Electrolytic tank sealing mechanism and electrolytic tank

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of electrolytic cells, in particular to an electrolytic cell sealing mechanism and an electrolytic cell. The end plate is arranged on at least one side of the current collecting layer, and the end plate is provided with a mounting channel; the insulating layer is arranged between the current collecting layer and the end plate, and a through hole consistent with the mounting channel in shape is formed in the insulating layer; the overflowing structure penetrates through the mounting channel and the through hole to abut against the flow collecting layer in a sealed mode, the overflowing structure is provided with an overflowing channel communicated with the outside, and fluid enters and / or leaves the flow collecting layer through the overflowing channel. The overflowing structure penetrates through the end plate and the insulating layer to abut against the current collecting layer, the fluid is directly guided in or guided out, the overflowing structure can directly isolate the fluid from making contact with the end plate, and then the sealing effect is further improved through cooperation with the insulating layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electrolytic cells, and in particular to an electrolytic cell sealing mechanism and an electrolytic cell. Background Art

[0002] The main components of the electrolytic cell are made up of several layers of plates made of different materials.

[0003] On the water inlet side of the electrolyzer, the raw water passes through the end plate, insulating plate, current collecting layer and other plates from the outermost layer to the innermost membrane electrode. In the process of transporting the raw water, it is inevitable that the raw water will come into contact with other plates such as the end plate. The end plate is generally made of metal materials such as aluminum alloy. Long-term contact with the raw water is prone to corrosion and other problems. The corroded metal will cause the raw water to be contaminated, which may cause damage to the membrane electrode of the electrolyzer.

[0004] On the hydrogen outlet side of the electrolyzer, the membrane electrode produces hydrogen after electrolyzing water, which will pass through each layer of plate until it is discharged from the end plate. In this process, each layer needs to be strictly sealed and ensure that the seal of each layer is leak-proof.

[0005] The prior art generally uses a water jacket matched with a current-passing joint. For example, Chinese patent document with publication number CN220246283U discloses a low-cost and highly conductive electrode group, which isolates the raw water from the end plate through the water jacket. However, in actual use, the sealing effect of the water jacket is not good and a complete seal cannot be achieved. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of the present application is to improve the flow-through structure of the end plate of an electrolytic cell, to provide an electrolytic cell sealing mechanism and an electrolytic cell, to achieve a better sealing effect by improving the degree of fit between the flow-through structure and the end plate and other plates, to reduce the probability of contact between the end plate and raw water, product gas, etc., and to avoid corrosion of the end plate.

[0007] In order to adapt to different placement methods of the end plates, the present application designs two different flow structures.

[0008] The present application provides an electrolytic cell sealing mechanism, comprising:

[0009] The collector layer has at least one layer;

[0010] An end plate, arranged on at least one side of the current collecting layer, the end plate being provided with a mounting channel;

[0011] An insulating layer, disposed between the current collecting layer and the end plate, the insulating layer having a through hole having the same shape as the mounting channel;

[0012] The flow-through structure passes through the installation channel and the through hole and seals against the current collecting layer. The flow-through structure is provided with a flow-through channel communicating with the outside, and the fluid enters and / or leaves the current collecting layer through the flow-through channel.

[0013] In the above technical solution, after the flow-through structure passes through the insulating layer between the end plate and the current collecting layer, the flow-through structure and the current collecting layer are sealed against each other, and then the fluid is introduced into and / or exported from the current collecting layer through the flow-through structure, isolating the contact between the fluid and the end plate, thereby avoiding corrosion of the end plate.

[0014] The flow-through structure includes a first flow-through structure and a second flow-through structure.

[0015] In the above technical solution, two different flow-through structures are provided.

[0016] A boss is provided on the side of the first flow-through structure that abuts against the current collecting layer, and a side of the boss away from the current collecting layer abuts against the end plate.

