Bipolar plate for electrolytic tank for producing hydrogen by electrolyzing water
By setting up multiple serpentine flow channels and fluid disturbance bodies in the bipolar plates of the water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, the problem of poor contact between the electrolyte and the electrodes is solved, and the current density and reaction efficiency are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422309955.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-05
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-09-23
AI Technical Summary
The existing bipolar plate flow channel structure is not conducive to the rapid discharge of gas in the field of water electrolysis to produce hydrogen, resulting in poor contact between the electrolyte and the electrodes and a decrease in current.
A bipolar plate for an electrolyzer for hydrogen production by electrolysis of water is designed. An electrolyte flow channel is set in the reaction area, including a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. Multiple ribs and a disruptive body are arranged in the flow channel to form a multi-serpentine flow channel structure to ensure uniform distribution of the electrolyte and rapid discharge of gas.
It achieves uniform distribution of electrolyte and rapid discharge of gas, improves current density, and ensures that the electrolyte fully participates in the reaction.
Smart Images
Figure CN223304559U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electrolyzers, in particular to a bipolar plate for an electrolyzer for producing hydrogen by electrolyzing water. Background Art
[0002] Bipolar plates are a crucial component of a fuel cell stack. They not only connect the positive and negative electrodes of each electrolyzer and the stack circuit, but also play a crucial role in ensuring uniform electrolyte distribution. Low flow resistance and highly uniform flow field structures are the flow field designs consistently pursued in the field of hydrogen production by water electrolysis. Currently, bipolar plate flow channel structures include parallel channels, cross channels, serpentine channels, loop channels, and biomimetic channels. Serpentine channels have garnered widespread attention due to their ease of fabrication and outstanding performance.
[0003] CN116936845A discloses a bipolar plate design with a serpentine electrolyte flow channel, which is mainly used in the field of liquid flow batteries. The flow channel has a cross-sectional width that gradually decreases from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet. The specific surface roughness and multi-channel design enable the electrolytic cell to have a higher power density and can effectively reduce the pressure drop.
[0004] However, in the field of hydrogen production by water electrolysis, the flow of electrolyte through the reaction zone is accompanied by the generation of a large amount of gas. During operation, the above-mentioned structure often encounters problems such as excessive resistance to electrolyte flow through the serpentine flow channel, preventing the electrolyte from being pumped into the electrolyzer or stack. This structure is not conducive to the rapid discharge of gas in the field of hydrogen production by water electrolysis, and it cannot ensure good contact between the electrolyte and the electrodes, which will cause the current to drop. Utility Model Content
[0005] The utility model mainly solves the technical problem that the bipolar plate flow channel structure of the prior art is not conducive to the rapid discharge of gas in the field of water electrolysis hydrogen production, cannot make the electrolyte and the electrode in good contact, and will cause current drop. A bipolar plate for an electrolytic cell for water electrolysis hydrogen production is proposed, which is conducive to the entry of electrolyte and the discharge of gas, so that the electrolyte is more evenly distributed in the reaction area.
[0006] The utility model provides a bipolar plate for an electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water, wherein the bipolar plate has a reaction area, and an electrolyte flow channel is arranged in the reaction area;
[0007] The electrolyte flow channel has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet;
[0008] A first rib, a second rib, a plurality of third ribs, a fourth rib, and a fifth rib are sequentially arranged in the electrolyte flow channel;
[0009] The first rib plate and the second rib plate do not contact the two side walls of the reaction area, forming a first multi-serpentine flow channel;
[0010] Multiple third ribs are staggered to form a single serpentine flow channel;
[0011] The fourth rib plate and the fifth rib plate do not contact the two side walls of the reaction area, forming a second multi-serpentine flow channel.
[0012] Preferably, a first disrupting body and a second disrupting body are provided at the liquid inlet.
[0013] Preferably, a third disrupting body and a fourth disrupting body are provided at the liquid outlet.
[0014] Preferably, the first fluid disruptor, the second fluid disruptor, the third fluid disruptor and the fourth fluid disruptor are symmetrical shapes, and the axis of symmetry is parallel to the axial direction of the bipolar plate.
[0015] Preferably, the extended line of the symmetry axis of the first spoiler body intersects with the end of the first rib, the extended line of the symmetry axis of the second spoiler body intersects with the end of the second rib, the extended line of the symmetry axis of the third spoiler body intersects with the end of the fourth rib, and the extended line of the symmetry axis of the fourth spoiler body intersects with the end of the fifth rib.
[0016] Preferably, the cross-sections of the first multi-serpentine flow channel, the multi-serpentine flow channel and the second single-serpentine flow channel are squares with a side length of 2 mm.
