Directionally-arranged titanium fiber felt for strengthening gas-water transportation and application of directionally-arranged titanium fiber felt

Abstract

The utility model provides a directionally-arranged titanium fiber felt for strengthening gas-water transportation, which comprises a plurality of layers of titanium fiber sheets which are fixedly arranged in parallel, each layer of titanium fiber sheet is composed of a plurality of titanium fiber filaments which are arranged in parallel, the titanium fiber filaments of two adjacent layers of titanium fiber sheets are stacked at a preset angle, and the preset angle is 20-90 degrees; the titanium fiber filaments of the two layers of titanium fiber sheets at an interval of one layer are arranged in the same position; and a plurality of parallelogram felt holes which are communicated with one another are formed in the titanium fiber felt. The titanium fiber felt provided by the utility model is provided with directionally arranged pores, so that the air-water transportation efficiency can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of PEM electrolysis equipment manufacturing technology, specifically to a directional titanium fiber felt for enhancing gas-water transport and its application. Background Technology

[0002] In water electrolysis hydrogen production systems, the gas diffusion layer (GDL) plays a crucial role. It is responsible for transporting the gas / liquid phases from the bipolar plate flow field to the catalyst layer, and also acts as a current collector to conduct and collect electrons. Due to the high anode overpotential of PEM water electrolysis, commercial electrolyzers generally use titanium-based porous materials as the anode GDL, and to prevent titanium from oxidizing during long-term operation, its surface is often coated with platinum or iridium.

[0003] Titanium felt, sintered titanium plates, and carbon paper are three commonly used materials for anode gel distillation processes (GDLs). Studies have found that the electrolytic performance and stability of these three GDLs are closely related to their pore structure.

[0004] Titanium fiber felt is made from titanium fibers with diameters accurate to the micrometer through non-woven lay-up, stacking, and vacuum sintering processes. It is often used as a gas diffusion layer material for the anode in water electrolysis hydrogen production systems. It has a three-dimensional network porous structure and has significant advantages such as high porosity, large surface area, and uniform pore size distribution.

[0005] However, there is still significant room for improvement in enhancing the electrolysis performance of GDLs through structural and fabrication processes. For example, existing titanium fiber felts have several shortcomings. The disordered and random arrangement of the titanium fibers makes it difficult to precisely control process parameters. This not only affects product consistency and stability but may also lead to fluctuations in product quality, making it impossible to guarantee the stable and reliable performance of each product. Similar patents include CN118727018A, CN215704709U, and CN217961645U. Furthermore, this disordered arrangement of titanium fibers also results in uneven pore size distribution, interfering with the gas-water flow at the anode of the water electrolyzer, thus adversely affecting the performance of the water electrolyzer. Further, this leads to uneven distribution of catalytically active regions during water electrolysis, hindering the generation and transport speed and efficiency of electrons and protons, ultimately reducing the overall performance of the proton exchange membrane in water electrolysis and negatively impacting the efficiency and stability of the electrolysis reaction. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides an oriented titanium fiber felt for enhanced air and water transport, its preparation method, and its application. The purpose is to improve the efficiency of air and water transport fiber felt by oriented arrangement of titanium fibers to achieve uniform and unobstructed pores.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution proposed in this application is as follows:

[0008] A directional titanium fiber felt for enhancing gas and water transport includes multiple layers of parallel and fixed titanium fiber sheets. Each layer of titanium fiber sheet is composed of multiple parallel titanium fiber filaments. The titanium fiber filaments of adjacent layers of titanium fiber sheets are stacked at a predetermined angle, which is 20-90 degrees. The titanium fiber filaments of two layers of titanium fiber sheets with one layer between them are arranged in the same position. Multiple interconnected parallelogram felt holes are formed in the titanium fiber felt.

[0009] Preferably, the titanium fiber diameter is 10-70 μm, and the spacing between the titanium fiber filaments in each layer of titanium fiber sheet is 10-70 μm.

[0010] Preferably, the predetermined angle is 30 degrees.

[0011] Preferably, the felt holes are evenly distributed and of uniform size.

[0012] Preferably, the titanium fiber filaments are 50 μm in diameter, with a total of 8 layers, and the titanium fiber felt is 400 μm thick.

[0013] Preferably, the felt holes are configured as air-water transport channels in a specific direction.

[0014] Preferably, the titanium fibers of two adjacent layers of titanium fiber sheets are fixed together by high-temperature sintering.

