Electrolysis device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrolysis device, and the electrolysis device according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of partition plates; and a membrane electrode assembly disposed between the plurality of partition plates and including a plurality of electrodes and separators disposed between the plurality of electrodes, in which each of the partition plates includes: a first channel portion in which a first channel portion is formed between the plurality of partition plates and a second channel portion in which a second channel portion is formed between the plurality of partition plates; protrusions and depressions are alternately disposed on an active region of one surface thereof to provide a first channel; and a second channel portion in which protrusions and depressions are alternately provided on the active region of the other surface thereof to correspond to the protrusions and depressions provided in the first channel portion, thereby providing a second channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0161754, filed on November 28, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0166825, filed on November 27, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to an electrolysis device. Background Art

[0005] Currently, carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that causes global warming and must be reduced. Methods for reducing carbon dioxide include capture, chemical conversion, or electrochemical conversion. Among them, the electrochemical conversion method can precisely control the components to produce other synthesis gases, providing more economical benefits than simply removing carbon dioxide.

[0006] In a water electrolysis system for electrochemically converting carbon dioxide or decomposing water to produce hydrogen, a system based on a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) operates under high current density conditions, has high energy efficiency, and is easy to stack and modularize, and thus is being actively studied.

[0007] In a unit cell of a membrane electrode assembly system, an anode and a cathode are disposed around a membrane, and further includes a separator plate formed with channels through which electric energy and reactants are supplied to the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and products are discharged, and the unit cells are stacked to manufacture a stack. In a membrane electrode assembly system, if the anode-side separator plate and the cathode-side separator plate are separately manufactured and joined, the cost of manufacturing the separator plate increases, and most importantly, resistance is generated at the joining interface to reduce the energy efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical problem

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is to provide an electrolysis device capable of improving energy efficiency while reducing manufacturing costs.

[0010] Technical solution

[0011] An electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of separator plates; and a membrane electrode assembly disposed between the plurality of separator plates and including a plurality of electrodes and a separator disposed between the plurality of electrodes, wherein each of the separator plates includes: a first channel portion in which embossing and engraving are alternately provided on an active region of one surface thereof to provide a first channel; and a second channel portion in which embossing and engraving are alternately provided on an active region of the other surface thereof to correspond to the embossing and engraving provided in the first channel portion, thereby providing a second channel.

[0012] Beneficial effects

[0013] According to the present invention, in an electrolysis device for electrolyzing carbon dioxide, the separator plates facing the anode electrode and the cathode electrode of the membrane electrode assembly can be embossed or engraved to be integrated, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and improving the energy efficiency.

[0014] In addition, the plurality of separator plates can be stacked such that one surface and the other surface are inverted in the stacking direction (wherein the membrane electrode assembly is located therebetween) to prevent the channels of the separator plate stacked at the upper part from being blocked by the separator plate stacked at the lower part.

[0015] In addition, the first gasket and the second gasket provided on one surface and the other surface of the separator plate can be provided with different thicknesses from each other, thereby maintaining the seal more effectively. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 is along Figure 1 sectional view taken along line A-A'.

[0018] Figure 3 is Figure 2 magnified sectional view of region B of.

[0019] Figure 4 is a plan view showing an example of one surface of a separator plate in an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 is a plan view showing an example of the other surface of a separator plate in an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0021] The object, specific advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description presented in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that reference numerals are added to the components of the drawings in the present specification as identically as possible, even if these components are shown in other drawings. In addition, the present invention may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the following description of the present invention, detailed descriptions of related arts that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

[0022] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Figure 1 A-A' of, and Figure 3 is Figure 2 an enlarged cross-sectional view of region B of

[0023] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , the electrolysis device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a plurality of separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140; and a membrane electrode assembly 210 disposed between the plurality of separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 and including a plurality of electrodes 213 and separators 214, and each of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may include a first channel portion 111 and 121 and a second channel portion 112 and 122, on the first channel portion 111 and 121, protrusions 111a and 121a and depressions 111b and 121b are alternately provided on each of the active regions A1 of one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a, on the second channel portion 112 and 122, depressions 112b and 122b and protrusions 112a and 122a are alternately provided on each of the active regions A2 of the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b to correspond to the protrusions 111a and 121a and depressions 111b and 121b provided on the first channel portion 111 and 121. Additionally, the electrolysis device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a first gasket 311 and a second gasket 312.

