Intermediate plate, three-chamber reactor and stacked reactor

Abstract

The utility model provides an intermediate plate, a three-chamber reactor and a stacked reactor. The middle plate is provided with a hollow cavity used for forming a middle chamber of the three-chamber reactor and further provided with an inlet and an outlet for fluid flowing, the inlet and the outlet are both communicated with the hollow cavity, the inlet is arranged away from the hollow cavity by a certain distance, and the outlet is arranged away from the hollow cavity by a certain distance. The inlet is communicated with the hollow cavity through the inlet distributor; the outlet is arranged at a certain distance away from the hollow cavity, and the outlet is communicated with the hollow cavity through the outlet distributor. According to the utility model, the structural design of the middle plate is improved, so that the fluid is dispersed along the edge of the middle chamber by the fluid inlet / outlet channel in the middle chamber, and the fluid is ensured to be uniformly dispersed to all areas of the middle chamber in the middle chamber and is collected by the outlet, thereby ensuring and improving the reaction efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electrochemical reactors, in particular to an intermediate plate, a three-chamber reactor and a stacked reactor. Background Art

[0002] The technology of electrocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide through electrochemical reaction can not only be used for carbon dioxide storage and mitigation of greenhouse effect, but also can be used in energy balance projects to achieve peak and valley power allocation of the power grid by regulating the time period when the electrochemical reactor is connected to the power grid. Existing electrochemical reactors have three-chamber structures, two-chamber structures, etc., which can all be used in the field of electrocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide. The collection methods of the products of reactors with different configurations are also different, but the essence of the reaction is still based on the redox reaction of electrocatalysis.

[0003] In order to realize the independent collection of reaction products on the basis of the prior art, a three-chamber structure is usually adopted. In this regard, the invention patent application entitled "Three-chamber reactor and stacked reactor" with publication number CN116463653A has disclosed a reactor with a three-chamber structure. The middle chamber of the reactor generally supplies an electrolyte solution or a solid electrolyte with the same ion transport function. In order to provide a larger reaction area, the reactor usually has a large cross-sectional area. At the same time, in order to reduce the ion transport resistance between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, it often has a thinner thickness. Therefore, in a practical three-chamber reactor, each chamber, especially the middle chamber, is usually a wide and thin-walled hollow area. After actual use, it was found that the reaction effect of the three-chamber reactor using the usual direct liquid inlet method could not meet theoretical expectations well. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to improve the reaction efficiency of the existing three-chamber reactor, the utility model provides a middle plate, a three-chamber reactor and a stacked reactor.

[0005] The utility model provides an intermediate plate, which has a hollow cavity for forming the middle chamber of a three-chamber reactor, and also has an inlet and an outlet for fluid flow, wherein the inlet and the outlet are both connected to the hollow cavity, and also includes

[0006] An inlet distributor, wherein the inlet is arranged at a certain distance away from the hollow cavity, and the inlet is connected to the hollow cavity via the inlet distributor;

[0007] An outlet distributor, wherein the outlet is arranged at a certain distance away from the hollow cavity, and the outlet is connected to the hollow cavity through the outlet distributor.

[0008] Preferably, the inlet distributor starts from the inlet and is radially connected to the edge of the hollow cavity; the outlet distributor starts from the outlet and is radially connected to the edge of the hollow cavity.

[0009] Preferably, the inlet distributor includes a plurality of sub-channels, and the outlet distributor includes a plurality of sub-channels; the sub-channels start from the inlet and are distributed along the edge of the hollow cavity; or, the sub-channels start from the outlet and are distributed along the edge of the hollow cavity.

[0010] Preferably, the sub-channel is a groove formed on one side surface of the middle plate.

[0011] Preferably, the wall thickness of the hollow cavity does not exceed 3 mm.

[0012] The utility model provides a three-chamber reactor, comprising an anode chamber, an intermediate chamber and a cathode chamber arranged in sequence, the anode chamber and the intermediate chamber are separated by an anode film layer, and the cathode chamber and the intermediate chamber are separated by a cathode film layer, and is characterized in that the intermediate chamber is formed by the hollow cavity of the intermediate plate described in any one of the above items.

[0013] Preferably, the intermediate chamber has a solid electrolyte, and a pure fluid is introduced into the intermediate chamber, wherein the pure fluid includes one of pure water and an inert gas.

[0014] Preferably, the anode membrane layer and the cathode membrane layer have corresponding catalyst layers and ion exchange layers.

[0015] The middle chamber has a solid electrolyte, and a pure fluid is introduced into the middle chamber, wherein the pure fluid includes one of pure water and an inert gas.

[0016] The utility model provides a stacked reactor, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of three-chamber reactors stacked in sequence, and the three-chamber reactor is any one of the three-chamber reactors described above.

