Non-pure water solution electrolysis device

Abstract

The utility model provides a non-pure water solution electrolysis device, and relates to the technical field of electrolytic hydrogen production. The device comprises an anode, a cathode, an ion exchange membrane and permeable membrane layers, the ion exchange membrane is arranged between the anode and the cathode, and the permeable membrane layers are arranged on the side, away from the ion exchange membrane, of the anode and the side, away from the ion exchange membrane, of a cathode catalyst layer. Electrolyte chambers are arranged between the anodes and the corresponding adjacent permeable membrane layers and between the cathodes and the corresponding adjacent permeable membrane layers, and a non-pure water solution chamber is arranged on one side, far away from the ion exchange membrane, of each permeable membrane layer. By additionally arranging the permeable membrane layer and utilizing the concentration difference between the electrolyte and the non-pure water solution, water molecules can spontaneously pass through the permeable membrane layer while other macromolecules, impurities and the like cannot pass through the permeable membrane layer, pure water is continuously supplemented for the electrolyte, and the purpose of directly electrolyzing the non-pure water solution is achieved; the method can be realized without any external power, and the cost is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electrolytic hydrogen production, in particular to a non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device. Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen production by water electrolysis is considered to be one of the most promising hydrogen production technologies at present. Hydrogen production by water electrolysis technology generally uses fresh water as the main raw material for production, but due to the scarcity of fresh water resources worldwide, most of them use non-pure water solutions to produce hydrogen. Because ocean water resources are abundant, have high ion conductivity, and electrolysis can be coupled with green energy such as wind power, it is considered to be an ideal source of hydrogen production by electrolysis. However, since non-pure water solutions such as seawater contain a large number of ions, they may impact the membrane material and damage the electrolysis system. Therefore, it is difficult to directly electrolyze non-pure water solutions such as seawater to produce hydrogen. Desalination or purification of seawater to obtain fresh water and then electrolysis will undoubtedly increase production costs. Utility Model Content

[0003] The problem solved by the utility model is how to directly electrolyze non-pure aqueous solution to produce hydrogen and reduce production costs.

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the utility model provides a non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device, including an anode, a cathode, an ion exchange membrane and a permeable membrane layer, the ion exchange membrane is arranged between the anode and the cathode, the permeable membrane layer is arranged on the side of the anode away from the ion exchange membrane and the side of the cathode catalyst layer away from the ion exchange membrane, the anode and the corresponding adjacent permeable membrane layer and the cathode and the corresponding adjacent permeable membrane layer are configured as electrolyte chambers, and the side of each permeable membrane layer away from the ion exchange membrane is configured as a non-pure aqueous solution chamber.

[0005] Optionally, the permeable membrane layer includes a support plate and a permeable membrane arranged on the support plate.

[0006] Optionally, the support plate comprises porous ceramic.

[0007] Optionally, the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device further includes a gas outlet pipeline, and the anode and the cathode are respectively provided with the gas outlet pipeline.

[0008] Optionally, the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device further comprises a branch pipeline, one end of which is connected to the gas outlet pipeline, and the other end of which is connected to the non-pure aqueous solution chamber.

[0009] Optionally, the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device further includes a first liquid storage tank and a circulation pipeline, and the first liquid storage tank is connected to the non-pure aqueous solution chamber through the circulation pipeline.

[0010] Optionally, the circulation pipeline includes a first pipeline, which is connected between the first liquid storage tank and the non-pure aqueous solution chamber and is used to introduce the non-pure aqueous solution in the first liquid storage tank into the non-pure aqueous solution chamber.

[0011] Optionally, the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device further includes a circulation pump, and the circulation pump is disposed on the first pipeline.

[0012] Optionally, the circulation pipeline further includes a second pipeline, which is connected between the non-pure aqueous solution chamber and the first liquid storage tank and is used to introduce the liquid in the non-pure aqueous solution chamber into the first liquid storage tank.

