Self-backflow gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis

Abstract

The self-backflow gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis comprises a main shell and a liquid return pipe which are vertically arranged, a gas inlet assembly is arranged at the bottom of the main shell, and a gas exhaust hole is formed in the top of the main shell; a gas-liquid hole communicated with an air outlet hole of the electrolytic bath is formed in the air inlet assembly; one end of the liquid return pipe is positioned in the main shell, and the other end penetrates through the main shell and is communicated with alkali liquor of the electrolytic bath; a liquid return hole is formed in the liquid return pipe between the gas-liquid hole and the exhaust hole, a liquid retention cavity for accommodating alkali liquor subjected to gas-liquid separation is formed between the liquid return hole and the bottom of the main shell, and a separation cavity is formed between the liquid return hole and the exhaust hole; a gas-liquid separation assembly is arranged in the separation cavity; the gas-liquid separation assembly comprises a first separation plate, and a first vent hole is formed in the first separation plate; the liquid return hole is higher than the liquid level of alkali liquor in the electrolytic bath. The device has good gas-liquid separation efficiency, and the separated alkali liquor can automatically flow back into the electrolytic bath without power or an auxiliary device; and good tempering blocking capability is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of gas-liquid separation, in particular to a gas-liquid separation device for self-reflux water electrolysis. Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen combustion has the characteristics of high calorific value, fast and complete combustion, and zero carbon emissions, making it an excellent fuel for high-temperature applications. With the development of green electricity, producing hydrogen and oxygen through water electrolysis for combustion is an excellent method. When producing hydrogen and oxygen through water electrolysis, gas-liquid separation is required to prevent water (alkali) loss and corrosion of pipelines and accessories caused by the alkali. However, current gas-liquid separation devices for water electrolysis have problems such as low separation efficiency and the need for manual or auxiliary equipment to recycle the separated alkali.

[0003] Therefore, it is urgent to design a self-reflux gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis, which has the characteristics of high separation efficiency and automatic reflux of the separated alkali liquid to the electrolytic cell. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the technical solutions adopted in the present invention are as follows:

[0005] A gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis with self-reflux, characterized in that it comprises a vertically arranged main housing and a liquid return pipe, an air inlet assembly being provided at the bottom of the main housing, and an exhaust hole being provided at the top of the main housing; a gas-liquid hole being provided on the air inlet assembly and communicating with the gas outlet hole of the electrolytic cell;

[0006] One end of the liquid return pipe is located inside the main shell, and the other end passes through the bottom of the main shell and is connected to the alkali liquid of the electrolytic cell; a liquid return hole is provided on the liquid return pipe between the gas-liquid hole and the exhaust hole, and a liquid retention cavity for accommodating the alkali liquid after gas-liquid separation is formed between the liquid return hole and the bottom of the main shell, and a separation cavity is formed between the liquid return hole and the exhaust hole; a gas-liquid separation component is provided in the separation cavity;

[0007] The gas-liquid separation assembly includes a first separation plate, and the first separation plate is provided with a first vent hole;

[0008] The liquid return hole is higher than the liquid level of the alkali solution in the electrolytic cell.

[0009] Preferably, a sub-shell is provided between the gas-liquid separation component and the exhaust hole, the interior of the sub-shell is filled with a number of fire extinguishing balls with a micro-spherical structure, and a ball baffle with a porous plate structure is provided between the fire extinguishing balls and the main shell.

[0010] Preferably, the fire extinguishing ball and the auxiliary shell are made of heat-conducting material.

[0011] Preferably, the fire extinguishing ball is made of steel, aluminum or copper.

[0012] Preferably, the gas-liquid separation component includes a first separation plate and a second separation plate arranged vertically from bottom to top, and the first separation plate and the second separation plate are respectively provided with a first air vent and a second air vent; the first air vent and the second air vent are projected in the vertical direction, and the projection contours of the two do not overlap.

[0013] Preferably, the first separation plate is an umbrella-shaped structure, and the first vent is provided at the bottom of the umbrella; the second separation plate is a funnel-shaped structure, and the second vent is provided at the bottom of the funnel.

[0014] Preferably, there are two or more of the first separation plates and the second separation plates arranged in a staggered manner.

[0015] Preferably, a pressure monitoring component is provided between the gas-liquid separation component and the exhaust hole, and the pressure monitoring component includes a pressure gauge.

[0016] Preferably, the pressure monitoring assembly includes a pressure gauge, a sealed water storage tank and a pressure tube, water is provided at the bottom of the water storage tank, an air gap is provided above the water, and the air gap is connected to the interior of the main shell above the gas-liquid separation assembly through a connecting pipe; one end of the pressure tube is located outside the water storage tank, and the other end passes through the top of the water storage tank and the air gap is located below the liquid level of the water, and the pressure gauge is connected to the pressure tube located at one end outside the water storage tank.

