Leakage detection device of membrane electrode used by PEM electrolytic cell

Abstract

The utility model discloses a leakage detection device for a membrane electrode used in a PEM electrolytic cell. The detection device comprises a top plate, a bottom plate, a gas source and a pressure gauge, a first concave cavity is formed in the bottom side face of the top plate, and an air inlet hole is further formed in the top plate and used for introducing air into the first concave cavity; a fourth concave cavity is formed in the top surface of the bottom plate, and an exhaust hole is further formed in the bottom plate and used for exhausting gas in the fourth concave cavity; the top plate and the bottom plate are mutually buckled and connected, a membrane electrode to be detected is located between the top plate and the bottom plate, the top plate and the bottom plate are in airtight connection, and the membrane electrode completes separation of the first concave cavity and the fourth concave cavity; the gas source gas delivery pipe is connected with the gas inlet hole and used for injecting gas into the first concave cavity, a valve body is arranged between the gas source and the gas delivery pipe, a pressure gauge is arranged between the valve body and the gas inlet hole, and batch membrane electrode leakage amount measurement can be carried out through the monitoring device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of electrolytic hydrogen production, and in particular relates to a leakage detection device for a membrane electrode used in a PEM electrolyzer. Background Art

[0002] The PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production process has attracted widespread attention in the field of hydrogen production due to its high current density and high purity of hydrogen production. Hydrogen is a flammable and explosive gas, so the mixing ratio between hydrogen and oxygen must be strictly controlled in the electrolyzer during the hydrogen production process. Studies have shown that under normal temperature and pressure conditions, an explosion will occur when the oxygen content in hydrogen reaches 4%; an explosion will also occur when the hydrogen content in oxygen reaches 4%. This shows that it is extremely important to ensure the purity of hydrogen and oxygen gases during the hydrogen production process of the electrolyzer for work safety.

[0003] When the electrolyzer is overcharged for hydrogen production, in addition to using seals to ensure that gas does not leak, the leakage channel between the anode and cathode is likely to appear in the membrane electrode itself. When the membrane is perforated or crushed, the anode and cathode will leak directly through the membrane electrode holes, causing hydrogen and oxygen to mix with each other and cause safety accidents such as explosions. Therefore, before assembling the PEM electrolyzer, it should be clear whether there is leakage in the membrane electrode itself and whether the leakage per unit time meets the leakage safety requirements. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to overcome the problems of the prior art and disclose a leakage detection device for a membrane electrode used in a PEM electrolyzer. The monitoring device of the utility model can measure the leakage of the membrane electrode itself; check whether the leakage of the membrane electrode exceeds the standard; batch test the membrane electrodes; and test by a pressure drop method or a leakage accumulation method.

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A leakage detection device for a membrane electrode used in a PEM electrolyzer, the membrane electrode leakage detection device comprising: a top plate, a bottom plate, a gas source and a pressure gauge;

[0007] A first concave cavity is provided on the bottom side of the top plate, and an air inlet is provided on the top plate for introducing gas into the first concave cavity;

[0008] A fourth concave cavity is provided on the top surface of the bottom plate, and an exhaust hole is also provided on the bottom plate for exhausting the gas in the fourth concave cavity;

[0009] The top plate and the bottom plate are buckled and connected to each other, the membrane electrode to be tested is located between the top plate and the bottom plate, and the top plate and the bottom plate are airtightly connected, and the membrane electrode completes the separation of the first concave cavity and the fourth concave cavity;

[0010] The gas source gas delivery pipe is connected to the gas inlet hole and is used to inject gas into the first recessed cavity. A valve body is provided between the gas source and the gas delivery pipe, and a pressure gauge is provided between the valve body and the gas inlet hole.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the fourth recessed cavity is externally connected to an exhaust pipe via an exhaust hole, and a flow meter is provided on the exhaust pipe.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the membrane electrode leakage detection device further comprises a plurality of intermediate plates;

[0013] Each intermediate plate is arranged between the top plate and the bottom plate;

[0014] A second concave cavity is provided on the top side of the middle plate, and an exhaust hole is also provided on the middle plate for exhausting the gas in the second concave cavity;

[0015] A third concave cavity is provided on the bottom side of the middle plate, and an air inlet hole is also provided on the middle plate for introducing gas into the third concave cavity;

