Electrochemical heat pump system
By increasing the water content in the electrolyte membrane and optimizing the working fluid circulation, the problem of high internal resistance of the battery in the electrochemical heat pump system is solved, and higher performance coefficient and energy efficiency are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422429817.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-29
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-10-09
AI Technical Summary
The existing electrochemical heat pump systems have shortcomings in performance and energy consumption, especially the high internal resistance of the battery, resulting in large power consumption.
By increasing the water content in the electrolyte membrane to improve the conductivity of the electrolyte membrane, reducing the internal resistance of the electrochemical cell, and realizing heat pump circulation through components such as condensers, expansion devices, evaporators, gas-liquid separators and humidifiers during the working fluid circulation process, heat exchange is carried out using different boiling points of the dehydrogenation and hydrogenation reactants.
It effectively reduces the overall power consumption of electrochemical batteries, improves the performance coefficient (COP) of the system, and reduces ohmic loss and overall energy loss.
Smart Images
Figure CN223285002U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present application relates to the field of electrochemical technology, and more specifically, to an electrochemical heat pump system. Background Art
[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the background of the present disclosure. To the extent described in this section, the work of the presently named inventors and aspects of the description that may not constitute prior art at the time of filing are neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted to be prior art to the present disclosure.
[0003] In recent years, chemical heat pump technology has gradually gained popularity and promotion. Electrochemical heat pump systems are considered a viable alternative to compression heat pump systems due to their advantages such as high coefficient of performance (COP), small size, and low noise.
[0004] Application Contents
[0005] According to the present application, an electrochemical heat pump system is provided, comprising:
[0006] An electrochemical cell comprising an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, and an electrolyte membrane located between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, wherein the anode chamber is provided with an anode inlet and an anode outlet for discharging an aqueous anode product, and the cathode chamber is provided with a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet for discharging a cathode product;
[0007] a first pipeline, one end of which is connected to the anode outlet and the other end of which is connected to the cathode inlet, wherein the first pipeline is provided with a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator, a gas-liquid separator, and a humidifier in sequence along the flow direction of the aqueous anode product, wherein the gas-liquid separator has a gas outlet and a liquid outlet, the gas outlet is connected to the humidifier through the first pipeline, and the liquid outlet is connected to the humidifier through a liquid supply pipeline; and
[0008] The second pipeline has one end connected to the cathode outlet and the other end connected to the anode inlet.
[0009] Optionally, in the above-mentioned electrochemical heat pump system, the first pipeline is also provided with a heat recovery device, and the heat recovery device includes a first half and a second half, wherein the first half is located in the pipe section between the anode outlet and the condenser, and the second half is located in the pipe section between the cathode inlet and the humidifier.
[0010] Optionally, in the above electrochemical heat pump system, the liquid supply pipeline is provided with a first pump device, and the second pipeline is provided with a second pump device.
[0011] Optionally, in the above electrochemical heat pump system, a one-way valve is provided on the first pipeline and between the gas-liquid separator and the humidifier, and a two-way control valve is provided on the liquid supply pipeline and between the gas-liquid separator and the humidifier.
[0012] Optionally, in the above electrochemical heat pump system, the electrochemical heat pump system further comprises one or more of a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor; and
[0013] The gas-liquid separator is provided with a liquid level sensor.
[0014] In addition, according to the present application, an electrochemical heat pump system is also provided, which includes:
[0015] An electrochemical cell comprising an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, and an electrolyte membrane located between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, wherein the anode chamber is provided with an anode inlet and an anode outlet for discharging an aqueous anode product, and the cathode chamber is provided with a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet for discharging a cathode product;
[0016] a first pipeline, one end of which is connected to the anode outlet and the other end of which is connected to the cathode inlet, wherein the first pipeline is provided with a condenser, an expansion device, a gas-liquid separator, an evaporator, and a humidifier in sequence along the flow direction of the aqueous anode product, wherein the gas-liquid separator has a gas outlet and a liquid outlet, the gas outlet is connected to the evaporator through the first pipeline, and the liquid outlet is connected to the humidifier through a liquid supply pipeline; and
[0017] The second pipeline has one end connected to the cathode outlet and the other end connected to the anode inlet.