[0017] Preferably, the air intake assembly includes a diffusion tube in an annular structure arranged at the bottom of the main shell, and a check pipe extending upward and higher than the return liquid hole is provided on one side of the diffusion tube, and the check pipe is connected to the air outlet of the electrolytic cell through the air intake pipe; a plurality of gas-liquid holes are provided on the diffusion tube.

[0018] Preferably, a gas blocking plate with a porous plate structure is provided between the gas-liquid hole and the liquid return hole.

[0019] Preferably, a heat dissipation device is provided at a position of the main shell corresponding to the retention cavity.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0021] 1. The present invention has good gas-liquid separation efficiency, and the separated alkali liquid can automatically flow back to the electrolytic cell without the need for power or auxiliary devices;

[0022] 2. It also has good tempering blocking ability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the internal structure.

[0025] Among them: main shell 10, exhaust hole 11, auxiliary shell 12, ball baffle 13, fire extinguishing ball 14, air blocking plate 15, retention chamber 16, separation chamber 17, air intake assembly 20, air intake pipe 21, check pipe 22, diffusion pipe 23, gas-liquid hole 24, gas-liquid separation assembly 30, first separation plate 31, first air vent 31a, second separation plate 32, second air vent 32a, return liquid pipe 40, return liquid hole 41, pressure monitoring assembly 50, pressure gauge 51, water storage tank 52, pressure pipe 53, water 54, connecting pipe 55, electrolytic cell 60, alkaline solution 61. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure.

[0027] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms used in this specification of the present invention are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0030] like Figure 1 、 2 As shown, a gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis with self-reflux includes a vertically arranged main housing 10 and a liquid return pipe 40. The bottom of the main housing 10 is provided with an air inlet assembly 20, and the top of the main housing 10 is provided with an exhaust hole 11; the air inlet assembly 20 is provided with a gas-liquid hole 24 connected to the gas outlet hole of the electrolytic cell 60;

[0031] One end of the liquid return pipe 40 is located inside the main housing 10, and the other end passes through the bottom of the main housing 10 and is in communication with the alkaline solution 61 of the electrolytic cell 60. A liquid return hole 41 is provided on the liquid return pipe 40 between the gas-liquid hole 24 and the exhaust hole 11. The liquid return hole 41 and the bottom of the main housing 10 form a liquid retention chamber 16 for accommodating the alkaline solution 61 after gas-liquid separation. A separation chamber 17 is formed between the liquid return hole 41 and the exhaust hole 11. A gas-liquid separation assembly 30 is provided in the separation chamber 17.

[0032] The gas-liquid separation assembly 30 includes a first separation plate 31 , and the first separation plate 31 is provided with a first vent hole 31 a;

[0033] The liquid return hole is higher than the liquid level of the alkaline solution 61 in the electrolytic cell 60 .

[0034] Furthermore, a sub-shell 12 is provided between the gas-liquid separation component 30 and the exhaust hole 11 , and a plurality of fire extinguishing balls 14 are filled inside the sub-shell 12 . A ball baffle 13 with a porous plate structure is provided between the fire extinguishing balls 14 and the main shell 10 .

[0035] Furthermore, the fire extinguishing ball 14 is a heat conductor in a micro-spherical structure, and the auxiliary shell 12 is made of a heat-conducting material.

[0036] Furthermore, the fire extinguishing ball 14 is made of steel, aluminum or copper.

[0037] The irregular channels formed by the heat-conducting fire-extinguishing balls 14 with a micro-spherical structure in this embodiment can increase the resistance to flame propagation, causing the flame to constantly change direction as it propagates, thereby increasing the length and complexity of the propagation path; at the same time, the high thermal conductivity is used to dissipate heat and cool down, quickly consuming the flame energy, causing the temperature to be lower than the ignition point and extinguishing the flame, thereby achieving a backfire blocking function.

[0038] The heat-conducting fire extinguishing ball 14 can further cool the hydrogen and oxygen gas, thereby completely liquefying the remaining trace gaseous alkali liquid, further improving the gas-liquid separation efficiency.

[0039] Furthermore, the gas-liquid separation component 30 includes a first separation plate 31 and a second separation plate 32 arranged vertically from bottom to top, and the first separation plate 31 and the second separation plate 32 are respectively provided with a first air vent 31a and a second air vent 32a; the first air vent 31a and the second air vent 32a are projected in the vertical direction, and the projection contours of the two do not overlap.

