PEM electrolytic cell sealing material accelerated aging test platform

Abstract

The invention discloses a PEM electrolytic cell sealing material accelerated aging test platform, which comprises at least one box body, a sealing test module is arranged in the box body, and the sealing test module is connected with a pressure control system arranged outside the box body; a temperature control system and an air circulation system are further arranged in the box body, and the temperature control system, the air circulation system and the pressure control system are respectively connected with a monitoring system. Acceleration simulation conditions closer to the real working conditions of the PEM electrolytic cell can be provided, and the accelerated aging reliability of the PEM electrolytic cell sealing element is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials, belonging to the technical field of aging tests. Background Art

[0002] The development of hydrogen energy is an important way to solve the problems of renewable energy consumption and storage, as well as deep decarbonization in chemical, metallurgical and other industries. Hydrogen production is an important bridge to achieve hydrogen-electricity conversion. Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis technology (PEM) is an advanced hydrogen production technology currently recognized by the industry. The PEM electrolyzer is the core component of PEM technology, which is usually composed of bipolar plates, diffusion layers, membrane electrodes and seals stacked layer by layer. Seals (usually rubber-based polymer materials) are key components for achieving safe and stable operation of electrolyzers. With long-term operation, the seals will gradually age and fail, and their service life is crucial to the safe operation of electrolysis. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct aging studies on seals in a relatively short period of time through accelerated aging tests to evaluate the life of seals.

[0003] However, the operation process involves complex conditions such as high pressure, high temperature, liquid medium, oxidation, acidity, etc. Conventional aging equipment (such as wet heat aging box simulating (wet) heat oxygen aging conditions, constant temperature water tank simulating hydrothermal aging conditions, etc.) can only meet the condition simulation under certain circumstances, and it is difficult to meet the aging test requirements of PEM electrolyzer seals. For this reason, this patent proposes an accelerated aging test platform that can more realistically simulate the operating conditions of PEM electrolyzers, and provide an accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer seal life prediction and seal material selection.

[0004] From the above process, we can see that the conventional accelerated aging system has the following problems:

[0005] The accelerated aging conditions are relatively simple, lacking high pressure and contact conditions of the liquid medium inside the seal, etc., making it difficult to fully reflect the actual working conditions of the seal in the actual PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production (high pressure, high temperature, liquid medium, oxidation, acidity, etc.). For example, CN110608995A is not a gas-liquid two-phase pressurized environment, but a pure gas pressure environment with low pressure. CN112782065A places the sealing material in a high-pressure reactor, with the purpose of achieving a high-pressure and high-temperature environment, and studying the sealing material under external pressure and extremely high temperature (generally exceeding 100 degrees Celsius). However, the penetration of the ordered aging medium (solution) on the material is enhanced, or the aging mechanism of the material at a specific high temperature is different, which will affect the evaluation of the material's aging resistance. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials in response to the above-mentioned problems, which can provide accelerated simulation conditions that are closer to the actual working conditions of the PEM electrolyzer and improve the accelerated aging reliability of PEM electrolyzer seals.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0008] A PEM electrolyzer sealing material accelerated aging test platform comprises at least one box, wherein a sealing test module is arranged inside the box, and the sealing test module is connected to a pressure control system arranged outside the box; a temperature control system and an air circulation system are also arranged inside the box, and the temperature control system, the air circulation system and the pressure control system are respectively connected to a monitoring system.

[0009] Optionally, the box body includes a fuselage, one side of the fuselage is open, a detachable box door is provided on the opening, and a sealing strip is provided between the box door and the fuselage.

[0010] Optionally, an observation window is provided on the box door.

[0011] Optionally, a control display panel connected to the monitoring system is provided on the outer side of the box.

[0012] Optionally, the sealing test module includes multiple layers of sealing materials, an intermediate layer is provided between adjacent sealing materials, an upper top plate is provided above the topmost layer of sealing material, and a lower top plate is provided below the bottommost layer of sealing material, and fixing bolts are inserted between the upper top plate, the intermediate layer and the lower top plate.

