AEM electrolytic bath

Abstract

The AEM electrolytic cell comprises a first polar plate, an anode sealing piece, a membrane electrode, a cathode sealing piece and a second polar plate which are sequentially stacked and connected. The first polar plate and the second polar plate are not provided with flow channels, the first polar plate is provided with a first through hole, and the second polar plate is provided with a second through hole. The anode sealing piece is provided with a first accommodating cavity, an anode diffusion assembly comprising a diffusion plate net layer and an anode diffusion layer is arranged in the first accommodating cavity, and the diffusion plate net layer is arranged between the first polar plate and the anode diffusion layer; the cathode sealing element is provided with a second accommodating cavity, and a cathode diffusion layer is arranged in the second accommodating cavity; the anode sealing element and the cathode sealing element are respectively provided with a first sealing part and a supporting part, the cross section of the first sealing part is an isosceles trapezoid, the upper bottom surface of the first sealing part is connected with the supporting part, and the lower bottom surface of the first sealing part is connected with the diffusion assembly. According to the AEM electrolytic cell, the electrolyte is uniformly diffused through the diffusion plate net layer, so that the electrolytic efficiency is improved; the isosceles trapezoid design of the sealing part facilitates press fitting, and long-term sealing stability is kept.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electrolytic cell technology, and in particular to an AEM electrolytic cell. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis technology, as an emerging green hydrogen production route, has gradually become a research hotspot due to its greater tolerance to catalysts and materials under alkaline conditions. In AEM electrolyzer technology, the stacking structure design of the electrolysis units plays a decisive role in the performance of the entire electrolysis system. Among these factors, the uniformity of electrolyte distribution, effective removal of gaseous products, stability of the diffusion layer contact, and reliability of the sealing structure are key factors affecting reaction efficiency and system lifespan. Traditional structures often use electrode plates with flow channels stacked with simple sealing gaskets. However, this approach suffers from problems such as complex electrode channel structures, high processing costs, uneven liquid distribution affecting catalytic reaction efficiency, high gasket pressure requirements leading to stacking deviations and difficulty in ensuring long-term operational stability, and uneven contact between the diffusion layer structure and the electrode plates resulting in increased resistance and localized performance degradation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application aims to address at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. This application provides an AEM electrolyzer that simplifies assembly, optimizes internal contact pressure control, reduces AEM costs, and increases the electrolysis rate.

[0004] The AEM electrolytic cell according to an embodiment of this application includes: The first electrode plate has no flow channel and has first through holes on both sides. An anode seal is provided with a first receiving cavity, and an anode diffusion assembly is provided in the first receiving cavity. The anode diffusion assembly includes a diffusion plate mesh layer and an anode diffusion layer, and the diffusion plate mesh layer is disposed between the first electrode plate and the anode diffusion layer. Membrane electrode; A cathode seal, wherein the cathode seal is provided with a second receiving cavity, and a cathode diffusion layer is provided in the second receiving cavity; The second electrode plate has no flow channel and has a second through hole. The cathode seal and the anode seal each include a first body. The first body has a first sealing part and a support part. The cross-section of the first sealing part is an isosceles trapezoid. The upper bottom surface of the first sealing part is connected to the support part. The lower bottom surface of the first sealing part is connected to the anode diffusion assembly or the cathode diffusion layer. The thickness of the lower bottom surface is greater than the thickness of the upper bottom surface. The first electrode plate, the anode seal, the membrane electrode, the cathode seal, and the second electrode plate are stacked and connected in sequence.

