High-power solid oxide electrolysis reactor structure and module thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a high-power solid oxide electrolysis reactor structure and a module thereof. The high-power solid oxide electrolysis reactor structure comprises a central assembly consisting of an air inlet base, a lower reactor core, a partition plate, an upper reactor core and an end cover which are stacked from bottom to top, the first air inlet side cover, the second air inlet side cover, the first air outlet side cover and the second air outlet side cover are fixed to the outer side of the center assembly. The first air inlet side cover, the second air inlet side cover, the first air outlet side cover and the second air outlet side cover are the same in structure and are respectively provided with a first airflow cavity and a second airflow cavity which are isolated from each other. Four side surfaces of the air inlet base are respectively provided with two buffer cavities which are independently arranged. The lower reactor core and the upper reactor core are respectively formed by stacking a plurality of single battery units, and the partition plate is arranged between the lower reactor core and the upper reactor core. According to the high-power solid oxide electrolysis stack structure and the module thereof, independent gas supply of the upper reactor core and the lower reactor core is realized, uniform gas distribution of each battery channel of the high-power electrolysis stack is ensured, and the volume power density of the electrolysis stack is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of solid oxide electrolysis cell technology, specifically to a high-power solid oxide electrolysis stack structure and its module. Background Technology

[0002] SOEC (Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell) is a highly efficient energy conversion device that can convert electrical and thermal energy into chemical energy such as hydrogen or syngas. To achieve the high power output required for industrial applications, a large number of individual cells need to be connected in series to form an electrolysis stack. Planar SOEC stacks are mainly divided into internal flow cavity and external flow cavity structures, with the external flow cavity structure having greater potential for large-scale application due to its simpler manufacturing process and lower cost.

[0003] As the number of individual cells in a fuel cell stack increases, the flow channels in traditional external flow cavity structures grow significantly, leading to severely uneven distribution of reactant gases along the gas flow path. Cells at the front end of the flow channel receive sufficient reactants, while those at the back face insufficient reactant supply. This results in increased concentration polarization, decreased efficiency, electrode oxidation, microstructure damage, and carbon deposition in the back cells under co-electrolysis conditions. Simultaneously, uneven current density distribution and accumulated thermal stress further accelerate battery performance degradation and may lead to seal failure.

[0004] The existing single-stack long-channel structure is difficult to meet the requirements for uniform gas distribution and stability under high-power conditions, and an innovative stack design is urgently needed to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the technical problem that the existing single-stack long-channel structure cannot meet the requirements for uniform gas distribution and stability under high-power conditions, this invention provides a high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure and its module.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure includes a central assembly consisting of an inlet base, a lower core, a partition, an upper core, and an end cap stacked from bottom to top; and a first inlet side cover, a second inlet side cover, a first outlet side cover, and a second outlet side cover fixed to the outside of the central assembly. The first air intake side cover, the second air intake side cover, the first air outlet side cover and the second air outlet side cover have the same structure, and are respectively provided with two mutually isolated first airflow chambers and second airflow chambers; The air intake base has two independently configured buffer chambers on its four sides, namely the first air inlet buffer chamber and the second air inlet buffer chamber, the first raw material gas inlet buffer chamber and the second raw material gas inlet buffer chamber, the first air outlet buffer chamber and the second air outlet buffer chamber, and the first raw material gas outlet buffer chamber and the second raw material gas outlet buffer chamber, which are configured on the same side. The lower core and the upper core are each composed of multiple single cell units stacked together. The partition is disposed between the lower core and the upper core to isolate the lower core and the upper core, as well as to isolate the first air inlet side cover, the second air inlet side cover, the first air outlet side cover and the second air outlet side cover, the first air outlet side cover and the second air outlet side cover. The first air intake pipe on the air intake base, together with the first air inlet buffer chamber, the first air flow chamber of the first air intake side cover, the lower core, the first air flow chamber of the first air outlet side cover, the first air outlet buffer chamber, and the first air outlet pipe, constitute a first gas distribution path. The second air intake pipe on the air intake base, together with the second air inlet buffer chamber, the second air flow chamber of the first air intake side cover, the upper core, the second air flow chamber of the first air outlet side cover, the second air outlet buffer chamber, and the second air outlet pipe, constitute a second gas distribution path. The first raw material gas inlet pipe on the inlet base, together with the first raw material gas inlet buffer chamber, the first airflow chamber of the second inlet side cover, the lower core, the first airflow chamber of the second outlet side cover, the first raw material gas outlet buffer chamber, and the first raw material gas outlet pipe, constitute a third gas distribution path. The second raw material gas inlet pipe on the inlet base, together with the second raw material gas inlet buffer chamber, the second airflow chamber of the second inlet side cover, the upper core, the second airflow chamber of the second outlet side cover, the second raw material gas outlet buffer chamber, and the second raw material gas outlet pipe, constitute the fourth gas distribution path.

