Hydrogen production and power generation coupling system based on methanol concentration difference

Abstract

The utility model discloses a hydrogen production and power generation coupling system based on methanol concentration difference, which relates to the technical field of methanol electrolysis hydrogen production and comprises a methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor, a methanol water supply unit, a direct methanol fuel cell and an energy storage cell, the methanol water supply unit provides methanol water required by hydrogen production for the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor, and a water outlet of the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor is communicated with a water inlet of the direct methanol fuel cell, so that low-concentration methanol water output by the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor is input into the direct methanol fuel cell for power generation; the direct methanol fuel cell, the energy storage cell and the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor are sequentially in circuit connection. According to the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor, the high-concentration methanol aqueous solution is used for electrolysis hydrogen production, the output low-concentration methanol aqueous solution serves as a raw material for power generation of the direct methanol fuel cell, the direct methanol fuel cell generates power and then supplies the power for hydrogen production of the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor, an external power source is not needed for power supply, and the system efficiency is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of methanol electrolysis for hydrogen production, specifically to a methanol electrolysis hydrogen production and power generation device based on methanol concentration difference. Background Technology

[0002] Methanol electrolysis for hydrogen production is a method that produces hydrogen gas by electrolyzing an aqueous methanol solution. It is characterized by its simple operation, low cost, and high hydrogen production rate. During electrolysis, a direct current is applied across the membrane electrode, and electrolysis is performed using a linear potential scan. The electrolyte solution is pumped into the anode chamber for electrolysis, and the generated hydrogen gas is collected at the cathode. Methanol electrolysis for hydrogen production requires very low voltage during the electrolysis process, thus consuming little energy.

[0003] Regarding methanol electrolysis for hydrogen production, Chinese invention patent No. 202211716948.8 discloses a medium-high temperature methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor, including an end plate, an anode plate, an anode gas diffusion layer, a medium-high temperature membrane electrode, a cathode gas diffusion layer, and a cathode plate. The medium-high temperature membrane electrode mainly consists of a medium-high temperature acidic electrolyte membrane, a double-catalytic layer anode, and a cathode. During operation, a methanol aqueous solution introduced to the anode side passes sequentially through the anode plate and the anode gas diffusion layer to reach the double-catalytic layer anode. After applying a certain potential, methanol undergoes an electrochemical oxidation reaction in the outer and inner catalytic layers to generate carbon dioxide, protons, and electrons. The protons pass through the medium-high temperature acidic electrolyte membrane to reach the cathode and combine with electrons to generate hydrogen gas.

[0004] Furthermore, Chinese invention patent number 202210054032.4 discloses a high-efficiency, low-cost distributed electrolysis methanol-to-green hydrogen device. It uses non-precious metal oxide materials as electrodes, employs an aqueous methanol solution as the electrolyte, and features a removable diaphragm. High-purity hydrogen is produced without a diaphragm, producing hydrogen with high purity, free of CO impurities, and eliminating the need for subsequent purification and secondary processing. This invention enables on-demand hydrogen production, eliminates the need for high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks, reduces hydrogen production costs, decreases carbon emissions, and addresses existing pain points in hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and utilization.

[0005] In the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production process, methanol cannot be completely electrolyzed, resulting in a decrease in the concentration of unreacted methanol-water, which needs to be recycled. Current methanol electrolysis hydrogen production equipment requires an external power source, which is insufficient for some off-grid applications. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an improved technical solution that addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to provide a hydrogen production and power generation coupling system based on methanol concentration difference.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a hydrogen production and power generation coupling system based on methanol concentration difference, comprising: an electrolytic methanol hydrogen production reactor, a methanol-water supply unit, a direct methanol fuel cell, and an energy storage battery;

[0008] The methanol-water supply unit provides methanol-water raw material required for hydrogen production to the electrolytic methanol-to-hydrogen reactor. The outlet of the electrolytic methanol-to-hydrogen reactor is connected to the inlet of the direct methanol fuel cell so that the low-concentration methanol-water output from the electrolytic methanol-to-hydrogen reactor is input into the direct methanol fuel cell to generate electricity. The direct methanol fuel cell, the energy storage battery, and the electrolytic methanol-to-hydrogen reactor are connected in sequence by circuit.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the concentration of methanol-water required for methanol electrolysis to produce hydrogen is about 3-4 mol / L, and the concentration of methanol-water required for direct methanol fuel cells is about 0.5 mol / L. After the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reaction, the concentration of methanol-water is reduced, and the concentration of methanol-water discharged meets the requirements of direct methanol fuel cells. Therefore, the methanol-water that has not been completely reacted in the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production process can be input into the direct methanol fuel cell to generate electricity. The electrical energy is stored in the energy storage battery, which provides the electrical energy required by the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor. Hydrogen production can be carried out without the use of external input electrical energy.

