AEM electrolytic bath
By designing the AEM electrolytic cell and setting up the channel structure and diversion channel that separates the reaction chamber, the problem of uneven diffusion of the electrolyte is solved, and the full contact between the electrolyte and the catalyst is achieved and the reaction efficiency is improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411859351.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-25
AI Technical Summary
Due to the unreasonable structural setting of the electrolytic cell of the existing water electrolytic hydrogen production system, there are problems such as uneven diffusion of the electrolyte.
An AEM electrolytic cell is designed, including a cathode end plate, a cathode insulating layer, an electrolytic chamber, an anode insulating layer and an anode end plate arranged in the same direction, and a first ventilation channel, a second ventilation channel, a first liquid passage channel and a second liquid passage channel are provided. The cross-sections at both ends of the passage are triangular, which realizes the separation between the cathode reaction chamber and the anode reaction chamber, and uniformly diffuses through the flow channel.
By separating the reaction chamber, avoiding gas and liquid intercourse, the electrolyte and catalyst are fully contacted, and the reaction efficiency and speed are improved. The triangular cross-section design of each channel increases the communication section with the reaction chamber, promoting the rapid inlet and exit of gases and liquids.
Smart Images
Figure CN119876982A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention belongs to the field of hydrogen production equipment, and in particular relates to an AEM electrolyzer. Background Art
[0002] The electrolyzer of the water electrolysis hydrogen production system is composed of several electrolysis chambers assembled in series. Each electrolysis chamber is composed of components such as plates, sealing rings, and diaphragms. A reaction chamber is formed between the plates and the sealing rings, and the electrolyte will enter the reaction chamber for reaction. However, the current electrolyzer has problems such as uneven electrolyte diffusion due to unreasonable structural settings. Summary of the invention
[0003] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide an AEM electrolytic cell for solving the above-mentioned problems.
[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose and other related purposes, the present invention provides an AEM electrolytic cell, characterized in that it includes a cathode end plate, a cathode insulating layer, an electrolytic chamber, an anode insulating layer and an anode end plate arranged in sequence along the same direction, a first ventilation channel, a second ventilation channel, a first liquid passage and a second liquid passage are opened through the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the electrolytic chamber, the anode insulating layer and the anode end plate, and the cross-sections between the two ends of the first ventilation channel, the second ventilation channel, the first liquid passage and the second liquid passage are triangular; from the cathode end plate to the anode end plate, the electrolytic chamber includes a cathode plate, a cathode insulating layer and an anode end plate arranged in sequence. A sealing ring, a cathode gas diffusion layer, an anion exchange membrane, an anode gas diffusion layer and an anode plate, wherein the cathode plate includes a cathode surface, the anode plate includes an anode surface, the cathode plate and the anode plate in series between the electrolysis chambers form a bipolar plate including a cathode surface and an anode surface, the cathode surface and the cathode gas diffusion layer form a cathode reaction chamber, the anode surface and the anode gas diffusion layer form an anode reaction chamber, the first ventilation channel and the first liquid passage are in communication with the cathode reaction chamber, the second ventilation channel and the second liquid passage are in communication with the anode reaction chamber; and the cathode reaction chamber and the anode reaction chamber are provided with flow guide channels;
[0005] Wherein, the first ventilation channel, the second ventilation channel, the first liquid passage channel and the second liquid passage channel are dispersedly arranged;
[0006] The cathode surface and the anode surface include a recessed area, an outer frame area and a drainage area, the drainage area is used to connect the recessed area with the first ventilation channel, the second ventilation channel, the first liquid passage or the second liquid passage, and the outer frame area is arranged around the recessed area and the drainage area;
[0007] The long side of the triangle is arranged toward the recessed area, and the width of the drainage area gradually decreases from the recessed area to the long side of the triangle; the outline of the drainage area is a quadrilateral shape, the drainage area shares a side with the recessed area and the long side of the triangle, one side of the drainage area shares a side with the recessed area, and the other side of the drainage area shares a side with the long side of the triangle;
[0008] The recessed area is provided with guide convex strips, the guide channel is formed between the guide convex strips, and the recessed areas at both ends of the guide channel are provided with confluence grooves, the confluence groove at one end of the guide channel is connected to the first ventilation channel or the second ventilation channel, and the confluence groove at the other end of the guide channel is connected to the first liquid channel or the second liquid channel.
