Bipolar plate runner structure, anode side structure and proton exchange membrane electrolytic tank

Abstract

The utility model discloses a bipolar plate runner structure, an anode side structure and a proton exchange membrane electrolytic tank, and belongs to the technical field of water electrolytic tanks. The flow channel structure is a snakelike flow channel, the snakelike flow channel comprises a horizontal section, the horizontal section is provided with an arc-shaped flow channel, a horizontal flow channel and a sawtooth flow channel in the fluid direction, the arc-shaped flow channel, the horizontal flow channel and the sawtooth flow channel are sequentially connected to form a flow channel unit, and the snakelike flow channel is formed by the multiple flow channel units. The horizontal section of the snakelike flow channel adopts a flow channel structure in which the arc-shaped flow channel, the horizontal flow channel and the sawtooth flow channel are used as a flow channel unit and a plurality of flow channel units are combined, so that the disturbance of airflow during flowing in the whole bipolar plate is increased, the transportation effect of gas in the flow channel is enhanced, reaction gas can enter the battery more easily, and the service life of the battery is prolonged. Compared with a previous simple snake-shaped flow channel, the electrolysis speed of the electrolytic tank is increased, the current generation rate is increased, and the current density is increased in unit time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a bipolar plate flow channel structure, an anode side structure and a proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell, belonging to the technical field of water electrolysis cells. Background Art

[0002] Proton exchange membrane electrolyzer (PEMEC) utilizes the electrochemical reaction of water electrolysis to separate hydrogen and oxygen with the assistance of proton exchange membrane to generate electricity. It has the advantages of clean energy production, high energy conversion efficiency, fast response speed, high purity of hydrogen produced, strong adaptability, long life and good stability, and has now become a hot research topic.

[0003] Today's traditional channel bipolar plate structures, such as parallel channels, serpentine channels, and interdigitated channels, all have problems such as uneven gas distribution, excessive pressure drop, and excessive dead zone (i.e., the area where bubbles accumulate, where it is difficult for the bubbles to flow out).

[0004] When the generated gas cannot be discharged from the flow channel in time, the flow of water will be hindered, thereby affecting the occurrence of electrochemical reactions in the flow channel. Utility Model Content

[0005] The utility model provides a bipolar plate flow channel structure, an anode side structure and a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, which are intended to change the local flow velocity and disturbance in the flow channel to enhance the mass transfer process, so that the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer and the proton exchange membrane fuel cell with second phase generation can react more stably and efficiently.

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is achieved by adopting the following technical solutions:

[0007] A bipolar plate flow channel structure, which is a serpentine flow channel. The serpentine flow channel includes a horizontal section. Along the fluid direction, the horizontal section is respectively provided with an arc flow channel, a horizontal flow channel and a serrated flow channel, and the arc flow channel, the horizontal flow channel and the serrated flow channel are sequentially connected into a flow channel unit, and multiple flow channel units constitute the serpentine flow channel.

[0008] Preferably, the number of the horizontal segments is several.

[0009] Preferably, the serpentine flow channel further includes a plurality of bending sections, and the ends of each two adjacent horizontal sections are connected to the bending sections.

[0010] Preferably, the bottom of the bending section, the side wall of the bending section and the side wall of the horizontal section are all horizontal planes.

[0011] Furthermore, the horizontal planes are all smooth horizontal planes.

[0012] Preferably, the bottom surface of the bipolar plate is also a smooth horizontal plane.

[0013] It should be noted that the bottom surface of the bipolar plate refers to the surface corresponding to the surface of the bipolar plate where the serpentine flow channel is located.

[0014] Preferably, the arc-shaped flow channel is a flow channel that protrudes upward relative to the horizontal flow channel, and the sawtooth flow channel is a flow channel with one side climbing upward along the horizontal flow channel.

[0015] Using the above solution, the airflow path in the serpentine flow channel is as follows:

[0016] After the airflow flows along a horizontal flow channel or along a bending section, it first climbs over an arc-shaped flow channel that bulges upward relative to the horizontal flow channel, then falls along the arc-shaped flow channel to the next horizontal flow channel, flows in the next horizontal flow channel, then climbs upward along the zigzag flow channel from the horizontal flow channel to the top of the zigzag flow channel, and then falls from the top to the horizontal flow channel on one side of the zigzag flow channel.

[0017] Preferably, the height of the protrusion on the arc-shaped flow channel is 0.3-0.5 mm, and the length of the inclined surface of the sawtooth flow channel is 1.5-2 mm.

[0018] Furthermore, the height of the protrusion on the arc-shaped flow channel is 0.35 mm, and the length of the inclined surface of the serrated flow channel is 1.61 mm.

[0019] Preferably, the number of the serpentine flow channels on the flow channel structure is one or more.

[0020] Furthermore, the number of the serpentine flow channel on the bipolar plate flow channel structure is one.