[0007] Furthermore, the airflow chambers of the first air intake side cover, the second air intake side cover, the first air outlet side cover, and the second air outlet side cover are provided with a flow guiding structure for homogenizing the airflow.

[0008] Furthermore, the flow guiding structure includes a plurality of first flow guiding strips disposed in the first airflow cavity and a plurality of second flow guiding strips disposed in the second airflow cavity; the first flow guiding strips and the second flow guiding strips are arranged alternately in space.

[0009] Furthermore, the first air inlet buffer chamber, the second air inlet buffer chamber, the first raw material gas inlet buffer chamber, the second raw material gas inlet buffer chamber, the first air outlet buffer chamber, the second air outlet buffer chamber, the first raw material gas outlet buffer chamber, and the second raw material gas outlet buffer chamber are trapezoidal buffer chambers.

[0010] Furthermore, the separator is a planar plate structure, and its material is a ceramic or alloy material that matches the thermal expansion coefficient of a single battery cell.

[0011] The present invention also provides a high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor module, comprising: a dual-reactor gas inlet base and a solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure; Multiple solid oxide electrolytic stack structures are arranged side by side; The dual-reactor air intake base integrates an air inlet channel, an air outlet channel, a fuel inlet channel, and a fuel outlet channel that match the air intake base of the solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure.

[0012] Furthermore, the dual-reactor air intake base is provided with positioning holes for positioning and adjusting the position of the air intake base of the solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure.

[0013] Furthermore, the outlets of the air inlet channel, air outlet channel, fuel inlet channel, and fuel outlet channel inside the dual-stack air intake base are all located on the same side.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure and its module provided by the present invention have the following beneficial effects: The high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure and module provided by this invention, by establishing four independent gas passages for the upper and lower cores, ensures uniform and synchronous delivery of reactant gases to each individual cell channel, reducing the phenomenon of insufficient end-point gas supply caused by long flow channels. Only one set of electrolytic reactor accessories is needed; through the cavity design of the gas inlet base and side cover, independent gas supply to the upper and lower cores is achieved. Based on this electrolytic reactor structure, an integrated side cover can be used to further expand it into a dual-reactor structure, multiplying the electrolysis power without the need for additional accessories and fixtures, further improving the electrolysis power density, ensuring uniform gas distribution in each cell channel of the high-power electrolytic reactor, improving the volumetric power density of the electrolytic reactor, facilitating subsequent electrolytic reactor module integration and system integration, and also reducing assembly difficulty. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the air intake base structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first air intake side cover provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor module structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the air intake base structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is the first gas outlet side cover of the high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor module provided in the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 7 This is the second gas outlet side cover of the high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor module provided in the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 8 Normalized mass flow rate curves for each cell channel in the conventional fluid domain of SOEC and the electrolytic reactor fluid domain provided in Example 1.

[0016] Among them, 1-inlet base, 2-lower core, 3-partition plate, 4-upper core, 5-end cover, 6-first inlet side cover, 7-second inlet side cover, 8-first outlet side cover, 9-second outlet side cover, 10-first air inlet buffer chamber, 11-second air inlet buffer chamber, 12-first feed gas inlet buffer chamber, 13-second feed gas inlet buffer chamber, 14-first air outlet buffer chamber, 15-second air outlet buffer chamber, 16-first feed gas outlet buffer chamber, 17-second feed gas outlet buffer chamber 18-First air inlet pipe, 19-Second air inlet pipe, 20-First raw material gas inlet pipe, 21-Second raw material gas inlet pipe, 22-First air outlet pipe, 23-Second air outlet pipe, 24-First raw material gas outlet pipe, 25-Second raw material gas outlet pipe, 26-First airflow chamber, 27-Second airflow chamber, 28-Guide strip, 29-Connecting channel, 30-Air inlet base, 31-Air inlet channel, 32-Air outlet channel, 33-Raw material gas inlet channel, 34-Raw material gas outlet channel. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more complete description will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of the invention will be thorough and complete.

