Automatic detection and positioning system and detection and positioning method for alkaline liquor leakage of electrolytic cell

Abstract

The invention discloses an electrolytic bath alkali liquor leakage automatic detection positioning system and a detection positioning method. The detection positioning system comprises two detection circuits, a direct current power supply, a voltage acquisition device, a controller and a storage, the two detection circuits are connected in parallel and then connected with a direct-current power supply; the detection circuit comprises a first switch, a detection cable, a second switch and a first miniature resistor which are sequentially connected in series; the voltage acquisition device acquires voltage values at the two ends of each detection cable and transmits the voltage values to the controller, and the controller transmits the received voltage value data to the memory; the detection cables are formed by connecting a plurality of second micro resistors in series, the two detection cables are fixedly arranged at the bottom of the electrolytic cell in parallel, a gap is reserved between the two detection cables, and the second micro resistors in each detection cable are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the small electrolytic chambers of the electrolytic cell. Whether the electrolytic cell leaks alkali liquor or not can be detected in real time, the position of the small electrolytic chamber where the alkali liquor leaks is located, and the maintenance efficiency of the electrolytic cell is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electrolyzer leakage detection. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic detection and positioning system and method for alkaline solution leakage in an electrolyzer. Background Art

[0002] With the proposal of China's carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, hydrogen energy is a new energy source with wide sources, green and low-carbon, safe and efficient, and renewable. Coupling renewable energy with electrolyzed water to produce hydrogen is the main way to achieve green hydrogen production. In recent years, high-power circular electrolyzers have been successively released and promoted to green hydrogen projects. However, under the conditions of fluctuating renewable energy, alkaline electrolyzers are prone to alkaline solution leakage accidents during long-term operation, posing a huge challenge to safe production and also causing huge economic losses to electrolyzer manufacturers and users. At present, it mainly relies on manual regular inspections, which have a high labor intensity, high labor costs, are prone to missed inspections or untimely inspections; and the working current of alkaline electrolyzers is as high as thousands or even tens of thousands of amperes. Existing liquid leakage detection technologies have potential safety hazards of short-circuit explosion and combustion when detecting alkaline solution leakage in electrolyzers, and the positioning accuracy cannot meet the requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to solve at least the above problems and provide at least the advantages described hereinafter.

[0004] To achieve these and other advantages in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatic detection and positioning system for alkaline solution leakage in an electrolyzer, characterized by comprising: two detection circuits, a DC power supply, a voltage acquisition device, a controller, and a storage; the two detection circuits are connected in parallel to the DC power supply; the detection circuit includes a first switch, a detection cable, a second switch, and a first micro-resistor connected in series in sequence; the voltage acquisition device is used to acquire the voltage values at both ends of each detection cable and transmit them to the controller, and the controller transmits the received voltage value data to the storage; the detection cable is composed of a plurality of second micro-resistors connected in series, and the two detection cables are fixedly arranged in parallel at the bottom of the electrolyzer with a gap between the two detection cables, and the second micro-resistors in each detection cable are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the electrolysis chambers of the electrolyzer.

[0005] Preferably, the controller is connected to the DC power supply, the first switch and the second switch in the two detection circuits respectively through signal cables.

[0006] Preferably, the resistance value ranges of the first micro-resistor and the second micro-resistor are both 1-10Ω, the length is 1-5mm, and an insulating layer is provided on the outside.

[0007] Preferably, the second micro-resistors in the detection cable are connected in series through bare wires.

[0008] Preferably, the two detection cables are fixedly arranged on the insulating skeleton in parallel with each other.

[0009] Preferably, the two detection cables are helically wound and fixed on the insulating skeleton.