[0009] In one embodiment, a first air vent, a second air vent, a first liquid hole, and a second liquid hole are provided in the outer frame area, the first air vent is used to form the first air passage, the second air vent is used to form the second air passage, the first liquid hole is used to form the first liquid passage, and the second liquid hole is used to form the second liquid passage; the first air vent and the first liquid hole are connected to the recessed area of the cathode surface through the drainage area, and the second air vent and the second liquid hole are connected to the recessed area of the anode surface through the drainage area.
[0010] In one embodiment, drainage ridges are provided in the drainage area, drainage grooves are formed between the drainage ridges, one end of the drainage grooves is connected to the confluence groove, and the other end of the drainage grooves is connected to the first ventilation channel, the second ventilation channel, the first liquid channel or the second liquid channel.
[0011] In one embodiment, the lengths and widths of the cathode end plate, cathode insulating layer, cathode plate, anode plate, anode insulating layer and anode end plate are consistent, the shapes of the cathode gas diffusion layer and the anode gas diffusion layer match the recessed area, and the areas of the bipolar plate, anion exchange membrane, cathode sealing ring and anode sealing ring are smaller than the area of the cathode end plate.
[0012] In one embodiment, a mounting channel is opened through the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the cathode plate, the anode plate, the anode insulating layer and the anode end plate, and the mounting channel is arranged around the recessed area.
[0013] In one embodiment, positioning channels are opened through the cathode end plate, cathode insulating layer, cathode plate, cathode sealing ring, anion exchange membrane, bipolar plate, anode sealing ring, anode plate, anode insulating layer and anode end plate, and the positioning channels are opened on both sides of the recessed area.
[0014] As described above, the electrolytic cell of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0015] In this solution, the electrolyte can enter and exit the cathode reaction chamber through the first liquid passage, and enter and exit the anode reaction chamber through the second liquid passage. The gas enters and exits the cathode reaction chamber through the first ventilation passage, and enters and exits the anode reaction chamber through the second ventilation passage, thereby realizing the separation between the cathode reaction chamber and the anode reaction chamber, and avoiding the mutual crosstalk of gas and liquid in the two reaction chambers. After the electrolyte enters the cathode reaction chamber and the anode reaction chamber, it will be evenly diffused through the guide channel, so that the electrolyte is in full contact with the catalyst on the cathode gas diffusion layer or the anode gas diffusion layer, so as to achieve better and faster reaction. The cross section of each channel is triangular, so as to increase the connecting section with the cathode reaction chamber or the anode reaction chamber, so as to facilitate the rapid entry and exit of gas and liquid. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Figure 1 It is a front view of the local structure of the electrolytic cell in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view at AA in the middle.
[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.
[0019] Figure 4 1 is an exploded view of an electrolytic cell in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the cathode surface structure of the bipolar plate in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the anode surface structure of the bipolar plate in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The figure marks in the drawings of the specification include: cathode end plate 1, cathode insulation layer 2, electrolysis chamber 3, cathode plate 301, cathode sealing ring 302, cathode gas diffusion layer 303, diaphragm 304, anode gas diffusion layer 305, anode sealing ring 306, bipolar plate 307, outer frame area 3071, guide channel 3072, confluence groove 3073, drainage area 3074, first air vent 3075, second air vent 3076, first liquid hole 3077, second liquid hole 3078, anode plate 308, anode insulation layer 4, anode end plate 5, first air vent channel 6, second air vent channel 7, first liquid channel 8, second liquid channel 9, cathode reaction chamber 10, anode reaction chamber 11, installation channel 12, positioning channel 13.
[0023] The following is a description of the implementation of the present invention by means of specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification.
[0024] The present invention provides an electrolytic cell, such as Figures 1 to 6 shown.