[0005] The AEM electrolytic cell according to the embodiments of this application has at least the following beneficial effects: The AEM electrolyzer of this application includes a first electrode plate, an anode seal, a membrane electrode, a cathode seal, and a second electrode plate stacked sequentially. Neither the first nor the second electrode plate has flow channels. The first electrode plate has first through holes on both sides, and the second electrode plate has second through holes. The anode seal has a first receiving cavity containing an anode diffusion assembly, which includes a diffusion plate mesh and an anode diffusion layer, with the diffusion plate mesh positioned between the first electrode plate and the anode diffusion layer. The cathode seal has a second receiving cavity containing a cathode diffusion layer. Both the anode and cathode seals include a first main body, which has a first sealing portion and a supporting portion. The first sealing portion has an isosceles trapezoidal cross-section, with the thickness of its lower base greater than its upper base. The upper base of the first sealing portion is connected to the supporting portion, and the lower base of the first seal is connected to the anode diffusion assembly or the cathode diffusion layer. The AEM electrolyzer of this application, by setting a diffusion plate mesh between the first electrode plate and the anode diffusion layer, ensures uniform diffusion of the electrolyte before it enters the anode diffusion layer, significantly improving reaction efficiency. The isosceles trapezoidal cross-section of the first sealing part can reduce the pressing force during the pressing process, thereby increasing the sealing life of the AEM electrolyzer; it also has a wide range of loading force and is easy to load, requiring only a small loading force to meet the loading requirements.

[0006] According to some embodiments of this application, the diffusion plate mesh layer is provided with multiple diffusion plate meshes, and the porosity of the different diffusion plate meshes is different, with the diffusion plate mesh with the smallest porosity being attached to the anode diffusion layer.

[0007] According to some embodiments of this application, the porosity of each layer of the diffusion plate mesh decreases sequentially from the side closer to the first electrode plate to the side closer to the anode diffusion layer.

[0008] According to some embodiments of this application, the porosity of two adjacent diffusion plate meshes is alternately set to form an interleaved gradient diffusion structure.

[0009] According to some embodiments of this application, the diffusion plate meshes of each layer are stacked in a staggered manner, and the diffusion plate meshes of adjacent two layers are staggered at 60°.

[0010] According to some embodiments of this application, the first electrode plate, the second electrode plate, and the membrane electrode each include a second body. The second body has a plurality of first through holes on both sides along the length direction and a plurality of second through holes on both sides along the width direction.

[0011] According to some embodiments of this application, the anode seal is provided with a first channel, which communicates with the second through hole; the cathode seal is provided with a second channel, which communicates with the first through hole; and a second sealing portion is provided on the periphery of both the first channel and the second channel.

[0012] According to some embodiments of this application, the first through hole has six holes and the second through hole has five holes.

[0013] According to some embodiments of this application, the thickness of the anode diffusion assembly and the thickness of the cathode diffusion layer are both equal to the thickness of the support portion.

[0014] According to some embodiments of this application, the first electrode plate, the anode seal, the membrane electrode, the cathode seal, and the second electrode plate are all provided with positioning holes, which are used for assembly and fixation. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein: Figure 1 This is an exploded view of an AEM electrolytic cell according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a top view of an AEM electrolytic cell according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an anode seal and an anode diffusion assembly according to one embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cathode seal and a cathode diffusion layer according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of surface AA; Figure 6 for Figure 3 A cross-sectional diagram of the BB side.

[0016] Figure label: First electrode plate 1; Anode seal 2; First receiving cavity 21; First channel 22; Anode diffusion assembly 3; Membrane electrode 4; Cathode diffusion layer 5; Cathode seal 6; second receiving cavity 61; second channel 62; Second electrode plate 7; First through hole 81; Second through hole 82; Positioning hole 83; First sealing part 91; support part 92; second sealing part 93. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0018] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the use of terms such as "center," "middle," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" to indicate orientation or positional relationships is based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0019] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0020] The following reference Figures 1 to 6 Describe the AEM electrolytic cell in the embodiments of this application.

[0021] according to Figures 1 to 6 As shown, an embodiment of the AEM electrolytic cell of this application includes a first electrode plate 1, an anode seal 2, a membrane electrode 4, a cathode seal 6, and a second electrode plate 7, which are sequentially stacked longitudinally. Neither the first electrode plate 1 nor the second electrode plate 7 has flow channels. The first electrode plate 1 has first through holes 81 on both sides for allowing the anode reactants to flow through. The second electrode plate 7 has second through holes 82 for allowing the cathode reactants to flow through.