[0017] Preferably, the width of the first rib, the second rib, the third rib, the fourth rib and the fifth rib is 2 mm.
[0018] Preferably, the distance between the end of the first rib close to the liquid inlet and the side wall of the reaction area is 10 mm, and the distance between the end of the first rib away from the liquid inlet and the side wall of the reaction area is 4 mm.
[0019] Preferably, the distance between the end of the second rib close to the liquid inlet and the side wall of the reaction area is 5 mm, and the distance between the end of the second rib away from the liquid inlet and the side wall of the reaction area is 4 mm.
[0020] Preferably, the reaction area is square with a side length of 50 mm.
[0021] The utility model provides a bipolar plate for an electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water. The production of hydrogen by electrolysis of water is accompanied by the generation of a large amount of gas. Multiple serpentine flow channels are provided at the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, which can expand the space at the liquid inlet and the outlet, which is conducive to the entry of electrolyte and the rapid discharge of gas; and the single serpentine flow channel is shortened so that the electrolyte can more fully participate in the reaction; the local shortening of multiple disrupting bodies and ribs makes the electrolyte more evenly distributed in the reaction area, and at the same time plays a supporting role to avoid the Bernoulli phenomenon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Figure 1The utility model is a schematic structural diagram of a bipolar plate for an electrolyzer for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water.
[0023] Reference numerals: 1, liquid inlet; 2, first disrupting body; 3, second disrupting body; 4, liquid outlet; 5, third disrupting body; 6, fourth disrupting body; 7, electrolyte flow channel; 8, first rib; 9, second rib; 10, third rib; 11, fourth rib; 12, fifth rib; DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] To make the technical problems solved, the technical solutions adopted, and the technical effects achieved by the present invention more clearly apparent, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely intended to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings only illustrate portions relevant to the present invention, rather than all of its contents.
[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a bipolar plate for an electrolyzer for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water. The bipolar plate has a reaction area, and an electrolyte flow channel 7 is arranged in the reaction area.
[0026] The reaction area is square with a side length of 50 mm.
[0027] The electrolyte flow channel 7 has an inlet 1 and an outlet 4; a first disruptor 2 and a second disruptor 3 are provided at the inlet 1. A third disruptor 5 and a fourth disruptor 6 are provided at the outlet 4. The first, second, third, 5, and fourth disruptors 6 each have symmetrical patterns, with their axes of symmetry parallel to the axial direction of the bipolar plate. Specifically, the extended axis of symmetry of the first disruptor 2 intersects with the end of the first rib 8, the extended axis of symmetry of the second disruptor 3 intersects with the end of the second rib 9, the extended axis of symmetry of the third disruptor 5 intersects with the end of the fourth rib 11, and the extended axis of symmetry of the fourth disruptor 6 intersects with the end of the fifth rib 12. Providing disruptors at the inlet 1 and outlet 4 uniformly disperses the electrolyte.
[0028] The electrolyte flow channel 7 is sequentially provided with a first rib 8, a second rib 9, a plurality of third ribs 10, a fourth rib 11, and a fifth rib 12. The ribs are arranged in parallel with equal spacing.
[0029] The first ribs 8 and the second ribs 9 do not contact the two side walls of the reaction area, forming a first multi-serpentine flow channel;
[0030] The plurality of third ribs 10 are staggered to form a single serpentine flow channel; specifically, one side of the third rib 10 is connected to a side wall of the reaction area, while the other side is not connected, and the third rib 10 is staggered in distribution as a whole.
[0031] The fourth rib 11 and the fifth rib 12 do not contact the two side walls of the reaction area, forming a second multi-serpentine flow channel.
[0032] Based on the above solution, the cross-sections of the first multi-serpentine flow channel, the multi-serpentine flow channel, and the second single serpentine flow channel are squares with a side length of 2 mm. The widths of the first rib 8, the second rib 9, the third rib 10, the fourth rib 11, and the fifth rib 12 are 2 mm.
[0033] Preferably, the distance between the end of the first rib 8 near the liquid inlet 1 and the side wall of the reaction area is 10 mm (shortened by 10 mm), and the distance between the end away from the liquid inlet 1 and the side wall of the reaction area is 4 mm (shortened by 4 mm). The distance between the end of the second rib 9 near the liquid inlet 1 and the side wall of the reaction area is 5 mm (shortened by 5 mm), and the distance between the end away from the liquid inlet 1 and the side wall of the reaction area is 4 mm (shortened by 4 mm). The distance between the first and last third ribs 10 and the side wall of the reaction area is 5 mm (shortened by 5 mm), and the distance between the other third ribs 10 and the side wall of the reaction area is 4 mm (shortened by 4 mm).
