Novel separator suitable for water electrolysis hydrogen production system and method

Abstract

The novel separator comprises a vertical tank body and a cooling pipe assembly, the cooling pipe assembly is arranged on the upper portion of the interior of the vertical tank body, a silk screen drop catching assembly is arranged above the cooling pipe assembly, and the silk screen drop catching assembly comprises an upper cover, a supporting sleeve, multiple layers of silk screens and a fixed partition plate. The supporting sleeve is sleeved on the multilayer silk screen, the upper cover is arranged at the top of the multilayer silk screen, a gap is arranged between the upper cover and the supporting sleeve, the supporting sleeve is fixed on the inner wall of the vertical tank body through a fixed partition plate, an exhaust port is arranged at the upper end of the vertical tank body, a pipeline of the exhaust port extends into the vertical tank body, and a steam filter is arranged at the lower end of the pipeline of the exhaust port. The mixed volume is primarily separated through gravity settling, liquid descends and is stored at the bottom of the tank body, gas ascends and sequentially flows through the cooling pipe assembly to be cooled and the silk screen drop catching assembly to be dewatered, finally, the gas is discharged after passing through the gas filter, and finally, gas separation, cooling and dewatering of high-temperature gas-liquid components are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of separation of hydrogen production systems, and in particular to a novel separator and method suitable for a water electrolysis hydrogen production system. Background Art

[0002] Water electrolysis hydrogen production technology has the advantages of zero carbon emissions and renewability. It is an important means to promote the transformation of the global energy structure. Compared with traditional fossil fuels, water electrolysis hydrogen production technology can reduce pollution to the environment, and can be coordinated and interchanged with wind power and photovoltaics to absorb renewable energy, which is in line with global environmental protection trends.

[0003] The hydrogen production system by water electrolysis is mainly composed of an electrolyzer, a power supply and control system, a separation system, a purification system, a water replenishment system and a heat exchange system. Among them, the traditional separation system includes separators, gas heat exchangers, wire mesh drip collectors, drainers, water collectors and other pressure vessels and instrument pipeline valves, pumps, etc. Its structure is relatively complex, especially for users of small-scale products. It is limited by space and cost and cannot meet user requirements. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop a new separator that integrates the functions of multiple containers, simplifies the separation system, and further optimizes the entire hydrogen production system.

[0004] Chinese patent application No. 202210640014.4 discloses a gas-liquid separator and a water electrolysis hydrogen production system, including a tank body, a gas-liquid separation part and a degassing part, wherein the tank body has a crude gas inlet and a gas phase outlet arranged in sequence along the height direction; the gas-liquid separation part and the degassing part are both arranged in the tank body, and are located on the flow path of the crude gas inlet and the gas phase outlet; the gas-liquid separator integrates the dual functions of gas-liquid separation and removal of impurity gases in the crude gas, and mainly separates the gas through the gas-liquid separation part. The gas-liquid separation part adopts the structure of a wire mesh demister, which is a conventional structure, and the gas moves upward all the time. Due to the liquids of different sizes contained in the gas, the wire mesh demister alone cannot meet the requirements of complete gas-liquid separation and drying of the gas; so there is an urgent need for improved technologies on the market to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the existing defects and provide a new separator and method suitable for the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen system. The mixed volume is initially separated by gravity sedimentation, the liquid descends and is stored at the bottom of the tank, the gas rises and flows through the cooling pipe assembly for cooling, the wire mesh dripping assembly for dehydration, and finally is discharged after the steam filter, finally realizing the gas separation and cooling and dehydration of high-temperature gas-liquid components, and obtaining low-temperature dry gas, which can effectively solve the problems in the background technology.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: a new type of separator and method suitable for a water electrolysis hydrogen production system, comprising a vertical tank body and a cooling tube assembly, wherein the cooling tube assembly is arranged above the interior of the vertical tank body, and a wire mesh dripping assembly is arranged above the cooling tube assembly, the wire mesh dripping assembly comprises an upper cover, a support sleeve, a multi-layer wire mesh and a fixed partition, the support sleeve is sleeved on the multi-layer wire mesh, the upper cover is arranged on the top of the multi-layer wire mesh, and a gap is arranged between the upper cover and the support sleeve, the support sleeve is fixed to the inner wall of the vertical tank body through the fixed partition, an exhaust port is arranged at the upper end of the vertical tank body, a pipe of the exhaust port extends into the vertical tank body, and a steam filter is arranged at the lower end of the pipe of the exhaust port, the steam filter is composed of a support ring and a fine filter, the fine filter is wrapped from the lower end of the support ring, and an inlet for a gas-liquid mixed component is arranged on the outer side of the vertical tank body.

