Flat plate type electrolytic cell using three-dimensional catalytic electrode
Through the flat electrolytic cell design of three-dimensional catalytic electrodes, the problems of electrode corrosion and polarization are solved, the efficient operation and cost reduction of the electrolytic cell are achieved, the electrolytic cell structure is simplified, and the electrolytic efficiency and equipment life are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422213754.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-18
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-09-10
AI Technical Summary
Traditional electrolytic cell designs have electrode corrosion and polarization, and the current density distribution is uneven, which affects the electrolytic efficiency and equipment life, and has high energy consumption and high cost.
The flat electrolytic cell design adopts a three-dimensional catalytic electrode, including anode plate, cathode plate, bipolar plate and pad plate. The three-dimensional catalytic electrode is used to guide catalysis and conduct electricity in the electrolytic chamber, combining porous structure and independent flow channels to achieve uniform diffusion of the electrolyte and gas-liquid separation.
Simplify the electrolytic cell structure, reduce volume, reduce manufacturing and maintenance costs, improve electrolytic efficiency, extend electrode life, and reduce energy consumption.
Smart Images
Figure CN223118566U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of electrolytic cells, and specifically relates to a flat plate electrolytic cell using a three-dimensional catalytic electrode. Background Art
[0002] An electrolyzer is a device used in the electrolysis process. By applying an electric current, the chemical substances in the electrolyte undergo an electrochemical reaction. It is widely used in the fields of metal extraction, hydrogen production by electrolysis of water, and synthetic chemicals. The working principle of the electrolyzer is based on the conductivity of the electrolyte solution or molten salt. The current is introduced through the electrode, causing the ions in the electrolyte to undergo reduction or oxidation reactions on the electrode surface, thereby achieving the purpose of decomposition or synthesis.
[0003] Traditional electrolyzer designs have been around for a long time, and although their working principles are relatively mature, they still face many challenges. In metal electrolyzers, electrode corrosion and polarization often affect electrolysis efficiency and equipment life. Traditional electrolyzers also have shortcomings in the uniformity of current density distribution and electrolyte flow, which may lead to uneven reactions or energy waste. In addition, current electrolyzer technology usually adopts traditional electrode design, which may lead to uneven current density in the electrode surface area, thereby affecting the overall effect of the electrolysis process. In order to improve electrolysis efficiency and electrode life, current research is mainly focused on improving the design of electrolyzers, including optimizing electrode materials, improving the flow pattern of the electrolyte, and improving the overall structure of the electrolyzer.
[0004] In addition, with the continuous growth of industrial demand, higher requirements are placed on the energy efficiency, stability and economy of electrolyzers. High-efficiency electrolyzers not only need to have excellent electrochemical performance, but also need to make breakthroughs in reducing energy consumption, reducing environmental impact and reducing production costs. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a flat-plate electrolytic cell using a three-dimensional catalytic electrode, which can greatly simplify the electrolytic cell structure, reduce the volume of the electrolytic cell, reduce the manufacturing and maintenance costs, and reduce the repair and maintenance costs.
[0006] The technical solutions adopted in this utility are as follows:
[0007] A flat-plate electrolytic cell using a three-dimensional catalytic electrode comprises a front end plate and a rear end plate; an anode plate and a cathode plate arranged between the front end plate and the rear end plate; and a bipolar plate, at least one of the bipolar plates being arranged between the anode plate and the cathode plate; a plurality of the bipolar plates are arranged between the anode plate and the cathode plate to form a plurality of parallel electrolytic chambers, and repeated units are arranged in the electrolytic chambers.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the repeating unit comprises:
[0009] A first backing plate, adjacent to the anode plate; and a second backing plate, adjacent to the bipolar plate and disposed opposite to the first backing plate; and a diaphragm, disposed between the first backing plate and the second backing plate.