[0015] On the other hand, this application also provides a gas diffusion layer made of oriented titanium fiber felt for enhanced gas and water transport as described above.

[0016] In another aspect, this application also provides a proton exchange membrane that uses the gas diffusion layer as described above.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, the present invention provides a directionally aligned titanium fiber felt for enhanced gas-water transport, its preparation method, and its application, achieving the following beneficial technical effects:

[0018] The titanium fiber felt provided by this invention has a uniform pore size and distribution, forming a gas-water flow channel, thereby optimizing the gas-water flow at the anode of the water electrolyzer, thus improving the performance of the water electrolyzer, promoting the uniform distribution of the catalytic active area during water electrolysis, accelerating the generation and transport speed and efficiency of electrons and protons, significantly improving the overall performance of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis, and enhancing the efficiency and stability of the electrolysis reaction. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or 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 some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for preparing a directionally arranged titanium fiber felt to enhance gas and water transport, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 Microscopic / SEM image of an oriented titanium fiber felt for enhancing air and water transport, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a two-phase flow simulation diagram of a directionally arranged titanium fiber felt for enhancing gas-water transport, provided as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This image shows a single-layer titanium fiber sheet of a directionally arranged titanium fiber felt for enhancing air and water transport, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure Labels

[0025] 101-Titanium fiber filament, 102-Stepper slider, 103-Stepper motor, 104-Receiver (metal frame), 105-Rotary motor, 106-Lower layer of titanium fiber felt, 107-Upper layer of titanium fiber felt. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a directional titanium fiber felt for enhancing gas and water transport includes multiple layers of parallel and fixed titanium fiber sheets. Each layer of titanium fiber sheet is composed of multiple parallel titanium fiber filaments 101. The titanium fiber filaments 101 of adjacent layers of titanium fiber sheets are stacked at a predetermined angle, which is 20-90 degrees. The titanium fiber filaments 101 of two layers of titanium fiber sheets with one layer between them are arranged in the same position. Multiple interconnected parallelogram felt holes are formed in the titanium fiber felt.

[0028] The felt pore size, porosity, and void shape of this application are controllable and can be adjusted by changing the titanium fiber diameter, fiber spacing, stacking angle of different layers, and number of stacked layers. Preferably, the titanium fiber filament diameter is 10-70 μm, the titanium fiber filament spacing within each layer of titanium fiber sheet is 10-70 μm, the predetermined angle is 30 degrees, the titanium fiber filament diameter is 50 μm, there are 8 layers in total, and the thickness of the titanium fiber felt is 400 μm.

[0029] The above-disclosed content has the following beneficial technical effects: the felt pores are arranged in a specific direction, which can specifically enhance the gas and water transport efficiency in that direction, avoid reaction dead zones, and thus improve the overall performance of proton exchange membrane electrolysis of water.

[0030] In this application, the felt holes are evenly distributed and of uniform size, thereby forming a gas and water transport channel in a specific direction.

[0031] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, this application also provides a method for preparing the aforementioned oriented titanium fiber felt for enhanced gas-water transport, comprising the following steps:

[0032] a) Use a fixed metal frame to spirally wind a single layer of titanium fiber filaments in parallel, and apply liquid adhesive to both ends for fixation;

[0033] b) Cut along the fixed parts at both ends to obtain a single layer of titanium fiber sheet, and stack multiple layers of titanium fiber sheets at a specific angle;

[0034] c) The stacked titanium fiber sheets are sintered at high temperature to form a titanium fiber felt with an oriented fiber structure.

[0035] One gas diffusion layer of this application is prepared using oriented titanium fiber felt for enhanced gas-water transport as described above; another proton exchange membrane of this application includes the gas diffusion layer as described above.

[0036] The stepper slider 102 and the stepper motor 103 are fixedly connected by a pin. Titanium fiber filaments 101 are wound around a rotatable roller on the upper part of the stepper slider 102. The metal frame 104 is set at a certain distance from the roller. The rotary motor 105 is connected to the drive. In use, the rotary motor 105 drives the metal frame 104 to rotate, which in turn causes the titanium fiber filaments 101 to be wound around it. The stepper motor 103 can push the stepper slider 102 to move, thereby adjusting the spacing of the titanium fiber filaments 101 wound on the stepper slider 102.

[0037] The metal frame 104 is wound in a spiral manner with titanium fiber 101 in parallel, and liquid adhesive is applied to both ends for fixation. Then, it is cut along the sides of both ends to form two single-layer fiber sheets.

