure 4 Front view of the plates of the middle plate assembly.

[0022] Figure 7 for Figure 3 A front view of a plate of a center plate assembly in another embodiment.

[0023] Figure 8 for Figure 3 A front view of a frame of a center plate assembly in another embodiment.

[0024] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the enlarged portion B.

[0025] Figure 10 For Figure 3 A perspective sectional view of the polar plate assembly in one embodiment.

[0026] Figure 11 For Figure 10 An enlarged schematic view of the C portion in one embodiment.

[0027] Figure 12 For Figure 3 A perspective sectional view of the polar plate assembly in another embodiment.

[0028] Figure 13 For Figure 12 An enlarged schematic view of the D portion in one embodiment.

[0029] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the application, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the application. In the drawings: 10 - electrolytic cell; 12 - anode plate; 14 - anode frame sealing layer; 16 - anode frame; 18 - anode sealing layer; 20 - anode diffusion layer; 22 - proton exchange membrane; 24 - cathode sealing layer; 26 - cathode frame; 28 - cathode frame sealing layer; 30 - cathode diffusion layer; 38 - cathode plate; 40 - anode connecting end; 42 - cathode connecting end; 44 - polar plate assembly; 441 - polar plate; 442 - frame; 46 - flow guide structure; 47 - cavity; 48 - water inlet; 481 - first water inlet portion; 482 - second water inlet portion; 50 - water outlet; 501 - first water outlet portion; 502 - second water outlet portion; 52 - first cavity portion; 54 - second cavity portion; 56 - first slot; 58 - second slot; 60 - flow guide portion; 601 - first portion; 602 - second portion; 62 - flow guide channel; 621 - first flow guide channel; 622 - second flow guide channel; 64 - flow guide rib; 66 - first flow guide array; 68 - boss; 70 - second flow guide array; 72 - first flow channel; 74 - second flow channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Before the embodiments are described in detail, it should be understood that the application is not limited to the detailed construction or arrangement of elements described hereinbelow or in the accompanying drawings. The application can be implemented in other ways. Also, it should be understood that the language and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and not of limitation. The use of "including," "containing," "having," and like expressions is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, equivalents thereof, and additional items. In particular, when describing "one" of an element, the application does not limit the number of the element to one, but can include a plurality of the element.

[0031] Reference will now be made to Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the present application provides an electrolysis cell 10 for electrolyzing water to be electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen. Specifically, the electrolysis cell 10 is designed in a square shape, and in other embodiments, the electrolysis cell 10 can also be designed in other shapes. The electrolysis cell 10 has opposite anode side and cathode side, and in the direction from the anode side to the cathode side, the electrolysis cell 10 comprises an anode plate 12, an anode frame sealing layer 14, an anode frame 16, an anode sealing layer 18, an anode diffusion layer 20, a proton exchange membrane 22, a cathode sealing layer 24, a cathode frame 26, a cathode frame sealing layer 28, a cathode diffusion layer 30, and a cathode plate 38, which are sequentially stacked. The proton exchange membrane 22 is coated with an anode catalyst layer on one side corresponding to the anode sealing layer 18, and is coated with a cathode catalyst layer on the other side corresponding to the cathode sealing layer 24. Of course, in other embodiments, when the electrode plate is a bipolar plate, the two sides of the electrode plate can also have flow guide structures respectively, and the structure of the electrolysis cell 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and the electrolysis cell 10 can also have other structural design methods.

[0032] The various functional layers of the electrolysis cell 10 are fixedly connected, for example, the periphery of the anode plate 12, the anode frame sealing layer 14, the anode frame 16, the anode sealing layer 18, the proton exchange membrane 22, the cathode sealing layer 24, the cathode frame 26, the cathode frame sealing layer 28 and the cathode plate 38 are respectively provided with fixed holes one by one, which can be fastened by fixing members such as bolts. The anode frame 16 and the cathode frame 26 are respectively provided with hollow cavities, the anode diffusion layer 20 is located in the hollow cavity of the anode frame 16, and the anode diffusion layer 20 is clamped and fixed between the anode sealing layer 18 and the proton exchange membrane 22; the cathode diffusion layer 30 is located in the hollow cavity of the cathode frame 26, and the cathode diffusion layer 30 is clamped and fixed between the cathode frame sealing layer 28 and the cathode plate 38.

