Hydrogen production electrolysis components, hydrogen production electrolysis cells and hydrogen production equipment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen production electrolysis component, a hydrogen production electrolyzer and a hydrogen production device. The hydrogen production electrolysis component includes a plurality of bipolar plates, a diaphragm, a first liquid inlet and a first gas outlet, each bipolar plate is of a cylindrical structure and is coaxially sleeved; the diaphragm is located between two adjacent bipolar plates; the first liquid inlet is located at the first axial end of the plurality of bipolar plates and the diaphragm, and the first gas outlet is located at the second axial end of the plurality of bipolar plates and the diaphragm opposite to the first axial end. After the hydrogen production electrolysis component of the present disclosure is installed in the electrolyzer through the first axial end, the bipolar plates and diaphragms of the cylindrical structure can ensure that the electrolyte entering each hydrogen production electrolysis component through the first liquid inlet can be maintained at the same liquid level, and there will be no uneven electrolyte in each hydrogen production electrolysis component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of electrolysis equipment, and in particular, to a hydrogen production electrolysis assembly, a hydrogen production electrolysis cell using the hydrogen production electrolysis cell, and hydrogen production equipment using the hydrogen production electrolysis cell. Background Art

[0002] As a common technology in metallurgy and hydrogen production, electrolysis has the advantages of wide processing range and high processing quality. Taking hydrogen production by electrolysis as an example, water electrolysis hydrogen production technology is a relatively mature technology and is currently the most important green hydrogen production technology. As the core equipment of electrolysis technology, the electrolyzer has a structure similar to a filter press, with several bipolar plates stacked to form a series structure electrically.

[0003] When the amount of hydrogen to be produced is large, the number of bipolar plates stacked or the area of ​​the bipolar plates is usually increased. Since the electrolyte enters each electrolysis chamber at different speeds, as the number of bipolar plates increases and the volume increases, the amount of electrolyte entering different electrolysis chambers will be different, thus affecting the electrolysis efficiency. In order to ensure the uniformity of the electrolyte in each electrolysis chamber, it is necessary to accurately design the flow field of the electrolyte from the inlet to the outlet, including the length of the flow path and the resistance of the flow section, to ensure that the electrolyte enters each electrolysis chamber in a close and uniform manner. In order to ensure better results, a lot of calculations and precise designs are required, which undoubtedly increases the manufacturing cost and difficulty of the equipment. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a hydrogen production electrolysis component, and an electrolyzer with the hydrogen production electrolysis component can ensure the uniformity of the electrolyte when entering each electrolysis chamber in the electrolytic cell.

[0005] In order to achieve the above objectives, the present disclosure provides a hydrogen production electrolysis assembly, comprising:

[0006] A plurality of bipolar plates, each of which is a cylindrical structure and coaxially sleeved; a diaphragm, located between two adjacent bipolar plates; a first liquid inlet, located at a first axial end of the plurality of bipolar plates and the diaphragm; a first gas outlet, located at a second axial end of the plurality of bipolar plates and the diaphragm opposite to the first axial end.

[0007] Optionally, the first liquid inlet and the first gas outlet are both formed by annular openings between adjacent ends of the bipolar plates.

[0008] Optionally, the bipolar plate and the diaphragm are both cylindrical.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a hydrogen-producing electrolyzer is provided, comprising: the hydrogen-producing electrolysis component described in the above-mentioned embodiment; a base, the base being provided with a hollow inner cavity, and a second liquid inlet and a liquid outlet communicating with the inner cavity, the base being connected to a first axial end of the hydrogen-producing electrolysis component, the liquid outlet being communicated with a first liquid inlet of the hydrogen-producing electrolysis component through the first axial end, and being used for introducing electrolyte into the hydrogen-producing electrolysis component; a cover plate, the cover plate being used for sealing the hydrogen-producing electrolysis component, the cover plate being provided with a second gas outlet, the cover plate being connected to a second axial end of the hydrogen-producing electrolysis component, the second gas outlet being communicated with the first gas outlet through the second axial end.

[0010] Optionally, two adjacent bipolar plates, a base and a cover plate form an electrolysis chamber, and the liquid outlet and the second gas outlet are distributed on both sides of the diaphragm in the electrolysis chamber.

