A solar hydrogen production apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of hydrogen production technology, and particularly relates to a solar hydrogen production equipment. The solar hydrogen production equipment is characterized in that: the evaporation chamber of the high-temperature evaporation module is used for introducing pure water and evaporating the pure water into water vapor by using a heat source; the power supply unit of the electrolysis module is used for supplying power to the positive electrode electrolysis unit and the negative electrode electrolysis unit, and the positive electrode electrolysis unit and the negative electrode electrolysis unit are arranged in the electrolysis chamber to respectively electrolyze the water vapor into oxygen and hydrogen; the hydrogen storage unit of the gas storage module is used for receiving and storing the hydrogen electrolyzed, and the oxygen storage unit is used for receiving and storing the oxygen electrolyzed. The solar hydrogen production equipment has the advantages that: the sunlight is converged by the light-converging and heat-collecting unit to directly provide the heat source for the evaporation chamber, so that the pure water can fully absorb the solar energy and be converted into high-temperature water vapor, the heat conversion rate is high, the required electric energy for further electrolyzing the high-temperature water vapor is less, and the operation cost is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of hydrogen production technology, and in particular to a solar-powered hydrogen production device. Background Technology

[0002] As the global energy structure accelerates towards cleaner energy, hydrogen energy, as a zero-emission secondary energy source, shows broad application prospects in industry, transportation, and energy storage.

[0003] Current mainstream hydrogen production technologies include alkaline water electrolysis and proton exchange membrane water electrolysis. These methods are highly dependent on grid power supply, which not only causes a large consumption of fossil energy, but also faces problems such as low hydrogen production rate and high energy consumption due to the limited power conversion efficiency during the electrolysis process.

[0004] Meanwhile, although solar-powered hydrogen production using photovoltaic power generation to drive electrolysis has been widely explored, this path requires the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy, followed by electrolysis to convert electrical energy into chemical energy. This results in significant energy loss during multiple transformations, making it difficult to improve the overall energy utilization efficiency of the system. This indirect utilization of solar energy fails to fully leverage the thermal potential of solar radiation, leading to resource waste and hindering the large-scale economic application of hydrogen energy. Therefore, the overall energy utilization efficiency of existing hydrogen production technologies is not high. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a solar-powered hydrogen production device to improve the overall energy utilization efficiency of solar energy.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a solar-powered hydrogen production device.

[0007] The solar-powered hydrogen production device of the present invention includes: Pure water supply module; A high-temperature evaporation module includes a solar concentrator and an evaporation chamber. The solar concentrator is used to concentrate sunlight to provide a heat source to the evaporation chamber. The evaporation chamber is connected to the pure water supply module and is used to introduce pure water and use the heat source to evaporate the pure water into water vapor. An electrolysis module includes a power supply unit, an electrolysis chamber, a positive electrode electrolysis unit, a negative electrode electrolysis unit, an oxygen output pipeline, and a hydrogen output pipeline. The power supply unit supplies power to the positive electrode electrolysis unit and the negative electrode electrolysis unit. The positive electrode electrolysis unit and the negative electrode electrolysis unit are arranged in the electrolysis chamber to electrolyze water vapor into oxygen and hydrogen, respectively. The oxygen output pipeline is connected to the positive electrode electrolysis unit to draw out the electrolyzed oxygen, and the hydrogen output pipeline is connected to the negative electrode electrolysis unit to draw out the electrolyzed hydrogen. A gas storage module includes a hydrogen storage unit and an oxygen storage unit. The hydrogen storage unit is used to receive and store electrolyzed hydrogen, and the oxygen storage unit is used to receive and store electrolyzed oxygen.

[0008] Furthermore, a first turbine generator set is provided on the hydrogen output pipeline, which is used to generate electricity using the gas in the hydrogen output pipeline. A second turbine generator set is provided on the oxygen output pipeline, which is used to generate electricity using the gas in the oxygen output pipeline. The first turbine generator set and the second turbine generator set are used to supply power to the positive electrode electrolysis unit and the negative electrode electrolysis unit.

[0009] Furthermore, the evaporation chamber is equipped with an evaporation coil for containing pure water, and an insulation cover is provided on the side of the evaporation chamber facing the concentrating solar collector unit.

[0010] Furthermore, the evaporation chamber and the electrolysis chamber are fixedly connected, and the electrolysis chamber is provided with a gas guide pipe that communicates with the evaporation chamber. The gas guide pipe is used to introduce water vapor into the electrolysis chamber.

[0011] Furthermore, the electrolysis chamber has a spherical inner wall surface, and the gas outlet end of the gas guide pipe is provided with a gas dispersant for dispersing water vapor, the gas dispersant being located at the center of the spherical inner wall surface.

[0012] Furthermore, the gas dispersant is a spherical component with a cavity, and the outer circumferential surface of the spherical component is distributed with a plurality of gas equalization holes communicating with the cavity, and the cavity is connected to the gas guide tube.

