Electrolytic bath system

Abstract

The invention provides an electrolytic bath system. The electrolytic bath system comprises an electrolytic bath unit and a gas supply assembly. Each electrolytic cell unit comprises a cell body and a polar plate and a diaphragm which are arranged in the cell body, the diaphragm is used for dividing the cell body into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, the positive electrode side of the polar plate is located in the anode chamber, the negative electrode side of the polar plate is located in the cathode chamber, and the electrolytic cell units are sequentially connected in series. And the gas supply assembly communicates with the lower portions of the anode chambers of all the electrolytic cell units, the gas supply assembly is used for supplying diluent gas into all the anode chambers when the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chambers is lower than a first preset threshold value, and the diluent gas is used for reducing the hydrogen content of gas in the anode chambers. According to the electrolytic bath system, the diluent gas can be supplied into the anode chamber through the gas supply assembly, so that the hydrogen content of the gas in the anode chamber is reduced, and the purpose of safe operation in a low-load state is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of electrolyzers, and particularly to an electrolyzer system. Background Art

[0002] Alkaline water electrolyzers are the mainstream equipment for electrolytic water hydrogen production at present due to their low construction cost, large single-unit capacity, and the advantage of facilitating the independent control of the industrial chain. However, since the hydrogen production adjustment load range of the alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production system is generally 30% - 100%, within this range, its gas purity usually meets the specification requirements. But when the electrolyzer load range is 0% - 30%, the gas purity decreases, manifested as a sharp increase in the hydrogen content in oxygen, and it is extremely easy to occur explosion accidents. To avoid accidents, there is an operating "dead zone" of 0% - 30% in the operation of alkaline water electrolyzers. This limits the application scenarios of alkaline electrolyzers, especially for hydrogen production under photovoltaic and wind power generation conditions, where the power supply fluctuates greatly. Once the hydrogen production load is lower than 30%, the hydrogen in oxygen will exceed the standard and cause the electrolyzer to trip. If the electrolyzer does not stop, there will be safety risks. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above technical problems existing in the prior art, this application provides an electrolyzer system, which can supply diluting gas into the anode chamber through a gas supply component to reduce the hydrogen content ratio of the gas in the anode chamber, so as to achieve the purpose of safe operation under low load conditions.

[0004] An embodiment of this application provides an electrolyzer system, including:

[0005] An electrolyzer unit, which includes a cell body and electrodes and a diaphragm arranged in the cell body. The diaphragm is used to divide the cell body into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber. The positive electrode side of the electrode is located in the anode chamber, and the negative electrode side of the electrode is located in the cathode chamber. There are multiple electrolyzer units, and the multiple electrolyzer units are connected in series in sequence;

[0006] A gas supply component, which is respectively communicated with the lower part of the anode chamber of each electrolyzer unit. The gas supply component is used to supply diluting gas into each anode chamber when the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chamber is lower than a first preset threshold, and the diluting gas is used to reduce the hydrogen content ratio of the gas in the anode chamber.

[0007] In some embodiments, the gas supply component includes a gas supply pipeline, and a plurality of exhaust holes are arranged on the part of the gas supply pipeline inserted into the anode chamber.

[0008] In some embodiments, the gas supply assembly further includes a first valve provided on the gas supply pipeline, and the electrolytic cell system further includes a control assembly electrically connected to the first valve. The control assembly is configured to control the first valve to open to supply diluting gas into the anode chamber when the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chamber is lower than a first preset threshold.

[0009] In some embodiments, the electrolytic cell system further includes a power supply assembly electrically connected to the control assembly. The control assembly is configured to receive the power supply information of the power supply assembly and control the first valve to open to supply diluting gas into the anode chamber when the power supply value of the power supply information is lower than a second preset threshold.

[0010] In some embodiments, the electrolytic cell system further includes a hydrogen-in-oxygen detector communicated with the oxygen outlet of the electrolytic cell unit. The hydrogen-in-oxygen detector is configured to detect the proportion of hydrogen in the gas discharged from the anode chamber.

[0011] In some embodiments, the hydrogen-in-oxygen detector is electrically connected to the control assembly. The control assembly is further configured to receive the detection value of the hydrogen-in-oxygen detector and control the first valve to open when the detection value exceeds a third preset threshold.

[0012] In some embodiments, the electrolytic cell system further includes a pressure regulating valve provided downstream of the hydrogen-in-oxygen detector. The pressure regulating valve is configured to release the gas increment in the electrolytic cell system after the diluting gas is filled to maintain the stability of the pipeline pressure.