[0018] Optionally, in the above-mentioned electrochemical heat pump system, the first pipeline is also provided with a heat recovery device, and the heat recovery device includes a first half and a second half, wherein the first half is located in the pipe section between the anode outlet and the condenser, and the second half is located in the pipe section between the cathode inlet and the humidifier.
[0019] Optionally, in the above electrochemical heat pump system, the liquid supply pipeline is provided with a first pump device, and the second pipeline is provided with a second pump device.
[0020] Optionally, in the above electrochemical heat pump system, a one-way valve is provided on the first pipeline between the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator, and a two-way control valve is provided on the liquid supply pipeline between the gas-liquid separator and the humidifier.
[0021] Optionally, in the above electrochemical heat pump system, the electrochemical heat pump system further comprises one or more of a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor; and
[0022] The gas-liquid separator is provided with a liquid level sensor.
[0023] It can be understood that the electrochemical heat pump system of the present application improves the conductivity of the electrolyte membrane by increasing the water content of the electrolyte membrane, thereby effectively reducing the internal resistance of the electrochemical cell and further reducing the overall power consumption of the battery stack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The disclosure of this application will be more easily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Furthermore, similar numbers in the figures represent similar components, where:
[0025] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram exemplarily shows an embodiment of the electrochemical heat pump system disclosed in this application; and
[0026] Figure 2 A structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the electrochemical heat pump system disclosed in the present application is exemplarily shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] To make the above-mentioned purposes, features, and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. First, it should be noted that directional terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "inside," "outside," "top," and "bottom" mentioned or potentially mentioned in this specification are defined relative to the structures shown in the accompanying drawings. These are relative concepts and may vary depending on their location and usage. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be interpreted as restrictive.
[0028] Figure 1The structure of the electrochemical heat pump system disclosed in the present application is shown. The electrochemical heat pump system 10 is composed of an electrochemical cell 100, a first pipeline 200 and a second pipeline 300. The electrochemical cell 100 includes an anode chamber 110, a cathode chamber 120 and an electrolyte membrane 130 or a proton exchange membrane between the anode chamber 110 and the cathode chamber 120. The anode chamber 110 is used to accommodate a dehydrogenation reactant (anode reactant) and water, so that the dehydrogenation reactant undergoes a dehydrogenation reaction in the presence of water to generate a dehydrogenation product. The cathode chamber 120 is used to accommodate a hydrogenation reactant (cathode reactant) and water, so that the hydrogenation reactant undergoes a hydrogenation reaction in the presence of water to generate a hydrogenation product. The electrolyte membrane 130 can be, for example, a perfluorosulfonic acid proton exchange membrane, a fluorinated polymer membrane, a non-fluorinated polymer membrane, a composite membrane, a hydrocarbon membrane or a porous diaphragm. It should be noted that the electrolyte membrane 130 has a high proton conductivity within the selected temperature range and working fluid environment, facilitating proton conduction and providing a barrier to working fluid permeation and electron conduction. Furthermore, the electrolyte membrane exhibits good chemical and thermal stability and meets certain mechanical strength requirements. A catalytic layer and a diffusion layer are provided on the anode side of the electrolyte membrane 130, facing the anode chamber 110, for the dehydrogenation reaction. A catalytic layer and a diffusion layer are provided on the cathode side of the electrolyte membrane 130, facing the cathode chamber 120, for the hydrogenation reaction. Therefore, the proton-conducting electrolyte membrane, the catalytic layer and diffusion layer for the working fluid dehydrogenation reaction on the anode side, and the catalytic layer and diffusion layer for the hydrogenation reaction on the cathode side constitute the core structure of the electrochemical cell 100. This core structure is supported by bipolar plates (not shown), which can be made of metal or graphite. These plates have grooved channels formed therein, serving as pathways for the entry and distribution of the reactants and the exit of the generated products. Depending on the heat load requirements and battery performance, the core structure and bipolar plates of the electrochemical cell can be repeatedly stacked to form a battery stack.