[0010] Both the middle parts of the above two backing plates are provided with empty grooves, and three-dimensional catalytic electrodes are adaptively filled in the empty grooves for guiding catalysis and conduction. Symmetrical flow channel holes are provided on the plate bodies of the anode plate, the cathode plate, the bipolar plate and the two backing plates. The flow channel holes are used for guiding the electrolytic cell fluid to enter or discharge. The flow channel holes on the first backing plate and the second backing plate and the empty grooves form independent lye flow channels.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the lye flow channels on the first backing plate and the lye flow channels on the second backing plate are arranged in opposite directions.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the three-dimensional catalytic electrode has a porous structure inside.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, screw fixing holes are provided at the edge positions of the two end plates, the two electrode plates, the two backing plates and the bipolar plate close to the toroidal surface.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the plate body structures on both sides of the electrolytic cell and inside the electrolytic chamber are all flat plate types.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the plate body structure is a square flat plate structure. The flow channel holes are distributed up and down on the bipolar plate, the first backing plate and the second backing plate. And the surface of the lye flow channel at one diagonal position is set as a continuous wave surface.
[0016] Among them, the lower flow channel hole is the inlet of the electrolytic cell fluid, and the upper flow channel hole is the outlet of the electrolytic cell fluid.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the plate body structure is a circular flat plate structure. The flow channel holes are annularly distributed on the bipolar plate, the first backing plate and the second backing plate. And the surface of the lye flow channel at one opposite position is set as a continuous wave surface.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the plate body structure is a rectangular flat plate structure. The position distribution of the flow channel holes and the lye flow channels is the same as that of the square flat plate structure. The flow channel holes can be located on either side of the long side or the short side of the rectangular flat plate.
[0019] The technical effects obtained by this utility model are as follows:
[0020] The non-flow-channel flat bipolar plate of this utility model can greatly simplify the structure of the electrolytic cell, reduce the volume of the electrolytic cell, and lower the manufacturing and maintenance costs.
[0021] The three-dimensional catalytic electrode of this utility model can ensure the efficient operation of the electrolytic cell and reduce the maintenance cost. Description of the Drawings
[0022] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the separation structure of the electrolytic cell in this utility model;
[0023] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the separation structure of the front end plate and the rear end plate in this utility model;
[0024] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the backing plate, the three-dimensional catalytic electrode and the diaphragm in this utility model;
[0025] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the bipolar plate in this utility model;
[0026] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the half-sectional structure of the three-dimensional catalytic electrode in this utility model;
[0027] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the separated half-sectional structure of the circular flat-plate electrolytic cell in this utility model;
[0028] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of the circular flat-plate backing plate in this utility model.
[0029] In the attached drawings, the list of components represented by each reference numeral is as follows:
[0030] 1. Front end plate; 2. Anode plate; 3a. First part of the backing plate; 3b. Second part of the backing plate; 301. Flow channel hole; 302. Empty groove; 303. Alkali liquid flow channel; 4. Three-dimensional catalytic electrode; 5. Diaphragm; 6. Bipolar plate; 7. Cathode plate; 8. Rear end plate. Detailed implementation manners
[0031] To make the above objects, features and advantages of this utility model more obvious and understandable, the following will give a detailed description of the specific implementation manners of this utility model with reference to the accompanying drawings of the specification.
[0032] In the following description, many specific details are set forth to fully understand this utility model. However, this utility model can also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the connotation of this utility model. Therefore, this utility model is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.
[0033] Secondly, the so-called "one embodiment" or "embodiment" herein refers to a specific feature, structure or characteristic that can be included in at least one implementation manner of this utility model. The "in a preferred embodiment" that appears in different places in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an individual or alternative embodiment that excludes other embodiments.
[0034] Secondly, the present invention is described in detail with reference to the schematic diagram. When describing the present embodiment in detail, for the sake of convenience, the cross-sectional diagram showing the device structure will not be partially enlarged according to the general scale, and the schematic diagram is only an example, which should not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, in actual production, the three-dimensional dimensions of length, width and depth should be included.
[0035] Please see attached Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown, the present invention provides a flat-plate electrolyzer using a three-dimensional catalytic electrode, including a front end plate 1 and a rear end plate 8, which are arranged opposite to each other; and an anode plate 2 and a cathode plate 7, wherein the anode plate 2 is arranged adjacent to the front end plate 1, and the cathode plate 7 is adjacent to the rear end plate 8 and opposite to the anode plate 2.