[0024] More specifically, the electrolysis device 100 according to an embodiment may electrolyze carbon dioxide (CO2) by causing an electrochemical reduction reaction of carbon dioxide (CO2).

[0025] The electrolysis device 100 may include a plurality of separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 and a membrane electrode assembly 210 disposed between the plurality of separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140.

[0026] The separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the membrane electrode assembly 210 may be alternately stacked, and the separator plates 110 and 140 may be disposed at the uppermost and lowermost sides in the stacking direction S.

[0027] The membrane electrode assembly 210 may be disposed between the plurality of separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, and may include a plurality of electrodes 213 and a separator 214 disposed between the plurality of electrodes 213.

[0028] The electrode 213 includes an anode 211 and a cathode 212, and the anode 211 and the cathode 212 may be alternately disposed in the stacking direction S.

[0029] The separator 214 may be provided as an ion exchange membrane I (IEM) made of an insulating material, and thus, ions may move between the anode 211 and the cathode 212.

[0030] In addition, the membrane electrode assembly 210 may cause an electrochemical reduction reaction. Here, the membrane electrode assembly 210 may electrolyze carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO) or ethylene (C2H4), for example.

[0031] Figure 4 is a plan view showing an example of one surface of a separator plate in an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 is a plan view showing an example of another surface of a separator plate in an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to Figures 1 to 5 , the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may include first channel portions 111 and 121 and second channel portions 112 and 122. On the first channel portions 111 and 121, protrusions 111a and 121a and depressions 111b and 121b are alternately provided on the active region A1 of one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a to define a first channel P1. On the second channel portions 112 and 122, depressions 112b and 122b and protrusions 112a and 122a corresponding to the protrusions 111a and 121a and the depressions 111b and 121b provided on the first channel portions 111 and 121 are alternately provided on the active region A2 of the other surface 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b to define a second channel P2.

[0033] The first channel portions 111 and 121 can face the electrode 213, the first channel P1 through which the raw material fluid moves can open toward the electrode 213, the second channel portions 112 and 122 can face the electrode 213, and the second channel P2 through which the raw material fluid moves can open toward the electrode 213. Here, the raw material fluid can include, for example, carbon dioxide (CO2) and an electrolyte. Here, the electrolyte can include water (H2O).

[0034] The protrusions 111a and 121a of the first channel portions 111 and 121 provided on the active regions A1 of one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 can protrude from the inactive region B1, and the depressions 112b and 122b of the second channel portions 112 and 122 provided on the active regions A2 of the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 can be recessed into the inactive region B2.

[0035] The first channel P1 can be provided in the depressions 111b and 121b of the first channel portions 111 and 121, and the second channel P2 can be provided in the depressions 112b and 122b of the second channel portions 112 and 122.

[0036] The first channel P1 and the second channel P2 can have a parallel shape. Here, for example, the protrusions 111a, 121a, 112a, and 122a and the depressions 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b provided on the first channel portions 111 and 121 and the second channel portions 112 and 122 of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 can be provided in the width direction W of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, and the first channel P1 and the second channel P2 can be provided in the longitudinal direction L of the second gasket of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140.

[0037] The protrusions 111a, 121a, 112a, and 122a and the depressions 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b provided on the first channel portions 111 and 121 and the second channel portions 112 and 122 can be set to a square shape.