[0013] Optionally, the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device also includes a second liquid storage tank, and the circulation pipeline also includes a second pipeline, which is connected between the non-pure aqueous solution chamber and the second liquid storage tank and is used to introduce the liquid in the non-pure aqueous solution chamber into the second liquid storage tank.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device of the utility model are:

[0015] The non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device of the utility model adds a permeable membrane layer between the electrolyte chamber and the non-pure aqueous solution chamber for separating the solution in the non-pure aqueous solution chamber, and utilizes the concentration difference between the electrolyte chamber and the non-pure aqueous solution chamber so that water molecules can spontaneously pass through the permeable membrane layer while other macromolecules and impurities cannot pass through. The permeable membrane layer is closely attached to the electrolyte chamber and can continuously replenish pure water for the electrolyte, thereby realizing efficient electrolysis of water and achieving the purpose of directly electrolyzing non-pure aqueous solutions to prepare hydrogen. Moreover, since it is a self-driven process, it can be realized without any external electricity and has a low cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device in the embodiment of the utility model.

[0017] Description of reference numerals:

[0018] 1. Anode catalyst layer; 2. Cathode catalyst layer; 3. Ion exchange membrane; 4. Electrolyte chamber; 5. Permeable membrane layer; 51. Support plate; 52. Permeable membrane; 6. Non-pure aqueous solution chamber; 7. Gas outlet pipeline; 8. Branch pipeline; 9. First liquid storage tank; 10. First pipeline; 11. Circulation pump; 12. Second pipeline; 13. Anode plate; 14. Cathode plate; 15. Gas diffusion layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the utility model more obvious and easy to understand, the specific embodiments of the utility model are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Although some embodiments of the utility model are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the utility model can be implemented in various forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments described here. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to more thoroughly and completely understand the utility model. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of the utility model are only for exemplary purposes and are not used to limit the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs; the terms used in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific implementation methods and are not intended to limit this application;

[0021] The term "including" and its variations used in this article are open inclusions, that is, "including but not limited to"; the term "based on" is "based at least in part on"; the term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one other embodiment"; the term "some embodiments" means "at least some embodiments"; the term "optionally" means "optional embodiments". The relevant definitions of other terms will be given in the following description. It should be noted that the concepts of "first" and "second" mentioned in the utility model are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order or a primary and secondary relationship. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, a non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device (hereinafter referred to as the electrolysis device) provided by an embodiment of the utility model includes an anode, a cathode, an ion exchange membrane 3 and a permeable membrane layer 5, wherein the ion exchange membrane 3 is arranged between the anode and the cathode, and the permeable membrane layer 5 is arranged on the side of the anode away from the ion exchange membrane 3 and the side of the cathode catalyst layer 2 away from the ion exchange membrane 3, and the anode and the corresponding adjacent permeable membrane layer 5 and the cathode and the corresponding adjacent permeable membrane layer 5 are configured as electrolyte chambers 4, and the side of each permeable membrane layer 5 away from the ion exchange membrane 3 is configured as a non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6.

[0023] In the electrolysis device, the ion exchange membrane 3 (also referred to as the ion membrane) is used to separate the cations and anions in the electrochemical reaction. The ion membrane is usually installed in the middle of the electrolysis device such as an electrolyzer, separating the two electrodes (anode and cathode), so that the cations can only pass through the holes of the ion membrane and cannot pass through the holes of the anion membrane into the electrolyte on the other side, thereby ensuring the high efficiency and normal progress of the electrolysis reaction. It can be understood that the anode includes an anode plate 13, and the cathode includes a cathode plate 14. During the electrolysis process, an oxidation reaction occurs on the surface of the anode plate 13, and a reduction reaction occurs on the surface of the cathode plate 14. The anode also includes an anode catalyst layer 1, and the cathode also includes a cathode catalyst layer 2. The anode catalyst layer 1 and the cathode catalyst layer 2 are coatings covering the surface of the anode plate 13 and the surface of the cathode plate 14, respectively, for promoting the oxidation reaction and the reduction reaction to reduce the energy or voltage required for the reaction, which can provide the active surface required by the catalyst (anode catalyst or cathode catalyst) so as to effectively convert the reactants into products.

[0024] In this embodiment, a permeable membrane layer 5 is added between the electrolyte chamber 4 and the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6, which is used to separate the solution in the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 and allow the non-pure aqueous solution to selectively permeate. Specifically, water molecules in the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 can pass through the permeable membrane layer 5, while other macromolecules and impurities cannot, thereby achieving the effect of replenishing water to the electrolyte chamber 4.

