Horizontal gas-liquid separator

Abstract

The utility model discloses a horizontal gas-liquid separator, and relates to gas-liquid separation equipment which is applied to a water electrolysis hydrogen production system and can be applied to a hydrogen side and an oxygen side. The utility model aims to provide the gas-liquid separator which can realize thorough separation of gas and liquid and effectively solve the problem that recycled electrolyte contains hydrogen (oxygen) gas. The horizontal gas-liquid separator comprises a separator main body, a gas-liquid separation layer is arranged in the separator main body, a gas-liquid speed-reducing dispersion device is arranged above the gas-liquid separation layer, the gas-liquid speed-reducing dispersion device is opposite to a liquid inlet arranged on the separator main body, the gas-liquid speed-reducing dispersion device is obliquely arranged relative to the horizontal direction, and the gas-liquid speed-reducing dispersion device is arranged on the separator main body. Most of the gas-liquid mixed fluid passes through the gas-liquid deceleration dispersion device and then circulates towards the inclined upper direction far away from the liquid inlet, gas in the circulation process is discharged through the gas outlet hole, the gas outlet hole is located in the separator main body, an inner liquid drainage hole is formed below the gas-liquid separation layer, and the inner liquid drainage hole is connected with a residual gas re-separation device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of gas-liquid separation, in particular to a gas-liquid separator for a water electrolysis hydrogen production system. Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen, with its widespread availability, high energy density, clean, zero-carbon character, and wide range of applications, has become an ideal energy carrier for replacing traditional fossil fuels and supporting the large-scale development of renewable energy. As a key method for obtaining hydrogen energy, hydrogen production through water electrolysis has received increasing attention in recent years.

[0003] As a key component of a water electrolysis hydrogen production system, the gas-liquid separator is essential for obtaining clean, pure hydrogen and ensuring the safe operation of the hydrogen production system. The gas-liquid separator separates the hydrogen (oxygen) produced by water electrolysis from the electrolyte carried along, producing pure hydrogen (oxygen) gas while allowing the separated electrolyte to be recycled.

[0004] Gas-liquid separation devices can be mainly divided into two types based on the way the electrolyte flows back into the electrolytic cell. One is that the hydrogen side and oxygen side flow back to the electrolytic cell separately. This method has less impact on the alkaline solution of the electrolytic cell, but the structure is more complex and the probability of failure in the later stage is high. The other is that the hydrogen side and oxygen side flow back to the electrolytic cell together, where the electrolyte separated by the gas-liquid separation system on the hydrogen side flows into the cathode side of the electrolytic cell, and the electrolyte separated by the gas-liquid separation system on the oxygen side flows into the anode side of the electrolytic cell. This method has a simple structure and is easy to operate, but the refluxed alkaline solution may contain impurities that have not been separated out in time, affecting the purity of the alkaline solution and the gas produced by electrolysis. The electrolytic cell may even explode under long-term operation.

[0005] The gas-liquid separation devices currently widely used on the market use a hydrogen-oxygen side mixed reflux method. Although this can achieve separation of hydrogen (oxygen) and electrolyte and basically meet the hydrogen (oxygen) gas quality requirements, it cannot avoid the presence of a small amount of hydrogen (oxygen) in the separated electrolyte. As the hydrogen (oxygen)-containing electrolyte repeatedly circulates into the electrolyzer, the gas quality of hydrogen / oxygen in the cathode / anode chambers of the electrolyzer will seriously deteriorate. Long-term operation may even cause the safety risk of electrolyzer explosion, resulting in certain economic losses and personal safety issues. In particular, when the flow rate of the gas-liquid mixture entering the gas-liquid separator is too fast or too large, or due to imperfect internal design of the gas-liquid separator, the tiny bubbles in the electrolyte will not have time to separate and escape, and the risk of electrolyzer explosion will increase exponentially. Utility Model Content

[0006] The utility model is based on the method of mixing the hydrogen and oxygen side electrolytes and flowing back into the electrolytic cell. The technical problem to be solved is to provide a horizontal gas-liquid separator that can achieve complete separation of gas and liquid, effectively solve the problem of hydrogen (oxygen) gas contained in the recycled electrolyte, and has a simple structure, stable and reliable performance, safe and convenient operation, low cost, and broad application prospects and promotion value structure.