[0007] Furthermore, the cooling pipe assembly includes a cooling pipe and a pipe bracket. The cooling pipe is fixed to the inner wall of the vertical tank body through the pipe bracket. The cooling pipe is arranged in a spiral structure, and the cooling pipe is arranged in several layers from the outside to the inside, and the cooling pipes in each layer are interconnected.

[0008] Furthermore, a cooling water inlet and a cooling water outlet are provided on the outer side of the vertical tank body, and the cooling water inlet and the cooling water outlet are respectively connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the cooling pipeline.

[0009] Furthermore, an anti-collision plate is provided on the inner wall of the vertical tank body, the anti-collision plate corresponds to the inlet of the gas-liquid mixed component, and the anti-collision plate is provided with an angle of not less than 30 degrees with the horizontal direction.

[0010] Furthermore, a drain port is provided at the bottom of the vertical tank body.

[0011] Furthermore, a lower interface of a differential pressure transmitter is provided on the bottom side of the vertical tank body, and an upper interface of a differential pressure transmitter is provided on the top side of the vertical tank body. The upper interface of the differential pressure transmitter and the lower interface of the differential pressure transmitter are used to connect the differential pressure transmitter.

[0012] Furthermore, a lower interface of a magnetic flap level gauge is provided on the other side of the bottom of the vertical tank body, an upper interface of the magnetic flap level gauge is provided above the lower interface of the magnetic flap level gauge, and a magnetic flap level gauge is provided between the upper interface of the magnetic flap level gauge and the lower interface of the magnetic flap level gauge.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. The present invention allows the high-temperature gas and liquid components discharged from the electrolytic cell to enter a tank body, and then achieves preliminary separation through gravity sedimentation. The liquid descends and is stored at the bottom of the tank body, while the gas rises and flows through a cooling pipe assembly for cooling, a wire mesh dripping assembly for dehydration, and finally is discharged after passing through a steam filter, thereby ultimately achieving gas separation and cooling and dehydration of the high-temperature gas and liquid components to obtain low-temperature dry gas.

[0014] 2. Compared with the single gas-liquid separation function of the traditional separator, the new separator of the present invention has more functions, integrating the functions of gas-liquid separation, cooling and water removal, and realizing the functions of three pressure vessels: the traditional separator, the gas cooler and the wire mesh drip collector.

[0015] 3. Compared with the traditional water electrolysis hydrogen production system, the separation system part requires the use of separators, gas coolers, wire mesh drippers and water collectors, and multiple pipelines and valves need to be connected and controlled with each other. The use of the new separator of the present invention can greatly simplify the system and control procedures, while saving space and reducing costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cooling tube assembly of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the top view of the cooling tube assembly of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the wire mesh dripping assembly of the present invention; Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the steam filter of the present invention.