[0021] Preferably, the first and last ends of the serpentine flow channel form serial ports on the bipolar plate, namely, the liquid inlet and the reactant outlet.

[0022] Preferably, the number of the arc-shaped flow channels, the horizontal flow channels and the serrated flow channels is multiple, and the multiple arc-shaped flow channels, the multiple horizontal flow channels and the multiple serrated flow channels are alternately arranged on the horizontal section.

[0023] Preferably, the plurality of arc-shaped flow channels, the plurality of horizontal flow channels and the plurality of sawtooth flow channels are alternately arranged at the bottom of the horizontal section.

[0024] Preferably, the cross section of the sawtooth flow channel is an inclined surface.

[0025] Furthermore, the angle of the inclined surface is 10-15°.

[0026] Furthermore, the included angle of the inclined surface is 12.57°.

[0027] Preferably, the length of each of the horizontal flow channels is 1-2 mm.

[0028] Furthermore, the length of each of the horizontal flow channels is 1.5 mm.

[0029] An anode side structure comprises the above-mentioned bipolar plate flow channel structure, a gas diffusion layer, a catalyst layer and a proton exchange membrane which are connected together by screws, and the serpentine flow channel on the bipolar plate flow channel structure faces the gas diffusion layer.

[0030] A proton exchange membrane electrolyzer comprises the bipolar plate flow channel structure or the anode side structure.

[0031] The beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0032] (1) The horizontal section of the serpentine flow channel uses an arc flow channel, a horizontal flow channel and a zigzag flow channel as a flow channel unit. The flow channel structure that combines multiple flow channel units increases the disturbance of the airflow when it flows in the entire bipolar plate, strengthens the gas transportation function in the flow channel, and makes it easier for the reaction gas to enter the battery. Compared with the previous simple serpentine flow channel, the electrolysis speed of the electrolytic cell is accelerated, thereby increasing the rate of current generation and increasing the current density per unit time.

[0033] (2) The horizontal section of the serpentine flow channel uses an arc flow channel, a horizontal flow channel and a zigzag flow channel as a flow channel unit. The flow channel structure in which multiple flow channel units are combined can reduce the pressure drop at the inlet and outlet of the flow channel. The pressure change in the flow channel along the velocity direction, that is, the flow direction of the fluid, is reduced, the velocity change amplitude is small, and it is not easy to produce a dead zone. Therefore, the stability represented by the intensity of the reaction in the flow channel, the stability represented by the current density, the distribution of the reaction gas and liquid in the flow channel, the uniformity represented by the reaction occurrence area, etc. are better. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the serpentine flow channel on the bipolar plate in the utility model;

[0035] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The structural diagram of part A in the figure;

[0036] Figure 3 It is an exploded diagram of the bipolar plate, gas diffusion layer, catalyst layer and proton exchange membrane of the utility model.

[0037] In the figure: bipolar plate 1; serpentine flow channel 11; horizontal section 111; arcuate flow channel 1111; horizontal flow channel 1112; sawtooth flow channel 1113; bend section 112; liquid inlet 113; reactant outlet 114; gas diffusion layer 2; catalyst layer 3; proton exchange membrane 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In order to make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of the present invention easier to understand, the present invention is further described below in conjunction with specific illustrations.

[0039] Example 1

[0040] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, a bipolar plate flow channel structure, the flow channel structure is a serpentine flow channel 11, the serpentine flow channel 11 includes a plurality of horizontal sections 111 and a plurality of bending sections 112, and the ends of each two adjacent horizontal sections 111 are connected to the bending section 112, and the ends of the serpentine flow channel 11 form serial ports on the bipolar plate, namely, a liquid inlet 113 and a reactant outlet 114, along the fluid direction, the horizontal section 111 is respectively provided with a plurality of arc flow channels 1111, a plurality of horizontal flow channels 1112 and a plurality of sawtooth flow channels 1113, and an arc flow channel 1111, a horizontal flow channel 1112 and a sawtooth flow channel 1113 are sequentially connected to form a flow channel unit, and a plurality of flow channel units constitute the serpentine flow channel 11, and are arranged at the bottom of the horizontal section 111, and the number of the horizontal sections 111 There are several horizontal flow channels 1112, and the length of each serrated flow channel 1113 is 1.5 mm. The cross-section of the serrated flow channel 1113 is an inclined plane, and the angle of the inclined plane is 12.57°; the protrusion height on the arc flow channel 1111 is 0.35 mm, the inclined plane length of the serrated flow channel 1113 is 1.61 mm, the bottom of the bending section 112, the side wall of the bending section 112 and the side wall of the horizontal section 111 are all smooth horizontal planes, and the bottom surface of the bipolar plate 1 is also a smooth horizontal plane. It should be noted that the bottom surface of the bipolar plate 1 refers to the surface corresponding to the surface of the bipolar plate 1 where the serpentine flow channel 11 is located. Along the fluid direction, the arc flow channel 1111 is a flow channel that protrudes upward relative to the horizontal flow channel 1112, and the serrated flow channel 1113 is a flow channel whose side climbs upward along the horizontal flow channel 1112.