[0036] Please see attached Figure 4 , and also includes a bipolar plate 6, at least one bipolar plate 6 is arranged between the anode plate 2 and the cathode plate 7 to form at least one anode chamber and at least one cathode chamber; a plurality of bipolar plates 6 are arranged between the anode plate 2 and the cathode plate 7 to form a plurality of parallel electrolysis chambers, and repeated units are arranged in the electrolysis chambers.
[0037] Specifically, the anode chamber and the cathode chamber have independent fluid channels. The anode plate 2 of the anode chamber is provided with a channel connecting the anode electrolysis chamber and the inlet and outlet of the cell body, so as to realize the entry and exit of the anode chamber fluid; the cathode plate 7 of the cathode chamber is provided with a channel connecting the cathode electrolysis chamber and the inlet and outlet of the electrolyte of the cell body, so as to realize the entry and exit of the anode chamber fluid.
[0038] See also Figure 3 The repeating unit includes a first pad 3a and a second pad 3b, the first pad 3a is close to the anode plate 2, the second pad 3b is close to the bipolar plate 6, and is arranged opposite to the first pad 3a, and the diaphragm 5 is arranged between the first pad 3a and the second pad 3b, and the diaphragm is used to prevent the hydrogen and oxygen generated on both sides of two adjacent electrolytic chambers from mixing.
[0039] Specifically, a hollow groove 302 is provided in the middle of the two pads, and the hollow groove 302 is adapted to be filled with a three-dimensional catalytic electrode 4 for connecting the channels of the adjacent electrolytic chambers on both sides and guiding catalysis and conduction. Symmetrical flow channel holes 301 are provided on the anode plate 2, the cathode plate 7, the bipolar plate 6 and the plate bodies of the two pads. The flow channel holes 301 are used to guide the fluid in or out of the electrolytic cell. The flow channel holes 301 on the first pad 3a and the second pad 3b and the hollow groove 302 form an independent alkali solution flow channel 303 for the alkali solution to enter the electrolytic chamber and to be evenly diffused in the electrolytic chamber.
[0040] More specifically, the alkali solution flow channel 303 on the first backing plate 3a and the alkali solution flow channel 303 on the second backing plate 3b are arranged opposite to each other.
[0041] It should be further noted that the symmetric flow channel holes 301 provided on the plates of the anode plate 2, the cathode plate 7, the bipolar plate 6, and the two backing plates are used for gas-liquid circulation. An alkali liquid inlet is provided at the lower ends of the front end plate 1 and the rear end plate 8, and a gas-liquid outlet is provided at the upper ends of the front end plate 1 and the rear end plate 8. Among them, the front end plate 1 is the oxygen outlet, and the rear end plate 8 is the hydrogen outlet, which can achieve the separation of hydrogen and oxygen.
[0042] Please refer to Figure 5 , the three-dimensional catalytic electrode 4 has a porous internal structure.
[0043] Among them, screw fixing holes are provided at the edge positions close to the toroidal surface of the two end plates, the two electrode plates, the two backing plates, and the bipolar plate 6. The screw rod horizontally passes through the screw fixing holes at the upper and lower four corners of each plate body in sequence, and fixing parts are used to fix both ends of the screw rod.
[0044] Specifically, the bipolar plate 6 is one of a conductive metal plate such as titanium, nickel, or stainless steel or a conductive carbon black plate;
[0045] The front end plate 1 and the rear end plate 8 are any one of a metal plate or a plastic plate, a resin plate, or a ceramic plate;
[0046] One part of the backing plate 3a and the second part of the backing plate 3b are any one of a rubber plate, a plastic plate, a resin plate, or a ceramic plate;
[0047] The diaphragm 5 is any one of an ion membrane or a non-ion membrane.
[0048] It is particularly worth noting that the plate structures on both sides of the electrolytic cell and inside the electrolytic chamber of this application are all flat plate types.
