Water electrolysis hydrogen production gas-liquid separation modular device

Abstract

The utility model provides a water electrolysis hydrogen production gas-liquid separation modular device which comprises a gas-liquid separator, the gas-liquid separator is connected with a front-end electrolytic cell hydrogen output device through a pipeline; an electromagnetic valve is arranged on a connecting pipeline of the gas-liquid separator and the wastewater discharge device; the gas-liquid separator is connected with the differential pressure liquid level meter through a pipeline; a temperature sensor is arranged on a connecting pipeline of the gas-liquid separator and the drying tower; the drying tower is respectively connected with the pure hydrogen storage device and the accumulated water discharge pipeline through an output pipeline; a pressure gauge, a pressure sensor, a back pressure valve, a dew point detector and a one-way valve are sequentially arranged on an output pipeline of the drying tower; the electromagnetic valve, the differential pressure liquid level meter, the temperature sensor, the pressure sensor, the back pressure valve, the dew point detector and the water pump are all controlled in an interlocking mode through a controller. According to the utility model, through dual water removal of the gas-liquid separator and the drying tower, water in hydrogen is efficiently removed, and the purity of hydrogen produced by electrolyzing water is greatly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water electrolysis for hydrogen production technology, and in particular to a modular device for gas-liquid separation in water electrolysis for hydrogen production. Background Technology

[0002] With increasing global emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable development, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change have become an international consensus. Hydrogen energy, as a clean, efficient, widely available, and sustainable energy carrier, is considered a crucial pathway to achieving energy transition and reducing carbon emissions. Water electrolysis for hydrogen production, with its advantages of abundant raw materials and a clean process, has garnered widespread attention and research.

[0003] Hydrogen production by electrolysis of water involves breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen through an electrolysis process. However, the resulting hydrogen often contains some water. This moisture is primarily due to the fact that during the electrochemical reaction at the electrodes, some water molecules in the electrolyte fail to completely separate, inevitably leading to a certain amount of water in the hydrogen.

[0004] Currently, the presence of moisture in hydrogen can have adverse effects on some industrial applications. For example, in the production processes of high-temperature heat treatment of metals, powder metallurgy, microelectronic circuits, optoelectronic components, and chemical synthesis, the moisture in hydrogen can cause the raw materials to oxidize at high temperatures, seriously affecting product quality. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention provides a modular device for separating gas and liquid in hydrogen production via water electrolysis. It solves the problem that in existing water electrolysis hydrogen production processes, hydrogen often contains some water, which cannot be completely separated, resulting in an unavoidable amount of water in the hydrogen. This water in the hydrogen can cause the raw materials to oxidize at high temperatures, seriously affecting product quality.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0007] A modular device for hydrogen production via water electrolysis with gas-liquid separation includes: a gas-liquid separator, a solenoid valve, a controller, and a drying tower; the gas-liquid separator is connected to a hydrogen output device from a front-end electrolyzer via a pipeline; a solenoid valve is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas-liquid separator to a wastewater discharge device; the gas-liquid separator is connected to a differential pressure level gauge via a pipeline; a temperature sensor is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas-liquid separator to the drying tower; the gas-liquid separator is connected to a cooling water supply device and a cooling water return device via pipelines; a water pump is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas-liquid separator to the cooling water supply device.

[0008] The drying tower is connected to a pure hydrogen storage device and a water discharge pipeline via an output pipeline; the output pipeline of the drying tower is equipped with a pressure gauge, a pressure sensor, a back pressure valve, a dew point detector, and a check valve in sequence.

[0009] The solenoid valve, differential pressure level gauge, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, back pressure valve, dew point detector, and water pump are all interlocked and controlled by the controller.

[0010] Furthermore, the gas-liquid separator is composed of a container shell, an airflow baffle, a spiral coil, and a wire mesh demister; the inner wall of the cavity of the container shell is provided with an airflow baffle; the upper middle part of the cavity is provided with a spiral coil; and the upper part of the spiral coil is provided with a wire mesh demister.

