Supporting plate structure and electrochemical hydrogen compression device

Abstract

The utility model provides a supporting plate structure which is suitable for an electrochemical hydrogen compression device and comprises a plate body and a net-shaped array structure arranged on the plate body. The net-shaped array structure comprises a plurality of cubes; the interior of each cube is arranged in a hollowed-out mode. And for the same cube, each end corner of the cube is connected with the geometric center of the cube through a connecting line. The utility model further provides an electrochemical hydrogen compression device. The electrochemical hydrogen compression device comprises the supporting plate structure. The supporting plate structure has higher mechanical strength, a large internal gap is formed, and hydrogen transmission of each stage of proton exchange membrane hydrogen compression module is facilitated. The electrochemical hydrogen compression device is stable in structure, uniform in pressure distribution and better in sealing performance, the step-by-step pressurization hydrogen compression performance is better, a plurality of alternating parts with the supporting plate structures can be installed according to the target hydrogen purity and pressure, and the needed hydrogen purity and pressure are obtained in one step.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of electrochemistry, and in particular relates to a support plate structure and an electrochemical hydrogen compression device. Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen energy is a secondary energy source that is abundant in sources, green, low-carbon and widely used. It can help to absorb renewable energy on a large scale, achieve large-scale peak regulation of the power grid and cross-seasonal and cross-regional energy storage, and accelerate the low-carbonization of industries such as industry, construction, and transportation.

[0003] At present, the compression of hydrogen is mainly completed by the reciprocating work of hydrogen compressors, and it can only be stored in high-pressure hydrogen cylinders when a certain pressure is reached. These devices are often bulky, consume a lot of energy for conversion, are noisy, and require regular maintenance, which has certain limitations. The electrochemical hydrogen pump based on proton exchange membrane has a structure similar to that of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Its working principle is to oxidize hydrogen at the anode and then reduce hydrogen at the cathode. Its working mode is to use an external power supply to maintain the electrochemical reaction. The hydrogen that permeates through the proton exchange membrane has a higher purity and a higher pressure, and can be stored in a hydrogen bottle without mechanical compression. In contrast, the electrochemical hydrogen pump has a simple structure, high compression efficiency, and low energy consumption; there is no mechanical wear, and the operation is quiet and noiseless.

[0004] There are two main forms of electrochemical hydrogen pumps: one is the same hydrogen inlet, multiple single electrochemical hydrogen compression modules are connected in parallel, and finally converged to the same outlet; the other is a hydrogen inlet, which is pressurized step by step through the series-connected electrochemical hydrogen compression modules, and finally output at a hydrogen outlet. In comparison, the latter can achieve a higher hydrogen pressure and has higher requirements for the high-pressure resistance of the entire structural parts; however, it also has higher requirements for the intermediate support plate that serves as the internal support for the proton exchange membrane, which must ensure both mechanical strength and smooth flow of compressed hydrogen to form a closed cavity that is pressurized step by step. Utility Model Content

[0005] The embodiments of the utility model provide a support plate structure and an electrochemical hydrogen compression device, aiming to solve the problems of the existing step-by-step pressurization electrochemical hydrogen pump having a high support plate structure strength and being able to ensure that the hydrogen is smoothly transmitted to the next compression module after being compressed by a proton exchange membrane.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, on the one hand, an embodiment of the utility model provides a support plate structure suitable for an electrochemical hydrogen compression device, including a plate body and a mesh array structure arranged on the plate body; the mesh array structure includes a plurality of cubes; the interior of each of the cubes is hollowed out; for the same cube, each end corner of the cube is connected to the geometric center of the cube through a connecting line.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, a plurality of the cubes are arranged parallel to each other and abut against each other.

[0008] As a preferred implementation, the area of ​​the mesh array structure is smaller than the area of ​​the plate body.

[0009] As a preferred implementation, the mesh array structure is a circular mesh array structure; and the support plate structure is a circular support plate structure.

[0010] In the structure of the present application, a stable support structure is formed by setting up a mesh array structure, and making the cube of the mesh array structure hollow and connecting the end corners of the cube to the geometric center through connecting lines; this support structure can form a larger internal gap, which is convenient for the transmission of hydrogen, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of hydrogen.