[0022] The anode seal 2 has a first receiving cavity 21, and a first through hole 81 communicates with the first receiving cavity 21. An anode diffusion assembly 3 is disposed within the first receiving cavity 21. The anode diffusion assembly 3 includes a diffusion plate mesh layer and an anode diffusion layer. The diffusion plate mesh layer is disposed near the first electrode plate 1, and the anode diffusion layer is disposed near the membrane electrode 4. The diffusion plate mesh layer is positioned between the first electrode plate 1 and the anode diffusion layer, and the diffusion plate mesh layer and the anode diffusion layer are tightly fitted to form a continuous diffusion path. The interior of the diffusion plate mesh layer is a combination structure of metal meshes with different porosities, which helps the electrolyte to be introduced into the reaction interface layer by layer from a large area, while simultaneously disturbing the electrolyte and increasing the lateral distribution uniformity. The cathode seal 6 has a second receiving cavity 61, and a second through hole 82 communicates with the second receiving cavity 61. A cathode diffusion layer 5 is disposed within the second receiving cavity 61.

[0023] The anode seal 2 and cathode seal 6 each include a first body. The first body has a first sealing portion 91 and a support portion 92. The first sealing portion 91 has an isosceles trapezoidal cross-section. The thickness of the lower base of the first sealing portion 91 is greater than the thickness of the upper base. The thickness of the upper base of the first sealing portion 91 is the same as the thickness of the support portion 92. The thickness of the lower base of the first sealing portion 91 is greater than the thickness of the support portion 92. The upper base of the first sealing portion 91 is connected to the support portion 92. The lower base of the first sealing portion in the anode seal 2 is connected to the anode diffusion assembly 3. The lower base of the first sealing portion in the cathode seal 6 is connected to the cathode diffusion layer 5. By using the isosceles trapezoidal cross-section of the first sealing portion 91, a compressive deformation in the desired direction can be generated during the press-fitting process of the anode diffusion assembly 3 or the cathode diffusion layer 5. After deformation, the first sealing portion 91 opens to both sides, filling the tiny gaps in the contact surface and forming a self-tightening sealing effect. It can maintain long-term sealing stability under pressures from 7MPa to 40MPa, extending the sealing life and ensuring high reliability. The acute angle at the long side of the lower bottom surface of the first sealing part 91 is kept intact, which facilitates the pressing of the anode diffusion assembly 3 or the cathode diffusion layer 5; it can also be interference-fitted with the (first or second) electrode plate and the membrane electrode 4 to ensure sealing. When the electrode plate abuts against the long side of the lower bottom surface of the first sealing part 91, the thickness of the lower bottom surface is pressed to be flush with the thickness of the support part 92, and the pressing is in place.

[0024] In one embodiment of this application: During the operation of the AEM electrolyzer, the electrolyte first flows through the first through-hole 81 on one side of the first electrode plate 1 and enters the first receiving cavity 21 of the anode seal 2. After entering the first receiving cavity 21, the electrolyte diffuses layer by layer through the diffuser mesh, and the liquid further passes through the anode diffusion layer and is uniformly delivered to the surface of the anode catalyst layer of the membrane electrode 4. At the anode catalyst layer, water decomposition reaction generates oxygen and OH⁻ ions. Oxygen is discharged from the first through-hole 81 on the other side of the first electrode plate 1, and OH⁻ ions are transferred to the cathode side through the membrane electrode 4. On the cathode side, OH⁻ ions combine with electrons to generate hydrogen gas, which is discharged through the second through-hole 82 of the second electrode plate 7. Throughout the process, the membrane electrode 4 maintains separation on both sides to avoid gas mixing, achieving the separate output of high-purity hydrogen and oxygen.

[0025] The AEM electrolyzer of this application improves reaction efficiency by setting a diffusion plate mesh layer between the first electrode plate 1 and the anode diffusion layer, so that the electrolyte is uniformly diffused before entering the anode diffusion layer. The isosceles trapezoidal cross-section of the first sealing part 91 reduces the pressing force during the pressing process, increasing the sealing life of the AEM electrolyzer; it also has a wide range of loading force and is convenient to load, requiring only a small loading force to meet the loading requirements.