[0011] Furthermore, the exterior of the container shell is provided with a cooling water return port, a cooling water inlet, an air inlet, a wastewater discharge port, a lower interface of the level gauge, an upper interface of the level gauge, and a hydrogen outlet.

[0012] Furthermore, the spiral coil is a conical spiral coil.

[0013] Furthermore, the spiral diameter of the spiral coil decreases continuously from bottom to top or decreases in a stepwise manner.

[0014] Furthermore, a normally closed ball valve is installed on the water discharge pipeline connected to the output pipeline of the drying tower.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0016] This invention effectively solves the problem that hydrogen produced by water electrolysis contains some water, which can cause oxidation of industrial raw materials and seriously affect product quality in actual engineering applications. Its gas-liquid separator integrates multiple structures for cooling and water separation, eliminating the need for an external cooling plate heat exchanger, reducing equipment costs, and enabling it to have more efficient water separation performance.

[0017] This invention features a multi-functional water separation structure, enhancing the water separation effect of the gas-liquid separator. A back pressure valve control method at the gas outlet of the gas-liquid separator enables medium-pressure hydrogen output. An interlocking control between the solenoid valve and differential pressure level gauge at the wastewater discharge port of the gas-liquid separator enables automatic wastewater discharge. Simultaneously, a temperature sensor and humidity detector are designed to monitor the outlet temperature and humidity, achieving dual-point control of the water pump speed to improve the water separation effect of the gas-liquid separator. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions of the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall design of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the gas-liquid separator of this utility model.

[0021] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0022] 1. Gas-liquid separator; 2. Solenoid valve; 3. Controller; 4. Differential pressure level gauge; 5. Drying tower; 6. Temperature sensor; 7. Pressure gauge; 8. Pressure sensor; 9. Back pressure valve; 10. Dew point detector; 11. Check valve; 12. Water pump; 13. Normally closed ball valve; 101. Container shell; 102. Cooling water return port; 103. Cooling water inlet; 104. Air inlet; 105. Wastewater outlet; 106. Lower interface of level gauge; 107. Upper interface of level gauge; 108. Airflow baffle; 109. Conical spiral coil; 1010. Wire mesh demister; 1011. Hydrogen outlet; 1012. Chamber. Detailed Implementation

[0023] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other. The present utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit this utility model or its application or use. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0025] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0026] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps described in these embodiments do not limit the scope of this invention. It should also be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0027] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" is usually based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this utility model. The directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0028] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "over," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation besides the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, a device described as "above" or "above" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0029] Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0030] This utility model provides a technical solution: a modular device for separating gas and liquid in water electrolysis for hydrogen production, such as... Figure 1-2 As shown, the system includes: a gas-liquid separator 1, a solenoid valve 2, a controller 3, and a drying tower 5; the gas-liquid separator 1 is connected to the hydrogen output device of the front-end electrolytic cell via a pipeline; the solenoid valve 2 is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas-liquid separator 1 to the wastewater discharge device; the gas-liquid separator 1 is connected to a differential pressure level gauge 4 via a pipeline; a temperature sensor 6 is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas-liquid separator 1 to the drying tower 5; the gas-liquid separator 1 is connected to a cooling water supply device and a cooling water return device via pipelines; a water pump 12 is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas-liquid separator 1 to the cooling water supply device.

[0031] The drying tower 5 is connected to the pure hydrogen storage device and the water discharge pipeline through the output pipeline respectively; the output pipeline of the drying tower 5 is equipped with a pressure gauge 7, a pressure sensor 8, a back pressure valve 9, a dew point detector 10 and a one-way valve 11 in sequence.

[0032] The solenoid valve 2, differential pressure level gauge 4, temperature sensor 6, pressure sensor 8, back pressure valve 9, dew point detector 10, and water pump 12 are all interlocked and controlled by controller 3.

[0033] The gas-liquid separator 1 is composed of a container shell 101, an airflow baffle 108, a spiral coil 109, and a wire mesh demister 1010; the airflow baffle 108 is provided on the inner wall of the cavity 1012 of the container shell 101; the spiral coil 109 is provided in the upper middle part of the cavity 1012; and the wire mesh demister 1010 is provided above the spiral coil 109.