[0038] In addition, each of the widths W1 of the recesses 111b and 121b provided in the first channel portions 111 and 121 and each of the widths W2 of the recesses 112b and 122b provided in the second channel portions 112 and 122 may be from 100 μm to 5000 μm. Accordingly, each of the widths W1 of the recesses 111b and 121b provided in the first channel portions 111 and 121 and each of the widths of the recesses 112b and 122b provided in the second channel portions 112 and 122 may be greater than 100 μm, and thus, during fluid flow, the pressure within each of the partition plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be significantly reduced. In addition, each of the widths W1 of the recesses 111b and 121b provided in the first channel portions 111 and 121 and each of the widths W2 of the recesses 112b and 122b provided in the second channel portions 112 and 122 may be less than 5000 μm, and thus, the resistance may be significantly reduced. That is to say, if the widths W1 and W2 of the recesses 112b and 122b of the first channel portions 111 and 121 and the second channel portions 112 and 122 are too large, the contact area where the electrode 213 and the partition plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 contact each other may be reduced, resulting in a problem of increased resistance. However, the widths W1 and W2 of the recesses 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b may be set to be less than 5000 μm to significantly reduce the problem of increased resistance.

[0039] In addition, the width W1 of the recesses 111b and 121b provided in the first channel portions 111 and 121 may be the same as the width W2 of the recesses 112b and 122b provided in the second channel portions 112 and 122. Accordingly, there is an effect of having reaction uniformity. That is to say, if the width W1 of the recesses 111b and 121b provided in the first channel portions 111 and 121 is the same as the width W2 of the recesses 111b and 121b provided in the second channel portions 112 and 122, the widths at which the reaction fluids of the first channel P1 and the second channel P2 provided in the recesses 111b and 121b provided in the first channel portions 111 and 121 and the recesses 112b and 122b provided in the second channel portions 112 and 122 contact the electrode 213 may be constant, causing a uniform reaction.

[0040] Among the plurality of partition plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a and the other surface 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b may be stacked upside down in the stacking direction S, with the membrane electrode assembly 210 therebetween.

[0041] Here, for example, when the separators 110, 120, 130, and 140 are reversed, the protrusion 111a of the first channel portion 111 in the separator 110 disposed on the upper side along the stacking direction S and the protrusion 121a of the first channel portion 121 in the separator 120 disposed on the lower side along the stacking direction S can be set to face each other, with the membrane electrode assembly 210 therebetween. Thus, during stacking, the protrusion 122a of the second channel portion 122 in the separator 120 disposed on the lower side and the membrane electrode assembly 210 can be inserted together into the recess 111b of the first channel portion 111 in the separator 110 disposed on the upper side to prevent the first channel P1 disposed in the recess 111b of the first channel portion 111 in the separator 120 disposed on the upper side from being blocked.

[0042] The active area A1 of one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separators 110, 120, 130, and 140 may further include a first distribution portion 113 through which fluid is introduced into and discharged from the first channel. The active area A2 of the other surface 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separators 110, 120, 130, and 140 may include a second distribution portion 114 through which fluid is introduced into and discharged from the second channel P2.

[0043] The thickness d of each of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be from 50 μm to 500 μm. Thus, the thickness d of each of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be greater than 50 μm to prevent deformation during the processing of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140. Additionally, the thickness d of each of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be less than 500 μm, and thus, each of the recesses 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b provided in the first channel portions 111 and 121 and the second channel portions 112 and 122 of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may have a width W2 of 100 μm or greater. That is, when the thickness d of each of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 is 500 μm or greater, the thickness d of each of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be too thick, and thus, when manufacturing the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, each of the first channel portions 111 and 121 and the second channel portions 112 and 122 may not have a width W2 of 100 μm or greater. However, when the thickness d of each of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 is less than 500 μm, the recesses 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b of the first channel portions 111 and 121 and the second channel portions 112 and 122 may have a width W1 and W2 of 100 μm or greater, at which width, the pressure within the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 is significantly reduced during fluid flow.

[0044] The first gasket 311 may be provided on the non-active region B1 of one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, and the second gasket 312 may be provided on the non-active region B2 of the other surface 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140.

[0045] Additionally, the first gasket 311 and the second gasket 312 may respectively have different thicknesses g1 and g2 in the stacking direction S. Thus, according to the height h of the protrusions 111a, 121a, 112a, and 122a and the recesses 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b provided on the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the thicknesses t1 and t2 of the electrodes 213, the thickness g1 of the first gasket 311 and the thickness g2 of the second gasket 312 provided on one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a and the other surface 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be set to be different from each other to more effectively maintain the seal.