[0013] In some embodiments, the pressure regulating valve is electrically connected to the control assembly. The control assembly is configured to send a control command to increase the opening degree of the pressure regulating valve after controlling the first valve to open.

[0014] In some embodiments, the diluting gas in the gas supply pipeline includes at least one or more of the following gases: nitrogen, air, pure oxygen, and inert gas.

[0015] In some embodiments, the electrolytic cell system further includes a gas treatment assembly. The hydrogen-in-oxygen detector is communicated with the oxygen outlet of the electrolytic cell unit through the gas treatment assembly. The gas treatment assembly includes an oxygen separator, an oxygen scrubber, a cooler, and a gas-water separator connected in sequence. The oxygen separator is communicated with the oxygen outlet of the electrolytic cell unit, and the gas-water separator is communicated with the hydrogen-in-oxygen detector.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application are as follows: By connecting the gas supply components to the lower parts of the anode chambers of each electrolytic cell unit respectively, the present application realizes that the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chamber is lower than the first preset threshold. That is, when the electrolytic cell system is in a low gas production load, diluent gas is supplied into the anode chamber through the gas supply components to reduce the hydrogen content ratio of the gas in the anode chamber, so as to achieve the purpose of safe operation under low load conditions and avoid the occurrence of safety accidents due to excessive hydrogen content ratio. Moreover, the diluent gas supplied by the above-mentioned gas supply components can directly enter the lower part of the anode chamber, realizing that the diluent gas directly participates in the bubble fusion process in the anode chamber, enabling the diluent gas to fully fuse with the generated oxygen in the electrolyte to further improve the safety of operation under low load conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In the drawings which are not necessarily drawn to scale, the same reference numerals may describe similar components in different views. The drawings generally illustrate various embodiments by way of example and not limitation, and are used together with the description and the claims to explain the disclosed embodiments. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. Such embodiments are illustrative and are not intended to be an exhaustive or exclusive embodiment of the device or method.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of the electrolytic cell system according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 It is a partial structural sectional view of the electrolytic cell system according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the electrolytic cell system according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Components represented by the reference numerals in the drawings:

[0022] 1. Electrolytic cell unit; 101. Plate; 102. Diaphragm; 103. Anode chamber; 104. Cathode chamber; 2. Gas supply component; 201. Gas supply pipeline; 202. First valve; 3. Control component; 4. Power supply component; 5. Hydrogen-in-oxygen detector; 6. Pressure regulating valve; 7. Oxygen separator; 8. Oxygen scrubber; 9. Cooler; 10. Gas-liquid separator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present application, the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and specific examples, but shall not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

[0024] As used in this application, the terms "first", "second" and similar terms do not denote any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different parts. Words such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the elements before this word cover the elements listed after this word, and do not exclude the possibility of also covering other elements. Terms such as "upper", "lower", "left" and "right" are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0025] In this application, when it is described that a specific device is located between a first device and a second device, there may or may not be an intermediate device between the specific device and the first device or the second device. When it is described that a specific device is connected to other devices, the specific device may be directly connected to the other devices without an intermediate device, or may not be directly connected to the other devices but have an intermediate device.

[0026] All terms used in this application (including technical terms or scientific terms) have the same meaning as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in a general dictionary, for example, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless specifically defined as such here.

[0027] Technologies, methods and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the said technologies, methods and devices should be regarded as part of the specification.

[0028] An embodiment of this application provides an electrolytic cell system. As Figures 1 to 3 shown, the electrolytic cell system includes an electrolytic cell unit 1 and a gas supply assembly 2. The electrolytic cell unit 1 includes a cell body and electrode plates 101 and a diaphragm 102 provided in the cell body. The diaphragm 102 is used to divide the cell body into an anode chamber 103 and a cathode chamber 104. The positive electrode side of the electrode plate 101 is located in the anode chamber 103, and the negative electrode side of the electrode plate 101 is located in the cathode chamber 104. There are multiple electrolytic cell units 1, and the multiple electrolytic cell units 1 are connected in series in sequence. The gas supply assembly 2 is respectively communicated with the lower parts of the anode chambers 103 of each electrolytic cell unit 1. The gas supply assembly 2 is used to supply a dilution gas into each anode chamber 103 when the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chamber 103 is lower than a first preset threshold. The dilution gas is used to reduce the hydrogen content ratio of the gas in the anode chamber 103.

[0029] Optionally, an electrolyte can be accommodated in the above-mentioned cell body, and the electrolyte can specifically be an alkaline solution. When direct current passes through the electrolytic cell unit 1, hydrogen can be generated in the cathode chamber 104, and oxygen can be generated in the anode chamber 103.