[0013] Furthermore, the positive electrode electrolysis unit includes a first conductive foam ceramic and a positive electrode wire electrically connected, and the negative electrode electrolysis unit includes a second conductive foam ceramic and a negative electrode wire electrically connected. The electrolysis chamber has a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole arranged at intervals. The first conductive foam ceramic has a positive electrode extension section and a positive electrode contact plate section, and the second conductive foam ceramic has a negative electrode extension section and a negative electrode contact plate section. The positive electrode extension section passes through the first mounting hole and is electrically connected to the positive electrode wire, and the negative electrode extension section passes through the second mounting hole and is electrically connected to the negative electrode wire. Both the positive electrode contact plate section and the negative electrode contact plate section are located inside the electrolysis chamber and are arc-shaped plates that fit against the spherical inner wall surface.

[0014] Furthermore, the concentrating heat collection unit is a concentrating mirror, and the evaporation chamber is located at the focal point of the concentrating mirror.

[0015] Furthermore, the gas storage module also includes a hydrogen filtration unit and an oxygen transition unit respectively connected to the pure water supply module. The hydrogen filtration unit is installed on the hydrogen output pipeline to filter water vapor in the hydrogen, and the oxygen filtration unit is installed on the oxygen output pipeline to filter water vapor in the oxygen.

[0016] Furthermore, the power supply unit is one or more of the following: a photovoltaic power supply unit, a wind power generation unit, and a grid power supply unit.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: The solar-powered hydrogen production equipment of this application directly provides heat to the evaporation chamber by concentrating sunlight through a solar collector unit, allowing pure water to fully absorb solar energy and convert it into high-temperature steam. Therefore, the utilization rate of solar energy can be as high as 95%, and the thermal conversion rate is high. The subsequent electrolysis of high-temperature steam requires less electrical energy. This application combines solar thermal collection with high-temperature steam electrolysis, which improves the overall energy utilization efficiency, effectively reduces the dependence of electrolytic hydrogen production on a large amount of grid electricity, and has lower operating costs. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the solar hydrogen production device of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a solar-powered hydrogen production device from another perspective; Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the electrolysis chamber and evaporation chamber of a solar-powered hydrogen production device; Figure 4 for Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the electrolysis chamber and evaporation chamber of a solar-powered hydrogen production device.

[0019] Figure label: 100. Pure water supply module; 110. Water injection pump; 120. Water injection pipeline; 210. Concentrating solar collector unit; 220. Evaporation chamber; 221. Evaporation coil; 222. Insulation cover; 223. Heat absorption plate; 310. Wind power generation unit; 320. Electrolysis chamber; 321. Gas guide pipe; 322. Gas dispersion component; 323. Insulating ceramic coating; 331. First conductive foam ceramic; 332. Positive electrode contact plate segment; 333. Positive electrode wire; 341. Second conductive foam ceramic; 342. Negative electrode contact plate segment; 343. Negative electrode wire; 350. Hydrogen output pipeline; 351. First turbine generator set; 360. Oxygen output pipeline; 361. Second turbine generator set; 410. Hydrogen storage unit; 420. Oxygen storage unit; 430. Hydrogen filtration unit; 440. Oxygen filtration unit; 450. Return water pump. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The solar-powered hydrogen production device of the present invention will now be described with reference to schematic diagrams, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can modify the invention described herein while still achieving its advantageous effects. Therefore, the following description should be understood as being of general knowledge to those skilled in the art and is not intended to limit the invention. Based on the teachings of this specification, those skilled in the art can form new technical solutions through cross-combinations of different implementation methods without creating technical contradictions; such modifications should all be considered to fall within the protection scope of this patent.

[0021] The serial numbers assigned to components in this document, such as "first," "second," etc., are merely used to distinguish the described objects and have no sequential or technical meaning. The terms "connection" and "linkage" used in this application, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (linkages). In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention.

[0022] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0023] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term "connection" shall be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. In addition, the term "electrical connection" can be a direct electrical connection or an indirect electrical connection through an intermediate medium.

[0024] The invention is described more specifically by way of example in the following paragraphs with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the invention will become clearer from the following description and claims. It should be noted that the drawings are in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the illustration of the embodiments of the invention.

[0025] The following is in conjunction with the instruction manual appendix. Figure 1 To be continued Figure 4 The solar-powered hydrogen production device of the present invention will be described.

[0026] In some of these embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the solar-powered hydrogen production equipment includes a pure water supply module 100, a high-temperature evaporation module, and a gas storage module.

[0027] The high-temperature evaporation module includes a concentrating solar collector unit 210 and an evaporation chamber 220. The concentrating solar collector unit 210 is used to concentrate sunlight to provide a heat source to the evaporation chamber 220. The evaporation chamber 220 is connected to the pure water supply module 100. The evaporation chamber 220 is used to introduce pure water and use the heat source to evaporate the pure water into water vapor.

[0028] The electrolysis module includes a power supply unit, an electrolysis chamber 320, a positive electrode electrolysis unit, a negative electrode electrolysis unit, an oxygen output pipeline 360, and a hydrogen output pipeline 350. The power supply unit supplies power to the positive electrode electrolysis unit and the negative electrode electrolysis unit. The positive electrode electrolysis unit and the negative electrode electrolysis unit are arranged in the electrolysis chamber 320 to electrolyze water vapor into oxygen and hydrogen, respectively. The oxygen output pipeline 360 ​​is connected to the positive electrode electrolysis unit to draw out the electrolyzed oxygen, and the hydrogen output pipeline 350 is connected to the negative electrode electrolysis unit to draw out the electrolyzed hydrogen. The gas storage module includes a hydrogen storage unit 410 and an oxygen storage unit 420. The hydrogen storage unit 410 is used to receive and store electrolyzed hydrogen, and the oxygen storage unit 420 is used to receive and store electrolyzed oxygen.

