AEM electrolytic bath

Abstract

The invention provides an AEM electrolytic bath which comprises a cathode end plate, a cathode insulating layer, an electrolysis unit, an anode insulating layer and an anode end plate which are sequentially arranged in the same direction, and the electrolysis unit comprises small electrolysis chambers arranged in series; from the cathode insulating layer to the anode insulating layer, each small electrolysis chamber comprises a cathode plate, a cathode sealing ring, a cathode gas diffusion layer, an anion exchange membrane, an anode gas diffusion layer, an anode sealing ring and an anode plate which are sequentially arranged, and the cathode plate and the anode plate at the series connection part between the small electrolysis chambers are combined to form a bipolar plate; the cathode plate comprises a cathode surface, the anode plate comprises an anode surface, the bipolar plate comprises a cathode surface and an anode surface, the cathode surface and the anode surface are provided with a concave area and an outer frame area, the outer frame area surrounds the concave area, the concave area is respectively provided with two confluence runners, and a branch runner is arranged between the two confluence runners; and the two ends of the branch flow channel are communicated with the confluence flow channel. According to the scheme, uniform diffusion of the electrolyte is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of hydrogen production equipment, and particularly relates to an AEM electrolyzer cell. Background Art

[0002] The electrolyzer cell of a water electrolysis hydrogen production system is assembled in series by a plurality of electrolysis compartments. Each electrolysis compartment is composed of components such as electrode plates, sealing rings, diaphragms, etc. A reaction cavity is formed between the electrode plate and the sealing ring, and the electrolyte will enter the reaction cavity for reaction. However, due to unreasonable structural settings, the current electrolyzer cell has problems such as uneven diffusion of the electrolyte. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an AEM electrolyzer cell to solve the above problems.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose and other related purposes, the present invention provides an electrolyzer cell, including a cathode end plate, a cathode insulating layer, an electrolysis unit, an anode insulating layer, and an anode end plate arranged in sequence along the same direction.

[0005] The electrolysis unit includes electrolysis compartments arranged in series; from the cathode insulating layer towards the anode insulating layer, the electrolysis compartment includes a cathode plate, a cathode sealing ring, a cathode gas diffusion layer, an anion exchange membrane, an anode gas diffusion layer, an anode sealing ring, and an anode plate arranged in sequence. The cathode plate and the anode plate at the series connection part between the electrolysis compartments form a bipolar plate; the cathode plate includes a cathode surface, the anode plate includes an anode surface, the bipolar plate includes a cathode surface and an anode surface. The cathode surface and the anode surface are provided with a concave area and a frame area, the frame area surrounds the concave area, the concave area is respectively provided with two confluence channels, and a branch channel is arranged between the two confluence channels. The two ends of the branch channel are communicated with the confluence channels.

[0006] Wherein, the cathode plate, the anode plate, and the bipolar plate are provided with a first ventilation hole and a first liquid passage hole. The first ventilation hole and the first liquid passage hole are opened in the concave area of the cathode surface. The first ventilation hole is communicated with one of the confluence channels in the cathode surface, and the first liquid passage hole is communicated with the other confluence channel in the cathode surface; the cathode plate, the anode plate, and the bipolar plate are provided with a second ventilation hole and a second liquid passage hole. The second ventilation hole and the second liquid passage hole are opened in the concave area of the anode surface. The second ventilation hole is communicated with one of the confluence channels in the anode surface, and the second liquid passage hole is communicated with the other confluence channel in the anode surface.

[0007] The recessed areas on the cathode surface and the anode surface are diamond-shaped, and the angles of the recessed area on the cathode surface are offset from the angles of the recessed area on the anode surface; the first vent hole and the first liquid through hole are arranged on the diagonals of the recessed area on the cathode surface, and the second vent hole and the second liquid through hole are arranged on the diagonals of the recessed area on the anode surface;

[0008] The recessed area is parallelogram-shaped, the left and right sides of the parallelogram are parallel to the left and right sides of the bipolar plate, and the extension lines of the upper and lower sides of the parallelogram intersect with the edge lines of the upper and lower sides of the bipolar plate.

[0009] Further, a cathode reaction chamber is formed between the cathode surface and the cathode gas diffusion layer, and an anode reaction chamber is formed between the anode surface and the anode gas diffusion layer.