[0017] In the above technical solution, in order to facilitate position limiting, the first flow-through structure is designed to be T-shaped. The cross-sectional area of ​​the boss portion of the first flow-through structure is larger than the portion without the boss. When the first flow-through structure is assembled with the end plate, the insulating layer, and the current collecting layer, the boss of the first flow-through structure is respectively against the current collecting layer and the end plate, so that stable position limiting can be achieved.

[0018] The second flow structure comprises a flow block and an insert which respectively guide the flow channel; the insert is embedded in the installation channel; one side of the flow block abuts against the current collecting layer, and the other side abuts against the insert.

[0019] A sealing groove is provided on a side surface of the flow block that abuts against the insert, and a sealing ring is arranged in the sealing groove.

[0020] In the above technical solution, in order to facilitate smooth flow when the end plate is placed on the ground, the second flow structure is designed as a split structure. The second flow structure includes a flow block in contact with the current collecting layer and an insert for guiding flow, and the flow block and the insert are both provided with flow channels. When the flow block and the insert are assembled, the flow channels are mutually conductive.

[0021] A sealing groove is provided on the side of the flow-through structure that abuts against the current collecting layer, and a sealing ring is provided in the sealing groove.

[0022] In the above technical solution, in order to further improve the sealing effect of the flow-through structure and prevent the fluid from flowing back to the end plate through the gap, a sealing structure is provided at the position where the flow-through structure abuts against the current collecting layer.

[0023] The first flow-through structure and the second flow-through structure are arranged on the same or different end plates.

[0024] In the above technical solution, the first flow-through structure and the second flow-through structure can be used on the same end plate, or on different end plates of the same electrolytic cell to meet different requirements.

[0025] With the flow direction as the axis, the cross-section of the flow structure is non-circular.

[0026] The first flow-through structure is entirely made of polyetheretherketone material.

[0027] In the above technical solution, the polyetheretherketone material has physical and chemical properties such as high temperature resistance and chemical corrosion resistance, and has high chemical stability. The polyetheretherketone material also has good electrical insulation properties and can be maintained in a very high temperature range, and its dielectric loss is also very small under high frequency conditions.

[0028] An embodiment of the present application also provides an electrolytic cell, which uses the electrolytic cell sealing mechanism described in any one of the above technical solutions.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0030] The flow-through structure of the present application passes through the end plate, the insulating layer and the current collecting layer to directly import or export the fluid. The flow-through structure can directly isolate the fluid from contacting the end plate, and further improve the sealing effect by cooperating with the insulating layer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic explosion diagram of an electrolytic cell sealing mechanism in an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the B surface of the end plate using the first flow-through structure in the embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the electrolytic cell sealing mechanism using the first flow-through structure in the embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 4 For this application Figure 3 Enlarged schematic diagram of part I in the middle.

[0035] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the first flow-through structure in an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram from another angle of the first flow-through structure in the embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of an explosion of another electrolytic cell sealing mechanism in an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the A surface of the second flow-through structure end plate used in the embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Fig. 9 Schematic cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell sealing mechanism using the second flow-through structure in the embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Fig.10 For this application Fig. 9 Enlarged schematic diagram of part II.

[0041] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of the overcurrent block in the second overcurrent structure in an embodiment of the present application.

[0042] Fig.12 It is an overall schematic diagram of the second flow-through structure in the embodiment of the present application.

[0043] Fig.13 It is an exploded schematic diagram of the second flow-through structure in the embodiment of the present application.

[0044] Fig.14 It is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an insert of the second flow-through structure in an embodiment of the present application.

[0045] Fig.15 It is a schematic diagram of the partial structure explosion of the electrolytic cell in the embodiment of the present application.

[0046] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1. current collecting layer; 2. end plate; 21. mounting channel; 3. insulating layer; 31. through hole; 4. flow-through structure; 41. flow-through channel; 42. boss; 43. sealing groove; 400. first flow-through structure; 410. second flow-through structure; 411. flow block; 412. insert; 4121. mounting groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] The existing water jacket has a simple structure, has a poor effect of isolating the fluid in actual use, and has unqualified sealing performance, which ultimately easily leads to corrosion of the end plate.