[0010] The present invention also provides a detection and positioning method using the automatic detection and positioning system for the leakage of electrolytic cell caustic liquor, comprising the following steps: Step1. Install the automatic detection and positioning system for the leakage of electrolytic cell caustic liquor, and start the DC power supply 1 to output current; Step2. Close the first switch of the first detection circuit and the second switch of the second detection circuit, and open the second switch of the first detection circuit and the first switch of the second detection circuit; Step3. Use the voltage acquisition device to detect the voltage U4 at the end of the detection cable in the second detection circuit connected to the first micro-resistor. If the U4 voltage is stable and unchanged, it is determined that the electrolytic cell caustic liquor has not leaked, and continuously collect the U4 voltage; if the U4 voltage changes suddenly, it is determined that the electrolytic cell caustic liquor has leaked, and enter Step4; Step4. Open the first switch of the first detection circuit, and the voltage acquisition device detects the voltage U3 at the end of the detection cable in the second detection circuit connected to the DC power supply; Step5. The controller calculates the voltage U0 of each electrolytic cell according to the working voltage U of the electrolytic cell, U0 = U / N, where N is the number of electrolytic cells; Step6. The controller calculates the position k of the leaking electrolytic cell, k = N - U3 / U0, then it is determined that the sealing gasket corresponding to the kth electrolytic cell leaks.

[0011] Preferably, Step1 further includes detecting the two detection cables, and the specific steps are as follows: Step11. Close the first switch and the second switch of the first detection circuit, and open the first switch and the second switch of the second detection circuit; the voltage acquisition device collects the voltage U2 at the end of the detection cable in the first detection circuit connected to the first micro-resistor. If U2 > 0, the detection cable of the first detection circuit is in normal state; if U2 = 0, the detection cable of the first detection circuit is in abnormal state, and re-check the detection cable; Step 12. Turn off the first switch and the second switch of the second detection circuit, and turn on the first switch and the second switch of the first detection circuit; the voltage acquisition device 4 acquires U4. If U4 > 0, the detection cable of the second detection circuit is in normal state; if U4 = 0, the detection cable of the second detection circuit is in abnormal state, and recheck the detection cable.

[0012] The present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: The automatic detection and positioning system and method for alkali leakage of electrolytic cell provided by the present invention can detect in real time whether alkali leakage occurs in the electrolytic cell and locate the position of the electrolytic cell compartment where alkali leakage occurs, improving the maintenance efficiency of the electrolytic cell; and solving the problems in the prior art that manual regular inspection has high labor intensity, high labor cost, is prone to missed inspection or untimely troubleshooting, and has good safety.

[0013] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be partially reflected by the following description and partially understood by those skilled in the art through the research and practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the automatic detection and positioning system for alkali leakage of the electrolytic cell described in the present invention; Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the detection cable described in the present invention; Figure 3 It is a flowchart of the detection and positioning method described in the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The following further describes the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings, so that those skilled in the art can implement it according to the description in the specification.

[0016] It should be noted that the experimental methods described in the following embodiments are all conventional methods unless otherwise specified, and the reagents and materials can be obtained from commercial channels unless otherwise specified; in the description of the present invention, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "horizontal", "longitudinal", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0017] Such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in the figure, the present invention provides an automatic detection and positioning system for lye leakage in an electrolytic cell, comprising: two detection circuits, a DC power supply 1, a voltage acquisition device 4, a controller 6, and a memory 7; the two detection circuits are connected in parallel and then connected to the DC power supply 1; each detection circuit includes a first switch, a detection cable, a second switch, and a first micro-resistor connected in series in sequence; the voltage acquisition device 4 is used to acquire the voltage values at both ends of each detection cable and transmit them to the controller 6, and the controller 6 transmits the received voltage value data to the memory 7; the detection cable is composed of a plurality of second micro-resistors connected in series; the two detection cables are fixedly arranged in parallel at the bottom of the electrolytic cell 8 with a gap left between the two detection cables, and the second micro-resistors in each detection cable are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the electrolytic chambers of the electrolytic cell 8.