[0046] In addition, the first gasket 311 and the second gasket 312 may be disposed on the same line along the stacking direction S.

[0047] The thickness g1 of the first gasket 311 may be the same as the sum of the thickness t2 of the electrode 213 among the plurality of electrodes 213 facing one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separators 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the protruding height h of the protrusions 111a and 121a provided on one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separators 110, 120, 130, and 140. Here, the thickness g2 of the second gasket 312 may be the same as the thickness t1 of the electrode 213 among the plurality of electrodes 213 facing the other surface 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separators 110, 120, 130, and 140.

[0048] In addition, the first gasket 311 may be disposed along the edge of the active region A1 on one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separators 110, 120, 130, and 140 to maintain the sealing of the active region A1 on one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a, and the second gasket 312 may be disposed along the edge of the active region A2 on the other surface 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separators 110, 120, 130, and 140 to maintain the sealing of the active region A2 on the other surface 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separators 110, 120, 130, and 140.

[0049] The electrolysis device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an edge gasket 411 disposed along the edge of one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separators 110, 120, 130, and 140 and another edge gasket 511 disposed along the edge of the other surface 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separators 110, 120, 130, and 140. Here, the thickness of the edge gasket 411 in the stacking direction S may correspond to the thickness g1 of the first gasket 311, and the thickness of the other edge gasket 511 in the stacking direction S may correspond to the thickness g2 of the second gasket 312.

[0050] In addition, the electrolysis device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include distribution gaskets 412 and 512, and the distribution gaskets 412 and 512 are provided with the first distribution portion 113 and the second distribution portion 114 of the separators 110, 120, 130, and 140 to branch the channels.

[0051] In the electrolysis device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 of the electrodes 213 facing the anode 211 and the cathode 212 of the membrane electrode assembly 210 can be integrally formed by providing protrusions 111a, 121a, 112a, and 122a and recesses 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b, so as to improve the energy efficiency while reducing the manufacturing cost. That is, when electrochemically converting carbon dioxide or decomposing water to generate hydrogen, an aqueous electrolyte can be supplied to the anode 211, and thus there is no need to supply separate cooling water. Therefore, the protrusions 111a, 121a, 112a, and 122a and the recesses 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b can be provided on one of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 to provide channels for the anode 211 and the cathode 212. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced by using one separator plate 110, 120, 130, and 140 instead of two separator plates, and the interfacial resistance that occurs when using two separator plates may not be generated, thereby improving the energy efficiency due to the reduction of the resistance.

[0052] In addition, among the plurality of separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a and the other surface 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b can be stacked in the stacking direction S so as to be inverted with respect to each other (wherein the membrane electrode assembly 210 is located therebetween), so as to prevent the channels in the recesses 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b of the separator plates 110, 120, and 130 stacked on the upper part in the stacking direction S from being blocked by the protrusions 111a, 121a, 112a, and 122a of the separator plates 120, 130, and 140 stacked at the lower part in the stacking direction S.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the heights h of the protrusions 111a, 121a, 112a, and 122a and the recesses 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b provided on the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the thicknesses t1 and t2 of the electrodes 213, the thicknesses g1 and g2 of the first gasket 311 and the second gasket 312 provided on one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a and the other surface 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separator plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 can be set to be different from each other to more effectively maintain the seal.

[0054] Although the present invention has been specifically shown and described with reference to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the post-treatment device according to the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various changes can be made to the present invention in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0055] In addition, the protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the appended claims.