[0017] Preferably, adjacent three-chamber reactors are separated by an insulating layer, the anode and cathode of the three-chamber reactor are respectively connected to an external power supply, and the three-chamber reactors are connected in parallel in the circuit.

[0018] Preferably, the three-chamber reactor comprises an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, wherein the anode chamber is formed by an inner recess of an anode plate, and the cathode chamber is formed by an inner recess of a cathode plate; the anode plate and the cathode plate are the same components with the same structure and are flipped for use.

[0019] The utility model improves the existing three-chamber reactor. In order to solve the problem of reduced reactor reaction efficiency caused by uneven distribution of fluid in the middle chamber, the structural design of the middle plate is improved so that the fluid inlet and outlet channels in the middle chamber can initially disperse the fluid along the edge of the middle chamber, ensuring that the fluid is relatively evenly dispersed to all areas of the middle chamber and collected by the outlet. Since the flow uniformity of the internal fluid is ensured, the fluid is ensured to be distributed to the position in the middle chamber in time to take away the reaction products, thereby ensuring the unobstructed ion channel in the reaction and the timely discharge of the reaction products, thereby ensuring and improving the reaction efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the principle of the three-chamber reactor of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a side view structural schematic diagram of the three-chamber reactor of the utility model and a comparative schematic diagram of the plate 131 and the anode plate 111 (cathode plate 151) in its components;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the middle plate 131 of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a stacked reactor of the present invention.

[0024] In the figure:

[0025] 1: three-chamber reactor; 2: insulating layer; 3: end plate; 11: anode chamber; 12: anode membrane layer; 13: intermediate chamber; 14: cathode membrane layer; 15: cathode chamber; 111: anode plate; 131: intermediate plate; 132: hollow cavity; 133: inlet; 134: outlet; 135: water inlet distributor; 136: water outlet distributor; 137: sub-channel; 151: cathode plate; GIN: cathode inlet channel; GOT: cathode outlet channel; LIN: anode inlet channel; LOT: anode outlet channel; RIN: intermediate chamber inlet channel; ROT: intermediate chamber outlet channel; SE: sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. In this specification, the size ratios in the drawings do not represent the actual size ratios, but are only used to reflect the relative position relationship and connection relationship between the components. Components with the same name or the same number represent similar or identical structures and are only for illustrative purposes.

[0027] Figure 1The schematic diagram of the principle of the three-chamber reactor of the utility model generally includes an anode chamber 11, an intermediate chamber 13 and a cathode chamber 15 arranged in sequence. The anode chamber 11 and the intermediate chamber 13 are separated by an anode film layer 12, and the cathode chamber 15 and the intermediate chamber 13 are separated by a cathode film layer 14. During the reaction, the anode chamber 11 provides the water required for the reaction, so the electrolyte solution or water is introduced into the anode chamber. On the other hand, carbon dioxide is reduced in the cathode chamber 15, so carbon dioxide gas is introduced into the cathode chamber. Depending on the different reactions of the selective catalysis in the cathode chamber 15, the specific components of the reactants in the cathode chamber 15 can be slightly different. For example, in the task of making formic acid and acetic acid from carbon dioxide, the cathode also needs the participation of water to provide the hydrogen element required for the conversion of carbon dioxide into formate or acetate. The intermediate chamber can be introduced with an electrolyte solution to form an ion transport channel in the intermediate chamber 13 that communicates the anode film layer 12 and the cathode film layer 14, so that the anode product and the cathode product can form products in the intermediate chamber, such as formic acid or acetic acid. The anode film layer 12 and the cathode film layer 14 generally have corresponding catalyst layers and ion exchange layers. In view of this, the solution introduced into the intermediate chamber is generally a formate solution or an acetic acid solution to avoid introducing impurity ions into the product. In fact, a solid electrolyte is preferably used in the intermediate chamber to avoid the influence of impurity ions brought by the electrolyte solution in the intermediate chamber on the generated product.