[0030] Optionally, the diaphragm 102 in the groove body is used to separate hydrogen and oxygen. The diaphragm 102 may specifically be a PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) membrane.

[0031] It should be noted that due to the small volume of hydrogen molecules, the hydrogen permeability is much higher than that of oxygen. The phenomenon shown is that the rising rate of the hydrogen content in the oxygen in the anode chamber 103 of the electrolytic cell unit 1 is much higher than the oxygen content in the hydrogen in the cathode chamber 104. When the gas production volume is large, a large amount of oxygen in the anode chamber 103 can dilute the permeated hydrogen, keeping the hydrogen content in the oxygen at a low level. However, when the gas production volume of the electrolytic cell system decreases, the proportion of the hydrogen content in the oxygen in the anode chamber 103 increases. Until the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chamber 103 is lower than the first preset threshold, the hydrogen content ratio of the gas in the anode chamber 103 will exceed the safety critical value, thus causing a safety hazard. In this application, when the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chamber 103 is lower than the first preset threshold, diluting gas is supplied into each anode chamber 103, which can reduce the hydrogen content ratio of the gas in the anode chamber 103 and achieve the purpose of safe operation under low load conditions.

[0032] Optionally, the above-mentioned anode chamber 103 may be connected to a gas recovery component. After diluting gas is supplied into each anode chamber 103, the diluting gas and oxygen can be recovered and utilized through the gas recovery component.

[0033] Optionally, the lower part of the above-mentioned anode chamber 103 can be understood as the position slightly above the bottom of the anode chamber 103.

[0034] It should be noted that during the operation of the electrolytic cell system, there is a phenomenon of bubble fusion between the hydrogen molecules passing through the diaphragm 102 and the oxygen generated at the anode, and then the bubbles merge and expand, forming bubbles with the possibility of explosion during the energy conversion process of the electrolytic cell. Therefore, the diluting gas in this application enters the anode chamber 103 through the lower part of the anode chamber 103, and will directly participate in the bubble fusion process in the anode chamber 103 to avoid the formation of bubbles with the possibility of explosion and further improve the safety of operation under low load conditions.

[0035] In this application, by connecting the gas supply component 2 to the lower part of the anode chamber 103 of each electrolytic cell unit 1 respectively, when the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chamber 103 is lower than the first preset threshold, that is, when the electrolytic cell system is in a low gas production load, the diluting gas is supplied into the anode chamber 103 through the gas supply component 2 to reduce the hydrogen content ratio of the gas in the anode chamber 103, so as to achieve the purpose of safe operation under low load conditions and avoid safety accidents caused by too high hydrogen content ratio. And the diluting gas supplied by the above-mentioned gas supply component 2 can directly enter the lower part of the anode chamber 103, realizing that the diluting gas directly participates in the bubble fusion process in the anode chamber 103, so that the diluting gas is fully fused with the generated oxygen in the electrolyte to further improve the safety of operation under low load conditions.

[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the gas supply assembly 2 includes a gas supply pipe 201, and a plurality of exhaust holes are provided on the part of the gas supply pipe 201 inserted into the anode chamber 103. By providing a plurality of exhaust holes, the diluting gas can be fully mixed with the oxygen in the electrolyte, so as to achieve the purpose of reducing the hydrogen content ratio of the gas in the anode chamber 103.

[0037] Optionally, the above-mentioned exhaust holes can be evenly arranged around the pipe wall of the gas supply pipe 201, so that the diluting gas can be evenly distributed in the anode chamber 103, and the diluting gas can be gradually mixed and converged with the oxygen bubbles electrolyzed at the anode and the hydrogen permeated through the diaphragm 102 into large bubbles and then discharged.

[0038] Optionally, the gas supply pipe 201 may include a main pipe and a plurality of branch pipes communicated with the main pipe, and the branch pipes are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the anode chambers 103. The above-mentioned exhaust holes are provided on the branch pipes.

[0039] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 shown, the gas supply assembly 2 further includes a first valve 202 provided on the gas supply pipe 201, and the electrolytic cell system further includes a control assembly 3 electrically connected to the first valve 202. The control assembly 3 is configured to control the first valve 202 to open to supply diluting gas into the anode chamber 103 when the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chamber 103 is lower than a first preset threshold.

[0040] In this way, when the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chamber 103 is lower than the first preset threshold, the first valve 202 can be automatically controlled to open to supply diluting gas into the anode chamber 103 without manual operation by the user, further ensuring the safety of the operation of the electrolytic cell system.

