Large-area flat pressing plate structure for producing hydrogen by electrolyzing water

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the field of water electrolysis hydrogen production, and particularly relates to a large-area flat pressing plate structure for water electrolysis hydrogen production, which comprises an upper pressing plate and a lower pressing plate, the upper pressing plate is a steel plate with a flat surface, an upper pressing plate isolation pad is adhered to the lower side of the upper pressing plate, a pressing plate groove is arranged at the top of the lower pressing plate, and a pressing plate groove cover is arranged in the pressing plate groove. The pressing plate groove cover is designed to be of an inverted U-shaped structure, a cavity is formed between the pressing plate groove cover and the pressing plate groove, filling materials are arranged in the cavity, small grooves are formed in the periphery of the outer wall of the pressing plate groove cover, sealing rings are arranged in the small grooves and make contact with the inner wall of the pressing plate groove, and a lower pressing plate isolation pad is bonded to the upper side of the pressing plate groove cover. Compared with the prior art, under the condition of the same flatness, the pressure uniformity can be greatly improved, the problem of the pressure uniformity is effectively solved, the manufacturing difficulty and the maintenance cost of the pressing plate are greatly reduced, and meanwhile, the utilization rate of equipment is also improved.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of hydrogen production by water electrolysis, specifically a large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production by water electrolysis. [Background Technology]

[0002] Electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen is an electrochemical technology that uses electricity to directly convert water into hydrogen and oxygen. Due to its unique advantages, it is poised to become a highly promising solution in the field of green hydrogen production. The electrolyzer is the core component of this process. The membrane electrode assembly (MEA), or membrane electrode for short, is the site of the chemical reaction and is the core component of the electrolyzer. It consists of a catalyst-coated proton exchange membrane (CCM), a border membrane, and a gas diffusion layer. Because the membrane electrode has a relatively large area, it is typically 600×600 mm. 2 ~1200×1200mm 2 This trend is expanding further. Hot pressing is an essential step in the fabrication of membrane electrodes, used in heat transfer printing and edge film lamination. There are two types of hot pressing: flat pressing and roll pressing. Roll pressing is mainly used in roll-to-roll continuous transfer printing, while flat pressing is used for single-piece lamination. Given the current market size, single-piece lamination is the mainstream method due to smaller order sizes and is expected to continue for several years.

[0003] Flatbed presses, with their simple structure, have become a standard process in ordinary hot pressing. However, in the application of large-area electrolytic water film electrodes, pressure uniformity becomes a critical technical point. The hot pressing process demands high pressure uniformity, which is determined by the flatness of the upper and lower pressure plates, typically with a flatness error of ±20μm across the entire plane. Presses that fail to meet this requirement will result in incomplete product transfer, substandard edge adhesion and peeling force, and defects such as air bubbles. Furthermore, presses that do not meet this requirement require maintenance. For small-area hot presses, the small platen area makes them less prone to deformation, and maintenance costs several thousand yuan per cycle, allowing for a lifespan of 1-2 years. For large-area presses, maintenance costs can rise to tens of thousands of yuan, with a very short lifespan, requiring maintenance every 3 months, and even less than 1 month under high pressure. Moreover, the equipment is unusable during maintenance, reducing its uptime. Therefore, such high operating costs represent a significant expense for enterprises, necessitating a technical solution to address this issue. [Utility Model Content]

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned shortcomings by providing a large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production through water electrolysis. This structure can significantly improve pressure uniformity while maintaining the same flatness, greatly reducing the manufacturing difficulty and maintenance cost of the pressure plate, and also improving the equipment's uptime.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, a large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production by water electrolysis is designed, including an upper pressure plate 1 and a lower pressure plate 2. The upper pressure plate 1 is a flat steel plate. An upper pressure plate isolation pad 3 is bonded to the lower side of the upper pressure plate 1. A pressure plate groove is formed on the top of the lower pressure plate 2. A pressure plate groove cover 4 is built into the pressure plate groove. The pressure plate groove cover 4 is designed as an inverted U-shaped structure. A cavity is formed between the pressure plate groove cover 4 and the pressure plate groove. The cavity is filled with a filling material 5. Small grooves are formed around the outer wall of the pressure plate groove cover 4. A sealing ring 6 is built into the small groove and contacts the inner wall of the pressure plate groove. A lower pressure plate isolation pad 7 is bonded to the upper side of the pressure plate groove cover 4.