[0011] Optionally, each of the electrolysis chambers is respectively connected to a plurality of the liquid outlets and the second gas outlets, and the plurality of the liquid outlets and the second gas outlets are evenly distributed along both sides of the diaphragm.

[0012] Optionally, the electrolysis chamber further includes a diffusion layer, a sealing gasket and an electrode, and the sealing gasket is located at the first axial end and the second axial end of the hydrogen-producing electrolysis assembly.

[0013] Optionally, the base includes a bottom plate, a top plate and a side plate, the inner cavity is enclosed by the bottom plate, the top plate and the side plate, the second liquid inlet is arranged on the side plate, the liquid outlet is arranged on the top plate, and the first open end of the bipolar plate and the diaphragm is fixedly connected to the top plate.

[0014] Optionally, a plurality of the second liquid inlets are provided and are evenly distributed on the side plate.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a hydrogen production device, comprising: the electrolyzer, the gas-liquid separation device, the hydrogen storage device and the power device described in the above embodiments.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present disclosure are: the hydrogen production electrolysis assembly of the present disclosure includes a cylindrical bipolar plate and a diaphragm, and a first liquid inlet and a first gas outlet arranged between the bipolar plate and the diaphragm. When the first axial end of the hydrogen production electrolysis assembly is installed in the electrolyzer, the cylindrical structure can ensure that the electrolyte entering each electrolysis assembly through the first liquid inlet can be maintained at the same liquid level, and the electrolyte in each electrolysis assembly will not be uneven.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described in detail in the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the following specific embodiments, they are used to explain the present disclosure but do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen production electrolysis assembly in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a hydrogen production electrolysis assembly in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen production electrolyzer in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a hydrogen production electrolyzer in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a top view of a hydrogen production electrolyzer without a cover plate in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Description of Reference Numerals

[0025] 1-bipolar plate; 11-first liquid inlet; 12-first gas outlet;

[0026] 2-diaphragm; 21-first axial end; 22-second axial end;

[0027] 3-base; 31-inner cavity; 32-second liquid inlet; 33-liquid outlet; 34-bottom plate; 35-top plate; 36-side plate;

[0028] 4-cover plate; 41-second air outlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The specific implementation of the present disclosure is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific implementation described herein is only used to illustrate and explain the present disclosure, and is not used to limit the present disclosure.

[0030] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise stated, directional words such as "upper, lower, high, low, top, bottom" generally refer to the position of the corresponding component or structure in the direction of gravity. Figure 1 The directions of the drawings shown. "Inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside of the corresponding component outline. In addition, it should be noted that the terms used, such as "first, second", etc., are to distinguish one element from another and have no order or importance. In addition, in the description with reference to the drawings, the same mark in different drawings represents the same element. The above definitions are only used to explain and illustrate the present disclosure and should not be understood as limitations on the present disclosure.

[0031] For ease of understanding, please refer to the attached Figures 1 to 5 , the specific structure and working principle of the hydrogen production electrolysis assembly, hydrogen production electrolysis cell and hydrogen production electrolysis equipment disclosed in the present invention are explained in detail in combination with the embodiments.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The hydrogen production electrolysis assembly disclosed in the present invention includes a plurality of bipolar plates 1, and each bipolar plate 1 is cylindrical and coaxially sleeved together. The bipolar plate 1 is an important component of the electrolysis assembly and is generally made of metal materials such as cast iron, carbon steel, nickel plate or stainless steel. A diaphragm 2 is arranged between two bipolar plates 1. The diaphragm 2 is also cylindrical and matches the shape of the bipolar plate 1. The diaphragm 2 is another important component of the electrolysis assembly. The diaphragm 2 can separate the two gases produced during electrolysis to avoid gas mixing and mutual contamination, and also does not restrict the movement of ions.

[0033] A first liquid inlet 11 is provided at the first axial end 21 of the bipolar plate 1 and the diaphragm 2, so that the electrolyte can enter the electrolytic assembly through the first liquid inlet 11 for electrolytic reaction. A first gas outlet 12 is formed at the second axial end 22 of the bipolar plate 1 and the diaphragm 2, through which the electrolyte that does not participate in the electrolytic reaction and the gas generated by the electrolytic reaction can be discharged, so that the gas can flow out of the electrolytic assembly. In this embodiment, since the bipolar plate 1 and the diaphragm 2 are cylindrical, the first liquid inlet 11 and the first gas outlet 12 are formed by the annular opening between the ends of the adjacent bipolar plate 1 and the diaphragm 2. When the electrolytic assembly is installed in the electrolytic cell, the electrolyte enters the electrolytic chamber from the bottom of the electrolytic assembly through the first liquid inlet 11, thereby ensuring that the electrolyte in different electrolytic chambers in the electrolytic cell can be at the same liquid level, and the electrolyte in different electrolytic chambers will not be uneven.

