Gas-water separator with condensation function for producing hydrogen by electrolyzing water

Abstract

The utility model provides a gas-water separator with a condensation function for hydrogen production by water electrolysis, belongs to the technical field of hydrogen production by water electrolysis, and solves the problem that the gas-liquid separation effect is limited or the structure is too complicated in the prior art. The device comprises a separator shell, an inlet is formed in one side of the shell, an air outlet is formed in the top of the shell, a liquid outlet is formed in the bottom of the shell, and a coarse filter element, a fine filter element, an upper liquid storage cavity, a lower liquid storage cavity and a flow guide pipe are integrated in the shell. The upper liquid storage cavity surrounds the outer side of the coarse filter element and is clamped to the inner wall of the shell, so that the interior of the shell is divided into an upper cavity and a lower cavity which are independent. And an upper cavity air passage and a fine filter element are arranged in the upper cavity and above the coarse filter element. A water outlet communicated with the upper liquid storage cavity is formed in the bottom of the outer side of the fine filter element. And a condensation pipe is integrated at the air outlet and is communicated with the water outlet. The drainage end of the upper liquid storage cavity is communicated with the bottom of the lower liquid storage cavity through a flow guide pipe. According to the device, the condensation module and the gas-water separator are integrated, so that the separation efficiency of liquid drops is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of hydrogen production by electrolysis of water, in particular to a gas-water separator with condensation for hydrogen production by electrolysis of water. Background Art

[0002] In the water electrolysis hydrogen production system, the electrolyzer generates oxygen on the anode side and hydrogen on the cathode side. The generated gas is purified and collected for use, such as Figure 1 As shown. The temperature of the gas-water mixture coming out of the electrolyzer can reach above 70°C, and it contains a large amount of liquid droplets and water vapor. It is necessary to separate and condense the gas-water mixture, remove most of the liquid droplets and water vapor, and then enter the subsequent purification system.

[0003] Most existing gas-water separators achieve water separation by setting guide plates, water separation plates and water retaining plates, for example, see the solution disclosed in Chinese patent CN113745582B. If such gas-water separators want to achieve good gas-liquid separation effect, the overall structure will be too complicated and the volume will be large.

[0004] Some existing gas-water separators achieve water separation by setting a rotating structure inside the body to squeeze the gas, for example, see the solutions disclosed in Chinese patents CN207734782U, CN213160148U, etc. However, the separation effect of such gas-water separators is limited and the structure is easily damaged.

[0005] Some existing gas-water separators achieve water separation by setting up gas-liquid separation filter elements, for example, see the solutions disclosed in Chinese patents CN213160148U, CN212348013U, etc. However, the filter elements of such gas-water separators are not easy to maintain, and the gas-liquid separation effect of the traditional wire mesh filter element is relatively low. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of the above analysis, the embodiment of the utility model aims to provide a gas-water separator with condensation for hydrogen production by water electrolysis, so as to solve the problems of the prior art or the limited gas-liquid separation effect or the overly complex structure.

[0007] The utility model provides a gas-water separator with condensation for electrolyzing water to produce hydrogen, comprising a hollow separator shell, one side of the shell is provided with an inlet, the top of the shell is provided with an air outlet, the bottom of the shell is provided with a liquid outlet, and the inside of the shell is integrated with a coarse filter element, a fine filter element, an upper liquid storage cavity, a lower liquid storage cavity, and a guide pipe; wherein,

[0008] The upper liquid storage chamber surrounds the outside of the coarse filter element and is clamped in the middle position of the separator shell, so that the chamber in the separator shell is isolated into two independent upper and lower chamber parts; in the upper chamber, an upper chamber air duct and a fine filter element are arranged above the coarse filter element, and the fine filter element separates the upper chamber air duct and the air outlet; a water outlet for injecting water into the upper liquid storage chamber is arranged at the bottom of the outer side of the fine filter element; a condenser is integrated at the air outlet, and the lowest point of the condenser is connected to the water outlet as its water outlet; a guide pipe is arranged in the lower chamber, and the drainage end of the upper liquid storage chamber is connected to the bottom of the lower liquid storage chamber through the guide pipe.

[0009] The beneficial effects of the above scheme are: providing a gas-water separator with condensation for hydrogen production by water electrolysis, integrating the condensation module with the gas-water separator, and connecting the condensation pipe with the gas-water separator as the condensation module, and replacing different condensation modules according to different cooling requirements. The layout of the water distribution system is simplified, the transition water tank is eliminated, and the function of the transition water tank is integrated into the gas-water separator. At the same time, the combination of the coarse filter element and the fine filter element is used to improve the separation efficiency of the droplets.