[0049] Based on the above research, refer to Figures 1 to 15 As shown, the electrolytic cell sealing mechanism of the present application will be specifically described below in conjunction with a specific implementation method.

[0050] Reference Figures 1 to 4 As shown, an electrolytic cell sealing mechanism comprises:

[0051] Current collecting layer 1, having at least one layer;

[0052] The end plate 2 is provided on at least one side of the current collecting layer 1. Figure 2 As shown, the end plate 2 is provided with a mounting channel 21;

[0053] An insulating layer 3 is provided between the current collecting layer 1 and the end plate 2, and the insulating layer 3 has a through hole 31 having the same shape as the mounting channel 21;

[0054] The flow structure 4 passes through the installation channel 21 and the through hole 31 and is sealed against the current collecting layer 1. The flow structure 4 is provided with a flow channel 41 communicating with the outside, and the fluid enters and / or leaves the current collecting layer 1 through the flow channel 41.

[0055] Reference Figures 3-4 As shown, the electrolytic cell sealing mechanism at least includes the current collecting layer 1, the end plate 2, the insulating layer 3, and the flow-through structure 4. The flow-through structure 4 passes through the end plate 2 and the insulating layer 3 and is sealed against the current collecting layer 1. Figure 4 As shown by the middle dotted line, the fluid is introduced into or out of the current collecting layer 1 through the flow channel 41 in the flow structure 4 .

[0056] In actual use, the current collecting layer 1 has one or more layers, and plates of other materials may be arranged between the multiple current collecting layers 1. The first or last current collecting layer 1 is used to import or export fluids. The fluids may include raw water, hydrogen, oxygen and other different fluids.

[0057] The end plate 2 is generally made of metal, and the two side surfaces of the end plate 2 are planes. After assembly, the side close to the current collecting layer 1 is the A side, and the side away from the current collecting layer 1 is the B side. The end plate 2 is provided with an installation channel 21 for installing the flow structure 4, and one end of the installation channel 21 is provided on the A side of the end plate 2, and the other end is provided on the B side of the end plate 2 or a side surface adjacent to the A side.

[0058] The insulating layer 3 is made of insulating material and has a through hole 31 for the flow structure 4 to pass through.

[0059] The flow-through structure 4 passes through the mounting channel 21 of the end plate 2 and the through hole 31 of the insulating layer 3 and is sealed against the current collecting layer 1. The mounting channel 21 and the through hole 31 are matched with the flow-through structure 4 without a gap. After assembly, the end face of the flow-through structure 4 away from the current collecting layer 1 can be in the same plane as the surface of the end plate 2. The flow-through structure 4 leads to a flow-through channel 41. After assembly, the a end of the flow-through channel 41 is connected to the current collecting layer 1, and the b end of the flow-through channel 41 is connected to the outside world, and the fluid is introduced or exported through the flow-through channel 41.

[0060] In order to facilitate the adaptation to products on the market, the inner wall of the b end of the flow channel 41 is threaded, and a common fluid connector on the market can be installed to import or export fluid through the fluid connector.

[0061] In some possible embodiments, the flow-through structure 4 includes a first flow-through structure 400 and a second flow-through structure 410 .

[0062] Depending on the specifications or usage of the electrolytic cell, the B side of the end plate 2 may be placed on the ground, so two different flow structures 4 need to be designed to adapt to different working modes. The first flow structure 400 and the second flow structure 410 have different structures, different flow diversion directions, and different applicable scenarios.

[0063] In some possible embodiments, when the surface B of the end plate 2 is not placed on the ground, the first flow-through structure 400 may be used.

[0064] Reference Figures 3 to 6 As shown, a boss 42 is provided on the side of the first flow-through structure 400 that abuts against the current collecting layer 1, and a side of the boss 42 that is away from the current collecting layer 1 abuts against the end plate 2. The boss 42 is arranged around the outer periphery of one end of the first flow-through structure 400 close to the current collecting layer 1, forming a first flow-through structure 400 with a T-shaped cross section.