[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the electrolytic cell includes a cathode end plate 1, a cathode insulating layer 2, an electrolytic chamber, an anode insulating layer 4 and an anode end plate 5 arranged in sequence in the same direction, and a first ventilation channel 6, a second ventilation channel 7, a first liquid passage 8 and a second liquid passage 9 are opened through the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the electrolytic chamber, the anode insulating layer 4 and the anode end plate 5. The cross-sections between the two ends of the first ventilation channel 6, the second ventilation channel 7, the first liquid passage 8 and the second liquid passage 9 are triangular; from the cathode end plate 1 to the anode end plate 5, the electrolytic chamber 3 includes a cathode plate 301, a cathode sealing ring 302, a cathode gas diffusion layer 303, The diaphragm 304, the anode gas diffusion layer 305 and the anode plate 308, the cathode plate 301 includes a cathode surface, the anode plate 308 includes an anode surface, the cathode plate 301 and the anode plate 308 in series between the electrolysis chambers 3 constitute a bipolar plate 307 including a cathode surface and an anode surface, the cathode surface and the cathode gas diffusion layer 303 constitute a cathode reaction chamber 10, the anode surface and the anode gas diffusion layer 305 constitute an anode reaction chamber 11, the first ventilation channel 6 and the first liquid channel 8 are connected to the cathode reaction chamber 10, the second ventilation channel 7 and the second liquid channel 9 are connected to the anode reaction chamber 11; the cathode reaction chamber 10 and the anode reaction chamber 11 are provided with a guide channel 3072.
[0026] It should be noted that the electrolyte can enter and exit the cathode reaction chamber 10 through the first liquid passage 8, and enter and exit the anode reaction chamber 11 through the second liquid passage 9. The gas enters and exits the cathode reaction chamber 10 through the first ventilation channel 6, and enters and exits the anode reaction chamber 11 through the second ventilation channel 7, so as to achieve the separation between the cathode reaction chamber 10 and the anode reaction chamber 11, and avoid the gas and liquid in the two reaction chambers from interpenetrating. After the electrolyte enters the cathode reaction chamber 10 and the anode reaction chamber 11, it will be evenly diffused through the guide channel 3072, so that the electrolyte is fully in contact with the catalyst on the cathode gas diffusion layer 303 or the anode gas diffusion layer 305, so as to achieve a better and faster reaction. The cross section of each channel is triangular, so as to increase the connecting section between the cathode reaction chamber 10 or the anode reaction chamber 11, so as to facilitate the rapid entry and exit of gas and liquid.
[0027] It should also be noted that both ends of the first air passage 6, the second air passage 7, the first liquid passage 8 and the second liquid passage 9 are circular screw holes for connection with external pipes.
[0028] Exemplarily, the circular screw holes at both ends of the first air passage 6 , the second air passage 7 , the first liquid passage 8 , and the second liquid passage 9 are arranged on the cathode end plate 1 and the anode end plate 5 .
[0029] In this embodiment, the electrolytic cell can be used for four major water electrolysis technologies: alkaline (ALK), proton exchange membrane (PEM), anion exchange membrane (AEM) and solid oxide (SOEC), and the material of the diaphragm 304 and the like can also be replaced according to the requirements of different water electrolysis technologies. It is also possible to simultaneously pass the electrolyte into the cathode reaction chamber 10 and the anode reaction chamber 11, or pass the electrolyte only into the cathode reaction chamber 10, or pass the electrolyte only into the anode reaction chamber 11, according to the requirements of different water electrolysis technologies.
[0030] It should also be noted that the number of electrolysis chambers 3 can be increased or decreased according to demand. Figures 1 to 4 In the figure, it is taken as an example that two electrolysis chambers 3 are provided.
[0031] Exemplarily, the first ventilation channel 6, the second ventilation channel 7, the first liquid passage 8 and the second liquid passage 9 are dispersedly arranged.
[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the cathode surface and the anode surface include a recessed area, an outer frame area 3071 and a drainage area 3074, the drainage area 3074 is used to connect the recessed area with the first ventilation channel 6, the second ventilation channel 7, the first liquid channel 8 or the second liquid channel 9, and the outer frame area 3071 is arranged around the recessed area and the drainage area 3074.
[0033] In this embodiment, the drainage area 3074 is provided to achieve rapid drainage between the recessed area and each channel, so as to facilitate smooth inflow and outflow of gas and liquid.
[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, a first air vent 3075, a second air vent 3076, a first liquid hole 3077, and a second liquid hole 3078 are provided in the outer frame area 3071; the first air vent 3075 is used to form a first air passage 6, the second air vent 3076 is used to form a second air passage 7, the first liquid hole 3077 is used to form a first liquid passage 8, and the second liquid hole 3078 is used to form a second liquid passage 9; the first air vent 3075 and the first liquid hole 3077 are connected to the recessed area of the cathode surface through the drainage area 3074, and the second air vent 3076 and the second liquid hole 3078 are connected to the recessed area of the anode surface through the drainage area 3074.