[0029] The pure water supply module 100 serves to provide a pure water source for hydrogen production. This module can be a water storage tank or reservoir, or an interface connected to an external pure water system, ensuring that the water quality entering the evaporation chamber 220 meets the requirements. Specifically, water can be supplied to the evaporation chamber 220 through a water injection pump 110 and a water injection pipeline 120.

[0030] The function of the high-temperature evaporation module is to use solar energy to convert pure water into water vapor. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the module includes a concentrating solar collector unit 210 and an evaporation chamber 220. The concentrating solar collector unit 210 is responsible for collecting and focusing sunlight, converting solar energy into heat energy. The concentrating solar collector unit 210 can employ a structure such as a parabolic mirror or a spherical mirror to focus sunlight onto a specific area of ​​the evaporation chamber 220, thereby providing a high-temperature heat source. The evaporation chamber 220 receives pure water and, under the action of the heat source provided by the concentrating solar collector unit 210, heats the pure water to a high temperature and evaporates it into water vapor. A heat-absorbing plate 223 may be installed in the steam chamber 220. The heat-absorbing plate 223 is preferably made of a black material with high solar energy absorption rate, such as an ultra-black material based on a nanoporous structure. Such materials generally have an absorption rate of more than 95% of the solar spectrum. For example, the solar spectrum absorption rate of carbon-based ultra-black materials (carbon nanotube arrays or porous graphene) can reach 99%-99.8%, the solar spectrum absorption rate of vanadium black (vanadium oxide-based nanocoating) can reach 97.5%-99%, and the solar spectrum absorption rate of black chromium coating (electroplated chromium oxide) can reach 92%-96%.

[0031] The core function of the electrolysis module is to decompose high-temperature water vapor into hydrogen and oxygen. The module consists of a power supply unit, an electrolysis chamber 320, a positive electrode electrolysis unit, a negative electrode electrolysis unit, an oxygen output pipeline 360, and a hydrogen output pipeline 350. The power supply unit provides the necessary electrical energy for the electrolysis process. The electrolysis chamber 320 is where the water vapor undergoes the electrolytic reaction. Under the influence of electrical energy, the positive and negative electrode electrolysis units generate high-temperature arcs reaching up to 3000°C. These arcs cause the water vapor to decompose into oxygen and hydrogen, and cause the gas in the entire electrolysis chamber 320 to expand rapidly, exiting through the oxygen output pipeline 360 ​​and the hydrogen output pipeline 350, respectively. For example, the electrolysis units can be made of porous conductive materials to provide a larger reaction surface area. The oxygen output pipeline 360 ​​and the hydrogen output pipeline 350 are used to collect and export the oxygen and hydrogen produced by electrolysis, respectively.

[0032] The gas storage module is designed to safely and efficiently store the hydrogen and oxygen produced by electrolysis. The module includes a hydrogen storage unit 410 and an oxygen storage unit 420, which respectively receive and store their respective gases for subsequent use or transportation.

[0033] In this embodiment, the solar-powered hydrogen production equipment first obtains pure water through the pure water supply module 100. The pure water is then transported to the high-temperature evaporation module. The evaporation chamber 220 of the high-temperature evaporation module is connected to the pure water supply module 100 and is used to receive the pure water. Under the heat source provided by the concentrating solar collector unit 210, the pure water in the evaporation chamber 220 is heated and evaporated into water vapor.

[0034] Water vapor is introduced into the electrolysis module from the high-temperature evaporation module. The electrolysis chamber 320 of the electrolysis module is a sealed space where the water vapor undergoes an electrolytic reaction. The positive and negative electrolysis units are arranged inside the electrolysis chamber 320, and driven by the electrical energy provided by the power supply unit, they decompose the introduced water vapor into oxygen and hydrogen.

[0035] The oxygen and hydrogen produced by electrolysis need to be collected and discharged separately. The oxygen output line 360 ​​is connected to the positive electrode electrolysis unit to draw the produced oxygen from the electrolysis chamber 320. The hydrogen output line 350 is connected to the negative electrode electrolysis unit to draw the produced hydrogen from the electrolysis chamber 320. These lines can be made of corrosion-resistant materials to adapt to the gas transport environment.

[0036] Finally, the extracted hydrogen and oxygen are transported to the gas storage module. Hydrogen storage unit 410 receives and safely stores the hydrogen produced by electrolysis; it can be, for example, a high-pressure hydrogen storage tank. Oxygen storage unit 420 receives and stores the oxygen produced by electrolysis; it can be, for example, an atmospheric or low-pressure oxygen storage tank. The design of these storage units should ensure the gas's airtightness and safety.

[0037] The solar-powered hydrogen production equipment of this application directly provides a heat source to the evaporation chamber 220 by concentrating sunlight through the solar collector unit 210, allowing pure water to fully absorb solar energy and convert it into high-temperature water vapor. Therefore, the utilization rate of solar energy can be as high as 95%, and the thermal conversion rate is high. The electrical energy required for subsequent high-temperature water vapor electrolysis is less. This application combines solar heat collection with high-temperature water vapor electrolysis, which improves the overall energy utilization efficiency, effectively reduces the dependence of electrolytic hydrogen production on a large amount of grid electricity, and has a lower operating cost.