[0034] The outer surface of the container shell 101 is provided with a cooling water return port 102, a cooling water inlet 103, an air inlet 104, a wastewater discharge port 105, a level gauge lower interface 106, a level gauge upper interface 107, and a hydrogen outlet 1011; the spiral coil 109 is a conical spiral coil 109; the spiral diameter of the spiral coil 109 decreases continuously from bottom to top or decreases in a step-like manner.

[0035] A normally closed ball valve 13 is installed on the water discharge pipeline connected to the output pipeline of the drying tower 5.

[0036] The working process of this utility model is as follows:

[0037] Hydrogen gas from the electrolyzer output hydrogen device is delivered to the gas-liquid separator 1 through the inlet 104. When the hydrogen gas enters the tank of the gas-liquid separator 1, it is blocked and impacted by the airflow baffle 108. Some of the water vapor carried in the hydrogen gas is deposited at the bottom of the cavity 1012 under its own inertia. After overflowing from the lower opening of the baffle 108, the hydrogen gas continues to rise under the action of lift and rises to the middle of the cavity 1012, where it begins to contact the conical spiral coil 109. Driven by the water pump 12, cooling water enters from the upper water inlet 103 and passes through the conical spiral coil. In 109, the water is discharged from the cooling water return port 102 and continuously circulates to cool down, causing some of the water vapor in the hydrogen to liquefy into liquid water and finally deposit at the bottom of the cavity 1012. After contacting the spiral coil 109, the hydrogen gas shrinks in volume due to cooling and contraction. As the coil moves from the cooling water inlet 103 to the cooling water return port 102, the diameter of the spiral coil 109 continuously decreases. The spiral coil 109 with a gradually decreasing diameter has more sufficient contact with the rising hydrogen gas, thereby increasing the cooling rate of water vapor and further increasing the deposition of water vapor condensate.

[0038] As the hydrogen continues to rise, the hydrogen carrying the remaining water vapor molecules comes into contact with the wire mesh demister 1010. Under the layer-by-layer filtration effect of the wire mesh and grid in the wire mesh demister 1010, most of the water vapor attached to the hydrogen is filtered out. Finally, the hydrogen is output from the outlet 1011 to the drying tower 5. In the drying tower 5, the remaining water vapor molecules in the hydrogen are fully adsorbed by the drying powder. In this way, after the dual dehydration by the gas-liquid separator 1 and the drying tower 5, the hydrogen has reached an ideal level of cleanliness.

[0039] After exiting the drying tower 5, the hydrogen passes through the pressure gauge 7 and the pressure sensor 8. Under the action of the back pressure valve 9, the hydrogen is pressurized. The back pressure valve 9 and the pressure sensor 8 are interlocked and controlled. The parameters are set in the controller 3 to maximize the storage pressure of the hydrogen. The back pressure parameter is set to a medium pressure value and must not exceed the maximum pressure limit of the electrolyzer. When the pressure sensor 8 shows that the pressure exceeds this medium pressure value, the hydrogen after back pressure can pass through the back pressure valve 9, then through the one-way valve 11, and can finally be directly output for use or stored in a medium pressure state for backup.

[0040] During the back pressure process after the gas-liquid separator 1, the hydrogen gas will pass through the temperature sensor 6 after the gas outlet 1011 to detect the temperature, and the dew point tester 10 after the back pressure valve 9 to detect the humidity. The two detection points are interlocked with the water pump 12 and the temperature and humidity control values ​​are set in the controller 3 for interlock control. When the hydrogen temperature is higher than the temperature control value, it means that the hydrogen is not cooled enough. The water pump 12 is controlled to increase the speed to accelerate the cooling cycle, so as to achieve the cooling of the hydrogen and improve the water separation effect.

[0041] When the dew point detection value is higher than its control value, it indicates that the humidity is too high. It is necessary to improve the water removal capacity of the gas-liquid separator 1 and increase the speed of the water pump 12 to allow more water in the hydrogen to liquefy and separate in order to reduce the humidity.

