A new type of integrally formed v-shaped chamber multi-plate electrolytic cell

Abstract

The application discloses a novel integrally-formed V-shaped chamber multi-piece electrolytic cell, and belongs to the technical field of electrolytic water, which comprises a cathode end plate, a plastic pole frame, an anode end plate, a metal plate, an elastic net, a cathode electrode, a diaphragm and an anode electrode. The V-shaped chamber optimizes electrolyte distribution and gas discharge, increases the contact area of the electrode and the electrolyte, and significantly improves the electrolysis efficiency. In terms of material application, engineering plastic is used to replace carbon steel coated with nickel, which greatly reduces the consumption of nickel material and the cost of the main material. In terms of manufacturing process, the plastic pole frame and the metal plate are injection molded and integrally formed, which simplifies the production process, improves the material utilization rate, reduces the cost, enhances the product performance and quality, and enhances the market competitiveness of the electrolytic cell from multiple dimensions, and promotes the electrolytic water hydrogen production to a new stage of high efficiency, low cost and high reliability.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electrolysis of water, in particular to a novel integrally formed V-shaped chamber multi-piece electrolytic cell. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a key equipment in the field of electrochemistry, electrolytic cell is widely used in chlor-alkali industry, water electrolysis hydrogen production, metal smelting and wastewater treatment, etc. Its performance directly determines the efficiency, cost and product quality of related industrial production.

[0003] Traditional electrolytic cell has many drawbacks in the long-term use. From the structural design, the conventional electrolytic cell adopts circular or square chamber design, which leads to poor flow state of electrolyte in the cell, uneven flow velocity distribution and more dead zones. The electrolyte cannot fully contact with the electrode, which not only reduces the efficiency of electrolysis reaction, but also causes uneven current density distribution on the electrode surface, accelerates local corrosion of the electrode and greatly shortens the service life of the electrode. In addition, the electrolytic cell will corrode during long-term operation, causing serious leakage problem.

[0004] In terms of material selection, the end plate, electrode plate and electrode frame of traditional electrolytic cell are mostly made of carbon steel with nickel plating process. Especially the electrode frame and end plate, as they bear the key role of supporting and conducting electricity, are designed to be particularly thick. This means that compared with other components, the electrode frame and end plate need to be plated with more nickel, and also require more carbon steel. The large consumption of nickel material results in high overall material cost.

[0005] In terms of process, the assembly and maintenance process of traditional electrolytic cell is complex, and a large amount of time and labor cost is required for electrode replacement or internal component maintenance each time, which seriously affects the continuity of production and increases the operating cost of enterprises. Moreover, the energy consumption of traditional electrolytic cell is generally high, which does not meet the current development trend of energy saving and emission reduction, and restricts the sustainable development of the industry.

[0006] Therefore, it is a technical problem to be solved in the field to provide a V-shaped chamber multi-piece electrolytic cell with high electrolysis efficiency, low cost and integrally formed. SUMMARY

[0007] The present application provides a novel integrally formed V-shaped chamber multi-piece electrolytic cell to improve the flow field uniformity in the process of electrolysis of water, increase the electrode reaction area, improve the electrolysis efficiency and reduce the material cost of electrolytic cell. At the same time, the assembly process of electrolytic cell is simplified to avoid leakage of electrolytic cell. The present application aims to optimize the flow characteristics of electrolyte, increase the electrode reaction area, improve the electrolysis efficiency and reduce the energy consumption; reduce the material cost of electrolytic cell; simplify the assembly and maintenance process of equipment, reduce the energy consumption, solve the problem of sealing and provide strong support for the efficient and sustainable development of related industries.