[0038] Furthermore, in some of these embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a first turbine generator set 351 is installed on the hydrogen output pipeline 350. The first turbine generator set 351 is used to generate electricity using the gas in the hydrogen output pipeline 350. A second turbine generator set 361 is installed on the oxygen output pipeline 360. The oxygen eddy current generator set is used to generate electricity using the gas in the oxygen output pipeline 360. The first turbine generator set 351 and the second turbine generator set 361 are used to supply power to the positive electrode electrolysis unit and the negative electrode electrolysis unit.

[0039] Because the positive and negative electrolysis units can generate high-temperature arcs of up to 3000℃ under the action of electrical energy, these arcs cause water vapor to decompose and produce oxygen and hydrogen. Since 1 liter of pure water at 370℃ can produce 10,000 liters of water vapor at atmospheric pressure, under the high-temperature electrolysis action of the 3000℃ arc, the gas in the entire electrolysis chamber 320 will expand rapidly, and the pressure in the electrolysis chamber 320 will increase rapidly. The gas will then rush out from the oxygen output pipe 360 ​​and the hydrogen output pipe 350, respectively, thereby driving the first turbine generator set 351 and the second turbine generator set 361 to generate electricity. This generated electricity is used to power the positive and negative electrolysis units, thereby reducing dependence on the external power grid. The entire equipment only requires a portion of external power in the initial stage, exhibiting strong self-sufficiency and further reducing the subsequent operating costs of the electrolytic hydrogen production process.

[0040] Specifically, the first turbine generator set 351 is a device that converts the kinetic energy of a flow of hydrogen gas mixed with water vapor into electrical energy. It typically includes a turbine and a generator. When high-pressure hydrogen gas and water vapor flow through the turbine, they drive the turbine blades to rotate, thereby powering the generator. The turbine needs to be designed specifically for the characteristics of hydrogen; for example, considering hydrogen's low density and high diffusivity, special sealing structures and hydrogen-resistant materials are required to ensure safe and efficient operation. Furthermore, the turbine's size and blade design are optimized based on the flow rate and pressure in the hydrogen output line 350 to increase energy conversion efficiency.

[0041] Similarly, the second turbine generator set 361 is used to convert the kinetic energy of the flow of oxygen and mixed water vapor into electrical energy. Its operating principle is similar to that of the first turbine generator set 351, and it also includes a turbine and a generator. However, special attention needs to be paid to the strong oxidizing properties of oxygen during design and material selection, avoiding the use of flammable materials or materials that are unstable in oxygen-rich environments to ensure safe operation of the equipment. For example, stainless steel or specific alloys can be used as materials for the turbine blades and housing, and the seals can be specially treated.

[0042] Furthermore, in some of these embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the evaporation chamber 220 is provided with an evaporation coil 221 for containing pure water, and the side of the evaporation chamber 220 facing the concentrating solar collector 210 is provided with a heat insulation cover 222.

[0043] The evaporator coil 221 is a tubular structure used to contain pure water and promote its evaporation. It is typically designed in a spiral, serpentine, or other coiled form to increase the contact area and contact time between the pure water and the heat source, thereby improving the evaporation efficiency and the rate of water vapor production. Pure water is introduced into the evaporator coil 221 by the pure water supply module 100. During its flow within the coil, it absorbs heat from the concentrating solar collector unit 210 through the coil wall, gradually heating up and converting into water vapor. The evaporator coil 221 is usually made of a metal with good thermal conductivity and high-temperature resistance, such as stainless steel or copper alloy, to ensure efficient heat transfer.

[0044] The heat insulation cover 222 is located on the side of the evaporation chamber 220 facing the concentrating solar collector unit 210. Its main function is to reduce the loss of heat from inside the evaporation chamber 220 to the external environment, thereby improving the efficiency of thermal energy utilization. The heat insulation cover 222 is typically made of materials with good light transmittance and excellent thermal insulation properties, such as high borosilicate glass, quartz glass, or multi-layer composite materials. To achieve better thermal insulation, the heat insulation cover 222 can be designed as a double-layer or multi-layer structure, with the layers evacuated or filled with inert gas to effectively suppress heat conduction and convection using vacuum insulation or gas insulation principles. Furthermore, the inner surface of the heat insulation cover 222 can be coated with a selective absorption coating to increase the absorption of solar heat while reducing heat radiation loss. By setting up the heat insulation cover 222, the solar heat collected by the concentrating solar collector unit 210 can be effectively confined inside the evaporation chamber 220, maintaining a higher temperature inside the evaporation chamber 220, significantly reducing heat loss, and thus promoting the continuous and efficient evaporation of pure water.

[0045] This embodiment enables the high-temperature evaporation module to convert pure water into water vapor with lower energy consumption and higher efficiency, providing a sufficient and stable supply of water vapor for the subsequent electrolysis module, thereby improving the hydrogen production efficiency and economy of the entire solar hydrogen production equipment.