[0049] Example 1
[0050] Please refer to Figures 1 - 5 together, the specific structure of this implementation is:
[0051] The plate structure is a square flat plate structure. The flow channel holes 301 are distributed vertically on the bipolar plate 6, the first part of the backing plate 3a, and the second part of the backing plate 3b, and a continuous wave surface is provided on the surface of the alkali liquid flow channel 303 at one of the diagonal positions;
[0052] Among them, the lower flow channel hole 301 is the fluid inlet of the electrolytic cell, and the upper flow channel hole 301 is the fluid outlet of the electrolytic cell.
[0053] Example 2
[0054] Please refer to Figures 6 - 7 together, the specific structure of this implementation is:
[0055] The plate structure is a circular flat plate structure. The flow channel holes 301 are annularly distributed on the bipolar plate 6, a first part of the backing plate 3a, and a second part of the backing plate 3b. The surface of the lye flow channel 303 at one relative position is set as a continuous wave surface.
[0056] Among them, the diaphragm 5 structure in this embodiment can adopt a polyphenylene sulfide non-ionic diaphragm 5.
[0057] Embodiment Three
[0058] The specific structure of this embodiment is: the plate structure is a rectangular flat plate structure. The position distributions of the flow channel holes 301 and the lye flow channel 303 are the same as those of the square flat plate structure. The flow channel holes 301 can be located on either side of the long side or the short side of the rectangular flat plate. Since in this embodiment, the structure of the rectangular flat plate electrolytic cell is the same as that of the square flat plate electrolytic cell, it is not shown in the figure.
[0059] Based on the above three embodiments, during assembly, they are arranged and installed in the order of the front end plate 1, the anode plate 2, the first part of the backing plate 3a, the three-dimensional catalytic electrode 4, the diaphragm 5, the second part of the backing plate 3b, and [the bipolar plate 6, the first part of the backing plate 3a, the three-dimensional catalytic electrode 4, the diaphragm 5, the second part of the backing plate 3b]·N, the cathode plate 7, and the rear end plate 8, where N is any value for adding this unit and can be increased or decreased as needed.
[0060] Considering the above structure, during installation, the three-dimensional catalytic electrode 4 should be placed in the empty groove 302 in the middle of each backing plate. The three-dimensional catalytic electrode 4 should be in close contact with the diaphragm 5, the two plates, and the bipolar plate 6. And to ensure close contact with both ends, the three-dimensional catalytic electrode 4 needs to have a certain amount of deformation, and the amount of deformation should be 0% - 5% of the thickness of the three-dimensional catalytic electrode 4.
[0061] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: First, connect the lye inlet at the lower ends of the front end plate 1 and the rear end plate 8 to the lye tank, connect the gas-liquid outlet at the upper ends of the front end plate 1 and the rear end plate 8 to the gas-liquid separation and collection device, and turn on the lye pump to pump lye into the electrolytic cell. Then connect the anode plate 2 to the positive electrode of the power supply and the cathode plate 7 to the negative electrode of the power supply, and turn on the power supply. At this time, the electrolytic cell starts to work. The lye enters the internal lye flow channel 303 of the electrolytic cell through the lye inlet at the lower end of the front end plate 1, then enters the anode electrolysis chamber through the flow channel at the lower end of the backing plate, and diffuses in the anode electrolysis chamber through the flow channel on the three-dimensional catalytic electrode 4. The lye in the anode electrolysis chamber undergoes an electrolysis reaction to generate oxygen and water, flows into the gas-liquid flow channel in the electrolytic cell through the flow channel at the upper end of the backing plate, and then flows out of the electrolytic cell through the gas-liquid outlet at the upper end of the front end plate 1. The lye enters the internal lye flow channel 303 of the electrolytic cell through the lye inlet at the lower end of the rear end plate 8, then enters the cathode electrolysis chamber through the flow channel at the lower end of the backing plate, and diffuses in the cathode electrolysis chamber through the flow channel on the three-dimensional catalytic electrode 4. The lye in the cathode electrolysis chamber undergoes an electrolysis reaction to generate hydrogen and OH−, where OH− permeates through the non-ionic diaphragm 5 into the anode electrolysis chamber, and the hydrogen flows into the uppermost gas-liquid flow channel in the electrolytic cell through the flow channel at the upper end of the backing plate, and then flows out of the electrolytic cell through the gas-liquid outlet at the upper end of the front end plate 1.