[0065] Correspondingly, the two ends of the mounting channel 21 of the end plate 2 are respectively located on the A surface and the B surface of the end plate 2, and the inner diameter of the mounting channel 21 is smaller than the diameter of the boss 42 of the first flow-through structure 400. After assembly, the boss 42 of the first flow-through structure 400 respectively abuts against the current collecting layer 1 and the end plate 2 to form a limit position. When the entire electrolytic cell sealing mechanism moves, the first flow-through structure 400 will not detach from the mounting channel 21.

[0066] Reference Figures 4-5 As shown, in some possible embodiments, a sealing groove 43 is provided on the side of the first flow-through structure 400 that abuts against the current collecting layer 1, the sealing groove 43 is arranged around the flow-through channel 41, and a sealing ring is provided in the sealing groove 43. When the electrolytic cell sealing mechanism is assembled, the sealing ring abuts against the current collecting layer 1 to achieve sealing.

[0067] Reference Figures 7 to 14 As shown, in some possible embodiments, when the B surface of the end plate 2 is placed on the ground, or when it is necessary to guide the flow at the side of the end plate 2, the second flow-through structure 410 can be used.

[0068] Reference Figures 9-10As shown, the second flow structure 410 includes a flow block 411 and an insert 412 which respectively guide the flow channel 41 ; the insert 412 is embedded in the installation channel 21 ; one side of the flow block 411 abuts against the current collecting layer 1 , and the other side abuts against the insert 412 .

[0069] In order to change the diversion direction from a straight line to a broken line, refer to the attached Figures 12-14 As shown (the dotted line indicates the diversion direction), the second flow structure 410 is designed to consist of two parts. The flow block 411 is used to contact the current collecting layer 1 to achieve diversion of the current collecting layer 1. One end of the insert 412 is connected to the flow block 411, and the other end is connected to the outside world to achieve diversion between the flow block 411 and the outside world.

[0070] Reference Figures 9-10 As shown, the overcurrent block 411 passes through the installation channel 21 of the end plate 2 and the through hole 31 of the insulating layer 3 and abuts against the current collecting layer 1. A sealing groove 43 is provided on the side where the overcurrent block 411 abuts against the current collecting layer 1. The sealing groove 43 is arranged around the overcurrent channel 41, and a sealing ring is provided in the sealing groove 43. When the electrolytic cell sealing mechanism is assembled, the sealing ring abuts against the current collecting layer 1 to achieve sealing.

[0071] Reference Fig.13 As shown, one end of the insert 412 is provided with a mounting groove 4121 adapted to the flow block 411, and the flow block 411 can be seamlessly embedded in the mounting groove 4121. The other end of the insert 412 extends to the side adjacent to the A surface of the end plate 2 to communicate with the outside.

[0072] The flow passages 41 of the flow block 411 and the insert 412 are connected to each other, and the fluid flows in the flow passages 41 of the flow block 411 and the insert 412 .

[0073] Correspondingly, the installation channel 21 of the end plate 2 matches the structure of the flow block 411 and the insert 412 , and the flow block 411 and the insert 412 can be seamlessly installed with the installation channel 21 of the end plate 2 .

[0074] A boss 42 is provided at one end of the insert 412 close to the flow block 411. The boss 42 protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the insert 412 to limit the insert 412. When the entire electrolytic cell sealing mechanism moves, the insert 412 will not detach from the installation channel 21.

[0075] In order to further improve the sealing effect between the flow block 411 and the insert 412, a sealing groove 43 is provided on the side where the flow block 411 and the insert 412 abut against each other. The sealing groove 43 is arranged around the flow channel 41. A sealing ring is arranged in the sealing groove 43. When the sealing mechanism of the electrolytic cell is assembled, the sealing ring abuts against the insert 412 to achieve sealing.

[0076] In order to facilitate the adaptation to products on the market, the inner wall of the b end of the flow channel 41 of the insert 412 close to the outside is threaded, and a common fluid connector on the market can be installed to import or export fluid through the fluid connector.