[0006] Furthermore, the depth of the pressure plate groove is greater than 2mm, and the diameter or width of the pressure plate groove is greater than the maximum size of the product 8 to be pressed.

[0007] Furthermore, the top plate of the pressure plate groove cover 4 has a thickness of 0.1-5mm, the side wall thickness of the pressure plate groove cover 4 is greater than the top plate thickness, and the pressure plate groove cover 4 is made of metal or fiberglass material.

[0008] Furthermore, the pressure plate groove cover 4 is made of reinforced high-temperature cloth, and the surface of the reinforced high-temperature cloth is coated with PTFE coating.

[0009] Furthermore, the height of the pressure plate groove cover 4 is less than the depth of the pressure plate groove, and the total height of the pressure plate groove cover 4 and the filling material 5 is greater than the depth of the pressure plate groove.

[0010] Furthermore, the upper pressure plate 1 and the lower pressure plate 2 are respectively equipped with an upper pressure plate heater 9 and a lower pressure plate heater 10. The upper pressure plate heater 9 is located in the lower middle area of ​​the upper pressure plate 1, and the lower pressure plate heater 10 is located in the upper middle area of ​​the lower pressure plate 2.

[0011] Furthermore, both the upper pressure plate 1 and the lower pressure plate 2 are equipped with multiple temperature sensors 11. The temperature sensors 11 of the upper pressure plate 1 are located below the upper pressure plate heater 9, and the temperature sensors 11 of the lower pressure plate 2 are located above the lower pressure plate heater 10.

[0012] Furthermore, both the upper pressure plate isolation pad 3 and the lower pressure plate isolation pad 7 have built-in reinforcing layers, and the thermal conductivity of the upper pressure plate isolation pad 3 is greater than that of the lower pressure plate isolation pad 7.

[0013] Furthermore, the upper pressure plate isolation pad 3 is made of high-temperature cloth with a reinforcing layer, the high-temperature cloth is 0.2mm thick and has a temperature resistance of over 200℃.

[0014] Furthermore, the lower pressure plate isolation pad 7 is a silicone pad with a reinforcing layer, the silicone pad is 2mm thick and has a temperature resistance of over 200℃.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages:

[0016] (1) This utility model changes the traditional press with a simple planar upper and lower pressure plate, changes the lower pressure plate to a three-dimensional structure, and innovatively cuts a groove on the lower pressure plate, and places a pressure plate groove cover in the groove to form a cavity;

[0017] (2) This utility model uses a fluid material placed in the cavity, thereby balancing the pressure on the surface of the lower pressure plate;

[0018] (3) The present invention places a sealing ring between the lower pressure plate groove and the pressure plate groove wall, thereby preventing the filling material from being pressed out;

[0019] (4) The present invention places an isolation pad between the upper pressure plate and the lower pressure plate, which not only prevents the product from being contaminated, but also plays a buffering role, and can also protect the surface of the pressure plate from damage and improve the service life of the pressure plate.

[0020] (5) Compared with traditional presses, this utility model greatly improves pressure uniformity under the same flatness.