[0041] Optionally, the first valve 202 can be understood as an electrically controlled valve, which can be opened and closed under the control of the control assembly 3.

[0042] In some other embodiments, the first valve 202 can be a manual valve, and the operator can manually open the first valve 202 to supply diluting gas into the anode chamber 103 when the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chamber 103 is lower than the first preset threshold.

[0043] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 shown, the electrolytic cell system further includes a power supply assembly 4 electrically connected to the control assembly 3. The control assembly 3 is configured to receive the power supply information of the power supply assembly 4, and control the first valve 202 to open to supply diluting gas into the anode chamber 103 when the power supply value of the power supply information is lower than a second preset threshold.

[0044] Thus, the power supply value of the above power supply information being lower than the second preset threshold can indicate that the electrolytic cell system is in a low-load state. At this time, the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chamber 103 is small. Controlling the opening of the first valve 202 can supply diluting gas into the anode chamber 103 to reduce the hydrogen content ratio of the gas in the anode chamber 103, so as to achieve the purpose of safe operation under the low-load state.

[0045] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 shown, the electrolytic cell system further includes a hydrogen-in-oxygen detector 5 communicated with the oxygen outlet of the electrolytic cell unit 1. The hydrogen-in-oxygen detector 5 is used to detect the hydrogen ratio in the gas discharged from the anode chamber 103.

[0046] Thus, the hydrogen ratio in the gas discharged from the anode chamber 103 can be accurately detected by the hydrogen-in-oxygen detector 5, enabling the operator to accurately know the hydrogen content ratio and realize the timely control of the gas supply assembly 2.

[0047] Optionally, the hydrogen-in-oxygen detector 5 may have a display module and / or an alarm module. The display module can be used to display in real time the hydrogen ratio in the gas discharged from the anode chamber 103, and the alarm module can be used to send an alarm message when the hydrogen ratio in the gas discharged from the anode chamber 103 is too high to prompt the operator.

[0048] In some embodiments, the hydrogen-in-oxygen detector 5 is electrically connected to the control assembly 3. The control assembly 3 is further configured to receive the detection value of the hydrogen-in-oxygen detector 5 and control the opening of the first valve 202 when the detection value exceeds the third preset threshold.

[0049] Thus, the control assembly 3 can realize the automatic and precise control of the opening and closing of the first valve 202 by receiving the detection value of the hydrogen-in-oxygen detector 5, without manual operation by the operator.

[0050] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 shown, the electrolytic cell system further includes a pressure regulating valve 6 disposed downstream of the hydrogen-in-oxygen detector 5. The pressure regulating valve 6 is used to release the gas increment in the electrolytic cell system after the diluting gas is filled to maintain the stability of the pipeline pressure. Herein, the pipeline can be understood as the pipeline connecting various devices included in the electrolytic cell system.

[0051] Thus, the pipeline pressure can be adjusted by setting the pressure regulating valve 6 to avoid potential safety hazards caused by excessive pressure on the oxygen side system.

[0052] Optionally, after the first valve 202 is opened to supply diluting gas into the anode chamber 103, the gas pressure in the pipeline increases. The opening degree of the pressure regulating valve 6 can be increased while the first valve 202 is opened to timely reduce the pipeline pressure.

[0053] In some embodiments, the pressure regulating valve 6 is electrically connected to the control assembly 3. After the control assembly 3 controls the first valve 202 to open, it sends a control instruction to the pressure regulating valve 6 to increase its opening degree.

[0054] In this way, after the dilution gas is supplied into the anode chamber 103, the control assembly 3 can automatically and accurately increase the opening degree of the pressure regulating valve 6 to achieve the purpose of timely reducing the pipeline pressure without manual operation by the operator.

[0055] Optionally, the pressure regulating valve 6 can be configured as a pneumatic diaphragm valve with a PID controller (Proportion Integration Differentiation). After adding the dilution gas, the pressure regulating valve 6 will increase its opening degree to stabilize the oxygen-side pressure.

[0056] In some embodiments, the dilution gas in the gas supply pipeline 201 includes at least one or more of the following gases: nitrogen, air, pure oxygen, and inert gas.

[0057] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 shown, the electrolysis cell system further includes a gas treatment assembly. The oxygen in hydrogen detector 5 is communicated with the oxygen outlet of the electrolysis cell unit 1 through the gas treatment assembly. The gas treatment assembly includes an oxygen separator 7, an oxygen scrubber 8, a cooler 9, and a gas-water separator 10 connected in sequence. The oxygen separator 7 is communicated with the oxygen outlet of the electrolysis cell unit 1, and the gas-water separator 10 is communicated with the oxygen in hydrogen detector 5.