[0018] In this technical solution, the electrolytic cell 8 is a hydrogen production device commonly used in the art, and multiple electrolytic chambers are arranged inside it. The electrolytic chamber is composed of cathode and anode electrodes, a diaphragm, lye, etc., and is the smallest unit that can electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen under the action of direct current. As Figure 1 shown in the figure, the first detection circuit includes a first switch S1, a detection cable 2, a second switch S2, and a first micro-resistor R1 connected in sequence, and the second detection circuit includes a first switch S2, a detection cable 3, a second switch S4, and a first micro-resistor R2 connected in sequence. The first switches S1 and S2 are connected to the positive pole of the DC power supply 1, and the first micro-resistors R1 and R2 are connected to the negative pole of the DC power supply 1. The structures of the detection cable 2 and the detection cable 3 are the same, and both are composed of a plurality of the second micro-resistors connected in series. As Figure 2Among R11~R1N and R21~R2N, they are installed at the bottom of the electrolytic cell 8 and are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with each electrolytic chamber, that is, there are N electrolytic chambers in the electrolytic cell 8; generally, the numbering order of the electrolytic chambers and the second micro-resistors in the two detection cables is in the direction from the first switch to the second switch. There is a gap between the detection cable 2 and the detection cable 3 to ensure insulation between the two, but the two are very close. When the lye leaks to the nearby detection cable, the two can be conducted. The voltage acquisition device 4 acquires the voltages U1, U2 at both ends of the detection cable 2 and the voltages U3, U4 at both ends of the detection cable 3, and transmits them to the controller 6. The controller 6 transmits the received voltage value data to the memory 7 for storage for later call. The controller 6 judges whether the electrolytic cell 8 leaks according to the obtained voltage value. Specifically: when both the detection cable 2 and the detection cable 3 are in a normal state and there is no leakage, the detection cable 2 and the detection cable 3 are open circuits and U4 has no potential; if the alkali solution leaks in the k-th electrolytic chamber, it will conduct the detection cable 2 and the detection cable 3, thus forming a current loop of R11—R1(k-1)—R2k—R2N. At this time, S1 and S4 are closed and S2 and S3 are opened, and it will be detected that the potential of U4 will change suddenly; after detecting the alkali solution leakage, S1 is opened to disconnect the loop formed by the DC power supply 1. However, the electrolytic cell 8 is a charged body, and the voltage of each electrolytic chamber is U0, and U0 = U / N, where U is the working voltage of the electrolytic cell 8. The potential of each electrolytic chamber of the electrolytic cell decreases by U0 in turn from U until the potential of the last chamber is 0. In the case of lye leakage, U3 is the potential of the leaking electrolytic chamber, and the position of the leaking electrolytic chamber is calculated by k = N - U3 / U0. Preferably, the controller 6 can further transmit the leakage information to the controller 5 of the hydrogen production center, and then stop the operation of the electrolytic cell 8 through the controller 5 of the hydrogen production center. The controller 6 can select a conventional controller device according to the computing power requirements.

[0019] In another technical solution, the controller 6 is respectively connected to the DC power supply, the first switch and the second switch in the two detection circuits through signal cables, so that the controller can control the states of the switches and the opening and closing of the DC power supply.

[0020] In another technical solution, the resistance value ranges of the first micro-resistor and the second micro-resistor are both 1~10Ω, and the length is 1~5mm. Further, insulating layers are provided on the outer surfaces of the first micro-resistor and the second micro-resistor.

[0021] In another technical solution, the second micro-resistors in the detection cable are connected in series through bare wires.

[0022] In another technical solution, the two detection cables can be arranged in two ways. One is that the two detection cables are fixed to the insulating skeleton in parallel with each other. The other is that the two detection cables are helically wound and fixed to the insulating skeleton. The insulating skeleton can be a conventional skeleton structure with insulating properties for cable arrangement to support the detection cables; it is made of insulating material, usually set along the length of the detection cables, and has a groove for installing the detection cables along the length direction.

[0023] As Figure 3 shown, the present invention also provides a detection and positioning method using the automatic detection and positioning system for caustic soda leakage in the electrolytic cell, including the following steps: Step1. Install the automatic detection and positioning system for caustic soda leakage in the electrolytic cell, and start the DC power supply 1 to output current; Step2. Close the first switch S1 of the first detection circuit and the second switch S4 of the second detection circuit, and open the second switch S2 of the first detection circuit and the first switch S3 of the second detection circuit; Step3. Use the voltage acquisition device 4 to detect the voltage U4 at one end of the detection cable 3 in the second detection circuit connected to the first micro-resistor. If the U4 voltage remains stable and unchanged, it is judged that the caustic soda in the electrolytic cell 8 has not leaked, and continuously collect the U4 voltage; if the U4 voltage changes suddenly, it is judged that the caustic soda in the electrolytic cell 8 has leaked, and enter Step4; Step4. Open the first switch S1 of the first detection circuit, and the voltage acquisition device 4 detects the voltage U3 at one end of the detection cable 3 in the second detection circuit connected to the DC power supply; Step5. The controller 6 calculates the voltage U0 of each electrolytic cell according to the working voltage U of the electrolytic cell 8, U0 = U / N, where N is the number of electrolytic cells; Step6. The controller 6 calculates the position k of the leaking electrolytic cell as k = N - U3 / U0, then it is judged that the sealing gasket corresponding to the kth electrolytic cell leaks.