[0010] Based on the further improvement of the above device, a cooling core is arranged inside the condenser tube; and

[0011] A cold water inlet and a cold water outlet are arranged on the tube wall of the condenser tube; the cold water inlet is connected with the cold water outlet through a cooling core.

[0012] Furthermore, the separator housing includes an upper cover and a housing body; wherein,

[0013] The upper cover adopts a convex shell structure, and the air outlet on the top thereof is integrated with an obliquely upward condensing tube, and a detachably connected fine filter element is integrated inside the fine filter element; and the fine filter element adopts a hollow structure, and an upper cavity airway is formed inside the hollow structure, and the fine filter element filter screen extends from the top of the upper cover to the bottom of the upper cover, so that the upper cavity airway is isolated from the air outlet;

[0014] The upper cover and the shell body are sealed and fixedly connected.

[0015] Furthermore, the lower liquid storage chamber includes a horizontal liquid storage chamber and a vertical liquid storage chamber which are arranged and connected to each other; wherein,

[0016] An inlet is arranged on the top of one side of the horizontal liquid storage chamber;

[0017] A liquid outlet is arranged at the bottom of the vertical liquid storage cavity, and a drain valve is installed at the liquid outlet.

[0018] Further, the coarse filter element includes at least one of a wire mesh and a blade separator; and,

[0019] The fine filter element includes a coalescer.

[0020] Furthermore, a wave-proof baffle is integrated in the transverse liquid storage chamber; wherein,

[0021] The wave-proof baffle is placed in a vertical direction and installed at the bottom of the horizontal liquid storage chamber.

[0022] Furthermore, an anti-rotation device is integrated in the vertical liquid storage chamber; wherein,

[0023] A liquid outlet is arranged at the bottom center of the vertical liquid storage cavity, and an anti-rotation device is installed at the liquid outlet.

[0024] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the inlet is smaller than the inner diameter of the condenser tube; and the condenser tube and the inlet are arranged on the same side of the separator shell.

[0025] Furthermore, the fine filter cores are provided in plurality and arranged at equal distances, and each fine filter core is a hollow columnar structure; and,

[0026] The wave-breaking baffles are provided in plurality and arranged at equal distances;

[0027] The upper cover and the shell body are fixedly connected by bolts.

[0028] Furthermore, a cooling core is also provided inside the horizontal liquid storage cavity or inside the upper cover;

[0029] The upper liquid storage chamber and the coarse filter element are detachably connected.

[0030] The utility model summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in the following detailed description. The utility model summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the utility model, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the utility model. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through a more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals generally represent the same components in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the composition of the water electrolysis hydrogen production system in the background technology is shown;

[0033] Figure 2 The structural schematic diagram of the gas-water separator of Example 1 is shown;

[0034] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a gas-water separator in Example 2 is shown;

[0035] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the condensed water flow direction in Example 2 is shown;

[0036] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a gas-water separator for comparison with Example 2 is shown;

[0037] Figure 6 A second schematic diagram of the comparative gas-water separator structure of Example 2 is shown.

[0038] Reference numerals

[0039] 1- inlet; 2- air outlet; 3- liquid outlet; 4- cooling core; 5- coarse filter element; 6- upper liquid storage chamber; 7- lower liquid storage chamber; 8- upper cover; 9- fine filter element; 10- cold water inlet; 11- cold water outlet; 12- condensed water; 13- guide pipe; 14- drain outlet; 15- drain pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make the present invention more thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0041] As used herein, the term "including" and its variations mean open inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". Unless otherwise stated, the term "or" means "and / or". The term "based on" means "based at least in part on". The terms "an example embodiment" and "an embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one further embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc. refer to different objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may also be included below.

[0042] The gas-water separator described below is used to separate liquid water from the input gas. According to the separation efficiency requirement, only a small amount of liquid water is allowed to be contained in the exhaust gas.

[0043] Example 1

[0044] An embodiment of the utility model discloses a gas-water separator with condensation for producing hydrogen by electrolyzing water, which is used to solve the problems of the prior art or the limited gas-liquid separation effect or the overly complicated structure by improving the structure.

[0045] The gas-water separator includes a hollow separator shell, one side of the shell is provided with an inlet 1, the top of the shell is provided with an air outlet 2, the bottom of the shell is provided with a liquid outlet 3, and the inside of the shell is integrated with a coarse filter element 5, a fine filter element 9, an upper liquid storage chamber 6, a lower liquid storage chamber 7, and a guide tube 13.