[0026] In some embodiments, the thickness of both the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 7 is less than 1 mm. In some embodiments, both the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 7 are made of materials resistant to alkaline corrosion, such as nickel, nickel-plated carbon steel, or nickel-plated stainless steel.

[0027] In some embodiments, the thickness of the support portion 92 of the anode seal 2 is set within 1 mm to 3 mm to facilitate injection molding of the seal portion.

[0028] In some embodiments, the diffuser mesh layer is made of an alkali-resistant metal material, giving it good electrical conductivity and structural stability.

[0029] In some embodiments, the anode diffusion layer is made of porous, alkali-resistant metal materials such as nickel felt or nickel foam.

[0030] In some embodiments, the membrane electrode 4 consists of an anion exchange membrane and catalyst layers on both sides of the anion exchange membrane.

[0031] In some embodiments, the support portion 92 uses a metal or plastic frame to withstand excess pressing force.

[0032] In one embodiment of this application, the diffuser mesh layer comprises multiple diffuser meshes, which are stacked in a layer-by-layer manner to form an integral structure, constituting the entire diffuser mesh layer. This structure is fixed by welding to prevent interlayer slippage and poor contact. The porosity of different layers of diffuser meshes varies, with the diffuser mesh having the lowest porosity bonded to the anode diffuser layer. This enhances the contact area with the anode diffuser layer and provides uniform support, preventing the anode diffuser layer from becoming trapped in the channels and causing localized deformation and damage. The increased contact area between the multi-layer mesh structure and the anode diffuser layer allows the electrolyte to contact the anode diffuser layer surface more fully and uniformly, avoiding reaction dead zones. It also effectively reduces microscopic contact resistance, improves electron transport efficiency, and thus enhances overall electrolysis efficiency.

[0033] In other embodiments, the multilayer diffusion plate mesh can also be fixed by means of sintering or mechanical pressing.

[0034] In one embodiment of this application, the porosity of each diffusion plate mesh decreases sequentially from the side closest to the first electrode plate 1 to the side closest to the anode diffusion layer. The diffusion plate mesh closest to the first electrode plate 1 has the largest porosity and a larger pore size, used to receive the large flow rate of electrolyte introduced from the first electrode plate 1; the porosity of each diffusion plate mesh below it gradually decreases, and the pore size decreases layer by layer, forming a gradient diffusion channel. The transition from large pore size to small pore size increases the electrolyte flow rate and improves electrolysis efficiency; until the diffusion plate mesh closest to the anode diffusion layer, this layer has the smallest porosity and the finest pore size, resulting in a large contact area with the anode diffusion layer and a reduced contact resistance, making the electrolyte diffusion more uniform and fine, and improving the uniformity of the AEM electrolytic cell.

[0035] After the electrolyte enters the first receiving cavity 21 from the first electrode plate 1, it first passes through a large-pore diffuser mesh with high porosity, achieving initial flow diversion and pressure reduction. As the electrolyte flows downward into the low-porosity layer, the liquid is gradually compressed and distributed, forming a layered, finely dispersed flow that avoids direct impact of the electrolyte on the anode diffuser layer, thus improving uniformity. Oxygen generated during the reaction at the membrane electrode 4 is discharged to the first electrode plate 1 side through the membrane electrode 4. The progressively increasing porosity structure reduces resistance during oxygen discharge layer by layer, facilitating desorption and ensuring smoother discharge. This improves the exhaust efficiency of the first electrode plate 1 and prevents gas stagnation that could cause localized blockage.

[0036] This application utilizes a multi-layered stacked structure and gradient porosity design to ensure uniform diffusion of the electrolyte before it enters the anode diffusion layer, thereby improving reaction efficiency and reducing dead zone effects. The gases generated during the reaction can flow smoothly from the lower layer's small pores to the upper layer's large pores, facilitating oxygen desorption and removal and preventing gas accumulation that could lead to a decrease in reaction efficiency.