[0040] In this embodiment, a first separation plate 31 and a second separation plate 32 are provided, and first and second vent holes 31a and 32a whose projection contours do not overlap are provided, so that a vortex is formed between the first separation plate 31 and the second separation plate 32 to improve separation efficiency.

[0041] Furthermore, in order to improve the separation efficiency and allow the separated liquid to quickly reflux, the first separation plate 31 is an umbrella-shaped structure, and the first air vent 31a is set at the bottom of the umbrella; the second separation plate 32 is a funnel-shaped structure, and the second air vent 32a is set at the bottom of the funnel.

[0042] Furthermore, there are two or more first separation plates 31 and second separation plates 32 arranged in a staggered manner.

[0043] Furthermore, in order to facilitate monitoring of the internal pressure of the separation device, a pressure monitoring component 50 is provided between the gas-liquid separation component 30 and the exhaust hole 11 , and the pressure monitoring component 50 includes a pressure gauge 51 .

[0044] Furthermore, the pressure monitoring assembly 50 includes a pressure gauge 51, a sealed water tank 52 and a pressure pipe 53. Water 54 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 52, and an air gap is provided above the water 54. The air gap is connected to the interior of the main shell 10 above the gas-liquid separation assembly 30 through a connecting pipe 55; one end of the pressure pipe 53 is located outside the water tank 52, and the other end passes through the top of the water tank 52 and the air gap is located below the liquid level of the water 54. The pressure gauge 51 is connected to the pressure pipe 53 located at one end outside the water tank 52.

[0045] In order to enhance the conductivity of water during electrolysis, NaOH or KOH is usually added to the water, so the alkali solution 61 is alkaline. In this embodiment, in order to prevent the pressure gauge 51 from corroding during long-term use, water or other liquid with a neutral pH value is used to separate the pressure gauge 51 from the separation chamber 17.

[0046] Furthermore, in order to allow the gas-liquid mixture to fully contact the alkaline solution 61 in the retention chamber 16 and prevent the alkaline solution 61 in the retention chamber 16 from flowing back from the air inlet pipe 21, the air inlet assembly 20 includes a diffusion tube 23 in an annular structure arranged at the bottom of the main shell 10, and a check tube 22 extending upward and higher than the return liquid hole 41 is provided on one side of the diffusion tube 23. The check tube 22 is connected to the air outlet of the electrolytic cell 60 through the air inlet pipe 21; and a plurality of gas-liquid holes 24 are provided on the diffusion tube 23.

[0047] Furthermore, an air blocking plate 15 having a porous plate structure is provided between the gas-liquid hole 24 and the liquid return hole 41 .

[0048] In this embodiment, the porous plate-like structure of the air blocking plate 15 allows the high-pressure, high-speed mixture of hydrogen and oxygen and alkaline solution 61 ejected from the gas-liquid holes 24 to decompose the airflow into tiny, discontinuous bubbles when passing through the porous plate, and slows down the airflow speed, thereby achieving the following two purposes:

[0049] 1. Initial gas-liquid separation: When the alkali solution 61 is retained in the retention chamber 16, the retained alkali solution 61 comes into contact with tiny bubbles, causing the gaseous alkali solution 61 to liquefy and separate from the hydrogen and oxygen gases, and then remain in the retention chamber 16;

[0050] 2. When tempering occurs, discontinuous bubbles in the alkali solution 61 can prevent the flame from spreading to the electrolytic cell 60.

[0051] Furthermore, in order to control the alkali liquid 61 in the retention chamber 16 at a lower temperature and quickly liquefy the gaseous alkali liquid in the gas-liquid mixture, a heat dissipation device is provided at a position corresponding to the retention chamber 16 of the main shell 10 .

[0052] When the present invention is used, firstly, the gas-liquid hole 24 is connected to the gas outlet of the electrolytic cell 60 , and the liquid return pipe 40 is connected to the alkaline solution 61 of the electrolytic cell 60 .

[0053] The alkali solution 61 generates hydrogen and oxygen after electrolysis. The high temperature during the electrolysis process inevitably gasifies the alkali solution. Therefore, when the hydrogen and oxygen are discharged from the electrolytic cell 60, the gaseous and aerosolized alkali solution 61 is inevitably brought out to form a gas-liquid mixture.

[0054] When the gas-liquid mixture passes through the gas-liquid separation component 30, a vortex is formed under the action of the first separation plate 31 and the second separation plate 32, so that the gas and liquid are separated. The separated alkaline liquid flows back into the retention chamber 16. When the liquid level of the alkaline liquid 61 in the retention chamber 16 reaches the return hole 41, the alkaline liquid 61 automatically flows back into the electrolytic cell 60 through the return pipe 40.