[0046] Furthermore, in some of these embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the evaporation chamber and the electrolysis chamber 320 are fixedly connected. The electrolysis chamber 320 is provided with a gas guide pipe 321 that communicates with the evaporation chamber 220. The gas guide pipe 321 is used to introduce water vapor into the electrolysis chamber 320.

[0047] Specifically, the fixed connection between the evaporation chamber 220 and the electrolysis chamber 320 can be achieved using various technologies, such as bolts or flanges combined with high-temperature resistant gaskets. This fixed connection aims to ensure that the high-temperature water vapor generated in the evaporation chamber 220 can directly and efficiently enter the electrolysis chamber 320, reducing heat loss of the water vapor during its transmission path and minimizing the impact of the external environment on the water vapor temperature.

[0048] A gas guide pipe 321, installed inside the electrolysis chamber 320, serves to directly introduce water vapor from the evaporation chamber 220 into a specific area of ​​the electrolysis chamber 320. This gas guide pipe 321 is preferably made of an insulating, high-temperature resistant, and corrosion-resistant material, such as insulating ceramic. The inlet end of the gas guide pipe 321 is tightly connected to the outlet of the evaporation chamber 220, while the outlet end is located inside the electrolysis chamber 320, precisely delivering water vapor to the electrolysis reaction area to provide sufficient and temperature-stable reactants for subsequent electrolysis reactions.

[0049] This embodiment can maintain a high temperature and purity of water vapor entering the electrolysis module, thereby improving the efficiency and hydrogen production of water vapor electrolysis, reducing the overall system energy consumption, and enhancing the operational stability of the equipment.

[0050] Furthermore, in some of these embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the electrolysis chamber 320 has a spherical inner wall surface, and the gas outlet end of the gas guide pipe 321 is provided with a gas dispersant 322 for dispersing water vapor. The gas dispersant 322 is located at the center of the spherical inner wall surface.

[0051] The spherical inner wall of the electrolysis chamber 320 refers to the spherical structure of its internal surface. This design optimizes the gas flow field inside the chamber, promoting uniform diffusion and flow of water vapor, thereby reducing gas stagnation areas and ensuring that water vapor can fully and evenly contact the electrolysis unit. The spherical structure provides good symmetry and uniformity in fluid dynamics, contributing to a stable gas distribution. The electrolysis chamber 320 can be manufactured using processes such as precision casting, spinning, or welding of multiple arc-shaped plates. Its material is typically a high-temperature resistant and corrosion-resistant metal alloy, and its inner wall surface is coated with an insulating ceramic layer 323 for insulation, thus avoiding any impact on the working environment of the water vapor electrolysis.

[0052] The function of the gas disperser 322 is to enable water vapor to diffuse rapidly and uniformly after entering the electrolysis chamber 320, preventing water vapor from directly impacting the electrolysis unit in the form of a concentrated jet or forming excessively high concentrations in local areas, thereby improving the uniformity and efficiency of the electrolysis reaction. The gas disperser 322 can adopt various structural forms; for example, it can be designed as a porous plate with multiple micro-holes, or a spherical component with a cavity and multiple uniformly distributed gas holes on its outer circumference. Its specific design should comprehensively consider factors such as the flow rate, pressure, and temperature of the water vapor, as well as the size and shape of the electrolysis chamber 320.

[0053] Precisely placing the gas disperser 322 at the center of the spherical inner wall of the electrolysis chamber 320 is a key layout that fully utilizes the geometric symmetry of the spherical chamber. This centrally symmetrical arrangement allows the water vapor dispersed from the gas disperser 322 to radiate and diffuse in a relatively uniform and symmetrical manner around the chamber, promoting the uniform distribution of water vapor throughout the electrolysis chamber 320. This optimizes the contact efficiency between the water vapor and the positive and negative electrode electrolysis units, ensuring the uniformity of the electrolysis reaction in all regions.

[0054] This embodiment effectively avoids problems such as insufficient electrolysis reaction, low local efficiency, and local overheating of the electrolysis unit caused by uneven distribution of water vapor, significantly improving the overall efficiency and stability of hydrogen production by water vapor electrolysis, while extending the service life of the electrolysis unit.

[0055] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the gas dispersant 322 is a spherical component with a cavity, and the outer peripheral surface of the spherical component is distributed with a plurality of gas equalization holes communicating with the cavity, and the cavity is connected to the gas guide tube 321.

[0056] Specifically, the cavity of the spherical component is connected to the gas guide pipe 321, allowing water vapor from the gas guide pipe 321 to enter the cavity first. Multiple uniformly distributed gas-distributing holes are evenly distributed on the outer circumference of the spherical component, and these holes are connected to the internal cavity. When water vapor enters the cavity, it is uniformly sprayed into the internal space of the electrolysis chamber 320 through these gas-distributing holes. The number, size, and distribution density of the gas-distributing holes can be optimized according to the volume of the electrolysis chamber 320 and the required steam flow rate to ensure optimal diffusion of the water vapor. For example, the gas-distributing holes can be arranged in an array or spiral pattern to increase coverage and uniformity.