[0037] In one embodiment of this application, the porosity of each diffusion plate mesh is not arranged in a single decreasing or increasing manner, but rather in an alternating pattern. That is, the porosity of adjacent diffusion plate meshes is staggered, presenting a stacking pattern of larger-smaller-larger-smaller. For example, the first layer has a large porosity (close to the first electrode 1), the second layer has a small porosity, the third layer again has a large porosity, and the fourth layer has a small porosity (adhering to the anode diffusion layer), forming an alternating gradient diffusion structure. The alternating pore structure can create local turbulence and pressure oscillations at the microscale. This turbulence is beneficial to the redistribution of electrolyte in the multilayer diffusion plate mesh, enhancing the diffusion effect and assisting in bubble desorption and discharge. It also creates a richer microenvironment, which is beneficial to improving catalytic reaction efficiency and current density uniformity.

[0038] In one embodiment of this application, the diffusion plates are stacked in a staggered manner, with adjacent layers rotating at 60° to break the linear pore channel structure in a single direction, forming a complex path and making the pores of the diffusion plate layer more finely dispersed. Because the pore directions of adjacent diffusion plates are different, the electrolyte inflow will be deflected and split in each layer, generating micro-turbulence and disturbance oscillations, effectively breaking problems such as straight flow and boundary layer accumulation, facilitating electrolyte diffusion, improving the uniformity of electrolyte coverage on the diffusion layer surface, and enhancing the utilization rate of the reaction zone. Furthermore, the staggered arrangement also increases the multi-directional support rigidity of the overall structure of the stacked diffusion plates, preventing local collapse of single-layer plates due to large pores during press-fitting, and also facilitating uniform support of the anode diffusion layer. The staggered arrangement, combined with a gradient distribution of porosity from large to small, forms a gradient and staggered composite diffusion structure, taking into account electrolyte distribution, gas desorption, and structural stability, making it suitable for AEM electrolysis hydrogen production devices under high-efficiency, high-pressure conditions.

[0039] In one embodiment of this application, the porosity of each layer of diffusion plate mesh is set alternately, and the adjacent diffusion mesh layers are staggered by a 60° rotation angle difference. Each layer of diffusion plate mesh disturbs the flow rate and direction of the electrolyte, causing the flow path to deflect continuously and the size of the flow channel to change continuously, thereby increasing the electrolyte flow rate and improving the electrolysis efficiency. At the same time, it also helps the gas to desorb and escape in the channels, further optimizing the dynamic behavior of water and gas in the diffusion component.

[0040] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the first electrode plate 1, the second electrode plate 7, and the membrane electrode 4 each include a second body. The second body has multiple first through holes 81 on both sides along its length and multiple second through holes 82 on both sides along its width. The first through holes 81 are anode inlets and outlets, and the second through holes 82 are cathode inlets and outlets. The anode inlets and outlets and the cathode inlets and outlets are respectively located on different sides, achieving spatial separation of the anode liquid inlet and oxygen outlet from the cathode liquid inlet and hydrogen outlet, reducing the risk of gas mixing and improving reaction stability. The first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 7 have identical structures, which can reduce the types of components, improve assembly versatility, reduce manufacturing complexity, and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0041] according to Figure 1 , Figures 3 to 6 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the anode seal 2 is provided with a first channel 22, which is connected to the second through hole 82; the cathode seal 6 is provided with a second channel 62, which is connected to the first through hole 81.

[0042] In one embodiment of this application, during the operation of the AEM electrolyzer, the electrolyte first flows through the first through hole 81 on the first electrode plate 1 and enters the first receiving cavity 21 of the anode seal 2. After entering the first receiving cavity 21, the electrolyte diffuses layer by layer through the diffuser mesh, and the liquid further passes through the anode diffusion layer and is uniformly delivered to the surface of the anode catalyst layer of the membrane electrode 4. At the anode catalytic layer, water decomposition produces oxygen and OH⁻ ions. Oxygen returns to the anode diffusion assembly 3 and exits through the first through-hole 81 on the other side of the first electrode plate 1, or sequentially passes through the first through-hole 81 of the membrane electrode 4 and the second channel 62 of the cathode seal 6, exiting through the first through-hole 81 of the second electrode plate 7. OH⁻ ions are transferred through the membrane electrode 4 to the cathode side, where they combine with electrons to generate hydrogen gas. After passing through the cathode diffusion layer 5 of the cathode seal 6, the hydrogen gas can exit through the second through-holes 82 on both sides of the second electrode plate 7, or sequentially passes through the second through-holes 82 of the membrane electrode 4 and the first channel 22 of the anode seal 2, exiting through the second through-hole 82 of the first electrode plate 1. The electrolyte can also enter the first receiving cavity 21 of the anode seal 2 through the first through-hole 81 of the second electrode plate 7, sequentially passing through the second channel 62 of the cathode seal 6 and the first through-hole 81 of the membrane electrode 4.