[0021] (6) This utility model reduces the flatness requirement, from the original overall flatness of ±20μm to every 10×10cm. 2 The flatness within the local area is ±20μm, which greatly reduces the manufacturing difficulty and cost of the pressure plate;

[0022] (7) This utility model can reduce the maintenance of the equipment from once every 3 months to almost no maintenance as long as there is no bump or knock, greatly reducing the maintenance cost and improving the utilization rate of the equipment. [Image Description]

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a comparison diagram of pressure color development experiments according to an embodiment of this utility model;

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Upper pressure plate; 2. Lower pressure plate; 3. Upper pressure plate isolation pad; 4. Pressure plate groove cover; 5. Filling material; 6. Sealing ring; 7. Lower pressure plate isolation pad; 8. Product to be pressed; 9. Upper pressure plate heater; 10. Lower pressure plate heater; 11. Temperature sensor. [Detailed Implementation]

[0026] As attached Figure 1As shown, this utility model provides a large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production by water electrolysis, which can effectively solve the problem of pressure uniformity. It mainly consists of an upper pressure plate 1 and a lower pressure plate 2. The upper pressure plate 1 is a flat steel plate. An upper pressure plate isolation pad 3 is bonded to the lower side of the upper pressure plate 1. A pressure plate groove is opened on the top of the lower pressure plate 2. A pressure plate groove cover 4 is built into the pressure plate groove. The pressure plate groove cover 4 is designed as an inverted U-shaped structure. A cavity is formed between the pressure plate groove cover 4 and the pressure plate groove. The cavity is filled with filling material 5. Small grooves are opened around the outer wall of the pressure plate groove cover 4. A sealing ring 6 is built into the small groove. The sealing ring 6 contacts the inner wall of the pressure plate groove. A lower pressure plate isolation pad 7 is bonded to the upper side of the pressure plate groove cover 4.

[0027] The depth of the pressure plate groove is greater than 2mm, and the diameter or width of the pressure plate groove is greater than the maximum size of the product 8 to be pressed; the thickness of the top plate of the pressure plate groove cover 4 is 0.1-5mm, the thickness of the side wall of the pressure plate groove cover 4 is greater than the thickness of the top plate, and the pressure plate groove cover 4 is made of metal or fiberglass material; the pressure plate groove cover 4 is made of reinforced high-temperature cloth, and the surface of the reinforced high-temperature cloth is coated with PTFE coating; the height of the pressure plate groove cover 4 is less than the depth of the pressure plate groove, and the total height of the pressure plate groove cover 4 and the filling material 5 is greater than the depth of the pressure plate groove.

[0028] The upper pressure plate 1 and the lower pressure plate 2 each have an upper pressure plate heater 9 and a lower pressure plate heater 10 built in. The upper pressure plate heater 9 is located in the lower middle area of ​​the upper pressure plate 1, and the lower pressure plate heater 10 is located in the upper middle area of ​​the lower pressure plate 2. Both the upper pressure plate 1 and the lower pressure plate 2 have multiple temperature sensors 11. The temperature sensors 11 of the upper pressure plate 1 are located below the upper pressure plate heater 9, and the temperature sensors 11 of the lower pressure plate 2 are located above the lower pressure plate heater 10. The temperatures of the upper and lower pressure plates can be set independently, and the heaters can be controlled independently. The heating temperature range is from room temperature to 200℃.

[0029] Both the upper pressure plate isolation pad 3 and the lower pressure plate isolation pad 7 have built-in reinforcing layers. The overall material has a temperature resistance of over 200℃. The thermal conductivity of the upper pressure plate isolation pad 3 is greater than that of the lower pressure plate isolation pad 7. The upper pressure plate isolation pad 3 uses high-temperature cloth with a reinforcing layer. The thickness of the high-temperature cloth is 0.2mm, and its temperature resistance is over 200℃. The lower pressure plate isolation pad 7 uses a silicone pad with a reinforcing layer. The thickness of the silicone pad is 2mm, and its temperature resistance is over 200℃.