[0029] As an important working fluid or electrolytic medium circulating in the electrochemical heat pump system 10, the dehydrogenation reactant and the dehydrogenation product can be, for example, selected from a combination of isopropanol and acetone, methanol and formaldehyde, ethanol and acetaldehyde, butanol and butanone. In the present application, the dehydrogenation reactant is the same as the hydrogenation product, and the dehydrogenation product is the same as the hydrogenation reactant. Taking isopropanol as the dehydrogenation reactant and acetone as the dehydrogenation product as an example, the anode chamber 110 accommodates isopropanol and water, for example, the weight ratio of isopropanol to water can be in the range of 95:5 to 50:50, so that isopropanol can undergo a dehydrogenation reaction to produce acetone in the presence of water, and the anode chamber 110 is provided with an anode inlet 111 and an anode outlet 112 for discharging the aqueous anode product, wherein the aqueous anode product comprises water, acetone and possible incompletely reacted isopropanol. On the other hand, the cathode chamber 120 contains acetone and water, allowing the acetone to undergo a hydrogenation reaction in the presence of water to produce isopropanol. The cathode chamber 120 is provided with a cathode inlet 121 and a cathode outlet 122 for discharging cathode products, wherein the cathode products include water, isopropanol, and possibly incompletely reacted acetone. It should be noted that the proton conductivity of the electrolyte membrane 130 depends on the water content within it. Therefore, adding water to the working fluid cycle can greatly reduce the internal resistance of the electrochemical cell, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the battery stack.
[0030] from Figure 1As can be clearly seen, one end of the first pipeline 200 is connected to the anode outlet 112, and the other end is connected to the cathode inlet 121. The first pipeline 200 is sequentially provided with a condenser 210, an expansion device 220, an evaporator 230, a gas-liquid separator 240, and a humidifier 250 along the flow direction of the aqueous anode product. Taking the working fluid combination of isopropyl alcohol and acetone as an example, the aqueous anode product flowing out of the anode outlet 112 is a gas-liquid mixture containing acetone and water. After passing through the condenser 210 to release heat, its temperature decreases. Subsequently, after passing through the expansion device 220, its pressure decreases. Due to the different boiling points of water and acetone, the water in the aqueous anode product continues to condense after expansion, while the acetone, having a lower boiling point, vaporizes after expansion. Subsequently, the rising gaseous acetone and the descending liquid water pass through the evaporator 230 and flow into the gas-liquid separator 240 for gas-liquid separation. Specifically, the gas-liquid separator 240 has an air outlet 241 for discharging gaseous acetone and a liquid outlet 242 for discharging liquid water. The air outlet 241 is connected to the humidifier 250 via the first pipeline 200, and the liquid outlet 242 is connected to the humidifier 250 via a liquid supply pipeline 243, thereby humidifying the gaseous acetone. Because the gaseous acetone further heats up after passing through the evaporator 230, the heated gaseous acetone separated by the gas-liquid separator 240 is gradually humidified in the humidifier 250 by the water from the gas-liquid separator 240. At this time, the water that does not enter the first pipeline 200 can return to the gas-liquid separator 240 via the return air pipeline 247 between the humidifier 250 and the gas-liquid separator 240. In addition, one end of the second pipeline 300 is connected to the cathode outlet 122, and the other end is connected to the anode inlet 111, so that the isopropyl alcohol obtained by the hydrogenation reaction in the cathode chamber 120 is supplied to the anode chamber 110, thereby completing the circulation of the working medium.