[0033] Preferably, on the anode side, the anode diffusion layer 20 is titanium felt, which is attached to the anode catalyst layer during installation. The use of titanium felt for the anode diffusion layer 20 can improve the flow and transmission of gas and liquid, increase the specific surface area in contact with the gas and liquid, and thus improve the electrolysis reaction efficiency and conversion efficiency. In addition, the structure of the titanium felt can reduce the generation of gas bubbles and improve the release of gas. On the cathode side, the cathode diffusion layer 30 can be selected from any one or more of carbon cloth, stainless steel felt, titanium felt or titanium mesh, which is attached to the cathode catalyst layer during installation.

[0034] A first flow port for fluid circulation is provided on the frame of the anode frame 16 and the peripheral area corresponding to the anode plate 12, and a second flow port for fluid circulation is provided on the frame of the cathode frame 26 and the peripheral area corresponding to the cathode plate 38, wherein the first flow port may include a water inlet and a water outlet, and the second flow port may include a hydrogen discharge port. An anode connection terminal 40 is formed on one side of the anode plate 12, and a cathode connection terminal 42 is formed on one side of the cathode plate 38. The anode connection terminal 40 and the cathode connection terminal 42 are electrically connected through an external circuit. In other embodiments, when the electrode plate is used as a bipolar plate, the above-mentioned connection terminal is not required. When the electrolysis chamber 10 is in operation, the water to be electrolyzed enters from the water inlet and passes through the anode diffusion layer 20 to the anode catalyst layer for oxidation reaction, producing oxygen, hydrogen ions and electrons. The hydrogen ions pass through the proton exchange membrane 22 to reach the cathode catalyst layer, and the electrons are transmitted from the external circuit to the cathode plate 38 and then pass through the cathode diffusion layer 30 to reach the cathode catalyst layer. The hydrogen ions combine with the electrons to produce hydrogen.

[0035] Please also refer to Figure 3 、 Figure 10 and Figure 12 As shown, the electrolysis chamber 10 provided in the present application includes a plate assembly 44 and a flow port, a guide structure 46, and a cavity 47 provided on the plate assembly 44. The flow port and the cavity 47 are connected through the guide structure 46. The flow port is set, for example, through the thickness direction of the plate assembly 44. The plate assembly 44 includes a connected plate 441 and a frame 442. In the embodiment shown, the guide structure 46 is set on the anode side of the electrolysis chamber 10. Therefore, the plate 441 of the plate assembly 44 is the anode plate 12, and the frame 442 of the plate assembly 44 is the anode frame 16. A part of the guide structure 46 is set on the frame 442, and the other part is set on the plate 441, thereby increasing the flow field space between the flow port and the cavity 47. The present application improves the flow field design between the flow port and the cavity 47, and adopts an electrolysis chamber structure with a flow-conducting structure 46 formed by combining a flow-conducting electrode 441 with a flow-conducting frame 442. This can increase the water inlet and outlet of the electrolytic cell and reduce the water inlet and outlet pressure, thereby enhancing mass transfer, timely discharging the oxygen generated during the electrolysis of water, reducing mass transfer resistance, and thus reducing voltage loss. At the same time, the provision of the flow-conducting structure 46 can also enhance heat transfer, take away heat, and improve the operating stability of the electrolytic cell and the overall performance of the electrolytic cell.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, please also refer to Figure 11 and Figure 13As shown, the flow ports include water inlets 48 and water outlets 50, which are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the polar plate assembly 44, for example, two water inlets 48 are arranged on the side edges of the polar plate assembly 44, and two water outlets 50 are correspondingly arranged, and the two water inlets 48 and the two water outlets 50 are symmetrically arranged about at least one center line of the polar plate assembly 44, for example, the two water inlets 48 and the two water outlets 50 are symmetric about the vertical line of the center of any opposite side edge of the polar plate assembly 44, so that the two water inlets 48 and the two water outlets 50 are one-to-one corresponding, which can increase the smoothness of fluid flow. The flow guide structure 46 is arranged between the two water inlets 48 and the two water outlets 50 and the cavity 47. In the embodiment shown, the flow guide structure 46 at the water inlet 48 and the water outlet 50 is the same. In other embodiments, the water inlet 48 and the water outlet 50 can also be provided in other numbers, and can also be provided in other position setting modes, and the number and position of the application are not limited.