[0041] By adopting the above scheme, the flow path of the airflow in the serpentine channel 11 is as follows: after the airflow flows along a horizontal channel 1112 or along the bending section 112, it first climbs over the arc channel 1111 that protrudes upward relative to the horizontal channel 1112, and then falls along the arc channel 1111 to the next horizontal channel 1112. After flowing in the next horizontal channel 1112, it climbs upward from the horizontal channel 1112 along the serrated channel 1113 to the top of the serrated channel 1113, and then falls from its top to the horizontal channel 1112 on one side of the serrated channel 1113.

[0042] The horizontal section 111 of the serpentine flow channel 11 adopts an arc flow channel 1111, a horizontal flow channel 1112 and a serrated flow channel 1113 as a flow channel unit. The flow channel structure in which multiple flow channel units are combined increases the disturbance of the airflow when it flows in the entire bipolar plate 1, strengthens the transport function of the gas in the flow channel, and makes it easier for the reaction gas to enter the battery. Compared with the previous simple serpentine flow channel, the electrolysis speed of the electrolytic cell is accelerated, thereby accelerating the rate of current generation and increasing the current density per unit time.

[0043] The horizontal section of the serpentine flow channel 11 adopts an arc flow channel 1111, a horizontal flow channel 1112 and a sawtooth flow channel 1113 as a flow channel unit. The flow channel structure in which multiple flow channel units are combined can reduce the pressure drop at the inlet and outlet of the flow channel. The pressure change in the flow channel along the velocity direction, that is, the flow direction of the fluid is reduced, the velocity change amplitude is small, and dead zones are not easily generated. Therefore, the stability characterized by the intensity of the reaction in the flow channel, the current density, etc., the distribution of the reaction gas and liquid in the flow channel, the area where the reaction occurs, etc. are more uniform.

[0044] Example 2

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, an anode side structure includes the above-mentioned bipolar plate 1, gas diffusion layer 2, catalyst layer 3 and proton exchange membrane 4 connected together by screws, and the serpentine flow channel 11 on the bipolar plate 1 faces the gas diffusion layer 2.

[0046] Example 3

[0047] A proton exchange membrane electrolyzer comprises the bipolar plate flow channel structure or the anode side structure.

[0048] It should be noted that in the present invention, the substance entering the bipolar plate from the liquid inlet is water, and oxygen enters the serpentine flow channel of the flow channel plate through the diffusion layer, and finally exits from the reactant outlet after reaction. Part of it returns to the electrolytic cell through existing technical means, and the other part is discharged.

[0049] The above shows and describes the basic principle and main features of the utility model and the advantages of the utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that the utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model, the utility model may have various changes and improvements, which fall within the scope of the utility model to be protected. The scope of protection of the utility model is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A bipolar plate flow channel structure, the flow channel structure is a serpentine flow channel, characterized in that: The serpentine flow channel includes a horizontal section, and along the fluid direction, the horizontal section is respectively provided with an arc flow channel, a horizontal flow channel and a serrated flow channel, and the arc flow channel, the horizontal flow channel and the serrated flow channel are sequentially connected into a flow channel unit, and multiple flow channel units constitute the serpentine flow channel.

2. A bipolar plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the serpentine flow channels on the flow channel structure is one or more.

3. A bipolar plate flow channel structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ends of the serpentine flow channel form serial ports on the bipolar plate, namely, the liquid inlet and the reactant outlet.

4. A bipolar plate flow channel structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: There are multiple arc-shaped flow channels, multiple horizontal flow channels and multiple sawtooth flow channels, and multiple arc-shaped flow channels, multiple horizontal flow channels and multiple sawtooth flow channels are connected in sequence on the horizontal section.

5. A bipolar plate flow channel structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plurality of arc-shaped flow channels, the plurality of horizontal flow channels and the plurality of sawtooth flow channels are alternately arranged at the bottom of the horizontal section.

6. A bipolar plate flow channel structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The arc-shaped flow channel is a flow channel that protrudes upward relative to the horizontal flow channel, and the sawtooth flow channel is a flow channel with one side climbing upward along the horizontal flow channel.

7. A bipolar plate flow channel structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cross section of the sawtooth flow channel is an inclined surface; the length of each of the horizontal flow channels is 1-2 mm.

8. An anode side structure, characterized in that: The invention comprises a bipolar plate flow channel structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, a gas diffusion layer, a catalyst layer and a proton exchange membrane which are connected together by screws, and the serpentine flow channel on the bipolar plate flow channel structure faces the gas diffusion layer.

9. A proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, characterized in that: It comprises the bipolar plate flow channel structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or the anode side structure according to claim 8.

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