[0046] like Figure 2As shown, the upper liquid storage chamber 6 surrounds the outer side of the coarse filter element 5 and is clamped in the middle position of the separator housing, so that the cavity in the separator housing is separated into two independent upper and lower cavity parts by the upper liquid storage chamber 6 and the coarse filter element 5.

[0047] In the upper cavity, an upper cavity airway and a fine filter element 9 are arranged above the coarse filter element 5. The fine filter element 9 is used to separate the upper cavity airway (straight or curved) from the gas outlet 2. A water outlet 14 is provided at the outer bottom of the fine filter element for injecting water into the upper liquid storage cavity 6. A condenser is integrated at the gas outlet 2, and the lowest point of the condenser is connected to the water outlet 14 as its water outlet. The condenser is used to condense the intake air output by the gas-water separator, so that the condensed water flows into the upper liquid storage cavity 6 through the water outlet 14.

[0048] Optionally, the condenser tube may be a straight tube, a curved tube or a special-shaped tube.

[0049] A flow guide pipe 13 is provided in the lower cavity, and the drainage end of the upper liquid storage cavity 6 is connected with the bottom of the lower liquid storage cavity 7 through the flow guide pipe 13 .

[0050] It should be noted that the above-mentioned structure is mostly limited to the upper cavity and the lower cavity in the separator shell, and there is no restriction on the outer surface of the separator shell.

[0051] During implementation, the gas output from the gas-water separator generates condensed water 12 after passing through the condenser tube, and the condensed water 12 flows downwardly into the upper liquid storage chamber 6 .

[0052] Compared with the prior art, this embodiment provides a gas-water separator with condensation for hydrogen production by water electrolysis, in which the condensation module is integrated with the gas-water separator, and the condensation pipe is connected to the gas-water separator as the condensation module, and different condensation modules can be replaced according to different cooling requirements. In addition, the layout of the water distribution system is simplified, the transition water tank is eliminated, and the function of the transition water tank is integrated into the gas-water separator. At the same time, the combination of the coarse filter element and the fine filter element is used to improve the separation efficiency of the droplets.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] Based on the improvement of embodiment 1, a cooling core 4 is arranged inside the condenser. In addition, a cold water inlet 10 and a cold water outlet 11 are arranged on the wall of the condenser. Figure 3 The cold water inlet 10 is connected to the cold water outlet 11 through the cooling core 4, and is used to introduce condensed water of a set temperature or an adjustable temperature.

[0055] Preferably, the separator shell includes an upper cover 8 and a shell body. The upper cover 8 adopts a convex shell structure, and the air outlet 2 at the top thereof is integrated with a condenser tube (condensation module, the tube type is not limited) that is obliquely upward, and a detachably connected fine filter element 9 is integrated inside it, so that the fine filter element 9 can be replaced as needed. In addition, the fine filter element 9 adopts a hollow structure, and an upper cavity airway is formed inside the hollow structure, and the filter screen of the fine filter element 9 extends from the top of the upper cover 8 to the bottom of the upper cover 8, so that the upper cavity airway is isolated from the air outlet 2. The upper cover 8 and the shell body are sealed and fixedly connected, and the upper cover 8 and the shell body are fixedly connected by bolts.

[0056] The condenser is installed on the upper cover 8 at the gas outlet 2 of the gas-water separator, and connected by flanges, so that it can be easily disassembled and assembled. The installation flange is tilted upward, so that the condensed water flows downward into the gas-water separator. Figure 4 As shown, condensed water enters the upper liquid storage chamber 6 through the water outlet 14 .

[0057] Preferably, the lower liquid storage chamber 7 includes a horizontal liquid storage chamber and a vertical liquid storage chamber which are arranged and connected to each other. An inlet 1 is arranged on the top of one side of the horizontal liquid storage chamber. A liquid outlet 3 is arranged at the bottom of the vertical liquid storage chamber, and a drain valve is installed at the liquid outlet 3.

[0058] Preferably, the coarse filter element 5 is a wire mesh, a blade separator or a combination of the two, for example, the wire mesh is on the top and the blade separator is on the bottom. In addition, the fine filter element 9 includes a coalescer.

[0059] Preferably, a plurality of wave-proof baffles are integrated in the transverse liquid storage chamber, wherein the wave-proof baffles are placed at equal distances in the vertical direction and installed at the bottom of the transverse liquid storage chamber.