[0025] It should be understood that the electrolyte in the electrolyte chamber 4 usually uses a potassium hydroxide solution with a concentration of 30%, and the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 usually uses seawater, and seawater is generally a solution with a salt concentration of 3%. Since the ion concentration of the potassium hydroxide electrolyte is greater than the ion concentration of the non-pure aqueous solution, or the molar concentration of water in the potassium hydroxide solution is less than the molar concentration of water in the seawater, according to the basic principle of mass transfer, due to the concentration difference, the water in the seawater will naturally diffuse and flow toward the potassium hydroxide electrolyte. Therefore, although the water molecules in the electrolyte are continuously consumed during the electrolysis process, the present embodiment utilizes the selective osmosis of the permeable membrane layer 5 to continuously replenish the water molecules in the non-pure aqueous solution such as seawater into the electrolyte chamber 4, thereby achieving the effect of replenishing pure water for the electrolyte.

[0026] In summary, this embodiment utilizes the concentration difference between the electrolyte chamber 4 and the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 and the permeable membrane layer 5 to allow only water molecules to pass through but not other ions (such as Figure 1 The Na + , Ca 2+ , Cl -) through its characteristics, water in the non-pure aqueous solution is continuously drawn into the electrolyte for electrolysis, thereby achieving dynamic balance, and since this is a self-driven process utilizing the molar concentration difference of water in the electrolyte chamber 4 and the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6, it does not require any external electricity to achieve, and the cost is low.

[0027] Optionally, the permeable membrane layer 5 includes a support plate 51 and a permeable membrane 52 disposed on the support plate 51 .

[0028] In this optional embodiment, by arranging the permeable membrane 52 on the support plate 51, the working area of ​​the permeable membrane 52 is effectively increased, the efficiency and speed of water molecule transfer are improved, and the electrolysis process is made more efficient. In addition, the support plate 51 can provide good support and fixed position to ensure the stability and uniformity of the permeable membrane 52. At the same time, this design is also conducive to the maintenance and replacement of the permeable membrane 52.

[0029] Optionally, the support plate 51 comprises porous ceramics.

[0030] In this optional embodiment, a porous ceramic material is used as the support plate 51. On the one hand, the porous ceramic can provide a large number of micropores and pore structures to facilitate the passage of water molecules and improve the water transfer efficiency. On the other hand, the permeable membrane layer 5 is in contact with the electrolyte and non-pure water solution for a long time. For example, seawater has corrosive characteristics such as high salt and high alkali, while the ceramic material has good chemical stability and corrosion resistance, thereby ensuring long-term stable operation of the device.

[0031] Optionally, the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device further comprises a gas outlet pipeline 7, and the anode and the cathode are respectively provided with the gas outlet pipeline 7.

[0032] In this optional embodiment, an oxidation reaction is carried out on the anode catalyst layer 1 to produce oxygen, and a reduction reaction is carried out on the cathode catalyst layer 2 to produce hydrogen, and the generated gas is discharged and collected through the gas outlet pipeline 7. Figure 1 The thick arrows shown in the electrolyte chamber 4 indicate that the gas escapes upward. It can be understood that the gas outlet pipeline 7 includes a hydrogen outlet pipeline and an oxygen outlet pipeline, which are used to discharge hydrogen and oxygen respectively.

[0033] Optionally, the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device further includes a hydrogen collector and an oxygen collector, and a device for washing and drying hydrogen and oxygen, such as a hydrogen scrubber, an oxygen scrubber, a hydrogen dryer, and an oxygen dryer. It can be understood that the anode catalyst layer 1, the oxygen outlet pipeline, the oxygen scrubber, the oxygen dryer, and the oxygen collector are sequentially connected, and the cathode catalyst layer 2, the hydrogen outlet pipeline, the hydrogen scrubber, the hydrogen dryer, and the hydrogen collector are sequentially connected.

[0034] Optionally, the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device further comprises a branch pipeline 8 , one end of which is connected to the gas outlet pipeline 7 , and the other end of which is connected to the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 .