[0017] In the figure: 1 vertical tank body, 2 cooling pipe assembly, 3 wire mesh dripping assembly, 4 steam filter, 5 upper interface of differential pressure transmitter, 6 exhaust port, 7 cooling water inlet, 8 cooling water outlet, 9 upper interface of magnetic flap level gauge, 10 lower interface of magnetic flap level gauge, 11 drain port, 12 lower interface of differential pressure transmitter, 13 gas-liquid mixed component inlet, 14 anti-collision plate, 15 pipeline bracket, 16 cooling pipeline, 17 upper cover, 18 gap, 19 support sleeve, 20 multi-layer wire mesh, 21 fixed partition, 22 support ring, 23 fine filter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0019] See also Figure 1-5The present invention provides a technical solution: a novel separator and method suitable for a water electrolysis hydrogen production system, comprising a vertical tank body 1 and a cooling tube assembly 2, wherein a drain port 11 is arranged at the bottom of the vertical tank body 1, the cooling tube assembly 2 is arranged above the interior of the vertical tank body 1, a wire mesh droplet catching assembly 3 is arranged above the cooling tube assembly 2, the wire mesh droplet catching assembly 3 comprises an upper cover 17, a support sleeve 19, a multi-layer wire mesh 20 and a fixed partition 21, the support sleeve 19 is sleeved on the multi-layer wire mesh 20, and the support sleeve 19 is wrapped in the circumferential direction of the multi-layer wire mesh 20, so that the gas accompanied by tiny droplets can only pass through the multi-layer wire mesh 20, increase the collision speed of the liquid in the gas, and concentrate on capturing the small droplets, the upper cover 17 is arranged on the top of the multi-layer wire mesh 20, the upper cover 17 blocks the rising gas, prolongs the collision of the small droplets with the wire mesh, and changes the flow direction of the gas, so that the gas can only be discharged through the gap 18, and a gap 18 is arranged between the upper cover 17 and the support sleeve 19, The multi-layer screen 20 is used to capture small droplets. The specific capture principle is that the gas accompanied by tiny droplets continues to flow through the multi-layer screen 20. In the process of the tiny droplets flowing through the multi-layer screen 20, they will constantly collide with the screen and merge into larger droplets, and then settle to the lower part of the vertical tank body 1, thereby achieving the capture and dehydration of tiny droplets in the gas. The support sleeve 19 is fixed to the inner wall of the vertical tank body 1 through the fixed partition 21. The fixed partition 21 is used to fix the gap between the support sleeve 19 and the vertical tank body 1. The vertical tank body 1 is isolated so that the gas can only pass through the support sleeve 19. The upper end of the vertical tank body 1 is provided with an exhaust port 6. The pipe of the exhaust port 6 extends into the vertical tank body 1, and the lower end of the pipe of the exhaust port 6 is provided with a steam filter 4. The steam filter 4 is composed of a support ring 22 and a fine filter 23. The fine filter 23 is wrapped from the lower end of the support ring 22. The fine filter 23 can further remove extremely fine droplets, and finally obtain low-temperature dry gas. The outer side of the vertical tank body 1 is provided with a gas-liquid mixed component inlet 13.

[0020] The cooling pipe assembly 2 includes a cooling pipe 16 and a pipe bracket 15. The cooling pipe 16 is fixed to the inner wall of the vertical tank body 1 through the pipe bracket 15. The cooling pipe 16 is arranged as a spiral structure, and the cooling pipe 16 is arranged in several layers from the outside to the inside, and the cooling pipes 16 of each layer are interconnected. The cooling pipe assembly 2 is used to cool the gas after preliminary sedimentation and separation. Through the multi-layer spiral structure, the circulation time of cooling water in the cooling pipe 16 can be extended, the cooling water can be fully utilized, and the cooling area can also be increased to improve the cooling effect.

[0021] A cooling water inlet 7 and a cooling water outlet 8 are provided on the outside of the vertical tank body 1. The cooling water inlet 7 and the cooling water outlet 8 are respectively connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the cooling pipe 16. The cooling water is provided by an external refrigeration device.

[0022] An anti-collision plate 14 is provided on the inner wall of the vertical tank body 1, and the anti-collision plate 14 corresponds to the gas-liquid mixed component inlet 13. The anti-collision plate 14 is set at an angle of not less than 30 degrees with the horizontal direction. The direction of the mixed airflow is changed by flowing through the anti-collision plate 14, so as to facilitate preliminary separation after gravity sedimentation.