[0077] Reference Fig.11 As shown, in some possible embodiments, a sealing groove 43 is provided on the side of the overcurrent block 411 abutting against the current collecting layer 1, and a sealing ring is provided in the sealing groove 43. When the electrolytic cell sealing mechanism is assembled, the sealing ring abuts against the current collecting layer 1 to achieve sealing.

[0078] In some possible embodiments, the first flow-through structure 400 and the second flow-through structure 410 are disposed on the same or different end plates 2. According to requirements, the first flow-through structure 400 can be disposed on the same end plate 2 or on different end plates 2 of the same electrolytic cell.

[0079] In some possible embodiments, with the flow direction as the axis, the cross-section of the flow structure 4 is non-circular. As the best embodiment, the cross-section of the flow structure 4 is rectangular. In order to adapt to the flow guide joints on the market, the cross-section of the flow channel 41 of the flow structure 4 is designed to be circular. When the flow guide joint is connected to the existing flow sleeve by screwing, the existing flow sleeve is easy to rotate, resulting in the flow joint and the flow sleeve being difficult to install and disassemble easily. To solve this problem, the cross-section of the flow structure 4 is designed to be non-circular, specifically rectangular. When the flow joint is screwed, the flow structure 4 will not rotate, which facilitates the installation and disassembly of the flow joint.

[0080] In some possible embodiments, the first flow-through structure 400 is entirely made of polyetheretherketone material.

[0081] In some possible embodiments, the flow block 411 of the second flow structure 410 is made of polyetheretherketone.

[0082] In some possible embodiments, the insert 412 of the second flow-through structure 410 is made of 316L material.

[0083] Reference Fig.15As shown, an electrolytic cell of the present application uses any of the electrolytic cell sealing mechanisms described above. The electrolytic cell can use the above-mentioned flow-through structure 4, using any one of the first flow-through structure 400 and the second flow-through structure 410, or using both at the same time. The electrolytic cell can use any one of the first flow-through structure 400 and the second flow-through structure 410 on the same end plate 2, or use any one of the first flow-through structure 400 and the second flow-through structure 410 on the end plates 2 on both sides, or use both at the same time.

[0084] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential features of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims be included in the invention. Any reference numeral in a claim should not be considered as limiting the claim to which it relates.

Claims

1. An electrolytic cell sealing mechanism, characterized in that: include: The collector layer has at least one layer; An end plate, arranged on at least one side of the current collecting layer, the end plate being provided with a mounting channel; An insulating layer, disposed between the current collecting layer and the end plate, the insulating layer having a through hole having the same shape as the mounting channel; The flow structure passes through the installation channel and the through hole and is sealed against the current collecting layer. The flow structure is provided with a flow channel connected to the outside, and the fluid enters and / or leaves the current collecting layer through the flow channel; the flow structure includes different first flow structures and second flow structures; a boss is provided on the side of the first flow structure that is against the current collecting layer, and the side of the boss away from the current collecting layer is against the end plate; the second flow structure includes a flow block and an insert that respectively guide the flow channel; the insert is embedded in the installation channel; one side of the flow block is against the current collecting layer, and the other side is against the insert.

2. An electrolytic cell sealing mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing groove is provided on a side surface of the flow block that abuts against the insert, and a sealing ring is arranged in the sealing groove.

3. An electrolytic cell sealing mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing groove is provided on the side of the flow-through structure that abuts against the current collecting layer, and a sealing ring is provided in the sealing groove.

4. An electrolytic cell sealing mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first flow-through structure and the second flow-through structure are arranged on the same or different end plates.

5. The electrolytic cell sealing mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: With the flow direction as the axis, the cross-section of the flow structure is non-circular.

6. An electrolytic cell sealing mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first flow-through structure is entirely made of polyetheretherketone material.

7. An electrolytic cell, characterized in that: The electrolytic cell uses the electrolytic cell sealing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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