[0035] Specifically, Figure 1 As shown, taking the hydrogen outlet end as an example, the gas outlet pipeline 7 is connected to the cathode catalyst layer 2 for discharging gas (hydrogen), and a branch pipeline 8 is connected to the gas outlet pipeline 7 for introducing the gas into the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6. It can be understood that the gas discharged from the gas outlet pipeline 7 has a certain pressure (3MPa), and a part of the gas is returned to the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6, thereby, the pressure of the gas outlet can increase the pressure difference between the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 and the electrolyte chamber 4, and the air pressure is used to provide the permeable membrane 52 pressure, so as to provide power for the water in the non-pure aqueous solution to enter the electrolyte chamber 4 through the permeable membrane layer 5, and further replenish the water in the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 into the electrolyte chamber 4, thereby achieving the effect of replenishing pure water for the electrolyte.

[0036] Understandable, refer to Figure 1 As shown, one side of the permeable membrane layer 5 is the electrolyte chamber 4, and the other side is the non-pure water solution chamber 6. For ease of understanding, it is expressed as one side of the permeable membrane 52 is the electrolyte, and the other side is seawater. The permeable membrane 52 is a semi-permeable membrane that can only penetrate the solvent but not the solute molecules. Since the ion concentration in the electrolyte is greater than that in seawater, according to the osmotic principle, water molecules will spontaneously pass through the membrane from the seawater side to the electrolyte side under the action of osmotic pressure, that is, "forward osmosis", and low-concentration water will spontaneously enter the high-concentration electrolyte. In this way, pure water is supplemented in the electrolyte, and thereafter the concentration difference between the electrolyte and seawater will gradually decrease. It can be understood that since water will spontaneously enter the high-concentration side from the low-concentration side, if the concentration of the electrolyte side is diluted to less than that of the seawater side, and there is no external pressure, the electrolyte may lose water.

[0037] In this embodiment, the gas discharged from the gas outlet pipeline 7 is returned to the seawater side, so that the pressure on the seawater side can be increased, osmotic pressure is generated, and the resistance of natural osmosis is overcome, so that the water on the seawater side can still be continuously replenished to the electrolyte side. The so-called osmotic pressure refers to the minimum additional pressure applied on the high-concentration side of a semipermeable membrane with different aqueous solution concentrations on both sides to prevent water from penetrating from the low-concentration side to the high-concentration side.

[0038] Therefore, this embodiment connects a branch pipeline 8 to the gas outlet pipeline 7, and connects the branch pipeline 8 with the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6, uses the gas outlet pressure to increase the pressure difference between the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 and the electrolyte chamber 4, and supplements the pure water flow through pressure regulation, thereby eliminating the need for additional pressurizing devices and further reducing costs.

[0039] Optionally, the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device further includes a first liquid storage tank 9 and a circulation pipeline, and the first liquid storage tank 9 is connected to the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 through the circulation pipeline.

[0040] Specifically, the first liquid storage tank 9 is used to store non-pure aqueous solution, which is introduced into the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 through a circulation pipeline, and pure water is drawn through the permeable membrane layer 5 to achieve the effect of replenishing water to the electrolyte chamber 4, and the part that does not pass through the permeable membrane layer 5 can be returned to the first liquid storage tank 9 through the circulation pipeline.

[0041] The arrangement of the first liquid storage tank 9 and the circulation pipeline makes the transportation and circulation of the non-pure aqueous solution more convenient and simple, simplifies the operation process, and improves the stability and efficiency of the system.

[0042] Optionally, the circulation pipeline includes a first pipeline 10 , which is connected between the first liquid storage tank 9 and the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 and is used to introduce the non-pure aqueous solution in the first liquid storage tank 9 into the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 .

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the arrow pointing from the first liquid storage tank 9 to the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 represents the first pipeline 10, which is used to transport the non-pure aqueous solution to the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6.

[0044] Optionally, the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device further includes a circulation pump 11 , and the circulation pump 11 is disposed on the first pipeline 10 .

[0045] The setting of the circulation pump 11 can generate strong suction force and pressure, accelerate the flow speed of the non-pure aqueous solution in the device, reduce flow resistance, and reduce energy consumption. At the same time, it can keep the non-pure aqueous solution in a continuous circulation flow, which also helps to improve the stability of the device.