[0008] To this end, one object of the present application is to propose a new type of integrally formed v-shaped chamber multi-piece electrolytic cell, comprising a cathode end plate, a plastic pole frame and an anode end plate;

[0009] The plastic pole frame is arranged between the cathode end plate and the anode end plate, and the plastic pole frame is detachably connected with the cathode end plate and the anode end plate;

[0010] Both sides of the plastic pole frame are provided with grooves matched with the v-shaped chamber; one side of the cathode end plate facing the plastic pole frame is provided with a groove matched with the v-shaped chamber, and one side of the anode end plate facing the plastic pole frame is provided with a groove matched with the v-shaped chamber;

[0011] The first metal plate, the first elastic net, the first cathode electrode, the first diaphragm, the first anode electrode and the second elastic net are sequentially arranged between the cathode end plate and the plastic pole frame (from the cathode end plate to the plastic pole frame);

[0012] The second metal plate, the third elastic net, the second cathode electrode, the second diaphragm, the second anode electrode, the fourth elastic net and the third metal plate are sequentially arranged between the plastic pole frame and the anode end plate (from the plastic pole frame to the anode end plate).

[0013] In the present application, the end plate of the electrolytic cell plays a key role in mechanical support, electrical connection and sealing protection. In terms of mechanical support, it not only maintains the stability of the overall structure of the electrolytic cell, orderly fixes the internal components such as the diaphragm, but also can withstand the internal pressure caused by gas generation during electrolysis. In terms of electrical connection, the end plate serves as the input and output port of current, and uses its good electrical conductivity to introduce and export the current from the external power source to the electrolytic cell. In addition, through the sealing gasket and other components, the end plate can effectively prevent the leakage of electrolyte, resist external corrosion such as moisture and corrosive gas, protect the internal components of the electrolytic cell, and reduce the waste of electrolyte and operating cost.

[0014] The elastic net in the present application is arranged between the electrode surface and the pole plate, and has many important functions. It can closely adhere to the electrode surface by virtue of its elasticity, increase the contact area of the electrode and the electrolyte, accelerate the electrochemical reaction and improve the electrolysis efficiency; it can improve the current distribution, avoid local corrosion of the electrode and prolong its service life; it can buffer the mechanical stress caused by temperature changes, gas generation and other factors, enhance the structural stability of the electrolytic cell; it can also intercept impurity particles in the electrolyte, reduce their interference with the electrochemical reaction, change the motion trajectory of the gas bubbles, promote the rapid discharge of the gas bubbles, prevent the local overheating caused by the accumulation of gas bubbles, and ensure the stable operation of the electrolytic cell.

[0015] The electrode provided in the application is the core component of the electrolytic cell, and bears the important functions of conducting current, providing a reaction site and determining the electrolytic product. In the electrolysis process, it serves as a conductive medium, connecting the external power supply and the electrolyte, allowing the anode to transfer electrons to the anion to initiate oxidation, and the cathode to obtain electrons from the cation to initiate reduction, thereby achieving current conduction. The electrode surface is also the main area of electrochemical reaction, and its material and surface properties affect the reaction rate and selectivity. The diaphragm of the electrolytic cell is placed between the anode and the cathode of the electrolytic cell, and although it is light and thin, it bears multiple key functions such as separating the anode and cathode reactants, controlling ion migration, improving electrolysis efficiency, and ensuring equipment safety. It can prevent the direct contact of the reaction products of the two electrodes, avoid short circuit and side reactions; at the same time, by virtue of the selective permeation characteristics, it allows specific ions to migrate directionally, maintaining charge balance. In addition, the diaphragm optimizes the ion transmission path, reduces ohmic pressure drop and concentration polarization, improves electrolysis efficiency, and can prevent the mixing of reactants to cause safety accidents, such as hydrogen or oxygen passing through the diaphragm, which may cause an explosion.

[0016] Further, the cathode electrode and the anode electrode used in the application are both PTFE 5.0, the diaphragm is PPS, the elastic net material is N6, and the metal plate is carbon steel plated with nickel.

[0017] Further, the above-mentioned PTFE 5.0 is the fifth-generation electrode made by PTFE Company, and N6 is nickel No. 6;

[0018] Further, the plastic pole frame includes a first plastic pole frame and a second plastic pole frame;

[0019] Among them, one side of the first plastic pole frame is detachably connected with the cathode end plate, the other side of the first plastic pole frame is detachably connected with one side of the second plastic pole frame, and the other side of the second plastic pole frame is detachably connected with the anode end plate.