[0037] The water inlet 48 includes a first water inlet portion 481 arranged on the polar plate 441 and a second water inlet portion 482 correspondingly arranged on the frame 442, and the water outlet 50 includes a first water outlet portion 501 arranged on the polar plate 441 and a second water outlet portion 502 correspondingly arranged on the frame 442. Preferably, the first water inlet portion 481 and the second water inlet portion 482 are the same size and arranged in alignment, and the first water outlet portion 501 and the second water outlet portion 502 are the same size and arranged in alignment.

[0038] Further, please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 8 As shown, the cavity 47 includes a first cavity portion 52 and a second cavity portion 54 corresponding and communicating with each other, the first cavity portion 52 is arranged on one side of the polar plate 441 close to the frame 442, for example, the first cavity portion 52 is a groove structure, and the second cavity portion 54 is a hollow cavity of the frame 442, and the size of the first cavity portion 52 and the second cavity portion 54 is basically the same and corresponds in alignment. The outer end of the flow guide structure 46 arranged on the polar plate 441 is in communication with the first water inlet portion 481 or the first water outlet portion 501, and the inner end is in communication with the first cavity portion 52, and the outer end of the flow guide structure 46 arranged on the frame 442 is in communication with the second water inlet portion 482 or the second water outlet portion 502, and the inner end is in communication with the second cavity portion 54.

[0039] In this application, the polar plate 441 and the frame 442 are designed as flow channel type structures, specifically, please refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the flow guide structure 46 comprises a first opening slot 56 arranged on the polar plate 441 and a second opening slot 58 arranged on the frame 442, the first opening slot 56 and the second opening slot 58 are communicated, and the flow passage and the cavity 47 are communicated through the first opening slot 56 and the second opening slot 58. In the embodiment shown, the first opening slot 56 is arranged on the polar plate 441 opposite to the frame 442, and the second opening slot 58 is arranged on the frame 442 opposite to the polar plate 441. Preferably, the first opening slot 56 and the second opening slot 58 have the same size and correspond to each other in up-down direction, the outer end of the first opening slot 56 is communicated with the first water inlet part 481 or the first water outlet part 501, and the inner end is communicated with the first cavity part 52, the outer end of the second opening slot 58 is communicated with the second water inlet part 482 or the second water outlet part 502, and the inner end is communicated with the second cavity part 54.

[0040] Further, please refer to Figure 5 、 Figure 9 、 Figure 11 and Figure 13 As shown, the flow guide structure 46 comprises a plurality of flow guide parts 60 and a plurality of flow guide channels 62 formed by the plurality of flow guide parts 60, one end of the flow guide part 60 is connected to the first opening slot 56 and the other end is connected to the second opening slot 58, for example, the upper end of the flow guide part 60 is connected to the first opening slot 56, and the lower end of the flow guide part 60 is connected to the second opening slot 58, that is, the first opening slot 56 and the second opening slot 58 are separated by the plurality of flow guide parts 60 to form the flow guide channels 62, and the outer end of the flow guide channel 62 is communicated with the flow passage and the inner end is communicated with the cavity 47.

[0041] Preferably, the plurality of flow guide parts 60 are uniformly arranged along the width direction of the first opening slot 56 and the second opening slot 58, so that the structure design of the plurality of flow guide channels 62 is consistent, and the uniformity and stability of fluid flow are ensured.

[0042] In the embodiments as shown in Figures 4-6In the illustrated embodiment, five flow guides 60 are provided, and the five flow guides 60 are arranged perpendicular to the side edges of the electrode assembly 44. The opposite side walls of the first slot 56 in the width direction, near the end of the first cavity 52, are curved in an arc shape in a direction away from each other. That is, the size of the first slot 56 near the end of the first cavity 52 gradually increases. This allows the flow guide channels 62 on the corresponding side walls to direct water toward the side areas of the first cavity 52, enhancing the uniformity of water flow within the first cavity 52. ​​This water flow can remove oxygen distributed in the side areas of the first cavity 52, preventing oxygen accumulation that affects flow smoothness and localized overheating. Similarly, the opposite side walls of the second slot 58 in the width direction are curved in an arc shape in directions away from each other near one end of the second cavity 54, that is, the size of the second slot 58 near one end of the second cavity 54 gradually increases, so that the guide channel 62 at the corresponding side wall can guide water to the side area of ​​the second cavity 54, thereby enhancing the uniformity of water flow distribution in the second cavity 54. This part of the water flow can take away the oxygen distributed in the side area of ​​the second cavity 54, thereby avoiding problems such as oxygen accumulation affecting flow smoothness and local overheating.