[0010] Further, a first vent channel, a first liquid through channel, a second vent channel and a second liquid through channel are provided through the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the electrode unit, the anode insulating layer and the anode end plate. The first vent channel and the first liquid through channel communicate with the cathode reaction chamber, and the second vent channel and the second liquid through channel communicate with the anode reaction chamber.

[0011] Further, first vent holes and first liquid through holes are provided on the cathode plate, the anode plate and the bipolar plate. The first vent holes are used to form the first vent channel, and the first liquid through holes are used to form the first liquid through channel. The first vent holes and the first liquid through holes are provided in the recessed area of the cathode surface. The first vent hole communicates with one of the converging flow channels in the cathode surface, and the first liquid through hole communicates with the other converging flow channel in the cathode surface.

[0012] Further, second vent holes and second liquid through holes are provided on the cathode plate, the anode plate and the bipolar plate. The second vent holes are used to form the second vent channel, and the second liquid through holes are used to form the second liquid through channel. The second vent holes and the second liquid through holes are provided in the recessed area of the anode surface. The second vent hole communicates with one of the converging flow channels in the anode surface, and the second liquid through hole communicates with the other converging flow channel in the anode surface.

[0013] Further, the recessed areas on the cathode surface and the anode surface are quadrilateral, and the angles of the recessed area on the cathode surface are offset from the angles of the recessed area on the anode surface; the first vent holes and the first liquid through holes are arranged on the diagonals of the recessed area on the cathode surface, and the second vent holes and the second liquid through holes are arranged on the diagonals of the recessed area on the anode surface.

[0014] Further, the areas of the outer frame regions on the cathode plate and the anode plate are the same, and the edge contour shapes of the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the cathode plate, the anode plate, the anode insulating layer, and the anode end plate match each other.

[0015] Further, the area of the outer frame region on the bipolar plate is smaller than the area of the outer frame region on the cathode plate. The shapes of the cathode sealing ring and the anode sealing ring match the shape of the outer frame region on the bipolar plate. The shapes of the cathode gas diffusion layer and the anode gas diffusion layer match the shape of the recessed region. The edge contour of the diaphragm matches the edge contour of the bipolar plate.

[0016] Further, mounting holes for fixing between layers are provided through the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the cathode plate, the anode plate, the anode insulating layer, and the anode end plate.

[0017] Further, a plurality of branch flow channels are provided, and the plurality of branch flow channels are arranged in parallel.

[0018] As described above, the electrolytic cell of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] In this solution, the electrolyte will enter from one confluence flow channel, and then be branched through the branch flow channels, realizing the uniform diffusion of the electrolyte. And the other confluence flow channel facilitates the entry and exit of gases. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a front view of the electrolytic cell in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in

[0022] Figure 3 is Figure 2 an enlarged view at B in

[0023] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the electrolytic cell in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic structural view of the cathode surface of the bipolar plate in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 is a schematic structural view of the anode surface of the bipolar plate in the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The reference numerals in the drawings of the specification include: the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the electrolysis cell 3, the cathode plate 301, the cathode sealing ring 302, the cathode gas diffusion layer 303, the diaphragm 304, the anode gas diffusion layer 305, the anode sealing ring 306, the bipolar plate 307, the outer frame area 3071, the main flow channel 3072, the branch flow channel 3073, the first ventilation hole 3074, the second ventilation hole 3075, the first liquid passage hole 3076, the second liquid passage hole 3077, the anode plate 308, the anode insulating layer 4, the anode end plate 5, the first ventilation channel 6, the second ventilation channel 7, the first liquid passage channel 8, the second liquid passage channel 9, the cathode reaction cavity 10, the anode reaction cavity 11, and the mounting hole 12.

[0027] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation manners of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand the other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification.

[0028] The present invention provides an electrolytic cell, as Figures 1 to 6 shown.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the provided electrolytic cell includes a cathode end plate 1, a cathode insulating layer 2, an electrolysis unit, an anode insulating layer 4, and an anode end plate 5 that are sequentially arranged along the same direction. The electrolysis unit includes a series of electrolysis cells 3; from the cathode insulating layer 2 towards the anode insulating layer 4, the electrolysis cell 3 includes a cathode plate 301, a cathode sealing ring 302, a cathode gas diffusion layer 303, a diaphragm 304, an anode gas diffusion layer 305, an anode sealing ring 306, and an anode plate 308 that are sequentially arranged. The cathode plate 301 and the anode plate 308 at the series connection part between the electrolysis cells 3 are combined to form a bipolar plate 307; the cathode plate 301 includes a cathode surface, the anode plate 308 includes an anode surface, the bipolar plate 307 includes a cathode surface and an anode surface. The cathode surface and the anode surface are provided with a concave area and an outer frame area 3071. The outer frame area 3071 surrounds the concave area. Two main flow channels 3072 are respectively arranged in the concave area. A branch flow channel 3073 is arranged between the two main flow channels 3072. The two ends of the branch flow channel 3073 are communicated with the main flow channels 3072.