[0013] Optionally, the upper top plate and the middle portion of the middle layer have openings, and a flange member connected to the pressure control system is provided above the upper top plate, and the flange member corresponds to the position of the opening.

[0014] Optionally, a limiting block is provided around the sealing material.

[0015] Optionally, the pressure control system includes a pressure relief valve, a one-way valve, a gas flow sensor, a gas pressure sensor and a solenoid valve which are sequentially arranged outward from the sealing test module.

[0016] Optionally, the temperature control system includes a heating tank and a temperature sensor disposed in the box.

[0017] Optionally, the air circulation system includes a built-in fan; and the fuselage is provided with exhaust holes.

[0018] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0019] 1. The present invention provides an accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials, which can provide simulated compression state (compression rate) of PEM electrolyzer sealing materials, reaction medium, temperature and pressure in the electrolyzer, and provide accelerated aging conditions for seals that are the same / similar to the actual working conditions of the PEM electrolyzer; provide a static pressure of 0 to 10 MPa to simulate the operating pressure of the PEM electrolyzer; provide an (oxidative, acidic, etc.) liquid medium environment to simulate the contact conditions between the inner side of the sealing ring and the medium when the PEM electrolyzer is in operation.

[0020] 2. The present invention provides an accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials, and the monitoring system can provide protective detection and control functions: when the temperature exceeds the set value by 10°C, the monitoring system alarms; when it exceeds 20°C, the monitoring system controls the corresponding test box to stop running; when the temperature in the test box is constant, the gas pressure fluctuation in the sealing test module exceeds the system set value by 10%, and the monitoring system controls the corresponding test box to stop running; when the temperature in the test box is constant and the pressure of the sealing test module is stable, when it is detected that the gas flow rate exceeds 0.5mL / min, the monitoring system controls the corresponding test box to stop running; the monitoring system can record the system control process operation and time to form a log. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this scheme.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the sealing test module.

[0023] Markings in the figure: 1- fuselage, 2- box door, 3- sealing strip, 4- observation window, 5- fan, 6- control display panel, 7- temperature sensor, 8- heating tank, 9- sealing test module, 91- upper top plate, 92- middle layer, 93- lower bottom plate, 94- fixing bolt, 95- sealing material, 96- flange, 97- limit block, 10- exhaust hole, 11- pressure relief valve, 12- one-way valve, 13- gas flow sensor, 14- gas pressure sensor, 15- solenoid valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0025] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0026] A PEM electrolyzer sealing material accelerated aging test platform, such as Figure 1-2As shown, it includes a box body, in which a sealing test module 9 is arranged, and the sealing test module is connected to a pressure control system arranged outside the box body; the box body is also provided with a temperature control system and an air circulation system, and the temperature control system, the air circulation system and the pressure control system are respectively connected to a monitoring system.

[0027] When the real electrolyzer is in operation, the inside of the electrolyzer is in a state where gas and liquid coexist (oxygen + water or hydrogen + acid solution), and the internal pressure during operation is controlled by the valve opening. Since the operating pressure of the electrolyzer is usually 3-5MPa, the sealing ring will tend to move to the outside of the sealing groove due to this internal pressure, which will eventually change the actual compression state and stress state (miss stress and contact stress, etc.) of the sealing ring. In the sealing test module, this scheme first adds the accelerated aging solution (such as acid solution / hydrogen peroxide solution with a certain ratio) into the tooling through the top opening, then installs the adapter, and connects the module to the external pressure control system through a pressure-resistant steel pipe. Next, slowly heat it up to the experimental temperature, inject gas (air, nitrogen, argon, etc.) after stabilization, adjust and control the valve opening, and finally maintain the internal pressure during the experiment and realize a pressurized environment of gas and liquid.