[0056] [Description of Reference Numerals]

[0057] 100: Electrolysis device

[0058] 110, 120, 130, 140: Separator

[0059] 110a, 120a, 130a, 140a: One surface 110b, 120b, 130b, 140b: The other surface 111, 121: First channel part

[0060] 112, 122: Second channel part

[0061] 111a, 121a: Protrusion

[0062] 111b, 121b: Depression

[0063] 113: First distribution part

[0064] 114: Second distribution part

[0065] 210: Membrane electrode assembly

[0066] 211: Anode

[0067] 212: Cathode

[0068] 213: Electrode

[0069] 214: Separator

[0070] 311: First gasket

[0071] 312: Second gasket

[0072] 411: One edge gasket

[0073] 511: The other edge gasket

[0074] A1, A2: Active area

[0075] B1, B2: Inactive area

[0076] L: Longitudinal direction

[0077] W: Width direction

[0078] S: Stacking direction

[0079] P1: First channel

[0080] P2: Second channel

Claims

1. An electrolysis device, comprising: a plurality of separator plates; and a membrane electrode assembly, the membrane electrode assembly being disposed between the plurality of separator plates and including a plurality of electrodes and a separator disposed between the plurality of electrodes, wherein each of the separator plates includes: a first channel portion, in the first channel portion, protrusions and depressions are alternately provided on an active region of one surface thereof to provide a first channel; and a second channel portion, in the second channel portion, protrusions and depressions are alternately provided on an active region of the other surface thereof to correspond to the protrusions and the depressions provided in the first channel portion, thereby providing a second channel.

2. The electrolysis device according to claim 1, wherein The first channel portion is arranged to face the electrode, and the first channel through which the raw material fluid moves opens towards the electrode, and The second channel portion is arranged to face the electrode, and the second channel through which the raw material fluid moves opens towards the electrode.

3. The electrolysis device according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of separator plates are stacked such that one surface and the other surface are inverted in the stacking direction, wherein the membrane electrode assembly is located between the plurality of separator plates.

4. The electrolysis device according to claim 3, wherein, The electrodes include an anode and a cathode, and The anode and the cathode are alternately arranged in the stacking direction.

5. The electrolysis device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first gasket, the first gasket being disposed on an inactive region of one surface of the separator plate; and a second gasket, the second gasket being disposed on an inactive region of the other surface of the separator plate, wherein the first gasket and the second gasket have different thicknesses in the stacking direction.

6. The electrolysis device according to claim 5, wherein, The first gasket and the second gasket are arranged on the same line in the stacking direction.

7. The electrolysis device according to claim 5, wherein, The protrusions of the first channel portion provided on the active region of one surface of the separator plate protrude from the inactive region, and The depressions of the second channel portion provided on the active region of the other surface of the separator plate are recessed into the inactive region.

8. The electrolysis device according to claim 7, wherein, The thickness of the first gasket is the same as the sum of the thickness of the electrode facing one surface of the separator plate among the plurality of electrodes and the protruding height of each of the protrusions provided on one surface of the separator plate, and The thickness of the second gasket is the same as the thickness of the electrode facing the other surface of the separator plate among the plurality of electrodes.

9. The electrolysis device according to claim 1, wherein, The separator plates and the membrane electrode assembly are alternately stacked, wherein the separator plates are arranged on each of the uppermost side and the lowermost side in the stacking direction.

10. The electrolysis device according to claim 1, wherein, The active region of one surface of the separator plate further includes a first distribution portion, through which fluid is introduced into the first channel and discharged from the first channel, and The active region of the other surface of the separator plate further includes a second distribution portion, through which the fluid is introduced into the second channel and discharged from the second channel.

11. The electrolysis device according to claim 1, wherein, The first channel is provided in the recessed portion of the first channel portion, and The second channel is provided in the recessed portion of the second channel portion.

12. The electrolysis device according to claim 1, wherein, The protrusions and the depressions provided in the first channel portion and the second channel portion are provided in a square shape.

13. The electrolysis device according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the widths of each of the depressions provided in the first channel portion and each of the widths of each of the depressions provided in the second channel portion is from 100 μm to 5000 μm.

14. The electrolysis device according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the widths of each of the depressions provided in the first channel portion is the same as each of the widths of each of the depressions provided in the second channel portion.

15. The electrolysis device according to claim 1, wherein, The partition plate has a thickness of 50 μm to 500 μm.

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