[0043] Similarly, the electrolyte can flow through the second through-hole 82 on one side of the second electrode plate 7 and enter the second receiving cavity 61 of the cathode seal 6. After entering the second receiving cavity 61, the electrolyte passes through the cathode diffusion layer 5 and is uniformly delivered to the surface of the cathode catalyst layer of the membrane electrode 4. Hydrogen gas is generated at the cathode catalyst layer. After passing through the cathode diffusion layer 5 of the cathode seal 6, the hydrogen gas can be discharged from the second through-holes 82 on both sides of the second electrode plate 7, or it can pass through the second through-hole 82 of the membrane electrode 4 and the first channel 22 of the anode seal 2 in sequence and be discharged from the second through-hole 82 of the first electrode plate 1. The electrolyte can also pass through the second through-hole 82 of the first electrode plate 1, through the first channel 22 of the anode seal 2 and the second through-hole 82 of the membrane electrode 4 in sequence, and enter the second receiving cavity 61 of the cathode seal 6.

[0044] The first channel 22 of the anode seal 2 is connected to the second through hole 82 of the second electrode plate 7, and the second channel 62 of the cathode seal 6 is connected to the first through hole 81 of the first electrode plate 1, so that the anode electrolyte and the cathode electrolyte enter their respective reaction chambers through independent channels, thereby achieving independent liquid supply or venting on both sides without interference.

[0045] Both the first channel 22 and the second channel 62 are provided with a second sealing part 93 on their periphery to ensure that the electrolyte does not leak when flowing in the channel. In some embodiments, the cross-section of the second sealing part 93 is an isosceles trapezoid, and the annular protruding lip of the second sealing part 93 (the long side of the lower base of the isosceles trapezoid) undergoes elastic deformation during the pressing of the first electrode plate 1, the anode sealing part, the membrane electrode 4 and the cathode sealing part, and the second electrode plate 7, forming an effective seal.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first sealing part 91 and the second sealing part 93 are both made of high-strength materials such as metal and engineering plastics.

[0047] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, there are six first through holes 81 and five second through holes 82. The first electrode plate 1, the second electrode plate 7, and the membrane electrode 4 are each provided with twelve first through holes 81 and ten second through holes 82. The first through holes 81 are arranged along the long side and multiple through holes 81 are provided, which can shorten the flow path and residence time of the electrolyte on the electrode plate surface, increase the flow rate, and facilitate heat exchange management and electrolysis reaction efficiency.

[0048] according to Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the diffuser mesh layer and the anode diffuser layer are press-fitted to form the anode diffuser layer, and the thickness of the anode diffuser assembly 3 is equal to the thickness of the support portion 92. The thickness of the cathode diffuser layer 5 after press-fitting is equal to the thickness of the support portion 92. The contact resistance can be reduced by the compression deformation of the anode diffuser assembly 3 and the cathode diffuser layer 5, and the processing tolerance can be adapted to maintain the contact pressure on the anode side or the cathode side above 2MPa.

[0049] according to Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the first electrode plate 1, the anode seal 2, the membrane electrode 4, the cathode seal 6, and the second electrode plate 7 are all provided with positioning holes 83, which are used for assembly and fixation. The positioning holes 83 are adapted to positioning posts, and the positioning posts pass through each positioning hole 83 to ensure precise alignment and fixation of the first electrode plate 1, the anode seal 2, the membrane electrode 4, the cathode seal 6, and the second electrode plate 7 in the longitudinal direction, preventing misalignment.