[0043] In such Figures 7-9 In the illustrated embodiment, three flow guides 60 are provided, arranged in a diverging pattern toward one side of the cavity 47. The opposing side walls of the first slot 56, along its width, curve away from each other in an arc-like shape, meaning the first slot 56 gradually increases in size toward the first cavity 52. ​​Similarly, the opposing side walls of the second slot 58, along its width, curve away from each other in an arc-like shape, meaning the second slot 58 gradually increases in size toward the second cavity 54. This design allows the flow guide channels 62 on the corresponding side walls to direct water toward the side areas of the first or second cavity 52, 54, enhancing the uniformity of water flow within the first or second cavity 52, 54. This water flow removes oxygen distributed in the side areas of the first or second cavity 52, 54, preventing oxygen accumulation that could affect flow smoothness and localized overheating. The flow guide channels 62 formed between the three flow guides 60 gradually increase in size toward the cavity 47, further reducing the inlet and outlet pressures of the liquid.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the guide portion 60 is designed as a strip-shaped guide rib. In other embodiments, the guide portion 60 may also be designed as other shapes and structures according to actual design requirements, such as a point-shaped guide column.

[0045] In some embodiments, as Figures 3 to 11As shown, the flow guide part 60 is divided into two parts, one part is connected to the polar plate 441, and the other part is connected to the frame 442. Specifically, the flow guide part 60 includes a first part 601 and a second part 602, the first part 601 is detachably or integrally connected to the groove bottom wall of the first open groove 56, the second part 602 is detachably or integrally connected to the groove bottom wall of the second open groove 58, and the opposite ends of the first part 601 and the second part 602 abut against each other. In the embodiment as shown in Figures 3-8 In the embodiment as shown, the flow guide channel 62 includes a first flow guide channel 621 and a second flow guide channel 622 connected in communication, the first part 601 is integrally connected with the first open groove 56, that is, the first part 601 and the polar plate 441 are an integrally formed structure, the first part 601 separates the first open groove 56 to form the first flow guide channel 621, and the second part 602 is integrally connected with the second open groove 58, that is, the second part 602 and the frame 442 are an integrally formed structure, the second part 602 separates the second open groove 58 to form the second flow guide channel 622. In other embodiments, when the flow guide part 60 is designed as a detachable structure, appropriate flow guide structures can be selected and replaced according to the flow requirements, further improving the running stability and overall performance of the electrolysis cell 10, enhancing the use flexibility, and expanding the application range of the product.

[0046] In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 12 and Figure 13 The flow guide part 60 is designed as a whole, and the flow guide part 60 can be connected to the polar plate 441 or connected to the frame 442. Specifically, one end of the flow guide part 60 is detachably or integrally connected to the groove bottom wall of the first open groove 56, and the other end abuts against the groove bottom wall of the second open groove 58; or, one end of the flow guide part 60 is detachably or integrally connected to the groove bottom wall of the second open groove 58, and the other end abuts against the groove bottom wall of the first open groove 56. In the embodiment as shown in Figures 9-10 The flow guide part 60 is integrally connected to the groove bottom wall of the second open groove 58, that is, the flow guide part 60 and the frame 442 are an integrally formed structure, and during installation, the other end of the flow guide part 60 abuts against the groove bottom wall of the first open groove 56.

[0047] In the shown embodiment, the first cavity 52 is provided with a flow guide field communicated between the water inlet 48 and the water outlet 50, which can further enhance the flow of fluid, increase the water inflow and outflow, reduce the water inflow and outflow pressure, and increase the reaction rate of the electrolysis cell 10 to improve the electrolysis efficiency, and reduce the energy consumption of the electrolysis cell 10 to reduce the operating cost. Specifically, the first cavity 52 is provided with at least one flow guide field, which includes a first flow guide array 66 formed by a plurality of flow guide ribs 64 and / or a second flow guide array 70 formed by a plurality of bosses 68. The flow guide ribs 64 are, for example, straight strips, and the bosses 68 are, for example, circular. The first flow guide array 66 is formed by a plurality of flow guide ribs 64 arranged at intervals to form a first flow channel 72 for fluid flow, and the second flow guide array 70 is formed by a plurality of bosses 68 arranged at intervals to form a second flow channel 74 for fluid flow. The first flow channel 72 and the second flow channel 74 are communicated.