[0024] Step 1 also includes detecting the two detection cables, and the specific steps are as follows: Step11. Close the first switch S1 and the second switch S2 of the first detection circuit, and open the first switch S3 and the second switch S4 of the second detection circuit; the voltage acquisition device 4 collects the voltage U2 at one end of the detection cable 2 in the first detection circuit connected to the first micro-resistor R1. If U2 > 0, the detection cable 2 in the first detection circuit is in normal state; if U2 = 0, the detection cable 2 in the first detection circuit is in abnormal state, and re-check the detection cable 2; Step 12. Close the first switch S3 and the second switch S4 of the second detection circuit, and turn on the first switch S1 and the second switch S2 of the first detection circuit; the voltage acquisition device 4 acquires U4. If U4 > 0, the detection cable 3 of the second detection circuit is in normal state; if U4 = 0, the detection cable 3 of the second detection circuit is in abnormal state, and the detection cable 3 needs to be checked again.

[0025] The following are two embodiments for judging the leakage of the electrolytic cell by using the automatic detection and positioning system for alkali liquid leakage of the electrolytic cell according to the above steps: Embodiment 1 Install the automatic detection and positioning system for alkali liquid leakage of the electrolytic cell. The maximum output voltage of the DC power supply 1 is 32V. The resistance values of the first micro-resistor R1 and the first micro-resistor R2 are 10Ω, and the length is 5mm. The electrolytic cell 8 is circular, with a hydrogen production capacity of 1000 Nm3 / h, and the number of electrolytic cells is 360, and the working voltage is 684V; both the inspection cable 2 and the detection cable 3 are composed of 360 second micro-resistors connected in series. The resistance value of the second micro-resistor is 1Ω, and the length is 3mm. The controller 6 closes S1 and S4, and turns on S2 and S3; the voltage acquisition device 4 continuously acquires the detection voltage U4. When it is detected that the voltage U4 changes suddenly, the controller 6 judges that the electrolytic cell 8 has alkali liquid leakage, controls to turn on S1, detects U3, and calculates the alkali liquid leakage position k = 360 - U3 / U0, where U0 = 684 / 360 = 1.9V, and it is located that the gasket corresponding to the kth electrolytic cell leaks. The controller 6 sends the information of alkali liquid leakage to the hydrogen production center controller 5, and the hydrogen production center controller 5 shuts down the electrolytic cell 8.

[0026] Embodiment 2 Install the automatic detection and positioning system for alkali liquid leakage of the electrolytic cell. The maximum output voltage of the DC power supply 1 is 12V. The resistance values of the first micro-resistor R1 and the first micro-resistor R2 are 5Ω, and the length is 4mm. The electrolytic cell 8 is square, with a hydrogen production capacity of 2000 Nm3 / h, and the number of electrolytic cells is 480, and the working voltage is 912V; both the inspection cable 2 and the detection cable 3 are composed of 480 second micro-resistors connected in series. The resistance value of the second micro-resistor is 5Ω, and the length is 4mm. The controller 6 closes S1 and S4, and turns on S2 and S3; the voltage acquisition device 4 continuously acquires the detection voltage U4. When the voltage acquisition device 4 detects that the voltage U4 changes suddenly, it is judged that the electrolytic cell 8 has alkali liquid leakage. The controller 6 judges that the electrolytic cell 8 has alkali liquid leakage, controls to turn on S1, detects U3, and calculates the alkali liquid leakage position k = 480 - U3 / U0, where U0 = 912 / 480 = 1.9V, and it is located that the gasket corresponding to the kth electrolytic cell leaks. The controller 6 sends the information of alkali liquid leakage to the hydrogen production center controller 5, and the hydrogen production center controller 5 shuts down the electrolytic cell 8.