[0030] The functions of each part of this utility model are as follows: the upper and lower pressure plates transmit pressure and flatten the product; the lower pressure plate groove and the pressure plate groove cover together form a cavity for placing filling material; the filling material has fluidity and plays a role in dispersing and equalizing pressure, ensuring that the pressure on all parts of the product is the same; the sealing ring plays a sealing role, preventing the filling material from being squeezed out. An upper pressure plate isolation pad is placed on the lower side of the upper pressure plate and is bonded to the upper pressure plate with high-temperature resistant double-sided adhesive; a lower pressure plate isolation pad is placed on the upper side of the lower pressure plate groove cover and is bonded to the pressure plate groove cover with high-temperature resistant double-sided adhesive. The upper pressure plate isolation pad isolates the upper pressure plate from the product, preventing the metal pressure plate from contaminating the product, and also plays a buffering role, further ensuring pressure uniformity. It also protects the pressure plate surface from scratches, extending the service life of the pressure plate. The lower pressure plate isolation pad isolates the lower pressure plate from the product, preventing the product from being damaged by sharp edges and from contamination by the lower pressure plate and other structures. It also plays a buffering role, further ensuring pressure uniformity, and also protects the pressure plate surface from scratches, extending the service life of the pressure plate. Both the upper and lower pressure plate isolation pads have built-in reinforcement layers to prevent deformation under pressure, which could cause product warping and wavy patterns. Both upper and lower pressure plates have built-in heaters for heating; multiple temperature sensors are also built into both plates for temperature measurement and closed-loop control; the heaters and temperature sensors work together to provide the product with the appropriate temperature.

[0031] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments:

[0032] This utility model consists of an upper pressure plate and a lower pressure plate, both of which have built-in heating functions, with a heating temperature range from room temperature to 200℃. The upper pressure plate is a flat steel plate, with an upper pressure plate isolation pad bonded to its lower side. Specifically, the upper pressure plate isolation pad is made of high-temperature cloth with a reinforcing layer, the cloth being 0.2mm thick and with a temperature resistance of over 200℃. The lower plate has a milled groove structure with a depth > 2mm, and the diameter or width of the groove is greater than the maximum size of the product to be pressed. A pressure plate groove cover, which is an inverted U-shaped structure, is placed inside the groove. The groove cover is made of a material with a certain degree of toughness, its height being less than the groove depth, the thickness of the upper surface of the groove cover being 0.1-5mm, and the sidewall thickness being greater than the upper surface thickness. The material of the groove cover can be metal or fiberglass, as long as it has a certain degree of toughness, and the temperature resistance of the groove cover material must be greater than the hot pressing temperature. Specifically, in this embodiment, the depth of the milled groove structure of the lower plate is 3.4mm, and the material of the groove cover is a reinforced PTFE-coated high-temperature cloth with a thickness of 0.15mm. After the pressure plate cover is placed in the groove, a cavity is formed in the middle. A filler material with a certain degree of fluidity is placed inside the cavity. The temperature resistance of the filler material must be higher than the hot pressing temperature. In this embodiment, high-temperature oil is used. The total height of the pressure plate cover and the filler material is greater than the depth of the pressure plate groove. Small grooves are cut around the pressure plate cover, and sealing rings are placed in these grooves, contacting the pressure plate groove wall. A lower pressure plate isolation pad is placed on the upper side of the pressure plate cover. The lower pressure plate isolation pad is a silicone pad with a reinforcing layer, 2mm thick, and with a temperature resistance of over 200℃. The product to be pressed is placed between the upper and lower pressure plate isolation pads for hot pressing.

[0033] To verify the effectiveness of this invention, pressure changes were displayed using the color-changing principle of pressure-sensitive materials. A 30μm layer of sulfur-free paper was placed on a conventional press plate to simulate unevenness. Pressure-sensitive paper was then placed on top, and the plate was pressed at 30t for 1 minute. The color development effect of the pressure-sensitive paper is shown in the attached figure. Figure 2 As shown in the left figure, the pressure is significantly higher at the sulfur-free paper area and lower around it, indicating obvious pressure unevenness. To simulate the unevenness of the pressure plate, 30μm sulfur-free paper was placed on the press using this invention, and pressure-sensitive paper was then placed on top. The press was subjected to 30t pressure for 1 minute, and the color development effect of the pressure-sensitive paper is shown in the attached figure. Figure 2 As shown in the right figure, the color development is more uniform in the sulfur-free paper area, and the increase in pressure is almost imperceptible. This indicates that under the structural effect of this utility model, the pressure is dispersed in all directions, making the pressure distribution more uniform. That is, attached... Figure 2 A pressure-based colorimetric comparison experiment was conducted (left control group, ordinary press; right experimental group, press of this invention, both placed on a 30μm sulfur-free paper simulating an uneven pressing plate). Practical testing verified that the pressing effect using the pressing plate of this invention is significant, meets the expected requirements, and has practical value.