[0048] In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the flow guide field is provided with three, i.e. a first flow guide field, a second flow guide field and a third flow guide field, which are arranged along the interval direction x from the water inlet 48 to the water outlet 50. The first flow guide field and the third flow guide field are both the second flow guide array 70, and the second flow guide field is the first flow guide array 66. The two second flow guide arrays 70 are arranged on both sides of the first flow guide array 66, one of which is arranged between the flow guide structure 46 on the water inlet 48 side and the first flow guide array 66, and the other of which is arranged between the flow guide structure 46 on the water outlet 50 side and the first flow guide array 66.

[0049] Preferably, as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the flow guide ribs 64 extend along the interval direction x, and a plurality of flow guide ribs 64 are uniformly arranged at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the interval direction x. A plurality of bosses 68 are arranged in multiple layers in the interval direction x, and a plurality of bosses 68 in each layer are uniformly arranged at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the interval direction x. Adjacent two layers of bosses 68 are arranged in a staggered manner. The height of the flow guide field, i.e. the height of the flow guide ribs 64 and the bosses 68, is not higher than the depth of the first cavity 52, i.e. the upper surface of the flow guide ribs 64 and the bosses 68 is not higher than the upper surface of the polar plate 441 (i.e. the surface of the polar plate 441 opposite to the frame 442). The multiple flow guide fields can distribute and guide the fluid in the cavity multiple times to make the flow distribution more uniform, and the flow guide ribs 64 and the bosses 68 also support the anode diffusion layer 20.

[0050] In some embodiments, the electrolysis cell 10 comprises an anode diffusion layer 20 and an anode frame sealing layer 14, the anode frame sealing layer 14 is arranged between the polar plate 441 and the frame 442 to enhance the air tightness between the polar plate 441 and the frame 442, the anode frame sealing layer 14 is provided with a avoiding structure corresponding to the flow guide structure 46 to avoid interference with the flow guide structure 46. The anode diffusion layer 20 is arranged in the second cavity 54, and the thickness of the anode diffusion layer 20 is the sum of the thicknesses of the frame 442 and the anode frame sealing layer 14.

[0051] In the present application, reasonable flow channel design and polar plate structure can solve the fatal defects of water shortage and overheating of the proton exchange membrane 22, thereby prolonging the service life of the proton exchange membrane 22. By arranging the flow guide structure 46 on the polar plate 441 and the frame 442 at the same time, compared with the prior art, the space of the flow passage can be increased while the thickness of the frame 442 is reduced. The thickness of the frame 442 is reduced, and the thickness of the hollow cavity is reduced, so the thickness of the anode diffusion layer 20 can also be reduced. To a certain extent, the cost of the anode diffusion layer 20 can be reduced. The anode diffusion layer 20 is one of the important components of the electrolysis cell 10, and its cost accounts for a considerable part of the total cost. By reducing the thickness of the frame 442, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the entire electrolysis cell 10. In the present embodiment, the polar plate 441 is the anode plate 12 of the electrolysis cell 10, and the flow guide structure 46 is arranged on the anode surface of the anode plate 12. In other embodiments, the polar plate 441 can also be arranged as a bipolar plate, and the flow guide structure 46 can be arranged on one or both polar surfaces of the bipolar plate.

[0052] The present application also provides an electrolysis tank, which can be a proton exchange membrane electrolysis tank, the electrolysis tank comprising a first end plate, a second end plate and at least one electrolysis cell as described above, the at least one electrolysis cell being arranged in a stack, the first end plate and the second end plate being arranged at two ends of the stack in the direction of the at least one electrolysis cell, the first end plate and the second end plate being fixed relative to each other, for example by bolts, so that the at least one electrolysis cell is clamped and fixed between the first end plate and the second end plate, or the first end plate, the second end plate and the at least one electrolysis cell are fixed together by bolts.