[0042] As the water vapor carried by the hydrogen is separated and deposited in the cavity 1012 by the gas-liquid separator 1, the increasing amount of separated wastewater causes the liquid level to gradually rise. The differential pressure level gauge 4 detects the liquid level difference and generates a high-low liquid level difference. When the actual liquid level difference exceeds the upper limit control value on the differential pressure level gauge 4, it triggers the solenoid valve 2 to open and close instantaneously. The instantaneous opening and closing of the solenoid valve 2 discharges the wastewater, causing the liquid level to drop to the lower liquid level port 106, completing the automatic discharge of wastewater from the gas-liquid separator 1. When the liquid level rises again, it triggers the differential pressure level gauge 4 to interlock the solenoid valve 2 to continue discharging wastewater, thus continuously and uninterruptedly achieving the automatic discharge of separated wastewater from the gas-liquid separator 1.

[0043] The gas-liquid separator 1 of this invention integrates multiple structures for cooling and water separation, directly eliminating the need for an external cooling plate heat exchanger, reducing equipment costs, and enabling it to have more efficient water separation performance. Furthermore, the gas-liquid separator 1 can reduce the back pressure of hydrogen produced by water electrolysis to a medium pressure, lowering the pressurization gradient and effectively reducing the related process costs of hydrogen in pressurized storage. The gas-liquid separator 1 also features an automatic wastewater discharge function and an interlocking control method to improve the water separation efficiency of the modular gas-liquid separation device.

[0044] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A modular device for separating gas and liquid in water electrolysis for hydrogen production, characterized in that, include: The system includes a gas-liquid separator (1), a solenoid valve (2), a controller (3), and a drying tower (5); the gas-liquid separator (1) is connected to the hydrogen output device of the front-end electrolytic cell via a pipeline; a solenoid valve (2) is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas-liquid separator (1) to the wastewater discharge device; the gas-liquid separator (1) is connected to a differential pressure level gauge (4) via a pipeline; a temperature sensor (6) is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas-liquid separator (1) to the drying tower (5); the gas-liquid separator (1) is connected to a cooling water supply device and a cooling water return device via pipelines respectively; a water pump (12) is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas-liquid separator (1) to the cooling water supply device; The drying tower (5) is connected to the pure hydrogen storage device and the water discharge pipeline through the output pipeline respectively; the output pipeline of the drying tower (5) is equipped with a pressure gauge (7), a pressure sensor (8), a back pressure valve (9), a dew point detector (10) and a one-way valve (11) in sequence; The solenoid valve (2), differential pressure level gauge (4), temperature sensor (6), pressure sensor (8), back pressure valve (9), dew point detector (10) and water pump (12) are all interlocked and controlled by the controller (3).

2. The modular device for electrolytic water hydrogen production with gas-liquid separation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas-liquid separator (1) is composed of a container shell (101), an airflow baffle (108), a spiral coil (109), and a wire mesh demister (1010); the airflow baffle (108) is provided on the inner wall of the cavity (1012) of the container shell (101); the spiral coil (109) is provided in the upper middle part of the cavity (1012); and the wire mesh demister (1010) is provided above the spiral coil (109).

3. The modular device for separating gas and liquid in water electrolysis for hydrogen production according to claim 2, characterized in that, The container shell (101) is provided with a cooling water return port (102), a cooling water inlet (103), an air inlet (104), a wastewater discharge port (105), a liquid level gauge lower interface (106), a liquid level gauge upper interface (107), and a hydrogen outlet (1011).

4. The modular device for electrolytic water hydrogen production and gas-liquid separation according to claim 2, characterized in that, The spiral coil (109) is a conical spiral coil (109).

5. A modular device for separating gas and liquid in water electrolysis for hydrogen production according to claim 2, characterized in that, The spiral diameter of the spiral coil (109) decreases continuously from bottom to top or decreases in a stepwise manner.

6. The modular device for electrolytic water hydrogen production with gas-liquid separation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dryer tower (5) is connected to a water discharge pipeline with a normally closed ball valve (13).

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