[0011] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present invention provides an electrochemical hydrogen compression device, which includes the support plate structure.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the electrochemical hydrogen compression device comprises a first end plate (i.e., an upper end plate), a stacking body, and a second end plate (i.e., a lower end plate); the first end plate, the stacking body, and the second end plate are stacked in sequence, and the first end plate and the second end plate are fixedly connected by a plurality of screws, and the plurality of screws are evenly arranged on the outside of the stacking body;

[0013] The first end plate is provided with a hydrogen inlet and a low-pressure hydrogen outlet which are independent of each other; the hydrogen inlet and the low-pressure hydrogen outlet are respectively connected to the stacking body.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, with the direction perpendicular to the screw as the longitudinal section, the section area of ​​the first end plate is equal to the section area of ​​the second end plate; the section area of ​​the first end plate is larger than the section area of ​​the stacking body.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, the stacking body includes a first insulating plate, a stacking portion, and a second insulating plate stacked in sequence, the first insulating plate abuts against the first end plate, and the second insulating plate abuts against the second end plate.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment, the stacking portion includes a first current collecting plate, an anode plate, an alternating portion, a cathode plate, and a second current collecting plate stacked in sequence, the first current collecting plate being arranged close to the first insulating plate, and the second current collecting plate being arranged close to the second insulating plate;

[0017] The alternating part comprises a plurality of membrane electrodes and support plates arranged alternately; the anode plate is arranged near the membrane electrode at one end of the alternating part, and the cathode plate is arranged near the support plate at the other end of the alternating part;

[0018] The support plate is the support plate structure.

[0019] As a preferred embodiment, the first current collecting plate, the first insulating plate and the anode plate are all provided with a gas inlet adapted to the hydrogen inlet, and the hydrogen inlet is connected to the stacking portion through the gas inlet.

[0020] As a preferred embodiment, the first current collecting plate, the first insulating plate and the anode plate are all provided with a first gas outlet adapted to the low-pressure hydrogen outlet, and the low-pressure hydrogen outlet is connected to the stacking portion through the first gas outlet.

[0021] As a preferred embodiment, a high-pressure hydrogen outlet is provided on the second end plate; a second gas outlet compatible with the high-pressure hydrogen outlet is provided on the second current collecting plate and the second insulating plate, and the high-pressure hydrogen outlet is connected to the stacking part through the second gas outlet.

[0022] As a preferred embodiment, seals are provided between the first current collecting plate and the anode plate, between the anode plate and the membrane electrode, between the membrane electrode and the support plate, between the cathode plate and the support plate, and between the cathode plate and the second current collecting plate.

[0023] As a preferred embodiment, the electrochemical hydrogen compression device is a cylindrical device, which is fastened by screws to ensure that the pressure distribution in all directions is relatively uniform.

[0024] When using the structure of the present application, unpurified and uncompressed hydrogen enters from the hydrogen inlet, flows through the first end plate, the first insulating plate, and the first current collector plate, and then enters the anode plate. The flow channels distributed on the anode plate make the hydrogen evenly distributed; the unpurified and uncompressed hydrogen passing through the anode plate undergoes an electrochemical reaction through the proton exchange membrane. Due to the compactness of the proton exchange membrane, the hydrogen is compressed and enters the next level of the proton exchange membrane compression and purification module, and is compressed and purified after the electrochemical reaction occurs again; finally, the hydrogen is collected together through the cathode plate, and then flows through the second current collector plate, the second insulating plate, and the second end plate to reach the high-pressure hydrogen outlet to reach the target hydrogen pressure, while the unreacted hydrogen flows out of the low-pressure hydrogen outlet through the anode plate flow channel. In this process, the support plate tightly wraps the proton exchange membrane, and the tightening effect of the screw and the uniform sealing of the seal form a closed volume cavity inside the electrochemical hydrogen compression device, and the electrochemical reaction is stable and the structure is stable.

[0025] The support plate structure of the present application has higher mechanical strength and forms a larger internal gap, which is convenient for hydrogen transmission of each level of proton exchange membrane hydrogen compression module. The electrochemical hydrogen compression device of the present application has a stable structure, uniform pressure distribution, better sealing, and better hydrogen compression performance with step-by-step pressurization. Multiple alternating parts with the support plate structure can be installed according to the target hydrogen purity and pressure to obtain the required hydrogen purity and pressure in one step. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying creative work.

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a support plate structure according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partially enlarged structural schematic diagram of a support plate structure;

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an electrochemical hydrogen compression device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the explosion structure of the electrochemical hydrogen compression device;

[0031] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the electrochemical hydrogen compression device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0033] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, top, bottom...), the directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0034] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0035] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time.

[0036] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the utility model, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or suggesting their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but they must be based on the ability of ordinary technicians in the field to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the utility model.

[0037] Specifically, Figure 1 to Figure 2 As shown, on the one hand, an embodiment of the utility model provides a support plate structure suitable for an electrochemical hydrogen compression device, comprising a plate body 10 and a mesh array structure 20 arranged on the plate body 10; the mesh array structure 20 comprises a plurality of cubes 21; the interior of each of the cubes 21 is hollowed out; for the same cube 21, each end corner of the cube 21 is connected to the geometric center 212 of the cube via a connecting line 211.