[0030] In this embodiment, the electrolyte will enter from one main flow channel 3072, and then be shunted through the branch flow channel 3073, realizing the uniform diffusion of the electrolyte. The other main flow channel 3072 is convenient for the entry and exit of gas.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, a cathode reaction cavity 10 is formed between the cathode surface and the cathode gas diffusion layer 303, and an anode reaction cavity 11 is formed between the anode surface and the anode gas diffusion layer 305.

[0032] In this embodiment, the electrolytic cell can be applied to four major electrolyzed water technologies: alkaline (ALK), proton exchange membrane (PEM), anion exchange membrane (AEM), and solid oxide (SOEC). The materials of the diaphragm 304 and the like can also be replaced according to the requirements of different electrolyzed water technologies. According to the requirements of different electrolyzed water technologies, the electrolyte can be simultaneously introduced into the cathode reaction chamber 10 and the anode reaction chamber 11, or the electrolyte can be introduced only into the cathode reaction chamber 10, or the electrolyte can be introduced only into the anode reaction chamber 11.

[0033] It should also be noted that the number of electrolysis chambers 3 can be increased or decreased according to requirements.

[0034] As Figures 1 to 4 shown, in this embodiment, two electrolysis chambers 3 are taken as an example.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, a first ventilation channel 6 and a first liquid passage 8 for communicating with the cathode reaction chamber 10 are provided through the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the electrode unit, the anode insulating layer 4, and the anode end plate 5. A second ventilation channel 7 and a second liquid passage 9 for communicating with the anode reaction chamber 11 are also provided through the cathode end plate 1, the cathode insulating layer 2, the electrode unit, the anode insulating layer 4, and the anode end plate 5.

[0036] Exemplarily, the first ventilation channel 6 and the second ventilation channel 7 are provided at the top position of the electrolytic cell to facilitate the entry and exit of reaction gases from the cathode reaction chamber 10 or the anode reaction chamber 11. The first liquid passage 8 and the second liquid passage 9 are provided at the bottom position of the electrolytic cell to facilitate the entry and exit of liquids from the cathode reaction chamber 10 or the anode reaction chamber 11.

[0037] Exemplarily, the first ventilation channel 6, the second ventilation channel 7, the first liquid passage 8, and the second liquid passage 9 are dispersedly provided to prevent the intermixing of liquids and gases in the cathode reaction chamber 10 and the anode reaction chamber 11.

[0038] It should also be noted that a sealing surface is formed between the cathode surface and the cathode sealing ring 302, and a sealing surface is formed between the anode surface and the anode sealing ring 306 to achieve the respective sealing of the first ventilation channel 6, the second ventilation channel 7, the first liquid passage 8, and the second liquid passage 9.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, first ventilation holes 3074 and first liquid holes 3076 are provided on the cathode plate 301, the anode plate 308, and the bipolar plate 307. The first ventilation holes 3074 are used to form the first ventilation channel 6, and the first liquid holes 3076 are used to form the first liquid passage 8. The first ventilation holes 3074 and the first liquid holes 3076 are provided in the recessed area of the cathode surface. The first ventilation holes 3074 communicate with one of the converging flow channels 3072 in the cathode surface, and the first liquid holes 3076 communicate with the other converging flow channel 3072 in the cathode surface.

[0040] In this embodiment, the first ventilation holes 3074 and the first liquid through holes 3076 are only connected to the cathode reaction chamber 10 to facilitate the entry and exit of liquid and gas in the cathode reaction chamber 10.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, second ventilation holes 3075 and second liquid through holes 3077 are formed in the cathode plate 301, the anode plate 308, and the bipolar plate 307. The second ventilation holes 3075 are used to form a second ventilation channel 7, and the second liquid through holes 3077 are used to form a second liquid through channel 9. The second ventilation holes 3075 and the second liquid through holes 3077 are formed in the recessed area of the anode surface. The second ventilation holes 3075 are communicated with one of the current collecting channels 3072 in the anode surface, and the second liquid through holes 3077 are communicated with the other current collecting channel 3072 in the anode surface.