[0027] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed as above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and embodiments. It can be fully applied to various fields suitable for the present invention. For those skilled in the art, additional modifications can be easily made. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and the equivalent scope, the present invention is not limited to the specific details and the illustrated examples herein.

Claims

1. An automatic detection and positioning system for lye leakage in an electrolytic cell, characterized in that, Including: Two detection circuits, a DC power supply, a voltage acquisition device, a controller and a memory; the two detection circuits are connected in parallel to the DC power supply; each detection circuit includes a first switch, a detection cable, a second switch and a first micro-resistor connected in series in sequence; the voltage acquisition device is used to acquire the voltage values at both ends of each detection cable and transmit them to the controller, and the controller transmits the received voltage value data to the memory; the detection cable is composed of several second micro-resistors connected in series, the two detection cables are fixedly arranged in parallel at the bottom of the electrolytic cell with a gap left between the two detection cables, and the second micro-resistors in each detection cable are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the electrolytic chambers of the electrolytic cell.

2. The automatic detection and positioning system for leakage of lye in an electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is connected to the DC power supply, the first switch and the second switch in the two detection circuits respectively through signal cables.

3. The automatic detection and positioning system for lye leakage of an electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein The resistance values of the first micro-resistor and the second micro-resistor both range from 1 to 10 Ω, the length is from 1 to 5 mm, and an insulating layer is provided outside.

4. The automatic detection and positioning system for leakage of lye in an electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second micro-resistors in the detection cable are connected in series through bare wires.

5. The automatic detection and positioning system for leakage of lye in an electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two detection cables are fixedly arranged parallel to each other on an insulating skeleton.

6. The automatic detection and positioning system for leakage of lye in an electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two detection cables are fixedly wound around the insulating skeleton in a spiral shape.

7. A detection and positioning method using the electrolytic cell lye leakage automatic detection and positioning system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Including the following steps: Step1. Install the automatic detection and positioning system for alkali liquid leakage of the electrolytic cell, and start the DC power supply 1 to output current; Step2. Close the first switch of the first detection circuit and the second switch of the second detection circuit, and open the second switch of the first detection circuit and the first switch of the second detection circuit; Step3. Use the voltage acquisition device to detect the voltage U4 at the end of the detection cable in the second detection circuit connected to the first micro-resistor. If the U4 voltage remains stable and unchanged, it is judged that the alkali liquid in the electrolytic cell has not leaked, and the U4 voltage is continuously acquired; if the U4 voltage changes suddenly, it is judged that the alkali liquid in the electrolytic cell has leaked, and enter Step4; Step4. Open the first switch of the first detection circuit, and the voltage acquisition device detects the voltage U3 at the end of the detection cable in the second detection circuit connected to the DC power supply; Step5. The controller calculates the voltage U0 of each electrolytic chamber according to the working voltage U of the electrolytic cell, U0 = U / N, where N is the number of electrolytic chambers; Step6. The controller calculates the position k of the leaked electrolytic chamber, k = N - U3 / U0, and then it is judged that the sealing gasket corresponding to the kth electrolytic chamber leaks.

8. The detection and positioning method using the automatic detection and positioning system for lye leakage of an electrolytic cell according to claim 7, characterized in that, Step1 of the steps also includes detecting the two detection cables, and the specific steps are as follows: Step11. Use the controller to close the first switch and the second switch of the first detection circuit, and open the first switch and the second switch of the second detection circuit; the voltage acquisition device acquires the voltage U2 at the end of the detection cable in the first detection circuit connected to the first micro-resistor. If U2 > 0, the detection cable in the first detection circuit is in normal state; If U2 = 0, the detection cable in the first detection circuit is in abnormal state, and the detection cable is rechecked; Step 12. Use the controller to turn off the first switch and the second switch of the second detection circuit, and turn on the first switch and the second switch of the first detection circuit; the voltage acquisition device 4 acquires U4. If U4 > 0, the detection cable of the second detection circuit is in normal state; If U4 = 0, the detection cable of the second detection circuit is in abnormal state, and recheck the detection cable.

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