[0055] When alkali liquid 61 is retained in the retention chamber 16, the alkali liquid 61 in the gas-liquid mixture can be initially separated under the action of the alkali liquid 61 and the air blocking plate 15; the alkali liquid 61 in the retention chamber 16 is controlled at a lower temperature by the heat dissipation device, which can accelerate the liquefaction of the gaseous alkali liquid 61 in the gas-liquid mixture, thereby improving the separation efficiency.

[0056] For those skilled in the art, various other corresponding changes and deformations can be made based on the technical solutions and concepts described above, and all of these changes and deformations should fall within the scope of protection of the patent claims of this invention.

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis with self-reflux, characterized in that: The invention comprises a main shell (10) and a liquid return pipe (40) arranged vertically, wherein an air inlet assembly (20) is provided at the bottom of the main shell (10), and an exhaust hole (11) is provided at the top of the main shell (10); and an air-liquid hole (24) is provided on the air inlet assembly (20) and is connected to the air outlet of the electrolytic cell (60); One end of the liquid return pipe 40 is located inside the main housing (10), and the other end passes through the bottom of the main housing (10) and is in communication with the alkaline solution (61) of the electrolytic cell (60); a liquid return hole (41) is provided on the liquid return pipe (40) between the gas-liquid hole (24) and the exhaust hole (11); a liquid stagnation cavity (16) for accommodating the alkaline solution (61) after gas-liquid separation is formed between the liquid return hole (41) and the bottom of the main housing (10); a separation cavity (17) is formed between the liquid return hole (41) and the exhaust hole (11); a gas-liquid separation component (30) is provided in the separation cavity (17); The gas-liquid separation component (30) comprises a first separation plate (31), and the first separation plate (31) is provided with a first vent hole (31a); The liquid return hole (41) is higher than the liquid level of the alkali solution (61) in the electrolytic cell (60).

2. The gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis according to claim 1, wherein: A secondary shell (12) is provided between the gas-liquid separation component (30) and the exhaust hole (11); a plurality of fire extinguishing balls (14) having a micro-spherical structure are filled inside the secondary shell (12); and a ball baffle (13) having a porous plate structure is provided between the fire extinguishing balls (14) and the main shell (10).

3. The gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis according to claim 2, wherein: The material of the fire extinguishing ball (14) is steel, aluminum or copper.

4. The gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis according to claim 1, wherein: The gas-liquid separation component (30) comprises a first separation plate (31) and a second separation plate (32) arranged vertically from bottom to top, wherein the first separation plate (31) and the second separation plate (32) are respectively provided with a first vent hole (31a) and a second vent hole (32a); the first vent hole (31a) and the second vent hole (32a) are projected in a vertical direction, and their projection contours do not overlap.

5. The gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis according to claim 4, wherein: The first separation plate (31) is an umbrella-shaped structure, and the first ventilation hole (31a) is arranged at the bottom of the umbrella; the second separation plate (32) is a funnel-shaped structure, and the second ventilation hole (32a) is arranged at the bottom of the funnel; the first separation plate (31) and the second separation plate (32) are arranged in a staggered manner, and more than two are respectively provided.

6. The gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis according to claim 1, wherein: A pressure monitoring component (50) is provided between the gas-liquid separation component (30) and the exhaust hole (11), and the pressure monitoring component (50) includes a pressure gauge (51).

7. The gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis according to claim 6, wherein: The pressure monitoring assembly (50) comprises a pressure gauge (51), a sealed water storage tank (52) and a pressure pipe (53); water (54) is provided at the bottom of the water storage tank (52); an air gap is provided above the water (54); the air gap is communicated with the interior of the main shell (10) above the gas-liquid separation assembly (30) through a connecting pipe (55); one end of the pressure pipe (53) is located outside the water storage tank (52), and the other end passes through the top of the water storage tank (52) and the air gap is located below the liquid level of the water (54); the pressure gauge (51) is connected to the pressure pipe (53) located at one end outside the water storage tank (52).

8. The gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis according to claim 1, wherein: The air intake assembly (20) comprises a diffusion pipe (23) in an annular structure arranged at the bottom of the main housing (10); a check pipe (22) extending upward and higher than the liquid return hole (41) is provided on one side of the diffusion pipe (23); the check pipe (22) is connected to the gas outlet of the electrolytic cell (60) through the air intake pipe (21); and a plurality of gas-liquid holes (24) are provided on the diffusion pipe (23).

9. The gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis according to claim 1, wherein: An air blocking plate (15) with a porous plate structure is provided between the air-liquid hole (24) and the liquid return hole (41).

10. The gas-liquid separation device for water electrolysis with self-reflux according to claim 1, characterized in that: A heat dissipation device is provided at a position of the main housing (10) corresponding to the retention chamber (16).

Images