[0007] The utility model discloses a horizontal gas-liquid separator, comprising a separator main body, a gas-liquid separation layer is arranged inside the separator main body, a gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device is arranged above the gas-liquid separation layer, the gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device is opposite to the liquid inlet arranged on the separator main body, the gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device is arranged obliquely relative to the horizontal direction, most of the gas-liquid mixed fluid flows in an oblique upward direction away from the liquid inlet after passing through the gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device, during the circulation process, the gas in the gas-liquid mixed fluid is discharged through the air outlet, the air outlet is located on the separator main body, an inner liquid discharge hole is arranged below the gas-liquid separation layer, and the inner liquid discharge hole is connected to the residual gas re-separation device.

[0008] The utility model discloses a horizontal gas-liquid separator, wherein the gas-liquid separation layer is placed horizontally, and its periphery is fitted with the inner wall of the separator body, thereby dividing the interior of the separator body into upper and lower regions.

[0009] The utility model discloses a horizontal gas-liquid separator, wherein the gas-liquid separation layer comprises a supporting structure, a porous mesh or a porous filter element is arranged on the supporting structure, and a filling material is arranged between the supporting structure and the porous filter element.

[0010] The utility model discloses a horizontal gas-liquid separator, wherein the gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device is fixed on the separator body through a support rod.

[0011] The utility model discloses a horizontal gas-liquid separator, wherein a mist catcher is arranged between the gas outlet and the separator body, and the mist catcher completely covers the gas outlet.

[0012] The utility model discloses a horizontal gas-liquid separator, wherein the lower part of the mist catcher is provided with a cambered surface structure on all sides, with four corners protruding and the interior concave.

[0013] The utility model discloses a horizontal gas-liquid separator, wherein the residual gas re-separation device comprises an outer cylinder and a rotatable inner cylinder, the upper and lower parts of the inner cylinder are respectively communicated with the outer cylinder; an exhaust hole is arranged above the outer cylinder, and an external liquid discharge hole is arranged below the outer cylinder.

[0014] The utility model discloses a horizontal gas-liquid separator, wherein the upper part of the separator body is provided with an emergency drain port, which is in a normally closed state.

[0015] The utility model discloses a horizontal gas-liquid separator, wherein a sewage discharge hole is provided at the lower part of the separator body, and the sewage discharge hole is in a normally closed state.

[0016] The utility model discloses a horizontal gas-liquid separator, wherein the separator body adopts a tank structure and is placed horizontally.

[0017] The difference between the horizontal gas-liquid separator of the present invention and the prior art is that when the horizontal gas-liquid separator of the present invention performs gas-liquid separation related to hydrogen production by alkaline water or PEM, a gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device is set up to impact the gas-liquid mixed fluid, so that the gas-liquid mixed fluid is diverted, and most of the gas-liquid mixed fluid after diversion flows to the right and upward at a certain angle, and is separated by gas and liquid under the action of gravity, and then passes through the gas-liquid separation layer and the residual gas re-separation device in turn for separation, thereby improving the gas-liquid separation efficiency; a small part of the gas-liquid mixed fluid after diversion directly passes through the gas-liquid separation layer for separation and then enters the residual gas re-separation device for separation, which can achieve the maximum gas-liquid separation, strictly filter the gas of the alkaline solution entering the electrolyte circulation system, reduce the gas content of the alkaline solution entering the electrolyte circulation system, ensure the safety of the electrolytic cell operation, and increase the system's ability to resist faults and risks.

[0018] The horizontal gas-liquid separator of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a horizontal gas-liquid separator of the utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of a mist collector in a horizontal gas-liquid separator of the utility model;

[0021] The markings in the figure are as follows: 1-separator body; 2-gas-liquid separation layer; 3-liquid inlet; 4-gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device; 5-support rod; 6-air outlet; 7-mist collector; 8-residual gas re-separation device; 9-exhaust hole; 10-internal liquid drainage hole; 11-external liquid drainage hole; 12-sewage drain hole; 13-emergency emptying port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0023] Example

[0024] The utility model discloses a horizontal gas-liquid separator which is applied to the water electrolysis hydrogen production system and can be applied to both the hydrogen side and the oxygen side. Figure 1As shown, the utility model provides a horizontal gas-liquid separator including a separator body 1, which is a tank-type structure and is placed horizontally. The separator body 1 can be made of metal materials or polymer materials that are acid-resistant, alkali-resistant, oxidation-resistant, and high-temperature-resistant. Metal materials include various types of stainless steel, nickel-plated and titanium-plated steel / iron / aluminum materials. Polymer materials include polytetrafluoroethylene and its derivatives, polyetheretherketone and its derivatives, polyaryletherketone and its derivatives, polyvinyl chloride and its derivatives, bisphenol A polysulfone and its derivatives, polyarylethersulfone, polyethersulfone, etc., but are not limited to the above materials.