[0057] In this embodiment, the gas disperser 322 is located at the center of the spherical inner wall of the electrolysis chamber 320. Combined with its spherical structure and uniformly distributed gas distribution holes, water vapor can diffuse evenly from the center outwards, avoiding problems of excessively high or low local water vapor concentrations. This uniform gas distribution helps ensure that the positive and negative electrode electrolysis units within the electrolysis chamber 320 can stably and efficiently carry out water vapor electrolysis reactions, thereby improving the production efficiency and purity of hydrogen and oxygen, and extending the service life of the electrolysis units.

[0058] Furthermore, in some of these embodiments, such as Figure 4As shown, the positive electrode electrolysis unit includes a first conductive foam ceramic 331 and a positive electrode wire 333 electrically connected, and the negative electrode electrolysis unit includes a second conductive foam ceramic 341 and a negative electrode wire 343 electrically connected. The electrolysis chamber 320 has a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole arranged at intervals. The first conductive foam ceramic 331 has a positive electrode extension section and a positive electrode contact plate section 332, and the second conductive foam ceramic 341 has a negative electrode extension section and a negative electrode contact plate section 342. The positive electrode extension section passes through the first mounting hole and is electrically connected to the positive electrode wire 333, and the negative electrode extension section passes through the second mounting hole and is electrically connected to the negative electrode wire 343. The positive electrode contact plate section 332 and the negative electrode contact plate section 342 are both located inside the electrolysis chamber 320 and are arc-shaped plates that fit against the spherical inner wall surface.

[0059] Specifically, the first conductive foam ceramic 331 and the second conductive foam ceramic 341 are conductive materials with a three-dimensional porous structure. They have high internal porosity and a large specific surface area, providing abundant active sites for the steam electrolysis reaction. Their conductivity ensures effective current transmission, while the porous structure facilitates the diffusion of steam within the electrode and the removal of products. Commonly used conductive foam ceramic materials include, but are not limited to, nickel foam, carbon foam, and titanium foam. These materials typically possess good high-temperature resistance and corrosion resistance, making them suitable for steam electrolysis environments.

[0060] The positive electrode wire 333 and the negative electrode wire 343 are used to transmit electrical energy from the power supply unit to the positive and negative electrode electrolysis units within the electrolysis chamber 320, which is a necessary condition for the electrolysis reaction to proceed. The wires are typically made of highly conductive and corrosion-resistant metal materials, such as copper or nickel alloys. The first and second mounting holes are located on the wall of the electrolysis chamber 320 for fixing the electrodes and leading out the electrical connection wires. The spaced arrangement aims to ensure sufficient insulation distance between the positive and negative electrodes, prevent short circuits, and optimize the electric field distribution.

[0061] The positive and negative electrode extensions are part of the conductive foam ceramic electrode, designed to pass through the mounting holes of the electrolysis chamber 320 to electrically connect the electrode body to the external positive electrode wire 333 or negative electrode wire 343. This structure helps to effectively isolate the inside of the electrolysis chamber 320 from the external environment, protect the external circuitry from the high temperature and humidity environment inside the chamber, and ensure the stability and sealing of the electrical connection.

[0062] The positive electrode contact plate segment 332 and the negative electrode contact plate segment 342 are the main reaction areas of the conductive foam ceramic electrode inside the electrolysis chamber 320, and their shape is preferably arc-shaped. This arc-shaped design allows it to fit tightly against the spherical inner wall of the electrolysis chamber 320, thereby increasing the contact area between the electrode and water vapor and making full use of the internal space of the electrolysis chamber 320. The positive electrode protrusion passes through the first mounting hole and is electrically connected to the positive electrode wire 333, and the negative electrode protrusion passes through the second mounting hole and is electrically connected to the negative electrode wire 343. This connection method ensures a reliable electrical path between the electrode and the external power supply. By passing the protrusion through the mounting hole, various methods can be used for electrical connection, such as welding, bolting, or crimping, while a sealing structure is used to ensure the airtightness of the electrolysis chamber 320.

[0063] Both the positive electrode contact plate segment 332 and the negative electrode contact plate segment 342 are located within the electrolysis chamber 320 and are arc-shaped plates that fit against the spherical inner wall surface. This structural design allows the electrodes to fit tightly against the spherical inner wall surface of the electrolysis chamber 320. The shape of the arc-shaped plates not only increases the effective reaction area of ​​the electrodes but also helps to uniformly distribute water vapor on and inside the electrode surface, thereby improving electrolysis efficiency. Preferably, both the positive electrode contact plate segment 332 and the negative electrode contact plate segment 342 are arc-shaped plates that fit against the spherical inner wall surface. This preferred scheme ensures that both the positive and negative electrodes can fully utilize the spherical space of the electrolysis chamber 320, increasing the electrode area and the uniformity of the electric field distribution, further improving the overall electrolysis performance.

[0064] This embodiment provides an electrolysis module with a compact structure, stable electrical connection, and high electrolysis efficiency, which effectively solves the problems of electrode connection stability, reaction efficiency, and space utilization in high-temperature steam electrolysis.

[0065] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the concentrating heat collection unit 210 is a concentrating mirror, and the evaporation chamber 220 is located at the focal point of the concentrating mirror.