[0028] Figure 2 1 is a schematic diagram of the side view of the three-chamber reactor of the present invention and a schematic diagram of the comparison of the plates 131 and the anode plate 111 (cathode plate 151) in its components. Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the anode chamber 11 can be formed in the anode plate 111, and the anode plate 111 has a recessed portion provided on one side. After the anode plate 111 is sealed with the anode film layer 12, the recessed portion naturally forms the anode chamber 11. Similarly, the recessed portion on the cathode plate 151 is used to form the cathode chamber 15. The middle plate 131 has a hollow area, and after being sealed with the anode film layer 12 and the cathode film layer 14 on both sides, the hollowed area forms the middle chamber 13. The reactor reacts at the contact interface between each chamber and the film layer, so the contact area between the chamber and the film layer affects the reaction efficiency. From this aspect, each chamber of the reactor always has a large area in the specific cross section shown in the figure. The ion transport in the middle chamber occurs between the anode film layer 12 and the cathode film layer 14. The ion transport direction is generally perpendicular to the specific cross section. In order to reduce the mass transfer resistance, which means shortening the transport distance, the middle chamber 13 is relatively thin. In the actual reactor, the actual wall thickness of the middle chamber 13 is about 1-2 mm, and generally does not exceed 3 mm. This results in the middle chamber as a whole being Figure 3Shown is a thin sandwich cavity, which will significantly lead to uneven flow of the fluid (electrolyte solution, pure water or other substances) at the inlet and outlet, thereby causing uneven distribution of the fluid in the middle chamber 13. Experimental analysis shows that this is the main reason why the reactor in the background technology cannot achieve the expected reaction efficiency. This is particularly evident in the three-chamber reactor using a solid electrolyte. The reason is that the solid electrolyte combined with the thin wall thickness of the middle chamber 13 will aggravate the flow resistance of the fluid, thereby aggravating the uneven distribution problem of the inlet and outlet positions of the fluid.

[0029] like Figure 2 , 3The schematic diagram of the middle plate 131 shown, the middle plate 131 of the three-chamber reactor of the utility model is formed with a hollow cavity 132, and an inlet 133 and an outlet 134 are formed on both sides of the hollow cavity 132, respectively. The inlet 133 and the outlet 134 are arranged at a certain distance from the hollow cavity 132, and the inlet 133 is connected to the hollow cavity 132 through the water inlet distributor 135, and the outlet 134 is connected to the hollow cavity 132 through the water outlet distributor 136. The water inlet distributor 135 starts from the inlet 133 and is radially connected to the edge of the hollow cavity 132, and the water outlet distributor 136 starts from the outlet 134 and is radially connected to the edge of the hollow cavity 132. The water inlet distributor 135 and the water outlet distributor 136 are used to make the fluid flow in the hollow cavity 132 as evenly as possible, so as to evenly distribute the fluid in the hollow cavity 132, and at the same time, the reaction product is discharged in time to prevent the reaction product from being locally accumulated in the hollow cavity 132. The water inlet distributor 135 and the water outlet distributor 136 both have a plurality of sub-channels 137, and the sub-channels all start from the inlet 133 or the outlet 134, and the other end of the sub-channel 137 is distributed along the edge of the hollow cavity 132 to form a radial diffusion. The sub-channel does not penetrate the two surfaces of the hollow cavity 132, and is only realized by grooving on one side of the surface of the middle plate 131. Although the water inlet distributor 135 or the water outlet distributor 136 can be configured to extend from the inlet 133 or the outlet 134 to the hollow cavity 132 in a single trumpet-shaped expansion channel, this is not a preferred solution in the present application. The reason is that in the three-chamber reactor of the aforementioned example, the reaction actually occurs mainly in the area corresponding to the hollow cavity 132 due to the cross-sectional size of the anode chamber 11, the cathode chamber 15 and the intermediate chamber 13. Therefore, the range where the water outlet distributor 136 and the water inlet distributor 135 are located is still preferably such that the anode film layer 12 and the cathode film layer 14 can perform a sealing function rather than being used for reaction, so it is preferably required that the water outlet distributor 136 and the water inlet distributor 135 can keep the cathode film layer 14 and the anode film layer 12 pressed and sealed. By designing the water inlet distributor 135 and the water outlet distributor 136 to be formed by a plurality of radial sub-channels 137, the protrusions between the sub-channels 137 can be used to keep the anode film layer 12 and the cathode film layer 14 in a pressed state. It is ensured that the reaction is carried out only in the projected area of ​​the expected hollow cavity 132.