[0025] A gas-liquid separation layer 2 is located in the lower middle portion of the separator body 1. This layer, comprising a porous mesh with a supporting structure, destroys and isolates microbubbles contained within the electrolyte droplets, thereby reducing the gas content in the electrolyte. The gas-liquid separation layer 2 is positioned horizontally, with its perimeter fully aligned with the inner wall of the separator body 1, dividing the interior of the separator body 1 into upper and lower regions.

[0026] The porous mesh of gas-liquid separation layer 2 has a pore size range of 20-2000 μm, and is made of metals and polymers that are resistant to acid, alkali, oxidation, and high temperatures. Metals include various types of stainless steel, nickel-plated or titanium-plated steel, iron, or aluminum. Polymers include, but are not limited to, polytetrafluoroethylene and its derivatives, polyetheretherketone and its derivatives, polyaryletherketone and its derivatives, polyvinyl chloride and its derivatives, bisphenol A polysulfone and its derivatives, polyarylethersulfone, and polyethersulfone.

[0027] In other embodiments, the porous mesh can also be replaced with a porous filter element, and a filling material is provided between the porous filter element and the support structure. The pore size distribution of the porous filter element is between 10-3000 μm, and the selected filling material is a metal material, polymer material or inorganic filler that is acid-resistant, alkali-resistant, high-temperature-resistant, and oxidation-resistant. Further inorganic fillers include activated carbon, calcium carbonate, metal oxides, etc. Metal materials include various types of stainless steel, nickel-plated or titanium-plated steel / iron / aluminum materials; polymer materials include polytetrafluoroethylene and its derivatives, polyetheretherketone and its derivatives, polyaryletherketone and its derivatives, polyvinyl chloride and its derivatives, bisphenol A polysulfone and its derivatives, polyarylsulfone, polyethersulfone, etc., but are not limited to the above materials.

[0028] The supporting structure of the gas-liquid separation layer 2 is made of alkali-resistant, oxidation-resistant, and high-temperature-resistant metal materials, polymer materials, and the like. Examples of metal materials include various types of stainless steel, nickel-plated and titanium-plated steel / iron / aluminum materials, and polymer materials include, but are not limited to, polytetrafluoroethylene and its derivatives, polyetheretherketone and its derivatives, polyaryletherketone and its derivatives, polyvinyl chloride and its derivatives, bisphenol A polysulfone and its derivatives, polyarylethersulfone, and polyethersulfone.

[0029] A liquid inlet 3 is provided in the upper left-center portion of the separator body 1. A gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device 4 is located within the separator body 1, opposite the liquid inlet 3. This device 4 is located directly in front of the liquid inlet 3 and angled upward with respect to the horizontal. This device 4 is located in the upper region of the separator body 1 and is secured to the bottom of the separator body 1 by a cylindrical, vertical support rod 5 coated with an anti-corrosion coating. The support rod 5 extends through the gas-liquid separation layer 2.

[0030] After the gas-liquid mixed fluid enters the interior of the separator body 1 from the liquid inlet 3, it will flow forward at a certain flow rate and thus collide with the gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device 4 which has a certain angle with the horizontal direction. The gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device 4 can break up the large droplets and large bubbles in the gas-liquid mixed fluid and change its flow direction. After that, most of the gas-liquid mixed fluid flows away from the liquid inlet at a certain angle, that is, diagonally upward to the right, and undergoes gas-liquid separation under the action of gravity. The gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device 4 can slow down the falling time of the above-mentioned gas-liquid mixed fluid and improve the separation efficiency. The remaining small part of the gas-liquid mixed fluid diffuses to the surrounding areas of the gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device 4 under the action of the impact force. The gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device 4 will not be deformed or corroded under the impact of the gas-liquid mixed fluid and can greatly improve the efficiency of gas-liquid separation.

[0031] The electrolyte in the gas-liquid mixed fluid within the separator body 1 falls to the gas-liquid separation layer 2 due to gravity. This electrolyte is mixed with bubbles that haven't been completely separated by gravity. Under the action of gravity, the gas-liquid separation layer 2 breaks up small droplets and tiny bubbles, allowing the gas in the liquid to fully escape, greatly improving the separator's gas-liquid separation efficiency. The liquid, broken down and filtered by the gas-liquid separation layer, then flows to the lower area within the separator body 1.