[0020] The v-shaped chamber is formed between the cathode end plate and the first plastic pole frame, another v-shaped chamber is formed between the first plastic pole frame and the second plastic pole frame, and another v-shaped chamber is formed between the second plastic pole frame and the anode end plate.

[0021] Further, the first plastic pole frame and the second plastic pole frame are sequentially provided with a fourth metal plate, a fifth elastic net, a third cathode electrode, a third diaphragm, a third anode electrode and a sixth elastic net (from the first plastic pole frame to the second plastic pole frame).

[0022] The middle pole frame of the multi-piece electrolytic cell structure of the application is made of plastic material, and the middle is a metal plate, which is formed by injection molding, thereby reducing the use of metal materials, and replacing the technical pole frame with plastic, greatly reducing the cost of the electrolytic cell.

[0023] The application has the following advantages:

[0024] (1) In terms of improving electrolysis efficiency: The electrolytic cell is the core equipment for water electrolysis to produce hydrogen, and its performance has a significant impact on production efficiency and cost. The V-shaped chamber design of the present application significantly improves the operating efficiency of the electrolytic cell from multiple dimensions. In terms of electrolyte distribution, the special geometry of the V-shaped chamber allows the electrolyte to be distributed more evenly in the cell than the commonly used rectangular chamber, quickly and comprehensively covering the electrode surface, promoting the rapid migration of hydrogen ions and hydroxyl ions during water electrolysis to the corresponding electrode, accelerating the reaction speed, while reducing the electrolyte concentration gradient on the electrode surface, reducing concentration polarization, and maintaining stable ion concentration. In terms of gas discharge, the inclined surface design of the V-shaped chamber allows the gas bubbles generated on the electrode surface during electrolysis to quickly detach and exit along the wall, reducing the obstruction to the reaction, providing a separation space for gas and electrolyte, and achieving efficient separation of hydrogen and oxygen during water electrolysis to improve hydrogen purity. In addition, the V-shaped chamber increases the effective contact area of the electrode and the electrolyte, providing more reaction sites during electrolysis.

[0025] (2) Reduce nickel material consumption: The electrolytic cell of the present application has made bold innovations in design and manufacturing, abandoning the traditional carbon steel nickel plating scheme for the end plate and intermediate pole frame, and instead using affordable engineering plastics. This engineering plastic not only has low cost, but also has good corrosion resistance and insulation. After this replacement, the cost of the main material of the electrolytic cell is greatly reduced, greatly improving the cost performance of the product.

[0026] (3) Advantages of injection molding process: The electrolytic cell uses plastic pole frame and metal plate injection molding process to form, which can bring significant advantages from multiple aspects. It can simplify assembly, realize one-time assembly of complex structures, reduce secondary processing, and greatly reduce labor and time costs, and the price of plastic is affordable. In terms of performance, the corrosion resistance and insulation of plastic can prevent metal from contacting corrosive media, prolong the service life of the electrolytic cell, and avoid current leakage, improving safety and work efficiency. During production and manufacturing, the injection molding cycle is short, and one molding can be completed in a few minutes, which is suitable for automated production, improves efficiency and product consistency, and can also create complex shape pole frames to meet diversified design. In terms of product quality, injection molding allows plastic and metal plates to be firmly integrated, enhancing structural stability and mechanical strength, while the product quality is stable, the defect rate is low, and the reliability and durability of the electrolytic cell are improved.

[0027] (4) Advantages of the electrolytic cell integrated molding process: The electrolytic cell integrated molding process has significant advantages in multiple dimensions. In terms of cost, it reduces material waste caused by part assembly in traditional manufacturing, improves material utilization with one-time molding, saves procurement costs, simplifies assembly processes, and reduces labor and rework costs. In terms of performance, the seamless structure enhances sealing to prevent electrolyte leakage, optimizes electric field distribution, improves electrolysis efficiency, and reduces energy consumption. In terms of production, integrated molding reduces processing steps, significantly shortens production cycles, quickly responds to market demand, is suitable for large-scale batch production, and reduces unit costs. In terms of quality, the continuous and complete overall structure not only improves the structural strength and stability of the electrolytic cell, prolongs its service life, but also ensures product size accuracy with the help of molds, improves consistency, and reduces after-sales maintenance costs.