[0030] The three-chamber reactor can be stacked in multiple configurations to form a stacked reactor. Figure 4Schematic diagram of a stacked reactor. It is composed of several stacked three-chamber reactors, each adjacent three-chamber reactor 1 is separated by an insulating layer 2, the anode and cathode of each three-chamber reactor 1 are respectively connected to an external power supply, and the three-chamber reactors 1 are connected in parallel in the circuit. The insulating layer 2 ensures that the parallel three-chamber reactors 1 do not interfere with each other. A sensor SE can be optionally provided in each three-chamber reactor 1 for monitoring the reactor state or at least a hole or groove for installing the reactor can be reserved. The sensor SE can usually be a temperature sensor. The stacked reactor has an anode inlet channel LIN and an anode outlet channel LOT connecting the anode chamber 11 of each three-chamber reactor 1, a cathode inlet channel GIN and a cathode outlet channel GOT connecting the cathode chamber 15 of each three-chamber reactor 1, and an intermediate chamber inlet channel RIN and an intermediate chamber outlet channel ROT connecting the intermediate chamber 13 of each three-chamber reactor 1. Preferably, the inlets and outlets of the anode inlet channel LIN, the anode outlet channel LOT, the cathode inlet channel GIN, the cathode outlet channel GOT, the intermediate chamber inlet channel RIN and the intermediate chamber outlet channel ROT are all arranged on one side of the stacked reactor. Generally, end plates are arranged on both sides of the stacked reactor, and the two end plates are connected and fixed to press and fix the three-chamber reactor 1, so the inlets and outlets are preferably arranged on one side of the end plate 3. When multiple three-chamber reactors 1 are stacked for use, there is no structural difference between the anode plate 111 and the cathode plate 151, and the same components with the same structure can be used, but the direction is flipped when used, so that the anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 15 are opposite.

[0031] The above content is only a description of the preferred implementation mode of the utility model, and does not limit the scope of the utility model. Without departing from the design spirit of the utility model, various modifications and improvements made to the technical solution of the utility model by ordinary technicians in this field should fall within the protection scope determined by the claims of the utility model.

Claims

1. An intermediate plate having a hollow cavity (132) for forming an intermediate chamber (13) of a three-chamber reactor, and also having an inlet (133) and an outlet (134) for fluid flow, wherein the inlet (133) and the outlet (134) are both connected to the hollow cavity (132), characterized in that: Also includes An inlet distributor (135), wherein the inlet (133) is arranged at a certain distance away from the hollow cavity (132), and the inlet (133) is connected to the hollow cavity (132) via the inlet distributor (135); An outlet distributor (136), wherein the outlet (134) is arranged at a certain distance away from the hollow cavity (132), and the outlet (134) is connected to the hollow cavity (132) via the outlet distributor (136).

2. The intermediate plate according to claim 1, characterized in that The inlet distributor (135) starts from the inlet (133) and is radially connected to the edge of the hollow cavity (132); the outlet distributor (136) starts from the outlet (134) and is radially connected to the edge of the hollow cavity (132).

3. The intermediate plate according to claim 2, characterized in that The inlet distributor (135) includes a plurality of sub-channels (137), and the outlet distributor (136) includes a plurality of sub-channels (137); the sub-channels (137) start from the inlet (133), and the sub-channels (137) are distributed along the edge of the hollow cavity (132); or, the sub-channels (137) start from the outlet (134), and the sub-channels (137) are distributed along the edge of the hollow cavity (132).

4. The intermediate plate according to claim 3, characterized in that The sub-channel (137) is a groove formed on one side surface of the middle plate (131).

5. The intermediate plate according to claim 1, characterized in that The wall thickness of the hollow cavity (132) does not exceed 3 mm.

6. A three-chamber reactor, comprising an anode chamber (11), an intermediate chamber (13) and a cathode chamber (15) arranged in sequence, wherein the anode chamber (11) and the intermediate chamber (13) are separated by an anode film layer (12), and the cathode chamber (15) and the intermediate chamber (13) are separated by a cathode film layer (14), characterized in that: The intermediate chamber (13) is formed by a hollow cavity (132) of the intermediate plate according to any one of claims 1-5.

7. The three-chamber reactor according to claim 6, characterized in that The intermediate chamber (13) contains a solid electrolyte, and a pure fluid flows into the intermediate chamber (13), wherein the pure fluid includes one of pure water and an inert gas.

8. The three-chamber reactor according to claim 6, characterized in that The anode membrane layer (12) and the cathode membrane layer (14) have corresponding catalyst layers and ion exchange layers; The middle chamber (13) contains a solid electrolyte, and a pure fluid is introduced into the middle chamber (13), wherein the pure fluid includes one of pure water and an inert gas.

9. A stacked reactor, characterized in that: It comprises a plurality of three-chamber reactors (1) stacked in sequence, wherein the three-chamber reactor (1) is the three-chamber reactor according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. The stacked reactor according to claim 9, characterized in that: Adjacent three-chamber reactors (1) are separated by an insulating layer (2), the anode and cathode of the three-chamber reactor (1) are respectively connected to an external power supply, and the three-chamber reactors (1) are connected in parallel in the circuit.

11. The stacked reactor according to claim 9, characterized in that: The three-chamber reactor (1) comprises an anode chamber (11) and a cathode chamber (15); the anode chamber (11) is formed by the inner recess of the anode plate (111), and the cathode chamber (15) is formed by the inner recess of the cathode plate (151); the anode plate (111) and the cathode plate (151) are the same components with the same structure and are flipped for use.

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