[0010] Preferably, the methanol-water supply unit includes a methanol container, a water container, and a methanol-water mixing container. The methanol container provides methanol to the methanol-water mixing container, the water container provides water to the methanol-water mixing container, and the methanol-water container provides the methanol-water raw material required for hydrogen production to the electrolytic methanol-to-hydrogen reactor.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, methanol and pure water are mixed in a methanol-water container to adjust the methanol-water concentration to be suitable for the methanol-to-hydrogen reactor.

[0012] Preferably, a methanol sensor is installed inside the methanol-water mixing container to detect the methanol concentration inside the methanol-water mixing container.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the methanol concentration in the methanol-water mixing container is detected in real time, and the amount of methanol and pure water input into the methanol-water mixing container from the methanol container and water container is controlled respectively, so as to achieve the function of adjusting the methanol-water concentration to be suitable for the methanol-to-hydrogen reactor.

[0014] Preferably, the outlet of the methanol-to-hydrogen electrolysis reactor is divided into two paths: one path is connected to the direct methanol fuel cell, and the other path is connected to the methanol-water mixing container.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, a portion of the low-concentration methanol-water solution output from the methanol-to-hydrogen reactor is fed into a direct methanol fuel cell for power generation, while the remainder is returned to the methanol-water mixing container.

[0016] Preferably, the outlet of the direct methanol fuel cell is connected to the methanol-water mixing container.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, after the direct methanol fuel cell generates electricity using methanol-water solution, the water generated after the reaction is returned to the methanol-water mixing container.

[0018] Compared with related technologies, the hydrogen production and power generation coupling system based on methanol concentration difference provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] The methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor of this application uses a high-concentration methanol aqueous solution to electrolyze hydrogen, and the output low-concentration methanol aqueous solution is used as raw material for direct methanol fuel cell power generation. The direct methanol fuel cell power generation then supplies the hydrogen production power of the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor. No external power supply is required, the system has high efficiency, and it is an integrated design. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 Three-dimensional hydrogen production and power generation coupling system Figure 1 ;

[0021] Figure 2 Three-dimensional hydrogen production and power generation coupling system Figure 2 ;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a front view of the hydrogen production and power generation coupling system.

[0023] Reference numerals: 10, Electrolytic methanol to hydrogen reactor; 20, Methanol-water supply unit; 201, Methanol container; 202, Water container; 203, Methanol-water mixing container; 204, First micropump; 205, Second micropump; 206, Third micropump; 30, Direct methanol fuel cell; 40, Energy storage battery; 50, Control power supply. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0025] In the description of this utility model, the terms "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," and "bottom," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this utility model and do not require that this utility model be constructed and operated in a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. The terms "connected" and "linked" used in this utility model should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection or a detachable connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through intermediate components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms according to the specific circumstances.

[0026] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a hydrogen production and power generation coupling system based on methanol concentration difference, including an electrolytic methanol hydrogen production reactor 10, a methanol-water supply unit 20, a direct methanol fuel cell 30, and an energy storage battery 40; the methanol-water supply unit 20 is connected to the electrolytic methanol hydrogen production reactor 10 and is used to provide the methanol-water raw material required for hydrogen production to the electrolytic methanol hydrogen production reactor 10. After the electrolytic methanol hydrogen production reactor 10 is energized, the methanol-water solution is electrolyzed to generate H2 and CO2, and the chemical reaction equation is CH4O+H2O=CO2+3H2.

[0028] The outlet of the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor 10 is connected to the inlet of the direct methanol fuel cell 30. The low-concentration methanol aqueous solution output from the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor 10 is input into the direct methanol fuel cell 30, where the low-concentration methanol aqueous solution is used for power generation.

[0029] The direct methanol fuel cell 30 is connected to the energy storage battery 40 by an electrical circuit, and the generated electrical energy is stored in the energy storage battery 40. The energy storage battery 40 is also connected to the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor 10 by an electrical circuit, and provides the required electrical energy to the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor 10. It cleverly utilizes the methanol-water concentration difference to produce hydrogen and generate electricity. Only one methanol-water supply unit 20 is needed to support the operation of both the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor 10 and the direct methanol fuel cell 30.