[0058] In this way, the oxygen generated in the anode chamber 103 can be processed successively through the oxygen separator 7, the oxygen scrubber 8, the cooler 9, and the gas-water separator 10 to obtain the processed oxygen.

[0059] Moreover, although exemplary embodiments have been described herein, the scope includes any and all embodiments based on the present application having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., schemes that cross various embodiments), adaptations, or alterations. The elements in the claims will be broadly interpreted based on the language employed in the claims and are not limited to the examples described in this specification or during the implementation of the present application, and the examples will be interpreted as non-exclusive.

[0060] The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. For example, other embodiments may be used by those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the above description. Additionally, in the above detailed description, various features may be grouped together to simplify the present application. This should not be construed as an intention that any non-claimed disclosed feature is necessary for any claim. On the contrary, the subject matter of the present application may be less than all of the features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description as examples or embodiments, where each claim stands on its own as a separate embodiment, and these embodiments may be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the present application should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full scope of equivalents to which these claims are entitled.

[0061] The above embodiments are only exemplary embodiments of the present application and are not used to limit the present application. The protection scope of the present application is defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or equivalent replacements within the essence and protection scope of the present application, and such modifications or equivalent replacements should also be regarded as falling within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An electrolytic cell system, characterized in that, Comprising: An electrolytic cell unit, which includes a cell body, electrode plates and a diaphragm disposed in the cell body. The diaphragm is used to divide the cell body into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber. The positive electrode side of the electrode plate is located in the anode chamber, and the negative electrode side of the electrode plate is located in the cathode chamber. There are multiple electrolytic cell units, and the multiple electrolytic cell units are connected in series in sequence; A gas supply assembly, which is respectively communicated with the lower parts of the anode chambers of each electrolytic cell unit. The gas supply assembly is used to supply a dilution gas into each anode chamber when the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chamber is lower than a first preset threshold. The dilution gas is used to reduce the hydrogen content ratio of the gas in the anode chamber.

2. The electrolytic cell system according to claim 1, wherein The gas supply assembly includes a gas supply pipeline, and a plurality of gas supply holes are provided on the part of the gas supply pipeline inserted into the anode chamber.

3. The electrolytic cell system according to claim 2, wherein The gas supply assembly further includes a first valve disposed on the gas supply pipeline. The electrolytic cell system further includes a control assembly that is pneumatically and electrically connected to the first valve. The control assembly is used to control the first valve to open to supply the dilution gas into the anode chamber when the amount of oxygen generated in the anode chamber is lower than a first preset threshold.

4. The electrolytic cell system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The electrolytic cell system further includes a power supply assembly that is electrically connected to the control assembly. The control assembly is used to receive the power supply information of the power supply assembly and control the first valve to open to supply the dilution gas into the anode chamber when the power supply value of the power supply information is lower than a second preset threshold.

5. The electrolytic cell system according to claim 3, wherein, The electrolytic cell system further includes a hydrogen-in-oxygen detector communicated with the oxygen outlet of the electrolytic cell unit. The hydrogen-in-oxygen detector is used to detect the hydrogen ratio in the gas discharged from the anode chamber.

6. The electrolytic cell system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The hydrogen-in-oxygen detector is electrically connected to the control assembly. The control assembly is further used to receive the detection value of the hydrogen-in-oxygen detector and control the first valve to open when the detection value exceeds a third preset threshold.

7. The electrolytic cell system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The electrolytic cell system further includes a pressure regulating valve disposed downstream of the hydrogen-in-oxygen detector. The pressure regulating valve is used to release the gas increment in the electrolytic cell system after the dilution gas is filled to maintain the stability of the pipeline pressure.

8. The electrolytic cell system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pressure regulating valve is electrically connected to the control assembly. The control assembly is used to send a control instruction to increase its opening degree to the pressure regulating valve after controlling the first valve to open.

9. The electrolytic cell system according to claim 2, wherein The dilution gas in the gas supply pipeline includes at least one or more of the following gases: nitrogen, air, pure oxygen and inert gas.

10. The electrolytic cell system according to claim 7, wherein, The electrolytic cell system further includes a gas treatment assembly. The hydrogen-in-oxygen detector is communicated with the oxygen outlet of the electrolytic cell unit through the gas treatment assembly. The gas treatment assembly includes an oxygen separator, an oxygen scrubber, a cooler and a gas-water separator connected in sequence. The oxygen separator is communicated with the oxygen outlet of the electrolytic cell unit, and the gas-water separator is communicated with the hydrogen-in-oxygen detector.

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