[0038] As a preferred embodiment, a plurality of the cubes 21 are arranged parallel to each other and abut against each other.

[0039] As a preferred implementation, the area of ​​the mesh array structure 20 is smaller than the area of ​​the plate body 10 .

[0040] As a preferred embodiment, the mesh array structure 20 is a circular mesh array structure; and the support plate structure is a circular support plate structure.

[0041] In the structure of the present application, a stable support structure is formed by setting up a mesh array structure, and making the cube of the mesh array structure hollow and connecting the end corners of the cube to the geometric center through connecting lines; this support structure can form a larger internal gap, which is convenient for the transmission of hydrogen, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of hydrogen.

[0042] On the other hand, as 3 to Figure 5 As shown, an embodiment of the utility model provides an electrochemical hydrogen compression device, and the electrochemical hydrogen compression device includes the support plate structure.

[0043] As a preferred embodiment, the electrochemical hydrogen compression device includes a first end plate 100 (i.e., an upper end plate), a stacking body 200, and a second end plate 300 (i.e., a lower end plate); the first end plate 100, the stacking body 200, and the second end plate 300 are stacked in sequence, and the first end plate 100 and the second end plate 300 are fixedly connected by a plurality of screws 400, and the plurality of screws 400 are evenly arranged on the outer side of the stacking body 200;

[0044] The first end plate 100 is provided with a hydrogen inlet 101 and a low-pressure hydrogen outlet 102 which are independent of each other; the hydrogen inlet 101 and the low-pressure hydrogen outlet 102 are respectively connected to the stacking body 200 .

[0045] As a preferred embodiment, with the direction perpendicular to the screw 400 as the longitudinal section, the section area of ​​the first end plate 100 is equal to the section area of ​​the second end plate 300 ; the section area of ​​the first end plate 100 is larger than the section area of ​​the stacking body 200 .

[0046] As a preferred embodiment, the stacking body 200 includes a first insulating plate 201 , a stacking portion 202 , and a second insulating plate 203 stacked in sequence. The first insulating plate 201 abuts against the first end plate 100 , and the second insulating plate 203 abuts against the second end plate 300 .

[0047] As a preferred embodiment, the stacking portion 202 includes a first current collecting plate 2021, an anode plate 2022, an alternating portion 2023, a cathode plate 2024, and a second current collecting plate 2025 which are stacked in sequence, wherein the first current collecting plate 2021 is disposed close to the first insulating plate 201, and the second current collecting plate 2025 is disposed close to the second insulating plate 203;

[0048] The alternating portion 2023 includes a plurality of membrane electrodes A and support plates B that are alternately arranged; the anode plate 2022 is arranged near the membrane electrode A at one end of the alternating portion 2023, and the cathode plate 2024 is arranged near the support plate B at the other end of the alternating portion 2023;

[0049] The support plate B is the support plate structure.

[0050] As a preferred embodiment, the first current collecting plate 2021 , the first insulating plate 201 and the anode plate 2022 are all provided with a gas inlet C adapted to the hydrogen inlet 101 , and the hydrogen inlet 101 is connected to the stacking portion 202 through the gas inlet C.

[0051] As a preferred embodiment, the first current collecting plate 2021 , the first insulating plate 201 and the anode plate 2022 are all provided with a first gas outlet D adapted to the low-pressure hydrogen outlet 102 , and the low-pressure hydrogen outlet 102 is connected to the stacking part 202 via the first gas outlet D.

[0052] As a preferred embodiment, a high-pressure hydrogen outlet 301 is provided on the second end plate 300; the second current collecting plate 2025 and the second insulating plate 203 are both provided with a second gas outlet E compatible with the high-pressure hydrogen outlet 301, and the high-pressure hydrogen outlet 301 is connected to the stacking part 202 through the second gas outlet E.

[0053] As a preferred embodiment, a seal F is provided between the first current collecting plate 2021 and the anode plate 2022, between the anode plate 2022 and the membrane electrode A, between the membrane electrode A and the support plate B, between the cathode plate 2024 and the support plate B, and between the cathode plate 2024 and the second current collecting plate 2025.

[0054] As a preferred embodiment, the electrochemical hydrogen compression device is a cylindrical device, which is fastened by screws to ensure that the pressure distribution in all directions is relatively uniform.