[0030] In this embodiment, the methanol-water supply unit 20 includes a methanol container 201, a water container 202, and a methanol-water mixing container 203. The methanol container 201 provides methanol to the methanol-water mixing container 203, and the water container 202 provides water to the methanol-water mixing container 203. Methanol and water are mixed evenly in the methanol-water mixing container 203. The methanol-water container 202 provides the methanol-water raw material required for hydrogen production to the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor 10.

[0031] To further optimize the above embodiment, the methanol container 201 and the methanol-water mixing container 203 are connected via a methanol pipeline, on which a first micro-pump 204 is installed. The water container 202 and the methanol-water mixing container 203 are connected via a water pipeline, on which a second micro-pump 205 is installed. The methanol-water mixing container 203 is connected to the methanol-to-hydrogen electrolysis reactor 10 via a methanol-water pipeline, on which a third micro-pump 206 is installed. By controlling the flow rates of the first micro-pump 204 and the second micro-pump 205, the amount of methanol and water input into the methanol-water mixing container 203 is controlled, thereby precisely regulating the methanol-water concentration within the methanol-water mixing container 203.

[0032] Furthermore, a methanol sensor (not shown in the figure) is installed inside the methanol-water mixing container 203. The methanol sensor detects the methanol concentration in the methanol-water mixing container 203 in real time. Based on the methanol concentration in the methanol-water mixing container 203, the flow rates of the first micro pump 204 and the second micro pump 205 are controlled to ensure that the methanol-water concentration in the methanol-water mixing container 203 meets the requirements.

[0033] In this embodiment, the outlet of the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor 10 is divided into two paths: one path is connected to the direct methanol fuel cell 30, and the other path is connected to the methanol-water mixing container 203. A portion of the low-concentration methanol-water solution output from the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor 10 is input into the direct methanol fuel cell 30 for power generation, and the remainder is returned to the methanol-water mixing container 203.

[0034] In this embodiment, the outlet of the direct methanol fuel cell 30 is connected to the methanol-water mixing container 203. After the direct methanol fuel cell 30 generates electricity using the methanol-water solution, the water generated after the reaction flows back into the methanol-water mixing container 203.

[0035] In this embodiment, a control power supply 50 is also included. The energy storage battery 40 is connected to the control power supply 50 by a circuit. The first micro pump 204, the second micro pump 205, the third micro pump 206, the methanol sensor, the methanol electrolysis hydrogen production reactor 10, and the direct methanol fuel cell 30 are all connected to the control power supply 50 by a circuit.

[0036] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0037] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model shall be within the scope of protection of the pending claims of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A hydrogen production and power generation coupling system based on methanol concentration gradient, characterized in that, include: Electrolysis methanol to hydrogen reactor, methanol-water supply unit, direct methanol fuel cell and energy storage battery; The methanol-water supply unit provides methanol-water raw material required for hydrogen production to the electrolytic methanol-to-hydrogen reactor. The outlet of the electrolytic methanol-to-hydrogen reactor is connected to the inlet of the direct methanol fuel cell so that the low-concentration methanol-water output from the electrolytic methanol-to-hydrogen reactor is input into the direct methanol fuel cell to generate electricity. The direct methanol fuel cell, the energy storage battery, and the electrolytic methanol-to-hydrogen reactor are connected in sequence by circuit.

2. The hydrogen production and power generation coupling system based on methanol concentration difference according to claim 1, characterized in that: The methanol-water supply unit includes a methanol container, a water container, and a methanol-water mixing container. The methanol container supplies methanol to the methanol-water mixing container, the water container supplies water to the methanol-water mixing container, and the methanol-water mixing container supplies the methanol-water raw material required for hydrogen production to the electrolytic methanol-to-hydrogen reactor.

3. The hydrogen production and power generation coupling system based on methanol concentration difference according to claim 2, characterized in that: A methanol sensor is installed inside the methanol-water mixing container to detect the methanol concentration inside the container.

4. The hydrogen production and power generation coupling system based on methanol concentration difference according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outlet of the methanol-to-hydrogen electrolysis reactor is divided into two paths: one path is connected to the direct methanol fuel cell, and the other path is connected to the methanol-water mixing container.

5. The hydrogen production and power generation coupling system based on methanol concentration difference according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outlet of the direct methanol fuel cell is connected to the methanol-water mixing container.

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