[0062] The above are only the preferred embodiments of this utility model. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art in this technical field, without departing from the principle of this utility model, several improvements and refinements can be made, and these improvements and refinements should also be regarded as the protection scope of this utility model. The structures, devices, and operation methods not specifically described and explained in this utility model, unless otherwise specified and limited, are implemented according to the conventional means in this field.
Claims
1. A flat electrolytic cell using a three-dimensional catalytic electrode, characterized in that, The electrolyzer comprises: A front end plate (1) and a rear end plate (8); An anode plate (2) and a cathode plate (7) disposed between the front plate (1) and the rear plate (8); A bipolar plate (6), at least one of the bipolar plates (6) being arranged between the anode plate (2) and the cathode plate (7); a plurality of the bipolar plates (6) being arranged between the anode plate (2) and the cathode plate (7) to form a plurality of parallel electrolysis chambers, and repeated units being arranged in the electrolysis chambers.
2. The flat electrolytic cell using a three-dimensional catalytic electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that: The repeating unit comprises: A backing plate (3a) adjacent to the anode plate (2); The second backing plate (3b) is close to the bipolar plate (6) and is arranged opposite to the first backing plate (3a); A diaphragm (5) is disposed between the first backing plate (3a) and the second backing plate (3b); The middle parts of the two pads are provided with an empty groove (302), and the empty groove (302) is adapted to be filled with a three-dimensional catalytic electrode (4) for guiding catalysis and conduction. The anode plate (2), the cathode plate (7), the bipolar plate (6) and the plate bodies of the two pads are provided with symmetrical flow holes (301), and the flow holes (301) are used to guide the fluid of the electrolytic cell to enter or discharge. The flow holes (301) on the first pad (3a) and the second pad (3b) and the empty groove (302) form an independent alkali solution flow channel (303).
3. The flat electrolytic cell using a three-dimensional catalytic electrode according to claim 2, wherein: The alkali solution flow channel (303) on the first backing plate (3a) and the alkali solution flow channel (303) on the second backing plate (3b) are arranged opposite to each other.
4. A flat electrolytic cell using a three-dimensional catalytic electrode according to claim 2, characterized in that: The three-dimensional catalytic electrode (4) has an internal porous structure.
5. A flat electrolytic cell using a three-dimensional catalytic electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two end plates, the two polar plates, the two pads and the bipolar plate (6) are provided with screw fixing holes at edge positions close to the annular surface.
6. A flat electrolytic cell using a three-dimensional catalytic electrode according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that: The plate structures on both sides of the electrolytic cell and the inner electrolytic chamber are all flat plate structures.
7. A flat electrolytic cell using a three-dimensional catalytic electrode according to claim 6, characterized in that: The plate body structure is a square flat plate structure, the flow channel holes (301) are vertically distributed on the bipolar plate (6) and the first backing plate (3a) and the second backing plate (3b), and the surface of the alkali solution flow channel (303) at one diagonal position is set as a continuous wave surface; The flow channel hole (301) at the lower end is the fluid inlet of the electrolytic cell, and the flow channel hole (301) at the upper end is the fluid outlet of the electrolytic cell.
8. The flat electrolytic cell using a three-dimensional catalytic electrode according to claim 6, characterized in that: The plate body structure is a circular flat plate structure, and the flow channel holes (301) are distributed in a ring shape on the bipolar plate (6) and the first pad (3a) and the second pad (3b), and the surface of the alkali solution flow channel (303) at a relative position is set as a continuous wave surface.
9. A flat electrolytic cell using a three-dimensional catalytic electrode according to claim 6, characterized in that: The plate body structure is a rectangular flat plate structure. The position distribution of the flow channel hole (301) and the alkali solution flow channel (303) is consistent with that of a square flat plate structure. The flow channel hole (301) can be located on any side of the long side or short side of the rectangular flat plate.