[0066] Specifically, a condenser is an optical device whose surface is specially designed and treated to reflect and converge incident parallel sunlight rays to a specific point or area. Common types of condensers include parabolic or spherical mirrors, whose surfaces are typically made of highly reflective materials, such as silvered glass, polished aluminum, or composite reflective films, to minimize light energy loss. The design goal of a condenser is to achieve high-precision, high-efficiency light energy focusing, ensuring extremely high energy density at the focal point.

[0067] The evaporation chamber 220 is precisely positioned at the focal point of the condenser lens. The focal point is the theoretical position where the condenser lens converges all parallel incident light rays, where the solar energy intensity is highest. By placing the evaporation chamber 220 in a high-energy-density region, it is ensured that the evaporation chamber 220 can fully absorb the solar energy gathered by the condenser lens. This precise positioning requires a stable support and adjustment mechanism to ensure that the evaporation chamber 220 remains at the focal point during equipment operation, maintaining its relative positional stability even when the external environment changes. The material selection for the evaporation chamber 220 also needs to consider its stability and thermal conductivity at high temperatures to effectively absorb and transfer heat to the pure water inside.

[0068] In this embodiment, by specifically implementing the concentrating solar collector unit 210 as a concentrating mirror and precisely positioning the evaporation chamber 220 at the focal point of the concentrating mirror, it is possible to ensure that sunlight is efficiently focused and accurately projected onto the evaporation chamber 220. This design greatly improves the utilization efficiency of solar energy, enabling pure water to rapidly absorb a large amount of heat energy and quickly evaporate into water vapor, thereby providing a sufficient and stable supply of water vapor for the subsequent electrolysis process. This enhances the thermal conversion efficiency and water vapor production rate of the entire solar hydrogen production equipment, thereby optimizing the production efficiency of hydrogen and oxygen.

[0069] Furthermore, in some of these embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the gas storage module also includes a hydrogen filtration unit 430 and an oxygen transition unit that are respectively connected to the pure water supply module 100. The hydrogen filtration unit 430 is disposed on the hydrogen output pipeline 350 to filter water vapor in the hydrogen, and the oxygen filtration unit 440 is disposed on the oxygen output pipeline 360 ​​to filter water vapor in the oxygen.

[0070] Specifically, the hydrogen filtration unit 430 is designed to remove water vapor from hydrogen to improve its purity. This unit can be implemented in ways including, but not limited to: condensation separation, where water vapor condenses into liquid water and is separated by lowering the gas temperature; adsorption, using adsorbents such as molecular sieves, silica gel, or activated alumina to adsorb water vapor; membrane separation, using a selectively permeable membrane to separate water vapor from hydrogen; or absorption, removing water vapor through contact with a liquid absorbent. Similarly, the oxygen filtration unit 440 is used to remove water vapor from oxygen to improve its purity. Its implementation is similar to that of the hydrogen filtration unit 430, and can employ methods such as condensation separation, adsorption, membrane separation, or absorption, selecting appropriate filter media and process parameters based on the characteristics and purity requirements of the oxygen.

[0071] When the hydrogen filtration unit 430 and oxygen filtration unit 440 separate water vapor and condense it into liquid water during the filtration process, this condensate can be recycled and transported to the pure water supply module 100 via the return water pump 450, realizing the recycling of water resources. The hydrogen output pipeline 350 is used to transport the hydrogen generated by the electrolysis module to the gas storage module. The hydrogen filtration unit 430 is installed on this pipeline to ensure that water vapor is removed before the hydrogen enters the storage unit. Similarly, the oxygen output pipeline 360 ​​is used to transport the oxygen generated by the electrolysis module to the gas storage module. The oxygen filtration unit 440 is installed on this pipeline to ensure that water vapor is removed before the oxygen enters the storage unit.

[0072] This embodiment effectively removes water vapor from the electrolysis products by installing hydrogen filtration units 430 and oxygen filtration units 440 on the hydrogen output pipeline 350 and oxygen output pipeline 360, respectively, significantly improving the purity of hydrogen and oxygen. High-purity gases are more suitable for long-term storage, reducing the risk of storage container corrosion due to water vapor and ensuring the efficiency and safety of subsequent applications (such as fuel cells and industrial applications). Furthermore, the filtered water vapor can be recovered and supplied to the pure water supply module 100, realizing the recycling of water resources, reducing operating costs, and improving the economic and environmental benefits of the entire solar hydrogen production equipment.

[0073] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the power supply unit is one or more of a photovoltaic power supply unit, a wind power generation unit 310, and a grid power supply unit.

[0074] Specifically, the photovoltaic power supply unit is a device that directly converts solar energy into electrical energy using the photovoltaic effect. It typically consists of photovoltaic panels, an inverter, and a controller. When sunlight shines on the photovoltaic panels, they convert the light energy into direct current (DC), which is then converted into alternating current (AC) by the inverter or used directly for DC loads. The wind power generation unit 310 is a device that uses wind energy to drive a wind turbine to generate electricity. It typically consists of a wind turbine (including blades, nacelle, and tower), a generator, and a control system. When the wind blows, it rotates the wind turbine blades, driving the generator to produce electricity. The grid power supply unit refers to a device that obtains electrical energy from the public power grid. It connects to the grid to directly obtain a stable and reliable power supply. The advantages of a grid power supply unit are stable power supply, high reliability, and it can serve as a backup or supplementary power source, ensuring that equipment can still operate normally when renewable energy is insufficient.