[0028] Among them, the box body, as the basic structure of the test platform, has good sealing performance to ensure the stability and controllability of the internal environment. The sealing test module 9 is the place where the sealing material 95 to be tested is placed, which is used to provide the sealing conditions of the simulated PEM electrolyzer, including the compression rate of the sealing material 95, the reaction medium, the pressure, etc. The pressure control system is used to provide the pressure inside the module for the sealing test module 9 to simulate the high pressure conditions in the PEM electrolyzer. The pressure control system is located outside the box body and is used to adjust and control the pressure inside the box body to simulate the pressure changes that may be encountered in actual use. The pressure control system is connected to the sealing test module 9 through a pressure-resistant and corrosion-resistant metal pipe. The temperature control system is used to control the temperature inside the box body, simulate different ambient temperatures, and accelerate the aging process of the sealing material 95. The air circulation system is used to ensure the air circulation and uniform temperature inside the box body, as well as the external air replacement, so as to avoid the accumulation of corrosive gases leaking from the sealing test module 9 and damage the test platform. The monitoring system is used to monitor and control the temperature inside the box body, the wind speed of the air circulation system, and the pressure of the sealing test module 9. The temperature control system, air circulation system and pressure control system are connected to the centralized monitoring system through data cables, so that the monitoring system can monitor and record the temperature, fan 5 speed, sealing test module 9 pressure and gas flow, and realize control.

[0029] As another specific embodiment, the box body includes a fuselage 1, one side of the fuselage 1 is open, the opening is equipped with a door 2 that can be opened and closed, and a sealing strip 3 is provided between the door 2 and the fuselage 1. The fuselage 1 is the main load-bearing and structural part of the box body, providing protection and support for the internal test modules. The opening is designed on one side of the fuselage 1 to facilitate access to the interior of the box. The door 2 can be opened and closed to facilitate installation and unloading of the test module. The sealing strip 3 is installed between the door 2 and the fuselage 1, and is used to seal the interface to prevent external environmental factors from interfering with the test environment, wherein the sealing strip 3 is made of high temperature resistant and corrosion resistant rubber material.

[0030] As another specific embodiment, the box door 2 is provided with an observation window 4. The observation window 4 is made of a transparent material, such as glass, and is located on the box door 2, allowing the user to directly observe the situation inside the box without opening the box door 2. There is no need to frequently open the box door 2, thereby reducing the fluctuation of the test environment caused by opening the door.

[0031] As another specific embodiment, a control display panel 6 connected to the monitoring system is provided on the outer side of the box. The display panel can display key parameters such as temperature, humidity, and pressure in the box in real time. The operating status of the box is displayed through indicator lights or icons on the screen, such as operation, standby, alarm, etc., providing an intuitive and convenient way for operators to monitor and control the operating status of the box.

[0032] As another specific embodiment, the sealing test module 9 includes a multi-layer sealing material 95, an intermediate layer 92 is provided between adjacent sealing materials 95, an upper top plate 91 is provided above the topmost layer of sealing material 95, and a lower top plate is provided below the bottommost layer of sealing material 95, and fixing bolts 94 are passed through the upper top plate 91, the intermediate layer 92 and the lower top plate. The design of the multi-layer sealing material 95 and the intermediate layer 92 can better simulate the sealing environment in actual applications. Through the upper top plate 91 and the lower top plate and the fixing bolts 94, pressure can be evenly applied to the sealing material 95 to simulate the stress conditions in actual use. The structure is simple, and installation and disassembly are convenient, which reduces the difficulty of operation. The modular design allows the sealing material 95 to be easily replaced after the test to conduct different tests or repeated tests.

[0033] As another specific embodiment, the upper top plate 91 and the middle layer 92 have openings in the middle, and a flange 96 connected to the pressure control system is provided above the upper top plate 91, and the flange 96 corresponds to the position of the opening. The upper top plate 91 and the middle layer 92 have openings in the middle, and the openings allow the aging solution and the pressure medium applied by the pressure control system to pass through, thereby simulating the actual operating conditions of the inner side of the sealing material 95. Matching this, the middle part of the sealing material 95 is also provided with an opening. The flange connection provides good sealing performance and reduces the risk of pressure leakage. The position of the flange 96 corresponds to the openings of the upper top plate 91 and the middle layer 92, and the pressure control system can be connected to the opening through the flange 96 to achieve pressure application to the sealing material 95.