[0032] An air outlet 6 is provided in the upper middle right portion of the separator body 1. The gas portion of the large liquid droplets and large bubbles broken up by the gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device 4 is discharged upward through the air outlet 6. The liquid portion passes downward through the gas-liquid separation layer 2 due to gravity. The gas in the small liquid droplets and fine bubbles broken up when passing through the gas-liquid separation layer 2 can also be discharged upward through the air outlet 6.

[0033] A mist catcher 7 is provided between the air outlet 6 and the separator body 1. Figure 2As shown, the mist catcher 7 completely covers the air outlet 6. The lower portion of the mist catcher 7 is provided with a curved surface structure on all sides, with convex corners and a concave interior to facilitate liquid dripping. When a gas-liquid mixed fluid mixed with large and small droplets and bubbles passes through the mist catcher 7, the mist catcher 7 can clean the liquid contained in the gas entering the air outlet 6. The gas cleaned by the mist catcher 7 then enters the next device in the gas-liquid separation system through the air outlet 6. After the mist catcher 7 absorbs a certain amount of liquid, it will not form a layer of liquid surface on the lower surface, thereby affecting the effect of the mist catcher. Instead, droplets will form at the four corners of its lower surface and drip.

[0034] An inner drain hole 10 is provided at the bottom of the lower region in the separator body 1 and is located directly below the gas outlet 6. A residual gas re-separation device 8 is connected below the inner drain hole 10.

[0035] The electrolyte entering the lower area of ​​the separator body 1 will flow to the inner drainage hole 10. During this process, the gas in the electrolyte that has not been separated out in time under the action of gravity begins to escape one after another. The separated electrolyte flows into the inner drainage hole 10 at a certain flow rate, and then enters the residual gas re-separation device 8.

[0036] The residual gas re-separation device 8 comprises an outer cylinder and a rotatable inner cylinder, the upper and lower portions of which are in communication with the outer cylinder, respectively. An exhaust port 9 is provided above the right side of the outer cylinder, and an external liquid discharge port 11 is provided below. The inner cylinder of the residual gas re-separation device 8 rotates at a constant speed. Electrolyte containing trace gases enters the inner cylinder of the residual gas re-separation device 8, where centrifugal force causes the gas and liquid to separate and re-separate. Residual gases escape from the upper portion of the inner cylinder, while electrolyte flows from the lower sidewall of the inner cylinder into the outer cylinder and then into the electrolyte circulation system. The residual gas re-separation device 8 can completely remove fine bubbles in the separated liquid, preventing gas-containing liquid from entering the electrolyte circulation system.

[0037] The residual gas re-separation device 8 processes the residual gas of the above-mentioned separated electrolyte through the principle of centrifugal force, filters out the fine bubbles in the above-mentioned electrolyte and collects or empties the bubbles through the exhaust hole 9. After being filtered by the residual gas re-separation device 8, the above-mentioned electrolyte enters the electrolyte circulation system through the external discharge hole 11 and finally flows back into the electrolytic cell.

[0038] An emergency drain port 13 is provided in the middle of the upper side of the separator body 1, and a drain hole 12 is provided in the middle of the lower side of the separator body 1. Emergency drain port 13 and drain hole 12 are normally closed. When the hydrogen production system is shut down due to an emergency problem or the separator body 1 is regularly cleaned, the liquid in the separator body 1 is discharged through drain hole 12. When the hydrogen production system is shut down due to an emergency problem, the emergency drain port 13 can be opened to urgently drain the gas in the separator body 1, thereby reducing the pressure inside the device, ensuring the safety of the hydrogen production system, and avoiding safety accidents that endanger personal safety.

[0039] The liquid inlet 3, the air outlet 6, the exhaust hole 9, the inner liquid drainage hole 10 and the outer liquid drainage hole 11 are normally open, and valves are provided to adjust the gas-liquid flow through the above-mentioned liquid inlet 3, the air outlet 6, the exhaust hole 9, the inner liquid drainage hole 10 and the outer liquid drainage hole 11 according to relevant parameters. The above-mentioned adjustment process and method are common knowledge in the field and are not within the scope of protection of this application and will not be elaborated here.