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0019] It is understood that spatial relation terms such as "below," "under," "below," "below," "above," "above," etc., can be used here to describe the relationship between one element or feature shown in the figure and other elements or features. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figure, spatial relation terms also include different orientations of the device in use and operation. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, the element or feature described as "below" or "below" of the other element or feature will be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Therefore, the exemplary terms "below" and "below" can include both upper and lower orientations. Furthermore, the device may also include other orientations (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatial descriptive terms used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0020] It should be noted that when one element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or connected to the other element through an intermediary element. In the following embodiments, "connection" should be understood as "electrical connection," "communication connection," etc., if the connected circuits, modules, units, etc., have the transmission of electrical signals or data between them.

[0021] When used herein, the singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” may also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” or “having,” etc., specify the presence of the stated feature, whole, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0022] Example 1 See Figures 1-3 This embodiment provides a high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure.

[0023] This high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure includes a central assembly consisting of an inlet base 1, a lower core 2, a partition 3, an upper core 4, and an end cap 5 stacked from bottom to top, and a first inlet side cap 6, a second inlet side cap 7, a first outlet side cap 8, and a second outlet side cap 9 fixed to the outside of the central assembly. The first inlet side cap 6, the second inlet side cap 7, the first outlet side cap 8, and the second outlet side cap 9 have identical structures, each equipped with two mutually isolated first airflow chambers 26 and second airflow chambers 27. The first airflow chambers 26 and 27 are independent of each other, and the second airflow chamber 27 is connected to other components via a connecting channel. Preferably, each airflow chamber is provided with several guide strips 28, and the guide strips 28 in the first airflow chamber 26 and the second airflow chamber 27 are spatially staggered to maximize the flow uniformity effect. The side caps achieve a sealed connection with the corresponding trapezoidal buffer cavity opening on the inlet base 1 through the sealing surface of their edges.

[0024] The air intake base 1 has two independently set buffer chambers on each of its four sides, namely the first air inlet buffer chamber 10 and the second air inlet buffer chamber 11, the first raw material gas inlet buffer chamber 12 and the second raw material gas inlet buffer chamber 13, the first air outlet buffer chamber 14 and the second air outlet buffer chamber 15, and the first raw material gas outlet buffer chamber 16 and the second raw material gas outlet buffer chamber 17, which are set on the same side; these buffer chambers are preferably trapezoidal to facilitate a smooth airflow transition.

[0025] The lower core 2 and the upper core 4 are each composed of dozens of planar solid oxide single cells stacked alternately with metal connectors. After stacking, a separator 3 is placed on top of the lower core 2. This separator 3 is preferably made of ceramic or special alloy (such as Crofer 22 APU) that matches the thermal expansion coefficient of the battery material. Its core function is to completely isolate the lower core 2 from the subsequently installed upper core 4, and also to physically separate the first airflow chamber 26 and the second airflow chamber 27 in the four side covers.

[0026] An end cap 5 is installed on the top of the central component and connected to the bottom air intake base 1 by long bolts. A controllable longitudinal clamping force is applied to ensure the sealing and electrical contact of each component at high temperatures.

[0027] The first air intake pipe 18 on the air intake base 1, together with the first air inlet buffer chamber 10, the first air flow chamber 26 of the first air intake side cover 6, the lower core 2, the first air flow chamber 26 of the first air outlet side cover 8, the first air outlet buffer chamber 14, and the first air outlet pipe 22, constitute the first gas distribution passage.

[0028] The second air intake pipe 19 on the air intake base 1, together with the second air inlet buffer chamber 11, the second air flow chamber 27 of the first air intake side cover 6, the upper core 4, the second air flow chamber 27 of the first air outlet side cover 8, the second air outlet buffer chamber 15, and the second air outlet pipe 23, constitute the second gas distribution passage.

[0029] The first raw material gas inlet pipe 20 on the inlet base 1, together with the first raw material gas inlet buffer chamber 12, the first airflow chamber 26 of the second inlet side cover 7, the lower core 2, the first airflow chamber 26 of the second outlet side cover 9, the first raw material gas outlet buffer chamber 16, and the first raw material gas outlet pipe 24, constitute the third gas distribution passage.

[0030] The second raw material gas inlet pipe 21 on the inlet base 1, together with the second raw material gas inlet buffer chamber 13, the second airflow chamber 27 of the second inlet side cover 7, the upper core 4, the second airflow chamber 27 of the second outlet side cover 9, the second raw material gas outlet buffer chamber 17, and the second raw material gas outlet pipe 25, constitute the fourth gas distribution passage.