[0035] In this embodiment, in order to ensure the sealing performance between the channels and to ensure that the electrolyte, gas, etc. can smoothly and quickly enter and exit the cathode reaction chamber 10 and the anode reaction chamber 11, an outer frame area 3071 and a drainage area 3074 are provided. The outer frame area 3071 and the cathode sealing ring 302 or the anode sealing ring 306 form a sealing surface to achieve independence between the channels.
[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the long side of the triangle is arranged toward the recessed area, and the width of the drainage area 3074 gradually decreases from the recessed area to the long side of the triangle.
[0037] Exemplarily, the cross-sections of the first vent channel 6 , the second vent channel 7 , the first liquid channel 8 , and the second liquid channel 9 are in the shape of right triangles, and each corner of the triangle is in a rounded transition.
[0038] It should be noted that, compared with the two right-angled sides of the triangle, the long side of the triangle is the longest, which can effectively increase the connecting cross-section between the triangle and the recessed area, so as to facilitate the rapid entry and exit of gas and liquid.
[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the outline of the drainage area 3074 is a quadrilateral shape, and the drainage area 3074 shares a side with the recessed area and the long side of the triangle.
[0040] In this embodiment, one side of the drainage area 3074 is co-edge with the recessed area, and the other side of the drainage area 3074 is co-edge with the long side of the triangle, so as to quickly guide the liquid in the recessed area to the corresponding channel.
[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, guide ribs are provided in the recessed area, and guide channels 3072 are formed between the guide ribs. Confluence grooves 3073 are provided in the recessed areas at both ends of the guide channels 3072. The confluence groove 3073 at one end of the guide channel is connected to the first ventilation channel 6 or the second ventilation channel 7, and the confluence groove 3073 at the other end of the guide channel is connected to the first liquid channel 8 or the second liquid channel 9.
[0042] Exemplarily, the conduit grooves 3073 are disposed at opposite side edge positions of the recessed area.
[0043] Exemplarily, one side of the drainage area 3074 is co-lateral with the confluence groove 3073, and the other side of the drainage area 3074 is co-lateral with the long side of the triangle, so as to quickly drain the gas and liquid in the confluence groove 3073 to the corresponding channel.
[0044] It should also be noted that the flow guide channels 3072 are provided to achieve uniform diffusion of the electrolyte, and the confluence grooves 3073 are provided to achieve the circulation of liquid and gas in each flow guide channel 3072, so that the gas and liquid can quickly enter the corresponding channel.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, drainage ridges are provided in the drainage area 3074, and drainage grooves are formed between the drainage ridges. One end of the drainage grooves is connected to the confluence groove 3073, and the other end of the drainage grooves is connected to the first ventilation channel 6, the second ventilation channel 7, the first liquid channel 8 or the second liquid channel 9.
[0046] In this embodiment, the drainage groove is provided to achieve the drainage of gas and liquid.
[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the lengths and widths of the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the cathode plate 301, the anode plate 308, the anode insulating layer 4 and the anode end plate 5 are consistent, the shapes of the cathode gas diffusion layer 303 and the anode gas diffusion layer 305 match the recessed area, and the areas of the bipolar plate 307, the diaphragm 304, the cathode sealing ring 302 and the anode sealing ring 306 are smaller than the area of the cathode end plate 1.
[0048] In this embodiment, since a plurality of electrolytic chambers 3 can be provided, the areas of the bipolar plate 307, the diaphragm 304, the cathode sealing ring 302 and the anode sealing ring 306 are reduced, and consumables can be reduced.
[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, a mounting channel 12 is opened through the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the cathode plate 301, the anode plate 308, the anode insulating layer 4 and the anode end plate 5, and the mounting channel 12 is arranged around the recessed area.
[0050] It should be noted that the installation channel 12 does not pass through the bipolar plate 307, the diaphragm 304, the cathode sealing ring 302 and the anode sealing ring 306. Therefore, by installing screws in the installation channel 12, the cathode end plate 1 and the anode end plate 5 can press the bipolar plate 307, the diaphragm 304, the cathode sealing ring 302 and the anode sealing ring 306 in the middle to achieve fixation between the layers.
[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, a positioning channel 13 is opened through the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the cathode plate 301, the cathode sealing ring 302, the diaphragm 304, the bipolar plate 307, the anode sealing ring 306, the anode plate 308, the anode insulating layer 4 and the anode end plate 5, and the positioning channel 13 is opened on both sides of the recessed area.