[0046] Optionally, the circulation pipeline further includes a second pipeline 12 , which is connected between the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 and the first liquid storage tank 9 and is used to introduce the liquid in the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 into the first liquid storage tank 9 .

[0047] In this optional embodiment, the first pipeline 10 and the second pipeline 12 are both connected between the first liquid storage tank 9 and the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6, but the flow directions of the two are different, thereby forming a circulating flow of the non-pure aqueous solution, which helps to reduce flow resistance.

[0048] Optionally, the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device also includes a second liquid storage tank, and the circulation pipeline also includes a second pipeline 12, and the second pipeline 12 is connected between the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 and the second liquid storage tank, and is used to introduce the liquid in the non-pure aqueous solution chamber 6 into the second liquid storage tank.

[0049] In this optional embodiment, the liquid that has not passed through the permeable membrane layer 5 is stored in a second liquid storage tank to distinguish it from the original solution in the first liquid storage tank 9, thereby preventing the treated non-pure aqueous solution from entering the device again and increasing the device load.

[0050] Optionally, the non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device further includes a gas diffusion layer 15 (GDL), and the gas diffusion layer 15 is arranged between the anode plate 13 and the anode catalyst layer 1 , and between the cathode plate 14 and the cathode catalyst layer 2 .

[0051] In this optional embodiment, the generated hydrogen and oxygen are separated to prevent them from mixing together by setting the gas diffusion layer 15. Therefore, both the anode and cathode are composed of the electrode plate, GDL, and catalyst layer, and a closed gap connected to the gas outlet pipeline is formed between the electrode plate and the GDL for discharging the generated hydrogen and oxygen.

[0052] In other embodiments, the anode plate 13 and the cathode plate 14 may also be made of a material having gas diffusion properties, such as carbon paper, carbon cloth, etc.

[0053] Although the utility model is disclosed as above, the protection scope of the utility model is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model, and these changes and modifications will fall within the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device, characterized in that: The invention comprises an anode, a cathode, an ion exchange membrane (3) and a permeable membrane layer (5), wherein the ion exchange membrane (3) is arranged between the anode and the cathode, the permeable membrane layer (5) is arranged on the side of the anode away from the ion exchange membrane (3) and the side of the cathode away from the ion exchange membrane (3), the anode and the corresponding adjacent permeable membrane layer (5) and the cathode and the corresponding adjacent permeable membrane layer (5) are configured as electrolyte chambers (4), and the side of each permeable membrane layer (5) away from the ion exchange membrane (3) is configured as a non-pure aqueous solution chamber (6).

2. The non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The permeable membrane layer (5) comprises a support plate (51) and a permeable membrane (52) arranged on the support plate (51).

3. The non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The support plate (51) comprises porous ceramics.

4. The non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also comprises a gas outlet pipeline (7), and the anode and the cathode are respectively provided with the gas outlet pipeline (7).

5. The non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a branch pipeline (8), one end of which is connected to the gas outlet pipeline (7), and the other end of which is connected to the non-pure aqueous solution chamber (6).

6. The non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a first liquid storage tank (9) and a circulation pipeline, wherein the first liquid storage tank (9) is connected to the non-pure aqueous solution chamber (6) through the circulation pipeline.

7. The non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The circulation pipeline comprises a first pipeline (10), which is connected between the first liquid storage tank (9) and the non-pure aqueous solution chamber (6) and is used to introduce the non-pure aqueous solution in the first liquid storage tank (9) into the non-pure aqueous solution chamber (6).

8. The non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also comprises a circulation pump (11), wherein the circulation pump (11) is arranged on the first pipeline (10).

9. The non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The circulation pipeline also includes a second pipeline (12), which is connected between the non-pure aqueous solution chamber (6) and the first liquid storage tank (9) and is used to introduce the liquid in the non-pure aqueous solution chamber (6) into the first liquid storage tank (9).

10. The non-pure aqueous solution electrolysis device according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a second liquid storage tank, and the circulation pipeline also includes a second pipeline (12), and the second pipeline (12) is connected between the non-pure aqueous solution chamber (6) and the second liquid storage tank, and is used to introduce the liquid in the non-pure aqueous solution chamber (6) into the second liquid storage tank.

Images