[0050] The AEM electrolyzer of this application adopts a channelless electrode structure, which greatly reduces the complexity of traditional channel processing. It employs a trapezoidal cross-section sealing structure, which has a wide pressing range and low pressing force, significantly improving sealing stability and stacking convenience. Simultaneously, the support part 92 acts as a limiter, making stacking positioning more precise. A diffusion assembly consisting of a multi-layer diffusion plate mesh and an anode diffusion layer is set on the anode side. The diffusion plate mesh adopts a decreasing porosity structure or a staggered arrangement structure, gradually transitioning from large pores to small pores during electrolyte flow, resulting in finer liquid diffusion and a more uniform reaction area. It also assists in the gas discharge process, preventing local gas accumulation, effectively reducing contact resistance, and improving reaction uniformity and gas production efficiency. The first through hole 81 and the second through hole 82 are distributed along the length and width directions, respectively. The through holes are connected to the electrolysis reaction zone through the (first and second) channels provided in the (anode and cathode) seal, thus constructing an interleaved fluid channel structure. This forms an independent, uniform, and efficient liquid transport and gas discharge path on the anode and cathode sides, improving thermal management performance and gas-liquid separation efficiency, and reducing the risk of gas mixing.

[0051] In the description of this specification, the use of terms such as "an embodiment," "some examples," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples" indicates that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0052] The embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of this application.

Claims

1. An AEM electrolytic cell, characterized in that: include The first electrode plate has no flow channel and has first through holes on both sides. An anode seal is provided with a first receiving cavity, and an anode diffusion assembly is provided in the first receiving cavity. The anode diffusion assembly includes a diffusion plate mesh layer and an anode diffusion layer, and the diffusion plate mesh layer is disposed between the first electrode plate and the anode diffusion layer. Membrane electrode; A cathode seal, wherein the cathode seal is provided with a second receiving cavity, and a cathode diffusion layer is provided in the second receiving cavity; The second electrode plate has no flow channel and has a second through hole. The cathode seal and the anode seal each include a first body. The first body has a first sealing part and a support part. The cross-section of the first sealing part is an isosceles trapezoid. The upper bottom surface of the first sealing part is connected to the support part. The lower bottom surface of the first sealing part is connected to the anode diffusion assembly or the cathode diffusion layer. The thickness of the lower bottom surface is greater than the thickness of the upper bottom surface. The first electrode plate, the anode seal, the membrane electrode, the cathode seal, and the second electrode plate are stacked and connected in sequence.

2. The AEM electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diffusion plate mesh layer has multiple diffusion plate meshes with different porosities. The diffusion plate mesh with the smallest porosity is attached to the anode diffusion layer.

3. The AEM electrolytic cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The porosity of each diffusion plate mesh decreases sequentially from the side closest to the first electrode plate to the side closest to the anode diffusion layer.

4. The AEM electrolytic cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The porosity of two adjacent diffusion plates is alternated to form an interleaved gradient diffusion structure.

5. The AEM electrolytic cell according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The diffusion plates in each layer are stacked in a staggered manner, with adjacent layers of diffusion plates staggered at 60°.

6. The AEM electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first electrode plate, the second electrode plate, and the membrane electrode each include a second body. The second body has multiple first through holes on both sides along its length direction and multiple second through holes on both sides along its width direction.

7. The AEM electrolytic cell according to claim 6, characterized in that: The anode seal is provided with a first channel, which communicates with the second through hole; the cathode seal is provided with a second channel, which communicates with the first through hole; and a second sealing part is provided on the periphery of both the first channel and the second channel.

8. The AEM electrolytic cell according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first through hole has six holes, and the second through hole has five holes.

9. The AEM electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the anode diffusion assembly and the thickness of the cathode diffusion layer are both equal to the thickness of the support portion.

10. The AEM electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first electrode plate, the anode seal, the membrane electrode, the cathode seal, and the second electrode plate are all provided with positioning holes, which are used for assembly and fixation.

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