[0034] The bipolar plate of the electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen from water electrolysis of the present invention is sequentially provided with a first multi-serpentine flow channel, a single serpentine flow channel, and a second multi-serpentine flow channel, which are interconnected and arranged in a serpentine-like manner. A first disrupting body 2 and a second disrupting body 3 are provided at the liquid inlet 1, which can evenly disperse the electrolyte into the first multi-serpentine flow channel and flow into the single serpentine flow channel at the first turn. The single serpentine flow channel has multiple turns, and the electrolyte flows from the single serpentine flow channel into the second multi-serpentine flow channel, flows through the third disrupting body 5 and the fourth disrupting body 6, and is discharged through the liquid outlet 4.
[0035] The utility model has a simple structure and is easy to process. Multiple serpentine flow channels are provided at the liquid inlet 1 and the liquid outlet 4 and the single serpentine flow channel is shortened, which is conducive to the entry of electrolyte and the rapid discharge of gas. The single serpentine flow channel allows the electrolyte to participate in the reaction more fully; the ends of multiple disrupting bodies and ribs are shortened, so that the electrolyte is more evenly distributed in the reaction area.
[0036] The utility model is demonstrated as follows:
[0037] The electrolyte used was a 30% KOH solution heated to 80°C. A peristaltic pump was used to pump the electrolyte into the electrolytic cell, and a constant voltage of 2V was applied to the current collector. The final electrolyte flow rate and electrolytic cell operation status are shown in the following table:
[0038]
[0039] Regardless of comparing the gradually shallowing single serpentine flow channel, double serpentine flow channel and the electrolyte flow channel of the present invention, the electrolyte flow rate through the bipolar plate of the present invention is larger and the current density is significantly improved.
[0040] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications to the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or equivalent replacement of some or all of the technical features therein, do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.
Claims
1. A bipolar plate for an electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water, characterized in that: The bipolar plate has a reaction area, and an electrolyte flow channel (7) is arranged in the reaction area; The electrolyte flow channel (7) has a liquid inlet (1) and a liquid outlet (4); A first rib (8), a second rib (9), a plurality of third ribs (10), a fourth rib (11), and a fifth rib (12) are sequentially arranged in the electrolyte flow channel (7); The first rib (8) and the second rib (9) do not contact the two side walls of the reaction area, forming a first multi-serpentine flow channel; A plurality of third ribs (10) are staggered to form a single serpentine flow channel; The fourth rib (11) and the fifth rib (12) do not contact the two side walls of the reaction area, forming a second multi-serpentine flow channel.
2. The bipolar plate for the electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first disrupting body (2) and a second disrupting body (3) are provided at the liquid inlet (1).
3. The bipolar plate for the electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 2, characterized in that: A third disrupting fluid (5) and a fourth disrupting fluid (6) are provided at the liquid outlet (4).
4. The bipolar plate for the electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first fluid disruptor (2), the second fluid disruptor (3), the third fluid disruptor (5), and the fourth fluid disruptor (6) are symmetrical shapes, and the axis of symmetry is parallel to the axial direction of the bipolar plate.
5. The bipolar plate for the electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 4, characterized in that: The extended line of the symmetry axis of the first spoiler body (2) intersects with the end of the first rib (8), the extended line of the symmetry axis of the second spoiler body (3) intersects with the end of the second rib (9), the extended line of the symmetry axis of the third spoiler body (5) intersects with the end of the fourth rib (11), and the extended line of the symmetry axis of the fourth spoiler body (6) intersects with the end of the fifth rib (12).
6. The bipolar plate for the electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross sections of the first multi-serpentine flow channel, the multi-serpentine flow channel and the second single-serpentine flow channel are squares with a side length of 2 mm.
7. The bipolar plate for the electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the first rib (8), the second rib (9), the third rib (10), the fourth rib (11), and the fifth rib (12) is 2 mm.
8. The bipolar plate for the electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between the end of the first rib (8) close to the liquid inlet (1) and the side wall of the reaction area is 10 mm, and the distance between the end away from the liquid inlet (1) and the side wall of the reaction area is 4 mm.
9. The bipolar plate for the electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 8, characterized in that: The distance between the end of the second rib (9) close to the liquid inlet (1) and the side wall of the reaction area is 5 mm, and the distance between the end away from the liquid inlet (1) and the side wall of the reaction area is 4 mm.
10. The bipolar plate for the electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reaction area is square with a side length of 50 mm.