[0042] In this embodiment, the second ventilation holes 3075 and the second liquid through holes 3077 are only connected to the anode reaction chamber 11 to facilitate the entry and exit of liquid and gas in the anode reaction chamber 11.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the recessed areas on the cathode surface and the anode surface are quadrilateral, and the corners of the recessed area on the cathode surface are arranged in a staggered manner with the corners of the recessed area on the anode surface; the first ventilation holes 3074 and the first liquid through holes 3076 are arranged on the diagonals of the recessed area on the cathode surface, and the second ventilation holes 3075 and the second liquid through holes 3077 are arranged on the diagonals of the recessed area on the anode surface.

[0044] In this embodiment, by arranging the corners of the recessed area in a staggered manner and then arranging the first ventilation holes 3074, the second ventilation holes 3075, the first liquid through holes 3076, and the second liquid through holes 3077 on different corners of different recessed areas respectively, the independence of the cathode reaction chamber 10 and the anode reaction chamber 11 is achieved. In this embodiment, the first ventilation holes 3074, the second ventilation holes 3075, the first liquid through holes 3076, and the second liquid through holes 3077 are formed in the corresponding recessed areas. Compared with being formed in the outer frame area 3071, there is no need to separately arrange communication channels between the recessed areas and the holes, so as to facilitate the smooth entry and exit of gas and liquid.

[0045] It should also be noted that for the cathode surface, the first ventilation holes 3074 and the first liquid through holes 3076 are formed in the corners of the recessed area, but for the anode surface, the first ventilation holes 3074 and the first liquid through holes 3076 are formed in the outer frame area 3071. Similarly, for the anode surface, the second ventilation holes 3075 and the second liquid through holes 3077 are formed in the corners of the recessed area, but for the cathode surface, the second ventilation holes 3075 and the second liquid through holes 3077 are formed in the outer frame area 3071.

[0046] Exemplarily, the recessed area is in the shape of a parallelogram, with the left and right sides of the parallelogram being parallel to the left and right sides of the bipolar plate, and the extension lines of the upper and lower sides of the parallelogram intersecting with the edge lines of the upper and lower sides of the bipolar plate.

[0047] Exemplarily, the recessed area is in the shape of a rhombus.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the areas of the outer frame regions 3071 on the cathode plate 301 and the anode plate 308 are the same, and the edge contour shapes 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 match.

[0049] Exemplarily, 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 square.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the area of the outer frame region 3071 on the bipolar plate 307 is smaller than the area of the outer frame region 3071 on the cathode plate 301. The shapes of the cathode sealing ring 302 and the anode sealing ring 306 match the shape of the outer frame region 3071 on the bipolar plate 307. The shapes of the cathode gas diffusion layer 303 and the anode gas diffusion layer 305 match the shape of the recessed area. The edge contour of the separator 304 matches the edge contour of the bipolar plate 307.

[0051] Exemplarily, the bipolar plate 307 is square, but the length and width of the bipolar plate 307 are both smaller than those of the cathode end plate 1, etc. That is to say, the bipolar plate 307 is reduced proportionally.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, mounting holes 12 for fixing between the layers are provided 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.

[0053] In this embodiment, since the shapes of the bipolar plate 307, the cathode sealing ring 302, the anode sealing ring 306, etc. are smaller than the shapes of the cathode plate 301, the anode plate 308, etc., there is not enough space to provide the mounting holes 12. Therefore, the mounting holes 12 are only provided on 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 then the layers are connected by screws passing through the mounting holes 12, so that the bipolar plate 307, the separator 304, the cathode sealing ring 302, the anode sealing ring 306, etc. are pressed and fixed in the middle.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, multiple branch flow channels 3073 are provided, and the multiple branch flow channels 3073 are parallel to each other.

[0055] Exemplarily, multiple rib strips are provided in the recessed area, the rib strips are parallel to each other, and branch flow channels 3073 are formed between the rib strips.

[0056] It should also be noted that the more the branch channels 3073 are, the stronger the effect of uniformly diffusing the electrolyte is. The number of the branch channels 3073 can be set according to requirements.