[0016] The top plate, each intermediate plate and the bottom plate are connected airtightly, the membrane electrode to be tested is clamped between adjacent plates, and the concave cavities of the two corresponding plates are separated;

[0017] The gas source is connected to the gas inlet holes of each plate through gas pipes for injecting gas into the corresponding recessed cavity. A valve body is provided between the gas source and the gas pipe, and a pressure gauge is provided between the valve body and the gas inlet hole.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the exhaust holes of each plate body are externally connected to a plurality of exhaust pipes, and each exhaust pipe is provided with a flow meter.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, a first sealing groove is provided on the bottom side of the top plate, and a sealing ring is provided in the first sealing groove; a second sealing groove is provided on the bottom side of the middle plate, and a sealing ring is provided in the second sealing groove.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the width and thickness of the sealing ring are adapted to the first sealing groove and the second sealing groove.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing ring is bonded and fixed to the top plate or the middle plate by glue or tape.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the air inlet and / or air outlet of each plate body is an L-shaped air hole structure.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, a plurality of positioning holes corresponding to each other are provided on the side frame of each plate body, and positioning and installation of each plate body is achieved by inserting positioning pins.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, a plurality of mounting holes corresponding to each other are provided on the side frame of each plate body, and the mounting and fixing of each plate body is achieved by inserting fastening bolts.

[0025] The above-mentioned main scheme of the utility model and its further optional schemes can be freely combined to form multiple schemes, all of which are schemes that can be adopted and claimed for protection by the utility model. After understanding the scheme of the utility model, those skilled in the art can understand that there are many combinations based on the existing technology and common knowledge, all of which are technical schemes to be protected by the utility model, and they are not exhaustively listed here.

[0026] Beneficial effects of the utility model:

[0027] The monitoring device of the utility model can accurately measure the leakage of each membrane electrode, improve the assembly qualification rate of the PEM electrolyzer, improve the production efficiency through batch detection, and judge whether the membrane electrode is qualified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the top plate structure of the monitoring device of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the middle plate of the monitoring device of the utility model;

[0030] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the middle plate of the monitoring device of the utility model;

[0031] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the bottom plate structure of the monitoring device of the utility model;

[0032] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the sealing ring of the monitoring device of the utility model;

[0033] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the membrane electrode to be detected;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the monitoring device of the utility model before assembly;

[0035] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the monitoring device of the utility model before assembly;

[0036] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the utility model monitoring device after assembly;

[0037] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the utility model monitoring device after assembly;

[0038] Among them, 10-top plate, 11-first positioning hole, 12-first recessed cavity, 13-first sealing groove, 14-first pore outlet, 15-first pore inlet, 20-middle plate, 21-second positioning hole, 22-second recessed cavity, 23-second pore outlet, 24-second pore inlet, 25-third recessed cavity, 26-second sealing groove, 27-third pore inlet, 28-third pore outlet, 30-bottom plate, 31-third positioning hole, 32-fourth recessed cavity, 33-fourth pore inlet, 34-fourth pore outlet, 40-sealing ring, 50-membrane electrode, 60-positioning pin, 70-gas source, 71-pressure gauge, 72-valve body, 80-collector, 81-flow meter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following describes the implementation of the present invention through specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific implementations, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0040] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0041] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc. indicate the orientation or position relationship based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or position relationship in which the utility model product is usually placed when in use, which is only for the convenience of describing the utility model and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used to distinguish the description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0042] In addition, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "overhanging" and the like do not mean that the components are required to be absolutely horizontal or overhanging, but can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" only means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical", and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0043] In the description of the present invention, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set", "install", "connect", and "connect" 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 it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0044] In addition, the present utility model should point out that, in the present utility model, if the specific structure, connection relationship, position relationship, power source relationship, etc. are not specifically written out, the structure, connection relationship, position relationship, power source relationship, etc. involved in the present utility model are all known by technical personnel in this field on the basis of existing technology without creative work.

[0045] Example 1

[0046] This embodiment takes a leakage detection device including a plurality of intermediate plates 20 as an example to illustrate the structure and function of the device.

[0047] refer to Figures 1 to 10 As shown, the figure shows a leakage detection device for a PEM electrolyzer using a membrane electrode, and the leakage detection device for the membrane electrode 50 includes: a top plate 10, a plurality of middle plates 20, a bottom plate 30, a gas source 70 and a pressure gauge 71.