[0028] In summary, the electrolytic cell of the present application has made many innovations in design and manufacturing, bringing significant benefits. The V-shaped chamber design significantly improves electrolysis efficiency by optimizing electrolyte distribution, gas discharge, and increasing the contact area between the electrode and the electrolyte. In terms of material application, the use of engineering plastics instead of carbon steel coated with nickel significantly reduces nickel material consumption and reduces the cost of the main material. In terms of manufacturing process, the plastic pole frame and metal plate injection molding process, integrated molding process, from simplifying production processes, improving material utilization, reducing costs, enhancing product performance and quality, and many other dimensions, all-around enhance the market competitiveness of the electrolytic cell, and promote the production of hydrogen by electrolysis of water to a new stage of high efficiency, low cost, and high reliability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, a brief introduction to the drawings needed in the embodiments or prior art description will be given below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings according to the provided drawings without creating any inventive labor.

[0030] Figure 1 Figure 1 is a disassembled structure diagram of the V-shaped chamber multi-piece electrolytic cell of the present application integrated molding;

[0031] In the drawings, the structure represented by each reference numeral is listed as follows: 1-cathode end plate, 2-plastic pole frame, 3-anode end plate, 4-first metal plate, 5-first elastic net, 6-first cathode electrode, 7-first diaphragm, 8-first anode electrode, 9-second elastic net, 10-second metal plate, 11-third elastic net, 12-second cathode electrode, 13-second diaphragm, 14-second anode electrode, 15-fourth elastic net, 16-third metal plate, 17-fourth metal plate, 18-fifth elastic net, 19-third cathode electrode, 20-third diaphragm, 21-third anode electrode, 22-sixth elastic net, 201-first plastic pole frame, 202-second plastic pole frame.

[0032] Figure 2 Assembled cross-sectional view of the V-shaped chamber multiple-piece electrolytic cell of the present application;

[0033] Figure 3 Flow field uniformity map for the V-shaped chamber electrolytic cell;

[0034] Figure 4 Flow field uniformity map for the square-shaped chamber;

[0035] Figure 5 Comparison chart of the impact of square-shaped chamber and V-shaped chamber on the performance of the electrolytic cell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to several drawings. The embodiments of the present application described below are examples and are intended to explain the present application, and should not be understood as limiting the present application.

[0037] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only used to facilitate the description of the present application and simplify the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present application.

[0038] In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only for descriptive purposes, and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more, unless otherwise specifically limited.

[0039] In the present application, unless otherwise specifically defined and limited, the terms "mounting", "connection", "connection", "fixing" and the like should be broadly understood, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or it can be integrated; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0040] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the first feature is "on" or "under" the second feature can include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, the first feature is "on", "above" and "over" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or only means that the first feature is higher in horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature is "under", "below" and "underneath" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or only means that the first feature is lower in horizontal height than the second feature.

[0041] Embodiment 1

[0042] A one-piece assembled V-shaped chamber multi-piece electrolytic cell, comprising a cathode end plate 1, a plastic pole frame 2 and an anode end plate 3;

[0043] The plastic pole frame 2 is arranged between the cathode end plate 1 and the anode end plate 3, and the plastic pole frame 2 is detachably connected with the cathode end plate 1 and the anode end plate 3;

[0044] The plastic pole frame 1 is provided with recesses matching the V-shaped chamber on both sides; the cathode end plate 1 is provided with recesses matching the V-shaped chamber on one side of the plastic pole frame 2, and the anode end plate 3 is provided with recesses matching the V-shaped chamber on one side of the plastic pole frame 2;

[0045] The first metal plate 4, the first elastic net 5, the first cathode electrode 6, the first diaphragm 7, the first anode electrode 8 and the second elastic net 9 are sequentially arranged between the cathode end plate 1 and the plastic pole frame 2;

[0046] The second metal plate 10, the third elastic net 11, the second cathode electrode 12, the second diaphragm 13, the second anode electrode 14, the fourth elastic net 15 and the third metal plate 16 are sequentially arranged between the plastic pole frame 2 and the anode end plate 3.