[0038] Example 1:

[0039] The fibers have a diameter of 50 μm and a spacing of 50 μm between fibers in a single layer. The first layer of fibers is placed vertically. The second layer of fibers is stacked on top of the first layer at a 30° angle. The third layer is stacked parallel to the fibers of the first layer on top of the second layer. The fourth layer is stacked parallel to the titanium fibers of the second layer on top of the third layer, and so on, for a total of 8 layers, resulting in a titanium fiber felt thickness of 400 μm. The finished titanium fiber felt has uniform pores, all of which are quadrilateral pores.

[0040] Example 2:

[0041] The fibers have a diameter of 10 μm and a spacing of 10 μm between fibers in a single layer. The first layer of fibers is placed vertically. The second layer of fibers is stacked on top of the first layer at a 20° angle. The third layer is stacked parallel to the fibers of the first layer on top of the second layer. The fourth layer is stacked parallel to the titanium fibers of the second layer on top of the third layer, and so on, for a total of 10 layers, resulting in a titanium fiber felt thickness of 100 μm. The finished titanium fiber felt has uniform pores, all of which are quadrilateral pores.

[0042] Example 3:

[0043] The fibers have a diameter of 70 μm and a spacing of 70 μm between fibers in a single layer. The first layer of fibers is placed vertically. The second layer of fibers is stacked on top of the first layer at a 60° angle. The third layer is stacked parallel to the fibers of the first layer on top of the second layer. The fourth layer is stacked parallel to the titanium fibers of the second layer on top of the third layer, and so on, for a total of four layers, resulting in a titanium fiber felt thickness of 280 μm. The finished titanium fiber felt has uniform pores, all of which are quadrilateral pores.

[0044] Example 4:

[0045] The fibers have a diameter of 30 μm, and the spacing between fibers in a single layer of fiber sheet is 30 μm. The first layer of fibers is placed vertically, and the second layer of fiber sheet is stacked on top of the first layer at a 90° angle. The third layer is stacked parallel to the fibers of the first layer on the second layer, and the fourth layer is stacked parallel to the titanium fibers of the second layer on the third layer. This process is repeated for a total of 5 layers, resulting in a titanium fiber felt thickness of 150 μm. The finished titanium fiber felt has uniform pores, all of which are quadrilateral pores.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the lower layer 106 of the titanium fiber felt is in contact with the catalyst, and the upper layer 107 of the titanium fiber felt is in contact with the flow channel. The Fluent two-phase flow simulation was verified by applying anisotropic viscous loss and inertial loss to the porous medium to simulate the internal flow of the directionally arranged diffusion layer. The results show that this type of structure can enhance gas-water transport in a specific direction, enhance mass transfer effect, and reduce flow resistance.

[0047] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A directionally aligned titanium fiber felt for enhanced gas and water transport, characterized in that, It includes multiple layers of titanium fiber sheets fixed in parallel, each layer of titanium fiber sheet is composed of multiple parallel titanium fiber filaments, the titanium fiber filaments of two adjacent layers of titanium fiber sheets are stacked at a predetermined angle, the predetermined angle is 20-90 degrees; the titanium fiber filaments of two layers of titanium fiber sheets with one layer between them are arranged in the same position; multiple interconnected parallelogram felt holes are formed in the titanium fiber felt.

2. The oriented titanium fiber felt according to claim 1, characterized in that, The titanium fiber filaments have a diameter of 10-70 μm, and the spacing between the titanium fiber filaments in each layer of titanium fiber sheet is 10-70 μm.

3. The oriented titanium fiber felt according to claim 1, characterized in that, The predetermined angle is 30 degrees.

4. The oriented titanium fiber felt according to claim 1, characterized in that, The felt holes are evenly distributed and of uniform size.

5. The oriented titanium fiber felt according to claim 2, characterized in that, The titanium fiber filaments are 50 μm in diameter and consist of 8 layers, while the titanium fiber felt is 400 μm thick.

6. The oriented titanium fiber felt according to claim 1, characterized in that, The felt holes form air and water transport channels in a specific direction.

7. The oriented titanium fiber felt according to claim 1, characterized in that, The titanium fibers of two adjacent layers of titanium fiber sheets are fixed together by high-temperature sintering.

8. A gas diffusion layer, characterized in that, It is prepared using the oriented titanium fiber felt for enhanced gas and water transport as described in claim 1.

9. A proton exchange membrane, characterized in that, Use the gas diffusion layer as described in claim 8.

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