[0060] Preferably, an anti-rotation device is integrated in the vertical liquid storage chamber. A liquid outlet 3 is provided at the bottom center of the vertical liquid storage chamber, and an anti-rotation device is installed at the liquid outlet 3, and the anti-rotation device is connected to the liquid discharge pipeline.

[0061] Preferably, the inner diameter of the inlet 1 is smaller than the inner diameter of the condenser tube, and the condenser tube and the inlet 1 are arranged on the same side of the separator shell.

[0062] Preferably, a plurality of fine filter elements 9 are provided and arranged at equal distances, and each fine filter element 9 is a hollow columnar structure.

[0063] Preferably, a cooling core 4 is also disposed inside the transverse liquid storage cavity or inside the upper cover 8 .

[0064] Preferably, the upper liquid storage chamber 6 and the coarse filter element 5 are detachably connected.

[0065] During implementation, the horizontal liquid storage cavity in the middle portion functions to stabilize the liquid level.

[0066] The function of the vertical liquid storage chamber at the bottom is to form a liquid seal. Because the large-flow water pump continuously absorbs water, a sufficiently high liquid level must be ensured to ensure that the water pump does not absorb gas when absorbing water, resulting in empty suction of the water pump.

[0067] The fine filter element 9 needs to be replaced regularly. In order to facilitate replacement, the fine filter element 9 is installed in the upper cover 8. Figure 3 As shown, during maintenance, it is only necessary to loosen the fastening bolts between the upper cover 8 and the shell body and move them out horizontally, so that the entire filter element assembly can be removed and the filter element can be replaced, thereby avoiding the problem that the filter element cannot be replaced due to insufficient height space in the container.

[0068] Because the high-power hydrogen production system requires a very large amount of circulating water, water is continuously discharged from the bottom liquid outlet 3, passes through the electrolyzer and then flows in through the inlet 1 to achieve an inflow and outflow balance. However, a large amount of water entering the gas-water separator will cause the liquid level to fluctuate. If the liquid level fluctuates violently, the gas will be drawn into the liquid and sucked into the water pump, which will affect the life of the water pump. Therefore, a wave-proof baffle is arranged in the horizontal liquid storage chamber to prevent the liquid level from fluctuating due to water inflow.

[0069] An anti-vortex device is arranged in the vertical liquid storage chamber to reduce the vortex caused by the water pump when absorbing water, and further improve the reliability of the water pump's water absorption.

[0070] The structure of the comparative gas-water separator of this embodiment is as follows Figure 5 , Figure 6 shown.

[0071] Figure 5 The gas-water separator has a condenser at the upper part of the lower liquid storage chamber 7 to cool the incoming gas. However, the lower part of the condenser is high-temperature water, and the heat capacity of water is very large. The gas is heated by the water at the lower part while being cooled. The cooling effect is not significant, which is not conducive to the condensation of water vapor.

[0072] Figure 6 A condenser is separately connected to the outside of the gas-water separator. After the droplets are separated by the gas-water separator, oxygen enters the condenser, and the condensed water is discharged into the gas-water separator through the drain pipe 15. The system requires the condenser to have a reliable liquid seal structure, otherwise, after the condensed water is drained, the drain pipe 15 will bypass the gas-water separation system.

[0073] The structural designs of the above two gas-water separators cannot work perfectly. The gas-water separator of this embodiment avoids the problems existing in the condensation forms of the above two gas-water separators.

[0074] Compared with the prior art, the gas-water separator with condensation for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water provided in this embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0075] 1. The layout of the water distribution system is simplified, and efficient condensation of oxygen is achieved.

[0076] 2. Because the gas-water separator will be installed in a container according to different usage scenarios and the height space is limited, in order to meet the needs of using the separator in the container and maintaining and replacing the fine filter element 9, a special installation structure of the fine filter element 9 is designed to facilitate later maintenance.

[0077] 3. The arrangement of the horizontal liquid storage chamber and the vertical liquid storage chamber meets the requirements of liquid level fluctuation and liquid seal, ensures the working reliability of the water pump, and reduces the influence of liquid level fluctuation on water suction of the water pump.

[0078] 4. The use of two-stage filter elements can improve separation efficiency, so that the water removal capacity of the downstream purification system can be appropriately relaxed, and at the same time solve the problem of difficult maintenance of the filter element in the container. The installation structure of the filter element is designed to effectively reduce the height of the gas-water separator, which can meet the requirements of filter element maintenance in highly space-constrained conditions.

[0079] 5. The layout of the water electrolysis hydrogen production system is simplified, the transition water tank is combined with the gas-water separator, and the number of system components is reduced.