[0034] When the demand for hydrogen production increases, it is only necessary to increase the number of bipolar plates 1, without having to separately calculate data such as the flow field between the electrolyte inlet and outlet, the length of the electrolyte flow path, the resistance size of the flow section, etc., in order to increase the number of bipolar plates 1, thereby greatly saving manufacturing costs and time.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, see Figure 1 and Figure 2, the bipolar plate 1 and the diaphragm 2 are cylindrical. With this arrangement, since the cylinder is enclosed by rectangular plates, the processing of the bipolar plate 1 and the diaphragm 2 can be easier during manufacture, and other components that cooperate with the electrolytic assembly, such as the diffusion layer, the sealing gasket, etc., can also be processed and easily produced on a large scale. In addition, the cylindrical bipolar plate 1 and the diaphragm 2 can also accommodate more electrolyte in the same area, so as to produce more hydrogen, thereby improving the efficiency of hydrogen production.

[0036] In the second aspect of the present disclosure, see Figure 3 and Figure 4 , a hydrogen production electrolyzer is also provided, comprising the hydrogen production electrolysis assembly in the above embodiment, and also comprising a base 3 and a cover plate 4 connected to the hydrogen production electrolysis assembly. The base 3 is connected to the first axial end 21 on the electrolysis assembly, and a hollow inner cavity 31, as well as a second liquid inlet 32 ​​and a liquid outlet 33 connected to the inner cavity 31 are provided in the base 3, wherein the second liquid inlet 32 ​​is used to pass electrolyte into the inner cavity 31 of the base 3. The liquid outlet 33 is connected to the first liquid inlet 11 of the electrolysis assembly through the first axial end 21, so that the electrolyte in the inner cavity 31 can also flow into the electrolysis assembly through the liquid outlet 33 for electrolysis.

[0037] The cover plate 4 is connected to the second axial end 22 of the electrolytic assembly, and is used to seal the electrolytic assembly to prevent the electrolyte in the electrolytic assembly and the gas generated by electrolysis from mixing with each other, causing pollution, etc. A second gas outlet 41 is provided on the cover plate 4, and the second gas outlet 41 is connected to the first gas outlet 12 of the electrolytic assembly through the second axial end 22, so as to discharge the gas generated in the electrolytic assembly.

[0038] When electrolysis begins, the staff can pass the electrolyte into the inner cavity 31 of the base 3 through the second liquid inlet 32 ​​located on the base 3, and then the electrolyte flows into the electrolytic component through the liquid outlet 33 on the base 3. Since the electrolytic component is cylindrical and is connected to the base 3 through the first axial end 21, the electrolyte entering the electrolytic component through the liquid outlet 33 can maintain the same liquid level and uniformity in each electrolytic component, without the need to calculate the length of the electrolyte flow path, flow cross-section and other data in each electrolytic component. When the electrolyte fills the electrolytic component, electrolysis begins in the electrolytic component, and the two gases and electrolyte produced by electrolysis can flow out of the electrolytic cell through the first gas outlet 12 on the electrolytic component and the second gas outlet 41 on the cover plate 4 to be processed in the subsequent equipment.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, see Figure 3 and Figure 4, the two adjacent bipolar plates 1, and the base 3 and cover plate 4 connected to the bipolar plates 1 constitute an electrolysis chamber. In this embodiment, each electrolysis chamber is provided with a liquid outlet 33 and a second gas outlet 41, and at least two liquid outlets 33 and second gas outlets 41 are provided, so that both sides of the diaphragm 2 have at least one liquid outlet 33 and a second gas outlet 41, so that it can be ensured that when the electrolyte enters the electrolysis chamber through the liquid outlet 33, the space on both sides of the diaphragm 2 can be completely filled with the electrolyte, and it can be ensured that the hydrogen and oxygen generated after the electrolysis is completed can flow out of the electrolysis chamber from the second gas outlets 41 on both sides of the diaphragm 2 respectively, and will not be mixed in the electrolysis chamber.