[0034] As another specific embodiment, a limit block 97 is further provided around the sealing material 95. The setting of the limit block 97 can position the height of each layer of the sealing test module, thereby ensuring that the distance between each sealing material along the axial direction is equal and that the compression rate is also equal. Specifically, the limit block 97 can be provided in a single body state between the middle layer 92 and the upper top plate 91 / or the lower top plate, or can be fixedly connected between the middle layer 92 and the upper top plate 91 / or the lower top plate to ensure that the position of each layer of the limit block 97 corresponds up and down. When the limit block 97 is in a single body state, a limit groove can be provided on the middle layer 92 and the upper top plate 91 / or the lower top plate to fix the limit block 97.

[0035] As another specific embodiment, the pressure control system includes a one-way valve 12, a gas flow sensor 13, a gas pressure sensor 14 and a solenoid valve 15 which are sequentially arranged outward from the sealing test module. The pressure relief valve 11 can release the pressure provided by the pressure control system after the test is completed. The one-way valve 12 ensures that the gas or liquid medium can only flow in one direction, prevents the pressure medium from flowing back during the test, and protects the pressure control system and the test device from damage. The gas flow sensor 13 is used to measure the gas flow through the pipeline and can provide real-time flow data. The gas pressure sensor 14 is used to monitor the gas pressure to ensure that the pressure during the test is within a predetermined range. The solenoid valve 15 is remotely controlled by the control system, responds quickly to pressure changes, and accurately opens or closes the gas flow. When the system is started, all valves are in a closed state to ensure system safety. The operator opens the solenoid valve 15 through the control system to allow gas to flow into the sealing test module. The gas flow sensor 13 starts to measure the amount of gas flowing in, and the gas pressure sensor 14 monitors the pressure change. When the set pressure value is reached, the control system closes the solenoid valve 15 to keep the pressure in the test device stable. The one-way valve 12 ensures that the pressure in the test device will not drop even if the solenoid valve 15 is closed. After the test, the control system opens the pressure relief valve 11 to reduce the pressure in the test device. The pressure control system is connected to a high-pressure gas cylinder for providing pressure, and the internal gas is selected from one of air, nitrogen, argon, and helium.

[0036] As another specific embodiment, the temperature control system includes a heating tank 8 and a temperature sensor 7 arranged in the box. The heating tank 8 is a device located in the box, used to heat the test object or the medium in the box. The heating tank 8 contains a heating element, such as a heating wire or a heating plate. The heating tank 8 is a device located in the box, used to heat the test object or the medium in the box. The heating tank 8 usually contains a heating element, such as a heating wire or a heating plate, and necessary heat dissipation structures. It can provide stable heat according to the test requirements to maintain a constant temperature in the box.

[0037] As another specific embodiment, the air circulation system includes a built-in fan 5; the fuselage 1 is provided with an exhaust hole 10. The built-in fan 5 can effectively promote air flow and improve the air circulation efficiency in the box. The provision of the exhaust hole 10 allows the air in the box to be exchanged with the outside air, which helps to discharge harmful gases in the box, so as to avoid the accumulation of corrosive gases leaked from the sealing test module 9 and damage to the test platform.

[0038] The accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials provided in this embodiment has the following working process:

[0039] 4 to 8 units Figure 1The test box shown is connected to the detection and control system to form a PEM electrolyzer sealing material 95 accelerated aging test platform. Figure 2 The sealing test module 9 shown in the figure is used to load the seal to be tested into the test module. The test module can be equipped with a sufficient number of test modules (such as 36 sets) according to the design requirements of the aging test. The sealing test module 9 is placed in the test box and connected to the pressure control system. Through the monitoring system and the pressure control system, the sealing test module 9 is pressurized to the aging pressure condition to test the air tightness of the sealing test module 9. After the air tightness test is completed, the sealing test module 9 is taken out, and the aging medium (such as an oxidizing solution, an acidic solution or deionized water, etc.) is loaded. The sealing test module 9 is placed in the test box (such as 6 sets of sealing test modules 9 are transferred to 6 test boxes respectively), and connected to the pressure control system. Turn on the monitoring system, the power switch of the test box, the pressure control system, etc. Each test box is controlled by the monitoring system to heat up to the test temperature (such as 40°C, 50°C, 60°C, 70°C, 80°C, 90°C). After the temperature in the test box reaches the set temperature and remains stable, the pressure control system is controlled to slowly pressurize the sealing test module 9 to the test pressure (such as 3MPa). After the pressure stabilizes, the test is started. According to the test time, stop heating the test box, cool it to room temperature, close the one-way valve 12 of the pressure control system, release the internal pressure of the sealing test module 9 through the pressure relief valve 11, and take out the sealing test modules 9 in batches to complete the aging test.

[0040] It should be noted that the monitoring system is used to monitor and control the temperature inside the box, the wind speed of the air circulation system, and the pressure of the sealing test module 9. The temperature control system, the air circulation system, and the pressure control system are connected to the centralized monitoring system through data cables, so that the monitoring system can monitor and record the temperature, the speed of the fan 5, the pressure of the sealing test module 9, and the gas flow, and realize control.

[0041] The monitoring system can adjust the temperature control system. The temperature control range is from room temperature to 250°C, and the control accuracy is 0.1°C.

[0042] The monitoring system can adjust the air circulation system, and the speed control range of fan 5 is 0 to 3000 rpm;

[0043] The monitoring system can adjust the temperature control system, the pressure control range is 0-10MPa, the control accuracy is 0.1MPa, and the gas flow rate is detected, the detection range is 0.1-500.0ml / min, and the accuracy is 0.2%FS.

[0044] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention extends to any new features or any new combinations disclosed in this specification, and any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and the detailed technical features not disclosed in this embodiment, such as specific structure, connection method, etc., can be obtained by those skilled in the art from the prior art, and the present disclosed embodiment does not specifically limit this.

Claims

1. A PEM electrolyzer sealing material accelerated aging test platform, characterized by: The invention comprises at least one box body, wherein a sealing test module (9) is arranged inside the box body, and the sealing test module is connected to a pressure control system arranged outside the box body; the box body is also provided with a temperature control system and an air circulation system, and the temperature control system, the air circulation system and the pressure control system are respectively connected to a monitoring system.

2. The accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The box body comprises a body (1), one side of the body (1) is open, a detachable box door (2) is provided on the opening, and a sealing strip (3) is provided between the box door (2) and the body (1).

3. The accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials according to claim 2, characterized in that: The box door (2) is provided with an observation window (4).

4. The accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: A control display panel (6) connected to the monitoring system is provided on the outer side of the box.

5. The accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing test module (9) includes multiple layers of sealing material (95), an intermediate layer (92) is provided between adjacent sealing materials (95), an upper top plate (91) is provided above the uppermost layer of sealing material (95), and a lower top plate is provided below the lowermost layer of sealing material (95), and fixing bolts (94) are inserted between the upper top plate (91), the intermediate layer (92) and the lower top plate.

6. The accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials according to claim 5, characterized in that: The upper top plate (91) and the middle layer (92) have openings in the middle, and a flange (96) connected to the pressure control system is provided above the upper top plate (91), and the flange (96) corresponds to the position of the opening.

7. The accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials according to claim 5, characterized in that: A limiting block (97) is also provided around the sealing material (95).

8. The accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure control system comprises a pressure relief valve (11), a one-way valve (12), a gas flow sensor (13), a gas pressure sensor (14) and a solenoid valve (15) which are arranged outward from the sealing test module in sequence.

9. The accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature control system comprises a heating tank (8) and a temperature sensor (7) arranged in the box.

10. The accelerated aging test platform for PEM electrolyzer sealing materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air circulation system comprises a built-in fan (5); The body (1) is provided with an exhaust hole (10).

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