[0048] Preferably, a first concave cavity 12 is provided on the bottom side of the top plate 10 , and the top plate 10 is also provided with an air inlet hole, which is a first air hole, for introducing gas into the first concave cavity 12 .

[0049] Specifically, the first air hole is an L-shaped air inlet hole, the first air hole outlet 14 of which is located on the plate surface in the first concave cavity 12 , and the first air hole inlet 15 is located on the side edge of the top plate 10 .

[0050] Furthermore, a first sealing groove 13 is provided on the bottom side of the top plate 10 , and cooperates with the sealing ring 40 to seal the reaction area of ​​the membrane electrode 50 .

[0051] Preferably, a second concave cavity 22 is provided on the top side of the middle plate 20 , and the middle plate 20 is also provided with an exhaust hole, namely, a second air hole, for exhausting the gas in the second concave cavity 22 .

[0052] Specifically, the second air hole is an L-shaped exhaust hole, the second air hole inlet 24 of which is located on the plate surface in the second concave cavity 22 , and the second air hole outlet 23 is located on the side edge of the middle plate 20 .

[0053] Preferably, a third concave cavity 25 is provided on the bottom side of the middle plate 20 , and the middle plate 20 is also provided with an air inlet hole, namely, a third air hole, for introducing gas into the third concave cavity 25 .

[0054] Specifically, the third air hole is an L-shaped air inlet hole, the third air hole outlet 28 thereof is located on the plate surface in the third concave cavity 25 , and the third air hole inlet 27 is located on the side edge of the middle plate 20 .

[0055] Furthermore, a second sealing groove 26 is provided on the bottom side of the intermediate plate 20 , and cooperates with the sealing ring 40 to seal the reaction area of ​​the membrane electrode 50 .

[0056] Preferably, a fourth concave cavity 32 is provided on the top surface of the bottom plate 30, and the bottom plate 30 is also provided with an exhaust hole, namely, a fourth air hole, for exhausting the gas in the fourth concave cavity.

[0057] Specifically, the fourth air hole is an L-shaped exhaust hole, the fourth air hole inlet 33 thereof is located on the plate surface in the fourth recessed cavity 32 , and the fourth air hole outlet 34 is located on the side edge of the bottom plate 30 .

[0058] Preferably, the width and thickness of the sealing ring 40 are adapted to the first sealing groove 13 and the second sealing groove 26, and can meet the sealing under the specified test pressure conditions. The sealing ring 40 is fixed to the top plate 10 or the middle plate 20 by glue or tape.

[0059] Preferably, the edge of the membrane electrode 50 has a plastic film of a certain width, which can withstand the pressure applied by the sealing ring during assembly; the middle reaction zone is mainly composed of the proton exchange membrane and the catalyst on its surface.

[0060] Preferably, the top plate 10, each intermediate plate 20 and the bottom plate 30 are airtightly connected, the membrane electrode 50 to be tested is clamped between adjacent plates, and the respective recessed cavities of the two corresponding plates are separated. The gas source 70 is connected to the air inlet holes of each plate through each air delivery pipe, respectively, for injecting gas into the corresponding recessed cavity, a valve body 72 is provided between the gas source 70 and the air delivery pipe, and a pressure gauge 71 is provided between the valve body 72 and the air inlet hole.

[0061] Preferably, the exhaust holes of each plate body are externally connected to a plurality of exhaust pipes, and each exhaust pipe is provided with a flow meter 81 .

[0062] Preferably, a plurality of positioning holes corresponding to each other are provided on the side frame of each plate body, and positioning and installation of each plate body can be achieved by inserting positioning pins 60 .

[0063] Preferably, a plurality of mounting holes corresponding to each other are provided on the side frame of each plate body, and each plate body is installed and fixed by inserting fastening bolts. The components are compressed by the pre-tightening force of the bolts to achieve a sealing effect.

[0064] Furthermore, the final assembly method of the device is not limited to the bolt fastening method, and the plates of the entire device can also be clamped and fastened by pressure equipment such as a press.

[0065] The method for leak detection by the leak detection device includes: during detection, first open the valve bodies 72 of all air inlet pipes, and introduce gas from the gas source 70. When the pressure displayed by each pressure gauge 71 reaches the preset value P, close the valve body 72 of each branch in turn. After stabilizing the pressure for a preset time, record the pressure drop value detected by the pressure gauge 71 corresponding to each membrane electrode 50.