[0034] Contents not described in detail in this specification are existing technologies known to those skilled in the art and will not be elaborated upon here. This utility model is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Any changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, or simplifications made without departing from the spirit and principle of this utility model should be considered equivalent substitutions and are included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production by water electrolysis, characterized in that: It includes an upper pressure plate (1) and a lower pressure plate (2). The upper pressure plate (1) is a flat steel plate. An upper pressure plate isolation pad (3) is bonded to the lower side of the upper pressure plate (1). A pressure plate groove is opened on the top of the lower pressure plate (2). A pressure plate groove cover (4) is built into the pressure plate groove. The pressure plate groove cover (4) is designed as an inverted U-shaped structure. A cavity is formed between the pressure plate groove cover (4) and the pressure plate groove. The cavity is filled with filling material (5). Small grooves are opened around the outer wall of the pressure plate groove cover (4). A sealing ring (6) is built into the small groove. The sealing ring (6) is in contact with the inner wall of the pressure plate groove. A lower pressure plate isolation pad (7) is bonded to the upper side of the pressure plate groove cover (4).

2. The large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production by water electrolysis as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The depth of the pressure plate groove is greater than 2mm, and the diameter or width of the pressure plate groove is greater than the maximum size of the product to be pressed (8).

3. The large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production by water electrolysis as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the top plate of the pressure plate groove cover (4) is 0.1-5mm, the thickness of the side wall of the pressure plate groove cover (4) is greater than the thickness of the top plate, and the pressure plate groove cover (4) is made of metal or fiberglass material.

4. The large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production by water electrolysis as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure plate groove cover (4) is made of reinforced high-temperature cloth, and the surface of the reinforced high-temperature cloth is coated with PTFE coating.

5. The large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production by water electrolysis as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The height of the pressure plate groove cover (4) is less than the depth of the pressure plate groove, and the total height of the pressure plate groove cover (4) and the filling material (5) is greater than the depth of the pressure plate groove.

6. The large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production by water electrolysis as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The upper pressure plate (1) and the lower pressure plate (2) are respectively equipped with an upper pressure plate heater (9) and a lower pressure plate heater (10). The upper pressure plate heater (9) is located in the lower middle area of ​​the upper pressure plate (1), and the lower pressure plate heater (10) is located in the upper middle area of ​​the lower pressure plate (2).

7. The large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production by water electrolysis as described in claim 6, characterized in that: Multiple temperature sensors (11) are placed inside the upper pressure plate (1) and the lower pressure plate (2). The temperature sensor (11) of the upper pressure plate (1) is located below the upper pressure plate heater (9), and the temperature sensor (11) of the lower pressure plate (2) is located above the lower pressure plate heater (10).

8. The large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production by water electrolysis as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: Both the upper pressure plate isolation pad (3) and the lower pressure plate isolation pad (7) have built-in reinforcing layers, and the thermal conductivity of the upper pressure plate isolation pad (3) is greater than that of the lower pressure plate isolation pad (7).

9. The large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production by water electrolysis as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The upper pressure plate isolation pad (3) is made of high-temperature cloth with a reinforcing layer. The high-temperature cloth is 0.2mm thick and has a temperature resistance of over 200℃.

10. The large-area flat pressure plate structure for hydrogen production by water electrolysis as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The lower pressure plate isolation pad (7) is a silicone pad with a reinforcing layer. The silicone pad is 2mm thick and has a temperature resistance of over 200℃.

Images