[0023] A differential pressure transmitter lower interface 12 is provided on the bottom side of the vertical tank body 1, and a differential pressure transmitter upper interface 5 is provided on the top side of the vertical tank body 1. The differential pressure transmitter upper interface 5 and the differential pressure transmitter lower interface 12 are used to connect the differential pressure transmitter.

[0024] A magnetic flap liquid gauge lower interface 10 is provided on the other side of the bottom of the vertical tank body 1, an magnetic flap liquid gauge upper interface 9 is provided above the lower interface 10 of the magnetic flap liquid gauge, and a magnetic flap liquid gauge is provided between the upper interface 9 of the magnetic flap liquid gauge and the lower interface 10 of the magnetic flap liquid gauge. The magnetic flap liquid gauge is used to detect the height of the liquid level.

[0025] The novel separation method of the water electrolysis hydrogen production system comprises the following steps: Step 1: The gas-liquid mixed component discharged from the electrolytic cell enters the vertical tank body 1 through the gas-liquid mixed component inlet 13, flows through the anti-collision plate 14 to change direction, and achieves preliminary gas-liquid separation after gravity sedimentation; Step 2: The liquid part settles and is collected in the lower part of the vertical tank body 1, and the liquid level rises to the set upper limit of the liquid level and is discharged through the drain port 11; the height of the liquid level in the vertical tank body 1 is obtained by feedback from the differential pressure transmitter and the magnetic flap level gauge; Step 3: The gas part rises and first flows through the cooling pipe assembly 2 to cool the gas. During the cooling process, a large number of condensed droplets will be produced. Some droplets with large particle sizes will settle to the lower part of the vertical tank body 1 under the action of gravity, and droplets with small particle sizes will continue to be transmitted upward with the gas to achieve secondary gas-liquid separation; The cooling water inlet 7 of the cooling pipe assembly 2 is used to introduce cooling water, and the cooling water outlet 8 is used to discharge cooling water.

[0026] Step 4: The gas accompanied by small droplets continues to flow through the wire mesh droplet capture assembly 3. In the process of the small droplets flowing through the multi-layer wire mesh 20, they will continuously collide with the multi-layer wire mesh 20, merge into large droplets, and then settle to the lower part of the vertical tank body 1, thereby achieving the capture and dehydration of small droplets in the gas. After cooling and dehydration, the gas continues to rise, achieving three gas-liquid separations; Step 5: After being filtered by the gas filter 4, the gas is discharged through the exhaust port 6. The fine filter 23 can further remove extremely fine droplets, and finally obtain low-temperature dry gas.

[0027] The basic principles, main features and advantages of the present invention are shown and described above. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention may also be subject to various changes and improvements, which all fall within the scope of the present invention to be protected.

Claims

1. A novel separator and method suitable for a water electrolysis hydrogen production system, comprising a vertical tank body (1) and a cooling pipe assembly (2), characterized in that: The cooling pipe assembly (2) is arranged above the interior of the vertical tank body (1), and a wire mesh dripping assembly (3) is arranged above the cooling pipe assembly (2). The wire mesh dripping assembly (3) comprises an upper cover (17), a support sleeve (19), a multi-layer wire mesh (20) and a fixed partition (21). The support sleeve (19) is sleeved on the multi-layer wire mesh (20), and the upper cover (17) is arranged on the top of the multi-layer wire mesh (20). A gap (18) is arranged between the upper cover (17) and the support sleeve (19). 9) is fixed to the inner wall of the vertical tank body (1) through a fixed partition (21), an exhaust port (6) is provided at the upper end of the vertical tank body (1), a pipe of the exhaust port (6) extends into the vertical tank body (1), and a steam filter (4) is provided at the lower end of the pipe of the exhaust port (6), the steam filter (4) is composed of a support ring (22) and a fine filter (23), the fine filter (23) is wrapped from the lower end of the support ring (22), and an inlet (13) for gas-liquid mixed components is provided on the outer side surface of the vertical tank body (1).