[0080] 6. The coarse filter element 5, fine filter element 9, upper liquid storage chamber 6, and lower liquid storage chamber 7 are reasonably arranged, and the drainage system of the upper liquid storage chamber 6 is cancelled. The liquid seal structure avoids the leakage of gas between the upper and lower chambers. The user experience is good and the development risk and cost are reduced.

[0081] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, and the above description is exemplary, not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The selection of terms used herein is intended to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, or improvements to the prior art, or to enable other persons of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A gas-water separator with condensation for hydrogen production by electrolysis of water, comprising a hollow separator shell, one side of the shell is provided with an inlet (1), the top of the shell is provided with a gas outlet (2), and the bottom of the shell is provided with a liquid outlet (3), characterized in that: A coarse filter element (5), a fine filter element (9), an upper liquid storage chamber (6), a lower liquid storage chamber (7), and a flow guide tube (13) are integrated inside the housing; wherein: The upper liquid storage chamber (6) surrounds the outer side of the coarse filter element (5) and is clamped at the middle position of the separator shell, so that the chamber in the separator shell is separated into two independent upper and lower chamber parts; in the upper chamber, an upper chamber airway and a fine filter element (9) are arranged above the coarse filter element (5), and the fine filter element (9) separates the upper chamber airway from the air outlet (2); a water outlet (14) for injecting water into the upper liquid storage chamber (6) is arranged at the outer bottom of the fine filter element; a condenser is integrated at the air outlet (2), and the lowest point of the condenser serves as its water outlet and is connected to the water outlet (14); a flow guide pipe (13) is arranged in the lower chamber, and the drainage end of the upper liquid storage chamber (6) is connected to the bottom of the lower liquid storage chamber (7) through the flow guide pipe (13).

2. The gas-water separator with condensation for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 1, characterized in that: A cooling core (4) is arranged inside the condenser tube; and A cold water inlet (10) and a cold water outlet (11) are provided on the tube wall of the condenser tube; the cold water inlet (10) is connected to the cold water outlet (11) via a cooling core (4).

3. The gas-water separator with condensation for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 2, characterized in that: The separator housing comprises an upper cover (8) and a housing body; wherein: The upper cover (8) adopts a convex shell structure, and the air outlet (2) at the top thereof is integrated with a condenser tube inclined upward, and a detachably connected fine filter element (9) is integrated inside the fine filter element (9); and the fine filter element (9) adopts a hollow structure, an upper cavity airway is formed inside the hollow structure, and the filter screen of the fine filter element (9) extends from the top of the upper cover (8) to the bottom of the upper cover (8), so that the upper cavity airway is isolated from the air outlet (2); The upper cover (8) and the shell body are sealed and fixedly connected.

4. The gas-water separator with condensation for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lower liquid storage chamber (7) comprises a horizontal liquid storage chamber and a vertical liquid storage chamber which are arranged and connected to each other up and down; wherein: An inlet (1) is provided at the top of one side of the horizontal liquid storage chamber; A liquid outlet (3) is provided at the bottom of the vertical liquid storage chamber, and a drain valve is installed at the liquid outlet (3).

5. The gas-water separator with condensation for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 4, characterized in that: The coarse filter element (5) comprises at least one of a wire mesh and a blade separator; and The fine filter element (9) includes a coalescer.

6. The gas-water separator with condensation for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 5, characterized in that: A wave-proof baffle is integrated in the horizontal liquid storage chamber; The wave-proof baffle is placed in a vertical direction and installed at the bottom of the horizontal liquid storage chamber.

7. The gas-water separator with condensation for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 6, characterized in that: An anti-rotation device is integrated in the vertical liquid storage chamber; wherein, A liquid outlet (3) is arranged at the bottom center of the vertical liquid storage cavity, and an anti-rotation device is also installed at the liquid outlet (3).

8. The gas-water separator with condensation for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 7, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the inlet (1) is smaller than the inner diameter of the condenser tube; and the condenser tube and the inlet (1) are arranged on the same side of the separator shell.

9. The gas-water separator with condensation for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 8, characterized in that: The fine filter cores (9) are provided in plurality and arranged at equal distances, and each fine filter core (9) is a hollow columnar structure; and, The wave-breaking baffles are provided in plurality and arranged at equal distances; The upper cover (8) and the shell body are fixedly connected by bolts.

10. The gas-water separator with condensation for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: A cooling core (4) is also arranged inside the transverse liquid storage cavity or inside the upper cover (8); The upper liquid storage chamber (6) and the coarse filter element (5) are detachably connected.

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