[0075] By employing the aforementioned technical solutions, designing the power supply unit as one or more of a photovoltaic power supply unit, a wind power generation unit 310, and a grid power supply unit, the power supply stability and reliability of the solar hydrogen production equipment can be significantly improved. When using a single renewable energy source (such as photovoltaic or wind power), its intermittency may lead to interruptions or reduced efficiency in the electrolysis process. By introducing multiple power supply methods, such as combining the photovoltaic power supply unit with the wind power generation unit 310, energy complementarity can be achieved. When one energy source is insufficient, the other can supplement it, thereby smoothing the power output. Furthermore, when the renewable energy generation is insufficient to meet the electrolysis demand, the grid power supply unit can serve as a stable backup power source, ensuring the continuous operation of the electrolysis module and avoiding the impact of power fluctuations or interruptions on the continuity and efficiency of hydrogen production. This multi-source complementary power supply strategy enables the solar hydrogen production equipment to adapt to different environmental conditions and energy supply situations, optimize energy utilization efficiency, and ensure the stability, efficiency, and economy of the entire hydrogen production process.

[0076] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this invention and their equivalents, this invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A solar-powered hydrogen production device, characterized in that, include: Pure water supply module; A high-temperature evaporation module includes a concentrating solar collector unit and an evaporation chamber. The concentrating solar collector unit is used to concentrate sunlight to provide a heat source to the evaporation chamber. The evaporation chamber is connected to a pure water supply module and is used to introduce pure water and use the heat source to evaporate the pure water into water vapor. A heat-absorbing plate is provided in the evaporation chamber. The heat-absorbing plate is made of an ultra-black material based on a nanoporous structure. An electrolysis module includes a power supply unit, an electrolysis chamber, a positive electrode electrolysis unit, a negative electrode electrolysis unit, an oxygen output pipeline, and a hydrogen output pipeline. The power supply unit supplies power to the positive electrode electrolysis unit and the negative electrode electrolysis unit. The positive electrode electrolysis unit and the negative electrode electrolysis unit are arranged in the electrolysis chamber to electrolyze water vapor into oxygen and hydrogen, respectively. The oxygen output pipeline is connected to the positive electrode electrolysis unit to draw out the electrolyzed oxygen, and the hydrogen output pipeline is connected to the negative electrode electrolysis unit to draw out the electrolyzed hydrogen. A gas storage module includes a hydrogen storage unit and an oxygen storage unit, wherein the hydrogen storage unit is used to receive and store electrolyzed hydrogen, and the oxygen storage unit is used to receive and store electrolyzed oxygen. The evaporation chamber and the electrolysis chamber are fixedly connected. The electrolysis chamber is provided with a gas guide pipe that communicates with the evaporation chamber. The gas guide pipe is used to introduce water vapor into the electrolysis chamber. The electrolysis chamber has a spherical inner wall surface, and the gas outlet end of the gas guide pipe is provided with a gas dispersing element for dispersing water vapor, and the gas dispersing element is located at the center of the spherical inner wall surface. The gas dispersant is a spherical component with a cavity. The outer circumferential surface of the spherical component has a plurality of gas equalization holes that communicate with the cavity. The cavity is connected to the gas guide tube. The positive electrode electrolysis unit includes a first conductive foam ceramic and a positive electrode wire that are electrically connected. The negative electrode electrolysis unit includes a second conductive foam ceramic and a negative electrode wire that are electrically connected. The electrolysis chamber has a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole arranged at intervals. The first conductive foam ceramic has a positive electrode extension section and a positive electrode contact plate section. The second conductive foam ceramic has a negative electrode extension section and a negative electrode contact plate section. The positive electrode extension section passes through the first mounting hole and is electrically connected to the positive electrode wire. The negative electrode extension section passes through the second mounting hole and is electrically connected to the negative electrode wire. The positive electrode contact plate section and the negative electrode contact plate section are both located inside the electrolysis chamber and are arc-shaped plates that fit against the spherical inner wall surface. A first turbine generator set is installed on the hydrogen output pipeline. The first turbine generator set is used to generate electricity using the gas in the hydrogen output pipeline. A second turbine generator set is installed on the oxygen output pipeline. The second turbine generator set is used to generate electricity using the gas in the oxygen output pipeline. The first turbine generator set and the second turbine generator set are used to supply power to the positive electrode electrolysis unit and the negative electrode electrolysis unit.

2. The solar-powered hydrogen production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The evaporation chamber is equipped with an evaporation coil for containing pure water, and an insulation cover is provided on the side of the evaporation chamber facing the concentrating solar collector unit.

3. The solar-powered hydrogen production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The concentrating heat collection unit is a concentrating mirror, and the evaporation chamber is located at the focal point of the concentrating mirror.

4. The solar-powered hydrogen production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas storage module also includes a hydrogen filtration unit and an oxygen filtration unit that are respectively connected to the pure water supply module. The hydrogen filtration unit is installed on the hydrogen output pipeline to filter water vapor in the hydrogen, and the oxygen filtration unit is installed on the oxygen output pipeline to filter water vapor in the oxygen.

5. The solar-powered hydrogen production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power supply unit is one or more of the following: photovoltaic power supply unit, wind power generation unit, and grid power supply unit.

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