2. A novel separator and method suitable for a water electrolysis hydrogen production system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling pipe assembly (2) comprises a cooling pipe (16) and a pipe bracket (15); the cooling pipe (16) is fixed to the inner wall of the vertical tank body (1) via the pipe bracket (15); the cooling pipe (16) is arranged in a spiral structure; the cooling pipe (16) is arranged in a plurality of layers from the outside to the inside; and the cooling pipes (16) in each layer are interconnected.

3. A novel separator and method suitable for a water electrolysis hydrogen production system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A cooling water inlet (7) and a cooling water outlet (8) are provided on the outside of the vertical tank body (1), and the cooling water inlet (7) and the cooling water outlet (8) are respectively connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the cooling pipeline (16).

4. A novel separator and method suitable for a water electrolysis hydrogen production system according to claim 3, characterized in that: An anti-collision plate (14) is provided on the inner wall of the vertical tank body (1), the anti-collision plate (14) corresponds to the gas-liquid mixed component inlet (13), and the anti-collision plate (14) is provided with an angle of not less than 30 degrees with the horizontal direction.

5. A novel separator and method suitable for a water electrolysis hydrogen production system according to claim 4, characterized in that: A liquid discharge port (11) is provided at the bottom of the vertical tank body (1).

6. A novel separator and method suitable for a water electrolysis hydrogen production system according to claim 5, characterized in that: A differential pressure transmitter lower interface (12) is provided on one side of the bottom of the vertical tank body (1), and a differential pressure transmitter upper interface (5) is provided on one side of the top of the vertical tank body (1). The differential pressure transmitter upper interface (5) and the differential pressure transmitter lower interface (12) are used to connect the differential pressure transmitter.

7. A novel separator and method suitable for a water electrolysis hydrogen production system according to claim 6, characterized in that: A magnetic flap liquid level gauge lower interface (10) is provided on the other side of the bottom of the vertical tank body (1), an magnetic flap liquid level gauge upper interface (9) is provided above the magnetic flap liquid level gauge lower interface (10), and a magnetic flap liquid level gauge is provided between the magnetic flap liquid level gauge upper interface (9) and the magnetic flap liquid level gauge lower interface (10).

8. A novel separation method suitable for a water electrolysis hydrogen production system, characterized in that: The novel separator suitable for a water electrolysis hydrogen production system as claimed in claim 7 comprises the following steps: Step 1: The gas-liquid mixed component discharged from the electrolytic cell enters the vertical tank body (1) through the gas-liquid mixed component inlet (13), flows through the anti-collision plate (14) to change direction, and after gravity sedimentation, achieves preliminary gas-liquid separation; Step 2: The liquid part settles and is collected in the lower part of the vertical tank (1), and the liquid level rises to a set upper limit of the liquid level and is discharged through the drain port (11); Step 3: The rising gas first flows through the cooling pipe assembly (2) to cool the gas. During the cooling process, a large amount of condensed liquid droplets will be produced. Some large-sized liquid droplets will settle to the bottom of the vertical tank (1) under the action of gravity, while small-sized liquid droplets will continue to be transported upward with the gas, thus achieving secondary gas-liquid separation. Step 4: The gas accompanied by small droplets continues to flow through the wire mesh droplet capture component (3). In the process of the small droplets flowing through the multi-layer wire mesh (20), they will continuously collide with the multi-layer wire mesh (20), merge into large droplets, and then settle to the lower part of the vertical tank body (1), thereby achieving the capture and dehydration of small droplets in the gas. After being cooled and dehydrated, the gas continues to rise, achieving three gas-liquid separations. Step 5: After being filtered by the gas filter (4), the gas is discharged through the exhaust port (6). The fine filter (23) can further remove extremely fine droplets, and finally a low-temperature dry gas is obtained.

Images