[0053] In summary, the application provides an electrolysis cell and an electrolysis tank, the electrolysis tank comprising at least one electrolysis cell, the electrolysis cell comprising an electrode plate assembly and a flow passage, a flow guide structure and a cavity provided on the electrode plate assembly, the flow passage and the cavity being communicated through the flow guide structure, the electrode plate assembly comprising an electrode plate and a frame connected with each other, the flow guide structure being partially provided on the frame and partially provided on the electrode plate, so as to increase the space of the flow field between the flow passage and the cavity. The application improves the flow field design between the flow passage and the cavity, adopts the electrolysis cell structure that the flow channel type electrode plate is combined with the flow channel type frame to form the flow guide structure, can increase the water inflow and outflow of the electrolysis tank, reduce the water inflow and outflow pressure, thereby strengthening the mass transfer, timely discharging the oxygen generated in the electrolysis process, reducing the mass transfer resistance, thereby reducing the voltage loss, at the same time, the flow guide structure can increase the water inflow and outflow, improve the electrolysis reaction and conversion efficiency, and improve the operation stability of the electrolysis tank and the overall performance of the electrolysis tank.

[0054] The concepts described herein can be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit and nature of the disclosure. The disclosed specific embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Therefore, the scope of the application is determined by the appended claims, not by the foregoing description. Any changes within the literal meaning and equivalent scope of the claims should be considered within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electrolysis cell, characterized in that, The application relates to a polar plate assembly (44) and a flow guide structure (46) and a cavity (47) arranged at the flow port of the polar plate assembly (44), the flow port and the cavity (47) being communicated through the flow guide structure (46), the polar plate assembly (44) comprising a polar plate (441) and a frame (442) connected with each other, and the flow guide structure (46) being arranged at the frame (442) and the polar plate (441); the flow guide structure (46) comprises a first slot (56) arranged at the polar plate (441) and a second slot (58) arranged at the frame (442), the first slot (56) and the second slot (58) being communicated, and the flow port and the cavity (47) being communicated through the first slot (56) and the second slot (58); the flow guide structure (46) comprises a plurality of flow guide portions (60) and a plurality of flow guide channels (62) formed by the plurality of flow guide portions (60), one end of the flow guide portion (60) being connected to the first slot (56) and the other end being connected to the second slot (58), and the flow guide channel (62) communicating the flow port and the cavity (47); one end of the flow guide portion (60) is detachably or integrally connected to the bottom wall of the first slot (56), and the other end abuts against the bottom wall of the second slot (58); or one end of the flow guide portion (60) is detachably or integrally connected to the bottom wall of the second slot (58), and the other end abuts against the bottom wall of the first slot (56).

2. The electrolysis cell of claim 1, wherein, The flow port comprises a water inlet (48) and a water outlet (50), and the water inlet (48) and the water outlet (50) are arranged at opposite sides of the polar plate assembly (44), the water inlet (48) comprises a first water inlet portion (481) arranged at the polar plate (441) and a second water inlet portion (482) arranged at the frame (442) correspondingly, and the water outlet (50) comprises a first water outlet portion (501) arranged at the polar plate (441) and a second water outlet portion (502) arranged at the frame (442) correspondingly.

3. The electrolysis cell of claim 1, wherein, The cavity (47) comprises a first cavity portion (52) and a second cavity portion (54) corresponding and communicated, the first cavity portion (52) is arranged at one side of the polar plate (441) close to the frame (442), and the second cavity portion (54) is a hollow cavity of the frame (442); at least one flow guide field is arranged in the first cavity portion (52), and the flow guide field comprises a first flow guide array (66) formed by a plurality of flow guide ribs (64) and / or a second flow guide array (70) formed by a plurality of bosses (68).

4. The electrolysis cell of claim 3, wherein, The electrolysis cell (10) comprises an anode diffusion layer (20) and an anode frame sealing layer (14), the anode frame sealing layer (14) is arranged between the pole plate (441) and the frame (442), the anode diffusion layer (20) is arranged in the second cavity (54), and the thickness of the anode diffusion layer (20) is the sum of the thicknesses of the frame (442) and the anode frame sealing layer (14).

5. The electrolysis cell of claim 1, wherein, The pole plate (441) is an anode plate (12), and the flow guide structure (46) is arranged on the anode surface of the anode plate (12); or the pole plate (441) is a bipolar plate, and the flow guide structure (46) is arranged on one or both of the pole surfaces of the bipolar plate.

6. An electrolytic cell characterized in that, An electrolysis cell (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Frame structure of proton exchange membrane electrolytic cell

    CN117867540A

  • Bipolar plate and electrolytic bath

    CN118814191A