[0052] It should be noted that since the bipolar plate 307, the diaphragm 304, the cathode sealing ring 302, etc. do not have the installation channel 12, in order to facilitate the accuracy of the composition position between each layer, a positioning channel 13 is provided to achieve the positioning between each layer.
[0053] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone familiar with the art may modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed by the present invention shall still be covered by the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. An AEM electrolytic cell, characterized in that: The invention comprises a cathode end plate, a cathode insulating layer, an electrolysis chamber, an anode insulating layer and an anode end plate which are sequentially arranged in the same direction, through which a first ventilation channel, a second ventilation channel, a first liquid passage and a second liquid passage are opened, and the cross-sections between the two ends of the first ventilation channel, the second ventilation channel, the first liquid passage and the second liquid passage are triangular; from the cathode end plate to the anode end plate, the electrolysis chamber comprises a cathode plate, a cathode sealing ring, a cathode gas diffusion layer, an anion exchange membrane, an anode gas diffusion layer and an anode plate, wherein the cathode plate comprises a cathode surface, the anode plate comprises an anode surface, the cathode plate and the anode plate in series between the electrolysis chambers constitute a bipolar plate comprising a cathode surface and an anode surface, the cathode surface and the cathode gas diffusion layer constitute a cathode reaction chamber, the anode surface and the anode gas diffusion layer constitute an anode reaction chamber, the first ventilation channel and the first liquid passage are in communication with the cathode reaction chamber, the second ventilation channel and the second liquid passage are in communication with the anode reaction chamber; and the cathode reaction chamber and the anode reaction chamber are provided with flow guide channels; Wherein, the first ventilation channel, the second ventilation channel, the first liquid passage channel and the second liquid passage channel are dispersedly arranged; The cathode surface and the anode surface include a recessed area, an outer frame area and a drainage area, the drainage area is used to connect the recessed area with the first ventilation channel, the second ventilation channel, the first liquid passage or the second liquid passage, and the outer frame area is arranged around the recessed area and the drainage area; The long side of the triangle is arranged toward the recessed area, and the width of the drainage area gradually decreases from the recessed area to the long side of the triangle; the outline of the drainage area is a quadrilateral shape, the drainage area shares a side with the recessed area and the long side of the triangle, one side of the drainage area shares a side with the recessed area, and the other side of the drainage area shares a side with the long side of the triangle; The recessed area is provided with guide convex strips, the guide channel is formed between the guide convex strips, and the recessed areas at both ends of the guide channel are provided with confluence grooves, the confluence groove at one end of the guide channel is connected to the first ventilation channel or the second ventilation channel, and the confluence groove at the other end of the guide channel is connected to the first liquid channel or the second liquid channel.
2. The AEM electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that A first air vent, a second air vent, a first liquid hole, and a second liquid hole are provided in the outer frame area. The first air vent is used to form the first air passage, the second air vent is used to form the second air passage, the first liquid hole is used to form the first liquid passage, and the second liquid hole is used to form the second liquid passage. The first air vent and the first liquid hole are connected to the recessed area of the cathode surface through the drainage area, and the second air vent and the second liquid hole are connected to the recessed area of the anode surface through the drainage area.
3. The AEM electrolyzer according to claim 2, characterized in that Drainage ridges are provided in the drainage area, and drainage grooves are formed between the drainage ridges. One end of the drainage groove is connected to the confluence groove, and the other end of the drainage groove is connected to the first ventilation channel, the second ventilation channel, the first liquid passage or the second liquid passage.
4. The AEM electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that The lengths and widths of the cathode end plate, cathode insulating layer, cathode plate, anode plate, anode insulating layer and anode end plate are consistent, the shapes of the cathode gas diffusion layer and the anode gas diffusion layer match the recessed area, and the areas of the bipolar plate, anion exchange membrane, cathode sealing ring and anode sealing ring are smaller than the area of the cathode end plate.
5. The AEM electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that An installation channel is opened through the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the cathode plate, the anode plate, the anode insulating layer and the anode end plate, and the installation channel is arranged around the recessed area.
6. The AEM electrolyzer according to claim 5, characterized in that Positioning channels are provided through the cathode end plate, cathode insulating layer, cathode plate, cathode sealing ring, anion exchange membrane, bipolar plate, anode sealing ring, anode plate, anode insulating layer and anode end plate, and the positioning channels are provided on both sides of the recessed area.