[0055] When using the structure of the present application, unpurified and uncompressed hydrogen enters from the hydrogen inlet, flows through the first end plate, the first insulating plate, and the first current collector plate, and then enters the anode plate. The flow channels distributed on the anode plate make the hydrogen evenly distributed; the unpurified and uncompressed hydrogen passing through the anode plate undergoes an electrochemical reaction through the proton exchange membrane. Due to the compactness of the proton exchange membrane, the hydrogen is compressed and enters the next level of the proton exchange membrane compression and purification module, and is compressed and purified after the electrochemical reaction occurs again; finally, the hydrogen is collected together through the cathode plate, and then flows through the second current collector plate, the second insulating plate, and the second end plate to reach the high-pressure hydrogen outlet to reach the target hydrogen pressure, while the unreacted hydrogen flows out of the low-pressure hydrogen outlet through the anode plate flow channel. In this process, the support plate tightly wraps the proton exchange membrane, and the tightening effect of the screw and the uniform sealing of the seal form a closed volume cavity inside the electrochemical hydrogen compression device, and the electrochemical reaction is stable and the structure is stable.

[0056] The support plate structure of the present application has higher mechanical strength and forms a larger internal gap, which is convenient for hydrogen transmission of each level of proton exchange membrane hydrogen compression module. The electrochemical hydrogen compression device of the present application has a stable structure, uniform pressure distribution, better sealing, and better hydrogen compression performance with step-by-step pressurization. Multiple alternating parts with the support plate structure can be installed according to the target hydrogen purity and pressure to obtain the required hydrogen purity and pressure in one step.

[0057] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the utility model, and does not limit the patent scope of the utility model. All equivalent structural changes made by using the contents of the utility model specification and drawings under the utility model concept, or directly / indirectly used in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A support plate structure, characterized in that: Applicable to an electrochemical hydrogen compression device, comprising a plate body and a mesh array structure arranged on the plate body; the mesh array structure comprises a plurality of cubes; the interior of each of the cubes is hollowed out; for the same cube, each end corner of the cube is connected to the geometric center of the cube through a connecting line.

2. The support plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cubes are arranged parallel to each other and abut against each other.

3. The support plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The area of ​​the mesh array structure is smaller than the area of ​​the plate body.

4. The support plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mesh array structure is a circular mesh array structure; the support plate structure is a circular support plate structure.

5. An electrochemical hydrogen compression device, characterized in that: The electrochemical hydrogen compression device comprises the support plate structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The electrochemical hydrogen compression device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The electrochemical hydrogen compression device comprises a first end plate, a stacking body and a second end plate; the first end plate, the stacking body and the second end plate are stacked in sequence, the first end plate and the second end plate are fixedly connected by a plurality of screws, and the plurality of screws are evenly arranged on the outside of the stacking body; The first end plate is provided with a hydrogen inlet and a low-pressure hydrogen outlet which are independent of each other; the hydrogen inlet and the low-pressure hydrogen outlet are respectively connected to the stacking body.

7. The electrochemical hydrogen compression device according to claim 6, characterized in that: Taking the direction perpendicular to the screw as the longitudinal section, the section area of ​​the first end plate is equal to the section area of ​​the second end plate; the section area of ​​the first end plate is larger than the section area of ​​the stacking body.

8. The electrochemical hydrogen compression device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The stacking body includes a first insulating plate, a stacking portion, and a second insulating plate stacked in sequence. The first insulating plate abuts against the first end plate, and the second insulating plate abuts against the second end plate.

9. The electrochemical hydrogen compression device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The stacking portion includes a first current collecting plate, an anode plate, an alternating portion, a cathode plate, and a second current collecting plate stacked in sequence, wherein the first current collecting plate is disposed close to the first insulating plate, and the second current collecting plate is disposed close to the second insulating plate; The alternating part comprises a plurality of membrane electrodes and support plates arranged alternately; the anode plate is arranged near the membrane electrode at one end of the alternating part, and the cathode plate is arranged near the support plate at the other end of the alternating part; The support plate is a support plate structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. The electrochemical hydrogen compression device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first current collecting plate, the first insulating plate and the anode plate are all provided with a gas inlet adapted to the hydrogen inlet, and the hydrogen inlet is connected to the stacking part through the gas inlet; The first current collecting plate, the first insulating plate and the anode plate are all provided with a first gas outlet adapted to the low-pressure hydrogen outlet, and the low-pressure hydrogen outlet is connected to the stacking part through the first gas outlet; A high-pressure hydrogen outlet is provided on the second end plate; a second gas outlet adapted to the high-pressure hydrogen outlet is provided on the second current collecting plate and the second insulating plate, and the high-pressure hydrogen outlet is connected to the stacking part through the second gas outlet; A seal is provided between the first current collecting plate and the anode plate, between the anode plate and the membrane electrode, between the membrane electrode and the support plate, between the cathode plate and the support plate, and between the cathode plate and the second current collecting plate; The electrochemical hydrogen compression device is a cylindrical device.

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