[0031] In combination with the above embodiment, in other optional embodiments, the first pipeline 200 is further provided with a heat recovery device 260, which includes a first half and a second half. The first half is located in the pipe section between the anode outlet 112 and the condenser 210, and is used to absorb heat from the aqueous anode product output from the anode outlet 112. The second half is located in the pipe section between the cathode inlet 121 and the humidifier 250, and is used to release heat from the humidified gaseous dehydrogenation product output from the humidifier 250. By transferring the heat absorbed by the first half to the second half, the waste heat of the aqueous anode product output from the anode outlet is better recovered and utilized.
[0032] Continue to refer Figure 1The liquid supply line 243 is provided with a first pump device 244 for pumping water from the gas-liquid separator 240, and the second line 300 is provided with a second pump device 310 for pumping the cathode product. In addition, a one-way valve 270 is provided on the first line 200 between the gas-liquid separator 240 and the humidifier 250, and a two-way control valve 245 is provided on the liquid supply line 243 between the gas-liquid separator 240 and the humidifier 250.
[0033] In order to facilitate real-time monitoring of the state of the working medium circulating in the electrochemical heat pump system, the electrochemical heat pump system 10 may further include a current sensor 410 , a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor 420 , a pressure sensor 430 , and the like.
[0034] For example, the gas-liquid separator 240 is provided with a liquid level sensor 246 to detect whether the gaseous acetone enters the humidifier 250 from the liquid outlet 242 of the gas-liquid separator 240 through the liquid supply pipeline 243, thereby causing leakage of the gaseous acetone and preventing the first pump device 244 from idling.
[0035] like Figure 2 , which schematically illustrates the structure of another embodiment of the electrochemical heat pump system of the present application. The specific structure and connection relationship of the electrochemical cell 100 and the second pipeline 300, as well as the composition of the circulating working fluid, can be referred to the above embodiment and will not be repeated here. Figure 2 The examples in Figure 1 The main difference between the embodiments in the embodiment is the position of the evaporator 230 in the first pipeline 200. Specifically, the first pipeline 200 is provided with a condenser 210, an expansion device 220, a gas-liquid separator 240, an evaporator 230 and a humidifier 250 in sequence along the flow direction of the aqueous anode product, wherein the gas-liquid separator 240 is used to separate the gaseous dehydrogenation product and water, and has an air outlet 241 for discharging the gaseous dehydrogenation product and a liquid outlet 242 for discharging water, the air outlet 241 is connected to the evaporator 230 through the first pipeline 200, and the liquid outlet 242 is connected to the humidifier 250 through the liquid supply pipeline 243, for humidifying the gaseous dehydrogenation product. In the embodiment as Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, a one-way valve 270 is provided on the first pipeline 200 between the gas-liquid separator 240 and the evaporator 230. Therefore, those skilled in the art can arrange the evaporator 230 upstream or downstream of the gas-liquid separator 240 according to actual conditions.
[0036] In summary, dehydrogenation reaction and hydrogenation reaction occur on both sides of the electrochemical cell of the electrochemical heat pump system of the present application, and proton conduction is achieved through the electrolyte membrane in the middle. Since the dehydrogenation reactants and hydrogenation products have different boiling points in the system cycle, the exothermic process is achieved in the condenser and the endothermic process is achieved in the evaporator by controlling the working conditions and operating pressure, thereby realizing the overall heat pump cycle. By increasing the water content of the electrolyte membrane to increase the conductivity of the electrolyte membrane, the internal resistance of the electrochemical cell is effectively reduced, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the battery stack. In other words, the electrochemical heat pump system of the present application can reduce the ohmic loss and overall energy loss of the electrochemical system, thereby improving the overall performance coefficient of the system.
[0037] Several specific embodiments have been listed above to illustrate the electrochemical heat pump system of the present application in detail. These examples are intended solely to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Persons skilled in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Therefore, all equivalent technical solutions are intended to fall within the scope of the present application and are defined by the claims of the present application.