[0047] In some embodiments, the plastic pole frame 2 comprises a first plastic pole frame 201 and a second plastic pole frame 202;

[0048] The one side of the first plastic pole frame 201 is detachably connected with the cathode end plate 1, the other side of the first plastic pole frame 201 is detachably connected with one side of the second plastic pole frame 202, and the other side of the second plastic pole frame 202 is detachably connected with the anode end plate 3.

[0049] In other embodiments, the fourth metal plate 17, the fifth elastic net 18, the third cathode electrode 19, the third diaphragm 20, the third anode electrode 21 and the sixth elastic net 22 are sequentially arranged between the first plastic pole frame 201 and the second plastic pole frame 202.

[0050] Embodiment 2

[0051] (1) Assemble the integrally formed V-shaped chamber multi-piece structure electrolytic cell, which contains multiple electrolytic cells. Connect the pipelines, circuits, circulating pumps, lye tanks, lye filters, post-processing systems and other equipment.

[0052] (2) Add the electrolyte (30wt% KOH aqueous solution) solution into the electrolytic cell, and start the water electrolysis reaction for hydrogen production by applying a constant current.

[0053] (3) Record the electrolytic cell voltage under different currents, and calculate the energy consumption.

[0054] (4) Record the electrolysis time at the same time, and calculate the electrolysis efficiency.

[0055] (5) Perform a month-long period electrolysis under the working conditions (30wt% KOH aqueous solution, 95℃ temperature, and 360L / h flow rate), and observe the electrolytic cell without liquid leakage to complete the long-period sealing test.

[0056] Appendix Figures 2-4 And the calculation experimental results show that the flow field of the V-shaped chamber electrolytic cell is more uniform, the electrolytic cell voltage is lower (3000A / m 2 @2V), and the square electrolytic cell (3000A / m 2 @2.2V)

[0057] Table 1 Comparison of electrolytic gas production of multi-piece structure and single-piece structure electrolytic cells

[0058]

[0059] In Table 1, the multi-piece structure is expanded from 3 electrolytic cells to 5 electrolytic cells according to the scheme of Example 1, and the results in Table 1 show that the multi-piece structure of the present application increases the hydrogen production by 4 times without affecting the performance of the electrolytic cell.

[0060] In the description of the present specification, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" and the like means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In the present specification, the illustrative description of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in the present specification.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present application, and that changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A novel integrally formed v-shaped cell polyphade electrolyzer characterized in that, The cathode end plate, the plastic pole frame and the anode end plate are included. The plastic pole frame is arranged between the cathode end plate and the anode end plate, and the plastic pole frame is detachably connected with the cathode end plate and the anode end plate. The plastic pole frame is provided with a groove matched with the v-shaped cavity on both sides; the cathode end plate is provided with a groove matched with the v-shaped cavity on the side facing the plastic pole frame; and the anode end plate is provided with a groove matched with the v-shaped cavity on the side facing the plastic pole frame. The first metal plate, the first elastic net, the first cathode electrode, the first diaphragm, the first anode electrode and the second elastic net are sequentially arranged between the cathode end plate and the plastic pole frame. The second metal plate, the third elastic net, the second cathode electrode, the second diaphragm, the second anode electrode, the fourth elastic net and the third metal plate are sequentially arranged between the plastic pole frame and the anode end plate. The plastic pole frame includes a first plastic pole frame and a second plastic pole frame; one side of the first plastic pole frame is detachably connected with the cathode end plate, the other side of the first plastic pole frame is detachably connected with one side of the second plastic pole frame, the other side of the second plastic pole frame is detachably connected with the anode end plate; the fourth metal plate, the fifth elastic net, the third cathode electrode, the third diaphragm, the third anode electrode and the sixth elastic net are sequentially arranged between the first plastic pole frame and the second plastic pole frame.

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