[0040] The above embodiments describe only the bipolar plate 1, the diaphragm 2, the base 3 and the cover plate 4 in the electrolysis chamber. In other embodiments, the electrolysis chamber may also be provided with a diffusion layer for diffusing the gas to make it flow out of the electrolysis chamber more smoothly, and a sealing gasket may also be provided to make the seal between the bipolar plate 1 and the base 3 and the cover plate 4 more stable, as well as electrodes necessary for electrolysis, etc. The specific number of components with other functions provided in the motor chamber may be determined according to actual needs, such as the production of hydrogen, the safety of the electrolysis chamber, etc., and may be determined according to actual conditions, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, see Figure 4 and Figure 5 , multiple liquid outlets 33 and second gas outlets 41 are provided in each electrolytic chamber, which are respectively distributed on both sides of the diaphragm 2. In this embodiment, multiple liquid outlets 33 and second gas outlets 41 are evenly distributed along both sides of the diaphragm 2, so as to ensure that the speed of the electrolyte entering the electrolytic chamber through the liquid outlets 33 is consistent, and avoid increasing the time for the liquid level in each electrolytic chamber to reach the same height due to the uneven distribution of the liquid outlets 33. Of course, in other embodiments, the liquid outlets 33 and the second gas outlets 41 may not be evenly distributed along both sides of the diaphragm 2, which may be determined according to actual conditions, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, see Figure 3 and Figure 4The base 3 includes a bottom plate 34, a top plate 35 and a side plate 36, and the inner cavity 31 is enclosed by the bottom plate 34, the top plate 35 and the side plate 36. The materials of the bottom plate 34, the top plate 35 and the side plate 36 can be corrosion-resistant metal materials, such as stainless steel plates, nickel plates and carbon steel with nickel plating on the surface, etc. The specific materials can be determined according to actual conditions, such as production costs, types of electrolytes, etc., which will not be elaborated here. In this embodiment, since the base 3 is connected to the first axial end 21 of the electrolytic component, in order to facilitate the liquid outlet 33 to pass the electrolyte into the electrolytic component, the liquid outlet 33 is set on the top plate 35, and a mounting groove can also be set on the top plate 35 for connecting the bipolar plate 1 and the diaphragm 2 in the electrolytic component, so that the electrolytic component can be more firmly connected to the base 3.

[0043] When the base 3 is placed, the bottom plate 34 is usually in contact with the placement surface. In order to introduce electrolyte into the inner cavity 31 of the base 3, the second liquid inlet 32 ​​can be set on the side plate 36, so that the electrolyte circulation pipeline can be connected to the base 3 without being affected by the placement surface. In addition, there can be multiple second liquid inlets 32, which are evenly distributed along the circumference of the side plate 36, so that the base 3 can be connected to more electrolyte circulation pipelines, and the speed of the electrolyte entering the inner cavity 31 of the base 3 and the electrolytic chamber can be accelerated. Of course, in other embodiments, the base 3 can also be composed of other components, and the positions of the liquid outlet 33 and the second liquid inlet 32 ​​can also be at other positions of the base 3, which can be determined according to actual conditions, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the base 3 is circular, and the bipolar plate 1 and the diaphragm 2 in the electrolytic assembly are also cylindrical. With this arrangement, on the one hand, since the circular shape can accommodate more electrolyte, more hydrogen can be produced during electrolysis, and on the other hand, the circular base 3, the bipolar plate 1 and the diaphragm 2 are all surrounded by rectangular plates, which can facilitate the production and processing of the electrolytic cell, thereby saving manufacturing costs.

[0045] The third aspect of the present disclosure also provides a hydrogen production device, including the hydrogen production electrolyzer described in the above embodiment, and an electric device and a gas-liquid separation device connected to the hydrogen production electrolyzer. When producing hydrogen, firstly, electrolyte is introduced into the inner cavity 31 of the base 3 through the second liquid inlet 32. As the electrolyte is continuously filled, the electrolyte will flow into the electrolytic assembly from the liquid outlet 33 on the top plate 35 of the base 3. Since the electrolytic assembly is connected to the base 3 through the first axial end 21, the electrolyte between the bipolar plate 1 and the diaphragm 2 in each electrolytic chamber can be at the same liquid level, and the electrolyte in different electrolytic chambers will not be uneven.