Claims
1. An electrochemical heat pump system, characterized in that: It includes: An electrochemical cell (100) comprising an anode chamber (110), a cathode chamber (120), and an electrolyte membrane (130) located between the anode chamber (110) and the cathode chamber (120), wherein the anode chamber (110) is provided with an anode inlet (111) and an anode outlet (112) for discharging aqueous anode products, and the cathode chamber (120) is provided with a cathode inlet (121) and a cathode outlet (122) for discharging cathode products; a first pipeline (200), one end of which is connected to the anode outlet (112) and the other end of which is connected to the cathode inlet (121); the first pipeline (200) is provided with a condenser (210), an expansion device (220), an evaporator (230), a gas-liquid separator (240) and a humidifier (250) in sequence along the flow direction of the aqueous anode product; wherein the gas-liquid separator (240) has a gas outlet (241) and a liquid outlet (242); the gas outlet (241) is connected to the humidifier (250) through the first pipeline (200), and the liquid outlet (242) is connected to the humidifier (250) through a liquid supply pipeline (243); and A second pipeline (300) has one end connected to the cathode outlet (122) and the other end connected to the anode inlet (111).
2. The electrochemical heat pump system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first pipeline (200) is further provided with a heat recovery device (260), and the heat recovery device (260) includes a first half and a second half, wherein the first half is located at the pipe section between the anode outlet (112) and the condenser (210), and the second half is located at the pipe section between the cathode inlet (121) and the humidifier (250).
3. The electrochemical heat pump system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The liquid supply pipeline (243) is provided with a first pump device (244), and the second pipeline (300) is provided with a second pump device (310).
4. The electrochemical heat pump system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A one-way valve (270) is provided on the first pipeline (200) between the gas-liquid separator (240) and the humidifier (250), and a two-way control valve (245) is provided on the liquid supply pipeline (243) between the gas-liquid separator (240) and the humidifier (250).
5. The electrochemical heat pump system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The electrochemical heat pump system (10) further includes one or more of a current sensor (410), a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor (420), and a pressure sensor (430); and / or The gas-liquid separator (240) is provided with a liquid level sensor (246).
6. An electrochemical heat pump system, characterized in that: It includes: An electrochemical cell (100) comprising an anode chamber (110), a cathode chamber (120), and an electrolyte membrane (130) located between the anode chamber (110) and the cathode chamber (120), wherein the anode chamber (110) is provided with an anode inlet (111) and an anode outlet (112) for discharging aqueous anode products, and the cathode chamber (120) is provided with a cathode inlet (121) and a cathode outlet (122) for discharging cathode products; a first pipeline (200), one end of which is connected to the anode outlet (112) and the other end of which is connected to the cathode inlet (121); the first pipeline (200) is provided with a condenser (210), an expansion device (220), a gas-liquid separator (240), an evaporator (230) and a humidifier (250) in sequence along the flow direction of the aqueous anode product; wherein the gas-liquid separator (240) has a gas outlet (241) and a liquid outlet (242); the gas outlet (241) is connected to the evaporator (230) through the first pipeline (200), and the liquid outlet (242) is connected to the humidifier (250) through a liquid supply pipeline (243); and A second pipeline (300) has one end connected to the cathode outlet (122) and the other end connected to the anode inlet (111).
7. The electrochemical heat pump system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first pipeline (200) is further provided with a heat recovery device (260), and the heat recovery device (260) includes a first half and a second half, wherein the first half is located at the pipe section between the anode outlet (112) and the condenser (210), and the second half is located at the pipe section between the cathode inlet (121) and the humidifier (250).
8. The electrochemical heat pump system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The liquid supply pipeline (243) is provided with a first pump device (244), and the second pipeline (300) is provided with a second pump device (310).
9. The electrochemical heat pump system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: A one-way valve (270) is provided on the first pipeline (200) between the gas-liquid separator (240) and the evaporator (230), and a two-way control valve (245) is provided on the liquid supply pipeline (243) between the gas-liquid separator (240) and the humidifier (250).
10. The electrochemical heat pump system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The electrochemical heat pump system (10) further includes one or more of a current sensor (410), a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor (420), and a pressure sensor (430); and / or the gas-liquid separator (240) is provided with a liquid level sensor (246).