[0031] The gas flow path of the high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure provided in this embodiment is as follows: Air: The process is divided into two paths. One path flows through the first gas distribution path, where air enters from the first air inlet pipe 18, passes through the first air inlet buffer chamber 10, enters the first airflow chamber 26 of the first air inlet side cover 6, is evenly distributed, and then enters the air electrode side of the lower core 2. After the reaction, the exhaust gas enters the first airflow chamber 26 of the first air outlet side cover 8, passes through the first air outlet buffer chamber 14, and is discharged through the first air outlet pipe 22. The other path flows through the second gas distribution path, where air flows independently through the second air inlet pipe 19, the second air inlet buffer chamber 11, the second airflow chamber 27 of the first air inlet side cover 6, the upper core 4, the second airflow chamber 27 of the first air outlet side cover 8, the second air outlet buffer chamber 15, and the second air outlet pipe 23. The reaction process is the same as the first path.

[0032] The feed gas is divided into two paths. One path flows through the third gas distribution path, entering from the first feed gas inlet pipe 20, passing through the first feed gas inlet buffer chamber 12, and entering the first gas flow chamber 26 of the second inlet side cover 7. After being evenly distributed, it enters the fuel electrode side of the lower core 2. After reaction, the gas enters the first gas flow chamber 26 of the second outlet side cover 9, passes through the first feed gas outlet buffer chamber 16, and is discharged through the first feed gas outlet pipe 24. The other path flows through the second gas distribution path, independently passing through the second feed gas inlet pipe 21, the second feed gas inlet buffer chamber 13, the second gas flow chamber 27 of the second inlet side cover 7, the upper core 4, the second gas flow chamber 27 of the second outlet side cover 9, the second feed gas outlet buffer chamber 17, and the second feed gas outlet pipe 25. The reaction process is the same as the feed gas in the first path.

[0033] Example 2: See Figures 4-7 This embodiment provides a dual-reactor electrolytic reactor module.

[0034] This module integrates two high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structures as described in Example 1, with the core improvement being the use of an air intake base 30.

[0035] The dual-core inlet base 30 is a single-piece machined component, with an independent flow channel system formed internally through precision casting or machining. This includes an air inlet channel 31 and a feed gas inlet channel 33 supplying gas to the left and right high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structures, as well as an air outlet channel 32 and a feed gas outlet channel 34 collecting exhaust gas. All channel outlets are located on the same side of the base, simplifying external piping connections. The base also features precision-machined positioning holes for engagement with positioning pins on the left and right core inlet bases 1, ensuring precise alignment and consistent spacing between the two cores.

[0036] During assembly, the air inlet bases 1 of the two high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structures (left and right) are precisely positioned on the dual-reactor air inlet base 30, with the flow channels inside the base connecting to the corresponding air inlet and outlet pipes at the bottom of each base. For the high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure on the left, the first air inlet side cover 6 and the first air outlet side cover 8 are designated as air side covers for air intake and exhaust; the second air inlet side cover 7 and the second air outlet side cover 9 are designated as fuel side covers for feed gas intake and exhaust. For the high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure on the right, its side cover functions are the same as those on the left, resulting in a symmetrical overall layout. A shared set of end caps 5 and a clamping system secure the entire module into a robust whole.

[0037] This module achieves tight integration and independent flow control of two reactor cores, nearly doubling the power, while the system complexity and volume do not increase proportionally, significantly improving the system's power density and integration.

[0038] The normalized mass flow rate curves of each battery channel in the electrolyzer fluid domain provided in this embodiment are as follows: Figure 8 As shown.

[0039] See Figure 1 and Figure 4 The high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure and its module provided in this embodiment of the invention have the following beneficial effects: The high-power solid oxide electrolytic reactor structure and module provided in this invention establishes four independent gas passages for the upper and lower cores 2, ensuring uniform and synchronous delivery of reactant gases to each individual cell channel, thus reducing the phenomenon of insufficient end-point gas supply caused by long flow channels. Only one set of electrolytic reactor accessories is needed; through the cavity design of the gas inlet base 1 and the side cover, independent gas supply to the upper and lower cores 2 is achieved. Based on this electrolytic reactor structure, an integrated side cover can be used to further expand it into a dual-reactor structure, multiplying the electrolysis power without requiring additional accessories or fixtures, further improving the electrolysis power density, ensuring uniform gas distribution in each cell channel of the high-power electrolytic reactor, improving the volumetric power density of the electrolytic reactor, facilitating subsequent electrolytic reactor module integration and system integration, and also reducing assembly difficulty.