[0046] After the electrolyte flowing out of the liquid outlet 33 flows into the electrolysis chamber through the first liquid inlet 11, when all the electrolysis chambers are filled, the electrodes will be energized for electrolysis. As the electrolysis continues, the hydrogen and oxygen produced by the electrolysis will flow out of the electrolytic cell from the first gas outlet 12 and the second gas outlet 41 along with the electrolyte to the gas-liquid separation device for separation. The separated pure hydrogen will enter the hydrogen storage device for storage, which is convenient for subsequent transportation and use. In other embodiments, the hydrogen production equipment may also include other devices, such as other filtering devices or safety devices, etc., which may be determined according to actual conditions, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0047] The hydrogen production equipment disclosed in the present invention can ensure that the electrolyte introduced into the electrolytic cell is always maintained at the same liquid level height, and there is no need to separately calculate data such as the length of the electrolyte flow path in each electrolytic chamber, the size of the resistance of the flow cross section, etc., thereby ensuring the uniformity of the electrolyte when it is introduced into the electrolytic cell, and can also reduce the manufacturing cost of the electrolytic cell, facilitate production, processing and promotion, etc.

[0048] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present disclosure, a variety of simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present disclosure, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0049] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present disclosure will not further describe various possible combinations.

[0050] In addition, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be arbitrarily combined, and as long as they do not violate the concept of the present disclosure, they should also be regarded as the contents disclosed by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A hydrogen production electrolysis assembly, characterized in that: include: A plurality of bipolar plates, each of which is cylindrical and coaxially sleeved; A diaphragm, located between two adjacent bipolar plates; a first liquid inlet located at a first axial end of the plurality of bipolar plates and the diaphragm; The first gas outlet is located at a second axial end of the plurality of bipolar plates and the diaphragm opposite to the first axial end.

2. The hydrogen production electrolysis assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first liquid inlet and the first gas outlet are both formed by annular openings between adjacent ends of the bipolar plates.

3. The hydrogen production electrolysis assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bipolar plate and the diaphragm are both cylindrical.

4. A hydrogen production electrolyzer, characterized in that: include: The hydrogen production electrolysis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3; A base, wherein the base is provided with a hollow inner cavity, and a second liquid inlet and a liquid outlet communicated with the inner cavity, the base is connected to the first axial end of the hydrogen-producing electrolysis component, and the liquid outlet is communicated with the first liquid inlet of the hydrogen-producing electrolysis component through the first axial end, and is used to pass electrolyte into the hydrogen-producing electrolysis component; A cover plate is used to seal the hydrogen production electrolysis component, a second gas outlet is arranged on the cover plate, the cover plate is connected to the second axial end of the hydrogen production electrolysis component, and the second gas outlet is connected to the first gas outlet through the second axial end.

5. The hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 4, characterized in that: Two adjacent bipolar plates, the base and the cover plate constitute an electrolysis chamber, at least two liquid outlets and second gas outlets are provided, and at least one liquid outlet and second gas outlet are provided on both sides of the diaphragm 2 respectively.

6. The hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each of the electrolysis chambers is respectively connected to a plurality of the liquid outlets and the second gas outlets, and the plurality of the liquid outlets and the second gas outlets are evenly distributed along both sides of the diaphragm.

7. The hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The electrolysis chamber further includes a diffusion layer, a sealing gasket and an electrode. The sealing gasket is located at a first axial end and a second axial end of the hydrogen production electrolysis assembly.

8. The hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The base includes a bottom plate, a top plate and a side plate, the inner cavity is enclosed by the bottom plate, the top plate and the side plate, the second liquid inlet is arranged on the side plate, the liquid outlet is arranged on the top plate, and the first open end of the bipolar plate and the diaphragm is fixedly connected to the top plate.

9. The hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 8, characterized in that: A plurality of second liquid inlets are provided and are evenly distributed on the side plate.

10. A hydrogen production device, characterized in that: include: The hydrogen production electrolyzer, gas-liquid separation device, hydrogen storage device and power device according to any one of claims 4 to 9.

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