[0040] The utility model relates to a horizontal gas-liquid separator. When the gas-liquid mixed fluid enters the separator body 1 from the liquid inlet 3 and hits the gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device 4, most of the gas-liquid mixed fluid flows to the right and upward at a certain angle and is separated into gas and liquid under the action of gravity. The remaining small part of the gas-liquid mixed fluid diffuses to the surrounding of the gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device 4 under the action of the impact force; the gas-liquid separation layer 2 can crush small droplets and fine bubbles under the action of gravity; the large droplets and large bubbles crushed by the gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device 4 and the small droplets and fine bubbles crushed by the gas-liquid separation layer 2 can be discharged through the air outlet 6; after the gas-liquid separator The liquid after delamination crushing and filtration then flows to the lower area in the separator body 1, and enters the residual gas re-separation device 8 through the internal drainage hole 10 for separation; the residual gas re-separation device 8 performs residual gas treatment on the above-mentioned separated electrolyte through the principle of centrifugal force, filters out the fine bubbles in the above-mentioned electrolyte and collects or empties the bubbles through the exhaust hole 9; after being filtered by the residual gas re-separation device 8, the above-mentioned electrolyte enters the electrolyte circulation system through the external drainage hole 11, and finally flows back to the inside of the electrolytic cell, among which the alkaline liquid separated by the gas-liquid separation system on the hydrogen side flows into the cathode side of the electrolytic cell, and the alkaline liquid separated by the gas-liquid separation system on the oxygen side flows into the anode side of the electrolytic cell.

[0041] The utility model discloses a horizontal gas-liquid separator for performing gas-liquid separation related to hydrogen production by alkaline water or PEM, and a gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device is set up to impact the gas-liquid mixed fluid, so that the gas-liquid mixed fluid is diverted, and most of the gas-liquid mixed fluid after diversion flows to the right and upward at a certain angle, and is separated into gas and liquid under the action of gravity, and then passes through the gas-liquid separation layer and the residual gas re-separation device in sequence for separation, thereby improving the gas-liquid separation efficiency; a small part of the gas-liquid mixed fluid after diversion directly passes through the gas-liquid separation layer for separation and then enters the residual gas re-separation device for separation, which can achieve the maximum gas-liquid separation, strictly filter the gas of the alkaline solution entering the electrolyte circulation system, reduce the gas content of the alkaline solution entering the electrolyte circulation system, ensure the safety of the electrolytic cell operation, and increase the system's ability to resist faults and risks.

[0042] Although the present invention has been described in detail above using general descriptions and specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications or improvements may be made to the present invention. Therefore, such modifications or improvements, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, are within the scope of protection claimed herein.

Claims

1. A horizontal gas-liquid separator, characterized in that: The separator comprises a main body, a gas-liquid separation layer is arranged inside the main body, a gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device is arranged above the gas-liquid separation layer, the gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device is opposite to the liquid inlet arranged on the main body, the gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device is arranged obliquely relative to the horizontal direction, and most of the gas-liquid mixed fluid flows in an oblique upward direction away from the liquid inlet after passing through the gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device. During the circulation process, the gas in the gas-liquid mixed fluid is discharged through the air outlet, and the air outlet is located on the main body of the separator. An inner liquid discharge hole is arranged below the gas-liquid separation layer, and the inner liquid discharge hole is connected to the residual gas re-separation device.

2. A horizontal gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas-liquid separation layer is placed horizontally, and its periphery is fitted with the inner wall of the separator body, dividing the interior of the separator body into upper and lower regions.

3. A horizontal gas-liquid separator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gas-liquid separation layer comprises a supporting structure, a porous mesh or a porous filter element is arranged on the supporting structure, and a filling material is arranged between the supporting structure and the porous filter element.

4. A horizontal gas-liquid separator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gas-liquid deceleration and dispersion device is fixed on the separator body through a support rod.

5. The horizontal gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A mist catcher is provided between the air outlet and the separator body, and the mist catcher completely covers the air outlet.

6. A horizontal gas-liquid separator according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lower part of the mist catcher is provided with a curved surface structure on all sides, with four corners protruding and the interior concave.

7. The horizontal gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The residual gas re-separation device includes an outer cylinder and a rotatable inner cylinder, the upper and lower parts of the inner cylinder are respectively communicated with the outer cylinder; an exhaust hole is provided on the upper part of the outer cylinder, and an external liquid discharge hole is provided on the lower part.

8. The horizontal gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: An emergency drain port is provided on the upper portion of the separator body, and the emergency drain port is in a normally closed state.

9. The horizontal gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower part of the separator body is provided with a drain hole, which is in a normally closed state.

10. The horizontal gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separator body adopts a tank structure and is placed horizontally.

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