[0040] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high power solid oxide electrolysis stack structure, characterized by: The center assembly comprises, from bottom to top, a gas inlet base, a lower core, a partition, an upper core and an end cover; and a first gas inlet side cover, a second gas inlet side cover, a first gas outlet side cover and a second gas outlet side cover fixed outside the center assembly; The first gas inlet side cover, the second gas inlet side cover, the first gas outlet side cover and the second gas outlet side cover are identical in structure and each is provided with two first gas flow cavities and two second gas flow cavities which are isolated from each other; The gas inlet base is provided with two independently arranged buffer cavities on each side, which are first air inlet buffer cavities and second air inlet buffer cavities, first raw material gas inlet buffer cavities and second raw material gas inlet buffer cavities, first air outlet buffer cavities and second air outlet buffer cavities, and first raw material gas outlet buffer cavities and second raw material gas outlet buffer cavities arranged on the same side; The lower core and the upper core are each stacked by a plurality of single cell units, and the partition is arranged between the lower core and the upper core to isolate the lower core and the upper core, and to isolate the first gas flow cavities and the second gas flow cavities of the first gas inlet side cover, the second gas inlet side cover, the first gas outlet side cover and the second gas outlet side cover; The first air inlet pipe on the gas inlet base, the first air inlet buffer cavity, the first gas flow cavity of the first gas inlet side cover, the lower core, the first gas flow cavity of the first gas outlet side cover, the first air outlet buffer cavity and the first air outlet pipe form a first gas distribution passage; The second air inlet pipe on the gas inlet base, the second air inlet buffer cavity, the second gas flow cavity of the first gas inlet side cover, the upper core, the second gas flow cavity of the first gas outlet side cover, the second air outlet buffer cavity and the second air outlet pipe form a second gas distribution passage; The first raw material gas inlet pipe on the gas inlet base, the first raw material gas inlet buffer cavity, the first gas flow cavity of the second gas inlet side cover, the lower core, the first gas flow cavity of the second gas outlet side cover, the first raw material gas outlet buffer cavity and the first raw material gas outlet pipe form a third gas distribution passage; The second raw material gas inlet pipe on the gas inlet base, the second raw material gas inlet buffer cavity, the second gas flow cavity of the second gas inlet side cover, the upper core, the second gas flow cavity of the second gas outlet side cover, the second raw material gas outlet buffer cavity and the second raw material gas outlet pipe form a fourth gas distribution passage.

2. The high power solid oxide electrolysis stack structure of claim 1, wherein: The gas flow cavities of the first gas inlet side cover, the second gas inlet side cover, the first gas outlet side cover and the second gas outlet side cover are provided with flow guide structures for homogenizing gas flow.

3. The high power solid oxide electrolysis stack structure of claim 2, wherein: The flow guide structures comprise a plurality of first flow guide strips arranged in the first gas flow cavities and a plurality of second flow guide strips arranged in the second gas flow cavities; the first flow guide strips and the second flow guide strips are staggered in space.

4. The high power solid oxide electrolysis stack structure of claim 1, wherein: The first air inlet buffer cavity, the second air inlet buffer cavity, the first raw material gas inlet buffer cavity, the second raw material gas inlet buffer cavity, the first air outlet buffer cavity, the second air outlet buffer cavity, the first raw material gas outlet buffer cavity and the second raw material gas outlet buffer cavity are trapezoidal buffer cavities.

5. The high power solid oxide electrolysis stack structure of claim 1, wherein: The partition is a planar plate structure and is made of ceramic or alloy material matching the thermal expansion coefficient of the single cell units.

6. A high power solid oxide electrolysis stack module, characterized by: The application further discloses a single cell unit and a single cell unit stack. The double-stack air inlet base and the solid oxide electrolysis stack structure of any one of claims 1-5; A plurality of the solid oxide electrolysis stack structures are arranged side by side. The double-stack air inlet base is internally integrated with air inlet flow channels, air outlet flow channels, fuel inlet flow channels and fuel outlet flow channels matched with the air inlet base of the solid oxide electrolysis stack structure.

7. The high power solid oxide electrolysis stack module of claim 6, wherein: Positioning holes are formed on the double-stack air inlet base for positioning and adjusting the position of the air inlet base of the solid oxide electrolysis stack structure.

8. The high power solid oxide electrolysis stack module of claim 6, wherein: The outlets of the air inlet flow channels, the air outlet flow channels, the fuel inlet flow channels and the fuel outlet flow channels in the double-stack air inlet base are all arranged on the same side.

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