[0066] The leakage detection method further includes: introducing gas from the gas source 70, and when the pressure indicated by each pressure gauge 71 stabilizes to a preset value P, stabilizing the pressure for a preset time, and recording the cumulative leakage of the gas indicated by the flow meter 81, thereby completing the membrane electrode leakage detection.

[0067] The detection device and detection method of the utility model are not only applicable to membrane electrode leakage detection, but also applicable to other situations where membrane leakage detection is required. In addition, the membrane electrode structure is not limited to square structure, but also applicable to special structures such as circular and polygonal structures, and the supporting device can be designed according to the membrane electrode structure.

[0068] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A leakage detection device for a PEM electrolyzer using a membrane electrode, characterized in that: The membrane electrode leakage detection device comprises: a top plate (10), a bottom plate (30), a gas source (70) and a pressure gauge (71); A first concave cavity (12) is provided on the bottom side of the top plate (10), and the top plate (10) is also provided with an air inlet hole for introducing gas into the first concave cavity (12); A fourth concave cavity (32) is provided on the top surface of the bottom plate (30), and an exhaust hole is also provided on the bottom plate (30) for exhausting the gas in the fourth concave cavity (32); The top plate (10) and the bottom plate (30) are connected to each other by buckling, the membrane electrode (50) to be detected is located between the top plate (10) and the bottom plate (30), and the top plate (10) and the bottom plate (30) are connected in an airtight manner, and the membrane electrode (50) completes the separation of the first recessed cavity (12) and the fourth recessed cavity (32); The gas source (70) gas delivery pipe is connected to the gas inlet hole and is used to inject gas into the first recessed cavity (12). A valve body (72) is provided between the gas source (70) and the gas delivery pipe, and a pressure gauge (71) is provided between the valve body (72) and the gas inlet hole.

2. The membrane electrode leakage detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fourth recessed cavity (32) is externally connected to an exhaust pipe via an exhaust hole, and a flow meter (81) is provided on the exhaust pipe.

3. The membrane electrode leakage detection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The membrane electrode leakage detection device further comprises a plurality of intermediate plates (20); Each intermediate plate (20) is arranged between the top plate (10) and the bottom plate (30); A second concave cavity (22) is provided on the top side of the middle plate (20), and the middle plate (20) is also provided with an exhaust hole for exhausting the gas in the second concave cavity (22); A third concave cavity (25) is provided on the bottom side of the middle plate (20), and the middle plate (20) is also provided with an air inlet hole for introducing gas into the third concave cavity (25); The top plate (10), each intermediate plate (20) and the bottom plate (30) are airtightly connected, the membrane electrode (50) to be tested is clamped between adjacent plates, and the respective recessed cavities of the two corresponding plates are separated; The gas source (70) is connected to the gas inlet holes of each plate body through gas pipes, respectively, for injecting gas into the corresponding recessed cavity. A valve body (72) is provided between the gas source (70) and the gas pipe, and a pressure gauge (71) is provided between the valve body (72) and the gas inlet hole.

4. The membrane electrode leakage detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The exhaust holes of each plate body are externally connected to a plurality of exhaust pipes, and each exhaust pipe is provided with a flow meter (81).

5. The membrane electrode leakage detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first sealing groove (13) is provided on the bottom side of the top plate (10), and a sealing ring (40) is provided in the first sealing groove (13); A second sealing groove (26) is provided on the bottom side of the middle plate (20), and a sealing ring (40) is provided in the second sealing groove (26).

6. The membrane electrode leakage detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The width and thickness of the sealing ring (40) are compatible with the first sealing groove (13) and the second sealing groove (26).

7. The membrane electrode leakage detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sealing ring (40) is bonded and fixed to the top plate (10) or the middle plate (20) using glue or tape.

8. The membrane electrode leakage detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The air inlet and / or air outlet of each plate body is an L-shaped air hole structure.

9. The membrane electrode leakage detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A plurality of positioning holes corresponding to each other are arranged on the side frame bodies of each plate body, and positioning pins (60) are inserted to realize the positioning and installation of each plate body.

10. The membrane electrode leakage detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A plurality of mounting holes corresponding to each other are arranged on the side frame of each plate body, and the mounting and fixing of each plate body is realized by inserting fastening bolts.

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