[0057] The above embodiments are only illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, rather than limiting the present invention. Any person familiar with this technology can modify or change the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or changes completed by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field without departing from the spirit and technical ideas disclosed by the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An AEM electrolyzer, characterized in that, It includes a cathode end plate, a cathode insulating layer, an electrolysis unit, an anode insulating layer, and an anode end plate that are sequentially arranged along the same direction. The electrolysis unit includes electrolysis chambers arranged in series. From the cathode insulating layer towards the anode insulating layer, each electrolysis chamber includes a cathode plate, a cathode sealing ring, a cathode gas diffusion layer, an anion exchange membrane, an anode gas diffusion layer, an anode sealing ring, and an anode plate that are sequentially arranged. The cathode plate and the anode plate at the series connection part between the electrolysis chambers form a bipolar plate. The cathode plate includes a cathode surface, the anode plate includes an anode surface, the bipolar plate includes a cathode surface and an anode surface. The cathode surface and the anode surface are provided with a concave area and a frame area. The frame area surrounds the concave area. The concave area is respectively provided with two confluence channels, and a branch channel is arranged between the two confluence channels. The two ends of the branch channel are communicated with the confluence channels. Among them, the cathode plate, the anode plate, and the bipolar plate are provided with a first ventilation hole and a first liquid passage hole. The first ventilation hole and the first liquid passage hole are opened in the concave area of the cathode surface. The first ventilation hole is communicated with one of the confluence channels in the cathode surface, and the first liquid passage hole is communicated with the other confluence channel in the cathode surface. The cathode plate, the anode plate, and the bipolar plate are provided with a second ventilation hole and a second liquid passage hole. The second ventilation hole and the second liquid passage hole are opened in the concave area of the anode surface. The second ventilation hole is communicated with one of the confluence channels in the anode surface, and the second liquid passage hole is communicated with the other confluence channel in the anode surface. The concave areas on the cathode surface and the anode surface are rhombic, and the angles of the concave area on the cathode surface are arranged in a dislocation manner with the angles of the concave area on the anode surface. The first ventilation hole and the first liquid passage hole are arranged on the diagonals of the concave area on the cathode surface, and the second ventilation hole and the second liquid passage hole are arranged on the diagonals of the concave area on the anode surface. The concave area is a parallelogram, and the left and right sides of the parallelogram are parallel to the left and right sides of the bipolar plate. The extension lines of the upper and lower sides of the parallelogram intersect with the edge lines of the upper and lower sides of the bipolar plate.

2. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, A cathode reaction chamber is formed between the cathode surface and the cathode gas diffusion layer, and an anode reaction chamber is formed between the anode surface and the anode gas diffusion layer.

3. The electrolytic cell according to claim 2, characterized in that, A first ventilation channel, a first liquid passage channel, a second ventilation channel, and a second liquid passage channel are opened through the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the electrode unit, the anode insulating layer, and the anode end plate. The first ventilation channel and the first liquid passage channel are communicated with the cathode reaction chamber, and the second ventilation channel and the second liquid passage channel are communicated with the anode reaction chamber.

4. The electrolytic cell according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first ventilation hole is used to form the first ventilation channel, and the first liquid passage hole is used to form the first liquid passage channel.

5. The electrolytic cell according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second ventilation hole is used to form the second ventilation channel, and the second liquid passage hole is used to form the second liquid passage channel.

6. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The areas of the frame areas on the cathode plate and the anode plate are the same, and the edge contour shapes of the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the cathode plate, the anode plate, the anode insulating layer, and the anode end plate are matched.

7. The electrolytic cell according to claim 6, characterized in that, The area of the outer frame region on the bipolar plate is smaller than the area of the outer frame region on the cathode plate. The shapes of the cathode sealing ring and the anode sealing ring match the shape of the outer frame region on the bipolar plate. The shapes of the cathode gas diffusion layer and the anode gas diffusion layer match the shape of the recessed region. The edge contour of the anion exchange membrane matches the edge contour of the bipolar plate.

8. The electrolytic cell according to claim 7, characterized in that, Mounting holes for fixing between the layers are provided through the cathode end plate, the cathode insulating layer, the cathode plate, the anode plate, the anode insulating layer, and the anode end plate.

9. The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, A plurality of branch flow channels are provided, and the plurality of branch flow channels are arranged in parallel.

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